Prayer Diary (Jul-Sep) 2023

CONNECTED

That’s how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another — Romans 12:5 (CEV)

Can you believe it was more than three years ago that COVID-19 first caused so much havoc in the world? The ‘stay at home’ mandate to help prevent the virus from spreading though necessary had many people whispering a prayer for life to return speedily to normal

Post-lockdown, I’m not sure we have returned to ‘normal’.

Although we can leave our homes without fear of being fined, church doors are open, and we’re able to shop without needing to wear a mask, is life really the same as it was before?

I suspect not. I wonder, have we lost the grace of connecting?

If we were to take a good look at the world, we’d notice the cost-of-living crisis, countries at war, the after-effects of natural disasters, global political instability, and a tremendous amount of division.

But division isn’t just between countries and political parties — it is part of the human condition. People are becoming increasingly polarised, even within the Body of Christ.

I understand that the stress of the times in which we live can make us feel isolated. It can be tempting to ‘self-isolate’ because we fear the consequences of the events happening around us, but there seem to be so many barriers to genuine human connection.

I know this introduction feels like it’s all ‘doom and gloom’, but stay with me. Romans 12:5 reminds

us that we are all part of the same body.

The disciples who walked with Jesus were a diverse bunch, yet Jesus told them, ‘Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’ (John 13:34-35).

We were created for connection — with God and with one another. As the Scripture at the top says, ‘That’s how it is with us.'

Yes, it is easier to reject a different opinion or expression of worship. Yes, it is easier to stick with those who look and sound like you. Yes, it is easier to withdraw and keep yourself to yourself, rather than risk getting hurt or rejected. But a life following Jesus was never going to be easy, though it is the most satisfying.

In a world that is so divided, let us be a people who unite. May we — laying down judgment — step out and lean in to this glorious family to which we belong.

May we be a witness and a light to those caught up in fear and foreboding.

Let’s shine like the bride He intended.

It starts with you and me. It’s going to take courage and some dying to self, but I think it’ll be worth it, don’t you?

Rev Victoria Fagg Prayer Communications Leader, MAF UK

To connect with our overseas staff by signing up for their newsletters, please visit www.maf-uk.org/maf-staff or phone 01303 852819

JULY

SATURDAY 1 The MAF Peace and Reconciliation team in South Sudan recently trained 12 new facilitators —

reconciliation and experience Jesus’ peace.

some of them young people who hold positions of responsibility in their church. Pray for them as they work with members of their communities to resolve conflict, achieve

FIRST THINGS, FIRST

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God — 1 John 4:7 (NIV)

SUNDAY 2 Praise God for the successful installation of new hangar doors at our South Sudan base. We are grateful for our maintenance team who were walking closely enough to the Lord to hear His call for their skills in Juba, where there are many operational challenges. When we listen and pray, God involves us in His plans.

MONDAY 3 Every Monday and Friday, MAF UK colleagues meet together in the Folkestone office and online for morning devotions. We focus on the Lord, thank Jesus for all He is doing through MAF, place our work in His hands, and lift our requests to Him. Please remember us in your own quiet times.

TUESDAY 4 Psalm 145:18 reminds us, ‘The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.’ As you read through the prayers for this week, give thanks that when we stay close to the Lord and look to Him first, He promises to draw close to us too.

WEDNESDAY 5 Today, let’s remember those who look after our prayer ministry at MAF UK and MAF International. Pray that God will give them fresh, creative ideas to help staff and supporters understand the needs of those we serve and uphold our mission to hard-to-reach communities.

THURSDAY 6 Whenever we commission a new or repurposed plane — like the one that arrived in Arnhem Land earlier this year — MAF colleagues circle it to pray for the work and ask God’s blessing on the aircraft. Our pilots also pray before each flight. Pray that prayer will always remain at the centre of our ministry!

MAIN Installing the hangar doors in South Sudan was a huge task!

TOP LEFT Our Papua New Guinea staff unite in prayer and worship

TOP RIGHT Pilot Steven Biggs prays before a flight in Liberia

FRIDAY 7 Give thanks for our programme in South Sudan. Pray especially for those who've recently committed themselves to peace, following the visit of Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the Church of Scotland. Ask that leaders in that embattled nation will put aside their differences and be reconciled.

