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| THE RACE - ISSUE 44 |
November 2001 |
The Month
For Algeria, this year's Ramadhan is going to begin with having to cope with
an incredible natural catastrophe. Presently, over 600 have died from the
flooding and around 1,000 are still missing. As you pray for Algeria during
the course of Ramadhan, please, remember these families who have been
directly affected by the flooding. And also, pray for the church in Algeria
as it seeks to minister in Jesus' Name to those in need.
Thank you,
The Algerian Team
therace@therace.ws
NOTE: For the next couple of weeks, you will receive daily prayer needs for
the month of Ramadhan. Please, share these with your church and other
intercessors.
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Every year, Muslims fast each day from dawn until sunset
during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar. Each
evening, families “break fast” together in a special meal together. Many go
to the mosque for a special evening prayer recited only at Ramadan and some
will recite large portions of the Quran, their holy book. We feel that this
month which Muslims use for a time of reflection and religious discipline is
an appropriate time for us as Christians to intercede on their behalf. We
would like you partner with us each day during this month of Ramadan to pray
for the Algerian Arabs. Ask the Father to draw the Algerian Arab people
closer to Him, as you prayer for them each day.
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Father, you created the Algerian Arabs and desire for them to
have a personal knowledge of You. Please help me to be aware of the needs of
these precious people and know how I can better pray for them. Use me this
month to bring them to your throne in intercession.
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Islam has five pillars by which all Muslims must try to live
their lives: 1. In the presence of two other Muslims, they must say (and
really mean), “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is Allah’s
messenger.” 2. Five times a day, they should pray. 3. They ought to
remember that Allah has given them everything they have and therefore should
be willing to give offerings of food and money to help the sick, the poor,
widows and orphans. 4. Once in a lifetime, if they have money and strength,
they should go as a pilgrim to the holy city of Mecca. 5. During one month
of the year according to the Muslim calendar, they should go without eating
or drinking during daylight hours. This is the month of Ramadan. It is a
time to remind them of their belief in the time when Allah first sent an
angel to give Muhammad the words recited from the original Qur’an (the
Islamic holy book) in heaven.
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Father help the people of Algeria find the one true God, and His
Word that became flesh. Help them to have a relationship with you and not
just follow a set of rules or works.
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After fasting from sunrise to sunset, the party begins. The
fast is traditionally broken with special food and dates and honey soaked
pastries. The entire family sits around the table eager to break the fast
together as they hear the sound of the twilight call to prayer.
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Lord, as Muslim families prepare for huge feasts during Ramadan,
let them hear of the wedding banquet for Your church which You want them to
attend.
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The Jews considered it blasphemy when Jesus claimed to be
able to do the things that only God could do. In essence, He claimed to be
God. The Muslims have a similar problem with Jesus. Allah is one. There are
no partners or equals. For them, it is contrary to monotheism to see Jesus
as the Son of God or being equal to God. The words of Jesus go against the
teachings of Islam, the religion most Muslims know from birth. Before a
Muslim believes, he struggles with his identity because Islam is more than a
religion; it’s one’s family and culture, as well. Often, the new believer’s
own family is the entity that brings the most persecution—-burning Bibles,
hurling verbal insults, even threatening to end the believer’s life. Turning
to Christ is a costly decision, but eternity hangs on it. Pray that Algerian
Arabs would begin to question the teachings of Islam and that the Holy
Spirit would penetrate their hearts with the true story of Jesus.
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God, thank you for coming to earth to become one of us, yet
remaining completely and perfectly divine. Open the eyes and hearts of
Algerian Arabs blinded and hardened by the false teaching of Islam. May the
stories and direct words of Jesus, your Son, become real to them as when
they read the New Testament. Let them be curious to know what the Bible says
and may your Spirit guide them as they research your Word.
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The Algerian Arab Christian faces many obstacles to living
out their faith. Many of their families, friends, and co-workers do not
understand their newfound faith in Jesus Christ. Pray that through times of
persecution and opposition, our brothers and sisters will pursue a
transformation of their character, allowing everyone in their path to see
that they are a new creation in Christ.
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Lord, I pray for my Algerian brothers and sister to find strength
in You each day to live a life that is transformed. I thank you that they
are “in Christ, …a new creation”…that “the old has gone, the new has come!”
(II Corinthians 5:17).Help them to pursue holiness and to show their
families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers that they live for You.
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Living in a society in which every aspect of life (work,
leisure, family, business, and education) is permeated by Islam, Algerian
Arab Christians depend on one another greatly for fellowship and
encouragement. Pray for unity in the Algerian church as they face many
obstacles to living out and persevering in their faith.
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Father, I know that each member of the Algerian Arab church has
an important role in the body of Christ. Help them to discover their
spiritual gifts and use them to strengthen their church. May their
interactions with one another be God-honoring and like-minded. I pray that
the leadership in the church will humbly accept your will and do what is
best for the Body.
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Annaba, located in northeastern Algeria on the Mediterranean
coastline, is near the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Hippo, where St.
Augustine served as bishop. Christianity was prominent in this region from
ca.300 A.D to 700 A.D., but Islam replaced that once strong faith in Christ
starting in 700 A.D. until the present. Most Algerians, even those living in
Annaba, are not aware of this city’s rich Christian history and this
Christian giant who lived there from 391 A.D. to 430 A.D. Pray for this
historically important city of Annaba. Pray for another “Augustine” to be
God’s voice among the Algerian Arabs.
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Father, Algeria once was a place that was filled with your
praises. Please restore this country to be a people that honor You. Use the
city of Annaba to lead the Algerian Arabs to redemption. I pray that you
rise up another great evangelist such as Augustine to tell of your love and
grace.
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The predominantly Muslim countries of North Africa have for
centuries been closed to the Christian gospel. There are, however, several
ministries that are reaching past the barriers of these closed countries.
Channel North Africa is a powerful media ministry that reaches thousands of
families in Algeria who may never have a chance to hear the gospel by other
means. Half-hour television programs are transmitted by satellite from
Europe once a week into the homes of Algerians, thus allowing families to
receive the gospel in a free, private setting. Pray that Algerian Arab
viewers will respond to the Christian message presented. Pray that they will
faithfully watch the programs, craving to know more of the gospel.
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I praise You for the opportunity given through satellite
technology to penetrate Algerian homes with Your message. Please expand
these programs to 3 hours daily, rather than 30 minutes per week. I pray for
Your Holy Spirit to prompt more people to tune in to the broadcasts so Your
truth will cover this land.
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The life of Christian children living in North Africa is one
of living in 2 worlds. At school, they receive training in Islam, must
memorize chapters of the Koran, and are told that Mohammed’s teachings are
“the only way.” At home, these children listen to Bible stories and are told
by a Christian parent that Jesus is “the Only Way.” Pray that these children
will persevere in their faith and grow up strong in the Lord.
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Lord, You said “Let the children come to Me, and do not hinder
them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Thank you for
bringing these precious children to You at an early stage in their lives.
Let them not be afraid to live out their faith before their friends at
school. Give them boldness and strength to be Your witness and protect them
from harm. May they grow in knowledge and depth of insight of You so that
they “may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless
until the day of Christ.” (Philippians 1:9)
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