The Four Agreements

Grace, you have finished another year. You are a 6th grader now. Congratulations! You finished well and worked hard this year. You loved your teacher, Mrs. Grage, and she loved you.  As I sat in the PTO Volunteer luncheon chatting with several teachers, it is clear that you are known for being kind and fun.  Mrs. Juarez mentioned again how you moved her with your kindness and empathy when her father died last year. Mrs. Chambers said you were her girl and she would like to just take you home; keep you close.

Oasis Family Love

Of course, they will miss you and claimed to be jealous that you are likely moving across the ocean. What an experience! You really touched my heart one morning last week when you were praying in the car. "Thank you, Lord, for this awesome experience of living in another country. I know that only a few kids get to do this amazing thing and I'm so thankful for the adventure. Help me to make the most of it and learn and share and help me love like You love. Help us when we miss our friends and family and help them, too, when they miss us."  Your gratitude is showing, even while we are waiting.  You know delays do not mean no, just waiting for the right time.  We have no idea what He is preparing for us, but we know that He has our best interest at heart.

Lakeside celebration!

Grace, I am just so thankful for you. I'm so thankful for the gift you are. God has really blessed me with such a lovely, kind, and creative daughter. You are growing up and while I want to make it all slowwwww down, I can't wait to see what is unfolding in your life.

So, here is a bit of wisdom I read today.  It's good for me and it will be good for you. Rules to live by. I know, lots of rules - let's say principles or guidelines for good living; guidelines that will make a quality life and reflect God's character.  I am going to start taking more about these principles so that we are living them, not just hearing them or reading them. Let's make them part of who we are. 

Be impeccable with your word.  Don't take anything personally (this one is hard for me).  Don't make assumptions.  Always do your best.

We have some learning, growing, and shaping to do.  XOXO to you, sweet girl. I hope you are having sweet dreams.

Preparing for Grace

Where has the time gone?? Wishing my darling daughter, Grace, a very happy and wonderFULL 6th birthday! I'm reminded today of what a treasure she is and a marvelous gift from God. I'm also reminded of the mandate and responsibility I own to raise her to know/love God, herself and others. What a mandate! But, I don't have to do it alone. God has partnered with me to accomplish this massive undertaking. It started before she was born, built on a foundation recognizing Him as her creator and a beat in His heart before she was even conceived. Here is the prayer we prayed over her during her actual birth and first moments of life:

With the combination of waterworks & my handwriting, it's a wonder how my sister, Tracy, even made it through the prayer- some parts are just plain hard to read.

Father, thank you for your presence; for being here to welcome baby Grace into the world. Your word says that you are her creator. She was in your care even before she was born this day. Long before she was conceived in my womb, she was conceived in Your mind and in Your heart. You planned her though I did not. You thought of Grace first. It is not fate, nor chance, nor luck, nor coincidence that she is breathing this very moment. She is alive because You wanted to create her.

Lord, You said, "I will fulfill My purpose for Grace." God, you prescribed every single detail of Grace's body. You deliberately chose her race, color of skin, her hair and every other feature. You custom made her body just the way you wanted. You've determined the natural talents she will possess and the uniqueness of her personality. Your word says that You know her inside and out. You know every bone in her body. You know exactly how she was made, bit by bit; how she was sculpted from nothing into something.

God, because You made Grace for a reason, You also decided when she would be born and how long she will live. You've planned the days of her life in advance; choosing the exact time of her birth and even her death. Your word says You saw Grace before she was born and scheduled each day of her life even before she took this first breath. Every day was recorded in Your book.

God, you also planned where Grace would be born and where she will live for Your purpose. Her race and nationality are no accident. You left no detail to chance. You are not surprised. In fact, you expected it. You have welcomed her into this world. You are her Father to love, care for and provide for her. Cover her with your love. Give her a supernatural awareness of your presence. Call her. Prepare her. Give her health and instill an ability to trust You in all things. Guide her. Fashion her with spiritual blessings. Just as the handmaiden Hannah lent her child for Your service, so I offer Grace to You, Lord. You are her salvation.

Treasured friend, Sarah, and my fun niece, Merideth, read the following scriptures & sang songs while Grace was being born & getting her first bath:

Psalm 139:14-15 Oh, yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thak you , High God--breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration--what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; you know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepard before I'd even lived one day.

Psalm 22:9-10 And to think, you were my midwife at my birth, setting me at my mother's breast! When I left the womb You cradled me; since the moment of birth you've been my God.

Psalm 71:6 I've hung on you from the day of my birth. You took me from the cradle; I'll never run out of praise.

Isaiah 49:1, 5 Listen far flung islands, pay attention, faraway people: God put me to work from the day I was born. The moment I entered the world He named me. He said to me, "You're me dear servant, Israel (Grace), through whom I'll shine."

Luke 1:41 You are blessed and the babe in your womb also blessed.

Matt 19:14 One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: "Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me. God's kingdom is made up of people like these."

Eph 1:3-6 How blessed is God! And what a blessing He is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in Him. Long before He laid down earth's foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure He took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son.

I Samual 1:28 I prayed for this child, and God gave me what I asked for. And now I have dedicated him (her) to God. She's dedicated to God for life." Then and there, they worshiped God.

I also found a note written by Tracy or Sarah that they sang "Jesus Loves Me" over Grace while she was being born and bathed.

His song

No Ocean Deep Enough by Paul Alan, Falling Awake

Have you any idea how beautiful you are…

That in a million years I could not love you more

Like the sun can only shine so bright in the auburn sky

And you will never be abandoned

I will never leave you stranded

I would die to find a way to reach you…

There is no ocean deep enough

No mountain high or steep enough

To keep me away- keep me away from you

There is no highway long enough

No river wide or strong enough

To keep me away- keep me away from you

When are you going to believe like I believe in you?

