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Prayer Guide 2011forEUROPEAN PEOPLES

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Introduction

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One day, Nehemiah received disturbing

news that things were not going well

for the Jewish exiles that had returned

to Jerusalem. The city wall had been

destroyed and the people were in

great trouble. Nehemiah was greatly

burdened; he mourned for several

days, fasted and prayed and then

went to rebuild the city. There he met

with the Israelites and said, Come,

lets rebuild Jerusalems wall The

people responded favorably and were

encouraged to do this good work

(Neh. 1-2, HCSB).

In post-Christian Western Europe and

post-Communist Eastern Europe,

Christianity has all but been destroyed

and desperately needs to be rebuilt.

Europeans show little interest in

traditional religion. The vast majority

has either never heard the gospel or

has rejected it. Although the work of

spreading the Good News among these

people is challenging, there is evidence

that God is at work. Approximately 700

Southern Baptist supported missionaries

are currently living and sharing their

faith among the worlds 817 million

Europeans. Through their efforts,

150,000 Europeans heard the gospel

in 2010 and 6,500 placed their faith in

Christ. 11,000 were baptized, 300 new

outreach groups started, 130 churches

planted, and new work began among

3 unreached people groups. Praise the

Lord for this progress.

With hundreds of thousands of

Europeans continuing to live in

darkness, however, there is much

work still to be done. Will you help to

advance the Kingdom by passionately

interceding that these people will

become hungry for God and receptive

to the gospel? Pray that missionaries

will be encouraged and strengthened as

they do the good work of spreading

the gospel. If the Lord has burdened

your heart for Europeans, please

consider adopting a people group for

which you will commit to pray regularly

and seek to reach, as He leads.

Blessings, Celeste

European Afnity Group Prayer Strategist

prayersforeurope@gmail.com

mailto://prayersforeurope@gmail.commailto://prayersforeurope@gmail.com

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NEW BEGINNINGS AMONG THE ROMAi

In May, 2011, more than fty Roma met in Prague. They were not protesting lower

wages, higher unemployment, educational discrimination, or persecution. They were

celebrating Gods love, forgiveness, and mercy. They were singing, praying, and

praising in the Romany/Gypsy language. These Roma are the core group of Cacipen

(Truth) church Prague. The Czech census report indicates that more than 10,000

Roma live in Prague. Until October, 2010, no church targeting the Roma existed in

the city. In the summer of 2010, two families from Poland moved as missionaries to

Prague as a part of the FETE (From Everywhere to Everywhere) Missions program.

During that fall, Janek and Rafal Gil, began visiting Roma neighborhoods . They

distributed more than 800 Jesus videos in eight different Romany dialects and

discovered ve homes willing to host Bible studies. Monthly meetings in a local

conference room were begun and in just a few months, attendance grew from 10 to

40 adults. In February, 2011, Cacipen church began to hold weekly meetings. Kveta,

a Romany lady from the Andel district of Prague said, God is working miracles in

my life as a result of these missionaries, the power of prayer, and His Holy Word. Im

so thankful for their service and sacrice. Sascho, a worker from Bulgaria added,

Ive wanted for so long a Romany church, where I could worship. I am grateful to

God for this new beginning. Sascho, 60-years-old, was baptized along with two

others on Easter Sunday - now thats a new beginning.

Visit the Roma Ministries website (www.romaministries.com).

PRAISE GOD for new beginnings resulting in changed

lives and new groups following the Savior. Thank the Lord

for those who have not only heard the gospel, but who are

also taking the Good News to their own people. Its the

dream of every missionary to see their people taking

the message to a new group yet to hear. Intercede thatthe Lord will bless and multiply these new beginnings.

Roma Peoples

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http://romaministries.com/http://romaministries.com/

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PASSING ON THE TRUTHi

A member of the Russian Cluster shares, Before our recent stateside assignment,

our Bible study on the book of Genesis was translated from Russian into Latvian.

Zane, a young mother who faithfully attends our Russian-speaking church and Bible

studies, asked if she could use it for herself and another Latvian Christian friend.

Gladly, I answered. She asked me to train her as much as possible before we left,

so that she would understand the main points and we met several times a week.

Then I had no contact with her for almost 4 months. When we returned, she shared

with me that she and her friend had continued to study through Genesis. Zane had

also recently begun to use the material with a non-Christian friend, Daiga, a mother

with 5 young children. It wasnt long before we met Daiga, since she and Zane were

meeting several times a week at our outreach library. The week that we returned,

Daiga came to church services for the rst time, along with her 5 children. A couple

of weeks later, I had a text message from Zane, Thank you for your prayers for

Daiga. Yesterday she prayed a prayer of repentance. Hallelujah!

