Pray for Slovenia

Week of Jan. 3-9, 2014

It has been a long time since I have driven through Slovenia but I still remember the rolling hills, the thick forest and the tall peeks in the distance. Then there are all the pictures of haystacks in the open fields and mountain streams that flow through astonishing beautiful valleys. Looking at this beauty you can’t help but realize how great our Creator God is.

Romans 1: 20-22 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.

Do Slovenes look at the beauty around them and give God His due honor?

Operation World reports a serious apathy among Slovenes. http://www.operationworld.org/country/slvn/owtext.html
A long history of Catholic tradition is under threat. The three main Christian groups (Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran) are lacking in spiritual vitality. They are rapidly declining into irrelevance while agnosticism, New Age and different forms of Eastern religious beliefs are increasing, as is general spiritual apathy, even among those who notionally believe in God.

1)    One of the most visible attributes of God is His creation. We can worship Him in a greater measure when we appreciate the wisdom displayed in what He spoke into existence.  May the Slovene people look to the hills and see His greatness.
2)    Pray for an awakening in the mainline churches which will draw the many nominal Christians into personal faith in Christ.
3)    Evangelical churches are few, underfunded and in disunity. Let us pray first for unity among the Christians in Slovenia. It is time to put away personal ambitions and seek to honor every Christian’s contribution. Let us pray these verses over Slovenia: John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
Operation World also reports: Of the few dozen fellowships, almost none are self-funding; most pastors rely on secular employment or external financial support, and there is little teaching in churches on stewardship and giving.

4)    Let us pray that Slovene Christians will bring not only the tithe, but offerings over and above the tithe, to the church and give with hearts of joy.
5)    Let us pray for evangelist church planters. Lord, raise up Christians that have a passion for the lost and will do what it takes to touch individuals and communities.
6)    Slovenes need to take serious their responsibility to support their pastors and give toward evangelizing the country. Let us believe that churches will expand and not withdraw.
7)    Let us pray for Slovene Christians to get a firm understanding of their rightful inheritance. Because they are children of God they should walk proudly into the marketplace as over-comers.
8)    We pray that boldness, assurance and steadfastness would rise up in the Christians; not letting the enemy steal their joy.
9)    Pray for financial blessings for the Slovene Christians. The Father desires to release creativity through us. He desires for us to study His ways and use His wisdom in the market-place. Lord, we ask that You would give Your people creative ideas, inventions and business concepts so they may have honor and success. Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

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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 Slovenia

Week of Aug. 12-18, 2013

A pastor from Croatia, Mario Ducic, was preaching at a church near Dallas, Texas so Zuzanna and I went to hear him. He spoke on Luke 8:5-15, Jesus’ teaching on “The Sower”. As I reflected on his message I thought of Slovenia and how the sower needs to go forth sowing the Gospel seeds. It is heart breaking to hear of those seeds that did not fall on good ground and did not survive. Take time to read the passage in Luke and pray accordingly for Slovenia.

1)    Lord, we ask for a time of sowing in Slovenia.
2)    Let us pray according to verse 8 where Jesus cried out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” It was important to the Lord that his disciples understand this parable of the sower. Let us, as intercessors, pray for the present churches in Slovenia to hear the Lord’s challenge to go forth and sow.
3)    Notice that the sower did not necessarily look for a certain plot of ground to sow his seeds but rather sowed everywhere. Let us pray for many evangelist to be raised up to share the gospel with every person in Slovenia regardless of their position or status. Not just in the church buildings but in the marketplace and in every institution.
4)    Slovenes are hardworking people and they have prospered but they also have a greater percentage of suicides. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of hope. Let us pray for hope to arise all over Slovenia.
5)    Slovene hearts are hard like rock. They rely upon a false hope in science and their humanistic abilities. Come Lord and break up these rocks that rob them of the ability to grow in hope.
6)    As the seeds are planted, let us pray for the Slovenian Evangelical Churches to be safe places for these newly redeemed to find fresh water for their souls. May there be trained ministers that can walk young Christians through emotional healing.
7)    Let us pray for anointed teachers to present the Gospel in purity and truth. Thank You, Lord, that Your Word cleanses us and shows us how to walk righteous before You.

