Special Prayer Needed

Čuvar Brata Svoga or Brother's Keeper

I would like to ask for prayer for about 250 men that are meeting near a lake in central Bosnia Herzegovina. The meeting is called Brother’s Keepers and it is mainly for Christian men from all parts of the former Yugoslavia.

For you that have been receiving our Praying for the Balkans prayer directives over the years; I want to report that those prayers have been heard in heaven. I am meeting brothers from many of the Balkan countries who dearly love Jesus and are active for the Lord in their countries and communities. God does answer prayer. He has sent labors and there has been harvest. The Balkans does still remain barely touched by revival, so keep praying.

PRAYER POINTS:
Pray for this four day gathering of men; June 18-21, 2015.
Pray that God will take us deeper.
Pray that all these men would be inspired and endued from on high to be lights in their countries.

Thanks, Jerry

Update: 6/26
The meeting went really well. This was the 6th time they have meet as the Brother's Keepers. One of the leaders told me there was more true fellowship among the men than there had been before. They were as one in spirit and no tensions at all. You have to understand, twenty years ago there was a war and they were fighting each other. There was around 30 pastors at this retreat.

What amazed me was that the prayer tent was full during the 3 to 6 pm prayer time.

Thanks for your prayers, God is moving in the Balkans.

Bosnia Herzegovina - Imam attacked for speaking against ISIS

Week of March 16-22,2015
< Please read and pray for updated IE Balkans needs in Left Column. 

 Bosnian Imam attacked 7 times over call to stay out of Syria
TRNOVI, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — The long-bearded man burst into the mosque's yard and pinned Selvedin Beganovic to the ground. Shouting "Now I will slaughter you!" he plunged a knife three times into the imam's chest and fled.

It was no random attack: Beganovic has suffered seven assaults blamed on Muslim extremists in the past year — with three just last month.
The apparent reason for the jihadi wrath? Beganovic uses his pulpit to tell the faithful in predominantly Muslim Bosnia they have no business fighting in Syria or Iraq. And he vows to keep preaching the message no matter how many times extremists try to silence him.
 http://news.yahoo.com/bosnian-imam-attacked-7-times-over-call-stay-161722154.html
 
Bosnia arrests five for planning \'terrorist act\' in Scandinavia
[14 March,2015]  Three suspects were arrested as they were trying to leave Bosnia in a car. 
SARAJEVO (AFP) - Four Bosnians and a Swede of Arab origin were arrested in Bosnia after being found with an explosive device to be used for "a terrorist act" in a Scandinavian country, police said Friday. The operation, coded "Benelux," was carried out by Bosnian, Swedish and Dutch police, Bosnian police said in a statement. "These persons are suspected to have produced an explosive device in Bosnia with the intention of delivering it in a Scandinavian country," it said said. "The device was supposed to be used for a terrorist act." Last month, a gunman of Palestinian origin killed two people in Copenhagen. The authorities refused to give further details, including the final destination or specify if the suspects were linked to local Islamist movements. In a separate statement, a prosecutor said the Swedish citizen was "of Arab origin." Three suspects were arrested as they were trying to leave Bosnia in a car where the device was found, police said, adding that another two were arrested in the capital Sarajevo. Forty percent of Bosnia s 3.8 million inhabitants are Muslim. According to Bosnian intelligence estimates, some 150 citizens are currently fighting along with terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria and some 20 have been killed so far. Some 50 other jihadists returned to Bosnia.  http://www.thefrontierpost.com/article/267867//

NOTE: Bosnia was the front lines of the Ottoman Empire for many centuries as they controlled major parts of the Balkans. Even when the Ottomans had to retreat, a majority of Muslim Bosnians remained culturally Muslim and obeyed the Islamic religion. Although most Muslim Bosnians are nominal in their observance of Islam, there is a radical Islamic segment that is forcing their will upon their neighbors and the Muslim institutions. Also let me add, I recently read the book “Wind in the House of Islam, How God is drawing Muslims around the world to faith in Jesus Christ” by David Garrison. Just as the extended title says, (although unreported by the news) God is bringing Muslims to give their lives to Jesus.

