Speak life daily june dl final issuu

ISRAELI PROFESSIONALS CONFESS CHRIST

ALSO..

Rejoicing in Cairo’s Cave Churches DAY 13 Britain Needs Revival and Renewal DAY 88

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13 Lismore Road Eastbourne BN21 3AY 01323 725231 info@speaklife.org.uk

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DEAR PRAYER PARTNERS, Since the days of Eric Hutchings, we have been producing an International Daily Prayer Bulletin. Today we proudly continue that legacy – say hello to Speak Life Daily!

The size and style of this magazine may have changed but our content is better than ever. Ian Milmine continues to point us to inspiring stories of gospel advance from around the world and his article, overleaf, is typically incisive. So don’t worry, we have made sure to preserve what is best from the old Bulletin. But we want to give you more.

In addition to the old ‘favourite features’, Speak Life Daily now includes two other major sections: Scriptural encouragements towards evangelism and prayer points concerning our own outreach. Together, these three kinds of entry reflect the three areas we concentrate on in our evangelistic charity.

We exist to revive Christians, resource the church and reach the world with the good news of Jesus. Correspondingly, Speak Life Daily has these three kinds of entry: We look to the Scriptures to revive us for our mission.

We highlight our own work of resourcing the church evangelistically.

We rejoice to see the reach of the gospel to the ends of the earth.

If you have been receiving the Bulletin for a while, the reach entries will be most familiar to you. But we hope you will also enjoy fresh encouragements from Scripture and the chance to pray for our own missionary work as well.

We provide this free publication at considerable cost to ourselves because we know how valuable the prayers of God’s people are. We long that this publication would continue to inspire prayer in thousands so that yet more doors of gospel opportunity will be opened in response to your intercession. We thank God for you, our prayer partners, and trust we can go on serving you in this ministry for many years to come.

Every blessing in Jesus, Glen Scrivener and the Revival team.

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BY IAN MILMINE

CHRISTIANS FACING GREAT ANGUISH AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS 21ST CENTURY ‘If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.

As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.’

John 15:18-19 Dear Prayer Partners, I doubt that it has escaped your attention that the first two decades of this 21st century are proving to be times of extreme anguish for many Christians around the world, not least in the nations that once stood for Christianity and freedom of worship and expression.

Of course, when we consider Christian anguish around the world, it is those Christians who are in the firing line, facing attacks against their very lives that come most to mind: our brothers and sisters in Iraq or Syria, violently displaced from their homes, in peril of death at every turn, many – even tiny children – having paid the ultimate price at the hands of the evil Islamic State.

Likewise our brothers and sisters in northern Nigeria, or most recently, in northern Kenya, have been singled out for assassination by groups whose callous disdain for human life (especially Christian life) beggars belief. Not to mention the Egyptian and Ethiopian Christian workers who were captured by ISIS-linked groups in Libya and mercilessly slaughtered on the beaches.

Then we have the arbitrary accusation of Christians in parts of Pakistan and India, often leading to mob lynching or the burning of property and person, the latest of such incidents affecting a young boy who, when asked by two Muslim youths if he was a Christian, was then set on fire and later died in hospital… not before forgiving his attackers!

We could add the imprisonment of numerous pastors in Iran, the gross suffering of North Korean Christians in labour camps, or the ill treatment, even death, of evangelical Christians in rebel-held Ukraine. Compared to all of this, the Chinese Communist authorities seem to have become quite benign – although there are still many isolated cases of arbitrary treatment of individuals or church congregations!

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THEIR DEATH HAS BEEN BEAUTIFUL IN THE EYES OF JESUS Nevertheless we can take heart and be greatly encouraged because of the wonderful testimonies of these modern-day martyrs for Christ. Iraqi and Syrian children are praying that God will forgive and save the hangmen of ISIS; Christians are facing their deaths by the sword or the bullet with the name of Jesus on their lips, while imprisoned pastors are leading fellow prisoners to faith amidst sickness, deprivation and torture.

We can be absolutely certain that the blood of these martyrs will bring forth an abundance of fruit for the Gospel in the years to come! Their deaths may have been repugnant in our eyes, but they have been beautiful in the eyes of Jesus!

THE PERSECUTION AND SILENCING OF CHRISTIANS IN THE WEST The kind of persecution that I have just outlined was to be expected in areas of conflict or where there is dominance of anti-Christian regimes. But what seems to have been an entirely unexpected development, at the beginning of this 21st century, is the level of disdain, marginalisation and anger towards Christians in nations that have prospered precisely because of their Christian heritage.

To many Christians living in the UK, USA, Canada or other nations that were built on Christian principles, the hostility that is developing is distressing and confusing. How do we face up to what seems to be an entirely unreasonable onslaught from our fellow citizens, our politicians, our judiciary, our employers, and even from those whom we took to be our friends and colleagues!

One recent example of this is the case of Victoria Wasteney, an occupational therapist who, in a private conversation, offered to pray with a Muslim colleague, give her a book about Christianity and invite her to a church event. The Muslim colleague had encouraged Victoria to talk about her faith, willingly agreed that she could pray for her and even accepted an invitation to a church charity event. Despite this, Victoria’s colleague later made a formal complaint. This led to her being suspended for nine months by her NHS employer and then disciplined.

Now, in a very alarming decision, an Employment Tribunal ruled against Victoria. Victoria will appeal the decision but, in the current climate, the outcome seems uncertain at best. This is one recent illustration of how the workplace for British Christians can be a dangerous and insecure environment. In many workplaces it is now not merely impolite but illegal for people to talk about their faith to others. Our right to free speech is being threatened and our witness to Christ, censored.

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In March, yet another Christian street preacher, Mike Overd, was convicted in Bristol Crown Court of a Public Order offence, for preaching on Taunton high street in a manner that “caused offence to homosexuals.”

In a bizarre ruling, District Judge, Shamim Ahmed Qureshi, found that Mr Overd could have pointed to Leviticus 18:22 that described homosexual practice as an ‘abomination’ but that reference to Leviticus 20:13 was inappropriate because the chapter refers to the death penalty. Mr Overd points out that in his use of Leviticus 20 he never referred to the death penalty. He went on to express his shock that a Judge should adopt the role of Biblical censor, effectively dictating which parts of the Bible are fit for public preaching!

“This is not free speech but censorship. The Judge is redacting the Bible. I have been ordered to pay compensation for causing ‘emotional pain’ to someone who approached me aggressively demanding to debate the issue. There was no harm, injury or theft, just a simple disagreement over theology which I have now been fined for,” Mr Overd stated.

THE UNDERLYING REASON IS THE HATRED OF THE WORLD These and so many other examples of Christians being aggressively victimised, and free speech denied them, indicates to me that general attitudes towards Christian principles and those who uphold them have greatly hardened.

In much of this reaction to Christians one can observe not only an unwillingness to understand the Christian viewpoint and convictions but, more so, a real hatred and anger against all those who do not – because of their faith in Christ – tow the party line.

And it is this that is most worrying about the present climate.

Any stand made by a Christian against what society now perceives to be the norm is confronted not by reason or an endeavour to find a compromise, but by anger, hatred and instant disqualification.

Should we be surprised? Quite frankly not! Our Lord Himself made it quite plain that this would happen. We kid ourselves if we think we live in a “Christian country.” Our nation has just reverted to type, to its default position as part of the “world”.

Jesus told us: “In the world you will have affliction...” (John 16:33). Paul reminds Timothy that, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12. But, full of encouragement, Jesus adds, “fear not, I have overcome the world!”

In His description of the signs of the end times, Jesus made it quite plain: “You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers 6

and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me.” (Luke 21:16-17). This, then, is what we can expect.

Our brothers and sisters in the “Suffering Church” are already experiencing all of this, including the betrayal of family and friends. Here in the “Christian” West we are beginning to see some of it, including, at times, the betrayal of friends and work colleagues.

CAN CHRISTIANS STAND UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS IN THE WEST? But this does not mean that Christians should stand passively by and allow their rights to be trampled on.

Britain has a long tradition of supporting free speech and yet Christians are finding it ever harder to defend this right. Lobby groups like Christian Concern for Our Nation seek to do this, and have become virtually single-issue groups, mostly defending Christians in the courts, more often than not without success.

What other courses of action might we take? May I suggest two: Firstly, take the case of Victoria Wasteney mentioned above, or of other Christians in the NHS - doctors, nurses, and other staff - who have been disciplined for not hiding their faith under a bushel.

Where have their Christian colleagues been while they have been under duress? If we include all the overseas NHS staff, many of them from strong Christian backgrounds, the proportion of Christians in any one NHS Trust could rise to as much as 10% of all staff.

Is it not perhaps time to think of a Christian NHS trade union or some such grouping of believers in the place of work that will encourage, support and stand up en masse for their brethren should they be treated in an arbitrary manner such as we are seeing? Satan may feel very bold when he is confronting a single, defenceless Christian, throwing all the weight of employers and the courts at them. But he would be far less bold if he knew he was facing a whole battalion of the army of the living Christ!

Another course of action could be to encourage the kind of solution that was reached recently in South Africa. Following a successful mediation on Wednesday, 15 April, the unfair discrimination case instituted against the Christian owners of House of Bread guest house in Wolseley by a homosexual couple in the Bellville Equality Court is now something of the past. Early in the court proceedings, Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) who acted as First Amicus Curiae in the matter, asked the Court to refer the case for mediation.

