Pray

ALLIANCE PRAYER REQUESTS

March 08, 2010

March Prayer Focus

Pray that U.S. Alliance churches will take faith-filled risks to build the Kingdom of God.

Creative-Access Countries

Remember creative-access workers around the world. Pray for protection, good health, and opportunities to share the good news. Pray that contacts will be drawn to Jesus. Pray that God will break down strongholds and give courage and boldness to national believers.

Africa

Burkina Faso

Pray for Toby and Kiersten Hull as they prepare to return to Burkina in early July following home assignment. Pray for them as they make arrangements for renters for their house in the States. Also, pray that God will provide a suitable rental home in Bobo- Dioulasso near the French school.

Republic of the Congo

Pray for the family and friends of Rev. Joel Mboumba, former church president, as they mourn his death. He passed away March 7 after several weeks of illness. He served as church president of the Alliance church in Congo from the late 1980s through 2004.

Pray for a regional pastors and wives retreat to be held this Wednesday in Pointe Noire. Pray for Paul and Cindy Little, the Congo field pastoral couple, who will speaking at the retreat. Pray that this will be an encouraging and challenging day for those present. Pray that they would leave with renewed vision for their ministry. Pray for members of the Pointe Noire missionary team as they organize the logistics of the day.

Pray that the Internet connection for the Pointe Noire team will be repaired quickly. For several months there has been poor connection.

Senegal

Alliance international workers were able to visit the extended family of Senegalese friends they had made in the United States before coming to Africa. Pray that this connection will open doors for the gospel.

Pray for the March 19–21 Senegalese women’s retreat. Pray that it will be a time of refreshment and encouragement for those who attend.

Pray also for the March 22–25 team prayer conference and the March 31–April 2 Wolof Consultation. Pray that these will be fruitful times and a great encouragement to the ministry here.

Asia Pacific

Indonesia

Continue to pray for Chris, the daughter of John and Helen Ellenberger, who had a stem cell transplant last week. Pray for protection from sickness/infection and from the side effects of the medications as well as for total healing. She will have surgery in about a month for the fractures in her neck and to remove two tumors.

Pray for Ann Grinnell as she works on a youth leadership manual. Pray for wisdom in writing, editing, and layout. Also, pray for God’s direction in choosing a printer/publisher and in obtaining funding for this project.

Jim and Sharon Kendall request prayer as they train three additional couples to lead the June ALMA (Alliance Marriage Encounter) weekend. Pray for members of the ALMA support team as they begin preparations for the retreat and also that many guests will attend this weekend, the first led by an all-Indonesian team. Pray for the Kendalls as they encourage Manoppo and Merry, the couple they trained who shared their testimony in the previous ALMA weekend.

Please continue to pray for the church split situation in Papua. There was a step toward peace in one area of the Baliem Valley, but the underlying problems have not yet been resolved. Pray that individual believers will courageously follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Pray for revival and renewal and for leaders to choose godliness and humility.

Japan

Pray for an Alliance couple in Japan whose children are serving in a creative-access country. Raids on Christian nationals and missionaries have increased. Pray for the CAC workers’ safety and for God’s peace for their parents.

Pray for graduates of the Alliance Seminary as they begin church ministry in April. Pray for more students to enter the seminary.

Pray for Dick and Janice Kropp as they start up English classes for tots in April. Pray for an interpretive dance class for people with emotional needs. Praise God for a good start to the gospel music workshops and the Alpha class.

Mongolia

Mongolia has had its worst winter in 20 years. Two million livestock have died due to the frigid temperatures. Pray for the herders and their families during these hard times. Also, pray for the poor, many of whom do not have enough coal and food; some are even burning their homes to stay warm.

Pray for legal matters that need to be addressed in purchasing a building to be used as a multipurpose ministry center in Ulaanbaatar. The paperwork is still not completed. Pray for God’s clear direction and guidance.

Pray that government recognition and registration will be granted for the newly established international church in Ulaanbaatar. After this official recognition is received, a visa can be secured for a pastor. Pray that God’s hand will be on the shepherd of His choice who can come and lead this unique, growing congregation.

Please continue to pray for special permission to be granted for CAMA (Compassion and Mercy Associates) to do health work in Mongolia.

Pray for wisdom for Dennis and Marilyn Maves as they present missions and God’s work in Mongolia during their spring tour ministries in the States.

Pray for Mark and Cinda Wood as they enter the last few months of language study: for perseverance, diligence, and a growing ability to communicate in Mongolian.