Prayer Points:
1)    Holy Spirit we ask that You would blow a wind across Bosnia Herzegovina. We ask for a redemptive move among the Muslim Bosnians that would result in turning them to Jesus.
2)    Let us pray that Selvedin Beganovic has an encounter with Jesus Christ and that he believes in the true God. Let us also pray that he is protected from more attacks.
3)    May he continue to be bold in standing up for what is right. May there be many, even multitudes that will stand with him and surround him from the enemies’ intimidation.
4)    Let us thank the Lord for the arrest of these radicals that were caught before they could carry out their attacks. May all the enemies plans to cultivate radical Islam be stopped.
Psalm 127:1
“…Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
5)    Lord, we ask You to put heavenly guards throughout Bosnia to watch for those that would intend to spread radical Islam. May their plans be exposed and cut short. Let us pray for confusion and disunity to break up these radical groups.
6)    As intercessors let us believe that this will be the year that the “Lord of the harvest” will send laborers to Bosnia.
7)    Let us pray that the love of Jesus for Muslims would be poured out through His servants. Pray that Christian neighbors would go the extra mile to reach out to their communities. Let us pray for strategies that build trust.
Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed.

Pray for Bosnia Herzegovina

Week of Dec. 15-21, 2014

>We thank you for also Praying for European Initiative needs listed in the left column<

In the NEWS: Statement at the Conclusion of an IMF Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Press Release December 12, 2014

The economic recovery appears to be more resilient than previously thought to the impact of the natural disaster that hit Bosnia and Herzegovina last May. Industrial production and exports have picked up and tax revenues have continued to recover. …growth is expected to reach close to 1 percent this year…
The financial sector remains well capitalized and stable at the aggregate level, having withstood the impact the impact of the floods well.

The mission discussed progress in implementing policies agreed under the SBA that are aimed at containing current government spending, including the costs of privileged pensions; improving tax compliance and fighting tax fraud; strengthening financial sector stability and enhancing banking supervision.

1)    Thank you Jesus for the projected 1% economic growth in Bosnia Herzegovina. It is good to see some positive movement in this poverty stricken country.
2)    The BiH government and business sectors are mainly in the hand of men and women that do not fear God. Even so, Lord, we ask that You guide their decisions.
3)    Let us pray that 2015 will be a year of much more growth. Lord, we ask for those that carry an economic understanding and anointing to be positioned to function in Bosnia Herzegovina. Lord place Your people in those positions of leadership.
4)    Let us pray for continued capitalization in BiH; a capitalization driven by ethical standards and wisdom in the market place. We pray that the economic mountain of Bosnia Herzegovina would be grounded in just rewards for ethical business practices.

Spiritual good news from Operation World:
Evangelical believers have increased significantly but still represent only a miniscule proportion of the population. From three congregations in 1991, there are now about 35. Only evangelicals are effectively bridging the ethnic fault lines. Baptists and Pentecostals predominate, but several other smaller churches are also at work. Baptists run a seminary in Sarajevo, and both Pentecostals and Baptists have Bible schools. An Evangelical Alliance has been founded for Bosnia. Pray for believers and their witness in this divided land. Bosnia is not a spiritually receptive place; pray that many hearts might open to the gospel.

The unreached: Bosniak Muslims are possibly the least evangelized people in Europe. Islamic mission activities may cause them to be even harder to reach. [Out of 2 million ethnic Muslims, only 500 are believed to be Christian] http://www.operationworld.org/bosn

5)    Let us raise up intercession for these nominal Muslims living in Bosnia. (Nominal, meaning not fully committed to Islam)

James 5:7
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.

6)    Holy Spirit, we ask that the land would be spiritually plowed and made ready for the latter rain.
7)    Lord we ask for an “expectant” patience. We wait on You, Lord, with an expectancy of great blessing coming to the Muslims of Bosnia Herzegovina.  Lord, we know You love them and desire they come to know You.
8)    Let us arise and rebuke the enemy as he tries to teach radical Islam in Bosnia. There are reports of some villages and Muslim communities instituting Sharia law. (See Wikipedia for more understanding of Sharia law, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharia) Let us pray for confusion, division and opposition in Muslim communities where Sharia law is trying to be instituted.
9)    Let us pray that the Muslim communities of Bosnia Herzegovina will be set free from the demonic bondage of Islam.
10)    Lord, empower and encourage the missionaries and pastors in Bosnia Herzegovina. May they see physical evidence of You moving in the land. May they prepare themselves to pick the fruit and harvest the field of souls.

Personal Note: Muslim is a cultural, ethnic term; Islam is a religion

2 Corinthians 9:10
Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

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

Pray for Bosnia Herzegovina

Week of Sept. 8-14, 2014

In the News: Up to five feared dead in Bosnian coal mine accident

(Reuters) - Up to five Bosnian miners were feared dead after a rock burst left them trapped, rescuers and other miners said on Friday, as emergency teams evacuated others who had spent more than 18 hours underground.

