27.

Nepal
Palliative care is the relief and prevention of
suffering for people with serious life threatening
or terminal illness. It is relatively new to Nepal.
Provision is almost entirely confined to the
Kathmandu Valley. Four of the five
geographical regions of Nepal have almost no
palliative care arrangements at all. This
includes most of the remote and disadvantaged
communities in the country. At the moment,
there are very limited numbers of trained
Nepalis to extend the availability of palliative
care but training is now taking place. Please
pray that the need for palliative care will be
more widely recognised. Pray that people facing
the end of their lives will be able to do so in
peace with their loved ones around them. (INF)
28. India
Christians in India have been stunned by a
number of attacks against them in recent
weeks, including the rape of a 71-year-old nun
in West Bengal. It has been blamed on fanatical
Hindus who want to convert Christians and
other minority faiths to Hinduism. Other
incidents have included the demolition of a
Catholic church under construction in northern
Haryana state, a 140-year-old cathedral being
vandalised by a mob in Madhya Pradesh state
and threats of sexual violence and arson at a
convent school in West Bengal. BMSs Ben
Francis declares: Make no mistake we are in
the business of plundering hell to populate
heaven. I think it is really important at this point
that we share the light with all weve got. Pray
that these attacks will be a catalyst for
redemption. (BMS)
29. Pakistan
Pakistans Christian community has felt
increasingly vulnerable since the September
2013 bombing of All Saints Church in
Peshawar. In March 2015, at least 19 people

were killed when bombs were detonated

outside two churches in the Christian colony of
Youhannabad, Lahore. Less than a fortnight
later, armed motorcyclists opened fire on St
Peters Church and High School in the
Township area of Lahore. Christians are also
vulnerable to being falsely accused under the
countrys blasphemy laws. Punjab officials are
fast-tracking cases where they believe
defendants are accused of blasphemy without
basis - but have excluded Christians from the
process for fear of a violent reaction by
hardliners. Pray that the government will
increase security for the Christian minority and
reform the blasphemy legislation so that the
innocent are protected. (Release International)
30. Sri Lanka
Savithri Sumanthiran is General Secretary of
Fellowship Of Christian University Students
(FOCUS). She says, I love student ministry
because it is the one ministry in Sri Lanka that
addresses every sphere of life and because
these young men and women can so influence
a bruised and broken society towards shalom.
Please pray for students to see that Jesus
should impact every sphere of life: personal,
economic, social and political. (IFES)
31. Afghanistan
A 21-year-old woman was awarded the 2015
International Women of Courage award in
Afghanistan for her role as the first female air
force pilot in her nation. Despite death threats
from insurgents, and even her own extended
family, she refuses to be intimidated or
silenced. Pray for her safety. Ask that her case
could be an example of perseverance and
courage for many women struggling under
heavy burdens, giving other young women hope
and inspiration. Ask the Lord today to bring
more women to Himself in Afghanistan. Pray for
effective workers among them. (AsiaLink)

May - June 2015

What do you see?

When you look out on the world through
your newspaper, TV screen or news app,
what do you see?
Sadly, lead news items are rarely good news
stories and too often we see mans inhumanity
and lost-ness. More important than what we
see, though, is how we react to it. As you watch
or listen to the news and as you use this edition
of the World Prayer News, let me encourage
you to see world events through Gods eyes
and from the perspective of his missional
purposes and respond accordingly. What do I
mean by this? I mean...
See people - not events and circumstances:
- In Matthew 9:35-38, when Jesus looked out on
the crowds in front of him, he didnt see health
issues, he saw people; people who were
harassed and helpless - and he had
compassion on them.
- In Exodus 17:8-16, when Moses looked out
from his hill top vantage point, he saw Gods
people under attack.
- In Philippians, the church didnt see a
faceless prisoner, they saw their brother, Paul.

