Pray for Kosovo

Week of Jan. 19-25, 2015

NOTE: We appreciate prayer for European Initiative also - See left panel.

In the NEWS: Kosovo mobilizes to fight religious radicalism and terrorism

After a major police operation, that recently resulted in 40 arrests of people suspected of engaging in conflicts in Syria and Iraq and supporting terrorist organizations, Kosovo institutions mobilized to fight religious extremism in the country

The involvement of Albanians in the spread of religious radicalism and terrorism in Syria and Iraq has mobilized the NATO mission in Kosovo, besides national security forces.

Heads of Islamic, Orthodox and Catholic communities urged their fellow believers to stay away from any form of extremism or violence and support peace for a better future. They condemned who uses the name of God to perpetrate criminal act against humanity, adding that religions should never justify hatred and violence.

The rule of law institutions have increased their vigilance and the Parliament will soon pass legislation banning citizens from joining foreign insurgencies, with a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison on conviction.

The majority of the population in Kosovo is Muslim. According to the Constitution, the Republic of Kosovo is a secular state and is neutral in matters of religious belief.

President Atifete Jahjaga said that Kosovo will not be a shelter for extremism. The head of the Islamic Community in Kosovo, mufti Naim Ternava, … says “[Extremist] have nothing to do with the real Islam, with its principals and rules, with Qu’ran and Hadith” .

But what motivates Muslims in Kosovo to join Islamist militants in Syria and Iraq?

“Some individuals in Pristina fall prey to propaganda by people living outside Kosovo who call them to participate in a 'holistic' war and they don’t analyze the situation. An investigative journalist in Pristina, Serbeze Haxhiaj, says that the lack of job opportunities for youth in Kosovo and the harsh socio-economic situation are also important elements that stimulate people to join paid radical groups.

…the Islamic Community should take a lead in this educational and awareness campaign supported by national intuitions, media and civil society.
Violeta Hyseni Kelmendi | Pristina 25 August 2014 http://world.einnews.com/article/220188674/Q_mazaUdJEknpZjB

Prayer Points:
1.    Let us first thank the Lord for answering prayer. These steps of the Kosovo institutions to take steps against radical Islam is a blessing for the country.
2.    We also thank the Lord for exposing these radical elements in Kosovo and the authorities taking appropriate actions. Lord, You direct rulers and governments to keep the peace as we pray for them.

2 Timothy 2:1-2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,  for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

3.    We pray that these radical Imams and teachers would be exposed and dealt with according to laws that promote peace and freedom.
4.    We want to celebrate religious freedom in Kosovo. Although the evangelicals are small in numbers, the Kosovo laws do not restrict proselytizing and public promotion of Christian events.
5.    May we also celebrate the stand Islamic leaders are taking to speak up against radical elements in their mist. Lord, we ask for their protection.
6.    Let us also pray against radical Christians that do not display love toward Muslims but themselves agitate hate.
7.    Lord we pray for Christians to become Muslim lovers! In many Muslim communities across the Muslim world, Christians are using unconditional love to turn Muslims to Christ.
8.    Holy Spirit, we pray that You would continue to blow across the land. May the Intercessors and Christian Kosovars continue to pray for Kosovo.

Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

Please leave a Comment or 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 Kosovo

Week of July 7-13, 2014

In the News: Trial of suspected Albanian crime boss begins
PRIŠTINA -- A panel of judges at the Basic Court in Priština has begun the trial of Naser Kelmendi, charged by the Kosovo Special Prosecution Office.

On May 6, 2013, Kelmendi was arrested by the Kosovo police on an international warrant issued by the Bosniak authorities in Sarajevo and has since been held in custody in Kosovo.

Keljmendi is featured on Interpol’s list of wanted criminals, where he is labeled as one of the most dangerous drug dealers in the Balkans, and has also been added to the United States' "black list" of foreign criminals. Bosnia accuses him of organizing the 2007 Sarajevo murder of Delalic [Bosnian citizen]. http://www.b92.net/eng/news/in_focus.php?id=228 

Prayer Points:
1)    We have been praying over the years for justice in the Balkans and the exposure of mafia type criminals. Thank You Lord for the above report. May the courts fully prosecute Mr. Keljmendi’s case so justice can be seen.
2)    Let us pray for the court system of Kosovo. May men and women of integrity occupy those courts as judges and strive to bring forth justice from the written laws.