Mine Manager Esad Civic said 29 miners had been rescued, among 34 who had been trapped half a kilometre below the surface after an earthquake triggered a rock burst on Thursday afternoon.
•    Thomas  - (Comment) Being from SW Pa, you had few choices for employment: Steel Mills or Coal Mines. Both very dangerous, underpaid for services and certainly unappreciated. Education was/is one of the few ways out.

Prayer Points:
1)    Let us pray for the miners that lost their lives in this tragedy in the Raspotocje mine in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). Pray that their families will be taken care of by the community, friends and government. I don’t know if there is an evangelical church in the area but may a group of Christians be moved to reach out to these families.
2)    Thomas (unknown American) has a very good point about education. The uneducated tend to end up with the tough and dangerous jobs at a lower pay. Let us pray for the educational system of B&H.
3)    May the parents in B&H fulfill their duty to direct and challenge their children to excel in school. We pray that the Christian families would lead the way in providing a good education for their children.
4)    Let us pray for a day in B&H when disciplined and educated Christians are raised up to lead the nation.
5)    B&H does have a Muslim majority and much money and efforts are being spent on radicalizing them. Let us pray that the enemies’ plans in the Muslim communities would fail.
6)    The churches in B&H are small and weak but may they open their hearts to share the love of Jesus with their Muslim neighbors.
7)    Let us pray for the birthing of ministries specifically to the Muslims in B&H. Lord, please send missionaries who have a heart for and know how to reach Muslims.
8)    Lord Jesus, we pray for revival in B&H. Lord, may the people be set free from the tragedies of the past and come forth healed and redeemed.

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

Pray for Bosnia Herzegovina

Week of June 16-22, 2014

In the News: Emirates Red Crescent distributes more than Dh5m in Bosnia
The Emirates Red Crescent, through its office in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has distributed Dh5,142,200 (about $1,400,000). The amount covers sponsorship of 4,274 orphans and 52 children with disabilities in 25 areas belonging to the municipalities of Sarajevo, Tuzla, and Bihac.

The Emirates Red Crescent office in Sarajevo is overseeing the orphan care programs, communicating with them and their supervisors to highlight ERC's keenness to follow up on their health conditions and educational and social development.

The authority also continues providing humanitarian assistance to those affected by the floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina, having reinforced its humanitarian and relief operations to provide greater care to those affected and to protect them from repercussions of the flood disaster. – Emirates News Agency, WAM


Report: American Red Cross Provides Assistance for Balkans Flooding
Posted June 06, 2014
The American Red Cross is contributing a total of $400,000 to support flood relief efforts in the Balkans, including shelter supplies in Bosnia and Herzegovina and distribution of food, relief items and water and sanitation activities in Serbia.

The following are Reports from UNICEF and other agencies.

CRITICAL ISSUES FOR CHILDREN: Bosnia and Herzegovina Floods: Humanitarian Situation Report - 12 June 2014

Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing its most challenging flood recovery due to the heaviest rains seen in the region for more than a century.

Based on the available assessments, 74 municipalities have been affected by the floods (42 in FBiH, 31 in RS, and BD). Amongst these, 9 have been ‘severely affected’ (Samac, Odzak, Orasje, Brcko, Bijeljina, Doboj, Maglaj, Zepce, Domaljevac-Samac), where more than 50% of the affected population and children lives. In these 74 municipalities, more than 320,000 people have been affected including:
• 60,000 children aged 0-18
• 16,000 children aged 0-5.

According to information from Roma NGOs, more than 800 Roma families have been affected by floods. They were identified as one of the most vulnerable groups even before the floods. UNICEF team visited: Samac, Odzak, Brcko, Bjeljina, Doboj, Maglaj, Domaljevac-Samac, Olovo, Tuzla, Sapna, Prijedor, Gradiska, Zivinice and Vogosca.
According to the latest IOM information, 1,560 persons are placed in 39 collective centres (963 in FBiH in 22 centers and 532 in RS in 14 centers) including 276 children (56 aged 0-4 and 220 aged 5-17) but this number is decreasing every day..


Preliminary UN estimation shows that it will cost about USD 210 million to cover immediate priority needs for the next six months in Bosnia Herzegovina, alone, after devastating floods hit the region.
FLOODS  BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Humanitarian Situation Report 12 June 2014


C. HEALTH AND NUTRITION:

According to the International Medical Corps ‘Rapid Assessment’ of the flood affected areas, 18 health care facilities (both rural and urban) have been damaged. This will impact health services for about 170,000 people. The needs for each health facilities vary greatly from minor damage to total destruction of supplies and equipment. 

At European Initiative, we have received generous donations to help with the floods. We  partnered with an organization called Churches in Action to deliver much needed food and water supplies through Christian churches in Serbia, but the need is just as great in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well. We are currently arranging the delivery of urgently needed supplies, and we are positioning ourselves now, in order to assist long term by mobilizing teams who can help with clean up and rebuilding. We see many Christians showing a desire to go help.


