Week of April 29 - May 5, 2013

 

What is the largest city in Europe?  - lubnatsI

Istanbul, with an estimated population of 14 million, it is the second largest city in the world after Shanghai, China.

First established 660 BC as Byzantium, the city now known as Istanbul developed to become one of the most significant cities in history. For nearly sixteen centuries following its reestablishment as Constantinople in 330 AD, it served as the capital of four empires: the Roman Empire (330–395), the Byzantine Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922). It was instrumental in the advancement of Christianity during Roman and Byzantine times, before the Ottomans conquered the city in 1453 and transformed it into an Islamic stronghold and the seat of the last caliphate.

The Roman emperor Constantine in 330 established Istanbul (Constantinople) as the new Christian Rome. The historians debate his motives, but the result was a place where Christianity had a foothold and a major city to be launched from. In 1453, Sultan Mahmed II finally captured the city for the Ottoman Empire and it has been an Islamic ever since.

A Great City well worthy of our Prayers –

1)      Let us pray for Istanbul. May the Lord visit the city in a special way. Lord, come release your compassion on this city.

2)      Churches are allowed to exist in the city but it had for them the get established. There is much resistance from the predominant Muslim neighborhoods and magistrates. Let us pray for open doors and open hearts.

3)      There are houses of prayer in the city and they are contending in prayer for the city. Let us first pray for them to have an open heaven to intercede from.

4)      May there be a release of creative strategies to reach many in the city with the Gospel.

5)      Lord, we ask You for protection on behalf of every Christian in Istanbul.

6)      Lord, we pray for the positioning of Christians to be lights among their Muslim neighbors. May they excel in wisdom, kindness and favor. Help them be able to walk above the oppression of Islam that is now allowed to dominate the city.

7)      Let us believe for a day when the city can once again be established as stronghold of the Gospel. Let us believe for a day when Muslims find their true redeemer.

8)      Let us pray for many missionaries to be sent to Istanbul. There is a new generation of missionaries being raised up to preach the end-time message to the world; may they find an open door to Istanbul.

9)      Let me describe a mental vision I received while praying the directive I had written above. I seen the Lord standing above Istanbul with His feet resting on the city. I looked and He had His hands stretched out in a welcoming jester. Then I looked again and He had a sword held at His side. I ask what did this mean? The Holy Spirit  said the Lord would stand above the city and He would be seen by two types of people. Some would see him as a welcoming friend and loving Savior. Some would see Him as a conquering warrior, a man of authority. Both would receive Him as Savior.; both would enter into His peace.



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

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)

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

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.

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

Pray for Romania

Week of April 8-14, 2013

While doing research on Romania I kept coming across reports of good things happening in the country.
Such as:

⦁    Romania’s credit rating should be improved because the country has narrowed its ⦁    budget deficit and is economically stable, Economy Minister Varujan Vosganian said.

Credit-default swaps, which measure the cost of insuring Romanian debt against non-payment for five years, traded at 241 points today after reaching 190 points on Jan. 28, which was the lowest in about five years.

⦁    After the economic crisis and negative growth rates in 2009 and 2010, Romania has managed to return to a steady and sustainable path of economic growth and the medium-term prospects are encouraging.

But growth in Romania cannot be achieved without its most valuable asset, the labor force, and therefore we certainly do not want our people leaving the country.

Migration from Romania may have seemed a solution during a time of economic crisis, budgetary cuts and austerity measures.

⦁    Average unemployment in Romania is 6.8% while the overall EU average is 10.9%.

⦁    It is reported that the net average wages in Romania has risen 5.5%.

There was one article in my research about recent appointments by the prime minister that indicated he is not serious about corruption in the government.

Let us Pray:
1.    Lord, we want to first give You credit for the good things that are happening in Romania. Lord, You have directed us in the past to pray the economy.
2.    Let us pray into the economy, asking for righteous decisions on how money should be invested and how surplus should be spent.
3.    Among the Balkan countries Romania has the highest percentage of evangelical Christians. Most of the countries have about a half of one percent where Romania has over 4%. Lord, now we know why You are blessing Romania. Let us pray for that percentage to grow (exponentially).
4.    Righteous decisions need righteous people making them. Let us pray for the elevation of Christians in the financial affairs of government and businesses, large and small.

