Speak life daily DECEMBER EDITION 40pp by +Greyjones Studio

DECEMBER 2015 – FEBRUARY 2016

SYRIA AND THE REFUGEE CRISIS IMAGE:FLICKR CREATIVE COMMONS LICENCE MOHAMED AZAKIR / WORLD BANK

WHAT IS GOD DOING? PAGES 8,12, 26

ALSO GOD REDEEMS A THROWAWAY ... IRAQI CHRISTIANS CLING ON ... MYANMAR OUTREACH FILLS STADIUM ...

P16 P24 P34

FORMERLY THE INTERNATIONAL DAILY PRAYER BULLETIN

GLEN’S SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS If Glen is speaking near you, do get in touch. He would love to meet you. 2 Dec Speaking at a Christian-Muslim Dialogue at Portsmouth University 3 Dec Preaching at Norwich Cathedral for their University Carols Service 5 Dec Speaking at Men’s Breakfast for All Saints, Eastbourne 6 Dec Preaching at New Hope Baptist, Eastbourne (AM) Preaching at All Souls, Eastbourne (PM) 11 Dec Speaking at Christian Focus Meeting, Eastbourne 13 Dec Preaching at City Evangelical Church, Leeds (AM & PM) 20 Dec Preaching at Carols Services in Crowborough, Uckfield & Hailsham 4 Jan Thoughts for the Day on Premier Radio (each day this week) 17 Jan Preaching at All Souls, Eastbourne (AM) 30 Jan Speaking at Evangelistic Acoustic Night, Reading 1-5 Feb Leading CU Mission to University of East Anglia 8-12 Feb Leading CU Mission to Reading University 15-19 Feb Leading CU Mission to Sheffield University 25 Feb Training Students at Cornhill Training Course, London 27 Feb Speaking at Northamptonshire Men’s Convention 28 Feb Preaching at Moulton Parish Church, Northamptonshire (AM)

ONGOING PRAYER POINTS

• Our Union Learning Hub where four students are training for ministry. (Lectures Mondays)

• Our Christmas outreach, including a book, video and website. • Some medical procedures which are happening in January. • Preparations for the university missions - significant times of gospel ministry

DEAR PRAYER PARTNERS, What should we think about the Syrian situation? And the refugee crisis? If you’re like me you’ve had to change your mind a number of times on the questions thrown up. It can be difficult to think clearly when the issues swirl together in a media storm – issues like war and military intervention, religion and politics, displaced peoples and border control, national identity and multicultural values. In amongst all these questions we want to know how to think as Christians and what on earth God might be up to in the mess. Our editor, Ian Milmine, has done us a wonderful service with this edition of the Speak Life Daily. On our left hand pages Ian brings us story after story from the Middle East and beyond which highlights the complexity of the situation but also, in amongst the suffering, the unmistakable signs of God’s redemptive purposes. I trust you will be moved to wonder, praise and prayer by these testimonies to God’s faithfulness in the midst of the most extreme circumstances. As ever Ian’s centre pages lift our gaze from our Western bubble and show us a global picture of God’s gospel purposes. I trust you will find his article as challenging and encouraging as I have. On our right hand pages we highlight our evangelistic outreach as Speak Life and we offer devotional thoughts to inspire your own walk and witness. In short, the Speak Life Daily offers three kinds of entry: We look to the Scriptures to revive us for our mission. We highlight our own work of resourcing the church evangelistically. We rejoice to see the reach of the gospel to the ends of the earth. We hope that you enjoy this publication, that it inspires concerted prayer for gospel growth in the world and that it equips you for your own outreach. If you enjoy the Speak Life Daily please get in touch and tell us, or even better - tell a friend. Sign them up for their own copy and let your church know about this free resource. If you want to support the Speak Life Daily and/or the work of Speak Life we would hugely appreciate any donations - details on page 39. As one example of our work, our Christmas campaign, targeting hundreds of thousands of unbelievers, will cost us close to £5000 (see p7). Any help you could offer towards this gospel outreach would greatly help.

Yours in His service, Glen Scrivener and the Revival team. 3

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DEC

IRANIAN CONVERTS SWELL GERMAN CHURCH Jeremiah 16:19-21

“Will you break away from Satan and his evil deeds?” pastor Gottfried Martens asks Iranian refugee Mohammed Ali Zonoobi. “Will you break away from Islam?” “Yes,” Zonoobi fervently replies. Spreading his hands in blessing, Martens then baptizes the man “in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.” Mohammed is now Martin - no longer Muslim, but Christian. Zonoobi, a carpenter from the Iranian city of Shiraz, arrived in Germany with his wife and two children five months ago. He is one of hundreds of mostly Iranian and Afghan asylum seekers who have converted to Christianity at the evangelical Trinity Church in Berlin. Like Zonoobi, most say true belief prompted their embrace of Christianity. But there’s no overlooking the fact that the decision will also greatly boost their chances of winning asylum by allowing them to claim they would face persecution if sent home. It is unlikely that Germany would deport converted Iranian and Afghan refugees back home as they face imprisonment and even death. But for pastor Martens motivation is unimportant. Many, he said, are so taken by the Christian message that it changes their lives. And he estimates that only about 10 percent of converts do not return to church after christening. Pastor Martens says, “I am inviting them to join us because I know that whoever comes here will not be left unchanged.” As other churches across Germany struggle with dwindling numbers of believers, Martens has seen his congregation swell from 150 just two years ago to more than 600 parishioners now - with a seemingly unending flow of new refugees finding the way to his congregation. Other Christian communities across Germany, among them Lutheran churches in Hannover and the Rhineland, have also reported growing numbers of Iranians converting to Christendom. There are no exact numbers on how many Muslims have converted in Germany in recent years - and they are a tiny minority compared to the country’s overall 4 million Muslims. But, for Berlin, Martens describes the number of conversions as nothing short of a “miracle.” And he says he has at least another 80 people - mostly refugees from Iran and a few Afghans - waiting to be baptized. In Germany, hundreds have found a surrogate home in Martens’ church. An exuberant and lively pastor who speaks conversational Farsi, he has garnered a large following. In 2012, he was named “Pastor of the Year” because of his work with Iranian refugees. “It is my impression that there is really a kind of Christian awakening in Iran at the moment with pretty large dimensions,” he says. “People who come to us have already had these contacts with house churches and have had to flee because of that.” The Guardian; CBN Europe PRAISE God for all these refugees who have renounced the faith of their fathers to follow Christ. PRAY that these converts may grow into disciples who will be instrumental in leading many European Muslims to Christ.

DEC

GLEN PREACHING AT NORWICH CATHEDRAL 2 Timothy 4:1-2

Glen preached at this University Carols Service last Christmas as well. 1000 students – most of them non-Christians –will gather to sing of Jesus and hear from His word. Christmas provides the most wonderful gospel opportunities, please pray for Glen and that hundreds will respond to the gospel.

DEC

NOT SPINNING PLATES – ABIDING IN THE VINE Genesis 1:26-28

So often life can feel like “spinning plates.” We can think of our various responsibilities as disconnected duties that we need to run between – trying to keep them all going. It can be exhausting. From the beginning though God has had other ideas for us. Humanity was created in God’s image – created to be fruitful. We are not likened to builders who need to lay bricks, still less like “plate spinners” who need to keep busy – we are trees who are made to produce fruit. How do we do that? Jesus told us: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) We are not called to busyness but fruitfulness – fruitfulness in connection with Jesus. Our need is not to “keep the plates spinning”, our need is Jesus Himself. Out of our communion with Him, the fruitfulness grows. PRAY for a repentance of plate-spinning and a return to abiding in Jesus.

DEC

GLEN SPEAKING AT MEN’S BREAKFAST Isaiah 35:3-4

It seems to be an undeniable trend: if you win the man of the household to Christ, much more often than not, the rest of the family follows. Yet it can be difficult to reach men. Saturday breakfasts are great opportunities to preach to men and see them brought into church fellowship. Please pray as Glen speaks to the men’s group at All Saints, Eastbourne. Pray that many unbelievers would be there and that God would speak to all.

DEC

GLEN PREACHING IN EASTBOURNE Psalm 47

Please pray for Glen as he preaches at New Hope Baptist in the morning and then at All Souls, Eastbourne in the evening.

DEC

PERU: MAKEOVER FOR HOMELESS MAN Revelation 21:1-4

A homeless Peruvian tramp has been given an astonishing makeover by his local community. Don Luciano Chuman, known as Ferreñafe’s “crazy man,” hadn’t washed or changed his clothes in years. The 83-year-old’s filthy long hair was seriously matted, and he walked along the streets with a crippling stoop. It’s not clear exactly why the Peregrin Evangelical Church decided to step in, seeing as he’s been without an abode for some time. But members of the Church took him in, exchanged his filthy garments for fresh ones and scrubbed him up with a shave and a neat new haircut. Peruvian Social services have also now agreed to provide him with food on a regular basis, treating him in hospital for various medical conditions and giving him an ID card. The story was originally posted, on September 22, by the governmental body of the Peruvian Provincial Municipality of Ferreñafe. “It’s an act of humanity that sets an example to us all,” the city’s mayor Jacinto Muro Tavara has been quoted as saying. “Many others aside from Don Chuman need our help, though unfortunately we are often quite indifferent to them,” he said. “I applaud the local community’s initiative in carrying out this act of solidarity,” he added. Yahoo.com; The Huffington Post PRAISE God that an impoverished local church took the initiative to reach out to Don Luciano. Pray that, as a result, he will reach out to Christ and be transformed on the inside as well as on the outside.

