God Sends Dream AND Messenger To Lapsed Church Member!

From a friend in a Middle Eastern Country

This past Wednesday, while walking down a small back street on the other side of the city, I gave a church Christmas invitation to a guy who, when realizing what I'd given him, asked (in English!), "Do you believe in destiny?" He went on to tell that he'd been a member of another protestant church here in the city 10 years ago, but JUST THE NIGHT BEFORE had a dream where he saw his old church friends, and they came and hugged him.

It gets better: when I excitedly told him that the church was just a couple blocks away, he said that sadly he lives far away from here. I asked where and he said "M*"--the very district where our own church is (highly unlikely when you consider how big the city is!). I just happened to have invitations to our own church's Christmas program in my front pocket, and quickly pulled one out and held it out in front of him--his jaw dropped when he saw it. Tears came to my eyes and I said, "Like your friends in the dream, let me hug you as well; God hasn't forgotten you!"

God is incredible, what more can I say?...

Country of Prayer Focus:Kuwait

According to the 2010 “Reporters Without Borders” report, Kuwait holds firstplace among the Gulf States in press freedom. Pray that this freedom might be used to further the proclamation of the Gospel in Kuwait, and then onto the rest of
the Gulf.
• “I am talking to my Christian friends everyday on Facebook and Skype,” smiled
the Kuwaiti teenager, one of more than a million internet users in the country.
Although the internet is heavily censored by the authorities, many young people are still exposed to new ideas and critical thinking as they explore it. The Arabic Bible is one of the most popular books being downloaded from the internet, showing a real hunger for eternal truth. Please pray for Christians who spend their time in the virtual world sharing the Gospel, and for those who meet them, looking for the Truth

North Korea

This morning we found out that the North Korean leader, Jong Il Kim, died two days ago on the 17th December.

While we don't know exactly what will happen now this does bring change to the situation in and with North Korea.


First and foremost, please pray for peace.

Secondly, please pray for our South Korean President Myong Bak Lee, who is a Christian. Pray that he will have wisdom, guidance and peace from God during whatever the near future might bring.

And thirdly, that the South Korean church would be united in her goal of showing God's love to the family she has long been separated from. That we would soon see the restoration of the church in the city once known as the 'Jerusalem of the East', that is Pyongyang, and the rest of the nation.

Prayer for Oman

Omanis have historically made their living as fishermen, traders, date farmers, and traditional Bedouin nomad camel herders. In ancient times, there was a flourishing trade in frankincense. Oman embraced Islam in the eighth century. Since 1744, Oman has been ruled by the Al Bu Saidi dynasty and is one of the few true monarchies in the world. In 1970, Sultan Qaboos bin Said seized power from his father and started a revolution of modern development, reform and stability. Since then, the standard of living has improved dramatically, as have the expectations and aspirations of the people. Oman has not been affected by the recent global recession. Development and building has continued to flourish. To retain the traditional life-style, many young Omanis commute to the cities for work, and raise their families in the villages. Young Omanis have a desire for freedom.

*Pray that this search for freedom will bring them to the Cross of Christ as they look for answers in the world around them. The fear of evil spirits is a reality to most rural Omanis. They often carry out practices to appease the spirits.

*Pray that God would release them from fear and reveal Himself to them in dreams or visions.

The Freedom Climb

Tanzania: THE FREEDOM CLIMB. Women from across the globe will begin their ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro on 11 January, 2012, the National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the USA. Climbers will be raising awareness, prayer, and finances for women and children being oppressed, enslaved, exploited and trafficked. The goal for 2012 is to affect the lives of 10,000 women through projects that break the cycles of poverty, shame, slavery, and despair. These projects include micro-loans, education, skills training, and protection from exploitation.
The highest mountain in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro’s summit is known as Uhuru Peak (Swahili for freedom). Climbing Kilimanjaro is symbolic of the huge climb to freedom faced daily by millions of enslaved women and children worldwide. The climb will be documented each day, escalating the voice of advocacy on behalf of women’s freedom issues. Pray for last-minute preparations, successful fund-raising and that this will lead to sustained awareness and advocacy in Christ’s name.

Yemen Special: 2.5 Years Since Kidnapping

Monday 12th December 2011 marks two and a half years since the kidnapping of nine foreigners in Saada, north-west Yemen, three of whom were murdered shortly afterwards while two children were freed on 17th May 2010.

There continues to be no news of Johannes and Sabine (a German couple), Simon (their son, aged 3) or of Tony (a British man). Lydia and Anna (7 and 5, daughters of Johannes and Sabine) who were freed in May 2010 are with relatives in Germany and are reported to be in good health. It is a challenge for these relatives to function as Lydia and Anna's parents in light of their unique needs and in the context of their own children.

Some of those close to the situation are hopeful that the recent agreement to transfer power from President Saleh to the Vice President and the formation of a unity government may lead to the release of information about the four missing foreigners. These political changes have not yet led to much positive change in the country as a whole, and protests and violent clashes continue in many parts.
Prayer
Those close to this situation thank us for our prayers and request our continued intercession. They ask us to pray that:
• The missing four (assuming they are alive) will know the peace, presence and daily provision of Jesus and will be released unharmed shortly.
• Information about their whereabouts will be forthcoming.
• The country will be governed in a Godly manner, respecting all ethnic, tribal and religious groups.
• The families and colleagues of those missing will know the peace of Jesus amidst continuing uncertainty.
• The perpetrators will be convicted by the Spirit and drawn to the forgiveness, love and true life offered by Jesus.
Adapted from Middle East Concern

www.meconcern.org

Week Of Prayer For Oman

Young Omanis have a desire for freedom. Pray that this search for freedom
will bring them to the Cross of Christ as they look for answers in the world around
them.
• The fear of evil spirits is a reality to most rural Omanis. They often carry out
practices to appease the spirits. Pray that God would release them from fear and
reveal Himself to them in dreams or visions.
• There are parts of Oman known for witchcraft. Pray that the many strongholds
of fear and shame will be broken by the power of Christ's finished work on the cross.
• The social media has come quickly to Oman. Pray that this media will be a means
for Omanis to be exposed to the Truth of Christ.
• Pray for the Christians who are working in Oman. Pray they will be open in their
faith and love for Christ and be able share it daily with Omanis.
• Many Omanis study abroad. Pray that Christians in these countries will reach out
to them with hospitality and love.
• Important decisions are made in families, clans, and tribes. Pray that whole
families would believe the Gospel.
• Many areas of Oman are almost completely untouched with the Gospel
message. Pray that God would call workers for these unreached areas. Pray that by 2014 every town and city in Oman will have been visited and prayed for by a prayer team.
• Praise the Lord for all those who believe in the Son and live in the Arabian Peninsula! They come from the all nations of the Arabian Peninsula and from countless
countries around the world. Omanis, however, are very few. Please pray for more
locals to hear the Good News, and give their hearts & lives to Jesus. Pray that a church of Omani believers will one day be there.
• Oman had a milder Arab Spring than some of its neighbors. The government
responded positively to those who raised issues. Universities and businesses responded to the demands brought to them. Young Arabs have a new voice, and they love
having a say in the affairs surrounding their lives. A new pride, open thoughts, and
energy are among the Omani young people. Pray that this openness will lead them to the cross.