Pray for the Balkans 8-25-17

An interesting Life

I was seeking the Lord as to what or how to pray for the Balkans. I was drawn to the city of Bor, Serbia and to a famous individual who suffered there during WW II.

Radnóti Miklós

Radnóti was born Miklós Glatter in Budapest into an assimilated Jewish family. His life was considerably shaped by the fact that both his mother and his twin brother died at his birth. He refers to this trauma in the title of his compilation Ikrek hava ("Month of the Twins").

In the early 1940s Radnóti was conscripted by the Hungarian Army, but being a Jew he was assigned to an unarmed (munkaszolgálat) ("labour battalion"). The battalion assigned to the Ukrainian front, and then in May 1944 the Hungarian Army retreated and his battalion was transferred to the copper mines in Bor, Serbia. In August 1944 as Yugoslav Partisans led by Josip Tito advanced, Radnóti's group of 3,200 Hungarian Jews was force-marched to central Hungary. On the march most of them died, including Radnóti.

In these last months of his life Radnóti continued to write poems in a small notebook and scraps of paper he kept with him. His last poem was dedicated to his friend Miklós Lorsi, who was shot to death during their death march.

According to witnesses, in early November 1944, Radnóti was severely beaten by a drunken militiaman who had been tormenting him for "scribbling". While passing near Győr, the prisoners were to be placed at the city's hospital, but as it being destroyed by Allied carpet bombing, Radnóti, together with other Jews, was shot, and buried in a mass grave. Today, a statue next to the road commemorates his place of death.

"Postcard 4" which was written days before his own death, describes the horror of seeing "his friend, the violinist Miklós Lorsi" executed. What follows is the poem in its translated version:

"Postcard 4"
I fell next to him. his body rolled over.
It was tight as a string before it snaps.
Shot in the back of the head- "This is how
you'll end." "Just lie quietly," I said to myself.
Patience flowers into death now.
"Der springt noch auf," I heard above me.
Dark filthy blood was drying on my ear.
October 31, 1944


Prayer Points:
1) Sad stories like Radnóti’s is a reminder of the fatal history of the Balkans. Throughout the Balkans, no matter where you journey, there is a sadness that hangs in the air. Let us pray for new stories of happy times.
Isaiah 61:3 To console those who mourn in Zion,
                  To give them beauty for ashes,
                  The oil of joy for mourning,
                  The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
                  That they may be called trees of righteousness,
                  The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
2) Pray for hope. There is little hope in the Balkans. May the Lord raise up “hope givers” for the many people groups across the Balkans. Pray for encouragement.
3) I had someone quote Gandhi to me the other day, “There is enough to feed everyone’s need but not enough to feed everyone’s greed.” It is natural for those without hope to be selfish. Pray for generosity to arise and free people from the bondage of self-centeredness.
4) Even Christians in the Balkans are tight fisted. Many pastors must work long hours at a secular job and then try to pastor a congregation. Pray that generosity to be released through the Christians.

Let's talk about the Balkans. Make a Comment.

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

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

Here is a welcomed headline.

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

Pray for Serbia

Week of Feb. 16-22, 2015

< Please Notice Prayer Needs for European Initiative - Balkans in Left Column.

In the NEWS: ZAGREB -- Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic stated on Sunday that he and Croatian President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic had "fruitful talks on all open issues."

[This] ranged "from missing persons to the position of refugees and the treatment of Serbs in Croatia," Tanjug [news agency] reported him as saying.

Vucic told Tanjug after the meeting that they discussed the issue of missing persons on which Grabar Kitarovic insisted, and also the position of refugees and the treatement of President of the Serb National Council Milorad Pupovac and Serbs in Croatia, which were the issues that the Serbian delegation insisted on.

“I believe we had a good meeting,” he said.

Vucic said that the two sides agreed to continue to cooperate, stressing that it is important for the two countries to build up more trust and respect.

“That would be good for the future of both countries,” Vucic said.

Vucic on Sunday attended the inauguration of Croatia's new president.

"Extended hand"
Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic stated on Sunday that he expects to have a good cooperation with Croatia's new President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, adding that he came to Zagreb with a message of peace and a wish for Belgrade and Zagreb to establish and show more mutual respect and trust.

1)    The presence of Prime Minister Vucic at the inauguration of Croatia’s new President Kitarovic was a huge step in the repairing of past atrocities committed by both nations. This is a step in the healing of Serbia, Croatia and the whole of the Balkans.
2)    Let us pray that this hand extended to Croatia would be sincere on the part of both nations.
3)    Let us celebrate the timely forgiveness extended between the Evangelicals in Serbia and Croatia shortly after the 90s’ war. We pray that a full trust and love would flow freely between the Serbian and Croatian houses of faith.
4)    Pray for continued steps toward the healing of Serbia in their relations with the Balkan nations.
5)    Lord, we ask You for an open door to peace between Serbia and Albania. Pray that the haters would be silenced.

