Wednesday, May 22, 2013

AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Republic of the Fiji Islands - Pacific

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Home > May 22: Fiji

May 22: Fiji

Fiji

Republic of the Fiji Islands

Pacific

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Geography

Area: 18,274 sq km
Two larger and 110 smaller inhabited islands, both volcanic and coralline.
Population: 854,098    Annual Growth: 0.62%
Capital: Suva
Urbanites: 53.4%
HDI Rank: 108 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 35 (11% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: English; Hindustani and Bau Fijian commonly used    Languages: 21 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians555,59165.051.2
Evangelicals215,40825.22.1

Challenges for Prayer

The Methodist Church has been the de facto state church in Fiji for 150 years as well as the faith of the majority of ethnic Fijians. It has also been tightly aligned with the nation’s political structures – to the detriment of the gospel. Methodism’s past failure to adequately condemn the endemic racism and racially motivated coups has prompted splits within the Church. A lack of spiritual vitality has spurred a large-scale exodus to newer denominations. But there has also been change in recent years as issues of renewal and reconciliation have come to the fore. Pray for new life and right priorities for this highly influential denomination.
New churches with spiritual dynamism and evangelistic vision have surged in growth in the last decade; Pentecostal groups are the most notable among these. Also within the Methodist, Anglican and Catholic churches are strong evangelical/charismatic movements. There are many claims of great revival in Fiji, and there is undeniable fruit of God at work in remarkable ways, as individuals, communities and even the environment see transformation. Some specific areas that warrant prayer:
a) Unity. The Association of Christian Churches of Fiji was formed after the 2000 coup to establish unity and reconciliation. It is composed of mostly evangelical Protestant churches and has a great impact. The more ecumenical Fiji Council of Churches also works toward the same goal. The Evangelical Fellowship of Fiji exists to unite evangelicals.
b) Leadership training for the many churches. There is a wealth of options as the Methodists, AoG, Baptists, Nazarenes, Catholics and others offer training programmes and degrees. In addition, the interdenominational Pacific Theological College offers degrees up to doctoral level. World Harvest Institute (Christian Mission Fellowship), South Pacific Missionary Training Centre and Fiji College of Theology and Evangelism focus on training for mission and evangelism.
c) Mission vision. Fiji was once a hotbed of mission-sending throughout the Pacific. This legacy is being revived as YWAM, WEC and CMF have been prominent in channeling Fijians to mission fields around the world. The Deep Sea Canoe Mission seeks to foster a missions vision. Pray for existing missions and for a greater future of Fijian missionary investment.
     For an additional 4 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 Fiji.
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Job 38 (New International Version)





Job 38

The LORD Speaks

1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:
2 "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?

3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand.

5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?

6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone-

7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels [a] shouted for joy?

8 "Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb,

9 when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness,

10 when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place,

11 when I said, 'This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt'?

12 "Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place,

13 that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?

14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment.

15 The wicked are denied their light, and their upraised arm is broken.

16 "Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep?

17 Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death [b] ?

18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this.

19 "What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside?

20 Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings?

21 Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!

22 "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail,

23 which I reserve for times of trouble, for days of war and battle?

24 What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth?

25 Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm,

26 to water a land where no man lives, a desert with no one in it,

27 to satisfy a desolate wasteland and make it sprout with grass?

28 Does the rain have a father? Who fathers the drops of dew?

29 From whose womb comes the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens

30 when the waters become hard as stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen?

31 "Can you bind the beautiful [c] Pleiades? Can you loose the cords of Orion?

32 Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons [d] or lead out the Bear [e] with its cubs?

33 Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God's [f] dominion over the earth?

34 "Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water?

35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, 'Here we are'?

36 Who endowed the heart [g] with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind [h] ?

37 Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens

38 when the dust becomes hard and the clods of earth stick together?

39 "Do you hunt the prey for the lioness and satisfy the hunger of the lions

40 when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in a thicket?

41 Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?
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Proverbs 22 (New International Version)




Proverbs 22

1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

2 Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.

3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

4 Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.

