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Replace with page 1 of cover PDF WILLIAM CAREYWILLIAM CAREY LIBRARY LIBRARYFEATURED BOOK From Seed To Fruit Global Trends, Fruitful Practices, andd Emerging Issues among Muslims

The revised and enlarged second edition of J. Dudley Woodberry’s From Seed to Fruit expands on the next stage of the ongoing collaborative research and reflections of many people from many organizations desiring to bless Muslims. Seven additional chapters survey major trends in global Islam today and explore themes that prove to have considerable influence on fruitfulness, including a new chapter on building Christlike relationships with Muslims.

The Global Trends Research Group hass continuedcontinued to update the demographic materials on MliMuslim people l groups, their hi access to Christian witness, and when and how Christian groups covenant to provide meaningful access. This is included in the updated CD-ROM that accompanies the new edition.

From Seed to Fruit presents the most recent worldwide research on witness to Christ among Muslim peoples, using biblical images from nature to show the interaction between God’s activity and human responsibility in blessing these peoples.from mission history, explore liturgy as an appropriate vehicle for teaching, discuss appropriate means of communication, and point to both the need and contextually appropriate possibilities of greater involvement of women in training and ministry.

ISBN: 978-0-87808-036-6 List Price: $20.99 Marvin Newell Our Price: $16.79 WCL | Pages 460 | Paperback 2011 3 or more: $11.54

www.missionbooks.org 1-800-MISSION Become a Daily World Christian

What is the Global Prayer Digest? Loose Change Adds Up! Th e Global Prayer Digest is a unique devotion- In adapting the Burma Plan to our culture, al booklet. Each day it gives a glimpse we have simply substituted loose change of what God is doing around the world for rice and have added this educational and what still remains to be done. Daily and inspirational Global Prayer Digest. One prayer for that still-unfi nished task is at person’s loose change will average about the heart of the Adopt-A-People move- $100 per year exclusively for frontier ment. Condensed missionary stories, missions! When the national goal of one biblical challenges, urgent reports, and million Adopt-A-People Prayer Partners is exciting descriptions of unreached peo- reached, that will mean $100 million more ples provide a digest of rich fuel for your per year for the frontiers! own times of prayer for the world. Become a Daily World Christian Th e Global Prayer Digest is a key tool in a Devotional Ideas movement to help fulfi ll Christ’s com- How can you make the most of this prayer digest: mission to make disciples of all the peo- ples of the earth. Th is movement involves • Some people use it as a a daily discipline of learning, praying, and supplement to their regular giving to help reach the world’s nearly devotional time. 10,000 unreached people groups. Un- • Others enjoy reading and reached peoples are those groups which praying around the dinner table do not yet have a strong church in their with the entire family. own cultural and social setting. • We encourage you to gather Myanmar, Mothers and the monthly with other Christ Frontier Fellowship Movement friends who are involved in this Th e Frontier Fellowship Movement movement. is an adaptation of a custom among • Join the “Frontier Fellowship tribal Christians in Burma (now called movement” (left), a version of Myanmar) and elsewhere. As the the Burma Plan, to fi nancially mother in each family prepares meals support frontier missions. for her family, she sets aside a hand- Every day at the top of the page ful of rice in a special container, and you’ll fi nd the name of an unreached prays for their church’s missionaries to people group for which to pray. Th e unreached people groups. Rice from small maps will help you locate the families in the church is sold to support day’s feature. their frontier missionaries.

3 Editorial November 2014 RECORDS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS U.S. Center for World Mission 1605 East Elizabeth Street Dear Praying Friends, Pasadena, CA 91104-2721 Tel: (330) 626-3361 I am of English, Irish, and Swedish [email protected] descent. Eighteen hundred years ago MANAGING EDITOR my Irish ancestors were headhunters Keith Carey who drank blood from the skulls of ASSISTANT EDITOR their victims. A thousand years ago Paula Fern my Viking ancestors were so cruel WRITERS when they raided and destroyed Glenn Culbertson unprotected villages that they Patricia Depew made the Dark Ages much darker. Eventually the light of Patti Ediger Wesley Kawato the gospel turned many in these people groups to Christ, Arlene Knickerbocker the One who alone is the Light of the World. Th eir culture Esther Jerome-Dharmaraj changed, and they began to live more by the teachings of Christopher Lane Annabeth Lewis Jesus and less by the ways of the world. Robert Rutz Human history teaches us that without Christ people can Ted Proffi tt Lydia Reynolds be unbelievably cruel to one other. Jeff Rockwell Jean Smith Th is month we will be praying for the Pashtuns. It might Jane W. Sveska seem like we are judging these Afghan and Pakistani tribes. DAILY BIBLE COMMENTARIES But we must remember that without the transforming work Keith Carey of the Holy Spirit, we would be no diff erent than they are. David Dougherty Robert Rutz Th e Pashtuns have a cultural code of honor called CUSTOMER SERVICE pashtunwali, which puts a certain amount of restraint Dan Eddy on their behavior, but also spurs them to greater acts of Diane Tolsma violence and vengeance. For this reason, we will not only Lois Carey pray for specifi c Pashtun tribes, but also for aspects of the GRAPHICS pashtunwali code of honor and other cultural dynamics that Matt Anderson can keep Pashtuns from doing what God wants them to do. We will pray, not against certain behavior, but for the Holy PRINTER Diversifi ed Printers , La Mirada, CA Spirit to lead the people to ways that will honor God and save them from destructive behavior. WEB SITE www.globalprayerdigest.org In Christ, ISSN 1045-9731 Contents of the Global Prayer Digest © 2014 U.S. Center for World Mission 1605 East Elizabeth Street Keith Carey, editor, GPD Pasadena, CA 91104 Contents of this booklet may be We still need volunteers with web design, app, and reproduced if appropriate credit and computer skills. Let me know if you or someone you know subscription information are given. can help us strengthen this prayer movement. For subscription information, [email protected] call (330) 626-3361. For comments on content, call (626) 398-2241. 4 Feature of the Month

Pray for a Discipleship-Making Movement in Every Pashtun Community

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5 To Help You Pray Better 6 — by Keith Carey Pashtun you need to have a father who is Pashtun. youneed to who haveafather isPashtun. Pashtun qualifi is akey one of relatedPashto the dialects speaking that agree on depends whoup isdefi aPashtun Even people. defi the 50million these Th worldview. to aliberal adhere to going most likely are industry movie the in who are those but conservative, and traditional very people are Pashtun the Taliban. the Most oppose of adamantly that tribes Pashtun entire are there on 20, day see Yet, youwill as individuals. noted Taliban byPashtun for dominated are being cruel and violent For the box. asimplistic to example, in put them easy W Love ofChrist? Pashtuns Conquered Be By the Will theUnconquerable

Background to when describe someone contradictions many tries ereare cation. Others would stress issues of lineage. To of lineage. issues stress a be would Others cation. peoples have excelled in all three of these roles. It of is these three all in haveexcelled peoples Th actors. Bollywood and poets, arriors, ning them. Most would Most would them. ning nition of what makes nition of what makes e Pashtun The Pashtun People

Th ere are cultural issues as well. A key ingredient to being Pashtun is adhering to pashtunwali, the Pashtun code of honor. Pashtunwali is so central to the Pashtun peoples that many of this month’s prayer entries will focus on various aspects of this cultural way of life. Pashtunwali keeps some semblance of order in their communities, but it also allows the “might makes right” ethic to dominate their communities. Some would say that you must be a Sunni Muslim to be Pashtun. Th is idea, however, is controversial; while most Pashtuns are Sunni, there are a few Shi’ite Pashtuns. Some of them are embracing Christ as we approach the day of His return, yet currently this number is only a trickle.

Independence as a Way of Life Many countries have tried to conquer the Pashtuns. Some have succeeded… for a season. Th en the inevitable backlash comes, and the invaders must leave. At the height of the British Empire in the 19th Century, the Pashtuns caused so many casualties that the Brits eventually made deals with them and learned to settle for less than they wanted in South Asia. After the British had to give independence to their South Asian colonies in 1947, India was divided along religious lines. A good percentage of the Pashtuns lived in part of the new Muslim nation of Pakistan. Th e Pashtuns proved to be ungovernable, so the Pakistanis simply called their land the “Northwest Frontier Province,” and granted them a large degree of autonomy. To this day the government in Islamabad has little control over this province, which has since been re-named Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the famous Khyber Pass. By the late 1970s, the Russian-dominated Soviet Union was becoming increasingly aggressive in their foreign policy. Th ey established a friendly communist government in neighboring Afghanistan. When that regime showed signs of toppling, the Soviet military intervened. At fi rst it seemed that the Russians were successfully extending their infl uence. But during their 10-year stay in Afghanistan, local Pashtun-dominated fi ghting units kept the Russians on the defense. Russian tanks were easily ambushed in ravines by armed “mujahideen” freedom fi ghters. Th e United States sent stinger missiles to the mujahideen. Th e Soviets withdrew 10 years after they entered Afghanistan. Th e Soviet Union dissolved 12 years almost to the day after they invaded Afghanistan.

continued on next page 7 The Pashtun People

Th e mujahideen were feeling victorious. Unfortunately for them, there were many factions within their ranks. Civil war broke out, and they could not form a viable government. By 1996, the Taliban took power in Afghanistan. Pashtuns dominated this Islamic militant group, though some Pashtuns were violently opposed to the Taliban. Afghanistan became a haven for Islamic militant groups such as Al Qaeda, led by Saudi Arabia’s Osama Bin Laden. Flushed with a feeling of power, Al Qaeda planned and successfully implemented a terrorist attack on United States soil on September 11, 2001. American forces and their anti-Taliban Afghan allies soon drove the Taliban out of power. Although non- Pashtuns had a degree of power with the new government, Pashtuns retained positions of infl uence, including the presidency. Th e U.S. is scheduled to end almost all of its military involvement in Afghanistan by the end of 2014. At the height of their power, the British, the Russians, and the Americans have had to settle for less than they wanted. One newspaper reporter noted that it’s easy to get a military force into Afghanistan, but almost impossible to get out with a semblance of victory. Th e Pashtuns are a strong people who know how to fi ght others… and one another. Th ey know how to protect themselves, but at what cost? Spiritual Strongholds Th ough we will pray for many Pashtun tribes in this issue, pashtunwali, the Pashtun code of honor, will take up some of the daily prayer entries. It is very unusual for us to deviate from our eff orts to cover specifi c unreached people groups, but the people we know who are most familiar with the Pashtuns recommended that we do it this way. Why is this? Pashtunwali aff ects the Pashtun way of thinking and their daily lives even more than Islam. When pashtunwali confl icts with Islamic principles, a Pashtun will usually go with pashtunwali. Th ough pashtunwali involves certain noble virtues, it is riddled with things that confl ict with biblical principles. Here are some key spiritual strongholds that are part of pashtunwali: Oppression of the weak Women and children are at the mercy of the men. Weaker clans are at the mercy of stronger ones. Mercy is in short supply among the Pashtuns. Such a situation prevents justice from fl ourishing.

88 The Pashtun People

Pride Th e Bible speaks very strongly about giving God the glory in victory and against personal pride. In pashtunwali code, pride is the foundation of honor and is based on your exploits on behalf of your family and your tribe, which can lead to pride in your own strength.

Lack of forgiveness “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15, ESV). Forgiveness is at the heart of the gospel. Jesus came that we can be reconciled with the One True God whom we have off ended by our sins. Simply put, without forgiveness of one another, we cannot be forgiven. According to pashtunwali, revenge rather than reconciliation or forgiveness is the fi rst response to an off ense. To make matters worse, revenge can take place generations after infractions. At a young age children are taught that revenge brings honor. And without honor, life is not worth living for a Pashtun. Such a life includes a constant dread of retaliation, for everyone has someone who will take revenge against them at any time.

Pray for these spiritual strongholds to be broken among the Pashtun peoples! • Where there is pride, pray that there will be godly humility. • Where there is oppression, pray that there will be justice and mercy. • Where there is revenge and unforgiveness, pray that there will be reconciliation and forgiveness.

9 Day 1 Psalms 16:11, ESV Missionary Biography—Zia

t age 14 Zia already had memorized the You make known to me entire Qur’an, even though he was blind. In the path of life; in your A Western terms that would be like an English speaker presence there is fullness of memorizing the complete New Testament in Greek! In joy; at Your right hand are 1964 he enrolled in the NOOR Institute for the Blind pleasures forevermore. in Kabul, Afghanistan. He completed the six primary These are among the grades of the Institute in only three years. wonderful blessings of the While attending classes, this brilliant youth also Lord! He shows us the path mastered English. He did this by listening and of life, His presence gives us repeating what he heard on radio programs coming into Afghanistan. He also listened to Christian joy, and His guidance leads us radio broadcasts, which led him to accept salvation ultimately to pleasures. What in Christ. great reasons to be eternally He eventually shared with a few people that he had grateful to Him! These are received Jesus as Savior. Zia’s father said that before he things that Zia learned and entered the Institute for the Blind, he had been like a put his trust in as he listened cold and unlit piece of charcoal. After his experience to Christ-honoring radio of accepting Christ, he had become like a red hot, broadcasts. These same brightly burning coal! blessings are available to Zia wanted to study Islamic Law so that he could everyone who calls on the defend fellow believers who might be persecuted for Name of the Lord. their faith. He therefore entered the University of Kabul, from which he graduated with his law degree. Pray for the peoples of Zia also translated the New Testament from Iranian Afghanistan to experience Persian into his own Afghanistan Dari dialect. these blessings when they seek and fi nd Him. Pray Pray for God to raise up fearless believers from among that thousands will become every Pashtun people group we will pray for this month. as Zia did, red-hot coals, —J. Christy Wilson disseminating light and warmth!

10 Day 2 Missionary Biography, Continued Psalms 83:16, ESV

ecause other blind students like Zia had Fill their faces with shame, become followers of Christ, in 1973 the B that they may seek Your Muslim government of Afghanistan sent a written order to close the two Institutes for the Blind. All Name, O LORD. expatriate teachers of the blind were ordered to Pride is a relentless taskmaster leave Afghanistan. that can consume and destroy Th is government then destroyed the church those who are addicted to building in Kabul. When troops arrived and started it. There is no room for pride knocking down the wall between the street and before the God who created the church property preparatory to destroying it, a the cosmos. Though He alone German Christian businessman went to the mayor of Kabul who had given the order and said, “If your has cause for pride, He sent government touches that house of God, God will His Son to humbly die on the overthrow your government.” cross to save us from our sins. Police, workmen, and bulldozers proceeded to Once we realize that our sin destroy the church. Instead of opposing them, the is a source of shame, we can congregation off ered them tea and cookies! In have the humility to seek Him. July 1973 the destruction of the church building was complete. Th at very night the Afghanistan Pray for thousands government responsible for the destruction was of Pashtun people to overthrown by a coup! understand and respond to this. Five years later under a communist regime, the Institute for the Blind in Kabul was reopened. Zia was put in charge, and he did a fi ne job of reorganizing it. Th en pressure was brought on him to join the Communist Party. He refused. One offi cial warned him, “If you do not join, you might be killed.” Zia replied, “I am not afraid to be killed for my faith. Are you ready to die for yours?”