SATURDAY 8 Pray that MAF personnel won’t grow weary of meeting together, either at home or while serving around the world. Today, let’s read Hebrews 10:23-25 and ‘spur one another on towards love and good deeds’.

Mandy Glass

Landen Kelly

Paula Alderblad

ARNHEM LAND’S YOLŊU JULY

SUNDAY 9 Praise God for MAF Arnhem Land and its continued support for part-time MAF Pilot Prabhu Pothula and his wife Christina as they work with Pioneers Australia. Our programme continues to support the couple through subsidised flights and housing, as they establish a ministry that helps Yolŋu believers to disciple one another.

MONDAY 10 On Galiwin’ku — also known as Elcho Island — leadership is historically the preserve of men and is the foundation of Prabhu's and Christina's ministry. Please pray for Christina as she builds relationships with Yolŋu women in the hope that this will provide a Gospel breakthrough that goes beyond tradition.

TUESDAY 11 Pray for David and the new role that God gave him, which brought him back to Galiwin’ku after he’d been to Bible college. ‘God gives me the words,’ he explains, ‘and I must speak what He says.’

WEDNESDAY 12 Consider the lonely path David walks in his commitment to sharing the Gospel. Although he is the rightful leader of his clan, David has sacrificed that position because of his faith and now has few Yolŋu friends. Pray for a change of heart among non-believers.

THURSDAY 13 Christina’s adoptive uncle George had an uncle who led a Christian revival in Arnhem Land. George testifies that God has told him, ‘You’ll be a leader. You’ll catch men.’ Ask the Holy Spirit to work through George to accomplish this.

FRIDAY 14 Pray for peace, protection and provision for MAF Arnhem Land as its fleet flies in support of the indigenous Yolŋu people. May they see that God is at work in the skies as well as on land in the churches that David, George, Prabhu and Christina are helping to nurture.

SATURDAY 15 Please keep the young people of Arnhem Land in your hearts. Violent behaviour, substance abuse and suicide are sadly prevalent, so please pray that Christ will reveal Himself to the youngsters before further tragedies occur.

MAIN An aerial view of Elcho Island, Arnhem Land

TOP David fishing on Elcho Island

ABOVE Christina, Prabhu and George

Stephanie Gidney

The prayer points on this page relate to a story featured in Flying for Life, pages 6-8. (We

hope

this will help

inform

your prayers for MAF and those we serve.)

Christ holds it [the body] together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love — Ephesians 4:16 (CEV)

Stephanie Gidney

Stephanie Gidney

FELLOWSHIP

SUNDAY 16 Praise God that, thanks to MAF flights, Bible teachers were able to share the Gospel in Puluk, in Papua, Indonesia. Please uphold Papuan evangelist Liku, who decided to live among the community there with his family in order to spread the Good News. Give thanks that many villagers have now become Christians.

MONDAY 17 The MAF-run Lutheran Hostel in Papua New Guinea (PNG) enables the children of MAF missionary families to receive a good secondary education. The students stay at the boarding house with Leigh and Inneke MacRae during term-time so they can attend Ukarumpa International School. Pray that, as the students spend time away from their families, they will enjoy fellowship with other teenagers

TUESDAY 18 ‘Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing’ (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV). Prayerfully consider whether there is someone in your life to whom you could offer a word of encouragement.

JULY

WEDNESDAY 19 For several years, MAF PNG transported building material so that Ankem Church could construct a new building. On Christmas Eve 2022, MAF families were invited to its dedication. Pray that the church will continue to grow and be a blessing to the local community

FRIDAY 21 Earlier this year, more than 3,000 people came together in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to celebrate the completed translation of the New Testament and the book of Genesis in the Budu-Nita language. Pray that the believers will benefit greatly from being able to read God’s Word. Pray too for the translators, who hope to begin work on the rest of the Old Testament soon

THURSDAY 20 Give thanks for the opportunity our trainee pilots had earlier this summer at Flight Camp in the Netherlands. As well as learning some of the specialised skills needed for MAF operations, they spent time getting to know their instructors and one another better around a campfire. Uphold these missionary pilots of the future, praying for God's blessing on their ministry.

