Saturday, August 20, 2011
Pray Today August 20th for the Republic of Malawi, Africa
Malawi
Republic of Malawi
Africa
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 118,484 sq kmCentral African state extending along Lake Malawi and its outflow river, the Shire. A landlocked nation whose southern half is virtually an enclave within Mozambique.
Population: 15,691,784 Annual Growth: 2.82%
Capital: Lilongwe
Urbanites: 19.8%
HDI Rank: 160 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 33 (12% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Chichewa and English Languages: 24 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Christian| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 11,925,756 | 76.00 | 3.0 |
| Evangelicals | 3,069,243 | 19.6 | 2.9 |
Answer to Prayer
Malawi remains a stable and peaceful land in a region plagued by wars, civil strife and violent politics. This reflects the peaceful and mostly rural nature of the people – despite intensifying pressure from population growth, AIDS and large-scale movements of peoples into, out of and through Malawi. The multiparty democracy is in good health, having a president with a background in economics and a tough anti-corruption stance. Praise God for the peace that allows Christian ministry and national development to continue unhindered. For an additional Answer to Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
For an additional 8 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
Challenge for Prayer
Malawi faces serious challenges in the future, such as the combination of poverty, high population growth and increasing pressure on agricultural land. High levels of national debt, AIDS and unemployment, when added to the aforementioned economic factors, produce challenges that will require wisdom, long-term planning and proactive policies by the government. The grip of poverty hampers development not only in the financial sense but also in terms of education, AIDS prevention, family life and even effective ministry and discipleship. Pray for leaders in Malawi, most of whom are church members, to act with wisdom, humility and long-term planning on biblical principles.For an additional 8 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Malawi.Psalm 141 New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 141
A psalm of David. 1 I call to you, LORD, come quickly to me;
hear me when I call to you.
2 May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a guard over my mouth, LORD;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil
so that I take part in wicked deeds
along with those who are evildoers;
do not let me eat their delicacies.
5 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;
let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.
My head will not refuse it,
for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.
6 Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,
and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
7 They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth,
so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.”
8 But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign LORD;
in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.
9 Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers,
from the snares they have laid for me.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I pass by in safety.
hear me when I call to you.
2 May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a guard over my mouth, LORD;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil
so that I take part in wicked deeds
along with those who are evildoers;
do not let me eat their delicacies.
5 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;
let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.
My head will not refuse it,
for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.
6 Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,
and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
7 They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth,
so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.”
8 But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign LORD;
in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.
9 Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers,
from the snares they have laid for me.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I pass by in safety.
Friday, August 19, 2011
The Greatest Commandment (Mark 12:28-31 NIV)
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one” answered Jesus,
“Is this: ‘Hear, O Israel:
The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no commandment greater than these.”
Psalm 16 Common English Bible (CEB)
Psalm 16
Common English Bible (CEB)
Psalm 16
A miktam[a] of David. 1 Protect me, God,because I take refuge in you.
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord.
Apart from you, I have nothing good.”
3 Now as for the “holy ones” in the land,
the “magnificent ones”
that I was so happy about;
4 let their suffering increase because
they hurried after a different god.[b]
I won’t participate
in their blood offerings;
I won’t let their names
cross my lips.
5 You, LORD, are my portion, my cup;
you control my destiny.
6 The property lines have fallen
beautifully for me;
yes, I have a lovely home.
7 I will bless the LORD who advises me;
even at night I am instructed
in the depths of my mind.
8 I always put the LORD in front of me;
I will not stumble
because he is on my right side.
9 That’s why my heart celebrates
and my mood is joyous;
yes, my whole body will rest in safety
10 because you won’t abandon my life[c] to the grave;[d]
you won’t let your faithful follower
see the pit.
11 You teach me the way of life.
In your presence is total celebration.
Beautiful things are always
in your right hand.
Footnotes:
- Psalm 16:1 Perhaps inscription
- Psalm 16:4 Heb uncertain in 16:3–4; Heb lacks because and god in 16:4.
