Merton J. Hershberger's Posts

PTAP: Movement of repentace.

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on October 7, 2019 at 10:40

Ask that the Father would stir up repentant hearts among those in the Arabian Peninsula. Pray that He would give them eyes to see their sin, a true sorrow about it, and hearts that are humble before Him. Pray that they would turn to Him in repentance.

Pray that those in the Arabian Peninsula would know that despite their shortfalls, repentant hearts can lead to eternal security. Pray that they would come to know the Gospel and claim Jesus as their Savior, their acceptance, and their freedom.

Pray for opportunities for believers to have conversation with nationals in the Arabian Gulf about the difference between worldly sorrow and Godly sorrow. Ask for opportunities to discuss what repentance means, what it produces, why it is important, what it doesn't mean, and how Jesus plays a role in it.

Pray on behalf of the nations of the Arabian Peninsula. As a believer, stand in the gap for this nation who does not know the one true God and repent of its twisted ways. Repent for the sins of this nation and intercede on their behalf asking God to do a mighty work in this land and in this people. Pray for His Kingdom to come in the Arabian Peninsula,

Hajj 2019 - Pilgrims Return Home

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on August 19, 2019 at 11:37

Thank you to all of you who prayed during the Hajj last week. Let's continue to pray this week for the pilgrims who continue to perform Hajj rituals and for those who have returned to their home countries. Muslims also go to Mecca to perform the "Omra", which is a smaller version of the Hajj, a pilgrimage that they can do anytime during the year. Therefore, we can always be praying for Muslim pilgrims in Mecca and the city of Mecca itself.

A Saudi believer wrote the following prayer concerns and so let's join him and all Saudi believers in praying for Saudi Arabia and Mecca:

"The Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and it comes with the promise of cleansing the pilgrim of all their past (but not future) sins. Due to the physical and financial difficulty that can be involved, this pilgrimage is not mandatory, but many Muslims are willing to take the risks in order to be (temporarily) free from the burden of their sin and transgressions.

Many Muslims consider this pilgrimage an invitation to personal sacrifice, self-reflection and spiritual development by immersing themselves in the throng of their fellow Muslim brothers and sisters and drawing close to powerful symbols of Islam and its God.

Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again." (John 4:13-14)

To be totally free from sin, Muslim pilgrims must continue to return to Mecca to be cleansed over and over again, often at great personal cost. Pray that they will instead turn to the Messiah Jesus and confess him as Lord to be permanently set free from not only slavery to sin, but also religious slavery.

Pray for Muslims who return from Hajj to fall under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and be ever-restless, finding no peace and no false-sense of reconciliation with God apart from Christ.

Pray for the growing number of local Christ-followers who slip in among the pilgrims during Hajj to share the Gospel and proclaim the risen Savior. Ask the Holy Spirit to give them boldness and a love that casts out fear. Ask the Father to send pilgrims who receive Jesus back to their home countries as missionaries proclaiming the Gospel!

Near the western coast of Saudi Arabia lies the City of Mecca, the birthplace of Islam's Prophet Mohammed, and at its center is the Kaaba, a cube-like structure draped in black cloth and the holiest site in Islam. Muslims believe the Kabaa is the first mosque, the first place of worship, ever constructed, built by the Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael (thus predating even the Jewish Tabernacle/Temple). This structure is the focal point on Earth of all Islamic prayers and nearly every mosque in the world has been designed to point toward it.

Mecca itself is oriented around the Kaaba, the Hajj, and the year-round lesser pilgrimages to Sacred Mosque. The constant stream of pilgrims from all over the world has made Mecca quite diverse for the region and many locals are employed in the "Hajj Industry", serving the needs of visitors and always preparing for the next Hajj. Non-Muslims are forbidden from entering the city.

Pray that the increasingly commercialization of the Hajj will lead to disillusionment among both visiting Muslims as well as the native workers as they strive to please God with empty rituals and dead works.

Eid Al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is considered to be the holiest of the two great Islamic holidays and takes place during the last three days of the Hajj. This feast commemorates and honors the Prophet Abraham for his willingness to obey God without question, even when he was asked to sacrifice his own son. Much like the Genesis story, in Islam the Prophet Abraham is prevented from actually killing his son when a lamb is miraculously produced by God as a replacement.

Every year Muslims, like the Prophet Abraham, offer an animal sacrifice and then divide the meat into three parts: one for the poor, another for relatives, friends and neighbors and the final third they keep and eat in their own household.

