Saturday, March 1, 2014
AFWIS Join Operation World in Prayer for the People's Republic of Bangladesh in Asia
Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Mar 01: Bangladesh
Bangladesh
People's Republic of Bangladesh
Asia
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 143,998 sq kmOccupying the delta and floodplains of the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers, with high rainfall and frequent flooding.
Population: 164,425,491 Annual Growth: 1.43%
Capital: Dhaka
Urbanites: 28.1%
HDI Rank: 146 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 423 (88% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Bengla; English also used Languages: 46 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Muslim| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 1,085,208 | 0.66 | 3.1 |
| Evangelicals | 633,467 | 0.4 | 3.6 |
| Muslim | 146,355,130 | 89.01 |
Challenges for Prayer
Mission agencies have played a valuable role with their social uplift programmes, hence their emphasis on institutions and aid. Pray for the following:a) Evangelism and church planting. This core aspect is still not occurring on a level that will see the entire nation reached. Blatant proselytism is not tolerated, but relational evangelism is effective. Increasingly strict limitations have been placed on missionaries; some believe expatriate mission work may eventually be squeezed out altogether, especially if Islamists have their way.
b) Development/aid, another area of rightful focus and one which bears good fruit. ABWE, AoG, ELCA, Mennonite Central Committee, The Leprosy Mission, Interserve, SIM, OM and YWAM are just a few of the many ministries providing much needed assistance for the millions who suffer whilst building good relationships with local governments.
c) At risk people. Child labourers and sex workers are forced into involuntary servitude in tragically high numbers (hundreds of thousands and millions, respectively). Gripping poverty and rampant corruption contribute to these structures of sin and create a living hell with no easy way out. Agencies such as CMS, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Compassion, and Tearfund minister into these situations.
d) Business ventures started and run by Christians provide another avenue for serving those in need. Entrepreneurs and investors are currently welcomed by this country.
Scripture is in great demand despite legal complications involving the use of Koranic language in the Bible and attempts to “protect” Muslims from Christian Scriptures. Pray for:
a) Literature distribution. The Bible Society and its extensive ministry of Scripture production distributes around one million Bibles, NTs and Scripture portions each year. EHC has distributed over nine million tracts door-to-door and provided over 200,000 BCC courses to seekers.
b) Literacy issues. The availability of the Bible in the Muslim Bengali dialect avails little when over 50% of the population suffers from literacy problems. Pray for effective programmes that will combine literacy training with Scripture. Pray for initiatives in sharing the Bible orally, through story telling and other means.
c) The translation of the Bible into tribal languages. At least five and possibly more translations are needed; work is in progress in some of these.
For an additional 11 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 Bangladesh.2 Corinthians 1- Geneva Study Bible
Chapter 1
1:1 Paul, 1 an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy [our] brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
(1) See the declaration of such salutations in the former epistles.1:3 2 a Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of b mercies, and the God of all comfort;
(2) He begins after this manner with thanksgiving, which nonetheless (otherwise than he was accustomed to) he applies to himself: beginning his epistle with the setting forth of the dignity of his apostleship, forced (as it should seem) by their importunity which took an occasion to despise him, by reason of his miseries. But he answers, that he is not so afflicted but that his comforts do exceed his afflictions, showing the ground of them, even the mercy of God the Father in Jesus Christ.1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, 3 that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
(a) To him be praise and glory given.
(b) Most merciful.
(3) The Lord comforts us to this end and purpose, that we may so much the more surely comfort others.1:5 For as the c sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
(c) The miseries which we suffer for Christ, or which Christ suffers in us.1:6 4 And whether we be afflicted, [it is] for your consolation and salvation, which is d effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, [it is] for your consolation and salvation.
(4) He denies that either his afflictions with which he was often afflicted, or the consolations which he received of God, may justly be despised, seeing that the Corinthians both ought and might take great occasion to be strengthened and encouraged by either of them.1:8 5 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we e despaired even of life:
(d) Although salvation is given to us freely, yet because there is a way appointed to us by which we must come to it, which is the race of an innocent and upright life which we must run, therefore we are said to work our salvation; ( Philippians 2:12 ). And because it is God alone that of his free good will works all things in us, therefore is he said to work the salvation in us by that very same way by which we must pass to everlasting life, after we have once overcome all incumbrances.
(5) He witnesses that he is not ashamed of his afflictions, and further that he desires also to have all men know the greatness of them, and also his delivery from them, although it is not yet perfect.1:9 But we had the sentence of death in f ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
(e) I did not know at all what to do, neither did I see by mans help which way to save my life.