DEC

CHURCH-GOING TACKLES DEPRESSION Psalm 133:1-3

Going to church can help tackle depression more than charity work, sport or education, a new study has found. Researchers found joining a religious organisation was the best way of combating the condition. The study did not find any short-term benefits from sports and participation in other social activities. Experts at the London School of Economics (LSE) could not say whether it was having a faith that caused the beneficial effect, or if it was simply because it gave people a sense of belonging. Their analysis of 9,000 Europeans aged 50-plus involved looking at different levels of social activity and how they influenced people’s moods. LSE epidemiologist Dr Mauricio Avendano said, “The church appears to play a very important social role in keeping depression at bay and also as a coping mechanism during periods of illness in later life,” he said. The study, carried out in collaboration with Erasmus University Medical Centre (Erasmus MC) in Rotterdam, Netherlands, is published in the American Journal of Epidemiolog. Premier News PRAISE God that this study shows the truth of His Word: that there is real blessing when His people live together in harmony. 6

DEC

ANSWERING ANXIETY WITH HUMILITY 1 Peter 5:5-7

It’s such a common theme in the Bible: “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.” (Proverbs 3:34). Think of Jesus – so lowly and meek (Matthew 11:28-30) and through His self-humbling on the cross He is raised up to resurrection favour. If that is His path, then it must be ours too – through humility to God’s blessing. When Peter reminds us of this truth, he connects it to anxiety. Having told us to “humble ourselves” he then says “ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” The way we “humble ourselves” is by stopping worrying and starting praying. This is because anxiety is very often a form of pride. It’s about taking our lives and our futures into our own hands and fretting about it as if it were in our control. Peter tells us our lives are not in our hands so let’s humble ourselves by handing over our worries to our caring Father. Let’s PRAY our anxieties to our faithful God. He will show us favour.

DEC

REACHING OUT TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS THIS CHRISTMAS Isaiah 9:1-7

Christmas campaigns have been a yearly feature of our outreach. Perhaps you remember our Handel’s Messiah campaign - aimed particularly at the Jewish community. Or there was our More Than Dreams DVD outreach to Muslims. For the last 3 years we have focused on online campaigns. Our evangelistic Christmas videos have reached over 100 000 views, being shared widely across social media.

This Christmas we are innovating again with a multi-platform campaign to reach hundreds of thousands of non-Christians. Four Kinds of Christmas exists as a book, a website, a shareable online quiz and a suite of videos. PRAY that through this outreach hundreds of thousands will be impacted by the gospel.

DEC

GLEN SPEAKING AT CHRISTIAN FOCUS MEETING 1 Corinthians 1:18

Please PRAY for Glen as he addresses this Eastbourne meeting about the wisdom and power of the cross. 7

DEC

SYRIA/IRAQ: SEEING SIGNS AND WONDERS 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

The bloodshed and chaos of the Middle East is so indescribably disturbing, where Muslim extremists are driving out hundreds of thousands of Christians from their homes in Iraq and Syria. Under the threat of mass beheadings, they are being driven out from their homes, and then robbed of all their money, jewelry and any other valuables as they leave with little more than the clothes on their backs. And yet, God is there... A worker from the region reports: “Last week I visited two groups of seekers and new believers who meet together to study scriptures. Everyone shared one thing they were thankful for that week. Each and every person in these groups told of God healing the sick, doing miracles and answering prayers supernaturally. I was amazed. In all my years on the field I have never heard of such a thing, and now we hear weekly of different groups seeing and experiencing God moving miraculously! God is doing wonderful things.”’ In the midst of the savagery, God is manifesting His glory, showing that He is ultimately in control, and that He can bring revival into the most desperate of situations. CryOut Prayer Update; Prayer Alert PRAISE God that He is the author of revival and is not dependant on human circumstances. Pray for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Iraq and Syria.

DEC

LONDON C OF E SEES GROWING NUMBERS Jeremiah 17:14-15

In an October interview with Premier Radio on the subject of evangelism, the Bishop of London, Rt Revd Richard Chartres, said he’s constantly looking to form new worshipping communities. While attendances across the Church of England are reported to be marginally falling, the Church in London is bucking the trend. “By painful incremental change,” says Chartres, “the conditions came about for a transformation of the morale. There’s [now] an enormous ‘can do’ sense in the diocese which has actually grown quite significantly. The electoral role has doubled since 1990.” The Diocese of London is almost half way through a project called Capital Vision 2020 which is looking to continue the growth. The diocese is focussing on becoming a Church which is Christcentred and outward looking. Part of the vision is to see 100 new worshipping communities created by 2020. The Diocese of London has further invested in this area of church growth through the revived position of Bishop of Islington. The position, which has been unfilled for almost 100 years, has been taken up by Rt Revd Ric Thorpe, with responsibilities for growing new congregations. Premier News

PRAISE God that the Church of England and other churches are seeing considerable growth in the Capital. Pray for revival among London’s millions.

DEC

GLEN PREACHING–CITY EVANGELICAL CHURCH, LEEDS Psalm 1

CEC Leeds are hoping to get many non-Christians along to their carols services. Please PRAY that the church would be full of enquirers and for the Lord to address each person with grace and truth.

DEC

THE INCOMPARABLE IMMANUEL Matthew 1:18-25

In some religions God is distant and would never stoop to our level. In other religions, the gods come down but they prove themselves to be petty and selfish. With Jesus we have Immanuel – God with us – a God who stoops in order to draw alongside and to save. Here is a God who is not just approachable, here is One who has gone to the crib and then the cross to approach us. This same Jesus who humbled Himself to Mary’s womb, will be God-with-you today. PRAISE Him!

DEC

TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION Acts 4:8-13

We have 4 young men studying theology at our Eastbourne premises. The course is offered through Union, a ministry of Wales Evangelical School of Theology and we are proud to be a Learning Hub for Union here on the south coast. Each Monday we study together, learning Greek, Biblical Studies and Mission. Over two years our students will earn a Post Graduate Diploma in Theology and be well equipped for future church leadership. Please PRAY for Ben, Evan, Josh and Paul that they would deepen in their knowledge of the gospel and love for Jesus. PRAY that God would be raising up a bold generation of gospel leaders through this initiative.

DEC

THE DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS Matthew 2:1-12

Who could possibly satisfy the longings of the whole world? Who could address the needs of each human soul? Jesus was born as a very Jewish Messiah and yet, right from the beginning, we see that He is the desire of all nations and hope of every age. These Magi, following the star, show Jesus as a global – even cosmic – King, one who is able to fulfil the dreams of all humanity, even all creation. Take courage: the Jesus who leads you into today is not a puny, parochial Christ but the One who calls forth praise from the ends of the earth. PRAY for opportunities to speak of His all-satisfying glory today. 9

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DEC

CANCER HEALING INSPIRES YOUNG PEOPLE 1 Corinthians 2:9

When Rue Duval, 65, was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer again in 2014, the emotional pain accompanying the reoccurrence was overwhelming. But she didn’t want to tell anyone about her radiation treatments or chemotherapy. Rue attends Ash Grove (Missouri) Assembly of God, with a weekly attendance of 250 in a community of 1,400. Youth Pastor Amanda Starks says Rue is deeply loved by the church, especially the youth, as many consider her a surrogate grandmother. When the chemotherapy finally took its toll, Rue told a friend, who reprimanded her because her silence kept people from lifting her up in prayer. And the church did begin to pray, but there was no indication of any change in Duval’s condition. That is until May 20, 2015, when Duval stepped in to listen to the youth worship service. But is wasn’t your “typical” AG youth group. Starks says many of the students in her youth group come from difficult family circumstances - single-parent homes, little money, or drug issues. “These are not church kids; they did not grow up in the church,” she says. “They come not because they have to, but because they want to.” When Starks noticed Duval step into the room, she says, “I felt the Holy Spirit tell me to go back and ask her if it was okay if I let the youth know of her condition and for us to pray for her.” Duvall agreed to her request. “I brought her up and explained what was going on... we had her stand in the middle of us, and I began to pray and declare life over her.” Duvall remembers the moment: “They gathered around me putting their hands on me,” she says. “As they prayed I lifted my hands, closed my eyes, and prayed. I felt like I was being lifted up off the floor and was floating in the air.” Although she never physically left the ground, Duvall suddenly fell to the floor, overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit. For the students with no AG church background, it was a totally new experience. “The kids’ faces were priceless,” Stark says warmly. “Their faces looked like they had killed her - they had never seen anything like that happen before. As Duval lay in the presence of God, Starks took time to explain what had happened, with the students embracing God’s response to their prayers. As Duval sat on the floor, a peace came over her. “I felt calm,” she says. “When I got up to leave I didn’t have pain anywhere in my body. Even my knee, which has arthritis, didn’t hurt. I felt energized. I felt healed!” Later that week Duval had blood work done - the results revealed no cancer! Recently she had a PET scan done, and she was declared cancer free. For Starks, Duval’s healing has transformed her youth group. Now, when people need prayer, the students are the first ones to jump up, lead in prayer, and believe in God for healing. And God is answering their prayers. PE News PRAISE God that Duval and these young people have experienced the mighty power of God. PRAY That these young people from difficult backgrounds will stand firm in Christ’s might.

