Exloring Life Eternal

#403
PRAY FOR JEWS AROUND THE WORLD DURING THIS TIME OF ROSH HASHANAH (JEWISH NEW YEAR)

Rosh Hashanah is known as “the head of the year” and Jews worldwide began the ten day celebration (known as Days of Awe) on Tuesday, October 3 at sundown. It starts with the blowing of the shofar (ram’s horn) and it is thus known as the “Feast of Trumpets.” It ends with Yom Kippur (October 12), the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the High Holy Days for Jews. Jews worldwide are given these 10 days to repent for their sins and ask God for forgiveness. On the very first day of Rosh Hashanah, after the afternoon service, many Jews by tradition will visit a body of water or pond, containing live fish, to symbolically “cast away” their sins into the river. “The fish’s dependence on water symbolizes the Jews dependence on God, as a fish’s eyes never close, God’s watchful dyes never cease.” Jews believe God opens His Book of Life during the ten days of Awe. He then evaluates their lives, their confessions and He may record their names in His Book of Life. When Jews leave their temples after the Rosh Hashanah services they will say to each other, “May you be inscribed in the Book of Life.”

On Yom Kippur, the final day, Jews may fast, acknowledge the importance of keeping their vows and give their final confessions to God. It is the only service where the doors to the Ark (where the Torah Scrolls are stored) remain open through the service, signifying that the gates of Heave are open at this time. In the closing it is believed that God closes and seals His Book of Life. The Shofar is then sounded once and the congregation proclaims “Next year in Jerusalem.” This is to express their hope that the Messiah will come.

The population of Jews in the world is estimated at 12.5 million. Currently the number of Messianic Jews is the largest in history. They know that God sent Y'shua (Jesus) to forgive them of their sins and they know they will have eternal life. Pray that more Jews around the world will come to accept Y'shua especially during these days of Awe.

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"And the King shall answer and say to them,‘Truly I say to you, to the extend that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:40

PRAY FOR PEOPLE DEVASTATED FROM THE EARTHQUAKE IN PAKISTAN AND INDIA. PRAY THAT BELIEVERS WILL REMAIN STRONG IN REACHING OUT TO OTHERS AFTER THE HEAVY TOLL OF GIVING THAT HAS FOLLOWED MAJOR DISASTERS THIS YEAR.

Facts and Updates: Eleven days after the Northern Pakistan earthquake struck the number of deaths reported was a estimated at 80,000 with the majority being in Pakistan (1,300 were in India). Some have estimated that the death toll could reach 100,000. An estimated 3.3 million were left homeless in Pakistan. The UN reported that over 4 million people are directly affected.

KASHMIR: Pakistan and India have been divided and fighting over Kashmir for almost 58 years. The struggle has resulted in tight control of their borders and families have been separated as the result. In Pakistani Kashmir, the capital city of Muzaaffarabad is almost 90% destroyed. President Musharraf of Pakistan appealed to India’s prime minister Singh to allow the borders to be opened especially so families could help their relatives who are suffering. Both sides have agreed! For the first time in over 58 years these countries which have fought each other are now working to bring relief and are talking about working on the reconstruction efforts. Pray that through this disaster God can reach the hearts of leaders, military, government officials and others to bring healing to the Kashmiri people. Estimated religious affiliation of Kashmiris: Muslim 64%; Hindu 32%; Sikhs 2%; Buddhist 1.5% and a few Christians. Christian persecution has increased in the last few years.

PAKISTAN: Population of Pakistan is estimated at 160 million. The people are divided into over 170 ethnic groups, six major language families and numerous dialects. The primary people groups are: Panjabi 61%; Sindhi 12%; Urdu 8%; Tribal groups 2%; Iranian 13 %; Baloch 3%; Others (Tibetan, Turkic, Arab, British and Chinese ) 1.5% and Afghanistan refugees 3,500,000. RELIGION: Muslim 97% (Sunni 68% and Shi'a 28%); Ahmadiyyah Islamic sect (1.5%); Hindu 1.5% and Others 1% (Tribal, Baha'i, Animists, Parsee a Buddhist and a small group of Christians). Christian converts are primarily from Pakistani Hindus and primarily live in rural areas Persecution and intimidation have been a growing reality against Christians in Pakistan. Some have been deported. Currently there are a number of these believers in the United States and other parts of the world who are working hard with Christian agencies to bring help to the people of Pakistan. Many Christians in India again have shown great courage and strength. Many have very little themselves but they are willing to give. At this time of Ramadan, some Muslims around the world are reaching out to other Muslims who are in need.

With in this last week the President of World Visions, Richard Stearns, made the following comment: “In this year, 2005, there has been a decreasing giving for each world disaster. There was almost 3.2 million given for the tsunami, 1.3 million for Hurricane Katrina and currently about 480,000 for the Pakistan earthquake. Some people are becoming numb to these tragedies. What we call ‘compassion fatigue’ may be setting in.”