While we were in Romania in January on the outreach to the Roma (Gypsy) community, there was times we had to interact with businesses there. I noticed a real coldness; no smile, no kind word in the business atmosphere. I don’t remember hearing “thank you (mulțumesc) for your business”.

5.    Let us pray against this coldness and indifference in the people. Part of this was left by self-centered communism. Let us pray for that 4% to be baptized in Joy and to take it into all the Romanian institutions.
6.    Let us pray that the Christians would let Hope arise in their lives. Lord, send them out into the Romanian culture to bring a smile to people’s faces. May the Christians be known as the happy people.
7.    Lord, continue to show the Romanian churches how to share the Gospel. We are trapped in our sorrows until we acknowledge our sin and accept His redemption.

Nehemiah 8:10  Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Psalm 35:27 Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”

8.    Let us pray that the Christians in Romania would truly be prosperous. May they strive for excellence, showing forth a testimony of the blessings the Lord has for His people.
9.    Let us continue to pray against corruption throughout the Balkan countries.

Pray for Montenegro

Week of April 1-7, 2013

Montenegro is a small country with a population of just over a half million people. Here are some recent things of concern:
⦁    In the News - “Montenegro’s reforms are ambitious. And they are on the right path. We encourage you to continue your efforts, especially in reinforcing the rule of law, and fighting corruption and organized crime. More reforms in the defense sector will also be critical. There is still hard work to do. But Montenegro is moving in the right direction,” the NATO Secretary General Rasmussen said during a press conference with Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Đukanović. http://www.nato.int/cps/en/SID-969823DC-94641015/natolive/news_99300.htm
⦁    There is investment money coming into Montenegro on the premise that it can be developed as a tourist destination.
⦁    In the News - A high-ranking Montenegrin state official resigned on Thursday after a video appeared on YouTube, which showed him having sex with an unidentified woman in his office, reported Radio Television Montenegro (RTCG).
⦁    Montenegro since their independence have been making slow but steady economic progress. There are still areas of great poverty, and many refugees from the Kosovo Crisis in the nineties continue to live here in bunkers and makeshift homes. There are only three protestant churches in Montenegro, with a few small home groups meeting along the coastline.

1)    Let us pray for items and issues the NATO secretary mentioned. Pray that Montenegro would truly enforce just laws and especially crackdown on corruption.  Government officials need to be true to codes of law and not let money and favoritism pervert justice.
2)    Let us thank the Lord for exposure of that government official who resigned. May others be exposed who are stealing and lying to the Montenegrin people.
3)    We have prayed for investment to pour into the country before. Let us pray for the investment for tourism to be channeled toward helpful projects and not sinful places like casinos, breweries, etc.
4)    Let us pray that many Christians throughout the world would hear of the great spiritual needs in Montenegro and would invest time and money this coming summer. May the Lord raise up many intercessors to pray for Montenegro.
5)    We pray for those three evangelical churches in the country. Lord, purify them so they would be seen by Montenegrins as a safe place. May the pastors and members reach out beyond their walls to the hurting around them.
6)    Let us pray for the home groups that have been started. May the glory of the Lord be in their mist when they meet and may peace be on these homes at all times. Bless the families that host these meetings.
7)    Let us pray for complete freedom for these churches and home groups. May the Orthodox churches and the government not team up to brand these churches as cults but freely let them operate.
8)    There are many poor and suffering from health problems in Montenegro. Let us pray that the glorious Gospel would be proclaimed and demonstrated to the suffering.

Let me thank you for praying with us for the Balkan countries. May the Lord’s presence be with you as you pray. Let me quote Gordon Lindsay, “It is in recognizing the actual presence of God that we find prayer no longer a chore, but a supreme delight.”

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

Pray for Macedonia

Week of March 25-31, 2013

In the News: Judicial reforms make courts more efficient in Macedonia
Once full reform is implemented in Macedonia's judiciary sector, the result will be a transparent and efficient justice system, experts said.

