Bedouin, Laguat of Algeria
Bedouin society
is organized according to a series of overlapping kin groups. The
family is the smallest unit, followed by the clan, then the tribe. In
the past, it was shameful for a Bedouin to accept a wage-paying job.
Today, however, many have been forced by economic circumstances into
full or part-time employment. To endure the extreme heat of the desert,
the Bedouin wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. It is very
loose-fitting, allowing for the circulation of air and freedom of
movement. While most Bedouin are Sunni Muslims there is still a basic
belief in spirits known as jinnis.
Ministry Obstacles
There is always spiritual opposition when Jesus Christ is presented to people. Pray for workers to be prepared for this.
Outreach Ideas
There are a number of resources available in the language of the Algerian Bedouin, Gospel recordings and videos included. Pray for workers to take these resources to the people.
Pray for the followers of Christ
There are no known Christian believers among the Laguat Bedouin, but pray that even now God will be preparing their hearts. Pray they will be open and accepting of God's messengers when they come.
Pray for the entire people group
Pray for adequate rainfall to support the livestock of the Bedouin, and, as needed, for employment opportunities.
Scripture Focus
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" Isaiah 52:7 |
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Tampilkan postingan dengan label PRAYER. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label PRAYER. Tampilkan semua postingan
Jumat, 13 Februari 2015
Bedouin, Laguat of Algeria
GREAT QUOTES on PRAYER
GREAT QUOTES on PRAYER
"All prayer is hidden. It is behind a closed door. The best spade
diggers go down into deep ditches out of sight. There are numbers
of surface workers, but few who in selfobliteration toil alone with God."
-Seth Joshua
"A church in the land without the Spirit is rather a curse than a
blessing. If you have not the Spirit of God, Christian worker,
remember that you stand in somebody else's way; you are a
fruitless tree standing where a fruitful tree might grow."
-C. H. Spurgeon
"In the evening I was favored with great faith and fervency in prayer.
It seemed as if God would deny me nothing, and I wrestled for
multitudes of souls, and could not help hoping there would be
revival here."
-Edward Payson
"As I was walking in the fields, the thought came over me with
almost overwhelming power, that every one of my flock must soon
be in heaven or hell. Oh how I wished that I had a tongue like
thunder, that I might make all hear; or that I had a frame like iron,
that I might visit every one and say, 'Escape for thy life! Ah sinner!
You little know how I fear that you will lay the blame of your
damnation at my door."
-Robert Murray M'Cheyne
"I had an overwhelming experience of the Lord's presence. I felt so
powerfully overcome by the nearness of the Holy Spirit that I had
to ask the Lord to draw back lest He kill me. It was so glorious
that I couldn't stand more than a small portion of it."
-Mordecai Ham
GPN - 13/02/2015
13/02/2015
Dear Dave and church,
'God can turn winds of adversity into showers of blessing.' (Genesis 50:20)Until tomorrow we have '4 days of Fasting & Prayer' with all The Blessing Churches. We believe and pray for breakthroughs for those who are in need and all who seek Him for an answer. Pray also for the pastors and for the ministry of the Johan Maasbach World Mission Foundation.
Tomorrow we will have the closing service of our '4 days of Fasting & Prayer' at the Immanuel Church in Utrecht. You are welcome to join us in prayer from 14.00 - 16.00 h. Do you have a need for yourself or someone close to you? E-mail us, so we can pray together for a miracle.
Urgent: Pray for a miracle of healing for my daughter Shakira who has bonecancer and metastases in her body. According to the doctors he has only six months to live. Pray also for the evangelical tracts that we have spread at the hospital. Mrs. H.R.
Urgent: Pray for Mr. M.T. who has a severe metastatic cancer in the intestine and liver. Pray that God will do a miracle, but above all that he will come to repentance. Mr. G.d.H.
Pray for Bill, because he may have stomach cancer. He and his family are very scared. There was a lot of fluid in his stomach. Pray for God's healing. Ms. Vicky
Pray for God’s blessing, anointing and guidance during the mission trip to the USA from February 18th until March 3rd for John T.L. Maasbach and the MAP Band.
I need deliverance from watching junk on the internet. I want to repent and live a holy life. Please pray for me. Mr. F.R.
Pray for healing, comfort and new strength for Mrs. B. (94) She is cold and has recently lost her two sons. She has fallen and is now recovering from two broken ribs.
South Sudan: Please pray for God's provision, so I can pay the school fees for my children. Although we do not know how God is going to help us in paying them, yet we trust in Him. He will help us to go through, as He did in the past years. Evangelist K.F.
Pray for healing of chronic pneumonia for Mrs. E. Also for repentance and deliverance for her mother in law from witchcraft.
Pray for a breakthrough for my business with eBay in this really hard time. Pray that Mr. J.G. sr. will get the job that he applied for today and that Mr. J.G. jr. would get off drugs and go to a rehab center. Also agree in prayer for healing from God for the stomach of A.H. Mrs. D.G.
Pray for all preparations of All Kids 1st for the kids program this upcoming Easter. And for yourself, that God will put someone on your mind to invite to your church this Easter.
Mrs. G.B. asks us to pray for healing of her mom from pneumonia, COPD and arthrosis. For herself, for deliverance from a depression. She has a desire that her sons will live closer to her. And for an open door to help in her church.
Central Asia: Pray for Christians who are experiencing difficulties because of their faith, for God's protection and wisdom. Pray for Baurzhan, Nurzhamal and their families. They are afraid and tense for the possible consequences of a search of the secret service who had found a Bible with them. Pray for Sergey and his family. He is indicted for his involvement in the illegal distribution of religious literature and materials. The proof are several books and CDs with Christian content that were found in a house search. Open Doors
Mrs. v.K. (42) asks us to pray for deliverance from sleeping problems.
Pray for all those who want to follow Jesus and will be baptized at the Baptismal Service on Sunday March 22nd in The Hague. That God will bless them and keep them on His path, so they can be used in God's Kingdom.
Pray for the conversion of my son D. (32), who is an atheist. And for a partner for my daughter G.M. (40). Mrs. E.
Malawi: Pray for the land of our ministry, which we purchased on 2007. We have built a church and have plans to build a clinic and resthouse, grow maize meal, etc. Unfortunately, other people sold another part of the land illegally and some people have already erected some infrastructures. We really need God's intervention. Pray for the ministry of Aid for Trade and Savings Loan Association. Bishop T.C.
Continue to pray for Mr. L.D., for deliverance from insomnia, anxiety, restlessness and confused feelings.
Pray for open doors and open hearts during outreaches from various The Blessing Churches. Pray for each tract that will be spread, that people will accept the Lord and attend church.
PRAYER HELPS: He has answered our prayers, because I can move to a new home. Thank God that I can move on in peace and that I can close this chapter in my life. Pray that everything will go smooth, for enough help from people and the necessary finances. Ms. C.M.
NEW, MODERN AND SUPER FAST!
Listen non-stop to the faith-building messages of anointed preachers with singing, music and special prayer. Choose your own language, preacher and topic. Listen, download, like it, put in your favorites, share with others and much more! Pray and thank God that this station will reach many people in places where little or nothing of the Gospel is found and where people are on their own. Tune in at www.maasbachradio.com.