DEC

CHRISTMAS: NOT A FAIRYTALE Matthew 2:13-18

Jesus began His earthly life as He meant to go on. He was born into poverty, born into shame and oppression, born in the midst of a genocide. The Christmas story is not a fairytale, it’s the fearful (and wonderful) reality of God-with-us even in the darkest part of the valley of the shadow. PRAY to know His comfort in your hard times and PRAY for opportunities to comfort others with the comfort of a Christ who sympathises.

DEC

GLEN PREACHING AT CAROLS SERVICES THROUGHOUT SUSSEX Luke 1:1-25

Glen is preaching in Crowborough, Uckfield and Hailsham today. PRAY for hundreds of guests to come to these services, for open hearts and God’s Spirit to work through His Word.

DEC

SON OF DAVID, SON OF GOD Luke 1:26-38

Who is Jesus’ father? Verse 32 gives two answers: God Most High and David. In Mary’s womb God has brought together heaven and earth! As Son of God, Jesus brings down all the blessings of heaven. As Son of David, Jesus sums up all the hopes of earth. All Mary can do – all any of us can do – is gladly receive this incredible word (v38). PRAISE God that He has brought reconciliation to the world in the person of Christ.

DEC

CHRISTMAS OUTREACH Luke 1:39-56

Our three-pronged Christmas campaign is in a vital stage. The book is being bought, given and read; the quiz is being shared on social media; the video is being watched by thousands. Please PRAY that many non-Christians would order their free copy of the book online and that through these various methods the word of Christ will reach tens of thousands of people. Jesus was “born to give us second birth” as the carol says – let’s PRAY for thousands to know that second birth even today.

DEC

HOLLAND: HOME FOR A SEX OFFENDER James 2:8-13

It’s incredibly difficult for convicted paedophiles to move back into society after they’ve served their prison term. Dutch swimming teacher Benno L., jailed in 2010 for abusing girls in his care, was released on parole in 2014. Rejected by his family and banned from areas where his victims live, probation services had to find a place where the sex offender could rebuild his life. But in each locality people quickly found out about his presence, resulting in fierce protests in front of his house, death threats, and finally chasing the man out of town. Not many cared. But Rikko Voorberg, a young pastor from Amsterdam, did. Convinced that Jesus gives everyone a second chance, he started a Facebook page where he publicly invited Benno L. to become his neighbour. In just hours Voorberg’s initiative made the headlines and received thousands of reactions, both positive and negative, including serious threats. But, as a result, pastor Voorberg was able to meet for coffee with Benno L. “In ten minutes he told me so much about his life that I could only feel compassion, both for him and for his victims.” Voorberg then invited Benno L. to visit his small church plant in Amsterdam. There he was warmly received by everyone. After his full released from prison, he moved to Germany. But, before he left, he came to the church to thank the Christians who accepted him so graciously. “As you all know, I did something that was completely unacceptable, which I really regret,” he said. “I was put into prison for good reasons. I lost everything, including my own family. I was utterly alone, when Rikko came to see me. You fully accepted me as a human being, and not as Benno L. the criminal. Thank you for that.” Joel News International PRAISE God that the church had the grace to warmly accept a rejected man. Pray that he and many other society rejects will know the forgiving love of Christ.

DEC

MEETING THE NEED OF SYRIAN CHRISTIANS Matthew 5:9-11

Syrian Christians face life-and-death choices on a daily basis. Church leaders must constantly evaluate the risks of staying - with the added weight of having to choose between fleeing to protect their family and remaining to disciple the converts from an Islamic or Druze background. According to one pastor “80% of the Christians want to leave. But there are two things that keep them here. First, most don’t have the ability to leave financially. Secondly, where would they go?” Seeking to help these Christian workers and their families to survive, some charities have created an evacuation fund to have resources ready when indigenous missionaries need to move out before they’re massacred. The aim is not to remove the workers from their ministries, but to provide a way for them to continue. Joel News International

PRAISE God for these brethren risking all for the sake of the Gospel. Please uphold then in prayer.

DEC

A SAVIOUR BORN TO YOU Luke 2:1-21

Back in Isaiah 9, Christ was promised in these terms: “To us a Son is given.” It conjures up the image of a gift tag wrapped around the ankle of the baby Jesus. It reads, “FROM God, TO You.” Centuries later when the promise is fulfilled, the angels remind us of this ultimate Christmas present: “A Saviour has been born to you.”(v11). This is the meaning of Christmas, the Father has given you His all, His heart and soul, His pride and joy. As you look to the manger, how can you deny that God is for you? He has pledged His Son to you in flesh and blood. And since God has not withheld from you His only Son, how will He withhold anything from you (Romans 8:32). PRAISE God for Christmas. PRAISE Him for being the selfgiving God that Christmas reveals.

DEC

321 – THE STORY OF GOD, THE WORLD AND YOU Hebrews 2:5-9

321 is a fresh telling of the gospel that requires no prior knowledge. It exists in many forms. First there are videos that have been translated into 15 languages and been seen hundreds of thousands of times. The presentation has developed as a book, a website, an app and an evangelistic course. This course is currently being used by many online who have responded to our Christmas campaign. Please PRAY for those who are encountering the 321 material – may Christ shine through this resource and may people find new life in Him.

DEC

321 CONTINUED... DEVELOPING THE RESOURCES Hebrews 2:10-18

Scores of churches have used our 321 evangelistic course but we want to re-write and re-film the course and make it a world-class, widely-used resource. Please PRAY that we would create tools that can be used widely for the glory of Jesus.

DEC

THE SPEAK LIFE STAFF Acts 3:19

While the office is closed over the Christmas break, please pray for us as a staff team. For Andy Brinkley our Media Producer, for Sandy Medway our Operations Manager, for Howard Medway who works part-time in finance, for Linda Owen our volunteer Prayer Co-ordinator and for Glen Scrivener our Evangelist. Please PRAY to our Father for times of refreshing from the Lord (Acts 3:19) and clear vision for the way forward. 13

DEC

300 BIBLES HANDED TO CALAIS REFUGEES 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Bibles have been handed out in The Jungle in Calais so that refugees can read the text in their own language. Rachel Rounds, from the Bible Society told Premier it was a mixed experience and that people want to leave the camp. Talking to Premier about distributing Bibles she said: “It was just utterly amazing to see people’s faces just filled with such joy, and just to see them picking up the Bible and reading it in their own heart language was just lovely - and a couple of guys we spoke to said ‘oh, I want to tell you about my favourite verse’ and they were able to read out their favourite verse.”Around 300 Bibles were handed out in both Arabic and Amharic, the Ethiopian language. It is estimated around 4,000 people, including children, live in an area of Calais known as The Jungle. Rachel Rounds also said: “When it comes to life inside the camp, it’s total anarchy.” She says she saw women holding up pieces of A4 paper saying things like, ‘I am a doctor’, ‘I am a scientist’, ‘I am a teacher’, ‘I am a nurse’. She stressed that, “There are quite a few Christian charities... I certainly get the impression lots of Christians in this country have really helped.” She concluded by saying that what these people needed most of all is hope. Premier News PRAISE God that many Calais refugees received the Word of God and help from Christians. Pray for fruit and a godly solution to this crisis.

DEC

RESTORE BIBLE TO ANGLICAN COMMUNION Zechariah 1:2-4

Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has called for a meeting in January 2016 to discuss how Anglicans should move forward. Head of the Global Anglican Future (GAFCON). Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, primate of Kenya, stated that restoring the Bible to the heart of the Anglican Communion should be the goal of the meeting. “It is on this basis that the GAFCON Primates will prayerfully consider their response to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s letter,” said Wabukala. Welby suggests restructuring the communion as a looser association that maintains relations with liberal churches of North America that recognize and support gay marriage, as well as with conservative African churches that reject gay unions of all kinds. “Our confidence is not in any structural reorganization, useful though it may be, but in the saving grace of... Christ and in the abiding truth of the Bible,” said Wabukala. GAFCON said it was somewhat encouraged that Welby had opened the door of the meeting to Archbishop Foley Beach, who heads the Anglican Church in North America, a rival to the US Episcopal Church. Religion News Service; Christian Headlines

PRAISE God for a strong, faithful Anglican Church in the South. Pray that He will mark out with power and grace those who honour Him at the meeting.

DEC

A MAN AFTER GOD’S HEART 1 Samuel 13:14

In the Old Testament, the king was meant to be a man after God’s own heart. Saul was not. David was. But all of Israel’s kings were only throne-warmers for Christ. He is truly The Man after God’s own heart. Eternally He has existed in a love relationship with His Father and this is precisely what He brings us into. By the Spirit, united to Jesus, we now call on our “Abba, Father” from the heart. This is the nature of Christ’s life and it’s now the nature of our life in Him. Whatever your resolutions for 2016, may this shape all your plans. We have a heart to heart relationship with God – Jesus has guaranteed it. Let us pursue what we’ve already been given. PRAISE God that Jesus has brought us into a heart to heart with Him. PRAY to gladly pursue this heart to heart in 2016.

