Frontline Dispatch – Pray for the Nation

Dateline: Cuba – This island nation seems to fly under the radar of the mainstream media for the most part, except when its leaders make a move aimed at changing the public’s perception.  For example, some “prisoners of conscience” in Cuba were released this summer, and the media presented it as indicative of human rights improvements there.  All is not as it appears, however.

Reverend Robert Rodriguez, a well-known church leader, was arrested Monday, August 30, and taken to a town in central Cuba to stand trial.  What is his crime?  Trumped-up charges of offensive behavior and threats.  The threat to the government probably took place in 2008, when the group of pastors over which he presided at the time withdrew from the religious umbrella sanctioned by the government.  With this one move, the government lost its influence on internal matters of member churches.  (See Worthy News article for full story.)

Further indications that the media-reported improvements were highly overstated include the fact that Reverend Rodriguez, who is not in good health, was not even allowed to bring his medications with him upon arrest.  This may seem like a minor thing, and it may only involve one man, but the manner in which this arrest took place is more telling of reality than the earlier release of the prisoners.

While we are thankful for the release of innocent people in Cuba, we need to pray for the unjust arrests and imprisonments to be exposed – and stopped – and the rest of the innocents to be set free.  Pray for Reverend Rodriguez to be released, for his health, for the safety and peace of his family and others associated with him.  Pray for those in authority in Cuba, that the eyes of their hearts will be enlightened with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Pray for the church in Cuba to be strengthened in the love of God in Christ Jesus, and to shine His Light, regardless of the circumstances.

Thank you for praying!

Dateline: Middle East – Those of us in America and other free nations might have a hard time understanding what Muslim background believers experience in the Middle East and other predominantly Muslim lands.  It’s not “simply” a matter of persecution, which is at work.  It’s also a matter of being overlooked, ignored, marginalized, etc., when there is a human need.

Carl Moeller, of Open Doors, received a letter from one of our MBB brothers in the Middle East, in which he shared that he barely subsisted in a small business before becoming critically ill.  Because he is a Christian, it was nearly impossible to buy the medication he needed.  This was a human need, but he was marginalized, ignored, and overlooked by his fellow man because he follows Christ.

But God!  Hear what this man shared in his letter:  “God in His grace visited me through a man from Open Doors who helped me to buy the medicine.  I understood that God is merciful and full of love and we ought to follow and worship Him even in suffering.”

From a human standpoint, this man could be bitter, but he has chosen to be thankful, instead, keeping his heart on God always.  With his natural eyes he saw the man from Open Doors who helped him.  With his spiritual eyes, however, he saw Jesus.  His physical need was met, and he received spiritual revelation in the midst of it.

Maybe you can’t be the one who physically reaches out to our MBB brethren in the Middle East.  You can be one who prays for them to be strengthened, protected, and refreshed in the Lord.  You can also pray for those who can be the physical hands and feet – that they will be protected, will have the right provision at the right time, and will be directed supernaturally to the least of these our brethren.

³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:39-40 NIV)

Thank you for ministering to Jesus as you pray for the least of these!

Dateline: Mexico – Do you hear the cry?  It’s our brothers and sisters in the nation of Mexico as they cry out for the Lord to intervene on behalf of their nation, a nation seemingly veering unchecked into complete chaos.  Do you hear them?

Can you hear the cry?  It’s the cry of unbelievers in Mexico who have no part in the drug wars or the corruption in the government; yet they are hopelessly caught in the effects of it all, without the hope found only in Christ.  They are crying for help.  Can you hear them?

Can you feel the cry?  It’s Abba Daddy’s heart beating in sync with their cries, stirring the people called by His name to humble themselves and pray and seek His face on behalf of these fellow human beings – these He loves so much that He sent Jesus to die for them.  Can you feel His heartcry?

I heard the cry of one believer’s heart as he asked for others to pray for his country of Mexico.  He knows prayer is the answer, and he knows it will take more people praying and interceding to break through the strongholds to victory in Christ in that nation.  Will you hear his cry?  And will you answer by joining with him and our Lord Jesus in intercession?

Dateline: Pakistan – We’ve all seen the pictures of the flooding in Pakistan, but have we really grasped the enormity of the situation?  The initial flooding is not what we see in news reports now, though it may look the same, but the continued rains from the monsoons and the additional flooding they bring.  The amount of devastation hasn’t yet sunk in.

Consider the following:

• While “only” 1500 people have been reported killed as a result of the flooding, the officials cannot make an accurate count, with as many as 6000 villages completely wiped out – and each of those villages including between 5000 and 50,000 people.
• Approximately 14,000,000 people have been affected by the flooding – more than the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake combined.

Because the scale of the disaster is so great, and basic assistance is the overwhelmingly immediate need, consideration is not yet being given to effects on, or cost of repairing or replacing, the infrastructure.  Besides this, the monsoon season will not likely end for another few weeks; so more rain and flooding is expected.

The magnitude of the need in Pakistan for clean water, food, clothes, bedding, and housing is great.  Might that need be met more quickly if we, as believers in Christ Jesus, allow God’s heartbeat for the people there to become our heartbeat?