Selasa, 30 April 2013
Druze of Syria
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Druze of Syria
"Druze" is a word derived from el-Drzi, the name of
one of the early propagandists of the Druze religion. The religion of
the Druze began in the 9th century AD, as a sect of Islam. Druze hold
the Qur'an to be sacred, but look upon it as an outer shell, holding an
"inner, esoteric meaning". They can be found in Israel, Lebanon, and
Syria, and follow a lifestyle of isolation.Ministry Obstacles The Druze see Jesus as a major prophet, but not the Son of God. Also, their life of isolation makes them resistant to outside influences. Outreach Ideas Christian Arabs may have special rapport with the Druze. Perhaps the Lord will grant a burden for the Druze to some Middle Eastern Christian Arabs, and also to Messianic Jews in Israel. Pray for the followers of Christ Pray for the few believers among the Druze, that the Lord may strengthen them out of his glorious riches so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith. Pray these believers will fellowship together, and grow as the body of Christ. Pray for the entire people group Pray each individual in the Druze community will soon become persuaded that Jesus is truly the Son of God, and will place their faith in his finished work on the cross. Pray for multiplying disciples among the Druze. 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 |
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Join us in Prayer for Spiritual Awakening!
Join us in Prayer for Spiritual Awakening!
The OneCry Prayer Summit will
be a live, participatory radio event on May 2, 2013, from 8:00 - 10:00
p.m. Eastern. This two-hour event will focus on prayer for revival and
spiritual awakening within the North American church, weaving Scripture,
meditations, worship, and reflections throughout. Listen online, as
well as engaging and participating through live chat and social media.
Hosted by Moody Radio in
partnership with many other stations passionate about spiritual
awakening, we're excited to bring you this live radio event on the
evening of May 2nd.
Visit Pray! Network at: http://www.praynetwork.org/?xg_source=msg_mes_network
GPN 04-30-2013
GPN 04-30-2013
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Marga Hooglugt
Global Prayer Network
Global Prayer Network
Kamis, 25 April 2013
Attack in Nigeria that Killed 18 Christians, Caps Two Years of Islamic Aggression
Attack in Nigeria that Killed 18 Christians, Caps Two Years of Islamic Aggression
Muslim Fulani herdsmen suspected in another deadly assault in the area
By Dan Wooding, who was born in Nigeria
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
MILE BAKWAI, NIGERIA (ANS) -- Morning Star News (http://morningstarnews.org) is reporting that an attack in Nigeria that killed 18 Christians has capped two years of Islamic aggression. It says that Muslim Fulani herdsmen are suspected in another deadly assault in the area.
The news agency's
Nigeria correspondent wrote that Hosea Mashaf was resting in his village
of Chirang Mangor, Nigeria, when area Christian youths told him that
armed, Muslim Fulani herdsmen were attacking the Christian village of
Mile Bakwai.
The
45-year-old farmer and other Christians rushed to Mile Bakwai, three
kilometers away in the Bokkos Local Council Area of Plateau State, the
night of March 27 to see how they might aid the Christians there, he
told Morning Star News.
"When we got there, the gunmen had already retreated," Mashaf said. "I saw dead bodies scattered all over the village. I counted the dead bodies we recovered, and in all we had 18 Christians who were killed by the Muslim attackers."
They found five of those bodies in a minibus, he said.
"They were travelling in a bus back to our village when they ran into the attack going on at Mile Bakwai village," Mashaf said. "They were killed by the attackers when they shot at the bus, which crashed into a building, but the attackers went to the place where the bus was and shot the occupants. Five of them were killed, while two others were injured."
Dead were Geofrey
Mafuyai, 35; Mahana Jamok, 50; Arandon Yusuf, 18; Dung Dalyop, 38; and,
Mbata Machif, 36. Maju Mahana, 25, and Nanle Enoch, 18 were wounded and
received treatment at the ECWA Evangel Hospital in Jos, he said.
The 18
slain were members of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Christ Apostolic
Church and Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) congregations, sources
said. The Rev. James Danladi Mahwash of the Bishara Baptist Church in
Mile Bakwai village said five of his church members were killed,
including the financial secretary of the Men's Missionary Union of his
church, 25-year-old Jamle Benjamin Sunday.
"At about 8 p.m. the attackers, all Muslim Fulani herdsmen, came into this village in two separate groups, attacking us from two different directions, and shooting down anyone they saw," he said. "They came from the northwestern end of the village, and then separated into two groups with one of the groups attacking from the western end, while the second group attacked from the eastern end."
The Morning Star
Nigerian correspondent continued by saying that besides Sunday, Mahwash
said, among those killed were Kokiwo Malo, 65; Maren Galadima, 18; Gambo
Geofrey Mafuyai, 45; Adamu Maren, 55; Zoron Adamu, 10; Maren Garba, 20;
Danladi Mangar, 20; Joel Peter, 20; Boaz Masara, 20; Oge Emeka, 5; and
one identified only as Jang from the neighboring village of Kunet.
The
assailants also burned the houses of three Christians - Malo Kabu,
Marion Bitrus and Mapu Daniel - in Mile Bakwai, "Seventh Mile" in the
Hausa language as it is about seven miles from the main mining camp at
Tenti village. Mile Bakwai is a former mining camp in the rocky hills of
the Jos Plateau, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Jos.
In several previous attacks, the herdsmen robbed the 150-member church of about 211,000 naira (US$1315), Mahwash added.
"We believe that our attackers are Muslim Fulani herdsmen," he said. "We know they have been attacking Christian communities in rural areas across central Nigerian states. We are not happy about this and feel that the Nigerian government has to do something urgently to curtail these attacks in order to save lives and restore peace in the northern part of this country."
More Than 100 Slain
The correspondent went on to say that ethnic Fulani Muslims are believed to have the backing of Islamic extremist groups in attacks on Christian areas in central and northern Nigeria. The Rev. Barnabas Kebang, chairman of the Bokkos Regional Church Council of COCIN, said the attack on Mile Bakwai was one of numerous assaults against Christians in the area.
"Since the year 2011, over 100 Christians have been killed here," he said.
Christian communities
attacked include those in the villages of Mushu, Tsohon Mushu, Marish,
Ruboi, Wumat, Magi, Gada Biyu, Batish, Butura Gida, Pyakmalu, Mper,
Ruwi, Chenget, Njukkudel and Washen, Kebang said.
Kebang,
who as chair of the regional church council over 46 COCIN pastors
oversees about 11,000 church members, was blunt about the identity of
the culprits.
"Muslim Fulani herdsmen are responsible for these attacks," he said.
After attacking Christian communities, Fulani herders "usually go out there to dish out false information to the world through their Islamic backers in the Middle East, using the Western press," Kebang said. As result, he said, international press tend to misrepresent Muslim aggression as "sectarian conflict," especially when Christians try to defend themselves.
Security agencies reported arresting six of the dozens of Muslims who attacked Mile Bakwai, but said five of those were killed during gun-battle during between the assailants and law enforcement forces, Kebang said. Reports he received from the Special Task Force created to stem violence indicated one of the Muslim attackers said 46 attackers participated in the assault on Mile Bakwai.
Kebang said the attack displaced nearly 500 Christians.
"We have about 140 of our church members displaced in this particular attack, and you can see them right here in the church premises," Kebang said from his office in Bokkos in mid-April. "About 300 other Christians displaced in the attack are right now at the St. Thomas Catholic Church here in Bokkos, and another group of about 13 are camped at the Christ Apostolic Church also here in Bokkos town."
