Pray for Romania

I think we can best pray for Romania this week by following this Declaration from the Alliance of Romania’s Families. To read the complete Timisoara Delclaration go to, http://www.alianta-familiilor.ro/decl_timisoara.php While there sign the Declaration and bring encouragement to Christian Romanians.

THE TIMISOARA DECLARATION

Drafted by the Alliance of Romania's Families (ARF) on the occasion of its annual conference held at the Areopagus Center in Timisoara on March 20th, 2010 and open to the public for signature.

Based upon the foregoing, the signatories, Christians who adhere to the teachings of the Holy Scripture, the Holy Apostles of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and those who followed them and taught us the path to salvation, leaving aside theological differences, proclaim our common Christian values inspired by the Holy Spirit and strongly affirm the following:

a. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The Christian faith that we proclaim is above all transient social transformations or the spirit of one age or another.

• Let us pray that Romanians would remember their strong Christian heritage and give honor the Jesus Christ, Lord of all.

b. This faith guides our daily lives and daily actions, at all times and in all places. It cannot be hidden. We cannot be Christians only when we are at home or only when we are in church.
• To be a Christian is to be different. Let us pray that Romanians would pattern their lives after Jesus and be like him in their homes, churches and especially in the market place.

c. In accordance with the Holy Scripture, we understand our duty as citizens to give to Caesar, that is, the legitimate leadership of the State, what is Caesar's, and to obey authority and the law, in so far as they do not conflict with our conscience and our Christian values.
• Let us pray that Romanians would honor the government and be examples of law abiding citizens where there is no conflict with scripture.

d. The family based on the marriage between one man and one woman is a fundamental institution of society and is created by God. It is an expression of the natural complementarity between man and woman, of mutual love and respect.
• The fact is God intended for marriage to be a picture of the correct relationship between Jesus and His redeemed bride. Let us pray that marriage will be protected by the laws of Romania.

e. As Christian parents, we have an obligation to our children to raise and educate them to be obedient to God. We are deeply concerned with the public displays of immorality which are allowed and even encouraged in the name of human rights and are tolerated without discernment.
• Let us pray that the families would take their responsibilities to guide their children into righteous and productive behavior. May the politicians of Romania stand up for moral decency.

f. The rights of parents are fundamental, foremost among them the parents' right to carry out the civic, moral and religious education of their children as they see fit.
• May Romania totally break away from the old communist idea that the children belonged to the state. Humanist would love for the educational system of Romania to embrace such a philosophy.

g. Every child has the right to be born and raised in a family comprised of a man and a woman.
• Now here is a switch; communism in Romania actually did not allow abortion – mainly because wanting to preserve Romanian ethnicity. Once they came out of communism abortion was allowed because of unwanted babies. Let us pray first that mothers would want to love and keep their children.

h. The right to life, beginning at the moment of conception and continuing till natural death, is a fundamental right of all human beings.
• Let us pray that the law would be changed to stop the murder of the innocent.

i. Freedom of religion and freedom of conscience are historical and fundamental rights.
• Any government that does not allow the free exercise of religion and freedom of conscience is under strong satanic control. This can even be where a only one religion or worldview is allowed. We pray that no one group or philosophy would be able to control the laws of Romania.

j. Human dignity is intrinsic to every human being, created in the image and likeness of God and takes precedence over any worldly authority.
• Every soul in Romania is precious to the Father. Jesus said we were no longer servants but sons and heirs of all the Father has.

k. In our involvement in political and civic life we support and work with those who adhere to the values in which we believe. Every elected official or representative must represent the individuals who comprise his constituency and assert their values.
• Representative government has been shown to be more just than any other type government. We pray that those representatives would adhere to the Christian beliefs and govern accordingly. Pray these representatives would be moral civil guardians not political opportunist.

In conclusion, we call upon the Romanian State and public officials to respect and take into account, in the drafting and implementing of laws and public policy, the values and social and cultural traditions of the Romanian people, themselves of Christian inspiration, in order to avoid conflicts, both of conscience or policy, between citizens and the authorities which hand down the laws.

NOTE: Timisoara is the city where the revolution broke out in 1989 that toppled communism in Romania. I was privileged four years before that (1985) to be able to spend a day walking the streets praying for the city.

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Pray for Montenegro

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Montenegrins are hurting.

UNHCR will advocate for the resolution of the legal status of some 24,000 displaced people in Montenegro whose current status impedes their full enjoyment of economic and social rights. This lack of status hinders their integration in the country.More than 2,000 Roma (Gypsies) who fled Kosovo during the conflict in the 1990s still live in Konik refugee camp near Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro.

1) There was many displaced people during the Balkan wars of the 1990s. Lord, we know these people are not forgotten by You. Let us pray that these refugees would raise their heads up from their severe poverty and have hope in God.
2) Lord, we pray first that angels would comfort them; second that Montenegrin Christians would reach out to the refugees. May the compassion of Jesus burn in the hearts of those to be sent to this harvest. Lord, we join with You in prayer to see Your love extended.

