Pray

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 prayerleaders 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.

ALLIANCE PRAYER REQUESTS

November 2, 2009

NOVEMBER PRAYER FOCUS

Pray that God will raise up pastors and church leaders from among second-generation ethnic groups.

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST FOR THE WORLDWIDE ALLIANCE FAMILY

Pray for good health for Alliance workers (international and domestic) and church members as the H1N1 virus continues to be a concern. Pray against outbreaks in churches, schools, colleges, and retirement centers. Also, pray that ministry and travel will not be disrupted because of the virus. Pray that God will destroy the virus.

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS

International Ministries
David Lauffer’s father experienced breaks in his pelvis as well as his upper femur last Wednesday and is hospitalized in Baltimore. A decision must be made about whether to perform surgery, but this option is quite risky. Without surgery, his bones would be set in place for a painful natural mending, and he could be immobilized indefinitely. Pray for wisdom and complete healing.

Richard Herring and Pieter Theron
Richard Herring (regional director) and Pieter Theron (Mongolian field director) were injured in a bizarre accident on Wednesday afternoon (Thailand time). Participants of the Asia Pacific Regional Conference in Bangkok attended an elephant show as an outing for the team. While the team was taking pictures, an elephant grabbed Pieter and Richard and threw them about 10 feet into the air. Pieter has a fractured skull and is in critical condition; Richard sustained a broken hip and possible other injuries less serious than Pieter's. Read the latest here.

CREATIVE-ACCESS COUNTRIES

Remember CAC 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.

Pray for protection for Alliance workers who have been under severe physical and emotional attack recently.

Pray for the son of Alliance workers who has been diagnosed with a learning disability.

AFRICA

Regional Office
Pray for Joe and Maria Howard (Mali) and Charlotte Hisle (Brazil) during a November 7–17 probe trip into Guinea Bissau to discover what ministry opportunities exist there and what part the Lord has for The Alliance. Pray for God’s wisdom and direction.

Burkina Faso
Continue to pray for survivors of the recent flooding in Ouagadougou, which left hundreds of people homeless. Some have been moved to tent cities where theft is a major concern. Pray that the housing situation will be resolved quickly and that God will use this hardship to draw people to His Son.

Steve and Debbi Clouser request prayer for God’s provision of leadership while they are on home assignment, especially for Sunday morning messages and the youth ministry at the fledgling church in Ouaga 2000, a subdivision of Ouagadougou. Also, pray for wisdom concerning whether Debbi should make a planned consulting trip to Guinea November 23–December 2. She has to buy her ticket by November 11, so a decision must be made before then.

FATEAC Seminary (Côte d’Ivoire)
Pray for the director, Isaac Keita, as he defends his dissertation on November 4.

Gabon
Pray for Eric, a believer who is friends with Alliance workers, as he moves away from home to continue his schooling. Pray that God will bring good Christian friends into his life and protect him from attacks of the enemy.

Carolyn Thorson requests prayer that she will be able to obtain her entry permit before her return to Gabon following home assignment. Also, pray for Carolyn’s complete healing of osteoporosis and asthma, as well as protection from colds and the flu.

Pray for God’s blessing on Dr. Simplice Tchoba, Bongolo Hospital’s first Gabonese resident.

Pray for protection for Keir Thelander as he travels to Ghana.

Pray for children at Bongolo Hospital who are suffering from tuberculosis and those whose mothers have HIV. Also, pray that the lab machine, which has been in the United States for repairs, arrives at the hospital soon.

Lisa Nicky requests prayer for Fidèle, a station worker who needs funds and paperwork for heart surgery in Kenya.

Mali
Gordon and Cheryl Roedding request prayer for a business seminar on finances. Pray for the participants and the instructors as they study the materials together. Pray for opportunities to speak into the lives of the participants.

Continue to pray for the Roeddings’ English class. Last week only seven students attended out of the list of fifty who indicated interest in the course. Pray that the students will see Jesus in Gordon and Cheryl and ask questions about the hope that they have.

Republic of the Congo
Pray for Anne Stephens and Jay Bellamy as they teach for the next three weeks at the Alliance Bible School in Pointe Noire and also for the national teachers teaching in Brazzaville. Pray that all students will receive from the Lord that which they need.