Pray for the people of Afghanistan to learn from their own history and recognize that their only way forward is to embrace Christ.—J. Christy Wilson

11 Day 3 Psalms 116:15, ESV Missionary Biography, Continue

Precious in the sight of ventually Zia was arrested on false charges and put in a political prison where tens of thousands the LORD is the death of E were executed. In prison the communists gave Zia His saints. shock treatments to try to brainwash him; yet he did Something changes in the not give in. When off ered the opportunity to learn spiritual climate of a nation Russian in prison, he mastered this language. Th e communists freed him in 1985. when one person dies for the sake of Christ. The line In 1988, Zia was kidnapped by a fanatical Muslim is drawn, but the die is not group, Hisbe Islami (the Party of Islam). He was accused of being a CIA agent because he knew cast. The wicked sometimes English, a KGB agent because he knew Russian, and become more wicked just as an apostate from Islam because he followed Christ. they did when Stephen was He was beaten for hours with rods. A sighted person stoned in Acts chapter 7. But can brace and fl inch when the blow comes, but a others will stand up and see blind person cannot see the club coming, and thus the stark contrast between gets the full force. Most likely Zia was murdered by darkness and light. the Hisbe Islami. Jesus prophesied, “A time is coming when anyone Pray that the memory of who kills you will think he is off ering service Zia’s death will turn many to God (John 16:2). After His resurrection, He Pashtun people to the light commanded His followers, “Be faithful, even to the throughout the 21st century. point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

Pray that believers in Afghanistan today will pick up their crosses as Zia did and follow Christ wherever He leads them. Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ throughout Afghanistan.—J. Christy Wilson

(From More to be Desired than Gold, by J. Christy Wilson. www.amazon.com/ More-Desired-than-Gold-Collection/dp/096409102X)

12 Day 4 The Ishakzai Pashtun Tribe Proverbs 8:13, ESV

llah, I want to keep you in my heart forever. The fear of the LORD is You keep my soul completely together, you are “A hatred of evil. Pride and my light wherever I may be, even in the darkest part of me.” Mohammad, a Muslim Ishakzai Pushtun, was arrogance and the way reading these words and refl ecting on how important of evil and perverted it is to worship Allah, the creator of the world. To him speech I hate. imandari (righteousness) is one of the most important The Lord is holy and 100 pillars of his Muslim faith. Th is causes him to strive percent righteous. He for goodness in his thinking and makes him respectful of others. He feels that imandari is the heartbeat of especially hates the evil God’s desire for mankind. of pride and arrogance. Of course all of us have the same Sadly, among his people he knows there is anger, pain, suff ering, and hypocrisy. He wants so much for this to problem with pride unless be diff erent. He prays that Allah would help him live we allow the Holy Spirit of righteously, even though he and others often are not God to transform us. The being faithful. Ishakzai Pashtuns will be able Th e Ishakzai is a sub-tribe of the large Pashtun to experience true humility Durrani federation of tribes. Th ey live mainly in and righteousness, if they southern Afghanistan, particularly in the provinces of will only allow Christ to enter Kandahar and Helmand. Like other Pashtuns, they their lives. are Sunni Muslims who follow the Pashtun honor code (pushtawali) where imandari (righteousness) is Pray that God will prepare acknowledged, but often not faithfully acted upon. the Pashtun hearts so that they will be willing to learn Pray that the Ishakzais and other members of the Durrani about the true and living federation will see the stark diff erence between false righ- God who loves them. Pray teousness and true righteousness. Pray that they will be that followers of Christ eager for the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, the one among them will be so who can make them truly righteous. Pray that they will consumed with goodness, soon know how to act and live as God has commanded in humility, and love that it His Word.—PD will set a good example for the entire Pashtun community.

13 Day 5 Psalms 115:1, ESV The Tareen Pashtun Tribe

elcome my friend! It has been too long!” Naseer, Not to us, O LORD, not to a Tareen tribal leader, welcomed his friend, us, but to Your Name give “W Kazak to his home. “Come, rest and enjoy the feast that glory, for the sake of your is waiting for us. I will have your bags taken to your steadfast love and your room while we eat.” faithfulness! Naseer led his friend to his garden where a large cloth We are not to try to make a was spread on the ground covered with wonderful name for ourselves. If we are Afghan dishes, including meat dumplings, lamb kabobs, honored, the honor goes to stuff ed grape leaves, naan (bread), rice, and his favorite God, who gave us all of our Afghan cake with fruit. Kazak’s eyes opened wide when he said, “Praise Allah!” Naseer responded, “My talents. There is no room for friend, my home is your home. You honor me with your pride and prestige when we presence, and I pray you will stay a long time.” are faced with the One who Th e Tareen are a prominent Pashtun tribe that resides directs the aff airs of all. in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India. Melmastia Pray for the Tareen Pashtun (hospitality) is one of the requirements of the Pashtun peoples to understand that code of honor. If seriously carried out, it requires they must give all honor and hospitality and profound respect to be shown to all glory to the Lord who created visitors, regardless of distinctions of race, religion, them and loves them. national affi liation or economic status. Th ey must practice hospitality without any hope of reciprocation. Th e majority of Tareen are devoted Muslims who have experienced little or no Christian outreach.

Pray that God will open the doors for the Tareen people to hear God’s word. May they come to know Jesus through His teaching as given in John 14:2, ESV: “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?—PD

14 Day 6 The Afridi Pashtun Tribe Psalms 35:17, ESV

ith continued How long, O Lord, will “Wsupport from the international you look on? Rescue me community I believe from their destruction, my Afghanistan can take precious life from the lions! its rightful place in the Throughout the long history world. I want to see of the Pashtun peoples, there true Nang (honor) and Namoos (protection) have been tragic killings. given to our women.” Injustice has reigned. The weak have been subject to Th e Afghan woman boldly spoke at a public conference. “I will never forget a visit I made to the strong, and there is no Tirah where I talked to a young, pregnant Afridi girl true justice. Without the God who was very ill. She said, ‘the only way for me to of the Bible included in have medical help is if my husband sells a cow. He their lives, the situation cannot do this because the others in the family will continues unbroken. not have milk.’ Countless stories of women such as this continue in my country. Th e majority of Afghan Pray for God to rescue men believe they must protect their honor and protect Pashtun women who face women by dominating them, making them dress all abuse and injustice. covered up and not allowing them any rights. Th ank God this is starting to change, but we have a long way to go.” Approximately 350,000 members of the Afridi tribe inhabit about 1000 miles of rough hilly area in the Tirah Region of northern Afghanistan. Like other Pushtuns, they follow pashtunwali, the unwritten code of honor. Th is is particularly true in reference to nang (honor) and namoos (protection of women) in order to avoid sharam (shame).

Pray that Pashtun women will come to know God’s love and comfort. Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to transform Pashtun men so that they will understand God’s ways of protecting and honoring women.—PD

15 Day 7 Proverbs 25:26, ESV Swara

Like a muddied spring or wara is the Pashtun a polluted fountain is a S practice of giving a girl in marriage to a righteous man who gives family where a member way before the wicked. has been killed by a male Given the heavy price the member of the girl’s Pashtun people must pay for family. Th is is often a virtual death penalty standing up to the wicked, for these girls. Th ey may it is easy to see how many Condit not physically die, but of them would just let evil the humiliation and prevail. When that happens, misery they face, sometimes for an entire lifetime, the innocent are likely to be is terrible. Most of them are abused and rejected by oppressed, and the Pashtun the families they are sent to. It is made all the worse communities will continue by the fact that the girls and women concerned are to live with cruelty and sin as innocent of any crime. Lately, many of them have been found murdered. they have for many centuries. Th e root cause for most of the blood feuds among Pray for the Lord to give Pashtuns is land. To resolve confl icts, the jerga, or courage to Pashtun people village council (see day 11), dictates sending a bride who have heard the Word from the assailant’s family to the aggrieved family of God and have stood up to put an end to all further killings. Sometimes girls for righteousness in their are just a few months old when they are given as communities. Pray that He “blood money.” Th ey are married off once they have will allow the Word of God reach adulthood. At times when there are no women to be given out to hungry in the assailant’s family, girls are purchased from hearts, perhaps through the another family. radio or the Internet. Pray that members of the jergas will fi nd better ways to end revenge killings than the practice of swara. Pray that the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan will enforce laws against this practice. Th e majority of girls victimized by swara are Muslim and have never had the chance to hear about the Living Lord, His love for them, and the comfort He wants to give them. Pray these wom- en will come to the Savior!—PD

16 Day 8 Pashtunwali Code—Nanawatay Psalms 32:7, ESV

hat do Pashtuns in Pakistan and Afghanistan You are a hiding place for have in common with Russia, ancient Sodom, W me; You preserve me from and Polynesia? If you reply nanawatay (sanctuary and hospitality) you answer correctly. In Sodom, Lot gave trouble; You surround me sanctuary to three men, taking them into his home for with shouts of deliverance. protection. Polynesia, like Israel, had cities of refuge; Even the boldest Pashtun and Russia has provided sanctuary to a former US knows that they need intelligence expert. A notable example of nanawatay in deliverance and sanctuary in action is the experience of a U.S. Navy Seal who was ambushed in Afghanistan by Taliban fi ghters behind the violent world they live enemy lines. He was wounded, but evaded the enemy in. Currently they are seeking and was aided, protected, and given sanctuary by local deliverance through their Pashtuns. Th ey took him to their village where his own power. Meanwhile, wounds were treated by the community. Th en they Jesus off ers the Pashtun an fought valiantly to protect their guest until he was abundant life free from fear. rescued by U. S. forces. A wonderful movie was made of this unique adventure which illustrates nanawatay Pray that the Lord will in action. deliver the Pashtun people Th rough this code of hospitality, sanctuary is provided from their violent world. while reconciliation can be eff ected. Th e accused is Pray that they will become rendered safe and out of harm’s way. It is a means tired of striving and turn to of saving face. Our wonderful God off ers everyone Jesus, the only One who can nanawatay (sanctuary and reconciliation), if we turn provide the sanctuary they our lives over to Jesus, thus resolving our sin-induced all need. feud with God.

Pray that the Pashtuns and other peoples of Central Asia will get to hear the good word of God, repent, and seek sanctuary in Jesus. Pray that believers will become knowl- edgeable of Afghan culture and can communicate God’s wali to Pashtuns.—TP

17 Day 9 Psalms 25:3, ESV Pashtunwali Code—Badal (Justice and Retaliation)

it for tat, an eye for an eye Indeed, none who wait for and a tooth for a tooth: You shall be put to shame; T these sayings have been an they shall be ashamed who important part of most of are wantonly treacherous. the world’s codes of law since The greatest fear of every Hammurabi’s famous law code (c. 1750 BC). Pashtun is being put to shame. Though it’s obvious Among the Pashtuns, badal— that no one can stand against justice and retaliation—is obligatory in order to erase those more powerful than shame and restore one’s themselves, they do their family, tribe or nation’s self-respect, honor, and social best to maintain their honor standing. It is a key element of what the Pashtun against great odds. This has people consider true justice. Th e guilty may pay a fi ne, made them unconquerable, suff er the same off ense as the off ended, or even lose but it has also provided a thick their life to restore social stability or family honor. For wall between themselves and a family member to fail to do badal brings shame and the Lord. dishonor on themselves, their family or nation. Th ese practices are not part of sharia Islamic religious law, Pray that the Pashtun but a cultural tradition of the Pashtuns. It is one of the peoples will soon main reasons for instability in the Pashtun-dominated understand that the only areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. way to maintain honor is to surrender to the loving Pray that all Pashtun tribes will come to recognize that wonderful God who is the “vengeance is mine, says the Lord,” and turn to the God of King of Heaven and died an the Bible to enact justice. Pray that local governments will unjust death on the cross for be truly righteous in dispensing the law, and that local be- our sins. lievers and Christian relief workers will demonstrate the meaning of mercy in the name of Jesus who suff ered un- justly in order to pay for our salvation.—TP

18 Day 10 Pashtunwali Code—Ghairat (respect, honor, courage) Proverbs 20:3, ESV

hat constitutes It is an honor for a man manliness W to keep aloof from strife, (ghairat) in Pashtun culture? According to but every fool will be one Pashtun expert, the quarreling. core value of Pashtun Honor and shame are very male culture is ghairat. subjective. The “shame” of “It combines notions of honor, courage, bravery, the cross has led to eternal manliness, zeal, self-determination, self-defi nition, life for millions through the and at root refers to a sense of male autonomy. It is centuries. In Pashtun cultures, the ethos, spirit and set of stereotypical behaviors honor is valued above all else, associated with what it means to be Pashtun. To be but it is not the kind of honor called be-ghairat—without ghairat—is the worst described here in God’s Word. of insults.” In their culture there is honor Failure to defend one’s self, laziness, mistreating one’s in winning fi ghts, which only parents, fi ghting with women, inhospitality, and leads to shame for others, and going back on one’s word lessens ghairat; and without ongoing strife. ghairat there is no honor and one is not a man. Unfortunately, if one’s daughter becomes too Western, Pray for Pashtun men to a father might be expected to kill her or he will lose understand that honor ghairat. If she continued on the same path, it would comes from avoiding mean that her family would lose face and have less needless strife rather than respect, which would be intolerable for the Pashtuns. winning fi ghts. Pray for Pashtun men to use their Pray that Pashtun men will live out the positive virtues courage and boldness to and values of ghairat, especially in their relation to wom- defend the powerless. Pray en. Pray that believers, foreign and national, will exhibit that they will see that the biblical ghairat, especially in the way to relate to women. true and living Lord in His Pray that Jesus’ ghairat will be attractive to Pashtuns in mercy sent His Son to die Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pray that there will soon come an unjust death so that a day when Pashtun men who follow Christ will receive powerless humanity could more ghairat for risking their lives to extend the kingdom be saved. of God.—TP

19 Day 11 Proverbs 18:17, ESV Jergas

The one who states his ifteen white-bearded case fi rst seems right, F men sit on mats in until the other comes and a circle in the shade in southeastern Afghanistan. examines him. A mullah prays a blessing One of the ways that on their discussions and the the Pashtun peoples can council begins. protect themselves from Ahmed’s daughter was seen endless strife is through speaking with a Christian communication with one girl. Th e community’s another. It’s way too easy to honor hangs in the balance. Th is jerga meets to decide how to respond. If they ignore this off ense, believe that someone else they fear the moral fi ber of their clan will deteriorate. has bad intentions and act accordingly. The results No one chairs the meeting. No vote is taken. Th ey think and discuss how to respond. Finally, they come can be endless strife and to a consensus, and the mullah prays to bless the family feuds. decision. Th is is how the jerga works: talk, discuss, Pray for the Lord to grant consider, fi nd a consensus. Always the goal remains wisdom and understanding to protect the honor and morality of their clan. Th e to the local jergas so that jerga represents the entire clan. Depending on the they will allow Christ issue, it can draw from multiple clans, and the jerga to be preached and bring decides for the group. the people together in Th is practice presents special challenges for followers such a way that confl icts of Christ who wish to present the good news to are resolved. Pashtun people. A Pashtun who listens to a Christian’s witness risks being ousted from their clan or worse. To see measurable response to the gospel would require a consensus from the jerga. Th at presents an impossibility that only God can surmount.

Pray for bold evangelists to faithfully and sensitively wit- ness to Pashtun jergas. Pray for members of jergas to seek His truth and use their position of authority to open doors for Christ in Pashtun communities.—GEC

20 Day 12 Pashtun Taliban Members Psalms 33: 16, ESV

lone man The king is not saved by A trudges the his great army; a warrior rugged mountain is not delivered by his trail. He keeps his great strength. beard bushy and long. His head hair No matter how strong a is close shaven. military force is, there will be He travels into no deliverance at some point the Taliban region in time. One can depend on along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Yet he is not a Taliban. In their might for a season, but fact he is no longer a Muslim, though he was born to there will come a day when that faith. He is a Muslim-background believer. God man’s might will fail. Though has called him to evangelize the Taliban. He knows the Taliban has taken the law it can cost him his life. Still, he makes his regular into their own hands and rounds—carrying a few New Testaments and other twisted the lives of many materials. He follows the promptings of the Holy Pashtun people, their eff orts Spirit in deciding when to witness and when to give a will not go unpunished by the New Testament. While he has suff ered, he has not yet been killed. Sovereign Lord. Th is man seeks to penetrate the immense spiritual Pray that members of the barrier to Christ formed by the Taliban. Th e Taliban Taliban will understand that is an organization that immediately brings to mind their power will fail, and pictures in the media of suicide bombs, rockets they cannot be delivered landing in markets, and rigid defi ance of any eff ort from God by their own to modify its extreme version of Islam. In the early strength. Pray that they 1990s, Mullah Mohammed Omar started the Taliban will seek and fi nd the with 50 madrassa students. He still serves as the sole true Deliverer. authority, dictating all decisions.

