Monday, February 24, 2014
AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Commonwealth of Australia, Norfolk Island - Pacific
Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Feb 24: Australia, Norfolk Island
Australia
Commonwealth of Australia
Pacific
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 7,682,300 sq kmThis island continent is the world’s driest, but better watered in the east, southeast and southwest coastal regions, where most live in highly concentrated urban areas. There are three permanently inhabited dependent territories: Norfolk Island (35 sq km; 2,037 pop), Christmas Is. (135 sq km; 1,408 pop), Cocos Is. (14 sq km; 591 pop).
Population: 21,507,384 Annual Growth: 1.07%
Capital: Canberra
Urbanites: 89.1%
HDI Rank: 2 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 143 (8% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: English. 20% of the population use English as a second language Languages: 207 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Christian| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 14,947,632 | 69.50 | 0.5 |
| Evangelicals | 3,106,949 | 14.4 | 1.1 |
Challenge for Prayer
The 550,000 indigenous Aborigines have been demoralized in their contacts with Western culture and greed; they are frustrated about their lack of control over their lands and their heritage. Recognition of the land rights of first Australians is a major political issue. Reconciliation between black and white Australians made a significant step forward with the prime minister’s apology, along with National “Sorry” Day. Some Aborigines have adapted to the immigrant and majority cultures, but many are marginalized. Some retreated into the more inaccessible and inhospitable parts of the country, while others moved into larger towns and cities. Insensitivities at times and even cruelties by whites are to a degree offset by the loving contribution of many missionaries to the Aborigines over the years. Widespread abuse occurring within some Christian communities is also mitigated by the influence of some excellent, outspoken Aboriginal leaders who are catalyzing positive changes.a) Most Aborigines are Christian, the result of considerable missionary effort in the past. But nominalism, a cultural disconnect from “Western religion”, poverty and often substance abuse stunt the spiritual growth of these unique peoples. Church leaders are trying to combine Christian values with Aboriginal culture in the best possible way for both worship and for outreach. In a number of areas, especially in the north and west of the country, there are strong congregations with effective outreach.
b) Pray for the Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship, a key coordinating body of Aboriginal Christians, as it encourages leadership development through its training college, outreach and church planting in every Aboriginal community. Pray that believers may boldly proclaim the liberating power of the gospel in the face of hostility from political activists.
c) Pray for the nearly 500 missionaries in 26 denominational and interdenominational agencies working among these people (such as the Australian Indigenous Ministries, Australian Churches of Christ Indigenous Mission, United Aborigine Mission, CMS, MAF, World Outreach and Baptists). Two Aboriginals have been elected to the Sydney Anglican Synod.
d) Bible translation is in progress in 13 of these small language groups; 28 languages have Scripture portions, 12 have the entire NT. Up to 20 still need translation. The entire Bible now exists in Kriol, the most widespread Aboriginal language – a job requiring 30 years and 100 linguists!
e) GRN recordings in several languages are vital contributions to the task because of the great linguistic variety and the lower functional literacy among the Aborigines.
For an additional 8 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 Australia.
Norfolk Island
Pacific
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 14 sq kmOne main and two smaller islands. 1,500 km east of Australia.
Population: 2,234 Annual Growth: 0.74%
Capital: Kingston
Peoples
Languages: 2 All languagesReligion
Largest Religion: Christian| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 1,533 | 68.60 | 0.5 |
| Evangelicals | 508 | 22.7 | 1.3 |
Challenge for Prayer
The isolation of the islands and their limited resources make Christian ministry difficult. Isolation also makes their communities’ very existence somewhat precarious – depending on assistance from Australia, potential disaster from violent weather and a great distance from immediate help. Pray for God to move among the existing churches to foster renewal and awakening, and for believers to reach out effectively to others, particularly to the Malays of Cocos Island and the Chinese of Christmas Island.For an additional Challenge 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 Norfolk Island
1 Corinthians 12, Geneva Study Bible
Chapter 12
12:1 Now 1 concerning spiritual [gifts], brethren, I would not have you a ignorant.
(1) Now he enters into the third part of this treatise touching the right use of spiritual gifts, in which he gives the Corinthians plainly to understand that they abused them. For they that excelled bragged ambitiously of them, and so robbed God of the praise of his gifts: and having no consideration of their brethren, abused them to a vain display, and so robbed the church of the use of those gifts. On the other side the inferior sort envied the better, and went about to make a departure, so that all the body was as it were scatted and rent in pieces. So then, going about to remedy these abuses he wills them first to consider diligently that they have not these gifts of themselves, but from the free grace and liberality of God, to whose glory they ought to bestow them all.12:2 2 Ye know that ye were b Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
(a) Ignorant to what purpose these gifts are given to you.
(2) He reproves the same by comparing their former state with that in which they were at this time, being endued with those excellent gifts.12:3 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus c accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
(b) As touching Gods service and the covenant, mere strangers.
(3) The conclusion: know you therefore that you cannot so much as move your lips to honour Christ at all, except by the grace of the Holy Spirit.12:4 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the d same Spirit.
(c) Does curse him, or by any means whatever diminish his glory.
