Sunday, December 22, 2013

AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Republic of Yemen - Asia

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Home > Dec 22: Yemen

Dec 22: Yemen

Yemen

Republic of Yemen

Asia

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 531,869 sq km
Mountainous south and southwestern portion of the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian Ocean island of Socotra.
Population: 24,255,928    Annual Growth: 2.90%
Capital: Sana'a
Urbanites: 31.8%
HDI Rank: 140 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 28 (61% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Arabic    Languages: 14 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Muslim
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians19,4050.082.9
Evangelicals4,2750.05.1
Muslim24,236,52399.92 
Prayercast

Challenges for Prayer

Opportunities for expatriates to serve God are varied – business, education, health and development programmes. Hospitals and clinics run by expatriate Christians are much-needed blessings for the Yemeni people. There are many needs in Yemen, and faithful, loving service plants many seeds, as the various agencies attest. Pray for more believers who are willing to live and serve sacrificially and lovingly in this difficult land.
Yemen is one of the world’s least evangelized countries, with one of the youngest and fastest-growing populations. Pray for salvation to come to:
a) The northern tribes, including the people of Sana’a, the capital, and the peoples of the northern mountains and northeastern deserts. A number are semi-nomadic.
b) The southern Yemenis, the key cities being Aden, Taiz and Ibb.
c) The Tihama Arabs of the coastal plains. Many Gulf War returnees were settled in this region. The key city is Hodeida.
d) The Hadhramaut, including the historic areas of Shibam and Tarem as well as the port city of Mukalla.
e) The Mahri along the Omani border are a fishing people and very isolated from the modernity that is seeping into the rest of Yemen.
f) The Socotra islanders, who were nominally Christian until the 17th Century. There are no known Christians on this isolated Indian Ocean island, and even humanitarian work is very limited and difficult to do.
g) Yemeni women – their lot is harsh and their opportunities for education and a life outside the home are limited. How will they hear about Jesus and learn to live for Him?
h) Children. High fertility rates generate large families, which in turn can create a host of poorly supervised children left generally to their own devices, especially if the parents chew qat. The education system is very limited and focused largely on Islamics. Many children are at risk of abduction by organized gangs (from a neighbouring country) for indoctrination into extremism and even more macabre exploitation.
i) The South Asians – many are traders and artisans in Aden. Most are Muslim; some are Hindu or Catholic Christians. Pray also for the 300 or so remaining Yemeni Jews.
j) The Somalis – many are Yemeni residents and others refugees. Their numbers could possibly exceed 500,000. A few have come to faith, but most remain unevangelized.
     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 Yemen.
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Proverbs 22 (NIV)


Proverbs 22 (New International Version)

Proverbs 22

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sayings of the Wise

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.
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Daniel 11 (NIV)


Daniel 11

New International Version (NIV)
11 1 And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I took my stand to support and protect him.)

The Kings of the South and the North

2 “Now then, I tell you the truth: Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece. 3 Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases. 4 After he has arisen, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others.
5 “The king of the South will become strong, but one of his commanders will become even stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom with great power. 6 After some years, they will become allies. The daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to make an alliance, but she will not retain her power, and he and his power[a] will not last. In those days she will be betrayed, together with her royal escort and her father[b] and the one who supported her.
7 “One from her family line will arise to take her place. He will attack the forces of the king of the North and enter his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious. 8 He will also seize their gods, their metal images and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt. For some years he will leave the king of the North alone. 9 Then the king of the North will invade the realm of the king of the South but will retreat to his own country. 10 His sons will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which will sweep on like an irresistible flood and carry the battle as far as his fortress.
11 “Then the king of the South will march out in a rage and fight against the king of the North, who will raise a large army, but it will be defeated. 12 When the army is carried off, the king of the South will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands, yet he will not remain triumphant. 13 For the king of the North will muster another army, larger than the first; and after several years, he will advance with a huge army fully equipped.
14 “In those times many will rise against the king of the South. Those who are violent among your own people will rebel in fulfillment of the vision, but without success. 15 Then the king of the North will come and build up siege ramps and will capture a fortified city. The forces of the South will be powerless to resist; even their best troops will not have the strength to stand. 16 The invader will do as he pleases; no one will be able to stand against him. He will establish himself in the Beautiful Land and will have the power to destroy it. 17 He will determine to come with the might of his entire kingdom and will make an alliance with the king of the South. And he will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom, but his plans[c] will not succeed or help him. 18 Then he will turn his attention to the coastlands and will take many of them, but a commander will put an end to his insolence and will turn his insolence back on him. 19 After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own country but will stumble and fall, to be seen no more.
20 “His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. In a few years, however, he will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.
21 “He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given the honor of royalty. He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue. 22 Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed. 23 After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power. 24 When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what neither his fathers nor his forefathers did. He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers. He will plot the overthrow of fortresses—but only for a time.
25 “With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South. The king of the South will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him. 26 Those who eat from the king’s provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle. 27 The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time. 28 The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country.
29 “At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. 30 Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.
31 “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.
33 “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. 34 When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. 35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

