Pray for Bulgaria

Week of March 17-23, 2014

Elections for Metropolitan Bishop to be held in Bulgaria’s Ruse

 First round of the elections for Metropolitan Bishop will be held on Sunday, March 16 in the city of Ruse, the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church announced. Two out of nine Bishops will be elected by voters in the Eparchy of Ruse.

The Holy Synod is to hold a sitting on March 22 and if it deems the results of the vote valid, the second round of the elections will take place on March 23. http://www.focus-fen.net/news/2014/03/15/330008/elections-for-metropolitan-bishop-to-be-held-in-bulgarias-ruse.html

NOTE: The supreme clerical, judicial and administrative power for the whole domain of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is exercised by the Holy Synod, which includes the Patriarch and the diocesan prelates, who are called metropolitans. Church life in the parishes is guided by the parish priests, numbering some 1,500. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church also has some 120 monasteries in Bulgaria, with about 2000 monks and nearly as many nuns.

Bulgaria without Censorship inks coalition agreement
Sofia. Bulgaria without Censorship party inked an official coalition agreement with the IMRO – Bulgarian National Movement (IMRO – BNM) and the Agrarian People’s Union, the press centre of Bulgaria without Censorship announced.

Bulgaria without Censorship’s leader Nikolay Barekov, Krasimir Karakachanov, leader of the IMRO – BNM, and MP Rumen Yonchev, who last month left the parliamentary group of the mandate-holder Coalition for Bulgaria to become an independent MP, and who is also a leader of the Agrarian People’s Union, attended the ceremony at which the document was inked.

The coalition was officially announced after the three formations held negotiations over several months. They were joined around the principle of equality, the fight against the political status quo in the country and by the desire to achieve a way of governing it so that issues faced by Bulgarian people are resolved.

Nikolay Barekov said there was no such an agreement in the history of Bulgarian politics, in which a citizen’s movement, grown into a party [his party] along with the two of the country’s oldest formations wanted the whole power and responsibility for the way Bulgaria is governed. http://www.focus-fen.net/news/2014/03/16/330103/bulgaria-without-censorship-inks-coalition-agreement.html

1)    The Bulgaria Orthodox Church (BOC) claims some 6.5 million members in the Republic of 1)    Bulgaria and between 1.5 and 2.0 million in other countries. Let us pray for this large Orthodox Church.
2)    Most Protestants and Non-denominationals believe the Orthodox churches are weak in doctrine and have no strategy for evangelism. Let us pray for a genuine love of Jesus to move through these churches.
3)     The Patriarch of the BOC does not have power over the church like the Pope does in the Catholic Church, but does have influence. Let us pray for His Holiness Neophyte, the Patriarch of Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia. We are seeing the Pope in Rome reach out to other evangelicals may we see the Patriarch do the same.
4)    Unity is so needed throughout Christendom, pray that Body of Christ can unite in Bulgaria and in the Balkans around Jesus and who He is.
5)    This new political party, Bulgaria without Censorship Party, in Bulgaria at this junction sounds encouraging. They are challenging the other parties to own up to corruption in their ranks. Continue to pray for this positive move in Bulgarian politics.
6)    Pray for Bulgarian Ex-Journalist Nikolay Barekov who is boldly stepping out to lead this attack on corruption in Bulgaria. Not only that laws be passed to protect the innocent and punish evil, but that righteousness spring forth.
7)    Let us pray for a changing of the guard in Bulgaria. Let righteous men and women take their place in guiding the nation.

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

Pray for Bulgaria

Week of Dec. 2-8, 2013

In the News: Squalid camps and bleak prospects greet Syrians at EU's door

Over 11,100 refugees, most of them Syrians, have entered Bulgaria illegally this year, crossing the porous 274-kilometre (170-mile) border with Turkey.

That may be a drop in the ocean compared to the two million refugees sheltering in Syria's neighbouring countries, but they are overwhelming the European Union's poorest nation.

Bulgaria's three refugee facilities were quickly overfilled. Authorities hastily opened four more shelters in dilapidated former schools or deserted army camps, like the one in Harmanli, where 1,254 Syrian and Afghan refugees are registered.

On an AFP visit of the Harmanli camp, thick black smoke from improvised stoves filled the area, as children waded barefoot in freezing puddles and their mothers cooked on open fires outside rows of khaki tents and metal containers.

Coughing could be heard everywhere. Many complained about not being able to get simple medicine or proper treatment for chronic illnesses.

The camp's inhabitants are not allowed to leave except to buy food, which is not provided by the cash-strapped Bulgarian government. They are given no money either, forking out whatever they still have to pay for bread and potatoes, the cheapest foods available.  

Over the past year, with the rebel insurgents in Syria, I have heard reports of many Christians having to leave Syria because of persecution. I have not been able to confirm if these refugees in Bulgaria are Christians but either way I am moved by their story.