Sultan Unheeded
The Morning Star News Nigeria correspondent stated that besides hit-and-run attacks by Fulani Muslims, the Islamic extremist Boko Haram group has targeted Christians in Nigeria in its effort to destabilize the government and impose sharia (Islamic law) nationwide. The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar II, considered the leader of Nigeria's Muslims, has called for a halt to attacks on Christians, but Kebang said area Muslims either deny or don't know of the directive.
"In different forums where we have met to dialogue with Muslim leaders here in Plateau state, we have heard Muslim and Fulani leaders saying bluntly that they will not listen to anyone or act in a peaceful manner until the Sultan of Sokoto directs," he said.
Sokoto is the base of the Caliphate, a Fulani oligarchy established centuries ago.
The sultan also recently called on the Nigerian government to grant amnesty to Boko Haram, but the Islamic extremist sect's leader, Abubakar Shekau, has rejected the idea, claiming the group has not committed any crime warranting amnesty.
"Christians make up 51.3 percent of Nigeria's population of 158.2 million and live mainly in the south, while Muslims account for 45 percent and reside primarily in the north, according to Operation World," concluded the correspondent.
Muslim Fulani herdsmen suspected in another deadly assault in the area
By Dan Wooding, who was born in Nigeria
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
MILE BAKWAI, NIGERIA (ANS) -- Morning Star News (http://morningstarnews.org) is reporting that an attack in Nigeria that killed 18 Christians has capped two years of Islamic aggression. It says that Muslim Fulani herdsmen are suspected in another deadly assault in the area.
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Farmer Hosea Mashaf rushed from a neighboring village to aid Christians under attack
(Morning Star News photo) |
"When we got there, the gunmen had already retreated," Mashaf said. "I saw dead bodies scattered all over the village. I counted the dead bodies we recovered, and in all we had 18 Christians who were killed by the Muslim attackers."
They found five of those bodies in a minibus, he said.
"They were travelling in a bus back to our village when they ran into the attack going on at Mile Bakwai village," Mashaf said. "They were killed by the attackers when they shot at the bus, which crashed into a building, but the attackers went to the place where the bus was and shot the occupants. Five of them were killed, while two others were injured."
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Fulani herdsmen on the rampage
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"At about 8 p.m. the attackers, all Muslim Fulani herdsmen, came into this village in two separate groups, attacking us from two different directions, and shooting down anyone they saw," he said. "They came from the northwestern end of the village, and then separated into two groups with one of the groups attacking from the western end, while the second group attacked from the eastern end."
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The Rev. James Danladi Mahwash baptizing Jamle Benjamin Sunday, who was killed in the attack in Mile Bakwai, Nigeria
(Morning Star News photo) |
In several previous attacks, the herdsmen robbed the 150-member church of about 211,000 naira (US$1315), Mahwash added.
"We believe that our attackers are Muslim Fulani herdsmen," he said. "We know they have been attacking Christian communities in rural areas across central Nigerian states. We are not happy about this and feel that the Nigerian government has to do something urgently to curtail these attacks in order to save lives and restore peace in the northern part of this country."
More Than 100 Slain
The correspondent went on to say that ethnic Fulani Muslims are believed to have the backing of Islamic extremist groups in attacks on Christian areas in central and northern Nigeria. The Rev. Barnabas Kebang, chairman of the Bokkos Regional Church Council of COCIN, said the attack on Mile Bakwai was one of numerous assaults against Christians in the area.
"Since the year 2011, over 100 Christians have been killed here," he said.
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Grave for 15 of the victims of the assault
in Mile Bakwai (Morning Star News photo) |
"Muslim Fulani herdsmen are responsible for these attacks," he said.
After attacking Christian communities, Fulani herders "usually go out there to dish out false information to the world through their Islamic backers in the Middle East, using the Western press," Kebang said. As result, he said, international press tend to misrepresent Muslim aggression as "sectarian conflict," especially when Christians try to defend themselves.
Security agencies reported arresting six of the dozens of Muslims who attacked Mile Bakwai, but said five of those were killed during gun-battle during between the assailants and law enforcement forces, Kebang said. Reports he received from the Special Task Force created to stem violence indicated one of the Muslim attackers said 46 attackers participated in the assault on Mile Bakwai.
Kebang said the attack displaced nearly 500 Christians.
"We have about 140 of our church members displaced in this particular attack, and you can see them right here in the church premises," Kebang said from his office in Bokkos in mid-April. "About 300 other Christians displaced in the attack are right now at the St. Thomas Catholic Church here in Bokkos, and another group of about 13 are camped at the Christ Apostolic Church also here in Bokkos town."
Sultan Unheeded
The Morning Star News Nigeria correspondent stated that besides hit-and-run attacks by Fulani Muslims, the Islamic extremist Boko Haram group has targeted Christians in Nigeria in its effort to destabilize the government and impose sharia (Islamic law) nationwide. The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar II, considered the leader of Nigeria's Muslims, has called for a halt to attacks on Christians, but Kebang said area Muslims either deny or don't know of the directive.
"In different forums where we have met to dialogue with Muslim leaders here in Plateau state, we have heard Muslim and Fulani leaders saying bluntly that they will not listen to anyone or act in a peaceful manner until the Sultan of Sokoto directs," he said.
Sokoto is the base of the Caliphate, a Fulani oligarchy established centuries ago.
The sultan also recently called on the Nigerian government to grant amnesty to Boko Haram, but the Islamic extremist sect's leader, Abubakar Shekau, has rejected the idea, claiming the group has not committed any crime warranting amnesty.
"Christians make up 51.3 percent of Nigeria's population of 158.2 million and live mainly in the south, while Muslims account for 45 percent and reside primarily in the north, according to Operation World," concluded the correspondent.
How Long?
How Long?
Apr 25 2013
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them?’” – Numbers 14:11
*Drawing by a former North Korean prisoner, depicting North Korean prisoners eating plants in a labor camp.
Imagine
yourself a Christian living in North Korea, a land that is barren... a
land that is silent. You have no church, no freedom to share your faith,
no Bible, and no contact with other Christians. You are alone.
We
can only imagine that Christians in North Korea today are echoing these
exact words found in Numbers, but instead of God crying to Moses, they
are crying to God! “How Long?” In our perspective, Christians in North
Korea have been suffering for long enough. But they are not without
hope. In the book of Isaiah God tells us through His Word some of His
plans and promises for His people, including His people in North Korea.
How Long?
Pyongyang,
the capital of North Korea, was once called the Jerusalem of the East.
Beginning on January 14, 1907, when a group of Korean Christians and
Western missionaries met in Pyongyang for a Bible study …God began to
move. Realizing their sin, and the need for Jesus, the group fell on
their knees in repentance. In that instant a revival began that lasted
40 years.
When
Japan was defeated in 1945 during World War II, Korea was divided into
the North (under Soviet Union rule) and the South (under US rule). After
the North established the Democratic People’s Republic (DPRK) in 1948
severe persecution began. That was over 65 years ago…in comparison the
Israelites wandered in the desert for only 40 years.
In
the book of Isaiah God tells us through His Word some of His plans and
promises for His people.Holding on to these promises join today in
intercessory prayer, through His Word, for North Korea.