The King Who Exalts Himself

36 “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place. 37 He will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. 38 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.[d]
40 “At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. 41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. 42 He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape. 43 He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Cushites[e] in submission. 44 But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at[f] the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.

Footnotes:

  1. Daniel 11:6 Or offspring
  2. Daniel 11:6 Or child (see Vulgate and Syriac)
  3. Daniel 11:17 Or but she
  4. Daniel 11:39 Or land for a reward
  5. Daniel 11:43 That is, people from the upper Nile region
  6. Daniel 11:45 Or the sea and
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Psalm 69 (NIV)


Psalm 69 (New International Version)

Psalm 69

For the director of music. To the tune of "Lilies." Of David.

1 Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.

3 I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

4 Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.

5 You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you.

6 May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the LORD Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel.

7 For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face.

8 I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons;

9 for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.

10 When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn;

11 when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me.

12 Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards.

13 But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.

14 Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.

15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.

16 Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.

17 Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.

18 Come near and rescue me; redeem me because of my foes.

19 You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you.

20 Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.

21 They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

22 May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and [a] a trap.

23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.

24 Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them.

25 May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents.

26 For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt.

27 Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation.

28 May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.

29 I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me.

30 I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

31 This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.

32 The poor will see and be glad— you who seek God, may your hearts live!

33 The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.

34 Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them,

35 for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it;

36 the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.
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Saturday, December 21, 2013

In Him...


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AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Republic of Yemen - Asia

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Home > Dec 21: Yemen

Dec 21: Yemen

Yemen

Republic of Yemen

Asia

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 531,869 sq km
Mountainous south and southwestern portion of the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian Ocean island of Socotra.
Population: 24,255,928    Annual Growth: 2.90%
Capital: Sana'a
Urbanites: 31.8%
HDI Rank: 140 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 28 (61% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Arabic    Languages: 14 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Muslim
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians19,4050.082.9
Evangelicals4,2750.05.1
Muslim24,236,52399.92 
Prayercast

Challenges for Prayer

Openly believing in Jesus is dangerous for Yemenis – shari’a law, culture and family expectations are all factors in this. Pray for greater freedom for believers to encourage others to follow Christ and to be agents of cultural transformation. Pray for the transformation of their families, for it is from them that the worst persecution comes.
Most Christians are expatriates. Many are Ethiopian refugees, among whom are several thriving evangelical congregations. Others are Westerners, South and East Asians and other Arabs in secular jobs. No church buildings are yet allowed in the north. Pray that expatriate believers may maintain their spiritual growth amid discouragement, sickness, isolation and constant threats to their presence in the land.
     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 Yemen.
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Prayercast | Yemen December 21 st 2013




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    Daniel 10 (NIV)


    Daniel 10 (New International Version)

    Daniel 10

    Daniel's Vision of a Man

    1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. [a] The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.
    2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

    4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, 5 I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist. 6 His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

    7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. 8 So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. 9 Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.

    10 A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you." And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

    12 Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come."