1)      There are many things to pray for concerning Bulgaria but let us pray for these refugees from Syria.

2)      May the Christians among the refugees be visited with special grace as they endure these hard times. Let us pray that their distress would be changed to hope and their hope changed to physical relief.

3)      Let us pray that the Bulgarian Christians would be moved by the needs of these refugees and take the opportunity to minister Jesus’ love with humanitarian aid.

4)      Not only Bulgarian Christians, but let’s pray that Christians worldwide would get involved to help these displaced Syrians.

5)      Recently the European Commission allocated EUR 5.6 million to Bulgaria to help with the refugee problem. Let us pray this money will be handled by honest people that are dedicated to truly helping the suffering in the camps. Let’s pray that there would be adequate rations of food and medicine.

6)      As we have prayed for many Balkan countries, let us pray for unity and acceptance among ethnic groups in Bulgaria, let us pray for an end to hatred.

7)      We want to pray for the Christians to set the example of acceptance. Let us pray for those Bulgarian churches that exclude Gypsies, Turks, etc. Lord, speak to them about how we are to be all things to all people.

1 Corinthians 9:19-22  For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;  and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;  to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;  to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

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

Pray for Bulgaria

Week of Sept. 9-15, 2013

 

On September 6, Bulgaria celebrates the unification of the northern Rumelia with southern Bulgaria in the year 1885.

Bulgaria marks 128th anniversary of its Unification
06 September 2013 | 18:09 / FOCUS News Agency / Bulgaria

Sofia. The central celebrations for the 128th anniversary of Bulgaria’s Unification kick off at 8:30 p.m. local time on Friday in the southern city of Plovdiv. President Rosen Plevneliev and Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski will be there. In the morning metropolitan bishop Nikolay of Plovdiv held a public prayer. Representatives of the local authorities, MPs and citizens arrived in the church. In his speech metropolitan bishop Nikolay said that on Bulgaria’s Unification Day the politicians in power in Bulgaria were split. Hate has gripped the society and love, faith in God and values are the only counteraction, he said.
After the church service wreaths and flowers were laid to the monument to Zahari Stoyanov.

"The unification we celebrate today is a result of the nation’s own efforts and the persistency of a fair cause," Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova said at the ceremony marking the 128th anniversary of Bulgaria’s Unification.
6 September 1885 is the date that tells us we should do the most important task on our own, without delays and hesitation. We should not forget that only united we can face the difficulties on our mutual path, she added.

According to her a nation celebrating its unification has strength and wisdom to respond to any attempt to divide citizens.
She also called for not forgetting our ancestors' wisdom and the lessons of history.

She thanked the representatives of patriotic organizations, military organizations, veterans, reserve officers, because, she said, "they are always on the forefront and always convey their spirits to the young." http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n314379
1) It is important to note what the Orthodox Metropolitan Bishop Nikolay said, "Hate has gripped the society and love, faith in God and values are the only counteraction". Let us pray for Bulgarians to take to heart these words of the bishop.
2) Lord, we hope for the day when Bulgarians are unified around love for one another, faith in God and walking in righteous values.
3) More than 80% of Bulgarians claim to be Orthodox, however only 1% regularly participates in the life of the church. The years of communist atheism has left Bulgarians very skeptical of Christianity. Let’s pray for steps to reverse spiritual apathy in Bulgaria.
4) Lord, we ask that You remind the Bulgarian people of the reality of eternity. May they question their future and realize their need for a God of justice.
5) May the bishop’s words be a prophetic call to trust in God not government.
6) The mayor of Sofia asked for "strength and wisdom to respond to any attempt to divide citizens." In the sphere of Bulgarian government, we pray for wisdom to rule over emotions so a united front can build confidence in the people.
7) It is estimated that there are 2% evangelicals in Bulgaria; this is higher than most Balkan countries. Let us thank the Lord for the rise of evangelicals in the past twenty years. May they be in unity and press forward to see many more saved in Bulgaria.
8) About 12% of Bulgarians are Muslim. Let us pray for missionaries to be sent to the Muslim population. (I encourage you to read a short story of Hari and his wife, Penka　Atanasovi http://blog.bibleleague.ca/tag/evangelism-bulgaria/ They are reaching Muslims in northern Bulgaria)

Thanks for praying for Bulgaria. Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed.



Pray for Bulgaria

Week of March 4-10, 2013

Operation Capitals of Europe is an organization set up to hold prayer and intercessory events in the capital cities of Europe. They just completed a four day prayer event in Sophia, Bulgaria. Following is a report from that meeting.
OCE in Sofia 20-24 Feb. 2013

The most dramatic event occurred on the day of arrival into Sofia; the Government of Bulgaria resigned, after much turmoil in the country, which led to conflicts with the Police and bloodshed.

