This week, Nov. 29-Dec. 6, is the WEEK OF PRAYER FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS. False religions, political oppression, multiple languages, harsh living conditions and religious persecution are some of the barriers to sharing Christ with unreached people groups. Still, that doesn’t override the Great Commission that Scripture gives to all who follow Him. It is this challenge that compels Southern Baptists to go into difficult places and preach the Gospel. Intercede this week for these pockets of lostness: http://www.imb.org/main/pray/page.asp?StoryID=5743&LanguageID=1709 Peoples of Northern India, Peoples of Ethiopia, Lezghi people of Caucasuses, Berber people of North Africa, Vietnamese of Cambodia, Peoples of Iran, Lost cities of China, and Peoples of the Canary Islands. For more information and resources, see http://www.imb.org/main/give www.imb.org/main/give.

The next BASEL LAB takes place this week. Please intercede that all participants will be blessed and better equipped by the training. As we come together as an Affinity, ask that the presenters will grow in their understanding of all the needs of the Affinity and how to best equip future Lab participants. Intercede for safety and protection during this time for families left at home and that Lab participants and presenters will be focused on the task the Father has for all of them during this time.

To celebrate Christmas, CELTIC LANGUAGES TEAM (CeLT) workers (BRITISH IRISH CELTS CLUSTER) invite nationals into their homes during the holidays for tea. In some Celtic cultures, they cannot invite nationals for a big Christmas meal because this would cause the nationals to feel awkward and indebted, and not able to repay in kind. In other Celtic countries this is acceptable and enthusiastically attended. Many Celtic peoples only know Christ as a weak baby in Mary’s arms, or the pathetic form still hanging on the crucifix. Suicide rates are very high during the holiday season. People go into tremendous debt to “celebrate” the holiday, and the emergency rooms in hospitals overflow with alcohol related injuries. Please ask for discernment and direction for the CeLT, as they try to find ways to bring the hope and message of Christ to their people groups during the Christmas season.

More Prayer Requests

In Portland, Victoria (Australia), there is a group wanting to know more about becoming a church.  Intercede that as a couple working with the DIASPORA CLUSTER meet with them, that they will catch a vision of what the Father desires.

, ,

Intercede for ROMA work in the Czech Republic.  Give praise for a men’s group that has started.  Ask that those who attend will become godly men, husbands, and fathers.  Petition for a potential new partnership with a national.  Also remember colleagues, who are returning from stateside assignment, as they resume their work.

, , ,

 ”For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12).  For the past year, 9 believers with a heart for starting a new church in the center of Donetsk, Ukraine have been meeting, planning, and working with a member of the BLACK SEA ORTHODOX CLUSTER.  The enemy has been at work seeking to bring disunity to the church planting team during the long, hard winter.  Pray against the schemes of the devil, as the team struggles to have unity and clear vision.   Ask the Father to grant the cluster member wisdom, as he disciples and seeks to guide this team toward laying a foundation for a new church.

, ,

A week of frigid temperatures has led to the deaths of over 100 people in various European countries.  Hundreds of others have been hospitalized with hypothermia and frostbite.  Temperatures as low as -32.5 C (-26.5 F) have been recorded, parts of the Black Sea have frozen, and 16 feet of snow has fallen in some areas, leaving villages isolated and residents trapped.  In Ukraine, 2000 heated tents have been set up, where food and shelter are being provided for the homeless.  Pray for safety and protection for emergency crews, as they work overtime to repair downed power lines and provide other assistance.  Petition that believers will reach out to those around them with Christ’s love and meet needs in His name.

, ,