If love is a lie then there is no truth

so I'll hang it all on the wire and follow you anywhere

and you don't have to be lonely

or look very hard to find me

I'll be walking on your stormy sea

There is no ocean deep enough

no mountain high or steep enough

to keep me away-keep me away from you

There is no highway long enough

no river wide or strong enough

to keep me away- keep me away from you

I know your feeling lost sometimes

I know you're losing sleep at night

and faith is hard to find

and prayers are crashing to the floor

and you wonder what you're praying for…

Happy blogger

I'm one happy blogger tonight~ I'm always delighted to see the locations of my visitors. But to see my blog translated into Arabic...happy blogger! I hope I've said something worthy of transcription~

السعادة لا يمكن أن يكون سافر إلى المملوكة ، حصل ، أو البالية المستهلكة. السعادة الروحية هي تجربة المعيشة في كل دقيقة مع الحب ، ونعمة الامتنان. من جانب دينيس Waitley

الرقص مع صانع
Sooner or later you figure out life is constructed specifically and brilliantly to squeeze a man into association with the Owner of heaven. عاجلا أو آجلا لكم معرفة الحياة التي شيدت خصيصا لهذا الغرض وببراعة للضغط على الرجل في تكوين الجمعيات مع المالك من السماء. It is a struggle, with labor pains and thorny landscape, bloody hands and sweaty brow, head in hands, moments of severe loneliness and questioning, moments of ache and desire. ومن النضال ، مع الآم المخاض الشائكة والمناظر الطبيعية ، وتفوح منه رائحة العرق الدموية أيدي جبين ، في أيدي رئيس ، لحظات قاسية والشعور بالوحدة واستجوابهم ، لحظات من الم ورغبة. All this leads to God, I think... كل هذا يؤدي إلى الله ، وأعتقد... Matter and thought are a canvas on which God paints, a painting with tragedy and delivery, with sin and redemption. ويعتقد أن المسألة هي لوحة زيتية على قماش على الله الذي يرسم ، لوحة ، مع مأساة والتسليم ، مع الخطيئة والخلاص. Life is a dance toward God, I begin to think. الحياة عبارة عن رقص نحو الله ، أود أن أبدأ التفكير. And the dance is not so graceful as we might want. والرقص ليس ذلك المشرف ونحن قد تريد. While we glide and swing our practiced sway, God crowds our feet, bumps our toes, and scuffs our shoes. وفي حين أننا نحن البديل وأنسل من يمارس التأثير ، الله الحشود أقدامنا ، المطبات لنا أصابع القدمين ، ويجرجر لنا الأحذية. So we learn to dance with the One who made us. حتى نتعلم الرقص مع أحد الذين قدموا لنا. And it is a difficult dance to learn, because its steps are foreign. والامر صعب جدا لتعلم الرقص ، لأن الخطوات الأجنبية. - Donald Miller -- دونالد ميلر

Thank you

I'm chuckling about this photo. It popped up when I subscribed to some parent blog thing. It's too funny! Just wanted to say THANK YOU for reading Grace FULL Days - be it your 1st visit, coming here by happenstance or if you are a regular reader.

THANK YOU for praying for the harvest these past few days - couple of weeks, as we focus on loving Muslims through prayer. Reaching the harvest is the heartbeat of Christ - it was the only prayer request Christ made "Pray that the Lord of the harvest would send for laborers into the field".

It's a season - always a season - of ministering to those around you; in your home - in your neighborhood. Yet, there is call I can't deny to be in a foreign neighborhood reaching the harvest where there is no voice. Just typing that brings up the accusing voice of the enemy reminding me of my chance...that I so aptly blew in my frailty. Yes, but - God does not repent His calling - He doesn't change His mind just because we fell down. We just get back up & make it right. Just like Jen can't get away from Africa - she's called & thus, her heart is planted there. You can't be apart from your heart without a longing from deep within calling for your return. "I thought it was gone." No, it's just a season.

After a full day of CLC on Sunday - my first rotation of three services, Grace & I came home to rest. Rest - that was my plan. Good old fashioned nap. Though with the flooding crises on our regular route home, curiosity got the best of us & we immediately checked out the river status behind our little cozy cottage. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, the water was quite high.

There is a rotting stump - now just 5-6 feet from the water. The stump, in it's decay, is falling apart. I just helped it a bit - throwing pieces of stump into the now close river to carry it away. In doing so, I found some rooting flower bulbs I threw in there at the end of spring. The bulbs bloomed & the flowers faded, so I tossed them into this decaying stump.

What I thought was used, spent, dead & worthless is now putting out roots with the promise of life. Grace & I planted those babies along with about a 20 more "dead" bulbs that were dried & withered in the box inside. I'm telling you, we were so excited about planting those dry, dusty bulbs. They sure felt lifeless, but when I broke them up, there was life still inside - just waiting to be planted. I have a hopeful anticipation of flowers blooming there in the spring. Wow! Never had that before in this spot of ground. Why? I haven't sown seed there in the past.

Those who sow have an expectancy for the harvest. Follow me - this reminded me of the prayer through Ramadan. Comments are historically few & far between through this month of posts. However, when you sow into the harvest - sow seeds of prayer, there is a budding expectancy of what God will do with your seed. You many never know until to stand before Him.

Thank you for praying for the harvest -at home & abroad. We can go or we can send or we can pray. Until I can go, I'll send & I'll pray. How about you?

Tunisia Kairouan

30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Ramadan 2008 / 1429: September 01 - September 30

Tunisia's Kairouan, the oldest Islamic city in Northwest African

For Friday, 12 September, Ramadan 2008. "Loving Muslims Through Prayer"

The city of Kairouan has existed for about 1,300 years. Founded as part of the expansion of the Islamic Empire, it boasts the oldest mosque in North Africa, with the oldest standing minaret in the world - a tribute to the city's original purpose: to be a base for the spread of Islam across the region.For many North Africans, Kairouan is considered the fourth holiest city of Islam. Its school trains religious leaders (Imams) for all of Tunisia.

