Exloring Life Eternal

Both depth of heart
& breadth of soul are needed
to give fullest glory to the heights of heaven
as you go the length of the journey.

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Definitions:

Depth: Intimacy in prayer involves a very honest approach in our prayer.

Breadth: Unity of Spirit in diversity of gifts during corporate prayer can help us better express the honor of our Lord.

Heights: God's ways are much higher & it is in this close fellowship where we come to understand the riches of His mercy.

Length: Until the end, either the Lord's return or at death, we must persevere in prayer.

==> These principles in prayer should be applied to how we pray:
Intimacy
Unity in diversity
Glory in mercy
Loyalty

Pray for those in authority.
Defend the rights of the weak & oppressed.
God is the judge of all.

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Here are some articles which should cause one to pray:

About the lack of human rights being reciprocated in Saudi Arabia:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110006712

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Saudi Arabia Receives Lowest Ranking in Study of Women's Rights in Middle
East -- 5/22/05 6:53AM GMT
By ROBIN HINDERY , Associated Press Writer

Saudi Arabia ranked last in a study of women's rights in Middle Eastern and North African countries and was the only one of 16 nations surveyed that had no constitutional guarantees of equal protection for females, according to a report released Saturday.

... The countries studied were evaluated on five categories: nondiscrimination and equal access to justice; autonomy, security and freedom of the individual; economic rights and equal opportunity; political rights and civic voice; and social and cultural rights.

==> These are _not_ for political protest, but most definitely for prayer.

The other day, I was chatting with a fellow about the sovereignty of God ... he kept wanting to "teach" me some particular sectarian doctrine that seems to me to be a form of legalism and yet struggled with why questions indeed he seemed to wonder if it was okay to ask God why, and I tossed in "random" comments of satire, like:

"Perhaps the government needs to start a government program to feed the birds of the air. They fly around, but what about when they run out of food ..."

When the night came, I tossed in a couple more comments:

"Perhaps the government needs to start a lighting program for the country ..."

This seems to be the way of man: let's all get together & solve our problems without the power of God. Oh, that we would see the mercy & goodness of God!!

Lord, I praise you that we may ask you any question, and that you will show us great & wonderful things which we do not know!! You alone are beyond all human comprehension!! Though I am a sinner, you Lord, came to save me & all ... I praise you for your patience that is bound only by life and by the name of Jesus! Yes, You are the Lord who Saves!!

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You probably saw many photos and news programs of U.S. President Bush next to Russian President Putin standing on top of Lenin's tomb in Red Square on 9 May, Victory Day, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. What might not have been reported was that the Russian government had arranged for a whole fleet of airplanes to seed the clouds to make it rain in the area surrounding Moscow so that rain would not fall on their parade in downtown Moscow. But as the big parade began, Bush and Putin were holding umbrellas -- a good, strong downpour of rain greeted the festivities. God may have been gently reminding them and us Who is in charge!

- From Bob Hoskens in Moscow.

I read these this morning Psalm 112:1-3

Praise the LORD!
Blessed is the man that fears the LORD,
that delights greatly in his commandments.

His seed shall be mighty on earth:
the generation of the upright shall be blessed.

Wealth and riches shall be in his house:
and his righteousness endures for ever.

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Praise = a command no mater what.
Fear God = to hate evil. (Proverbs 8:13)
Delight greatly = to do and obey Jesus' commands. [& to enjoy it]
His seed = our children and people we win.
Wealth and riches = if we obey God will bless us.

Monday, May 23, 2005

Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the crowds all around him were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in highest heaven!”

The entire city of Jerusalem was stirred as he entered.

“Who is this?” they asked. – Matthew 21:9-10

Praises:

Praise the Lord that a key worker who was told he was going to have to leave the country has now been allowed to stay. Thank you PTAP for praying!

Praise the Lord that reports from Bahrain are that many tentmakers are having significant conversations with their Muslim colleagues and neighbors about the Gospel. The tentmakers are reporting a response much greater than they have experienced in the past 15 years. Keep praying PTAP!

Petitions:

Pray for reconciliation and restoration for some National Muslim Background Believers that continue to have serious marriage problems. They have made some progress only to fall back into old patterns. Pray for wisdom for the tentmakers discipling them. Pray against the Evil One who wants to draw them away from their new faith in Jesus.

Pray for the growing medical crisis in Yemen. There have been a number of cases of Polio across the country. Most of the children who have contracted the disease were inoculated previously, but inadequate health information and a poorly educated population have led to the current crisis.

Pray for guidance for 2 young, expatriate MBB men in our country. They have little time left on their visas and face very uncertain futures in their home countries. Pray that God would provide for their needs – particularly an environment where they can continue to grow their 6 month-old faith in Jesus.

Pray for the 3 small tentmaking teams in the political capital of our country. Due to extreme government restrictions, it is difficult to coordinate and support the work of each team. Pray that God would raise up someone to provide leadership and networking for the benefit of the 3 teams and improved effectiveness.

Testimony:

Huda came to faith in Jesus 3 years ago. She was in her late 20’s. Her Muslim parents thought it was past due for her to be married. She was quick becoming impossible to marry off due to her old age. At best they thought that she could be some middle aged man’s second wife. After becoming a Christian, she did everything she could do to delay her parent’s efforts to marry her off – particularly now that she was a believer in Jesus. During this time she began to attend the small predominately MBB church in her city. The leadership in the church provided love and care for her as she wrestled with her singleness and her parent’s desires. Through much prayer and leaning on God, He raised up a single, MBB man from a similar background that she was. Under the coverage of the Pastor and his wife, the two MBBs grew their love to the point where they were sure God was calling them to marriage. They were recently married and live in their capital city, growing in the maturity of the Lord. PTL! Please pray for Huda and Khalid as they are key contributors to the National church. Pray for the children the Lord gives them. Pray that they would stand firm as a National MBB family in their country. May there be many more Khalid & Hudas.


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Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
ptap@srginc.org
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches around the world to pray through the heart of the Muslim world so that church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula, to the ends of the earth & the islands ... to the glory of God in Christ

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To learn how you can support this & other ministry for the Middle East, visit:
http://www.srginc.org

Or write to:
PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

Be aware that the guy in N. America who processes these emails & other requests will be traveling / moving to a new location in the USA to live among Muslims so will not be able to respond as quickly to requests for materials for 1-2 weeks starting Thursday, May 26, 2005.

Thanks for praying for us during this transition in our family, life, & ministry.