Crosslinks Prayer Diary: April 2006

March

South Africa 

Saturday 1 Rob and Clare Miles from Johannesburg are holding a camp for students and recent graduates with the aim of sharing that Christians have a totally new way of looking at, and living in, the world. Please pray for all who come.

Sunday 2 Dean and Paula Finnie are among those attending the New Frontiers Leaders conference in Bloemfontein. As they find encouragement there, pray too that their adoption of Eli would go through smoothly and that there would be no unexpected hitches or baffling red tape! 

Monday 3 Children are an important part of our mission team. Give thanks that Robbie and Becca Symes are so happy at school in Port Elizabeth and that Becca was not permanently harmed in a recent swimming accident. Please continue to pray for the family’s spiritual and physical health and for protection.

Tuesday 4 Give thanks that two new lecturers are joining the Bible Institute of the Eastern Cape in the coming year and pray that the finances would be in place. Andrew Symes asks prayer for Siphiwo Kiti as he encourages and networks with township churches and pastors.

Wednesday 5 Give thanks for the strength of the Barnabas Trust which now works with more than 50 HIV related Community Based Organisations. Give thanks for Alma, the new CEO and for the two key new staff members who have been recruited, one of whom will eventually replace Camilla Symes. 

Thursday 6 J's two Australian colleagues return home today from Z, leaving J as the only expatriate at the centre. Pray that she might have courage and faith to continue the preparation process in the hope of the first intake of students later this year. 

Friday 7 Edward and Laura Nelson based in Paris, France ask prayer for Horizon Dieu, an evangelistic Bible overview to be held this evening, that non-Christian students are invited, attend, and discover God. 

Saturday 8 For the first half of April Ida Glaser is teaching a module on reading the Bible and the Koran together at the Theological College of Northern Nigeria. Pray that she might teach wisely, especially at these sensitive times. Pray too for the meeting tonight in Dublin for Crosslinks members and other supporters at which Andy Lines will be present.

Sunday 9 Raymond and Rebekah Brown of Christ Church Glenwood thank God for Mathandi, their apprentice and pray she would learn and grow in her knowledge and experience of the Gospel and infect others with this desire. Alan Purser is speaking at the church’s Easter Convention which finishes today.

Monday 10 Famine is a major problem in large areas of Africa. Pray for the monthly distribution of food parcels to the sick and very needy in Chris Nissen Park and for those in need who do not receive aid. 

Tuesday 11 Pray for students at the Johannesburg Bible College who are struggling with language issues as well as those who are new in the faith. Pray for Nat and Helen Schluter whose family has the same issues as all young and busy families the world over.

Wednesday 12 John Trent is part of a team in Durban working with street children, who are often in desperate situations. Pray for the immediate as well as more long-term solutions. Pray too for John’s support base to grow.

Thursday 13 Cristobal Ceron, from Chile, has started his final year of studies at the George Whitfield College. Pray for his safety in practical work among those most in need in Cape Town.

Friday 14 The Birmingham Bengali Fellowship, led by Pam and Afri Chandra is holding Easter meetings; pray that new people would be drawn in and learn more about Christ. Remember other meetings being held at this time, especially amongst other faith communities in the UK.

North Africa

Saturday 15 As in every church Christian families in North Africa hope their children will grow up as believers. Pray for opportunities for under 10's to grow in the Lord Jesus. Pray too for Christians who teach in the state schools where Islamic values are taught.

Sunday 16 Many Sub-Saharan African Christians work here for a few years as students or diplomats and need to adapt to being in a minority foreign group. Some are eager to witness for Jesus. Pray for them and their pastors who work hard in the middle of many difficulties. 

Monday 17 Pray for Jo currently sharing about work among the disabled children of the Sahara; pray that this communication will help when information cannot be so easily given. Pray also for good times with families for all who are on home leave.

Crosslinks

Tuesday 18 Mary Higginson will be retiring in August after many years as a mission partner in Kenya and then as Pastoral Director in London. Pray that she can achieve all she needs to do before then, and that God would prepare her for new ministry

Wednesday 19 Interviews for Mary Higginson’s replacement are taking place this month; pray for wisdom for the selectors and for the appointment of someone who will lead the Mission Personnel team with skill and vision for the future. 

Thursday 20 The four Crosslinks staff teams are being challenged to look at their work in the light of the Ten Year Vision Statement. Today the Mission Resources team, led by Janet Horsman, is working through its implications. Pray that the day will be productive as well as fun.

Friday 21 Karen Scutt thanks God for the rise in income from grant-making organisations; pray for the preparation that needs to go into making applications to such bodies and for resources to be released for God's mission. 

Saturday 22 Thank you for the work of various volunteers who have been eager and ready to learn. Please pray that others would come forward to work at the London office to replace two volunteers who now have new commitments.

Sunday 23 Thank God for the good will that exists between Irish Aid (formerly DCI) and Crosslinks, and for the donations supporting mission partners and other areas of our work. Please remember Martin Brown and John Boase dealing with the accounts.

Monday 24 Though Prayer Call has grown from an audio tape to an interactive CD, interviews remain the key element. Pray for Mark Gillespie getting a good mix of speakers at such regular intervals.

Tuesday 25 As PA to the General Secretary, Suzy Wakefield works on the organisation of the main Crosslinks meetings, often dealing with all the paperwork. Praise God for the Standing Committee of the General Council that meets today.

Wednesday 26 The Church Partnerships and the Ireland Teams are meeting for a planning conference in Dublin. Pray for the appointment of the new Ireland Team Leader, and for the team in the interim.

Thursday 27 In addition to monthly meetings the team leaders set aside planning days such as today’s; current issues are the vision and ethos statements. With two staff changes this year, pray that they will build up good ways of working together to make the most of the personnel within Crosslinks.

Friday 28 Please pray for various means of encouraging people in mission, through letters, visual aids such as seeds and for regular magazines. As administrator Lynda Blake is responsible for the organisation of such mailings.

Saturday 29 During this year there are big changes being made to Crosslinks’ software and website; please pray for a smooth transition, and for Peter Cottingham as IT manager.

Sunday 30 As church partnerships co-ordinator Harriet Smith is the one member of the team who is based full-time in the London office; pray for the ability to prioritise and for discernment in her work.

May

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