The city is known for the quiet conservatism, women stay in their homes more than in other parts of the country. Kairouan lacks the bustle of many Tunisian cities, with little industry to boost the economy. Young people long to leave for the West in search of employment.[Full Text]

Prayer Starters:

• Some believers in Kairouan are convinced that God has asked them to raise a banner of praise over this city, just as he called the worshippers to lead the march around Jericho.
• By His grace, they claim the promises of Isaiah 62 for their city. Pray through this text with Kairouan in mind.

+ Google Map Link: Tunisia

+ YouTube Video Link: 3 min 5 sec, Short history and travel log of Tunisia

+ Gospel Language Link: Hear the Good News in Kanuri--

You are welcome and encouraged to forward these e-mails to others.This is an excerpt from the 30-Days Muslim Prayer Focus booklet, also available in the Netherlands. --30-days mailing list: Subscribe / Unsubscribe details

National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, 2008
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
White House News

During National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, we pay special tribute to the thousands of innocent victims who died on September 11, 2001. Our Nation honors the brave citizens, service members, police officers, and firefighters who heroically responded in the face of terror. On these important days, we reflect on the terrible events of September 11, 2001, and lift the victims and their families in our prayers.

Our Nation will never forget the individuals who lost their lives in New York, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon. America remains inspired by the countless acts of kindness and sacrifice we saw that day -- fearless rescuers who rushed toward danger, a beloved priest who died helping others, two office workers who carried a disabled person 68 floors to safety.

We also pray for the safety and success of the members of our Armed Forces now serving freedom's cause. We seek God's grace on their families, and commit to Heaven's care those brave men and women He has called home. We ask the Almighty to watch over America and pray for His providence and continued blessings on our country. May He always guide the United States of America. As we defend our country against its enemies, we pray for help in protecting the gift of freedom from those who seek to destroy it, and we ask the Almighty to strengthen all those securing liberty on distant shores.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, September 5, through Sunday, September 7, 2008, as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance. I ask that the people of the United States and their places of worship mark these National Days of Prayer and Remembrance with memorial services, the ringing of bells, and evening candlelight remembrance vigils. I also invite all people across the world to share in these Days of Prayer and Remembrance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Waiting for Grace

Now that summer classes are offically over, I've been working on some photo journaling stuff. During the search for a couple specific photos, I ran across my pregnancy journal - a most wonderful gift from my cherished friend, Renee. I read through it again, noting a couple things. First, I did an amazing amount of travel during my last month...really, lots & I'm sure, had I asked, most would not have been approved by my doctor or my mother. Here's the list:

• 25 days before due date: Keukenhof, Holland - the tulip festival was breath taking...or maybe those were my Braxton Hicks labor pains?? Lovely indeed & I'm so glad I went. That seaside visit was refreshing - I still remember the smell of the salt spray. And now I know, South Holland nor Holland, MI hold a candle to the real deal!
  





• 9 days & counting: Garmish & on to Austria for a stroll & some sun by my favorite little moutain lake: Plansee
• 5 days pre-due date: Rothenburg - who could pass up a festival in this historically charming village on the Romantic Road?? Not me...
• due date plus 8 days: no action according to the doctor, come back Monday. Yes, we are going to Italy, Tracy!! How can you be so close to the world & not see it? We made the trip to Venice in back in just two days. Not much time there, but just enough for my sister & neice to see why I loved it so. Of course, I had all the hospitals mapped out & action plan in place just in case. Plus Venice was only 6 hours away with 2 army bases/facilities in between... :o) It was fine really.

The second thing I discovered while perusing life in preparation for Grace, the prayer I compiled from scripture as she made her debut still needs to be typed. With the combination of waterworks & my handwriting, it's a wonder how my sister, Tracy, even made it through the prayer- some parts are just plain hard to read. It's well past time to translate, so here goes...

Father, thank you for your presence; for being here to welcome baby Grace into the world. Your word says that you are her creator. She was in your care even before she was born this day. Long before she was conceived in my womb, she was conceived in Your mind and in Your heart. You planned her though I did not. You thought of Grace first. It is not fate, nor chance, nor luck, nor coincidence that she is breathing this very moment. She is alive because You wanted to create her.

Lord, You said, "I will fulfill My purpose for Grace." God, you prescribed every single detail of Grace's body. You deliberately chose her race, color of skin, her hair and every other feature. You custom made her body just the way you wanted. You've determined the natural talents she will possess and the uniqueness of her personality. Your word says that You know her inside and out. You know every bone in her body. You know exactly how she was made, bit by bit; how she was sculpted from nothing into something.

God, because You made Grace for a reason, You also decided when she would be born and how long she will live. You've planned the days of her life in advance; choosing the exact time of her birth and even her death. Your word says You saw Grace before she was born and scheduled each day of her life even before she took this first breath. Every day was recorded in Your book.

God, you also planned where Grace would be born and where she will live for Your purpose. Her race and nationality are no accident. You left no detail to chance. You are not surprised. In fact, you expected it. You have welcomed her into this world. You are her Father to love, care for and provide for her. Cover her with your love. Give her a supernatural awareness of your presence. Call her. Prepare her. Give her health and instill an ability to trust You in all things. Guide her. Fashion her with spiritual blessings. Just as the handmaiden Hannah lent her child for Your service, so I offer Grace to You, Lord. You are her salvation.

Treasured friend, Sarah, and my fun niece, Merideth, read the following scriptures & sang songs while Grace was being born & getting her first bath:

Psalm 139:14-15 Oh, yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thak you , High God--breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration--what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; you know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepard before I'd even lived one day.

Psalm 22:9-10 And to think, you were my midwife at my birth, setting me at my mother's breast! When I left the womb You cradled me; since the moment of birth you've been my God.

Psalm 71:6 I've hung on you from the day of my birth. You took me from the cradle; I'll never run out of praise.

Isaiah 49:1, 5 Listen far flung islands, pay attention, faraway people: God put me to work from the day I was born. The moment I entered the world He named me. He said to me, "You're me dear servant, Israel (Grace), through whom I'll shine."

