Sunday, April 21, 2013

AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for China, Macau

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Home > China, Macau

China, Macau

China, Macau

Special Administrative Region of China

Asia

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 29 sq km
A tiny peninsula and two islands 64 km west of Hong Kong on the coast of Guangdong Province of China.
Population: 547,591    Annual Growth: 2.35%
Capital: Macau
Urbanites: 100%

Peoples

Peoples: 12 (33% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Chinese and Portuguese. The majority (86%) speak Cantonese, but Mandarin is also widely spoken

Religion

Largest Religion: Chinese
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians29,2965.350.7
Evangelicals8,5271.63.2
Chinese339,56162.01 

Challenges for Prayer

Macau is one of the least-discipled Chinese communities in the world. The major hindrances to evangelism and breakthrough are the strength of the gambling industry, the social cohesion of Chinese culture, Buddhist/Daoist beliefs and fear of offending A-Ma, the local god after which the city was named. The Church is small, weakened by emigration and a high turnover of leadership. Pray for local leaders to be raised up who will help the Church survive and grow and be a blessing to China and the world. The Macau Bible Institute was the first theological school; there are several other practical ministry training programmes in place as well.
Macau’s reputation as a “City of Sin” is well founded; gambling revenues here surpass even those of Las Vegas and are still growing. The government regulates the industry, and local owners control a majority share with large foreign investors also present; the historic association with Triad influence is much less than in the past. Pray about the following:
a) Materialism and greed are the harvests reaped from this seed. Such an environment strangles spirituality as testified to by tiny churches but burgeoning casinos, the cathedrals of mammon.
b) Gambling is a religion that takes much and gives little. Addiction and desperation are epidemics taking on a massive scale. The Church has largely failed to minister to gambling addicts, but groups such as the Macau Evangelical Church, Industrial Evangelical Fellowship and Horizon Christian Fellowship are beginning to address this.
c) Prostitution and substance abuse are natural parasites of the gambling industry. Most sex workers are trafficked in, often against their will, from the mainland or other Southeast Asian countries. Rahab Ministries reaches out to mainland women involved in prostitution in Macau. Pray for this ministry and for more such groups to reach out to these at-risk people.
d) Lucrative salaries in casinos encourage young people and Christians to seek employment there at the expense of university education or involvement in church or the community. Pray for viable work alternatives to the gambling industry.
     For an additional 4 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 China, Macau.
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1 John 3 (New International Version, ©2010)




1 John 3

1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God's child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

More on Love and Hatred

11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,[b] if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.
16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God's commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
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    Nehemiah 7 (New International Version)




    Nehemiah 7

    1 After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were appointed. 2 I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with [a] Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do. 3 I said to them, "The gates of Jerusalem are not to be opened until the sun is hot. While the gatekeepers are still on duty, have them shut the doors and bar them. Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near their own houses."

    The List of the Exiles Who Returned

    4 Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been rebuilt. 5 So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families. I found the genealogical record of those who had been the first to return. This is what I found written there:
    6 These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken captive (they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town, 7 in company with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum and Baanah): The list of the men of Israel:

    8 the descendants of Parosh 2,172

    9 of Shephatiah 372

    10 of Arah 652

    11 of Pahath-Moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab) 2,818

    12 of Elam 1,254

    13 of Zattu 845

    14 of Zaccai 760

    15 of Binnui 648

    16 of Bebai 628

    17 of Azgad 2,322

    18 of Adonikam 667

    19 of Bigvai 2,067

    20 of Adin 655

    21 of Ater (through Hezekiah) 98

    22 of Hashum 328

    23 of Bezai 324

    24 of Hariph 112

    25 of Gibeon 95

    26 the men of Bethlehem and Netophah 188

    27 of Anathoth 128

    28 of Beth Azmaveth 42

    29 of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah and Beeroth 743

    30 of Ramah and Geba 621

    31 of Micmash 122

    32 of Bethel and Ai 123

    33 of the other Nebo 52

    34 of the other Elam 1,254

    35 of Harim 320

    36 of Jericho 345

    37 of Lod, Hadid and Ono 721

    38 of Senaah 3,930

    39 The priests: the descendants of Jedaiah (through the family of Jeshua) 973

    40 of Immer 1,052

    41 of Pashhur 1,247

    42 of Harim 1,017

    43 The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua (through Kadmiel through the line of Hodaviah) 74

    44 The singers: the descendants of Asaph 148

    45 The gatekeepers: the descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita and Shobai 138

    46 The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,

    47 Keros, Sia, Padon,

    48 Lebana, Hagaba, Shalmai,

    49 Hanan, Giddel, Gahar,

    50 Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda,

    51 Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah,

    52 Besai, Meunim, Nephussim,

    53 Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,

    54 Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha,

    55 Barkos, Sisera, Temah,

    56 Neziah and Hatipha

    57 The descendants of the servants of Solomon: the descendants of Sotai, Sophereth, Perida,

    58 Jaala, Darkon, Giddel,

    59 Shephatiah, Hattil, Pokereth-Hazzebaim and Amon

    60 The temple servants and the descendants of the servants of Solomon 392

    61 The following came up from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon and Immer, but they could not show that their families were descended from Israel:

    62 the descendants of Delaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda 642

    63 And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai (a man who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by that name).

    64 These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 65 The governor, therefore, ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there should be a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim.

    66 The whole company numbered 42,360, 67 besides their 7,337 menservants and maidservants; and they also had 245 men and women singers. 68 There were 736 horses, 245 mules, [b] 69 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.

    70 Some of the heads of the families contributed to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 drachmas [c] of gold, 50 bowls and 530 garments for priests. 71 Some of the heads of the families gave to the treasury for the work 20,000 drachmas [d] of gold and 2,200 minas [e] of silver. 72 The total given by the rest of the people was 20,000 drachmas of gold, 2,000 minas [f] of silver and 67 garments for priests.

    73 The priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers and the temple servants, along with certain of the people and the rest of the Israelites, settled in their own towns.




    Ezra Reads the Law When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns,
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    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 113 (New International Version)




    Psalm 113

    1 Praise the LORD. [a] Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.

    2 Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore.

    3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.

    4 The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.

    5 Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high,

    6 who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?

    7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;

    8 he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people.

    9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.
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    Saturday, April 20, 2013

    1 John 2 (New International Version, ©2010)




    1 John 2

    1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

    Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers

    3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
    7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

    9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[b] is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister[c] lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

    Reasons for Writing

    12 I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
    13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
    I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
    14 I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father.
    I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
    I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

    On Not Loving the World

    15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
    Warnings Against Denying the Son

    18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
    20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.[e] 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

    24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life.

    26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

    God's Children and Sin

    28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
    29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.
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    Nehemiah Building The Wall


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    Nehemiah 6 (New International Version)




    Nehemiah 6

    Further Opposition to the Rebuilding

    1 When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates- 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: "Come, let us meet together in one of the villages [a] on the plain of Ono." But they were scheming to harm me; 3 so I sent messengers to them with this reply: "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?" 4 Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.
    5 Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter 6 in which was written: "It is reported among the nations—and Geshem [b] says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king 7 and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: 'There is a king in Judah!' Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us confer together."

    8 I sent him this reply: "Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head."

    9 They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed." But I prayed, "Now strengthen my hands."

    10 One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, "Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you."

    11 But I said, "Should a man like me run away? Or should one like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!" 12 I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.

    14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me.

    The Completion of the Wall

    15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.
    17 Also, in those days the nobles of Judah were sending many letters to Tobiah, and replies from Tobiah kept coming to them. 18 For many in Judah were under oath to him, since he was son-in-law to Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah. 19 Moreover, they kept reporting to me his good deeds and then telling him what I said. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.
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    Proverbs 20 (New International Version)


    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 111 (New International Version)




      Psalm 111

      1[a] Praise the LORD. [b] I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

      2 Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.

      3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.

      4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

      5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.

      6 He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.

      7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.

      8 They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.

      9 He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name.

      10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
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      A.F.W.I.S. Joins Operation World in Prayer for China, Hong Kong

       
      Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
      Home > Apr 20: China, Hong Kong

      Apr 20: China, Hong Kong

      China, Hong Kong

      Special Administrative Region of China

      Asia

      See Prayer Information

      Geography

      Area: 1,092 sq km
      A mountainous peninsula and 230 islands on the coast of Guangdong Province.
      Population: 7,069,378    Annual Growth: 0.54%
      Urbanites: 100%
      HDI Rank: 24 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

      Peoples

      Peoples: 11 (36% unreached) All peoples
      Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

      Official language: Chinese and English (about 38% speak English); Cantonese is the established local dialect, but Putonghua (Mandarin) is increasingly common and influential

      Religion

      Largest Religion: Chinese
      Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
      Christians877,31012.410.2
      Evangelicals434,0796.11.4
      Chinese4,211,22859.57 