Pray that God will soon humble Mullah Omar as he did Nebuchadnezzar centuries ago. Pray for the brave evan- gelist who treks the Taliban region, that God will pro- tect him and use him to lead Taliban members to faith in Christ. Pray that the Holy Spirit will penetrate the hearts of Taliban members.—GEC

21 Day 13 Psalms 20:7, ESV The Mehsud Pashtun Tribe

magine preferring to live in a tent or a cave rather Some trust in chariots and than a solid structure. Now imagine also preferring some in horses, but we trust I lawlessness and brutality over peace and stability. in the Name of the LORD Th e tribal Mehsud people take pride in the fact that our God. historically they have lived with lawlessness. Early The Pashtun peoples are in the British colonial period the Mehsuds nearly overran India’s capital. But they never completed their noted for trusting in their conquest because they became distracted with raping own power. Everyone carries and pillaging. weapons, and if they don’t, they risk being robbed or Baitullah Mehsud was prominent in uniting many militant groups to form the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) killed by those who do. One in December 2007. His cousin, Hakimullah Mehsud, thing is certain. There will has led the TTP since Baitullah was presumed always be someone who has dead following a drone strike in 2009. Hakimullah a more powerful and better continues the campaign of terror across the region. weapon. Everyone is at risk, Th e TTP is believed to be responsible for 25,000 and few will live out their lives deaths. Favoring conservative Islamic political parties, to a ripe old age. they brutally target presumed “secular” parties. Maintaining their violent reputation, the Mehsuds Pray that the Pashtun peoples comprise the majority of the Taliban. Th ey also control will gain the wisdom to the lucrative drug and arms traffi cking in the region. understand that the doctrine Th e Mehsuds are a Pashtun tribe found in semi- that “might makes right” is autonomous regions of Pakistan and certain provinces false and leaves all without of Afghanistan. Th ese fi ercely independent people the power to be delivered on keep family compounds high in the mountains in the the day of judgment. Pray that the Mehsud tribe will summer, and move to the valleys in the winter. Th eir trade in their weapons for a violent behavior prevents the Pakistani government dependence on the power of from providing them with much needed services and the true and living God who infrastructure improvements. Th is situation has left loves them. the Mehsud tribe feeling alienated and ready to listen to Taliban recruiters.

Pray that the Mehsud tribe will soon turn away from vio- lence and fi nd the true path to peace. Pray for strength for the believers working among them.—LR

22 Day 14 The Safi Pashtun Tribe Psalms 10:2, ESV

ais, a young Safi Pashtun man, bowed to his Q visiting Afghan friends and gave them the In arrogance the wicked traditional greeting. After fl eeing Taliban control, hotly pursue the poor; Qais has been living in the West for several years. let them be caught in After they had eaten, the friends told Qais of their the schemes that they recent military exploits. have devised. To their surprise, Qais was not impressed. He shook Because of the fall of man, we his head and replied, “Brothers, this will only ruin live in a might-makes-right our tribe and our nation. I am using the money I am world. Those that have the earning here to help build a hospital in our homeland.” power can oppress the poor Th e Safi is a Pashtun sub-tribe that descended from and the powerless. But God the seventh-century leader Gharghasht, son of one of can and will turn this around! the prophet Mohammad’s converts. With a population The oppressor will be caught of 2.5 million, the Safi are a major branch of the greater Gharghasht Pashtun tribe. in his own schemes, either in this life or the life to come. For 35 years civil war is all the Safi tribe has experienced. Th ey have played a key role in the various Pray that the wicked armed confl icts in Afghanistan. Th ey are noted for among the Safi Pashtun being rebels in this country torn by constant rebellion. tribe will repent before they Because of their size and their infl uence, the Muslim are caught in their own Safi s stand out as a strategic tribe to reach for the schemes. Pray for spiritual gospel. Nearly 50 percent of Afghanistan’s population transformation within their speaks Pashtu, the mother language of the Safi s and entire communities. other Pashtun tribes. Th ere are Christian materials in this language.

Pray that more Christian media will reach the Safi tribe. Pray that they will put their faith in the One who came in peace from God Himself.—LR

23 Day 15 Proverbs 3:24, ESV The Hotaki Pashtun Tribe

he truck bounced on the rough mountain road If you lie down, you will as Ahmad rode in the back with a group of not be afraid; when you T other men. He was a member of the Hotaki tribe. lie down, your sleep will Unlike most members of this tribe, he was fed up be sweet. with the Taliban. Ahmed was leaving Afghanistan Imagine living in a world for Pakistan. He was going home, back to his safe construction job. He was feeling like he’d wasted a where at any time raiders can year of his life. Th e Taliban only wanted to impose come and kill you and your cruel burdens on the people they “liberated.” Ahmed family members. Would you found that Islamic law made no sense in the modern sleep well? Probably not. The era. Such laws may have been practical a thousand only way that you could fi nd years ago, but were outdated in modern times. true rest would be to put your Th e Hotaki live in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Th ey faith in the All-Powerful One. are one of the tribes of the Gilhazi Coalition, which is pro-Taliban. Th e Hotaki tribe has a warrior Pray for many from the tradition, and they once ruled an empire. Between Pashtun tribes to put their the years 1709-38 the Hotakis ruled Persia. Th e faith in the Lord who loves Hotaki tribe supported the communists during the them enough to die on the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s. cross to save them from their sins. Pray that their new Th e Hotaki are Muslims. Th ey know much about faith will give them true rest Mohammad, but very little about Jesus Christ. and safety. Ask God to break the hold that Sunni Islam has on this people group. Pray that God will send the Word of God to the Hotaki by radio or through strong believers to tell them that Jesus Christ is the true source of salvation. May the Lord soon open doors to make outreach to this people group possible.—WK

24 Day 16 The Suleimankhel Pashtun Tribe Proverbs 17:1, ESV

ohammad sat near the still waters of the Better is a dry morsel with Gomel River in Pakistan. He set his rifl e M quiet than a house full of aside, glad to be away from the crazy fi ghting in nearby Afghanistan. Th e Suleimankhel tribe had been feasting with strife. fi ghting for too long. Th ey supported the Taliban, and This is a proverb that the they have often taken heavy losses. Some members Suleimankhel people should of his people group, sick of the fi ghting, had settled understand. When people live in the Gomel Valley across the border in Pakistan. Mohammad felt no peace, even though he was a in a situation where strife and devout Muslim and thought that he was fi ghting for revenge killing are a Allah. Allah seemed distant, no matter how many daily part of life, there is no times he prayed toward Mecca. peace or joy. One can not Th e Suleimankhel are another member of the Gilhazi enjoy their victory when Coalition, just like the Hotaki tribe we prayed for they face retaliation at an yesterday. Th ey are Sunni Muslims and have close unexpected time. ties with other Afghan Sunni tribes. Because of their hostility toward the current Afghan government, Pray that the Suleimankhel very few of them have access to doctors or teachers. people will have a chance Medical care is for those who are on good terms with to hear that there is a Lord the government. Th e Suleimankhel see Jesus Christ who loves them and wants as a prophet and not the Son of God who can save them to enjoy His peace and their souls. joy through Jesus Christ.

Pray for peace in the Suleimankhel homeland. Only then will it be safe for faithful workers to reach out to this people group. Th e coming of peace will open the door for Christian doctors and teachers to work among them. Ask God to cre- ate a hunger for true peace and true salvation among the Suleimankhel tribe.—WK

25 Day 17 Proverbs 19:3, RSV The Ahmadzai Tribe

he shepherd boy searched the barren mountains When a man’s folly brings of Afghanistan for his sheep. Silently he his way to ruin, his heart T prayed to Allah for help and safety. He was from rages against the Lord. the Ahmadzai tribe and knew he was in dangerous The Book of Proverbs tells territory. Th is region was claimed by some tribes us numerous times that our of the Gilhazi Coalition, enemies of his people. As the shepherd boy searched for his sheep, he felt lost fl eshly foolishness leads us himself. His tribe supported the Afghan government, on a destructive path. But in a corrupt bunch that seemed just as evil as the this verse, it’s clear that such Taliban. He wondered if there was a third option. foolishness leads us to strive Th e Ahmadzai tribe belongs to the Durrani against the Lord Himself. Coalition which supports the government in Kabul; The end results are tragic but that hasn’t stopped some members of this tribe and eternal. from joining the Taliban. Divided loyalties are a problem among some tribes of the Durrani Coalition Pray for any Ahmadzai such as the Ahmadzai. individual who is striving against the Lord. Pray that Like all other Pashtun tribes, the Ahmadzai are they will learn of His ways Muslims. Th ere are few, if any, followers of Jesus and turn to Him with all Christ among them. Th ere is also no peace in their hearts. their homeland because they don’t know the Prince of Peace.

Ask God to create a hunger for true peace among this people group. May the Ahmadzai come to see Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace, one who is the true source of sal- vation from sin and death. Ask God to lead a mission agency to send believers to this tribe with prayer and outreach.—WK

26 Day 18 The Barakzai Pashtun Tribe Psalms 68:30b, ESV

t is always dangerous and unfair to place a broad, Trample underfoot those negative label on a person or people group simply I who lust after tribute; because of an association with something negative. Th e Barakzai people have, indeed, experienced this kind of scatter the peoples who false judgment in their history. At one point they were delight in war. intentionally split up by a ruler of Afghanistan because We know from other he feared their power and infl uence. scriptures that God hears the Th e term “Barakzai” is related to the personal name prayers of the oppressed, “Barak” which, according to Wikipedia, means and that those who delight “lightning” or “shine.” One story that is handed in war and destruction down is that the name is derived from Barak, the will eventually pay dearly. son of Abinoam, in the book of Judges. He was the commander of the army of Deborah, who defeated the There are many people in Canaanite armies. Afghanistan today who are at the mercy of those who Th e Barakzai Pashtun tribe produced almost all of Afghanistan’s leaders from 1826 to 1973. Recently in delight in war. But they can 2014 two prominent Barakzai leaders ran for the offi ce call upon the Lord, and He will of President of Afghanistan; however, they did not answer them. remain in the race. Pray for many who are Sunni Islam has been the religion of the Barakzai for oppressed in Afghanistan hundreds of years. To be a true Barakzai has meant to today to turn their prayers be a Muslim. Th ere are very few followers of Christ to the God who scatters among them. oppressors.

Pray that the Barakzai will begin to soften their hearts and humbly seek spiritual truth. Pray that God will send be- lievers to the Barakzai to tell them about Christ. Pray that signifi cant Barakzai leaders will come to faith in Jesus and infl uence others to come to Him.—JR

27 Day 19 Proverbs 16:25, ESV The Papalzai Pashtun Tribe

nyone who rises to the position of president of There is a way that seems his country has certainly achieved an amazing right to a man, but its end A and rare accomplishment. Th e former president of is the way to death. Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, is a part of the Papalzai Human reasoning leads to tribe, and they have grounds to be very proud of this death and destruction. How achievement. Th ey, along with the Barakzai tribe, are the two most powerful tribes in the Kandahar many of the Pashtun people IdiG lOt h Province of Afghanistan. understand that? They have their traditions and their way In many ways Karzai did not have a typical Papalzai childhood and schooling. His father was the deputy of doing things; but like all speaker of the parliament during the 1960s. His other cultures, their ways are grandfather served in Afghanistan’s 1919 War of insuffi cient. Independence and as the deputy speaker of the senate. Th ese family achievements defi nitely infl uenced him Pray that the Holy Spirit to pursue politics. will impress on many of the Papalzai Pashtuns that His Th e history of the Papalzai involves much warfare ways are the only ways that and struggle. Currently, the Papalzai are the largest lead to life. tribe in Kandahar Province. Th e Durrani and the Ghilzai tribal confederations are also in the region and have been in a fi ght with the Papalzai for power and dominance since the 18th century. In more recent times there have been large amounts of money fl owing to the Durrani, and this has multiplied the complexities that are troubling Afghanistan.

Pray that the Papalzai will see the futility of seeking po- litical power and earthly achievements if they don’t have a personal relationship with the wonderful God who loves them. Pray that the Lord will soften their hearts toward Himself, and that the Church would discover strategies for reaching this people group with the gospel.—JR

28 Day 20 The Shinwari Pashtun Tribe Psalms 141:5b, ESV

errorism is an Yet my prayer is continually ongoing issue T against their evil deeds. that must always be actively dealt with. Notice that the prayer is In January of 2010 not against the people, but the Shinwari people against their deeds. Are you pledged themselves India Gospel Outreach to helping in the fi ght able to pray against deeds, against terrorism by committing at least one military but not people? It is very easy aged male from each family to the Afghan army to pray against people who or police. Th e Shinwari number about 400,000, so do wicked deeds and forget this promise carried much signifi cance. Th eir pact that God wants to bring them appears to be the fi rst in Afghan history in which an to repentance and salvation. entire Pashtun tribe has declared war on the Taliban insurgents. Th e agreement also states that anyone Pray for repentant hearts who supports the Taliban would be punished with among members of the fi nes and expulsion. Shinwari Pashtun people But at the same time the pact is fragile because group. Pray that this people of the nature of any agreement made in Afghanistan. group will turn to Him and Tribal loyalties can be very fl uid, and in the be living testimonies of His past the government has been unable to prevent mercy, grace, and love. Taliban retaliation. In 1885, a British author wrote of the Shinwari “...Th ey are brave, hospitable, stalwart, and hardworking. Th ey are well-educated people.” Th ese things are still true of the Shinwari tribe. Th ere is, unfortunately, no known church planting movement going on among the Shinwari. Th ey are 100 per cent Muslim.

Praise God that the Shinwari are actively opposing ter- rorism. Pray that they will continue in their eff orts against it. Pray that the Church will step up with an equally great eff ort to bring the good news of Jesus to the Shinwari tribe. Pray that active church planting will soon begin among them.—JR

29 Day 21 Psalm 37:8, ESV The Yousafzai Pashtun Tribe

wakened by the Refrain from anger, and muezzin’s high pitched forsake wrath! Fret not A nasal call to worship, yourself; it tends only Yusuf—a young Yousafzai to evil. Arabian Bay of Sea Bengal man—rubbed his eyes Have you ever been so and peered out the small window of his tiny room angry that it has become an overlooking the crowded obsession? That is what entire Maharashtra Orissa street below. Th ere was a sea cultures embrace: get angry, of multicolored umbrellas. . stay angry, and take revenge. Hyderabad He saw a boy selling potatoes It eats up the one who is and was glad that he didn’t Karnataka Andhra angry, and it also Pradesh have to earn a living in this keeps the person who knows way. Yusuf had better plans that revenge is coming in for his future. a state where inner peace is Yusuf took out the prayer mat that his mother had not possible. rolled up and put in the corner of the room near his table. As a good Muslim, he knelt facing west Pray that many from and prayed. Rising from prayer, he began to get the Yousafzai Pashtun dressed for the day. Th en he skipped down the people will understand narrow fl ight of stairs, gobbled up his breakfast and that anger and wrath lead was out the door. to a downward path of Yusuf is a Yousafzai Pashtun whose ancestors destruction and evil. Pray migrated to Hyderbad, India, in the 10th century. that they will come to a point Th rough the process of indigenization, most where they will do anything Pashtuns in India today are now indistinguishable to get out of this spiritual from other Indian Muslim communities in snare. Prepare their hearts to this region. Like many other modern Indian boys, receive the gospel. Yusuf had wanted to be a cricketer. But his parents insisted that he get a sensible education. His parents won the day, and he now works in a software start-up in Hyderabad.