Over the past twenty five years there has been a steady growth of evangelical churches in Kosovo. This is great news since Kosovo is estimated to be 80% Muslim.

3)    Let us pray for the Christians in Kosovo. There is much misunderstanding and at times persecution from their Muslim neighbors.
4)    Let us pray for the pastors. May they walk in integrity, and be worthy of honor.
5)    May these pastors have hearts made tender by the Lord’s love flowing through them. Let us pray for unity among the evangelical pastors of Kosovo. We rebuke slander, pride and personal kingdom building.
6)    We pray for unity among the believers. May they abound in love toward one another. John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
7)    Lord, help the pastors and church leaders in Kosovo to plan and prepare for the future.
8)    May this year, 2014, be a year of great advancement for the Kosovo churches.
9)    Let us pray for financial miracles for the Christians in Kosovo; job creation, giving hearts, raise in pastor’s salaries.
10)    Let us pray Acts 2:46-47 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.

Thanks for Praying - Please leave a comment or reaction so we will know you prayed.

Pray for Kosovo

Week of April 21-27, 2014

Personal Story: In 1985 I visited a couple in Kosovo, John and Maria Angelic, who just moved from Serbia to start a church in Kosovo. It was Easter Sunday and I remember thinking; “In America the churches are filled on this day but here in Kosovo there is not even one Evangelical Church to attend”.
 

Last week, while in Kosovo, we talked with two local pastors and they spoke of their advancing congregations. They report that although there is national dislike and sometimes persecution against the few Orthodox who remained in the area, the Evangelicals are somewhat respected.

From Operation World: Kosovo’s Albanian population is predominately Muslim. Many Kosovars are quite nominally Muslim, though extremism is on the rise. Large financial injections from Saudi Arabia and Iran come with strings attached that pull Kosovo toward more radical forms of Islam. Reportedly, hundreds of mosques have been erected using such funds… http://www.operationworld.org/koso

There is no official count of the number of Evangelicals in Kosovo today but they are growing monthly. Most of the larger cities like Pristina, Gjakovë, Prizren, etc now have growing churches.

Prayer points:

 1. God is good as he took the seed John and Maria Angelic and missionaries before them planted some 30 years ago and has allowed it to flourish.   Let us now pray for exponential multiplication.

 2. A lot of Muslims seem nominal toward Islam and with the right approach accessible to the Gospel. Lord, we ask for the Christians in Kosovo to be trained to reach out to their Muslim friends.

 3. Let us pray against these foreign Muslim influences that are pouring money into Kosovo to “buy” the hearts of Kosovars and lead them in following the teachings of Islam.

 4. Let us pray for strategies from heaven to be imparted into the leaders that will expedite the growth.

 5. May the Christians be motivated to reach out to their Muslim neighbors and co-workers.

 6. Lord, show the churches how they can serve their city. Give them ideas of kindness toward their cities so they may have favor in the eyes of the people.

 7.     Let us pray for a spirit of unity over the believers in Kosovo. Much like in the rest of the Balkans, disunity has claimed its victims in Kosovo as well. May the Body for Christ learn to live in unity, with gladness and simplicity of heart. May the world see that they are one.

Acts 2: 46-47 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.

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 Serbia

Week of Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2014

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

In the News: ‘Belgrade Jews – Life and the Holocaust’ exhibition opened
BELGRADE – The exhibition entitled “Belgrade Jews – Life and the Holocaust” (Beogradski Jevreji – Zivot i Holokaust) opened in the Gallery of the Historical Archives of Belgrade late on Friday to mark the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27.

Opening the exhibition, Prime Minister Ivica Dacic underscored that prejudice and hatred in Europe have deep roots and that they have to be countered by efforts aimed at reconciliation between nations and their joint future.  