- What was Moses task as he watched the

Israelite army? To raise His arms to God.
- What was the first gospel partnership activity
recorded by Paul in his letter to the Philippians?
Prayer. (Philippians 1:19a)
See Gods missional purposes unfold (and
be prepared to be part of it):
- The disciples were to pray for workers to go out
into Gods harvest field and the next thing they
knew, they were the workers and people were
being healed! (Matthew 10:1)
- As Moses prayed, the armies of Israel were
victorious.
- Through the prayers of the Philippians and the
work of the Holy Spirit, Paul declares with
confidence that what has happened to me
will turn out for my deliverance. (1:19b)
So, as you pray through this World Prayer News,
see the people behind the headlines through
Gods eyes for the world and its people are his
(Psalm 24:1) - and pray with compassion, with
perseverance, and in the knowledge that it
makes a difference.

See prayer as the primary response to what

you see:
- What was Christs first instruction to his
disciples when he viewed the crowd with
compassion? Ask the Lord ... (v38)

Vol 60 No 3

22. Vietnam

Editor: Paul Tuckwell

The annual cost including postage for copies sent to the same address:
One copy per issue
5.00 UK only
8.00 Europe
All subscriptions should be addressed to:
Global Connections, Caswell Road, Leamington Spa, CV31 1QD
Telephone: 01926 487755
Email: info@globalconnections.org.uk
Registered in England & Wales as Evangelical Mission Association.
Company number 3886596. Charity number 1081966

Rev Mark Welsh

Mission Mobiliser
Interserve

Specialised English Clubs are proving popular

in Vietnam for people wanting to improve their
language skills. These clubs meet weekly to
listen to a programme together and to discuss
English usage in small groups. As well as
hearing holistic Christian content in the
programmes, the participants also come into
direct contact with registered churches and end
up building relationships with people of faith.
Pray, as more English clubs are started, that
Gods love will clearly be seen in these practical
sessions and that lives will be changed as a
result. (Reach Beyond)
23. Japan
Proportionately many more Japanese become
Christians outside Japan than in Japan, due
partly to the many more opportunities to meet
Christians. There is also a far greater openness
to new ideas when away from the home culture,
which is largely conformist. Pray that in this
openness God would direct the steps of many
Japanese into life-changing relationships with
Christians. Pray that those who start a new
journey of faith following Jesus overseas would
be built-up on a strong foundation, that their
faith would continue to grow after returning
home, and that they would have significant
impact for the gospel there. Pray too that God
will call and send out Japanese Christians to
other parts of the world to spread the good
news in other places. (Japan Christian Link)
24. Vanuatu

Hon. Editor: Martin Lee

12.00 Rest of world

The people of Vanuatu are reeling after Cyclone

Pam brought mayhem and destruction to their
South Pacific nation. Winds of up to 180mph
slammed into the 65 islands making up the
archipelago, flattening homes, crops, and
knocking out bridges and roads. Vanuatus
president described the damage as
unprecedented and up to half of Vanuatus

277,000 population are estimated to have been

affected by the disaster. Vanuatu is one of the
world's least developed countries with around
80% of the population making a living through
subsistence farming. Pray for people as they
start on the road to recovery and for the
government to rebuild schools speedily so
children dont miss out on their education. Pray
too that the church globally will take action on
climate change to help protect the world's
poorest people from more disasters like this.
(AsiaLink)
25. Malaysia
There are still village churches in Malaysia that
are without a full-time pastor. Please pray for
the trainee pastors who travel from their
colleges to work in these churches. May the
Lord protect their travels and bless the
communities they visit. Please also pray for
more trained pastors to feel Gods call to work
in these churches permanently. (OMF)
26. Australia
The Yolgnu people of Arnhem Land, Northern
Australia are recovering from two cyclones that
hit the area within six weeks of each other
earlier this year. Cyclone Lam and Nathan
uprooted trees and destroyed homes and
buildings in the homelands of Milingimbi,
Ramingining, and Elcho Island. Pray for the
clean-up operation that is now under way, that
life will soon get back to normal for those
affected and for a special touch on those
suffering stress and mental trauma from the two
storms. (MAF UK)

