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This week in a worker's class, the worker was speaking of a musical instrument that is used in a religious service. Afterwards a front row student asked about it, saying he had seen it in a church. This made the worker wonder. The worker asked the student if he is a Christian. The student replied, 'yes.' When the worker inquired further, he learned that the student and his sister are former Muslims who had recently become believers in Jesus. The student appreciated that the worker was sensitive in asking and talking with him before others, as the student's parents are not keen on this belief.
The student seems bold and eager. He wants to get together with the worker, as he has questions that he wants to ask about the Bible. The worker would like to know the student's story. Pray that the student would have grace to continue growing, become united with a worthy group of believers, and become strong in knowledge and faith.
Give praise that a new, local believer was able to share with a couple of family members in a celebration of Christ's birth, even though they are not yet aware of her decision to follow Jesus. Pray that the many who have heard the gospel story will receive and accept confirmation of its truth by revelation, signs, wonders, dreams or visions.
A young woman told her believing friend, "I need a new life." Please pray that she and many others will open their hearts to the Lord and be able to experience Him for who He truly is, and will find new life in Him.
As two men continue in study of the the Word, pray that their eyes will be open to its truth and they will desire to know more of Him. May they accept His gift of salvation and be witnesses for Him in their community.
Continue to pray for those lone believers who have no opportunity for communal worship, study, and fellowship. Pray that they will grow stronger in faith and trust in the Lord. Pray that they will find ways to safely share their faith with others and become His church where it is not yet established.
A couple of university students are on a spiritual journey together seeking to know more about Jesus. Pray that nothing will prevent them from continuing this journey and surrendering to Him as Lord and Savior.
Please pray for "Jennifer" whom we have prayed for in the past. She is the local woman who is suffering from the effects of black magic. The good news is that her believing friends continue to love her and share the gospel with her. The bad news is that she has been moving away from them recently. Please pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to work in her life, bringing her back to her friends so that the light of Christ would continue to shine in her dark life. Pray that the Father would speak to her through the Bible which she has access to and also through dreams of Christ which she has had in the past. Let's continue to pray for her salvation!
Also pray for a local man in the same country who is also hearing a lot of the gospel from a believer. Both of these locals need the Holy Spirit to break through and change their hearts and minds completely. Pray that God would do so.
How often do you pray for your children or grandchildren? I once heard Dee Duke say he was committed to pray for his daughter, and each of his children, everyday of their lives. Most of us come pretty close to this without making a commitment. How do you pray for your offspring? Are you asking God for insight on what and how to pray for them?
Many years ago now, I witnessed a clandestined baptism in a bathtub in small apartment in a city in China. Several of us crowded in to see the joyful event. As the candidate stood up, water pouring from his clothes someone said, “Stop! Does anyone have a prophetic word about our new brother at his baptism?” Although no one seemed to have a word from God concerning the new convert, I thought the question was appropriate. God certainly has great plans to work in the life of every new believer. And simply asking the question ignited a spirit of expectancy in the crowded room. Who knew what God was planning to do through the life of His new child?
Hebrews 11:23 God tells us something very interesting about one of the greatest people who ever lived.
“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.”
This always strikes me as funny. Can you imagine the parents of Moses peering at their newborn child? Suddenly his mother says, “He is red and wrinkled. Throw him in the river!”
I remember waiting through the night in the nervous father's waiting room in a hospital. It was after 3:00 A.M. when a nurse stepped into the room and told me I was a father, but I could not see my wife and daughter until they had moved them back to the hospital room.
But as a pastor I knew my way around the hospital. I made my way to a place where they would have to pass on their way to the room. When the bed came rolling round the corner I had our daughter in my arms before the nurse was able to speak. And she was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
But I don't believe the scripture refers to physical or sentimental beauty here. Stephen clarifies this in his sermon in Acts 7 where he says the child was beautiful in God's sight. It seems his parents got a glimpse of what God saw in the life of Moses.
My children are all grown now with careers and families of their own. But I still pray for them. And I ask God to show me what He is seeing in their futures so I can be part of what He plans for them in my prayers.
http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/
http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/
Prayer Requests - October 25, 2017
PTAP is joining WIN1040 (win1040.com) this month in praying for unreached countries of the world. October 25 is the day to pray for Oman. Let's continue to lift up Oman with thousands of people around the world that God would build the local church there.