Pray that the Pashtuns in India will hear the gospel of Jesus Christ from believers with whom they come in con- tact daily.—EJD

30 Day 22 The Tarkani Pashtun Tribe Proverbs 28:13, ESV

wave of heat surged from Atlantic Whoever conceals his Ocean an oven in a small bakery A transgressions will not North in Birmingham, England. Sea Abbas, a member of the prosper, but he who Tarkani Pashtun tribe, had confesses and forsakes English Channel just opened the door of the them will obtain mercy. large stone oven and placed For members of any culture, the freshly kneaded dough on Atlantic SCOTLAND people need to confess and Ocean a metal spatula with a long forsake their sin to be in good North wooden handle. After having IRELAND Sea Leeds put a dozen more loaves of standing with the Lord. This Manchester Irish Sea Birmingham bread into the oven, he closed requires humility, something WALES Leicester ENGLAND the door, and for the fi rst time that is in short supply with London that day, he sat down on a “martial” peoples like small bench. the Pashtuns. As the fragrance of freshly baking bread wafted through the room, he reminisced about his life Pray for many Tarkani as a child in the Swat Valley in Pakistan near the Pashtun people to humbly Afghan border. He remembered the simple games come to God with repentant he played with other children in the village. When hearts. he was nine years old, his parents had told him that they were leaving the valley to live with an uncle in Birmingham, England. Th ey spent their fi rst few years in England with their uncle and his large family in a tiny one bedroom fl at. After several years of waiting tables at a Pakistani restaurant, his father was able to put away enough money to buy a small bakery. Abbas inherited the bakery, and now it is his livelihood. Th e Tarkani people are among the Pashtuns most likely to move to far-away places. Th ere might be some of them living in your part of the world.

Pray for followers of Christ in England to reach out in love to the Tarkani people.—EJD

31 Day 23 Psalms 16:8, ESV The Mohmand Pashtun Tribe of Afghanistan

ne member of the Mohmand tribe, Rahman I have set the LORD always Baba, is a poet known as the “Nightingale of before me; because he is at O Peshawar.” He wrote, “I start in the name of God, my right hand, I shall not among whose many names is ‘Th e Greatest.’ Th e be shaken. work that is hard for everyone else is easy for Him. Have you ever considered how Who else can lift the sun into the sky? … Or color the fl owers? Every tree is standing in prayer before wonderful it will be in the Him. Every blade of grass recites His greatness. presence of the Lord? We will Every fi sh sings His praise in the river. Every bird not be shaken by life’s frequent exalts Him in the fi elds.” His words echo Psalm 19, upheavals. Not so for the ESV: “Th e heavens declare the glory of God, and the Mohmand people; they do not sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours have a personal relationship out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. with God, although some of Th ere is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice them like the poet we quoted is not heard. Th eir voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.” understand more than others. Yet all of us would be far less About 600,000 Mohmand people live along the likely to be shaken if we would border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Th e area is mostly hilly and mountainous with very little fl at set the Lord before us in our land available for agriculture. Rainfall is rare. Many thoughts and prayers. of this people group have re-located to the city of Peshawar, Pakistan, seeking jobs and a better Pray that the Mohmand standard of living. people will embrace Him so they can eventually be in His presence. Then they will Pray that the Mohmand people will learn about the true have the faith and peace and living God by accepting the witness of God’s creation that will keep them from so that they will have no excuse (Romans 1:20). Pray being shaken. they will hear about the Lord Jesus Christ in the cities and take their new faith back to their friends and rela- tives still living in the mountainous areas.—JWS

32 Day 24 The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan Proverbs 30:20, ESV

hara!” Shara’s This is the way of an neighbor ran “S adulteress: she eats and toward her in the marketplace. “I just wipes her mouth and says, saw your son with “I have done no wrong.” other dancing boys! This is how all mankind acts: He was going off with we naturally claim that we a wealthy older man.” have done no wrong. In Vulnerable to an evil practice Shara’s eyes fi lled with tears. Her son was only 12. “Yes, I know, but there are our fallen ways we are very thousands of shoe-shine boys, fruit-selling boys, and adept at making excuses for water boys. He could get no work, and we have no ourselves. What will it take to food since my husband died. What else are we to do?” change that? Only a work of Th e evil practice of Bacha Bazi, literally “playing the Holy Spirit can change our with boys” is the practice of older, rich men paying stubborn hearts! a boy a monthly sum; in return the boy must satisfy any wishes of the older man whenever he asks. Since Pray for the Holy Spirit to Afghan women are not allowed to dance, the boys are soften Pashtun hearts so forced to dress as women and dance before groups of that they will become pliable leering men for hours. At the end of the party they in the Lord’s hands. are taken away and sexually abused for two dollars. Th e main voice against this practice comes from the Taliban.

Pray for a hedge of protection around these boys. Pray that compassionate followers of Christ will come forward to introduce them to the Savior who promises abundant life in Him. Pray that Jesus will reveal himself to the Afghan people and awaken their hearts and minds to the goodness of the One True God who loves them and wants to save them from oppressive sin.—PE

33 Day 25 Proverbs 3:31-32, ESV Pashtun Youth

n Afghanistan the population is heavily weighted Do not envy a man of towards youth with 60 percent of the people being violence and do not choose I under 25 years of age. Th ese children were born any of his ways, for the during wars and strife. Th ey have been raised under devious person is an governments where change happens so fast that the abomination to the LORD, country’s structure and provision cannot keep up but the upright are in His with the needs. confi dence. Th erefore, this huge group of young people is It is very easy to envy those the group most in need of education, jobs, and who manage to gain wealth constructive outlets. Th ey are under severe pressure by extortion and violence. to pass the university test when they graduate from high school. But many fail and are looked down It seems that such people upon by their families as being lazy. Th ose who pass live and die in ease. But the the exams are much greater in number than the spots Bible tells us that they are an available at the universities. abomination to the Lord. After As can be expected, there are reactions and they have ruined many lives repercussions from the youth who live with this through their violence, where hopelessness. Th ey are vulnerable to violent, will they spend eternity? extremist groups who want to recruit them. Recently two Christian youths were beaten with rods Pray that men of violence by a group of young men when they wouldn’t among the Pashtuns will recite the Islamic creed, return to Islam, and soon fi nd their way to the renounce Christianity. Prince of Peace, so that they can change their ways. Pray However, some youth are working with the KP that Pashtun youths will not youth conference to work out youth problems and learn the ways of the violent. give advice and input to the government. Th ey passionately want to retain the freedoms that were restored when the Taliban fell from power.

Pray that Jesus will be revealed to the Pashtun youth, and that they will be protected from violent infl uences.—PE

34 Day 26 The Opium Trade and Drug Addiction in Afghanistan Proverbs 1:19, ESV

ansour rolls over on his pallet in his one- Such are the ways of room shack and reaches for the opium pipe. M everyone who is greedy for It is eight o’clock in the morning, and the family is just awakening. Mansour’s 85-year-old father, wife, unjust gain; it takes away and grown daughter recline in a circle around the the life of its possessors. pipe to begin their day of heroin-fi lled nothingness. In a might-makes-right Mansour’s one-year-old grandson toddles to the pipe, society like you fi nd among inhales and curls up by his sleeping mother. Th ere the Pashtuns, power and is no one in the family able to care for him, so they allow him to smoke to keep him quiet. Mansour used possessions often come from to own 50 sheep and a large plot of land that fed his the barrel of a gun. These family well. It is now gone, sold to buy opium. people not only cause misery It is estimated that 150,000 people in Afghanistan for others, but they also are addicted to opiates. Th is is not surprising since destroy their own souls. their country is the biggest producer of opium and heroin in the world. Nintey percent of the opiate drugs Pray that the Lord will used throughout the earth come from Afghanistan. convict the Pashtun people Th en we can ask this question, “How do you convince who are involved with farmers to grow grain when the return on grain is less the drug trade that their than the cost of the tractor fuel used to cultivate it?” business is ruining the lives What a mess! of many people. Pray that they will soon seek the God who loves them and while Pray that God will convince the farmers in Afghanistan we were yet sinners, died on who are taking part in the huge, well-run operation of the cross for our sins. growing, smuggling, traffi cking, and selling drugs that they are doing terrible harm to their land; many lives are being ruined by their activities. Pray that the hold that the evil one has on this country will be broken, and corrupt people will no longer benefi t from the drug trade. Pray that Jesus will touch, heal, and lead drug addicts to fruitful, useful lives in Christ.—PE

35 Day 27 Psalms 44:8, ESV The Pawinda People

eep going, gypsies!” the man yelled. “Take In God we have boasted your goats away from here!” another man continually, and we “K shouted, shooing them away with his arm. will give thanks to Your Name forever. Young Aqeel looked at his father with tears in his eyes. “Why do they hate us?” His father who was No matter how intelligent, already moving the fl ock of goats further up the competent or skilled one may road shook his head and tried to smile. “Th ey don’t be, we cannot boast. God hate us. We are just not important to them.” “Why?” can humble us in a moment “Because we are Pawinda. We are nomads.” “What does that mean, father—nomads?” “It means… if He chooses to do so. All we well… son, you know that we spend summers in can do is thank Him for what Afghanistan and winters in the Punjab?” Th e boy He has given us. Think of the nodded and replied, “We are always moving.” Th e reasons you should thank father said, “Th at’s what it means to be a nomad; our the Lord. Make it a practice home is wherever we put up our tents.” to thank Him throughout the Th e Pawinda of Afghanistan and Pakistan are day. Make this truly a day of viewed as gypsies and considered unimportant by thanksgiving! many people in this region. Th ey have no rights of settlement and must move through the area, staying Pray that the Pawinda only three days in one place at a time. people will boast in the true God and thank Him Because of their location and nomadic lifestyle, the continually for saving and Pawinda are very diffi cult to reach with the gospel loving them. message. It will take people willing to live an uncertain life, moving from place to place to reach them for Christ.

Pray for workers to use radio, Internet, the JESUS Film and other creative methods to share the good news with the Pawinda people. Pray for believers to fi nd ways to demonstrate Christ’s love to the Pawindas and let them know they are very important to God.—CL

36 Day 28 The Kakar Pashtun Tribe Psalms 16:6, ESV

he Kakar are a large Pashtun tribe with members The lines have fallen for T living in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Th e Kakar are also found in present-day Balochistan, a me in pleasant places; province in southwestern Pakistan where they make indeed, I have a beautiful up the majority of indigenous Pashtuns. Dani, the inheritance. originator of the tribe, had 18 natural sons and six A beautiful inheritance! adopted sons. Th is family line formed the foundation That is what you have if you for the Kakars. follow Christ. This inheritance At one time most of the Kakar people migrated includes eternal life with Him from various parts of what is now Pakistan, and they and eternal joy. What more established an empire in Afghanistan. It seems that during the rule of an emerging Punjabi Sikh emperor, could you possibly want? By Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, many Kakar artisans, contrast, the Kakar people soldiers, noblemen, and businessmen converted have nothing but memories to Sikhism to be in good standing with him. Th is of their long-gone empire as might explain why the early Kakars were Sikhs. an inheritance. The Lord off ers Th ough some remain Sikh today, most Kakars them so much more if are now Muslim. they will only believe and Th ere is much we do not know about this large accept Him! Pashtun tribe, but what we do know is that they are precious in God’s sight, and He has commanded us Pray that many from the to take the gospel message to the uttermost parts of Kakar people group will the earth. He wants the Kakar people to hear of Jesus, share in this beautiful accept Him, and become co-heirs with Him! inheritance. Pray that they will receive the gift of faith Give thanks for the Kakar men of peace in a number of in the One who loves them. villages, and ask God to open their hearts to the gospel. Let us also pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send out many ambassadors for Christ to show the Kakars the way to the only Savior.—JS

37 Day 29 Psalms 145:9, ESV Oral Evangelism

The LORD is good to all, and he tongue is a fortress and a calamity,” His mercy is over all that He “TShameem confi ded to her neighbor, Tanya. has made. After talking with her for some time, she had made a slip of the tongue. She now wished she could take The Lord gives us life! That back her words. Smiling Tanya replied, “In the mouth alone tells us that He is is the creed, but in the heart is wickedness.” She then good to all. No matter what shared with Shameem how we all need to have God’s circumstance someone is in, help in order to have kind thoughts in our hearts and they can fi nd something to not just nice words in our mouths. thank Him for. All that we Pashtun people like these two women love proverbs, have ultimately comes poetry, and other oral forms of communication. Many from Him. are able to read, but may have trouble comprehending and using the information they do read. Th ey love Today, meditate on the very much to hear important knowledge in oral things the Lord has given to forms such as a story, song or proverb in order to you. Thank Him! Pray that remember it. His bountiful blessings will Th e challenge for workers among the Pashtuns is to be known to the peoples of package and deliver important truths in forms that Afghanistan through the they can appreciate and remember. Twenty years many oral means available. ago Pashtuns listened to short wave radio for news and information, but now they have radio, TV, the Internet, and other information sources to choose from. Th ere are many opportunities for delivering the gospel. One possibility that off ers privacy is the Internet which reaches even into small villages.

Pray that God will provide creative and anointed people to develop new radio programs and new media strategies for reaching Pashtuns for Christ. Pray that believers will produce and oversee interesting Web sites for Pashtuns at the curious, seeker, and believer levels.—JS

38 Day 30 Breakthroughs From Your Prayers! Psalms 145:3, ESV

ere is encouragement from the April 2014 Great is the LORD, and H GPD issue on global cities. Within one of the greatly to be praised, Muslim cities we prayed for, there has been good and his greatness is fruit. One of the fi eld workers there had planned to unsearchable. send out extra evangelism teams looking for people of peace during the time that you were praying for Think of the word the people in that city. He reported that they had “unsearchable” for a minute. sent out short-term teams to make what are called We know that the Lord is shema statements--simply a way of talking that lets great, but we won’t know folks know that they are spiritual people and helps to identify people who are seeking truth (also known how great He is until we see as people of peace). Th eir team ran across several Him face-to-face. Typically, Muslim background folks who were not only seeking Central Asian Muslims but insisting on committing their lives to become know that “God is great,” followers of Christ immediately! Th ey had gone to a but they have twisted His hospital and the fi rst fellow saw open vision of Jesus character until His greatness and was healed in his shoulder. Th e next fellow also is diminished beyond saw an open vision of Jesus and felt fi re all over recognition. his body. God responds to our prayers in very amazing ways! Pray for many from Central Th is leader is one of the team who will be working Asia to understand from with us to develop the list and then plan on the the heart that God is far ground eff orts for future issues on the Middle East. greater than they can ever imagine. Pray that they will Th ank the Lord for those who became subjects of the be joyful as they wait to Kingdom of God a couple of months ago. Pray that they see Him and experience His will have perseverance, boldness, and the fruit of the Holy loving-kindness. Pray that Spirit so they can continue their walk with Him. thousands more Central —Liz Adleta Asian Muslims will receive His Word with gladness as it becomes more available in the coming years.

