Psalm 39 (New International Version)

Psalm 39 (New International Version)

Psalm 39

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

1 I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence."
2 But when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased.

3 My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:

4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.

5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. Selah

6 Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.

7 "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.

8 Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.

9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this.

10 Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11 You rebuke and discipline men for their sin; you consume their wealth like a moth— each man is but a breath. Selah

12 "Hear my prayer, O LORD, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping. For I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger, as all my fathers were.

13 Look away from me, that I may rejoice again before I depart and am no more."

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AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for Indonesia, Java - Asia

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Home > Jul 06: Indonesia, Java

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Jul 06: Indonesia, Java

Indonesia, Java

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Indonesia

Republic of Indonesia

Asia

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Geography

Area: 1,919,317 sq km
The Republic’s 17,500 islands (6,000 inhabited) stretch over 9.5 million sq km of the Indian/Pacific Oceans, with 33 provinces, 5 of which have special status. Includes the world’s second-largest rain forest and vast coral reefs.
Population: 232,516,771    Annual Growth: 1.19%
Capital: Jakarta
Urbanites: 53.7%
HDI Rank: 111 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 784 (26% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia). Its increasing use is unifying the nation and lessening the importance of smaller languages to the younger generation    Languages: 722 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Muslim

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	36,853,908	15.85	1.6
Evangelicals	13,010,751	5.6	2.8
Muslim	186,734,219	80.31

Challenge for Prayer

The work of missions has been blessed of God despite the obstacles of geography, bureaucracy and the spirit world. Stand with these brothers and sisters in the battle for:
a) Visas, which are very difficult for foreign missionaries to get. Only those who work among animists or in theological education are able to acquire visas. Pray for doors to open for those whom God is calling to this nation.
b) Innovative ministry alternatives for those seeking to live a committed Christian life and witness in Indonesia – as business professionals, teachers, students, in aid and relief and such. Pray for effective cooperation among those focused on incarnating the gospel among unreached peoples.
c) Missionaries serving in animistic areas of West Kalimantan, Papua and Maluku where young churches are developing to maturity. Church/mission relationships must be covered in prayer.
d) The great lack of missionaries in Sumatra, Nusa Tenggara Barat and Sulawesi needs to be filled. Pray that no island may remain unserved by national or international gospel workers.
e) The wide variety of international mission organizations working in Indonesia. Major ministries include teaching, theological training, assisting in training Indonesian missionaries, working for relief and development and supporting Indonesian media ministries such as literature and radio. Pray for more Asian missionaries to come to Indonesia.
     For an additional 11 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

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

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Java

Indonesia

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Challenge for Prayer

Java’s historic religious diversity and tolerance face many threats. The pluralism and tolerance of Indonesia’s past seem a fading memory. Santri Muslims are more aggressive and confrontational, not just against other religions, but against the less orthodox variants of Islam as well. Persecution takes shape most commonly in obstructionist laws that prevent Christians from building, and – with alarming acceleration – that cause the destruction of churches and Christian property. Pray that persecution will purify and grow the Church, and that the strident harshness of santri will impel many to consider the person of Jesus.
     For an additional 4 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

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

Isaiah 23 (New International Version)

Isaiah 23 (New International Version)

Isaiah 23

A Prophecy About Tyre

1 An oracle concerning Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish! For Tyre is destroyed and left without house or harbor. From the land of Cyprus [a] word has come to them.
2 Be silent, you people of the island and you merchants of Sidon, whom the seafarers have enriched.

3 On the great waters came the grain of the Shihor; the harvest of the Nile [b] was the revenue of Tyre, and she became the marketplace of the nations.

4 Be ashamed, O Sidon, and you, O fortress of the sea, for the sea has spoken: "I have neither been in labor nor given birth; I have neither reared sons nor brought up daughters."

5 When word comes to Egypt, they will be in anguish at the report from Tyre.

6 Cross over to Tarshish; wail, you people of the island.

7 Is this your city of revelry, the old, old city, whose feet have taken her to settle in far-off lands?

8 Who planned this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are renowned in the earth?

9 The LORD Almighty planned it, to bring low the pride of all glory and to humble all who are renowned on the earth.

10 Till [c] your land as along the Nile, O Daughter of Tarshish, for you no longer have a harbor.

11 The LORD has stretched out his hand over the sea and made its kingdoms tremble. He has given an order concerning Phoenicia [d] that her fortresses be destroyed.