17. Haiti
Christian station Radio Lumire recently
celebrated its 56th anniversary with a number of
special events, where many listeners spoke and
gave testimony to their love and attachment to
the station. One listener wrote: "I am a young
Haitian girl. I currently live in Brazil where life is
very difficult for us. A number of my girlfriends
have fallen into prostitution in order to live. I
thank the name of my God who gave me a
special gift in Radio Lumire. It is my
companion and helps me stay faithful to
biblical principles in spite of the difficult
circumstances. Pray for continuing fruit from
this powerful gospel voice. (Reach Beyond)
18. Argentina
Seeing the destruction of vast areas of forest is
bad enough; knowing that this is driven by
greed and corruption makes it worse. But what
is truly gut-wrenching is witnessing some
indigenous leaders speak in favour of the
expansion of industries into their homelands as
a result of being offered gifts. A key role for
Christians in caring for the Chaco regions
fragile environment and its people is speaking
the truth in love and facilitating dialogue
between those who control environmental
policies, those who destroy the forests, and
those who are most affected by those actions.
Pray for a new venture with A Rocha to develop
a centre helping Christian leaders and
environmental professionals to integrate their
faith into their work and ministries. (CMS)
19. Nicaragua
Nimia Talavera has fond memories of her
childhood in Santa Teresa, but today climate
change and deforestation have left the riverbed
dry. The land has stopped being fertile; we
dont produce as much as we used to. Its not
enough anymore. says Nimia. Nicaragua is
placed fourth in the list of countries most

affected by climate change. Tearfunds partner

Prodad has been helping the community in
Santa Teresa adapt to the changing climate by
replanting trees and restoring the fertility of the
farmland. Pray for protection and perseverance
for communities who are being pushed into
poverty by the changing climate. Pray too that
world leaders at the UNs climate change
conference in December 2015 will step up their
efforts to tackle this problem. (Tearfund)
20. Peru
Many pastors and elders in rural Quechua
churches have little formal Bible training and
few resources other than their Bibles. Leaders
in the Cusco Synod of the Evangelical Church
of Peru (IEP) have long wanted to produce a
magazine to help get practical, biblical teaching
to the rural areas. Now, in the shape of Allin
Qollana (The Good Leader), that is happening.
Pray for the distribution - in a rugged,
mountainous region half the size of England is
very difficult. With only a small group of pastors
currently involved in the distribution, it is
important to make the most of church events
that draw lots of people. (CMS)
21. Paraguay
Paraguay lived under more than three decades
of dictatorship until 1989 and has long been one
of the Latin Americas poorest and most
isolated countries. Despite rapid economic
growth in recent years, the country still suffers
political instability. GBUP, the Christian student
movement, has seen an awakening of
Christian students. Student workers have been
visiting cities in the interior of the country where
there are universities but where Christian
students are unaware of the ministry of GBUP.
Many are being challenged to be agents of
reconciliation in their context. Pray for continued
growth and for passion and commitment for all
involved in student ministry. (IFES)

1. Lebanon

4. Iran

SAT-7 aired a LIVE Maundy Thursday service

at Roumieh Prison in Lebanon. It is the largest
and most overcrowded jail in the country with a
population of 5,500 inmates. Maronite Cardinal
Bechara El Rahi, a highly respected Christian
leader in Lebanon, washed the feet of the
prisoners. This inspiring act of servanthood
could not come at a better time. The prison has
experienced security problems, made
adjustments and is now attempting to maintain
order. Pray that this message of peace and faith
builds bridges of conviviality between religions
in one of the most disturbed regions of the
world. (SAT-7)

A house church was born just the other day in

Iran. The churchs new pastor was put in touch
with an old neighbour called Amir, who was
excited to talk to a Christian. We had an
incredible conversation when he called me.
Amir had become disillusioned with his religion
and began searching for truth. He heard the
gospel from a TV program, and became a
Christian. He was so thirsty to learn more about
God, and he told me about seven other new
believers he knows. He explained they have no
one to teach them. We agreed that Amir and his
friends will gather in his home weekly, and I will
call them to teach and pastor them. Pray for
rapid growth in maturity and faith, sustained
growth in numbers, and protection for this
house church. (Elam)