5 In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them.

6 Train [a] a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.

11 He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.

12 The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!"

14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the LORD's wrath will fall into it.

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

Sayings of the Wise

17 Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.

19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.

20 Have I not written thirty [b] sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,

21 teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?

22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,

23 for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.

24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered,

25 or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

26 Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;

27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers.

29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.
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Psalm 146 (New International Version)





Psalm 146

1 Praise the LORD. [a] Praise the LORD, O my soul.

2 I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.

4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— the LORD, who remains faithful forever.

7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free,

8 the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous.

9 The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

10 The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD.
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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Hardship of the Jewish People

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 Paul_Klassen         

Hardship of the Jewish People

This month at Hope For Israel we are highlighting the pro-life initiatives that are being provided throughout the Land of Israel. From the times of the birth of Moses and Jesus himself, the life of vulnerable babies have been under assault. With help from Christians all over the world we are enabling women in Israel to keep their children and provide for them. Women that would otherwise have abortions are experiencing the precious gift of life and the children are being given the chance to grow up into the calling that God has on their lives!
Another reward from first ministering to the physical needs of these mothers is that, the Spirit of God is opening doors to minister to their spiritual needs as well. All over Israel Jewish people are inquiring and learning about their Messiah because of the support we are showing. Thank you for all your help as we continue to bless those whom God has chosen.
Blessings and Peace,
Paul Klassen
Executive Director, The Hope for Israel

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Matthew Henry Commentary - Revelation Chapter 18



Matthew Henry Commentary

Revelation 18

Chapter 18
 
We have here,

I. An angel proclaiming the fall of Babylon (v. 1, v. 2).

II. Assigning the reasons of her fall (v. 3).

III. Giving warning to all who belonged to God to come out of her (v. 4, v. 5), and to assist in her destruction (v. 6-8).

IV. The great lamentation made for her by those who had been large sharers in her sinful pleasures and profits (v. 9-19).

V. The great joy that there would be among others at the sight of her irrecoverable ruin (v. 20, etc.).

Verses 1-8

The downfall and destruction of Babylon form an event so fully determined in the counsels of God, and of such consequence to his interests and glory, that the visions and predictions concerning it are repeated.

1. Here is another angel sent from heaven, attended with great power and lustre, v. 1.
He had not only light in himself, to discern the truth of his own prediction, but to inform and enlighten the world about that great event; and not only light to discern it, but power to accomplish it.

2. This angel publishes the fall of Babylon, as a thing already come to pass; and this he does with a mighty strong voice, that all might hear the cry, and might see how well this angel was pleased to be the messenger of such tidings. Here seems to be an allusion to the prediction of the fall of pagan Babylon (Isa. 21:9 ), where the word is repeated as it is here: has fallen, has fallen. Some have thought a double fall is hereby intended, first her apostasy, and then her ruin; and they think the words immediately following favour their opinion; She has become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird, v. 2.
But this is also borrowed from Isa. 21:9 , and seems to describe not so much her sin of entertaining idols (which are truly called devils ) as her punishment, it being a common notion that unclean spirits, as well as ominous and hateful birds, used to haunt a city or house that lay in its ruins.

3. The reason of this ruin is declared (v. 3);
for, though God is not obliged to give any account of his matters, yet he is pleased to do so, especially in those dispensations of providence that are most awful and tremendous. The wickedness of Babylon had been very great; for she had not only forsaken the true God herself, and set up idols, but had with great art and industry drawn all sorts of men into the spiritual adultery, and by her wealth and luxury had retained them in her interest.

4. Fair warning is given to all that expect mercy from God, that they should not only come out of her, but be assisting in her destruction, v. 4, v. 5.

Here observe,

(1.) God may have a people even in Babylon, some who belong to the election of grace.
(2.) God’s people shall be called out of Babylon, and called effectually.
(3.) Those that are resolved to partake with wicked men in their sins must receive of their plagues.
(4.) When the sins of a people reach up to heaven, the wrath of God will reach down to the earth.
(5.) Though private revenge is forbidden, yet God will have his people act under him, when called to it, in pulling down his and their inveterate and implacable enemies, v. 6.
(6.) God will proportion the punishment of sinners to the measure of their wickedness, pride, and security, v. 7.
(7.) When destruction comes on a people suddenly, the surprise is a great aggravation of their misery, v. 8.

