Crosslinks Prayer Diary: June 2006

Myanmar

Thursday 1 ‘Reignite the Passion’ is a conference for mission partners held in Keswick. Pray that those attending will be inspired and encouraged as many prepare to return in the coming weeks. Leave times are often full of visits, medical appointments, and travelling; pray that our partners will also be refreshed.

Friday 2 Rob and Clare Miles are returning to England tonight. The next couple of months will include various appointments, church visits and some holiday before they move to Durham for theological studies in August. Please particularly pray for the girls (Hannah, Zoë, Pippa), as they leave their old home behind to go through this time of change.

Saturday 3 The Diocese of Sittwe under Bishops Barnabas Theaung Hawi and Francis Sein Aung has a large population of Bengali Muslims. Pray that Christians receive good Bible teaching so that they are able to share their faith with confidence.

Sunday 4 San Mar from Sittwe is half way through his medical training at the Mandalay University Medical School. Pray that he finds time to study God’s word, and that he can share his faith clearly with other students.

Monday 5 Hawi Tun from Paletwa will finish his Master of Divinity degree at Myanmar Institute of Theology this month. Pray for his future ministry, that he can make good use of his studies.
Please also pray for Simon Htu, studying at Trinity College in Bristol.

Tuesday 6 Let Kho Sat from the Diocese of Mandalay has started his final year of studies for his Master of divinity degree. On his return he will be used in theological education; pray that he will learn good teaching skills as well as increase his Bible understanding.

Wednesday 7 We continue to give thanks for Tancy McDonald, who worked with BCMS for many years and continues as a friend, encourager and supporter. Pray for his family, and for work to be completed on his home.

Thursday 8 Schools of Biblical Training have been held in Yangon, Mandalay and Sittwe. Pray for the long term effects, so that congregations are benefiting from training received by their pastors, and that more people want to learn how they too can teach the Bible effectively.

Friday 9 Pray for the staff at the Emmanuel Divinity College in Moynyin as they seek the right way forward, for unity within the Church and for a growing desire to preach the Gospel.

Zimbabwe

Saturday 10 Many through ignorance of the Bible and desperation are turning away from true Christianity and putting their trust in false doctrine which promises them health and prosperity. People who are HIV+ and are fortunate to have access to anti-retroviral drugs are throwing them away and dying weeks or months later because they are putting their trust in false healers. Pray that more people will have discernment and seek the truth.

Sunday 11. Please pray for peace in uncertain times. Shortages or high prices of all basic commodities, including food and fuel, are causing suffering and unrest. Pray for the safety of Keith and Elizabeth Wiseman, and all our mission partners.

Monday 12 The Theological College of Zimbabwe has asked Pradip and Amita Sudra to continue developing the Evangelism department and the study programme for women. Pray that local people who can be trained to take over these roles in time and about the implications for Amir and Maya’s education. 

Tuesday 13 Kate Randle, a recently accepted mission partner, is preparing to return to a sports ministry in Zimbabwe. Pray for her financial and prayer support, and for her visa to be granted so that she can travel during the summer.

Wednesday 14 Mission partners in Africa are all asking prayer for the famine. Cattle are dead, crops have failed or never been planted because of the lack of rain. Students cannot afford fees, nor do they want to leave their families who have so little. Churches have nothing to give to their pastors. Please make this a daily prayer so that a national or even continental crisis can be avoided.

Crosslinks

Thursday 15 Marlene Gidharry is encouraged by the growth of next – the short-term programme for those over 30 who are valued for the skills and life experience that they bring. Pray for more opportunities and more enquirers.

Friday 16 Thelma Boase is developing relationships with associates; pray that all partners will feel part of the Crosslinks family and gain strength and support from working with an agency.

Saturday 17 Janet Ricketts has regular contacts with the study partners and understands how much they value the opportunity to study. Pray for more supporters of the BEST programme so that we can increase the numbers helped.

Sunday 18 Christiaan Snell is nearing the end of his two-year placement as an apprentice in the London office which has included a Cornhill training course. Pray for his return to South Africa and praise God for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Monday 19 Joanne McNair is helped by Sarah Pedlow in the Belfast office. Pray for more help to cover the financial aspects of the work, and for Sarah’s university studies and exams. Pray for Hazel Coulter who works in the Dublin office.

Tuesday 20 Praise God for former mission partners who continue to share the Gospel and pray for Crosslinks, and ask prayer for those now infirm or leading limited lives. Remember Judith Battersby, FMF secretary taking her first meeting this morning. Pray for good attendance at the afternoon presentation followed by the Annual Meeting of Members.

Wednesday 21 Remember the Crosslinks staff coming together today for a time of encouragement, learning, and information. Pray that the morning’s Bible study will set the tone for the day.

Thursday 22 Valerie Ellis, the staff member relating to churches in Ireland, asks prayer for wisdom concerning use of time, that she will plan and prioritise her work well, so that the important as well as the urgent get done. 

Friday 23 Darren Todd and Sarah Keene begin a training weekend for all Camp Leaders in Annalong with Sihle Mooi, an apprentice from South Africa, as the speaker. Pray for a good number of volunteers for the camps and clubs this summer.

Ethiopia

Saturday 24 The late Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin, Poet Laureate wrote "Proud to be African", the anthem of the African Union. Ethiopian long distance runners dominate world races. Its Christian hospitals for women receive worldwide commendation. Pray for Ethiopia to be, and to be seen as, more than war-torn and famine stricken. 

Sunday 25 Hazel Maunsell and Fithamlak Engew are continuing Colin’s literature ministry in Addis Ababa. Pray for new ways of working amongst the team, and for Hazel’s own writing that more people can understand the Bible, and grow in their Christian faith.

Monday 26 We praise God for Jenny Merritt’s work with the deaf and disabled in Ethiopia over many years. Pray for her past students to have fulfilling lives, good relationships with their families, friends and colleagues and a growing faith in Christ.

Tuesday 27 Tsegaye Tolessa Ledi has completed his diploma in theology at Nakamte Christian Education College; pray for his new work and for his encouragement to others to share the Gospel. 

Wednesday 28 Demelash Oumer’s family became Christians when he was 12. Persecution soon followed, but they were protected. Years later he returned to preach the Gospel only to find the persecutors had become Christians and three churches had been established in that area. Pray for Demelash’s studies in Christian Muslim Relations at the Mekane Yesus Theological Seminary.

Thursday 29 A short-term team from Northern Ireland will be visiting Karen Salmon this summer. Pray that God will prepare them so that during the two weeks they can see and learn, as well as be a blessing to those they visit. 

Friday 30 Mesfin Mekonen and many of our study partners start a long break this month. At this time of famine, pray for God’s help as they try to make sure their families are provided for over the coming year.

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