1)    Nearly seventy years later, Serbia is remembering their Jewish citizens that perished during World War II. This may not be done for spiritual reasons, nevertheless the Lord is pleased. Let us pray that everyone who visits the exhibition be touched and personally make a commitment to accept the slogan, “Never again”.
2)    During the Kosovo conflict the Serbian military was accused of genocide against the Albanians.  True or not, we know the disrespect of other people groups comes from extreme nationalism. Let us pray for Serbia to develop a healthy nationalism that brings out their God given strengthens to bless other nationalities. 
3)    Serbia will likely play a key role in changing the hearts of many Balkan nations. What I hear the Lord saying is, “When a redemptive voice comes out of Belgrade the other Balkan nations will be amazed and humbled.” Oh, Lord pour out Your Spirit all across Serbia.
4)    Serbia needs revival, and for that Serbia needs revivalists, men and women that are broken for their countrymen. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit would raise up evangelists for Serbia.
5)    Let us pray for the evangelical churches of Serbia. May they be beacons of hope who are willing to pay any price necessary in order to see revival. May the Holy Spirit have the freedom to move through each congregation with instruction and power.
6)    May their pastors be sensitive to the needs of the people.  Let the pastors always hear from God and deliver fresh revelation.
7)    So that the Tabernacle of David can be raised up in Serbia, let us pray for powerful prayer warriors and anointed worship leaders to come forth.
8)    Lord, we ask for children’s ministry leaders that know how to bring the children to Your lap. Lord, seal their minds with a Biblical worldview that can’t be shaken by the secular.
9)    Let us pray for the schools in Serbia to be totally open to the Gospel. Let us pray that Christians would prepare themselves to teach in the public schools.




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

Pray for Kosovo

Week of Dec. 23-29,2013

I thought the following observations on Kosovo were helpful to guide our prayers this week. Please read our Personal Prayer needs at the end.

Toward Sustained Rates of Dynamic Growth in Kosovo
Jan-Peter Olters, Country Manager for Kosovo [for the World Bank] OPINION

[Kosovo] …its current economic model is unsustainable, largely because the principal engines of growth thus far—foreign aid, large public investments, and remittances from the (generally successful) diaspora—will not suffice to maintain Kosovo’s recent growth performance, let alone to generate catch-up growth rates sufficiently dynamic to close (over a reasonable period of time) the income gap with other countries in the EU.

…obstacles for the private sector to start and operate a business tend to remain higher than those in southeastern Europe or the new EU member states. As of yet unaddressed bottlenecks in public infrastructure, state institutions, and (the implementation and uniform enforcement of) laws have affected detrimentally private-sector productivity.

“Fast, sustained growth does not happen spontaneously,” the Growth Commission warned. “It requires a long-term commitment by a country’s political leaders, a commitment pursued with patience, perseverance, and pragmatism.”  

1) Let us pray for patience, perseverance and pragmatism for the economy and social structures of Kosovo.
2) Kosovo declared its independence in 2008. Pray that all government institutions will come together to ensure peace for the people.

Report from Transform Europe Now:
[Kosovo] It is a country that is still in transition socially, politically and religiously. Throughout the country, Christians find themselves persecuted as both a religious minority and cultural aggressor.
Our partners are involved in leading and building churches, caring for the poor, national outreach initiatives and distributing emergency relief. For a more comprehensive look at Kosovo and the work Transform Europe Now and our partners are involved with please download the attached pdf.

There are only 23 churches in the whole country of Kosovo, and where one church stands alone in a town, the believers can feel isolated. Outreach events provide a feeling of unity and shared vision for believers, as well as spreading the good news of Jesus with neighbors and friends.

The International Red Cross reports that 44% of the population lives in poverty, whilst a further 14% live in extreme poverty. We partner with a church in Pristina, the capital city, and provide funds for them to buy and distribute food, firewood for the winter, and other aid items.

3) Let us hold up the arms of Transform Europe Now as they channel resources to the struggling churches in Kosovo. May many across the world that can give, freely give into these churches.
4) Let us pray for all the Christians in Kosovo. May they be strengthened as they live their lives in the mist of so many unbelievers that can be aggressive at times.
5) Especially pray for those believers that have Muslim families. May the joy of the Lord rest upon them and reassure their hearts.
6) Let us pray that the Evangelical churches will have recognition and peace from the government.

Personal Prayer needed: 
1. Pray for Zuzanna, her 92 year old mother passed away Saturday Dec. 22nd. Zuzanna had went ahead to spend Christmas with her mother and family in Serbia. We thank the Lord that Zuzanna was able to spend the last days with her mother before she passed. The funeral is set for Dec. 28th in Subotica, Serbia. Pray for the Balint family.
2. Because of some complications I was not able to fly out with Zuzanna on the 13th and I will be flying out on the 28th of December.
3. Pray for us as we make this transition to living and working out of Croatia. This winter and spring will be an important time of building relationships.