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The Court granted the request and postponed the case for purposes of mediation. Against all odds, the parties managed to reach agreement in full and final settlement of this dispute.

Even more surprising (miraculous really), is that this could be achieved without the Christian owners compromising, their beliefs in any way. They were able to reach an amicable solution in which the parties agreed to respect each other’s beliefs. Of course South Africa is the land that preferred to deal with the horrendous legacy of Apartheid through a process of Truth and Reconciliation rather than through the courts.

But one must ask, isn’t it possible to follow this example in Britain? I certainly have not heard of any such case in this country. Consequently the law itself leads to confrontation and antagonism between the parties. Instead of encouraging greater understanding and respect, our hastily concocted equality legislation has only exacerbated hatred and mistrust.

WILL MATTERS IMPROVE FOR CHRISTIANS IN THE WEST? It seems very unlikely. The warnings Jesus gave to His disciples about the signs of end times are clearly applicable to our world today. He speaks of persecution and being hauled before the authorities as an opportunity… but for what? It is an opportunity to, “bear testimony to me.”

This is therefore Christ’s call to us today. We are in the world as His witnesses. We must proclaim His name as we show His love with wisdom. Jesus calls us to “stand firm”, and He encourages His disciples with the words: “Fear not, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

Yours in the fellowship of Christ Jesus, Ian Milmine

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WORLD’S BIGGEST MARCH FOR JESUS Acts 26:22-29

To call São Paolo’s annual March for Jesus a huge procession is an understatement. Since the inaugural event back in 1993, the parade has grown into the largest of its kind in the whole world and has attracted much media attention. Organisers expect up to a staggering 5 million evangelical Christians to swarm the streets of the Brazilian metropolis, led by live Christian bands on floats and trucks.

The 23rd March for Jesus takes place on June 4th. The huge street manifestation of evangelicals is expected to beat previous record attendances of several millions. ‘This March represents the unity and communion of all who trust Jesus as the Son of God and desire to express their faith,’ says one of the organisers. From 9.30 am, there will be a Kids March, where children and their parents follow the same route, proclaiming their faith.

Marchaparajesus.com.br PRAISE God for this huge act of witness to the world.

PRAY that it may truly proclaim Christ’s love.

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‘YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.’ Matthew 5:14-16

Light shines. That’s what light does. In the same way Christians radiate. Our presence is like a warm lamp in the corner, lighting up the whole house. The only way we could stop shining would be by putting our ‘light under a bushel’ (verse 15, KJV). Perhaps fear may cause us to be ashamed of Christ and to hide our Godgiven distinctiveness. On the other hand, pride may make us spotlight our own glory rather than ‘our Father’s’ (verse 15).

PRAY that you might resist such fear and pride and pray that Christ would shine through you this day – He has promised: you are the light of the world.

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GLEN SPEAKING IN POLAND (1-3 JUNE) Psalm 133

The European Leadership Forum is a gathering of hundreds of church leaders from across the continent. Glen will be speaking there about his media outreach as well as evangelistic preaching.

Please PRAY for good connections with other ministries and fruitful times of learning.

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KENYA: ‘THEY DIED WORSHIPPING GOD’ Revelation 17:14

The horrific murder of 147 Christian students by Somali Islamist terror group al-Shabaab gunmen at the university in Garissa, Kenya, on April 2 shocked the world. Witnesses report that they released Muslim students, and took Christians. ‘If you were a Christian you were shot on the spot,’ said one student. The Islamic extremists even targeted a site where the college’s Christian Union had gone for early morning prayer. ‘They killed all my Christian Union friends,’ student Kenneth Luzakula, said. ‘I was praying with them when we heard gun shots and two guys who wore hoods and carried long guns came in. I escaped because I was standing next to the rear door, so I dashed out with one other friend. I could hear my friends still praying loudly and calling the name of Jesus Christ… They killed my friends but I know they are all in heaven. They died worshipping God.’ Joel News International PRAISE God that these Christian students were faithful to the end. PRAY that their blood may be the seed of salvation for many, even among the killers.

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‘AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME, SO AM I SENDING YOU.’ John 20:19-23

God has always been a ‘sending God’ – in other words our God is the original missionary. Even before the world began the Father was eternally giving life to His Son and sending His Spirit upon Him. At Christmas He sent His Son to be our Brother forever. At Pentecost, He sent His Spirit to be our Comforter forever. Our God is the sending God, therefore we never pioneer mission. We are only ever participants in God’s mission to the world.

PRAISE God for His outgoing nature and PRAY that we might enjoy taking part in His mission today.

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VISION & GUIDANCE FOR OUR CHARITY: TRUSTEES MEETING (6 JUNE) Philippians 1:9-11

Please pray for our trustees meeting. We have exciting ventures ahead, including an ambitious evangelistic resource and some in-depth evangelistic apprenticeships.

Please PRAY for unity, vision and guidance in moving forwards.

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GLEN PREACHING AT WORTHING TABERNACLE Psalm 29

This outward-looking church in the heart of Worthing is making a real impact for Christ.

Please PRAY as Glen returns to preach there, morning and evening on 7 June.

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LIVE LONGER - BECOME A CHRISTIAN! Isaiah 49:15-16

A belief in God may make people healthier and happier, according to new studies. ‘Studies have shown prayer can prevent people from getting sick - and when they do get sick, prayer can help them get better faster,’ Duke University’s Harold G. Koenig, M.D., tells Newsmax Health.

The analysis of more than 1,500 medical studies showed that ‘people who are more religious and pray more have better mental and physical health,’ Koenig said. The results come from a study published in the Southern Medical Journal. ‘And out of 125 studies that looked at the link between health and regular worship, 85 showed regular churchgoers live longer,’ said Koenig, director of Duke’s Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health.’

Researcher and writer Tom Knox agreed with the findings. Knox was an atheist who became a Christian after studying faith and medicine. ‘What I discovered astonished me,’ Knox said. ‘Over the past 30 years a growing and largely unnoticed body of scientific work shows religious belief is medically, socially, and psychologically beneficial.’

In 2006, a study from the University of Texas found that the more often you attend church, the longer you live. ‘There is a seven-year difference in life expectancy between those who never attend church and those who attend weekly,’ Knox said.

And Christians not only live longer in this life, but have the added wonderful guarantee of eternal life with Jesus! Christian Headlines; Religion Today; Revival Media PRAISE God that science is showing that He is faithful to those who honour Him. PRAY that the world may see that righteousness brings great benefits.

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‘THE SEED IS THE WORD OF GOD.’ Luke 8:1-15

If you didn’t know any better you’d think a farmer was wasting his time, scattering seed over the ground. Seeds look so weak and ephemeral. Burying them seems so wasteful. But come harvest time we see a bumper crop and we realise there is a hidden, almost supernatural, power to seeds. They bring new life in abundance. Jesus says our words about Him are the same.

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They seem weak and ephemeral so often we scatter them and feel like nothing has happened. But just wait. There is power in the word!

PRAY for boldness to sow words of Christ today and pray that God may give the growth.

WRITING A CHRISTMAS BOOK 10 GLEN Habakkuk 2:2-24 Even though it’s June, publishers need to think ahead. Pray for Glen’s evangelistic book (working title: ‘Four Kinds of Christmas’).

PRAY that the content and cover is just right for reaching unbelievers and that God would use it to reach thousands for the gospel this Christmas.

IN THE MOUNTAINS OF ALGERIA 11 REVIVAL Ephesians 5:14 Algeria is officially a Muslim nation but the Lord is doing an amazing thing in our generation… In 1962 the country won its independence from France in a brutal war that cost one million lives. Further civil unrest followed in the 1990s. Although incidents still take place, the political situation has greatly improved and people are longing to leave the dark decades behind.

Around 1981, God began to move in an amazing way amongst the seven million Kabyle people. This people group, mostly living in the mountains east of the capital, has long suffered suppression and discrimination and many are tired of Islam’s religion. A handful of new believers braved persecution and started preaching the gospel in village after village. God’s Spirit has been clearly at work up to this day. Many report healings and miraculous signs, but the greatest miracle is the numerous lives changed by Christ’s healing presence.

Today, there are an estimated 60,000 Kabyle believers in the country who worship the Lord Jesus. This is the fastest growing church movement in the Muslim World. Some speak of the ‘Kabylia awakening.’ Many have been converted through Arabic language Christian satellite TV; others through dreams and visions of Jesus.

But the unfinished task is still huge. The churches need their leaders to be trained, Outside the Kabyle mountains, among 30 million unreached people, there are only around 1,000 believers gathering in 25-30 mainly small fellowships throughout Algeria.

OM; Christianity.com PRAISE God for this spiritual awakening among the Kabyle people. PRAY that the rest of Algeria may hear the Gospel and turn to Christ.

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‘IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD.’ John 1:1-4

Martin Luther once said that the adjective he most associated with God was ‘Speaking.’ Our God is the Speaking God. Even before the world began He has had a Word – He has been communicating. Our God wants to be heard, to be understood, to be known. If God is the Speaking God, who should we be?

First we are His listening people – receiving His Word, the Lord Jesus with great eagerness. Second, we are His speaking ambassadors, spreading the word to the ends of the earth.

PRAY to hear God’s Word afresh today and to speak Him to a needy world.