We perceived the timing of the event as the Voice of the Lord saying “this is the timing for a shift in government”, meaning, also in matters pertaining to the Body of Christ and its leaders. No wonder our host Pastor, Pavel Ignatov, had also resigned a few days earlier, from a position he has had as leader of many churches in Bulgaria. Further, on Sunday 24 Feb. the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria was scheduled to elect their new Patriarch!

When the event of the OCE in Sofia was decided a year earlier, we had had no knowledge, and none could predict, that it would be God’s timing for a major shift in the heavenly places, causing major shifts in positions of government on the earth. As Pastor Pavel Ignatov repeatedly said, that was a “a sign from God” that the Operation Capitals of Europe in Sofia was an event for which God sent His servants to perform His good will in Bulgaria.

We give thanks to the Lord for Philip Rashev who did all the hard work for the OCE in Sofia, and involved his Pastor Pavel Ignatov and their church. Thanks to them several Pastors attended. On the opening meeting 10 Bulgarian Pastors came to the platform to lead prayer for their country.

Philip also organized prayer for Sofia to be held on Mount Vitosha, overlooking the city. That memorable event was held on Saturday morning. Even though Vitosha was covered in snow, the Lord granted us good weather that day so we could reach the place where we could pray from.

We also prayed a lot for the foundations of the city. It's not a coincidence as the government did a lot of road and city building the recent years, they uncovered the foundations of the ancient city which was called Serdika. As the physical often is a reflection of the spiritual, we saw this as a sign. We prayed often Isaiah 62:1-6, praying for the new name and identity as God sees the city to come forth. We also prayed and declared Psalm 24 for the Government and in front of the main entrance door; that Jesus, the King of Glory may come in there!

The event was closed with a celebration lunch after Sunday church service in Sofia, before the OCE team and 3 Bulgarian friends drove off to Skopje.

An awesome testimony of God’s power released through the OCE in Sofia became known to us on Sunday 3 March, through a Bulgarian sister who has been praying for the salvation of her family. Two ladies in Bulgaria suddenly opened their hearts to Jesus and started praying and reading the Bible, as each one separately had a divine visitation on Friday 22 March. That was the 2nd day of our prayers in Sofia, and more specifically, the day we prayer-walked in the center of the city!
www.oceprayer.com

LET US PRAY:
1.    Thank You, Jesus, for moving OCE to have this prayer event at this critical time in Bulgaria’s history. Let us seal the prayers that were prayed in Sophia, asking the Lord to guard the spiritual stones that were set in place.
2.    Let us pray for those that gave of their time to go and pray. Lord, we ask You to guard them as they have returned to their homes and occupations. Protect them from the enemy who would now like to stir up doubt and insignificance.
3.    Lord, we thank You for encouraging the evangelical pastors in Bulgaria.
4.    An extra measure of dominion was granted by these acts of obedience. May they seize upon the open window in heaven and receive from the Lord His blessings for their country.

It is a time of trouble for Bulgaria. If you have time read the following link: http://www.pri.org/stories/politics-society/religion/bulgaria-chooses-new-religious-leader-with-complex-past-13086.html

There is no moral compass for the Bulgarian people. With the Bulgarian Orthodox church compromising with the communist government for many years and even now the people feel the church is compromising with the present corrupt government.

5.    Lord, the government is in disorder, so we pray for order and peace. Let us pray for men and women of peace to step into the void.
6.    Let us pray for revival in Bulgaria. There is emptiness in the hearts of Bulgarians and we know the Gospel is the solution.
7.    It is time for the Truth to be spoken to the Bulgarian people. Lord, let the Gospel go forth in the media. Lord, we pray for a reordering of the public news outlets. Lord, move your redeemed ones, those having a Christian worldview, into the media of Bulgaria.
8.    Let us pray for a move-of-God among the print and broadcast media of Bulgaria. Let us pray that many in the media would get saved.  May the intercessors of Bulgaria press forward on this media issue.
9.    Holy Spirit, come quickly on behalf of Bulgaria; The Lord’s wisdom is the solution for the confusion.

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

Pray for Bulgaria


First I would like to invite you to visit Bulgaria’s capital city of Sofia by taking a Virtual Prayer Walk. http://pray4bulgaria.wordpress.com/virtual-prayer-walks/ If you do take this VPW you will learn of many things to pray about, not only in the city but throughout the country also. Bellow I have selected some highlights I think we should give extra prayer to.

Casinos are prominent throughout Sofia, offering an escape from daily life and the (false) promise of a quick financial gain.

1) Let us pray that the Lord would rescue many Bulgarians from the false hope the enemy offers. Gambling is a curse on any society. Let us pray that not only would these casinos fail but that the owners and workers would learn of the real hope the Lord offers.