SATURDAY 22 Praise Jesus for the work of frequent MAF flyer Africa Inland Mission (AIM). The Christian NGO, which works in Kimatong, South Sudan, is encouraging local believers to start their own church. Pray for the team as they seek to encourage the Christians and build relationships there

MAIN One of the women leaders joyfully receives her copy of the Budu-Nita New Testament

LEFT Ankem Church dedication, Telefomin, PNG

ABOVE Standing outside the MAF-run Lutheran Hostel

And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together —

Colossians 1:17 (ESV)

Maryanne Augustin SIL-US

Siobhain Cole

Annelie Edsmyr

UNITING LEADERS

And because of Christ, all of us can come to the Father by the same Spirit — Ephesians 2:18 (CEV)

SUNDAY 23 ‘He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake’ (Psalm 23:3, NIV). Praise God that He refreshes and strengthens our leaders as MAF serves in Jesus' name, and shares His goodness throughout the world.

MONDAY 24 Uphold Donovan Palmer, MAF UK’s new Chief Executive. Ask God to guide his decision-making and plans for the future, to best enable us to serve the world’s most isolated people.

TUESDAY 25 Pray for the leaders of MAF International, MAF US and MAF Canada as they work together as a family of organisations using light aircraft and technology to bring God’s love to remote communities. Pray that MAF's leaders will be perfectly united in mind and thought

WEDNESDAY 26 MAF is made up of more than 1,200 dedicated Christians from around the world. Pray that new leaders will rise up, encouraged and supported by those around them.

THURSDAY 27 Pray for the leaders of the 1,400 national and international organisations that rely on our aircraft each day as we unite to bring humanitarian relief, medical care, education and the Gospel to isolated communities around the world.

FRIDAY 28 Give thanks for all the MAF Country Directors serving the people where they live and work, often in challenging and hostile environments. Pray especially for those who are new to their role and are adjusting to new teams, climates and cultures.

SATURDAY 29 Ten African countries are holding presidential elections this year, including South Sudan and Madagascar. Pray for free and fair elections, positive outcomes, and that those who are elected will put the needs of their country first.

MAIN Flying in the Highlands of PNG

TOP Dave Fyock, Chief Executive Officer, MAF International

MIDDLE Donovan Palmer, MAF UK’s new Chief Executive

ABOVE Arnhem Land Programme Director Matt Henderson

Matt Henderson

PARTNERSHIP

For I want not only to share my faith with you but to be encouraged by yours: Each of us will be a blessing to the other — Romans 1:12 (TLB)

SUNDAY 30 Praise God for strengthening our relationships with other flight ministries in Guatemala, which helps us serve more effectively together. Our programme consists of nine families operating two Cessna 206 aircraft. Pray that we will accomplish much, despite limited resources.

MONDAY 31 ‘I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now’ (Philippians 1: 4-5). Pray for God’s blessing on our faithful supporters — members of the MAF family and partners in our humanitarian Gospel ministry. We are so grateful for your prayers and provision!

TUESDAY 1 Uphold regular MAF flights like those that enabled eye doctors to visit Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya. Pray too for Concern Worldwide — another MAF partner — which tackles the causes of extreme poverty in countries such as Chad, Kenya, Liberia and South Sudan.

WEDNESDAY 2 In order to deliver help, hope and healing across the globe, we work in partnership with various officials. Please pray for favour and wisdom as we approach the relevant authorities for permits to be granted and for the approval of visas and vital documents — whether for MAF personnel, runways, hangars, staff buildings or our ability to fly.

THURSDAY 3 Give thanks for MAF Madagascar’s partner Good News Hospital. The Christian hospital enables people in Mandritsara to receive the treatment they need but cannot afford. It recently ran a clinic in Mananara that treated 200 patients. May God bless all the work of their hands (Deuteronomy 28:12).

FRIDAY 4 When MAF flew a team from UNICEF, health workers were able to inoculate children against polio in Lesirwai, Tanzania. The short flights saved health workers hours of arduous overland travel and helped the Ministry of Health to provide more than 12 million under-fives with a life-saving oral vaccine. Pray that word will continue to spread about MAF’s regular medical safaris, enabling more people to receive medical help.

SATURDAY 5 MAF has been enabling the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Liberia to run health, education and social initiatives in remote areas of Liberia for the past seven years. Uphold this partnership and give thanks that a short MAF flight from Monrovia to Harper saves more than a week of overland travel.

