Department of Missions
P.O. Box 30910
Little Rock, AR 72260
Tel: (501) 455-4977
Fax: (501) 455-3636
Click here for email
THOUGHTS ON PRAYER
By E.M. Bounds
This
chapter from the book "E.M. Bounds on Prayer" is not required reading, but it
sure would do your heart good to read it and to meditate on it as you examine
your heart before God.
GOD HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH PRAYER
Prayer is God's business to which
men can attend. Prayer is God's necessary business, which men only can do and
that men must do. Men who belong to God are obliged to pray. They are not
obliged to grow rich, nor to make money. They are not obligated to have large
success in business. These are incidental, occasional, merely nominal, as far as
integrity to heaven and loyalty to God are concerned. Material successes are
immaterial to God Men are neither better nor worse with those things or without
them. They are not sources of reputation nor elements of character in the
heavenly estimates. But to pray, to really pray, is the source of revenue, the
basis of reputation and the element of character in the estimation of God. Men
are obliged to pray as they are obliged to be religious. Prayer is loyalty to
God. Non-praying is to reject Christ and to abandon heaven. A life of prayer is
the only life which heaven counts.
God is virtually concerned that men
should pray. Men are bettered by prayer and the world is bettered by praying.
God does His best work for the world through prayer. God's greatest glory and
man's highest good is secured by prayer. Prayer forms the godliest men and makes
the godliest world.
God's promises lie like giant
corpses without life, only for decay and dust unless men appropriate and
vitalize these promises by earnest and prevailing prayer. Promise is like the
unsown seed, the germ of life in it, but the soil and culture of prayer is
necessary to germinate and culture the seed. Prayer is God's life-giving breath.
God's purposes move along the pathway made by prayer to their glorious designs.
God's purposes are always moving to their high and beneficial ends but the
movement is along the way marked by unceasing prayer. The breath of prayer in
man is from God.
God has everything to do with
prayer, as well as everything to do with the one who prays. To him who prays and
as he prays, the hour is sacred because it is God's hour. The occasion is sacred
because it is the occasion of the soul's approach to God and of dealing with
God. No hour is more hallowed because it is the occasion of the soul's mightiest
approach to God and of the fullest revelation from God. Men are Godlike and men
are blessed, just as the hour of prayer has the most of God in it. Prayer makes
and measures the approach of God. He knows not God who knows not how to pray. He
has never seen God whose eye has not been couched for God in the closet. God's
vision place is the closet. His dwelling place is in secret. "He that dwelleth
in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the
Almighty."
He has never studied God who has not
had his intellect broadened, strengthened, clarified and uplifted by prayer.
Almighty God commands prayer, God waits on prayer to order His way and God
delights in prayer. To God, prayer is what the incense was to the Jewish temple.
It impregnates everything, perfumes everything and sweetens everything.
The possibilities of prayer cover
the whole purposes of God through Christ. God conditions all gifts in all
dispensations to His Son on prayer: "Ask of me," saith God the Father to the
Son, as that Son was moving earthward on the stupendous enterprise for a world's
salvation, "and I will give thee the heathen for they inheritance and the
uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." Hinging on prayer were all the
means and results and successes of that wonderful and divine movement for man's
salvation. Broad and profound, mysterious and wonderful was the scheme.
The answer to prayer is assured not
only by the promises of God, but by God's relation to us as a Father. "But thou,
When thou prayest, enter into thy closet and when thou has shut thy door, pray
to thy Father, which is in secret and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall
reward thee openly." Again, we have these words: "If ye, being evil,
know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father,
which is in heaven, give good things to them that ask Him?
God encourages us to pray, not only
by the certainty of the answer but by the munificence of the promise and the
bounty of the giver. How princely the promise! "All things whatsoever."
And when we add to that "whatsoever" the promise which covers all things and
everything, without qualification, exception or limitation, "anything," this is
to expand and make minute and specific the promise. The challenge of God to us
is "Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty
things which thou knowest not." This includes, like the answer to Solomon's
prayer, that which was specifically prayed for but embraces vastly more of great
value and of great necessity.
Almighty God seems to fear we will
hesitate to ask largely, apprehensive that we will strain His ability. He
declares that He is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask
or thing." He almost paralyses us by giving us a carte blanche," Ask of me
things to come concerning my sons and concerning the work of my hands, command
ye me." How He charges, commands, and urges us to pray! He goes beyond promise
and says, "Behold my Son! I have given Him to you." "He that spared not his own
Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with him freely
give us all things?"
God gave us all things in prayer by
promise because He had given us all things in His Son. Amazing gift ... His Son!
Prayer is as illimitable as His own blessed Son. There is nothing on earth nor
in heaven, for time or eternity, that God's Son did not secure for us. By prayer
God gives us the vast and matchless inheritance which is ours by virtue of His
Son. God charges us to "come boldly to the throne of grace," God is glorified
and Christ is honored by large asking.
That which is true of the promises
of God is equally true of the purposes of God. We might say that God does
nothing without prayer. His most gracious purposes are conditioned on prayer.
His marvelous promises in the thirty-sixth chapter of Ezekiel are subject to
this qualification and condition: "Thus saith the Lord God: I will yet for
this be inquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them."
In the second psalm the purposes of
God to His enthroned Christ are decreed on prayer, as has been previously
quoted. That decree which promises to him the heathen for his inheritance relies
on prayer for its fulfillment: "Ask of me," We see how sadly the
decree has failed in its operation, not because of the weakness of God's purpose
but by the weakness of man's praying. It takes God's mighty decree and man's
mighty praying to bring to pass these glorious results. In the seventy-second
psalm we have an insight into the mighty potencies of prayer as the force which
God moves on the conquest of Christ: "Prayer shall be made for him
continually." In this statement Christ's movements are put into the hands
of prayer.
When Christ, with a sad and
sympathizing heart, looked upon the ripened fields, of humanity and saw the
great need of laborers. His purposes were for more laborers and so he charged
them, "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth
laborers into His harvest."
In Ephesians 3:14 Paul reminds those
believers of the eternal purposes of God and how he was bowing his knees to God
so that eternal purpose might be accomplished and also that they "might be
filled with all the fullness of God."
We see in Job how God conditioned
His purposes for Job's three friends on Job's praying and God's purposes in
regard to Job were brought about by the same means.
In the first part of Revelation,
(chapter 8), the relation and necessity of saintly prayers to God's plans and
operations in executing the salvation of men is set forth in rich, expressive
symbol, wherein the angels have to do with the prayers of the saints.
Prayer gives efficiency and utility
to the promises. The mighty ongoing of God's purposes rests on prayer. The
representatives of the church in heaven and of all creation before the throne of
God "having every one of them golden vials of odors which are the prayers of the
saints." 5:8
We have said before and repeat it,
that prayer is based not simply on a promise but on a relationship. The
returning penitent sinner prays on a promise. The child of God prays on the
relation of a child. What the father has belongs to the child for present and
prospective uses. The child asks, the father gives. The relationship is one of
asking and answering, of giving and receiving. The child is dependent upon the
father, must look to the father, must ask of the father and must receive of the
father. We know how with earthly parents asking and giving belong to this
relationship and how in the very act of asking and giving, the relationship of
parent and child is cemented, sweetened and enriched. The parents finds his
wealth of pleasure and satisfaction in giving to an obedient child and the child
finds his wealth in the father's loving and continuous giving.
Prayer affects God more powerfully
than His own purposes. God's will, words and purposes are all subject to review
when the mighty potencies of prayer come in. How mighty prayer is with God may
be seen as He readily sets aside His own fixed and declared purposes in answer
to prayer. The whole plan of salvation had been blocked had Jesus prayed for the
twelve legions of angels to carry dismay and ruin to His enemies.
The fasting and prayers of the
Ninevites changed God's purposes to destroy that wicked city, after Jonah had
gone there and cried unto the people, "Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be
destroyed."
Almighty God is concerned about our
praying. He wills it, He commands it, He inspires it. Jesus Christ in heaven is
ever praying. Prayer is His law and His life. The Holy Spirit teaches us how to
pray. He prays for us with "groanings which cannot be uttered." All these show
the deep concern of God in prayer. It discloses very clearly how vital it is to
His work in this world and how far reaching are its possibilities. Prayer forms
the very center of the heart and will of God concerning men. "Rejoice evermore,
pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks. For this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you." Prayer is the pole star around which rejoicing
and thanksgiving revolve. Prayer is the heart sending its full and happy
pulsations up to God through the glad currents of joy and thanksgiving.