2) It is sad to me as a Texan to know that “Texas Hold’em” is becoming a favorite tool of the enemy. Lord, we pray that You would command a blessing from Texas to Bulgaria.

3) Let us pray that a ministry will be raised up that concentrates on counseling and delivering Bulgarians from the gambling spirit.

We have prayed about this before but Let us again pray against corruption in government and in the marketplace.

4) Let us start by praying for righteous judges, men and women willing to stand up and do what is right.

5) Let us pray that the Mafia of Bulgaria would actually turn against itself. As they say “there is no trust among thieves”. May their empires fall apart due to infighting and a lack of trust.

6) The opposite of corruption is righteousness. Bulgaria needs revival and a return to Biblical truth. Lord, visit Bulgaria with humility followed by grace.

There are people in Bulgaria that are seriously praying for church growth. They have designed a church planting strategy that works to find “people of peace” to sew into.

7) Lord, we pray for these dear saints/intercessors that have been deeply burdened for their country. As they abide under Your wings, Lord, may they be blessed with intimate times spent in Your presence. Lead them to the people of peace.

8) We pray for these people of peace to be revealed. Let us pray that a hedge of protection will surround them and they will be delivered from the enemies grip.
Job 1:10 (KJV)
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

9) Let us pray for a day when every city and every village in Bulgaria has an evangelical body of believers.

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

Pray for Bulgaria

Here is something really rare. A unique picture of inter-religious tolerance can be viewed in a Northeastern Bulgarian village called Kamburovo, with local Muslims working to rebuild a church. Read More at, http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=131721

This is a unique area of Bulgaria where the Christians and Muslims live comfortably in peace respecting each other’s traditions and even celebrating each other’s feast and holy days.

1)    Lord we pray that this peace will continue and spread throughout all Bulgaria. May the Christians reach out with love and may the Muslims continue to reject radical Islam.

2)    The Muslims will only be won by the love of Jesus. Let us pray that the Christians be given innovative ways to be a blessing to the Muslim people in Bulgaria and around the world. Lord raise up non-confrontive Christians, with a “love anointing” to reach out to Muslims. May they appeal to the God given peaceful desires of the human heart.

 Now for the present tragedy in Bulgaria -

There has been much tension in Bulgaria for the past week. There was an incident that has fueled ethnic hatred between Bulgarians and the Roma (Gypsy) minority. A Bulgarian young man (19 yrs. old) was believed to have been intentionally run over by a minivan. The van being driven by an associate of notorious Roma mafia boss Kiril Rashkov. Bulgarians have been having mass rallies in many cities across the country protesting the incident and venting their hatred of the Roma minority.

The father of the victim insisted his son had been deliberately murdered, while the occupants of the minibus took refuge in the home of "King Kiro," before forcing their way through an improvised roadblock that had been set up by local people, injuring other villagers in the process. Having been joined by hardcore supporters of Plovdiv football club, the inhabitants of Katounitsa then set about burning and looting houses belonging to the Rachkov clan.

On Monday and Tuesday night, protests followed in many major Bulgarian cities, including the capital Sofia. Nearly 300 people in total were arrested by the police after the two nights of rallies that unfortunately involved what has been perceived as ethnic hatred.

3)    Let us pray for God’s peace. Ethnic strife is not good for Bulgaria. We pray for wise and respected leaders to stand up and sooth the fears of the protesters.

4)    Lord, help the Christians to have clean hearts in this mater. May the churches of Bulgaria reject violence, and only speak words of peace to both sides.

5)    May this be a wakeup call to the Christians to pray for Bulgaria. Lord, raise up intercessors that will seek for Your peace to prevail.

Sadly, corruption is not limited to business and politics, Research done in 2007 found that 40 percent of Bulgarians believe that high levels of corruption also exist in the healthcare industry. (“Economic Program History 2007”, Center for the Study of Democracy, www.csd.bg/artShow.php?id=9262)

6)    Corruption is a bad problem in Bulgaria. We have prayed against corruption in Bulgaria before. The word I have for prayer, is “stumble”. Lord we pray that those involved in corruption would stumble over their own miss-deeds. Lord, set a trap.

7)    Let us pray for a healthy sense of shame in the Bulgarian society. May those involved in corruption be convicted until they cry out to God for relief. Lord convict those in government: from local magistrates to the very president and prime minister, those crooked doctors and hospital administrators, also the street thugs and the thugs living in mansions.

8)    Lord, help the honest Bulgarians to maintain hope and integrity in the face of corruption.

9)    Let us pray for the presidential and municipal elections on October 23. Righteousness or non-righteousness of a nation is usually reflected in its leaders. May servants not crooks be elected on election day.

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