As the story of Abraham is replayed by millions of Muslims, pray that many will be stirred to seek out more information about this man of God and that they will have the courage to read the Scriptures for themselves. Pray that the Genesis story will come alive as they read it, more powerfully than anything they've ever read in the Quran."

Also, watch this recent PTAP video about the Bani Atiya tribe in Saudi Arabia. Pray that God would bring this entire tribe to Himself!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svgc4GLlk58

PTAP: Hajj & Eid Ul-Adha

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on August 11, 2019 at 15:29

Hajj Prayer 2019 - August 11 (Day 3)Please watch this Eid Al Adha prayer video to help you pray in light of millions of Muslims around the world who are slaughtering an animal in remembrance of Abraham:Prayercast Eid Al Adha prayer video: https://prayercast.com/eid-al-adha.htmlThis day is known in Arabic as "Yawm al Hajj al akbar", the big Hajj day. It is the longest and potentially the most dangerous of all the days. Eid Al Adha, a significant Islamic holiday, is celebrated on this day.Pilgrims start in Muzdalifah and head back to Mina. In Mina, they throw stones at three columns representing the devil. This is based on historic tradition which says that God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Ismael as a proof of faith. It is believed that at this spot in Mina, the devil appeared and tried to dissuade Abraham three times from obeying the command to kill his son.Each time, Abraham responded by throwing seven stones at the devil. Millions of pilgrims converge on the Jamarat bridge which houses the three pillars to re-enact this story. The bridge has been the site of stampedes which has killed thousands of pilgrims throughout the modern history of the Hajj.After casting their stones, the pilgrims must sacrifice an animal to imitate Abraham who they believe slaughtered a ram instead of his son Ismael. Muslims say that this ram was provided by Allah. They kill a sheep, goat, cow, or camel or pay someone to do it for them.At this point, the men shave off their hair and remove their Ihram clothes. Women are expected to snip a piece of their hair.Many will go back to Mecca to perform the "Tawaf" (circumambulating the Kaaba seven times) and then the "Sa'ee" (walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa which is a marbled walkway that is air conditioned!) It is said that Hajar, Abraham's wife, ran between the two hills to find water for her son Ismael. Ismael kicked some sand and water came out which became the spring of Zamzam, holy water to Muslims which they drink during the Hajj and bring home with them to their home countries.When all is done, they return to their campsite in Mina. They can continue the rites of the Hajj for the next few days.Key Scriptures to PrayAnd by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:10-14)For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against... the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" (John 7:37, 38)Pray first for the safety of the pilgrims, that there would be no deaths caused by stampedes or disease.Muslims understand that there is spiritual evil caused by Satan. Throwing rocks at Satan during the day of stoning is meaningless apart from the cross and resurrection which defeated Satan forever. Pray that they will know Christ and have mighty weapons "for the tearing down of strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:4)As Muslims circle the Kaaba and run from hill to hill, ask that they will see the futility of these acts. Pray that they will find the true, Living Water, Jesus, so that they may never thirst again!While there are many symbols and rituals in the Hajj that rest on pagan foundations, there are also some which have been appropriated from the story of Abraham in Genesis which have already been noted. Father Abraham is an important prophet in Islam, but the Quran has very little to say about him. His story in the Bible is far richer, more relatable, and compelling. Most importantly, it points forward to a nations-blessing Savior. As the story of Abraham's animal sacrifice is replayed by millions of Muslims, pray that many will be stirred to seek out more information about Abraham and the true meaning of the ram which he sacrificed in place of his son, that God did not kill Isaac only because God's own Son Jesus, the Lamb of God, was killed in his and our place. Amen!

Hajj Prayer - August 9-11, 2019

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on August 6, 2019 at 14:25

As you might know, the Hajj to Mecca is only a short time away, August 9-11. Many Muslims are already traveling there to go on the spiritual journey of a lifetime. May they journey into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ instead. Please join us in praying for the 2.5 million Muslims who will be performing the Hajj this year.A video and prayer information in eight different languages can be found at the Praying Through the Arabian Peninsula's (PTAP) website at: https://www.pray-ap.info/hajj.htmlThe eight languages are English, Korean, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Spanish, German, and Chinese.Also this year, look for Prayercast/Love Muslims to be sending out Hajj prayer information and videos around the time of the Hajj. The information is not yet live, but you can find it soon at: https://prayercast.com/love-muslims-home.htmlMay we keep praying for God to deliver the Muslim pilgrims at the Hajj from the domain of darkness and transfer them to the Kingdom of God's beloved Son so that they may find redemption, the forgiveness of sins in Jesus alone! (Colossians 1:13-14)