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REJOICING IN CAIRO’S CAVE CHURCHES 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Once a quarry for the pharaohs, now the largest church facility in the Middle East, Cairo’s Cave Church is several churches, in fact. Historically marginalized and evicted from Giza in 1970, a community of Coptic Christians took up residence at the foot of the Mokattam hills in ‘Garbage City’, south east Cairo, where families earn their living by processing Cairo’s trash. Burned by their previous experience, the religious group hesitated to build permanent churches in their settlement..

The first 1,000 square foot cave church was carved at the foot of Mokattam mountain. The largest in the Middle East – the Monastery of St. Simon the Tame, a Coptic Christian saint – has an amphitheatre that boasts a seating capacity of 20,000 devotees. St. Bola’s Church, St. Marks Church, and St. Simon the Tanner’s Hall are among the six additional cave churches carved out of the rock, which continue to serve the community to this day. Despite their status as outcasts, the Zabaleen Christians have proven themselves to be not only excellent craftsmen whose attention to detail in the cave churches is sensational, but their garbage recycling operations are exceptionally efficient.

The Zabaleen also used to raise pigs (which are considered Haram by Muslims), to manage Cairo’s organic waste as well. But then the government culled most of them in response to the swine flu epidemic in 2009. A small handful of pigs have made a quiet comeback since then, though they remain in hidden corners of Garbage City. Amidst increasing oppression, Egypt’s Christians are bold and full of joy. ‘You can’t help but rejoice as you hear them worship,’ says South African prayer leader Bennie Mostert. You can see some of the vibrant praise to Jesus on youtube. Just type in Cairo Cave Church to see heartwarming videos. Sat-7; Amusing Planet; Joel News International PRAISE God that this beleaguered community is vibrant in its love, faith and hope in Christ. PRAY that many Muslims will be moved to follow Christ.

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GLEN PREACHING AT KING’S CHURCH, UCKFIELD 1 Peter 3:8-14

Please PRAY as Glen encourages evangelism at this dynamic church on 14 June.

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‘ALWAYS BE PREPARED...’

1 Peter 3:15-16

It’s the scout’s motto, but Peter tells us what we need to be prepared with... words. The context is suffering. Believers are clinging to Christ and unbelievers are baffled. ‘How do you cope?’ they ask.

And Peter says ‘Tell them it’s Jesus!’ Being prepared does not have to involve lengthy arguments or deep philosophy. It does mean being ready to say ‘I couldn’t have gotten through that suffering except that Jesus got me through.’

PRAY for a witness that provokes unbelievers to question and pray for the boldness to speak of Christ.

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‘USE WHATEVER GIFT YOU HAVE RECEIVED...’

1 Peter 4:7-11

There are four ‘gifts lists’ in the New Testament, but Peter’s is the shortest. He writes of two categories: ‘speakers’ and ‘servers’. There are those who are good with words and those good with hospitality gifts. What would happen if those two kinds of people got together in mission? You’d get New Testament evangelism: meals and messages coming together to the glory of Jesus. What is the shape of your gifting? How can you use it in the mission of the church?

PRAY to discern your own gifting and to use it in your church’s witness to the world.

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STREET EVANGELISM: MAKING A COMEBACK? Proverbs 9:1-6

Open air mission often gets a bad press, even among Christians.

But Geoffrey Hilder, a seasoned Australian evangelist is trying to change all that. Having trained hundreds of street evangelists in Sydney, he is visiting the UK for a tour of churches to resurrect this dying art. He calls it ‘Christian Street Conversations’ and he is holding training sessions all over the south of England, including one session at our Eastbourne offices (21 June).

PRAY that the Lord would raise up workers for this harvest field through Geoffrey’s work. PRAY that thousands would be reached through this method who might otherwise never hear the good news.

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EVANGELISTIC APPRENTICESHIPS: THE SPEAK LIFE SCHOOL OF EVANGELISM 2 Timothy 2:2

Together with Union Theology - a ministry of Wales Evangelical School of Theology - we are offering two-year apprenticeships involving deep theological study and hands-on experience.

Please pray as we seek to launch this aspect of our ministry in September that we will attract good students, eager learners and be able to disciple a new generation of gospel workers for this harvest field.

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CHRISTIAN TV UPHOLDS EGYPTIANS 2 Peter 3:18

Fady and his wife Marian, from Tanta in Egypt, introduced SAT7 KIDS to their two-and-a-half-year-old son, Fares when he was just 18 months old. Since then Fares has become a huge fan, switching back to SAT-7 KIDS if his parents are watching something else. The programmes ‘teach the children how to love, how to pray... During any programme when the presenters pray, he (Fares) does the same automatically,’ Marian said. As well as creating a climate of faith and hope for children, SAT-7 KIDS has a ministry to adults. Fady said that they are used to upheaval in Egypt, but watching SAT-7 KIDS has ‘been a way to run away from all the noise around us.’ SAT-7 PRAISE God that Christians in the Arab world have the support of positive godly programming. PRAY for them.

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GLEN SPEAKING AT YOUTH WORK SUMMIT (20/6) Deuteronomy 6:1-12

A gathering of hundreds of youth workers locally and beyond.

PRAY for Glen’s talk and for the whole day to equip and encourage these gospel workers.

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IRANIANS ARE JOYFULLY FINDING JESUS Job 36:15

Former athlete Sam is a 33-year-old man living with his wife and young daughter in Iran. He came from a practising religious family and shared their deeply held religious beliefs. Despite all this, there was a vacuum inside. He often questioned his own existence and wondered, ‘Why was I really born into this world? What am I meant to do with my life? And where am I to go?’ He sought refuge in drugs. He realised that drug addiction was consuming him and felt more lost than ever. To kick his habit, he decided to attend therapy and rehab.

During the therapy sessions, material and verses were read to him that he later discovered were from the Bible.

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Sam had a family member who was a believer in Christ; and out of curiosity he started watching Christian channels, one being SAT-7 PARS. Through his Christian relative and the programmes he saw on SAT-7 PARS, he summoned the courage to call SAT-7 PARS counsellors and ask his questions about the Christian faith. Sam’s relative was astonished to learn that he of all people was interested to know about Christ. A few Skype Bible studies were set up for Sam and through these, he gave his heart to Christ. Full of joy and excitement at having found the peace he had been seeking for so long, Sam began spreading the news of the Gospel to his friends and even a taxi driver whom he met one day as he was travelling somewhere. Sam was bursting to tell everyone about the truth and the salvation he had found in Jesus. He said, ‘Thinking of Christ and God’s everlasting love gives him the peace he had never known before.’ Many of his former friends whom he met as a recovering addict have also come to believe in Christ.

Sam received a Bible electronically but because of government restrictions and threats received online, he had to surrender it.

He now has no Bible but watches SAT-7 PARS daily and writes the verses read on the channel in a private notebook that he carries everywhere and reads daily. Sam tried to attend a local church in his home city, but the Armenian congregation turned him away due to government controls which prevent them from holding Farsi-language services or allowing Farsi-speaking Iranians from attending. After talking to a SAT-7 PARS counsellor, Sam has come to see that the restrictions have been forced on the church and he views SAT-7 PARS as his church. Sam now has peace, joy and love in his life; not just love for God, but for the people around him and for himself! He continues to spread the message of God’s love among his peers.

(Names changed for security reasons) SAT-7 Uplink Magazine PRAISE: God that so many in the Islamic world are finding joy in Christ through satellite TV and other means.

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CONTINUED PRAYER FOR IRAN Job 36:26

In light of yesterday’s entry please continue to PRAY for Sam and those whom he has led to Christ, and many other Iranian young people who are desperate for meaning in their lives.

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‘I AM THE VINE, YOU ARE THE BRANCHES.’ John 15:1-8

Jesus did not say ‘I am the machine, you are the cogs.’ Nothing so impersonal! He is a living Vine and we are a part of Him. Jesus does 16

not call us to the busyness of bricklaying but the fruitfulness of abiding in Him – making our home in His love and allowing His words to make their home in us. If this is Christian productivity... how will we face today?

PRAY to know the love of Christ more deeply and a fruitfulness in Him.

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REACHING OUT THROUGH LITERATURE: 3-2-1 THE BOOK Psalm 22:30-31

Thousands have been reading 3-2-1, Glen’s evangelistic book and it’s getting into the hands of non-Christians everywhere.

Endorsed by church leaders like Rico Tice, Mike Reeves and Tim Chester, the book is a fresh telling of the gospel that assumes no prior knowledge.

PRAY that it will champion a Christ-centred approach to gospel proclamation among Christians. Pray also that it will reach many more thousands of unbelievers.

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ISRAELI PROFESSIONALS CONFESS CHRIST John 12:42

It is today no longer so uncommon to find Jewish people who believe in Yeshua (Jesus) as the promised Messiah of Israel, and within a Jewish context. Still, these people are often disregarded by mainstream Judaism as confused or disillusioned. The Israeli Messianic online ministry One For Israel has set out to demonstrate that Jewish people of the highest standing, and most certainly in their right minds, are indeed coming to a realization that Yeshua is Messiah.

‘For the past 2,000 years, it would have been shocking scandalous even - to claim that Jews can believe in Jesus!’ the group wrote on its Facebook page. ‘We are proud to announce our new project: I MET MESSIAH. Dynamic video testimonies of Jewish professionals who met their Messiah!’

