1 Thessalonians 4 (with text - press on more info.)

1 Thessalonians 4 (New International Version, ©2010)

1 Thessalonians 4

Living to Please God

1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.[b] The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God's family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Believers Who Have Died

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Psalm 52

Psalm 52

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 52

Psalm 52^[a]

    For the director of music. A maskil^[b] of David. When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.” ¹ Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero?
   Why do you boast all day long,
   you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
² You who practice deceit,
   your tongue plots destruction;
   it is like a sharpened razor.
³ You love evil rather than good,
   falsehood rather than speaking the truth.^[c]
4 You love every harmful word,
   you deceitful tongue!
 ⁵ Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
   He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent;
   he will uproot you from the land of the living.
⁶ The righteous will see and fear;
   they will laugh at you, saying,
⁷ “Here now is the man
   who did not make God his stronghold
but trusted in his great wealth
   and grew strong by destroying others!”
 ⁸ But I am like an olive tree
   flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love
   for ever and ever.
⁹ For what you have done I will always praise you
   in the presence of your faithful people.
And I will hope in your name,
   for your name is good.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 52:1 In Hebrew texts 52:1-9 is numbered 52:3-11.
2. Psalm 52:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
3. Psalm 52:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 5.

1 Thessalonians 3 (with text - press on more info.)

1 Thessalonians 3 (New International Version, ©2010)

1 Thessalonians 3

1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God's service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

Timothy's Encouraging Report

6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Today We Join With Operation World in Praying for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Asia

Saudi Arabia

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Asia

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 2,240,000 sq km
The main portion of the Arabian Peninsula; almost entirely desert, but contains 25% of the world’s known oil reserves.
Population: 26,245,969    Annual Growth: 2.14%
Capital: Riyadh
Urbanites: 82.1%
HDI Rank: 59 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 42 (62% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Arabic    Languages: 20 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Muslim

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	1,425,156	5.43	2.6
Evangelicals	88,620	0.3	4.3
Muslim	24,253,900	92.41

Challenges for Prayer

Saudi Arabia is the birthplace and stronghold of Islam. From Mecca, Islam holds sway over billions and permeates many cultures. Pray that the Lord would shake this centre of spiritual influence and make His Lordship known. If a spiritual breakthrough glorifying Jesus Christ would happen here, it would transform Islam and those subject to it.
All Muslims must pray toward Mecca five times daily. Yearly, over two million make theHajj, or pilgrimage, to Mecca, required of all Muslims once as one of the five pillars of Islam. This is the culmination of many people’s religious life. Pray that many, as they go seeking God, might encounter the living Christ. Praise God that He is revealing Himself to increasing numbers of hajis through dreams and visions.
     For an additional 7 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 Saudi Arabia.

Proverbs 20 (with text - press on more info.)

Croatia - Restore to me the joy of your salvation

Create In Me A Clean Heart

Psalm 51

Psalm 51

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 51

Psalm 51^[a]

    For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. ¹ Have mercy on me, O God,
   according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
   blot out my transgressions.
² Wash away all my iniquity
   and cleanse me from my sin.
 ³ For I know my transgressions,
   and my sin is always before me.
⁴ Against you, you only, have I sinned
   and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
   and justified when you judge.
⁵ Surely I was sinful at birth,
   sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
⁶ Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
   you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
 ⁷ Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
   wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness;
   let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
⁹ Hide your face from my sins
   and blot out all my iniquity.
 ¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart, O God,
   and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me from your presence
   or take your Holy Spirit from me.
¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation
   and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
 ¹³ Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
   so that sinners will turn back to you.
¹⁴ Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
   you who are God my Savior,
   and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
¹⁵ Open my lips, Lord,
   and my mouth will declare your praise.
¹⁶ You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
   you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
¹⁷ My sacrifice, O God, is^[b] a broken spirit;
   a broken and contrite heart
   you, God, will not despise.
 ¹⁸ May it please you to prosper Zion,
   to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
¹⁹ Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
   in burnt offerings offered whole;
   then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 51:1 In Hebrew texts 51:1-19 is numbered 51:3-21.
2. Psalm 51:17 Or The sacrifices of God are

Psalm 51 (with text - press on more info.)