- Psalm 16:10 Or my soul
- Psalm 16:10 Heb Sheol
Pray Today August 19th for the Republic of Madagascar
Madagascar
Republic of Madagascar
Africa
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 587,041 sq kmThe world’s 4th largest island 1,600 km long in the Indian Ocean 600 km off the coast of Mozambique; a great degree of flora and fauna is unique to Madagascar.
Population: 20,146,442 Annual Growth: 2.72%
Capital: Antananarivo
Urbanites: 30.2%
HDI Rank: 145 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 41 (27% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Malagasy, French and English (though not widely used) Languages: 20 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Christian| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 10,784,390 | 53.53 | 3.0 |
| Evangelicals | 2,310,539 | 11.5 | 3.5 |
Answer to Prayer
Church growth continues in the midst of political and environmental crises. The most notable increases are of charismatic and neo-Pentecostal groups, who have also endured some opposition. The Holy Spirit is moving among students, young people and laypersons, causing the multiplication of small congregations and house groups.Challenge for Prayer
Madagascar is locked in a battle with poverty, even though it is often called the “8th continent” and is rich in ecology, ethnicity and history. The majority live on an average of less than $1US/day and survive by subsistence agriculture. The common slash-and-burn technique is destroying the rainforest cover as well as many unique plant and animal species. About 80% of the original rainforest cover has already been lost. Repeatedly, cyclones further hamper development and destroy property. Pray for appropriate and sustainable development that lifts people out of poverty, and for a long-term approach to this complex challenge.For an additional 9 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 Madagascar.Psalm 140
Psalm 140
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 140
Psalm 140[a]
For the director of music. A psalm of David. 1 Rescue me, LORD, from evildoers;protect me from the violent,
2 who devise evil plans in their hearts
and stir up war every day.
3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s;
the poison of vipers is on their lips.[b]
4 Keep me safe, LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
protect me from the violent,
who devise ways to trip my feet.
5 The arrogant have hidden a snare for me;
they have spread out the cords of their net
and have set traps for me along my path.
6 I say to the LORD, “You are my God.”
Hear, LORD, my cry for mercy.
7 Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer,
you shield my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant the wicked their desires, LORD;
do not let their plans succeed.
9 Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;
may the mischief of their lips engulf them.
10 May burning coals fall on them;
may they be thrown into the fire,
into miry pits, never to rise.
11 May slanderers not be established in the land;
may disaster hunt down the violent.
12 I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor
and upholds the cause of the needy.
13 Surely the righteous will praise your name,
and the upright will live in your presence.
Footnotes:
- Psalm 140:1 In Hebrew texts 140:1-13 is numbered 140:2-14.
- Psalm 140:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 8.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Pray Today Thursday August 18th for the Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Europe
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 25,713 sq kmLandlocked state surrounded by Serbia/Kosovo, Bulgaria, Greece and Albania.
Population: 2,043,360 Annual Growth: 0.08%
Capital: Skopje
Urbanites: 67.9%
HDI Rank: 72 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 25 (24% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Macedonian, one of the southern Slavic languages Languages: 10 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Christian| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 1,338,401 | 65.50 | 0.1 |
| Evangelicals | 4,270 | 0.2 | 3.2 |
Answer to Prayer
The evangelical church in Macedonia is one of the fastest growing in Europe and displays growing unity across its theological breadth. Churches are ambitious in their outreach and church planting goals, and they minister across ethnic and national boundaries to share the gospel with their neighbours, a remarkable feat given the Balkanization of the region.Challenge for Prayer
Macedonia’s ethnic compositiondominates its political and social existence, where segregation is more prevalent than harmony. The large (and growing) Albanian minority feel more connected with their own kind in Albania and Kosovo than with the other ethnicities of Macedonia. Greece, Bulgaria and Serbia also have agendas for Macedonia. Economic difficulties cause significant emigration and urban pull; many of the 2,000 villages are dwindling or disappearing altogether. Pray for wisdom for the government, and pray that the divided communities might find ways to build their nation together.For an additional 5 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 Macedonia.
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