A week ago there was heavy rains for four days that caused floods in central and northern parts of Montenegro, causing severe damage, especially in three municipalities up north. 270 families were evacuated (around 1350 persons), and are in need of basic emergency relief items. The Red Cross of Montenegro has already assisted the evacuated population with some of these items, and plans to continue with the distribution, according to the development of the situation in the field.

3) Let us also pray for those that suffered from these heavy rains. Lord, may they look unto You for relief. May they enter into the principle of Your restoration where their rags are turned to riches.

Through Montenegrin banks there is reason to believe that bad loans of 1.2 billon Euros were made with no intention to be paid back.

4) White collar crime, blue collar crime, it is all robbing hope from the people. There is just so much corruption in Montenegro; the flow of drugs and prostitution is wrecking lives. Lord, we just look to You.
5) Lord, first we ask that criminals would be exposed. We pray that police, judges and prosecutors would not look the other way. If they do expose them also.
6) There is little or no standard of righteousness in Montenegro. Lord, start with the churches and purify Your people. May the institution of the church in Montenegro rise up as a place for people to find a hope of justice.
7) Lord, we pray for intercessors for Montenegro. Especially Montenegrins that will cry out for their nation to be saved. Oh, that they would cry out for a visitation from You, Lord.
8) Give boldness and wisdom to the Christians to speak and stand against injustice. Lord, I feel that there are three evangelist being raised up for this purpose. The country will need more than three but these three will be set apart to spearhead evangelism in Montenegro.

9) Lord, let us not forget the children. Let them not go the way of their fathers, but actually be changed and bring their fathers with them.
10) Lord, we just thank You for Your love for Montenegro. Help us to feel it in our prayers.

Personal prayer need: Pray with me about a trip to Romania in January 2011. There is a group going to the gypsies of northern Romania to distribute coats and blankets for the cold winter and my daughter and I are praying about going. I will probably follow up with more information in a week or less in a separate email.

PRAY for FYROM Macedonia

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I am being drawn toward the poor for our Macedonian prayer points. Let us pray for the poor, orphans, widows and down trodden of Macedonia.

Macedonia’s Economy: Macedonia has maintained macroeconomic stability with low inflation, but it has so far lagged the region in attracting foreign investment and creating jobs, despite making extensive fiscal and business sector reforms. Official unemployment remains high at 32%, but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market (illegal trade), estimated to be more than 20% of GDP that is not captured by official statistics.

I was overwhelmed by all the scriptures in the Bible concerning the poor.

Psalm 41:1
Blessed is he who considers the poor; The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
1) Let us go beyond considering the poor and ask for the lifting up of the poor in Macedonia. Lord, how can we get involved.

1 Samuel 2:7
The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up.
2) It is true, the Lord makes the poor and makes the rich, but we want to pray into the second part of the verse; “He brings low and lifts up”. Lord, we know You desire to bless all the people of Macedonia so we pray that both rich and poor would be lifted up.

1 Samuel 2:8
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory.
3) God knows how to bless whom He wants to bless. God chooses the lowly and blesses them. Let us pray for that poor would give their financial concerns unto the Lord and therefore be able to receive His blessings.

Psalm 10:2
The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.
4) The wicked rich persecute the poor. Let us pray that the rich of Macedonia would be humbled before the poor. Lord, expose the financial schemes to rob the poor.

Psalm 12:5
“For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise,” says the LORD; “I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”
5) Let us stand in the gap and join in their yearnings. I truly believe your prayers are highly considered by the Lord when He decides to bless a people or nation. Let us agree with the Lord and ask for His favor on the poor of Macedonia. Lord, we ask that the spirit of poverty be broken over Macedonia.

Romans 15:26
For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.
6) There was a time when Macedonians gave to the poor of Jerusalem. (These were likely Greek Macedonians) Lord, we ask that churches outside Macedonia would repay a blessing for a blessing that was given long ago.

Luke 14:13
But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.
7) Let the churches be full of feasting and let the poor be invited to sit at the Lord’s table.

8) With 32% unemployment in Macedonia, Lord, we ask for Your help. Lord. Even teach Christians how to acquire wealth.

Psalm 72:4
He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor.
9) Lord, we pray for the children of Macedonia. May the Gospel be presented to them. We pray for Christians that will go out into the neighbors and present Jesus to the children.

10) Lord, we pray for the widows and orphans. May the churches take the responsibility to minister to them as You commanded.

Pray for GREECE

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Greece is the country where the concept of democracy was birthed (Pericles) and philosophy was developed (Socrates, Platon, etc.). She gave birth to Alexander the Great of Macedonia (330 BC) who spread Greek literature throughout the whole world.

The Lord honored the Greek language with the New Testament being written in it.