(f) I was resolved within myself to die.1:10 Who delivered us from so g great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver [us];
(g) From these great dangers.1:11 6 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, 7 that for the gift [bestowed] upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
(6) That he may not seem to boast of himself, he attributes all to God, and in so doing also confesses that he attributes much to the prayers of the faithful. (7) The end of the afflictions of the saints is the glory of God, and therefore they ought to be precious to us.1:12 8 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly h sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the i grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
(8) Secondly, he dismisses another slander, that is, that he was a light man, and such a one as was not lightly to be trusted, seeing that he promised to come to them, and did not come. And first he speaks of the singleness of his mind, and sincerity, which they knew both by his voice when he was present, and they ought to acknowledge it also in his letters, being absent: and moreover he protests that he will never be otherwise.1:13 For we write k none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the l end;
(h) With clearness, and holy and true plainness of mind, as God himself can witness.
(i) Trusting to that very wisdom which God of his free goodness has given me from heaven.
(k) He says that he writes plainly and simply: for he that writes in an elaborate way, is rightly said to write otherwise than we read. And this, he says, the Corinthians will truly know and like very well.1:14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your m rejoicing, even as ye also [are] ours in the n day of the Lord Jesus.
(l) Perfectly.
(m) Pauls rejoicing in the Lord was that he had won the Corinthians: and they themselves rejoiced that such an apostle was their instructor, and taught them so purely and sincerely.1:15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a o second benefit;
(n) When he will sit as judge.
(o) Another benefit.1:17 9 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the p flesh, that with me there should be q yea yea, and nay nay?
(9) He dismisses their slander and false report by denying it, and first of all in that different ones went about to persuade the Corinthians, that in the preaching of the Gospel, Paul agreed not to himself: for this was the matter and the case.1:18 10 But [as] God [is] r true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
(p) As men do who will rashly promise anything, and change their purpose constantly.
(q) That I should say and not say a thing?
1:19 11 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, [even] by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, s was not yea and nay, but in t him was yea.
(10) He calls God as witness and as judge of his constancy in preaching and teaching one self same Gospel.
(r) True, and of whose faithful witness it would be horribly wicked to doubt.
1:20 12 For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in u him Amen, unto the glory of God by x us.
(11) He adds also with himself his companions, as witnesses with whom he fully consented in teaching the same thing, that is, the same Christ.
(s) Was not different and wavering.
(t) That is, in God.
1:21 13 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, [is] God;
(12) Last of all he declares the sum of his doctrine, that is, that all the promises of salvation are sure and ratified in Christ.
(u) Christ is set also forth to exhibit and fulfil them most assuredly, and without any doubt.
(x) Through our ministry.
1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the y earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
(13) He attributes the praise of this constancy only to the grace of God, through the Holy Spirit. In addition he concludes that they cannot doubt of his faith and his fellows, without doing injury to the Spirit of God, seeing that they themselves know all this to be true.
(y) An earnest is whatever is given to confirm a promise.1:23 14 Moreover I call God for a record upon my z soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
1:24 15 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your a joy: for by faith ye stand.
(14) Now coming to the matter, he swears that he did not lightly alter his purpose of coming to them, but rather that he did not come to them for this reason, that he, being present, might not be forced to deal more sharply with them than he would like.
(z) Against myself, and to the danger of my own life.
(15) He removes all suspicion of arrogance, declaring that he speaks not as a lord to them, but as a servant, appointed by God to comfort them.
(a) He sets the joy and peace of conscience, which God is author of, as opposed to tyrannous fear, and in addition shows the result of the Gospel.
Romans 1 (NIV Audio)
Romans Geneva Study Bible - Text
Chapter 1
1:1 Paul, 1 a 2 a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an b apostle, c separated unto the gospel of God,
(1) The first part of the epistle contains a most profitable preface down to verse six. (2) Paul, exhorting the Romans to give diligent heed to him, in that he shows that he comes not in his own name, but as Gods messenger to the Gentiles, entreats them with the weightiest matter that exists, promised long ago by God, by many good witnesses, and now at length indeed performed.1:3 3 Concerning his d Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was e made of the seed of David f according to the flesh;
(a) Minister, for this word "servant" is not taken in this place as set against the word "freeman", but rather refers to and declares his ministry and office.
(b) Whereas he said before in a general term that he was a minister, now he comes to a more special name, and says that he is an apostle, and that he did not take this office upon himself by his own doing, but that he was called by God, and therefore in this letter of his to the Romans he is doing nothing but his duty.
(c) Appointed by God to preach the gospel.
(3) By declaring the sum of the doctrine of the Gospel, he stirs up the Romans to consider well the matter about which he is entreating them: so then he shows that Christ (who is the very substance and sum of the gospel) is the only Son of God the Father, who with regard to his humanity is born of the seed of David, but with regard to his divine and spiritual nature, by which he sanctified himself, is begotten of the Father from everlasting, as also manifestly appears by his mighty resurrection.1:4 And g declared [to be] the Son of God with h power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
(d) This is a plain testimony of the person of Christ, that he is but one, and also a testimony of his two natures, and their properties.
