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 April 22-28, 2013

After Cyprus, Slovenia will be the next euro zone country to succumb to a bailout

Markets are betting that Slovenia will be the next euro zone country to succumb to a bailout. In contrast to Cyprus, Slovenia's banking system is not large - around 1.4 times as big as the economy - and there are negligible foreign depositors. But the Slovenian banks, most of them state-owned, are crippled with bad loans, which reached 14.4 percent of their loan books last year. Like Cyprus, Slovenia does not have the money to recapitalize them, Reuters notes. http://www.balkans.com/open-news.php?uniquenumber=172863

1)    First of all let us rebuke that news headline. In our prayers for Slovenia let us replace “will be” with “will not be”.
2)    Let us pray for wise men and women to arise with wisdom from on high.  Lord, bring forth those who know the times and know how to work out the least painful way to avoid economic short-fall.
The following prayer directives are mainly directed toward the Christians in Slovenia.


Deuteronomy 27: 11-13 And Moses commanded the people on the same day, saying,  “These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have crossed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin;  and these shall stand on Mount Ebal to curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.(NKJV)


Moses gave Israel a prophetic act to preform when they would come into the land. In Deuteronomy Moses had laid out the law and he was about to explain the Blessings and the Curses. The tribes were to be divided with one group stationing themselves on Mt. Gerizim to speak the blessings of God and the other group to stand on Mt. Ebal to speak the curses of God. These two mountains faced each other. These were not necessarily declarations or proclamations but rather reminders to the people of how God would judge them in the land.

3)    Let us ask the Lord to speak these blessings and curses in the ears and the hearts of the Slovene people. We do not ask for legalism but rather clear guidelines to righteousness.
4)    May the God anointed pastors and teachers in Slovenia clearly proclaim the whole counsel of God so the Christians may know how to walk in righteousness.
5)    Slovenia is a mountainous area; May the mountains sing out the ways of the Lord. May Slovenia be saved from the wrath to come, May the earth proclaim His glory.

Isaiah 55:12 “For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace;
The mountains and the hills
Shall break forth into singing before you,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (NKJV)

There is a dear brother named Todd that sends out a prayer calendar each month with guidelines on how to pray for Slovenia. His prayer calendar for April 22 – 30, 2013 ask us to pray for children. May we join in praying for the following concerns regarding the Slovenian children of Christians and you may pray these for all children:

6)    Pray for Assurance of Salvation (Jn. 3:16, 10:28-29; 1 Jn. 5:13)
7)    Pray for Spiritual Blessing (Eph. 1:3-14, 3:17-19, 5:8-10)
8)    Pray for Repentance (Ps. 32:1-2, 1 Jn. 1:5-9)
9)    Pray for Sanctification (2 Co. 3:18, James 1:2-4, Heb. 12:5-11)
10)    Pray for Hope and Rest (Jer.29:11 Matt. 11:28-30; Rom. 15:13 Phil. 4:6-7)
11)    Pray for Comfort (Matt.5:4; Jn. 14:16-18)
12)    Pray for Friendships (Eccl. 4:9-12; Prov. 27:5-6; 1 Cor. 15:33)
13)    Pray for Effective Parents (Prov.20:7; Eph.6:4)
14)    Pray for Godly Heritage (Ps. 127:35, 128:1-4; 1 Cor. 7:32-35)
15)    Pray for Protection (Jam. 5:14-16; Jn. 17:15; 2 Thes. 3:3; 1 Cor. 10:13)

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Pray for Slovenia

Week of Oct. 15-21, 2012

Slovenia Minister: Reforms Last Shot to Avoid Bailout

Slovenia's budget, pension and labor reforms are the country's last shot to exit the grips of Europe's sovereign-debt crisis on its own, but should suffice, Finance Minister Janez Šušteršič said. 

"I guess this our last shot if we want to solve the problems by our own means," Mr. Šušteršič said in an interview. 

The new government, set up in February, is "working hard and fast" and hopes to get major overhauls of the labor and pension rules done by year-end to accompany an aggressive deficit-cutting budget, he said.


Proverbs 22:7
The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.

1)      This is so encouraging to see a Balkan country that is trying to work out their financial problems themselves. Let us pray that government and financial ministers would be given wisdom.

2)      Lord, help Slovenes as they have to cut back and sacrifice in order for financial correction to take place.

3)      Slovenia is in no way a lending nation, but let us pray for a miraculous transformation. Lord, raise up managers that can be guides to prosperity.  

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

4)      Let us pray for a healthy fear of God in the churches in Slovenia. As the scripture says, may Slovenian Christians realize the great rewards and promises they have from God and turn from all filthiness and be holy before the Lord.  Lord, you set before us life and death, may we choose life and life abundant. John 10:10b  “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

5)      Being cleansed of all filthiness and being perfected in holiness we tend to shine or as Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:14-16) Lord, may the Slovenian Church be a light of hope.

6)      Pray for Slovenian Christians based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, “Love is, patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

7)      Pray for God’s blessing on the Christians of Slovenia. May they be led by the Holy Spirit to share the love of Jesus everywhere they go.

8)      In 2006 Slovenia legalized “civil unions” for homosexuals. Let us pray for the homosexuals in Slovenia, may there be Christians led to go share the love of God with them.

9)      Pray that men in evangelical churches would better understand their importance and role in the family, the church and in society. Pray that men would become more connected to one another through prayer and support the weaker brothers among them.

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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

For the past six days I have been really sick from an outbreak of singles. Thank the Lord, I really started getting better yesterday. I haven’t been able to do the research and meditation in preparation for this prayer guide so I am going to rely upon a dear intercessor in Slovenian named Todd. For a good monthly prayer guide for Slovenia request his Prayer Calendar by email: MMSS@barnabasvision.com.

1)      Pray for the Churches of Slovenia – Pray for Christians, as they return from vacations, to make church attendance a priority this Fall.

2)      Pray for hunger for God – Pray for those Slovenes getting back into the routine of the fall season. Pray they would not be satisfied with the answers they have about life. Pray that dissatisfaction would lead them to find satisfaction, peace and purpose in Christ.

3)      Spiritual fruit from Summer Camps – For many time, energy, prayer and finances were put into summer camps for all ages. Keep praying for those who came to the camps to now get connected with local believers and evangelical churches.

4)      Taking the Gospel – Pray that the whole Gospel would be spread across Solenia – full of grace and love, serving needs, reaching the whole person with the Good News.

Acts 26: ²⁴ Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”
²⁵ But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.

5)      Like Paul before King Festus - Pray that Slovene Christians would be so convinced of the truth of the Gospel that Jesus is indeed the one and only way, truth and life that they would share the Gospel boldly with their family and friends.

6)      Slovene Municipalities – Slovenia is divided up into governed municipalities. Many of municipalities do not have an evangelical church. A good start may be home groups or Bible study groups. Let us pray for homes to be opened up to the Gospel in these areas. God anoint teacher/pastors to guide the group even if they are just a few.

7)      Let us pray for pastors and their families. Lord, we add out faith and intercede for these pastors and their families. Do not let the enemy strike down the leader.

8)      Unity will cost – To say “I need you” (1Cor. 12:21-22), or admit I was wrong, or accept correction costs a person’s pride. Pray for genuine, humble repentance in the churches. Rray we would be willing to pay the price to be unified.

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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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