If we will intercede in prayer for people to see this for the humanitarian crisis that is it, finances will begin to be given, materials will be received and distributed – from all over the world.  If we will intercede for those affected in Pakistan, not merely from a place of natural need, but spiritual, there can actually be a move of the Spirit of God in the midst of destruction.  If we will pray for our brothers and sisters there – for strength, protection, and provision spiritually, emotionally, and physically – they will be able to minister freely to many who were totally opposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ in the past.  If we will pray.

Will you pray for these people?

Full story available at CBN.com.

Dateline: All over the world – This is the cry of many millions of young girls all over the world day after day as they are used and abused in the abhorrent sex-trafficking industry.  These children are seemingly lost from anyone who cares as they are used for their bodies day after day after day, until they are basically used up.

Does God hear their cries?  Are they beyond hope?  In their song and video Beautiful Slave, Take No Glory band reminds us that God hears their cries, and that there is hope as each of us responds from the God’s heart for these helpless ones.  Be forewarned about this video: It might just break your heart!  Don’t let it simply touch your emotions, though.  Let the compassion of Christ rise up in you to make a difference in the life of these children!

What can you do?  Start by praying from the Father’s heart of compassion for these precious children who are old before their time.  To find out more about what led to the making of this video, as well as other ways to help, read this article in Breaking Christian News. Take action as the Lord directs you.  If each of us does what He gives us to do, it will make the difference.  Thank you for praying.  Thank you for doing.

Dateline: Philippines – Is it too much for God to change an entire nation?  Apparently, the newly-elected Philippine President Benigno Aquino lll doesn’t think so.  During his campaign, he promised to fight poverty by ending corruption in the government.  He has already begun to take steps to expose and clean up the massive corruption and extravagant and wasteful spending of officials, as evidenced by the previous administration having spent $31 billion of the total $33 billion 2010 budget, leaving only $2 billion for the second half of the fiscal year.

But President Aquino isn’t relying only on his efforts, or even the efforts of those who work with him to help his nation.  He has publicly declared his reliance on Almighty God, knowing that as they all “focus on uplifting the lives of their fellow men,” God will be alongside to do what is impossible with man.

Let this news renew hope that all is not lost to corruption and the darkness in the world today.  God is still working on behalf of the prayers and actions of His saints.  Lift up a shout of praise and thanksgiving!  At the same time, pray for the Philippines.  Pray for President Aquino and his government to remain committed to the Lord, first, and to caring for the needs of this land’s people.  Pray for wisdom for him, and protection, for there are certainly those serving the prince of darkness who will not be happy with the changes.

After praying for Philippines, take the restored hope found in this one story, and apply it to the other nations for which you pray.  God’s righteousness and justice can be restored in a nation.  It may be impossible with man, but all things are possible with God * – so let’s keep praying in faith!

* Luke 18:27

Dateline: Israel – What do we call this – a praise report, or a prayer request?  Maybe both.  The Messianic Jewish congregation in Beersheva who took their persecutors to court, only to lose their trial and be forced to pay the defendants’ costs, has made the decision not to appeal the judge’s decision.  What would you call for – prayer or praise?

Heavily on the praise report side is that this decision wasn’t arrived at lightly, or without many counselors.  After much prayer, the pastor of this congregation concluded that it wasn’t God’s will to pursue this any further in the courts.  We praise God for His will, even when it’s contrary to our thoughts.  Further, as mentioned in the article in Compass Direct News, when Jesus was falsely accused and would have been within his “rights” to answer all the unjust charges against Him, He chose to do the will of God.  The final outcome was so much better than if they had ruled “in His favor.”  He trusted God.  So, let’s join our praises to God for this small congregation in Israel choosing to trust God and His way.  This is a bright light in the darkness!

On the prayer request side, there are many additional issues that could be on the horizon because the believers “backed down” in the eyes of their persecutors and others in the land.  Without even a hand slap for the acquitted, they might be emboldened to continue or increase the harassment and violence.  This can spill over to other Messianic believers and congregations.  Some might think Yeshua’s Inheritance Church accepted the judge’s decision because of no appeal, causing even more negativity publicity and action.  All of these issues need to be covered in prayer, not only for Yeshua’s Inheritance, but for all the Messianic congregations in Israel.  Threats and actions against them are on the rise, and this case could just be added fuel to the fire.

Remember to praise the Lord for His mighty outpouring toward this congregation and others already planted in Israel – those who trust Him, no matter what it looks like.  It will be His intervention that shows unbelievers that Jesus Christ is Lord, that He already came once and is coming again very soon!  In the midst of your praises, remember to intercede for these precious ones who have chosen to shine the Light of Christ in the midst of increasing persecution.  However you pray and praise, don’t forget our brethren in Israel!

Dateline: Pakistan – Sometimes, even praying Christians can get anesthetized to some of the needs around the world.  Take Pakistan, for instance.  How often is Pakistan in the news, either for being the site of a bombing or other attack, or for being connected to it in some way?  After so many of these stories, we might find ourselves tuning out.