 
Verses 9-24
 
Here we have,

I. A doleful lamentation made by Babylon’s friends for her fall; and here observe,
 
1. Who are the mourners, namely, those who had been bewitched by her fornication, those who had been sharers in her sensual pleasures, and those who had been gainers by her wealth and trade—the kings and the merchants of the earth: the kings of the earth, whom she had flattered into idolatry by allowing them to be arbitrary and tyrannical over their subjects, while they were obsequious to her; and the merchants, that is, those who trafficked with her for indulgences, pardons, dispensations, and preferments; these will mourn, because by this craft they got their wealth.
 
2. What was the manner of their mourning.
 
(1.) They stood afar off, they durst not come nigh her. Even Babylon’s friends will stand at a distance from her fall. Though they had been partakers with her in her sins, and in her sinful pleasures and profits, they were not willing to bear a share in her plagues.
(2.) They made a grievous outcry: Alas! alas! that great city, Babylon, that mighty city!
(3.) They wept, and cast dust upon their heads, v. 19.
The pleasures of sin are but for a season, and they will end in dismal sorrow. All those who rejoice in the success of the church’s enemies will share with them in their downfall; and those who have most indulged themselves in pride and pleasure are the least able to bear calamities; their sorrows will be as excessive as their pleasure and jollity were before.
 
3. What was the cause of their mourning; not their sin, but their punishment. They did not lament their fall into idolatry, and luxury, and persecution, but their fall into ruin—the loss of their traffic and of their wealth and power. The spirit of antichrist is a worldly spirit, and their sorrow is a mere worldly sorrow; they did not lament for the anger of God, that had now fallen upon them, but for the loss of their outward comfort. We have a large schedule and inventory of the wealth and merchandise of this city, all which was suddenly lost (v. 12, v. 13), and lost irrecoverably (v. 14): All things which were dainty and goodly have departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The church of God may fall for a time, but she shall rise again; but the fall of Babylon will be an utter overthrow, like that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Godly sorrow is some support under affliction, but mere worldly sorrow adds to the calamity.
 
II. An account of the joy and triumph there was both in heaven and earth at the irrecoverable fall of Babylon: while her own people were bewailing her, the servants of God were called to rejoice over her, v. 20.
 
Here observe,
 
1. How universal this joy would be: heaven and earth, angels and saints, would join in it; that which is matter of rejoicing to the servants of God in this world is matter of rejoicing to the angels in heaven.
 
2. How just and reasonable; and that,

(1.) Because the fall of Babylon was an act of God’s vindictive justice. God was then avenging his people’s cause. They had committed their cause to him to whom vengeance belongs, and now the year of recompence had come for the controversies of Zion; and, though they did not take pleasure in the miseries of any, yet they had reason to rejoice in the discoveries of the glorious justice of God.

(2.) Because it was an irrecoverable ruin. This enemy should never molest them any more, and of this they were assured by a remarkable token (v. 21):
An angel from heaven took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, "Thus shall Babylon be thrown down with violence, and be found no more at all; the place shall be no longer habitable by man, no work shall be done there, no comfort enjoyed, no light seen there, but utter darkness and desolation, as the reward of her great wickedness, first in deceiving the nations with her sorceries, and secondly in destroying and murdering those whom she could not deceive,’’ v. 24. Such abominable sins deserved so great a ruin.

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Revelation 18 (New International Version, ©2010)





Revelation 18

Lament Over Fallen Babylon

1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2 With a mighty voice he shouted:
"'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!'[a] She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.
3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."

Warning to Escape Babylon's Judgment

4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say:
"'Come out of her, my people,'[b] so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup.
7 Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
In her heart she boasts, 'I sit enthroned as queen.
I am not a widow;[c] I will never mourn.'
8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine.
She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.

