Exloring Life Eternal

May 22, 2006

"Let your delight be in the Lord, then He will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4

Pray for a very isolated believer who is confined to her home. She is surrounded by those who try and bring her back to Islam every day. Pray that she would be comforted by the Holy Spirit in her times of prayer and the very few opportunities she gets to be in the Word.

Pray for the tentmaking family in our small country that is trying to discern the best way forward regarding their current work situation. They need to sell their small business. They want to use the sale of the business as a means to share the gospel with their clients and suppliers – many of whom are National Muslims.

Two local ladies are seeking God, we will call the Hope and Faith. Pray that their hearts and minds would be open to truth of Jesus Christ. Pray for the two workers who have shared the Gospel with them. Pray that the truth that has been shared would penetrate the hearts of these two women.

Pray that whole Saudi families would come to know Jesus.

Pray for the expatriate Arab Christian community living in the Arabian Peninsula as many of them are preparing for summer outreaches this summer in Geneva, London, Lebanon and Kuala Lampur.

Pray with the tentmakers laboring for the gospel at the Ends of the Earth as they hold fast in "hungering & thirsting for righteousness." They ask Christians world-wide to join them as they focus their prayer on local believers who are experiencing persecution and His peace and blessing in the midst of it. Some of the key points are:

• That they be wise as serpents and gentle as doves.

• That their faith be strengthened through this time of persecution rather than demolished.

• That people of peace will rise up among them, as well as leaders.

• That God will pour out His spirit on this segment of a people group where miracles are already happening.

• That any persecution or suffering that takes place will be because of who Jesus is, and not for secondary reasons.

• That they will be able to communicate clearly with those who have been resources and encouragement to them.

• That those who are clearly standing against God, yet claiming to act in His name, will experience His might – then be saved.

• That supernatural wisdom, clarity, and guidance will be given to those who are being called upon to make decisions that could affect many people in a great variety of ways – jobs, ministry, spiritual growth, even lives.

• That God will receive all the glory from all decisions that are made – that the decisions will be right because they are His will – not solely for reasons of honor or shame, winning or losing, staying or going, even life or death.

• That the promises and encouragement of these scripture would also be fulfilled: Acts 5:33-42, Acts 4:23-31, Psalm 37, Psalm 63.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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

WEST BANK CENTER DESTROYED
Armed militants firebombed the Living Stones Christian student centre on the West Bank community of Bir Beit on February 28, leaving the spray-painted warning to "Get out of here." No one was injured. The Palestinian Bible Society bookshop in Gaza also suffered damage from small pipe bombs and was temporarily closed after death threats to staff. Christians continue to have a positive attitude but ask others to pray. Bible Society Director Labib Mandanat says the tiny Christian community associated with the Bible Society in Gaza has impacted Muslims with the love of Christ. "Out of this chaos, God has brought good."
[CHRISTIAN POST 12 March '06]


LITERATURE MINISTRY CONTINUES IN IRAQ DESPITE VIOLENCE
As violence in Iraq continues to escalate, Open Doors remains committed to
carrying out its ministry in the country. Last year staff distributed 20,000 Arabic children's Bibles, set up 12 libraries for adults and children in churches nationwide, translated six children's booklets and produced a special music cassette. This year copies of the handbook, "Counseling Youth," as well as a newly published daily devotional called "One Year Through the Bible" and the "Chronicles of Narnia" series will be distributed throughout the country. Open Doors will also produce and print 40 brochures and leaflets concerning medical issues, opening opportunities to build bridges between Muslims and Christians. [HCJB/OPEN DOORS 27 Feb.'06]


CHRISTIAN SITES A 'HIT' IN MIDDLE EAST
A boom in Christian websites is occurring in the Middle East. According to the Strategic Resource Group (SRG), these websites are receiving nearly 9 million hits per month and more than 2,000 Arabic Bibles are downloaded from the internet each month. One Christian organisation that hosts chat rooms for Arabic-speaking visitors estimates that more than 42,000 people visit these Christian sites every day. More than half of the population in the Middle East is 25-years-old or under and most have easy access to computers, either in their homes or in public venues such as internet cafes and schools. [ASSIST 9 Feb.'06]
Go to: http://www.srginc.org
Go to: http://www.assistnews.org