39 Day 31 40 4. Ghilzai 1. Afridi (see day 6 for more information) 6formore (see day 1. Afridi 19. Noorzai 18 information) formore (see day Barakzai 18. 19 information) (see day formore 17. Popalzai Alkozai 16. Niazi 15. Mangal 14. information) 21formore (see day Yousafzai 13. 12. Marwat 11.day Safi14 formore (see /Laghman Wazir 10. 5. Achakzai 5. 7. Kakar (see day 28 for more information) formore 28 (see day 7. Kakar 2. Shinwari (see day 20 for more information) formore 20 (see day Shinwari 2. 27. Bangash 26. Banusi 25. Maku 24. Khogyani 23. Sakzai 22. Ishakzai 21. Badozai 20. Alizai 3. Hotaki (see day 15 for more information) formore 15 (see day Hotaki 3. 9. Mehsud (see day 13 for more information) formore 13 (see9. day Mehsud 6. Tarin 8. Kasi Pashtun tribeseachweek in2015! Take thechallengetopray foroneofthese information) 49. Tokhi Nasar 48. 47. Ibrahimzai 46. Ahmadzai 45. Andar 44. Suleimankhel Kharoti 43. Taraki 42. 41. Babar 40. Khalil 52. Dawar 52. 51. Swati formore 22 (see day Tarkani/Bajaur 50. 29. Dilazak 28. Dawari 39. Miani formore 23 (see day Mohmand 38. 37. Sherani Shilmani 36. 35. Urmar 34. Zazi Zadran 33. Wardak 32. 31. Orakzai Khattak 30. information) information)

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Replace with the cover PDF Editorial December 2014 RECORDS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Dear Praying Friends, U.S. Center for World Mission 1605 East Elizabeth Street A couple of years ago I struck Pasadena, CA 91104-2721 up a conversation with a woman Tel: (330) 626-3361 [email protected] who lived in Normandy, France, MANAGING EDITOR during the D-Day Invasion. I Keith Carey told her that it must have been ASSISTANT EDITOR horrible to have lived in a war Paula Fern zone, and her response surprised WRITERS me. She said, “It was nowhere Glenn Culbertson near as bad as living under enemy occupation.” Since the Patricia Depew Patti Ediger Fall of Man, we have all lived under enemy occupation, and Wesley Kawato Earth has been a war zone. People have found destructive Arlene Knickerbocker Esther Jerome-Dharmaraj ways to cope with this grim situation. Some worship Christopher Lane unclean spirit beings in an attempt to get them to take care Annabeth Lewis Robert Rutz of them rather than our wonderful loving Lord. Others Ted Proffi tt believe any or all of the following lies: we do not have a sin Lydia Reynolds nature, so sin is a non-issue; we can earn our salvation by Jeff Rockwell Jean Smith doing the right things; God is fi ckle and uncaring. Jane W. Sveska In the Arab World, Islam has provided the framework DAILY BIBLE COMMENTARIES Robert Rutz for many forms of religious deception and, in some forms, Keith Carey for an unhealthy love of death. As a result, warfare rages CUSTOMER SERVICE throughout the Arab World today. Islamic militants from Dan Eddy groups like ISIS truly believe that what they are doing will Diane Tolsma Lois Carey make the world a better place. Th eir worldview involves a love for killing and a love for death. GRAPHICS Matt Anderson

A shroud can represent two things. It can be a simple piece PRINTER of cloth used to cover the dead; thus it represents death. Diversifi ed Printers , La Mirada, CA It can also represent darkness, since it blocks out all light. WEB SITE But the Light of the World, who came to earth, can break www.globalprayerdigest.org through to the Arab Muslim World despite the eff orts of ISSN 1045-9731 the enemy of mankind to shroud the truth. Th at will be Contents of the Global Prayer Digest © 2014 the theme of our prayers this month: that the unreached U.S. Center for World Mission 1605 East Elizabeth Street peoples in the Arab World will “cope” with the shroud of Pasadena, CA 91104

death and darkness by embracing the Light of the World, Contents of this booklet may be Jesus, who came to give life to the fullest! reproduced if appropriate credit and subscription information are given.

In Christ, For subscription information, call (330) 626-3361. For comments on content, call (626) 398-2241. Keith Carey, editor, GPD 46 Feature of the Month

Pray for the Shroud of Death and Darkness to be Lifted in the Arab World!

Saudi Arabia Indian Ocean

IRAQ IRAN

BAHRAIN Medina Mecca Riyadh SAUDI ARABIA OMAN YEMEN

47 To Help You Pray Better 48 the Arab World Arab the in worker afield —by Destroy theShroud! A BackgroundWe We wait. hope. more. We Wetemporary. issomething there know believe. are in world shrouded welive the and bodies our that know We We hopeful. We are formsother of expectant. life. are It’s diff us what makes of trial. to hopetimes in aword be fi it and can hearts our in word. It dreams conjures up the Hope. It isabeautiful to belong to Him. so it iswonderful and no perish, one should that wishes Savior our that know But yet. we everything understand and see fully cannot we that to. It to look painful maybe forward is something there that for It’s to plan us. know His and of exciting God nature true of the aview us to give clouds those part can now. right however, Jesus, He weknow part in If see only We vision. our from it isobscured isshrouded, something When mountains. the seeing from us keeps that a mist for the dead or sometimes it can be something like like something be itfor or dead sometimes can the used acovering be It can things. two be can shroud lled with love. We with lled cling erent from Destroy the Shroud!

A Shroud Covers the Muslim Arab World In the predominantly Muslim nations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), you can literally feel the shroud that covers the land. Th e shroud has eff ectively obscured hope. Walk outside and a lot of times there will be a misty haze of dust that clings and shrouds everything in sight. Th e women that walk by dressed in their gauzy, black veils and cloaks that billow in the wind are shrouded from the world. You can feel it in your spirit. It’s oppressive. You can hear it as you talk with locals; many minds are shrouded and unable to think beyond the steady drone of their prayers and teachings. Th ere are ancient customs and beliefs that they stubbornly cling to, simply because the shroud makes it impossible for them to consider another way. Th e enemy has used false doctrines to carefully shroud this land. To the foolish these lands are perishing in poverty and backward customs. However, we believe that there is hope for this part of the world. Slowly, the shroud of Islam is beginning to be pierced with tiny holes and tears. For many generations believers have come to this land to share the gospel. Th ey usually returned home “empty-handed” or worse. Yet they keep coming back. We keep holding onto that little seed of hope. Now, after so many years, it is happening. It’s a trickle of belief. It’s a few here and there. Th ose that are here and believing can feel the ground trembling. We know the Lord is rallying his faithful to bring a large harvest in. He promises in Isaiah 25, that: “On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the fi nest of wines. 7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; 8 he will swallow up death forever. Th e Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. Th e Lord has spoken.”

49 Destroy the Shroud!

A Shroud Removed Perwin’s mind was shrouded for many years. She grew up a Muslim. Perwin lived in a small village and did all that was expected of her. She did not attend school. She was told if girls study they will become blind. People told her women’s brains are not capable of learning. She didn’t even resent this; she believed it to be a fact. She eventually got married to a man her family picked out for her. Perwin was trained from an early age to not show emotion because doing so would be shameful to her and her family. She allowed all decisions to be made for her, and she took good care of her household responsibilities. In return her physical needs were taken care of and provided for. Perwin was doing what she was supposed to do. She was expected to show her gratitude by submission. Perwin’s husband was angry, feisty, and erratic. He saw no value in the Islamic religion, and eventually he abandoned it. Th en he met Jesus. He didn’t know anything about Jesus, but he was ready to enlist immediately. He was just as much outspoken for Jesus as he had been against Islam. It cost him a great deal; he faced rejection and persecution. He still knew very little about Jesus. Perwin continued to be a good wife and followed her husband obediently even in this. Th en one day seated on the bare concrete fl oor of their home with nothing but a dusty fan beating off the heat, her husband read aloud about Noah from the Word of God. For the fi rst time she was hearing truth taught to her. Her head tipped up and her eyes lit up. She became excited and exclaimed, “I never thought I could learn, but I understand this!” Th e shroud was torn back for Perwin on that day! She had believed that she was unable to learn. In reality, it was just a shroud, but the truth penetrated through that shroud. It tore a hole in it for her to see out for the fi rst time. She was amazed by her own ability. All in an instant, simply through the story of Noah, her mind was exposed to Light. She did not go blind. Now she too bears the mark of hope. She can hope for her three girls and one boy to learn what she never learned before. She will never be the same!

5050 Destroy the Shroud!

Shrouds Obscure True Identity At age six, Kojan woke up one day to fi nd his family murdered and their bodies scattered around him. Th e shroud around his heart was heavy with passion for revenge. Kojan became a fi erce soldier. His name meant, “to add pain.” He roamed through the mountains with his militia group for years. Of the 120 men he enlisted with, only two were still alive after 11 months. In his wanderings, he came upon the Gospel of Luke. He read it and re-read it. He recognized truth in it, but he identifi ed himself as a Muslim. He believed what he had always been told: If you are born a Muslim, you will always remain a Muslim. He loved the truth in the gospel, and he let go of his hate and desire to avenge his family. He forgave. He shared the gospel wherever he went. He would get into discussions and talk to others about Jesus and how He had changed him. One day he overheard another man telling others of the truth, and he revealed that although he grew up a Muslim, his identity is now in Christ. Kojan was amazed; he immediately switched his personal identity to that of a follower of Jesus. He changed his named to Kojin, which means “to add life.” Th e shroud had been removed! Th e pain had also been removed and in its place was life. His allegiance has changed, and his hope now is in Jesus. He now “fi ghts” for Jesus by teaching His truth as a pastor. Th e shroud won’t be completely removed for any of us until Jesus prepares that fi nal feast when he returns. We each have to struggle against the shrouds that our own culture tries to impose on us. We look forward to that day when he will destroy the shroud forever. Until then, we must hope expectantly. We must pray for others to have the glimpse we have been given. We must pray for others to understand the gospel like Perwin and Kojin. Th e inheritance is rich. Th e feast that we will share will be extravagant. Who will you be seated next to? Maybe you will hear the story on that day of how your prayers helped pierce the shroud for another!

Pray for the spiritual shroud to be removed from every people group we are highlighting in this issue.

51 Day 1 Ephesians 1:5-6b, ESV Missionary Biography–Greg Livingstone

In love He predestined reg Livingstone was born out of wedlock in 1940 and shuffl ed from one foster home to us for adoption as sons G another. But despite his background, he became a key through Jesus Christ, missionary statesman in helping to spread the gospel according to the purpose throughout the world. God uses humble people to of his will, to the praise of do His work. He was born from an aff air between His glorious grace, with a nightclub dancer and a Jewish Harvard graduate. which He has blessed us in When his mother became pregnant, it was clear that the Beloved. no one wanted the baby, and abortions were hard to get at that time. But there was One who wanted this This verse gives us a glimpse baby, the One who declared, “Before you were born into one of the most powerful I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the ideas in scripture. Because nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). He loves us, He adopted us! Greg lived with several diff erent foster families and Imagine how this message relatives: fi rst in Boston, then in San Diego, and then would aff ect a boy who had in Aspen, Colorado, where he spent a good part of been abandoned numerous his youth. times throughout his life. At 16 he asked Judy Ringle to go to a movie with Perhaps Livingstone’s him; she declined, but agreed to go to a theater with background made him all the him Sunday morning instead. It turned out to be an more eager to fi nd the One evangelistic Christian service! Judy’s parents invited who is eager to love and adopt him to dinner where they gave him a Gospel of John unlovable sinners! challenging him to ask God to show him if it was true. In the next couple of weeks, “A feeling had Pray for the Lord to impress come over me with which I was totally unacquainted on the hearts of the with.… Jesus …. was still alive and had taken up fatherless, un-adopted Arab residence in me.” Muslims that they need a Heavenly Father. Pray for the Lord to take those from humble beginnings and use them for His purposes.—KC

52 Day 2 Missionary Biography, Continued Ephesians 2:10, ESV

reg went to Wheaton College where he For we are His met Sally, a pre-med student preparing to serve in G workmanship, created Pakistan or Egypt. Th ey married soon after graduating. in Christ Jesus for good Greg sheepishly admits he had neither awareness nor works, which God prepared concern for people living outside of the U.S. until his beforehand, that we should second year at Wheaton. At that time he was coerced to walk in them. attend an all-night prayer meeting about foreign missions led by 20-year-old George Verwer. “What country are Our works do not have you claiming”? demanded Verwer. “What’s left?” Greg anything to do with earning responded. “You’ve got Libya!” Verwer thundered. our salvation; but they do Th at night Greg accepted the call to join God’s have everything to do with worldwide team. God’s purpose for us in life. Together with other students, Livingstone and Verwer In today’s entry, it becomes founded Operation Mobilization (OM) in 1961. Years clear that some people such later Greg facilitated 70 “tentmakers” to get into Libya. as Greg Livingstone have the For several years Livingstone joined Verwer in O.M.’s evangelistic eff orts in Europe. When he fi nally got to his task of “shepherding” God’s calling in Lebanon as the team leader, he clashed with people to go where He wants that country’s organization leader. Verwer decided Greg them to go and to do what was more useful as a recruiter of missionaries so he sent He wants them to do. Do you the Livingstones to Toronto to birth OM in Canada. know anyone who exhorts “Over the years, I gradually realized that the great you to do good works? Do you Shepherd has chosen to utilize me most often as a listen to them? sheepdog.… I’ve been a recruiter, one who keeps God’s sheep moving in the direction of His not-yet-harvested Pray that each of us will fi elds.” Th us Livingstone summarizes his 52 years of listen to those whom ministry helping place about 1900 adults into long term God has placed in our residential church planting among Muslims. lives to nudge us in the right direction. Pray that Pray for the Lord to raise up many others who will “sheepdog” we will do the works God workers into doing what the Lord has for them to do.—KC has for us, not just out of obedience, but also because it pleases Him.

53 Day 3 Galatians 5:22-23, Missionary Biography, Continued

couple of years later Greg, the recruiter, was But the fruit of the manning OM’s booth at a meeting in Urbana, Spirit is love, joy, peace, A Illinois when, to his surprise, he got recruited to patience, kindness, become the North American Director of North goodness, faithfulness, Africa Mission (NAM, now called Arab World gentleness, and self- Ministries). Th is time it took Greg fi ve years to control; against such recruit 95 new missionaries to serve in Morocco, things there is no law. Tunisia, Algeria, and France; but when he wanted to expand NAM to the Middle East, the leadership It is very diffi cult to walk in felt he was pushing them too fast. After much the fruit of the Holy Spirit, deliberation, in good spirit and without broken but it demonstrates the relationships, NAM and Ralph Winter (founder of truth of Christ’s kingdom. the U.S. Center for World Mission) recommended When missionaries are that Greg launch a new ‘sister’ agency to the able to love and forgive Muslims. Hence Frontiers was birthed in 1982, even those who are specifi cally for people who were willing to go as abusive, it demonstrates tentmaker missionaries to Muslim countries that would not allow traditional missionaries. Today better than any carefully Frontiers has 1900 workers. written pamphlet or theological argument why Greg stepped down as General Director of Frontiers at age 60, and he and Sally went to Southeast Asia transformation in Christ is to do what they had been recruiting others to do: so essential. church planting among Muslims. After fi ve years there, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church’s mission Pray for today’s workers agency World Outreach utilized Greg to raise up 10 in the Arab World to walk Presbyterian teams to work with unreached Muslims. in the fruit of the Holy Greg sees no biblical basis for retirement; thus at Spirit so they can show the age 74 he continues to write, teach, inspire, and reality of the kingdom of recruit new ambassadors for Christ for the remaining God to Muslims. unreached Muslim peoples in the world.

Th ank the Lord for those who are called to pioneer agen- cies that reach beyond the scope of ordinary mission eff orts.—KC (Th e book, You’ve Got Libya, is available from Kregel Publishing or Amazon, (paper or kindle) or Frontiers: [email protected])

54 Day 4 Palestinian Muslim Arabs in Jordan Romans 6:9, ESV

hab, where are you from?” Th e Chinese visitor We know that Christ, being asked a male waiter in the Jordanian Hotel. “E raised from the dead, will “I’m Palestinian and my family came to Jordan as refugees from the West Bank. Life has been good to never die again; death us here; yet many of my people are homesick and want no longer has dominion to return to their own country.” over Him. Th e term Palestine originates with the Philistines. This verse makes it In order to bait the Jews whom the Romans had abundantly clear that Christ conquered, the Romans named the land after Israel’s has complete control over arch enemies. Th e Romans wanted to erase any death and life. He cannot die, association of Israel and their God to the land. nor will He ever die. We can Some of the Arabs living in the land of Jordan share in His eternal life. originally came from Arabia. Others, mostly Palestinian Arabs from the Palestinian enclaves Pray that Palestinian in the West Bank and Gaza, used to live in Israel Muslims will desire eternal proper. Many of these Arabs migrated to the country life enough to embrace the of Jordan where they have found opportunities for Master of life, Jesus Christ. a better life. Sadly, Islamic terrorist groups like the Hamas have dominated some of these Palestinian Arabs. Th is has brought about major confl icts between them and the Jewish people and resulted in much suff ering, pain, and rage. A Christian Jordanian stated, “Islam is a strong part of the Palestinian identity, but the pain of war has left them searching for something beyond what they have. More are coming to Christ at this time than ever before, but it is still only a trickle.”

