11 October 2013

West Africa Advanced School of Theology

Jumaa Prayer
for the Muslims of Africa and beyond
Intercede with Us for the Muslim World!
Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains (Psalm 107:10-14, NIV). More than 2 million Muslim pilgrims will be participating in the hajj this week, seeking to please Allah and gain his favor. Pray that the true God will touch their hearts, that they may cry out to Him and be set free.*

Today's Prayer Requests: From Students, Alumni, and Missionaries

ALGERIA: Pray for West African believers working in the oil fields in Algeria, for open doors to share their faith. GUINEA-CONAKRY: A student reports that some families are leaving Guinea's capital, fearing post-election violence. Opposition parties have accused the electoral commission of fraud, and earlier this week they withdrew from U.N.-mediated talks. Pray that unsettled people will be more open to the gospel of peace, and that the Lord will bring people their way who can guide them to the Prince of Peace. NIGER: A student asks us to pray for pastors and new believers: (1) that pastors will clearly understand the influence and reach of Islam and be willing to befriend Muslims; (2) that the Lord will give courage to those who have accepted Jesus to proclaim their faith; this student/pastor has observed that those who do not tell their families are most likely to return to Islam. TOGO: Please pray for the Togolese missionary family recently sent to Senegal, for their adjustment and ministry. Pray concerning plans to send a missionary to Mali in the coming year. WAAST: Students in the Islam en Afrique (Islam in Africa) course have been drafting projects to initiate in their local contexts to reach Muslims. They ask us to pray that a fire will burn in us for Islam as they return home after graduation. Pray for the Lord's guidance and favor as they implement these ideas.

From Global Initiative**

Please pray for indigenous Christian pastors in Central Asia. Many toil under intense danger. Central Asia is comprised of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia. All but the last two have a majority Muslim population. Constitutionally these countries allow freedom of worship, but in reality pastors and churches face harassment and many must work underground. Pray for the protection of and wisdom for these workers, and for open doors to reach Muslims around them.

For Muslim Women***

Pray that God would strengthen Christian women who are opening their lives, their hearts, and even their homes to Muslim women. Pray that intimate awareness of His limitless love and the indwelling of His Holy Spirit would fill them with expectation and fruit in their friendships.

Prayer Resources
*Praying for Muslims: A Guide for Effective Intercession offers many insights concerning Islam and a different prayer subject each Friday. This week we pray for those participating in the hajj: http://bit.ly/1hBAkje. **Global Initiative is a ministry of Assemblies of God World Missions, USA. Visit http://globalinitiativeinfo.com/ for information about praying for Muslims and weekly requests. ***Muslim women need your prayers! You can join a prayer network and receive regular requests at http://sayhelloinfo.com/. For a list of resources for prayer groups, see http://tinyurl.com/waastjumaa. Find information and prayer requests concerning Muslims around the world at http://www.30-days.net/. How should we pray for those imprisoned for their faith? Read http://www.elam.com/articles/How-to-pray-for-those-in-prison/. For news updates concerning persecuted Christians, visit http://morningstarnews.org/ and http://www.releaseinternational.org/. For prayer requests, visit http://www.opendoorsusa.org/pray/ and http://www.persecution.com/public/pray.aspx. To help you answer Muslims' questions about Jesus and the Bible, explore http://unchangingword.com/index.php.