According to officials, citizens will be able to quickly resolve their disputes, judges will be held responsible for their work, and the system will be able to handle an increase in the fight against crime and corruption.    

One of the constant reoccurring themes for intercession at Prayer for the Balkans Project is corruption, so the above article is a praise report. History shows that government, politicians, courts, etc. are easily corrupted. Greed, the flesh, our human nature is to evade the laws for favors.

1)      This is an encouragement that the Macedonian government is enacting laws that check the courts adherence to the laws. Let us pray for righteousness in government and righteous government servants.
2)      Let us pray that Macedonian judges would have a deep rooted conviction to interpret the original intent of the law as written. This takes a servant’s heart that values all men as equal.
3)      Because an individual’s motivation and their steps of enactment in a crime can be different, judges need a flexibility to “let the punishment fit the crime”. Let us pray for the judges of Macedonia to exercise wisdom on a case-by-case basis.
4)      Most of all, Macedonia needs Christian judges. Judges that are first accountable to God. Lord, we ask for the positioning of your chosen ones in the courts.
5)      So many times as Christians we think our dealings with government agencies are outside biblical principles. May the Christians of Macedonia make every effort to walk with integrity, honoring the law of the land.
6)      Let us pray that righteousness and holiness would shine through God’s people in Macedonia. Lord, give the Christians boldness to stand for what is right.

Recently, my pastor taught on right and wrong. He explained that the biblical standard goes beyond right and wrong and lines up with what is true. Without God’s word as a solid foundation, right and wrong can be a product of human judgments.

7)      Let us pray for Christians in Macedonia, to study the Word and order their lives accordingly.

We must remember Matthew 25: 31-33   “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.  All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.”

Pray for Greece

Week of March 18-24, 2013

Grace + Gratitude + Glory = Goodness
I was asking the Lord how to pray for Greece and the above formula came to my mind. I ask the Lord to put the formula into my heart so I may know how to pray.

Definitions:
Grace - unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification
Gratitude - a feeling of appreciation or thanks
Glory – 1) great beauty and splendor : magnificence       2) state of great gratification or exaltation
Goodness - the quality or state of being good 

The history lessons tell of the former glory of Greece. Early Greece developed into a higher educated civilization than the nations around them. The people valued man’s ability to reason and would freely let men express their opinions. This led to innovations of engineering, a more peaceful civil society and appreciation of art which resulted in influencing other cultures. Actually I believe this was God at work to prepare the Greeks for the Gospel. They had an open mind to hear foreign views.

Acts 17:22-24 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:  “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 

We see that the Apostle Paul was able to reason with the Greek wise men because they were open to hear the Gospel and some embraced it. Then what happened as Greeks accepted the Gospel the glory shifted from the secular to spiritual. The Greeks begin to send missionaries into all the then known world.  The Greeks had advanced merchant shipping throughout the Mediterranean Sea and this made it easy for missionaries to go to other lands. From the first through fourth centuries the Gospel was greatly enabled by the Greek infrastructure. 

Pray:
1.    Let us pray for the return of the former glory of Greece. Let us pray that Greece would be repositioned to the place of taking Goodness/Good News to the world again.
2.    Lord, we know You are ready to bestow Grace upon the Greeks once again. Your loving-kindness is there and all they have to do is accept it. Let us pray for the present day Greek Christians. May they dig up their past history and celebrate how God had used them to spread the Gospel.
3.    Let us pray that a healthy Gratitude would arise in the Greek churches. May they be thankful for the legacy they have in history. May they be re-taught the Glory they had; especially the spiritual glory. Lord, help them to understand that their glory was designed by You. Lord, help them to realize it was Your Glory working through them.
4.    Let us ask the Lord to release His Glory once again through the Greek people.
5.    Let us pray for the Greek Orthodox churches. They are very aware of how Greece was used to spread the Gospel; but they still have it in an old wineskin. Lord, help them to un-cap the old wineskin and pour the Gospel into a new wineskin.
6.    May new wine come forth. In the production of wine, grapes must be smashed so the sweet juice can come forth. We see that through the present financial crisis, riots and racial tension Greece is being smashed. Let us pray that Greeks would repent and be humbled so they once again can pour out the new wine.
7.    Lord, thank You for Your Grace that is available to Greece. May they develop an attitude of Gratitude so they may see Your Glory once again. May there be fruits of Goodness coming out of Greece to bless the world.

