Pray for Albania



The following story touched me, especially when I went to the website and seen the pictures.

In Albania, since 1995, over 500 babies have been abandoned in the streets or in maternity hospitals by their mothers........

The maternity hospitals in Albania do not have the staffing, supplies, or budget to properly feed, clothe, or attend to these infants.

In August 1996, a non-governmental organization, Organization for the Support of Albania’s Abandoned Babies (OSAAB), was created to provide for these children on a daily basis, with the support of Albania’s expatriate community, Albanian women, and individuals and groups abroad.

Prior to the existence of OSAAB, abandoned babies were fed rice water and, occasionally, milk from other mothers in the hospital. They had no clothes or diapers, and were wrapped so tightly in soiled cloth that movement of their arms or legs was impossible for days at a time. They were not given names, but were simply referred to by numbers. They had never experienced the feeling of being held, cuddled, or rocked to sleep to the sound of a soothing voice.

Thanks to the generosity of many people, the babies now receive formula, diapers, and clean clothing on a daily basis. Volunteers visit the hospital daily to feed, hold, and talk to the babies. http://www.osaab.org

1. Let us pray for these abandoned babies asking the Lord for special grace on their behalf. Lord make a way for them to be adopted by loving families.
2. We give thanks for these volunteers that are able to help about a tenth of these abandoned babies. May this organization be granted more money so they can recruit more volunteers.

3. There are good things happening in Albania concerning the economy. Investment is coming into the country although slowly. Let us pray that investment would not only be invested wisely but that productivity in the country would rise.

4. There are reports of churches in Albania getting together to fast and pray one day of each month. Lord, we join our faith with our Albanian brothers and sisters and ask You to be in their mist during prayer but walk with them through each day letting grace do its perfect work.

5. May the churches rise up and touch the social fabric of Albania. Give the pastors vision and strategies to communicate the gospel to the population.

6. Lord, I ask You to put Albania on the hearts of Your church throughout the world. Not only that the saints would pray but they would go or send others. Just as Paul (Ro. 15:19) went to Albania 2,000 years ago, may others hear the call today.

7. Let us pray for the Albanian Bible Institute in Durres, Albania. We pray God would direct them in preparing pastors and Christian workers of Albania. Read more at http://albanianbibleinstitute.com

Pray for KOSOVO

I am sorry I am just now getting this out. Monday July 19th was Susie and my 24th anniversary so that was a priority. I came across the following article and felt it was time to pray for Kosovo.

[There will be] an important ruling this Thursday, July 22 by the International Court of Justice in the Hague. In response to a request by Serbia, it will announce an advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo’s declaration of independence.

I will be in Kosovo, reporting on the reaction to the ICJ’s ruling. I suppose there are three possible outcomes: that the court rules in favor of Serbia, it rules in favor of Kosovo, or, (most likely) it comes up with a more nuanced opinion, that Kosovo and Serbia will interpret in different ways.

On the face of it, the rhetoric coming out of both Belgrade and Pristina is uncompromising. Serbia says that after the ICJ has given its opinion, it will ask the UN General Assembly to pass a resolution demanding new talks on Kosovo’s status. The government in Pristina says its sovereignty is not negotiable, and that Serbia is refusing to confront reality.

And yet, both sides have strong incentives to reach an agreement.
Serbia wants to get into the EU, and may worry that a protracted struggle over Kosovo will annoy Britain, France and Germany. Kosovo wants to be a normal country, that can apply for UN membership, that can participate in international sport, that has an internationally recognized passport, and so on.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/europe/2010/07/19/important-week-kosovo

1. Let us pray for this Kosovo/Serbia conflict. It is a problem in the heart of the Balkans. There is so much hatred between the Kosovars and Serbs. Lets pray for peace.
2. We know that no human or international court can render judgments that make everyone happy. Let us pray that their verdict would not be one sided and inflame more hate.
3. The people in Kosovo are very poor. Let us pray that the system will be fixed so investment can pour in and productivity can increase.
4. Lord, we ask You to expose and bring confusion to random and organized crime.
5. Lord, we pray for the rule of law to be executed fairly for all the people.
6. Let us pray for protection for the Christians in Kosovo. May they not be harassed by the Muslim majority.
7. Lord, take the hatred toward the Muslims out of the hearts of the Christians. May that be a divine message to they at this time.
8. Lord, show the churches how to reach out to their Muslim neighbors. Give them a strategy of how to win the hearts of the lost and confused Kosovars.

Matthew 5: 43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you

For my statement (opinion) on Kosovo go to, http://freebalkans.com/NEWS.html

Pray for Turkey

Although Turkey has a secular constitution that offers religious freedom, that is not actually the case. I say “offers” because it is not enforced. Overwhelming favor is always shown to Islam. Turkey officials boast about quickly arresting those that attack other religions, but for some reason they never go to court. Radical Islam has been disfavored In Turkey in the past, but it is gaining acceptance, especially since 9-11. Most likely the man on the street does not know what religious freedom really means. To him not being Muslim is just not being Turkish.