By prayer God's name is hallowed. By
prayer God's kingdom comes. By prayer is His kingdom established in power and
made to move with conquering force swifter than the light. By prayer God's will
is done till earth rivals heaven in harmony and beauty. By prayer daily toil is
sanctified and enriched and pardon is secured and Satan is defeated. Prayer
concerns God and concerns man in every way. God has nothing too good to
give in answer to prayer. There is no vengeance pronounced by God so dire which
does not yield to prayer. There is no justice so flaming that is not quenched by
prayer.
Take the record and attitude of
heaven against Saul of Tarsus. That attitude is changed and that record is
erased when the astonishing condition is announced. "Behold he prayeth."
The deserter Jonah is alive and on dry ground, with scarce the taste of the sea
or the smell of its weeds about him, as he prays. "Out of the belly of hell
cried I and thou heardst my voice. The waters compassed me about, even to the
soul; the depth closed round about, the weeds were wrapped about my heard. I
went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me
for ever; yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God. When
my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came in unto
thee, into thine holy temple. And the Lord spoke unto the fish and it vomited
out Jonah upon the dry land."
Prayer has all the force of God in
it. Prayer can get anything which God has. Thus prayer has all of its plea and
its claim in the name of Jesus Christ and there is nothing too good or great for
God to give that name. It must be borne in mind that there is no test surer than
this thing of prayer of our being in the family of God. God's children pray. The
repose in Him for all things. They ask Him for all things -- for everything. The
faith of the child in the father is evidenced by the child's asking. It is the
answer to prayer which convinces men not only that there is a God but that He is
a God who concerns Himself about men and about the affairs of this world.
Answered prayer brings God nigh and assures men of His being. Answered prayer is
the credential of our relationship to and our representative of Him. Men who do
not get answers to prayer from God cannot represent Him.
The possibilities of prayer are
found in the illimitable promise, the willingness and the power of God to answer
prayer, to answer all prayer, to answer every prayer and to supply fully the
illimitable need of man. None are so needy as man, none are so able and anxious
to supply every need and any need as God.
In I Timothy 2:13 the apostle Paul
does not descend to a low plane but presses the necessity of prayer by the most
forceful facts. Jesus Christ, a man, the God-man, the highest illustration of
manhood, is the mediator between God and man. Jesus Christ, this divine man,
died for all men, His life is but an intercession for all men. His death is but
a prayer for all men. On earth, Jesus Christ knew no higher law, no holier
business, no diviner life, than to plead for men. In heaven He knows no more
royal estate, no higher theme, than to intercede for men. On earth He lived and
prayed and died for men. His life, His death and His exaltation in heaven all
plead for men.
Is there any work, higher work for
the disciple to do than his Lord did? Is there any loftier employment, more
honorable, more divine, than to pray for men? To take their woes, their sins and
their perils before God; to be one with Christ? To break the slavery which binds
them, the hell which holds them and lift them to immortality and eternal life?
==================================================================================
Every
Christian faces an ongoing struggle between faith and sight ...
Faith
looks to God as the Source; Sight trust in possessions, power and people.
Faith
focuses on "Who"; Sight is controlled by size of problems.
Faith
seeks God first; Sight takes matters into its own hands.
Faith
waits on God; Sight rushed ahead with self-solutions.
Faith is
based on what God said; Sight is based on how we feel.
Faith's
seeing-eye-guide is the Bible; Sight's guide is only what is visible.
Faith
looks beyond the circumstances to the possibilities. Sight looks at how bad
things are at the moment.
Faith
doesn't require that it works out on paper; Sight demands facts and figures
first.
Faith
leaves it in God's hands; Sight picks it back up, and worries and frets about
it.
________________________________________________________________________
MISSIONARIES APPROVED AND ELECTED BY THE
BAPTIST MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL (Serving in a foreign country)
Mr.
and Mrs. Wade (Joanna) Allen - Republic of the Philippines
Mrs. and Mrs. Charles (Mona) Costa - Lebanon
Mr.
and Mrs. Tony (Laura) Crocker - Mongolia
Mr.
and Mrs. David (Shelley) Dickson - Puerto Rico
Mr.
and Mrs. Jeff (Coleen) Franks - Ukraine
Mr.
and Mrs. Bill (Jeannette) Gibson - Chile
Mr.
and Mrs. Paul (Kerri) Heuermann - Ghana
Mr.
and Mrs. Eric (Kelly) Johnson - Mexico
Mr.
and Mrs. Grady (Denise) Johnson - Mexico
Mr.
and Mrs. Collin (Ginger) Jones - Honduras
Mr.
and Mrs. Filomeno (Lisa) Kakilala - Hawaii
Mrs. Laura Marsh Kanaykina and husband, Andrey - Ukraine
Dr.
and Mrs. John (Shirley) Ladd - Mexico
Mr.
and Mrs. John (Margaret) Lindsey - Ghana
Mr.
and Mrs. Doyle (Linda) Moore - Republic of the Philippines
Mr.
and Mrs. Robert (Connie) Murphy - Republic of the Philippnes
Mrs. and Mrs. Don (Linda) Newsom - Republic of the Philippines
Mr.
and Mrs. Justin (Crystal) Owens - Ukraine
Mrs. and Mrs. Ricky (Jazmina) Robinson* - Latin American Missions
Dr.
and Mrs. Andy (Connie) Schalchlin* - Guatemala
Mr.
and Mrs. Ricky (Priscilla) Williams - Mexico
*
Self-Support Personnel
NORTH AMERICAN MISSIONARIES
Mr.
and Mrs. Michael (Jocelyn) Barton
Mr.
and Mrs. Jason (Janna) Burns - Pueblo West, Colorado
Mr.
and Mrs. Alexander (Elena) Chepurnoy - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mr.
and Mrs. James (Jennifer) Crews - Post Falls, Idaho
Mr.
and Mrs. Ryan (Whitney) Fillinger - Fountain, Colorado
Mr.
and Mrs. Rob (Christy) Hager - Yorkville, Illinois
Mr.
and Mrs. Sam (Sue) Husser - Slidell, Louisiana
Mr.
and Mrs. Boris (Vera) Lebedev - Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Mr.
and Mrs. Serge (Claire) LeClerc - St. Marie, Quebec, Canada
Mr.
and Mrs. Michael (Shannon) McClure - Yorkville, Illinois
Mr.
and Mrs. Mark (Cherrie) Nicholson - Port Falls, Idaho
Mr.
and Mrs. Jacob (Hailey) Norman - Fountain, Colorado
Mr.
and Mrs. Mike (Ruth) Poirier - St. Marie, Quebec, Canada
Mr.
and Mrs. Merritt (Lulie) Youngdeer - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Dr.
and Mrs. Fiodor (Galina) Baraniuk - Russian Coordinator
Mr.
and Mrs. Buddy (Taffy) Johnson - Hispanic Coordinator
__________________________________________________________________
NATIONS IN WHICH GOD IS PRIVILEGING THE BMAA
TO
WORK ALONG SIDE HIM:
TAKE TIME EACH DAY TO PRAY FOR THESE NATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
Alabama - Canada - Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana,
Minnesota, New Mexico
LATIN AMERICA
Argentina - Columbia - Guatemala - Nicaragua - Belize - Costa Rica - Haiti -
Panama
Bolivia - Dominican Republic - Honduras - Peru - Brazil - El Salvador
Mexico - Puerto Rico - Chile - Uruguay
ASIA
Armenia - Indonesia - Myanmar - Thailand - Azerbaijan - Japan - Philippines
Turkmenistan - Cambodia - Kazakhstan - South Korea - Uzbekistan - China
Kyrgystan - Taiwan - Viet Nam - Georgia - Laos
Tajikistan - India - Mongolia - Malaysia
AFRICA
Benin - Congo - Guinea - Mali - Burkina Faso - Gambia - Ivory Coast
Nigeria - Cape Verde - Ghana - Liberia - Sierra Leone - Togo
EUROPE
Belarus - Germany - Portugal - Spain - Czech Republic - Italy
Romania - Ukraine - France - Moldova - Russia
MIDDLE EAST
Bahrain - Iran - Jordan - Mauritania Sudan
Egypt - Iran - Lebanon - Sudan - Syria
|
Baptist Missionary Association of America |
|
Intercessory Prayer Force |
|
October Prayer Log |
Wednesday, October
1, 2008 -- Pray for Seminars About Reaching
Muslims in America
This weekend will be the first
of five seminars on the topic of REACHING MUSLIMS IN AMERICA. The training will
be taught by the Middle East Missions Team from the Department of Missions. They
will share first-hand knowledge of working among Muslims throughout Middle East
nations and in America. These seminars will consist of three sessions: one on
Friday evening and two on Saturday. Pray that our people will attend, and that
God will be glorified in this training of our people how to share the love of
Christ with Muslims who live in their area. Pray for each of these seminars.