Among the marble walls they sat and read God’s Word.
They read Isaiah, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
Tears came forth as they thought of peoples that had not heard the Word.
Their hearts were stirred and they knew their prayers were heard.
They went down to the sea and booked passage because the prophets had confirmed.
They followed His glory and many never returned.
We may not know their story but their crowns lay before the throne in Glory.

Pray for Croatia

Week of March 11-17, 2013

Two things I want to return to that we had prayed about three years ago; March 8, 2010. First is music, entertainment or Christian Media for Croatia.

Three years ago we prayed: >As radio and television stations in Croatia seek out content to fill their air time there is opportunity for gospel programming. Lord, we ask for the release of creativity to produce broadcast that reach the populace right where they are at. Not religious but spiritually alive with relevant content that speaks to the hearts of the people.<

While my wife and I were in Croatia in January we met a man who is producing, promoting and broadcasting Christian music. I let him know he was an answer to prayer.

1.    Let us pray for Andre. May the Lord’s hand of protection, creativity and discernment be upon him. Open the Croatian doors of media to him. May he have the financial means to do what You, Lord have put it his heart.
2.    Let us pray for the promotion of Christian media in Croatia. (Quality, professional Christian music going forth)
3.    Let us pray for open doors to radio, TV and video streaming stations. May they hear the sound of Heaven and be drawn unto it.
4.    Let us pray for professional recording studios, to be run by Christians and open to Christian artist.
5.    Let us pray that parents, fans and churches would encourage Christian artist.
6.    Lord, speak to those artist, let them hear the sounds of Heaven. May Croatian flavored Christian music come forth.

Second: The Children and Youth Camps that are held in the summer.

7.    The Croatian churches are good about ministering to children. As leaders are planning their summer programs may they devise ways to reach out to the un-churched children in the cities and villages.
8.    Lord, even now put it into the hearts of Christians to set aside time to work in these camps. Give them a special love for the youth. May they remember the camps they went to and how they were blessed. Many Croatian Christians now adults, accepted Jesus in these camps.
9.    Let us pray for an excitement among the youth to attend these camps. Many children look forward to the summer camps; this year Lord, pour out your Spirit like never before.
10.    We pray that there would be money for every child that wants or needs to go to camp this summer.

Here is a story of a lady who grew up in Croatia, became a pop music star, became dissatisfied with life, moved to New York City, and then found Jesus.
Her website and video:

Pray for Bulgaria

Week of March 4-10, 2013

Operation Capitals of Europe is an organization set up to hold prayer and intercessory events in the capital cities of Europe. They just completed a four day prayer event in Sophia, Bulgaria. Following is a report from that meeting.
OCE in Sofia 20-24 Feb. 2013

The most dramatic event occurred on the day of arrival into Sofia; the Government of Bulgaria resigned, after much turmoil in the country, which led to conflicts with the Police and bloodshed.

We perceived the timing of the event as the Voice of the Lord saying “this is the timing for a shift in government”, meaning, also in matters pertaining to the Body of Christ and its leaders. No wonder our host Pastor, Pavel Ignatov, had also resigned a few days earlier, from a position he has had as leader of many churches in Bulgaria. Further, on Sunday 24 Feb. the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria was scheduled to elect their new Patriarch!

When the event of the OCE in Sofia was decided a year earlier, we had had no knowledge, and none could predict, that it would be God’s timing for a major shift in the heavenly places, causing major shifts in positions of government on the earth. As Pastor Pavel Ignatov repeatedly said, that was a “a sign from God” that the Operation Capitals of Europe in Sofia was an event for which God sent His servants to perform His good will in Bulgaria.