(4) In the second place, he lays another foundation, that is, that these gifts are different, as the functions also are different and their offices different, but that one self same Spirit, Lord, and God is the giver of all these gifts, and that to one end, that is, for the profit of all.12:6 And there are diversities of e operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
(d) The Spirit is plainly distinguished from the gifts.
(e) So Paul calls that inward power which comes from the Holy Spirit, and makes men fit for wonderful things.12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is f given to every man to g profit withal.
(f) The Holy Spirit opens and shows himself freely in the giving of these gifts.12:8 5 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of h wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
(g) To the use and benefit of the church.
(5) He declares this manifold diversity, and reckons up the principal gifts, beating that into their heads which he said before, that is, that all these things proceeded from one and the very same Spirit.12:10 To another the i working of miracles; to another k prophecy; to another l discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
(h) Wisdom is a most excellent gift, and very needed, not only for those who teach, but also for those that exhort and comfort. And this thing is proper to the pastors office, as the word of knowledge agrees to the teachers.
(i) By "working" he means those great workings of Gods mighty power, which pass and excel among his miracles, as the delivery of his people by the hand of Moses: that which he did by Elijah against the priests of Baal, in sending down fire from heaven to consume his sacrifice: and that which he did by Peter, in the matter of Ananias and Sapphira.12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally 6 as he will.
(k) Foretelling of things to come.
(l) By which false prophets are know from true, in which Peter surpassed Philip in exposing Simon Magus; ( Acts 8:20 ).
(6) He adds moreover somewhat else, that is, that although these gifts are unequal, yet they are most wisely divided, because the will of the Spirit of God is the rule of this distribution.12:12 7 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: 8 so also [is] m Christ.
(7) He sets forth his former saying by a similitude taken from the body: this, he says, is manifestly seen in the body, whose members are different, but yet so joined together, that they make but one body. (8) The applying of the similitude. So must we also think, he says, of the mystical body of Christ: for all we who believe, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, are by one person by the same baptism, joined together with our head, that by that means, there may be framed one body compact of many members. And we have drunk one self same spirit, that is to say, a spiritual feeling, perseverance and motion common to us all out of one cup.12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into n one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to o drink into one Spirit.
(m) Christ joined together with his Church.
(n) To become one body with Christ.12:14 9 For the body is not one member, but many.
(o) By one quickening drink of the Lords blood, we are made partakers of his Spirit alone.
(9) He amplifies that which followed of the similitude, as if he should say, "The unity of the body is not prevented by this diversity of members, and furthermore it could not be a body if it did not consist of many members, and those being different."12:15 10 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
12:17 11 If the whole body [were] an eye, where [were] the hearing? If the whole [were] hearing, where [were] the smelling?
(10) Now he builds his doctrine upon the foundations which he has laid: and first of all he continues in his purposed similitude, and afterward he goes to the matter plainly and simply. And first of all he speaks unto those who would have separated themselves from those whom they envied, because they had not such excellent gifts as they. Now this is, he says, as if the foot should say it were not of the body, because it is not the hand, or the ear, because it is not the eye. Therefore all parts ought rather to defend the unity of the body, being coupled together to serve one another.
12:21 12 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
(11) Again speaking to them, he shows them that if that should come to pass which they desire, that is, that all should be equal one to another, there would follow a destruction of the whole body, indeed and of themselves. For it could not be a body unless it were made of many members knit together, and different from one another. And that no man might find fault with this division as unequal, he adds that God himself has joined all these together. Therefore all must remain joined together, that the body may remain in safety.
12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be p more feeble, are necessary:
(12) Now on the other hand, he speaks to those who were endued with more excellent gifts, exhorting them not to despise the inferiors as unprofitable, and as though they served to no use. For God, he says, has in such sort tempered this inequality, that the more excellent and beautiful members can in no wise lack the more abject and such as we are ashamed of, and that they should have more care to see to them and to cover them: that by this means the necessity which is on both parts, might keep the whole body in peace and harmony. And that even though if each part is considered apart, they are of different degrees and conditions, yet because they are joined together, they have a community both in prosperity and affliction.
(p) Of the smallest and vilest offices, and therefore mentioned last among the rest.12:23 And those [members] of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant q honour; and our uncomely [parts] have more abundant comeliness.
(q) We more carefully cover them.12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but [that] the members should have the same r care one for another.
(r) Should bestow their operations and offices to the profit and preservation of the whole body.12:26 13 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in s particular.
(13) Now he applies this same doctrine to the Corinthians without any allegory, warning them that as there are different functions and different gifts, it is their duty not to offend one another, either by envy or ambition. Instead, in being joined together in love and charity with one another, every one of them should bestow to the profit of all that which he has received, according as his ministry requires.
(s) For all churches, wherever they are dispersed through the whole world, are different members of one body.12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, t helps, u governments, diversities of tongues.
(t) The offices of deacons.12:31 14 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
(u) He sets forth the order of elders, who were the maintainers of the churchs discipline.
(14) He teaches those who are ambitious and envious, a certain holy ambition and envy. That is, if they give themselves to the best gifts, and such as are most profitable to the church, and so if they contend to excel one another in love, which far surpasses all other gifts.
Psalm 134 (NIV)
Psalm 134 (New International Version)
Psalm 134
A song of ascents.
1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.
Psalm 134
A song of ascents.
1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.
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