12 He said, "No more of your reveling, O Virgin Daughter of Sidon, now crushed! "Up, cross over to Cyprus [e] ; even there you will find no rest."

13 Look at the land of the Babylonians, [f] this people that is now of no account! The Assyrians have made it a place for desert creatures; they raised up their siege towers, they stripped its fortresses bare and turned it into a ruin.

14 Wail, you ships of Tarshish; your fortress is destroyed!

15 At that time Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, the span of a king's life. But at the end of these seventy years, it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the prostitute:

16 "Take up a harp, walk through the city, O prostitute forgotten; play the harp well, sing many a song, so that you will be remembered."

17 At the end of seventy years, the LORD will deal with Tyre. She will return to her hire as a prostitute and will ply her trade with all the kingdoms on the face of the earth. 18 Yet her profit and her earnings will be set apart for the LORD; they will not be stored up or hoarded. Her profits will go to those who live before the LORD, for abundant food and fine clothes.

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AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Republic of Indonesia, Sumatra - Asia

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

Home > Indonesia

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Jul 05: Indonesia, Sumatra

 

Indonesia

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Indonesia

Republic of Indonesia

Asia

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Geography

Area: 1,919,317 sq km
The Republic’s 17,500 islands (6,000 inhabited) stretch over 9.5 million sq km of the Indian/Pacific Oceans, with 33 provinces, 5 of which have special status. Includes the world’s second-largest rain forest and vast coral reefs.
Population: 232,516,771    Annual Growth: 1.19%
Capital: Jakarta
Urbanites: 53.7%
HDI Rank: 111 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 784 (26% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia). Its increasing use is unifying the nation and lessening the importance of smaller languages to the younger generation    Languages: 722 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Muslim

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	36,853,908	15.85	1.6
Evangelicals	13,010,751	5.6	2.8
Muslim	186,734,219	80.31

Challenges for Prayer

Young people represent an untapped potential for both harvest field and harvest force. Around one-third of the population are under 18 years of age. Pray for:
a) Students in universities. They number 3.5 million in over 2,300 higher education institutions. A number of specialized agencies have extensive ministry on campuses (Navigators, IFES, CCCI and others). The IFES-linked student movement PERKANTAS has groups in over 50 cities. Islamic universities are rapidly growing in number and in influence. A significant minority of Indonesians study overseas, many in open nations – pray that they may be reached in other lands. Others are attracted by scholarships to study in Saudi Arabia.
b) School children. Forty percent of kids never make it to middle school. Children at Risk, Compassion International, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Awana, and Kids’ EE as well as denominations such as CMA work together to bring the gospel to the children of Indonesia. Many are at risk. Nearly three million are child labourers, often in dangerous jobs and, every year, thousands of others are trafficked for more nefarious purposes.
     For an additional 10 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

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

Sumatra

Indonesia

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Challenge for Prayer

Sumatra is the largest unevangelized island on earth. Most of its largest people groups are staunchly Muslim; many others practice folk Islam. If it were a nation, only nine other nations would have more unreached peoples. There are many spiritual strongholds to be broken. Of its 49 unreached peoples, at least 29 have no indigenous church and eight still have no known gospel workers. Most Muslims have had little or no exposure to the person of Jesus, and most peoples have never had a long-term gospel presence in their midst. Some have access to a NT, the JESUS film, Christian radio, audio ministry or even local witness, but many have none of these.
     For an additional 3 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

Isaiah 22 (N.I.V.)

Isaiah 22

A Prophecy About Jerusalem

1 An oracle concerning the Valley of Vision: What troubles you now, that you have all gone up on the roofs,
2 O town full of commotion, O city of tumult and revelry? Your slain were not killed by the sword, nor did they die in battle.

3 All your leaders have fled together; they have been captured without using the bow. All you who were caught were taken prisoner together, having fled while the enemy was still far away.