Threefold Woe Over Babylon's Fall

9 "When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:
"'Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon!
In one hour your doom has come!'

11 "The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.

14 "They will say, 'The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.' 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out: "'Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!' "Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, 'Was there ever a city like this great city?' 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: "'Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!'

20 "Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets!
For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you."

The Finality of Babylon's Doom

21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said:
"With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.
22 The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again.
No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again.
The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.
23 The light of a lamp will never shine in you again.
The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again.
Your merchants were the world's important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.
24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of God's holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth."
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Proverbs 21 (New International Version)





Proverbs 21

1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

2 All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!

5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

6 A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. [a]

7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.

8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

10 The wicked man craves evil; his neighbor gets no mercy from him.

11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge.

12 The Righteous One [b] takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

13 If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.

14 A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.

15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

16 A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead.

17 He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.

18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.

19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.

20 In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.

21 He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity [c] and honor.

22 A wise man attacks the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.

23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.

24 The proud and arrogant man-"Mocker" is his name; he behaves with overweening pride.

25 The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.

26 All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with evil intent!

28 A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever. [d]

29 A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways.

30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.

31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.
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Psalm 145 (New International Version)




Psalm 145

A psalm of praise. Of David.

1 [a] I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

4 One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.

5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. [b]

6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.

7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

9 The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

10 All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you.

11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,

12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. [c]

14 The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.

16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.

18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
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    AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Faeroe Islands -Europe , Falkland Islands Islas Malvinas - Latin America

    Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
    Home > May 21: Faeroe Islands, Falkland Islands

    May 21: Faeroe Islands, Falkland Islands

    Faeroe Islands, Falkland Islands

    Faeroe Islands

    Europe

    See Prayer Information

    Geography

    Area: 1,399 sq km
    Archipelago of 18 rugged islands between Iceland and Scotland, 16 of which are inhabited.
    Population: 50,152    Annual Growth: 0.63%
    Capital: Torshavn
    Urbanites: 40.3%

    Peoples

    Official language: Faeroese, which is of the Scandinavian family; Danish

    Religion

    Largest Religion: Christian
    Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
    Christians45,43390.590.5
    Evangelicals14,43028.82.0

    Challenge for Prayer

    The Faeroese need revival. From the Lutheran Church (with many nominals as well as a solid evangelical contingent) to the Pentecostals and charismatics, local Christian leaders all agree that these islands are starting to see a fresh move of the Holy Spirit. The Lutheran Church has declined, but its recent independence from Danish Lutheranism sees an emerging evangelicalism, such as the growing Pietist Home Mission with 35 prayer houses and up to 5,000 affiliates. Pray for the Spirit to make the Faeroes truly Christian – and not just in name only.
         For an additional 3 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 Faeroe Islands.

    Falkland Islands

    Islas Malvinas

    Latin America

    See Prayer Information

    Geography

    Area: 12,173 sq km
    Consists of over 740 islands 2 are inhabited year-round. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands also fall under the remit of the governor, despite having no permanent population. The Falklands are 600 km east of Patagonia in Argentina.
    Population: 3,038    Annual Growth: 0.41%
    Capital: Stanley
    Urbanites: 73.6%

    Peoples

    Official language: English    Languages: 1 All languages

    Religion

    Largest Religion: Christian
    Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
    Christians1,98165.20-0.2
    Evangelicals32910.8-0.1

    Challenge for Prayer

    There are only three significant denominations among the Islanders (Anglican, Roman Catholic and Tabernacle United Free Church). Most of the population are very nominal in what faith they may have. Pray for a renewal of faith in all three of these groups. Pray for believers in their witness to fellow Islanders and to fishermen, oilmen and tourists of different nationalities who stop off in the islands.
         For an additional 2 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 Falkland Islands.
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    Job 37 (New International Version)




    Job 37

    1 "At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place.

    2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.