Pray for Kosovo

Week of Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2013

In the News: EU to Deploy 100 Kosovo Election Observers

Samuel Zbogar, head of the EU Office in Pristina, announced that more than 100 European observers will monitor the elections due to be held throughout Kosovo on November 3.

The EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, decided to deploy an observer mission for local elections in Kosovo on September 19, appointing an Italian lawmaker in the European Parliament, Roberto Gualitieri, as head of mission.

Zbogar noted that the mission was being sent to Kosovo on the request of President Atifete Jahjaga of Kosovo, and because civil society groups in Kosovo had urged the EU “to send a mission in order not to repeat the problems seen in the electoral process [in Kosovo] in the past”.    

1. As we pray for Kosovo it is important to ask God to raise up godly men and women to lead that nation. May this election on November 3rd, be a step in that direction.
2. Lord, You direct the heart of kings (Pr. 21:1), may You direct this election.
3. During this per-election time period, let us pray that corrupt candidates will be exposed and trusted ones will gain favor.

I read an unconfirmed report that 80% of young adults are unemployed or working in black-market jobs. A CIA intelligence report says that the overall unemployment rate is 45.3%.

4. These are disturbing statistics that breed poverty and crime. Let us ask the Lord for a solution that will bring the nation out of poverty. God has a plan; He is looking for worthy men and women to trust His plan with. Oh, Lord, may those that know Your ways come forth with a burden for Kosovo.
5. Like most of the Balkan nations, people have left for better living and better future abroad, this is called a “brain drain”. Let us pray that some of those would return with skills and a determination to rebuild Kosovo.
6. Let us pray for intercessors. May the Lord raise up many to stand in the gap and cry out for souls in Kosovo.
7. Let us also pray for the fivefold ministry. May the Lord raise up Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Pastors and Evangelist. Kosovo needs men and women that can hear His voice and are willing to lay down all for Him in a hard place.

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

Pray for Kosovo

Week of Dec. 10-16, 2012

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A U.N. war crimes tribunal on Thursday acquitted the former prime minister of Kosovo [Ramush Haradinaj] and two of his former Kosovo Liberation Army comrades for the second time of murdering and torturing Serbs and their supporters in Kosovo’s war for independence.

His British lawyer, Ben Emmerson, confirmed that Haradinaj wants to return to power. “With the consent of the people, he will soon be resuming his rightful position as the political leader of the country,” Emmerson told reporters at the court.

Emmerson said Haradinaj told him he wants to lead a government representing all ethnic groups in Kosovo. “It is time, he says, for reconciliation.”
:

1)     Now I know my Serbian friends may not feel like praying for Ramush Haradinaj but he has returned to Kosovo as a hero and likely future prime minister. We must trust God according to the following verse; Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Let us pray that Haradinaj would recognize the “hand of the Lord”.
2)      Let us pray that he will be true to his statement to bring about reconciliation. Lord, we know that only You can put reconciliation in the hearts of men.

3)     In my research of Ramush Haradinaj, there was no mention of him being a Christian. Let us pray for his salvation and the salvation of his family. As a Christian he could do so much for Kosovo. Oh, that the Kings of the earth would submit themselves to the King of kings.
4)     Let us pray for godly people to be assembled around Haradinaj so they may supply him wisdom to help the Kosovars.
5)     Let us pray against corruption and cronyism in the government of Kosovo. May there be justice for all in Kosovo.

6)     Although Kosovo is mainly Islam, it is shallow in the hearts of the people. It is more of a cultural commitment rather than deep set of beliefs. Let us pray that the emptiness of Islam would be exposed and a hunger for truth would consume the people of Kosovo.

7)     Let us pray for the Christians in Kosovo to be deeply burdened for their country. Lord, may You give creative ideas to the Christians for sharing Jesus outside the churches.

8)     Lord, we ask that if there is not a “house of prayer” in Kosovo yet, You would draw saints together with a burden to pray. Lord, we pray for a portal or open heaven to be opened in Kosovo.

Present Prayer needs:
Pray for the upcoming outreach to Romania. More information about this trip at http://www.europeaninitiative.com/media/entry/the_adventure_of_a_lifetime
We are taking some bold steps in confronting the poverty Satan has imposed upon the eastern part of Transylvania. Please add your prayers as we watch God bless these people that have been disregarded in the past.