PERSECUTION LIST
Open Doors' annual "World Watch" list of 50 countries where Christians are subjected to the most persecution puts North Korea in first place, followed by Saudia Arabia, Iran, Somalia, Maldives, Bhutan, Vietnam, Yemen, Laos and China. Open Doors President Carl Moeller contends that the communist government of North Korea has detained more political and religious prisoners than any country in the world. In addition to North Korea, countries with communist governments include Vietnam, Laos and China. Islamic-dominated countries are Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia, Maldives and Yemen. 70 expatriate Christians in Saudi Arabia were arrested in 2005 during worship in private homes, in what has been called this country's largest crackdown on Christians in a decade. Iran moved from number 5 to number 3 after the election of a hard-line conservative president. [OPEN DOORS]
http://www.opendoorsusa.org


BACKPACKER'S MAGAZINE (HEBREW)
A 12 page, full colour, glossy magazine is filling a unique gap in reaching out to Israeli young people. 7,000 copies of the 4th edition of "Lo B Mikre," which means Not By Chance, has hit the streets this March. The magazine bears the subheading 'The alternative magazine for different life,' and includes personal testimonies, comics and articles about current topics like the DaVinci Code and Santo Daime cult that is gaining popularity in Israel.
Go To: http://www.lo-bemikre.co.il/]


RESOURCES:
A helpful website for news and prayer about ISRAEL, or for those who want to explore the Jewish roots of Christianity: www.saltshakers.com

March 6, 2006

"The rain & snow come down from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, making it bring forth and bud, that to give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. Likewise, shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth: it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in My intended purpose." - Isaiah 55:10-11

PRAISE:
The expatriate MBB who was being held against her wishes by her parents is now back in our country and is employed! It took her over a year to find a job that is suitable to her qualifications. Pray that the new job will be the best one for her to grow in her major field of study but also in her walk and dependency on God.


PETITION:
Pray for prayer teams who are visiting the country this month and next month. Pray for God to use them - to guide them in their prayers and intercessions. Pray that they would be used by God in the heavenly realms - to bring a freedom from the darkness which binds people. Pray also for safety in travel around the country. Pray that they would sense God's vision and heart for this country.

For almost half a century, the gospel in written form has found its way into the hands and homes of unknown numbers of people in Yemen. Some have been devoured, inspiring the readers (and listeners) to hunger for more and varied types of teaching. Others have been accepted politely and put on a shelf, in a box, or under a bed. Pray that these "hidden" Scripture portions that are sitting in homes of unbelievers (and even believers who may have been frightened into hiding their books) will be found, picked up, read, and by the power of the Spirit, understood. Let's claim the promise of Isaiah 55:11 in prayer for the people in Yemen who already have access to His Word.

An Indian pastor who has been under severe persecution continues to try to leave the country. There have been many hold-ups on his and his family's paperwork. Pray that God would remove all obstacles for this brother to be able to leave the country. Pray also for refreshment and restoration for the family. They are weak and weary after almost 2 months of persecution, arrests, kidnapping, beatings, robbery, phone threats, living away from their house with friends, and emotional abuse. Pray that God would refresh and bless this family for His glory.

Pray for the Iranian brother who just ended his employment due to poor treatment, lack of payment and a less-that-desirable working atmosphere. He is discouraged, in financial straights because his Christian boss didn’t pay him and the laughing-stock of his Muslim family. He is a disgrace in their eyes. Pray that the One who had no shame but took our shame on him will comfort this dear brother’s soul.


TESTIMONY:
Mary (not her real name) is at a crossroads. She has already shown the potential to be a leader among believing women - God is truly using her. But she is also seemingly trapped in poverty, with little chance of breaking out of it under normal cultural means. Due to this pressure of providing for her widowed father and younger family members, she tends toward depending on others to provide for their physical needs rather than trusting God first to meet them. Dependency on man rather than God could cripple her potential. Trusting God fully could light a fire of church-planting that has already sparked. Pray that this spark would be fanned into an amazing flame that could not be quenched, through complete trust in God by Mary and those she disciples.


