Daily prayers
West Africa
About 18 months ago, a group of local Christian leaders in West Africa* were imprisoned. Through harsh conditions they stood strong and were released with tacit approval to practice their faith. Then a couple of months ago the body of a local believer, buried the day before, was exhumed by a mob and dragged through town. Following this, the believers were warned that they couldn’t be buried in public cemeteries. In response, three local believers sent a letter to the governor requesting that they be given land for a private cemetery. What boldness! It’s incredible to see how each new pressure hasn’t forced them down into fear and hiding, but up into even greater courage, stepping further out into the open. Imagine if this was approved – it would surely cement their presence in the region, pushing forward past anything that has happened here before. So, please pray for those making decisions. Pray also for the wider local community, that God would move hearts so they would come to gladly accept the presence of believers amongst them. Pray for these three men who put their names to the letter, as well as the rest of the church family. Whatever the outcome, pray that their hearts would be filled with peace, and they would know that God delights in them. Pray also for the right level of nationwide awareness about these events – so that, if helpful, many will hear and meaningful conversations will be sparked. Or it may be that less attention allows things to grow until they achieve a momentum that can’t be stopped! God knows better than us what is needed, thank you for asking Him to do just that.
Amelia
Amelia* serves in West Africa, sharing the gospel with those in a region that is very opposed to the message of Jesus Christ. She has recently been learning from her language teacher about the influential Griot (musicians/singers) status group – this is a hereditary caste-like group who serve as oral historians, poets, musicians and praise singers. Though considered to be of low status, they wield a lot of power through their ability to praise or shame through song. She has heard stories about policemen stopping cars for traffic infringements, but on hearing the family name, quickly letting them go (or as one story goes, even paying them to drive on) after they recognised a Griot family name. Please join Amelia in praying for the redemption of music from being a weapon wielded for money or power, or for the praising of individuals or families. Pray instead for a release of worship that unites people and stirs hearts as they turn to look at Jesus. Ask the Lord to raise up writers and singers of worship songs. *Name changed for security reasons
Ndeshi
Ndeshi is the Personnel Officer in our Southern Africa Region office. The last two years have been an extended time of transition to a new office, home, and church. She has had to wait patiently for the Lord, but her heart is full of thankfulness and joy at his recent provision. Pray that her testimony of the Lord’s goodness through this time will be of great help to all she supports in her role, as they too serve through transitions, uncertainty, and periods of waiting on the Lord.
Kay
Kay* leads a medical team on the Indian Ocean Islands. Today marks the beginning of her home assignment. Please pray for good rest and reconnection with family and supporters. Also pray for Ma Fiona, a local seeker. She has moved 45 mins away for the harvesting season and is building a house on family land there. She considers that house to be an answer to prayer and God’s provision. However, although she has completed a Bible overview and is keen to lean more, she is currently unsure whether the right way is Islam or Jesus. Please pray that the Lord would continue to open her eyes to see him, not just as an earthly provider, but as her heavenly provider and Saviour. *Name changed for security reasons
Mwani of Mozambique
Pray for the 105,000 Mwani of Mozambique. They are fishermen, living along the coast of Northern Mozambique. Mwani means ‘beach’ and their lives revolve around the shore. They are Folk Muslims, following Islam while also fearing the spirits and believing in magic. Give thanks to God that a Bible study with children is bearing fruit and the number of children is growing, even though some are forbidden to come by their parents. Please pray for those families and their salvation.
Collaboration
Core Value: Collaboration. Pray for all in AIM as we collaborate with like-minded churches, organisations, and individuals to see the name of Jesus worshiped by all African peoples, recognising and rejoicing that the Great Commission is for the whole Body of Christ and its different parts (Eph 4:15-16).
Barry and Heather Mann
The LECSA (Lesotho Evangelical Church in Southern Africa) seminary recently obtained accreditation for its theological courses. The seminary has now invited Growing Nations to formally incorporate its Farming God’s Way (FGW) training and Missions training into the seminary. This would provide Growing Nations with an opportunity to seek accreditation for its training as well. They also want to see how Growing Nations’ students and the seminary students can support one another once on placement or back in their home communities. Please pray for God to lead and direct in the discussions and decisions that need to be made.
Hannah
Hannah is the Headteacher at Wellspring School in Chad. Praise the Lord for good breaks out of the country for the team and an encouraging first team meeting on return. Pray that the Lord will help them to make the best decisions they can with the information they have about the latest visa situations, and give grace to hold them loosely amidst the unknowns. Pray too for smooth transitions into the coming academic year as they have two new students and a few late arrivals.
Chris and Sarah Power
Chris and Sarah Power have recently moved from Rift Valley Academy in Kenya to Black Forest Academy (BFA) in Germany, another school staffed by missionaries, which provides good quality, affordable education for mission families serving throughout North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Please pray that they would get their residency and work permits as soon as possible. Pray too for their oldest daughter who starts University in the UK later this month and their three younger children as they make new friends and start the new school year today.
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