Pray that Palestinian Arabs in Jordan would be moved to forgive those who have hurt them, and thus open their hearts to accepting the forgiveness of Christ. Pray that they will receive Christ which will give them an identity and an eternal homeland in heaven.—PD

55 Day 5 Ephesians 2:5-6, ESV Jordanian Arabs in Jordan and the UAE

ammy, the director of Even when we were dead LEBANON SYRIA S a Summer Christian in our trespasses, (God) ISRAEL Tel Aviv Youth Camp in Jordan, gave a made us alive together Jerusalem report on the successful 2014 with Christ—by grace you JORDAN summer camp program. “Th is have been saved—and EGYPT summer we saw a new sense raised us up with Him and of awareness. Campers were seated us with Him in the asking us questions about why heavenly places in Christ God allows pain, suff ering, and sickness. Th ey wanted Jesus…. to know where God is in all this. Many thought there is a creator, but that the creator has abandoned Right now the Jordanian the world. Some even wanted to talk about atheism.” Muslims are indeed dead in Sammy reported that over 600 children attended. their trespasses. But they can Many of their parents also became involved. “Many become alive with Christ! of the kids personally knew Syrian refugees and the Their eyes must be opened pain they have gone through. It was hard for the kids to what He has to off er them to understand, but having these discussions about and to His guidance. God and His Word have strengthened their belief in Christ. Th ey left with a deeper relationship with God Pray for the Jordanian and a desire to reach out to those suff ering, especially Muslims to open their the Muslims.” spiritual eyes to becoming Jordanian Arabs are known for their warmth, giving, alive with Christ so that and hospitality. Jordanians have welcomed so many they can be raised with Him refugees from the Arab-Israeli, Iraqi, and Syrian and seated with Him in the confl icts that refugees and former refugees make up heavenlies. more than two thirds of the country’s population. About 250,000 live in the UAE where they are highly regarded. Older Jordanians are traditional Muslims, but the young people seem to be more open to new ideas. Consequently, more young Jordanians are coming to Christ.

Pray that followers of Christ in Jordan and the UAE will lead many of the Muslims Arabs to accepting Jesus as their Savior, the Prince of Peace.—PD

56 Day 6 Sunni Muslim Palestinians in Lebanon Romans 6:10, ESV

ebanon is a small country with limited For the death He died He resources. When the Palestinians originally “L died to sin, once for all, but sought sanctuary there, it was intended to be for a short time.” Th e Christian Lebanese man was the life He lives He lives answering questions from a group of concerned to God. visitors about the Palestinian refugees. “We have In the Old Testament, there is limited job opportunities, so they must obtain work a clear connection between permits and are restricted to low paying jobs with no sin and death. When Adam benefi ts. If they become citizens, they could shift the spiritual and political balance of Lebanon in favor and Eve sinned, God told of Islam. Only a few are citizens. We are trying to them they would die. Cain discourage them from remaining, but they do not and Abel were both required want to leave.” to make a blood off ering for Recently some of the 500,000 Lebanese Muslim sin. Death was to be the only Palestinians have found answers to their problematic way for sin to be forgiven. lives. Th at new hope is found in God’s Word and in Jesus. A missionary working with them reports, Pray that Palestinian “Over the last few years some bold public sharing Muslims will recognize opportunities have resulted in the formation of 16 that sin and death are Discovery Bible Studies (DBS) in four diff erent areas. inseparable. Pray that they Th ere is a growing core of believers who have the will respond by gratefully vision for every one of their Palestinian brothers and giving their lives to the sisters in Lebanon and beyond to know Jesus. Savior.

Pray for the forming of DBS groups in the other 18 camps and the numerous settlements where the Palestinian refu- gees live. Pray for wisdom as this core set of leaders devel- ops elders and other leaders to guide this fl edgling move- ment into glorious growth and maturity. Pray that they will grasp deeply the reality that the kingdom of God is their homeland and inheritance. Pray they will have Peace in God.—PD

To read further about Sunni Muslim Palestinians in Lebanon, visit: www.meforum.org/68/ the-palestinian-predicament-in-lebanon

57 Day 7 Ephesians 5:7-8, ESV Lebanese Alawites

Therefore do not become here is our fee, Omran? Pay or you know partners with them; for “Wwhat will happen.” Th e Sunni militant sneered as he threatened the Alawite shopkeeper in at one time you were Tripoli, Lebanon. darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as Th e population of Alawites in Lebanon is around children of light… 120,000, and about half of them live in Tripoli. Th e militant Sunni group known as Lebanon’s Salafi Christ has taken us from Movement was also founded in Tripoli. Violence darkness to the light. He has between these two groups has been ongoing for taken us from death to life. We decades, and it has escalated in the last few years. do not want to go back to the Ongoing demonstrations, fi ghting and killings ways of darkness and death! frequently take place. Regardless of their political and spiritual diff erences, Alawites and Sunnis both Pray that members of the face problems that include poverty, unemployment, Alawite communities will illiteracy, drug addiction, and poor medical facilities. crave light and life so much Th e Alawite branch of Islam follows the teaching that they will no longer of Ibn Nusair who died in 716. He started this new be partners with those sect by splitting off from the Shi’ites. Astonishingly, who embrace death and Alawites do not have mosques, only devotional destruction. rooms. Th ey disapprove of some Islamic religious duties such as praying fi ve times daily and fasting during Ramadan. However, under persecution they sometimes practice these rituals to protect themselves from traditional Muslims. Th ere has been almost no Christian outreach to the Alawites in Lebanon.

A Christian worker in the region requested that we pray for foreign workers and Lebanese believers who are at- tempting to reach out to the Alawites there. Pray for such a personal and meaningful encounter with Jesus through these workers that the Alawites will receive Him fully into their lives and make Him known throughout Lebanon and Syria.—PD

58 Day 8 Syrian Refugees in Jordan Ephesians 5:11, ESV

t is over; we can’t get back what we lost!” Th e Take no part in the “ISyrian refugee told the Christian worker. “I had unfruitful works of a good business. Th e terrorists said I had to pay them darkness, but instead $5,000 in fees or they would destroy all I had. I paid expose them. them and then they said I had to pay the same amount every month. We escaped at night, leaving everything. What would happen I hate those fi lthy dogs!” throughout the Arab Muslim A missionary wrote in a letter to his church, “Th is World if people exposed the is only one of thousands of heartbreaking stories we works of darkness? Imagine have heard. Th ere are currently around 1.5 million what would happen if the Syrian refugees in Jordan. Th e Syrian families have common people who want seen their houses destroyed, lost loved ones, have to live peaceful lives reported friends or family in prison, and have no hope of ever going back. Anger and bitterness have taken deep terrorist cells. This might not root, and most are saying they will never forgive. Th e happen for two reasons. First Syrian refugees are marred by a spirit of hopelessness of all, people are intimidated and rejection. Yet God is using this crisis to bring by violent men. Secondly, about a greater openness and a willingness to hear His many of them are taken gospel. Our prayer for them is that God will restore in by the false beliefs that hope where there is none and that He shows them His come with violent behavior plans and His love for them.” disguised as spirituality.

Pray for the power of the gospel to take root and break the Pray for Syrian refugees to chains of bitterness and unforgiveness among the Syrian have the courage to expose refugees. Pray God will bring His servants in contact with those who are making their a key leader/person of peace in the Syrian community who nation a place of horror. will lead these people to the truth and freedom found in Christ.—PD

59 Day 9 Ephesians 4:19, ESV Sorani Kurds

rucifi xions. Beheadings. Ethnic cleansing. Tens They have become callous of thousands of people trapped atop a mountain and have given themselves C with bloodthirsty militants surrounding them. Th is up to sensuality, greedy to is what the Sorani Kurds, as well as Iraqi Christians, practice every kind faced in August 2014 as the Islamic State of Iraq and of impurity. Levant (ISIS) militants advanced through northern When someone loses Iraq and up Mount Sinjar. sensibility regarding God’s Many times throughout their history Sorani Kurds will, they often continue in a have fl ed to the mountains from oppressors. Until continual quest for more of last summer, 10-12 million Sorani Kurds lived in northern Iraq and western Iran. Meanwhile, 35-40 what takes them further from million Kurds live in Turkey, Syria, Iran, and other Him. The downward cycle areas of Iraq. leads to spiritual death. Th e Kurds are the largest people group in the world Pray for the Holy Spirit to that does not have a land of their own. Th ough bring sensibility to those landless, their mark is made through language. in the Arab World who are Sorani Kurdish is the most developed and universally lost in the darkness of their understood Kurdish dialect in Iran and Iraq. thinking. Pray for members Nearly all Sorani speaking Kurds are Muslim; less of ISIS to recognize that they than .05 percent are Christian. However, Christian are acting as Satan’s tools, workers have established schools, medical clinics, and that they must turn or media centers and churches, all with the blessing face eternal consequences. of the regional, Kurdish-based government. A fi nal revision of the Bible in the Sorani Kurdish language is expected to be completed this month.

Pray for this Bible translation to be read, embraced, and obeyed by Sorani speakers. Pray for the development of leaders to plant Sorani speaking house churches throughout the Middle East. Pray that the Kurds would replace their pursuit of establishing their own nation with the goal of establishing the kingdom of God in their hearts.—LR

60 Day 10 Kurds in Kirkuk, Iraq Mark 13:12, ESV

unshots rang out in And brother will deliver Kirkuk, a city in northern G brother over to death, and Iraq, causing women and their Caspian Sea the father his child, and children to duck for cover once children will rise against again. Tension in their bodies matched the tension felt so parents and have them put Persian Gulf commonly in the city. to death. Shootings and indiscriminate Persecution of believers in TURKEY bombings are normal in Kirkuk. the Arab World is no surprise. Kidnappings are a part of every Jesus told us that this would Kirkuk SYRIA day life, too. Kirkuk has one happen all over the world, IRAQ IRAN of the largest oil reserves in wherever people would follow Baghdad the world, and there are many Him. The spirit of death and Kuwait factions that want to take this SAUDI ARABIA wealth by force. destruction is strong wherever the kingdom of God has not Last summer, the castle-like walls of the citadel surrounding Kirkuk could not keep the Islamic State penetrated hearts. of Iraq and Levant (ISIS) militants from swiftly Pray for the plague of death conquering the city. In June 2014 the city of over one to be removed from Kirkuk! million Kurdish, Turkish, Sunni Arab and Shi’ite Arab inhabitants could not defend their beloved ancient home from being littered with bodies. Each group had a reason to fi ght, for each claimed the city as their own original homeland. But the 5,000-year-old city with its many memories and historical accounts was brutally conquered by this new vicious terrorist group. Almost every resident of Kirkuk is Muslim, and before the ISIS takeover, only a few Christians lived there. Th ose who did belonged to underground churches. Extreme persecution of believers existed even before the ISIS takeover.

Pray that God will protect the Christians and ethnic Kurds who have suff ered in Kirkuk. Pray that He will give the Kurds a willingness to question Islamic teachings that make such slaughter possible. May they seek answers in God’s Word, the Bible. —LR

61 Day 11 Ephesians 4:26, ESV Iraqi Arabs

“In your anger do not sin.” lan, a Western visitor, sat with his Iraqi friend Do not let the sun go down A Rashid in a coff ee house in central Iraq. Th ey heard popping sounds coming from the distance. while you are still angry. “Fireworks!” said Alan as he rose from his seat. We all get angry. But what Rashid grabbed his arm and pulled him back down. happens when anger lingers? “Th at’s rifl e fi re. You’ll get killed if you go out there!” It degenerates into bitterness Almost all Iraqi Arabs are Muslim. But they are and rage, and that can easily divided mostly into two religious factions, the Sunni result in violent outbursts. In and the Shi’ite. Th e latter group, the Shi’ites, have the fl esh, we are at the mercy been in control of the government and ruling the Create International Iraqi Sunnis from Baghdad in an arbitrary manner for of such emotions, but in the several years. Th is fact has angered many Sunnis. As Spirit, we can overcome them. a result, some Sunnis in Syria and Iraq have joined together to form the new terrorist group, ISIS. Th is Pray that the Sunni Muslims cruel Sunni Muslim group is bent on slaughtering in Iraq, Kuwait, and Syria those who do not submit to their rule. Th ey hope to will be willing to follow form a Sunni-based caliphate (Islamic government) Christ and allow His Spirit to in what is now Iraq and Syria. After successful indwell in them so that they campaigns in Syria in the winter and spring of can live by the fruit of the 2014, ISIS began taking over one city after another Spirit rather than by the fruit of the fl esh. in northern and central Iraq. Th e Shi’ite ruled government of Iraq in Baghdad was on the verge of collapse and many Sunni in the Iraqi Army units (equipped with American weapons) refused to fi ght against the Sunni ISIS.

Th e treatment of Iraqi Christians has been terrible in the ISIS controlled part of Iraq. Many Christians in Iraq have been forced to fl ee for their lives. Pray for the protec- tion for Christians and Shi’ite Muslims in Iraq. Pray that all Iraqi Arabs will open their eyes to the evils brought on by state-run religion and fl ee to the One who gives free- dom from sin and death.—WK

62 Day 12 Kuwaiti Arabs Ephesians 4:18, ESV

homas and Akku They are darkened in their walked through a T understanding, alienated shopping mall talking about the ordeal Kuwait from the life of God because went through when of the ignorance that is in they were overrun by them, due to their hardness Iraqi forces in 1990-91. of heart. Akku, a Kuwaiti Arab Hardening of hearts leads to commented, “Th e Iraqis a darkened understanding of set fi re to oil rigs, and I Create International Create thought I was watching God’s will and a separation the fi res of hell!” Th omas replied. “At that time I from Him. There are many was in school in India, studying to be a petroleum Kuwaiti Arabs who fi t this engineer. It took me a couple of years before I could description. Getting back work in Kuwait.” Ali asked, “What did you come to what was said in this here for? To earn money and just go home?” Th omas month’s editorial, it is easy swallowed hard and replied, “To make sure people like for people to believe the lie you delight in the character of God.” Akku had fi re in his eyes when he hissed, “But I worship Allah and that our salvation depends on follow the teachings of Mohammed!” Th omas asked, works. It is very easy for us as “Has Allah given you the assurance of going Christ’s followers to curse the to heaven?” Ali thought for a moment and replied, darkness, when we should be “No. I’m in constant fear of not having done enough praying in the light. good works.” Th omas said, “Th en let me tell you about Jesus Christ. He has given me the assurance of going Pray that the light of the to heaven.” gospel will penetrate hearts darkened by Th ough this is only a story, it illustrates something misunderstanding of God’s about the Kuwaiti Arabs. Th ey are almost 100 percent will. Pray that hard hearts Muslim, and their trust is not in the teachings of will be softened by the work Jesus Christ. of the Holy Spirit. Pray that Christ followers among the many foreign workers in Kuwait will be eff ective ambassadors for Christ.—WK

63 Day 13 Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV Hijazi Saudi Arabs

bdullah stood For by grace you have been at the top of saved through faith. And A a ridge in Saudi this is not your own doing; Arabia and saw the it is the gift of God, not a diff erence water result of works, so that no made. On the side one may boast. The Hajj is required of all Muslims of the ridge that was irrigated by re-claimed water from the Red Sea This is an area where Saudi there was a green land with abundant crops. But Muslims are likely to stumble. there was nothing but desert sand on the side of Like most of humanity, they the ridge without irrigation. Abdullah then put the do not understand that matter out of his mind and turned in the direction of salvation comes by faith in Mecca to begin his ritual prayer. the Living Christ rather than For centuries Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia by works. If salvation could have been the locations of the world’s biggest be earned by works, then pilgrimage called the Hajj. It is a requirement that Jesus would not have needed every Muslim go on the Hajj who is physically and to pay for our sins with His economically capable. Th is highly scripted pilgrimage life. Instead, the Saudis is fi lled with Islamic rituals and prayers. It takes three days to complete all that is required. Last year have placed works such as over two million devout Muslims went on the Hajj going on the Hajj as a means according to Wikipedia. towards salvation. Muslims who return to their homeland from the Pray for the Saudi Arabs to Hajj are given greater status among their friends, understand the meaning of neighbors, and relatives. Th ey believe that going on Christ’s work on the cross in the Hajj will give them a better chance of going to their hearts and minds. heaven after they die.