Today We Join With Operation World in Praying for The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Asia

Saudi Arabia

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Asia

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 2,240,000 sq km
The main portion of the Arabian Peninsula; almost entirely desert, but contains 25% of the world’s known oil reserves.
Population: 26,245,969    Annual Growth: 2.14%
Capital: Riyadh
Urbanites: 82.1%
HDI Rank: 59 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 42 (62% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Arabic    Languages: 20 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Muslim

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	1,425,156	5.43	2.6
Evangelicals	88,620	0.3	4.3
Muslim	24,253,900	92.41

Challenges for Prayer

Saudi Arabia is the birthplace and stronghold of Islam. From Mecca, Islam holds sway over billions and permeates many cultures. Pray that the Lord would shake this centre of spiritual influence and make His Lordship known. If a spiritual breakthrough glorifying Jesus Christ would happen here, it would transform Islam and those subject to it.
All Muslims must pray toward Mecca five times daily. Yearly, over two million make theHajj, or pilgrimage, to Mecca, required of all Muslims once as one of the five pillars of Islam. This is the culmination of many people’s religious life. Pray that many, as they go seeking God, might encounter the living Christ. Praise God that He is revealing Himself to increasing numbers of hajis through dreams and visions.
     For an additional 7 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 Saudi Arabia.

I am Loved - Gaither Vocal Band

1 Thessalonians 2 (with text - press on more info.)

1 Thessalonians 2 (New International Version, ©2010)

1 Thessalonians 2

Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica

1 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children[a] among you.
Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.[b]

Paul's Longing to See the Thessalonians

17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

Proverbs 19 (with text - press on more info.)

Proverbs 19

1 Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.

2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

3 A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD.

4 Wealth brings many friends, but a poor man's friend deserts him.

5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free.

6 Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts.

7 A poor man is shunned by all his relatives— how much more do his friends avoid him! Though he pursues them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found. [a]

8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers.

9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will perish.

10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

11 A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

12 A king's rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish son is his father's ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15 Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry.

16 He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die.

17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.

18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.

21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

22 What a man desires is unfailing love [b] ; better to be poor than a liar.

23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!

25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.

26 He who robs his father and drives out his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

27 Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

29 Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

The Heavens Declare The Glory of God

MI MIZRACH SHEMESH/FROM THE RISING OF THE SUN (Tehilim/Psalm 113)

Tehilim/Psalm 113:3-6
FROM THE RISING OF THE SUN TO ITS SETTING
THE NAME OF THE LORD IS TO BE PRAISED
HIGH ABOVE ALL NATIONS IS THE LORD
ABOVE THE HEAVENS IS HIS GLORY

MI MIZRACH SHEMESH AD MEVO'O MEHULAL SHEM ADONAI
RAM AL KOL GOYIM ADONAI AL HASHAMAYIM KEVODO

MI KA HASHEM ELOHEINU HAMAGBIHI LASHAVET
HAMASHPILI LIR'OT BASHAMAYIM UVA'ARETZ

WHO IS LIKE THE LORD OUR GOD WHO DWELLS ON HIGH
WHO HUMBLES HIMSELF TO BEHOLD THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH

MEHULAL, MEHULAL, MEHULAL, MEHULAL SHEM HASHEM EL SHADDAI EL ELYON ELOHIM ADONAI TSEVAOT
MAY THE NAME OF THE LORD, THE NAME OF THE LORD BE PRAISED!
YESHUA