Luke 1:41 You are blessed and the babe in your womb also blessed.

Matt 19:14 One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: "Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me. God's kingdom is made up of people like these."

Eph 1:3-6 How blessed is God! And what a blessing He is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in Him. Long before He laid down earth's foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure He took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son.

I Samual 1:28 I prayed for this child, and God gave me what I asked for. And now I have dedicated him (her) to God. She's dedicated to God for life." Then and there, they worshiped God.

I also found a note written by Tracy or Sarah that they sang "Jesus Loves Me" over Grace while she was being born and bathed. I'm finished piddling now. I think I'm driving home a new car today~ Wheee~~~~

Dakota update - surgery delayed

The head surgeon on the team had an emergency surgery that kept her up for over 36 hours and she refused to operate on Dakota until she can be rested. There is a team of 5 surgeons who will be operating and after the last scan they have said it will be a minimum of 12 hours on the operating table. It will probably be the first of the week. God is still able to completely remove this tumor and no surgery is needed and that is what we are believing for. Let's pray specifically for Dakota's breathing and mobility during the interim. He is having trouble catching his breath and his legs are giving out on him easily.

I'll keep you posted, my friend. Friendship is truly a wonderful blessing, but when friends share a common belief in our great God above it takes friendship to a whole new level.

Pray today

Hi folks - time to pray~

• Dakota - 5 year old boy in surgery this morning with an "Intramedulary Spinal Cord Tumor". It may or may not be cancerous, though they will determine that this morning upon surgery. He is being treated by a pediatric neurological surgeon that specializes in brain and spinal tumors. They have said that it is very possible that he will not make it through the surgery. They say that if he pulls through he will have neurological disorders that hopefully therapy can fix over time but it is possible that he will never be the same child or even close to the same child. The tumor is surrounding soooo many nerves. Nerves that control the breathing, heart, bowels, eyes, hearing it's just in the worst place possible. This is a very RARE condition that he has and has been there for a long time. It is a very slow growing tumor but still a very dangerous one.
• Pray for Dakota's parents: Autumn & Kevin. Dad's job is giving him trouble because he is off work. He is of course not getting paid for his time off. Thus, pray for this family's finances as well. Pray for wisdom & decisions regarding fundraising efforts.

Prayer for 2 year old, Jake

For all those who pray:

"I am writing to ask for you all to pray for a beautiful 2 year old boy named Jake Schied. Jake is my brother-in-law Pete's 2 year old cousin. Jake is an adorable, blond haired, vibrant little boy who was diagnosed with tumors on both of his retina's in November. Since then he has had about 5 rounds of chemo. He as undergone all his chemo treatments for both eyes and the cancer persists in his left eye. His mom informed everyone today that the doctors are recommending they remove his left eye as soon as possible. This will most likely be done very soon and we need to keep praying for his successful recovery. Thank you all in advance for keeping Jake and his family in your prayers - they most definitely need them."

On behalf of my colleague, heartfelt thanks for bringing this need before the throne. The following prayer is adapted from an awesome prayer resource, Prayers That Avail Much, by Germaine Copeland Word Ministries, Inc.

Father, in the name of Jesus, we confess Your Word concerning healing for Jake Sheid. As we do this, we believe and say that your Word will not returned to You void, but will accomplish what it says it will. Therefore, we believe in the name of Jesus that Jake is healed, according to 1 Peter 2:24. It is written in Your Word that Jesus himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. Therefore, with great boldness and confidence we say on the authority of that written Word that Jake is redeemed from the curse of sickness, and we refuse to tolerate its symptoms.

Satan, we speak to you in the name of Jesus and say that your principalities, powers, your spirits who rule the present darkness and your spiritual wickedness in heavenly places are bound from operating against our children, even Jake, in any way. Our children are the property of Almighty God, and we give you no place in them. They dwell in the secret place of the Most High God. Our children abide, remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty, whose power no foe can withstand.

Now, Father, because we reverence and worship You, we have the assurance of Your Word that the angel of the Lord encamps around about Jake and delivers him from every evil work. No evil shall befall him; no plague or calamity shall come near his dwelling. We confess the Word of God abides in Jake and delivers to him perfect soundness of mind and wholeness in body and spirit from the deepest parts of his nature in his immortal spirit even to the joints and marrow of his bones. That Word is medication and life to Jake's flesh, for the law of the Spirit of life operates in Jake and makes him free from the law of sin and death.

We declare that Jake is clothed with the whole armor of God, and the shield of faith protects him from all the fiery darts of the wicked. Jesus is the High Priest of our confession, and we hold fast to our confession of faith in Your Word. We stand immovable and fixed in full assurance that Jake has health and healing now in the name of Jesus!

Scripture references: Isaiah 55:11, 1 Peter 2:24, Matthew 8:17, Galatians 3;13, James 4:7, Ephesians 6:12, 2 Cor 10:4, Psalm 91:1, Psalm 91:10, Psalm 34:7, 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 4:12 & 14, Proverbs 4:22, Romans 8:2, Ephesians 6:11 & 16, Psalm 112:7

31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Kids

Parked in our driveway, enjoying the peace accompanying a sleeping child, I was weeping & praying for the families of recently martyred Christians in Turkey. 3 year old Grace, still buckled in her safety seat, woke up and quickly asked, "Why are you crying, Mommy." I simply told her I was praying for other people who were hurting and asking God to hold them...to heal them. Tenderly, Grace began to pray, asking Jesus to hold and heal.

What a moment for this mission's hearted mom.Even before her birth, I prayed for my daughter to have a heart for the harvest. If you are like, me you want God's very best for your child...every gift cultivated, wisdom in situations, protection and so much more. I've found a great tool to help me pray effectively for my daughter.

A praying parent himself, Bob Hostetler developed a parent's prayer program assists us in covering all the bases when it comes to covering our children in prayer. 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Kids pairs a character trait or fruit of the spirit with a scripture for every day of the month.Per Mr. Hostetler, feel free to duplicate it -- or improve upon it -- to help you pray specifically and purposefully for your children to experience and evidence:

1 Salvation
"Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory," (Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10).

