Villages in parts of predominantly Christian southern Chad are routinely raided by militant Fulani Muslims, much in the way Christians are attacked in north-central Nigeria. While the goal of these raids is primarily to steal land for cattle grazing, there is definitely an element of persecution against Christians. The radical Islamic group Boko Haram is also responsible for violent extremist activity in the Lake Chad Basin. More than 56% of Chadians are Muslims, while 25% identify as Christians. *The Scripture for today is: Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. (JAMES 5:11) Prayer by Pastor Chester: Our Father in heaven, we bring before You our brothers and sisters in Chad, central Africa. Let us share in their sufferings. In the powerful name of Jesus, we pray for Your peace, for the violence to end, for the militant persecutors to be brought to justice, and for Your gospel to advance with even greater passion in the believers through persecution. Like Job, we pray they remain steadfast to see Your purpose, to see Your glory through sufferings. Meet their pains with Your overwhelming compassion. Meet their persecution with Your overflowing mercy. Continue to make us Your house of prayer for central Africa and for all nations. Thank You for the grace to gather in freedom and to pray for Chad. In the risen Savior of the people of Chad, Jesus Christ we pray, Amen & amen.
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*TREY: ……. *RACHEL: ……. *Pastor: Will the Elders come forward at this time for the laying on of hands in prayer, as we represent the congregation? And congregation – will you join us by stretching out your hands too in joining this prayerful blessing on our new staff?
**Prayer Topic: Persecuted Christians in Central African Republic (central Africa) With around 70% of the population living in extreme poverty, Christians in Central African Republic have suffered greatly from the civil war that began in 2012. They are targeted and attacked by Muslim rebels and their sympathizers, who accuse them of assisting militias that have carried out revenge killings against Muslims. Christians are among the most vulnerable in the country’s conflict, at times being driven from their towns and villages as attackers loot and destroy their homes and churches. In one town, 58,000 Christians who have been displaced by repeated attacks since 2011 are still living in refugee camps, and all churches within a 60-mile radius of the town have been destroyed. Rebels continue to shoot into the camp at night, and those who wander outside the town to tend their farms — their only means of livelihood — are sometimes killed. Churches are often the only ones caring for the hundreds of thousands who have been displaced in the conflict. While the CAR’s civil war has presented opportunities for Christians to display Christ’s love to a ravaged nation, indigenous churches need support from the larger body of Christ. Because of the civil war between rebel groups that publicly identify themselves as “Muslim” or “Christian,” some have struggled to distinguish between political violence and religious persecution. However, attacks targeting churches, Christian families and pastors because of their Christian witness and other activities of biblical faith have become common. In a four-week period in 2017, five pastors were murdered by Islamist Seleka rebels in targeted attacks to eliminate their witness for Christ. Bibles are routinely destroyed by Islamist rebels. While they can be purchased in the capital, most people cannot afford them. *The Scripture for today is: As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”. (LUKE 9:57-62) Prayer by Pastor Chester: Our Father, we lift up to You our Central African Republic brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ in central Africa. In the powerful saving name of Jesus, we speak against the violence, against the extremist rebels who are ravaging Your followers, Your churches, Your towns and villages with looting and growing poverty. Father God, we grieve with the thousands of Christian families displaced and targeted by repeated attacks from the civil war in this country. Father, count their tears and their sufferings. Let not this persecution waver their faith in Christ, but grow ever bolder to follow their Lord Jesus. Provide for all their needs. Give them new places to reside and gather in worship. Protect them from further attacks and violence. Give them Bibles and send Your missionaries to equip the saints. Be especially with the vulnerable youth and children, the homeless, the widows – Father God, make a way for them to grow to love You in safety and health. Make us Your house of prayer for them and for all nations, for we see our purpose in Your Kingdom and the grace You give us in gathering today for it. In the risen Lord and Savior of the Central African Republic people, Jesus Christ’s name we pray, Amen & amen.
**Prayer Topic: Persecuted Christians in Bhutan (south Asia) Until the 1980s, Bhutan was isolated from the rest of the world by its Himalayan geography, poor infrastructure and poor international relations. In 2008, the country adopted a multiparty constitutional democracy and implemented a new constitution that affords a greater level of religious freedom. Most Christians in Bhutan are of Nepali heritage, and believers are focused on reaching the ethnic Bhutanese with the message of Christ. 88 percent of the Bhutanese people are Buddhists. Approximately 1 percent are Christians. Christians are restricted by federal laws and persecuted by local authorities. The king identifies himself as the defender of the Buddhist faith, and the government works covertly to discourage the spread of Christianity. Christians are viewed as followers of a foreign, Western religion. There is no opportunity for the legal registration of churches in Bhutan. Christians often lose their jobs and are unable to find work because of their faith. Many Christians must worship in secret. Though small numbers of Bibles are allowed into the nation legally, the government continues to restrict widespread distribution. Most Bibles must be smuggled into the country from neighboring nations. *The Scripture for today is: And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 PETER 5:10) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (JAMES 1:2-4) Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. (LUKE 14:27) Prayer by Pastor Chester: Our Father, we lift up to You our Bhutan brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ in south Asia. Father, we pray for the spirit of idolatry to be broken in this land. We pray that the Bhutan people will turn from their ways and their false temples of worship to seek Your holy face. Father God, we speak against every stronghold of the government that oppresses and discourages the spread of the gospel. Open channels of widespread distribution of Bibles and safe places where Your missionaries can go to preach, teach, and plant new churches. We pray for the few Bhutan Christians meeting in small house churches and the backyards of their homes – Father, encourage them, hear their worship, be glorified in their praises, and sustain their passion and love for Your Son that grows stronger with persecution. We pray especially you guard the children, the homeless, the widows, the vulnerable youth of Bhutan – Lord, have mercy and protect them from the evil one. Fill us with a greater burden to pray for our Bhutan brothers and sisters. Make us Your house of prayer for all nations. We do not take for granted today Your grace and freedom to gather in worship. Lord, we long for the same in this distant land. In the risen Lord and Savior of the Bhutan people, Jesus Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
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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