THE LORD WILL MAKE NORTH KOREA A PRAISE IN THE EARTH
The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth; “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes’! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’” They will be called the Holy People the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted. – Isaiah 62:11-12
North
Korea is the most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian. And
yet the Word of God continues to go out, especially in the cities near
the Chinese border. Every year North Koreans risk their lives to cross
into China. If they are fortunate enough to arrive safely, the danger
continues. But if they fall under the care of Christian’s operating safe
houses, the gospel message is shared… for many this is the first time
hearing the name of Jesus. After receiving Christ, many return to North
Korea, at great personal risk, to bring the gospel message to their
family at home.
THE LORD WILL GLORIFY HIS CHURCH IN NORTH KOREA
…So
He became their Savior. In all their affection He was afflicted, and
the angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His mercy He
redeemed them, and He lifted them up and carried them all the days of
old. – Isaiah 63:8-9b
On
the surface, the fruits of God’s work are not evident in North Korea
today. The church may be thought of as “desolate” because of its
suffering and lack of visible strength. And yet, His Spirit is there,
working in silence. Open Doors supports North Korean Christians in
secret with Bibles, books, education and relief aid. Often we receive
thank you letters from underground church leaders; oneNorth Korean
Christian wrote:
“I
am very proud to see our believers’ faithful lives becoming more
mature. Their lives are in danger and still they follow the Lord. This
could have not been possible if it wasn’t for your endless effort and
love. Please continue to pray for us.”
GOD’S SPIRIT WILL NEVER LEAVE NORTH KOREA!
“As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from now and forever.” –Isaiah 59:21
Imagine
not being able to pass on your faith to your children? In North Korea
this desire is dangerous for both believers and their children. If their
faith is discovered, they, with their children, are sent to prison and
forced into hard labor. Other North Korean children may have been
abandoned by their parents due to hardships, for others, their parents
may have died. Living on the streets struggling to survive; Timothy,
shares his story:
“Like
so many children, I was separated from my parents. My father had to
flee the country in a hurry. For years, I lived on the streets. Every
day, I had to manage to find food. I only slept for a few hours each
night and tried to stay awake in order not to die of hunger. I survived
by helping to carry luggage at stations. After some time, I realized
that I had no future in North Korea. While fleeing to China, I was
detained by the border police. They took me back to North Korea where
the guards tortured me severely. I kept praying to stay alive, because I
had discovered that there was a God. After two weeks, I was released
but because of the torture, I was no longer able to stand. My
grandmother paid a woman to carry me across the river into China on her
back. In the end, I gained freedom and I was reunited with my father.
Whatever situation you are in, do not give up, but keep praying!”
GOD WILL REVEAL HIMSELF TO ALL
“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call my name. I said ‘Here am I, her am I.’” Isaiah 65:1
“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call my name. I said ‘Here am I, her am I.’” Isaiah 65:1
Kim
Il Sung, the founder of the DPRK, understood the power of worship and
set himself up to be the only one.. Statues of him were erected; people
were required to bow down before them. Kim Il Sung created a belief
system called Juche which twisted the Holy Trinity of Christianity by
teaching that Kim Il Sung is god, his son Kim Jong Il is the Christ
figure, and the ideology of Juche replaces the Holy Spirit. Kim Jong Il
referred to it as “Kimilsungism.” All North Koreans are indoctrinated
with this belief system from cradle to grave. But God has permitted
Himself to be found by people who did not seek Him. That grace…
guaranteed on the cross of Jesus Christ… is available to everyone,
including the leaders of North Korea.
JOIN IN PRAYING THIS PRAYER
Father
God, when will the promise, “For they will be a people blessed by the
Lord.”(Is 65:23) be fulfilled completely? Will it be upon the return of
Your Son Jesus Christ when all earthly kingdoms will be destroyed and
only Your Kingdom remains? Father, we know that we are to wait for Your
perfect time, but our hearts break for those in North Korea who are
blinded by the lies. Father, remove the scales from their eyes so that
they can see Your glory. We join today in prayer for a mighty,
overwhelming outpouring of Your Spirit over the Korean peninsula,
believing as we come to You on our knees, and petition on their behalf,
that the next great revival in Korea will come soon, and that Your
splendor will be spread over the entire nation. Praying in Jesus Name,
our Redeemer. Amen.
Jama Mapun, Bajau Kagayan of Philippines
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Jama Mapun, Bajau Kagayan of Philippines
The Bajau Kagayan are seafaring people (known as "sea
gypsies") and fish in the Sulu Sea by the Philippines and Sulawesi,
Indonesia. They are non-aggressive people who usually retreat from
trouble. They live on their boats or on the coast in houses that are
built over the sea on stilts. Their livelihood comes from the sea
through fishing. The Bajau Kagayan are Sunni Muslims.Ministry Obstacles Establishing trust with the Muslim Bajau Kagayan people may be difficult. Outreach Ideas Christians can carry the good news of Jesus to the Bajau Kagayan by telling them stories from Scripture, and by using Gospel films and recordings. Pray for the followers of Christ Pray for the few followers of Jesus among the "sea gypsy" people of the Philippines, that good teachers will be sent to help them grow. Pray they will be firmly established on the truths of Scripture, and will be zealous to study and learn, and be faithful disciples of Christ. Pray for the entire people group Pray the Bajau Kagayan people will be able to provide adequately for their families, and be kept safe as they fish for their livelihood. Scripture Focus "Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; and let them say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns.'" 1 Chronicles 16:31 |
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KUASA DOA YANG TEKUN (LUKAS 18:1-8)
ARTIKEL DOA: KUASA DOA YANG TEKUN (LUKAS 18:1-8)
Kita tidak dapat mengerti dengan mudah mengapa Tuhan yang begitu penyayang dan yang rindu untuk memberkati kita, harus dimohon-mohon dalam suatu jangka waktu tertentu, kadang bertahun-tahun, sebelum jawaban doa itu datang. Hal ini juga menjadi salah satu kesulitan terbesar untuk bertekun dalam doa. Ketika doa kita yang terus-menerus dinaikkan tidak mendapat jawaban, daging kita yang lemah ini berpikir bahwa kita harus berhenti berdoa karena Allah mungkin memiliki alasan tersembunyi dengan menahan jawaban-Nya terhadap doa kita. Hanya iman yang dapat mengalahkan kesulitan. Pada saat iman menemukan pijakan di atas firman Allah dan nama Yesus, serta menyerahkan dirinya ke dalam pimpinan Roh Kudus untuk mencari kehendak Allah dan kemuliaan-Nya di dalam doa, iman tidak akan menjadi putus asa karena penundaan jawaban. Iman mengetahui dari Alkitab bahwa kuasa doa yang didoakan dengan tekun sangatlah besar; iman sejati tidak akan pernah kecewa. Iman tahu bahwa untuk menggunakan kuasanya, maka ia harus dihimpunkan terlebih dahulu, seperti air, hingga sebuah aliran dapat mengalir dengan deras darinya. Sering kali, iman harus "ditumpuk" terlebih dahulu sampai Tuhan melihat takarannya penuh baru kemudian jawaban doa itu datang. Setiap doa yang dengan yakin dinaikkan memiliki pengaruhnya masing-masing. Doa-doa itu disimpan untuk sebuah jawaban yang akan datang, sesuai waktunya bagi orang yang bertekun sampai akhir. Pikiran manusia dan segala kemungkinannya tidak memiliki kaitan dengan hal ini; hanya firman Allah yang hiduplah yang berarti.