2 Growth in grace
"I pray that they may 'grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,' " (2 Peter 3:18).

3 Love
"Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to 'live a life of love,' through the Spirit who dwells in them," (Ephesians 5:2, Galatians 5:22).

4 Honesty and integrity
"May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection," (Psalm 25:21, NLT).

5 Self-control
"Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be 'alert and self-controlled' in all they do," (1 Thessalonians 5:6).

6 A love for God's Word
"May my children grow to find your Word 'more precious than gold, than much pure gold; [and] sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb,' " (Psalm 19:10).

7 Justice
"God, help my children to love justice as you do and to 'act justly' in all they do," (Psalm 11:7, Micah 6:8).

8 Mercy
"May my children always 'be merciful, as [their] Father is merciful,' " (Luke 6:36).

9 Respect (for self, others, authority)
"Father, grant that my children may 'show proper respect to everyone,' as your Word commands," (1 Peter 2:17a).

10 Strong, biblical self-esteem
"Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are 'God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus,' " (Ephesians 2:10).

11 Faithfulness
" 'Let love and faithfulness never leave [my children],' but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts," (Proverbs 3:3).

12 Courage
"May my children always 'Be strong and courageous' in their character and in their actions," (Deuteronomy 31:6).

13 Purity
" 'Create in [them] a pure heart, O God,' and let their purity of heart be shown in their actions," (Psalms 51:10).

14 Kindness
"Lord, may my children 'always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else,' " (1 Thessalonians 5:15).

15 Generosity
"Grant that my children may 'be generous and willing to share [and so] lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age,' " (1 Timothy 6:18-19).

16 Peace, peaceability
"Father, let my children 'make every effort to do what leads to peace,' " (Romans 14:19).

17 Joy
"May my children be filled 'with the joy given by the Holy Spirit,' " (1 Thessalonians 1:6).

18 Perseverance
"Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to 'run with perseverance the race marked out for [them],' " (Hebrews 12:1).

19 Humility
"God, please cultivate in my children the ability to 'show true humility toward all,' " (Titus 3:2).

20 Compassion
"Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion," (Colossians 3:12).

21 Responsibility
"Grant that my children may learn responsibility, 'for each one should carry his own load,'" (Galatians 6:5).

22 Contentment
"Father, teach my children 'the secret of being content in any and every situation. …through him who gives [them] strength,' " (Philippians 4:12-13).

23 Faith
"I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children's hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them," (Luke 17:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-40).

24 A servant heart
"God, please help my children develop servant hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, 'as to the Lord, and not to men,' " (Ephesians 6:7, KJV).

25 Hope
"May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit," (Romans 15:13).

26 The willingness and ability to work hard
"Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work hard at everything they do, 'as working for the Lord, not for men,' " (Colossians 3:23).

27 A passion for God
"Lord, please instill in my children a soul that 'followeth hard after thee,' a heart that clings passionately to you," (Psalm 63:8, KJV).

28 Self-discipline
"Father, I pray that my children may develop self-discipline, that they may acquire 'a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair,' " (Proverbs 1:3).

29 Prayerfulness
"Grant, Lord, that my children's lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to 'pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests," (Ephesians 6:18).

30 Gratitude
"Help my children to live lives that are always 'overflowing with thankfulness,' 'always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,' " (Colossians 2:7, Ephesians 5:20).

31 A heart for missions
"Lord, please help my children to develop a heart for missions, a desire to see your glory declared among the nations, your marvelous deeds among all peoples," (Psalms 96:3).

"I believe this simple prayer program will not only change how we pray, but also how our children pray…and, by God's grace, how they live as well." Bob Hostetler

Bob Hostetler's books include the award-winning Don't Check Your Brains at the Door (coauthored with Josh McDowell) and They Call Me A.W.O.L. He lives near Oxford, Ohio, with his wife, Robin, and two children. You can purchase his 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Kids prayer cards and other prayer tools at NavPress. Check it out!

More prayer

Hi folks...my step brother, Nicki, was in a serious car accident on Friday. Though miraculous he survived, he remains in critical condition with a brain injury & several broken bones. We were advised yesterday there is evidence of 2 strokes, potentially impacting his right side function. He is intubated at present, though he is breathing some on his own. However, with intubation comes a serious threat of pneumonia.

Nick has a wife & two cutie pie girls. He needs God...healing & salvation. I know God works through tragedy and believe that Nick is in His hands. Thanks, in advance, for praying for Nick & our family.

30 Days of Prayer - Pakistan

An Islamic Offshoot - Zikri Baluch

Ramadan 2007 / 1428 : Day 30 for October 12

The Zikri Baluch are an offshoot of mainstream Islam that is concentrated in the Baluchistan Province of Pakistan. There are about 750,000 adherents in this group. Most Zikris live in Baluchistan, but a large number also live in the region around Karachi and Iran. A high percentage of Zikris are involved in fishing, mainly along the coast of the Arabian Sea. Some are also involved in farming, basket weaving and making other hand crafted items.

Muslim But Different

Their practices are based around the teachings of Syed Mohammad Jaunpuri, a 15th century and South Asian Islamic Messiah figure (Mahdi). In religious practice, the Zikris differ greatly from mainstream Muslims. Zikris perform five daily prayer rituals called Zikr in which sacred verses are recited which differ from orthodox Islamic prayer. Zikris do pilgrimage to their most famous shrine at Koh-e-Murad, near the city of Turbat in Baluchistan, on the twenty seventh night of Ramadan. “Koh” means “mountain”, and “Murad” is a name, meaning “aim”or “desire”. It has been reported that the Zikris perform rites similar to a traditional Hajj when on pilgrimage to the shrine.

