Pray for Albania - A land, a people that need to see justice and mercy.

Week of March 9-15, 2015
< Please read and pray for updated IE Balkans needs in Left Column.

Here is a welcomed headline.

Serbia and Albania ready to build friendly relations
BELGRADE/TIRANA – Serbia and Albania are ready to build friendly relations and cooperate in the regional framework so as to ensure stability and prosperity in the Western Balkans, it was stated at Serbian Parliament Speaker Maja Gojkovic’s meetings with Albanian President Bujar Nishani and Parliament Speaker Ilir Meta.
The Western Balkan countries belong to the European Union, the Serbian and Albanian officials agreed, adding that they stand ready to utilize the great potentials especially in the fields of economy and EU integration, and improve youth cooperation, reads a release by the Serbian parliament.

Gojkovic, who is on the first official visit to Albania by the Serbian parliament speaker in the history of the two countries’ relations, underlined at the meeting with Meta that her visit to Tirana has historic significance and represents an important moment for bilateral relations.

Meta expressed Albania’s willingness to look forward saying that history is written by historians, and it is up to us to create a history of peace, stability and prosperity.
http://inserbia.info/today/2015/03/serbia-and-albania-ready-to-build-friendly-relations/

Throughout the years, we have asked many times for prayer specifically concerning relations between Albania and Serbia, and it is good to see diplomatic interchange of a peaceful manner. There is so much hate speech between Albanians and Serbs on the internet, through Youtube and other social sites.

Prayer Points:
1)    Lets start by thanking the Lord for these talks between Albania and Serbia. Let us pray for continued softening of relations between these two regionally important countries.
2)    It will take time for this softening of relations to occur. Let us pray that the damage caused buy hate speech will be exposed and rejected by those perpetrating it.
3)    Ephesians 5:3  But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; Paul here is talking about fornication but let us apply this the Albanian and Serbian churches in regards to hate. Let this not even be considered in the churches to have bitterness toward their fellow brothers and sisters of a different nationality.

There has been an excessive amount of money laundering in Albania plus ten (10) bank employees pled guilty to stealing over 5 million in Euros. See these links for the stories:


4)    Corruption in government, corruption in finances/business, when will it stop? We know man’s fallen nature and the fact that dishonesty is a sin that leads to injustice. The Lord said that “what was spoken in secret will be proclaimed from the housetops. Let us pray for exposure of corruption.
5)    Let us pray for duty-determined attorneys that bring charges without taking bribes and honest courts that will prosecute to the full extent of the law.

Isaiah 42:7
To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.
Matthew 25:36
I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

6)    Though we have no knowledge of prison ministry in Albania, there are likely such ministers. The church is to go and minister to the prisoners needs. Let us pray for those called to minister to prisoners in Albania. Lord compel them to go and share Your love with the.
7)    Holy Spirit, we ask that You prepare the hearts of the prisoners and we pray for revival in the Albanian prisons.
8)    Lord, let the prisoners know they can be forgiven. Bring them out of the prison with hearts changed and a testimony that changes others.

Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed.

Pray for Albania

Week of Dec. 8-14, 2014

We appreciate you also Praying for European Initiative Needs found in the left collumn.

I am so thankful for my dear intercessor brother, Dag Rane Schjelderup. Dag has ministered in Albania for many years. He sent the follow letter containing his spiritual and sociological update on Albania for us to pray into. With Zuzanna and I presently hosting a team from Charis Bible College in Colorado, little time was available to seek the Lord for Albania. So let us be thankful that there is a man on the ground in Albania that hears from God and supplied the follow insights.

Be Blessed Jerry!

A MOVEMENT OF PRAYER, REPENTANCE, HOLINESS AND CHANGE

On November 29, the Albanian National Liberation Day (from German troops in 1944), the leaders of the evangelical churches (Ev Alliance) in the country had announced and organized a "Day Joel" (Joel 2:12-17), of Prayer and Fasting for the Chruch and the country. Not only the Germans left Albania, but Communism took over in 1944. As the Israelis were 70 years in Babylon, the Albanians were 70 years under Communism. "Democracy" came in 1990. But the "new" leaders were former communists, and the dictatorial and communist way of thinking and dealings among politicians were dominant till now.

Before Nov 29th this year, likely many hundreds, possibly thousands of believers took part in a 3 weeks of fasting according to Daniel, to repemnt and prepare for the "Day of Joel".

Our local church in Fushe-Kruje and other places where we work, experienced great changes in peoples' and families' lives those days. Root issues that had been hidden "forever" were revealed and dealt with. Many experienced deep deliverance.

On the 29th, about 2000 believers gathered for a 4 1/2 hour prayer meeting, unprecedented in our modern history., repenting of national former and today's issues. Many again experienced a powerful touch and change from God.

But the changes for better in the Church and this nation has just begun. We are already planning for more prayer until and on the next Nov 29th in 2015:

1.     Pray that the move of prayer, repentance and holiness will go on and grow.

2.     Pray that more believers and churches will be a part of this move of the Holy Spirit.

THE NEW ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER EDI RAMA HAD "RILINDJE" (REBIRTH) AS HIS SLOGAN BEFORE ELECTED. For sure many changes has happened. He has appointed the first ever evangelical Christian as one of his ministers. And he has got evangelical believers as close counsellors, even Rama himself calls himself a humanist. He does not walk around with a train of body-guards, like former leaders used to appear. He has taken tough decisions on school reforms, closing down more than a dozen of badly run private universities. The traffic police are enforcing laws, fines have increased, and the way people drive has improved a lot just in a few months' time. With these radical reforms, he has got many enemies.

3.     Pray for salvation, wisdom and protection for Prime Minister Edi Rama.

4.     Pray for the believers in the government to stay free of corruption and compromise with any evil.

5.     Pray for the "Rilindje" to proceed in God's way for Albania and the Albanians.

CORRUPTION, UNEMPLOYMENT AND PRIVATE DEBTS

As one of the most corrupt nations in Europe, a financial analyst found that about 2/3 of the finances [are] circulated in the hidden/dark/illegal ways. That means that far less is left for righteous wages, taxes etc. A normal manual worker, the lucky one to have a job, does so without social insurance, on 1000 leke (7 €) [$9.50] a day, which is hardly enough to sustain a family of 5 or more with the most basic food, or even to pay for electric power, rent of house etc. A major bank did a research last year, finding that about 1/3 of families are indebted to banks mainly for borrowing money to buy food, even many lie to get loans, telling they will start a business etc. 2/3 of the population is indebted to the local grocery store, not being able to pay for daily bread.

6.     Pray for corruption to come to an end Albania.

7.     Pray that wages and employment levels will rise and become righteous.

Dag  
     

Also I would ask that we pray for Dag. May he continue to be close to the Lord’s heart, knowing the times and the seasons the Lord has ordained.

Please leave a Comment or a Reaction so we will know you Prayed

Pray for Kosovo

Week of Oct. 13-19, 2014

Now this is ironic, I am in Serbia asking the Lord how to pray for Kosovo.

Kosovo and Serbia are bitter enemies. (I think things are starting to cool down some) Over the past 60 years the Albanian Kosovars have over-populated the Serbians in Kosovo. In 1999 the Kosovars decided to declare independence in retaliation to heavy-handed controls from Serbia. The Serbs will tell you this was a designed plan of Albania, but in reality demographics had changed over the years and Serbia did not embrace the change. The biggest problem is that the Kosovo area is the birth land of the Serbs. There are historic churches and monasteries that are important to the Serbs. Another problem is that there is a strong Greater Albania nationalistic movement among the Albanians across the Balkans.

Prayer Points:

1)      Let us pray for peace between Kosovo and Serbia. Lord, only You can work out these deep wounds between the two. Let us pray the enemy would not engineer more conflicts.

2)      Many Islamic radicals are setting up shop in Kosovo in the hope of creating another Islamic state. Let us pray down confusion on their plans.

3)      Pray that God would extend mercy to Kosovo and many would hear the Gospel.

4)      Although Kosovo is strongly Muslim, there has been church growth. The Muslims are mainly nominal in there Islamic beliefs and should be reachable.

5)      The Baptist, Pentecostals, etc. are slowly progressing. Let us pray for the present churches. May they grow, mature and release evangelist into the culture.

6)      Once again I will ask you to pray for friendship evangelism in the Muslim areas of the Balkans. We must reach them while we still have the freedom to do so.

Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed.

 

Pray for Albania

Week of Sept. 1-7,2014

Albanian police destroy 46 thousand cannabis plants in northern region
English.news.cn   2014-08-24 06:05:32

TIRANA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Albanian police forces on Saturday destroyed around 46 thousand cannabis roots during an anti-narcotics operation in the Shkodra region in northern Albania.

Artan Didi, Director General of Albanian police, said Albania was determined in the fight against drugs until the last cannabis-planted plot was destroyed.

Around two hundred police men took part in the operation.

The operation was part of the new government's campaign to stamp out the cannabis economy in its bid to become part of the European Union.

Albania is a major cannabis-producing country in Europe and a transit point for other drugs coming from other regions. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2014-08/24/c_133579015.htm
 
Prayer Points:
1)    Let us pray for more aggressive drug law enforcement in Albania. May illegal drugs become hard to find in Albania.
2)    We pray for exposure and rendering of justice for those involved in the drug trade in Albania.
3)    Ever since communism fell in Albania, many missionaries have come to Albania to share Jesus. Lord, we know their efforts have not been in vain. Your word does not return void. Lord, we ask that the efforts of these missionaries would continue to bring forth fruit.
4)    May fruit remain. We remember Jesus’ prayer: John 15:16 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”
5)     Let us pray for more fruit. Just as a farmer prays for a bountiful harvest, so we pray for spiritual fruit all across Albania.
6)     Fruit needs to ripen. Let us pray for Christian maturity in Albania. May Albanian Christians be fully nurtured by the Tree of Life; Ripe and sweet and may their seeds multiply across the land.
7)    There is a pastor and three others going from Albania today to Turkey in order to prayer walk for twelve days. Lord Jesus, go with them and guide them to the fields that need to be plowed by the Spirit. Lord, protect, prosper, give them favor and give them dominion over the powers of darkness that lurk there. May the fruit of the enemy be exposed and wither away.


Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will Know you Prayed

Pray for Albania

Week of June 9-15, 2014

 

 The following is an excerpt from an account of ministry done last Christmas in 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.

Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed.

Special Report - BalkanNetworks Meeting

Week of April 14-20, 2014

This week, instead of a prayer directive, we will report on our visit to a refugee camp in Podgorica, Montenegro and the Balkan Networks strategy meeting in Gjakove, Kosovo which we attended last week.

Zuzanna and I started out by driving down the Croatian coast Monday and Tuesday (April 7-8) and were amazed at the beauty our creative Father laid out for us to enjoy.

We arrived to Montenegro and met with Sinisa Nadazdin who pastors in a Roma (Gypsy) refugee camp. At the camp we observed the degrading conditions of life for about 1,600 refugees. Several have come to know Jesus in the camp and are so hungry for Him. This was evident in the mid-week service we attended where about 75% was made up of young people. He has worked with the refugees for some six years and has earned their trust. Sinisa helps them in countless ways, among which is worth noting that he helps the refugees work through the entangled bureaucracy of the paperwork in order to establish their identity. These refugees have been struggling to get legal status for many years. They had fled from Kosovo during the conflict there about fourteen years ago.

On April 10th we boarded a bus for a six and a half hour ride into Kosovo. I want to say, Montenegro has some of the most unappreciated beauty Zuzanna and I have ever seen. The mountains and valleys are just breath-taking.

We arrived in Gjakova, Kosovo for the Balkan Networks meeting Thursday afternoon.  It was great to meet men and women I had been corresponding with, some for years, through Praying for the Balkans, Project. It was good to meet many other Christians who have a burden for the Balkan countries. The meeting was very on purpose and we saw in many ways how each of us fit into the puzzle of the coming revival in the Balkans, which we firmly believe is on the horizon.

The inspiring news is that there has been an increase over the past few years of ministries coming or being raised up in the Balkan countries. We were blessed to have some pastors from the region that came and shared their dreams with us. I know I will leave some out but let me mention some of the participants at the meeting and the ministries they represent.

   ·    Albin Larsson, from Romania, missionary and organizer of the event. Truly Albin did a remarkable job of pulling us together and setting the agenda.
   ·    Jeff McLaughlin, from Kosovo – missionary, who did the ground work in Gjakova and lead our worship times.
   ·    Dag Schjelderup who has been serving in Albania for many years as a prophetic voice and pastor.
   ·    Bryan Brenchley, businessman from Macedonia, spoke to us about deepening our relationships and connecting with Kingdom minded people throughout the region.
   ·    Lee Saville, missionary from Romania, was our main speaker. Thank you Lee, for setting the tone and challenging us to press on with expected assistance from heaven.
   ·    George Markakis, pastor form Athens, Greece. Pastor George was a defining voice that helped bring clarity to the meeting.
   ·    Venco Nakov, pastor from Macedonia, stressed to us the importance of prayer that must precede the move of God coming to the Balkans.
  ·    Werner Woiwode, from Switzerland with Trumpet Call – Europe, is going forth blowing the Trumpet of  the Lord in all European nations; the sounds of heaven are coming to earth. (Werner, I started reading your book “Stranded on Life’s obstacles” )
   ·    Many others:
      o    Michael Long, missionary from Thessaloniki, Greece.
      o    Julian and Beatrice Kastrati, local church leaders in Albania
      o    Barry Ogden, missionary in Albania
      o    Pal Katona, missionary in Macedonia
      o    Rachel Bevan, missionary in Romania
      o    Katrine Drevon, YWAM representative from Serbia
      o    Athol Barnes from the USA, with Call2all, an organization to reach all hidden people     groups
      o    Jerry McCarty and Donald Chandler from the USA with Serve the City
      o    Others, unnamed but special participants to the meeting

We were blessed to also have with us four pastors/evangelist from Argentina that had come with Michael Long. These gentlemen challenged us and spoke into our lives great Hope. They spoke of their plans to mobilize hundreds of missionaries from South America to take the Gospel back to Europe as a way of thankfulness to Europe for bringing it to them many years ago.

To Zuzanna and I, this Balkan Networks meeting was reassuring to us that God is truly answering the prayers we have prayed for the Balkans all these years.

Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed.

Pray for Albania

Week of March 3-9, 2014

In praying for Albania I was led to look for heroes. I found two whose stories intrigued me. One is Ded Coku, an Albanian freedom fighter and the other Aubrey Herbert, an Englishman who loved Albania and represented her in many world courts.

Mr. Zef Coku [Ded Coku’s son] said recently through a translator. ''My father cried out before he died, 'Long life to Albania,' and he made the sign of the cross. But in the end, the Communists had their way.''

Let us take inspiration from a fallen hero of Albania, Ded Coku. He was executed when the communist took over in 1945.


Impeccably aristocratic and eccentric in a uniquely English tradition, Aubrey Herbert was at first sight an incongruous champion of Albanian nationalism, to say the least. Tall, slender and slightly stooped, with a mustache and heavily lidded eyes, within England - let alone abroad - he cut a colorful figure. But Herbert was also an acclaimed linguist, intrepid traveler and an outspoken and independent thinker, who became enthralled by the Balkans on his first visit to the region in 1904 as honorary attaché at the British Embassy in Constantinople. From that time until his death in 1923, he was unrelenting in campaigning for the Albanian cause. He returned frequently to the country and gained respect as an expert on the region. 

Aubrey Herbert was twice offered the throne of Albania. On the first occasion, just before World War I, …the second occasion the crown was offered was after the defeat of the Italian Army by the Albanians in September 1920. Again the offer was unofficial, though it was made on behalf of the Albanian government. The National Library of Albania in Tirana was once named after Herbert, as was a village in the country. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aubrey_Herbert

1)    Let us pray blessings upon Albania, a country greatly misunderstood but greatly loved by the Lord. Because Abraham is a blessing to all nations let us pray the Abrahamic blessing. 1)    Genesis 12:2  I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.
2)    Let us pray for heroes to emerge who will give themselves like Ded Coku did for Albania. Christian or secular may they work toward the good of Albania.
3)    May those who have been influenced by a Biblical worldview rise to the top of every institution in Albanian society. Lord, release in Christians a sense of duty and service to country.
4)    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.
5)    Let us pray for friends of Albania. People like Aubrey Herbert that went beyond the call of duty to see that justice was extended to Albania. May foreigners of influence be sympathetic toward Albania.
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 (Illyricum) 2,000 years ago, may others hear the call today.
7)    Investment is coming into the country, although slowly. Let us pray that these assets would not only be invested wisely but that productivity in the country would rise.

Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed.

Prayer for Albania

Week of Nov. 18-24, 2013

 -    PRAISE REPORT -
At the end of August, we prayed for Albania and that there should be a ‘Clean up Albania’ campaign. We just got this report from Craig and Odette Bredenkamp, missionaries in Albania; The government has announced a national clean-up day for this coming Thursday Nov. 21! This is not a small thing for Albania. Please pray that this would be a part of something deeper God is doing in the identity of the people.

Your prayers make a difference!

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — The international effort to destroy Syria's chemical weapons was dealt a major blow Friday when staunch American ally Albania rejected a U.S. request to let the destruction take place on its soil.  

Albania was in the world news last week as they faced having to make a decision concerning participating in the destruction of Syria’s weapons. It is believed that because of the protest of the people, Prime Minister Rama decided to tell the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons no to dumping these weapons in Albania.

The spiritual application here is that Albania did not timidly stand down under pressure from the ‘big dogs’ but the people raised their voice for a cause. After many years of communist dictatorial oppression, a time when no protest was allowed, Albanians are regaining their voice.

1)    Let us pray for boldness coupled with wisdom in the Albanian people. Who are the leaders of this protest? Are they righteous in their intentions? Let us stand in prayer against wolfs leading the people astray.
2)    Let us look at the picture of the Albanians in the streets of the capital and remember how Jesus looked on the multitudes with compassion. Perhaps those leading the protest were not necessarily godly men but let us pray that the Lord would raise up righteous people to lead in Albania. Matthew 9:36 - But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
3)    Lord, we know You are the Great Shepherd. Come, Lord Jesus, and walk upon that land and gather Your people.
4)    Pray for Bible schools that will be dedicated to training leaders. May the students learn the virtues of leading through righteousness. 
5)    The Evangelical Churches of Albania need much help from Christians worldwide. Holy Spirit, please turn Christian aid toward Albania. We pray for Biblical teachers, evangelical trainers and financial investors.
6)    Lord, we ask for boldness to be released through Albanian Christians.
7)    The family mentioned in the praise report, recently moved from Colorado to Albania to minister there: Craig and Odette Bredenkamp and family. Let us pray God would fill their lives with divine appointments and fruitful ministry. For their recent newsletter got to www.his-cloud.com/Craig.

I would also encourage you to go to www.his-cloud.com/Albania for names and cities of others active for the Lord in Albania (also includes some in Kosovo).

Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed.

Pray for Albania

Week of Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2013

In the News: Plastic, cans, empty cigar packs and banana skins litter the sand of Shengjin beach, making unattractive company for thousands of tourists who have invaded this shore of Adriatic Sea, some 45 kilometers from Tirana [Albania]. Pigs sift through rubbish alongside the road.


An old saying may ring true here, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”.

Waste management poses a real problem in Albania. Likely there is a lack of revenue to have a fully functioning Waste Management Department. It is a common thing in Albania for people to throw their trash into the rivers and along the roadways. Rivers carry this rubbish into the sea polluting it.

Albania is positioned to expand in the area of tourism. Investors are buying coast land and development is on the rise. Albania is on the Adriatic coast which is a favorite vacation spot for many throughout Europe.

The good vs. the bad; two opposing sides to this issue. The bad could discourage the good. So many times God wants to bless us and prepares a plan for us, but we let the ‘trash’ in our lives rob us of His blessings. The same principle applies in the case of Albania.

1) I think of the trash and I think of neglect. Also, neglect speaks of a lack of ownership and value. Lord, we pray for a transformation of this cultural norm. May the Albanian people develop a pride in keeping their country clean. We pray for a sense of accountability, ownership and value to take root in the Albanian people.

2) Pray for a ‘Clean up Albania’ campaign. May such a program be instigated by Christians.

If Albanian Christians started walking down the streets picking up trash, this would show their servant heart. Acts of kindness can breakdown walls of resistance.

3) Let us pray that the churches would organize and collectively be servants to their communities and country.

4) The Bride of Christ in Albania is responsible for the spiritual condition of the country. Let us pray for a stirring up of evangelism.

5) We must remember the trash Jesus cleaned out of our lives. Let us pray that the Albanian people would desire to live clean before the Lord.

6) As a nation we pray that the inner cleansing of individuals would be reflected in a beautiful nation coming forth.


7) During many years of communist, the regime aggressively pursued a policy of isolation for Albania. Let us pray that the spirit of seclusion be broken.

8) Socialist policies cause people to feel disconnected and unaccountable for the country and community they live in. Let us pray for justice in government. Let us pray that the government would strive to earn the trust and respect of the people.

