It may be late, but better late than never.

Egypt!

We added Egypt to our prayer list this year. The church there has experienced unprecedented trial and persecution, but has at the same time demonstrated incredible tenacity as well as a proper understanding of who God is.

\”Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold\”
—2 Cor. 3:12

In 2014 let\’s pray:

• PRAISE GOD for the church in Egypt! Pray that God will continue to pour out on them His love, grace, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, healing, and hope. May they lead the way towards reconciliation in Egypt.
• PRAY that God would remove any fear, and fill it with love, power and a sound mind.
• PRAY that the church in Egypt will grow in their desire to share their faith across all groups of people in Egypt. May God truly revive Egypt in these days.
• PRAY for continued boldness in the Church there.

Mauritania

Freedom from Slavery is the main prayer point for this vast desert Nation. And not slavery to sin or any other western euphemism for slavery that really fails to adequately describe turning humans to object. Pray for freedom in this country. I had the privilege several years back of meeting a man who described himself as the only Mauritanian Christian in Mauritania. However, following Mauritania on the Twitter machine seems to demonstrate a people waking up to injustice.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
—2 Cor. 3:17

In 2014 let\’s pray Ezekiel 37:1-10:

• PRAY that God would stir up greater faith in our hearts, that we would TRUST God that He is sovereign and that He CAN bring the dry bones to life – nothing is impossible with Him. (verse 3)
• PRAY that those here who are dry and cut off from the Lord would indeed “Hear the Word of the Lord” – that is the first and ESSENTIAL step. Without that they cannot come back to life. (verse 4)
• PRAY that neither we nor they would mistake outward structures (meetings… activities) [tendons, flesh] for true Spiritual life that only comes from the breath of God inside of them by His Spirit. (verse 8).
• CRY OUT for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that He would come and fill these dry bones with His breath, that they might live for the Lord’s glory and proclaim His resurrection! (verses 9-10)

Libya

Is still an unsettled and violent place long after the death of Gaddafi. Evidenced by the murder of an American school teacher, stories of an out-of-control militia, and most everything that comes through twitter. Though that seems to be a long standing heritage given how the oldest hymn of the U.S. Armed forces specifically references the battle of the barbary coast in 1805.

”Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.”
—Matt. 5:9

In 2014 let\’s pray:

• For peace in this perpetually violent nation.
• For wisdom and righteousness for the nation’s leadership, for corruption to fall. Ask for integrity, goodness, mercy and compassion to increase.
• For a new generation of young people with a voice for the future. Pray that God would give these young people a hunger for holiness, truth and freedom.

Algeria

Algeria is a country that from our reports has shown a lot of growth in the church over the last year. Algeria has generally had a thriving church (by North African standards at least), but we recently reported the formation of a National Missions Committee, way cool!

I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
—Rev. 3:8

In 2014 let\’s pray:

• For GOOD LEADERS for the nation and good shepherds for the church.
• For freedom of religion.

Tunisia

We posted earlier in the year ’burdens are increasing for everyone in Tunisia.‘

There are economic burdens; everything is more expensive, yet salaries are identical . Emotional burdens; the hope of change that the revolution had lit is dying off and some areas of the country are exposed to fear and insecurity with terrorists and lawlessness increasing. Social burdens; what women and men should wear? What is haram? Halal? Or simply not proper? Things like swimming, going to weddings in mixed company. Spiritual burdens; rules, rules and rules, hadith and traditions and this and that from preacher X or Y or Z, generally from the Gulf.

Jesus’ harshness on the pharisees was understandable: They are making life harder for the common folks and don’t bring them closer to God.

‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’
—Matt. 11:28

In 2014 let\’s pray:

• FOR people to turn to Christ and to recognize the lightness of HIS yoke.
• FOR continued energy in the work there.
• FOR the growth of the church there.

Morocco

Morocco seems to have stayed the most stable country in North Africa through out the revolutions and upheavals of the last 2 years. There was a great upheaval and many workers in the country were expelled a few years ago, but despite that there is still a church to speak of and an active work in that country.

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
—Psalm. 91:9-11

In 2014 let\’s pray:
– FOR people to clamour to God.
– FOR jobs for believers that they might expand their sphere of influence.