    3 He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth.

    4 After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back.

    5 God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.

    6 He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'

    7 So that all men he has made may know his work, he stops every man from his labor. [a]

    8 The animals take cover; they remain in their dens.

    9 The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds.

    10 The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.

    11 He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them.

    12 At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them.

    13 He brings the clouds to punish men, or to water his earth [b] and show his love.

    14 "Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God's wonders.

    15 Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash?

    16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?

    17 You who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind,

    18 can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?

    19 "Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.

    20 Should he be told that I want to speak? Would any man ask to be swallowed up?

    21 Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean.

    22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty.

    23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.

    24 Therefore, men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?
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    Job 36 (New International Version)




    Job 36

    1 Elihu continued:

    2 "Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said in God's behalf.

    3 I get my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe justice to my Maker.

    4 Be assured that my words are not false; one perfect in knowledge is with you.

    5 "God is mighty, but does not despise men; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.

    6 He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their rights.

    7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.

    8 But if men are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction,

    9 he tells them what they have done— that they have sinned arrogantly.

    10 He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil.

    11 If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.

    12 But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword [a] and die without knowledge.

    13 "The godless in heart harbor resentment; even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help.

    14 They die in their youth, among male prostitutes of the shrines.

    15 But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.

    16 "He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.

    17 But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you.

    18 Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.

    19 Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress?

    20 Do not long for the night, to drag people away from their homes. [b]

    21 Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer to affliction.

    22 "God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?

    23 Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, 'You have done wrong'?

    24 Remember to extol his work, which men have praised in song.

    25 All mankind has seen it; men gaze on it from afar.

    26 How great is God—beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out.

    27 "He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams [c] ;

    28 the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind.

    29 Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion?

    30 See how he scatters his lightning about him, bathing the depths of the sea.

    31 This is the way he governs [d] the nations and provides food in abundance.

    32 He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark.

    33 His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach.
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    Job 35 (New International Version)




    Job 35

    1 Then Elihu said:

    2 "Do you think this is just? You say, 'I will be cleared by God. [a] '

    3 Yet you ask him, 'What profit is it to me, [b] and what do I gain by not sinning?'

    4 "I would like to reply to you and to your friends with you.

    5 Look up at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds so high above you.

    6 If you sin, how does that affect him? If your sins are many, what does that do to him?

    7 If you are righteous, what do you give to him, or what does he receive from your hand?

    8 Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself, and your righteousness only the sons of men.

    9 "Men cry out under a load of oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful.

    10 But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,

    11 who teaches more to us than to [c] the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than [d] the birds of the air?'

    12 He does not answer when men cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked.

    13 Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea; the Almighty pays no attention to it.

    14 How much less, then, will he listen when you say that you do not see him, that your case is before him and you must wait for him,

    15 and further, that his anger never punishes and he does not take the least notice of wickedness. [e]

    16 So Job opens his mouth with empty talk; without knowledge he multiplies words."
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    Monday, May 20, 2013

    AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia - Africa

    Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
    Home > May 20: Ethiopia

    May 20: Ethiopia

    Ethiopia

    Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

    Africa

    See Prayer Information

    Geography

    Area: 1,106,000 sq km
    Fertile, mountain plateau surrounded by the drought-prone lowlands and deserts of the Red Sea coast; borders on Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya and Sudan. Landlocked since the secession of Eritrea.
    Population: 84,975,606    Annual Growth: 2.62%
    Capital: Addis Ababa
    Urbanites: 17.6%
    HDI Rank: 171 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

    Peoples

    Peoples: 116 (17% unreached) All peoples
    Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

    Official language: Amharic; majority of the population are able to speak it; English widely taught. Regional languages are very important    Languages: 88 All languages

    Religion

    Largest Religion: Christian
    Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
    Christians51,563,19860.682.7
    Evangelicals16,657,37619.64.3

    Answer to Prayer

    There has been increased political stability, economic growth and job opportunities in the past few years on a scale not seen for decades.
         For an additional 3 Answers to Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