TOP Good News Hospital, Mandritsara, Madagascar

MIDDLE Father Dennis Nimene from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Liberia

BOTTOM Flying over a small settlement outside N’Djamena

Katie Machell

Mark & Kelly Hewes

Mark & Kelly Hewes

Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me — John 15:4 (GNT)

SUNDAY 6 Praise God for our Timor-Leste programme! The past 15 years have seen our aircraft become an invaluable asset to a nation that is building slowly on the independence it gained at the beginning of the millennium.

MONDAY 7 In spite of valuable natural resources such as gas and marble, Timor-Leste remains an economically poor country. Please uphold its people as they strive to work their way out of daily hardship.

TUESDAY 8 Please pray for God’s continued blessings on the country’s health and education services. During the past two decades, child mortality has fallen steadily and a sustained building programme has seen a significant increase in secondary school enrolment.

WEDNESDAY 9 Most people in Timor-Leste are employed in agriculture. Reflect upon the many men, women and children who depend upon their own growing skills to produce enough to eat. Pray too that God will make the land fertile.

(We

will

your

THURSDAY 10 ‘MAF’s regular flight operation is very helpful in generating economic income through local and international visitors to the island,’ says Egidio da Purificação Soares, who works for the Tourism for All project. Please pray for our flights to nearby Atauro Island which are helping to boost this new wave of tourism and feed the local economy.

The prayer points on these pages relate to a story featured in Flying for Life, pages 10-12.

hope this

help inform

prayers for MAF and those we serve.)

FRIDAY 11 MAF is well-known in Timor-Leste for performing hundreds of medevacs every year. Please pray for the pilots whose skill and dedication come to the fore whenever they receive an emergency medical call, and lives hang in the balance.

SATURDAY 12 Pray for Ruth Hitchins, who co-ordinates Closing the Loop — MAF’s holistic care programme — and Rebecca Klassen, our Care Pack Programme Co-ordinator. Thanks to these initiatives, medevac patients and their families who arrive at hospital with no belongings now receive MAF care packs containing clothing and essentials.

SUNDAY 13 Praise God for MAF’s part in sharing the Gospel with the unreached and strengthening our brothers and sisters in this predominantly Christian land. May our planes speed God’s Word to those who might not otherwise hear it

MONDAY 14 ‘We come to expand the Kingdom of God through our mission,’ says Sister Norah Wanza of the Company of Mary Our Lady. Pray for their deepening relationships with the people of Atauro Island, which are supported through MAF flights.

TUESDAY 15 Please pray for prayer and financial support for MAF Timor-Leste, which plays a crucial role in providing access to emergency healthcare. Our aircraft save lives by saving time transporting isolated patients from villages with limited health provision to better-equipped hospitals in the country's more populated areas

WEDNESDAY 16 A one-year-old boy on Atauro Island suffering from pulmonary disease was separated from the mainland by about 20 miles of water. Give thanks that we were able to fly him to Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV) in the capital Dili in less than an hour

THURSDAY 17 ‘The airline is responding to the necessities of Timorese people,’ says Nurse Amelia of HNGV. ‘It helps us a lot in providing an excellent flight service that is comfortable and trusted by its passengers.’ Pray that MAF will always retain our passengers’ trust, rooted as the organisation is in God’s love.

FRIDAY 18 ‘It’s a privilege to see that every flight really makes a difference and impacts those who are in need of help,’ says MAF Pilot Jan Klassen. Please pray that Jan’s words will reach the hearts of potential MAF pilots and inspire them to join our missionary team.

SATURDAY 19 Please keep the fledgling nation of Timor-Leste in your prayers. Its people face a long, uphill struggle to leave the burden of conflict and colonialism behind as they seek to determine a better future for themselves and their children.

MAIN Atauro Island airstrip

TOP LEFT Pilot Jan Klassen conducting a medevac flight

CENTRE A patient receives a care package on the way to hospital

ABOVE Rebecca Klassen prepares the care packs that are given to medevac passengers

Lobitos Alves

Lobitos Alves

Jan Klassen

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AUGUST

SUNDAY 20 ‘No one should be left behind.’ Praise God for MAF’s role in enabling the delivery of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Pray that, as we bring help, hope and healing to some of the world’s poorest nations, more goals will be achieved and lives transformed

MONDAY 21 ‘Zero Hunger.' Years of political and ethnic conflict have shattered South Sudan’s agricultural economy. Pray for peace in this wartorn nation, and for all the other countries currently experiencing turmoil. May farmers return to their land and people be freed from starvation.