Ketika jawaban doa kita tidak datang dalam waktu yang singkat, kita harus mengombinasikan kesabaran yang tenang dengan keyakinan yang penuh sukacita di dalam doa kita yang tekun. Untuk dapat melakukan hal ini, kita harus mengerti dua kata yang dikatakan oleh Tuhan kepada mereka yang berseru siang-malam kepada-Nya: "Ia tidak mengulur-ulur waktu terhadap mereka; Ia akan segera membenarkan diri mereka."
Sang Guru menggunakan kata "segera". Berkat itu sudah dipersiapkan. Bapa tidak hanya berkenan untuk memberkati, tetapi juga ingin memberi mereka apa pun yang mereka minta. Kasih-Nya yang abadi membara bersama-sama dengan keinginan untuk menyatakan diri-Nya secara sempurna kepada orang-orang yang dicintai-Nya dan untuk memuaskan kebutuhan mereka. Tuhan tidak akan menunda sedetik pun waktu yang seharusnya. Dia akan melakukan apa pun dalam kuasa-Nya untuk mempercepat kedatangan jawaban doa itu.
Namun, bila hal itu benar dan kuasa Allah memang tidak terbatas, mengapa kadang-kadang dibutuhkan waktu yang lama untuk mendapatkan sebuah jawaban doa? "Sesungguhnya petani menantikan hasil yang berharga dari tanahnya, dan ia sabar sampai telah turun hujan musim gugur dan hujan musim semi." (Yakobus 5:7) Tentu saja, petani itu menginginkan tuaiannya, tetapi ia mengetahui bahwa untuk mendapatkan hal tersebut dibutuhkan waktu selama semusim penuh. Jadi, ia mempunyai banyak kesabaran. Seorang bocah sering kali sudah ingin memetik buah yang baru setengah matang, tetapi seorang petani menunggu sampai waktu yang tepat untuk menuai.
Dalam kehidupan rohani, manusia juga terikat pada hukum pertumbuhan yang menguasai kehidupan segala ciptaan. Ia dapat mencapai takdir ilahinya hanya jika ia berada di dalam jalur perkembangan. Hanya Bapa yang menentukan waktu dan masa, yang mengetahui kapan sebuah jiwa atau gereja berada dalam kematangannya, dalam kepenuhan iman, dan dengan itu benar-benar dapat mengambil sebuah berkat dan menjadikan itu sebagai miliknya. Seperti seorang ayah yang sedang menanti anak tunggalnya pulang dari sekolah dan dengan sabar menanti sampai waktu pelatihan anaknya itu selesai, begitu pula hubungan antara Allah dengan anak-anak-Nya.
Pengertian akan kebenaran ini dapat menuntun orang-orang percaya untuk menyiapkan sifat-sifat yang berkaitan dengan ketekunan doa, yaitu kesabaran, iman, penantian, dan pujian yang merupakan rahasia untuk bertekun. Oleh iman kepada janji Allah, kita mengetahui bahwa kita sudah memiliki jawaban dari permohonan yang kita naikkan kepada-Nya. Iman memiliki jawaban akan janji itu sebagai milik yang tidak kelihatan. Iman bersukacita di dalam keyakinan itu dan bersyukur kepada Allah mengenainya, tetapi ada perbedaan mengenai iman yang sejenis itu dengan iman yang lebih jelas, penuh, dan lebih matang yang memandang janji tersebut sebagai suatu pengalaman kekinian. Di dalam ketekunan, keyakinan, dan doa penyembahanlah jiwa bertumbuh dalam suatu kesatuan dengan Tuhannya dan melalui itu memiliki berkat di dalam-Nya.
Mungkin, ada beberapa hal di sekitar kita yang harus dibereskan terlebih dahulu melalui doa sebelum jawaban itu benar-benar terjadi. Iman yang mempercayai bahwa ia telah menerima jawaban doa, memiliki kemampuan untuk mengizinkan Tuhan menggunakan waktu-Nya. Iman itu tahu bahwa ia sudah memiliki jawaban itu sekaligus merasa harus mendapatkannya. Dalam ketekunan yang tenang, gigih, dan teguh, iman itu terus berdoa serta mengucap syukur sampai berkat itu tiba. Demikianlah kita dapat melihat kombinasi dari apa yang awalnya terlihat sebagai hal yang saling berlawanan; iman yang bersukacita dalam jawaban Allah yang dianggap sebagai sesuatu yang telah diterima, bertemu dengan kesabaran yang berseru-seru siang dan malam sampai jawaban itu tiba. Seorang anak yang menanti-nanti dengan iman yang sabar akan bertemu dengan Tuhan dalam kemenangan.
Bahaya besar dalam pelajaran ini adalah godaan untuk berpikir, bahwa mungkin sudah menjadi kehendak Allah untuk tidak memberikan kepada kita apa yang kita inginkan. Jika doa-doa kita sejalan dengan firman Allah dan dipimpin oleh Roh Kudus, jangan berikan kesempatan untuk rasa takut ini menyerang Anda. Belajarlah untuk memberi Tuhan waktu. Ia membutuhkan waktu untuk bersama-sama dengan kita dalam persekutuan dengan-Nya, kita harus memberi-Nya waktu untuk menggunakan kuasa hadirat-Nya di dalam diri kita. Hari demi hari, selama kita menanti-nanti jawaban doa itu, kita perlu memberi waktu kepada iman untuk membuktikan realitasnya dan mengisi seluruh keberadaan kita. Tuhan akan menuntun kita dari iman menuju sebuah penglihatan; bahwa kita akan melihat kemuliaan-Nya.
Jangan biarkan penundaan mengguncangkan iman Anda, sebab iman akan menyediakan jawaban doa itu tepat waktu. Setiap doa yang berkeyakinan merupakan sebuah langkah yang mendekati kemenangan! Penundaan itu akan mematangkan iman, mengalahkan rintangan dunia yang tidak kelihatan, dan mempercepat kedatangan akhir penantian itu.
Berkat yang didapatkan dari doa yang bertekun tidak dapat dilukiskan. Tidak ada yang dapat menguji hati dengan lebih sempurna dari doa yang berdasarkan iman, doa itu akan mengajar Anda untuk menemukan, mengakui, dan menyerahkan segala hal yang menghalangi datangnya berkat -- segala hal yang tidak sejalan dengan kehendak Bapa. Doa semacam itu juga menuntun Anda ke dalam persekutuan yang lebih akrab dengan Dia, satu-satunya Pribadi yang dapat mengajar Anda berdoa. Penyerahan secara total hanya dimungkinkan ketika kita berada dalam darah dan Roh.
Biarlah sikap Anda tetap sama, baik ketika berdoa untuk diri Anda sendiri ataupun untuk orang lain. Setiap pekerja, secara jasmaniah atau secara mental, membutuhkan waktu dan usaha. Kita harus menyerahkan segala upaya kita untuk hal ini. Alam menunjukkan segala kekayaannya hanya kepada pekerja yang tekun dan bijaksana. Benih yang kita tabur di surga, usaha yang kita kerahkan, dan pengaruh yang kita harapkan dapat terjadi di dunia, membutuhkan sebuah penyerahan total di dalam doa (Galatia 6:9).