Ask the Lord to create a hunger for truth among the Hijazi Saudi Arabs. May the Hijazi Saudi Arabs under- stand that we cannot earn our way to heaven. Pray that eff orts to reach the Saudis through the Internet will fi nd hearts open to truth.—WK

64 Day 14 Persians in the Gulf Countries Ephesians 1:22-23, ESV

s the ferry rocked back and forth over the choppy And He put all things under A waters, Arman, a young Iranian, stared out the His feet and gave Him as window peering intently at the horizon for signs of head over all things to the the port. church, which is His body, Eighteen months ago while his family waved the fullness of Him who goodbye to him, Arman boarded the ferry to the fi lls all in all. Island of Dalma in the Persian Gulf. He was going The nations need to to apprentice as a bricklayer at a construction site there. On the island of Dalma, he boarded with understand that all things other migrant Iranian workers. After a long day’s are under the feet of Jesus. It work under the punishing sun, he would go to his is way too easy for people room. As the evening progressed, others would arrive. to believe that since He was Th ey would cook and eat their simple meals. Sitting “weak” enough to be nailed crouched in their tiny rooms up the narrow alley, they to a cross, that Jesus has no would speak of the wide-open spaces where they had power. But this idea can’t be previously laughed, played, and studied. further from the truth! Every month Arman set aside just enough money for utilities and sent the remaining money to his family Pray that Persians with a neatly penned letter informing them of his everywhere will understand well-being. Finally, he had made enough money to that Jesus is the head of the buy a ferry ticket back home. He knew they would be universe. Pray that they will waiting for him, and he knew for the next two weeks understand that they will he would be showered with all the love and attention present themselves to Him that a family gives. on the fi nal day. Th e Persian diaspora in the gulf countries is made up of poor and middle class individuals. Th ey endure immense hardship in order to eke out a living.

Pray that these migrant Persians will come to know that the love of Christ surpasses even that which they have ex- perienced from their loving families.—EJD

65 Day 15 Ephesians 2:4-5, NIV Urdu Speakers on the Arab Peninsula

s the morning sun sent rays But because of His great of harsh, bright light into love for us, God, who is A his east-facing bedroom, Abbas rich in mercy, made us woke up. He sat upright, rubbed alive with Christ even his eyes, and looked at the small when we were dead in clock on his nightstand. Nine transgressions—it is by o’clock. He slowly got dressed grace you have been saved. and went downstairs. BAHRAIN CtIttil Instead of death, there is life! QATAR Abbas picked up the newspaper Why is this? It is because U.A.E. and began to skim its contents. SAUDI God loves us so much ARABIA OMAN An advertisement caught his eye. “Looking for strong motivated that He showers us, sinful young men to join the armed humanity, with grace and forces in Bahrain.” Scanning mercy! How could knowledge quickly through the half page, of God’s great love for us he learned that he could be earning up to 100,000 transform the Muslim world Pakistani rupees annually along with other perks. Here if they understood this from he was, out of college, a strong young man without a the heart? Do you think job. Th is could be his perfect answer! there would be less self- “Ma,” he hollered to his mother in the adjacent room, righteousness and violence? “Isn’t Uncle Rahim working on the police force in Manama?” (the capital of Bahrain) “Yes, his family Pray that the Urdu speakers moved there nearly two decades ago,” she replied around the world will emerging from her room. Her brother and his young understand from the heart family relocated to Bahrain in the 1990s. His children that God’s love for us means had attended the Urdu School there. “I was wondering life, grace, and salvation for if I should apply for this position,” Abbas said pointing all who believe in Him. Pray to the advertisement. Putting on her spectacles, she that in His mercy, God will took a closer look at it and said, “Why not?” give many Urdu speakers the Th e Arabian Peninsula is home to several thousand gift of faith. Urdu speakers from Pakistan and India. Many of them are educated, intelligent individuals.

Pray that these Urdu speakers will come in contact with followers of Christ who will share the gospel with them.—EJD

66 Day 16 Arabs of Qatar Ephesians 5:8, NKJV

ehan stepped from For you were once darkness, her oyster-shaped J but now you are light bath tub into the huge fragrant towel held in the Lord. Walk as by two servants. Th ey children of light wrapped her, dried Has it ever occurred to you her, and applied sweet- how severe this statement smelling lotion. Th ey Create International Create is? Without Christ we are Qatari women silently tended to her every need, dressing her hair, freshening her manicure, darkness! But with Him, we slipping her silver-threaded garments over her head. are light. What a contrast! Our She was now ready to join her family for breakfast and very being is aff ected by our whatever diversions the day might hold. willingness to allow His light Jehan is one of 250,000 Qatari citizens in a small to shine through us. country protruding into the sea like a thumb off the coast of Saudi Arabia. It is among the wealthiest Pray that Qatari Muslims countries per capita in the world. One and a half will turn from their position million foreign workers live in Qatar to do the of being in darkness to common work. Qatar has been ruled by a family being in light. Pray that monarchy since the mid-1800s, and it abides by strict they will shine forth as Sharia law. It is the most conservative Muslim Arab His ambassadors to a nation in the world next to Saudi Arabia, and most dying world. Qataris follow the fundamentalist Wahhabi beliefs. While Qatar is quiet within its borders, it is known to be a major funder of terrorist organizations.

Since Sharia law prohibits the spread of the gospel, pray that the Internet, radio and TV broadcasts, and other av- enues of evangelization will be open wide to the Qataris. Pray that their great wealth doesn’t immunize them to their tremendous need for Jesus, who loves and calls them to Himself. Pray that strongholds and principalities will be broken and cast down, and the Spirit of the Living God will sweep Qatar with His presence and His message of salvation through Jesus.—PE

67 Day 17 Romans 6:13, ESV Arabs of Yemen

Do not present yourselves basi awoke with to sin as instruments for A the fi rst rays of unrighteousness, but the hot, Yemeni sun. present yourselves to God Today was the day as those who have been he showed the world he was becoming a brought from death to man. His mother had life, and your members already laid out his to God as instruments for new headgear, which righteousness. Create International Create he placed proudly Yemeni men All the Muslim peoples need upon his thick, black curls. He donned his usual patched and worn to do in order to move from clothing, hitching his belt another notch smaller on death to life is repent of his growling stomach. Th en the moment Abasi had their sins and accept Christ. been longing for arrived; he carefully placed the Where there is repentance, traditional Yemeni dagger in his belt. Being of the there is life. By contrast Zadis sect he was now ready for his destiny. He had there is nothing but death become a warrior—ready for jihad! and destruction when Abasi’s world is a diffi cult and treacherous one. there is fi ghting and self- Th ere are about 1700 tribes in Yemen, ruled righteousness. But fi ghting by sheiks who frequently go to war with one has been the way of life in other. Yemen is one of the poorest countries in Yemen for hundreds of years. the world with half the population going hungry every day. Struggling with poverty, political It will take a miracle of the unrest and infl uxes of huge numbers of refugees, Holy Spirit to change this they are vulnerable to the siren song of terrorist situation. organizations that promise food and care. Pray for repentance to come Pray for the desperate Yemeni people who suff er under to the Arab Yemeni people. physical trials and fi nd little comfort in their Muslim faith. Pray that the estimated 5,000 believers in Yemen will shine like the sun in a dark land. Pray that the people of Yemen will receive Christ and be able to transform their nation for the better.—PE

68 Day 18 Dhofari Arabs in Oman Ephesians 3:11-12, ESV

aleem skillfully sliced the trunk of one olibanum This was according to the tree after another. In two weeks he would return S eternal purpose that he to collect the milky sap that has congealed on the has realized in Christ Jesus trunks of the trees and make frankincense with it. For thousands of years the Dhofari Arabs in Oman our Lord, in whom we have have exported precious frankincense throughout boldness and access with the world. confi dence through our faith in Him. Nestled in the coastal mountains along a sliver of the central coast of Oman, the 95,000 Dhofari people Boldness, access, and remain unique. Th ey speak a variation of Arabic confi dence; these are some and adhere to a sect of Islam called Ibadhism. Th eir of the fruits of faith. We can customs, including wearing a traditional dagger, are be bold because He is true. similar to their western neighbors, the Yemenis. In the whole of Oman it is believed that there are only We have access to the Father 10 Dhofari followers of Christ. through our prayers, and we have confi dence that He hears In recent years oil and gas production have radically changed the economic landscape of the country. New our prayers. leaders have emerged who are amenable to modern Pray that the people of ideas such as new roads and education for girls. Oman will have a spiritual However, the generous and hospitable nature of craving for this kind of the Omani people draws the line at the mention of relationship with the Lord the gospel. Suspicion and fear make contacting the of Creation. Pray that this people with the Word of God very diffi cult. craving will lead them to Jesus Christ. Pray that God will provide wisdom, guidance, and grace for any workers among the Omani Dhofari. Pray that Christian radio and TV programming will provide an avenue of contact acceptable to the Arabs of Oman. Pray for spiritual strengthening of the 10 Dhofani people dedi- cated to Jesus. Pray for their protection and that their cul- turally relevant testimony will be like fi shes and loaves in the Master’s hands.—PE

69 Day 19 Acts 17:11, NIV Other Emirates in UAE

hen Abishek’s Now the Berean Jews were alarm went off , he of more noble character W rolled over and hit the than those in Thessalonica, snooze button. It was for they received the still dark and he had message with great no desire to get up yet. eagerness and examined When the alarm went the Scriptures every day off again in just fi ve to see if what Paul said minutes, he groaned and was true. crawled out of bed. The Bereans were eager to Th e good thing about living in Sharjah is that it fi nd truth, and they knew that is a little more aff ordable than Dubai. However, Abishek’s job is in Dubai which means braving daily God’s Word is truth. This is traffi c jams in his nearly hour-long commute each way. part of our theme this month. As he slowly began to get dressed, Abishek wondered The shroud represents death, every day if it had been worth it to leave his home and but it also represents blinding family in India for this. to the truth. Unlike most of Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Kaimah, Umm Al Quwain, humanity, the Bereans were so and Fujairah are the “other Emirates” of the UAE. eager for truth that they spent Lesser known than Dubai or Abu Dhabi, they are hours searching the Scriptures home to many expatriates who practice Hinduism, to fi nd it out. Buddhism, and Islam.

Pray for God to move among Pray that Christ’s followers will reach both expatriates the peoples in the UAE to be and locals living in the “other Emirates” of the UAE. Pray “Bereans” in the sense that for God to establish His Church in each of these fi ve emir- they will eagerly search the ates. Pray for mission organizations to train expatriate Scriptures and fi nd truth. believers to be eff ective witnesses. Pray that there will soon be a discipleship making movement among each people group in the UAE.—CL

70 Day 20 Emirati Tribal Families of Dubai Ephesians 4:14, ESV

ad, has our family … so that we may no always lived in “D longer be children, tossed Dubai?” Th e man shook his to and fro by the waves head. “No, son, our people and carried about by every are originally from Africa.” wind of doctrine, by human Th e 14-year-old boy cunning, by craftiness in thought about this for a deceitful schemes. moment before asking, “How did we get to It is way too easy for people Dubai?” Th is time the from any nation to be tossed father sat down and motioned for his son to do the back and forth by false same. After a long pause, he launched into the story teachings. Doctrines can be of how their family had been captured in Africa and twisted and crafted by lies brought to Dubai as slaves. “We have come a long way since then,” he told the boy. and half-truths to keep us away from the true Savior. Th e “tribal” families of Dubai come from many diff erent places and heritages. Some, like the man Pray for the Emirati tribal and his son above, were brought from Africa. families to have the spiritual Others came from Iran. Others were Bedouins who discernment to see through migrated through the nearby deserts. Today, all of false doctrines and embrace these diff erent people groups are mixed together as the One who is the Truth. citizens of Dubai. What the families of Dubai have in common, aside from where they live, is that they have not encountered Christ. However, many are now searching for meaning and signifi cance.

Pray that those who are searching will fi nd the One who is holy, righteous, and sovereign. Pray for members of the Emirati tribal families of Dubai to hear and respond to the gospel. Ask God to establish His Church among these people and for it to grow rapidly.—CL

71 Day 21 Luke 2:10-11, ESV Egyptian Arabs of the Nile Delta

he ancient Egyptians called their land the Black And the angel said to them, Land. And it looks black when seen from a “Fear not, for behold, I T satellite. In the middle of the land lies the Nile River bring you good news of that empties itself into the Mediterranean Sea at the great joy that will be for all Delta. As in the days of Joseph and Moses, the Nile the people. For unto you is Delta is the breadbasket of Egypt. Over the years born this day in the city of the Delta has been “host” to invaders: Sea peoples, David a Savior, who is Christ Canaanites, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Turks, the Lord.” French, British, and Germans. Today it is occupied by Muslim Arabs caught between those who would The shepherds heard and impose Sharia law on them and the Egyptian Army responded to the message of that does not want Sharia. the angel. The birth of Jesus In the midst of the “Arab Spring” is Sat-7, a was cause for great joy. Why? Christian broadcaster. Sat-7’s even-handed coverage Because He is the One who of the “Arab Spring” revolution has earned it would save the world from high marks and an increased audience among the sin and death. Do the nations Egyptian Arabs. understand this today? Or do they view Him as only a Pray that Sat-7 will maintain its Arabic-language evan- prophet or a great teacher? gelistic programs with creativity. Pray that more Delta Arabs will tune into it. Pray also for revival and vi- Pray that the Muslim sion in Delta churches. Th e church in Egypt needs more Egyptian Arabs will have training, experience, funds, and boldness of vision and their hearts penetrated with witness to grow amid the current chaos. Pray for better the good news that Jesus is Christian-Muslim relations and improved relations with indeed the Savior, and there the government as the “Arab Spring” opens Egypt’s Delta is no other like Him. to the world and the gospel.—TP

72 Day 22 Nubians in Sudan and Egypt Matthew 4:16, ESV

he Bible calls them Cushites; today they are “…the people dwelling called Nubians. Th is is a people who once T in darkness have seen a controlled ancient Egypt. Th e name Nubia comes from the Nuba Mountains. Today they consist of great light, and for those seven non-Arab peoples between the Aswan High dwelling in the region and Dam in Egypt and Dongola in Sudan. In the 1960s, shadow of death, on them the dam fl ooded their lands and they were resettled. a light has dawned.” Since then, they have become increasingly Arabized This month we are praying for in culture and language, while retaining much of their people shrouded in darkness. agricultural economy. However, today the men, not the women, work the fi elds. Women work at home, But when Christ came to in schools, public service, etc. Some men are self- Earth, the light came for all employed. Unlike most Arabs, the Nubians have a to see! He came so that all high literacy rate. the nations could go from Although they once were Christians, the Nubians darkness to light. That is have been Muslims since the 1600s. However, they something to celebrate this practice a folk Islam in which the spirit of the Nile Christmas season! River is important; this is like pre-Christian Egypt. Th eir world is a world of angels, religious leaders, Pray that the Nubians will and powerful beings associated with the Nile River. see the light of Christ and Ancestors are also important. (Animism may have give their hearts to the One colored their Christianity in the past, too). According who came with the truth. to the Joshua Project, there are no known followers of Christ among the Nubians in Sudan and Egypt.

Because Sudan is basically closed to missionaries, pray for creative access to them. Bible translations, radio and hu- manitarian aid workers are needed by the Nubians. Pray that African churches will adopt Nubians for evangelism and church planting eff orts.—TP

73 Day 23 Luke 1:79, ESV Arabized Shakia in Sudan and Egypt

“…to give light to those ow do you reach a people whose government who sit in darkness and in H executes those who believe in Jesus? Th rough the shadow of death, to creativity! Th e country is Sudan and the people are the guide our feet into the way Shakia, one of a number of Arabized groups there. of peace.” Claiming descent from one of the Muslim conquerors of the Upper Nile River in the 7th Jesus is the Light of the world. century, the Shakia live on both sides of the Nile Without Him, the nations where they engage in agricultural pursuits. Th eir walk in darkness. With Him, name may derive from the conqueror, a sheik. Th ey there is light and truth. Can are divided into 12 tribes descended from his sons. you imagine the darkness that Th ey speak a distinct Sudanese dialect of Arabic. engulfs the nation of Sudan, Shakia children attend Qur’anic instruction before entering public schools. one that violently opposes those who profess Christ? Statistics on the Shakia are confl icting. According to one web site, their population is about 941,000; Pray that the Holy Spirit will according to another, 874,000. Th e inhabitants are touch the hearts of many between one and three percent Christian. All web from the Shakia people. Pray sites agree that the Arabic Bible, JESUS Film, and also that those who have gospel recordings are available in a language that brought so much darkness they can understand. But apparently there is no to the land of Sudan will access to Christian radio. All agree there are no turn to Christ. churches among the Shakia.

