GLOBAL PRAYER NETWORK

Bible:

None

Online Audio NT:

Jesus Film:

Audio Recordings:

Christ Followers:

Few, less than 2%

Status:

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Three Praying People God Won't Hear

Three Praying People God Won't Hear - by Eddie Smith

11/18/2013

9 Comments

Oh, I know, some folks think God hears every prayer. But that's just not the case. I can think of at least three categories of people God refuses to listen to.

First, God won't hear a person who regards iniquity.

David the psalmist wrote, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear" (Psalm 66:18 nkjv, emphasis added). To regard iniquity is not synonymous with a failure to confess sin. If God can't hear us unless we've confessed every sin, then we'll never be heard. Why? Because at any given time we are aware of only a fraction of the sins we've committed. Like the psalmist David concluded, "Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults" (Psalm 19:12).

This verse about "regarding iniquity" is about preferring sin. When I tell someone, "Give my regards to your wife," I'm saying, "Tell her that I honor her." The Message version of Psalm 66:18 brings it into focus. It says, "If I had been cozy with evil, the Lord would never have listened." The person who is heard in heaven isn't a person who doesn't sin. It's a person who doesn't prefer sin, isn't cozy with it, doesn't think fondly of it or honor it. He has the same opinion about sin that God has. He hates it, shuns it, and longs to be free from it. The most committed Christian among us will occasionally sin. But a person of integrity hates sin and quickly repents.

The second type of person God refuses to hear is someone who tries to manipulate Him when he or she prays.
Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 6:7 that the pagans thought they would be heard for their "much speaking." The implication was ... they weren't! As we say in Texas, "God doesn't take kindly to manipulation."

There are many ways that people try to manipulate God when they pray. However, in most cases, they don't even know they are doing it. Two that come to mind are when people spend the bulk of their prayer time informing a God who knows everything. Somehow they apparently feel they need to break it down for Him.

More seriously (it seems to me) are those who instruct God in prayer. They literally order Him as if He is their slave. But as I said, most who do that don't even realize how they sound. Frankly, I would never have addressed my earthly father in the tone and approach I hear some people address our Heavenly Father.

Paul said, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me" (1 Corinthians 13:11). Growing requires becoming aware of certain things we are doing wrong and putting them away.

Third, God won't hear the prayer of a "double-minded person."

James tells us: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks [prays], he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man [or woman] should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does" (James 1:5-8).

Here God promises NOT TO answer the prayers of those who are double-minded. A double-minded pray-er is one who prays in faith, believing. Then after doing so, thinks doubtful thoughts and speaks doubtful things about the very thing they were believing God to do. To pray single-minded prayer is a powerful strategy. I deal with it quite thoroughly in my book "How To Be Heard In Heaven." But for now, I DO HAVE some good news!

In every generation there have been those whom God has heard and answered. He hears the righteous, the expectant, and those who celebrate His responses. He hears those who celebrate in advance having received what they have yet to receive. May God expand our spiritual horizon that we'll receive a greater revelation of God's gracious offer to hear and answer us. As I write these words, I'm praying that you will see, perhaps for the first time, the unique position you have as a result of His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and the coming of His Holy Spirit. Only then can you take full advantage and see miraculous things happen when you pray.

Most Christians have never recognized the remarkable contrast between the ways David and other Old Testament saints approached God and the way New Testament believers (especially after Pentecost) approached God--people like the apostle Paul. As we begin to get a clearer perspective of who God is, who we are, and a better understanding of how we fit into His plan, we will begin to pray from the redemptive side of the cross, and begin to recognize the awesome opportunity that's ours as New Testament believers.

You'll have to agree that the wickedness of this world increases by the moment. The international dilemmas are staggering. Nations are beginning to recognize and admit their helplessness. Whether they know it or not, they are looking for a messiah.

The evil that lies in wait for our families is increasing exponentially. The Ozzie and Harriet, Leave It to Beaver, and Father Knows Best days are gone forever. Our ability to engage in effective prayer, prayer that God hears and delights to answer, is critical for the days ahead.

If you'd like to step up to a new level in prayer, I encourage you to get "How To Be Heard In Heaven."

May God HEAR and answer your prayers!

Tsakhur, Caxur of Russia

Tsakhurs are natives of the Caucasus. They inhabit the mountains of the upper reaches of the River Samur in Dagestan. They are Muslims (Sunnis) but their ceremonies and traditions retain many practices of animistic religions. The Soviet regime reached the Tsakhurs in the spring of 1920 and brought about numerous changes. Livestock production has been one of the main vocations of the Tsakhur people. Tsakhur society is rural and patriarchal, headed by a village elder.