4 Therefore I said, "Turn away from me; let me weep bitterly. Do not try to console me over the destruction of my people."

5 The Lord, the LORD Almighty, has a day of tumult and trampling and terror in the Valley of Vision, a day of battering down walls and of crying out to the mountains.

6 Elam takes up the quiver, with her charioteers and horses; Kir uncovers the shield.

7 Your choicest valleys are full of chariots, and horsemen are posted at the city gates;

8 the defenses of Judah are stripped away. And you looked in that day to the weapons in the Palace of the Forest;

9 you saw that the City of David had many breaches in its defenses; you stored up water in the Lower Pool.

10 You counted the buildings in Jerusalem and tore down houses to strengthen the wall.

11 You built a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the Old Pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard for the One who planned it long ago.

12 The Lord, the LORD Almighty, called you on that day to weep and to wail, to tear out your hair and put on sackcloth.

13 But see, there is joy and revelry, slaughtering of cattle and killing of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine! "Let us eat and drink," you say, "for tomorrow we die!"

14 The LORD Almighty has revealed this in my hearing: "Till your dying day this sin will not be atoned for," says the Lord, the LORD Almighty.

15 This is what the Lord, the LORD Almighty, says: "Go, say to this steward, to Shebna, who is in charge of the palace:

16 What are you doing here and who gave you permission to cut out a grave for yourself here, hewing your grave on the height and chiseling your resting place in the rock?

17 "Beware, the LORD is about to take firm hold of you and hurl you away, O you mighty man.

18 He will roll you up tightly like a ball and throw you into a large country. There you will die and there your splendid chariots will remain— you disgrace to your master's house!

19 I will depose you from your office, and you will be ousted from your position.

20 "In that day I will summon my servant, Eliakim son of Hilkiah. 21 I will clothe him with your robe and fasten your sash around him and hand your authority over to him. He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. 22 I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 23 I will drive him like a peg into a firm place; he will be a seat [a] of honor for the house of his father. 24 All the glory of his family will hang on him: its offspring and offshoots—all its lesser vessels, from the bowls to all the jars.

25 "In that day," declares the LORD Almighty, "the peg driven into the firm place will give way; it will be sheared off and will fall, and the load hanging on it will be cut down." The LORD has spoken.

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Proverbs 5 (New International Version)

Proverbs 5

Warning Against Adultery

1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight,
2 that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.

3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;

4 but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.

5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. [a]

6 She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not.

7 Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.

8 Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house,

9 lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel,

10 lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man's house.

11 At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.

12 You will say, "How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!

13 I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors.

14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly."

15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.

16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?

17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.

18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.

19 A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.

20 Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man's wife?

21 For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths.

22 The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast.

23 He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.

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Psalm 38 (New International Version)

Psalm 38

A psalm of David. A petition.

1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.
2 For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me.

3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin.

4 My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.

5 My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly.

6 I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.

7 My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body.

8 I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.

9 All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.

10 My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes.

11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away.

12 Those who seek my life set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they plot deception.

13 I am like a deaf man, who cannot hear, like a mute, who cannot open his mouth;

14 I have become like a man who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply.

15 I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God.

16 For I said, "Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips."

17 For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me.

18 I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.

19 Many are those who are my vigorous enemies; those who hate me without reason are numerous.

20 Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I pursue what is good.

21 O LORD, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God.

22 Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.

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AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for India - The Seven Union Territories

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Home > Jul 04: India, The Seven Union Territories

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Jul 04: India, The Seven Union Territories

India, The Seven Union Territories

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India

Republic of India

Asia

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Geography

Area: 3,166,000 sq km
A further 121,000 sq km of Kashmir, a contested area, is administered by Pakistan and China. Geographically and politically, India dominates South Asia and the Indian Ocean. There are 28 Union States and 7 Union Territories.
Population: 1,214,464,312    Annual Growth: 1.44%
Capital: Delhi
Urbanites: 30.1%
HDI Rank: 134 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 2,533 (88% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Constitutionally there are 22 official languages. The official language is Hindi (spoken by 40% of the population). English is a subsidiary official language    Languages: 456 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Hinduism