In April Ballet Magnificat, a Premier Christian Ballet Company, will perform in Belgrade, Serbia. Ballet Magnificat dances with such elegance and grace that God’s grace is shown forth. This event is being organized by European Initiative Balkans, in order to bless the Christians of Serbia and display the excellence of arts in God’s Kingdom.

In 2014, Ballet Magnificat conducted four performances in Zagreb, Croatia and the result was beyond our expectations. We saw many deeply challenged in their beliefs. Also another remarkable effect was the unity among the churches that volunteered as translators, helpers and one on one witnesses themselves. On of the key results of these performances and those of similar events have been, that they help elevate the public’s perception of non-Catholic Christian churches. 

Prayer Points:
6)    Pray that the Lord will use Ballet Magnificat to touch the city of Belgrade and Serbia. May many, Christians and non-Christians, see the excellence that can spring forth from those whose talents are committed to the Lord.
7)    Pray that even now the Holy Spirit would begin preparing the hearts of those that will attend. Let’s ask the Lord for many lost to attend.
8)    Let us pray for the core team led by Zuzanna organizing the event as they prepare the venues, media advertising and mobilize the churches to get engaged.
9)    The enemy will not rest easy seeing Christian performing arts take center stage in Belgrade. Let us pray for a hedge of protection for the event, organizers, dancers, etc.
10)     This event is geared to bless the city of Belgrade, as the funds form the ticket sales will be donated to a children's hospital. Please pray that these tools would open wide the hearts of city officials and help elevate the publics perception of non-Orthodox, Christian entities.

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

Pray for SERBIA

Week of Nov. 17-23, 2014

Google Map of Belgrade

A message from Jerry and Zuzanna :

We are so grateful to each of you as you join us in standing in the gap for the Balkan nations week after week, for 6 years now. This prayer blog has evolved through the years and it is evolving still. Starting with this week and going forward, we will have a section in the left column for European Initiative Balkans prayer needs which will give each of you an opportunity to pray specifically for our ministry as European Initiative’s Balkans Base Leaders. In this region called the Balkans, one becomes very acutely aware of ones dependence on prayer. We believe our effectiveness hinges on the prayers of intercessors like you. We will share upcoming events and various needs. “Ministry Needs, Plans & Prayer” will appear in the Column to the left of this prayer directive. Thank you for taking the time to pray over our needs in addition to the country we feature each week.

Friday morning (11/14/2014) I attended a prayer meeting and the Lord’s presence was in our mist. Although this prayer meeting was in Zagreb there was an intercessor there from Serbia. There was a point in our prayer time when we went deep in intercession for Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. God has a divine plan for Serbia; may we be found worthy, that the Lord would share that plan with us.

Prayer Points:
1)    The Serbian people are a proud people and nationalism runs very deep. Oh, Lord we want to know Your heart for the people of Serbia. We pray for a great host of Serbs to be standing before the throne when the books are opened. May they hold their heads high because they fought the good fight and held on to God’s Word.
2)    Let us once again pray for the capitol city of Belgrade. Close to 1.5 million people and only about 1,000 Christians. Lord raise up intercessors to cry for that city. Raise up ministries that will pour resources into the city.
3)    Lord we pray for houses of prayer to be birth with an open heaven where the Holy Spirit dwells constantly. Lord, draw together those that have a burden for Belgrade.
4)    Lord we lift up the Christians in Serbia. May they choose to fear the Lord and submit to the teaching of the Holy Spirit so they may prosper and their descendants establish wisdom in the land. Let us believe for strong Christian families that are grounded in principles of the Gospel. May their descendants inherit a righteous Serbia.
5)    Though the vision of a righteous land seems distant now, let us pray that the Christians will do what is right in all things. Purify Your people so the vileness of hypocrisy will be wiped away.
6)    Let us continue to pray for those bound by alcohol and drugs. Heroin is cheap compared to other countries and easily acquired, therefore there are a large number of drug addicts. Hope is the answer, and Jesus gives hope.
7)    Lord, release an extra measure of grace and healing in the alcohol and drug centers in Serbia. We pray for restoration in these broken lives. Let not the enemy steal their destinies.
8)    Let us be burdened for the pastors of Serbian churches. May they stand strong and not be weary in well-doing. We must hold up their arms because the battles are hard. May Psalms 25: 12-13 be their portion. “Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.  He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth.