Pray that there will be creative outreach to the Shakia in Sudan and Egypt. Pray that the JESUS Film will be shown, and that the people will download scripture portions to phones and computers. Pray that through their lives, the few Christian Shakias will attract their neighbors to God’s grace and love. Pray for rainfall and adequate crops. Pray that God will reveal Himself in the person of Jesus to key people in each of the 12 subdivisions of the Shakia people, and that they will open their hearts to the gospel.—TP

74 Day 24 Cyrenaican Arabs of Libya Luke 1:63a, ESV

reedom versus security; this is an ongoing debate And he asked for a writing that takes place among families, communities, F tablet and wrote, “His name and whole nations. Typically, to acquire more of the is John.” one means giving up some of the other. Cyrenaican Arabs are no exception when it comes to The name John refers to both this conversation. Th eir lives are currently in a state the grace and the mercy of the of upheaval since the death of Muammar Gaddafi . Lord. There was one thing that Many of them desire greater freedom and Western- God wanted the world to hear style openness, while many others seek Sharia Law for from this prophet; it was that Libya, believing that it will provide greater security. He is gracious. Though the Cyrenaica makes up the eastern third of the landmass Muslims of the Arab World of Libya and borders Egypt. Cyrene was an important know this in theory, few of port city both before and during the lifetime of Jesus. them understand that this According to tradition, the gospel writer Mark was is the truth in every day life, born in Cyrenaica, and the good news of Jesus went from Egypt to Cyrenaica very early in Church history. where they expect God to be a hard taskmaster. But today, one would never know or believe that Christianity was ever followed in this region that has Pray that during this only 75 known believers in Jesus among a population Christmas season, the of over 1.6 million. Cyrenaican Arabs are Sunni remaining followers of Muslim. Aside from some Bible translations, there are Christ in the Arab World will very few materials being used to reach the people of exemplify the graciousness Cyrenaica with the gospel. of God as a testimony to their Muslim neighbors. Pray that the Church will send believers to this part of Pray for the Arab Muslims Libya to minister to the Cyrenaican Arabs. Pray that this of Libya to experience and population will not choose security with Islam over the embrace His grace and spiritual freedom that is available in Christ. Pray for sta- mercy. bility to come to Libya.—JR

75 Day 25 Luke 2:20, ESV Libyan Berbers

And the shepherds returned, he Berbers of Libya have a centuries-old tradition of singing songs in the Tamazight glorifying and praising T language; these songs distinguish them from their God for all they had heard Arab neighbors. Th ey have lived in North Africa and seen, as it had been since before recorded history. Until the death of told them. Muammar Gaddafi , singing was a tradition that was severely suppressed, and it was dangerous to even

Why were they glorifying and CtIttil attempt to use this language. praising God? It was because the shepherds had heard the Th e divide between the Berbers and Arabs is angels’ explanation of why nothing new. In the 1920s, Dr. Alberto Denti Di Pirajno wrote that the two people groups “cordially the birth of this baby was disdained each other. Th e Berbers fi nd the Arabs both earth-shaking and obtuse, thieving, and treacherous, while the Arabs life-changing. They had just say that the Berbers have the greed of the Jews, the gone to see for themselves venom of the asp, and the honesty of a prostitute.” what the angels proclaimed. Berber women are involved in domestic tasks such as They saw an ordinary-looking weaving and pottery. Men do most of the farming, baby in a manger, but they woodworking, and metalworking. Th ese roles have knew that life would never be seen little change over the centuries. the same. Immediately following Gaddafi ’s death, the Berbers started to use their traditional language, as well as Pray that the Libyan Berbers teach it in schools. In 2012, Amazigh town councils will understand that an began funding training, salaries, and textbooks. In encounter with the Lord their eyes, this is the beginning of a new, freer life will change their lives. Pray for themselves. that they, like these simple shepherds, will understand that life cannot be the same Pray that along with greater political freedom, the after they submit to the Berbers of Libya will begin experiencing spiritual free- Savior born in Bethlehem. dom in Christ. Pray that the Church will return to this area where it has so many of its earliest roots. Pray that God will bring about reconciliation between the Berbers and the Arabs.—JR

76 Day 26 Tunisian Arabs Luke 2:29-32, ESV

unisia is a country “Lord, now You are letting of contrasts: most T Your servant depart in farmers employ out- dated farming methods; peace, according to Your at the same time cell Word; for my eyes have phones, Internet, and seen Your salvation that Facebook are changing You have prepared in the Create International Create the ways its citizens presence of all peoples, a interact with the world. Tunisia is North Africa’s light for revelation to the smallest, but most literate country. Women in Tunisia Gentiles, and for glory to are the best educated females in North Africa, and Your people Israel.” they enjoy the most freedom. Once considered the breadbasket of the Roman Empire, it still produces lush Simeon had waited all his life fruits and vegetables. Today, Tunisia is at a crossroads. to see the Christ child. God Th e Arab Spring of 2011 freed its people from an had revealed to him that the oppressive government, but opened the door to various Christ would come within his Islamic factions still vying for control of the country. lifetime. By contrast, most In the fi rst centuries after Christ, Christianity spread Tunisian Arabs view Jesus as rapidly throughout North Africa; however when Arab one of the prophets, but they invaders arrived in the 7th century, all that existed was do not look to Him with this an empty shell of the church. Islam spread rapidly, and kind of expectation. today almost all Tunisian Arabs consider themselves to be Muslim. But many do not practice Islam. Pray that during this Websites, TV, and radio programs have generated Christmas season the a great interest in Christ in Tunisia. Nevertheless, Tunisian Arab Muslims will there are only a few hundred known believers in the have their eyes opened to country; most are widely separated from each other the fact that Jesus is the with little opportunity for fellowship and discipleship. Savior of all peoples, not just Th ey often may experience signifi cant persecution a prophet. from family and friends.

Pray for strength and holy boldness for believers as they witness for Christ and seek to obey Him. Pray that whole families will come to faith in Jesus. Pray for a strong Holy Spirit led church planting movement to spread throughout Tunisia.—JS

77 Day 27 Ephesians 5:25-26, Jerba Berbers of Tunisia

Husbands, love your wives, hoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, as Christ loved the Church “Wrivers of living water will fl ow from within and gave Himself up for her, them“(John 7:38, NIV). Th e Berbers of Jerba Island off the coast of Tunisia need this living spiritual that He might sanctify her, water; but they also need physical water. Th eir small having cleansed her by the island has no natural source of water except for washing of water with the that which can be collected from rainwater. With Word…. little water, there are also limited opportunities for Those who follow Christ must growing crops. By necessity, most men in families love their wives and show spend a great part of the year on the mainland, working and sending money and goods back to their kindness to them. This is a families on Jerba. command. But the kindness is not an end in itself; it is a way Life is very diff erent for the Jerba Berbers than other Tunisians. Because of its location, Jerba has been to demonstrate how Christ invaded countless times throughout its history. Th e nurtures His bride, the Church. Jerba soon learned to live in scattered homesteads across the island as opposed to living in villages, Pray for the Lord to raise supposedly making it harder for the conquerors to up obedient husbands to control them. However, this lack of community go to the Jerba Berbers contributes to their isolation. Th is isolation from and demonstrate the ways mainstream Tunisian society, along with the island’s of Christ. Pray that both economic depression, creates a very diffi cult physical husbands and wives among living situation. the Jerba Berbers will see that this is a better way than Nearly all Jerba Berbers are Muslims living under they have ever experienced. a strict belief in a religion of works which is based on essential duties. Th ere are no known followers of Christ among them.

Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin to soften hearts through worship and intercession for the Jerba. Ask God to bless the Jerba spiritually, economically, and in their families, easing their burdens. —JS

78 Day 28 SAT-7 “Forbidden” Program for Arabs Ephesians 1:16b-17

re there things that you are very reluctant to talk …remembering you in my about? Everyone and every culture has them. A prayers, that the God of In Arab cultures, there are practices that are so well- our Lord Jesus Christ, the ingrained that people seldom want to challenge them. Father of glory, may give For example, many of the Arab people have been in a state of war or near war so long that people seldom you the Spirit of wisdom question it. Likewise, when a female member of a and of revelation in the family commits an immoral act, family members often knowledge of Him… feel compelled to kill her to restore their honor. The peoples of the Arab “Forbidden” is the name of a satellite-TV program Muslim World desperately that tackles diffi cult issues, and it dares to ask hard need the Spirit of wisdom, questions. For example, is there a better way to settle the Holy Spirit, to give true diff erences than to take up arms? Why does it hurt a revelation to them. They family’s honor if a girl commits an immoral act, but not if a boy does the same thing? understand the value of worshiping the Creator, but When SAT-7 raises questions like these, they provide they do not know that this answers from the Bible. Th roughout the Arab World, there are people who want to throw off the shroud same Creator is with us, can that blinds them and binds them to ways that lead to indwell us, and reveal truth to death and destruction. Th e Bible has answers, and it us through the Holy Spirit. will take people with the courage to stand up against their culture to change the way they do things. Pray that the unreached Arabs in the Middle East Pray that 2015 will be a year when thousands throughout and North Africa will have a the Arab World will listen to and learn from “Forbidden.” hunger and longing to know Pray that they will rise above the cultural norms and do the true and living God who what pleases Christ so that His Name will be glorifi ed, loves them and died on the cross for their sins. Pray for and His Kingdom extended into the hearts of many.—KC encounters with the Holy Spirit among Arab Muslims this coming year.

79 Day 29 Ephesians 6:14, ESV Moroccan Arabs

Stand therefore, having orders can be either fastened on the belt of B natural ones, such as truth, and having put rivers or mountain ranges, or political ones, decided on the breastplate of arbitrarily by men and righteousness…. AFRICA governments. Th e border The belt of truth protects between Morocco and us much like it protected the Algeria has remained closed for some time due to various vital organs of the soldiers Casablanca Marrakesh reasons, but God does not that Paul was describing in Morocco recognize man’s borders. His this passage. Knowing truth Atlas Mts. Spirit moves freely across WESTERN and acting on truth keeps SAHARA ALGERIA the lands to accomplish His us from wandering into purposes. Th e same move situations that would harm us of the Spirit that is aff ecting physically and spiritually. Algeria is also aff ecting Morocco! Th ere are two cities in Morocco that have become Pray for the Moroccan Arabs a breeding ground for developing Christian to seek truth so that they can disciple-making movements. In the past fi ve years, be set free from the ways of approximately 28 groups of people have emerged the Evil One who came to kill, country-wide, fellowshipping and studying the Word steal, and destroy. with the purpose of discovering what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Th ese groups are developing through the media, which enable people to fi nd others who are spiritually hungry. Th e media can break down barriers of mistrust and deception that have been built into this society over many years. Missionaries report that these small groups are in the infancy stages now. But they are growing and developing into a true church planting movement. Th ey are currently growing from 1st generation to 4th generation groups to be sustainable (generations are equivalent to one group starting another, etc.).

Pray for these groups to develop into strong discipleship making movements that will change the spiritual climate throughout North Africa.—JS

80 Day 30 Domari Gypsies in the Middle East Ephesians 1:18, ESV

he Domari gypsies of the Middle East have been …having the eyes of your discriminated against throughout history. Th eir T hearts enlightened, that traditional nomadic lifestyle and clannishness keep you may know what is the them on the fringes of society, locked in poverty hope to which he has called and illiteracy. Some of them make a living repairing things or making jewelry, scarves, and other craft you, what are the riches of items. Some work as musicians and dancers at his glorious inheritance in weddings and other events. Others resort to begging, the saints… prostitution or crime. Do you understand the Amoun Sleem, a Domari woman living in Jerusalem, “glorious inheritance” that you has formed the Domari Society of Gypsies in have in Christ? It is almost Jerusalem, where some Gypsies have abandoned their unfathomable! Yet that is nomadic lifestyle and settled down. Th is organization what we are praying that the seeks to enhance the status of Gypsy women and children through education. At the “Gypsy Domari Gypsy people will Community Center” they learn to read and write, discover. The eyes of their how to use a computer, and the basic skills needed to hearts must be enlightened run a business. Women bring their children to the so they can put their hope in educational center and bring their crafts to sell. Th us Him. And as of now, they are empowered, women and young people can rise above scorned and looked down the cycle of poverty, discrimination, and hopelessness upon, unaware of what God to become productive members of society. Very few has for them. What a glorious Domari people are known to follow Christ. inheritance they have in Christ, Pray that the Gypsies will learn their true worth as chil- if they will only bow their dren of God and understand that Jesus died to pay for their knees to Him! sins. Pray that they will join the family of believers and turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan Pray that the Holy Spirit to God. Pray that they will ask for forgiveness of their sins will enlighten the hearts and open their hearts to Christ (Acts 26:18).—JWS of the Domani Gypsies to the glorious inheritance He off ers those who willingly To watch a video about Th e Domari Society of Gypsies, become part of His Kingdom. visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-WbXNoZk3s

81 Day 31 Luke 1: 64, ESV Breakthroughs in Algeria!

And immediately his mouth HARISMANEWS, an online Christian was opened and his tongue C publication, recently reported, “Revival Breaks loosed, and he spoke, Out in Land Once Hostile to Christianity.” (http:// www.charismanews.com/world/43406-revival- blessing God. breaks-out-in-land-once-hostile-to-christianity) Zechariah had been put in Th at country is Algeria. It, along with all of North a place where he could not Africa from Casablanca in Morocco to Tripoli, speak because of his unbelief. Libya, is experiencing an unprecedented explosion of Christian growth. Some believe that the arrival But after the miraculous birth of satellite TV and the Internet have dramatically of his son, He could speak changed people’s perception of Christianity. TV again. All he could do is praise shows Arab Christians discussing their faith and the living God for who He exchanging points of view with one another. is and what He would do! One Christian fi lmmaker documenting this Have you ever been in a place phenomenon reports that he has recorded where the Lord has had to set testimonies of men and women of all ages telling you aside for a season because him of their experiences of sitting in a room and of your unbelief? seeing the presence and reality of God appear to them like a vision. A leading Algerian pastor says, Pray that weary followers “God has given to us many opportunities to witness at of Christ in the Middle the police stations. Once they gave me 45 minutes to East will be refreshed by speak about Jesus, as they said, ‘Tell us about Jesus.’” a renewal of faith in the God has put it upon Algerian hearts to send 1000 Lord this coming year. Pray missionaries by the year 2025. In fact this pastor that they will remember envisions missionaries going to America to reach what God has done and be Muslims there! emboldened to tell others of His graciousness. Th ank the Lord for answering GPD reader’s prayers for Algeria when we prayed for that country two years ago this month. Ask God to continue to pour out His Holy Spirit on Algeria. Pray that many will be drawn to Christ as they see the changed lives of their Christian neighbors. Pray that God will embolden these believers to carry out the Great Commission wherever He directs them.—JS

82 WILLIAM CAREY LIBRARY NEW BOOK

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My Mother’s Sons provides a thoughtful model for how Western Christian workers can respectfully negotiate sexual boundaries and norms in Muslim contexts. Westerners are inclined to impose their own culturally shaped notions of gender equality and justice on non-egalitarian communities, alienating the very people they are seeking to serve. The author draws on his own research among Pakistani Pashtuns, intercultural theory, and exegesis of Christian and Islamic sacred texts to show that it is possible to work for transformational change without offending those who live within a patriarchal system.

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