1) Let us pray for the people in Turkey that they would strive to be Turks and realize that is separate from Islam. It is a good thing to be a Turk with a distinct history (good and bad).
2) Although peoples’ hearts are won on a one to one level or family level, Let us pray for the government to stand by their freedom of religion laws.
3) Let us pray that Turks would know that freedom of conscience is a fundamental human right.
4) Let us pray that Turks would hear the real Christian message of how Jesus went forth doing good not encouraging crusades. Jesus never converted others at the point of a sword.
5) Lord, we ask You to confuse the enemy and bring disunity and adherence to radical Islam. As a culture Muslims may be peaceful but radical Islam is a criminal mind set.

6) Let us pray for the Christians in Turkey. My they be able to live peaceful lives in the mist of Islam’s lies.
7) Lord show them how to be examples of Your good works to their neighbors.
8) Lord we pray for the Houses of Prayer that are popping up in Turkey. Lord, this is Your wisdom at work to impact a culture. Houses of Prayer not only create a center for prayer warfare but they help mature the Christians so they can plan strategies for building the Kingdom.
9) Lord, we pray for protection for those missionaries that You have sent into Turkey. May they teach the Turkish Christians the joy of serving You.

Acts 14: 1-3 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

10) Lord, we ask that signs and wonders would be performed at the hands of Turkish believers as they speak boldly in Your name.

Extra reading: http://www.austindailyherald.com/news/2010/jul/05/true-religious-freedom-not-be-found-turkey/ , http://article.nationalreview.com/437766/turkey-christians-in-danger/john-f-cullinan, http://www.wnponline.org/wnp/wnp1005/turkey-crossroads.htm, http://www.two-fot.org/ Also read the book of Acts to see how the people in Turkey (Asia Minor) quickly received the Gospel from the disciples.

We want to know how you feel about this Blogspot, so please use the comments link below. If you have information about any of the other Balkan countries please share them also by commenting. Thanks for sharing a burden for the Balkan countries. There is a continual testimony throughout Christian history of revivals and before they broke out intercessory prayer went first. There are different theologies on this matter, but prayer moves the hand of God. Know that your prayers are not in vane; God will have mercy on the Balkan people. Someday you will see God's glory there and you will be able to say, "I prayed for that".

- Jerry Low, Editor and Webmaster

URL: http://www.freebalkans.com
Email: djerilo@yahoo.com

~PRAY FOR SLOVENIA~

Its [Slovenia’s] economy shrank 7.8 percent last year and a further 1.2 percent year-on-year in the first quarter. The government now expects growth of just 0.6 percent for the whole of 2010 and the resulting lower tax revenues have forced [Prime Minister] Pahor's cabinet to revise its budget plans. The planned measures have encountered strong opposition from trade unions, pensioners and students, while further mass protests are expected in the coming months if the government goes ahead with the measures.

In light of the above news, let us pray:
1. That the economy of Slovenia would not fall but stand in the mist of present hard times.
2. That wisdom would be given to Prime Minister Pahor and his cabinet as to what should be done. Pharaoh had a Joseph, may PM Pahor have a Joseph also.
3. If protest erupt, may they be peaceful and not of a violent nature. May the hurting be heard and the radicals be silenced.

Maribor, 3 July (STA) - Daily Vecer says in Saturday's commentary that Slovenia is still far from being a modern democratic society as the gay parade, which takes places today in Ljubljana, is still a burning social and political topic.

4. We thank the Lord that “Slovenia is still far from being a modern democratic society” in regards to homosexuals on display. Lord, we pray for the moral climate of Slovenia. May the people be repulsed by sin in their mist. May there be a rightful shame showed toward homosexuals and an encouragement to change.
5. 1 Peter 4:17
For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? We pray for heart-felt repentance in the churches.
6. We pray that the churches in Slovenia would denounce sin, teach how God offers forgiveness and how to walk in the blessings of the Lord.
7. Another issue in Slovenia and other parts of the Balkans is people cheating on their jobs. This is a financial drain also in that productive is minimized. Pray that Christians would set an example of diligence at work and therefore reap the blessings.
8. Lord, we pray for a move of the Holy Spirit in the churches of Slovenia. Lord, visit your people with signs and wonders. Lord, show unmistakable signs of Your omnipresence.
9. Lord, as Your Spirit is poured out and people come to repentance, give wisdom to the pastors and teachers to care for the new saints.
10. Lord, we just trust Your faithfulness to touch Slovenia in a special way this week and for evermore.

DATED PRAYER NEED: [Rob from Texas] I am leading the next team of missionaries to Bijelo Polje [Montenegro] this week. I found your prayer request for our work and it was a great encouragement to us. We will be presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ publicly on Tuesday night, July 6. Our prayer is that the truth of Jesus will be revealed. That God's salvation power will be released in Bijelo Polje and across Montenegro. Thank you for your prayerful support. May God richly bless you and your efforts to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all the Balkans.