2 Cor. 4: 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

9)   Lord we join You in commanding the “light to shine out of darkness”. Take the present darkness and transform it into Light. We command the bad to be turned to good. Let us speak boldly to the enemy to take his hands off Serbia.
Please leave a Comment or a Reaction so we will know you Prayed.

Pray for Kosovo

Week of Oct. 13-19, 2014

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

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

Prayer Points:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Pray for Serbia

Week of Aug. 11-17, 2014

The following clip is from an older news article, however it still takes us to prayer for the Serbian government.

SERBIA’S political landscape is not the same any more. On March 16th Aleksandar Vucic (pictured), the leader of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), won an overwhelming electoral victory, shattered the opposition.

This means the new prime minister, Aleksandar Vucic, will need to work to fulfill his promises to fight corruption, get the economy straight and join the EU by 2020. Regarding Kosovo, Vucic recently said that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina will continue and that talks are always the best option. He does have a questionable past and more information can be found in Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandar_Vu%C4%8Di%C4%87.

Prayer Points:
1)    Let us pray for the Serbian government. Their recent history has been that of corruption including assassinations. We just simply ask for justice for the people.
2)    Please pray for Vucic and his new government as they transition into power. He ran his campaign on promises to fight corruption; may he be held accountable to those promises.
3)    Mr. Vucic is known to be an acute businessman, let’s pray that the grace from God would flow through him and give him wisdom to help the stagnated Serbian economy.
4)    It is always important when praying for government official to pray for their advisers. Let us pray that Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic will be surrounded by men and women of wisdom.

In the News: Serbia and Bosnia hit by new round of deadly flooding
Thursday, August 7th, 2014 By Tom Revell

Severe flooding in Serbia and Bosnia has killed at least one person, just three months after record-breaking floods killed more than 50 people and displaced thousands.
Heavy rain has caused widespread flooding as rivers burst their banks across the Balkans, with Croatia also affected.

4)    These present floods are not comparable to the floods in May of this year, which was of epic proportions, but we should be reminded to pray for all the victims. Let us ask the Lord for special grace as they rebuild their homes and lives.
5)    The recent flooding has devastated so many lives and has been such a tragic and traumatic event which forever changed the life and wellbeing of many thousands of individuals. Many are battling post traumatic stress disorders, depression, suicide. Pray for a blanket of peace and sound minds to prevail.
6)    In Obrenovac, near the capital of Belgrade, where the May floods did their greatest destruction, a ministry was established to help the victims. This is a pioneering work of the Christian Fellowship - Church in Novi Sad, Serbia.  Far as we know this is the first evangelical work of any kind established in this city. We visited the ministry just a few days after they moved in to their building in Obrenovac and we were very impressed with the work they are doing. Lord, we ask your blessings on this work as they minister to the physical and emotional needs of the people. 
7)    This ministry plans to eventually form an evangelical church for the city. Lord, we ask that in Obrenovac there would arise a church of humble people that know the depth of Your grace of recovery.
Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed.

Pray for Serbia

Week of May 19-25, 2014

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST FOR SERBIA!
(Protestant Evangelical Alliance of Serbia asks for your prayers. Pray for the people of Serbia, Bosnia, and all who were affected by the floods.)

Dear friends,

We would like to ask you for your urgent and fervent prayers for Serbia. We have had heavy rainfalls for 3 days now, with the amount of rain equaling 3 month quantities (the samesituation is in Bosnia and Herzegovina). It caused local rivers overflowing (rising even to 4 meters in just 1 day) in majority of Serbian towns and cities, leaving thousands of citizens' homes and land flooded, their livestock and domestic animals drowned:-(. People were completely unprepared for this and in shock. So far, there are 5 casualties, but the numbers are not complete unfortunately. A massive storm churned river waters and triggered landslides across the country, leaving roads and railways underwater. Some motorways and roads are blocked, bridges torn down, and some towns in Serbia are still cut off from the civilization. This is the worst flooding ever in the history of Serbia.The Serbian government declared a state of emergency and natural disaster yesterday..

As we are writing this, we know for sure that 7.520 people were evacuated until this morning,135,000 homes are without electricity, 19 towns are flooded. The critical is the town of Obrenovac (suburb of Belgrade) which is being evacuated in total as it is 90% flooded. It has around 18 000 people in addition to be evacuated.

Another critical municipality is Sabac, in western Serbia (around 120 thousand people). It is close to the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the great danger is that the river Sava overflows during the night and tomorrow and endangers a huge population. At this point, over 3000 volunteers are traveling towards Sabac from all over Serbia to help the exhausted police forces, the army, the firemen fill the sand bags and try to stop the river overflowing.