      Answer to Prayer

      Hong Kong’s Kingdom impact, regionally and globally, far outweighs its small size. It continues to be the source of many missionaries as well as a hub for financing ministry, outreach, discipling, media and literature ministries to the Chinese-speaking world in particular.
           For an additional 2 Answers to Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

      Challenge for Prayer

      Hong Kong’s role within China can potentially be a powerfully redemptive one – financially, socially, culturally and spiritually. There is incredible opportunity to influence the PRC, still taking shape as a 21st Century nation, with the gospel that impacts every area of life. Alternatively, HK could acquiesce to being a mere financial spearhead for the Chinese economic juggernaut, gaining the world but losing its soul. Christians need to play a key role within this framework. Pray for committed and astute individuals and ministries to help shape a biblical worldview for this great nation.
           For an additional 12 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 China, Hong Kong.
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      2 John 1 (New International Version, ©2010)




      2 John 1

      1 The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

      3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love.

      4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

      7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we[a] have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

      12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

      13 The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.
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        Nehemiah 5 (New International Version)




        Nehemiah 5

        Nehemiah Helps the Poor

        1 Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their Jewish brothers. 2 Some were saying, "We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain."
        3 Others were saying, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine."

        4 Still others were saying, "We have had to borrow money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards. 5 Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our countrymen and though our sons are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others."

        6 When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. 7 I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, "You are exacting usury from your own countrymen!" So I called together a large meeting to deal with them 8 and said: "As far as possible, we have bought back our Jewish brothers who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your brothers, only for them to be sold back to us!" They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.

        9 So I continued, "What you are doing is not right. Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? 10 I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop! 11 Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging them—the hundredth part of the money, grain, new wine and oil."

        12 "We will give it back," they said. "And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say." Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. 13 I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, "In this way may God shake out of his house and possessions every man who does not keep this promise. So may such a man be shaken out and emptied!" At this the whole assembly said, "Amen," and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.

        14 Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. 15 But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels [a] of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. 16 Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we [b] did not acquire any land.

        17 Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations. 18 Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people.

        19 Remember me with favor, O my God, for all I have done for these people.
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        Friday, April 19, 2013

        A.F.W.I.S. Joins Operation World in Prayer for China, People’s Republic, Yunnan Province, Zhejiang Province

         
        Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
        Home > Apr 19: China, People’s Republic, Yunnan Province, Zhejiang Province

        Apr 19: China, People’s Republic, Yunnan Province, Zhejiang Province

        China, People’s Republic, Yunnan Province, Zhejiang Province

        China

        People's Republic of China

        Asia

        See Prayer Information

        Geography

        Area: 9,573,000 sq km
        The third-largest state in the world, also containing the highest mountains and plateaus in the world. The climate and geography are extremely diverse, ranging from tropical in the south to sub-arctic in the north, from a highly industrialized and modern eastern seaboard to sparsely populated western deserts and mountain ranges. Hong Kong and Macau are integral parts of China, though their statistics are not included here; Taiwan’s status is debated. These three are handled separately.
        Population: 1,330,584,783    Annual Growth: 0.63%
        Capital: Beijing
        Urbanites: 44.9%
        HDI Rank: 92 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

        Peoples

        Peoples: 516 (83% unreached) All peoples
        Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

        Official language: Putonghua (Mandarin Chinese); local languages in the five Autonomous Regions. 15 regional mega-languages. There are an estimated 600 different spoken Han dialects, but one written language common to all    Languages: 296 All languages

        Religion

        Largest Religion: Non-religious
        Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
        Christians105,382,3157.922.7
        Evangelicals75,399,2705.72.9
        Non-religious590,247,41044.36 
        Prayercast

        Challenge for Prayer

        Challenges of population growth afflict Chinese with sobering troubles both now and even more acutely in the future. Although restrictions and their implementation are loosening, effects of the grievous “one-child policy” on society continue to be severe. The Chinese perform in excess of 13 million abortions per year, now a widely accepted form of birth control, particularly sex-specific (female) abortions. Many infants, if not aborted, are abandoned or kidnapped and trafficked. Some children who are raised without siblings are unduly pampered, potentially creating a sub-culture of self-absorption and indulgence. Further complications include
        a) Gender imbalance. The rising generation will pay perhaps the heaviest cost related to the one-child policy, with studies predicting 20-30 million men left single by the year 2020. In some areas, young men outnumber young women by 30-40%; rape, abductions, female slavery, incest, prostitution, widespread homosexuality and the rapid spread of AIDS could be the results.
        b) Work force. Coming decades will see a significant decrease in young workers for certain sectors of industry and the military in particular.
        c) Care for the elderly. With fewer children available to care for aging parents, and with changes in pensions provided by the state, the need for elder care in the coming generation will present a burden on Chinese society. Many elders are, as with young children, abandoned and left without sufficient care.
        Pray for wise policies to be implemented that will stabilize the population.
             For an additional 6 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 China.