JAN 2016

WALKING WITH GOD Leviticus 26:12

Throughout the Bible “walking with God” is used as a picture of our relationship. Not sprinting. Not collapsed in a heap. Walking. Noah “walked with God”, as did Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In Micah 6:8 all Israel is invited to “walk humbly with your God” and in the New Testament Paul tells us to walk “in Christ” (Colossians 2:6,7; Ephesians 4:1) and to “keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). How astonishing to think that the triune God wants to walk with us. In Christ and by the Spirit we journey with the living God, our constant companion along the road. How often are we tempted to sprint or simply give up? How often do we feel alone on the journey? The words of the song are true: “When you walk through the storm, hold your head up high, and don’t be afraid of the dark... For you’ll never walk alone.” PRAY that 2016 would be a year of walking with God.

JAN

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY ON PREMIER RADIO Colossians 1:15-20

Next week Glen will once again be providing the Thought for the Day each weekday for Premier Radio. Please PRAY that people would be reached over the radio who might not ordinarily hear the gospel.

JAN

OUR UGANDAN EVANGELIST Colossians 1:21-28

Amos Mukasa is based in Kampala but tirelessly preaches around his native Uganda. Together with his wife, Perry, and a small team, they speak in churches, house to house, at rallies, conferences and at “Jesus Film” showings.

Please PRAY particularly for the Women’s Conference and Family Life Seminars which they are running this week which reaches 500 women and men.

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JAN

GOD USES A REDEEMED “THROWAWAY” Exodus 6:6-8

Thirty-three years ago Jim Rivera sat on a park bench in downtown Philadelphia with heroin syringes hidden in his socks. Abused as a child, Rivera, who was 27 at the time, had been homeless and on drugs since the age of 10. “I felt abandoned. I wanted to end my life,” he says. “I thought I was a throwaway.” As he entertained these thoughts, a group of men approached him. Among them was David Wilkerson, founder of U.S. Missions Teen Challenge, and Tom Keinath, lead pastor of Calvary Temple International Assembly in Wayne, New Jersey. They were in the city for an evangelistic campaign and told Rivera that Jesus had sent them. After anointing and praying over Rivera, they handed him a card with contact information for Teen Challenge Philadelphia. Although initially annoyed, Rivera soon checked himself into the programme. Three days later, he committed his life to Jesus as Saviour while attending a Bible study led by Pastor Steven Bogdan. Upon completing the first stage of treatment, Rivera transferred to the Teen Challenge in Rehrersburg, Pennsylvania, where he met his future wife Deborah. At the center, he sensed a calling by God to reach the lost. Rivera earned his ministry credentials, and then became an intern at Pennsylvania-Delaware Ministry Network, before returning to Teen Challenge as a vocational administrator. When he felt the time had come to plant a church, Rivera, who is Puerto Rican, chose Allentown, which has the second highest number of Hispanics per capita on the east coast. He began his ministry in the First Ward, a low-income, crime-ridden neighborhood. He and Deborah handed out bagged lunches and an invitation to attend a service in the gymnasium at a local school. That night he led 56 people to salvation decisions. Twenty-two years later, Rivera is still meeting the needs of the people at City Limits Assembly of God in Allentown. “To save a life, first meet the need, then save the soul,” Rivera says. “We must learn to earn our permission to be heard.” Last year, Rivera helped spearhead the establishment of Executive Education Charter School, located 12 blocks from the church. The school draws 95 percent of its students from low-income families. “It’s the foundation of our program to teach respect, discipline, and character building and to ultimately make these children productive members of our society,” CEO Robert Lysek says. Rivera says the school helps fulfill his vision to reach the lost for Christ by embracing people at their need and helping them to live from a position of victory. Meanwhile, 20 years ago, Rivera purchased the park seat on which David Wilkerson sowed the seed in his heart, and he has led hundreds of people to the Lord on it! PE News PRAISE God that He can save and bestow ministerial gifts even upon a “throwaway.” PRAY That this church and school will continue to minister the saving grace of God.

JAN

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING Genesis 12:1-3

Why does God have a special people? Is it because He doesn’t care about the rest of the world? No, it’s precisely because He loves the world that He blesses a particular people. In Genesis 12, the Lord blesses Abraham and his offspring, not for their own sakes but in order that they might, in turn, bless the nations. We are not meant to be a reservoir, storing up God’s blessings. We are a river and everything we’ve received from God, we are to pour out to a needy world. PRAY for spiritual sight to see the blessing you could be to others, even today.

JAN

A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS Exodus 19:1-6

What do priests do? In the Old Testament they were go-betweens, bringing the people to God and God to the people. Who are we as the people of God? According to Exodus 19 (and 1 Peter 2:9) we are “a kingdom of priests.” Priestliness is not confined to one class or tribe of people, it’s who we are as God’s people. This means that it’s not someone else’s job to reach out with God’s love. Nor is it simply my job. It’s our job – our very life together is a priestly reality. PRAY that your church would have a vision for witnessing. PRAY that you would have a vision for the church and its role in your mission.

JAN

TO THE DEPTHS OF THE CROSS AND THE ENDS OF THE EARTH Psalm 22

As you read Psalm 22, trace the trajectory of its message down to the depths of the cross and then out to the ends of the earth. The Lord who died with His arms outstretched to the world is the same Lord who wants to reach that world. PRAY for a deeper appreciation of Christ’s cross that will lead you to a closer engagement with His mission.

JAN

ALL NATIONS ON EARTH Psalm 72

Read this Psalm and ask yourself: What is the King, the Royal Son, really like? And what is His heart for the world. PRAISE Jesus for His just and gentle rule. PRAY for a heart like His for the nations.

JAN

CHRISTIAN TV PROGRAM FOR ARAB WOMEN Isaiah 43:3-5

SAT-7 ARABIC is launching a new program for women in North Africa. This summer, presenter and producer Samia Jallali Kessai and the crew recorded 26 episodes of the new program called You’re Precious. The team worked relentlessly for four days, from 6am to midnight, shooting the episodes. The program is in Arabic with Berber subtitles, making it accessible to different communities spread throughout Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania and Libya. “We want to remind these women that they are very precious in God’s eyes,” says Samia. The 15-minute segments deal with controversial issues in which North African women often remain voiceless. Many young women are rushed into marriages they have not chosen and are often later discarded by their husbands, who seek new brides. Samia says some women are forced to escape their troubled home lives: “In the city where I live, there are many prostitutes. You’ll find that most of them are runaways.” “Some fled as young girls before their parents forced them to marry someone they did not love. Some ran from their unhappy and unhealthy marriages. Many were driven by fear that they would be kicked out of their homes because their husbands wanted new women. These runaways are afraid... they and their children left destitute and disgraced. They are victims. But they are precious.” Divorce is just one of many subjects tackled by the program. It also raises the issues of fear, domestic conflict, and finding value in one’s identity. SAT-7 PRAISE God for this SAT-7 initiative. Pray that many of these “precious” women may know the joy of belonging to their Saviour.

JAN

SUCCESS OF CHRISTIAN TV IN TURKEY Isaiah 2:2-4

SAT‑7 TURK achieved extensive coverage in the Turkish broadcast and print media after its recent launch on the main Turksat satellite platform. Far more people in Turkey are now able to receive its broadcasts. Zekai Tanyar, a Turkish pastor with over 30 years experience, said it would help dispel many prejudices about Christians and the Christian faith in Turkey. “In the coming years when we can look back, we will probably see a major step up in responses to the Gospel. Also we are sure there are lots of secret believers out there, and it will help to strengthen them.” Many new, listeners have been added, like the caller from Ardahan, who said: “Yesterday evening I came across your channel while channel-surfing. I watched a couple of very nice programs. I especially liked the movie explaining the Prophet Abraham’s life. I had previously read the Bible, but I did not really understand it; are you able to help me? I am a student.” Uplink - SAT-7 PRAISE God that these Christian broadcasts are meeting the need of many Turks. Pray for a harvest. 18

BY IAN MILMINE

ARE WE SEEING THE END OF THE WESTERN ANGLOSAXON EMPIRE? “All the trees of the forest will know that I the LORD bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. “’I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it’.” Ezekiel 17:24 Dear Prayer Partners, Edward Gibbon (1737-1794) is often considered to be the first modern historian. In his great work, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Gibbon, shows how the Roman Empire fell into decadence in large part due to the gradual loss of civic virtue among its citizens. They had become weak, outsourcing their duty to defend their empire to barbarian mercenaries, who then became so numerous and ingrained that they were able to take over the Empire. Romans, he believed, had become effeminate, no longer willing to live a tougher, “manly” military lifestyle. In similar fashion, the American historian and philosopher William J. Durant (1885-1981) in his The Story of Civilization (co-authored with his wife Ariel) shows how religion plays a fundamental role in the rise of a civilization, “by giving to a people that unity of morals and belief which seems so favorable to statesmanship and art.”