Biarlah kita secara khusus mempelajari pelajaran ini sambil mendoakan Gereja Kristus. Mempelai wanita ini benar-benar seperti seorang janda tanpa kehadiran Tuannya, sebab kini ia berada di bawah belas kasihan musuh-musuhnya dan tidak mampu memperbaiki situasi yang ada. Ketika kita berdoa bagi gereja-Nya ataupun bagi bagian mana pun dari gereja itu yang berada di bawah kuasa dunia ini, baiklah kita meminta-Nya untuk melawat mempelai-Nya ini dengan karya-karya Roh yang besar untuk mempersiapkannya demi kedatangan-Nya. Berdoalah di dalam iman yang teguh bahwa doa-doa itu sungguh membantu dan doa yang bertekun akan mendapat jawabannya.
Tuhan, Ajarlah Kami Berdoa
Ya Tuhan, Allah kami! Biarlah kami mengenal jalan-Mu dan dengan iman mempercayai apa yang sudah diajarkan Putera-Mu: "Ia akan segera membenarkan mereka." Biarlah kelembutan kasih-Mu dan kesukaanmu dalam mendengar dan memberkati anak-anak-Mu menuntunku untuk menerima janji, bahwa kami akan menerima apa pun yang kami minta, bahwa jawaban itu akan diberikan tepat pada waktunya. Tuhan, kami mengenal musim-musim di alam; kami tahu bagaimana kami harus menunggu buah yang kami harap-harapkan. Penuhilah kami dengan keyakinan bahwa Engkau tidak akan menunda sedetik pun dari yang seharusnya, dan bahwa iman kami akan mempercepat datangnya jawaban itu.
Ya Tuhan kami! Engkau berkata bahwa orang-orang pilihan Allah menyenangkan-Mu siang dan malam. Ajarlah kami untuk memahami hal ini, Engkau mengetahui bahwa kami begitu cepat lelah. Mungkin kami merasa bahwa keilahian Bapa berada di luar jangkauan doa-doa kami yang tidak selaras dengan-Nya ketika kami memohon dengan sangat kepada-Nya. Ya Tuhan! Ajarlah aku mengetahui betapa nyatanya hasil doa itu! Aku tahu ketika aku gagal dalam sesuatu di dunia ini, aku dapat berhasil dengan upaya yang diperbarui dan dilakukan terus-menerus serta dengan menyediakan waktu dan pikiran. Tunjukkanlah kepadaku bagaimana menyerahkan diriku sepenuhnya ke dalam doa -- dengan hidup sepenuhnya di dalamnya -- bahwa aku dapat menerima apa pun yang aku minta.
Di atas segalanya itu, ya Guru, Pencipta dan Penyempurna imanku, biarlah seluruh hidupku berada di dalam iman kepada Anak Allah yang mengasihiku dan yang memberikan hidup-Nya demi aku. Di dalam-Mu doaku menemukan penerimaan dan memiliki kepastian jawaban. Tuhan Yesus, dalam iman seperti itulah aku akan selalu berdoa tanpa henti. Amin. (t/Yudo)
Diterjemahkan dari:
Judul buku: With Christ in the School of Prayer
Judul asli artikel: The Power of Persevering Prayer
Penulis: Andrew Murray
Penerbit: Whitaker House
Halaman: 118 -- 125
Kita tidak dapat mengerti dengan mudah mengapa Tuhan yang begitu penyayang dan yang rindu untuk memberkati kita, harus dimohon-mohon dalam suatu jangka waktu tertentu, kadang bertahun-tahun, sebelum jawaban doa itu datang. Hal ini juga menjadi salah satu kesulitan terbesar untuk bertekun dalam doa. Ketika doa kita yang terus-menerus dinaikkan tidak mendapat jawaban, daging kita yang lemah ini berpikir bahwa kita harus berhenti berdoa karena Allah mungkin memiliki alasan tersembunyi dengan menahan jawaban-Nya terhadap doa kita. Hanya iman yang dapat mengalahkan kesulitan. Pada saat iman menemukan pijakan di atas firman Allah dan nama Yesus, serta menyerahkan dirinya ke dalam pimpinan Roh Kudus untuk mencari kehendak Allah dan kemuliaan-Nya di dalam doa, iman tidak akan menjadi putus asa karena penundaan jawaban. Iman mengetahui dari Alkitab bahwa kuasa doa yang didoakan dengan tekun sangatlah besar; iman sejati tidak akan pernah kecewa. Iman tahu bahwa untuk menggunakan kuasanya, maka ia harus dihimpunkan terlebih dahulu, seperti air, hingga sebuah aliran dapat mengalir dengan deras darinya. Sering kali, iman harus "ditumpuk" terlebih dahulu sampai Tuhan melihat takarannya penuh baru kemudian jawaban doa itu datang. Setiap doa yang dengan yakin dinaikkan memiliki pengaruhnya masing-masing. Doa-doa itu disimpan untuk sebuah jawaban yang akan datang, sesuai waktunya bagi orang yang bertekun sampai akhir. Pikiran manusia dan segala kemungkinannya tidak memiliki kaitan dengan hal ini; hanya firman Allah yang hiduplah yang berarti.
Ketika jawaban doa kita tidak datang dalam waktu yang singkat, kita harus mengombinasikan kesabaran yang tenang dengan keyakinan yang penuh sukacita di dalam doa kita yang tekun. Untuk dapat melakukan hal ini, kita harus mengerti dua kata yang dikatakan oleh Tuhan kepada mereka yang berseru siang-malam kepada-Nya: "Ia tidak mengulur-ulur waktu terhadap mereka; Ia akan segera membenarkan diri mereka."
Sang Guru menggunakan kata "segera". Berkat itu sudah dipersiapkan. Bapa tidak hanya berkenan untuk memberkati, tetapi juga ingin memberi mereka apa pun yang mereka minta. Kasih-Nya yang abadi membara bersama-sama dengan keinginan untuk menyatakan diri-Nya secara sempurna kepada orang-orang yang dicintai-Nya dan untuk memuaskan kebutuhan mereka. Tuhan tidak akan menunda sedetik pun waktu yang seharusnya. Dia akan melakukan apa pun dalam kuasa-Nya untuk mempercepat kedatangan jawaban doa itu.
Namun, bila hal itu benar dan kuasa Allah memang tidak terbatas, mengapa kadang-kadang dibutuhkan waktu yang lama untuk mendapatkan sebuah jawaban doa? "Sesungguhnya petani menantikan hasil yang berharga dari tanahnya, dan ia sabar sampai telah turun hujan musim gugur dan hujan musim semi." (Yakobus 5:7) Tentu saja, petani itu menginginkan tuaiannya, tetapi ia mengetahui bahwa untuk mendapatkan hal tersebut dibutuhkan waktu selama semusim penuh. Jadi, ia mempunyai banyak kesabaran. Seorang bocah sering kali sudah ingin memetik buah yang baru setengah matang, tetapi seorang petani menunggu sampai waktu yang tepat untuk menuai.
