The following is an excerpt from an account of ministry done last Christmas in Albania.
Shkoder (North Albania)
Shkoder (North Albania)
We attended the Christmas service of Word of Christ Church where 40 families threatened by blood feud were invited. Women and kids came only because the men are not allowed to leave their home due to the blood feud law. Thus they must live their whole life in a home-prison, loosing their job and seeing their families get impoverished…. Elona Projj, pastor of Word of Christ Church and her son-in-law told us that there are already families that have come to the Lord and took the initiative for a reconciliation process with the families that were threatening them. Fekete Imre, Director, East European Mission based in Hungary http://www.misszio.eu
To learn more about the ‘Blood Feud law’ read more > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gjakmarrja, and http://blogs.reuters.com/events/2013/12/10/albanian-blood-feuds-force-families-into-isolation/
Prayer Points:
1) First may we give honor to the East European Mission organization in Hungary for their continued outreach to these Blood Feud victims. May the Lord bless them with wisdom, passion and funding to continue blessing these families.
2) Although unwritten, the Gjakmarrja, or Blood Feud is a deep traditional law that is based on the Old Testament law of “eye for an eye”. Let us cry out that as according to James 2:13, may mercy triumph over judgment! Let the spirit of forgiveness replace the spirit of revenge in the families affected by this demonic practice.
3) We recognize this blood feud is a demonic strong hold over this people group. Let us pray against the principalities of the enemy and ask the Lord to send warring angels to break this bondage.
4) One of the enemies’ tactics is fear. Lord, we ask that these victims, from both sides, be set free from fear. May this 500 year old curse be broken.
5) Let us pray for revival in northern Albania where these blood feuds are most prevalent. May the power of forgiveness overcome! May mercy triumph over judgment!
6) Let us pray concerning two statements from one of the two links above: “a lack of faith in the legal system to prosecute murderers causes families to settle disputes themselves”, and “there is a high level of corruption in the country, particularly among law enforcement agencies.” Pray that God would expose the corrupt and bring to light what is hidden so that Albania can enforce the law of the land.
After praying about the blood feuds, I felt there was more the Lord had for Albania. I begin to think of “friendship evangelism”. This is basically a process of befriending others with the intention of sharing Jesus with them. Here are the steps: 1) First be prayed up and at rest with the Lord, 2) Go to a public place and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to someone, 3) Start a conversation with them by being genuinely interested in their life, ask questions, 4) Listen as they share about themselves, the Holy Spirit may give insight that goes deeper, 5) Then share Jesus and be ready for the gifts of the Spirit to operate. (1 Cor. 12:4-11) This is so easy; when you are filled with Jesus’ love, you just can’t help but want to share that love. Just remember to let the Holy Spirit lead.
1 Cor. 14:20 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
7) Let us pray for churches in Albania to encourage friendship evangelism.
8) Pray that Albanian Christians would be so filled with Jesus’ love and that they will seek opportunities to share with others.
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