    Challenge for Prayer

    Massive growth in Protestant and Independent churches creates a great expectation for further harvest. Pray for:
    a) Revival and growth to be sustained and for divisions and carnality to be avoided.
    b) Effective means for generating income to support Kingdom workers, to develop the needed structures and facilities and to fund social programmes that are essential in the prevailing conditions of deep poverty. The Church must minister as the poor to the poor; pray for creative solutions to the challenges this brings.
    c) Continued unity and cooperation among leaders, qualities forged through past suffering. Relationships among denominations seem stronger than the divisions that occur within denominations; pray against the dividing influences of the enemy and human pride. Pray especially for the Evangelical Churches Fellowship (ECFE), which represents the majority of evangelicals in the country.
    d) Missions vision was birthed out of suffering during the Marxist regime and the withdrawal of Western agencies during that time. Through ECFE, a long-term strategy for evangelizing Ethiopia has emerged, one that includes intercession, focus on unevangelized peoples and church mobilization – only 3% of evangelical churches are regarded as being “mission-mobilized”. The vision entails planting, cross-culturally, thousands more churches in all regions of Ethiopia and even sending to the Horn of Africa and South Asia.
         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 Ethiopia.
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    Job 34 (New International Version)




    Job 34

    1 Then Elihu said:

    2 "Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.

    3 For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.

    4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

    5 "Job says, 'I am innocent, but God denies me justice.

    6 Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.'

    7 What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water?

    8 He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with wicked men.

    9 For he says, 'It profits a man nothing when he tries to please God.'

    10 "So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.

    11 He repays a man for what he has done; he brings upon him what his conduct deserves.

    12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.

    13 Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?

    14 If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit [a] and breath,

    15 all mankind would perish together and man would return to the dust.

    16 "If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.

    17 Can he who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?

    18 Is he not the One who says to kings, 'You are worthless,' and to nobles, 'You are wicked,'

    19 who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?

    20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.

    21 "His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step.

    22 There is no dark place, no deep shadow, where evildoers can hide.

    23 God has no need to examine men further, that they should come before him for judgment.

    24 Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place.

    25 Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.

    26 He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them,

    27 because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.

    28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy.

    29 But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over man and nation alike,

    30 to keep a godless man from ruling, from laying snares for the people.

    31 "Suppose a man says to God, 'I am guilty but will offend no more.

    32 Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.'

    33 Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know.

    34 "Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me,

    35 'Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.'

    36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!

    37 To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God."
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    Proverbs 20 (New International Version)




    Proverbs 20

    1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

    2 A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion; he who angers him forfeits his life.

    3 It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

    4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.

    5 The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

    6 Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?

    7 The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.

    8 When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

    9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"?

    10 Differing weights and differing measures— the LORD detests them both.

    11 Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.

    12 Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.

    13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.

    14 "It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.

    15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

    16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.

    17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

    18 Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.

    19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.

    20 If a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

    21 An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.

    22 Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.

    23 The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.

    24 A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?

    25 It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.

    26 A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.

    27 The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man [a] ; it searches out his inmost being.

    28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.

    29 The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.

    30 Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.
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    Psalm 144 (New International Version)




    Psalm 144

    Of David.

    1 Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
    2 He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples [a] under me.

    3 O LORD, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him?

    4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.

    5 Part your heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke.

    6 Send forth lightning and scatter {the enemies}; shoot your arrows and rout them.

    7 Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners

    8 whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.

    9 I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,

    10 to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David from the deadly sword.

    11 Deliver me and rescue me from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.

    12 Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace.

    13 Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields;

    14 our oxen will draw heavy loads. [b] There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets.