The name Zikri comes from the Arabic word dhikr (pronounced “Zikr” in South Asia) that refers to remembrance, usually of Allah. This is reflective of the Zikri worship, focused on the recitation of Islamic credos. The movement of Syed Jaunpuri started as a reaction to the worldly pursuits of the Muslim elite. Zikris have faced persecution mainly from Sunni Muslims, but this usually has occurred in areas where they are in a minority, or in conflict with non-Zikri power groups. The Zikri came to Baluchistan seeking safety, and in their isolation, they deviated from the Muslim majority practices.

The Future Question

It is probable that many other influences will come into the lives of the Zikri in the coming years. The Pakistani and Chinese governments have been deeply involved in developing the Gwadar deep-sea port which is being linked to the rest of Pakistan, to China and to Central Asia through a system of roads and pipelines. Gwadar’s population is about 50% Zikri. If the forecasted economic development based on the port actually takes place all of Baluchistan and the region will be significantly affected.

It has been reported by a couple of fishermen that Jesus appeared to them in a storm and rescued them while on a fishing trip. Pray that many more Zikri fishermen would truly encounter Jesus, and become real fishers of men!

Prayer Requests for the Zikri Baluch:

* In recent years a number of Zikris who have become followers of Jesus. Pray for growth in the ways of God (faith, hope and love) for all of these new believers (1 Cor 13).

* Pray also that these new believers would make known their faith among their family and friends, and that whole families and clans would become followers of Jesus.

* Pray that the top religious leaders of the Zikris would come to know Jesus, through the Scriptures, testimonies, films, dreams, visions, healings, etc., so that their followers would also embrace the Truth.

Background information, map and statistics about Pakistan can be found on our site here …>>

30 Days of Prayer - Muslim Universities

Muslim Universities


Ramadan 2007 / 1428 : Day 28 for October 10

The evolving world of Islamic universities has become a major challenge for Christians. The mission of Islamic education is to establish Quranic values and promote Islamic rule and influence worldwide through university community life and studies. The biographies of leading Muslim fundamentalist intellectuals have become essential reading for many students. Muslim academics are often persuaded that the West (which is often perceived as being Christian) is a major threat to Islam through secular democracy, globalisation, individualism, and liberalised morals.

God at work in Islamia University
The Jamia Millia Islamia has become the largest Muslim University in Delhi, India with 10,400 students and over 1,500 faculty and non-teaching staff. In the Urdu language, Jamia means University, and Millia means National. JMI offers bachelors, masters and PhDs in 32 specialised departments with twenty specialised research centres partnering with Universities around the world. Indian Muslims attend the University and international students come from 38 nations including the Middle East, Africa, Central and South Asia. JMI students and teachers are predominately strong Muslims yet God is at work!

One JMI student recently had an encounter with Christ through a dream, and today he is a committed believer sharing his faith with others. God continues to open several doors at this university for the Gospel. Making disciples of Muslim students and effectively training them to walk with God is vital to reaching Muslims worldwide for Christ.

Strengthening the Moral Character of Islam
The Jamia Markazu University near Calicut has recently become one of the major cultural and educational institutions in Kerala (Southwest India), attracting students from various parts of India. Ten thousand students study Qur’an, Hadith, Islamic law, Arts, Science and Technology. According to the university’s web site “Its influence reaches far beyond the walls of communal and social barriers. Its work strengthens the moral character of the Muslim society. By developing the leadership capacities of leaders and the Muslim community, Jamia Markaz directly affects the cities, towns and even the rural areas … Armed with renewed vigour and Islamic spirit, Markaz students return to the society with anew wholeness, a new sense of responsibility and practical skills to bring about a moral revolution.”

Many Indian Muslim students and university personnel are involved in or support the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) which is officially illegal. This group is actively seeking to orient Indian society toward Islamic values over against Hinduism and secularism. The movement encourages living on the basis of the Qur’an, the propagation of Islam and jihad for the cause of Islam. SIMI, and groups like them play a significant role in propagating fundamentalist Islam worldwide. The student led movement seeks to present Islam creatively through an intellectual and scientific approach (with some success).

Prayer points:
* Pray that Muslim students and staff will have many opportunities to meet Christians with godly life styles and servant attitudes.

* Pray for supernatural encounters with God through dreams and visions among the students and the staff.

* Pray for students to be open to the Gospel and become followers of Jesus. May they plant churches among their own people when they go back home after their studies.

* Pray for God’s wisdom for an effective approaches and partnerships among those witnessing to Muslim university students and staff.

Background information, map and statistics about India can be found on site here

30 Days of Prayer - India

The Forgotten City - Firozabad, India

Ramadan 2007 / 1428 : Day 27 for October 9 (We are posting these one day early to include all time zones.)

Firozabad is a significant city of approximately a half million people located 45 minutes east of Agra by car (the city where the Taj Mahal is located). Firozabad is still being researched for ministry purposes. No local congregation of Christians exists there at the present time. It appears that about half the population is Muslim. The remaining population is comprised of Hindus and Jains (believers in Jainism). A very large Jain temple is located on the outskirts of the city.

Breathing Glass in Firozabad

The glass industry is very well established at Firozabad. It has been called the glass capital of India. Local artisans and factories produce glass bangles (bracelets), drinking glasses and a wide variety of other glassware. Some people have observed that the people of Firozabad do not breath air but glass. Dozens of shops in the markets sell nothing but glass bangles. Thousands of children work in the glass industry around the 300 glass factories polishing and painting the glass bangles in very poor conditions. The city also suffers low literacy and there is significant pollution linked to the glass industry.

The tallest building in the city is the main mosque in the heart of downtown. During Friday prayers this mosque is full with several hundred Muslims present. Large numbers of young boys are attending the Qur’anic school linked to the mosque. It is still not certain if most of the Muslims in this city are truly religiously Muslim or simply culturally Muslim. The women wear traditional Muslim dress.