Ministry Obstacles
Spiritual opposition to the Gospel of Christ is substantial throughout the Caucasus region.

Outreach Ideas
Please pray for Christian radio and television to be made widely available throughout the Caucasus in Russian and in indigenous languages.
Pray for the followers of Christ
Even though there may well be no followers of Christ among the Tsakhur people today, pray for those the Lord will soon draw to himself. Pray they will live holy lives and learn to live in the power of God's Spirit.
Pray for the entire people group
Please pray for peace in the Caucasus, and for an increasing openness and interest in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Scripture Focus
"For from the rising of the sun, even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations ... says the Lord of hosts." Malachi 1:11

People Name:

Tsakhur, Caxur

Country:

Russia

10/40 Window:

Population:

13,000

World Population:

31,000

Language:

Tsakhur

Primary Religion:

Bible:

Portions

Online Audio NT:

Jesus Film:

Audio Recordings:

Christ Followers:

Few, less than 2%

Status:

Progress Level:

Mandingo, Mandinka of Benin

Mandinka villages are fairly autonomous and self-ruled, being led by a chief and group of elders. Mandinkas live in an oral society. Learning is traditionally done through stories, songs, and proverbs. Western education's impact has been minimal. However, more than half the adult population can read the local Arabic script. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries as many as a third of the Mandinka population were shipped to the Americas as slaves. A significant portion of the African-Americans in the United States are descended from the Mandinka people. The majority of the Mandinka were still animists at the beginning of the 18th century, but today most practice Islam mixed with traditional beliefs.

Ministry Obstacles
Workers should remember that the Mandinka are an oral society and oral means of communicating will likely be most effective.

Outreach Ideas
The New Testament and many other Gospel resources are available in the language of the Mandinka. Workers are needed to take these to the people.

Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray the few followers of Christ among the Mandinka will hate what is evil and cling to what is good. Pray they will be sent teachers to instruct them, especially using oral methods.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray for an improved literacy rate, and for parents to see the importance of providing an education for their children.

Scripture Focus
"Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see." Matthew 22:9

People Name:

Mandingo, Mandinka

Country:

Benin

10/40 Window:

Yes

Population:

9,600

World Population:

1,758,000

Language:

Mandinka

Primary Religion:

Bible:

New Testament

Online Audio NT:

Jesus Film:

Audio Recordings:

Christ Followers:

Few, less than 2%

Status:

Progress Level:

1.2

Darginian, Dargwa of Russia

The Darginian are a large ethnic group in Daghestan, in the Caucasus region of Russia. The history of the Darginian is one of struggle, being constantly conquered over the course of centuries: first by the Huns, then by the Turks, the Mongols, the Persians, and in the 19th century, by the Russians. Daghestan is one of the strongest bastions of conservative Islam in the former Soviet Union. Since the 11th century, Islam has been the predominant religion of the Darginian. The influence of Islam has remained strong and is even increasing.

Ministry Obstacles
The Caucasus region is quite unstable, and the people do not welcome Christian influence or presence.
Outreach Ideas
Much prayer is needed to prepare the peoples of the Caucasus to desire to know the Prince of peace, Jesus Christ.
Pray for the followers of Christ
There are likely no followers of Christ among the Darginian people yet and all of their near neighbors are unreached. Pray for an interest in this area by God's people.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray for peace in the Caucasus region: peace between ethnic groups and with the Russian government.

Scripture Focus
"All nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord, they will bring glory to your name." Psalm 86:9

People Name:

Darginian, Dargwa

Country:

Russia

10/40 Window:

Population:

410,000

World Population:

422,000

Language:

Dargwa

Primary Religion:

Bible:

Portions

Online Audio NT:

Jesus Film:

Audio Recordings:

Christ Followers:

Few, less than 2%

Status:

Progress Level:

Embracing Christ and Tradition in Kyrgyzstan

November 21, 2013

The Kyrgyz people take great pride in their cultural heritage. Many still maintain centuries-old traditions and live in remote mountain communities.