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	71,011,000	5.84	3.7
Evangelicals	26,290,283	2.2	3.9
Hinduism	902,711,323	74.33

Prayercast

Challenge for Prayer

India has more unreached individuals than any other nation. Christians in India are very unequally spread – the south and northeast have a much higher proportion of Christians than the more populated north and west. Thirteen states in North India are less than 1% Christian. Pray that the Church worldwide might rise to this task. Pray for:
a) The North India Ganges plains, with their teeming millions, in the Hindi-speaking heartland. The states through which the Ganges flows (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal) combine to account for 382 million people. None of these states is more than 1% Christian, according to census data. There is, however, more church growth than ever in the north, from megachurches of 7,000 to networks of tens of thousands of house churches. A vision exists for 1 million churches planted in the north in the next 10 years.
b) The great cities, with rapid growth and a mix of great wealth and abject poverty. Chennai, Mumbai and even Hyderabad with significant Christian populations exist in contrast to Kolkata, Delhi, Varanasi, Lucknow and others where Christian witness is very small. Increasing urbanization sees millions drawn from rural areas into urban areas annually, often with little by way of resources and connections. As a result, India’s slum-dwelling population now exceeds 70 million.
     For an additional 14 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

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

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The Seven Union Territories

India

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Challenge for Prayer

Lakshadweep is made up of twelve coral atolls and 36 islands in the Arabian Sea. Its 32 sq kms are home to over 73,217 people. Over 98% of the population are devotedly Muslim; the rest are Hindu and Christian immigrants from the mainland. No long-term ministry to these Malayali-speaking Muslims has ever been permitted or openly attempted.
     For an additional Challenge for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

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

Isaiah 21 (New International Version)

Isaiah 21

A Prophecy Against Babylon

1 An oracle concerning the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the southland, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.
2 A dire vision has been shown to me: The traitor betrays, the looter takes loot. Elam, attack! Media, lay siege! I will bring to an end all the groaning she caused.

3 At this my body is racked with pain, pangs seize me, like those of a woman in labor; I am staggered by what I hear, I am bewildered by what I see.

4 My heart falters, fear makes me tremble; the twilight I longed for has become a horror to me.

5 They set the tables, they spread the rugs, they eat, they drink! Get up, you officers, oil the shields!

6 This is what the Lord says to me: "Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.

7 When he sees chariots with teams of horses, riders on donkeys or riders on camels, let him be alert, fully alert."

8 And the lookout [a] shouted, "Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; every night I stay at my post.

9 Look, here comes a man in a chariot with a team of horses. And he gives back the answer: 'Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!' "

10 O my people, crushed on the threshing floor, I tell you what I have heard from the LORD Almighty, from the God of Israel.

A Prophecy Against Edom

11 An oracle concerning Dumah [b] : Someone calls to me from Seir, "Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?"
12 The watchman replies, "Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would ask, then ask; and come back yet again."

A Prophecy Against Arabia

13 An oracle concerning Arabia: You caravans of Dedanites, who camp in the thickets of Arabia,
14 bring water for the thirsty; you who live in Tema, bring food for the fugitives.

15 They flee from the sword, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow and from the heat of battle.

16 This is what the Lord says to me: "Within one year, as a servant bound by contract would count it, all the pomp of Kedar will come to an end. 17 The survivors of the bowmen, the warriors of Kedar, will be few." The LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.

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Proverbs 4 (New International Version)

Proverbs 4

Wisdom Is Supreme

1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

3 When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother,

4 he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.

6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, [a] get understanding.

8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."

10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.

11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.

13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.

17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

20 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.

21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;

22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.

23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Make level [b] paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.

27 Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

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Psalm 37 (New International Version)

Psalm 37

Of David.

1 [a] Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:

6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.

11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

12 The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;

13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.

14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.

15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

16 Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;

17 for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

18 The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever.

19 In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

20 But the wicked will perish: The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish—vanish like smoke.

21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;

22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off.

23 If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm;

24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.

27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.

28 For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;

29 the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.

31 The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.

32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives;

33 but the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

34 Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,

36 but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.