October 3-4 the ABS building on Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia,
Arkansas; October 10-11 at Central Baptist College in Conway, Arkansas; October
17-18 at Bethel Baptist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas; October 24-25 at
Jacksonville College, Jacksonville, Texas; and October 31-November 1 at
Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, Mississippi. Pray for the safety and
protection of our Middle East Team as they travel and share this important
message.
Pray for President George Bush and all elected and appointed
officials throughout the nation that they will come to see the need to turn to
GOD for wisdom to lead our nation, states and cities.
Pray for the selection of a new president, senators, representatives, governors,
etc. as we move toward election day. Pray that God's people will realize how
important it is to know Divine guidance in our votes locally and nationally.
Pray for a HEAVEN SENT REVIVAL to come to the churches of America and that we
will repent of our sins and ask God to heal our land.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Pray for your Pastor and other staff members of your church as they lead.
Pray for God to be glorified in your local church through every ministry.
Pray for Bro. Jerry Kidd and Bro. Ricky Williams as they minister in Ghana
today.
Pray for God to bless the Pastor's Oasis being held today in Branson, Missouri.
Pray for Lifeword's "Walk for the World" on October 18 to be a great success.
The goal is $430,000.
Pray for
Pray for the
nation of URUGUAY where 3,565,821 people live in spiritual
darkness and need Jesus Christ as Savior.
FATHER,
I PRAY YOU WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE DAILY NEEDS OF $15,858 TO MEET THE FINANCIAL
OBLIGATIONS OF THE BMAA DEPARTMENT OF MISSIONS. I PRAISE YOU, GOD, FOR YOUR
FAITHFULNESS IN THIS MATTER.
GLEANER LIST: Pray for Mrs. Elena Chepurnoy, celebrating her birthday in
Plymouth, Minnesota.
Thursday,
October 2, 2008 -
BMAA Missions in the Philippines
Bro. and Mrs. Wade (Joanna) Allen
and Family, Bacolod City, Philippines --
We are enjoying our new life and
ministry in Bacolod City! We miss our friends from the Bicol region, but have
been blessed with new friends and ministry partners here. (1) Continue to pray
for diligence in learning the Illongo language. (2) We praise God for the
consistency we have been able to have in home schooling over the past six weeks.
The children are doing great and are making up for the lost time caused by our
relocation! (3) We are also thankful for the completion of the renovation of the
resource development offices at our publications facility. (4) Pray for the
Pastors/Workers Conferences taking place in Metro Manila and Bulan, Sorsogon
this month. (5) Pray also for our Ladies' Spiritual Renewal Conference in Hong
Kong, October 4th - 8th. (6) Pray for our church in Matnog, Sorsogon, as they
are facing many challenges at this time! One of the large obstacles they are
facing is the loss of their church building after a typhoon blew the structure
away. God has begun to provide for this need and for that, we are thankful. (7)
Pray for the Pastors/workers Conference to be held in the Bacolod City area at
the end of October. (8) Finally, please pray for all those who will be in the
path of many typhoons in the next few months. God bless you all for your
prayers!
Bro. and Mrs. Doyle (Linda)
Moore, Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines --
(1) Negros Island -- BMA Bible
College: We have 110 students which is our highest enrollment ever! It caught us
a little off guard but we praise the Lord for these dedicated young people who
are determined to stay even though initially some had to sleep on the floor!
What an inspiration their testimonies are! (2) China - Some of our most
effective tentmaking missionaries have had to move to new locations because of
security problems. But God has brought them closer together so that they can be
more supportive of one another. They still are able to keep in touch with their
Chinese believers through email and text. Others are eagerly returning to their
fields after their summer break, with Chinese believers awaiting baptism! Pray
for the visa problems of some others; (3) Cambodia -- Please pray for Dr. Fil as
he works and applies his diplomatic skills toward building relationships in Laos
and Vietnam to open doors for the BMA missions program there. Pray for these
open doors, that God will send qualified and committed people to work in these
areas. Also, pray for Bro. Neil and h is family, with Louela, who are building a
strong, flourishing ministry among the tribes in the NE corner of Cambodia, in
Ratanakiri; (4) Thailand - Please pray that our tentmaking missionaries will be
able to continue building relationships with new opportunities to reach
university students brought about through the efforts of the recent VSM team.
Pray especially for the tentmakers there because of the unstable political
situation in Thailand at this time. Having been through several revolutions, we
can understand how unsettling this must be for them. Pray that they will have
the peace of mind that God gives when He has His people in His place of service;
(5) Indonesia - Bro. Lorito and family have expanded the ministry in their
location in spite of visa problems that plague so many missionaries. The recent
visit by Dr. Fil and myself seems to have helped forge good contacts in the
government for Bro. Lorito. Pray for the new converts and nationals that he is
training to be church planters to serve in some of the most radical Moslem areas
in the World; (6) Pray for us as we spend a little time with our family in south
Mississippi. We are looking forward to seeing those girls and our grandbabies.
Thank you for your prayers! We are so blessed because of them!
Bro. and Mrs. Robert (Connie)
Murphy and Sons -- Lapu Lapu City, Mactan, Cebu --
Please pray for my upcoming trip to Nepal during the first week of October to
meet with pastors and workers and share the model of small group evangelism and
discipleship that we are using here in Cebu. Pray that God will use this
opportunity for us to network with the workers in this area and to challenge
these men to develop comprehensive discipleship programs in their ministries.
Please pray for us as we conduct a pastors and workers conference in the
southern Philippines island of Mindanao October 11-16. Pray for our safety
during the conference and for those attending and also for peace in this area.
There is currently an armed conflict between a small group of Muslim separatists
and government forces. Pray for the more than 500,000 people who have been
displaced as a result of the insurrection. Please continue to pray for a new
church planting effort ongoing in Leyte. Pray for Lordside Baptist Church on
Negros Island as they are searching for a pastor. Please pray for the many
pastors and workers throughout Cebuano speaking areas of the Philippines and for
BMA work throughout Asia Pacific. Thank you all for taking the time to invest in
souls today as you join in this prayer for the nations.
Bro. and Mrs. Don (Linda)
Newsom - Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines
Our BMAA Sponsored Foreign
Nations Working in the Philippines and Other Southeast Asia Nations.
Friday,
October 3, 2008 - BMAA Missions in West Africa
Bro. and Mrs. Paul Heuermann and Family -
Ghana, West Africa
Bro. and Mrs. John (Margaret)
Lindsey - Ghana, West Africa --
Please pray for: (1) Brother Adu,
his son Kwame and their family as they grieve the loss of his 120 year old
mother and grandmother; (2) Me as I travel to America for furlough; (3) That our
furlough time will excite churches about what God is doing and glorify His name;
(4) The BMA of Africa leaders as they make decisions and lead the missions and
churches in West Africa; (5) The physical health of the West African workers our
Lord has sent into this field; (6) For the spiritual growth and health of the
African and American missionaries, church planters and workers; (7) A prayer of
praise and thanksgiving for the privilege God gives us to be His servants to
carry the precious Gospel message to the world.
The BMA of Africa - Bro. Adu
Boahene, Director of Missions and our BMAA sponsored foreign nations in Benin,
Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo
and Cape Verde.
Pray for President George Bush and all elected and appointed
officials throughout the nation that they will come to see the need to turn to
GOD for wisdom to lead our nation, states and cities.
Pray for the selection of a new president, senators, representatives, governors,
etc. as we move toward election day. Pray that God's people will realize how
important it is to know Divine guidance in our votes locally and nationally.
Pray for a HEAVEN SENT REVIVAL to come to the churches of America and that we
will repent of our sins and ask God to heal our land.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Pray for your Pastor and other staff members of your church as they lead.
Pray for God to be glorified in your local church through every ministry.
Pray for Lifeword's "Walk for the World" on October 18 to be a great success.
Their goal is $430,000.
Pray for Bro. Jerry Kidd and Bro. Ricky Williams as they arrive home from Ghana
today.
Pray for our Middle East Team as they conduct "Reaching Muslims in America for
Christ" seminary at the ABS building on the SAU Campus in Magnolia, Arkansas
tonight.
Pray for the
nation of VANUATU (formerly New
Hebrides) where 239,668 people live who need to know that Jesus Christ is the
Way, the Truth and the Life. Pray for their salvation.
FATHER,
I PRAY YOU WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE DAILY NEEDS OF $15,858 TO MEET THE FINANCIAL
OBLIGATIONS OF THE BMAA DEPARTMENT OF MISSIONS. I PRAISE YOU, GOD, FOR YOUR
FAITHFULNESS IN THIS MATTER.
GLEANER LIST: Pray for Katelynn Norman celebrating her birthday in Fountain,
Colorado.