 Amos 9:13 NKJV
“Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, And the treader of grapes him who sows seed; The mountains shall drip with sweet wine, And all the hills shall flow with it.

8)    Lord, we pray for “plowmen” and “treaders” that will go quickly into the harvest field. Lord, we know this happens when the Holy Spirit blows across the land. Holy Spirit blow upon Slovenia.
9)    May the Slovene people ascend the mountain of the Lord and find His sweet wine. May they be so full of the sweetness of the Lord that they will spill out over the hills and into the valleys.
10)    Lord, may Your gentle love and non-judgmental compassion flow through those that sow in Slovenia.  Lord, help the Slovene Christians to break through their fears and find the joy of sharing their faith.
11)    Lord, we rebuke that lying spirit of suicide that inhabits Slovenia. Come Lord, and set the people free.


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Pray for Slovenia

Week of July 30 - Aug. 5, 2012

Tromostovje –is three bridges that cross the Ljubljanica River, which connects the historical, medieval part of the capital with its new, modern counterpart. Bridges make passage over difficult waters possible.

1)    Thinking of the Tromostovje (Three Bridges) in Ljubljana, Slovenia, let us pray for safe passage of the Gospel through Slovenia. Three bridges, like the Father, Son and Holy Spirit moving through the land to bring blessings. Three bridges that can transfer the sacrifices of former Christians into a blessing for the present generation.

2)    Lord, let bridges be built in the spirit that will connect Christians that have a passion for the Gospel. Let us pray for unity among churches and ministries in Slovenia.

3)    Let us pray that walls and barriers between churches would be broken down. Let there be reconciliation and forgiveness between pastors and ministers. May the Church in Slovenia speak with one voice, in the language of Love.

4)    There are many towns and villages in Slovenia that do not have an evangelical church. Lord we ask for church planters to be raised up. Lord, show the Slovenian churches how to multiply not divide.

5)    Pray for the Lord to raise up individuals and families to go into the forsaken villages and share Jesus with people there. Lord, we want to see Your Word cover the land. 

Matthew 5:14,16 NIV “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

 

Here at Praying for the Balkans, Project we believe in the “Seven Mountains of Influence”: family, business, media, religion, education, arts/entertainment and government, which the Lord is revealing to the Church. He is asking us to go into these spheres and be the light.

6)    Pray for the financial health of Slovenia. Banks in Slovenia are suffering from miss-managed loans and companies filing for bankruptcy. (Reported in Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

7)    There has been a dynamic drop in exports from Slovenia and this hurts the gross national product. Pray for the business sector that it would be influenced by Christian principles. Lord, make it possible for Christians to go into business and bring in problem solving concepts.

8)    In praying for the Church’s influence in business, may those saints anointed for this mission know their commission comes from the Lord. Make them an example of His Kingdom in the marketplace.

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Pray for Slovenia

Week of May 14-20, 2012

According to the Eurobarometer Poll 2005,^[218] 37% of Slovenian citizens responded that "they believe there is a god", whereas 46% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 16% that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force". (Info from Wikipedia)

Generally in historic Christian countries you will get way over 50% that believe in the God of the Bible. The statistics above show that only 37% believe there is a God. Then there is an alarming 46% plus 16% that do not believe in the God of the Bible. This may be why Slovenia has the highest suicide rate in the Balkans and is ranked 6^th in the world. (This was a 2005 poll, but recent reports show little change)

1.      Hope, hope, hope, this is what Slovenia needs. Thank You Lord that You bring abundant hope.

2.      Lord, we ask that You send out Your angels to soften the hard hearts. Prepare the people to hear the Gospel. Slovenia needs Your help.

Luke 13: 6-6  NKJV

He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’  But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.  And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’”

3.      The “keeper” in the above parable is like unto an intercessor. Lord, we ask that You call out the intercessors to pray for Slovenia; Station watchmen on the walls.

4.      Let us pray for the Slovenian Evangelical Christians to be burdened for their countrymen. Lord, raise up churches in Slovenia that will be safe places for the lost and newly redeemed to find healing. May there be trained ministers that can walk young Christians through emotional healing.