We give thanks to the Lord for Philip Rashev who did all the hard work for the OCE in Sofia, and involved his Pastor Pavel Ignatov and their church. Thanks to them several Pastors attended. On the opening meeting 10 Bulgarian Pastors came to the platform to lead prayer for their country.

Philip also organized prayer for Sofia to be held on Mount Vitosha, overlooking the city. That memorable event was held on Saturday morning. Even though Vitosha was covered in snow, the Lord granted us good weather that day so we could reach the place where we could pray from.

We also prayed a lot for the foundations of the city. It's not a coincidence as the government did a lot of road and city building the recent years, they uncovered the foundations of the ancient city which was called Serdika. As the physical often is a reflection of the spiritual, we saw this as a sign. We prayed often Isaiah 62:1-6, praying for the new name and identity as God sees the city to come forth. We also prayed and declared Psalm 24 for the Government and in front of the main entrance door; that Jesus, the King of Glory may come in there!

The event was closed with a celebration lunch after Sunday church service in Sofia, before the OCE team and 3 Bulgarian friends drove off to Skopje.

An awesome testimony of God’s power released through the OCE in Sofia became known to us on Sunday 3 March, through a Bulgarian sister who has been praying for the salvation of her family. Two ladies in Bulgaria suddenly opened their hearts to Jesus and started praying and reading the Bible, as each one separately had a divine visitation on Friday 22 March. That was the 2nd day of our prayers in Sofia, and more specifically, the day we prayer-walked in the center of the city!
www.oceprayer.com

LET US PRAY:
1.    Thank You, Jesus, for moving OCE to have this prayer event at this critical time in Bulgaria’s history. Let us seal the prayers that were prayed in Sophia, asking the Lord to guard the spiritual stones that were set in place.
2.    Let us pray for those that gave of their time to go and pray. Lord, we ask You to guard them as they have returned to their homes and occupations. Protect them from the enemy who would now like to stir up doubt and insignificance.
3.    Lord, we thank You for encouraging the evangelical pastors in Bulgaria.
4.    An extra measure of dominion was granted by these acts of obedience. May they seize upon the open window in heaven and receive from the Lord His blessings for their country.

It is a time of trouble for Bulgaria. If you have time read the following link: http://www.pri.org/stories/politics-society/religion/bulgaria-chooses-new-religious-leader-with-complex-past-13086.html

There is no moral compass for the Bulgarian people. With the Bulgarian Orthodox church compromising with the communist government for many years and even now the people feel the church is compromising with the present corrupt government.

5.    Lord, the government is in disorder, so we pray for order and peace. Let us pray for men and women of peace to step into the void.
6.    Let us pray for revival in Bulgaria. There is emptiness in the hearts of Bulgarians and we know the Gospel is the solution.
7.    It is time for the Truth to be spoken to the Bulgarian people. Lord, let the Gospel go forth in the media. Lord, we pray for a reordering of the public news outlets. Lord, move your redeemed ones, those having a Christian worldview, into the media of Bulgaria.
8.    Let us pray for a move-of-God among the print and broadcast media of Bulgaria. Let us pray that many in the media would get saved.  May the intercessors of Bulgaria press forward on this media issue.
9.    Holy Spirit, come quickly on behalf of Bulgaria; The Lord’s wisdom is the solution for the confusion.

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

Pray for Bosnia Herzegovina

When I was in Croatia about five weeks ago my wife and I attended a retreat on the Adriatic coast of pastors and Christian workers. One early morning I went to a prayer meeting and was paired up to pray with a young lady. I found out later she was from Estonia but was working in Bosnia. I had many questions for her about Bosnia and was excited to hear that God was opening up many ministries. Her name is Jael Puusaag and you can read one of her stories at http://news.om.org/country-article/r27610 and http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jael-Puusaag-God-s-Peacemaker-/220907449231