Saturday,
October 4, 2008 -
BMAA Missions in
Mexico
Dr. and Mrs. John (Shirley) Ladd - Good
Samaritan Clinic, Aquismon, Mexico -
Please pray for: (1) Shirley's mother's
health; (2) The eye clinic to be held on November 3-5 with Dr. Ron Lowery. At
the same time a construction crew from Prescott, Texarkana and Oden, Arkansas
will be working on the roof of one of our buildings. Pray for safety in travel
as well as the time the teams are here; (3) That the clinic will be able to
comply with new government regulations; (4) The clinic's witness to each
patient; (5) Our caretaker's father's health.
Bro. and Mrs. Eric (Kelly)
Johnson and Family - Huejutla de Reyes, Mexico --
Our newest missionary family will be
leaving the USA for Mexico mid-October. Pray for them as they prepare for the
journey, and as they travel to the place where God has called them. Pray for
Eric as he seeks God's will for their ministry. Pray for Kelly as she adjusts to
a new place, a new culture, a new people, and a new language. Pray for Audrey
and their new baby Matty. Pray that God will bless them abundantly as they
obediently follow God to share the Good News of salvation with precious souls
whom Jesus loves and for whom He died.
Bro. and Mrs. Grady (Denise)
Johnson and Family - Huejutla de Reyes, Mexico --
During the last month we have been
blessed with souls saved and people baptized. There are many ongoing ministries
and matters for prayer. (1) Our Bible Institute is held in the Sunday School
rooms of First Baptist Church. We offer a variety of Bible Classes; (1) Pray
that God will continue to call men and women to prepare for ministry. (b) Pray
that God will provide a permanent facility for this missions training center. We
are looking for property to build a permanent Bible Institute facility where we
can offer complete ministry training; (c) We have plans to begin a text library
where students can use textbooks during their class and return them at the end
of the semester. Pray that God will provide the means to carry out this
endeavor; (d) Pray that our students will be excellent in learning and using
their new knowledge to reach many with the Gospel; (2) Martha Johnson School has
begun the year with 175 students. We are preparing to finish our bathroom
expansion as well as cover our scholarship load. It cost $1470.00 to send a
child through one y ear of primary education. We extend scholarships in
different percentages from 10% up. This way we can help the most children
possible. The Education Administration requires us to scholarship 5% of our
total enrollment. There are a number of other scholarships we give as a part of
ministry; (a) Pray that we can raise the scholarships that are necessary to
continue this part of ministry. (b) Pray that we may be able to continue
reaching families through working with their children; (c) Pray that we continue
to impact our community and region through teaching of children. (3) Church
Planting and National Pastor Training; (a) Pray that we can prepare two missions
to organize into local visible churches by July, 2009; (b) Pray for the mission
in Huautla. Huautla is a county seat where there are 14 believers who gather for
Bible studies in homes. We are preparing for our first public service; (c) Pray
that we can put two additional national missionaries on new church plants by
April, 2009; (d) Pray that God will give us wisdom to confront other Baptists
groups who want to harm our BMAA work and profit from the spoils; (e) Pray that
we can achieve true spiritual revival in our Aztec work for God's glory and the
salvation of souls; (f) Pray that God would provide trucks for our national
missionaries. We can import trucks that are models 1995 through 1998. In other
vehicles we can only import 1998 models; (g) Pray that First Baptist Huejutla
will find the Lord's wisdom to relocate. We need a sanctuary that will hold 1500
people. (4) Family matters: (a) Pray for Denise's mother and my
grandmother as they live through the aftermath of Hurricane Ike; (b) Pray that
our God will bless Alan and Amanda in their studies. Amanda is in 6th grade in
the Martha Johnson School and Alan is in the 11th grade of home school; (c) Pray
for Alan's teacher, Kelly Wait, who is living with us this year; (d) Denise's
father is chronically ill. Pray that the Lord's will be done in his health and
the effect it has on our family living so far away.
Bro. and Mrs. Ricky
(Priscilla) Williams and Family - Aquismon, Mexico --
Praise the Lord that Priss is
better. Just this week we returned to our Mexican Internal medicine doctor and
he was very pleased with her treatment in Texas. He changed some meds to help
her blood pressure come down to prevent further kidney problems. We're also
thankful that our family in the Houston/Port Arthur/Bridge City area was not
hurt in Hurricane Ike's landfall. Please pray for: (1) Sufficient work funds to
purchase tickets for the January Motion course in Costa Rica (that's for two
tickets, the professor's and mine); (2) A safe trip for myself and Bro. Jerry
Kidd to Ghana, Africa; (3) For my father's health (Harold Williams, Pittsburg,
Texas); (4) The Bible Institute graduation exercise on October 18th. Three
students will be graduating; (5) Preparation of Evangelism Explosion class for
our churches in Veracruz and Axochiapan.
Pray for our 36 BMAA Sponsored
Foreign National Missionaries in Mexico.
Pray for the BMA of Mexico and
All the Churches and Pastors Working Together There.
Pray for President George Bush and all elected and appointed
officials throughout the nation that they will come to see the need to turn to
GOD for wisdom to lead our nation, states and cities.
Pray for the selection of a new president, senators, representatives, governors,
etc. as we move toward election day. Pray that God's people will realize how
important it is to know Divine guidance in our votes locally and nationally.
Pray for a HEAVEN SENT REVIVAL to come to the churches of America and that we
will repent of our sins and ask God to heal our land.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Pray for your Pastor and other staff members of your church as they lead.
Pray for God to be glorified in your local church through every ministry.
Pray for Lifeword's "Walk for the World" on October 18 to be a great success.
Their goal is $430,000.
Pray for our Middle East Team as they conduct "Reaching Muslims in America for
Christ" seminar in the ABS building on the SAU campus in Magnolia today.
Pray for the
nation
of Venezuela where 28,715,855 people need to know Jesus Christ as their personal
Savior.
FATHER,
I PRAY YOU WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE DAILY NEEDS OF $15,858 TO MEET THE FINANCIAL
OBLIGATIONS OF THE BMAA DEPARTMENT OF MISSIONS. I PRAISE YOU, GOD, FOR YOUR
FAITHFULNESS IN THIS MATTER.
GLEANER LIST: Pray for our BMAA sponsored foreign national missionaries
serving our Lord in the nation of Italy.
Sunday,
October 5, 2008 - BMAA Missions in Illinois
Bro. and Mrs. Rob (Christy) Hager and
Family and Bro. and Mrs. Michael McClure and Family - Jacob's Well Baptist
Church, Plano, Illinois -- Please keep the
leadership team in our prayers as we attend a special training conference this
month (October 8-10) that God would use it to inspire, educate and increase the
unity on our team. Pray for us as we begin to launch (Square 2" ... the second
tier of our assimilation system that follows up "Square 1" launched earlier this
year. "Square 2" provides opportunities for involvement and discipleship that
allows those who want to go even deeper to do so. Please pray for our special
Fall Family Festival community outreach event planned for October 18th. Pray
for everyone attending to take the next step in their spiritual journey during
our "Back to Basics" teaching series.
Monday,
October 6, 2008 - BMAA Seminary and Colleges and Bible Institutes
BMAA Theological Seminary - Jacksonville, Texas
and Conway, Arkansas - Dr. Charley Holmes, President --
Pray for God to bless the Paschal Bible Lectures
scheduled for October 7 and 9. Dr. Donald Whitney will be the guest speaker.
Pray that his messages will be a great blessing and help to the students. Please
pray for the health and well-being of faculty members and our students. Pray
that God will give healing to those who are experiencing serious health issues
at the time. Pray for prospective students who are considering enrolling in our
seminary. Pray that they will seek the direction of our Lord and that they will
see the great need of furthering their education so they can be better equipped
to do the work to which God has called them. Pray that our seminary will
faithfully fulfill the purpose for which it was founded; to train spiritual
leaders so they can more effectively serve our churches. Pray also that our
seminary will meet the educational needs of BMAA churches. Pray that our
seminary will help groups who are like-minded in their commitment to the
authority of the Scriptures. Pray for God to give wisdom to the Board of
Trustees, Administrators and faculty as they work to constantly improve the
ministry of our BMAT Seminary.
Central Baptist College - Conway,
Arkansas - Rev. Terry Kimbrow, President --
Please pray for: (1) Dr. Ron
Mitchell, Professor of Bible and Church History, recovering from surgery for
pancreatic cancer; (2) Dr. Aaron New, chair of the Behavioral Sciences
Department, undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer; (3) Security and safety of
students; (4) Weekly chapel services and spiritual atmosphere of campus.