5.      Let us pray for anointed teachers to present the Gospel in purity and truth. Thank You, Lord, that Your Word cleanses us and shows us how to walk righteous before You.

 Amos 9:13   NKJV “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, And the treader of grapes him who sows seed; The mountains shall drip with sweet wine, And all the hills shall flow with it.

6.      Lord, we pray for “plowmen” and “treaders” that will go quickly into the harvest field. Lord, we know this happens when the Holy Spirit blows across the land. Holy Spirit blow upon Slovenia.

7.      May the Slovene people ascend the mountain of the Lord and find His sweet wine. May they be so full of the sweetness of the Lord that they will spill out over the hills and into the valleys.

8.      Lord, we rebuke that lying spirit of suicide that inhabits Slovenia. Come Lord, and set the people free.

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Pray for Slovenia
(Week of Feb. 20-26, 2012)

Revelation 8:4 - KJV
And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

What this says to me is that angels gather our prayers, take them before God’s throne where He gives them serious consideration. So we can have confidence that our prayers for Slovenia will be under review and acted upon by God Himself.

There are many atheist and agnostics in Slovenia. It is almost a pride among them.

1. We pray that the Lord would extend grace unto them and not give them over to a perverted mind. Romans 1:28 NKJV And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

2. May there arise a special ministry in Slovenia aimed at reaching these people whom Satan has blinded their eyes and understanding. Lord, send loving Christians that will break down rebellion with acts of kindness.

 > Slovenia: In the whole of 2011, The trade balance was a deficit of EUR1.649 billion.

3. Let us pray for productivity to rise in the Slovenian people. May the country as a whole have the blessing given to Isaac. Genesis 26:12-14 (NKJV) 12) Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him. 13) The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; 14) for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him.

4. It is true that God blesses the righteous. May blessings come to those that are seeking the Master builder for their prosperity and the well being of Slovenia.

On February 10, 2012, the National Assembly sworn in the new government, which held its founding meeting on the same day. The 2012 - 2015 term Government consists of the coalition partners: the Slovenian Democratic Party, Civic List of Gregor Virant, the Democratic Party of Slovenian Pensioners, the Slovenian People's Party and New Slovenia - Christian People's Party.

5. After revealed corruption in government and government policies blamed for the economic down-turn in Slovenia, a new Prime Minister has been sworn in by the National assembly. Let us pray for Prime Minister Janez Janša as he guides government policies.

6. May he choose to surround himself with people of wisdom that will inspire him in justice and prosperity for all Slovenes. May they guide Slovenia toward internal policies that bring blessings and foreign policies that make Slovenia a blessing in the mist of nations.

7. Let us pray Ephesians 5:17 (NKJV) over the Slovenian government; Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

8. Let us pray for the churches of Slovenia, may they break away from dry traditions and seek the resurrected Lord that offers grace daily.

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Pray for Slovenia

Let us pray for the Evangelical churches of Slovenia.

1) Slovenia is divided into Municipalities. Most of these do not have an evangelical church.
a. Lord we pray that You would call Christians to first pray for these unreached municipalities and then go take the good news.
b. Let us pray that the present churches would seek the Lord for a plan of how to reach these areas.
c. Lord we pray the Holy Spirit would start to prepare the hearts of the people to receive the Gospel.

2) Lord we thank You for the present evangelical churches.
a. Pastors are like channels for God’s redemptive love. Let us pray that the pastors would be true to their calling to love the people.
b. Redemptive love, how wonderful it is to have the Holy Spirit changing us into the image of Jesus. Lord, we pray that the Christians in Slovenia would not become stagnant but be continually seeking after Your holiness.
c. Lord, reveal Your Kingdom to them. May the Christians of Slovenia live different than the world around them.

3) Acts 4: 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
a. May this be the experience in the Slovene Churches. Lord, we pray that the Slovene Christians would make prayer a serious thing.
b. Lord, we are not asking for earthquakes but that You would be in their mist and endue them with boldness to share their faith.
c. It is all about sharing the love that Jesus has for people. May the boldness be an overflow of Jesus’ Love.

4) Lord, we just want to thank You for your love for the Slovene people.

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Pray for Slovenia

Slovenia is such a beautiful country with rolling hills that rise up into snow capped mountains. Although there is much forest, there are fields of crops also. There are fresh flowing streams that water those fields.

