Wk 60
December 1, 2006 To The Ends of The Earth…
Verse for the week:
Verse for the week:
So the nations shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. Psalm 102:15
Quote for the week:
"Why is there so little forethought in the laying out of time and employment, so as to secure a large portion of each day for prayer? Why is there so much speaking, yet so little prayer? Why Is there so much running to and fro to meetings, conventions, fellowship gatherings and yet so little time for prayer'? Brethren, why so many meetings with our fellow men and so few meetings with God?" - Andrew Bonar
People Group of the week:
Saudi Arabs - see below for an interesting narrative
Saudi Arabs - see below for an interesting narrative
Apostolic Missions Committee Member to pray for this week:
Phil Stettner (Bluffton North, IN)
Phil Stettner (Bluffton North, IN)
Apostolic Elder to pray for this week:
Tom Waldbeser, Ordained Deacon (Atlanta, GA) and YOUR OWN!
Tom Waldbeser, Ordained Deacon (Atlanta, GA) and YOUR OWN!
Apostolic Christian Missionares to pray for this week:
Pray for those who will be serving on the mission field over the holidays. It can be a difficult time.
Other News:
I don't know about you, but the quote of the week really convicts me. Do my priorities line up with what I proclaim to believe about prayer? It's a real challenge.
I must tell you that it has been somewhat frustrating typing this week's email because I'm working on a different computer than normal - and the Internet connection is like 12 kbps (compared to 1,000 kbps or more normally). For the non-techies out there, let's just say that this Internet connection is SLOW! The thought just hit me that if prayer is the conduit by which God's power is released from heaven down to earth, then maybe God is frustratrated at how poor our connection is to Him through prayer. Sure - He'll eventually get the job done, but it could happen so much faster if His people had a good connection to the Source of all missionary power - God Himself! May each of us "seek the Source" through prayer and praise in the days ahead. Praise Jesus!
I must tell you that it has been somewhat frustrating typing this week's email because I'm working on a different computer than normal - and the Internet connection is like 12 kbps (compared to 1,000 kbps or more normally). For the non-techies out there, let's just say that this Internet connection is SLOW! The thought just hit me that if prayer is the conduit by which God's power is released from heaven down to earth, then maybe God is frustratrated at how poor our connection is to Him through prayer. Sure - He'll eventually get the job done, but it could happen so much faster if His people had a good connection to the Source of all missionary power - God Himself! May each of us "seek the Source" through prayer and praise in the days ahead. Praise Jesus!
Your Prayer Partner,
Joe G.
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Prayer Point for the Saudi Arabs
Saudi Arabs live with much confusion and change. Some want to change textbooks so they don't teach an ideology of "us versus them." These divisive textbooks are still used in Saudi-run schools even in Washington, London and Paris. Students learn to hate unbelievers, including Christians and Jewish people. Yet Saudi Arabia is an "ally" of the United States, which is not a Muslim nation. They must wonder, "Who is my friend and who is my enemy?"
Dramatic changes are taking place in Saudi Arabia. Economic pressure and globalization are playing their part to make changes in what is acceptable. Saudi women are starting businesses, though this would have been impossible just five years ago. On one hand, the first Saudi Arabian film made in 2006 stars a woman. On the other hand, King Abdullah told Saudi editors to stop publishing pictures of women (even in Muslim dress).
Saudi Arabs live with much confusion and change. Some want to change textbooks so they don't teach an ideology of "us versus them." These divisive textbooks are still used in Saudi-run schools even in Washington, London and Paris. Students learn to hate unbelievers, including Christians and Jewish people. Yet Saudi Arabia is an "ally" of the United States, which is not a Muslim nation. They must wonder, "Who is my friend and who is my enemy?"
Dramatic changes are taking place in Saudi Arabia. Economic pressure and globalization are playing their part to make changes in what is acceptable. Saudi women are starting businesses, though this would have been impossible just five years ago. On one hand, the first Saudi Arabian film made in 2006 stars a woman. On the other hand, King Abdullah told Saudi editors to stop publishing pictures of women (even in Muslim dress).
What are the Saudi people to think?
Pray that God will show Saudi people that Satan is their real enemy, and that Jesus is a true friend that they can depend on in these times of change. Pray
that changes in Saudi Arabia will give them chances to put their trust in Jesus rather than the laws of the Koran. "The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray." - Samuel Chadwick