A PROPHETIC COMMENTARY ON TODAY’S WESTERN SOCIETY? Durant then tells how, gradually, things begin to change: “Priestly control of arts and letters is then felt as a galling shackle or hateful barrier, and intellectual history takes on the character of a “conflict between science and religion”. Institutions which were at first in the hands of the clergy, like law and punishment, education and morals, marriage and divorce, tend to escape from ecclesiastical control, and become secular, perhaps profane.” “The intellectual classes abandon the ancient theology and - after some hesitation - the moral code allied with it; literature and philosophy become anticlerical. The movement of liberation rises to an exuberant worship of reason, and falls to a paralyzing disillusionment with every dogma and every idea. Conduct, deprived of its religious supports, deteriorates into epicurean chaos; 19

and life itself, shorn of consoling faith, becomes a burden alike to conscious poverty and to weary wealth. In the end a society and its religion tend to fall together, like body and soul, in a harmonious death.” Durant sentences: “A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.” Likewise, Sir John B. Glubb, a British General, author and lecturer (1897-1986), concluded that most empires do not last longer than 250 years. He believes this equates to 10 generations. For Glubb, the stages of the rise and fall of great nations (empires) seem to be: The Age of Pioneers (outburst) The Age of Conquests The Age of Commerce The Age of Affluence The Age of Intellect The Age of Decadence. The fall into decadence is marked by: Defensiveness Pessimism Materialism Frivolity An influx of foreigners The Welfare State A weakening of religion. He adds that decadence is due to: Too long a period of wealth and power Selfishness Love of money The loss of a sense of duty. And Professor of History, Dr Robert R Owens, adds bluntly: “Why do empires fall? Because they think they won’t.”

WESTERN ARROGANCE HAS LED TO A CHAOTIC STATE OF AFFAIRS Whether we agree or not with Durant’s or Glubb’s analyses, I’m sure we would accept that they give us some very clear pointers towards understanding the present condition of our Western civilization. Are we not marked by frivolity, pessimism, materialism and an extreme weakening of the Christian faith on which our civilization was built? Are not wealth, power, selfishness, love of money, and the loss of a sense of duty (in part by over-emphasising our rights!) clear hallmarks of our times?

If there is one other salient mark of our civilization that Glubb does not highlight, I would say that it is arrogance. Arrogance has led us to believe that we can live our lives without God when, in fact, we owe everything to Him; arrogance has led us

to rely on our wealth and strength when, in fact, we are bankrupt, owing far more money than we could ever pay back. It is arrogance that has led us - in particular the USA and Britain - to believe that we can be the “policemen” of the world, getting ourselves involved in all kinds of warmongering adventures in an effort to impose our way of life on other peoples.

THE PRESENT HUGE INFLUX OF REFUGEES IS LARGELY OUR FAULT Over the past two decades, the West, led by America, Britain and France, has intervened successively in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria with the explicit purpose of seeking regime change. Now, it is reasonable to expect that most people who have grown up cradled by Western democracy would probably not wish that Sadam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi, Bashar al-Assad, or the Taliban were in power in any nation of the world, let alone their own. But what we have achieved through our policy and action is to create a catastrophic instability in the Middle East. More often than not - in our anxiety to remove a “tyrant” - we have created a power vacuum and supported groups that have proved to be our terrorist enemies. We did this in Libya, creating the most awful civil war to which there is no apparent solution in sight. Meanwhile the weak governments we left in power in Baghdad and Kabul, seem unable to manage the situation. Not having learned from our mistakes, we have been doing the same in Syria for the past 3 years. The consequences, in terms of death, destruction, misery and a virtually unmanageable refugee crisis are there for all to see.

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES ARE SUFFERING MOST OF ALL But for us, as Christians, one of the greatest tragedies that is unfolding every day is the gradual emptying of these nations (Iraq and Syria) of the vibrant and peaceful Christian communities that have lived in the region for centuries. The unbearable suffering that many are undergoing at the hands of ISIS and other Islamist groups has led to an exodus of many of those who were not slaughtered for their faith. Those that remain do so in great peril but with extraordinary demonstrations of God’s presence among them as stories in this Bulletin show.

In a recent press interview the Syrian Catholic Archbishop Jacques Behnan Hindo, claimed the US has joined forces with al-Qaeda to try to remove Syrian President Bashar AlAssad. Like many if not most Syrian Christians, he believes it is misleading for the West to support what they call “moderate rebels” in Syria, because these groups do not exist, he said in The Catholic Herald. He finished: “The Syrians will decide if and when Assad has to go away, and not the Daesh (IS) or the West and it is certain that if Assad goes away now, Syria will become like Libya.”

Indeed this support for so called “moderate rebels” has now been suspended by the USA after the discovery that almost all those “moderates” trained and armed by the US immediately defected to ISIS or Al-Nusra, with all their weapons, upon returning from CIA training camps! The Russians, the Iranians and (as I write) the Chinese have now stepped into the void and taken the initiative, and the West - despite protests - can do little or nothing to alter what is now an entirely new dynamic unfolding in the region. The arrogance that led the West to think “we know better, we can determine the outcome”, has shown its abject failure. Somehow this seems to echo what Gibbon said about the fall of the Roman Empire!

ARE WE SEEING THE DEATH THROES OF THE WESTERN “EMPIRE”? Certainly many of the signs of impending destruction from within, through moral and spiritual decadence, are self evident. But, does the “high- jacking of the West’s foreign policy in the Middle East by Russia and China indicate the beginning of the rise of a truly rival “empire” which, sooner or later. will supplant the West in its role of leadership in the world? It may be too soon to say, but certainly the relative balance of power between East and West is being substantially altered, economically and militarily, and the Sino- Russian intervention in Syria is only one early evidence of this shift. And it must be said, we may not like their style of government, but both Russia and China have a much more robust attitude towards the moral decadence that is so prevalent in the West. They are also societies that privilege duties over rights, and patriotism over pessimism! Can the West recover its role as “leader of the free world” and, once again, exert a positive influence for truth, justice and righteousness? No! Certainly not in its present state of moral and spiritual collapse! Unless we see a true revival of the Christian faith and a turning back to the God of the Bible, the West will inevitably go the way of previous world empires. In the words of the Hon. Edward B. Vines, a district judge in Jefferson County, Alabama: “ This conflict will not be won at the ballot box or even on the field of battle but rather on our knees as we fervently seek the will of the one true God, the one to whom every single person who has ever lived will one day have to answer.” But, fear not, God is still on the throne, Jesus is coming again and His purposes will be perfectly fulfilled! As our nations become increasingly secular and anti-Christ, requiring Christians to affirm the moral relativism of our current age, we should steel ourselves for the persecution that is sure to follow. It may be true to say that, even within our lifetimes, Christians and the Christian faith will receive far greater acceptance in China and Russia than in the West!

Yours in the fellowship of Jesus Christ, Ian Milmine

JAN

God’s Wooing In Our Woe Job 36:16 What is God up to in your suffering? This verse sums it up beautifully: wooing you from the jaws of distress. The word “woo” tells you that this is not about will-driven decisions but loving, heart-felt responses to the Lord. In whatever distress you face, PRAY to know the allure of Christ and the hope of His feasting joy.

JAN

STUDENT MISSIONS Colossians 1:6

The University and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF) coordinates and equips Christian Unions in the UK. They want to see every student in Britain have the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel. Every year around a 100 missions are launched by CUs in universities around the country offering thousands of opportunities to speak of Jesus. At the same time, UCCF’s Gospel Projects (like Uncover) get God’s word into the hands of tens of thousands of students so that they can encounter Christ for themselves. Now is the time when scores of university CUs are gearing up for their annual week of mission. Glen is preparing to speak in University of East Anglia, Reading and Sheffield University. Please PRAY for these mission weeks and for the many others happening at this time. PRAY that thousands will meet Jesus and be discipled through these initiatives.

JAN

THE KEY TO GUIDANCE Philippians 1:9-11

Do you want to make wise decisions? Well then, what do you need? Intelligence? Information gathering? Strength of resolve? Paul says: Love. It’s when our love abounds that we have true discernment. Guidance issues become simplified and clarified in the light of love. PRAY for a deeper love of God and of those around you and so for God to make your paths straight.

JAN

LIGHT OF CHRIST FILLS COLOMBIA DARKNESS Matthew 5:13-16

The southwest of Colombia was home to Helmer, a FARC guerilla commander known as Comandante Geronimo. “When I became a commander in the state of Cauca, I unleashed all that atheism against the people of God,” Helmer explained. “Expelling pastors, closing churches, killing evangelicals because... we wanted them to... deny Jesus Christ, to deny God.” But after years of persecuting Christians, Helmer realized he had failed. “The more I persecute them, the more they grow, get stronger, multiply.... Then I start to doubt,” Helmer said. Those doubts led Helmer to a personal encounter with the Jesus he was persecuting. Today his weapon is a Bible, and he urges people to follow Christ instead of Karl Marx. CBN News PRAISE God His light is penetrating utter darkness.