No Known Churches… Yet

There is no known believer in this city. Some Christians who recently visited Firozabad saw God open doors for the Gospel with four young Muslim men. They gave a copy of the Bible to one of the young Muslims who is also sharing it with the others. Through phone calls and e-mails it seems that they continue to read the Bible. Some of the visiting Christians were even invited to a wedding in the same family as the young man who has a copy of the Bible. The young Muslim men know that the Christians are followers of Jesus and that we pray for them daily. Hopefully Christians visiting the city will continue to find men and women of peace and good will.

Firozabad in some ways is what you would call a forgotten city. It is the closest large city to Agra, the tourist capital of India, and yet there are no tourists who visit this city. When a tourist does come to Firozabad, traffic literally stops on the streets.

Prayer Points for Firozabad:

* Pray for God to raise up workers to go to this city and share the Gospel message (both short term and long term workers are needed).

* Pray for discernment of those who go to work in this city as they do research and minister.

* Pray for God to speak to the city’s youth through His Word (including those mentioned above).

* May people become dissatisfied with Hinduism and Islam and long for more than they presently have.

* Pray for the many children used as cheap labour in the glass factories and for real solutions to the pollution problems.

Background information, map and statistics about India can be found on site here …>>

30 Days of Prayer - Bangladesh

Dhaka, capital city of Bangladesh

Population: 11 million

“You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelations 5:9)

Dhaka has been called “the city of the 1,000 mosques”, but at the start of the 21st century the capital of Bangladesh has many more than 1,000 mosques. The region was first exposed to Hinduism and then to Buddhism. Muslim raiders introduced Islam to Bangladesh from North India in the tenth century and later by the Mughal (Mogul) rulers. Almost 90 per cent of the population today follows the Sunni and Sufi forms of Islam, which are dominated by ‘holy men’ and folk Islamic practices.

Dhaka is a busy centre of government and commerce and attracts students from all over the country. Recently identified as the world’s most polluted city, the government is struggling to manage the traffic and provide adequate housing facilities for its growing population of 11 million people. Non-governmental organisations try to help in the huge challenge of alleviating poverty. Bangladesh’s gross national product (GNP) per capita is still among the lowest in Asia, and the country depends heavily on foreign aid. Crime rates are rising and reports of hijacking, extortion, mob killings and murder can be read in the newspaper every day. Political violence is common, and rivalries between the political parties, coupled with corruption, hinder serious efforts to address the multiple problems.

Dhaka’s major waterfront called ‘Sadarghat’ is on the bank of the river Buriganga. This bustling waterfront reflects Bangladesh’s varied and widespread river traffic. It is crowded with all kinds of river craft, from minuscule boats to steamers and fishing boats.

Bihari Muslims of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dhaka is also home for many Bihari Muslims. They fled the riots in the Indian State of Bihar after the partition of India in 1947. Favoured by the government of Pakistan, they sided with the West-Pakistani Army when the Bengalis in East Pakistan fought for their independence in 1971. After the war the new country of Bangladesh was born and the Urdu-speaking Biharis were seen as traitors. To escape from the revenge of the Bengalis they were gathered in refugee camps to await their repatriation to Pakistan. With the help of international relief organisations, half of them have been repatriated over the years, but 250,000-300,000 still remain in the 66 camps in Bangladesh. The Biharis in Bangladesh have a strong Muslim identity. Only a few secret believers exist among them.

Web resources:
http://www.virtualbangladesh.com/
http://www.bangladeshonline.com/tourism/spots/dhaka.htm

Prayer for the Muslims in Dhaka, Bangladesh:

* Pray that the churches in Dhaka will be encouraged to reach out to those who have not yet heard the Good News despite the rising intimidation which they face.

* Pray for unity and mutual trust among the national churches and the Christian organisations working in the city.

* Pray for many church-planting teams to be established that will take on the challenge of reaching out to the vast Bengali Muslim population (including the Biharis).

30 Days of Prayer - Dreams & Visions

Dreams and Visions of Jesus

Ramadan 2007 / 1428 : Day 25 for October 7

During the next few nights many Muslims around the world will often spend much of the night praying to God. Many will be seeking divine intervention for pressing needs.

Night of Power

The so called Night of Power, or “Laylat ul-Qadr” as it is known in Arabic, is one of the most significant moments of the Islamic year (It is the 27th night of Ramadan which varies from country to country depending on when people start Ramadan). Muslims believe that groups of angels are sent out on the Night of Power to perform special acts. Some come down to earth to worship Allah, others come to bring about the requests of believing Muslims. Special angels are also said to descend to earth to make proclamations about the coming year. This night is also called the “Night of the Decree or Destiny” by some. This night of “blessing” is supposedly the same night of the month of Ramadan as when Mohammed first received the revelation of the Qur’an. Muslims are often encouraged to stay awake during the entire night, and pray for blessings and forgiveness. This is one moment of the year when Muslims are perhaps a bit less fatalistic and have increased confidence that God will hear and act on their behalf.

The “30 Days” movement wants to encourage Christians around the world to especially pray for Muslims especially during the next 48 hours that many Muslims will really meet the Lord in visions and dreams. We also want you to pray for the success of a special web site which tells the stories of several Muslims who met the Lord in incredible ways (www.DreamsAndVisions.com).

Testimony

A testimony from the site: Mohammed grew up in a Fulani tribe in Nigeria and started rearing cattle when he was six years old. He did this for almost 10 years until he went to an Arabic school to study the Qur’an. Prior to this, Mohammed had learned about Islam from his father. After several years of schooling, he returned home.

One night he had a frightening dream. Then as second and a third. Then for six nights, Mohammed had similar dreams. Each time, Mohammed saw himself in different places and, regardless of where he was, the same man in white came and helped him. In the last dream (the 9th dream), Mohammed was sitting under a tree reading books that he couldn’t understand. The man in white (Jesus) was sitting beside him. Jesus took a book and said, “This book comes from the Lord and it has the message of God inside of it. In this book, I will show you verses which will help you.” Jesus read scriptures to Mohammed, including John 14:6, which says, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” The next day Mohammed told a Christian acquaintance about his dream. Mohammed suffered greatly for his new found faith. He was rejected by his father and several times he was in danger of death by persecution.