2. Dreams and visions

Across the Middle East there are stories of
people who have had dreams that have
confirmed to them the way of Truth. Many have
seen Jesus in a dream, and this has been a
significant step in their journey to faith in Christ.
Pray for many more people to have dreams and
visions from God that will turn them to the truth
and lead them to embrace life in Christ. (WEC)
3. Egypt
Christs offer of new life and a fresh start was
the theme of a special concert organised by
SAT-7 in Egypt. Almost 3,000 people attended
with thousands more watching on TV and
online. Farid Samir Garas, Executive Director of
SAT-7 Egypt said; Non-Christians have many
questions regarding the Holy Week and Easter.
This is an opportune time to spread the Good
News to all... We hope that we could provide
answers to some of the questions people have
and also trigger new questions in their minds to
make them interested to know more. Pray that
people will continue to explore for truth. Pray
that Gods presence will enter the hearts of all
who witnessed this message of new life.
(SAT-7)

5. Algeria
"Women who convert to Jesus Christ face new
challenges, which sometimes cost them dearly,"
says Djamila, a Christian woman in Algeria.
Converted more than twenty years ago, Djamila
lived her early years after her conversion to
Jesus under pressure from her Muslim parents.
She only found full freedom to live out her
beliefs once married to a man who shares the
same faith. She currently serves alongside him
in a local church in Northern Algeria. Parents
can force their Christian daughter to marry a
Muslim, something that is contrary to the Word
of God. When married, she suddenly finds
herself in a situation of conflict and
incompatibility, which sometimes ends in a
divorce. The church offers a positive
environment to women, providing opportunities
for them to serve. Please pray, as women who
leave Islam for Christianity are often divorced
by their husbands; ask for God's provision and
healing. (Open Doors)

6. Moldova
In May 2015, WorldShares growing antitrafficking partner Beginning of Life is hosting a
major international conference on Changed
Realities of Human Trafficking, Exploitation and
Migration. The 200 delegates meeting in
Chisinau will include speakers from South
Africa, India, Germany, Switzerland and the UK,
politicians, lawyers, police and representatives
of NGOs from around the world. Please pray
with us that increased international awareness
and co-ordination on this issue will result in
more people being successfully rescued and
rehabilitated from trafficking and exploitation,
and, crucially, many more prevented from
becoming victims in the first place.
(WorldShare)
7. Russia
Modern society is characterised by the
replacement of reality for virtual-reality. Those
most prone to this phenomenon are teenagers
who spend a lot of time on the Internet and
social networks. To help return to real life and to
real values, in February the students of OM
Russias training centre organised and hosted a
conference with the title Friendsoffline. Free
from the influence of all social networks and the
Internet for the duration of the event, the
teenagers enthusiastically participated in
workshops that addressed topical issues such
as the influence of movies and the Internet on
their lives. During the Sunday morning service,
the message centred around friendship with
God - a topic which touched the hearts of the
listeners and helped some of them come to
repentance and accept Jesus Christ as the Lord
of their hearts. (Operation Mobilisation)
8. Bulgaria
The employment rate is extremely low in
Svishtov, Bulgaria. Pray for Gods provision and
guidance as people seek to make ends meet.

