The Arabian Peninsula Partnership
The Gospel for every person and a church for every people in the Arabian Peninsula amongst indigenous peoples
2 March, 2011
Stand Strong
Praise
Praise God for Kingdom opportunities to share the Prince of Peace during these turbulent days.
Prayer
As we think and pray for the Arabian Peninsula, one of the key issues people face are financial. The financial situation in the rest of the world and in their own countries impacts the poor who are living in the Arabian Peninsula. Please view and pray for the Financial Crisis in this part of the world. Financial CrisisThere are continued reports of protests and unrest in many countries of the AP. In this time of political unrest in our region, ask that changes will be made in a peaceful way. Ask that the leaders of countries will have wisdom as they listen to the complaints of those they lead. Pray that interventions will help the people. Ask that God's followers will have the right words to comfort those who are suffering.
After being baptised, one new local believer reported, "I don't have wrong thoughts about girls any more. I feel like I am clean and new! And the neighbors that I didn't even say 'Hi' to, I now see them and ask how they are doing. It is like I am concerned about good things now, not selfish things." Pray for him to grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
"Ali", sat with his teacher, hearing and considering the gospel that Jesus died for him. "Ali" was quick to realize that none of us are acceptable according to our deeds. Pray that he will consider it more, perhaps through reading an Arabic Bible, and be saved.
A new believer reported that he had a dream that he felt indicated clearly that there would be persecution and that he should be ready. So, we looked at suffering for righteousness sake and found that Jesus, Paul, Peter and James all say to rejoice! Am I prepared? Yes, if 'it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.' And if 'the life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.' Now that is suffering... to death. Please pray for strength and faith for God's children to whom believing may indeed lead to much suffering.
After being prayed for by a worker and healed from a couple of physical ailments, "Mohammed" asked my friend, "Can a Muslim become a Christian?" He had seen so much of God's power (His revelation, His healing, His deliverance and ultimately His discernment as we explained the source of his gift and why it wasn't something from his God). He was now asking if he could "change teams"!! Praise the Lord. Please pray for "Mohammed" as he shares the changes in his life, and embarks on a new journey.
Testimony
We have prayed previously for "Hanad", an elderly believer who came to Christ by watching Christian satellite TV programs. He was then estranged from his family, and moved far out in the desert. In time, two of his grown sons believed as well, having watched "Hanad's" life, although they remain quiet about it publicly.
Hanad often feels downhearted in his isolation. A tentmaker travels the distance each week to disciple him. Recently, they have been studying 1 Peter together. They came to the beginning of chapter four, which states that "he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh, no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God." Hanad candidly vented his feelings: "No he hasn't (ie. I've suffered and feel like turning to sin.)." He knew the Bible must be true. So, they discussed together God's purifying work in us, and how to humbly respond to grace. As they continued with the next verse, "for the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, ...lusts, drunkenness, etc.", Hanad said, "It's talking about ME."
Please pray for Hanad in his feeling of isolation, that he will be encouraged with God's presence, find supportive fellowship with other believers, and stand strong against temptation. Pray that he will continue to be a pillar of Christ-like witness before his family.