        Yunnan Province

        China

        See Prayer Information

        Challenge for Prayer

        Yunnan’s indigenous ethnic minorities – numbering 16 million in at least 208 ethno-linguistic peoples – are an immense challenge for the Church in China and the world. Pray for Christians to be raised up who will intercede on their behalf, raise awareness of their plight and go to them as spiritually effective and culturally astute missionaries.
        a) Ninety-five peoples have no known Christians, and a further four are less than 1% Christian. Many of these groups are small in number, geographically isolated and with unique languages and cultures. Most of these groups believe in some combination of animism, ancestor worship, polytheism and Buddhism.
        b) Pray for indigenous believers to reach out to related ethnic groups still unreached; pray also for missionaries from elsewhere in China and beyond to reach these unreached of Yunnan. The poverty of local believers and difficulties in travel slow any attempts at evangelism.
             For an additional 3 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

        More Information

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

        Zhejiang Province

        China

        See Prayer Information

        Challenge for Prayer

        Zhejiang province enjoys China’s highest proportion of Christians. At 19.5%, it almost certainly possesses more born-again believers than any European country. Wenzhou Prefecture is nearly 30% Christian. Yongjia county and Xiaoshan district both hover around 50% Christian! Praise God for this amazing growth in the Church – TSPM, Catholics and especially house churches enjoy sustained increases in numbers and maturity.
             For an additional 3 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

        More Information

        The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Zhejiang Province.
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        1 John 5 (New International Version, ©2010)




        1 John 5

        Faith in the Incarnate Son of God

        1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
        6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the[a] Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 We accept human testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

        Concluding Affirmations

        13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
        16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

        18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

        21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
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        Nehemiah 4 Opposition to the Rebuilding



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        Nehemiah 4 (New International Version)




        Nehemiah 4

        Opposition to the Rebuilding

        1 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, 2 and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, "What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?"
        3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, "What they are building—if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!"

        4 Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of [a] the builders.

        6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

        7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.

        10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall."

        11 Also our enemies said, "Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work."

        12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, "Wherever you turn, they will attack us."

        13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."

        15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work.

        16 From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, 18 and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.

        19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!"

        21 So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. 22 At that time I also said to the people, "Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and workmen by day." 23 Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.
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        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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        Psalm 109 (New International Version)




        Psalm 109

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

        1 O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent,
        2 for wicked and deceitful men have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues.

        3 With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause.

        4 In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.

        5 They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship.

        6 Appoint [a] an evil man [b] to oppose him; let an accuser [c] stand at his right hand.

        7 When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayers condemn him.

        8 May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.

        9 May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.

        10 May his children be wandering beggars; may they be driven [d] from their ruined homes.

        11 May a creditor seize all he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.

        12 May no one extend kindness to him or take pity on his fatherless children.

        13 May his descendants be cut off, their names blotted out from the next generation.

        14 May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD; may the sin of his mother never be blotted out.

        15 May their sins always remain before the LORD, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

        16 For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted.

        17 He loved to pronounce a curse— may it [e] come on him; he found no pleasure in blessing— may it be [f] far from him.

        18 He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil.

        19 May it be like a cloak wrapped about him, like a belt tied forever around him.

        20 May this be the LORD's payment to my accusers, to those who speak evil of me.

        21 But you, O Sovereign LORD, deal well with me for your name's sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.

        22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.

        23 I fade away like an evening shadow; I am shaken off like a locust.

        24 My knees give way from fasting; my body is thin and gaunt.

        25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.