1. Lord Jesus, we pray that You spread Your cloak over Bosnia Herzegovina. Let us seek the Lord for the release of the Holy Spirit all across Bosnia.
2. Here at Praying for the Balkans we have been praying for Bosnia for many years. Four years ago the report was that there were very, very few evangelical churches in Bosnia. The last report I heard was that there is now more than 25. The Lord is faithful.
3. Let us pray for Jael Puusaag. Lord, we ask for great favor to be her portion. May she wade deep into the river of the Lord’s presence. (I see Jael taking buckets into the river flowing from the throne, filling them and then going into the villages pouring joy upon the hurting)
4. Let us pray for the many villages throughout Bosnia. Lord, we ask You to send many peace makers and physical/emotional healers. The war years hurt the people deeply and they need Your touch, Lord.
5. Let us cry out for the capital, Sarajevo – 95% Muslim.
6. Let us ask for the Lord’s plan to reach Sarajevo. Lord, lay the burden upon Your trusted intercessors. May they stand in the “gap” for that important city.
7. Let us pray for teams to go and proclaim Jesus in the plazas and open markets.
8. May many hear the call of the Holy Spirit to go to Bosnia for short term mission trips this coming summer. May churches send teams to minister in Sarajevo and the villages. Let this be a summer of expressing love to Bosnia.

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Pray for Albania

Week of Feb. 18-24, 2013

There has been a film made, “BESA, The Promise” that celebrates Albanian Muslims that saved many Jews during World War II from the Nazis. There is an unwritten Albanian tradition called “Besa” — a code of honor that it is better to die than to turn your back on a person in need. The film project was produced by photographers Norman Gershman and Stu Huck.

“It's their culture. Someone who shows up at their door, you shelter them from danger. Even if it's their mortal enemy,” Huck said. “And the reason nobody knows about this is, to Albanians this is perfectly normal. In other countries, this is celebrated as extraordinary; in Albania, they couldn't understand people not doing it. Everybody in Albania did it, even the king, King Zog. He personally intervened.”

http://newsroom.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/02/albanian-honor-code-saves-jews-in-wwii/

Don Richardson, a famous missionary, defined the concept of redemptive analogy in his books Peace Child and Eternity in Their Hearts. He explained how, embedded in any culture, there is usually some practice or understanding which can be used to demonstrate the Gospel.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (NIV)

1.       Lord, You draw us unto Yourself. Let us thank the Lord for putting a desire in us to seek Him. Let us pray for the “redemptive analogy” He has put before the people of Albania.

2.       Let us pray that this beautiful redemptive analogy will run its full course and lead many Albanians to its origin, the heart of God. Truly Lord, You desire to bring the hurt and needy into Your house.

3.       Let us pray for churches/houses of rescue to be raised up in Albania.  Think about it, Jesus died to bring us into the Father’s house where we are protected from the enemy.

4.       Lord, I ask for a blessing upon the descendants of those families that risked their lives to save those Jews. May those blood lines be a thread of blessing through the Albanian culture.

5.       Lord, remember what they did for Your chosen people. We declare a blessing for Albania. We are asking You, Holy Spirit, to move in that land and set many free.

6.       Rescue the children of Albania. Lord, draw this young generation unto You. Let us pray for children ministries. Lord, raise up organizers that will plan many outreaches for the coming summer.

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Pray for Turkey

Week of Feb. 11-17, 2013

There is a good article in the Charisma News that is worth noting for prayer, “Turkey's Christians Could Face Nationalist Backlash”. You can read it at  http://www.charismanews.com/world/38171-turkeys-christians-could-face-nationalist-backlash

Religion was kept out of the public square for decades in Turkey. This helped in keeping radical Islam under control and Turks indentified with the West more. For the past 10 years this has been changing and religious institutions are becoming more active. This is mainly because of the new government body that came into power in 2002. The government leaders are now turning from a desire to be like Europe and identifying more with Muslim nations. Although there has been more freedom given to the churches to operate, there is a backlash from nationalist who see the Christians as non-Turks because they are not Islamic. Nationalist usually blame minorities for their county’s problems. Also there is the threat of radical Muslims being embolden to attack Christians. The biggest need is to firm-up laws that protect minorities, especially religious minorities.

    1.       Let us pray for the government to take seriously their responsibility to protect all Turkish citizens, even the minorities.