A street evangelism event was the unlikeliest place Dinara ever expected to find herself. Like most ethnic Kyrgyz, her Muslim family followed the religious traditions of their ancestors. From childhood she believed truth could only be revealed through Islam.
While running an errand in her village, Dinara came upon a strange sight—a gathering of Christians who were openly singing and preaching about their God. She stopped in her tracks when the speaker shared how Jesus Christ changes lives.
Consumed by worries over family quarrels, illness, and mounting debts, this wife and mother of two children longed for peace. She accepted the invitation to have someone pray for her needs. Three days later Dinara sought the counsel of a Christian neighbor who attended the event, asking how she, too, could become a follower of Jesus.
Today Dinara is growing in her faith and enjoys attending a home Bible study. Her husband thinks she is merely visiting friends. Knowing he will be furious, she dares not tell him or any of their relatives about her conversion.
Such fears are legitimate. To be a traditional Kyrgyz practically equates with being Muslim. Identifying oneself as a Christian brings all sorts of challenges for new believers, who experience misunderstanding, ridicule, and in some cases even abandonment by families who feel they have scorned their very heritage.

Laws present challenges for Christians

Nearly 90 percent of Kyrgyzstan’s 5.5 million people consider themselves Muslim, according to Operation World. Most adhere to a form of traditional Islam that combines remnants of tribal folk practices with Sunni beliefs.

A group of believers meet for worship and Bible study.

More militant forms of Islam, however, are perceived to be a threat to the country’s secular government. To combat increased pressures from radical groups, Kyrgyzstan passed a law against extremism in 2005. Additional religious laws approved in 2009 tightened controls on all faiths, but had an especially adverse effect on Christianity.
Proselytism, the distribution of religious literature, and private religious education were among the practices banned under the regulations. Most challenging was the mandate that churches and other religious groups have at least 200 adult citizen members in order to qualify for legal registration. The former law required only 10 members for registration.
Critics expressed concern at the time that the laws violated Kyrgyzstan’s own constitution, which on paper upholds religious freedom. Fears persist that harsher laws will propel Kyrgyzstan down the same course as its Central Asia neighbors, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, where religious activities are highly restricted.

Removing barriers

Despite cultural resistance and stiffening government regulations, GNM Mission has planted seeds of the gospel in Kyrgyzstan for over 17 years. In 1995 GNM opened the first Bible school in Central Asia. Graduates have gone on to serve as full-time native missionaries or church leaders.
Gifts from Christian Aid help support the Bible school and evangelistic events, like the one Dinara attended last summer. Three outdoor services, complete with music and dramatic presentations, attracted the curious as well as the faithful. As a result, more than 150 people received Jesus Christ into their hearts and 30 people joined home churches.

An evangelistic event held this past summer.

More than any other Central Asian people, the Kyrgyz cling to their traditional way of life. That poses both difficulties and opportunities for missionaries, who sometimes travel far into the mountains to reach isolated communities with the gospel.
In July GNM sent a team of five workers to an impoverished village in the southern part of the country. There are few jobs and not much hope for the future for the area’s young people. The missionaries sought to encourage residents with the good news of the Savior Who will stand beside them in the midst of their suffering.
Sasha was one of the residents who developed a new perspective after a missionary visited his home. He and his family endure many hardships as they struggle to survive high up in the mountains. When the missionary read Scripture describing God’s unconditional love for all of His children, Sasha sensed something stirring in his soul. He was a child of God, too!
“Sasha was surprised and inspired,” said the missionary. “The first thing he did was take Jesus into his heart. Now he is in church, and he gave up smoking. It’s still difficult for him to find a steady job, but he isn’t discouraged. He says that he has food and a home.”
That spirit of gratitude is a powerful witness to other members of his family. Now one of his daughters and her husband are reading the Bible. And Sasha is thrilled over God’s most recent gift to their family—the birth of a beautiful granddaughter that makes him—“Dedushka”—beam with joy.
Pray that more Kyrgyz will embrace the truth of a loving Heavenly Father whose gift of salvation is meant for all nations and peoples. May they realize that as believers in Christ they can be honorable citizens within their culture and in the kingdom of God.

Use the form below to contribute online to help indigenous ministries in Kyrgyzstan. Or call 434-977-5650 to contribute by phone. If you prefer to mail your gift, please mail to Christian Aid, P.O. Box 9037, Charlottesville, VA 22906. Please use Gift Code: 469GNM. Thank you!

Help Arrives for Typhoon Haiyan Victims

November 21, 2013

Christian Aid is working with ministries in Tacloban and surrounding areas to bring comfort to traumatized survivors of Typhoon Haiyan.

