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Boko Haram raids on Christian-majority villages along the northwestern border with Nigeria have specifically targeted churches and Christian activity in Cameroon. In a typical attack, Christians are killed or displaced, churches are burned and homes are destroyed. Several Christian villages have been abandoned completely after recurring attacks, which have included killings, kidnappings, and the burning of houses, schools and churches. Bibles are generally available, but distributing them in the north is challenging because of security issues. Many people cannot afford a Bible and would prefer the Scriptures in a local language rather than French or English. Bible translation ministries have done significant work translating the Bible into local languages, such as the local Fulani dialect, in both Roman and Arabic script. *The Scripture for today is: But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (MATTHEW 5:44) For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (ROMANS 5:10) But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (JAMES 3:17) Prayer by Pastor Chester: Our Father, we lift up to You our Cameroon brothers and sisters in Christ in central Africa. Lord, our hearts weep at this senseless violence by the Boko Haram terrorist activity. Lord, we grieve with the holy Spirit over the targeted attacks on Christians, the killings, the kidnappings, the burning of homes, the destruction of churches. How far will Your patience and mercy go with this injustice? Lord, You are the victorious King who will put all Your enemies under Your feet, and we long for that day more as this suffering comes upon our Cameroon brothers and sisters in the faith. Father, restore unto them homes they lost. Let the kidnapped go free. In the powerful name of Jesus, build-back Your Cameroon church even stronger through this persecution. By Your Spirit, let them be aware that a community like Hosanna is interceding for them fervently in thought and prayer. May we never take for granted this grace and protection You’ve freely given for us to gather in worship today. Help us be Your house of prayer for all nations – especially for this distant land of Cameroon. In the saving and resurrected Lord Jesus of the Cameroon people we pray, amen & amen. *Now, I invite Elder Joung to come forward to introduce our guest preacher. *GUEST PREACHER INTRODUCTION: Today, we a very special guest preacher who certainly is no stranger to Hosanna – Pastor Walter Teter. Pastor Walter is the Director of Discipleship at Hackberry Creek Church in Irving, Texas. Before Hackberry, Pastor Teter served at Highland Park Presbyterian Church for twenty-three years. He has been married to his wife Amy for twenty-three years, having met together during his time serving at Highland Park. They have two kids – Ellie who is 20 years old, and Jack who is 17 years old. The Teter’s love doing life together and are thankful that God brought them together as a family. *Please prepare your hearts to receive God’s Word through Pastor Walter on “Look and Be Saved” from Isaiah 45:22. As Pastor Walter comes forward, let us give an applause for God’s grace in bringing His servant to us!
**Prayer Topic: Persecuted Christians in Bangladesh (south Asia) Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in the world. Churches are careful when offering relief to the poor and needy because they do not want to encourage false conversions among people claiming faith in Christ solely for economic benefit. While Bangladesh is a majority-Muslim nation, the government avoids undue influence from Islamists and actively fights extremism. Millions of Bangladeshis are learning about Christ and the Bible through media outreaches. 87 percent of Bangladeshis are Sunni Muslims. Approximately one-half of 1 percent are Christians. Local Muslim authorities, Islamist extremist groups, families and communities persecute Christians. Many Christian groups meet publicly, while others worship in unregistered churches. When Muslims convert to Christianity, they are often forced to leave their community. The Bangladesh Bible Society and the missions community have made Bibles available in several languages, but those in rural areas and especially Muslim converts have difficulty finding and acquiring them. *The Scripture for today is: Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (ROMANS 5:3-5) But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (JOHN 20:31) Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (ROMANS 10:9-10) Prayer by Pastor Chester: Our Father, we lift up to You our Bengali brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ in south Asia. We cry out against the poverty that has gripped this nation, and pray Your provision will meet all their needs. Lord, let no conversions to Christ happen out of economic benefit, but out of the poverty of their spirit, for You promised – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” We speak against the authorities and extremist groups plaguing their communities. Protect them, O God, from harm’s way. Provide a place to flee in Your safety and refuge. Raise Your workers to the rural villages of Bangladesh especially, so that they might acquire a Bible and grow in holiness and wisdom in relationship to Your Son and Spirit. Lord Jesus, expel the oppression around them economically, the influence of false doctrine and worship in this majority-Muslim nation. Restore unto them the truth of who You are, by grace through Christ. Be with them today as they meet in homes and small places of worshipful gathering. Sustain their passion and love for Jesus that only grows stronger with persecution. We pray especially for the vulnerable Bengali children and youth – Lord, have mercy and protect them from the evil one. Fill us with a greater burden to pray for Bangladesh. Make us Your house of prayer for all nations. We do not take for granted today Your grace and freedom in gathering to worship You. Lord, we long for the same in this distant land. In the risen Lord and Savior of the Bengali people, Jesus Christ’s name we pray, Amen. |
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January 2025
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