37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future [b] for the man of peace.

38 But all sinners will be destroyed; the future [c] of the wicked will be cut off.

39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

40 The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

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AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for India - Uttarakhand, West Bengal

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Home > Jul 03: India, Uttarakhand, West Bengal

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Jul 03: India, Uttarakhand, West Bengal

India, Uttarakhand, West Bengal

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India

Republic of India

Asia

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Geography

Area: 3,166,000 sq km
A further 121,000 sq km of Kashmir, a contested area, is administered by Pakistan and China. Geographically and politically, India dominates South Asia and the Indian Ocean. There are 28 Union States and 7 Union Territories.
Population: 1,214,464,312    Annual Growth: 1.44%
Capital: Delhi
Urbanites: 30.1%
HDI Rank: 134 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 2,533 (88% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Constitutionally there are 22 official languages. The official language is Hindi (spoken by 40% of the population). English is a subsidiary official language    Languages: 456 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Hinduism

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	71,011,000	5.84	3.7
Evangelicals	26,290,283	2.2	3.9
Hinduism	902,711,323	74.33

Prayercast

Challenge for Prayer

Ministry among the Dalits is one of the defining issues for the 21st Century Church, despite being a very complex one. The centuries-long oppression of these peoples is being made right, and Christians are at the forefront of such efforts. While the opportunity remains to reach up to 300 million with the gospel through compassionate ministry, Dalit issues extend beyond evangelism into human rights, development, education, economic empowerment and community transformation. Specific points for prayer:
a) The Church, which is itself comprised mostly of people from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, has a rare opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ unhindered by caste, race, language and economic status. Initial enthusiasm for this cause could easily wane if it is treated as opportunistic capitalization rather than as biblical compassion and justice. For the gospel to be seen as valid, Dalits must be treated as equals in the Church.
b) Dalits are a highly diverse grouping of many races, languages and all major religions, and they have sociological and economic hierarchies even among themselves. Any ministry to Dalits must take into account the unique status and context of each group.
c) The Dalit Freedom Network, the primary advocate for this challenge in India, addresses issues related to Dalit rights and freedoms.
     For an additional 14 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

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

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Uttarakhand

India

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Challenge for Prayer

Many barriers stand between the people of Uttarakhand and the flourishing of the gospel. Pray that the Lord of hosts might break down the following barriers between the people of this state and Himself:
a) Religion and culture. Hindus are 85% of the population. Uttarakhand is home to some of Hinduism’s most holy pilgrimage sites – Haridwar (host of the Kumbh Mela), Badrinath, Kedarnath and others attract millions of pilgrims each year. A holy Sikh shrine also attracts many visitors. The people of Uttarakhand claim to be guardians of the gods’ land and are therefore very resistant to the gospel. Pray that both the native peoples and the pilgrims who come seeking release from the cycle of suffering will find it in Jesus.
b) Spiritual forces. This region is known for mixing animism with Hinduism, especially in Gahrwal. Occult practices and magic abound among these people, with their ardent belief in the power of spirits.
c) Caste. Uttarakhand’s population is largely upper caste, dominated by Rajput (70%) and Brahmin (20%). Christians who minister here must be fluent in Hindi and local languages and able to present the gospel in enlightened, more intellectual ways; methods used to reach oppressed Dalits and tribals will probably accomplish very little.
     For an additional 3 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

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

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West Bengal

India

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Challenge for Prayer

Christians are less than 1% of the population, numbering 610,000 based on census figures. Nominalism remains a problem in many churches. Of Christians, 90% come from poor and marginalized communities. But hope is growing:
a) Prayer has yielded an increased response with significant key conversions and a new vision in some denominations to plant congregations where there are none.
b) The number of denominations and agencies at work is approaching 200. Some have grown very rapidly. National Fellowship, a mission that started in 1989, now has over 700 workers and volunteers. A rising number of these agencies focus on unreached areas and peoples in West Bengal.
c) Praise God for a new colloquial Bengali Bible translation and for the growth of Christian radio in the region.
     For an additional 3 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

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

Isaiah 20 (New International Version)