Prayer Points

1)    Regardless of what we believe about God’s involvement in this flood, God has a greater purpose. Lord, we pray for a complete restoration for the families and the economy of Bosnia Herzegovina (B&H).
2)    We see these and other relief organizations and of course the European Union coming in to bring immediate relief. Of course they don’t provide God’s love and the human touch is only felt briefly.
3)    It is disappointing to see that the Muslim world is “all in” and supplying millions of Dollars (there are many others not mentioned above) in aid, yet the Christian community has been slow to get involved. The Balkans is the least evangelized part of the world today. This is our time to be the hands and feet of Christ in word and deed. Lord, wake up the Christian community worldwide, may we unite to bring the gospel and the love of Jesus to the hurting in the Balkans.
4)    The UNICEF report above shows the effect the flood has on children and the medical facilities. Let us pray that the effected hospitals and clinics would quickly get repaired, cleaned up and adequate donations of medical equipment. May the bureaucracy of the government not stand in the way of any aid reaching its destination.
5)    Pray that churches and Christians in B&H will be strengthened physically and spiritually as they focus on helping their fellow countrymen.
6)    The evangelical churches in B&H are small and very few. Let us pray for massive help from Christians throughout the world.
7)    Pray that European Initiative – Balkans will have open doors to organize sources of relief, delivery and follow-up. Pray for adequate funds to come in to meet these immediate needs and secure long term follow-up.
8)    Most of all we want the people to see Jesus as the Restorer of all things and especially may they receive Him as Lord of their lives.
9)    The time is now to evangelize Bosnia and Herzegovina. Lord, please stir up a passion to help the people of B&H.

Here at European Initiative we believe not only is immediate help imperative, but through long-term help, the Church can have a lasting impact. EI-Balkans, with our ability to organize teams for outreach, we look forward to mobilizing such teams to these devastated areas of Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia and Croatia. If you would like to be a part of a team, contact us at humanitarianaidbalkans@yahoo.com

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

Pray for Bosnia Herzegovina

Week of March 10-16, 2014

Recent News:
Men make up nearly 90 percent of the missing in the armed conflicts in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s, which left women and children to fight the difficult consequences alone and they are frequently threatened so that the truth about those missing or killed is not found out, the International Commission for Missing Persons (ICMP) said.

More than 30,000 people are believed to have gone missing in the 1990s armed conflicts and the latest statistics from the Missing Persons Institute and the ICMP show that men account for 87 per cent.
Some of the women left behind were victims of sexual violence and they were displaced from their homes, the ICMP said.

Despite the personal setbacks, many of those women have assumed the leading role in the non-governmental sector and are successfully fighting to solve the issue of the war missing in Bosnia and raise public awareness of this issue. More than 70% of those gone missing during the 1992-95 war in Bosnia have been found but the missing continue to be one of the biggest human rights problems in the country, the ICMP said.


In the News: Bosnia's worker to pensioner ratio a mere 1.13 to 1

The ratio of workers to pensioners, known as the support (or dependency) ratio, is worst in Bosnia and Herzegovina when compared to other countries in the area of former Yugoslavia, the Sarajevo-based Dnevni Avaz reported on Wednesday.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, on average there are only 1.13 workers per each pensioner. Croatia follows with a ratio of 1.23 workers per each pensioner. In Slovenia, 1.27 workers work for one pensioner, Serbia's ratio is 1.46 to 1, and Macedonia fares best with a ratio of 1.76 to 1.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's authorities are concerned by an increase in the number of pension recipients while the number of workers, that is, pension contribution payers, keeps falling.

"The ratio is bad. Since the onset of the economic crisis, we have been recording a drastic deterioration," said Tihomir Joksimovic, the spokesman for the pension insurance fund in the Bosnian Serb entity, "Republika Srpska".
 
The average monthly pension is slightly over EUR 150 ($208) in that country.

1)    Lord Jesus, please extend grace to the people of Bosnia Herzegovina and a season of relief come to that land.
2)    We pray that the country would stabilize. May a national pride arise, which disregards ethnicity for the common good of the country. We pray for a day when the Bosnian Muslims, the Serbs and the Croats can walk together in peace. Let us pray against ethnic divisions, especially where demons of revenge and rage torment people’s thoughts.
3)    Lord, help the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina heal from the effects of the war. Lord, bring a massive revival to this needy land. The emotional effects of war can only be healed by a sovereign move of God. Let our intercession be deep and heartfelt as we ask the Lord to initiate a His plan from heaven.
4)    This is a time when the men of Bosnia and Herzegovina especially need our prayers. With a lack of men leading families women have to function in dual roles. Lord, give the women strength as they carry on to keep families together.
5)    Let us pray for the equipping of ministries, with empathy, to go unto the people of Bosnia Herzegovina with a gentle spirit that releasing healing from heaven.
6)    Productivity is very poor in BH. Let us pray for laws to be enacted that release the entrepreneurial spirit in the country to counter act this negative worker to pensioner ratio. Let us pray for ethical practices between business and government.