Jacksonville College -
Jacksonville, Texas - Dr. Edwin Crank, President --
Pray for our reaffirmation by the
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. We
are in the process of filling out necessary forms, and gathering data to be
submitted. An evaluation committee will visit our campus in November, 2009, but
our reports must be completed by April, 2009. Pray that all will go well. One
item that is a constant concern is that of adequate finances. Pray that God will
supply our needs. Especially we need your prayers that our people will give
generously to our endowment program. Pray for our students, faculty,
administrators and our trustees.
Southeastern Baptist College -
Laurel, Mississippi - Dr. Medrick Savell, President --
Praise the Lord for the 78 students He sent us this semester. Pray that they
will be able to focus on their studies as they prepare to serve the Lord. 34 of
these students are ministers. Pray that God will bless them as they better
prepare themselves for the work to which the Lord has called them. Pray that God
will move on the hearts of our people to give generously to our 60th anniversary
offering. Our goal is $60,000.00.
Our Bible Institutes in Bolivia,
Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, India, Philippines, Ghana, Cape Verde, Guatemala,
Uruguay, Peru and Armenia.
Tuesday,
October 7, 2008 - BMAA Ethnic Coordinators and Missionaries
Dr. and Mrs. Fiodor (Galena) Baraniuk and
Sons -- Russian Church Planter Coordinator --
Please pray for: (1) The development of a
Sunday School ministry. We pray that the Lord will continue to bless the BMAA
churches as they have been sponsoring this important project. We pray that the
people we have trained in the past years will continue to carry this ministry
and help even other countries of the former Soviet Union to develop an all age
Sunday School ministry. Pray for the upcoming Sunday School conference for
writers, editors and Sunday School directors in Russia: (2) For Yulian
Erenchuk in Petrozavodsk, Russia. He returned from visiting his family in
Moldova. For the next three months the church will be working on a particular
project "Christmas in Karelia". The funds will be raised to reach as many
schools and kindergartens as possible and present them with the Christmas gifts.
Russian speaking churches in Florida that we have been working with have adopted
Karelia as their missions project. Pray for clear vision of what needs to be
done in reaching many souls in Petrozavodsk, Karelia; (3) For Bro. Victor
Kopytin as he settles down in the Voronezh area of Central Russia after he
finished his mission work in Lipetsk. The Lipetsk Bible church has been
established and leaders have been praying for a new location and the Lord
answered his prayers by opening a door to plant a new church in Voronezh; (4)
For our project in central Russia. We have been training eight missionaries in
the church planting modules to plant eight new churches. The Lord truly has
blessed this project; (5) Alexander Chepurnoy has been working in Minneapolis,
Minnesota. He has been focusing on training leaders to take over the leadership
of the church. He is also praying that they will be able to work in other areas
of Minneapolis where hundreds of Russians live; (3) The upcoming evangelistic
meeting in Minneapolis this fall that will be led by Bro. Donny Parish.
Bro. and Mrs. Buddy (Taffy)
Johnson - Hispanic Church Planter Coordinator --
(1) We ask that you pray with us for
Eric and Kelly's safe travel to Mexico and for God's blessings on their work;
(2) Pray for our work here in Palmer, Texas and for the new people who have
accepted Christ that they join our group and attend our services; (3) We ask you
to pray for our Hispanic work in Laurel, Mississippi where many of the men in
our church there have been deported. Their families are still here with no
"bread winner"; (4) Pray for our evangelism program with our brethren here in
Palmer; (5) Help us pray for the English churches of the BMA in the USA that
they will get a vision from God for the Hispanics in their area; (6) Join us in
prayer for our friend and brother, David Dickson and Shelley; (7) Pray for the
political situation in Bolivia and for our upcoming Marriage Conference there
the first of November and for the rapid recovery of Bro. David Flores following
his emergency surgery.
Bro. and Mrs. Boris (Vera)
Lebedev and Family -- Fort Walton Beach, Florida --
Please pray for me as I seek the
Lord's will whether to move to another location to work among Russian speaking
people in Florida. God has blessed the ministry in northern Florida and now we
are seeking the Lord's will regarding going to the southern part of Florida.
Bro. and Mrs. Alexander (Elena)
Chepurnoy - Plymouth, Minnesota --
Please pray for my health. I
recently experienced chest pain due to high blood pressure. Also, pray for the
mission conference (Essentials of Church Planting" which will be conducted by
Larry Barker and Fiodor Baraniuk September 30th - October 3rd. We have invited
about fifteen Russian church planters from Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach,
Jacksonville, Palm Coast, Port Charlotte, Miami, Minneapolis, Portland in Oregon
and Lincoln, Nebraska. They are all going to be trained in church planting and
cell church concept as well as sharing their vision of reaching Russian speaking
population of the United States.
Wednesday,
October 8, 2008 - BMAA Missions in Middle East Nations
Bro. and Mrs. Charles (Mona)
Costa and Family - Beirut, Lebanon --
Please pray for: (1) Our Middle East team as they conduct seminars in the
United States. (2) Challenges that we are facing in Egypt after we started the
building project; (3) New year for the Girls Home in Beirut and the three new
girls that were taken in this week; (4) New ordained members of our team in
Syria; (5) The ministry among Shite Muslims in different areas in Lebanon.
BMAA Sponsored Foreign
Nationals working in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Sudan, Iran, Iraq and Other Middle
East Nations.
Pray for President George Bush and all elected and appointed
officials throughout the nation that they will come to see the need to turn to
GOD for wisdom to lead our nation, states and cities.
Pray for the selection of a new president, senators, representatives, governors,
etc. as we move toward election day. Pray that God's people will realize how
important it is to know Divine guidance in our votes locally and nationally.
Pray for a HEAVEN SENT REVIVAL to come to the churches of America and that we
will repent of our sins and ask God to heal our land.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Pray for your Pastor and other staff members of your church as they lead.
Pray for God to be glorified in your local church through every ministry.
Pray for Lifeword's "Walk for the World" on October 18 to be a great
success. Their goal is $430,000.
Pray for the Republic of Yeman,
home of 25,366,187 people. Islam is the official religion and the legal system
is based on Shari'a law. 99.94% of the residents are Muslims. Yemen ranks 5th in
religious persecution.
FATHER,
I PRAY YOU WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE DAILY NEEDS OF $15,858 TO MEET THE FINANCIAL
OBLIGATIONS OF THE BMAA DEPARTMENT OF MISSIONS. I PRAISE YOU, GOD, FOR YOUR
FAITHFULNESS IN THIS MATTER.
GLEANER LIST: Pray for our BMAA sponsored Foreign National Missionaries
serving our Lord in Portugal.
Thursday,
October 9, 2008 - BMAA Missions in Louisiana
Bro. and Mrs. Sam (Sue) Husser - Slidell,
Louisiana --
Please pray for: (1) Clarity on a permanent
location for The Crossing; (2) An Associate Pastor/Worship Leader; (3) Alyssa
Dewease suffering from Leukemia; (4) Jay Wylie has health issues; (5) Sue's
family -- a prayer of praise for their safety during Hurricane Gustav and a
request for prayer as they continue to recover from the effects of the storm.
Friday,
September 10, 2008 - BMAA Chaplains
Rev. and Mrs. Bobby (Dovie)
Thornton, Director -- God has called some
very special men to serve as military chaplain, and we are so glad they have
answered his calling on their lives. What a blessing these servants of God are
to so many service men and women and their families. None of us will ever know
the stressful situations they encounter throughout their ministry. Pray that
they will continually be filled with love and compassion for those who serve our
nation throughout the world. Pray that they will have wisdom, discernment, and
the fruit of the Spirit as they minister to men, women and their children. Pray
that God will keep our chaplains safe and give them divine protection wherever
they go. Pray for their families while these men are away.
Pray for President George Bush and all elected and appointed
officials throughout the nation that they will come to see the need to turn to
GOD for wisdom to lead our nation, states and cities.
Pray for the selection of a new president, senators, representatives, governors,
etc. as we move toward election day. Pray that God's people will realize how
important it is to know Divine guidance in our votes locally and nationally.
Pray for a HEAVEN SENT REVIVAL to come to the churches of America and that we
will repent of our sins and ask God to heal our land.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Pray for Lifeword's "Walk for the World" on October 18 to be a great success.
Their goal is $430,000.
Pray for our Middle East Team as they conduct "Reaching Muslims in America for
Christ" seminar on the CBC campus in Conway, Arkansas this evening.
Pray for the BMA of New Mexico meeting at Calvary Baptist Church in Artesia.
Pray for your Pastor and other staff members of your church as they lead.
Pray for God to be glorified in your local church through every ministry.
