Monday, February 10, 2014

AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Asia

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Home > Feb 10: Afghanistan

Feb 10: Afghanistan

Afghanistan

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Asia

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 652,225 sq km
Dry and mountainous but with fertile valleys. This strategic land has been fought over by rival foreign empires for nearly three thousand years.
Population: 29,117,489    Annual Growth: 3.51%
Capital: Kabul
Urbanites: 24.8%
HDI Rank: 181 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 76 (93% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Pashtu (used by 50% of population), Dari (Afghan Persian, used by 70%)    Languages: 41 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Muslim
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians14,5590.0514.6
Evangelicals8,4420.016.7
Muslim29,074,39599.85 
Prayercast

Challenges for Prayer

The present political situation – a foreign military working with a national government that is trying to be both progressive and conservative – is far from ideal, but it is an improvement from the tyranny of the Taliban. The Taliban imposed a harsh brand of Islam on the nation and continue to be a threat to national stability and security. The power of the warlords and tribal leaders is greater than that of the government forces or the US military; currently, most of them side with the NATO/Loya Jirga entente. Pray that the Afghan government might serve and govern with humility and wisdom. Pray that the people of Afghanistan may experience genuine freedom and an improved quality of life. Pray also that attempts by insurgents and warlords to destabilize the country might be thwarted and that a settlement might be negotiated.
Media is a strategic and indeed essential ministry. Pray that all appropriate methods of witness may be used in the most effective manner.
a) Literature. Culturally appropriate discipleship courses and other training materials are being developed in the major languages of Afghanistan, in addition to many other types of evangelistic materials. These have been effective in reaching Afghans in exile and at home. Pray for those involved in producing, distributing and studying these materials.
b) Audio resources. A set of 45 Scripture stories has been produced in Hazaragi, which can be an effective template for other languages. GRN made audio recordings in 65 languages and dialects; many need transmission into modern formats. Worship music on CD in Afghan styles and languages is now available. Several organizations have collaborated to make portable pre-recorded audio players – one evangelistic, one of the NT in Dari and one for discipleship. Pray for their widespread distribution throughout the country.
c) Radio is a strategic way to proclaim the good news, since the majority of Afghans still listen to shortwave radio. FEBA, IBRA, and GFA Radio broadcast in the major languages of the country. Pray for the provision of and support for more Dari- and Pashto-speaking Christians to prepare programmes and answer mail. A handful of ministries have combined to develop many materials for radio and other media. “The Church in the Home” and other programmes have been especially helpful for national believers. Pray also for programming to commence in other languages.
d) The JESUS film is available in Baluchi, Brahui, Dari, Hazaragi, Pashto, Tajik and Southern Uzbek. Pray for its widespread use.
e) TV, a rapidly expanding medium. Pars, part of the SAT-7 family, is growing fast and offers Christian programming in Farsi, the language of Iran closely related to Dari. A Dari programme is being developed.
f) Christian websites have been very effective in reaching the global Afghan diaspora. Sites such as RadioAfghan.com , Sound of Life (sadayezindagi.com ), The Voice of Christ (afghantv.com ), afghanbibles.com and afghanbibles.org make available literally thousands of audio files and documents for download in several Afghan languages, developed for the evangelization and discipleship of Afghan peoples.
g) Video resources. Culturally appropriate videos are being developed that present narrative Scripture portions as stories about the main Bible characters. These will be available in Southern Uzbek in 2010 and other languages in coming years, starting with Dari.
h) Mobile phones. One of the fastest ways through which Scripture may be spread is sharing audio and audio-text Scripture files via mobile phone. This makes the mobile phone potentially the best evangelistic tool in the country!
     For an additional 6 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Afghanistan.
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Remember to pray for your Schools and Teachers...