Names have been changed for security

Visit the Engage Russia website (www.engagerussia.org).

Russian Peoples

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PRAISE GOD for faithful men and women, who not

only receive the truth themselves, but pass it on. Please

pray that more of our Christian believers will be brave

enough to invite others to look at Gods Word with

them. Pray that God will send an ethnic Latvian couple

to our mainly Russian city to begin a separate Latvian-

speaking congregation.

http://engagerussia.org/http://engagerussia.org/

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FAITHFULNESS AND OBEDIENCEi

Novaya Triany is a small town that was settled 200 years ago by Bulgarian immigrants

in the Odessa region of Ukraine and was one of the central areas for the Soviet-run

farms. The soil is rich and ideal for grape vineyards, fruit trees and wheat. Sergei* was

the general manager of the government farms and he met every day in the center of

the town with hundreds of local men, assigning them to their duties. He was also a

strongly committed member of the Communist Party. One Sunday after church, one of

our Black Sea Orthodox (BSO) Cluster personnel and the local pastor met with Sergei

in his home. In tears, Sergei prayed, asking God for forgiveness and accepting Christ

as his Savior. Because of the faithfulness of believers in Novaya Triany to pray for

years for Sergei and the obedience of others to go, we have a new brother in Christ.

Sergeis physical health may be poor, but his future is sealed and sure!

In some regions of the BSO Cluster there are fewer than 0.5% evangelical believers.

Pray for workers for the harvest to be called out in each of the 5 countries of the BSO

Cluster. Petition the Father to move in the hearts of His people in Moldova, Ukraine,

Georgia, Armenia, and Belarus to make them passionate and emboldened to share

the Good News of Christ in their homeland and beyond.

*Names have been changed for security

PETITION THE LORDto open doors that no man can

close in each of the countries of the Black Sea Orthodox

(BSO) Cluster. Ask Him to turn the hearts of those in

places and positions of inuence, so that His people will

nd favor to accomplish the work He has for them to do.

INTERCEDE THAT THE LORD will grant His people

wisdom and knowledge of His will and His plan, so thatevery person in the countries of the BSO Cluster will have

the opportunity to hear and respond to Christ. Pray that

His Name will be made known in every village, city, and

country of this cluster.

Black Sea Orthodox Peoples

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TRUE CHRISTIANITYi

In the Western Mediterranean countries, religious symbols, churches, and statues

abound, but true Christianity is difcult to nd. Once God was gloried, but now

money, power, and love of self, rule. They desperately need a personal encounter

with Jesus and consistent time in Gods Word and interacting with His people.

A missionary in Malta shares this story. Would you like to come in for a cup of

tea? my neighbor asked. I immediately said yes, having learned that while Maltese

are extremely friendly people, invitations into their homes are not common. We

spent an hour and a half and I shared some Bible verses and prayed with her. She

showed me the 600-year-old icon that has been passed down through her family

and assured me that she respected my religion, but she had her own. Jesus loves

everyone, but he especially loves those who are good, she said.

The next day, I met a former neighbor. As I shared a concern, she said, You should

pray in Jesus name. We had a heart to heart conversation and I learned that,

although she is still very faithful in the traditional religion, she reads her Bible and

only prays to God through Jesus. I was able to give her a pocket New Testament in

Maltese and encourage her to continue seeking Him.

Visit the Malta Ministries website (www.praymalta.net).

GODS WORD IS POWERFUL! Ask that Maltese and

other Western Mediterranean peoples will have a Spirit-

given desire to read the Bible and apply it to their lives.

PRAY FOR NATIONAL BELIEVERS AND MISSIONARIES

in these countries to walk closely with the Lord so that they

will truly be salt and light. Intercede that spiritual needs

will surface and not be drowned in the worlds pleasuresor entertainment. Pray that the people of the Western

Mediterranean will spend time in Gods Word and that

this will produce changed lives.

Western Mediterranean Peoples

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http://www.praymalta.net/http://www.praymalta.net/

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GODS TAPESTRYi

Leave it to God to bring an Austrian student to Norman, Oklahoma to stir our

hearts to go to Vienna! Thats exactly what HE did, shares a missionary in Austria.