JAN

FAITH LIVES ON AMONG IRAQI CHRISTIANS Matthew 5:43-48

When ISIS conquered large swaths of northern Iraq, they gave Christians four choices: leave, stay and pay the Islamic tax for nonMuslims (jizya), convert to Islam or die. Most left. Many of the Christians who fled ISIS are not in the larger refugee camps. Instead, they live in neighbourhoods throughout Kurdistan and in Erbil. CBN News spoke with some refugees from Mosul -ancient Ninevah - and from the Christian town of Quaracosh. “In such kind of circumstances, it’s really hard for families to live all together,” Sabah Jamil said. “For example, we came here and found out we would be living in a small apartment with five or six families. It was very difficult for us.” A year ago just after they fled, CBN News interviewed the pastor of one church. Today, he is continuing to shepherd his flock. Pastor Abu Fadi said that even when the electricity goes out - a common occurrence in Erbil - the service goes on. Like Christians around the world, they gratefully celebrate communion. Like many others, Rota Abdullah Mora asked for prayer. “God has moved us and saved us from Quaracosh to here. That means he was faithful to us, but right now we need a faithful heart so please pray for us to have a faithful heart,” Mora said. “I’m really very proud of the Christians because the Christians, they left everything behind and they followed Christ,” Ganem said. “The Christians of Iraq, they need the other parts of the world to pray for them because they are really in need spiritually, physically and emotionally,” another said. “They really need to pray for us to live in peace and experience the peace of Jesus.” Miryam, the 10-year-old girl seen by thousands on the Internet forgiving ISIS, came to the service, still sharing her childlike faith. “Whatever situation we are in, it is because God allowed it,” Miryam said. “We don’t know how to deal with this life unless we have Jesus with us.” CBN News

PRAISE God that these brethren remain strong in Christ after losing everything. Thank God for the Kurds who received them. Join hands in prayer.

JAN

GLEN PREACHING AT ALL SOULS, EASTBOURNE Psalm 103

When so many evangelists have no connection to a local church, Glen’s close partnership with All Souls, Eastbourne, is a particular blessing. Glen was on staff with the church between 2007 and 2010 and now, as a member, continues to preach there and lead a home group. PRAY that Glen and All Souls would continue to be a blessing to one another and for continued growth in the church – in maturity as well as numbers.

JAN

MANY OTHER PEOPLES Exodus 12:38

Israel was always a multi-ethnic nation. Right from this defining moment in the Exodus, God’s people have been a “mixed multitude.” Israel in the wilderness were not defined by race or nationality, but by taking shelter under the blood of the Lamb. It’s exactly the same today. No-one comes in on God’s blessings through “the flesh” – who we are / what we do – but everyone is summoned to faith by sheltering under the blood of the Lord Jesus. PRAY to get a vision and clarity on how to regard and reach the various nationalities in your area.

JAN

THE EVANGELIST’S PODCAST Ephesians 4:10-11

Glen and Andy are coming up to their 3 year anniversary for The Evangelist’s Podcast. This weekly broadcast equips Christians to speak life to their friends, family, work colleagues and even complete strangers. Globally it ranks in the top 3 podcasts for both “evangelism” and “apologetics” and each week it gets thousands of downloads from interested listeners. Please PRAY that many more thousands of Christians will be equipped and emboldened to evangelise through this resource. Please PRAY that many more non-Christians will be reached through the witness it inspires.

JAN

LET THE NATIONS BE GLAD Psalm 67

The Psalm begins almost identically to the Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6. But instead of those blessings collecting in some spiritual “reservoir”, they burst the banks in verse 2: “that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.”This is the purpose of God’s gifts – not that such blessings terminate on ourselves like a reservoir but that they flow through us like a river.

PRAISE God for the blessings He showers on us. PRAY for help to pass them on to the needy around.

JAN

MAKING THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR CHRIST Revelation 3:7-13

At several steps on their path to death, eleven indigenous Christian workers from villages near Aleppo had the option to leave the area and live. But the Syrian ministry workers chose to stay in order to provide aid in the name of Christ to others. Relatives said ISIS militants captured the workers and, on August 28th, asked them if they had renounced Islam for Christianity. When they said that they had, the rebels asked if they wanted to return to Islam. The Christians said they would never renounce Christ. The 41-year-old team leader, his son and two ministry members in their 20s were questioned at one village site where ISIS militants had summoned a crowd. The team leader had presided over nine house churches he had helped to establish. His son was two months away from his 13th birthday. “All were badly brutalized and then crucified,” the ministry leader said. “They were left on their crosses for two days. No one was allowed to remove them.” Eight other ministry team members were taken to another site in the village that day and were asked the same questions before a crowd. Two women, aged 29 and 33, tried to tell the ISIS militants they were only sharing the peace and love of Christ. The Islamic extremists then publicly raped the women, who continued to pray during their ordeal, leading the ISIS militants to beat them furiously. As the two women and the six men knelt they were beheaded, while they were still praying. “Villagers said some were praying in the name of Jesus, some were praying the Lord’s prayer, and others lifted their heads to commend their spirits to Jesus,” the ministry director said. “One of the women looked up and seemed to be almost smiling as she said, ‘Jesus!’” The sorrow of the ministry team leader who lost eleven workers has been deep, but he takes heart that their faith could help change the hearts of their persecutors. Christian Aid Mission; My Christian Daily PRAISE God for the faithful stand of these brothers and sisters. Pray that many persecutors and witnesses of their death may ultimately turn to Jesus.

JAN

AMIDST CARNAGE: HOPE FOR SOUTH SUDAN 1 Peter 1:3-9

In 2011, after two decades of civil war, the new African nation of South Sudan divided from Sudan. All hoped for progress and deliverance from extreme poverty through oil revenues. But, since December 2013, hopes have been repeatedly dashed by brutal military clashes and reprisals destroying homes, crops, oil installations, and the few existing services. Among the Nuer tribe, many thousands came to faith in Christ during the civil war sufferings. Today the majority of Nuer people have made a Christian profession of faith, but still know very little of the Bible. Other South Sudanese tribes have also newly confessed Christ, so Bible teachers and preachers are desperately needed. Revival Media PRAISE God He is there. Pray for an end to fighting. 26

JAN

LIFE THROUGH DEATH 1 Corinthians 15:36

According to the Bible, we are like seeds. We will die, be planted into the ground and then raised up again, glorified. Life only comes through death. As Jesus said, we only find our lives by losing them. Spend some time considering the path to true life and fruitfulness. PRAY for God to reveal opportunities of giving yourself away... in order to find yourself.

JAN

EVANGELISM IN KENYA Hosea 6:1-3

Evans Sira Sira has been “our man in Kenya” for 30 years. Together with his wise and godly wife, Mary, Evans has been a faithful and fruitful gospel preacher for nearly 50 years. He has a ministry which would tire out men half his age, speaking in over 100 Kenyan schools and with responsibility for 3 churches. Evans sees dramatic responses to his gospel preaching on a regular basis. PRAY for his continued recovery from major surgery, for unified and strong leadership in the churches he is responsible for and much fruit from his evangelistic preaching.

JAN

THE LORD’S SERVANT MUST NOT BE QUARRELSOME 2 Timothy 2:22-26

Tim Keller speaks of “bad evangelism” in these terms: “Bad evangelism says: I’m right, you’re wrong, and I would love to tell you about it.” Paul says real evangelism happens only with an abundance of faith, love, peace, kindness and gentleness. Even when “opponents” are ensnared by the devil, the Lord’s servant patiently brings the truth, time and again. PRAY for this kind of evangelism to mark your own outreach.

JAN

WE DESTROY ARGUMENTS 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Yesterday we highlighted the gentleness which all evangelists need. Here we emphasize the boldness that’s required. Paul does not destroy people, but he does destroy arguments when the time is right. He takes thoughts captive to Christ. And that’s the secret to the gentleness/boldness combination: Christ. If we ourselves are captive to Him then His love must be evident in gentleness. But if He has captured our hearts then we cannot be content for falsehoods to rob people of our precious Jesus – we must boldly oppose them. PRAY for great discernment to know how to be gentle and bold in our witness. 27

JAN

OFFICIAL: UK GAY POPULATION VERY SMALL Psalm 141:8-9

In what may be a revelation to many, official statistics reveal only 1.1 per cent of the UK population are gay or lesbian, with 0.5 per cent identifying as bisexual. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) asked over 168,000 people about their “sexual identity” for its survey on the issue. The ONS said it developed and tested the question on numerous surveys and carefully asked the question to participants. Those aged between 16 and 24 were most likely to identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB), while those over 65 were least likely. The ONS said, “the size of the LGB population has remained the same since 2013” and noted that the slight increase since 2010 is not statistically significant. These official statistics call into question the claims by gay lobby groups. They are also a wake-up call to Christians. How can such a tiny minority sway public opinion yet the far greater numbers of Christians in the country are virtually gagged? The Christian Institute; Revival Media PRAISE God that far fewer people than often stated have fallen into this trap of Satan. Pray that Christians will love all of them while boldly standing for Truth.