Thailand

Thanks to those who have been praying for Louisa Spagnolo while she is in the States recuperating from a head injury. Pray for Jon Chase as he recovers from knee surgery. Pray that he will heal quickly and be able to resume normal ministry soon.

Last June, a family in an Isaan village accepted Jesus and began meeting as a church together. Over the past few weeks, the family members invited two more families to join them and learn about God. Recently, these families have been given an opportunity to make a decision to follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Pray for them as they contemplate this decision. Pray that they will accept Christ and that God will continue to grow this church and use it to reach the entire village.

Europe/Middle East

Balkans

Pray that Connie Seale will do well on her March 13 language assessment and that she will continue to regain strength following a recent virus.

Bob and Lisa Burns request prayer that God will give each member of their family at least one good friendship here and that they will be salt and light among the other internationals they have met.

France

Pray for Ray and Carol Simon who are involved in church planting in the west central city of Limoges and Brad and Tina Reynolds who are leading a church plant in the southwestern town of Leguevin, a suburb of Toulouse. Both couples will be returning to the States for home assignment in June and are preparing their churches for this transition. Pray that God will provide needed leadership in their absence.

Pray for the Alliance Bible Training course overseen by Alan and Carol Clason who are presently finishing home assignment. Pray for the courses that are continuing during their absence, taught by pastors and lay leaders.

Germany

Continue to pray for the Freischwimmer church plant as various options are considered for a meeting place. “We are exploring the possibility of meeting weekly in a local church building, offering an international church service,” wrote Ben and Sarah Carey. “Please pray that God will show us what He wants.”

Russia

Pray for a smooth transition for Donnie and Blythe Mason and their children as they begin home assignment this week. Also, pray for strength and health for Blythe as she continues to manage pregnancy with diabetes and for good relationships with doctors she will see in the States.

The God’s Vision church in Sevastopol is planning a major Easter outreach on April 3. Pray that numerous non-Christians will attend and that many will come to Christ.

Pray for Pastor Yura and Andre, who oversee the Rehabilitation Center, as they depart to continue their master’s degree study March 21–April 3 and for their families while they are gone.

Pray that God will provide six people in the Inkerman church who feel called to work with the children’s group. Currently, there are three workers with many volunteers who come to help. But more committed workers are needed so that the group has a solid leadership core.

Pray for Steve Lovell and Don Plummer as they travel and consult with churches in the south. Pray that the Lord will work through their ministry in these churches and that the churches will move toward fruitful ministry and the planting of other churches. Also, pray for Steve as he works with the Missions Committee of the national church to continue implementing a new approach to church-planting and international work.

Pray for the Lord’s continued guidance for Wendy Lovell as she coordinates plans for an English club. Pray also that she and the other teachers will know how to sensitively handle spiritual questions as they arise.

Pray for complete healing for Michael Merrill, the son of Bob and Lisa Merrill, who had surgery in the States but is still in a great deal of pain. He is currently undergoing at least two more weeks of treatment before he can return to Black Forest Academy. Pray for his recovery and for wisdom for the doctors as they treat him.

Pray for Don Plummer’s health as he continues to deal with diabetes and high blood pressure. Both are under control at this time but are a concern. Pray that Don will successfully deal with the stresses of living in a different culture and the issues that arise.

Jason and Carolina Kochsiek request prayer for good health for their family.

Spain

Thanks to all who prayed for the February 27 annual national church assembly. Pray for the new leaders elected to the National Church Committee and especially for the new president, Pastor José Zapata. Also, praise the Lord for two new congregations that officially joined the national church last month.

Pray for wisdom for Raymond Ebbett and Joel Martinez as they work closely with the new national church leaders.

The next module for the College of Prayer is scheduled for April 22–24. Pray for God's clear direction as plans are finalized for this important event.

Please continue to pray for Gordon and Kathie Munro, on home assignment in the States, as they minister in missions conferences in California.

Latin America

Regional Office

Pray for the March 7–13 South America field leaders conference in Quito, Ecuador.

Argentina

Pray for complete and rapid healing for Lynn McGarvey who fell and fractured her kneecap on February 23, requiring immediate surgery. Although she does not have much pain, she is uncomfortable and has limited mobility. A complication is that the McGarveys will be moving to the States for home assignment in June, and they have much work to do.

Dominican Republic

Pray for complete healing for Onesimo, assistant pastor in the Alliance church in Santiago. The cornea is deteriorating in both of his eyes. One eye needs a cornea transplant, and the other special treatment. Currently, Onesimo is studying in FATELA (postgraduate theological studies) toward his master’s degree and will be a first-time father this year.

