Greetings from Mission Network News, a daily news service of
Cornerstone University of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. This is your
weekly Mission Network News prayer bulletin.
Here are your weekly prayer items. Please pray over them during your
personal devotional time and at your church prayer meeting.
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Floods devastate Philippine capital
Philippines (MNN) -- Intense floods are devastating the northern Philippines. 60 people have been killed, but government officials think that number is probably higher. 2 million people have been affected. Many are in relief camps. Tim Glenn with Compassion International says this happens every year. "They're just not prepared for it. They don't have the drainage systems or the infrastructure to deal with it." Compassion has child development projects through churches in the area. "Seven projects for sure were affected. We're estimating about 800 kids affected by the floods. Some are in the evacuation centers. Some whose homes are just flooded." But there is hope. "Our entire program is centered on the Gospel through the church, so one of the beauties of our setup is that people will come back to the church for help, for relief. So yeah, this is a great opportunity for us to further our message of the Gospel." You can donate to Compassion's disaster relief fund by going to our Web site.
* Pray for safety.
* Pray for the waters to recede.
(FULL STORY: www.mnnonline.org/article/17548)
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Flooded Philippines brace for more rain
Philippines (MNN) -- Earlier this week, forecasters said another forming storm could bring more misery to flood victims in the Philippines. Three million families have already been affected by the high waters in and around Manila. Earlier reports said water-borne disease wasn't a problem, but missionaries supported by Christian Aid Missionindicate otherwise. Spokesman Bill Bray says, "There's standing water, and it's turned into one giant cesspool." That's dangerous for those having to navigate waist-deep waters to get aid to survivors. "They're doing pastoral care by extension, by boat, floating aid in, and wading in to their people," says Bray. "Mostly, it's delivering bottled water and Rescue Kits." Rescue kits contain basic food supplies, clean water, and blankets. The immediate focus is the emergency, but Bray adds, "There's still evangelism going on and meetings and comforting the sick and trying to help the older people and folks that are stuck." They need as much help as they can get.
* Pray that the indigenous Philippine ministries will reach those who are most needy with food and supplies.
* Ask God to send the funds and the right people for this project.
* Pray that doors will open to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who are starving for the Truth.
(FULL STORY: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/17551)
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Iran overwhelmed by crisis; open doors to foreign aid
Iran (MNN) -- Iran is finally swallowing its pride and asking for outside help with Saturday's massive twin quakes. 20 villages were completely destroyed in the northwest, and 300,000 people have been affected by the crisis. Four days later, despair is already showing. SAT-7 PARS Executive Director Sara Afshari says, "I was reading some Iranian Facebook pages, and this person wrote: 'God, did You think we didn't have enough misery and problems, and You just wanted to add another one?'" SAT-7 PARS is using its broadcasts to help. Afshari says the team quickly put together a live broadcast Monday and started talking about physical and spiritual needs. "The aim of our show...was just praying and comforting them and encouraging the other people to help the victims of the earthquake by being generous in their giving and in their time, going to the hospitals to give blood or collecting food and collecting clothes."
* Ask God to prepare lives for response.
* Pray for continued open doors for the Gospel of Christ.
* Pray for those who have experienced loss and are suffering.
(FULL STORY: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/17557)
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Syrian refugees flock to the borders
Syria (MNN) -- Syria's conflicts appear to be spilling over the border with Lebanon. The ferocity of the violence coupled with a rash of abductions isn't calming tensions with Syria's neighbors. Christian Aid Mission spokesman Bill Bray confirms spreading violence. "It looks like the war is all over the country. That's what our missionaries tell us as they come back. They just don't know where the violence will break out next. It's spreading down to the grassroots level. The smell of death is there, and they just never know what they're going to find." The horror of the refugee crisis is at 150,000 and counting. Missionaries supported by Christian Aid are in the border areas and inside Syria. In addition to food supplies, "we're delivering Bibles, 'JESUS' Film DVDs, and that is a continual work. [We are] praying, small meetings. Everybody is hunkered down and living in basements. It's survival right now." There's a desperate need for prayer and funds.
* Pray for wisdom and safety for ministry leaders and staff.
* Ask God for Gospel opportunities.
* Ask God to send the needed funding for ministry.
(FULL STORY: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/17561)
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Nigeria addresses the question: When is a terrorist group not a terrorist group?
Nigeria (MNN) -- You know the old saying: 'If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it's probably a duck'? If you're talking terror and Nigeria's Boko Haram, it seems especially true. The group is responsible for over 600 deaths since the beginning of 2012. Yet, Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs says the government does not want them identified as a terrorist group. Why? "It just complicates matters because it places restrictions on travel, it places restrictions on aid. So from the government's perspective, they don't want those restrictions; they don't want those issues to be raised, so they have said, 'Pease don't call them a terrorist group.'" The message this sends to Christians is confusing. Yet, "There are still Christians there who are reaching out to Muslims. There are still Christians who are sharing the Gospel, who are sharing Bibles, who are sharing in other ways. The Gospel message is going forth, but obviously, that's coming at a great risk." At Mission-Network-News.org, you'll find ways to pray and encourage Nigeria's believers.
* Pray that the seeds of the Gospel will take root and bear much fruit.
* Pray for wisdom and safety for Gospel workers.
* Pray for the violence to stop.
(FULL STORY: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/17568)
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Mission Network News is dedicated to keeping Christians informed about
missions and evangelism around the world. Our goal is to help you
become engaged in missions through praying more effectively, giving or
going to the field short or long term.
Thank you for your dedication and heart for world missions. Your
prayers are greatly appreciated. May God richly bless you as you
serve Him today!
In His grip,
Greg Yoder, Executive Director
Mission Network News
1.800.284.9361
616.942.1500
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