Praise God that Ruth Julian and her daughter Hannah had a good week of teaching in Boma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Pray for the Alliance seminary as it begins a new academic year and that God will use the training to effectively prepare godly leadership for the church there.

Pray for the November 8 citywide Alliance church service in Brazzaville. Pray that it will be an encouragement to church members as they worship together. Pray also for God’s mighty provision in an offering for the Kinsoundi Alliance Church that is seeking funds to purchase its own property. Pray that the offering will be a blessing to this local church.

Pray that the Lord will direct and assist the mission in Pointe Noire this week as it seeks to have a container released from port. Pray that an exoneration will be granted to reduce costs.

Pray for Pambou, a young man in a Pointe Noire church who needs God’s healing touch in his body as well as in his emotions. Pray that those who are ministering to him will discern and follow the Lord’s leading.

Continue to pray for the Lord’s provision of a new ministry facility for the work recently begun in Ollombo.

Senegal
Thanks to all who prayed for the team forum. Everyone sensed the Lord’s presence and had a great time of fellowship.

Pray for Brian and Michelle Davis as they settle into their new home, meet their neighbors, and continue language study in preparation for ministry.

Continue to pray for the “Bridge Senegal” team that will serve through pastoral training, medical, prison, and music ministries November 6–15. Churches of the African American Association of The Alliance are partnering with Alliance cross-cultural workers during this short-term trip. Pray for God’s blessing, protection, and anointing.

ASIA PACIFIC

Regional Office
Pray for Richard and Wendy Herring as they host regional leaders and their wives in Bangkok. Pray for God’s blessing and anointing on all the meetings as well as refreshment and encouragement for all participants. Also, pray for complete healing for Richard, who has been experiencing pain in his neck and numbness in his fingertips, and for continued progress concerning Wendy’s health issues.

Indonesia
Continue to pray for complete healing for Alliance workers who are very ill, including field director David Nagel, who has dengue fever, and Kari Elliott, who was admitted to the hospital with a fever accompanied by a severe skin irritation.

Pray for God’s intervention in the continuing church-split situation. The GKII (C&MA) believers have faced great hardship and persecution from those who follow the GKIP. A recent GKII conference was met by an angry mob, threatening to kill Alliance workers who had arrived by plane for the event. Pray for District Superintendent Rev. Yehuda Bunai, Rev. Lukas Kadepa, Rev. Yohanes Gobay, and the GKII believers, that God will strengthen their faith in the midst of suffering. Pray for repentance and a new seeking after God.

Japan
Pray for Don Schaeffer who is attending regional leadership meetings in Bangkok. Pray for this time with other leaders from Asia.

Pray for Ken and Kathy Young as they seek to begin a ministry to university students in the Hiroshima area. They are working with Rev. Tamura in this new ministry.

Praise God for Alan and Jill Kropp who have been in Japan a year. Pray for them as they continue their language study. Pray for Jill who wants to start a Bible study with a Japanese friend who is not yet a Christian.

Pray for Dick and Janice Kropp as they minister to homeless people who visit their church and to others with emotional needs.

Pray for Harry and Jane Landaw as they complete their last few weeks of tour.

Pray for David and Vangi Kindervater as they seek to establish a ministry in Laketown. Pray for God’s blessing on the planning of a gospel workshop and that contacts will result from this event.

Mongolia
Jeremy and Krista Fields request prayer for good health for their family as the weather gets colder. Also, pray for continued discernment as they interact with individuals through prayer encounters as well as identifying and building up local leaders.

Taiwan
Pray for complete healing for Rachel Kramer, who has been suffering from severe back pain.

EUROPE/MIDDLE EAST

France
Praise God for the largest-ever turnout at the Trinity International Church (Paris) annual retreat weekend. Pray that the church will catch a vision for reaching out beyond its walls and ministering to others in the City of Lights. Pray that the increasing number of French people attending this English-speaking church will meet Jesus as their Savior and bring the gospel to their generation.

Pray for Ray and Carol Simon as they pastor the church plant in Limoges. Also, pray that God will provide a permanent meeting place large enough to accommodate this growing congregation. Pray too that He will raise up leaders for the church, especially during the Simons’ upcoming home assignment year.