Very difficult situation is in other towns like Lazarevac, Valjevo, Paraćin, Smederevska Palanka, Svilajnac, Petrovac na Mlavi. Majority of these towns don't have water or electricity or both. For a small and financially struggling country like Serbia, this sort of thing has a Katrina-like impact:
We would be thankful to you to pray for the following:

1.That God prevents rivers from more overflowing and the rainfall stops (especially it is critical for the town of Sabac and Obrenovac tonight), but also others.
2. That all the people are safely evacuated, with no more casualties.
3. That enough funds are raised in near future to make up for the losses people faced and these are huge (some are left without everything as their houses are lost in landslides and land, as their only source of income, is flooded).
4. For enough food, clothes, blankets and other needed items for thousands who are placed in schools, hospitals, hotels and other premises until the crisis is over.
5. For enough technical equipment to help pump the water from the flooded houses all over Serbia (EU, Russia, Israel already sent some help).
6. That God protects us from infections (in water and in food) due to animal decomposition which is currently underway.
7. All the crops in the flooded areas are completely devastated, which will hugely impact fragile Serbian economy. Pray for God's miracle and grace in this area and for complete restoration.
8. The flooding of bigger rivers is to be expected, so pray for the protection of rivers Sava and Danube.
9. It will take months for people to be able to start living normally, pray for God's mercy and protection and wisdom of the government officials in how to help and what to do. The damage is probably millions of euros.
Following are some links showing a dramatic situation:

This one is with Serbian comments from the Serbian national broadcaster Prva TV: http://www.prva.rs/web-tv/info/exploziv/12005/exploziv---16052014/34911/potop.html
This one is from the foreign media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlY8UbF99tI

Feel free to share this email with your churches, home groups, forward to your friends and cover us in prayers. Thank you so much for your support. It is priceless.

God bless you

Pray for Serbia 5-19-14

In the News: 2 Drown in Serbia as Floods Hit Across Balkans
BELGRADE, Serbia May 15, 2014 (AP)

Two people drowned in Serbia and the country declared a national emergency Thursday as rain-swollen rivers across the Balkans flooded roads and bridges, shut down schools and cut off power. Hundreds of people had to be evacuated.

In Serbia and neighboring Bosnia, meteorologists said the rainfall was the most since measuring started 120 years ago. Belgrade authorities say the average rainfall of a two-month period hit the city in just 40 hours.
"What we are facing is the biggest water catastrophe in Serbia's history," Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said as his government appealed for help from the European Union, Russia and neighboring countries.
Surging water coursed through towns and villages, overflowing across streets and into homes, sweeping bridges off their moorings. Sodden hills crumbled into landslides. Dozens of buses and cars were stranded on flooded roads and two main north-south railway lines in Serbia were impassable. http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/woman-drowns-serbia-floods-23726450

I received the following email from Greg and Jelena Sivulka, faithful prayer partners in Serbia:

The past few days, we have had a cyclone over this country that has brought more rain than there has ever been since they started recording rainfall levels 120 years ago!  Some cities and towns have been completely flooded.  There have been electrical shortages and there's a possibility that the main power plant may have to shut down most of its operations due to the flooding.  Just about an hour ago we just received word from a reliable source that the tap water has become contaminated.  I went to the store and joined the crowds of people buying bottled water.  What a catastrophe! 

Fortunately, in our city, Novi Sad, no areas have had to be evacuated yet, although several houses have been flooded.  A state of emergency has been declared in the country and thousands of community service workers and volunteers have been working round the clock to reinforce riverbanks with sandbags.  The rain just continues to fall, but they say it should be calming down sometime this weekend.

Please keep us in prayer!

P.S.  Here's an article with photos that will give you a better idea of what's going on:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27439139

Prayer Points:
1.    Let us pray for those suffering from this flooding in Serbia and Bosnia.
2.    Pray for the families of those that lost their lives due to the flooding.
3.    Pray for those that have had property damage, being overwhelmed by water.
4.    In the long run, pray that the Churches would take a lead in rescuing, caring for and over the months ahead, restoring families back to a normal existence.
5.    Truly it is a time upon the earth when we are seeing unnatural things happening in nature. Lord, help the Serbian people to look beyond the present tragedies and have hope for the future.
6.    This flooding tragedy will compound the already financial problems in Serbia. Let us pray for hope to supernaturally spring forth and a real “roll up our sleeves and go to work” attitude.

Ecclesiastes 3:10-12 (NLT)  I have seen the burden God has placed on us all.  Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

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.