Ministry partners in the Philippines are distributing emergency aid to superstorm survivors, even as they struggle with personal losses that have turned their own lives upside down.
Typhoon Haiyan—the strongest storm to make landfall in 30 years—showed no mercy as it flattened everything in its path on the islands of Leyte and Samar. Several missions groups that receive financial assistance from Christian Aid have reported significant property damage and, more tragically, the irreplaceable loss of family members and friends.
In its initial response to the crisis, one ministry dispatched teams to Bohol Island to assist Christian families impacted by the typhoon. Canned foods, noodles and rice, used clothing, and hygiene items were among the materials handed out to local church members who lost their homes and belongings in the deluge.
Hard-hit Tacloban City will be the focus of the second phase of their relief efforts, the ministry spokesman said. As roads are cleared of debris, gospel workers can gain access to neighborhoods that were cut off from the outside world for nearly a week, after high winds and tsunami-like waves ravaged the coast. Electricity and telephone service are out in many areas, making communication challenging to say the least.
Most of the area ministries have contacted Christian Aid with reassurances that they survived the worst of the storm. Their updates convey a mix of heartbreak over the devastation and thankfulness for God’s presence and provision. What has blessed them the most, they say, are the faithful prayers of believers from around the world who are standing beside them during these difficult times.
“After all this turmoil it is very inspiring and encouraging to know that prayers are brought forth for us,” a ministry leader commented in a recent email. “After the civil war in Zamboanga last month, followed by the deadly earthquake a few weeks later and now Typhoon Haiyan, it is God’s grace and love that is making us strong. Your prayers serve as our inspiration to move on and continue our faith.”
Many church buildings were not spared the storm’s wrath. The New Life network of churches experienced substantial damage to their structures, and in some locations, the entire building collapsed.

Up to 4 million people have been displaced by the storm.

A member of New Life Church in San Jose lost her 4-year-old son, who drowned in the flooding. Most of the congregation lost their homes. A pastor and his wife were among the casualties in eastern Samar.
In the city of Ormoc, about 65 miles west of Tacloban, 86 families from one church lost their homes. The pastor’s house and the church building were also destroyed.
“We are doing our best to gather anything we can to send help to them, but the need is so great,” expressed another ministry director. “I believe God is in control, and His eye is on the sparrow. May His Word bring comfort in the midst of this tragedy.”
The category 5 storm ripped across the central Philippines November 8, leaving a massive trail of destruction in its path and wiping out entire coastal communities.
The official fatality count from Typhoon Haiyan has risen to nearly 4,000, according to the Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Another 1,600 are missing and over 18,000 have been injured.
The United Nations estimates 4 million people have been displaced. International aid started pouring into the central Philippines last week as agencies set up makeshift medical operations and handed out water and food to desperate survivors who hadn’t eaten in days.

Christians gather in a circle of prayer.

The country faces a long period of recovery, but already there are new signs of hope on the streets. Temporary shelters are under construction. Relief workers are helping to remove downed power lines and massive heaps of rubble from roadways. And officials promise to make the region’s obliterated infrastructure a top priority.
Deep emotional wounds, however, will take much longer to heal. While saving lives is paramount now, Christian Aid has long-term plans to assist Philippine ministries in reaching their people with the good news of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
“The typhoon was tragic, but I believe God can bring great good from it, and only the gospel is the great good,” said Stephen Van Valkenburg, who serves as Christian Aid’s area director for Southeast Asia.
“In the meantime, the funds we are sending are meeting needs. Many churches need to be rebuilt. Many houses need to be rebuilt. People need food and water and medical care. The compassion of Christ must be abundant,” he said.
In the midst of the greatest crisis of their lifetime, may Filipino believers find comfort in the words of the Old Testament prophet, Nahum: “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7, NKJV).
Prayer requests:

For physical aid—water, food, blankets, shelter, medical care—to reach those greatest in need.
For comfort for people who lost family members and friends in the typhoon.
For wisdom for ministry leaders as they seek to meet spiritual needs and determine what steps to take to rebuild destroyed offices, churches, and homes.
For God’s glory to be revealed and the gospel of Jesus Christ to be clearly communicated to people in Leyte and Samar and throughout every region of the Philippines.

Use the form below to contribute online to help indigenous ministries reach out to typhoon victims in the Philippines. Or call 434-977-5650 to contribute by phone. If you prefer to mail your gift, please mail to Christian Aid, P.O. Box 9037, Charlottesville, VA 22906. Please use Gift Code: 801DIS. Thank you!

