Monday, May 14, 2012
May 14: El Salvador
El Salvador
Republic of El Salvador
Latin America
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 21,041 sq km21,041 sq km on the Pacific Coast of Central America. The smallest and most-densely populated Spanish-speaking mainland state in the Americas. Sub-tropical and susceptible to earthquakes.
Population: 6,194,126 Annual Growth: 0.44%
Capital: San Salvador
Urbanites: 61.3%
HDI Rank: 106 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 13 (15% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Spanish Languages: 7 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Christian| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 5,861,501 | 94.63 | 0.4 |
| Evangelicals | 1,960,405 | 31.6 | 4.5 |
Answer to Prayer
The astonishing increase of evangelicals during the war has continued, albeit at a slower rate. Evangelicals were but 2.3% of the population in 1960, leaping to 32% in 2010. Some of Latin America’s largest megachurches are found in El Salvador.For an additional Answer to Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
Challenge for Prayer
Rapid social and demographic shifts are changing the face of the country and require prayer and action. Most notable among them are the following:a) The 3.3 million Salvadoreans living abroad,many in the USA. Their remittances sent home keep many out of poverty, yet they have spiritual needs of their own. Many are working illegally and are vulnerable to exploitation. Their absence has also triggered social shifts back home.
b) The new urban population. In one generation, El Salvador has gone from a predominantly agrarian, rural society to one in which 60% live in cities. This flow to the cities generates new challenges regarding infrastructure, crime and poverty.
c) The large numbers of youth involved with the powerful maras. These gangs have attracted up to 70% of young men, partially orphaned by absent fathers. The Church finds that reaching the 15-30 age bracket is particularly difficult with its current methods. New methods must be adopted or an unchurched generation will quickly emerge in El Salvador.
d) The massive megachurches, such as Elim andTabernáculo Bíblico Bautista, both of which have grown from almost nothing to over 100,000 affiliates in their wider networks. With significant financial and political clout, these cell-based churches have the opportunity to powerfully and positively influence society.
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 El Salvador.Exodus 15 (with text - press on more info. of video on the side)
Exodus 15 (New International Version)
Exodus 15
The Song of Moses and Miriam
1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD : "I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.
2 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
3 The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.
4 Pharaoh's chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh's officers are drowned in the Red Sea. [a]
5 The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone.
6 "Your right hand, O LORD, was majestic in power. Your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy.
7 In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble.
8 By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood firm like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.
9 "The enemy boasted, 'I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.'
10 But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
11 "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
12 You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them.
13 "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
14 The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia.
15 The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people [b] of Canaan will melt away;
16 terror and dread will fall upon them. By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone— until your people pass by, O LORD, until the people you bought [c] pass by.
17 You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance— the place, O LORD, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established.
18 The LORD will reign for ever and ever."
19 When Pharaoh's horses, chariots and horsemen [d] went into the sea, the LORD brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. 20 Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea."
The Waters of Marah and Elim
22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah. [e] ) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?"
25 Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them. 26 He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.
Proverbs 14 (with text - press on more info.)
Proverbs 14 (New International Version)
Proverbs 14
1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2 He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him.
3 A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.
5 A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his.
15 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
16 A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find [a] love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.
26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
28 A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.
29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. [b]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant incurs his wrath.
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