Psalm 50

Psalm 50

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 50

A psalm of Asaph. ¹ The Mighty One, God, the LORD,
   speaks and summons the earth
   from the rising of the sun to where it sets.
² From Zion, perfect in beauty,
   God shines forth.
³ Our God comes
   and will not be silent;
a fire devours before him,
   and around him a tempest rages.
⁴ He summons the heavens above,
   and the earth, that he may judge his people:
⁵ “Gather to me this consecrated people,
   who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
⁶ And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
   for he is a God of justice.^[a][b]
 7 “Listen, my people, and I will speak;
   I will testify against you, Israel:
   I am God, your God.
⁸ I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices
   or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
⁹ I have no need of a bull from your stall
   or of goats from your pens,
¹⁰ for every animal of the forest is mine,
   and the cattle on a thousand hills.
¹¹ I know every bird in the mountains,
   and the insects in the fields are mine.
¹² If I were hungry I would not tell you,
   for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
¹³ Do I eat the flesh of bulls
   or drink the blood of goats?
 ¹⁴ “Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
   fulfill your vows to the Most High,
¹⁵ and call on me in the day of trouble;
   I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
 ¹⁶ But to the wicked person, God says:
   “What right have you to recite my laws
   or take my covenant on your lips?
¹⁷ You hate my instruction
   and cast my words behind you.
¹⁸ When you see a thief, you join with him;
   you throw in your lot with adulterers.
¹⁹ You use your mouth for evil
   and harness your tongue to deceit.
²⁰ You sit and testify against your brother
   and slander your own mother’s son.
²¹ When you did these things and I kept silent,
   you thought I was exactly^[c] like you.
But I now arraign you
   and set my accusations before you.
 ²² “Consider this, you who forget God,
   or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
²³ Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,
   and to the blameless^[d] I will show my salvation.”

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 50:6 With a different word division of the Hebrew; Masoretic Text for God himself is judge
2. Psalm 50:6 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
3. Psalm 50:21 Or thought the ‘I AM’ was
4. Psalm 50:23 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; the meaning of the Masoretic Text for this phrase is uncertain.

Aretha Franklin: Oh Happy Day

O Happy Day

O HAPPY DAY

Feast Of Tabernacles

Zechariah 14 New International Version (NIV)

Zechariah 14

The LORD Comes and Reigns

 ¹ A day of the LORD is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will be plundered and divided up within your very walls. ² I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. ³ Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle. ⁴ On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. ⁵ You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake^[a] in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.
 ⁶ On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness. ⁷ It will be a unique day—a day known only to the LORD—with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light.
 ⁸ On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter.
 ⁹ The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.
 ¹⁰ The whole land, from Geba to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem, will become like the Arabah. But Jerusalem will be raised up high from the Benjamin Gate to the site of the First Gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the royal winepresses, and will remain in its place. ¹¹ It will be inhabited; never again will it be destroyed. Jerusalem will be secure.
 ¹² This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. ¹³ On that day people will be stricken by the LORD with great panic. They will seize each other by the hand and attack one another. ¹⁴ Judah too will fight at Jerusalem. The wealth of all the surrounding nations will be collected—great quantities of gold and silver and clothing. ¹⁵ A similar plague will strike the horses and mules, the camels and donkeys, and all the animals in those camps.
 ¹⁶ Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. ¹⁷ If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, they will have no rain. ¹⁸ If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain. The LORD^[b] will bring on them the plague he inflicts on the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. ¹⁹ This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.
 ²⁰ On that day HOLY TO THE LORD will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the LORD’s house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar. ²¹Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the LORD Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite^[c] in the house of the LORD Almighty.

Footnotes:

1. Zechariah 14:5 Or My mountain valley will be blocked and will extend to Azel. It will be blocked as it was blocked because of the earthquake
2. Zechariah 14:18 Or part, then the LORD
3. Zechariah 14:21 Or merchant

Jewish Holidays - Sukkot

What is a Sukkah?

Joy of Sukkot - Rabbi Svirsky at Western Wall

Oh Happy Day

1 Thessalonians 1 (with text - press on more info.)

1 Thessalonians 1 (New International Version, ©2010)

1 Thessalonians 1

1 Paul, Silas[a] and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Faith

2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For we know, brothers and sisters[b] loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

"I'll Fly Away" Mount Carmel Baptist Church Choir

Today We Join With Operation World in Praying for Several Country's

St Vincent

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Caribbean

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 389 sq km
Windward Islands; located between St Lucia and Grenada. One larger island and a chain of 16 smaller islands and islets to the south.
Population: 109,284    Annual Growth: 0.10%
Capital: Kingstown
Urbanites: 47.8%
HDI Rank: 91 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Official language: English (official), Vincentian Creole    Languages: 3 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	98,465	90.10	-0.1
Evangelicals	42,720	39.1	1.3

Answer to Prayer

Through the ministries of the Evangelical Association, cooperation among the various evangelical churches remains strong. A cross-denomination prayer movement recently started as well.