Pray for Kosovo


Week of April 9-15,2012

At the end of January Kosovo held its 13th annual International Day of Prayer, Fasting and Giving, which brought churches together and received interest in the media. Over a dozen churches in Kosovo hosted prayer meetings and attendances at these were unprecedented. Prayer rooms were set up to enable several churches to pray together for their nation.

Kosovo’s media took an interest in what was going on, with a local TV news station conducting an interview about it which was aired. Outside of Kosovo, many churches joined in to pray for their fellow believers, including many local churches across neighboring Albania. The World Evangelical Alliance encouraged its members to join in with this special day. http://www.eurovangelism.org.uk/news/115

1. Let us thank the Lord for drawing these churches together and their obedience to the Holy Spirit. With such a prayer movement in a small country like Kosovo we can expect great things from heaven.

2. Let us pray now for lasting results, changed lives and great favor from God’s throne for Kosovo.

3. Let us pray for the pastors. May they walk in integrity, and be worthy of honor.

4. May these pastors have hearts made tender by the Lord’s love flowing through them. Let us pray for unity among the evangelical pastors of Kosovo. We rebuke slander, pride and personal kingdom building.

5. We pray for unity among the believers. May they abound in love toward one another. John 13:35

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

6. Lord, help the pastors and church leaders in Kosovo to plan and prepare for the future.

7. May this year, 2012, be a year of great advancement for the Kosovo churches.

8. Let us pray for financial miracles for the Christians in Kosovo; job creation, giving hearts, raise in pastor’s salaries.

9. Let us pray Acts 2:46-47 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The report is that there are now 23 Evangelical Churches in Kosovo. With Resurrection Sunday (Easter) having just passed, let me give the following story.

Personal Story: In 1985 I went to Kosovo to visit a couple, John and Maria Angelic, who had moved from Serbia to start a church in Kosovo. At this time the church hadn’t been established but they were settling in. It was Easter Sunday and I remember thinking; “In America the churches are filled on this day but here in Kosovo there is no evangelical church to attend”.

Lord, thank You for the seeds planted 27 years ago and the fruit that has come forth. Oh, Lord, Your ways are glorious.

There are reports that the Wahhabi branch of Islam has been working in Kosovo, and thereby spreading their radical ideology. This is not good.

10. Lord, we ask that You bring confusion to the enemies camp.

11. Lord, may Your enemies eat dust upon the Kosovo fields. Prayer Is the Battle and Prayer Maintains His Victory!

Pray for Montenegro

Week of Jan 30 - Feb. 5, 2012

Montenegro since their independence have been making slow but steady economic progress. There are still areas of great poverty, and many refugees from the Kosovo Crisis in the nineties continue to live here in bunkers and makeshift homes. There are only three protestant churches in Montenegro, with a few small home groups meeting along the coastline.  - Report from www.eurovangelism.org.uk 

1)      Let us pray for those three protestant churches. Lord, we ask for your great favor to move upon them. May their pastors be brought up under Your wings.

2)      Let us pray for the home groups. May they increase this year. May outsiders see their love and want to be apart. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  John 13:35

3)      Lord, we ask that this week You would manifest Yourself to the evangelical pastors in Macedonia in such a way that they cannot deny it was not You.

4)      Let us pray for intercessors for Montenegro. That they would be obedient to the following scriptures:

“Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matt.9:38

“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.” Ezekiel 22:30

5)      Oh, Lord Jesus, please turn Your face toward Montenegro. The situation is really bad there, so Lord, send spiritual relief.

6)      Let us pray for grace. Let us pray for mercy. Let us intercede asking the Lord to extend His mercy to Montenegro. God was going to destroy the Children of Israel but Moses interceded. People are living in severe poverty, the mafia is stealing what they can and there are no moral absolutes in the culture.

7)      Let us pray for great spiritual and financial investments from Christians outside of Montenegro. Put Montenegro in their hearts and stir them to give and/or go to help.

Pray for Serbia Nov. 14-20, 2011

Pray for Serbia 

 > Click Here > to see the video >

In August we had prayed for Nebojsa and Gordana Savic in Belgrade. The above video shows how God has prospered their work.

1)      Once again let us pray for this church in Belgrade, Serbia. May the Lord open doors of ministry. May the Lord send the lost to get saved but also helpers that will help disciple the new Christians.