        26 Help me, O LORD my God; save me in accordance with your love.

        27 Let them know that it is your hand, that you, O LORD, have done it.

        28 They may curse, but you will bless; when they attack they will be put to shame, but your servant will rejoice.

        29 My accusers will be clothed with disgrace and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.

        30 With my mouth I will greatly extol the LORD; in the great throng I will praise him.

        31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him.
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        Thursday, April 18, 2013

        A.F.W.I.S. Joins Operation World in Prayer for China, People’s Republic, Tibet – Xizang Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

         
        Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
        Home > Apr 18: China, People’s Republic, Tibet – Xizang Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

        Apr 18: China, People’s Republic, Tibet – Xizang Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

        China, People’s Republic, Tibet – Xizang Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

        China

        People's Republic of China

        Asia

        See Prayer Information

        Geography

        Area: 9,573,000 sq km
        The third-largest state in the world, also containing the highest mountains and plateaus in the world. The climate and geography are extremely diverse, ranging from tropical in the south to sub-arctic in the north, from a highly industrialized and modern eastern seaboard to sparsely populated western deserts and mountain ranges. Hong Kong and Macau are integral parts of China, though their statistics are not included here; Taiwan’s status is debated. These three are handled separately.
        Population: 1,330,584,783    Annual Growth: 0.63%
        Capital: Beijing
        Urbanites: 44.9%
        HDI Rank: 92 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

        Peoples

        Peoples: 516 (83% unreached) All peoples
        Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

        Official language: Putonghua (Mandarin Chinese); local languages in the five Autonomous Regions. 15 regional mega-languages. There are an estimated 600 different spoken Han dialects, but one written language common to all    Languages: 296 All languages

        Religion

        Largest Religion: Non-religious
        Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
        Christians105,382,3157.922.7
        Evangelicals75,399,2705.72.9
        Non-religious590,247,41044.36 
        Prayercast

        Challenge for Prayer

        Opposing forces at work in Chinese society are creating tensions that demand urgent attention and foresight. The reformed central government struggles to maintain control over state authorities and trusts economic growth to solve most of the country’s problems. But China’s sheer size, its financial boom and the lack of freedom of information conspire to multiply injustices, expand the gap between rich and poor and defeat the egalitarian purposes of socialism. The following points of mounting pressure bear mention:
        a) Freedom of information. The government vainly tries to control the flow of and exposure to information, while also promoting Internet use. But a bored and disillusioned new generation that hankers after freedom is not only finding creative ways to access information, but many are also developing potentially dangerous hacking skills in the process.
        b) Political and economic reforms. Resistance to substantial political change is irreconcilable with the juggernaut of capitalism (and its results: crass materialism and personal greed). Issues surrounding property ownership, banking, the widening gap between rich and poor, private versus state-provided social services – to name just a few – beset policy-makers and must be addressed.
        c) Corruption and scandal. Embezzlement, graft and widespread deception plague both government and business. China tops the list of countries willing to pay bribes in business, and rampant cheating and fraud tarnish academia. China’s record on containing corruption has regressed, while other countries have made progress or remained the same in this area.
        d) Urbanization. China now hosts the most massive human migration in history. In just a couple of generations, hundreds of millions of rural dwellers have relocated to China’s urban centres, drastically changing the nation’s demographics. Many millions simply cannot make a living farming, and urbanites earn 350% more than rural-area workers. Such rapid migration to urban areas leaves families lacking basic social services and educational opportunities, and creates problems such as overcrowding and unemployment.
        e) Ethnic unrest. Internal strife remains at the forefront of both national and international attention, as conflict within Tibet and Xianjiang persists. Ultimately, reconciliation and the hope of peace lie only in the power of the gospel.
        Coming change is inevitable and will be massive; pray that it might be well managed, peaceful and ultimately of spiritual benefit to China.
             For an additional 6 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 China.

        Tibet – Xizang Autonomous Region

        China

        See Prayer Information

        Challenge for Prayer

        Tibetan Buddhism permeates society and has a powerful hold on the people. It incorporates many elements of the pre-Buddhist Bon religion, which still exists in its own right as well. Bon has powerful demonic and occult influences and spirit appeasement. The high places of the Tibetan plateau are known to be a spiritual stronghold highly resistant to the gospel. In TAR, there are still 1,789 monasteries and 46,000 Buddhist monks. Pray that present sufferings may be God’s means for bringing spiritual freedom to Tibetans.
             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 Tibet – Xizang Autonomous Region.

        Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

        China

        See Prayer Information

        Challenge for Prayer

        Almost all the indigenous peoples are Muslim. The highly charged political and religious atmosphere, the removal of expatriate Christian workers from most of the region and the general lack of vision by Han Chinese to evangelize these peoples mean that the vast bulk of Xinjiang’s indigenous peoples are untouched by the gospel. Reaching them will be difficult (but not impossible!), requiring perseverance, cultural sensitivity and great faith. Pray for an awakening among Christians in China and those globally to the great spiritual needs of Xinjiang’s unevangelized peoples.
             For an additional 4 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 Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
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