One fact that we know is God’s love and power is great! He will gives us the strength, the compassion and the means to work with Him to reach hearts of people who never before have seen the faces and the love that can only come from Him. Pray that believers will be encouraged to pray and give during this time when the world is experiencing some of the hardest struggles it has known. Pray that believers will be encouraged by God’s words in Matthew 25:40. PRAY THAT THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN AND INDIA WILL KNOW GOD’S ETERNAL LOVE.

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#405
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PRAY FOR MUSLIMS DURING THE THIRTY DAYS OF RAMADAN (October 5-November 3)

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Since 1993 there has been a special emphasis to pray for Muslims during their annual fasting month of Ramadan. Millions of Christians from around the world have united during this time to pray that Muslim people will become open to God’s gift of salvation through Jesus. To facilitate this prayer focus, a special Muslim Guide has been prepared for each day of Ramadan. This year Ramadan will begin on Wednesday, October 5, 2005. This prayer guide is available in 42 languages. You can obtain information about this prayer focus each day by going to http://www.30-days.net. A hard copy book is also available through the following address: Thirty Day Prayer Focus For Muslims, PO Box 9208, Colorado Springs, CO 80932, USA

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Brief Review of What Most Muslims Believe:

Five Pillars of Islam:
1. Reciting their Creed (“shahada”) — “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet”.
2. Prayer (“salat”) — at five set times a day.
3. Almsgiving (“zakat”) — both obligatory and voluntary giving to the poor.
4. Fasting (“saum”) — especially during the “holy” month of Ramadan.
5. Pilgrimage (“hajj”) — at least once in a lifetime to Mecca.

Even if a Muslim observes all of these pillars, there is still no guarantee of salvation. Muslims often think about the Day of Judgment, when they believe Allah (or an angel) will take a balance and weigh each person’s deeds. The only sure way to Paradise is to die as a martyr during an Islamic Holy War (“jihad”). Muslims lack assurance of forgiveness.

Mohammed is Islam’s highest prophet, but the Qur’an (the Islamic holy book) also speaks often of Jesus, who is also known as Isa. Muslims believe that Jesus was born by a miracle of God through the Virgin Mary. However, Muslims do not believe that Christ died on the cross, His resurrection or His deity. Although Jesus is the second highest prophet in Islam, He is only one prophet among 124,000.

Muslims believe angels and evil spirits (jinn) exist and teach that “all good and evil comes from Allah”, introducing a very fatalistic concept at the heart of Muslim faith and experience. The Hadiths (a collection of Islamic traditions containing sayings of Mohammed) contain instruction for almost every detail of a Muslim’s daily life. Please pray specifically for Muslims during this time.

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Peace,
Mert Hershberger

#401 for Sept. 25, 2005

Pray that God will provide opportunities for Christians to reach Hindus In the U.S.

The largest number of Hindus are found in India where they number 827 million out of a population of over one billion. However, Hinduism is spreading throughout the world and there is a steady growth of its followers in the U.S. who are estimated at 1,082,000.

The following statement from “Hinduism Today” expresses the impact of this religion in America: “HINDU AND INDIAN STUDIES HAVE BEEN EAGERLY AND INSIGHTFULLY PURSUED IN AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES, MUSEUMS AND CENTERS OF LEARNING. AT HARVARD, SMITH, SYRACUSE, MICHIGAN, SANTA BARBARA, BERKELEY, CHICAGO, and hundreds of other places, previously veiled from Western (and even Eastern) eyes. Men and women of exceptional abilities have dedicated a lifetime of research that is revealing dimensions of Hindu tradition in their teaching which delves into Hindu art, mythology, language, poetry and philosophy. Thousands of students are attending these classes.”

Just recently, the Hindu community of Pomona, CA, gathered together to celebrate Acharya Day (a day to honor all Hindu spiritual leaders) at the Sri Ranganatha Temple. Special emphasis was given to the children and teenagers to be involved.

Pray that more Christians in the United States, especially in southern California will have a desire to reach the Hindu people. Pray that opportunities will open for Christians to know Hindu people through business and personal contacts. One accessible place in Southern California is called the “Little India” area in Cerritos Web site for Little India is: www.ranchovilasa-spurs.com/little_india.html

[In Pittsfield Township, MI, there is a Hindu meeting place. Also, each summer there is a Kumbh Mela, in SE Michigan where youth gather, and sexual immorality is encouraged. Idolatry is typically associated with sensuality, immorality, and greed, according to Paul and history bears this out.]

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Hinduism is spreading in China through Yoga and Meditation

The 2005 China International Yoga Show and Conference is to be held in Beijing from October 21-23rd. The director stated, “Our aim is to bring China and India closer with many Indian yoga masters and parishioners taking part to demonstrate their skills. It is expected to attract over 300 exhibitors and between 80,000-100,000 visitors.” Pray that God will intervene through believers who will direct these people in knowing that true peace is found in the Gospel.

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Pray for the Indian people affected by heavy monsoons in western India

In this last week, floods have marooned hundreds of villages, affecting the lives of thousands of people in western India. Hundreds have died and thousands are displaced.