JAN

IRAN: GOD IS BUILDING HIS CHURCH Isaiah 55:1-5

News from Iran dominates our headlines, but behind the scenes God is building His church. Thirty years of Islamic revolution have made Iranians the most open Muslim people in the world to Christ. And it is only the Gospel that can bring peace to Iranians and the whole Middle East. In one week in the month of September, Elam Ministries reports that more than 240 Iranians were baptised in two large celebrations. A further 16 were baptised in a smaller service, and about 200 more were soon to be baptised at a fourth celebration. Seven friends, who were there to support those being baptised, responded to a call to submit their lives to Christ for the first time at one of last week’s celebrations. Here is the report from a typical service in Iran: “The meeting room is crowded and hot. The worship is enthusiastic and fervent. The preaching simple: Jesus did not condemn the woman caught in adultery, because He was condemned for her. The appeal is direct: ‘Don’t leave this room with your sin; Jesus died for you.’ People come forward for prayer. One man says he is a Muslim, but he loves Jesus. ‘Do you want to become a believer? ‘Yes’. There is more talk. The pastor turns to the man’s wife and daughter. Do they too want to become followers of Jesus? Yes...” Elam Ministries website PRAISE God for the huge number of open hearts in Iran, despite the danger of prison. Pray for those who have just been baptised and those who are seeking - that many will find the Saviour. 28

JAN

FRUITFUL EVANGELISM Proverbs 11:30

Notice the parallel in this verse. There is a fruitful tree and there is a soul winning believer and we are meant to see them together. If we want to “win souls” then abiding in Christ - our tree of life - is the pre-requisite. Those who are ingrafted into Him will be fruitful - He promises it (John 15). PRAISE God that we belong to Jesus the tree of life. PRAY for a deeper experience of communion with Him that we might be fruitful in soul-winning.

JAN

SPEAKING AT EVANGELISTIC ACOUSTIC NIGHT, READING Galatians 3:26-29

Carey Baptist Church is a vibrant and outward looking church in Reading with a proud evangelistic history. Glen will be preaching tonight during a live music night where they regularly get many non-Christians. They will be running a 321 course off the back of the evening. Please PRAY for many non-Christians to come, for them to hear the gospel and respond in faith.

JAN

SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS: THE ENEMY OF EVANGELISM Jonah 4

The Old Testament’s most successful evangelist strikes a ridiculous figure in Jonah chapter 4. He had hoped for the destruction, not the salvation, of Nineveh and he ends up bemoaning the LORD’s amazing grace. He is a warning to all of us. Self-righteousness can infect our evangelism. Evangelists are tempted to feel superior to those we evangelise - after all, we have the truth and they do not. But we forget, as Jonah did, the pit from which we were raised. PRAY that God would remind you of the amazing grace you needed in order to be saved. PRAY for a deep compassion for the lost.

FEB

MISSION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA Romans 5:12-21

Today is the first day of mission to the University of East Anglia. Glen is leading the Christian Union in their outreach to 14,000 students on campus in Norwich. PRAY for open doors of opportunity and open hearts in the students. 29

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FEB

CHRIST FREES CHINESE DRUG ADDICTS Job 26:14

The Chinese government recently admitted that drug use has now spread into 90 percent of the country. To battle this epidemic, residents of one Chinese province are relying on prayer to help addicts kick the habit. CBN News travelled to the southwest part of Yunnan Province. Nestled at the foothills of a mountain range lies a unique drug rehabilitation program that is mixing prayer and Bible study to change the destiny of addicts. “We rely only on God, on His mighty power, to change lives,” Xu Chengyun told CBN News. Xu helped start the Gospel Rehab Center in 2007. Xu said. “We follow a simple routine every day:” A routine of prayer, of worship and of service to one another “Father, we are submitting in front of you to pray for our brother,” Xu said as he placed his hands on a heroin addict lying in bed. “We pray he can see your mighty power here,” he continued. “Make him realize his mistakes and sins and repent to you for the second chance so that he can gain his second life and be made new through Jesus.” “You are the one I rely on,” the group sings at the start of their day. “My victory is gained by your presence. Jehovah, you are my God. I will never stop praising your name.” Each day involves hours of Bible class. “Let’s all read together this verse,” Xu encouraged the group, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” “Those who come here for help must see the evidence of Christ’s power to heal,” Pai Jianhua, a guidance counselor who helps in ministering to the addicts, said. “We have to be an example so that others can experience God’s love.” The center requires that each addict spend at least a year in the program. Xu said it’s all about creating a safe place for struggling people. The results speak for themselves. Xu says, “So far, 60 percent of our addicts have overcome their drug problems. Those who have relapsed end up coming back to the center, and God touches them. Zhao Linbin is proof that prayer works. “In the beginning it was very difficult. I was easily irritated and found myself in continuous conflicts with the staff. I refused to listen to their advice and I would insult them. I didn’t want to pray or read the Bible,” Zhao said. But the staff wouldn’t give up. They kept praying and believing that God would touch him like he touched so many others who had come before him. Zhao said it took some time, and eventually he had a revelation of the depth of Christ’s love and forgiveness. “Undoubtedly God has done a miraculous work on me,” Zhao said. The folks at the Christian rehab center are preparing to receive more patients. China National Narcotics Agency estimates there are some 14 million drug addicts in this nation. CBN News was on site when the center opened its doors to a new arrival. CBN News PRAISE God that this centre provides proof to the authorities that the Gospel changes lives.

PRAY That the Gospel may so permeate China as to lead the whole nation to honour Christ.

FEB

THE SIMPLICITY OF THE GOSPEL Proverbs 8:32-36

In Proverbs 8, Wisdom appears as the co-creator of the universe the Craftsman at the LORD’s side. Wisdom says to the whole world “whoever finds me finds life and receives favour (or ‘grace’) from the LORD.” Here is the gospel at its simplest: In Jesus is life. To have Him is to have everything. We can get so tied up in knots in our evangelism when essentially the gospel is this:“Look! See! Receive!” PRAY for opportunities to simply explain the life and grace that is found in Jesus.

FEB

FINAL DAY OF UNIVERSITY MISSION Numbers 12:1-16

The last day of any mission is vitally important. Relationships have been struck up, interest has been piqued, the Spirit has stirred up response. On this final day of mission to the University of East Anglia please PRAY that those who have been awakened to spiritual realities would receive Christ personally.

FEB

BY MYSELF I CAN DO NOTHING John 5:30

To our ears this is an astonishing admission from Jesus. We praise independence and self-sufficiency but Jesus happily admits that He is utterly dependent on His Father. He doesn’t seem to think this undermines His claim to deity. He thinks it expresses His deity. In the triune life, dependence and deity are not enemies but friends. If this is so for God the Son, how much more should we acknowledge and nurture our dependence on the Father. PRAY for a sense of your utter need and for a prayerful disposition towards all of life.

FEB

MISSION TO READING UNIVERSITY BEGINS Isaiah 42:1-4

Glen and his team are helping the Christian Union of Reading University to reach out on campus. Through questionnaires, conversations, lunchtime talks, international cafes and a series of evening events, we are seeking to witness to Reading’s 17,000 students. Please PRAY for major inroads into the students and staff and for lives to be changes for eternity.

FEB

NEPAL ADOPTS SECULAR CONSTITUTION Psalm 22:27-29

On September 14th - in a landmark vote - Nepal’s lawmakers decided that the country would remain a secular state, thus protecting minority religions from persecution. Had the Hindu lobby prevailed, and Nepal reverted to become a Hindu state (as it was until 2007), there was serious risk that Christianity would have been made illegal. Nevertheless, following the vote, bombs exploded at two different churches in Jhapa district in eastern Nepal, according to the Kathmandu Post. There were no casualties but the churches suffered damage. Police said investigations into the blasts were under way. Despite the vote for secularism, the draft constitution still includes the statement that the state will safeguard Sanatan Dharma - often used as an alternative term to describe Hinduism. Christian leaders have also expressed concern about the provisions targeting religious conversions and proselytising. Nevertheless, this week’s vote represents a step forward, considering politicians had recently raised the possibility of removing secularism altogether. Prayer Alert; Revival Media; UCA News PRAISE God that Christians have not been outlawed. Pray that anti-conversion laws may not hamper the Church’s work in leading fellow Nepalis to Christ.

FEB

FILM BRINGS NEW EVIDENCE FOR EXODUS Proverbs 30:5-6

Guided by curiosity and an unflinching desire to uncover the truth, film producer Tim Mahoney embarked on a search for evidence – archaeological, scientific, and even literary – that would shed light on whether the events chronicled in the Bible really happened or not. What do the world’s leading archaeologists and biblical scholars have to say about these questions? Were ancient Israelites really held in bondage in Egypt? Did Moses really lead them out to the Promised Land? Did the walls of Jericho really come tumbling down? Mahoney is now convinced of the historical truth of the Bible’s Exodus. Many archaeologists say there is little evidence for the reality of the Exodus story in the historical record because they are looking in the wrong places. “Most of the people who say there’s no evidence (for the Exodus) are looking at a particular timeframe,” Mahoney said. For the last century most historians have used a dating system that does not tally with the dates given in the Bible. But, as historian David Rohl has shown, these datings are wrong and the dates given in the Bible correct. Using the Bible’s dates archaeologists can find the remains that prove the Biblical record to be true. Following his 12-year investigation, Mahoney has released his film Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus, premiered in the USA early in 2015. Christian Headlines; Revival Media

PRAISE God that His Word is proved reliable. Pray that this film may strengthen the faith of many.

10 FEB

THE BIBLE: ALL ABOUT JESUS; ALL ABOUT MISSION Acts 26:22-23

How would you summarize the Old Testament message? Paul says it’s about two things. First, it’s about Christ’s death and resurrection. Second, it’s about His mission out to the nations. We don’t understand the Bible unless we see that it’s all about Jesus and all about mission. And Paul says it was always this way: Moses and the Prophets shared this twin focus. So let’s PRAY that we see Jesus on every page of Scripture but also that we see God’s heart for the nations on every page. The Bible is Christ-centred and it’s mission-focused.