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Pray for Serbia

Week of Oct. 28 - Nov. 3, 2013

We are praying for Serbia this week and I am blessed to have Pastor Viktor Sabo form Serbia staying in my home. He is not only a pastor but an apostolic leader in the country. I so appreciate Viktor’s valuable insight into this weeks ‘Prayer for the Balkans’ project.

1)    Pray for the visitation of the Lord, that the people would see His glory – Lord, we ask that the bowls of intercession for Serbia would spill over and reach Your throne. May a stream of blessing flow from heaven to Serbia.
2)    There are many effects of war, pain and apathy - Let us pray for hope, the Lord’s hope, to arise. Lord, reverse the effects of war, struggles of life and hopelessness. May blessings of economic recovery, social wellbeing and God’s redemptive political justice be released for Serbia. 
3)    Pray for a change in the atmosphere – Jesus, we know that when You implement Your plan, a divine peace will follow. Let us pray for a new generation to arise that can rise above the heartaches of the past. Lord foster humane dignity in the new generation and  restore hope.
4)    Pray for repentance, humility, believers first – 2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Christians, the Lord’s people, can bring blessings upon the land through repentance. May a holy fear of God be proclaimed in the churches. May Christians rise from repentance and walk in forgiveness.
5)    There needs to be reconciliation of leaders and unity – Let us pray for unity among Christian leaders in Serbia. There is only one kingdom, His Kingdom; a pastor or leader does not have his own kingdom. Division is rooted deep in the culture, it is spiritual. Let us pray that the spirit of division be broken and replaced with the spirit of unity.
6)    Recognize the destination of the nation, war in heavenly places – There is a need in Serbia for leaders to understand God’s purposes for the nation. 1 Chronicles 12:32 “the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do,” Lord, raise up leaders that hear from You and know the spiritual needs of Serbia. Lord release Your strategy to meet those needs. May these have heaven’s authority to proclaim the will of the Lord for the country.
7)    Let us pray for new wine skins, new springs, break old blockages – Lord, we ask for new springs of fresh water to move through the churches and fill new wine skins. May those man-made dams be broken down that have held back the streams of blessing.
8)    Pray for this young generation to stand, to be free from the fear of man – Fear and fear of man is a snare holding back the church in Serbia from overcoming. Lord, we ask that boldness arise through the youth that will break the fear of man in the churches. May the older saints recognize Jesus moving in the youth and dare not criticize or try to limit. It is time for the older generation to celebrate how God is moving through the youth. Let the youth be a vessel in changing Serbia. For a good teaching on the Fear of man go to: http://gatewaypeople.com/sermons/174786
9)    Pray for revival among the Orthodox – Talking about old wineskins, let us pray for renewal to come to the Serbian Orthodox Church. They can move the hearts of the Serbian people.
10)    Pray for Belgrade, a sleeping giant. His power to come to the churches, the city’s population is 1.5 million with only 700 evangelical Christians – Belgrade the capital city of Serbia is a very complex and hard city. Many intellectuals left the country leaving a vacuum in political decision quality, but also an imbalance in culture and development.  It is the center of the country but there are very few Christians. Belgrade needs dedicated intercessors that will consistently stand in the gap.



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Pray for Serbia

Week of Aug. 5-11, 2013

I asked a missionary in Serbia to give me his perspective of the national and spiritual conditions there. His report is very insightful and revealing.

Greg Sivulka’s report:
1.  Church - Generally speaking, most of the Christian churches in Serbia have fallen into a state of apathy.  The excitement of a personal, daily walk with the Lord has died down and as a result, the care and concern for reaching the lost has also died down to a minimum lull.  Many pastors in full-time ministry are overloaded with various activities and are in desperate need of rest.  Most churches are struggling financially to keep bills paid and keep staff out of poverty.

2.  Non-believers - Please pray for God to change the mentality of the people of Serbia.  Many consider us [Evangelical Churches] a dangerous sect/cult.  Many young people that show an interest in coming to church and/or hanging out with believers are often forbidden to do so by their parents. Women interested in the Lord are often hindered and sometimes even physically abused by their husbands.
     Please pray that God would bring down the pride level of non-believers.  Many times, even when people realize their need for a Savior, they often refuse to come to him because of pride.  Two things that you very rarely hear in Serbia, generally speaking, are "I'm sorry," and "I don't know."  This to me is a sign that there are very high strongholds of pride that still need to come down.
     Please pray that the devil would be thwarted in his plans to keep people in spiritual darkness here in Serbia.  Many seeds have been sown, through various different means (Jesus film, one-on-one evangelism, humanitarian aid distribution....), but the devil is continuing to keep the blinders on people's spiritual sight.  Pray for the Lord to turn the lights on! www.SerbianOutreach.com