PTAP: Hajj Prayer - August 9-11, 2019

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on July 29, 2019 at 16:06

As you might know, the Hajj to Mecca is only a short time away, August 9-11. Many Muslims are already traveling there to go on the spiritual journey of a lifetime. May they journey into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ instead. Please join us in praying for the 2.5 million Muslims who will be performing the Hajj this year.A video and prayer information in eight different languages can be found at the Praying Through the Arabian Peninsula's (PTAP) website at: https://www.pray-ap.info/hajj.htmlThe eight languages are English, Korean, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Spanish, German, and Chinese.Also this year, look for Prayercast/Love Muslims to be sending out Hajj prayer information and videos around the time of the Hajj. The information is not yet live, but you can find it soon at: https://prayercast.com/love-muslims-home.htmlMay we keep praying for God to deliver the Muslim pilgrims at the Hajj from the domain of darkness and transfer them to the Kingdom of God's beloved Son so that they may find redemption, the forgiveness of sins in Jesus alone! (Colossians 1:13-14)

PTAP: Qatar - Prayer & a Testimony

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on July 12, 2019 at 8:20

Here is a testimony and request for prayer from an expat believer in Qatar. Let's pray for Qatar this week, that the Lord will tear down the spiritual walls that keep the Qatari people from knowing Jesus!

The Walls Speak

As we drive through Qatar, tall walls are seen encompassing residential housing buildings often far away from the city. These tall walls remind us of the huge fortresses that used to protect these cities in the ancient past. The Arab Gulf is famous for many such fortresses that prevented enemies from entering their territory. It also built watch towers to look out for such enemies.

These tall, walled buildings often belong to Qatari families. They are close-knit families who would like to stay private and maintain their family bonds. In addition, tall walls of these homes have something beyond their physical structure. They picture the spiritual barriers that the enemy has erected, preventing the love of God to reach the hearts of the Qataris. We see these traps of the enemy every day and so want to see Qataris set free by God's love and truth.

The Bible speaks of a great wall that protected the city of Jericho. The enemy was defeated under the leadership of Joshua. The walls came down miraculously without physical effort. Rahab, the harlot, was also rescued from that city. This is a story of God's redemption and victory. No matter how huge the walls were, He could provide victory and redeem doomed lives.

There are lives like those of Rahab trapped in Qatar behind those walls. They need redemption and victory over the evil one. There is a great responsibility for those who know the truth to get behind those walls even if it is difficult and get the good news of salvation to those needy ones. As the Bible says "....The battle belongs to the Lord" (1 Samuel 17:47). Through our own effort, we are not able to be victorious over these barriers in Qatar.

Let us trust in the Lord just like Joshua and march around these walls having faith that the Lord will bring them down for us. The tall walls continue to speak to us and they need an answer. Will you be able to hear God's voice and march ahead with His message of love through your prayers?

Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

PTAP: Trouble in the Arabian Peninsula

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on July 8, 2019 at 10:53

As many of you know from the news, a lot is happening in the AP these days. Tensions between the US and Iran are rising due to oil tankers being attacked in the Gulf of Oman. Drones are being shot down. The US will be sending 1500 more troops to the Middle East. Air travel is being diverted away from the Strait of Hormuz.

The Houthis in Yemen are firing missiles into Saudi Arabia, particularly Abha airport in the southern part of Saudi close to Yemen. The Houthis have fired missiles into the capital city of Riyadh as well.

The UK has ruled that British arm sales to Saudi Arabia are unlawful. The World Food Programme has been forced to suspend food deliveries to Sana'a, Yemen due to Houthi interference in aid delivery.

The economy of the UAE is struggling as evidenced by white collar, expat workers not being hired in similar numbers as before, and much money being spent on UAE military involvement in Yemen and in other countries. The broken ties between Qatar and Saudi Arabia/Bahrain/Egypt/UAE continue with no solution in sight.

It looks like God is shaking up the region.

Let's pray Hebrews 12:28, giving thanks to God for giving us a kingdom that CANNOT BE SHAKEN! Pray that AP Arabs would receive this unshakable kingdom and offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe for our God is a consuming fire. Praise God for all the local believers in the AP. The numbers are small and the growth is slow, but it continues and the worship of Jesus will not be thwarted by wars or rumors of war or anything else in all creation!