Challenge for Prayer

St Vincent is a religious country, but most are not related to God through a personal faith in Jesus Christ. There is a crisis of holiness, lack of spiritual fruit and growing apathy, especially regarding missions. Pray for revival and for restoration of a biblically-based, Spirit-led Church.
     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 St Vincent.

_______________________________________

Samoa

Independent State of Samoa

Pacific

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 2,831 sq km
Two large volcanic islands, Savai’i and Upolu, and seven small islands covered by lush tropical rainforest.
Population: 178,943    Annual Growth: 0.00%
Capital: Apia
Urbanites: 23.4%
HDI Rank: 94 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Official language: Samoan; English    Languages: 2 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	172,859	96.60	0.0
Evangelicals	32,263	18.0	0.7

Challenges for Prayer

Samoans have been Christian for over a century, and every village has at least one church. But the traditional class structure and pre-Christian cultural standards were not necessarily transformed by the gospel. Much of the Church suffers from nominalism, and rivalry among denominations does not generate a good spiritual atmosphere. Pride and politics influence church life too much, and the financial demands on a poorer population are heavy. These, coupled with the modern challenges of domestic strife and imported moral vice, make for a society in need of prayer.
Mormonism is a point of contention; it is growing quickly, but the numbers they claim and the census results are hugely divergent. Mormons receive and send more missionaries to/from Samoa than any other denomination. Pray for all seeking to win Mormons to Jesus and to enlighten Samoan Christians of Mormonism’s errors. Pray for renewal and revival within churches that will safeguard against further Mormon growth.
     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 Samoa.

___________________________________________

San Marino

Most Serene Republic of San Marino

Europe

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Geography

Area: 61 sq km
A city state in north central Italy near Rimini.
Population: 31,537    Annual Growth: 0.84%
Capital: San Marino
Urbanites: 94.3%

Peoples

Official language: Italian    Languages: 2 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	28,002	88.79	0.8
Evangelicals	4	0.0	5.6

Challenges for Prayer

The Sammarinese are Catholic by tradition and culture, but most give only lip service to the Church and are very materialistic. Increasing numbers reject their religious heritage altogether, with smaller numbers of JWs, a small group of Baha’i, a few Waldensians and a scattering of people from other faith backgrounds. Pray that they may have a life-changing encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.
San Marino proclaims itself “Ancient Land of Liberty”. There is freedom to worship, but evangelism hardly exists. In the past, outreach by evangelicals resulted in jailing or expulsion from the country. As a result, no churches or ministries currently evangelize in San Marino.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of San Marino.

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São Tomé & Príncipe

Democratic Republic of Sao Tomé and Príncipe

Africa

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Geography

Area: 1,001 sq km
Two larger and several smaller islands in the Gulf of Guinea, 200 km west of Gabon.
Population: 165,397    Annual Growth: 1.62%
Capital: São Tomé
Urbanites: 62.2%
HDI Rank: 131 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Official language: Portuguese and three Creole dialects    Languages: 5 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	144,805	87.55	2.2
Evangelicals	7,011	4.2	6.5

Challenges for Prayer

The majority of the population are Catholic,but practice is usually mixed with deep-seated African spiritist beliefs. Appeasing spirits and ancestors is often of greater importance than honouring God. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move through the Catholic Church, bringing renewal. Pray for the sovereignty of Jesus to be clearly demonstrated amid syncretized Catholicism and the growth of Islam and marginal sects.
Evangelicals are free to minister and do see significant growth. There are close links with several Portuguese and Brazilian groups, such as the Assemblies of God, the Nazarenes, Deeper Life (Nigeria), YWAM and several others. Pray that their missionaries might have a great impact on these islands. Pray for the development of locally led, culturally relevant congregations with effectively trained Christian leaders. Pray also for local support of national workers and for the launching of an interdenominational training centre.
     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 São Tomé & Príncipe.

Hold to Gods Unchanging Hand - Mount Carmel Baptist Church Choir Fort Pa...

Proverbs 18 (with text - press on more info.)

Proverbs 18 (New International Version)

Proverbs 18

1 An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment.

2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.

3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes disgrace.

4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice.