Pray for TEN worker Anatoli as he encourages

people in their everyday lives. Bulgaria is still
very sceptical of Evangelical Christians and
their view of faith. Pray for Svishtov, and the
Bulgarian nation, that people will become more
responsive and open to Gods Word.
(Transform Europe Now)
9. Bosnia and Herzegovina
For many years, OM Bosnia in Biha has run a
winter firewood project with the local
evangelical church to help struggling families
with much-needed firewood and a food
package. At the same time, they hope to
introduce them to the love of Jesus. Ninety-five
per cent of the population of Biha are from a
Muslim background, and theres only one
church in the county. Many become depressed
because of their worsening financial situations
and they find that their religious leaders provide
little hope. In January, about 25 people from
local families attended an evening of dinner and
fellowship at the local church. As well as singing
songs, drinking coffee and eating homemade
food, they heard a clear message from Faruk*,
a Muslim background believer who knows both
the Qur'an and the Bible well. Give thanks with
the OM team that, little by little, God is softening
the hearts of people in the town. *Name
changed (Operation Mobilisation)
10. Prayer for vulnerable children
When you see the world through the eyes of a
vulnerable child it can be painful, frightening
and lonely. One billion children worldwide live in
poverty, with 6.6 million under five years old
dying from preventable causes, 15% of children
engaged in work, one in ten girls married before
they reach 15 years old, and 57 million primaryaged children out of school. Join in prayer for
children all over the world, that they will know
Gods protection, trust in Gods provision, and
remember Gods promises. (Viva)

11. Rwanda

14. Malawi

In Rwanda, many children are not registered at

birth, which prevents them in later life from
accessing state welfare, employment, owning
land and makes them targets for abuse and
exploitation. Through education and hands-on
training of local officials, local Christian lawyers
from Lawyers of Hope have been able to
increase birth registration rates and encourage
regular community engagement to ensure this
continues. Give thanks for the local lawyers who
provide this access to justice ministry, and pray
that Gods heart for mercy and justice would be
ever more evident. (LCF)

After the country of Malawi was hit by severe

flash flooding in which many people died,
remaining families recently planted crops which
were also destroyed. Malawi relies on
subsistence farming: there is concern that a
famine will occur later this year when maize
supplies run out. Please pray for those who are
working with the Church in Malawi that they
would have the resources to help churches with
food without creating dependence; and that
they would help the churches to become more
resilient in the future. (Zambesi Mission)

12. Chad

Please pray for the Digo, a Muslim tribe living in

northern Tanzania and southern Kenya. More
than 100,000 Digo are concentrated on the
northern coastal strip of Tanzania. Islam is
widely accepted among the Digo though only a
few have studied it in depth. Ties with traditional
practices such as animism (the belief that nonhuman objects have spirits) and ancestor
worship still have significant influence. Most are
unreached with the gospel. Please pray for the
security of those working amongst them. There
has been a dramatic rise in the number of
terrorist-related attacks in Kenya with AlShabaab operatives actively recruiting young
Digo men in several mosques along the coast.
(AIM International)

WhatsApp, Facebook and Viber are all in

regular use, even amongst nomads. That
explains why good websites can be so strategic.
Websites in the local language with a focus on
Scripture, or with stories applying biblical
principles to the local context, can have a big
impact. Pray for those working on such
websites, and pray that these sites will be used
by God to build his Church. (WEC)
13. Mozambique
The Mwani, whose lives are tied to fishing and
the ocean, live along the coast of northern
Mozambique. Although fiercely Islamic in name,
the Mwanis worldview is strongly influenced by
the animistic world of ancestors and the use of
mediums such as witchdoctors. Witchdoctors
are often paid to protect the boundaries of the
rice paddy with beads, bottles, cloths and
bones. Pray for these people, that they would be
able to escape spiritual darkness and that their
eyes would be opened to the wonderful joy of
Gods grace through Jesus. Pray for growth
among the many new believers in Quissanga
and the few on Ibo island, that the hunger for
Gods Spirit would spread up and down the
coast. (AIM International)

15. Kenya / Tanzania

16. Senegal
In some countries, significant progress has
been made when a more contextualised
approach to church planting has been used
for example, using forms of worship that are
more closely aligned with those found in the
local culture. Pray for those in Senegal who are
seeking to be as relevant as possible in the
local culture, while in no way compromising the
gospel. Pray that the gospel will have an impact
to the glory of God. (WEC)