1) Let us pray that the Slovenes would recognize their beautiful country is a gift from the creator most high.
2) Let us pray that mercy would be extended to the Slovenes and they be given a second, third, fourth …chance to turn to the Lord with reverence and repentance.
3) Lord, we pray the Holy Spirit would plow the ground of Slovene hearts.
4) Lord, we thank You for the servants in the land that are preaching, teaching and living Your Word. May they be encouraged by knowing the seeds they sow are in good ground.
5) Lord we pray for these servants that they would sow out of their intimacy with You.
6) Like the melting snows that flow down across the newly-plowed ground, may Your Word flow across Slovenia to nourish and protect those newly planted seeds.
7) Let the harvest come. Let the labors go forth and gather the hurting, confused, broken...
8) Lord, may there be plenty of barns to hold the harvest. Lord, prepare the churches to hold the redeemed.
9) As the Bible says, “Let the redeemed say so”. Lord, cause the Gospel to go forth from those redeemed in the harvest.
10) Lord Slovenia needs barn keepers. Let us pray for the pastors and priest, that they will perform their duties to see that each grain from the harvest is transformed into (likened unto) the Bread of Life (Jesus).
11) The Bible says that from every tribe and nation there will be a righteous remnant before His throne. There is a time coming when the righteous of Slovenia will walk in purity before the Lord. Lord, we pray for multitudes of Slovenes not a few.

Revelations 5: 9-10 And they sang a new song, saying:
“ You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”

Thank you for praying for Slovenia. Your prayers build the hope of the Slovene people.

~PRAY FOR SLOVENIA~

Its [Slovenia’s] economy shrank 7.8 percent last year and a further 1.2 percent year-on-year in the first quarter. The government now expects growth of just 0.6 percent for the whole of 2010 and the resulting lower tax revenues have forced [Prime Minister] Pahor's cabinet to revise its budget plans. The planned measures have encountered strong opposition from trade unions, pensioners and students, while further mass protests are expected in the coming months if the government goes ahead with the measures.

In light of the above news, let us pray:
1. That the economy of Slovenia would not fall but stand in the mist of present hard times.
2. That wisdom would be given to Prime Minister Pahor and his cabinet as to what should be done. Pharaoh had a Joseph, may PM Pahor have a Joseph also.
3. If protest erupt, may they be peaceful and not of a violent nature. May the hurting be heard and the radicals be silenced.

Maribor, 3 July (STA) - Daily Vecer says in Saturday's commentary that Slovenia is still far from being a modern democratic society as the gay parade, which takes places today in Ljubljana, is still a burning social and political topic.

4. We thank the Lord that “Slovenia is still far from being a modern democratic society” in regards to homosexuals on display. Lord, we pray for the moral climate of Slovenia. May the people be repulsed by sin in their mist. May there be a rightful shame showed toward homosexuals and an encouragement to change.
5. 1 Peter 4:17
For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? We pray for heart-felt repentance in the churches.
6. We pray that the churches in Slovenia would denounce sin, teach how God offers forgiveness and how to walk in the blessings of the Lord.
7. Another issue in Slovenia and other parts of the Balkans is people cheating on their jobs. This is a financial drain also in that productive is minimized. Pray that Christians would set an example of diligence at work and therefore reap the blessings.
8. Lord, we pray for a move of the Holy Spirit in the churches of Slovenia. Lord, visit your people with signs and wonders. Lord, show unmistakable signs of Your omnipresence.
9. Lord, as Your Spirit is poured out and people come to repentance, give wisdom to the pastors and teachers to care for the new saints.
10. Lord, we just trust Your faithfulness to touch Slovenia in a special way this week and for evermore.

DATED PRAYER NEED: [Rob from Texas] I am leading the next team of missionaries to Bijelo Polje [Montenegro] this week. I found your prayer request for our work and it was a great encouragement to us. We will be presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ publicly on Tuesday night, July 6. Our prayer is that the truth of Jesus will be revealed. That God's salvation power will be released in Bijelo Polje and across Montenegro. Thank you for your prayerful support. May God richly bless you and your efforts to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all the Balkans.