6 A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.

7 A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.

9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall.

12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

13 He who answers before listening— that is his folly and his shame.

14 A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.

16 A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.

17 The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.

18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.

19 An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

20 From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

23 A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly.

24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

The Caravans feat. Inez Andrews "Hold to His Hand"

"I Will Trust In The Lord"- Clara Ward

Psalm 49

Psalm 49

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 49

Psalm 49^[a]

    For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. ¹ Hear this, all you peoples;
   listen, all who live in this world,
² both low and high,
   rich and poor alike:
³ My mouth will speak words of wisdom;
   the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.
⁴ I will turn my ear to a proverb;
   with the harp I will expound my riddle:
 ⁵ Why should I fear when evil days come,
   when wicked deceivers surround me—
⁶ those who trust in their wealth
   and boast of their great riches?
⁷ No one can redeem the life of another
   or give to God a ransom for them—
⁸ the ransom for a life is costly,
   no payment is ever enough—
⁹ so that they should live on forever
   and not see decay.
¹⁰ For all can see that the wise die,
   that the foolish and the senseless also perish,
   leaving their wealth to others.
¹¹ Their tombs will remain their houses^[b] forever,
   their dwellings for endless generations,
   though they had^[c] named lands after themselves.
 ¹² People, despite their wealth, do not endure;
   they are like the beasts that perish.
 ¹³ This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
   and of their followers, who approve their sayings.^[d]
14 They are like sheep and are destined to die;
   death will be their shepherd
   (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning).
Their forms will decay in the grave,
   far from their princely mansions.
¹⁵ But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;
   he will surely take me to himself.
¹⁶ Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
   when the splendor of their houses increases;
¹⁷ for they will take nothing with them when they die,
   their splendor will not descend with them.
¹⁸ Though while they live they count themselves blessed—
   and people praise you when you prosper—
¹⁹ they will join those who have gone before them,
   who will never again see the light of life.
 ²⁰ People who have wealth but lack understanding
   are like the beasts that perish.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 49:1 In Hebrew texts 49:1-20 is numbered 49:2-21.
2. Psalm 49:11 Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew In their thoughts their houses will remain
3. Psalm 49:11 Or generations, / for they have
4. Psalm 49:13 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 15.

"Joy Of The Lord" By Steffanie Cabral

JOY DEEP IN MY SOUL- Whitney Houston-Preachers Wife.wmv

I got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in my Heart - Donny Reagan

Joy Unspeakable - Curt McKee

Joy unspeakable and full of Glory - Donny Reagan

US Feast Tour to Israel

Feast of Tabernacles 2011

John 21 (with text - press on more info.)

Michael W. Smith - Great is the Lord

Great is the Lord and most Worthy of praise

Psalm 48

Psalm 48

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 48

Psalm 48^[a]

    A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. ¹ Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise,
   in the city of our God, his holy mountain.
 ² Beautiful in its loftiness,
   the joy of the whole earth,
like the heights of Zaphon^[b] is Mount Zion,
   the city of the Great King.
³ God is in her citadels;
   he has shown himself to be her fortress.
 ⁴ When the kings joined forces,
   when they advanced together,
⁵ they saw her and were astounded;
   they fled in terror.
⁶ Trembling seized them there,
   pain like that of a woman in labor.
⁷ You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish
   shattered by an east wind.
 ⁸ As we have heard,
   so we have seen
in the city of the LORD Almighty,
   in the city of our God:
God makes her secure
   forever.^[c]
 9 Within your temple, O God,
   we meditate on your unfailing love.
¹⁰ Like your name, O God,
   your praise reaches to the ends of the earth;
   your right hand is filled with righteousness.
¹¹ Mount Zion rejoices,
   the villages of Judah are glad
   because of your judgments.
 ¹² Walk about Zion, go around her,
   count her towers,
¹³ consider well her ramparts,
   view her citadels,
that you may tell of them
   to the next generation.
 ¹⁴ For this God is our God for ever and ever;
   he will be our guide even to the end.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 48:1 In Hebrew texts 48:1-14 is numbered 48:2-15.
2. Psalm 48:2 Zaphon was the most sacred mountain of the Canaanites.
3. Psalm 48:8 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.