Praise Report
Praise God that the government of Oman wants to see more Omanis join the work force and is trying to help educate and employ them to be successful (The Bible, Psalm 111:6). ...
Prayer Request
Pray for more Omanis to be willing to work in the low and mid-level job positions. These are not as attractive but are key to the countries growth (The Bible, Proverbs 14:23).
Transformational Prayer
Pray for the Omani people to be transformed from a proud people blessed by oil wealth to those humbly seeking to find Jesus (The Bible, Matthew 19:26).
Call to Salvation
Pray that the very few believers in the Lord Jesus will not be ashamed of the Gospel but will tell their families and friends about His saving power. (The Bible, Romans 1:16).
Source: More expats than Omanis hired last year: Central Bank of Oman
Continue to Pray for Sohar
In fact, earlier this month, you received prayer points about Sohar--a city in Oman. Please continue to pray for Sohar as you watch the following video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRZhgGVEL3E&index=14&list=PLiujm0LZ5YjY1ViRWDKB_dOv_wAuTqcFL
A group of near culture believers who have moved to the Arabian Peninsula for work have a passion to share and are meeting regularly to encourage each other as they ask the Father for opportunities to share and disciple. Please pray that the Lord will move mightily in and through them.
A country with very few indigenous believers is slowly beginning to see some fruit, as those who have begun to follow Jesus are giving testimony to their friends and family. Give praise for these bold ones and pray that they will continue to share with great joy, continued boldness, and great wisdom. Pray that many will be added to the Kingdom.
Even after seeing the truth in the Word and realizing that Jesus is so much more than just a prophet, it is difficult for someone from the Muslim faith to embrace the Gospel as the way to God. A young woman exclaimed, "How could I ever believe that the Quran is not from Allah?" Pray that the beloved people of the Arabian Peninsula will be freed from the chains that bind them to falsehood. Pray that they will be given faith by the Holy Spirit to repent and confess that Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life.
A woman with stage 4 cancer is reading the Word with her mother. May they receive the faith to embrace the truth of the Good News and surrender their lives to Jesus. Pray also for divine healing in accordance with His will and for His glory.
It was such an encouraging moment when an employee, Abdullah, came to his tentmaking colleague, Doug, and said, "I'm always so pleased to see you. You give me a lot of energy!" Doug then shared a story about being willing to have our hearts dealt with, in order to find life's meaning. Pray that continuing conversations will draw Abdullah to that Giver of Life.
Pray for a local believer who is relocating to a new area for a new job. May he find favor and fellowship in his new situation, be led to people whose hearts are hungry for the truth, and be given both boldness and wisdom in how and when to share. Give praise and glory to the Lord for this believer's commitment and faithfulness.
"Ahmed", who has seemed disillusioned about any particular religion, accepted a copy of Josh MacDowell's More Than a Carpenter in Arabic. He said he would read it soon. Pray that the evidence for truth of Jesus' character and words will stick in Ahmed's heart and bring him to faith. |
Testimony |
I met a Saudi military officer in a shopping mall. As we spoke, he talked about wanting to take a second wife. I said that I would pray that God would reveal to him whether it was right to take a second wife, as I thought that God's intention was that one man should be married to one woman.We also spoke of some of the actions that Christ had done. After giving a little context, I read him part of the story of Lazarus from John 11 (v 33 - 44), of Jesus weeping, praying, ordering the tomb opened and commanding Lazarus to come out, though four days dead, and of Lazarus coming out alive. At the conclusion of the story, the Saudi said that only God could raise a man from the dead - correct analysis! But he then concluded that this story must have been added to the gospel - incorrect analysis! Once again, the denial by Muslims of Christ's divinity, and their belief that the Bible has been altered, had prevented this man from seeing who Christ is.
So, please join us in praying that this Saudi man would think further about what he heard, and that the reality of this miracle by our Lord would re-echo in his heart and mind, leading him to see that Jesus has power over death, and is divine. And that this will lead on to repentance and reconciliation. |