11 FEB

MINISTRY IN MALAWI Psalm 2

Thomson Chirwa has had a long association with our charity. He is a greatly respected pastor in Mzuzu, Malawi with oversight responsibility for many congregations beyond the flock he pastors. He runs many outreach ministries to youth, the local prison and to the unemployed. He preaches indoors and outdoors, in prisons and in schools, tirelessly lifting up the name of Jesus. Please PRAY for encouragement, stamina, wisdom in dealing with authorities and spiritual fruit from his labours.

12 FEB

LAST DAY OF READING UNIVERSITY MISSION Psalm 45

PRAY for God’s Spirit to move powerfully in the students at Reading. Pray that many would cross from death to life and that the Christian Union would be helped to disciple many new believers.

13 FEB

KNOWLEDGE PUFFS UP, LOVE BUILDS UP 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Paul was incredibly knowledgeable. He was brilliantly welleducated and the Lord used his great mind and learning. But Paul warns us of a danger: Knowledge puffs up. It can inflate our ego to think that we know things that others don’t. Paul pricks that proud bubble - it’s love that builds up. PRAY for a love of God and others that deflates pride and builds believers.

FEB

MANY SAVED AT MYANMAR GATHERING Ephesians 2:8-9

Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a nation of 56 million people, 89% of whom are Buddhist, 4% Muslim, and around 5% from various Christian denominations. In recent years, Myanmar has begun the transition from a military dictatorship to a new emerging democracy. However, a study by the Pew Research Center in 2014 found that there is a high degree of government restrictions on religion in Myanmar. This did not stop more than 13,000 young people gathering outdoors in the Insein Football Stadium in the capital of Yangon on 24 and 25 July despite the torrential rain falling at the time - a historic youth event organized by the Myanmar Evangelical Christian Association and Teen Mania. It is the first time that Teen Mania based in the United States has had an international outreach and a national event for youth in Myanmar. Teen Mania reports that 3,000 young people gave their lives to Christ during the two nights of meetings. President of Teen Mania, Ron Luce, said: “The sound of about 13,000 people worshiping in both Burmese and English, dancers of every tribe in Myanmar move in praise at the beginning of each night ... all that felt like being in heaven,” he said.Mundo Cristiano; Armonia.cl; Revival Media PRAISE God that this meeting was possible. Pray for the respondents, that they may become strong and effective in their Christian witness.

FEB

THE EXPLOSIVE GROWTH OF CHRISTIANITY Colossians 1:10

Professor Philip Jenkins writing in The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity, says predictions that Muslims will far outnumber Christians in the future betray an ignorance of the explosive growth of Christianity outside of the West. For instance, in 1900, there were approximately 10 million Christians in Africa. By 2000, there were 360 million. By 2025, conservative estimates see that number rising to 633 million, with 640 million in Latin America and 460 million in Asia. According to Jenkins, the percentage of the world’s population that is, at least by name, Christian will be roughly the same in 2050 as it was in 1900. By the middle of this century, there will be three billion Christians in the world - one and a half times the number of Muslims. In fact, by 2050 there will be nearly as many Pentecostal Christians in the world as there are Muslims today. And these changes will be more than demographic. Jenkins points out that who he calls “Southern Christians” - those living in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia - are far more conservative, theologically and morally, than their counterparts in the West. Thus, as Christianity becomes more Southern, it becomes more biblically orthodox. CBN News PRAISE No matter how bad things seem at home, God is at work throughout the world. 34

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FEB

MISSION TO SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY Psalm 110

Glen and the team are on day 2 of their mission to Sheffield University. This is the third mission week in a row for Glen so please PRAY for energy and for the joy of the Lord to be his strength. PRAY also for many open doors of gospel opportunity and open hearts to receive Christ.

20 FEB

ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Do you want to share in the blessings of the gospel? Paul tells us how: itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as we share the gospel with others that we appreciate its goodness and power. Paul pursues this blessing so passionately that he considers everything else in his life to be negotiable. His cultural identity, his lifestyle preferences, his privileges and comforts - all of these are secondary and dispensable for the sake of the gospel. Are we similarly flexible for the sake of the lost? PRAY for a fresh experience of gospel blessings and for a gospel-centred flexibility to become all things to all people that some might be saved.

21 FEB

TOWN CENTRE OUTREACH 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

As a charity we exist to share Jesus nationally and internationally but we cannot forget our locality either. Please PRAY for various outreach initiatives launched this year for Eastbourne: Door knocking; Street Conversations and Lunchtime Talks. PRAY for many to encounter Christ here at the Speak Life Centre. â&#x20AC;&#x192;

22 FEB

GROWING THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN CHILE Psalm 92:12

The Anglican Church in Chile is growing and with this increase comes a great need for church leaders who will help make disciples. Alf and Hilary Cooper, CMS mission partners, lead a vibrant church in La Trinidad up-market area of Santiago. Among its various disciplemaking activities are Encounter weekends for married couples, Alpha courses, a Bible college and a dynamic youth and children’s programme. When the church grows to a certain size, a tenth of the members move on to plant another church. This has happened 8 times, so the church is expanding throughout and beyond the Capital. Church Mission Society PRAISE God for this example of reproduction of the Church. Pray for the nation and more church leaders.

FEB

CHRISTIAN FAITH BOOSTS CHINA FACTORIES Psalm 111:10

At first glance, it looks as though it could be any other factory driving the rapid development of the Chinese economy. But this is no ordinary enterprise because here religious faith is as important as profit. Every Monday morning, the senior managers gather together and pray about the business. Once a week, members of staff are encouraged to attend an onsite Christian fellowship meeting, where they read the Bible and pray for each other. Manager Weng-Jen Wau believes that by encouraging increasing numbers of his staff to convert to Christianity, his business will prosper. But the notion that newfound faith can inspire a workforce to increased levels of productivity is being taken seriously not only by Christian businessmen, but by China’s Communist - and officially atheist - leaders, as they see enhanced results in Christian-managed factories. BBC News website PRAISE God for this Christian witness and for the growing number of Christian entrepreneurs.

24 FEB

GOSPEL OPPORTUNITIES IN LATIN AMERICA Acts 12:24

“A major difference between the evangelical church in the United States and Latin America is that in Latin America it has never been in the majority,” stated Jairo Namnún of The Gospel Coalition’s Spanish site. “There are different degrees of growth from one country to the next, but across the board the cultures of Latin America are still waiting to receive the benefits of the Reformation. The United States has for a long time been squandering the historic benefits of its heritage. Latin America, on the other hand, is still looking to the future in hopes of a true revival.” Gospel Coalition PRAISE God for church growth in Latin America. Pray for a revival that will change the nations. 36

25 FEB

TRAINING STUDENTS AT THE CORNHILL TRAINING COURSE 2 Timothy 2:1-7

For the past three years Glen has guest lectured on evangelism at the Cornhill Training Course. Cornhill has trained thousands of men and women for ministry in the UK and around the world. PRAY for fruitful times of learning and sharing and for many to be equipped for the harvest field.

26 FEB

THE FREEDOM OF FORGIVENESS Matthew 18:21-35

Our own sins before God are a debt costing hundreds of billions (10,000 talents). By comparison, the sins of others are like a debt of a few thousand which we must absorb. A few thousand pounds is not nothing. If you cost me £5,000 that’s a significant hurt you have done me. But as soon as I remember the hundred billion my worries are relativised. This is how to deal with the sins which others commit against us. They are significant hurts, but as soon as we remember our own guilt and the lavish forgiveness of Christ, how can we not forgive? Are there people we need to forgive? Let’s go to Christ acknowledging our own impossible debt and His incredible grace. PRAY for true perspective about our sins and for the grace to forgive.

27 FEB

SPEAKING IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE Ephesians 2:1-10

Glen will be leading the Northamptonshire Men’s Convention held at Northants Cricket Ground, on Saturday then preaching at Moulton Parish Church on the Sunday. PRAY that hundreds would be enthused, inspired and equipped for sharing their faith. PRAY that on the Sunday many non-Christians encounter Christ for the first time.

28 29 FEB

YOU HAVE A SUPERPOWER: LOVE 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

The Corinthian church prided itself on its wisdom and spiritual power. Paul tells them of a crucified Saviour who shows us “a more excellent way.” If we want a super-power, we have it: love. In chapter 13 Paul describes this awesome standard of love. As we read we might despair of living up to the standard. At that point we must realise that love is more than a standard. Love is a Person. Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind, He does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud. PRAY to experience more of His love and PRAY to share it with others.

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SpeaklifeDaily To call São Paolo’s annual March for Jesus a huge procession is is available free of charge all who wish use itinas1993, the an understatement. Since thefor inaugural eventtoback an aid prayerinto and the praise. If you like receive parade hasforgrown largest of would its kind in to the whole world a copy of SpeaklifeDaily every quarter and areexpect not up to a and has attracted much media attention. Organisers already subscribed please fill in thetoform below. staggering 5 million evangelical Christians swarm the streets of the Brazilian metropolis, led by live Christian bands on floats and trucks. Title

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