1.    Ask the Lord to let your heart burn for the Serbian evangelical churches. The pressures are intense and the battle is hard. They truly need a prayer covering. Let us stand in the gap and build up a hedge.
2.    Let us pray for a spiritual assault on the principalities and strongholds in Serbia. May those that have a burden for Serbia be awakened to this crucial hour. Daniel was only one man and he stood against the Prince of Persia; we are many, may we too send up a cry that empowers warring angels. (Daniel chapter 10)
3.    Let us pray for more intercessors to be raised up to pray for Serbia. Let us also pray for gatekeepers to be raised up for the major cities in Serbia. (Men and women, saints that make it their priority and sacrifice their time to keep a spiritual watch over their city)
4.    Lord, we ask for the financial struggles of churches to be lightened. This generally is proceeded by believers sacrificial giving. May the saints learn to give their money, time and talents to the house of faith. Lord, may the Serbian Christians learn the joy of giving.
5.    Lord, we ask for your favor to be upon those that have found that freedom of giving. May they be entrusted with more of heaven’s riches.
6.    Pride is such a yoke of bondage. To break the Serbs will, it will take a sovereign move of the Holy Spirit. War didn’t bring them to their knees and neither did poverty. Lord, please release Your love on the Serbian people and raise up believers who will overflow with Your love into their communities.
7.    The health system is very poor in Serbia. Those that have the financial means usually take their health issues to other countries. Let us pray the Lord would engineer a solution. We can ask for men and women of faith to lay hands on the sick and we can pray for more money to flow into the hospitals; we put it in Your hands Lord to touch the physically hurting of Serbia. Either way, the Serbian people need a miracle for their health.

Jeremiah 33:2-3 NKJV
“Thus says the Lord who made it, the Lord who formed it to establish it (the Lord is His name): ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

8.    Lord, we ask that You put the above verse in every Serbian Christian’s heart. May we all just seek more of You, Jesus.
9.    Let us also pray for Greg and Jelena and their three children as they minister in Serbia. They have a ministry to the families with special needs children. The Sivulka’s need a home and a car so they can be fully effective.

A Praise Report from a Serbian youth pastor:
Wow, we had a great teen camp last week. 62 teenagers (plus the staff) came together for five days where we experienced Gods love and His power. It was truly amazing to see how God touched so many hearts trough worship and teachings.

There was a girl who used to cut herself and got freed from her depression. Another one confessed her sin to one of the leaders and experienced a spiritual breakthrough after that. Many others got filled with the Holy Spirit and many gave their hearts to God.

Thank you for all your prayers and support,
Arpod Sabo

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Pray for Serbia

Week of April 15-21, 2013

I want to bring you Praise Reports from Serbia.

Belgrade (Pastor Savic): After teaching on “Relationships Our Daily [Bread]”, Pastor Savic’s church grew to 115 not counting children.

Pastor Savic writes, “Evangelism is still our priority. Every Saturday we organize evangelism at the hotel in downtown Belgrade that is attended by 20 to 30 students. We also started a Bible group every Thursday at the Student dorm .”

Pastors Nebojsa and Gordana Savic have a Family Counseling ministry where they are directing couples in God’s marriage plans. They say, “At the moment we have eight couples, three children and two individuals for counseling.” Because of the work they are doing to help marriages, the news papers and television have interviewed them many times.

Contact information: Savić Nebojša i Gordana

Slavonskih brigada 21, 11030 Belgrade, Serbia

Email Nesa: nesagoca2@gmail.com

Website: www.brakiporodica.org

Novi Sad (Pastors Danny and Vera Kuranji), they write:

 Dear Friends,

This is too good not to share right away!

Last Saturday we had 14 people baptized! Praise and joy followed each one as they came out of the water. Touching testimonies of changed lives have moved us to tears. Changed lives and changed destinies is what Jesus went to the cross for! Thank you, Jesus!

Four young men from the rehab center were in the group, they are in final phase of rehabilitation (more were interested, but we have decided to limit to those who are in center longer than 8 months). Free from heroin, free from sin, adopted in God’s family and excited to be baptized!

Each soul is precious to Him. Thank you for praying for us and we do hope that you will rejoice and praise Him for teenagers, young men and all others that you see on the picture. (picture above)

Love and thanks for your partnership,
 

Vera & Danny

Contact Information: kuranjid@gmail.com

There are many other good things happening in Serbia; Pastor Sabo in the north and their work with the Roma (Gypsies) and the refugees. There are doors of ministry opening in southern Serbia.