Pray for Paul Keidel, field director, as he speaks November 8 at the annual gathering of southern French Alliance churches in Toulouse. Praise the Lord for a good response to his message at the October 25 gathering of the northern churches in Paris.

Germany
Praise the Lord for an amazingly smooth visa application process for Ben and Sarah Carey. Thanks to all who prayed. Pray for Ben and Sarah as they prioritize their busy schedule.

Russia
Pray for Alan and Trish Eggleton as they begin teaching an English course this month. Pray that such ministries will be an effective bridge to develop friendships with non-Christians and to share the hope of Christ. Also, pray for the Eggletons as they work to establish a community center. Pray too for Trish’s father who has a chronic illness.

Pray for Jason and Carolina Kochsiek as they begin new ministry in Kiev, Ukraine, following home assignment. Also, pray that God will provide a reliable vehicle for them.

Spain
Tim and Marilyn Westergren request prayer for safe travel as Tim visits their daughter Katey in Germany.

Pray for Betsy Blanchard and the development of the Cinderella’s House project, a ministry to women caught in sex trafficking.

The Alliance church in Granada has a vision for starting several daughter churches in areas near Granada where they have contacts. Pray for God’s clear leading and blessing on this project.

Last weekend, 125 women gathered from Alliance churches in Spain for a nationwide women’s retreat. Pray for God to continue to work in the hearts and lives of all who attended.

LATIN AMERICA

Colombia
Pray for God’s blessing on a November 7 wedding vow renewal service for those who have gone through the marriage course. In addition, two couples that were married in a civil ceremony will be married in the church. Pray that all these couples will remain strong in this important commitment and will become fully integrated into the life of the church.

Pray for Pastor Joaquin as he teaches a FATELA (theological studies) course online and will teach another one in Bogotá in November. Pray for God’s anointing on him as he prepares others for ministry.

Pray for a couple that is helping to lead the youth group and for three who are attending classes to teach children.

Dominican Republic
Pray for a short-term team from the Cable Road Alliance (Lima, Ohio) that will minister November 7–14 through construction and medical work. Also, pray for team members as they participate in a November 10 Breakfast for Professionals in Santo Domingo. Pray that God will touch hearts and change lives through this outreach.

Pray for a November 6–8 Marriage Encounter weekend. Pray that God will continue to use this ministry to restore marriages and reach many couples for Christ.

Pray for Zac and Julie Stutlers’ Bible studies in Punta Cana. Pray that God will lead them to professionals who are hungry for the Lord. Praise God for the connections the Stutlers have made since moving to Punta Cana.

Pray for Jeff and Deborah Climie and their children during their home assignment. Pray that God will bless their ministry and their times with family. Pray also for God’s leading in their ministry upon returning to the Dominican Republic in the summer.

Paraguay
Thanks to all who have been praying faithfully for Brenda Boston. She will need further radiation treatments for six weeks beginning this month. Pray for Bob and Brenda as they trust God in these coming months for Brenda’s recuperation.

Pray that the seven Alliance churches in the greater Asunción area will see a great work of the Holy Spirit in their midst.

Pray for a November 14 “Vision Mission” at the Mi Esperanza Church. This is a service outreach to the poor in the community who need low-cost vision care. Pray for God’s blessing on this event and for effective follow-up by the pastoral team.

Pray for John and Lisa Sappia and their four children as they travel to the States, where John’s pacemaker will be replaced. This surgery is scheduled for November 19. Pray for a safe surgery and quick recuperation.

Pray for God’s mighty provision during the November 21 national church “Missions Day,” during which pledges are made to help support the pastors of churches that are not yet self-supporting.

Peru
The C&MA Peru Chinese mission is seeking short-term teams to meet several needs, including pulpit ministry. Pray for God’s provision.

UNITED STATES

Pray for safe travel for those attending the Fall Leadership Conference. Leaders will arrive on November 13 or 14. The conference will conclude on November 18.

Craig Smith Update
Continue to pray for Craig Smith as he recovers from his car accident. 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 recent improvement. Continue to pray for John as he makes progress in his recovery and rehabilitation. Read specific requests and updates: www.johnstumbo.org/blog/

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