TUESDAY 22 ‘Good Health and Well-being.' Give thanks for MAF flights overcoming the barriers preventing countless people from receiving basic healthcare. Pray especially for MAF’s medical safari work in countries such as Kenya, Madagascar and Tanzania, and the medical professionals using MAF each day.

WEDNESDAY 23 ‘Quality Education.' Pray for the MAF flights bringing accessible and culturally appropriate education opportunities to remote areas so children can receive the skills they need to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.

THURSDAY 24 ‘Decent Work and Economic Growth.' The influx of more than a million South Sudanese refugees into Uganda has spurred an incredible humanitarian response. Pray for MAF’s partnership with Seed Effect. This Christian NGO offers refugees in northern Uganda the resources to start their own micro-enterprises. It also provides long-term skills training to help them support themselves.

FRIDAY 25 ‘Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.' MAF is using its expertise to rehabilitate and reopen airstrips in the countries it supports, making it possible for communities cut off from resources to be lifted out of poverty. Pray for MAF’s ongoing efforts to survey and repair more airstrips so more people can be reached.

SATURDAY 26 ‘Gender Equality.' MAF is assisting in the fight against female genital mutilation in countries like Tanzania. Uphold our partnership with HopeCo which is pioneering a project to provide shelter, clothing and food for young girls. Without MAF flights, teams of experts working to reach vulnerable women simply couldn’t make the journey.

ABOVE MAF plays an essential role in supporting the growth of Nomad Mougulu High School, PNG

BELOW In February this year, MAF Madagascar flew to Mahajanga to medevac a patient with kidney failure

Irina Randriamandrato

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called — Ephesians 4:4 (NIV)

Landen Kelly

COMMUNICATION

And you were far from God. But Christ offered His life's blood as a sacrifice and brought you near God — Ephesians 2:13 (CEV)

SUNDAY 27 Praise God for the work of MAF Technologies PNG, which — among other things — enables remote communities to receive medical care. Immediately after we’d installed an HF radio for community health workers in Musave, they requested an emergency medevac for a mother facing pregnancy complications. The next day, we received another call from Musave’s remote health post, requesting urgent help for another patient having difficulty giving birth.

MONDAY 28 Earlier this year, thieves entered our base in Tari, PNG, stealing money and IT equipment. Though we’re told to store up treasure in heaven rather than on earth (Matthew 6:19), let’s pray for God’s protection in preventing moths and rust from destroying MAF’s equipment and thieves breaking in to steal our things.

TUESDAY 29 Give thanks for the 13 MAF Communications Officers scattered throughout Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. Pray they report on our work in a way that brings glory to God and faithfully reflects what’s happening. Pray too that those from the West can connect effectively with churches, friends and relatives at home, despite the technological difficulties caused by distance.

WEDNESDAY 30 Please uphold those establishing a Bible school for indigenous people in Suriname. Pray for health and strength for the teachers, wisdom in selecting students, and guidance concerning flights with MAF.

THURSDAY 31 God speaks to us through His Word, through preaching, through creation, through our conscience, friends, and by His still, small voice. Today, consider how good you are at communicating His message, then ask God for any assistance you need.

FRIDAY 1 Pray that the recent converts in Lesotho will continue to communicate Christ’s light to their communities. Please uphold everyone in the MAF world who seeks to spread the Good News, thanking God for the many flights that make their witness possible.

SATURDAY 2 Praise the Lord for the souls saved during the MAF Technologies PNG outreach in Lufa and Goroka. Give thanks too for the distribution in Telefomin of 179 mini solar lighting kits for home-use that came with Gospel tracts. Pray that the new believers will grow spiritually, and that the evangelistic leaflets will speak powerfully to everyone who reads them.