2)     Lord, we pray You raise up “investor” for this ministry. Spiritually; intercessors that will stand in the gap. Givers; that will join the work in Belgrade through financial help.

News headline - "Islamic communities unification plan falls through”

BELGRADE -- The Serbian authorities refused to sign an agreement detailing the reconciliation of the two Islamic communities in Serbia, writes a Belgrade-based newspaper. http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=11&dd=01&nav_id=77125

3)     The underlying motive of Islam is world domination with every nation being in bondage to Mohammad’s teaching. Lord, we pray that the Islamic leaders in Serbia would remain in confusion.

4)      There is a part of West Serbia that is called Sandzak, where there is a majority of Islamic believers. We pray for confusion in that area. May the true motives of their leaders be revealed. Let us pray that attendance in the Mosque would drop significantly. (Тhe name Sandžak derives from the Sanjak of Novi Pazar, a former Ottoman administrative district that existed until the Balkan Wars of 1912, whereas Raška was the name of a prominent Serbian Kingdom)

5)      Let us pray that the Lord would send a powerful witness into that area. Pray that the joy of the Lord would be released across that land. Lord raise up intercessors to plow the ground. Lord, send Your evangelist and pastors to plant seeds of righteousness.

 >> The first week of August, this year, we had prayed for the Serbia and Kosovo border. The following report is good news.

  The agreement envisages joint Kosovo and Serbian customs points and it does not require Serbia to recognize Kosovo’s independence. The Kosovo government has agreed to have integrated control over the crossings with central Serbia, in accordance with the EU standards. http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=11&dd=12&nav_id=77302

6)     Lord, we thank You for smoothing out relations between the Serbs and the Kosovars. You are a peacemaker, Lord. Although it may be hard to see with our eyes and understanding, but we pray that someday the Serbs and Kosovars will live peacefully together.

7)     Let us pray that the Christians in both Serbia and Kosovo would set an example by having fellowship with one another.

8)     Let us pray for Northern Serbia, the Vojvodina area. There has been much ministry in this area but there is much more needed. We thank the Lord for the Baptist and Assemblies of God for their many efforts and the fruit that has remained. There is a disunity problem among the pastors and churches. Let us pray that the curse of disunity would be lifted.

9)      I want to return to a past prayer. Back in March of this year the Lord gave me a mental vision and ask me to pray into the vision. I saw five intercessors praying for six pastors to raise up and release seven evangelist to declare the Kingdom of God in Serbia. (5-6-7)

 http://freebalkans.blogspot.com/2011/03/pray-for-serbia-serbia-has-been-on.html

It starts with the intercessors. Lord, bring those intercessors together in Your time.

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Pray for Kosovo

Kosovo is in the center of the Balkans. There is a big dispute over Kosovo as to whether it is still part of Serbia or if it is independent. We do not wish to get into that debate but rather pray for the people of Kosovo. Many spiritual seeds have been planted there and we need to pray that they remain and grow.

Published: 07.29.11, 00:12
American and French peacekeepers were told Thursday to fire their weapons in defense if attacked at border posts on Kosovo's northern boundary with Serbia, a day after the crossings were set ablaze by Serbs armed with firebombs, a NATO spokesman said.

There have been days of mounting tension between ethnic Albanians and minority Serbs after Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci ordered special police units to take over two disputed border posts that were previously manned by Serb members of the police under EU supervision. One Kosovo policeman died in the operation. (AP) http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4101666,00.html

1) Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia are being stirred up again. Let us first pray that things would calm down.
2) Thank You, Lord, that no one was seriously hurt in the recent border unrest.
3) Let us pray that the NATO troops would actually work toward being peace-keepers and not take sides in the dispute.
4) Lord, we pray that You would raise up and put into position men and women that have the respect of both parties and could bring forth a peaceful and permanent solution.
5) Let us pray against the enemy and his plans to make sure there is no peace between the Serbs and Kosovars (Albanians). Lord, change hearts and raise up a new generation that will reject the hatred of the past.

Personal Story: In 1985 I went to Kosovo to visit a couple, John and Maria Angelic, who had moved from Serbia to start a church in Kosovo. At this time the church hadn’t been established but they were settling in. It was Easter Sunday and I remember thinking; “In America the churches are filled on this day but here in Kosovo there is no evangelical church to attend”.
Now this Report: The annual “Life for Kosovo” event at Easter was a great success, and Christians from across the country [Kosovo] travelled to the town of Gjilan to share God’s love in practical ways. The week of good work culminated in an open air Easter message service, which was very well attended! One person said: “It’s hard to believe that someone still will sacrifice his time and money in these days, for someone else that they don’t know”. (from http://www.eurovangelism.org.uk/)

6) Rejoice with me in the above report. This really thrills my heart because back 26 years ago the spiritual climate was dry as a desert.
7) Lord, this is all Your plan. You never gave up on Kosovo. Lord, continue to send Your love.
8) Let us pray that the heart of the Balkans will be healed.
9) John and Maria Angelic are now pastors in Hungary. Lord, I ask that you bless them and all others that gave of themselves for Kosovo.

Over my 40 plus years of being a Christian, I have seen seed planted and have witnessed fruit come forth. Never, never despise the small things you do or the prayers you pray for the Kingdom, God is planting a seeds.

For my opinion of the Kosovo conflict see Editor's Comments on Kosovo at http://freebalkans.com/Kosovo.html

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

Pray for Serbia

Often this happens to me, I will be listening to a message from my pastor or another teacher/preacher and the Lord will say to me, “You need to pray that over the Balkans or a particular country in the Balkans.” It happened yesterday while I was listening to my pastor’s Sunday morning message. He was speaking on Ephesians and I knew there was prayer points in that book God wanted me to pray over Serbia

The church in Serbia needs to know its place in the plan of God and know the mighty God they serve.

1) If Jesus was hurting wouldn’t He heal His body? We as Christians are the Body of Christ and He want us to be healed. Lord we ask for a healing of the churches in Serbia. Lord, we not only want to see the Christians healed physically but heal the hurts that unrighteousness brings.
2) Here is the word from the Lord. Eph. 5: 25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Jesus is making His church clean and pure worldwide. Let us pray that this generation of Christian Serbs will submit to His total redemption and come forth blameless.
3) Jesus is committed to purify His Church. There is no darkness to dark to stop the redeeming power of Jesus Christ. Lord root out any darkness in the churches. Back biting, immorality, jealousy, covetousness, and especially that Jezebel spirit, be gone in the name of Jesus. We declare freedom to come forth in the Serbian churches.
4) Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Lord let no Serbian Christian think they are far off from your grace. They are cleansed by the blood of Jesus and they have the fullness of His mercy every morning. Lord, we pray that You will renew Your love, joy and peace in the churches there.

Eph. 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

5) Do it Lord, do it
a. release your rich mercy
b. make the Serbian churches alive in You
c. raise them up to sit in heavenly places with You.
6) Eph. 4: 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Let the power of sin be torn off. May they stand in Jesus’ redemption, ready to go forth in good works to bring hope to Serbia.

Pray for Belgrade, Serbia

Belgrade is a very old city, first established by the Romans. The records show that the city, being in a strategic location, was battled over in 115 wars and razed to the ground 44 times since the ancient period by countless armies of the East and West. The locals say it has been destroyed fifty (50) times by invading armies. There is endurance deep in the souls of the people. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgrade#cite_note-8

7) Oh, Lord, we know You like endurance in Your people. Lord, we pray that this enduring spirit will be turned to a steadfast love for You. Let the people of Belgrade praise You.
8) With there only being an estimated one thousand (1,000) evangelical Christians in this city of 1.7 million, let us pray for evangelism to be released in Belgrade.
9) Lord, we ask that You raise up faithful intercessors to pray day and night for Belgrade.
10) Belgrade is a very dark city with sin abounding openly. My wife did a prayer-walk in Belgrade three years ago and her team reported an oppressive spirit that kept them from praying efficiently. Lord, we pray that you will shake the atmosphere over Belgrade and cast those oppressive spirits down.
11) Lord we pray for the Serbian Orthodox Church. Lord, light a fire in their mist. We believe You can raise the dead.

You may be wondering about the picture above. About a month ago I took a prophetic course and part of the course was to paint a prophetic picture. Now I am not an artist but this picture is what I was inspired to paint. It represents Belgrade with the rivers running through it. I hope you can make out the two hands holding the city. Actually these are my hands; because God continues to make Belgrade the burden of my heart. The white spot in the middle is the main Serbian Orthodox Church, the heart of the Serb nation and the main source of national pride.