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1 Corinthians 3 (Geneva Study Bible)


1 Corinthians 3
Chapter 3
3:1 And 1 I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto a carnal, [even] as unto babes in Christ.
(1) Having declared the worthiness of heavenly wisdom, and of the Gospel, and having generally condemned the blindness of mans mind, now at length he applies it particularly to the Corinthians, calling them carnal, that is, those in whom the flesh still prevails against the Spirit. And he brings a twofold testimony of it: first, because he had proved them to be such, in so much that he dealt with them as he would with ignorant men, and those who are almost babes in the doctrine of godliness, and second, because they showed indeed by these dissensions, which sprang up by reason of the ignorance of the power of the Spirit, and heavenly wisdom, that they had profited very little or nothing.
(a) He calls them carnal, who are as yet ignorant, and therefore to express it better, he calls them "babes".
3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with b meat: for hitherto ye were not c able [to bear it], neither yet now are ye able.
(b) Substantial meat, or strong meat.
(c) To be fed by me with substantial meat: therefore as the Corinthians grew up in age, so the apostle nourished them by teaching, first with milk, then with strong meat. The difference was only in the manner of teaching.
3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as d men?
(d) Using the tools of mans intellect and judgment.
3:5 2 Who then is Paul, and who [is] Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
(2) After he has sufficiently reprehended ambitious teachers, and those who foolishly esteemed them, now he shows how the true ministers are to be esteemed, that we do not attribute to them more or less than we ought to do. Therefore he teaches us that they are those by whom we are brought to faith and salvation, but yet as the ministers of God, and such as do nothing of themselves, but God so working by them as it pleases him to furnish them with his gifts. Therefore we do not have to regard or consider what minister it is that speaks, but what is spoken: and we must depend only upon him who speaks by his servants.
3:6 3 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
(3) He beautifies the former sentence, with two similarities: first comparing the company of the faithful to a field which God makes fruitful, when it is sown and watered through the labour of his servants. Second, be comparing it to a house, which indeed the Lord builds, but by the hands of his workmen, some of whom he uses in laying the foundation, others in building it up. Now, both these similarities are for this purpose, to show that all things are wholly accomplished only by Gods authority and might, so that we must only have an eye to him. Moreover, although God uses some in the better part of the work, we must not therefore condemn others, in respect of them, and much less may we divide or set them apart (as these factious men did) seeing that all of them labour in Gods business. They work in such a way, that they serve to finish the very same work, although by a different manner of working, in so much that they all need one anothers help.
3:9 For we are e labourers together with God: ye are Gods husbandry, [ye are] Gods building.
(e) Serving under him: now they who serve under another do nothing by their own strength, but as it is given them of grace, which grace makes them fit for that service. See ( 1 Corinthians 15:10 ; 2 Corinthians 3:6 ). All the increase that comes by their labour proceeds from God in such a way that no part of the praise of it may be given to the servant.
3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. 4 But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
(4) Now he speaks to the teachers themselves, who succeeded him in the church of Corinth, and in this regard to all that were after or will be pastors of congregations, seeing that they succeed into the labour of the apostles, who were planters and chief builders. Therefore he warns them first that they do not persuade themselves that they may build after their own fantasy, that is, that they may propound and set forth anything in the Church, either in matter, or in type of teaching, different from the apostles who were the chief builders.
3:11 5 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
(5) Moreover, he shows what this foundation is, that is, Christ Jesus, from whom they may not turn away in the least amount in the building up of this building.
3:12 6 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
(6) Thirdly he shows that they must take heed that the upper part of the building is answerable to the foundation. That is that admonitions, exhortations, and whatever pertains to the edifying of the flock, is answerable to the doctrine of Christ, in the matter as well as in form. This doctrine is compared to gold, silver, and precious stones: of which material Isaiah also and John in the Revelation build the heavenly city. And to these are the opposites, wood, hay, stubble, that is to say, curious and vain questions or decrees: and to be short, all the type of teaching which serves to vain show. For false doctrines, of which he does not speak here, are not correctly said to be built upon this foundation, unless perhaps in show only.
3:13 7 Every mans work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is.
(7) He testifies, as indeed it truly is, that all are not good builders, not even all of those who stand upon this one and only foundation. However, this work of evil builders, he says, stands for a season, yet it will not always deceive, because the light of the truth appearing at length, as day, will dissolve this darkness, and show what it is. And as that stuff is tried by the fire, whether it is good or not, so will God in his time, by the touch of his Spirit and word, try all buildings, and so will it come to pass, that those which are found pure and sound, will still continue so, to the praise of the workmen. But they that are otherwise will be consumed and vanish away, and so will the workman be frustrated of the hope of his labour, who pleased himself in a thing of nothing.
3:15 If any mans work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but 8 he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
(8) He does not take away the hope of salvation from the unskilful and foolish builders, who hold fast the foundation, of which sort were those rhetoricians, rather than the pastors of Corinth. However, he adds an exception, that they must nonetheless suffer this trial of their work, and also abide the loss of their vain labours.
3:16 9 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
(9) Continuing still in the metaphor of building, he teaches us that this ambition is not only vain, but also sacrilegious: for he says that the Church is as it were the Temple of God, which God has as it were consecrated to himself by his Spirit. Then turning himself to these ambitious men, he shows that they profane the Temple of God, because those vain arts in which they please themselves so much are, as he teaches, many pollutions of the holy doctrine of God, and the purity of the Church. This wickedness will not go unpunished.
3:17 If any man f defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.
(f) Defiles it and makes it unclean, being holy: and surely they do defile it, by Pauls judgment, who by fleshly eloquence defile the purity of the Gospel.
3:18 10 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