   

    1)      Thank You, Lord Jesus for the moving of Holy Spirit in Serbia. We pray for daily increase just like in the book of Acts.

    2)      Lord, we pray for the day when Serbia will be a blessing to all the nations surrounding it and even beyond. Let us declare over Serbia the release of Blessing from on high.

    3)      Thank You Lord, for the salvations in Novi Sad, Serbia. Lord, we ask for a seal to be put on each person’s heart that has followed You in baptism. May they see miracles in their lives, transforming them daily.

    4)      Let us pray for the drug and alcohol rehab in Novi Sad. Each client that is there, may they be overwhelmed by Jesus’ love. Be with the counselors and leaders; Give them patients to wait on the transformation in each life. In Prayer, give them hope for the clients. May they all grow in Faith daily.

    5)      Oh, Lord, I know You love Belgrade. Thank You for Pastors Nebojsa and Gordana Savic. Belgrade is a really hard city. Lord, we ask You to protect them and their family daily. Their hearts are totally Yours, make sure they have everything they need.

I see (in the Spirit) a tent set up outside the city of Belgrade. The Lord is in the tent and His army stands at attention in line with the tent. Angels are entering the tent and then exiting with orders in their hands. They go among the ranks selecting their platoon or squad. They lift their swords to the heavens, cry “Holy is the Lamb” and then fly off to do battle in the city.  

    6)      I have to believe that these angels are carrying out the prayers of the intercessors. As we pray, the Lord hears and an angel or assistant writes them out. The Lord places His seal of approval on the order and it is carried out. Lord, do not pull back from the city!

    7)      Let us pray for an army of saints to hear the call to go to Belgrade. Equip them with Your Love. No one can argue with pure Love from above.

Special Prayer: In most of the Balkan nations there are youth camps planned for the summer months. Many present day leaders in the Balkans testify of meeting Jesus in these camps. Pray that this summer many would give their lives to Jesus.

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Pray for Serbia

Charis Bible College (from Colorado) giving Food to Immigrants in Serbia

Week of Jan. 28 - Feb. 3, 2013

IN THE NEWS: BELGRADE -- Serbia has implemented several measures to counter the departure of false asylum-seekers to the EU and improvement of the position of immigrants in the country.

According to the report of Group 484, in the first six months of 2012, 974 immigrants noted that they would seek asylum in Serbia. Most of the asylum-seekers come from Afghanistan, Algeria, Pakistan, Morocco, Somalia and Palestine, and some came from Syria. Among the asylum-seekers, there were 176 unescorted minors.

NOTE: In December 2012, European Initiative (Berlin) along with Charis Bible College (Colorado) conducted an outreach to Northern Serbia and they reached out to the refugees camped out in Serbia near the Hungarian border hoping to be able to cross. All I have heard is that it was fruitful.

1)    Immigrants waiting in Serbia for their future to be decided. As these traveling or displaced people wait may they examine their eternal souls.
2)    Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Lord, because of your love for these travelers You sent the students from Caris Bible College. We pray that their act of love will bear much fruit.
3)    Let us pray that the plight and availability of these immigrants will reach caring hearts of God’s people and money and time will be organized to send preachers (acts of love).

As stated above, Charis Bible College students, European Initiative and an Evangelical Church in Serbia not only reached out to immigrants but also reached out to the poor and conducted street dramas in Northern Serbia. The following is the report from the pastor of the host church in Subotica, Serbia: (Please pray as you read the needs and changes he reports.)

The visit of the EI mission team in December was a great blessing for our church and ministry.
How? - someone would ask.

1.It has mobilized the members of our church and the staff to start looking for ways how can we bless and minister to the outsiders. So much of our focus and energy goes into our routine and church meetings.
2.During this week of ministry we had noticed how little evangelistic material we have flyers, tracts and books.
3.I have learned that trough good planning we can accomplish much in sort time.
4.Several people in the church came to surface as a good helpers and now I count on them.
5.The blessing was of course the ministry itself what they have done ministering to the poor bringing them winter coats and boots.
6. With drama and personal witness they touched the lives of many. Now our young people are working to form a drama team and evangelistic team to do similar outreach.
7.New relationships were made

-    Pastor Viktor Sabo


FROM http://www.eurovangelism.org.uk/news/150 -  Help for women in need in Serbia
Zoli and Tanja at Sombor Christian Fellowship in Serbia have been praying for God to use them more to reach out to their community. They felt it on their hearts to get involved and help the women and children who are in a "Safe House". Tanja has recently visited the "Safe House" she reports:
"As we entered the safe house we gave them our present of carefully made package of Baby Essentials. They were so excited and they loved the special way of how we put it together. They toured us through the House, they have capacity for 26 women, bathrooms, TV room, dining room, kitchen . . . As we talked about their way of working and taking care of abused women we heard some very positive stories how they helped them. One lady got back her self-respect saying: “for the first time in my life I feel I’m alive, that I am a human being. They are getting results of all their efforts toward the Safe House and it is so encouraging. They press forward until something changes."