Now, over 4 years later, the student we became friends with in Norman, Oklahoma

is our fellow countryman in Austria. John has heard the Gospel. Like many Austrians,

he is living a very nancially secure lifestyle and pursuing his career. He has

everything he needsexcept Jesus. Despite Johns reluctance to embrace faith,

God has expanded our territory through him. in terms of relationships. His parents,

Martin and Beth, are part of a generation that has never heard of the free

gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Because of our involvement in their sons life

in Oklahoma, they have whole-heartedly embraced us into their own family. Now,

Martin and Beth. invite us regularly to come to their home for weekends and our

family has established a separate relationship with them. Weve been able to speak

of our faith around their kitchen table and share the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

They have been given a German Bible and we hope one day, the reading and

studying of the Word will be part of the activities we share with them.

Names have been changed for security

PRAISE THE LORD for weaving these lives together to

accomplish His purposes. Intercede that John and his

parents will place their faith in the Lord and be instrumental

in leading other Austrians to Christ.

Germanic Peoples

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REFUGEE OUTREACHi

A member of the Balkan Cluster shares, One evening, after we had distributed

groceries to the refugees, I asked Hussein, a physician who had ed an extremist

regime in his country, if he would like for the staff members to pray for his wife,

who was imprisoned in Turkey for not having proper documents. He agreed and we

prayed for the quick and miraculous release of his wife. A few days later, Hussein*

was back at the center with his three daughters. He greeted me with his usual broad

smile, an embrace, and his good news. He described how we had prayed for his

wifes release at 7:00 p.m. and how upon his arrival home, approximately 1 hour

later, he called her cell phone. She had been turned back by the border guards on

5 previous occasions over the last several days, but on this night the guards paid

no attention as she simply walked across unchallenged. We rejoiced and made the

rounds to share the good news with other staff members, who had prayed. This was

truly answered prayer. Hussein has now heard about and experienced God. Instead

of going home each week after receiving his ration of groceries, he sits and listens

to the gospel message provided for those who care to listen.

*Names have been changed for security

To learn more about refugee work in the Balkan Cluster, visit the One Life Project website

(www.onelifematters.org/projects/40465496025).

PRAY FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT to bring Hussein* to the

conviction that the gospel is true and that he needs to

surrender to Jesus Christ. Intercede that the hundreds of

refugees like Hussein who come to the center each week

will also see, know and surrender to the truth of Jesus.

PETITION THE FATHER

to send more workers to comealongside our colleagues and national staff in Athens

reaching out to Afghanis, Iranians, Sudanese and Somalis,

who are seeking that peace that passes all understanding.

Balkan Peoples

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http://www.onelifematters.org/projects/40465496025http://www.onelifematters.org/projects/40465496025http://www.onelifematters.org/projects/40465496025http://www.onelifematters.org/projects/40465496025

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I WANT IT NOW!i

A volunteer team member stood outside of a grocery store, distributing invitations

to lectures about families. The husband of one family who received the yer and

attended the lectures was a former leader at a local place of worship for another

major world religion. At the lectures, the family was invited by some members of an

IMB team in Central Europe to an outreach event. After attending this event, the

man called an IMB worker to ask, if he could have coffee with him. The missionary

walked him through the gospel presentation and what it means to know the God of

the Scriptures. The missionary stopped and asked, if the man understood the gospel

message. All he said was, I WANT IT NOW. The missionary asked, What do you

want? The man proclaimed, I want to ask God now for salvation! They prayed

together and he asked Christ into his heart. This man is now involved in a Bible

study group.

This summer, as members of the Central European Cluster have held various

outreach camps and events, others have responded to gospel presentations, like

this man. In just one week, at least 25 professions of faith were made.

PRAY that this former worship leader for another major

religion will grow in his salvation and become a strong

leader for the Lord and His Kingdom!

GIVE PRAISE for the way the Holy Spirit is moving in the

hearts of the people of Central Europe. Intercede thatthe oodgates will be opened in these countries and that

many more will begin a personal relationship with the Son.

Central European Peoples

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MAKING DISCIPLESi

Fred and his family were Congolese citizens displaced from their home by war

raging in their country. They lived in Malawi for over two years in a refugee camp

with 8,000 people, enduring pitiful living conditions and little hope of returning to

their country. In 2008, the Australian government requested a mere ten families from

among those 8,000 to come to Australia, and Freds family was chosen. Incredulous,

Fred praised God for choosing him from among so many people to start a new life

in a new land. In gratitude, he offered himself to God to reach Australians. Upon

reaching the Australian shores, Fred came into the lives of IMB missionaries working

there and shared his story. They immediately saw his potential for reaching the lost

and trained him using a T4T-based (Training for Trainers) method called Reboot. He

began sharing the gospel everywhere and training other disciples. Soon, he made

a commitment to the Lord to share twice a day and ve times on Saturdays - a goal

which he maintains today. He has won many people to the Lord, started a church in

his home, and leads several disciple training groups and outreach groups.