Praise the Lord for answering prayer concerning the church-planting team in Punta Cana. Jeff and Deborah Climie will be joining the team alongside Zac and Julie Stutler when they return from home assignment in July. Continue to pray that God will give them divine appointments as they make contacts and build relationships.

Pray for wisdom and direction in coordinating the Study Abroad Program that Toccoa Falls College will bring to the Dominican Republic this fall.

Ecuador

Pray for Jessie Ritchey as she teaches a March 4–7 FATELA (Alliance Latin American Graduate School of Theology) module in Guayaquil.

Pray for members of the national church’s Department of Missions as they deal with the recent death of a missionary couple and determine the sending strategy for a young single woman.

Paraguay

Pray for God’s blessing on a new Awana program at the Mi Esperanza church. Pray that many children will come to know Jesus through this ministry.

Pray for Bob Brougher as he mentors seminary students and national pastors. Pray that Joy Brougher will be able to connect with the pastors’ wives as well.

Pray for the March 13–14 young adult camp for all eight Paraguay Alliance churches.

Pray for the March 29–31 national pastors’ retreat for all pastors and their wives as well as seminary students and their families.

United States

Craig Smith Update

Continue to pray for Craig Smith as he recovers from his car accident. Last week, Craig had tests last week to determine if his damaged nerves can be repaired. Pray for wisdom for the doctors as they study the results of these tests. Read specific requests and updates: www.caringbridge.org/visit/craigladonnasmith

Mary Ann Presher Update

Continue to pray for Mary Ann, wife of Pastor David Presher, who was diagnosed with cancer. Read specific requests and updates: www.friendsofmaryann.wordpress.com

John Stumbo Update

Praise God for John Stumbo’s improvement. Continue to pray for John as he makes progress in his recovery and rehabilitation. Read specific requests and updates: www.johnstumbo.org/blog

Precious Ferrer Update

Continue to pray for Precious, the two-year-old daughter of Jonathan and Ruth Ferrer (True Life Fellowship, Silverdale, Washington, Pacific Northwest District), who suffered traumatic brain injury after a TV set fell on her head. Pray that God will do a mighty miracle on behalf of this little one. For additional information, visit the church’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/TLFKitsap

MidAmerica District

Pray for the March 15–17 MidAmerica District Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, during which a new district superintendent will be elected. Pray for wisdom as these decisions are made.

Pray for the following church plants and planters in the MidAmerica District: Servant Church and Doug Burford, Mission, Kansas; Village Church and Doug Grogan, Gypsum, Colorado; Majestic Oaks and Don Dellos, Thornton, Colorado; Bridge of Hope and Stephen Boda, St. Louis, Missouri.

Northwestern District

Pray for Doug Ebertowski and Life Church at Rochester, Minnesota. Pray that God will continue to bring people to healthy places of identity in Him.

Southeastern District

Pray for Rev. Richard Duncan in St. Augustine, Florida. Doctors plan to do a procedure to draw off fluid build-up in Richard’s lungs. Please continue to pray for God’s strength, protection, and His healing touch.

Western Great Lakes District

Pray for complete healing for Rev. Randy Skaja, pastor at Crosswalk Church in Waukesha, Wisconsin, who is recovering from a bad fall in which he dislocated his ankle and broke a bone in his leg. Surgeons have inserted a plate and seven screws to aid the mending. Randy will not be able to walk for a minimum of three months.

Pray for members of Grace Community Church (Birchwood, Wisconsin) who hosted their first preview service on February 27 with 70 people in attendance. What makes this more amazing is that Birchwood is a town of approximately 500 people. Pray for church members as they follow up with those indicating interest in the church.

Pray for a developing church in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, that will celebrate its six-month anniversary the weekend of March 14. Pray for the congregation as a special marriage and family series continues, a marriage retreat weekend is held, and a four-part Easter series is presented.

The Alliance believes wholeheartedly in the power and necessity of prayer. We cannot “Live the Call Together” unless prayer is central to all we do—as a denomination, as churches, and as individuals. For that reason, we want to encourage you to make prayer the foundation of everything you are and do. To make this happen, this prayer page is designed to:

• Fuel your personal prayer life.
• Provide you with a guide to help you pray more powerfully for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom through Great Commission Ministries.
• Give churches, pastors, and prayer leaders a tool to make prayer foundational in the life of the church.

It is our prayer and desire that this page will serve you as you seek to become a stronger prayer warrior and a champion for prayer in your church. May God bless you as you intercede for His Church and servants worldwide, praying for His Spirit to open hearts so that every people group and nation would receive the gift of salvation.

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