PRAYER GUIDE
Local Focus
GIBC
Pray for our Gather/Connect teams that minister to our church (Decorations, Flowers, Security/Medical, Welcome, Fellowship Meals, Member Care, Recreation, Library). Pray that God will use them to strengthen the body of Christ. Pray that God will draw many to serve in our ministry teams. Pray that God will guide those who lead ministry teams to most effectively serve Him and His church with wisdom and love. Pray that God will bear fruit in the lives of all who serve and that they will remain faith to read the Bible, pray, and share the gospel.
Community
Pray for the churches of the association. Pray for the Association Mission Strategist, Tim Burdick. Pray that new churches would be planted, existing churches would be strengthened, and our gospel witness to be increased. Pray that they would be successful in connecting pastors and churches in ways that will lead to greater cooperation and fruit in their communities.
USA
Pray for President Donald Trump and his cabinet and staff. Pray that those who are not saved would clearly hear the gospel, be drawn by God to Him, and repent and confess Christ as Savior and Lord. Pray that God would grant them wisdom as they lead and make choices that are best for our country and human flourishing. Pray that God would raise up believers around them to be a strong voice for biblical morality.
North America:
Indianapolis
All roads may not lead to Indianapolis, but many do. More than 2 out of 3 Americans live within a day’s drive of the city, and more highways cross it than any other city in the U.S. It is truly the “Crossroads of America.”
Now is the time for the Church to use those roads to carry the gospel to the people of “Indy.” With more than 800,000 people in the city itself and close to 2 million people in the metro area, Indianapolis is the 11th largest city in the U.S. It is also one of the most unchurched. Only one out of five Indy residents go to church each weekend. More than a million people are not affiliated with any religious group.
Yet it’s the kind of metropolitan area where many people want to live and raise a family. It has an appealing balance of cosmopolitan style and small-town charm, with good schools, conservative values and a deep sense of patriotism.
Ironically, this good, clean lifestyle has possibly become the greatest stumbling block for the movement of the gospel. Many Indy residents believe they’re “good enough” and have no need for a Savior. Their search for the American Dream has drowned out their need for Jesus.
We believe the long-term answer to the city’s spiritual needs is in reproducible church plants that creatively engage the community with the gospel. And even though there are already teams in place to start the process, more help is desperately needed.
Pray for Send City Missionary: Ryan Jones
Ryan Jones was born in Ohio and lived in the state until 2008, when he moved to Virginia to attend Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Upon his graduation in 2011, Jones became Executive Director of a church planting network until he began his ministry career with NAMB in 2014 in Nevada. In 2020, Jones transferred with NAMB back to Ohio where he currently serves on the Regional Team for the Midwest helping to plant churches in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois.
Send an encouraging word to Ryan at:
Information gathered from North American Mission Board
Every Country:
Venezuela
Population: 28,517,000
Unreached: 1%
Christian Population: 84.5%
Home to Angel Falls, the world’s tallest waterfall, Venezuela is as beautiful as it is diverse. From the snow-capped peaks of the Andes in the West to the open plains in the East, from the beaches in the north to the jungles in the South, Venezuela is a truly magnificent nation. And its people are as diverse as its landscape. Eighty percent of this nation’s 30 million people live in the northern coastal regions; this includes both European and African people groups. In the interior, indigenous Amerindian tribes live in remote sections of the Amazon jungles and the southern highlands.
In contrast to its natural beauty, Venezuela’s history has been marred by economic turmoil, political strife, and violence. Despite having some of the world’s largest oil reserves, many people suffer in poverty. Over half of the urban population – over a million people – live in slums often controlled by gangs or drug barons. As a result of falling oil prices and restrictive policies, Venezuela has faced severe economic crises, leading to widespread critical shortages of food and medicine. Political corruption, divisions, revolutions, and coup attempts have often plagued this fragile democracy.
Yet in the midst of significant internal strife, this nation enjoys and celebrates freedom of worship. Though the majority of Venezuelans would identify as Christian (85%), many of these Catholics and Protestants don’t attend mass or church and even mix Christianity with false teachings and unbiblical practices like Spiritism. Venezuelan Christians need to be strengthened in unity and in the Truth of God’s Word as they face pressures from the growing New Age Spirituality movement, as well as the harmful effects of Satanism. Though Evangelical churches may be small in numbers, mission training centers are growing as Christians pursue a greater vision for missions. Many believers are even gaining influence in social and political spheres. Missionaries to Venezuela face many hurdles in serving and ministering, particularly to Amerindians, as expatriate service is restrained by the government. Yet even in the midst of these challenges, the Venezuelan Church is bringing the peace of Jesus Christ to a nation in much turmoil.
- Pray for Christ to reveal himself to those blinded by spiritism, Islam, and other false religions.
- Pray for all 30 Amerindian tribes to be transformed by the Word of God despite government opposition.
- Pray for solutions to economic instability and high crime rates.
- Pray for those affected by the earthquakes.
Information gathered from Operationworld.org and PrayerCast.com
Unreached Peoples:
Bengali Muslim in Bangladesh
Population: 133,263,000
Worldwide: 133,427,000
Christian Population: 0.1-2%
Main Religion: Islam
The Bengali Muslims are the largest ethnic group in Bangladesh. Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan in 1971. The spread of Islam in Bengal began in the 13th century through Sufi missionaries and traders and was solidified during the Mughal Empire. This blend of ancient Hindu traditions and Islamic influences is evident in their language, literature, music and art.
Life for Bengali Muslims varies significantly between urban and rural areas. Urban centers like Dhaka and Chittagong are bustling with economic activity and modern amenities, while rural areas are more focused on agriculture, with many engaged in farming rice, jute, tea and vegetables. Education is highly valued, but access to quality education remains a challenge, particularly in remote areas.
Muslim Bengali social structure is patriarchal, with men typically being the primary breadwinners and women managing the household. However, women’s roles are evolving, with increasing participation in the workforce and higher education.
Most Bengali Muslims in Bangladesh follow Sunni Islam, specifically the Hanafi school of thought. Daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, charity, and the pilgrimage to Mecca are central practices. Sufi traditions also play a significant role, with many visiting shrines and participating in festivals.
Islamic education is widespread, and religious festivals like Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are celebrated with great enthusiasm.
Bengali Muslims face challenges such as poverty, limited access to quality education and healthcare. Specifically vocational training and skill development programs can help equip them for the modern economy. Rural areas lack adequate healthcare infrastructure and sanitation facilities.
- Pray for peace and stability in Bangladesh, especially in regions prone to natural disasters and communal tensions.
- Pray for the development of strong, godly leaders who can advocate for justice and peace.
- Pray for a spiritual awakening among Bengali Muslims, that they may seek and encounter Jesus Christ.
- Pray for the growth of the Christian church among the Muslim Bengalis, and for boldness, wisdom and love for local Christian believers.
- Pray for sustainable economic development and provision for those in need.
- Pray for improved access to quality education and healthcare services.
- Pray for the empowerment of women and girls, and for cultural changes that respect and value their contributions.
Information gathered at joshuaproject.net