TOP Musave Health Clinic, Eastern Highlands, PNG

MIDDLE HF radio at Musave Health Clinic, PNG

BOTTOM This Cessna 206 is one of four in the MAF Lesotho fleet

Grant Strugnell

Simeon Tom

Simeon Tom

LOCAL COMMUNITY

SUNDAY 3 Praise God for the blessing that MAF spouses Helen Symmonds and Harriëtte Knigge are to their local community in PNG. Having undertaken some training on healing trauma through storytelling, they hope to offer support to the local ladies’ prison and women’s refuge. Pray they will be of help in providing healing to those who are struggling with unresolved trauma

MONDAY 4 Give thanks for Ben and Esther Brown and their two sons. They moved to Arnhem Land, Australia, in April, where Ben is working as Deputy Programme and Operations Manager. Ask the Lord to be with them as they settle into their new community and adjust to a new way of life

TUESDAY 5 Operations Projects Officer Siobhain Cole is on the committee of the Ladies’ Fellowship Group at her local church in Telefomin, PNG. It involves women from different backgrounds. As well as supporting and encouraging one another, they occasionally run classes such as peanut butter making and knitting. Pray that the Holy Spirit empowers these women to share the Gospel with their families and to lean on Jesus when times are hard.

WEDNESDAY 6 Becki and Matt Dillingham have been serving in Chad for five years. Becki is a pilot and Matt volunteers as MAF’s Compound Maintenance Manager and at their children’s school. Please pray for safe flights for Becki, and good interactions between Matt and the children in the local school

THURSDAY 7 Julie Anne Cousley works in a school while husband Glenn works in MAF’s hangar in Mareeba as an aircraft maintenance engineer. Earlier this year, Julie Anne took some students on a four-day camping trip where they learnt essential life skills such as meal planning, shopping for ingredients and cooking. Give thanks for the experience they gained.

FRIDAY 8 Our pilots occasionally get to spend time with the local community in between flights. Ask the Lord to bless their conversations so Jesus’ light shines through them

SATURDAY 9 Late last year, a team from MAF Technologies PNG conducted an outreach in the village of Krito Haga. A projector was set up and the community came together to watch the Jesus film. Pray that everyone who attended will be eager to learn more about Christ

If the whole body were an eye, what would happen to the hearing? And if the whole body were an ear, what would happen to the sense of smell?

— 1 Corinthians 12:17 (CEB)

MAIN The prison where Helen Symmonds and Harriëtte Knigge minister

TOP Siobhain Cole at the dedication of Ankem Church’s new building

ABOVE Ben and Esther Brown and their two sons Barnabas and Reuben

Harriëtte Knigge

MAF FAMILY

The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you’ — 1 Corinthians 12:21 (AMP)

SUNDAY 10 Praise God that, in 2022, £1.5 million was given to MAF UK by supporters who heard about us from a volunteer at a church meeting. We thank Him that face-to-face meetings encourage engagement through the work of our dedicated volunteer representatives.

MONDAY 11 We thank God that our Youth Team is now fully staffed and ready to explore all the avenues available for engaging with young people. Pray as we seek to inspire today’s youth to play a part in MAF’s mission. Pray particularly that our School Partnership programme will continue to grow

TUESDAY 12 ‘When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up — one on one side, one on the other — so that his hands remained steady till sunset.’ Exodus 17:12 reminds us that we need other believers to join us when we pray. Give thanks for all the prayer warriors who uphold our organisation — past, present and future. God is the same yesterday, today and forever!

WEDNESDAY 13 Pray that, by the time you read this, our MAF in the Community team will be fully staffed and equipped to resource our supporters. Pray for creativity for the team as they begin planning for next year's events.

THURSDAY 14 MAF speakers, church representatives and regional co-ordinators are gathering for a volunteers' conference in Birmingham on Saturday 30 September. This time of fellowship, worship and training will be the first time they have gathered as a whole group since 2020. Pray that it’ll be a time of great celebration and encouragement

FRIDAY 15 Several new church partnerships have begun this year in Crawley, Lowestoft, Lymington and Nottingham, in addition to the existing ones scattered throughout the UK. Pray they will flourish – creating many new prayer partners and supporters

SATURDAY 16 We have a team of excellent regional co-ordinators. Pray that they’ll be able to help our volunteer speakers to find even more opportunities to tell people about MAF’s work and update those who are already committed to praying for us.