    15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. 16 Then one who looked like a man [b] touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, "I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I am helpless. 17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe."

    18 Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. 19 "Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed," he said. "Peace! Be strong now; be strong." When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength."

    20 So he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; 21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.
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      Proverbs 21 (NIV)


      Proverbs 21 (New International Version)

      Proverbs 21

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.
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      Psalm 68 (NIV)


      Psalm 68 (New International Version)

      Psalm 68

      For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song.

      1 May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him.
      2 As smoke is blown away by the wind, may you blow them away; as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.

      3 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

      4 Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds [a]— his name is the LORD— and rejoice before him.

      5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

      6 God sets the lonely in families, [b] he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

      7 When you went out before your people, O God, when you marched through the wasteland, Selah

      8 the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

      9 You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.

      10 Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, O God, you provided for the poor.

      11 The Lord announced the word, and great was the company of those who proclaimed it:

      12 "Kings and armies flee in haste; in the camps men divide the plunder.

      13 Even while you sleep among the campfires, [c] the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold."

      14 When the Almighty [d] scattered the kings in the land, it was like snow fallen on Zalmon.

      15 The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains; rugged are the mountains of Bashan.

      16 Why gaze in envy, O rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the LORD himself will dwell forever?

      17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.

      18 When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from [e] the rebellious— that you, [f] O LORD God, might dwell there.

      19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah

      20 Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.

      21 Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.

      22 The Lord says, "I will bring them from Bashan; I will bring them from the depths of the sea,

      23 that you may plunge your feet in the blood of your foes, while the tongues of your dogs have their share."

      24 Your procession has come into view, O God, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.

      25 In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the maidens playing tambourines.

      26 Praise God in the great congregation; praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel.

      27 There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah's princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.

      28 Summon your power, O God [g] ; show us your strength, O God, as you have done before.

      29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring you gifts.

      30 Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may it bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.

      31 Envoys will come from Egypt; Cush [h] will submit herself to God.

      32 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, Selah

      33 to him who rides the ancient skies above, who thunders with mighty voice.

      34 Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies.

      35 You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!
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        Friday, December 20, 2013

        AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the United States Virgin Islands; Virgin Islands of the USA - Caribbean

        Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
        Home > Virgin Islands of the USA

        Virgin Islands of the USA

        Virgin Islands of the USA

        United States Virgin Islands; Virgin Islands of the USA

        Caribbean

        See Prayer Information

        Geography

        Area: 352 sq km
        In the Leeward Islands, lying between Puerto Rico and British Virgin Islands. Three larger and 50 smaller islands.
        Population: 109,326    Annual Growth: -0.07%
        Capital: Charlotte Amalie
        Urbanites: 94.4%

        Peoples

        Peoples: 11 (9% unreached) All peoples
        Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

        Official language: English, but Spanish widely spoken    Languages: 5 All languages

        Religion

        Largest Religion: Christian
        Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
        Christians103,80594.95-0.2
        Evangelicals26,05523.80.3

        Challenges for Prayer

        Specific outreach is needed for the many tourists, the Hispanic immigrants, the Rastafarians and those involved in the morally questionable aspects of island life. Pray that local churches and their leaders may work together in evangelism and in vision for the future.
             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 Virgin Islands of the USA.
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        Daniel 9 (NIV)


        Daniel 9 (New International Version)

        Daniel 9

        Daniel's Prayer

        1 In the first year of Darius son of Ahasuerus [a] (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian [b] kingdom- 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.
        4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, 5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

        7 "Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the men of Judah and people of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. 8 O LORD, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. 9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; 10 we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. "Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. 12 You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. 13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. 14 The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

        15 "Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. 16 O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.

        17 "Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."

        The Seventy "Sevens"

        20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the LORD my God for his holy hill- 21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He instructed me and said to me, "Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. 23 As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision:
        24 "Seventy 'sevens' [c] are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish [d] transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. [e]

        25 "Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree [f] to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, [g] the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. 26 After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. [h] The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' [i] In the middle of the 'seven' [j] he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. "
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        Proverbs 20 (NIV)



        Proverbs 20 (New International Version)

        Proverbs 20

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

        30 Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.
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        Psalm 67 (NIV)


        Psalm 67 (New International Version)

        Psalm 67

        For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song.