Please Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed

Pray for Bosnia Herzegovina

Week of Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2013

SARAJEVO, Bosnia — Preliminary findings from Bosnia’s first census since the 1992-1995 conflict shows the population has dropped substantially since then, raising concerns about the government structure put in place by the Dayton Peace Accords.
The state statistics agency said it counted a total of around 3,800,000 residents, down from the 4.4 million recorded in 1991.

The census results reflect demographic changes wrought by the conflict’s displacement and ethnic cleansing. The new figures are highly controversial because they could upset the quota-based power-sharing system between the previously warring Muslim Bosniaks, Catholic Croats, and Orthodox Serbs.

Will there ever be a unity in Bosnia Herzegovina? The article above speaks of three warring groups; Muslim Bosniaks, Catholic Croats, and Orthodox Serbs.

Actually there is another group that just call themselves Bosnians. These Bosnians are mainly among the younger generations that are trying to rise above ethnic divisions and believe in a future Bosnia of peace. They make up about 20% of the population.

First of all the religious titles placed in front of each group is nationalist not necessarily spiritual. Mosques and church buildings are mainly monuments in the communities and not regularly attended.  Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org/bosn) reports just over 2,000 evangelicals.

1) Because of ethnic divisions in Bosnia Herzegovina, let us pray for peace in the cities, in the villages and all government entities.
2) Let us pray for those that are pursuing peace through identifying themselves as Bosnians. May they be able to rise above the titles and ethnocentric bondages that have created disunity.
3) There was a time during Solomon’s reign that Israel had peace on all sides. Lord, we pray for men and women of wisdom to be promoted into the government sphere. May trouble-makers and divisive people be exposed and justice rendered.
4) Let us pray for the promotion of events, festivals and holidays that include all ethnic groups.
5) Let’s pray that the evangelical churches would not be guilty of promoting division but seek ways to bring neighbors together.
6) Not only did the population drop because of the war displacement but many young people are leaving Bosnia to pursue careers in other nations. This trend does not help the nation so let us pray for opportunities for young adults to stay in Bosnia.
7) God can use this diaspora, and bless them wherever they go. Let us pray they will settle into caring, loving Christian communities. May their ear hear the voice of the Lord in a foreign land. I am confident, Lord; many will be burdened to return to Bosnia Herzegovina with the Good News.

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

Praying for Bosnia Herzegovina

Week of Sept. 2-8, 2013

In the News: About 200 members of the Egyptian diaspora in Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered with Bosnians in Sarajevo on Saturday for the march of support to the Egyptian people.

The march was organized to support the Egyptian people but also to express the opposition to military coup in Egypt.  

In other News: [Video] Bosnia: Jihad groups trying to "turn the hearts of Muslims and bring them to jihad in Allah’s path"

As we see from the above links, there are radical jihad sentiments in Bosnia Herzegovina. Those in support of the Egyptians are actually in support of the radical Islamic elements there. The promotional video that is being distributed among Muslim youth in Bosnia is very alarming. 1) Oh, Jesus, we pray that the veil be lifted on this false ideology of jihad. Hatred never corrected any wrongs. Help these people see there is no peace in practicing radical jihad.
2) Let us pray for division and confusion in the camp of these agitators. (Deut. 28:20-21)
3) These jihad groups seek out disenfranchised youth that have little hope in their future. Lord, send help for the youth of Bosnia Herzegovina. Awaken your church in the region to reach out and link arms with the Bosnian church to seek Your strategy for the somber state of its youth.
4) Summer is coming to an end; let us pray for the Bosnian youth that were fortunate to attend Christian Summer camps. We pray that the Word that was presented to them will grow and take deep root.
5) Lord, raise up youth workers in Bosnia, and we pray that a shield of protection guard those daily. May these youth workers be agents of hope for the youth around them. Lord, broaden their vision and give them a spirit of expectation to see many young people saved.
6) Let us pray for the strengthening of the churches. There are very few evangelical churches in Bosnia. Let us pray for a special visitation of the Holy Spirit to fall in their midst.
7) Let us pray for unity among the churches, pastors and ministries. May they gather often to strengthen one another.
8) Let us pray for more intercessors for Bosnia Herzegovina. Oh, that many would come and stand in the gap for Bosnia. Those that are broken in their spirit for Bosnia Herzegovina will be honored and given power on earth to command a blessing from heaven.