Over a period of 10 weeks, the One For Israel team, in partnership with Chosen People Ministries, interviewed no fewer than 35 Jewish professionals who are today Believers in Yeshua. Their video testimonies are now available online at imetmessiah.com. Breaking Christian News PRAISE God that these highly educated Jewish professionals have acknowledged that Jesus is the Christ. PRAY for the salvation of Israel.

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‘TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS, THAT WE MAY GAIN A HEART OF WISDOM.’ Psalm 90

We are born dying yet the whole world lives in denial. Moses, who wrote Psalm 90, tells us how to get wise: number our days. We need to get real. We have only a finite number of heartbeats left. When that number is up, our number is up and we will be in the direct presence of the Lord Jesus. In that perspective, what really matters?

What is the impact we want to have on a dying world?

PRAY for a sense of true perspective and pray for the courage to live and speak in the light of eternity.

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‘YOU SHINE LIKE STARS AS YOU HOLD OUT THE WORD OF LIFE.’ Philippians 2:12-18

Being a Christian involves ‘sticking out.’ But instead of ‘sticking out like a sore thumb’ Paul says we shine out like stars in the universe. It is our very nature to radiate the light of Christ. Often we shrink back from being distinct but Paul says: Be who you are – be different.

Alpha Centauri is not ashamed to be itself, and neither should we!

PRAY for a fresh sense of our brilliant identity in Jesus and a boldness to shine.

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ONLINE EVANGELISM John 3:16-17

‘This is amazing news! The whole world should be grateful! I want to live out this life now.’ This was said by an office worker in Beijing having watched our 3-2-1 video in Chinese. The video has been (or is being) translated into 15 languages and has been seen hundreds of thousands of times. Here’s how one French woman reacted after seeing it for the first time: ‘I watched your video ‘321’... Now I’m looking at the world with different eyes.’ 3-2-1 is just one of dozens of online videos we produce that are reaching hundreds of thousands of unbelievers online.

Please pray that more and more would encounter Jesus through these resources.

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UNTOUCHABLES FIND BRIDGE OF HOPE Hebrews 13:11-16

Just because children are waiting for sponsors doesn’t mean they have to wait for education, right? And it certainly shouldn’t mean they have to wait to hear about Jesus. Gospel for Asia (GFA) desires for all children to be able to be educated, and through their education, hear about the love Jesus has for them.

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GFA reports that over 72,000 children are now enrolled in their Bridge of Hope centres and schools. They believe this ever-growing number is due to God’s blessings. GFA enrols children who are otherwise unable to go to school. Many of these children are Dalits, also known as ‘Untouchables.’

Through Bridge of Hope, these children and their families come to understand that they are not untouchable or unlovable and on the contrary they are loved very much.

They hear the message of Jesus’ love, receive a quality education, get school uniforms, medical care, and meals made possible through child sponsors.

When children are brought into the program, there is often a delay before permanent sponsors can be found. GFA is asking those who are willing and able to give to their Unsponsored Children’s Fund so that these children don’t have to wait to start learning about God. Gospel for Asia PRAISE God for the work of this Indian initiative.

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CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR GOSPEL FOR ASIA Hebrews 13:20-21

Following yesterday’s entry, PRAY that many of the children and their families reached by Gospel for Asia may respond to the love of Christ.

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‘I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. THE GOOD SHEPHERD LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.’ John 10:11

Never has a man sounded so mighty and so meek in a single breath. As Jesus spoke these words, every Jew listening would have known that the Great Shepherd of Israel is the LORD Himself (Psalm 23). Yet what does this LORD do? He dies for His sheep like a sacrificial Lamb. A good shepherd turns up early and mends the fences. What kind of shepherd dies for his sheep? Jesus does. And this is what reveals His true nature as LORD of all.

PRAISE Jesus, the Shepherd who was slain as a Lamb.

Praise His might expressed in such meekness.

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‘THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST...’

2 Corinthians 13:14

How would you describe God in three words? Paul speaks of grace, love and fellowship. Christ is God’s grace – He is God’s free gift to us. The Father is love – His very being is self-giving service. The Spirit is the bond of fellowship between Father 19

and Son and He’s given to bring us into God’s own life. What a God! An eternal union of Father, Son and Spirit – the Lover who gives Himself that we might share in His fellowship.

PRAISE our God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Spend time appreciating His three-fold nature.

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THE EVANGELISTS PODCAST Ephesians 4:10-11

Our popular podcast is downloaded around 5000 times per episode and equips Christians for their witness in the world.

PRAY for Glen and Andy as they discuss sharing the faith with friends, neighbours and complete strangers. May this give confidence to the church in its mission to the world.

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‘FEAR NOT LITTLE FLOCK, IT’S YOUR FATHER’S GOOD PLEASURE TO GIVE YOU THE KINGDOM.’ Luke 12:32

We may think of ourselves as worn out soldiers or hard-working slaves. Jesus calls us a little flock. We may think of Jesus as a distant task-master, in fact He’s a loving Shepherd. We might imagine God as a grudging Lord, actually He is supremely happy and cosmically generous – He will share His entire estate with us! So then... fear not!

PRAISE God for such a Shepherd and such a future. In the light of this PRAY for freedom from fear.

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THOUSANDS RESPOND TO THE GOSPEL IN CAMEROON Mark 5:25-34

Cameroon is a sub-Saharan nation, to the south-east of Nigeria, with a population of 23 millions. 40% still follow ancestral practices, 20% are Muslims, and 40% are Christian. Poor and underdeveloped, like most of its neighbours, Cameroon still struggles to see economic and political progress. But this does not stop Cameroonians from a hunger for God. In a recent visit, evangelist Daniel Kolenda – now replacing retired evangelist Reinhard Bonnke in the CfaN (Christ for all Nations) team – saw some 370,000 people attend four days of meetings during a Gospel Campaign in Douala.

Many thousands responded to the Gospel. ‘After I preached the Gospel and prayed for the sick, we heard wonderful testimonies… a woman suffering from an issue of blood was healed. The lump in a woman’s breast vanished, and all pain left. A woman with multiple painful fibroids was healed…and many more,’ says Kolenda. Openheaven.com PRAISE God that the name of Jesus is powerful to save.

PRAY for spiritual healing for the nation of Cameroon.

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‘YOUR SINS AND LAWLESS ACTS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.’ Hebrews 10:1-18

Imagine the scene, you phone the bank about your sizeable debt. They tell you ‘We have no record of any debts in your name.’ You can’t believe it – it was tens of thousands – you ask them to double check. ‘There are no debts at all in your name.’

This is the position of every Christian. If we come to God with an already-confessed sin we can be sure to hear His response: ‘Sin? What sin? Your sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.’

PRAISE God for the forgiveness Christ has won for us.

Rejoice that you are spotless in His sight.

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EVANGELISTIC COURSES Matthew 10:1-20

Around 20 churches have used our 3-2-1 evangelistic course with guests trusting Christ all over the world. One guest went to the pub with his Christian friend after completing a course in Sheffield. He confessed over his drink: ‘I want in on Jesus!’ and they prayed right there. Another was doing the course as part of some baptism preparation in Weymouth.

Having understood the image of the Trinity we use in which believers join Jesus in a triangle of love, a participant said ‘I need to be in that triangle!’ These stories warm our hearts as we learn of more and more people trusting in Jesus through this resource.

Please pray that many more would find Christ through 3-2-1 - there are courses with unbelievers on them meeting right now!

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US: NUMBER OF SEMINARIANS GROWS Proverbs 4:1-13

A report from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) claims that student enrolment is at a five-year high across 100 of the 273 AST member seminaries. Some schools have grown more than 50%. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary was named as the fastest-growing seminary with minimum enrolment of 500 students. University president Dr. Jason Allen says that building the student body with robust numbers of Korean, Hispanic and African American students has yielded sustainable growth. ‘But,’ Allen says, ‘While these steps have doubtlessly helped, I believe the most important steps we’ve taken are convictional and missiological… Our doctrinal convictions and our missiological clarity both have accelerated growth. Everyone knows precisely who we are… and what we see as our chief ambition - to train pastors, ministers and evangelists for the church.’

Although there was a downturn during the recent economic crisis, taking the longer term view, the ATS report also shows a growth in graduate theological school enrolment compared to 1999. Likewise the numbers of online ATS students also shot up to 18,500 compared to 13,750 in 2009. ATS; Christian Today PRAISE God that, contrary to expectations, more students are enrolling in theological studies. PRAY that evangelical seminaries will train future church leaders to be true to Christ in a world of relativity.

EYES WILL SEE THE KING IN HIS BEAUTY AND 39 ‘YOUR VIEW A LAND THAT STRETCHES AFAR.’ Isaiah 33:17

What is our great hope? What are we looking forward to in glory?

Perfect health? Reunions with loved ones? Eternal bliss? Here is our deepest desire: to see Jesus. In Him all the other blessings hold true and make sense. Jesus is the centre of our faith, our hope and our love. Right now, knowing Him is the essence of our Christian lives and one day we will see Him in all His beauty.

PRAISE God for such a future. PRAY for opportunities to speak of this King.

LEADING CHURCH WEEKEND AWAY (10-12 JULY) 40 GLEN Psalm 121 St Barnabas, Dalston is an exciting church plant in London.

PRAY as Glen enthuses the church about the goodness and power of the gospel and equips the believers to share it.

AND ANXIETY AFTER NIGERIA POLL 41 HOPE 2 Samuel 20:16-22 There was good reason to be worried after Muhammadu Buhari was voted President of Nigeria in the March 28 election. The former military ruler had once endorsed the full implementation of Sharia law throughout the country. Yet in the weeks prior to polling day, many leaders of Christian churches in the nation had announced their support for Buhari, who had publicly proclaimed his change of view on Sharia.

Since the election, The Christian Association of Nigeria and the National Christian Elders Forum each congratulated Buhari while praising outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan for relinquishing power peacefully, saying his concession and Nigeria’s post-election calm demonstrated ‘political maturity’. Most Nigerians are hopeful of Buhari’s determination to defeat Boko Haram.

What tipped the election in Buhari’s favour was the vote in the 22

Christian southwest, home to his vice-presidential running mate, Yemi Osinbajo, pastor of the large Pentecostal Redeemed Church of God. After victory Buhari stated, ‘One freedom that every government must strive to protect is the liberty for citizens to exercise their respective faiths… without fear or hindrance and to prosecute those who use religion as an excuse to destroy homes, schools and places of worship.’ World Watch Monitor PRAISE God for post electoral calm in Nigeria.

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CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR NIGERIA 2 Samuel 22:1-4

Following yesterday’s entry, PRAY that President Buhari may be true to his word, protect liberties, and defeat Boko Haram.

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‘WHAT IS WHISPERED IN YOUR EAR, PROCLAIM FROM THE ROOFS.’ Matthew 10:26-31

Good news is for sharing. No-one needs to tell the bearers of good news to share their joy. The new grandparents will show off the baby photos. The woman will tell the world about the new dress – 70% off in the sale. The owner of the new gadget will tell us all about it. These are mere things. The gospel of Christ is so much more exciting, compelling and glorious. It’s good news to be shouted from the rooftops.

PRAY that God would remind you again by His Spirit of the glorious goodness of His Son. Pray for opportunities to share Him.

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JOY IN VANUATU DESPITE DESTRUCTION Psalm 5:11-12

On March 15 the Pacific island group of Vanuatu was hit by a devastating cyclone, leaving more than 100,000 people, nearly half of the population, homeless. Vanuatu’s motto is ‘In God We Stand’. Committed Christians play a major role in leading the country - not least the president himself, Baldwin Lonsdale, who is also an Anglican priest.

More than 90 percent of houses in Port Vila alone are damaged, nearly every school destroyed, there’s damage to health facilities and the water supplies. President Lonsdale feared that development in the island nation had been wiped out, adding: ‘It means that we will have to start anew again. Over the past weeks many international Christian relief organizations and churches from Australia and New Zealand have sent help to Vanuatu.

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As nearly every village on Vanuatu has a church, Christians are in a unique position to provide help and distribute aid to those who need it most. This will give communities and individuals the capacity to recover and to get on their feet again. Christians on the islands reported they have joy despite the adverse circumstances.

Joel News International PRAISE God for the resilience of these people who trust in God through adversity. PRAY His blessing.

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GLEN SPEAKING AT CHURCH LEADERS TRAINING DAY (15 JULY) Psalm 14

A conference for church leaders in Sussex and beyond.

Pray for all to catch a vision for Christ-centred, Church-based, Spirit-filled mission.

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‘WHOEVER ACKNOWLEDGES ME BEFORE OTHERS, I WILL ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE BEFORE MY FATHER IN HEAVEN.’ Matthew 10:32-33

When you overhear your name being mentioned it’s hard not to eavesdrop on the conversation. What do you hope they mention about you? What do you fear that they say? Imagine that the people talking about you are powerful, important people. Imagine you respect them more than any others. Well Jesus says that one day He will speak in glowing terms to the almighty Father... about us!

It’s almost too wonderful for words. But then let’s think, if Jesus will speak such words about us on that day – what words about Him will we speak today?

PRAY for boldness to speak of Christ before the world – He’s not ashamed of us!

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GAY COMMUNITY: CAN WE TALK? Proverbs 20:7

Heather Barwick was brought up by her Lesbian mother and her same-sex partner after her mother had left her father when she was very young. She became a leading advocate of gay marriage but, in her mid 20’s, she began to reflect, she became a Christian, married and, in March 2015, she wrote an open letter to the Gay community in which she says: ‘I’m writing to you because I’m letting myself out of the closet: I don’t support gay marriage. It’s not because you’re gay I love you, so much. It’s because of the nature of the same-sex relationship itself. It’s only now, as I watch my children loving and being loved by their father each day, that I can see the beauty and wisdom in traditional marriage and parenting.’

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She goes on to state: ‘Same-sex marriage and parenting withholds either a mother or father from a child while telling him or her that it doesn’t matter, that it’s all the same. But it’s not. A lot of us, a lot of your kids, are hurting…’

She ends inviting the Gay community to talk about these matters. The Federalist; Daily Mail PRAISE God that Heather was able to find peace in the fatherhood of God, marriage and children.

PRAY for the gay community that many may find Jesus.

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‘COME, ALL YOU WHO ARE THIRSTY’ Isaiah 55

Often we think that spiritual dryness takes us away from true prayer. We imagine that we need to stir up our enthusiasm for God before we can enter His presence. Here God tells us that He expects us to be thirsty. He expects us to be dry, lifeless and in desperate need of spiritual refreshment and awakening.

Don’t be surprised by your spiritual sluggishness. We do not come to God full but empty – and the Fountain of Living Waters is the One to slake our thirst.

PRAY with honesty about your spiritual state.

Ask Jesus to fill you again with His Spirit.

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GLEN PREACHING AT SOUTH STREET FREE CHURCH Exodus 15:1-21

Please PRAY for much encouragement and gospel fruit as Glen preaches morning and evening at this outwardlooking church in Eastbourne on 19 July.

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ITALY: RECOGNITION FOR EVANGELICALS Exodus 19:5

In an historic general assembly, the Italian Evangelical Alliance welcomed the Minister of Internal Affairs – Angelino Alfano the second highest ranking official in the Italian government.

The evangelicals were remembering a law passed by Mussolini’s fascist government 80 years before which outlawed evangelicals, especially Pentecostals.

The 1935 law came into effect even before the racist legislation against the Jews. At the time the fascist government discriminated against any religious minorities and considered the evangelicals to be a danger to the State and to the purity of the nation. Several leading Pentecostals were imprisoned and even murdered before the law was repealed in 1955.

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In his speech, minister Alfano praised the Italian evangelicals for their contribution to the well-being of the nation. He also stated that religious liberty is not a concession given by the State, but the recognition of a superior right of all citizens. Lastly he promised to do all he could to overcome any remaining laws and practices that still disadvantage religious minorities in Italy. Protestante Digital PRAISE God the Italian government has noted the importance of the small evangelical community.

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KEEP PRAYING FOR ITALY 1 Peter 2:9-12

Continuing from yesterday’s entry, PRAY that Italy may awaken to the call of Christ.

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DRAMATIC RECOVERY FOR OUR EVANGELIST IN KENYA Psalm 118:17

Evans Sira Sira has been faithfully preaching the gospel in churches and schools for the last 40 years. We have had a 30 year relationship with Evans, at first through our radio broadcasts dating back to the early 1980s. Now with a vibrant ministry to over 100 Kenyan schools, Evans sees dramatic responses to his gospel preaching on a regular basis. In the last few months he has undergone two major operations for life threatening conditions but has come through with a remarkably speedy recovery.

PRAISE God for his swift recovery and continue to PRAY for his fruitful evangelistic labours.

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‘THE ANGEL OF THE LORD ENCAMPS AROUND THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.’ Psalm 34

Often it feels like life besieges us. Here the Psalmist tells us that our city walls are strong. The Angel of the LORD – Christ Himself – garrisons our lives. Nothing can ever get to us without it going through Him first. Sometimes He allows things into our lives that we don’t think we can handle – but He can! And He promises, even through this trouble, to deliver us (verse 7).

PRAY to Jesus about the troubles that He has allowed. Ask for His strength and comfort to cope.

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GOSPEL IMPACT IN THE PHILIPPINES John 4:35-36

From the 27-29 March the city of Cebu in the Philippines experienced the Festival of Life at which Billy Graham’s grandson, Will, was the main evangelist. Despite Cebu being considered ‘a hard place to evangelise’ by local pastor Trifon Brady, some 60,000 26

people came over the three days. Cebu is the city where the first Catholic missions were established, he explained.

‘Here the people are very religious... but they don’t have a relationship with Jesus,’ Brady explained.

In a challenging message, Will Graham said, ‘You cannot buy your salvation. All you can do is receive it as a free gift from God... the name of salvation is Jesus,’ Will added. Some 9,700 people made a profession of faith in Jesus throughout the event. ‘I see the faithfulness of God. When God’s Word is preached it never returns void of fruit,’ Graham said. Turning to the older Christians, he added: ‘Now I ask you to pray for these people who have decided to follow Jesus here, that they may be faithfully followed-up by the local churches, and that they will grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.’

Billy Graham Association; Protestante Digital PRAISE God for the fruit of the Gospel in this city.

PRAY that there will be faithful follow-up and nurturing of the new Christians.

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OUR EVANGELIST IN UGANDA: AMOS MUKASA 1 Corinthians 1:1-16

Amos Mukasa is a fearless evangelist based in Kampala, Uganda but travelling widely. Together with a small team he speaks in churches, house to house, at rallies and at ‘Jesus Film’ showings. He also trains Ugandans to share the gospel.

Please PRAY for their outreach opportunities which impact thousands of people each month.

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‘GOD WAS PLEASED THROUGH THE FOOLISHNESS OF WHAT WAS PREACHED TO SAVE THOSE WHO BELIEVE.’ 1 Corinthians 1:17-2:5

A God on a cross – what could sound more foolish? A humiliated Saviour – what could look weaker? Yet God is positively pleased to save through this foolishness. Such an unimpressive message is God’s power for salvation and today billions attest to the power of a simple message to save. Let us never be ashamed of the message of the cross.

Our salvation and the salvation of billions proves that this is precisely where God’s power shows up.

PRAY for renewed confidence in the message of the cross and boldness to share it.

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A WIND BLOWING IN THE HOUSE OF ISLAM Ezekiel 37:9-14

Something is happening in the Muslim world, and unprecedented in history. Over the past 14 centuries, Islam has forged a ‘spiritual empire’ that stretches from West Africa to Indonesia. Today, the Dar al-Islam or ‘House of Islam,’ as Muslims call their religious community, counts more than one in five persons on earth.

In a new global study, Dr. David Garrison reveals that the first Muslim movement to Christ did not occur until the 19th century, more than 1000 years after Muhammad’s message first echoed from the minarets of Medina. This first movement was followed by a further 10 Muslim movements to Christ in the late 20th century. But something now is happening. In the first 12 years of the 21st century, we have already seen more than 60 new Muslim movements to Christ! To better understand what is happening and why it is happening now, David Garrison has travelled throughout the Muslim world. His book, A Wind in the House of Islam, explores the stories of more than 1,000 Muslim-background followers of Jesus Christ. He traces the work of the Holy Spirit as He blows through the House of Islam. Windinthehouse.org PRAISE God that his Spirit is increasingly blowing winds of salvation in Islamic lands. PRAY it may grow.

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OUR EVANGELIST IN NORTHERN MALAWI: THOMSON CHIRWA 2 Corinthians 3:14-18

Thomson is based in Mzuzu, Malawi and is always busy for the Lord. He pastors a church in Mzuzu, runs a youth outreach in the locality, leads a local prison ministry, provides training programmes for local people in tailoring, knitting and computer skills and also preaches in the open air.

Please pray for his ongoing needs to be met in terms of personnel, finance and spiritual refreshment. Pray that many would encounter Christ through his many ministries.

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‘GOD SAID ‘LET LIGHT SHINE OUT OF DARKNESS’.’

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

When is the gospel first preached in the Bible? We might say Genesis 3:15 but Paul goes back even further. He says that the very first ‘Let there be light’ was a gospel moment (Genesis 1:3). It was the Word of God triumphing over darkness. But that moment of colossal power is, says Paul, repeated in every conversion. Each time someone turns to Christ God works an almighty ‘Let there be light!’

And this shining comes through the preaching of Jesus. What kind of power is involved in proclaiming Christ!

PRAISE God for ‘switching the lights on’ for you.

PRAY for opportunities to speak His word.

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CHINA: 30,000 FIND CHRIST EVERY DAY Ephesians 1:1-4

‘China is thriving,’ says Freddie Sun of the nation’s faithful. He estimates there are 150 million Protestants and Catholics. ‘Every day, 30,000 people believe in Jesus - even Communist Party members. It’s the greatest revival in church history.’

By all accounts, the Holy Spirit is moving in unprecedented ways in the world’s most populous nation. But not everyone agrees that this move comes in the face of government opposition.

In fact, American missionary Dennis Balcombe, who moved to Hong Kong in the 1960s, says the situation for Christians in mainland China is more nuanced than many observers describe it. ‘It’s not like there isn’t persecution, but it’s isolated.’

He sees a new openness toward the church on the part of many government officials, who recognize that Christians have played a major role in China’s economic rise.

‘I’m very optimistic about what I see in China,’ Balcombe says.

He has visited modern coastal cities with churches numbering in the hundreds of thousands, and even rural congregations in which thousands gather to worship throughout the week.

He describes one church that even maintains a 24-hour prayer centre with volunteers from 400 congregations and has a seminary of 500 students. While he can’t imagine democratic government coming to China soon, he says his goal isn’t to change government policies, but to lead as many people to Christ as possible.

After recent visits to the mainland, he says he’s been ‘amazed’ by the changes taking place across the country and the explosive growth of the church. In particular, he’s encouraged to see spiritual revival spreading to the government-approved Three Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) churches as well. He recently accepted an invitation from a TSPM pastor to preach in his church. ‘I saw hungry people, people getting healed, and heard of stories of revival. It’s like the book of Acts. Living here we have a completely different perspective [than Westerners have].’

James Carpenter, an American missionary who oversees a house church in Shanghai, has noticed that as churches grow beyond the small-group size, they also seek to be more grounded in biblical doctrine, which opens a door to opportunities for deeper ministry. God continues to bring hope to a people once oppressed. ‘It is revival… In 1949 the communists took over,’ Dorothy Sun says. Christians were ‘Going through all kinds of persecution… Like the Bible says, when a kernel [of wheat] dies, later you will see a harvest.’ Dorothy Sun stresses that revival can only come to the U.S. if people turn back to God: ‘If you think you are strong and rich, there will be no miracles.’

Ken Walker in Charisma News

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PRAISE God for the great revival going on in China, for so many converts and for greater openness of government officials.

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KEEP PRAYING FOR CHINA Ephesians 1:5-9

After yesterday’s entry, PRAY that the Chinese Church may remain true to Christ, remain humble, and become a missionary force to all the world.

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LOVE AFRICA - SHARING THE GOSPEL AND OUR LIVES 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Paul speaks to the Thessalonians about sharing both the gospel and his life with the church (1 Thessalonians 2:8). We are convinced that true gospel ministry happens in the context of life-sharing support. In partnering with evangelistic work in Africa we cannot ignore the pressing social and physical needs. Love Africa is our attempt to meet some of those needs in the poorest countries on earth - but to do so always in the context of gospel ministry.

Please pray in particular for our support of orphans and feeding programmes in Malawi. Pray that the love shown through Christian churches and agencies would powerfully witness to the love of Jesus.

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‘SINCE WE KNOW WHAT IT IS TO FEAR THE LORD...’

2 Corinthians 5:11

Fear is about being overwhelmed. When life overwhelms us we call it fear. When Christ overwhelms us, we call it faith! And this faith is the true fear – the fear of Christ that drives out every other fear. Paul is about to launch into one of the most powerful paragraphs on evangelism in all the Bible. Where does it begin? Here, with an overwhelming experience of the Lord Jesus – of His majesty and glory.

PRAY for a sense of the fearful wonder and glorious grace of Jesus. Pray that this will be the motivation for all our witness.

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EMMA’S MINISTRY – CHANGING LIVES Psalm 107:1-23

Emma (Glen’s wife) is a very gifted writer and speaker whose ministry takes her around the country. Her first book, A New Name (IVP), was a powerful testimony to Christ’s work in her life. Her subsequent ministry online and via speaking engagements has won awards and is reaching thousands of people with the good news of Jesus.

Please PRAY that her story would continue to impact many, bringing healing and hope to believers and new life to unbelievers. Please also PRAY for her second book which she is working on this summer – that it would impact even more people and bring glory to Jesus.

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LARGE GROWTH IN CHRISTIAN TV VIEWERS Colossians 1:28-29

Özge Talas is holding two phones and trying to answer both at the same time. She’s working frantically to ensure all calls from an enthusiastic SAT-7 TÜRK audience are answered.

Judging by the increase in calls SAT-7 TÜRK is receiving, its recent launch (on the Turkish national platform) is proving a great success.

‘Before we had around 10 calls per week,’ Özge says, ‘Now it’s hundreds every week, and we’re getting many more e-mails too.’ Audience calls cover a wide variety of topics and issues, including those about specific programs on the channel or from people asking where they can get a Bible. ‘We usually guide those who ask for a Bible to churches or specific communions in their area,’ Özge says. ‘That way they can also get in touch with other Christians.’

An example of one call SAT-7 TÜRK has received was from a man in Burdur. ‘I have been praying secretly like a Christian for 12 years,’ the man said. ‘I always prayed to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit but I have never met any Christian at all. ‘Now I watch you and I can’t believe my eyes. I give praises to God. Please help me to meet with local Christians.’ SAT-7 Uplink PRAISE God that many more Turks are now able to view Christian TV. PRAY for a great hunger as they hear the Word of God.

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‘WE TRY TO PERSUADE.’ 2 Corinthians 5:11-13

Christianity is not a violent religion. This means not only that we put away the sword, as Jesus commanded. It also means that we do not coerce people into the kingdom. People come to Christ by faith not by force. People are persuaded into the kingdom. Those who come want the King and are convinced that He is good, true and beautiful.

Firstly then let us make sure that we are persuaded of the goodness, truth and beauty of Jesus. And let us seek to persuade others with what has persuaded us.

PRAY for an increased conviction of the truth and goodness of the gospel. Pray for help in persuading others.

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GLEN LEADING A SEMINAR AT NEW WINE, SHEPTON MALLET (6 AUGUST) 2 Corinthians 10:1-5

Please pray as Glen speaks at this popular conference – equipping believers to share their faith effectively.

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‘CHRIST’S LOVE COMPELS US.’ 2 Corinthians 5:14-16

John Wesley was a missionary before he was converted. While travelling to Georgia to share the gospel with others he confessed many times that he was unsure of Christ’s love for him. Sometimes evangelism can spring from false motives: fear, pride, guilt, jealousy, etc. Paul tells us where it should spring from – the love of Christ. When Wesley understood this, his whole ministry erupted.

If we can grasp the love of Christ, it will compel us outwards with explosive force.

PRAY to know how the width, length, height and depth of Christ’s love.

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GLEN SPEAKING EVANGELISTICALLY AT PRAISE IN THE PEAK (8 AUGUST) Isaiah 60:1-5

This popular event in the Peak District attracts Christians and non-Christians alike.

Pray that Glen might proclaim Christ clearly and powerfully and that all might respond in faith.

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SHIPMENT OF 80,000 BIBLES TO CUBA Colossians 2:6-7

Three 40-foot containers packed with 83,723 Spanish Bibles, to be distributed among Baptist churches in both Western and Eastern Cuba, arrived in Havana at the end of March. This shipment is the third Southern Baptists have sent to the island nation since 1999.

This latest effort brings the total number of Bibles sent to nearly half a million, said Kurt Urbanek, International Mission Board (IMB) strategy leader for Cuba.

However, this represents the first time Bibles were shipped directly from the United States. The extensive process of seeking permission from the Cuban government to ship Bibles required a great deal of negotiation with government officials and the Cuban Bible Society, Urbanek explained. Clearance for this effort was given in late 2014. ‘We are grateful the Cuban government opened the doors for the Bibles,’ Urbanek said.

In 1992 the Cuban government officially changed its status from an atheistic to a secular society, helping pave the way for the Bible distribution. The shipment of the Bibles and Bible resources, coordinated by IMB, represents a collaborative partnership between IMB, LifeWay Christian Stores, Florida Baptist Convention, Church by the Glades in Coral Springs, Fla., and other individuals and groups.

Continued overleaf 32

Last year, LifeWay customers across the country donated funds to purchase 144,000 Bibles for distribution in several Central American and Caribbean countries. Of those Bibles, sixty thousand were designated for Cuba. IMB provided $100,000 for the project. Others provided funding for additional Bibles and resources, as well as the cost of shipment.

In the past, the Cuban government required Bibles to be distributed to all evangelical denominations in the country.

But this time 75 percent - or 64,000 - of the Bibles will be allocated to the Havana-based Western Cuba Baptist Convention and the Santiago-based Eastern Cuba Baptist Convention, resulting in each group receiving 32,000 Bibles.

With the Eastern Convention reporting 29,063 professions of faith in 2014, Urbanek said the Bibles potentially will cover the new Christians and only a few more. The eastern churches also will endure a logistical challenge getting the books across the rough Cuban terrain to Santiago, about an 18-hour drive from Havana. Urbanek reported the Eastern Convention added 1,300 new house churches and missions in recent years. ‘The growth is so incredible, that’s why Bibles are so important,’ he said, noting Western Cuba churches have expanded likewise. The shipment also includes Bible commentaries, study Bibles and giant-print Bibles for the visually impaired. Baptist Press News PRAISE God for huge church growth and the opening of doors for Bibles to reach the people.

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KEEP PRAYING FOR CUBA Colossians 2:8-10

After yesterday’s entry, PRAY for rapid distribution of Bibles to new converts, for the continuing salvation of many souls in Cuba, and the strengthening of the churches.

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‘IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, THE NEW CREATION HAS COME...’

2 Corinthians 5:17

The whole world wants to be new. Every magazine is covered in promises to make us new. New diet, new body, new wardrobe, new lifestyle, new car, new gadgets – new you.

We all feel like we need to be new but none of us can do it.

Here’s the good news: Christ has punched a hole through this old, dying world and come through to new creation life.

Right now, anyone who simply trusts Jesus is ‘in Him.’ We are 33

connected to Jesus by the Spirit and now we belong to this new order that Christ has pioneered, for free and forever.

PRAISE God that Christ has brought us the newness which the whole world craves. Spend time rejoicing that ‘the old has gone.’

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GLEN LEADING A MISSION TO LOUGHBOROUGH (9-16 AUGUST) Jeremiah 1:4-10

All week The Crowded House Church in Loughborough is reaching out to the town.

Pray as Glen speaks at a number of events: that nonChristians would come in great numbers, that unbelievers would meet with Christ and the whole church be built up.

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SCRIPTURE IS CENTRAL FOR BRAZIL STUDENTS Matthew 4:1-4

Brazil is a vibrant, culturally diverse and socially unequal nation of 200.4 million (2013). Although a majority of Brazilians were brought up as Roman Catholics, in recent years, there has been an impressive growth in evangelical Christianity, particularly amongst young people. Nevertheless, biblical and Christ-centred teaching is still scarce, and universities are difficult places for young people of faith.

There are 2377 institutions of higher education. The Brazilian Christian Unions – Alianza Biblica Universitaria Vbrasileira (ABUB) - is active through 127 affiliated groups, each with an estimated 3 to 6 core Bible study groups per city. ABUB has grown in the last seven years, from three regional and three national workers to 17 staff today. There has been a significant increase in the number of cities with ABUB groups.

Reinaldo Percinoto Jr., the General Secretary of ABUB, is grateful to God for the training space in ABUB that is centred on Scriptures.

This grounding will be vital as university graduates become part of the Brazilian evangelical church leadership in future years.

IFES; ABUB PRAISE God for the growth of this vital ministry preparing future leaders for the vibrant church.

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KEEP PRAYING FOR STUDENT WORK IN YOUR COUNTRY Matthew 4:5-11

Continuing from yesterday’s entry, university is a key moment in many people’s lives. Young people leave behind the securities of their upbringing and challenge their prior assumptions.

These years can be a key opportunity for the gospel.

PRAY for evangelistic work among students in your country. As Christian Unions get ready for a new influx of students after the summer break, pray they will be prepared to reach out with the good news of Jesus.

Pray too for Glen, our evangelist, who travels widely to speak to students all over the country.

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SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT AND RENEWAL Acts 3:17-26

Summer is a time when both church and student ministries wind down. For that reason, our diary here is less full than normal but the summer is still an important time. In addition to the writing and preparing time that this extra space allows, it is a good time to seek the Lord for the next phase of ministry before September hits.

Please pray for us as a team to know ‘times of refreshing from the Lord’ (Acts 3:19) and guidance for the future.

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BURMA: CHURCH GROWS AMIDST STRIFE Matthew 5:10-12

Indigenous evangelists have been carrying the torch of gospel proclamation in Burma (Myanmar) since the regime expelled all foreign church workers in 1966. Operation World notes, ‘Momentum in evangelism is building as an indigenous missions movement begins to flourish.’ Christians now account for about 9 percent of Burma´s population, which is otherwise 80 percent Buddhist, 7.2 percent Muslim and less than 0.5 percent Hindu. The gospel has advanced in Burma against a backdrop of civil war, religious opposition, and poverty, where most people survive on the equivalent of one U.S. dollar a day, A ministry assisted by Christian Aid Mission in Shan state is planning to build a house where refugee children from the fighting can live, as well as obtain schooling.

Christian Aid Mission; Operation World PRAISE God this suffering church is growing.

PRAY for the indigenous missionaries who brave many obstacles to carry the Gospel to the nation.

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‘GOD GAVE US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION...’

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

It’s incredible enough to think that God has a ‘ministry.’ Ministry means ‘service.’ Is it true that God serves the world? Absolutely.

And He serves the world by working for its ‘reconciliation’ (even though it was we who began the hostilities). If that wasn’t incredible enough, we read here that God includes us in His ministry. We now work in God’s name to bring peace to the world and we do it by proclaiming His ‘message of reconciliation.’ What an extraordinary privilege!

PRAISE God that He serves us and praise Him that we can serve with Him for the salvation of the world.

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TRAINING LEADERS FOR 44 YEARS Jeremiah 23:29

It’s been nearly 44 years since SEAN (Seminary by Extension to All Nations) was founded, on the 14th July 1971, amongst the indigenous peoples of Chile, Paraguay and Northern Argentina.

Since then, over one and a half million students and pastors, in more than 100 countries across the globe, have been discipled and trained using SEAN’s simple-to-follow theological courses.

These courses have been essential for discipling new believers and training lay and ordained leaders within affordable and sustainable programmes that have transformed the level of Biblical education and active participation of these congregations.

There are countless testimonies of the benefits SEAN’s courses have brought to local churches and communities all round the world. In Colombia, the ‘Association of Biblical Churches of the Caribbean’ grew from 240 to over 850 congregations, in 28 years, using SEAN Courses to train their leaders. Across the prison system in Argentina, there are several thousand inmates being discipled with SEAN Courses, and 500 students are training to be internal ministers. ‘The SEAN courses have brought dignity to the lives of the prisoners. They have helped transform criminals into servants of God,’ says local pastor Revd. Dr. J. Norberto Saracco.

From Pamplona, Spain, Pastor Andrés Cale writes, ‘Studying the Life of Christ in Scripture guided by SEAN, we have returned to our first love.’ SEAN courses have been translated into more than 80 languages and, through its partners, well over 160,000 students and pastors are in training this year. SEAN International PRAISE God, through SEAN, countless thousands have received sound, Biblical training. PRAY for the digital courses to reach into ‘closed’ areas.

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‘GOD MADE HIM WHO HAD NO SIN TO BE SIN FOR US, SO THAT IN HIM WE MIGHT BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.’ 2 Corinthians 5:21

We tend to live in the milky, murky middle – not too high, not too low. We imagine that our sins aren’t so bad but that also God’s grace is not so lavish. This verse blows that thinking out of the water. Look to the cross and see your sins punished: this is the hell you deserve. Now look again to the cross and see God’s Son given to you: this is God’s righteousness poured out for you with every drop of His blood. You’re worse than you ever imagined but more loved than you ever dreamed!

PRAISE God for such a Saviour. PRAY for a deeper and higher appreciation of this gospel.

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PERU: MINISTRY FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS Genesis 39:20-23

The arrest of a young man who had been attending Christ the Redeemer Church in Lima, Peru, ended up leading to a weekly ministry to other young offenders. Latin/Timothy mission partner Anderson Sanchez, pastor of Christ the Redeemer, explains: ‘Alexis is 17 and a member of our church. He was invited to a party where there were under age girls. He got caught and was sentenced to 40 days in a young offenders’ unit.’ While in the unit, Alexis repented of his behaviour, saying he’d learned his lesson and he was released early. ‘Since then, with our support, Alexis has matured, he has a job and has kept away from the crowd he was spending time with before,’ said Anderson. Now, due to this unexpected connection, the church has a weekly ministry with the teenagers in the offenders’ unit,’ says Anderson. CMS Mission Update PRAISE God that youth offenders are having the opportunity of knowing Christ’s transforming grace.

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COUNTDOWN TILL OUR LEARNING HUB BEGINS Ephesians 4:17-24

We begin our new evangelistic apprenticeships this September and hope to have a good team of eager students.

Please PRAY for good preparation as we launch the learning hub and pray that our times together would be rich and deep. We want ongoing, life-on-life discipleship that raises up a new generation of workers for the harvest field. Please PRAY towards that end.

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‘WE ARE THEREFORE CHRIST’S AMBASSADORS, GOD MAKING HIS APPEAL THROUGH US.’ 2 Corinthians 5:20

How extraordinary to think that God makes appeals! The Most High entreats us. The Almighty begs the world. He doesn’t have to, obviously. He could simply flatten us in His wrath but instead He woos us in His love. And how? How does He make His appeal?

Through us! We are Christ’s ambassadors. How then should we live?

How then should we speak?

PRAISE God for such humility – to appeal to the world. PRAY that you might extend that appeal today.

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8,000 PERSIAN NEW TESTAMENTS TO IRAN Hebrews 4:12

Missionaries say they were able to distribute more than 18,000 Persian New Testaments ahead of Easter in Iran despite reports of persecution. ‘This is the good news from evangelists who are in the midst of two-weeks of dedicated outreach to mark ‘Norouz’ (Persian New Year),’ said Elam Ministries, a mission group founded by Iranian church leaders.

Elam noted ‘a great hunger for the Word’ of God. ‘The outreach teams are finding that people are curious and open to reading the Gospel of Jesus... Iranians today are seen as the most open Muslim people to the Gospel in the world. More have become Christians since the revolution than the previous 1,300 years put together,’ the group added. BosNewsLife PRAISE God for this intense hunger for truth. PRAY for a great coming to Christ among the people, that will ultimately change the Iranian nation.

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‘EVEN NOW MY WITNESS IS IN HEAVEN; MY ADVOCATE IS ON HIGH. MY INTERCESSOR IS MY FRIEND.’ Job 16:19-20

Receive with faith these four descriptions of Christ... Witness: He sees all of your sorrows. Nothing is hidden from Him. He is concerned about all your suffering. Advocate: He fights your corner.

He speaks in your defence and He’s never lost a case. Intercessor: He prays for you – constantly. He knows how to pray you through any situation, even when you can’t find the words. Friend: You have a friend in very high places. He loves you and sticks closer than a brother.

PRAISE God for your Witness, Advocate, Intercessor and Friend – the Lord Jesus.

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EVANGELISM TRAINING Matthew 12:34

Our mission training resource - 3-2-1 Go - has been used in many churches around the UK and overseas. We have been fascinated to see how Christians have responded to the gospel in this training. One recent participant in a course remarked: ‘I don’t think I understood the gospel until today’.

Another said ‘I never knew that Jesus loved me till now.’ These were Christians wanting to share their faith with others, yet what we are finding is that believers themselves have such a poor grasp of the gospel that our first task is to evangelise our own number! At the same time we are finding that Christians refreshed in the gospel become those most eager to share.

PRAY that this training material will bless many and that from the overflow of their hearts, their mouths will speak Matthew 12:34.

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‘WE IMPLORE YOU ON CHRIST’S BEHALF: BE RECONCILED TO GOD.’ 2 Corinthians 5:20

Imagine you were a lawyer defending your best friend on a capital charge – imploring the court to show clemency. This is the tone Paul strikes – begging sinners to come home to God. Paul says that in all His speaking it is Christ Himself making the appeal, but this appeal comes through the preacher. If Paul preaches like this... if Christ Himself implores the world... what should be our tone in evangelism?

PRAY for a heart like Paul’s and a tongue to match.

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BRITAIN NEEDS REVIVAL AND RENEWAL Ephesians 5:14

In his Easter address, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said that Christian values can still turn the world upside down and transform people’s lives from within ‘Young people know in their bones that there must be something better, something more worthwhile than the self-centredness which is attracted by the promise of endless pleasure but which somehow never seems to deliver,’ he said in his message reported in The Yorkshire Post.

‘From the tiniest of beginnings, this group of enthusiasts expanded throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. It’s still happening,’ he said. ‘Last century the African Church grew from nine million to 541 million members. It is predicted by some that China, where atheism is endorsed and religious observance is often repressed, will soon have more Christians than any other country.’

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But numbers on their own are not enough, he admits. It is renewal and revival, both at a personal and a corporate level, that are necessary today, he says, warning against the temptation to slide into ‘compromise and apathy’. Christians today must do a regular ‘spiritual workout’ with honest self-examination, conducted in the searchlight of Christ’s all seeing, ever gracious love. ‘In the eyes of most young people, the status quo has been tried and found wanting. Something far more worthwhile and exciting is needed,’ he continued. Arguing that the UK’s moral direction is grounded in the Bible, he says it was the Resurrection of Christ that made His message last. ‘This was God’s eternal guarantee of the authenticity and indelibility of everything He had said and done before death.’

Christian Today; Prayer Alert PRAISE God for this clear call to Christians and the nation.

PRAY for a great seeking after Jesus Christ.

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NEW VIDEO RESOURCES TO BLESS THE CHURCH Isaiah 62:1-5

Having seen the success of 3-2-1, we are now ready to invest in a high quality video version of the course. We have an award-winning video-making team behind us with a proven track record. We also have a gospel presentation with global appeal. We feel 3-2-1, the course, could have a major impact around the world.

Please pray as we make preparations for filming and as we raise the considerable finances required to make it available.

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FROM PRISON TO BIBLE SOCIETY LEADER Genesis 41:37-43

Forty years ago, as Pol Pot’s violent Khmer Rouge regime swept through Cambodia, Arun Sok Nhep made a promise. He vowed that if God saved his life and got him out of prison, he would one day return to serve the ethnic minority people of South East Asia.

‘What I prayed that day in the prison is exactly what I’m doing here now.’ As chief executive of Bible Society in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, Arun is responsible for bringing Scripture to one of the fastest-growing churches in the world. During his time in prison he met other Christians who had scraps of Bibles, which sustained his faith. Eventually Arun escaped to France. There, he trained as a pastor, married and served in a Cambodian church. He returned to Cambodia in 1993 to complete the translation of the Khmer Bible and fulfil his prayerful promise. He says, ‘I have learnt especially how God has used the circumstances of my life – how pain and suffering can turn to the benefit of His kingdom. Bible Society PRAISE God, He uses the devil’s schemes to further His purposes. PRAY for the Gospel in these nations.

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‘THOSE WHO SOW WITH TEARS WILL REAP WITH SONGS OF JOY.’ Psalm 126:5

Often we think of our suffering as senseless. The Psalmist thinks of his suffering as seed. Yes, it is cast to the ground and may look hopeless in the short term.

But in God’s hands, these sorrows can – and one day will – be turned into a rich harvest. If we doubt this we must look to Christ – the Seed who was planted on Good Friday in sorrow. His rising on Easter Sunday was the first fruits of a bumper crop – a harvest of cosmic rejoicing.

What happened to that Man of Sorrows is the pattern for all believers – sorrow then joy, seed then harvest, cross then resurrection.

PRAY now about your sorrows and be assured that one day soon the harvest is coming.

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GOSPEL IN MALTA The Maltese Islands are a small archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, just south of Sicily and with a population of about 470,000. This tiny group of islands, hard to find on a world map, seems insignificant.

Yet in God’s plan, they may be strategic, as they were when the Apostle Paul landed there around AD 60. Most of the population are Roman Catholic but there is openness to the Gospel and OM is leading evangelistic outreaches there.

OM Transform 2015 PRAY for many openings for the gospel in Malta.

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