This is so encouraging to see God at work in these women's lives, bringing hope to hopeless situations. Tanja also wants to provide a children's playground in the Safe House. This is a need for the children in the home to enjoy and play safely and happily.

Please pray for:
1)    Tanja and Zoli as they reach out to help women in this home.
2)    The funds to come in to provide a playground for the children in the Home.
3)    The abused women and children in the Home.
4)    The workers in the Home as the daily help these women.

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 Week of Oct. 8-14, 2012

Serb hero fishes the desperate from Danube, [from] suicide
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — On a bright autumn day, Renato Grbic was out fishing on the Danube with his brother when he heard a big splash. At first, he thought somebody had thrown something off the bridge.
Then he saw a man flailing in the water.

"We hurried and pulled the man out," Grbic recalls. "I remember telling him: Such a glorious day and you want to kill yourself!"

It was the first time Grbic saved a life. From that day 15 years ago, his own life would never be the same. The bright-eyed, tattooed restaurant owner from a shabby industrial zone on the outskirts of Belgrade has rescued 25 people who tried to kill themselves by jumping off the tall bridge over the Danube.

This is a good story and a sad story.

1) Lord, we thank You for this man being in the place he is in. He is a modern day ‘good Samaritan’. Pray for this man that he would get to know Jesus, the One who has saved him and all mankind.
2) If you go on to read the full story, Mr. Grbic says these people are mainly just lonely. Let us pray for those that have no hope and are lonely in Serbia. Let the door open for the Gospel to come in to them.

Let us celebrate another hero in Serbia.

BEIJING (AP) — Top-seeded Novak Djokovic extended his perfect record at the China Open when he defeated third-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 in the final on Sunday.
Two weeks ago Novak Djokovic gave his name in support of Nick Vuicic, a minister of the Gospel that was born without arms or legs. He introduced Nick at two gatherings of 10,000 people in Belgrade and 8,000 in Novi Sad.
Pastor Daniel Kuranji of novi Sad says, “This is all we can say! Wow! Amazing event, amazing God!”

3) Lord, we just want to thank You for these gatherings and so many in Serbia getting to hear the Gospel. May the seeds planted be watered. Lead every precious soul to a Christian that can open the Word to them.
4) I do not know the condition of Novak Djokovic but let us ask the Lord to continue to bless him above his dreams. Lord, let not fame and fortune be a trap that clouds the grace You have for Novak.
5) Let us pray that Nick Vuicic’s ministry would continue to expand and he would see many come to the knowledge of Jesus. James 5:20 Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

BELGRADE -- Serbian Patriarch Irinej has urged Prime Minister Ivica Dačić to ban the upcoming gay Pride Parade.
[Patriarch] Irinej also called for the ban of a photo exhibit by Swedish artist Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin, which shows Jesus Christ dressed in women's clothing.

In a release submitted to Tanjug, the patriarch says the "tragicomic parade of shame" casts a heavy moral shadow on Belgrade, on Serbia's longstanding Christian culture and the dignity of the family, as the basic unit of humanity.

"I had not expected that this year I would again be forced to turn to you on behalf of the Serbian Orthodox Church, its members, who are the dominant majority in Serbia, and on behalf of numerous members of other religions, with the plea and demand that, by your authority as prime minister, you prevent the scandalous exhibit of photographs by Swedish artist Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin," Irinej wrote.

6) Let us thank the Lord that the Serbian Orthodox church is morally correct on this issue. Let us pray that the Orthodox in Serbia will speak out more on moral issues. (Speak out with love)
7) Let us pray for the media in Serbia to publish the truth about homosexuality. May they tell of the wrecked lives, despair, diseases and young deaths these miss-guided people go through.
8) Lord, we ask that You raise up a team to go unto this homosexual sub-culture in Serbia and love them like Jesus would.
9) Lord, help Serbia to stand strong in this decision to ban this parade. It seems the whole world is speaking against Serbia for not celebrating this deplorable life style. Thank Lord for that strong character in the Serbian people to stand up for what they believe. They will truly be courageous for the Lord when they have embraced the Gospel.
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