    2.       Let us pray for government leaders to open their eyes to the fact that Islam is anti-productive for Turkey. We pray for open doors to the hearts of Turkish leaders.

    3.       We thank the Lord that Christians are more active now than before. Lord, we pray they will be given discernment on how to evangelize in a Muslim culture.

    4.       We pray against the lie that Christians are a threat to nationalism. Lord, change the mind-set of the nationalist to see that Christianity is not a foreign concept.

    5.       The greatest gain in Christianity in Turkey has been the house churches and the houses of prayer. Let us pray for these house churches to excel in prayer and step out into the market place to touch lives one on one.

    6.       Let us remember the Christians in Turkey. It is not easy living under a prevailing spirit of Islam. Pray that these houses of prayer would be able to press through into an open heaven.

2 Thess. 1:4-7

 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. 

Editor’s Note: Nationalism, if channeled right, can be a good thing. The Lord said He is coming to judge tribes and nations.

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Pray for Slovenia

Week of Feb. 4-10, 2013

 

In the News: Calls for prime minister to resign over corruption allegations.

Earlier in January, Slovenia's anti-corruption commission announced that Janša had repeatedly failed to report his assets fully, and that he was unable to explain the origin of some €210,000.

Janša has been on trial over separate accusations that he received kickbacks from Slovenia's purchase in 2006 of armoured personnel carriers from a Finnish company. According to an opinion poll, almost 90% of Slovenes want Janša to resign. http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/imported/coalition-partners-pull-out-of-slovenia-s-government/76283.aspx

Also there are allegations of corruption against Zoran Jankovic - who simultaneously serves as mayor of the capital Ljubljana.

1.       Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. Leaders, especially politicians need to be kept accountable. Lord, let those hidden things come forth so the Slovenian people can see the motivations of their leaders.

2.        Let us pray for the political institutions of Slovenia to be shaken. May the wicked be cut off and let the righteous rise up.

3.       Let us first ask for intercessors in Slovenia to pray for their government. Pray that Christians would be warriors in the spirit to take dominion in their countries.

4.       Pray that Christians with management/leadership talents would go into government service.

In our prayer directive for Feb. 20, 2012 (last year) we prayed; - 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. -  

5.       It looks like corruption replaced corruption. Lord, it looks like there is a deep root of corruption in Slovenia. Let us pray for the ax of righteousness to cut this root. 

Before Slovenes can take up duties in government they must walk righteous before the Lord.

6.       Lord, we know You can change a sinner to a saint. There are many statues of past saints in the traditional churches of Slovenia but we want to pray and call forth modern saints that will be a blessing to the country.

7.       Let us pray for righteousness to be taught and demonstrated in all Slovenian churches. 

Letter from an intercessor/ leader in Slovenia:

Love & Respect – May 2013 and beyond: the next big combined events organized by Zazivi zivljenje with evangelical churches is two weeks of seminars with the authors of the best-seller, Love and Respect. The plan is not only to have numerous, large events in May, but to immediately start small groups using Love and Respect materials. Pray for this to have a major impact on the marriages of the nation, and as a tool for Christians to share their faith. Pray for churches and believers to really get on board, to get trained for small groups and reach out to their friends.

Leadership development: Several growing churches are using 2013 to train up leaders. Pray for wisdom for the pastors doing the training and for the people being trained to be equipped, to feel they are equipped, and to have courage to step in to leadership roles, especially in small group settings.

Blessings! TH

8.       Lord, we pray for these planned organized events among the Slovene evangelical churches. Let us pray for the strengthening of God’s people.

9.       May these Love and Respect seminars create unbreakable bonds of marriage.

10.   Let us pray that these seminars would draw lost families that also want help for their marriage.

11.   Lord, You are using small groups all over the world to influence lives. Small groups are where relationships are built. Lord, let these small groups come forth with every pastor’s endorsement.

12.   Let us pray there would be strong leaders in the churches. Strong leaders to lead families, churches and strong leadership to influence the culture.

13.   Lord, lift up the heads of the Slovene Christians to see that they are sons and daughters of the most-high God and their inheritance is there for them to walk in.

 Ephesians 1:18  the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

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