Dalam kehidupan rohani, manusia juga terikat pada hukum pertumbuhan yang menguasai kehidupan segala ciptaan. Ia dapat mencapai takdir ilahinya hanya jika ia berada di dalam jalur perkembangan. Hanya Bapa yang menentukan waktu dan masa, yang mengetahui kapan sebuah jiwa atau gereja berada dalam kematangannya, dalam kepenuhan iman, dan dengan itu benar-benar dapat mengambil sebuah berkat dan menjadikan itu sebagai miliknya. Seperti seorang ayah yang sedang menanti anak tunggalnya pulang dari sekolah dan dengan sabar menanti sampai waktu pelatihan anaknya itu selesai, begitu pula hubungan antara Allah dengan anak-anak-Nya.
Pengertian akan kebenaran ini dapat menuntun orang-orang percaya untuk menyiapkan sifat-sifat yang berkaitan dengan ketekunan doa, yaitu kesabaran, iman, penantian, dan pujian yang merupakan rahasia untuk bertekun. Oleh iman kepada janji Allah, kita mengetahui bahwa kita sudah memiliki jawaban dari permohonan yang kita naikkan kepada-Nya. Iman memiliki jawaban akan janji itu sebagai milik yang tidak kelihatan. Iman bersukacita di dalam keyakinan itu dan bersyukur kepada Allah mengenainya, tetapi ada perbedaan mengenai iman yang sejenis itu dengan iman yang lebih jelas, penuh, dan lebih matang yang memandang janji tersebut sebagai suatu pengalaman kekinian. Di dalam ketekunan, keyakinan, dan doa penyembahanlah jiwa bertumbuh dalam suatu kesatuan dengan Tuhannya dan melalui itu memiliki berkat di dalam-Nya.
Mungkin, ada beberapa hal di sekitar kita yang harus dibereskan terlebih dahulu melalui doa sebelum jawaban itu benar-benar terjadi. Iman yang mempercayai bahwa ia telah menerima jawaban doa, memiliki kemampuan untuk mengizinkan Tuhan menggunakan waktu-Nya. Iman itu tahu bahwa ia sudah memiliki jawaban itu sekaligus merasa harus mendapatkannya. Dalam ketekunan yang tenang, gigih, dan teguh, iman itu terus berdoa serta mengucap syukur sampai berkat itu tiba. Demikianlah kita dapat melihat kombinasi dari apa yang awalnya terlihat sebagai hal yang saling berlawanan; iman yang bersukacita dalam jawaban Allah yang dianggap sebagai sesuatu yang telah diterima, bertemu dengan kesabaran yang berseru-seru siang dan malam sampai jawaban itu tiba. Seorang anak yang menanti-nanti dengan iman yang sabar akan bertemu dengan Tuhan dalam kemenangan.
Bahaya besar dalam pelajaran ini adalah godaan untuk berpikir, bahwa mungkin sudah menjadi kehendak Allah untuk tidak memberikan kepada kita apa yang kita inginkan. Jika doa-doa kita sejalan dengan firman Allah dan dipimpin oleh Roh Kudus, jangan berikan kesempatan untuk rasa takut ini menyerang Anda. Belajarlah untuk memberi Tuhan waktu. Ia membutuhkan waktu untuk bersama-sama dengan kita dalam persekutuan dengan-Nya, kita harus memberi-Nya waktu untuk menggunakan kuasa hadirat-Nya di dalam diri kita. Hari demi hari, selama kita menanti-nanti jawaban doa itu, kita perlu memberi waktu kepada iman untuk membuktikan realitasnya dan mengisi seluruh keberadaan kita. Tuhan akan menuntun kita dari iman menuju sebuah penglihatan; bahwa kita akan melihat kemuliaan-Nya.
Jangan biarkan penundaan mengguncangkan iman Anda, sebab iman akan menyediakan jawaban doa itu tepat waktu. Setiap doa yang berkeyakinan merupakan sebuah langkah yang mendekati kemenangan! Penundaan itu akan mematangkan iman, mengalahkan rintangan dunia yang tidak kelihatan, dan mempercepat kedatangan akhir penantian itu.
Berkat yang didapatkan dari doa yang bertekun tidak dapat dilukiskan. Tidak ada yang dapat menguji hati dengan lebih sempurna dari doa yang berdasarkan iman, doa itu akan mengajar Anda untuk menemukan, mengakui, dan menyerahkan segala hal yang menghalangi datangnya berkat -- segala hal yang tidak sejalan dengan kehendak Bapa. Doa semacam itu juga menuntun Anda ke dalam persekutuan yang lebih akrab dengan Dia, satu-satunya Pribadi yang dapat mengajar Anda berdoa. Penyerahan secara total hanya dimungkinkan ketika kita berada dalam darah dan Roh.
Biarlah sikap Anda tetap sama, baik ketika berdoa untuk diri Anda sendiri ataupun untuk orang lain. Setiap pekerja, secara jasmaniah atau secara mental, membutuhkan waktu dan usaha. Kita harus menyerahkan segala upaya kita untuk hal ini. Alam menunjukkan segala kekayaannya hanya kepada pekerja yang tekun dan bijaksana. Benih yang kita tabur di surga, usaha yang kita kerahkan, dan pengaruh yang kita harapkan dapat terjadi di dunia, membutuhkan sebuah penyerahan total di dalam doa (Galatia 6:9).
Biarlah kita secara khusus mempelajari pelajaran ini sambil mendoakan Gereja Kristus. Mempelai wanita ini benar-benar seperti seorang janda tanpa kehadiran Tuannya, sebab kini ia berada di bawah belas kasihan musuh-musuhnya dan tidak mampu memperbaiki situasi yang ada. Ketika kita berdoa bagi gereja-Nya ataupun bagi bagian mana pun dari gereja itu yang berada di bawah kuasa dunia ini, baiklah kita meminta-Nya untuk melawat mempelai-Nya ini dengan karya-karya Roh yang besar untuk mempersiapkannya demi kedatangan-Nya. Berdoalah di dalam iman yang teguh bahwa doa-doa itu sungguh membantu dan doa yang bertekun akan mendapat jawabannya.
Tuhan, Ajarlah Kami Berdoa
Ya Tuhan, Allah kami! Biarlah kami mengenal jalan-Mu dan dengan iman mempercayai apa yang sudah diajarkan Putera-Mu: "Ia akan segera membenarkan mereka." Biarlah kelembutan kasih-Mu dan kesukaanmu dalam mendengar dan memberkati anak-anak-Mu menuntunku untuk menerima janji, bahwa kami akan menerima apa pun yang kami minta, bahwa jawaban itu akan diberikan tepat pada waktunya. Tuhan, kami mengenal musim-musim di alam; kami tahu bagaimana kami harus menunggu buah yang kami harap-harapkan. Penuhilah kami dengan keyakinan bahwa Engkau tidak akan menunda sedetik pun dari yang seharusnya, dan bahwa iman kami akan mempercepat datangnya jawaban itu.
Ya Tuhan kami! Engkau berkata bahwa orang-orang pilihan Allah menyenangkan-Mu siang dan malam. Ajarlah kami untuk memahami hal ini, Engkau mengetahui bahwa kami begitu cepat lelah. Mungkin kami merasa bahwa keilahian Bapa berada di luar jangkauan doa-doa kami yang tidak selaras dengan-Nya ketika kami memohon dengan sangat kepada-Nya. Ya Tuhan! Ajarlah aku mengetahui betapa nyatanya hasil doa itu! Aku tahu ketika aku gagal dalam sesuatu di dunia ini, aku dapat berhasil dengan upaya yang diperbarui dan dilakukan terus-menerus serta dengan menyediakan waktu dan pikiran. Tunjukkanlah kepadaku bagaimana menyerahkan diriku sepenuhnya ke dalam doa -- dengan hidup sepenuhnya di dalamnya -- bahwa aku dapat menerima apa pun yang aku minta.