Daniel 9:3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.
Psalm 38:8 I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart.
Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed

Pray for Bosnia Herzegovina

Week of May 13-19, 2013

In the News: Law Enforcement Re-examines Islamic Groups in the Balkans

 

Unidentified Islamic groups in the Balkans have sent threatening messages to foreign diplomats, military and political representatives as well as to the international missions serving in the region, prompting law enforcement to re-examine numerous Islamic groups, security analysts said.
Measures are being taken to follow the activities of such groups to prevent potential terrorist acts, according to Zoran Mitevski, former assistant director of the Intelligence Agency of Macedonia.

"These organizations are active in BiH [Bosnia and Herzegovina] but also in Sandzak [Serbia] and in Kosovo, and they continually try to expand their activities in Macedonia. The radical Islamic groups' activists are trained and financed from sources in the Middle East and the potential danger lies in the fact that activists are trained to produce explosive devices including those similar to the recent bombings in Boston, according to Ivan Babanovski, analyst and former security studies professor at Security Faculty in Skopje.

Iran has been increasingly linked to the Islamic movements in BiH capable of carrying out terrorist acts, according to veteran security analyst Dzevad Galijasevic.

Babanovski said new members are recruited by… groups that organize free courses, religious gatherings and lectures.

1)    Islam is growing in the Balkans and Bosnia Herzegovina is a targeted country. Let us pray for confusion in the camp of the enemy. May they hear a rumor and leave in fear.
 2 Kings 19:7  Surely I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
2)    Lord, we ask that the radicals would be exposed and justice rendered. Pray also that the radical teaching material in these mosques would be exposed.
3)    Let us pray that the media of Bosnia Herzegovina would not hide the truth about these groups.
4)    Let us pray for the police and investigative agencies that are pursuing radical Islamic activity. May they be like hunting hounds that are able to “sniff-out” their prey.
5)    Let us pray that the Lord would continue to raise up intercessors to pray against this radicalization in Bosnia. Pray that many would be raised up with a burden to reach lost Muslims.
6)    A great percentage of the Muslims in Bosnia Herzegovina are not religious. Many drink alcohol and eat pork. It takes effort but they are more accessible with the Gospel than the Muslim countries of the Middle East. Let us pray for labors.
7)    Lord, we pray that individuals and teams would to be sent out for full-time ministers or even as tent-maker ministries to show acts of kindness to the Muslim culture of Bosnia Herzegovina. I see individual saints befriending Muslims through acts of kindness.
8)    Let us pray for those that will be raised up that have boldness to go into the mosques and reason with the imams. They will not fear death but will shine with the glory of God in the time of persecution.
Acts 17:2 (KJV) And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
9)    Let us pray also that Holy Spirit would follow these bold ones and the presence of the Lord would manifest through miracles of healing, words of knowledge, demons cast out and demonstrations of power through the name of Jesus.

Last week I read an article about how there were many Christians (mainly Catholic) leaving Bosnia Herzegovina because so many Muslims are taking control of neighbors. They estimated that 200,000 Catholics have immigrated since the war in the mid-90s. Not only is there a political clash of cultures in Bosnia but a religious one also.

10)    Out of a population of 4 million, there is only about 2,500 Evangelicals. Let us pray for these Evangelicals, that they may stand strong, that they not leave the country and that they would reach out to the unbelievers around them.
11)    Let us also pray that they will prosper in the land.
12)    Lord, we ask for strategies to reach out to the lost. Give the Christian in Bosnia Herzegovina hope. Help them to believe for revival in their land. Help us to stand in the gap for them.

Thanks for praying for Bosnia. In the day when revival comes, may the Lord remind you of the prayers you prayed and how you set redemption into motion.