9) Investment is a good thing for Albania. Let us pray for the ‘right’ investment. Many times criminals launder their illegal money through property ownership, consequently producing evil vices and corruption.

Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you prayed.

Pray for Albania

Week of May 6 - 12, 2013

By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN  -  Op-Ed Columnist  When I was in Albania last week, I was amazed by the people's basic desire for a stable life, and that tells me two things. It tells me that the citizens of Albania have no shortage of courage, and that is a good beginning to grow from. Second, it tells me that people in Albania are just like people anywhere else on this flat earth of ours.

So what should we do about the chaos in Albania? Well, it's easier to start with what we should not do. We should not let seemingly endless frustrations cause the people of Albania to doubt their chance at progress. Beyond that, we need to be careful to nurture the seeds of democratic ideals. The opportunity is there, but I worry that the path to stability is so strewn with obstacles that Albania will have to move down it very slowly. Published: May 5, 2013 http://thomasfriedmanopedgenerator.com/Can%2BGod%2BSave%2BAlbania%253F%2B7203ae#

1.      There is great hope for Albania. I don’t always agree with Thomas Friedman but he does offer hope for Albanians. Pray for Albania and all their institutions as they seek freedom and a better life.

2.      There is much investment going into Albania at this time to develop their coast line. Please pray that Christian construction companies would seize upon this opportunity to bless that nation with development and especially jobs. 

3.      May the Gospel always have the freedom to be proclaimed in Albania. Pray that Orthodox and Muslim leaders would not stir up opposition to Evangelical churches and try to restrict them from spreading the Gospel.

4.      Let us pray for evangelical in Albania. May they seize upon the open door they have to preach the Gospel throughout Albania.

5.      Lord, we ask strategies be given the churches to evangelize Albania.

6.      Many foreign Christian groups have gone to Albania since Communism fell. Let us pray for the seeds that were sown. Let us pray for more missionaries to be sent.

7.      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.

8.      I just believe this is a time of decision for Albania. There is an election coming up in June in Albania. Let us pray for people to be elected that will stand up against corruption. 

9.      Pray that the media would do their job and report all the news and not be favorable to one political party over others. May the journalists be bold and factual in their reporting.

 Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed.

Pray for FYROM Macedonia

Week of Dec. 17-23, 2012

Skopje Fortress >

The Macedonian parliament has started working on reforms in their military laws/statutes that are aimed at giving equal benefits for all ethnic groups in Macedonia.

Quote:  “Today we start our battle to save the inter-ethnic relations and build bridges between Macedonians and Albanians,” said during the session Xhevat Ademi from the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI.

The draft law, pushed by the main ruling VMRO DPMNE party of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, envisages state pensions, free healthcare and other benefits - but only for Macedonian army veterans of the 2001 conflict between government forces and Albanian insurgents.

But there is opposition from the Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA); they want the same rights extended to former Albanian guerrilla fighters, or want the bill dropped altogether.
Ethnic divisions in Macedonia have been the greatest hindrances to a smooth civil government.

1)    Lord, we thank You for these steps in the government to solve ethnic differences. May these lawmakers be forgiving of the past injustices and have wisdom to set into law a respect for all ethnic groups.
2)    Democratic government usually requires compromise on behalf of opposing parties in order to establish a law. Also compromises can be impacted by a greater idea, usually delivered by a statesman, that can create a more sure solution. Lord, we pray for a solution that solves the needs (not wants) of all parties involved. May they work toward the unity of one country and not a fragmented society. 
3)    Lord, we believe it was and is Your will to set apart a northern Macedonian nation. We pray that the citizens can put aside past abuses and work together to bring forth a “sheep nation”.
4)    As the government’s reforms laws, we pray that all religious expression would not be legislated against. Let us pray for total religious freedom in 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 29%, 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, release innovation and relax government restrictions on opening small business.
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 that the 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 persecute the poor because they are an easy target. Let us pray that the wicked of Macedonia would be humbled before the poor.  Lord, expose the financial schemes that are designed 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.
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.
8)    The will bring justice, so we declare it – What was spoken in heaven for the poor, we declare it on earth in Macedonia. Lord, we pray for the children of Macedonia. May the Gospel be presented to them.
9)    Lord, we pray for the widows and orphans. May the churches take the responsibility to minister to them as You commanded.

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