You can read his whole story on the dreamsandvisions.com web site.

Suggested prayers:

* Lord, may You break down all thoughts of self-righteousness through religious activity among Muslims who participate in the Night of Power. May You move them toward true humility before You (Dan 4:37).

* May all glory be Yours because of Your loving character and for all You have done. Lord, may You be acting during the Night of Power so that people may have a revelation of Jesus, the Messiah.

* Lord, remember those who are genuinely seeking Your help this night. May You give them the help they need in such a way that they will understand that help comes through the Messiah, Jesus (Ps 34:18, Zech 9:9).

* Lord may the dreams and visions site (dreamsandvisions.com and morethandreams.org) become well known in the Muslim world. Open many doors so that many Muslims can have similar experiences and be encouraged by the testimonies on the site.

30 Days of Prayer - Mauritania

Muslim Mauritania

Ramadan 2007 / 1428 : Day 23 for October 5

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.” (Isaiah 35:1)

Mauritania, an Islamic republic in North Africa, is a vast desert; constantly hot, dry and very dusty. Its legal system is a combination of Shari’a (Islamic law) and French civil law. Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania has suffered from a succession of military coups and ongoing tribal conflict. A severe drought over the past decades has devastated the country. In 1957, a small fishing town called Nouakchott was chosen to be the capitol of the new country. Now there are more than 600,000 people living here. The capital has become a crossroads for many ethnic groups with nomadic roots.

Miracles Despite the Heat

A Christian who recently visited the country described the general situation of Mauritanian believers. “You can have freedom of speech, if you are a Muslim. You can have freedom of religion, if you are a Muslim. It is in fact OK to be a Christian, but it is offensive to speak of Jesus as anything other than one of the prophets.” In this setting God is doing wonders, despite the guards that sometimes stand at church doors to ensure that Mauritanian citizens don’t enter. God has given dreams to Mauritanians even in remote areas. In the interior of the country, an Imam showed the Jesus Film in a mosque. The Iman later died and the results are unclear, but such seed sowing needs to continue. By God’s grace, there are now Mauritanians following Christ in many countries around the world.

Testimony from Mauritania:

Soon after coming to faith in Christ, Bokar told his Christian friends that he wanted to do away with a special undershirt inscribed with Koranic passages and interwoven with dozens of amulets. Several Mauritanians were afraid and said the shirt could not be destroyed, that if burned, it would jump out of the fire. This type of shirt makes the wearer impervious to any weapon. It is one of the most powerful enchantments known to the Hal-Pulaar (Fulani). After much prayer, Bokar burned his iron shirt, and the result was tremendous spiritual growth in his own life. Many who heard of the incident gained a new respect for the power of the Gospel.

Subjects for Prayer

* Pray for revelations of the love of God for whole population of over three million people.

* Desperate poverty plagues the lives of most Mauritanians, causing a sense of hopelessness and despair.

* Despite the grip of Islam on the country, animism is practised by most people. The deep-rooted fear of evil spirits (known as jinn) binds many people. Many seek supernatural help through divination and occult practices.

* There are often tensions between different tribal groups, (Soninké, Fulani, Maures, Wolof, etc.) which can lead to violence.

* Corruption is endemic in all areas of society.

* Divorce is widespread, and women and children often suffer the most.

30 Days of Prayer - Brunei

Brunei: It’s rich, but slaps harsh laws on Christians

Ramadan 2007 / 1428 : Day 20 for October 2 (We are posting these one day early to include all time zones.)

In Southeast Asia, facing the South China Sea, the nation of Negara Brunei Darussalam – better known as Brunei, is wedged between the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah. Brunei was a British protectorate for almost one hundred years until independence in 1984. Brunei became a Muslim nation in the 15th Century after the conversion of Sultan Awang Alak Beter. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei is very rich in oil and the sultan is one of the world’s richest men. The government collects no taxes, but provides health care, pensions, education, and, for those without the means, assistance in making the Hajj to Mecca.

Difficult for Christians

Islamic Shari’a law in Brunei supersedes civil law and it regulates all of life. The national constitution states, “The religion of Brunei Darussalam shall be the Muslim religion.” Life is difficult for Christians in Brunei. Some have lost their jobs without any notice. Christians seeking opportunities for higher education must leave the country to access universities. Evangelism is strictly forbidden and some local Christians have been arrested and detained for planning outreach to the population. Christian based (expatriate) schools must give instruction in Islam to all students and are not allowed to teach Christianity. Recently a foreign English teacher simply prayed for blessings on a Malay family during the Eid al-Fitr celebrations (at the end of Ramadan) was given 48 hours to leave the country.

A number of Brunei Malays have believed over the years, but the very strict, conservative Islamic environment in Brunei is hardly conducive to any Muslim-background believer being open about their commitment. Indonesian Christian broadcasting is easily heard and understood in Brunei. Christian literature for personal purposes (not resale or distribution quantities) can be carried in from neighbouring Malaysia. It is not possible to buy Bibles or Christian books in Brunei. Two recognised churches exist. Both are closely watched by police with spies in nearly every meeting.

Prayer Points (from those ministering to Brunei):

* Pray for expatriate brothers and sisters who are serving in Brunei. Their situation is very sensitive. May their lives provide an example of Christ to those within their circle of influence.

* Pray for the Church throughout Brunei, that Christians will be a light to those within their immediate community. May the congregations welcome the presence of God in their worship and prayers. May they offer encouragement to all local believers while the Lord helps them to build meaningful relationships for the sake of the Kingdom.

* Pray for a stirring in the hearts among the people. May Jesus reveal Himself through dreams and visions. May God work in ways that only he can do to draw the people to himself.

* Pray for the royal family and their influence at every level: the Sultan’s ‘second’ wife, Azrinaz Makar Hakim, from Malaysia; Crown Prince Billah and his wife, Sarah. [Acts 16:31] The parliament is beginning to meet again after being closed for 20 years.