Isaiah 20

A Prophecy Against Egypt and Cush

1 In the year that the supreme commander, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and attacked and captured it- 2 at that time the LORD spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz. He said to him, "Take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet." And he did so, going around stripped and barefoot.
3 Then the LORD said, "Just as my servant Isaiah has gone stripped and barefoot for three years, as a sign and portent against Egypt and Cush, [a] 4 so the king of Assyria will lead away stripped and barefoot the Egyptian captives and Cushite exiles, young and old, with buttocks bared—to Egypt's shame. 5 Those who trusted in Cush and boasted in Egypt will be afraid and put to shame. 6 In that day the people who live on this coast will say, 'See what has happened to those we relied on, those we fled to for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can we escape?' "

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Proverbs 3 (New International Version)

Proverbs 3 (New International Version)

Proverbs 3

Further Benefits of Wisdom

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. [a]

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;

10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke,

12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father [b] the son he delights in.

13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,

14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;

20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.

21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;

22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.

23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble;

24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.

27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.

28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"— when you now have it with you.

29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.

30 Do not accuse a man for no reason— when he has done you no harm.

31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways,

32 for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.

33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.

34 He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.

35 The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.

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Psalm 36 (New International Version)

Psalm 36

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD.

1 An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: [a] There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.

3 The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good.

4 Even on his bed he plots evil; he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong.

5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.

6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.

7 How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find [b] refuge in the shadow of your wings.

8 They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.

9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

10 Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.

11 May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

12 See how the evildoers lie fallen— thrown down, not able to rise!

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AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for India -Tripura, Uttar Pradesh

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

Home > Jul 02: India, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh

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Jul 02: India, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh

India, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh

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India

Republic of India

Asia

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Geography

Area: 3,166,000 sq km
A further 121,000 sq km of Kashmir, a contested area, is administered by Pakistan and China. Geographically and politically, India dominates South Asia and the Indian Ocean. There are 28 Union States and 7 Union Territories.
Population: 1,214,464,312    Annual Growth: 1.44%
Capital: Delhi
Urbanites: 30.1%
HDI Rank: 134 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 2,533 (88% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Constitutionally there are 22 official languages. The official language is Hindi (spoken by 40% of the population). English is a subsidiary official language    Languages: 456 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Hinduism

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	71,011,000	5.84	3.7
Evangelicals	26,290,283	2.2	3.9
Hinduism	902,711,323	74.33

Prayercast

Challenge for Prayer

The growth of Indian cross-cultural outreach agencies – in number, size and maturity – is remarkable and has occurred despite increasingly intense opposition in many cases. In 1973, there were 420 missionaries. In 2009, India Missions Association (IMA) alone represented over 235 organizations and 40,000 missionaries. Encouraging progress has also been made in upgrading training, improving the quality of ministry, planning strategically, setting goals, initializing research and partnering with others. Pray for:
a) Indian mission-agency networking structures. These play a key role in furthering cooperation, setting goals and facilitating fellowship. IMA is the main one, along with National Prayer and Church Transformation Initiative, UP Network, BORN, CONS and others.
b) An increase in effective research. Numerous agencies research India’s harvest fields and harvest force. The OMID database, IMA and several associated members gathered data on each state, city, language, people group and even Pincode zone of India. Never before has there been such clarity about the unfinished task! Pray for ongoing research initiatives, which need to move from quantitative data to missiological strategy. Pray also for the effectiveness of the research in helping churches to visualize and fulfil the Great Commission.
c) The Asian Theological Association-India and the Indian Institute of Missiology, which accredit, facilitate and network mission-training schools. There are over 150 such schools; almost all started since 1980. IET started 27 of these.
d) The mission agencies themselves, for their leadership to be strategic, for provision of pastoral care and support to their workers, for fruitfulness in ministry and for spiritual unity. Newer, emerging missions are approaching the size and impact of older, established agencies.
e) Indian missionaries serving in other lands number over 500. Living costs for them are much higher and support is difficult to raise, given the immense need within India itself. Pray for provision of all of their needs. Reverse mission is becoming more common – such as Mizo Christians sending missionaries to the Welsh, who evangelized them in the 19th Century.
f) OM graduates. OM's impact through implanting a missions vision is vast. The Association of OM Graduates links together 40,000 full-time Christian workers. Many of these lead some of the most effective agencies in India today.
g) A widening of ministry to other needy sections of the population. Hitherto, half the cross-cultural missionaries worked among tribal groups, and many of the rest among the downtrodden, marginalized or needy sections of the population. Few today work among the urban middle class and the higher castes. This needs to change, but most workers feel inadequately prepared for such challenges.
h) Better and closer relationships between local churches and mission agencies. Many mission agencies are supported by multi-congregational, informal prayer networks. Because greater accountability is needed between field workers and sending churches, mobilizing churches for more involvement is an increasing need. Publications by IMA and Mission Educational Books help churches gain mission awareness.
i) Expatriates serving in India now number only 1,000. Visas are increasingly difficult to arrange; student, business and medical visas are the best way forward, when done with authentic engagement in those disciplines. Some specialized roles could be filled by expatriates, for example in support of existing Indian ministries pioneering in sections of the population not easily reached by indigenous workers. International advocates are needed to adopt people groups and areas and to raise prayer support.
     For an additional 14 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