Ghasi, Hindu of India

The traditional and primary occupation of the Ghasi has been scavenging and agricultural labor, but presently they are engaged in additional lines of work. Some are engaged in service, business, or as musicians. They are a Scheduled Caste. A largely Hinduized community, they worship their ancestors and clan and village deities. They prefer consulting a sorcerer rather than utilizing modern medical facilities. On account of their poor economic condition, the Ghasi do not encourage their children to study beyond primary school. Their literacy rate is low, probably below 30%.

Ministry Obstacles
The low literacy rate of the Ghasi suggests the need for the Gospel to come to them in oral form, as well as in written form.

Outreach Ideas
Pray for workers who know how to communicate using stories from scripture. The languages spoken by these people all have many good resources available, but workers are needed to take these to the people.

Pray for the followers of Christ
A tiny handful of the Ghasi have identified themselves as Christians to the Indian census. These people need prayer support. Pray their faith will be protected and nurtured. They need encouragement, and they need teachers to help them.

Pray for the entire people group
Please pray this poor community of low caste people will be able to gain skills to make them more employable. They very much need to raise their literacy rate. Pray that parents will see the importance of providing a good education for their children.

Scripture Focus
"The Lord has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, That all the ends of the earth may see The salvation of our God." Isaiah 52:10

People Name:

Ghasi, Hindu

Country:

India

10/40 Window:

Yes

Population:

447,000

World Population:

448,000

Language:

Hindi

Primary Religion:

Hinduism

Bible:

Complete

Online Audio NT:

Jesus Film:

Audio Recordings:

Christ Followers:

Few, less than 2%

Status:

Progress Level:

Dharkar of Nepal

A Scheduled Caste, the word dharkar connotes their occupation of rope or cane making. They sell bamboo products directly in the daily market for cash. They accept food and water from the Rout, Gond, Teli, and Kumbhar. Their literacy rate is very low because their children are engaged in wage labour.

Ministry Obstacles
The literacy rate is quite low for this tiny community in Nepal. The Gospel of Christ needs to come to them in story or recorded form.

Outreach Ideas
Pray that Christians in tribes near the Dharkar community will be led by the Lord's Spirit to take the Gospel to the tiny Dharkar group.

Pray for the followers of Christ
There are no known believers in the Dharkar community, in either India or Nepal. But pray for the ones the Lord will soon call to himself. Pray they will be accurately taught the ways of Christ, and will not mix their former belief system with the purity of the Gospel of Christ.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray this small group in Nepal will be able to find employment and sales of the goods they produce.

Scripture Focus
"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb." Revelation 7:9

People Name:

Dharkar

Country:

Nepal

10/40 Window:

Yes

Population:

100

World Population:

160,000

Language:

Nepali

Primary Religion:

Hinduism

Bible:

Complete

Online Audio NT:

Jesus Film:

Audio Recordings:

Christ Followers:

Few, less than 2%

Status:

Progress Level:

Mutrasi of India

Mutrasi are mainly a land owning community and their traditional occupation is agriculture. Traditionally, the Mutrasi were employed as soldiers and guards. At present farming, fishing, masonry, and industrial labor are their primary occupations. Some of the Mutrasi are professional ballad singers. The sacred specialists from their community perform worship, birth, marriage, and death rituals. They also practice ancestor worship every year on Pithru Amavasya, while offerings are made to their ancestors. Their village deities are Malleswara, Venteswara, Muneswar, Someswara, etc. They celebrate local Hindu festivals like Ugadi, Sankranti, Ekadasi, Diwali, Ram Navami, etc.

Ministry Obstacles
Disinterest in Christ, as well as inability to understand the Gospel message, are important barriers to the Gospel.
Outreach Ideas
Pray that as the Mutrasi interact with outsiders, they will also encounter believers who will be compelled by the Holy Spirit to share the gospel with them.
Pray for the followers of Christ
There are a few Mutrasi who have reported themselves as Christians to the census of India. Please pray these individuals will become real disciples of Jesus, obediently serving him out of a heart of gratitude and love.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray for the Mutrasi to increasingly hunger to know a God who loves them and who has power to help them with daily problems. Pray for dissatisfaction with a religion that leads them to worship that which cannot help them.

Scripture Focus
"The time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and see My glory." Isaiah 66:18

People Name:

Mutrasi

Country:

India

10/40 Window:

Yes

Population:

1,297,000

World Population:

1,297,000

Language:

Telugu

Primary Religion:

Hinduism

Bible:

Complete

Online Audio NT:

Jesus Film:

Audio Recordings:

Christ Followers:

Few, less than 2%

Status:

Progress Level: