Pray for Slovenia

< Slovenian Protestant priest Primoz Trubar (1508-1586)

Reformation Day to be declared a Holiday in Slovenia

Ljubljana/Kranj, 30 October (STA) - Reformation Day, a bank holiday in honor of the 16th-century Reformation and Protestant movement, which brought Slovenians their first books, will be declared a holiday in Slovenia tomorrow. However, the main ceremony, organized by the Protestant Association Primož Trubar, will be held in Kranj already tonight, with PM Alenka Bratušek delivering the keynote address.

Primoz Trubar was the Protestant reformer, most known as the author of the first Slovene language printed book, the founder and the first superintendent of the Protestant Church of the Slovene Lands, notable for consolidating the Slovene language. Trubar is the key figure of Slovenian cultural history and in many aspects a major historical personality

1)      We thank the Lord that Slovenia was touched by the Reformation in the 1500s. Let us pray for a new reformation in the churches of Slovenia. Lord re-dig the wells of that revival and pore out Your fresh Spirit on Slovenia.

2)      Pray that every pastor and church leader would be visited by the Holy Spirit and they would see clearly the will of God for their city and nation. May they be baptized with a fire that compels them to live for Jesus and serve others.

3)      Many were willing to halt business in honor of what God had done in the past. Let us pray for a special blessing on the economy of Slovenia because of their step of remembrance.

 

The Slovenian economy is in trouble. The International Monetary Fund has asked Slovenia to recapitalize its banks amid fears that it was close to becoming the fifth Eurozone country to require a multibillion-euro bailout.  

4)      Let us pray for Christian business people to be blessed financially, strategically positioned in leadership and always bold in their witness in the marketplace.

5)      Recently the Slovene government began to educate people about the dangers of the gray economy where it is common for businesses to not report all sales and thus avoid paying the 22% sales tax. Pray for believers to lead the way in obeying the law of the land in all things, even in paying taxes.

6)      I have heard it said, “You get the government you deserve.” Let us pray that the Slovene Christians would seriously pray for their country and their leaders. Lord, show the Christians how to bless their leaders and not curse them. May the Christians find ways to give honor to their leaders where honor is due.

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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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!