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

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Tripura

India

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Challenge for Prayer

Christians have been persecuted by animists and by extremist Hindu groups. Of late, there have been attacks as well as false propaganda against the Church, accusing it of collusion with rebel groups. Pray that Christians might walk blamelessly in a region of strife and resentment and continue to express and demonstrate the love and grace of Christ, even to their accusers and persecutors.
     For an additional 3 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

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

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Uttar Pradesh

India

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Challenge for Prayer

The scale of human need and suffering is immense. Cities are crowded and polluted. Rural areas have no amenities, little infrastructure or power, and a severe shortage of health care facilities. Water-borne diseases are widespread. The large majority of the world’s polio cases occur in Uttar Pradesh. The majority of children are undernourished. In the political arena, poor governance, corruption and short-term mentalities combine to stunt progress. Pray that the gospel might be made manifest in easing suffering and righting wrongs.
     For an additional 4 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

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

Isaiah 19 (New International Version)

Isaiah 19

A Prophecy About Egypt

1 An oracle concerning Egypt: See, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt within them.
2 "I will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian— brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.

3 The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will bring their plans to nothing; they will consult the idols and the spirits of the dead, the mediums and the spiritists.

4 I will hand the Egyptians over to the power of a cruel master, and a fierce king will rule over them," declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty.

5 The waters of the river will dry up, and the riverbed will be parched and dry.

6 The canals will stink; the streams of Egypt will dwindle and dry up. The reeds and rushes will wither,

7 also the plants along the Nile, at the mouth of the river. Every sown field along the Nile will become parched, will blow away and be no more.

8 The fishermen will groan and lament, all who cast hooks into the Nile; those who throw nets on the water will pine away.

9 Those who work with combed flax will despair, the weavers of fine linen will lose hope.

10 The workers in cloth will be dejected, and all the wage earners will be sick at heart.

11 The officials of Zoan are nothing but fools; the wise counselors of Pharaoh give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, "I am one of the wise men, a disciple of the ancient kings"?

12 Where are your wise men now? Let them show you and make known what the LORD Almighty has planned against Egypt.

13 The officials of Zoan have become fools, the leaders of Memphis [a] are deceived; the cornerstones of her peoples have led Egypt astray.

14 The LORD has poured into them a spirit of dizziness; they make Egypt stagger in all that she does, as a drunkard staggers around in his vomit.

15 There is nothing Egypt can do— head or tail, palm branch or reed.

16 In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will shudder with fear at the uplifted hand that the LORD Almighty raises against them. 17 And the land of Judah will bring terror to the Egyptians; everyone to whom Judah is mentioned will be terrified, because of what the LORD Almighty is planning against them.

18 In that day five cities in Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the LORD Almighty. One of them will be called the City of Destruction. [b]

19 In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the LORD at its border. 20 It will be a sign and witness to the LORD Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them. 21 So the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and keep them. 22 The LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them.

23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. 24 In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. 25 The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance."

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