50 AD
The apostles Paul, Silas and others who were also Jewish disciples of Jesus, along with the Greek disciples, Titus and Timothy (Titus 1:5; 2 Corinthians 7:6), brought to Greece the message of the Crucified One as well as the experience of Pentecost (Acts 16--18; 1 Corinthians 12--14).
They first visited northern Greece (Macedonia) by way of Neapolis (modern day Kavala) Acts:16:11. They preached the Gospel in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. From northern Greece they traveled to southern Greece and ministered in Athens and Corinth.

Today the Pentecostal Church in Greece numbers about 12,000 members. There are approximately 200 churches along with an equal number of house churches located throughout the villages and cities of Greece.

1) In the 20th century the Lord visited Greece through the Pentecostal message and many returned to the true faith. Lord, remember the investment and seeds planted by the 20th century church.
2) Churches and movements tend to loose the fire of God as time passes. Let us pray for a 21st century visitation of the Holy Spirit.
3) Let there be a new sound in their music; the sound of heaven that reaches the hearts of the younger Greeks.
4) Christians that submit themselves unto the Lord in worship experience God’s joy and are restored to righteousness. Job 33:26 “He prays to God, and He is favorable to him, so that he sees His face with joy; for [God] restores to him his righteousness (his uprightness and right standing with God--with its joys).” (Amplified Bible) Lord, release worship into the churches of Greece. Lord, let that worship lead to intercessory prayer for Greece.
5) Poverty is increasing in Greece. Serious financial problems have hit Greece hard. Plus there has been an influx of immigrants. Since the government does not have the money to provide much relief, may the church arise to meet the needs.
6) Lord we pray that the churches would seek You for a plan of how to reach the Greek public that are suffering.

I may be wrong, but my research of Orthodox Church doctrine shows that man is saved through his communion with God not so much the sacrificial blood of Christ in atonement. I could not find the words “saved” or “salvation” used in reference to restoration to the Father. I quote the Very Rev. J. Richard Ballew of the Orthodox Church as he describes evangelism, "As much as anything else, evangelism is bringing people to active participation in liturgical worship and prayer." He describes evangelism as bringing men into, or subjecting men to a ritual of pious acts for cleansing.

7) Pray for the Greek Orthodox Church. May the Lord have mercy on them and open their spiritually blind eyes. Most Greeks ignore the GOC because there is no power within. Some attribute magical powers to the icons which borders on witchcraft. Let us pray for a manifestation of the true trinity in their mist. Lord we cry out for the Orthodox Christians, may You come visit them in power and revelation.
8) Lord when Paul and Silas were in jail in Phillipi, You demonstrated Your mighty power by shaking the Earth. Lord we ask for a shaking that would not kill and destroy but bring forth abundant Life. Lord we ask for a spiritual earthquake.

FreeBalkans.com is all about promoting Freedom in the Balkan countries. Since the fall of communism we have seen more freedom than any other time in history. There is a continuing problem with the nationalist churches. They want no other expression of religion in their countries and they tend to pressure the governments to treat other churches as sects. This blame is laid at the feet of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches.

9) Let us pray that these state churches would not feel threatened and would seek dialog with other churches.
10) May there actually be an evangelical expression that leaves room for the moving of the Holy Spirit in these Catholic and Orthodox churches.

Pray for Croatia

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Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament. Her administration has been loosing support due to the slow pace of economic recovery in the wake of the global financial crisis.

1) Let us pray about the economic situation in Croatia.
a. We pray for government policies that encourage the market system to operate freely.
b. We pray that world corporate leaders and economic decision makers would be drawn to Croatian goods and services. We pray that investment would flow into the country.
c. We pray that the people of Croatia would invest, produce and buy and sale Croatian goods.
d. We pray that the righteous would not go hungry. May the Christians first hope in the Lord and believe for increase. - Psalm 37:25
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
There was a good report that came out Oct.10, 2010 for Croatia; during the first nine months of the year, exports rose 13.5% compared to the same period last year, while imports declined 3.6%.

2) Let us pray for the churches. May the Lord walk through the churches letting His manifest presence be seen in their mist. May all doubts be vanquished.
3) We pray that the gifts of the Spirit be stirred up in the saints. Let the Croatian Christians mature in the Lord’s character.
4) Let us pray for the schools in Croatia. May the door be open to the Gospel.
5) Lord, we ask that a hunger for You would rise in the youth. Lord, we pray for a great out pouring of grace upon the youth of Croatia.
6) Expose the lies of the enemy. Save them before their hope is shattered.
7) We pray that the youth in the churches be given a burden for their lost friends in the schools and in their neighborhoods.
8) Lord, anoint your evangelist in Croatia. Put fire in their hearts for the lost and dying. Lord, save this present generation, let this be their time of visitation.
9) Let us pray that the churches would not shrink away into their buildings for the winter but would go into the marketplace to make friends and share the Gospel.
10) Oh, Lord, can You give breath to Old Churches. Buildings that represent You but are void of life. Breath on these great structures new life.