Exloring Life Eternal

Eritrea - Almighty God, we know that the peace-keeping forces on the border with Ethiopia have been crippled by the government's request that all European personnel leave the country. Lord, we ask you for a just and swift resolution to the border dispute.

Syria - Pray for those who choose to follow Jesus, that they will stand firm against intense family pressure.

West Bank & Gaza Strip – Pray for Christians in Bethlehem, as restrictions on access to the town for locals, tourists, and pilgrims are made increasingly difficult with severe consequences for local businesses.

Mauritania – Pray that more Christians will be able to visit Mauritania to support local Believers.

Sudan - Thank you, Lord, for the release of Sudanese refugees who had been detained in Cairo. We continue to pray that you would restore peace to Sudan, so that people would feel that it is safe to return.

Kuwait – Pray that Christians would make good use of the opportunities afforded by the official mourning period following the death on 14th January of the Emir.

Saudi Arabia - Praise God that the police raids on informal expatriate fellowships meeting in homes appears to have ended. Pray for wisdom and courage for all Christians living in Saudi Arabia, that they will be Christ’s presence.

Tibet – Pray for Christian Believers to find ways to express the Good News of Jesus Christ in ways that are meaningful to Buddhists.

Mongolia – Pray that the young Christian Church will be taught the Word of God and that discipleship training will transform their lives.

India - Pray for God's protection upon the Christian community of India and that they will be strong and faithful [to the Lord's testimony] in the face of this persecution.

Afghanistan – We pray for Christians in Afghanistan. We ask that you would bring them greater freedom to worship you.

Bangladesh - We continue to pray for peace, comfort, and an unwavering boldness for the family and friends of the late Tapan Kumar Roy and Liplal Mardi, Christian workers, who were murdered in July 2005.

Bhutan - In December, King Wangchuck announced that the first democratic elections would be held in 2008. Pray that it might lead to greater religious freedom.

January 30, 2006

"Whoever drinks the water that I give will never thirst. Yes, the water I give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life!" - Jesus (John 4:14)

PRAISE:
A woman on our team was away for work for several weeks. Upon returning one of her National Muslim friends was the first to call her. She said they must get together and they did the next day. Her friend shared how she feels it is urgent that they study the Christian Holy Book each day so she can learn more about Jesus. PTL!


PETITION:
We had a gathering of local believers for Christmas! It was the first time they had all met each other. It was awkward but oh so encouraging. We read the Christmas story together in Arabic. We separated the genders and spent time praying for each of them, and they for each other. Pray that their families will join us next year!

One of our team members had a night in the desert with a bunch of university and mid-20 year olds. Their leader is a middle aged man who is very open minded. They asked our friend many questions about Christianity and asked him to play a Christian worship song in Arabic. They stayed up till late at night discussing the things of God. Please pray that they would come to faith.

Pray for a prayer-based ministry here - that God would provide the finances they need in order to continue. Pray for God to raise up people to support them financially so that they can continue their ministry.

Pray for the language studies of several young singles and couples studying Arabic in the Arabian Peninsula. They long to be fluent so they can share the love of God in the heart language of the National Muslims of the Arabian Peninsula.

Pray for the healing touch of the Great Physician on the life a tentmaking family where the husband is fighting cancer. Pray for peace and comfort in His hands


TESTIMONY:

“I’m so tired… I need new life!”

This is how Baba explained his recent decision to put his trust in Christ. Praise God! I was totally in awe at how the Father orchestrated the evening, moving Baba’s heart so close that he could no longer say no to Him.

In December, we started studying Injil Yohanna (Gospel of John). We read the first three chapters or so, looking at all that John writes about Jesus. There wasn’t much discussion – Baba was mainly gathering information. Then I happened upon the DVD, “The Gospel of John.” The Visual Bible has done an amazing job with this word-for-word production. And we have a copy here with Arabic subtitles! So we started watching, and Baba couldn’t get enough of it! “Wow!” he said. “We just read that! It’s like an audio book, only better.” We watched it all in the course of a week or so. It brought the scriptures to light for him in a very powerful way.

Then about 10 days ago, we got together again to read. I had definitely sensed a change in him, so we went back to study John 3. Studying Nicodemus’ visit to Jesus with Baba brought such life into the passage for me. Here was Nicodemus sitting in my living room, asking me about new life and how it all works. I’m glad Jesus gives such awesome answers! We spent an hour talking about the earthly life and the spiritual life. God’s presence was tangible. “What is this sensation?” Baba asked. “It’s like cold water in my heart!” All of Baba’s questions and comments showed that he was really getting it: Jesus offers new life to all who put their trust in him.

When we finished, we prayed as we always do. All of a sudden, without any invitation or prompting from me, Baba starts offering his life to Isa al Messih! It was his sudden overflow of understanding and faith and need and love. “I open my heart to you. Please come in and give me this new life!” We talked about it later. Baba said, “I’m just so tired… I really need a new beginning. I need new life!” Baba has that new life now, evidenced by a joy and confidence that is contagious.

Baba also has a new zeal in telling others about Jesus. He doesn’t let on that he is a believer. No, that may take a long time… He even said that he probably wouldn’t have told me had I not been there when it happened. But he is unambiguous, even with strangers, that he has found amazing things in the gospel. “Read it for yourself,” he challenges. “Increase your knowledge. And you will see things that you cannot find anywhere else!” Many local people have bought the Injil as a result of their interactions with him. Amazing!

So thank you for praying for this man! And keep praying for him – for protection, for encouragement, for desire for Jesus, for more faith, for more zeal, for courage, for wisdom. Baba’s dad knows something is up, and he’s giving Baba a hard time about many things.


<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray through the heart of the Muslim world so that church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

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

Or write:
ptap@srginc.org

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