(10) He concludes by the opposite, that they profess pure wisdom in the Church of God, who refuse and cast away all those vanities of men. Further, if they are mocked by the world, it is sufficient for them that they are wise according to the wisdom of God, and as he will have them to be wise.
3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He g taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
(g) Be they ever so crafty, yet the Lord will take them when he will discover their treachery.
3:21 11 Therefore let no man h glory in men. For all things are i yours;

(11) He returns to the proposition of the second verse, first warning the hearers, that from now on they do not esteem as lords those whom God has appointed to be ministers and not lords of their salvation. This is done by those that depend upon men, and not upon God that speaks by them.
(h) Please himself.
(i) Helps, appointed for your benefit.
3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the 12 world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

(12) He passes from the persons to the things themselves, that his argument may be more forcible. Indeed, he ascends from Christ to the Father, to show that we rest ourselves not in Christ himself, in that he is man, but because he carries us up even to the Father, as Christ witnesses of himself everywhere that he was sent by his Father, that by this band we may be all united with God himself.
 

 
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Proverbs 10 (NIV)


Proverbs 10 (New International Version)

Proverbs 10

Proverbs of Solomon

1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
2 Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death.

3 The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

4 Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

5 He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. [a]

7 The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

8 The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

10 He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.

14 Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

16 The wages of the righteous bring them life, but the income of the wicked brings them punishment.

17 He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

18 He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.

22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.

23 A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.

24 What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted.

25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.

26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him.

27 The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

28 The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

29 The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

30 The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.

31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

32 The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.
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Zechariah 8 (NIV)


Zechariah 8 (New International Version)

Zechariah 8

The LORD Promises to Bless Jerusalem

1 Again the word of the LORD Almighty came to me. 2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her."
3 This is what the LORD says: "I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain."

4 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. 5 The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there."

6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?" declares the LORD Almighty.

7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. 8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God."

9 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "You who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were there when the foundation was laid for the house of the LORD Almighty, let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built. 10 Before that time there were no wages for man or beast. No one could go about his business safely because of his enemy, for I had turned every man against his neighbor. 11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past," declares the LORD Almighty.

12 "The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people. 13 As you have been an object of cursing among the nations, O Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong."

14 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Just as I had determined to bring disaster upon you and showed no pity when your fathers angered me," says the LORD Almighty, 15 "so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid. 16 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; 17 do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this," declares the LORD.

18 Again the word of the LORD Almighty came to me. 19 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace."

20 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, 21 and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, 'Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.' 22 And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him."

23 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.' "
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Psalm 120 NIV


Psalm 120 (New International Version)

Psalm 120

A song of ascents.

1 I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me.
2 Save me, O LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.

3 What will he do to you, and what more besides, O deceitful tongue?

4 He will punish you with a warrior's sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom tree.

5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar!

6 Too long have I lived among those who hate peace.

7 I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war.
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