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

Pray for Bosnia Herzegovina

When I was in Croatia about five weeks ago my wife and I attended a retreat on the Adriatic coast of pastors and Christian workers. One early morning I went to a prayer meeting and was paired up to pray with a young lady. I found out later she was from Estonia but was working in Bosnia. I had many questions for her about Bosnia and was excited to hear that God was opening up many ministries. Her name is Jael Puusaag and you can read one of her stories at http://news.om.org/country-article/r27610 and http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jael-Puusaag-God-s-Peacemaker-/220907449231

1. Lord Jesus, we pray that You spread Your cloak over Bosnia Herzegovina. Let us seek the Lord for the release of the Holy Spirit all across Bosnia.
2. Here at Praying for the Balkans we have been praying for Bosnia for many years. Four years ago the report was that there were very, very few evangelical churches in Bosnia. The last report I heard was that there is now more than 25. The Lord is faithful.
3. Let us pray for Jael Puusaag. Lord, we ask for great favor to be her portion. May she wade deep into the river of the Lord’s presence. (I see Jael taking buckets into the river flowing from the throne, filling them and then going into the villages pouring joy upon the hurting)
4. Let us pray for the many villages throughout Bosnia. Lord, we ask You to send many peace makers and physical/emotional healers. The war years hurt the people deeply and they need Your touch, Lord.
5. Let us cry out for the capital, Sarajevo – 95% Muslim.
6. Let us ask for the Lord’s plan to reach Sarajevo. Lord, lay the burden upon Your trusted intercessors. May they stand in the “gap” for that important city.
7. Let us pray for teams to go and proclaim Jesus in the plazas and open markets.
8. May many hear the call of the Holy Spirit to go to Bosnia for short term mission trips this coming summer. May churches send teams to minister in Sarajevo and the villages. Let this be a summer of expressing love to Bosnia.

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Pray for Bosnia Herzegovina

Week of Nov. 5-11, 2012

I just got through watching a video that someone took while walking through the markets of Sarajevo. You can watch it if you want. Here is the link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt7uYuFYboI. It is boring if you are not listening to the Spirit. All the shops’ doors were open with items neatly laid out on tables in front to tempt passersby; every once in awhile you could see elderly women begging. Most of the people’s faces were empty or sad, maybe tired. As I watched I kept thinking, why not a Christian coffee house or at least Christians on the streets passing out tracts, bottles of water or singing and sharing Jesus.

1)    Where ever this marketplace is in Sarajevo, Lord, send someone, send many to tell the good news.
2)    Let us pray for street evangelist to go to the marketplaces of Bosnia.
3)    Lord, we ask for a church in Bosnia Herzegovina that will have a burden for these marketplaces.
4)    Let us pray for finances and provisions for these street evangelist to go to the streets of Bosnia.

5)    Bosnia Herzegovina has about 4 million people and there are less than 1,000 evangelical believers. Oh, Lord we pray for labors. We ask You, Lord, send many.

6)    Let us pray for intercessors that will burn for Bosnia. Lord, help me to be serious in my intentions to pray for this very needy land.

7)    Let us pray for the Christians in B-H. May the Lord hold them in the faith and encourage their hearts. Lord, we ask for Your presence to be in their small gatherings.
8)    Lord, send missionaries into Bosnia Herzegovina. Give them a strategy to plant churches throughout the country. Break their hearts for this unevangelized land. Help them to learn the language.
9)    There are different levels of missionaries; Let us pray for those that will renounce their present life and its comforts to truly go live with the people.
10)    Lord, we pray that finances would be raised for the churches in B-H and the pastors and elders would know how to properly apply these monies toward the kingdom.

Think on this: Hidden Valleys turn Shepherds to Kings. 

Prayer Request: From Nesa and Goca, Belgrade, Serbia
[Concerning a couple in Podgorica, Montenegro, I do not have the liberty to give their names at this time, but let us Pray] They want to start ministry to married couples in Montenegro. In the best hotel in Podgorica, they organize promotion of marriage and family values, and we are the speakers. At this conference will be some of very important people, political leaders, journalist, professors of various university, minister of police, people from UNICEF and probably president of Montenegro, Filip Vujanovic. We will have interviews on several television [stations]. In this country they do not have any martial counseling center.

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Pray for Bosnia Herzegovina

In this Saturday Aug. 11, 2012 photo the clothes in which 6-year-old Tarik Bijelic died hang on the line in front of his family's small house in the village of Olovske Luke, 60 kilometers north of Sarajevo, Bosnia. Tarik Bijelic was hit by a land mine last week as he scavenged in the forest for firewood to help his family make ends meet. He died in his father’s arms.

Two more discouraging Reports

 Bosnia’s ragged demise

Posted on August 15th, 2012

With international interest in the country having dissolved, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s politicians can now start pulling apart the political architecture imposed by the US Government at Dayton, bringing the state ever closer to irretrievable collapse.

KONJIC, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) - Heavy winds, steep hills and landmines were complicating firefighters' efforts to battle four blazes in southern Bosnia on Friday, including one close to an ammunition factory, authorities said.

     1.      These three reports signal to us the troubles and sorrows in Bosnia Herzegovina. Lord, we pray for Your mercy for the land. They did to see the Light, they need relief.