(e) Who received flesh from the virgin who was Davids daughter.
(f) As he is man: for this word "flesh", by the figure of speech synecdoche, is taken for man.
(g) Shown and made manifest.1:5 i By whom we have received k grace and apostleship, for l obedience to the faith m among all nations, for his name:
(h) The divine and mighty power is set against the weakness of the flesh, for it overcame death.
(i) Of whom.1:6 Among whom are ye also the n called of Jesus Christ:
(k) This marvellous, liberal, and gracious gift, which is given to me, the least of all the saints, to preach, etc.; see ( Ephesians 3:8 ).
(l) That men through faith might obey God.
(m) For his names sake.
(n) Who through Gods goodness belong to Christ.1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints: o Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(o) Gods free good will: by "peace" the Hebrews mean a prosperous success in all things.1:8 4 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is p spoken of throughout the q whole world.
(4) He obtains their favourable patience, in that he points out what it is that they can be praised for, and his true apostolic good will toward them, confirmed by taking God himself as witness.1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my r spirit in the s gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
(p) Because your faith is such that it is spoken well of in all churches.
(q) In all churches.
(r) Very willingly and with all my heart.1:12 That is, that t I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
(s) In preaching his Son.
(t) Though Paul was ever so excellent, yet in teaching the church, he might be instructed by it.1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at u Rome also.
(u) He means all those who dwell at Rome, though some of them were not Romans; see the end of the epistle.1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: 5 for it is the x power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the y Greek.
(5) This is the second part of the epistle, until the beginning of chapter nine. Now the whole end and purpose of the discussion is this: that is to say, to show that there is but one way to attain unto salvation (which is displayed to us by God in the gospel, and that equally to every nation), and this way is Jesus Christ apprehended by faith.1:17 6 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from z faith to faith: 7 as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
(x) Gods mighty and effectual instrument to save men by.
(y) When this word "Greek" is contrasted with the word "Jew", then it signifies a Gentile.
(6) The confirmation of the former proposition: we are taught in the gospel that we are instituted before God by faith, which increases daily, and therefore also saved.1:18 8 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against a all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the b truth in unrighteousness;
(z) From faith, which increases daily. (7) The proof of the first as well as of the second proposition, out of Habakkuk, who attributes and gives to faith both justice and life before God.
(8) Another confirmation of the principal question: all men being considered in themselves, or without Christ, are guilty both of ungodliness and also unrighteousness, and therefore are subject on condemnation: therefore they need to seek righteousness in someone else.1:19 9 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in c them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.
(a) Against all types of ungodliness.
(b) By "truth" Paul means all the light that is left in man since his fall, not as though they being led by this were able to come into favour with God, but that their own reason might condemn them of wickedness both against God and man.
(9) By their ungodliness he proves that although all men have a most clear and evident mirror in which to behold the everlasting and almighty nature of God, even in his creatures, yet they have fallen away from those principles to most foolish and stupid ideas of their own brains, in their worship of God and of what God requires of them.1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being d understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
(c) In their hearts.
(d) You do not see God, and yet you acknowledge him as God by his works; Cicero.1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they e glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became f vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
(e) They did not honour him with that honour and service which was appropriate for his everlasting power and Godhead.1:22 g Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
(f) As if he said, became so corrupt in themselves.
(g) Or, thought themselves.1:23 And changed the glory of the h uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
(h) For the true God they substituted another.1:24 10 Wherefore i God also k gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that l recompence of their error which was meet.
(10) The unrighteousness of men he sets forth first in this, that following their lusts, even against nature, they defiled themselves one with another, by the just judgment of God.
(i) The contempt of religion is the source of all evil.
(k) As a just judge.
(l) An appropriate reward and that which they deserved.1:28 11 And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a m reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
1:31 Without understanding, n covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
(11) He proves the unrighteousness of man by referring to many types of wickedness, from which (if not from all, yet at the least from many of them) no man is altogether free.
(m) To a corrupt and perverse mind, by which it comes to pass that the conscience, having been removed by them, and they having almost no more remorse for sin, run headlong into all types of evil.
(n) Not caring if they keep their covenants and bargains.1:32 Who knowing the o judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but p have pleasure in them that do them.
(o) By the "judgment of God" he means that which the philosophers called the "law of nature", and the lawyers themselves termed the "law of nations".
(p) Are companions and partakers with them in their wickedness, and beside that, commend those who do wrong.
Psalm 139 (NIV)
Psalm 139 (New International Version)
Psalm 139
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.
19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.
19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
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