Also, here is an interesting report from the BBC about the ancient city of Marib in Yemen. The Yemenis believe that Marib was the center of the Queen of Sheba's kingdom. Both Yemenis and Ethiopians claim the Queen of Sheba as their own.

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-47659340/yemen-s-ancient-city-where-people-escape-civil-war

Here is a small oasis in the midst of a country shaken up by war, but this is only temporary unless the war ends. Let's continue to pray for the end of this war, confident that God promises to build his UNSHAKABLE church in Yemen and the rest of the AP no matter what happens for we know that he can do all things and that no purpose of his can be thwarted (Job 42:2). Amen!

PTAP's Vision

"To see the global church praying for the Arabian Peninsula so that the gospel and churches will be planted for every indigenous people in the Arabian Peninsula"

PTAP: Pray for Teachers

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on June 19, 2019 at 10:10

Most teaching positions in schools across the Arabian Peninsula are filled with expats from all over the world. As head counts are being considered and new hires are being made for the 2019-2020 school year, pray that God would bring in a wave of believers to work as teachers and administrators of schools in the Arabian Peninsula. Pray that the Father would use this sphere of influence to have profound Kingdom impact in this region.

PTAP: Ramadan in Arabia-Night of Power

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on May 30, 2019 at 16:28

Laylat al-Qadr (commonly known as the Night of Power, Night of Decree, Night of Value, Night of Measures, or Night of Destiny) is considered the holiest night of the year for Muslims and is traditionally celebrated on the 27th day of Ramadan. This day commemorates the day when the Qur'an was revealed to Mohammed.

This is a day when many Muslims believe that God's abundant blessings are mercy are more accessible on this night. Pray that as they celebrate this night, Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, would show up in mighty ways. Pray that hearts would be opened to the Good News.

Over the next 24 hours, numerous communities of believers throughout the Arabian Peninsula will be gathering to pray for Jesus to show up and move on this night. Please pray for the Holy Spirit's leading, coverage, and protection as many gather together and declare Jesus over the Arabian Peninsula.

Also, on May 31, you can tune into prayercast and join many in praying for Muslims on this day. You can watch the livestream here:

https://www.prayercast.com/laylat-al-qadr.html

PTAP: Speaking Truth in Love, Bible Reading

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on May 29, 2019 at 14:41

Pray for a college student, N. After openly hearing the gospel from his professor, he sent the professor a video of Islamic arguments doubting the historical death of Christ. The professor answered all 30 of the points made. Today, N told the professor that he was so glad to have a knowledgeable person telling him about Christianity in a way he had not heard previously. Pray for his salvation, especially during this month of Ramadan.

Pray that as our friends read the Qur'an over Ramadan, they would have a greater curiosity for the Bible. Pray that they would be open to reading it and that would have the courage to do so.

Here you may find links to movies defending the faith:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqrutnY7YmteEtjdc9HcEsw

PTAP: Ramadan Begins

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on May 6, 2019 at 17:25

Significantly spiritual dreams and visions are not uncommon for Muslims to have during Ramadan. Pray that the Father would pour Himself out to our friends through the supernatural as they participate in Ramadan. Pray for believers in the Arabian Gulf to be open to the Spirit's leading as they interact and engage with locals.

At sunset, there is a meal called Iftar that signifies the breaking of the fast. After sunset prayers, another meal called Suhoor occurs. During Ramadan, these meals are significant and are often a time for big gatherings of family/friends. Pray that believers would have opportunities to attend Iftar or Suhoor meals with local friends and that they would be able to connect with, and build relationship with, their families. Pray for walls to come down between locals and expats.

Ramadan is a month where cousins tend to have increased focus and discipline towards the Koran and to their prayers. There are often reports of locals feeling a nearness to God because of the good things they are doing during this month. Pray that there would be a lingering dissatisfaction and an overall feeling of being unfulfilled with the relationship they have with God during Ramadan. Pray that their increased time in the Koran would breed questions and critical thinking.

Check out PTAP's Facebook page for more prayer info during Ramadan:

https://facebook.com/PRAYTAP

Click below to download PTAP's 30 Day Ramadan 2019 prayer guide. This is a guide to help you pray for the Arabian Peninsula in particular. So let's unite our hearts in prayer during the 30 days of Ramadan for God to build his church in the AP!

