Monday

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
IMB
Monday, May 3, 2010

“Let them give glory to the LORD

And declare His praise in the coastlands.”

~Isaiah 42:12, NASB~

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, interceding with you for followers of folk Islam.

The Highland Singers of Central Asia blend Ismailism with folk beliefs. There are some new Christians, but no churches exist in their homeland. Religion is woven throughout their lives. They revere the Agha Khan; they look upon him as a living prophet. His word is law, and he may countermand the Quran. Some look upon him as god.

The Non-Turkic Settlers of the Caspian coastlands also practice folk Islam. Special spiritual significance is often placed upon certain trees or locations, and people regularly practice rituals for protection against evil spirits and curses. Rural communities are usually closed, and marriage outside of the clan is discouraged or prohibited. There are very few Settler believers.

Folk religious beliefs and practices have developed as West African women who believe that God doesn’t intervene in their problems have tried to deal with the felt needs and concerns of daily living. It is a major step in faith for a woman to abandon her folk practices and trust that God will protect her. Some of these practices include: using the evil eye as a curse, practicing sorcery, wearing amulets, going to a medium, visiting a saint’s tomb and praying there, trying to divine the future through the use of certain objects or rituals, and the use of special charms or actions to provide personal protection from evil spirits. Discipleship for these women when they become believers includes choosing Bible stories that the Holy Spirit can use to help the new believer see what God’s Word says about these practices.

* Please pray for believers who have left folk Islam to receive the spiritual nourishment and training they need from God’s Word.

* Intercede for those who are resisting salvation and ask God to continue knocking at their hearts’ door.

*Ask the Lord to reveal any false practices in your own life and repent as He leads.

Continue to pray for Jesse and Majel Dean.  Jesse continues to have complications requiring a return to the hospital.

Daddy seems to be getting better.  Thank-you for your prayers for my parents.

Continue to pray for grieving families.  Our area has had a number of deaths in recent weeks.

Devotional: “Death”

http://www.forthright.net/kneemail/2009/02/death.html

Now that May is here, the number of school days for the 2009-2010 school year is coming to a close.  Pray for a good ending and a long, happy summer vacation before 2010-2011 begins.

Have a great day!

Anna Lee