       2.      Let us pray that a new war in Bosnia would be avoided. Lord, make a way for the three cultures to reconcile their differences.

      3.    Some say a divided Bosnia Herzegovina would be best and some say they must stay together. Lord, we pray that You would help the Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats work out this problem in peace.

      4.    Let us pray for a way to detect the land minds. Is there a radar or long-distance metal detector that can be applied? 

In the past two years there has been growth in the number of evangelicals; from 700 to about 2,200. That is encouraging but in a land of 4 million people there is much more evangelizing to do.

      5.     Lord, we thank You for tripling the number of believers in the past two years. Let us pray that in the next two years there would be ten times as many believers as there are today.

Acts 2:46-47 (NKJV)  So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

     6.    Let us first pray for unity among the Christians in B-H.

      7.    Oh, Lord, we do pray for souls to be added daily to the Christian fellowships in Bosnia Herzegovina.

     8.      Let us pray for the Christians in B-H. May the Lord hold them in the faith and encourage their hearts. Lord, we ask for Your presence to be in their small gatherings.

      9.      Lord, send missionaries into Bosnia Herzegovina. Give them strategy to plant churches throughout the country. Break their hearts for this unevangelized land.

     10.  Lord, we pray that finances would be raised for the churches in B-H and the pastors and elders would know how to properly apply these monies toward the kingdom.

     11.  Let us pray for the city of Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia Herzegovina. Ninety five percent Muslim is a curse that can stifle any city. Lord, give grace to the Christians that live there and show them how to bless their neighbors.

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Pray for Bosnia

Week of June 4-10, 2012

There was an early Bosnian Church that had an indigenous form of Christianity not only distinguishable from Catholicism and Orthodoxy but also enjoying protection of rulers and noblemen powerful enough to offer a kind of safe heaven to those deemed heretical by the Papacy. They had a tendency to meet in homes or in the open air. Therefore very few ancient buildings of worship have been found. The members are believed to have been very charitable and un-materialistic. Each church or community was not subject to a pope or a metropolitan but independent.

Bosnia Herzegovina was also influenced by Bogomilism during medieval times. The Bogomils were also non-aligned with the Catholics and Orthodox churches. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogomilism Either way, going back to the 10^th, 11^th and 12^th centuries the Bosnian church was independent. One report I read mentioned the Church of Bosnia as being the first protestant movement and very evangelistic. Bosnia is now divided into three camps that are nationalistic in nature; Catholic Croats, Orthodox Serbs and the Muslim Bosniaks. These three groups are trying to govern the country from three points of view. (See Note at end.)

1.      To hear that there were evangelical roots in Bosnia Herzegovina is very encouraging. Lord, we ask for restoration of the roots of Bosnian faith.

2.      Let us also pray for a government (rulers and noblemen) that will respect and protect the beliefs of all faiths.

3.      Let us pray that Bosnia Herzegovina will develop into a stable country. Lord, we know it has a long way to go but You are able to bring blessings. Let us pray for stability in government, commerce, unity among ethnic groups and churches grounded in the truth.

4.      Of all the Balkan countries, Bosnia seems to be the hardest to raise up new evangelical works. Let us pray that the walls holding back the Spirit would fall.

5.      Let us pray for help to come to the Bosnian Christians. Lord, we ask that the spiritual needs of Bosnia would be put on the hearts of mission agencies and churches around the world. This is just a deep burden of my heart, that the Lord would send help.

6.      The Bosnian War during the 90s has left deep scars on the country. People are hurt and all they want to do is leave. Let us lift up the hurting of Bosnia.

7.      Let us pray for those that are leaving the country, may their paths lead to Christian communities.

8.      Lord, we are confident You have a plan. Lord, seek out those that can be trusted with Your plan and move them into position to work Your plan.

9.      Let us remember the youth of Bosnia Herzegovina. May they be rescued from the demons that are working to rob them of hope.

Note: (editor) I am a nondenominational type Christian. I am thankful that denominations have kept the name of Jesus before the people for centuries but I am not necessarily aligned with any one of them. I am looking for Christians that have a passion for Jesus; Those that love the Lord even during the good times. Many use religion like a medication to sooth present uncomfortable situations. To me it is all about a daily relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The greatest need in the Balkan countries is for Christians to communicate the peace, joy and above all the love that He gives us. People need to know that a confession or a once a week church service does not necessarily bring that joy. It comes through a complete surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior. Most people in the Balkans have given up on the confessional, taking the Eucharist and/or being baptized into a church.  These things are good and can help us focus but having a daily relationship with Jesus is where the abundant life is lived. We are called to love others as Jesus has loved us.

John 13:35
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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