        1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, Selah
        2 that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

        3 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.

        4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. Selah

        5 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.

        6 Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us.

        7 God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.
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        Thursday, December 19, 2013

        Prayercast | Vietnam





        The word Vietnam speaks of the tenacious Viet culture and its varied, yet distinct cuisine and social customs that have survived invasions and colonization. Nam (south) refers to the expansion to the south from the original north and central domain. Long and narrow, Vietnam lies on the eastern coast of Southeast Asia's Indochinese Peninsula. Laos and Cambodia are on its western border with China to its north. Vietnam and its young population are emerging from its tumultuous past drawing visitors and investment to this country ready for change.

        The Geneva Accords of 1954 divided Vietnam into communist North Vietnam and anti-communist South Vietnam. Several decades of fighting followed, until the North Vietnamese overcame the South in 1975 and reunited North and South Vietnam under communist rule. The years of war and Marxist policies proved disastrous to Vietnam's economy. In 1986 reforms were put in place to move from the central controlled economy to a more market oriented one, and today Vietnam has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The policy of "Renovation" has brought about social changes that have been positive including a rise in the standard of living. It has also brought with it many social problems such as increased corruption, regional tensions, and increased HIV/AIDS. Vietnam is one of the few remaining communist countries in the world.

        Freedom of religion is constitutionally guaranteed in Vietnam, but new regulations in 2005 required religious groups to register with the government. Most churches have been denied registration and have faced harassment and even persecution. Many Vietnamese traditionally follow Buddhism, though the veneration and worship of ancestors is an underestimated practice found throughout Vietnam. Churches are persevering and the number of evangelicals is growing as the Vietnamese experience the challenges of the current economic and social changes.
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        Daniel 8 (NIV)


        Daniel 8

        New International Version (NIV)

        Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and a Goat

        8 In the third year of King Belshazzar’s reign, I, Daniel, had a vision, after the one that had already appeared to me. 2 In my vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa in the province of Elam; in the vision I was beside the Ulai Canal. 3 I looked up, and there before me was a ram with two horns, standing beside the canal, and the horns were long. One of the horns was longer than the other but grew up later. 4 I watched the ram as it charged toward the west and the north and the south. No animal could stand against it, and none could rescue from its power. It did as it pleased and became great.
        5 As I was thinking about this, suddenly a goat with a prominent horn between its eyes came from the west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground. 6 It came toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal and charged at it in great rage. 7 I saw it attack the ram furiously, striking the ram and shattering its two horns. The ram was powerless to stand against it; the goat knocked it to the ground and trampled on it, and none could rescue the ram from its power. 8 The goat became very great, but at the height of its power the large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven.
        9 Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. 10 It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. 11 It set itself up to be as great as the commander of the army of the Lord; it took away the daily sacrifice from the Lord, and his sanctuary was thrown down. 12 Because of rebellion, the Lord’s people[a] and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.
        13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled—the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, the surrender of the sanctuary and the trampling underfoot of the Lord’s people?”
        14 He said to me, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.”

        The Interpretation of the Vision

        15 While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man. 16 And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.”
        17 As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. “Son of man,”[b] he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”
        18 While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me and raised me to my feet.
        19 He said: “I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end.[c] 20 The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. 21 The shaggy goat is the king of Greece, and the large horn between its eyes is the first king. 22 The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power.
        23 “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people. 25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.
        26 “The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.”
        27 I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.

        Footnotes:

        1. Daniel 8:12 Or rebellion, the armies
        2. Daniel 8:17 The Hebrew phrase ben adam means human being. The phrase son of man is retained as a form of address here because of its possible association with “Son of Man” in the New Testament.
        3. Daniel 8:19 Or because the end will be at the appointed time
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        Proverbs 19 (NIV)


        Proverbs 19 (New International Version)

        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.
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