Pray for
the Republic of Zambia where 11,426,935 people live who
need to experience salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
FATHER,
I PRAY YOU WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE DAILY NEEDS OF $15,858 TO MEET THE FINANCIAL
OBLIGATIONS OF THE BMAA DEPARTMENT OF MISSIONS. I PRAISE YOU, GOD, FOR YOUR
FAITHFULNESS IN THIS MATTER.
GLEANER LIST: Pray for our BMAA sponsored Foreign National Missionaries serving
our Lord in Taiwan.
Saturday,
October 11, 2008 - BMAA Missions in Colorado
Bro. and Mrs. Jason (Janna) Burns and Family
- Serving as worship leader at River of Grace Baptist Church in Pueblo West,
Colorado under Pastor Richard Payne --
Thank you so much for your prayers as we have gone through the transition to
bi-vocational ministry. I want to say that I am loving it! The Lord has given me
a whole new set of people to build relationships with. Here are some prayer
requests: (1) Continue to pray for our family to have new opportunities to
be ambassadors for Christ at school and to our neighbors; (2) Ministry teams at
church, as we organize to be more effective at leading people in worship; (3)
Team Worship as we evaluate our worship service and see how we can be more
effective at leading people in worship; (4) Chad, Ed, Bill and Sergio as he
leads our Hispanic ministry; (6) The annual youth event in Pueblo, the Great
Pumpkin chase on October 25th. It's a scavenger hunt that is an awesome outreach
event attended by hundreds of students. Pray for souls to be saved and lives to
be changed. (7) Pray for our school. There have been some staff changes and we
are in a state of transition.
Bro. and Mrs. Jacob (Hailey)
Norman and Family and Bro. and Mrs. Ryan (Whitney) Fillinger - Fusion Baptist
Church in Fountain, Colorado --
Please pray for: (1) A good response
to the launch of several new in-home Bible studies. Right now we have more
adults registered for in home Bible studies than we typically have in a Sunday
worship service so pray that those that are registered follow through on their
commitment; (2) An upcoming baptismal service we are planning. Pray that we will
get to rejoice with some who have already stated their interest in being
baptized; (3) For our church to be a light in our community pointing people
towards Christ.
Sunday,
October 12, 2008 - BMAA Missions in the Ukraine
and Other CIS Nations
Bro. and Mrs.
Jeff (Coleen) Franks and Daughter - Kelvskaya, Ukraine --
(1) In mid-October Jeff will take a
trip with Justin Owens to investigate a possible field of service. Pray for
God's will to be known in this endeavor. Also, pray for his wife, Crystal, who
is pregnant and will be home with their two children. Pray that God will clearly
close doors that are not His will and reveal what are the correct doors to step
through; (2) Please pray for continuing work with a group of sweet believers
from an underground church who come out of a no-access country to Armenia to
study the Bible. Pray for their safety as some have been imprisoned and two
await the death penalty, which only God can rescind. For those who will attend
in early October, pray that God will open their hearts to the lessons Jeff will
be teaching and they will be filled. Pray for Jeff that the Lord will use him
mightily in their lives; (3) Pray for Leah as she ministers in the Yablonka
mission church. She is excited about sharing some craft ideas. Pray that she
will see the spiritual focus and use these techniques to that end so God will be
glorified; (4) Pray for me (Coleen) in my work with the children as we start
another Sunday School year and my work with the ladies. Pray for helpers that
will come alongside. Also, my thanks to those who have sent faith-booking
materials. I've already taught in several churches; (5) Pray that with all of
Jeff's travels that the Lord keeps him safe and healthy and continues to provide
for his trips abroad. We are ever grateful for your prayers. In Him we put our
trust.
Bro. and Mrs. Andrey (Laura)
Kanaykina and Family - Irpin, Ukraine --
We will son be staring our autumn
youth ministries. Please be in prayer for the Ladies English Bible study and our
youth discipleship groups.
Bro. and Mrs. Justin (Crystal)
Owens and Family - Keivskaya, Ukraine --
We have begun language school again
and we need your prayers. Please pray that our language learning will go well
and that we will be able to use what we have learned to further the Kingdom. We
were going to take our first trip to Estonia in August, but we had to postpone
until October due to my wife being on bed rest. Please pray for the trip to
Estonio in October. Pray that the meetings will go well, we will make ministry
contacts and that the Lord will reveal His will to us regarding ministry in that
country. Please pray for my wife and unborn child. She had placenta problems in
August and that is why she was on bed rest. Those problems have now completely
healed. Praise the Lord! Please pray that everything progresses well with the
pregnancy and that there will be no further problems. Thank you for your prayers
for our ministry here in the former Soviet Union.
All Our Foreign Nationals Leading
Church in CIS Nations
Monday,
October 13, 2008 - BMAA Missions in New Mexico
Bro. and Mrs. Merritt (Lulie)
Youngdeer and Family - Albuquerque, New Mexico --
The residential property, a one-acre lot,
adjacent to our church property is coming available for sale. The owner
approached me about buying the property. I told him that we were definitely
interested but, that we did not have the resources at this time to purchase it.
He said that he would be willing to work out some kind of arrangement to carry
the note if we wanted to. This property would be ideal for us. It is the only
property between us and Golf Course Road, a four lane road leading into Rio
Rancho. I mention this for prayer. We are currently renovating our existing
church property and all resources available will be used for this purpose.
However, we also know that the Lord owns the cattle on a thousand hills and that
there is nothing too hard for Him. Pray for the Lord's will in this matter!
Tuesday,
October 14, 2008 - BMAA Missions in Canada
Bro. and Mrs. Michael (Ruth)
Poirier and Daughter - Eglise Baptiste De La Nouvelle Beauce - St. Marie,
Quebec, Canada -- Please pray for: (1) Our
literature fund to be used for material in the French language. (2) A man to be
called to minister to the French people of Quebec; (3) For God to protect those
missionaries working on the field; (4) For people to take the gospel
presentation seriously and turn from their sin to Christ; (5) Wisdom in
witnessing to Catholics; (6) For God to supply our need on the field.
Bro. and Mrs. Serge (Claire)
LeClerc and Family - Eglise Baptiste De La Nouvelle Beauce - St. Marie, Quebec,
Canada -- Please pray for:
(1) The printing ministry in the French language; (2) Sunday School teaching;
(3) Door-to-door visitations (4) Senior home ministry (5) Protection on icy
roads for this winter (October to May); (6) Preaching ministry; (7) Salvation
for Denis Sylvain, Stephane Paradis, Lucien, Alonzo Hebert, Eric Hebert, Gino,
Charles, Andre Ferland and family.
Wednesday,
October 15, 2008 - Prison and Jail Ministries
The number of inmates in United
States prisons and jails reached a record high of 2.29 million during 2007,
which represents an increase of 47,000 inmates, or 2.1% increase over the
previous year. This figure includes 199,118 federal inmates; 1,395,916 state
inmates; and 780,581 in mails. The total number of people under Criminal justice
supervision (incarcerated, on probation or on parole) reached a record high of
7.2 million as of June, 2007. Praise God for men of God, evangelistic teams,
churches and organizations who have a God-given passion for prisoners throughout
America. It is exciting to hear of the number of conversions and the spiritual
maturing of believers inside prisons. Praise God for the impact of the Word of
God and how it changes hearts and lives on a daily basis. Pray that God will
bless those who are involved with prison ministries, and ask God to burden the
hearts of more of our churches to have an ongoing ministry to prisons and jails
in their vicinity.
Thursday,
October 16, 2008 - BMAA Missions in South and Central America
Bro. and Mrs. Bill (Jeannette) Gibson - Santiago,
Chile --
Please pray for: (1) Jeannette and I sent our
papers to the immigration department asking for our permanent residence status.
We have had temporary residence status for the past year. I believe that we have
filled out all the paperwork they require. Please pray that we will receive our
permanent resident status; (2) The salvation of the following people: Juan
Wladimir, Andres, Pedro, Betty, Carolina Arenas, Julia, Violet, Camillia, Hugo,
Hannah, Carolina, Lagunas, Monica, Patricio, Ronald and Marcela; (3) Our new
believers in Christ: Pablo, Perez, Elena Mardones, Pablo Perez Mardones, Javier,
Joseline, Ricardo; (4) Our small study group ministry.
Bro. and Mrs. Collin (Ginger)
Jones - Santa Barbara, Honduras --
Pray for Collin and Ginger as they bring their ministry in Honduras to a close.
They have submitted their resignation which will be effective December 31, 2008.
Pray that all will go well as they turn the ministry over to our brothers whom
they have trained. Pray for our foreign nationals in Honduras that they will
continue the work of the Lord. Praise God that there are men who have been
equipped to carry on this great work. Pray for Collin and Ginger as they seek
God's will concerning future ministry.