But, behind these stories are real people – and in these cases, many of these real people are our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Just consider what has made it to the headlines of Compass Direct news in the last month, just in Punjab Province, and re-commit to pray if you are one (like me) who has not paid attention.

June 18 – Two Christian cousins were falsely accused of murder and selling alcohol.  The accuser – their employer – and another man got drunk and began randomly firing shots for fun, accidentally killing a neighbor.  Though these two innocent cousins were at home, not at the employer’s, it made no difference to the local authorities.  A senior superintendent who pursued the matter, brought to light the corruption in the local office.  The cousins have been freed and the corrupt official suspended, but no charges have been filed against the murderer.

June 25 – A team of Christians were leaving the area, having just finished revival services for the evening, when a group of armed men began firing at them.  Though the rear window was shot out, they were able to drive on, and were safely hidden from the gunmen’s sight as they drove into a field off the highway.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is that the local police chief wouldn’t file the report because of pressure from local Muslim groups.

July 1 – We see God’s intervention as a motorcyclist drove next to a church entrance and threw a grenade.  This church was beside a Christian children’s amusement park that was heavily attended at the time.  The grenade didn’t explode, and was safely removed by the authorities.  This followed many Christian clergymen and other Christian organizations receiving threatening letters from Islamic militants.

July 5 – At another village, Islamic extremists issued further threats, also aimed at a church.  The threat is that they will reenact the slaughter and destruction of August 1, 2009, if any renovation or building is done to this aging facility.  In addition, to add to the landholdings of another “influential” man, the house of the assistant pastor has already been demolished, with hopes of seizing the church property, as well.

July 8 – In a relatively small community, the wife and four children of a police officer (all Christians) recently transferred there were murdered while the husband was at work.  Their crime?  False accusations against the 11-year-old son of blasphemy against Muhammed.  When the mother argued that he wasn’t capable of doing so, they were all murdered.  Because of the “influential” man who did the accusing, the police are not filing charges.

Our brothers and sisters in Pakistan live a difficult life most of us cannot imagine.  We may not be able to go physically to encourage them or provide shelter or safety, but we can lift them up in prayer to the One Who will never leave or forsake them.  Will you join me in recommitting to prayer for Christians like these?

Dateline: Moldova – In Eastern Europe, between Romania on the west, and Ukraine on the north, east, and south, is a small nation previously part of the U.S.S. R.  Many have never heard of Moldova, but God knows it exists, as well as each person living there!

Though a large number of its people live in poverty, the soil of Moldova is rich and fertile, capable of producing great harvests.  Spiritually, the soil of the people’s hearts is fertile, as they hunger for and receive the seed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Communism failed in its efforts to convince the people there was no God.  The religious traditions of the Russian Orthodox church, prevalent in Moldova, could snuff out the life to be found in following Christ.  But the Holy Spirit is bringing living witnesses and hungering hearts together, producing growth in the body of Christ.

At least one ministry, OM International, has been planting and strengthening the church in Moldova for some time, as you will see in their article.  We praise and thank God for giving the increase, yet, the needs are still great for the ripe harvest.  Will you pray for your brothers and sisters in Moldova?  Will you pray for an undiminished hunger to know Christ more and to make Him known to others throughout their land?  Will you consider praying for OM International as they work with the nationals to strengthen them in their walk and help broaden the vision beyond their own borders, even in the midst of personal struggles?

If you’ve been to Moldova, or know of other mission groups who are active there, post a comment about it.  We’d love to hear more of what God is doing in that nation, and have even clearer understanding of how to pray.

Dateline: Africa – Subtle and not-so-subtle issues tear at the very fabric of Christianity in much of Africa, according to portions of an April report by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and printed in the June 2010 issue of Christianity Today magazine.**  While many within various nations in Africa consider themselves Christians, some of their beliefs are contrary to the teachings of Christ, so they continue practices leading to poverty, epidemics, and even bloodshed.  Some examples follow:

Liberia – Long plagued by civil war, more Christians than Muslims believe defending religion with violence against civilians is justified.

Cameroon – Many Christians associate Islam with tolerance, want to see it have more influence in their nation, and believe Christianity is not the only religion leading to eternal life.

Nigeria – Despite tens of thousands dying recently in religious-based violence, among African Christians polled, here they are least likely to be concerned about religious extremism or to consider Muslims violent.

Chad – Almost half the Christians in this nation practice polygamy, with high relative percentages in support of extramarital sex and prostitution.

This is not a call to judge our brothers and sisters, but to pray for them; however, let it be more than a “bless them” kind of prayer.  Please pray by His Spirit, and ask for these nations as our inheritance.

Pray in faith for our fellow believers:

• for an ever-increasing hunger for the fullness of Truth in the Word of God

• that they will have access to the Word of God

• that they will allow the Word to penetrate their hearts, change their minds, their attitudes, and their actions

• that Christ, not just another religion, will be seen in their lives

**Download the available .pdf to see it more clearly.