    15 Blessed are the people of whom this is true; blessed are the people whose God is the LORD.
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    Sunday, May 19, 2013

    AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Africa

    Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
    Home > Ethiopia

    Ethiopia

    Ethiopia

    Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

    Africa

    See Prayer Information

    Geography

    Area: 1,106,000 sq km
    Fertile, mountain plateau surrounded by the drought-prone lowlands and deserts of the Red Sea coast; borders on Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya and Sudan. Landlocked since the secession of Eritrea.
    Population: 84,975,606    Annual Growth: 2.62%
    Capital: Addis Ababa
    Urbanites: 17.6%
    HDI Rank: 171 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

    Peoples

    Peoples: 116 (17% unreached) All peoples
    Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

    Official language: Amharic; majority of the population are able to speak it; English widely taught. Regional languages are very important    Languages: 88 All languages

    Religion

    Largest Religion: Christian
    Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
    Christians51,563,19860.682.7
    Evangelicals16,657,37619.64.3

    Answer to Prayer

    The Bible is increasingly distributed and read; demand far outstrips supply. New translation projects are springing up amid several of the many languages. Access to the Bible in the Orthodox Church has brought tens of thousands into living faith in Christ. Increasingly, Orthodox churches are seeing the Spirit move, and they are relating more amicably with other Christian groups, including Catholics and evangelicals.

    Challenge for Prayer

    The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is enduring a time of immense change. Centuries of isolation from the rest of the Christian world – as a Christian island in a sea of Islam – helped form its unique culture, theology and traditions.
    a) It had to adjust to losing political privilege under Communism, which has only been partially restored since 1990. Syncretism and superstitions are widespread among millions of the more nominal Orthodox.
    b) The rapid spread of the use of Scriptures and the growth of Protestant denominations led to millions of defections and the emergence of strong evangelical and charismatic networks within the Orthodox Church. Orthodoxy is learning to find common ground with evangelicals while retaining its own unique character.
    c) Pray for a deep work of the Holy Spirit to revitalize this ancient Church, its biblical heritage and its spiritual legacy.
         For an additional 10 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 Ethiopia.
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    Job 33 (New International Version)




    Job 33

    1 "But now, Job, listen to my words; pay attention to everything I say.

    2 I am about to open my mouth; my words are on the tip of my tongue.

    3 My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak what I know.

    4 The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

    5 Answer me then, if you can; prepare yourself and confront me.

    6 I am just like you before God; I too have been taken from clay.

    7 No fear of me should alarm you, nor should my hand be heavy upon you.

    8 "But you have said in my hearing— I heard the very words-

    9 'I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt.

    10 Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy.

    11 He fastens my feet in shackles; he keeps close watch on all my paths.'

    12 "But I tell you, in this you are not right, for God is greater than man.

    13 Why do you complain to him that he answers none of man's words [a] ?

    14 For God does speak—now one way, now another— though man may not perceive it.

    15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds,

    16 he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings,

    17 to turn man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride,

    18 to preserve his soul from the pit, [b] his life from perishing by the sword. [c]

    19 Or a man may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in his bones,

    20 so that his very being finds food repulsive and his soul loathes the choicest meal.

    21 His flesh wastes away to nothing, and his bones, once hidden, now stick out.

    22 His soul draws near to the pit, [d] and his life to the messengers of death. [e]

    23 "Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,

    24 to be gracious to him and say, 'Spare him from going down to the pit [f] ; I have found a ransom for him'-

    25 then his flesh is renewed like a child's; it is restored as in the days of his youth.

    26 He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state.

    27 Then he comes to men and says, 'I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved.

    28 He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, [g] and I will live to enjoy the light.'

    29 "God does all these things to a man— twice, even three times-

    30 to turn back his soul from the pit, [h] that the light of life may shine on him.

    31 "Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.

    32 If you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, for I want you to be cleared.

    33 But if not, then listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom."
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    Job 32 (New International Version)




    Job 32

    Elihu

    1 So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. 3 He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him. [a] 4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he. 5 But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.
    6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: "I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I know.

    7 I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.'

    8 But it is the spirit [b] in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.

    9 It is not only the old [c] who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.

    10 "Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know.

    11 I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words,

    12 I gave you my full attention. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments.

    13 Do not say, 'We have found wisdom; let God refute him, not man.'

    14 But Job has not marshaled his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.

    15 "They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed them.

    16 Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply?

    17 I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know.

    18 For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me;

    19 inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst.

    20 I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply.

    21 I will show partiality to no one, nor will I flatter any man;

    22 for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.
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