Bro. and Mrs. Andy (Connie)
Schalchlin and Family - ministering in Guatemala --
Please pray for: (1) The planting of
new churches among the rural Guatemalan Kekchi people; (2) The establishment of
a Kekchi language gospel broadcast with the aid of Lifeword Broadcast Ministries
in the outback Peten area; (3) Safety in travel and funds for travel and
medication purchases to conduct medical clinics in those rural villages.
Bro. and Mrs. Richard (Jasmina)
Robinson - Ministering in Colombia and other nations --
Please pray for: (1) Our vision ...
the vision for Colombia is cell groups and discipleship. Our people have a head
knowledge of the vision. This is not enough. The vision has to reach their
heart; (2) Hunger ... there comes a time when the missionary or pastor becomes
satisfied with his work. He feels comfortable with the fact that his mission or
church is "keeping up with the Jones". Pray that Bro. Neider Torres will not be
satisfied with what has been accomplished. Pray that he will be hungry for more,
always pushing and striving for the salvation of souls and spiritual growth; (3)
Wisdom ... just like anywhere else, everyone is consumed with just being able to
get by. More and more time is being spent on the things of this world and very
little time is being invested in the kingdom. Pray that God would show our
people how to use our time more wisely. Too much time is simply wasted.
Friday,
October 17, 2008 - Baptist Medical Missions International (BMMI)
Dr. and Mrs. Ralph
(Judy) Izard, Director --
Because of the political unrest in Bolivia, the ministry team has postponed
their trip which was scheduled for October 8-18. They hope to reschedule it as
soon as things settle down. Pray that God will bless our Christian brothers and
sisters who are greatly affected by this situation. The remaining trips for 2008
are planned for: Dominican Republic (November 3-11); Nicaragua (November
2-11); and Vietnam (November 30 - December 10); Pray that God will use these
teams to bring glory to His name. Pray that God will bless each participant that
goes, and that many precious souls will be saved as a result of the compassion
these team members will exhibit. Pray that God will provide needed funds for
travel and medicines to be given out. Pray that each person who goes will be
overflowing with love and compassion for those to whom they will minister. BMMI
funds are extremely low at this time so pray that God will supply needed
finances sot his work can flourish. Praise God that our people gave over 9,000
Christmas shoeboxes to be sent to Peru and other Spanish speaking nations this
Christmas. Pray that all the details about their shipment and distribution will
be worked out by God. Pray for God to use them to open the hearts and homes of
those who receive them.
Saturday,
October 18,
2008 - BMAA Missions in Puerto Rico
Bro. and Mrs. David (Shelley) Dickson and Son --
Guayama, Puerto Rico --
Please pray for my health. I have completed the
two month cycle of chemotherapy and will shortly undergo a complicated surgical
procedure to remove my bladder and reconstruct a "neobladder". Many, many people
have been faithful to call, send e-mails or cards and most importantly to pray
for us. Accept our heartfelt gratitude for your kindnesses. Bro. Phil Knott is
going to Puerto Rico sometime this month to meet with leaders and to help them
plan for future ministry there. He will also take part in the ordination of two
new pastors during his visit. Pray for his safety and that God will use him to
encourage the workers there.
Our BMAA Sponsored Foreign
National Workers in Puerto Rico.
Our BMAA Sponsored Foreign
Nationals Throughout the Carribean Area.
Sunday,
October 19, 2008 - Barnabas Touch Ministry
Bro. Larry Barker - Director
-- Due to political unrest in Georgia our
Barnabas Touch Trip scheduled for December 1-10 has been canceled. That means
that we turn our prayers and attention to our 2009 trips which will include:
Philippines and Bolivia in March; Romania in June; Canada in September; India in
November and Central America in December. Please pray that God will place in on
the hearts of some of our pastors to go minister to these people. Our Foreign
National workers need the encouragement, training and support our pastors can
give. We are organizing a team right now to go to the Philippines the middle of
March, 2009. We will conduct two Bible Conferences and also help in two
graduations, one being with Bro. Don Newsom and the other with Bro. Doyle Moore.
Please prayerfully consider being a part of this team and contact us for more
information on this trip.
Monday,
October 20, 2008 - BMAA Missions in Mongolia
Bro. and Mrs. Tony (Laura) Crocker -
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia --
(1) Pray for our family's continued health and
safety as we enter the winter months. Pollution and crowded conditions make
passing viruses extremely easy; (2) Praise the Lord for Laura's safe return from
the United States while in the states. She had tests done on her thyroid
condition. The doctor is pleased with her body's response to the medicine but
had to increase her dosages to achieve the desire result. He repeated the
necessity of stress relief, which is not easy in Mongolia or any cross cultural
setting. Pray for wisdom in the coming months, concerning emotional and physical
care of her; (3) Pray for Tom Terry, CEO of Eagle television, who due to a
stress related illness was put on a mandatory three months furlough for
treatment and counseling. His projected return is sometime near the end of
November; (4) Tom Terry's absence directly affected our projected times with the
Bible Seminary program. Praise the Lord this time is being used to both clarify
the seminar and build relationships with other members of the Christian staff.
After he left, all the foreign Christian staff but myself had engagements
outside the station, leaving me alone to speak with Mongolian believers on staff
about their projects and convictions. These conversations are vital for input to
my work. Pray for continued progress in these friendships; (5) Our fall Bible
study will commence this month. Pray for these old friends as we become
reacquainted and renew our journey together. We have met individually with them
all at least once since returning, so this will be our first time to try and get
them together since returning; (6) September 17th marked our fourth year since
our family first arrived. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness toward us and the
blessing of serving Him, the BMAA and the people of Mongolia.
Tuesday,
October 21, 2008 - BMAA Missions in Hawaii
Bro. and Mrs. Filomeno (Lisa)
Kakilala and Family - Ewa Beach, Hawaii --
Ke Akua (God) Ho'omaika'l (Bless) Oe (You)! We
continue to request your prayers for Ali'l Baptist Mission on Oahu. A
Samoan-African-American family has started coming to our services. This family
of four has shown a serious interest about joining our membership. Please pray
that the Lord might lead them to a decision to join in our ministry. Another
young family of six are struggling to come to our worship services because their
children's sports are scheduled on Sunday. They are new believers, but give
financially to the mission. Please pray for this family's spiritual growth and
they will not be discouraged by conflicting schedules. There are three young men
who have been worshipping with us. They've been saved but have difficulty about
submitting to scriptural baptism and church membership. Our WMA has plans for a
women's outreach. They meet every Sunday afternoon but would like to have more
women to join them for Bible study and fellowship. Please pray for their
success. Aloha and Mahalo.
Wednesday,
October 22, 2008 - Our 2008 Christmas Shoebox Project
Let's praise God for moving on the hearts of His people throughout the
BMAA who have provided over 9,000 Christmas Shoeboxes for distribution later
this year in Spanish-speaking nations. Thank God for the volunteers who helped
in preparing them for shipping and for those who will be involved in packing and
loading the containers to take them to their appropriate fields. Pray that God
will use these boxes to open the hearts and homes of those who will receive
them. Pray that all will go well concerning the entry of these gift boxes into
the hands of boys and girls. Pray that through this means that many boys and
girls and their parents and grandparents will be saved and get involved in our
mission churches.
Thursday,
October 23, 2008 - Churches in Need of Pastors
At any given time ten
percent of our churches are without a pastor. As you well know, this is a very
difficult time for a local church. Many times Satan seeks to use this interim
period to destroy unity, to create confusion and frustration. Pray that God will
bless these churches with spiritually mature laymen who can guide the church
until such a time that God provides them a new undershepherd. Pray that these
churches will patiently wait upon the Lord to send His man in His time. Pray
that they will not rush ahead and call the wrong person. Sometimes in a hasty
decision some BMAA churches have called pastors who do not have interest in the
BMAA so in some cases they lead them to leave our association.
Friday,
October 24, 2008 - BMAA Missions in Armenia and Romania
Bro. and Mrs. Asatqar
(Jasmine) Nahapeytan and Family - Yerevan, Armenia --
Our goal to plant ten new churches in the capitol
city of Yerevan, Armenia is being blessed by God. God has provided ten well
trained missionary pastors who are laboring for their blessed Lord in this city
where 1.5 million people live. The need is for our churches in America to help
with their salaries and as God makes it possible to purchase property to be able
to do so. Pray that God will bless Bro. Asatur as he leads in this great
ministry.