For more information about this ministry, visit the AIM Trainers website (www.aimtrainers.org).

Fred has many demands on his life, including full-time

work to support his family. He also often receives abuse

from unreceptive people. PRAYthat Fred will not grow

weary in the wonderful work he is doing.

PRAYfor those whom Fred has reached with the gospel.

Ask that they will grow strong in the Lord and take on the

challenge of passing on what they have learned to make

and train other disciples.

Diaspora Peoples

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http://aimtrainers.org/http://aimtrainers.org/

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LIGHTING THE FIREi

God is at work in Copenhagen, Denmark, a city of 3 million that many believe is

pivotal to all of Europe. It is a creative city full of possibilities and opportunities

and with quirky peoples. It is a city full of humor and hope. It is also a city, where in

the past few churches have sought to reach the lost. But in recent years, God has

directed student ministries and churches across the U.S. to focus on Copenhagen

and two families have followed Gods call to uproot their lives and relocate to this

city. They have invested time learning the language and adapting to this culture and

are now at work in Copenhagen. It is as if He is putting dry wood on the altar, so

that when the match is lit, the power of His re will burn bright and hot.

For more information about Copenhagen and the ministries happening there, visit Commission Stories

(www.commissionstories.com/stories/1311).

INTERCEDE THAT THE LORD will continue to call

workers to Copenhagen. Pray that the people of this city

will discover the hope that is available through a personal

relationship with the Lord.

INTERCEDE THAT A FIRE will be lit in Copenhagen that

will burn brightly and that will draw many to faith.

Calypso North Peoples

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http://www.commissionstories.com/stories/1311http://www.commissionstories.com/stories/1311http://www.commissionstories.com/stories/1311http://www.commissionstories.com/stories/1311

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REACHING THE NATIONSi

Many countries vied for the privilege of hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics (July

27 - Aug 12, 2012), but only one site could be chosen. After much consideration,

London, England was the location selected - a decision reached by a committee of

men, but which IMB personnel and local believers see as an incredible opportunity

from God to share the gospel with both Londoners and visitors from around the

world. Londoners are proud and happy to have the Olympic Games come not only

to London, but throughout the country for the rst time in over sixty years. The

excitement is building and is sure to be high by opening day. Game organizers

and athletes are busy preparing, and so are IMB workers, local believers, and U.S.

volunteers. Some volunteers will come before the Olympics to prayerwalk, but the

majority of them probably more than a thousand - are expected to assist local

churches and charities minister to athletes families, tourists and communities during

the Games. Volunteers will engage in community outreach, both in neighborhoods

and at live sites. Sports clinics, camps, coaching activities, tournaments, and

childrens holiday clubs will be held. Community festivals will feature live big screen

broadcasts, childrens activities, barbecues, tea-and-coffee, live music, theater and

creative arts. There will also be more serious ministry related to social justice issues,

such as ending homelessness, human trafcking and prostitution and to promoting

concern for the environment and 50 Days of Peace.

Visit the Adopt London program website (www.adoptlondon.com).

INTERCEDE that these ministries will generate a greateropenness to Christ, lead many to faith, and develop lasting

relationships between local churches and volunteers

through the Adopt London program

(www.adoptlondon.com).

PRAY THAT GOD will lead British churches to take full

advantage of this opportunity for the advance of theGospel. Intercede that both athletes and spectators will

have a spiritual encounter during their time at the Games

and that citizens of the host country will come to know

who God is and how great and loving He truly is.

British Irish Celt Peoples

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http://www.adoptlondon.com/http://www.adoptlondon.com/

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Roma Peoples

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VISIT EUROPEANPEOPLES.IMB.ORG

for more information about the peoples of Europe or

the International Mission Boards work in Europe

To receive weekly prayer updates from the European

Peoples Afnity Group, please contact Celeste

Brubaker at prayersforeurope@gmail.com.

| imb.org | europeanpeoples.imb.org

Prayfor European Peoples

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http://europeanpeoples.imb.org/mailto://prayersforeurope@gmail.comhttp://imb.org/http://europeanpeoples.imb.org/http://europeanpeoples.imb.org/http://imb.org/mailto://prayersforeurope@gmail.comhttp://europeanpeoples.imb.org/