Di atas segalanya itu, ya Guru, Pencipta dan Penyempurna imanku, biarlah seluruh hidupku berada di dalam iman kepada Anak Allah yang mengasihiku dan yang memberikan hidup-Nya demi aku. Di dalam-Mu doaku menemukan penerimaan dan memiliki kepastian jawaban. Tuhan Yesus, dalam iman seperti itulah aku akan selalu berdoa tanpa henti. Amin. (t/Yudo)
Diterjemahkan dari:
Judul buku: With Christ in the School of Prayer
Judul asli artikel: The Power of Persevering Prayer
Penulis: Andrew Murray
Penerbit: Whitaker House
Halaman: 118 -- 125
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST
GPN 04-25-2013
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:
Mrs. Rita F. has had several surgeries for cancer. She became a Christian in this period. Now, she has been a stroke in a store. Pray for a miracle of deliverance and healing.
Marga Hooglugt
Global Prayer Network
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:
Mrs. Rita F. has had several surgeries for cancer. She became a Christian in this period. Now, she has been a stroke in a store. Pray for a miracle of deliverance and healing.
Marga Hooglugt
Global Prayer Network
Rabu, 24 April 2013
SATAN ACCUSING YOU TODAY!!!
Satan is Accusing You TODAY!
Alice Smith
America, we are a litigious society, a greedy culture. Too many of us are out to make a buck. And the easiest way to make money, other than winning the lottery, the Publishers' Clearing House Sweepstakes, or DEAL OR NO DEAL, is to win a lawsuit. Look at the following news headlines:
Woman Awarded Millions in Settlement After Spilling Hot McDonald's Coffee in Her Lap
Millions Awarded Man Who Caught His Ear on Subway Strap
Lady Wins Huge Cash Settlement From Nike After Tripping Over Her Own Shoestring
A minister we know was sued for releasing an unfit worker from employment in his ministry. Another minister was sued for one million dollars because of an unfortunate and unavoidable bus accident on a mission trip. A dear pastor friend of ours was brought to trial, along with his church, for refusing to return a church member's past tithes. Today, churches, pastors, and counselors are being burdened with heavy insurance premiums to protect themselves from litigation.
Perhaps you have not yet been sued in court. Consider yourself fortunate! However, you have not escaped Satan's charges against you. In the court of heaven, Satan continually brings accusation against every Christian. Why? Because Satan is God’s archenemy, and he is determined to discredit God. Of course, he cannot discredit God directly regarding God's actions. So Satan attempts to discredit God indirectly, regarding our actions. That's why he tempts us to sin.
The writer of Hebrews wrote, "We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all...because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy" (Heb. 10:10, 14). These are complex and fascinating verses. Notice that verse 10 says that "we have been made holy." Yet verse 14 says that we "are being made holy." Which is it? Have we been made holy, or are we being made holy? The answer is...they are both true! We who are in Christ are positionally already made holy.
For that reason, God can and does live within us. But, experientially we are being made holy. Paul wrote, "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son...And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified" (Rom. 8:29–30). From God's positional perspective, our glorification as well as our salvation and sanctification are past tense. They are future history! We are in the process of becoming who we are!
These things may be difficult for us to grasp, but Satan understands God's plan and purpose. After all, he has known God far longer than any of us. Satan also understands us all too well. He has coexisted and interacted with generations of God's people. He knows that although we are already positionally perfected in the heart of God, we are working out our salvation from day to day (Phil. 2:12). Satan's evil intentions are to cause us to:
Compromise our convictions
Fall into sin
Grieve the Holy Spirit
Short-cycle God's plan to conform us into Christ's image
In essence, he wants to discredit God. The moment we slip, the devil will ruthlessly accuse us as he accused Job. The name Satan means "accuser." Not surprisingly then, Satan relentlessly accuses us day and night in the court of heaven. In so doing, he is accusing God of failing to complete what He started--our salvation. (See Philippians 1:6; Revelation 12:10.)
Through the years we have served on many jury panels. We have seen some excellent advocates (attorneys) at work. But in some cases, we have seen some pitiful representation. Believe us, when facing trial, there are few things more comforting than having experienced, effective legal representation. When Satan accuses us in heaven's court we are fortunate to have a veteran attorney, Jesus. In 1 John 2:1, John describes the courtroom:
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
As Abraham, Moses, and others petitioned the cases of sinners in the Old Testament, Jesus, our attorney, intercedes with the Father on behalf of sinners. However, Jesus Christ (the righteous) is not only our high priest--He is also our atoning sacrifice!
The King James Version says, "We have an advocate with the Father." The writer, John, uses the Greek word parakletos to describe Jesus as an advocate. The same word is used in John's Gospel in chapters 15 and 16 to describe the Holy Spirit. In both passages the word parakletos means "advocate" or "attorney." Another primary meaning of the word is "intercessor." Yes, intercessor! The Holy Spirit and Jesus share the roles of attorney and intercessor for us!
This verse uniquely implies that when we sin, we are brought to trial before God. Jesus Christ is our defense attorney; He will be pleading our case. And what a defense attorney He is!
Minggu, 07 April 2013
500 Assyrians from Syria Flee to Turkey
500 Assyrians from Syria Flee to Turkey in Last Three Days
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
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Syrians
help an injured comrade as they flee from Syria after clashes between
Syrian rebels and government soldiers in Rasulayn region, a few hundred
meters from Turkey's Ceylanpinar
(Photo: AAP) |
Assyrian church officials in Tur Abdin, Turkey, say that the refugees are now in Gazentap. The Assyrian churches and monasteries in Tur Abdin and its surroundings are at capacity. Church officials are now considering building a tent city to house the refugees.
"Assyrians and other Christians in Syria have been disproportionately affected by the war, and have been targeted by the Muslims rebels," said the AINA story. "The Muslim Jihadists have kidnapped Assyrians for ransom, attacked places of worship and created a climate of fear, forcing many Assyrians to abandon their homes and villages and seek safety in Turkey.
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Suad Malki and her three sons
(Photo: Jubilee Campaign) |
"The mostly ignored tragedy of the Christians in Iraq has convinced Christians of Syria that international authorities will not step up to protect them. While their plight is well known to the western media outlets they still are forgotten by international aid organizations. They are fleeing massively."
Nuri Kino's comprehensive 40-page report is available at www.betweenthebarbedwire.com
| Dan Wooding, 72, who was born in Nigeria of British missionary parents, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma, to whom he has been married for 49 years. They have two sons, Andrew and Peter, and six grandchildren who all live in the UK. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS) and he hosts the weekly "Front Page Radio" show on the KWVE Radio Network in Southern California and which is also carried throughout the United States and around the world. Besides this, Wooding is a host for His Channel Live, which is carried via the Internet to some 192 countries. Dan recently received two top media awards -- the "Passion for the Persecuted" award from Open Doors US, and as one of the top "Newsmakers of 2011" from Plain Truth magazine. He is the author of some 45 books, the latest of which is "Caped Crusader: Rick Wakeman in the 1970s." To order a copy, go to: Caped Crusader - Amazon |
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