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001o-5oXt_8F1-zV7uytv2nsbWAQ8TvudWkc_oenNjwtsbjoaDUOZKcG2Qs2TDLdRcj9ROEe3ejLN11j4vXwUBdzRPO9MZUAIY_417QF1M1pad06yPZOGz2Pg9vTO5BQguLVoY0znQ_IlFYa8iMLN35vI4X9JdV_bzinw_j1CHtZA1xxdZqfP2wQYQMWzMtug6toIJ1KEWUYZ5SJ6C4zlL0qC5UFYNcMQCH9iV9CvucNcAPIMrIAhmkRACOZ0z4QLDP&c=GBlWO3VkRfKJ2q8gJ34V1FBq0L8WxgFA16Io1VAfc6-qjdmNJh8KJA==&ch=Fyt82L6SINUlfDKThi1OxAm1xGNrTZcTWRs5r-2scD5y8-7ZBW6-kg==

PTAP: Arabian Ramadan - Pray Through Colossians

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on April 29, 2019 at 8:50

Ramadan 2019 starts this year on May 5 or May 6 depending where you are in the world.

Click below to download PTAP's 30 Day Ramadan 2019 prayer guide in PDF form. This is a guide to help you pray for the Arabian Peninsula in particular. So let's unite our hearts in prayer during the 30 days of Ramadan for God to build his church in the AP!

http://pray-ap.info/downloads/AP%20Ramadan%202019%20Prayer%20Guide.pdf

Also check out PTAP's Facebook page for more prayer info during Ramadan: facebook.com/PRAYTAP

PTAP: Arabian Ramadan - Pray Through Colossians

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on April 29, 2019 at 8:50

Ramadan 2019 starts this year on May 5 or May 6 depending where you are in the world.

Click below to download PTAP's 30 Day Ramadan 2019 prayer guide in PDF form. This is a guide to help you pray for the Arabian Peninsula in particular. So let's unite our hearts in prayer during the 30 days of Ramadan for God to build his church in the AP!

http://pray-ap.info/downloads/AP%20Ramadan%202019%20Prayer%20Guide.pdf

Also check out PTAP's Facebook page for more prayer info during Ramadan: facebook.com/PRAYTAP

Pray for open doors and opportunities for the harvest

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on April 14, 2019 at 16:11

Prayer Requests - April 15, 2019

Pray for many to gain access to the Word. Pray they will be irresistibly drawn to read and their eyes and ears will be open to the truth and the Father's love. Ask for someone to come alongside them who can help explain the way to salvation and answer their questions.

Women in prisons are coming to believe in the Lord. Pray for continued opportunities for provision of clothes, toiletries, and copies of the Word. Ask for a spiritual breakthrough among these women. They are poorly treated; some don't deserve to be in prison, so pray for their freedom as well.

Pray for open doors for ministry in the marketplace. Ask that businesses run by believers will thrive and locals will be attracted to these places. Pray for divine appointments and discipleship opportunities through these establishments.

Adoption used to be looked down upon, but there have been open doors for locals to start adopting. It's normally considered shameful in the culture, so please pray that hearts continue to open to this need so that orphans can find a home. And may the Lord be at work in each of these homes to draw these families into his kingdom.

PTAP: Students and Bedouin

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on March 20, 2019 at 13:00

Alex and Adam study in the same university, and they have both become believers in Jesus in recent years. Their meeting one another could be a source of great encouragement in the midst of an overwhelmingly Muslim culture. Please pray that God would have His way in bringing them and other muslim background believers.

Also, as we continue praying for the Bedouin people of the Middle East, take a look at the following videos to help you pray for them.

PRAY FOR KUWAITI BEDOUIN:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4J6u_4ZSgI

PRAY FOR UAE BEDOUIN:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58Nq1Z35d3U

PTAP: Lent & Prayer for UAE + Bedouins

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on March 3, 2019 at 22:12

In partnership with workers throughout the Middle East, we are distributing this 40 day prayer guide for the Bedouin people of the Middle East. The guide focuses mainly on the Bedouins in Egypt and the Levantine countries (Jordan, Syria, etc). However, we can also pray for the Bedouins of the Arabian Peninsula since most of the prayer requests are the same. Besides, the original Bedouin Arab people are from the Arabian Peninsula who traveled to other countries like Egypt.

You can download the prayer guide here:

https://files.constantcontact.com/198b864e001/2f9cfb1e-948d-4780-838c-4baf10b3b95c.pdf

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The writers suggest praying for 40 days during the Lent 2019 season, and that would be a great time to do so, but pray as you feel led!

Also, a believer in the UAE has written an "Hour of Prayer for the UAE" to help us pray for the UAE.

Click here to download it:

https://files.constantcontact.com/198b864e001/9c8e90eb-3fab-419e-8a07-aae8e8aa8969.pdf

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With the Pope's historic visit to the UAE in February 2019 and the UAE's declaration that 2019 is the Year of Tolerance, let's join our hearts together to pray for the UAE during this significant time. The Gospel has largely been resisted by the Emirati people but if we continue to pray and seek God, spiritual breakthroughs are sure to happen!

1 John 5:14, 15: And this is the confidence which we have before him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from him.

PTAP's Vision

"To see the global church praying for the Arabian Peninsula so that the gospel and churches will be planted for every indigenous people in the Arabian Peninsula"

PTAP: Francis to Visit UAE

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on February 1, 2019 at 19:14

Pope Francis will be visiting the UAE from February 3 to 5, 2019. This is the pope's first visit to the Arabian Peninsula. The Pope's visit coincides with the visit of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Dr Ahmad Al Tayeb, where the two prominent religious figures will hold a historic meeting to launch a global humanitarian message to consolidate the values of tolerance and brotherhood, coexistence and rejection of extremism.

An estimated 135,000 Catholics from the UAE and abroad are expected to attend the mass to be marked by Pope Francis which will be held at Zayed Sports City and the roads leading to it. Please be praying for this time.

PTAP: Basic Barrier to Faith in Arabia

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on January 15, 2019 at 13:02

For Muslims in the region most of the very basics of Christianity are a struggle to accept and contrary to their view of God. To think of God as Father is really difficult. The concept of the Trinity is a big obstacle as well. It is believed God does not share his deity with another, so it is hard for them to accept Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Another difficulty is the sacrifice Christ made on the cross. It is believed that if Christ was God, then he would never have had to die on a cross set apart for criminals. Additionally, it is thought that no man can die for the sins of another, each must make restitution for their own wrongs. The people in this regions struggle with some of the most basic truths that come from God's Word.

Pray for the truth about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to be revealed across the region this year. Pray that many in this region would come to understand what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be released over the hearts and lives of people in this region. Pray for a revelation of God's personal touch in this area of the world.

Christmas in Arabia

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on December 26, 2018 at 16:36

During the Christmas season, many believers throughout the Arabian Peninsula host parties, gatherings, and events to share the true meaning of Christ's birth to their Muslim friends. It is also a time when many Muslims have opportunity to ask questions about Jesus if they are seeking and encounter the Christmas story on social media.

Let's pray for boldness, discernment, and wisdom as believers invite their Muslim friends to celebrate Christmas together and share the Christmas account.

Let's pray that this will be a first Christmas as sons and daughters of God for many Muslims as they discover the true meaning of the celebration of Christmas.

"But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship." Gal 4:4-5

PTAP: Bahrain & Qatar

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on December 11, 2018 at 10:11

Bahrain National Day - December 16

1. Praise God for a handful of new contacts in recent months, local believers and those who are interested in reading the Bible. Also, praise God for increased and extended prayer for Bahrain which has brought about new interest in knowing more about Jesus.

2. There is a causeway between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia where Saudis can drive to Bahrain which they do on weekends. Pray that many Saudis will hear the gospel in Bahrain where there is more freedom to do so.

3. Pray for the Sunni population and the Persian-Bahraini communities which have great spiritual needs at the moment. The majority of Bahrainis are Shia.

4. Pray that God would raise up many laborers for the harvest from various places such as expat churches that have many believers who could reach out to the Bahraini people. Pray for unity of vision and passion among all believers to reach the Bahraini people. Also, pray that there would be more seasons of extended prayer and worship!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F0eJcrnIvM&list=PLiujm0LZ5YjZDf5WUs7ajBBQuNDeJAaUA

Qatari National Day - December 18

1. Qatar is truly a dry and barren land, both physically and spiritually. Pray for streams in the desert, that the Qatari people would eat and drink from Jesus, the living water and bread of life. In addition, pray for the believers in Qatar. It can be a very discouraging place to be spiritually. Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring revival and renewal.

2. Pray 1 Timothy 2:1-4. Pray for the leaders of Qatar, especially the ruler - Sheikh Tamim bin Hamed al Thani, so that many will be saved through the knowledge of the truth of the gospel of grace found only in Jesus Christ. Pray that the local and expat believers would be able to live tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. Pray that whole Qatari families will know the one God, the one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all.

3. In 2022, the spotlight will be on Qatar as they host the World Cup. Pray that even now, doors of opportunity would open for the gospel in a land that has been closed on many fronts for years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDXE0g2QB0k