MAIN MAF at Big Church Festival in 2022

ABOVE MAF display at St Mary and St Chad CE First School in Brewood, South Staffordshire

LEFT St Mark’s, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft — one of our new church partnerships

BUILDING ON MAF’S LEGACY

SUNDAY 17 Praise God for the pilots and engineers of tomorrow as they develop the skills they need to serve the Lord with MAF.

MONDAY 18 Please uphold Grace Community Church in South Sudan and pray for its local outreach. The church was founded by Rev Bernard Suwa who, as a child, was helped by MAF when he and his family were refugees. Having become a Christian as a teenager, Bernard’s fruitful ministry is the result of those early connections with MAF. To hear more about Bernard’s story on episode 2 of our podcast, please visit www.maf-uk.org/maf-podcast

TUESDAY 19 Give thanks for the 50 years we’ve been serving in Arnhem Land, Australia. As well as providing indigenous people with access to healthcare and development opportunities, our flights support the local church and enable ministry outreach to remote Yolŋu communities.

WEDNESDAY 20 This week is ‘International Week of Happiness at Work’. Knowing that we are serving the Lord is an incredible source of joy, but our staff still experience all the ups and downs and pressures and worries of working life, so please pray for them.

THURSDAY 21 MAF has always been a pioneer of HF radio – providing hard-toreach communities with the equipment and training they need so people can listen to school programmes and Christian ministry, and request medevac flights when needed. Please pray for our engineers as they continue this vital service.

FRIDAY 22 Please uphold the vital work of CEML Hospital in Angola. MAF has supported the hospital by flying patients, supplies and staff since it opened in 2006. Pray for continued flight safety, and for the staff led by Dr Steve Foster and Dr Annelise Olson. The hospital is run by Christians, so the staff pray that the care the patients receive, and the witness they provide will have a lasting impact.

SATURDAY 23 Bryan Mathew, General Manager of MAF Technologies PNG, has been with us for 18 years. Please pray for Bryan as he leads the team providing PNG’s people with computer training and repairs, audio Bibles, and the installation of solar power and HF radio.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth — Genesis 1:1 (NASB)

Jenny Davies

Stephanie Gidney

MAIN Aerial view of Milingimbi Island, Arnhem Land

TOP Pastor Bernard Suwa of Grace Community Church, South Sudan

ABOVE Bryan Mathew, General Manager of MAF Technologies PNG

Joy Suarkia

MIDDLE Josh White is enrolled on our Future Pilots Programme

ABOVE William Parkinson is enrolled on our Engineer Training Scheme

SERVING

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near — Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)

SUNDAY 24 Praise God that MAF recently appointed a People Care Manager to oversee the pastoral care and wellbeing of our overseas missionary staff. Pray for Angela Harding as she takes up this important role, and for the MAF personnel serving in stressful or challenging situations.

MONDAY 25 Please uphold the staff at MATC, MAF’s pilot training centre in the Netherlands, as they prepare young men and women to serve overseas. We currently have three people training as pilots, and others who will be going through flight evaluations. Ask God for successful outcomes

TUESDAY 26 Pray for wisdom and insight for our recruitment team as they journey with Christians currently exploring service with MAF. Pray too that the Lord will raise up more workers to serve Him in Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.

WEDNESDAY 27 Pray for the spouses of those working with MAF overseas. Many are involved in serving the local community and church through evangelism, hospitality and other ministries. Pray for opportunities, courage and wisdom in all they do.

THURSDAY 28 Give thanks for the Sibthorpe family who have returned to the UK after 24 years’ service overseas. Ben is retraining in the USA this month before taking up new employment. Pray for them as they make the transition back to life here, and for Anne and their five children as they adjust to new work and schools.

FRIDAY 29 Uphold Mike Frith, Founding Director of OSCAR, an internet-based mission resource hub. Give thanks for Mike and his team as they serve MAF by providing valuable resources for our staff and help us advertise MAF's overseas vacancies.

SATURDAY 30 Now that applications for our Engineer Training Scheme have closed, please pray for those making selection decisions for 2024. Pray also for the growing number of potential MAF aircraft maintenance engineers doing theoretical and practical training in the UK.

MAIN Members of the MAF Madasgascar team

TOP Ben Sibthorpe (left) putting an engine together in the Mareeba hangar with Jason Job

Josh White

Sean Atkins