<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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

The Yemen focused site is now arranged according to the following people groups.

www.pray4yemen.com

Northern Yemenis
Southern Yemenis
Tihamis
Hadramis
Mahris
Soqotris
Southern Saudi Yemenis
Yemenis Worldwide

Yemen, Arabian Peninsula

Leader: President Ali Abdullah Saleh
Dominant Religion: Sunni Islam
Christians: <1%
Persecution Ranking: 11th

With one of the world's highest population growth rates at 3.7%, the underdeveloped nation of Yemen struggles to improve living standards through developing health care, education, and basic services. Much of the population is tribal and lives in villages or on small farms. Often disputes are settled within tribes using traditional practices. Some of these people groups remain totally unreached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are churches for expatriate Christians worshipping in a variety of languages including Korean and English. Yemen's real political power rests with its President and executive branch. The current leader, President Ali Abdullah Saleh, promised the late Pope John Paul II in 2001 that the law against having a church building in the north would be changed. It remains illegal today.

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Prayer points:

= Pray for efforts to bring development to the country, and for the clearance of mines and other unexploded munitions, a legacy of the civil war of 1994 and other conflicts.

= Pray that church buildings would be permitted across the country as promised in 2001.

= Pray that those who choose to follow Jesus would find fellowship and be discipled.

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Dear LORD God, we thank You for the potentially rich land of Yemen. Bless the efforts of all who seek to improve the lives of its people. Uphold Your Church. We thank You that the airwaves are being used to proclaim the truth about Jesus by radio, satellite TV, and internet ministries. Grant courage, we pray, to those wanting to respond by asking questions. Amen.

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Sources: LifeAgape International, Barnabus Fund, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Forum 18 News Service, Jubilee Campaign, Middle East Concern, Open Doors International, Voice of the Martyrs USA, and 3P Ministries
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Women in Yemen

“Do you really want to pray for me? Do you really want to ask the God of heaven to heal me? Do as you like, but I do not believe that God would ever look at a woman’s agony. It is His will for us to suffer.” This was Fatma’s first reaction when some Christians wanted to pray for her. Healing, according to her, was to expect too much from God.

Many Yemeni women have the same thoughts as Fatma. Not all their suffering comes from sickness — much comes from a wide variety of injustices. They suffer when they are denied education, and when they are married at a very early age and often against their will. Most work hard all day and endure abuses. Often they are divorced for the flimsiest reasons, and sometimes they become a second or third wife. They grow up without expectations, believing that it is their destiny to serve and please others even while they suffer. They have been made to believe that this is the will of God.

Most Yemeni women do not know God as a caring Father. They largely live in darkness away from the light of His great love. They cannot imagine Him sharing their pain and being aware of the injustices that they suffer. Yet there is hope: God is a God who longs to heal, comfort, and renew their lives. Fatma is now a Yemeni believer. And she is not the only one. Along with her there are a few other women who have received new life with God. (There are possibly as many as 200 Yemeni believers, although the majority are men.)

Yemen (population 20 million) is the poorest of the Arab nations, and is also considered the most “backward” country by her richer Arab neighbours. Yemenis are 95 per cent Arab living in 1,700 clans and tribes (62 per cent Sunni Muslim and 37 per cent Zaidi Shiite Muslim). Islam is the country’s official religion, and the legal system is based on Islamic sharia law. Has not God chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things that are strong? Doors to this nation are open. Many seeds have been sown, martyrs have given their lives. The harvest is getting riper.

“All those from Sheba (Yemen) will come; they will bring gold and frankincense, and will bear good news of the praises of the Lord” (Isa 60:6).

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Prayer points

= The Queen of Sheba (Yemen) came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Pray that the women of Yemen come to the One greater than Solomon, to hear His wisdom and receive life from Him (Matt 12:42).

= Pray that the converted Yemeni women grow in faith and maturity while building godly friendships (Eph 4:11–6:24). Often they have difficulties meeting together because of family responsibilities and safety issues.

= Pray for the converted Yemeni men as well. Pray for mature leaders to be raised up, leaders who can become fathers and shepherds for the rest of the flock.

= Pray for the Truth of Jesus to captivate the Yemeni people.

News from Yemen that describe the fear which most Muslims live under, truly they have an astronomical number of fears:

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Today there was a partial eclipse of the sun. People here are afraid to be out when that happens, as if evil spirits can harm them more easily. Superstition really, but who can blame them for their fear? Certainly we can't, for our greatest fears have been quelled by Christ. He gives us security and stays with us when darkness comes. On days like this we sense it even more. Please remember us and our Yemeni friends for the next month.