Bro. Dani Bagosi - Oradea,
Romania -- (1) Pray for our
work in Sinnicoula de Munte. Several children were saved through a VBS there
this summer led by a team from First Baptist Church in Magnolia, Arkansas. Pray
for these children to continue to grow in the Lord. Also pray for male
leadership among the gypsies there to rise up and begin taking on more
responsibility. Especially pray for Atila because he is a Godly man who one day
could lead the church; (2) Pray for Geta Bunta and her family. Geta recently
married a fine Christian and American young man. They are working on the
paperwork so they can live here in the states. Pray that this process will go
smoothly and quickly; (3) Pray for all of our workers because the financial
strain is tremendous. All of our team has to supplement their salaries and pray
that God will continue to allow them to find work that will meet their needs and
fulfill their ministry goals; (4) Pray for Dani Bagosi, our Romanian
Coordinator, as he travels all over Romania. Pray for his safety, strength, and
the endurance of our van as it travels on terrible roads; (5) Pray for wisdom
for our future ministry with gypsies in Albania. Our survey trip went very well
and now we are asking God for wisdom on how to proceed. We hope to send one
pastor and his family there for three months to train the nationals on how to
plant churches. We are also even looking in to reaching out to gypsies in Poland
also. Ask God to show us when, where and how!!!
Pray for President George Bush and all elected and appointed
officials throughout the nation that they will come to see the need to turn to
GOD for wisdom to lead our nation, states and cities.
Pray for the selection of a new president, senators, representatives, governors,
etc. as we move toward election day. Pray that God's people will realize how
important it is to know Divine guidance in our votes locally and nationally.
Pray for a HEAVEN SENT REVIVAL to come to the churches of America and that we
will repent of our sins and ask God to heal our land.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Pray for your Pastor and other staff members of your church as they lead.
Pray for God to be glorified in your local church through every ministry.
Pray for our Middle East team as they conduct "Reaching Muslims in America for
Christ" seminar on the campus of Jacksonville College in Jacksonville, Texas
this evening.
Pray for those who serve as
judges on various levels throughout our nation. Pray that they will make
decisions that are in line with biblical principles and honor God.
FATHER,
I PRAY YOU WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE DAILY NEEDS OF $15,858 TO MEET THE FINANCIAL
OBLIGATIONS OF THE BMAA DEPARTMENT OF MISSIONS. I PRAISE YOU, GOD, FOR YOUR
FAITHFULNESS IN THIS MATTER.
GLEANER LIST: Pray for our BMAA sponsored Foreign Nationals serving the Lord in
the Philippines.
Saturday,
October 25, 2008 - Pray for ABS Groups on Various Campuses
Great mission fields full of unreached and unsaved young people are scattered
all over the United States. You probably have one very close to you.
That's right! Some of the greatest mission fields are the college and university
campuses in America. We are so thankful for men and women who have not only
dedicated themselves to minister to Christian students, but also to win the
unsaved for Christ through ministries like our own Association of Baptist
Students. College days are prime times to reach students for Christ, and to help
them understand God's love for them, and the purpose of their lives. Let's pray
today for those who are involved in campus ministries throughout our nation.
Pray that God will use them to impact the lives of hundreds of students this
year.
Sunday,
October 26, 2008 - BMAA Missions in Idaho
Bro. and Mrs. James
(Jennifer) Crews and Family and Bro. and Mrs. Mark (Cherrie) Nicholson and
Family - Grace Baptist Church, Post Falls, Idaho --
Please pray for: (1) The preliminary stages
of our building project. Our building committee is working with our architect
and engineer. We ask you to pray for God's timing of the actual construction;
(2) Our participation in the "Walk for the World" for the second year in a row.
We want to familiarize our people with our BMA work and do our part for radio/TV
missions; (3) Today is our second "Friend Day". Please pray for a great harvest;
(4) We asked you to pray for an additional small group being started last month.
You must have really prayed! We had 19 in the first meeting (7 adults and 12
children). During one week last month we had more (50 total attendance of all
the groups) in small groups than in Sunday morning worship; (5) Our financial
progress. We have less than two years before we go self-support. Ask the Lord to
lead us as we move toward this important step.
Monday,
October
27, 2008 - BMAA Agencies and Master's Builders
Minister's Resource Services -- Bro. Ron Chesser, Executive Director --
Pray for Ron and Gloria as they travel from church to church. Ask God to move on
the hearts of our churches to respond to their appeal to provide retirement
funds for their pastor and other staff members. Pray for those who are
overseeing the funds during these rough financial times. Ask God to give them
wisdom and discernment to make wise decisions.
Moral Action
Committee -- Dr. John Adams, Interim Director --
Pray for Dr. Adams as he serves as Interim Director of this vital ministry. Pray
that God will use him to alert our churches to the social and moral issues that
we face as God's children today.
Master's
Builders -- Bro. Bill Dees, Field Coordinator --
Pray for this dedicated group of
retired men and women who volunteer their time and pay their own expenses to
assist our missionaries and local churches in constructing facilities. Pray that
God will give them safety, protection, health, stamina and energy to be able to
continue this great work for the glory of God. Pray that God will provide
finances for fuel as they travel from place to place. Their next project is in
Rice, Texas.
Tuesday,
October 28, 2008 - Discipleguide Resources - Dr. Kevin Clayton, Executive
Director
Discipleguide Publishing House -
Jerome Cooper, Director -- Please remember
us as we continue to seek God's man for the youth editor's position. We, at
DiscipleGuide, along with virtually every Christian Publisher in America, are
experiencing serious sales and revenue declines. Please pray for God's continued
financial blessings on DCR.
Discipleguide Conference Ministry
- Donny Parrish, Director --
Pray for God to bless Bro. Donny and those who assist him in planning
conferences for various age groups. Pray for the Senior Adult Conference
scheduled for 2-4 in Branson, Missouri. Pray also for the winter youth
conference. Ask God to give Bro. Donny good health and safety as he travels and
wisdom and discernment concerning those who God would use to minister to those
who attend.
Discipleguide Camp Ministry -
James Speer, Director -- Our
camp is not just a camp, it has also become a haven for hundreds of people when
Hurricanes strike. Twice in the past month Bro. and Mrs. Speer have received
families who were driven out of their homes by hurricanes. They count it a great
opportunity to minister and to share the love of God with those who are in
distress and anxiety. Pray that God will bless James and Barbara and others who
have ministered. Pray that those who were ministered to will be drawn closer to
God as a result of being on the campus. Pray that God will move on the hearts of
our people to give special offerings to the camp to help cover the cost of food
and other supplies. Pray that God will give James and Barbara much needed rest
and strength.
Wednesday,
October 29, 2008 - Lifeword Broadcasting Ministry
Rev. George Reddin, Executive
Director --
Please pray for us during the finishing
stages of our building program. Soon it will all be done, and for this we praise
the Lord. Pray that these facilities will be used to the glory of God, and the
spread of the Gospel throughout the nations. Pray as we seek to develop new
language outreach in various nations. Pray as a representative from Lifeword
attends a Russian Baptist Congress in Denver during November. We are asking God
to make it possible to begin Russian broadcasts here in the USA. Pray for one of
our trustees, Bro. O.D. Tuberville, who was one of the men who joined Bro.
Harold Morris in prayer asking God to make it possible to broadcast the Gospel
by radio throughout America and the world. Because of age and failing health he
is moving from Magnolia, Arkansas to Oklahoma City. Pray that God will bless
him for his involvement in Lifeword Ministry through the years.
Thursday,
October 30, 2008 - VSM Students Who Are Praying and Preparing To Go To The
Nations Next Summer
As the Lord allows we are
making plans to send 18 VSM Teams to minister here in America and abroad. We are
praying that God will enable us to go next summer to Bolivia, Cambodia, Canada,
China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Guatemala, Ghana, Laos, Mexico, Philippines,
Romania, Russia, Thailand and Ukraine. In the USA we hope to send teams to
Colorado, Minnesota and Illinois. Each person who participates needs to raise
$3,500 to go foreign and $2,500 within the States. Pray that our young people
will be led to go and that God will supply the needed finances. Pray that God
will begin a work in their hearts that will cause them to have a passion for
souls locally and globally. Pray also that God will raise up mature adults who
will go as sponsors.
Friday,
October 31, 2008 - Victims of Hurricane Ike
Several of our churches, pastors and members of our churches suffered
total loss of their homes and belongings because of Hurricane Ike. Pray that God
will give them peace and increase their faith during these though times. Pray
that our BMA churches will respond and do everything they can to help our
brothers and sisters in this time of great stress and tremendous need.
PRAYER KILLERS
Unconfessed Sin
Lack of Faith
Disobedience to the Will of God
Lack of Transparency with God and Others
An Unforgiving Spirit
Wrong Motives
Idols in our Lives
Disregard for Others
Disregard for God's Sovereignty
An Unsurrendered Will
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