Praise

Thank God for the rains that we have had recently. Rain is always needed here. Tragically we also had major flooding in the eastern part of the country, resulting in houses being severely damaged and over 50 losing their lives. Pray for the relief efforts that are underway to help those who are homeless. Ask that the materials and foods will reach them soon as roads have also been washed away in the flooding.

Prayer

Pray that the local Muslim population in our country would have a revelation of Jesus’ sacrifice for them.

This week a new female believer started studying the Bible with one of the workers. Please pray for that she would draw close to Jesus and that He would meet her.

A national brother in the Lord, who has been declared guilty as a scapegoat for another's crime is to have a further trial this Tuesday, Nov. 11. A sentence will likely be given then. Please pray that he will soon be released to his family.

The price of oil is now almost half what it was 6 months ago, along with the global credit crisis, the Arabian Peninsula’s greatest source of revenue has declined as quickly as it rose. Ask the Lord to use this to expose the folly of building one’s house on the sand, and let His word speak powerfully to the rich local families.

Do remember university students in our country (and all around the AP), many of whom are curious about other beliefs. Ask that these will have the chance to hear about the Savior.

Testimony

Phillip reports, “…Many of my Muslim friends and students took a keen interest in the election in America. After the announcement was made that Mr. Obama had won, I received many emails, phone calls and face to face congratulations on the new president of America. I felt the Lord gave me multiple open doors to share God's heart about nations and people following Him and the responsibility of rulers & leaders to be men of God. The election opened up opportunities for spiritual conversations that I didn't expect. Praise the Lord!”

Praise

Thank God for an excellent consultation focused on the Arabian Peninsula. This gathering of some living internally and others advocating and providing resources from other parts of the world, ended with a new anticipation for an hour of salvation that may lay ahead. Pray for the leaders of the movement behind this meeting as they consider the best structure to adopt in the future.

Prayer

There is a young man who believes, but his parents have great influence on him to recant. Already he has denied his faith to them, but continues to study and to learn from one who also believes. Ask that he will be an example of a good and obedient son to his parents. Ask that his life will be a witness to his family and that eventually they will ask to hear his witness.

We are praying for many more workers to come to this country in the coming year. Ask the Lord of the harvest to call and send many more to fill the many jobs that are available at the moment. We especially are asking for those with language skills, as well as the myriad of other gifts that will represent and display Christ to this nation.

At a campus outreach, another intern is teaming up with former interns to rejuvenate the ministry there. They're empowering the students to lead Bible study/community groups on their campuses. We've seen that the best person to reach a student for Christ is another student. Please pray for much fruit.

Pray that believers in our country will stand strong in their faith and share boldly the Good News of Christ with their family and friends. (Romans 1:16)

Pray that God will reach the leaders in government, business and family in our country so that they will open their doors for greater religious freedom and acceptance. (Prov 21:1)

Testimony

This week is a significant time for one local believer, “Sameera”. She is planning to get baptized. It should be an amazing celebration of what God has done and is doing. With a diversity of languages (Arabic, Farsi, and English) and cultures, we feel confident that Jesus will give us a taste of heaven as we worship and pray with our sister.

But, there is another part to this story. God has orchestrated it so that Sameera’s son, eldest daughter, and cousin will all be attending. In recent years, all of them have put their hope in Jesus. It seems that a tsunami of faith is sweeping through the family. We believe that this baptism is a just a stepping stone in the process.

Please pray for this event and for the time after. Pray that God would protect of all involved. Pray that God would give Sameera’s family a renewed sense of vision. Pray that Sameera would be strengthened and many would come to faith due to her witness.

Praise

"Sing to the Lord a new song.make music with tambourine and harp. Praise Him with strings and flute.."

The Psalms are full of words of worship to God with songs. Some of us choose from our hundreds of CDs praise songs and worship, singing thousands of songs learnt through the years. Thank the Lord that those who love Him in our country are now beginning to see the need to worship through song, in their heart language, in their own dialects. They are beginning to collect songs that they created to record and give out. Ask that this venture will be a success and that it will bring many to the Savior.

Prayer

Pray for unity among God's people in our country with an eagerness to meet the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of the people. Pray that this unity would be present among the leaders as well as the people. (Ephesians 4:3)

Continue to remember those who are in prison, those who are persecuted by family and those who are afraid, due to the Gospel. Ask that they will show the Fruits of the Spirit ( love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control), with all those who they meet and interact with. Ask that their lives will be a witness of God's grace to others.

Pray for our small weekly gathering of local BMB's. Sometimes someone pushes an argument for what seems to be selfish reasons. Pray they will grow in brokenness, humility, and unity by basking in the love of Christ together.

Our country has changed rapidly since the new ruler took power more than 30 years ago. Pray that, as people adapt to new ideas and change, they would be open to spiritual change as well.

A family new to the field, are the only non-Arabs in our community. Pray that they would learn Arabic well and be able to build relationships with their neighbors. There have been many "life inconveniences" that have made life challenging for them--please pray that they would trust God in the midst of the adjustment to this culture. Pray that they will find their significance in Christ alone and not from their accomplishments.

Pray that the Lord would move in power during an important consultation being held within the next week within the AP. Ask God to order the networking that takes place, to anoint the public and informal meetings, to inspire those new to the Gulf and to glorify His name through all that is birthed at this conference.

Testimony

Some years ago, "Eid" came to us by way of the local expatriate church, for Bible study and fellowship in Arabic. A friend in the US had witnessed to him while he attended a work related conference there, and now he was joyfully proclaiming his faith in Christ. However, within a year, he had met with a Muslim leader, who had put doubts in his mind about continuing in his new faith. Perhaps "Eid" saw the implications of what might happen to himself or his family because of his love for
Jesus.

He returned to us after being confronted by the muslim leader, to tell us he now had reservations, and had decided to "remain in the way" of his upbringing. He avoided further contact with us. However, one loving tentmaker continued to reach out and keep that contact whenever possible.

Just a week ago, Eid finally confessed to his tentmaker friend, "I've concluded that Islam is not a true religion." He cited a litany of facts about Mohammed's life and teachings that just didn't line up with righteousness. Nevertheless, he realizes that any stance against Islam, or for Christ, will likely have unexpected repercussions with his wife, children, and greater family. Please pray for Eid's growing conviction that He who died for him will also care for him, and so much more.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations….”

Matthew 28:18-19

Praise

Praise God for a new believer, "Emma." who joins her mother, two of her sisters and one brother who are all believers. Please pray for Emma as she is struggling with her new faith.

Prayer

Following on from the first ever UAE Perspectives Coordinators Workshop this past weekend, pray for teams here to be captured by God's passion to recruit, train, and connect His people for their unique role in the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.

A new-believing Somali family (mother and children) is hoping to leave here and relocate to a European country where they had lived before. The process is slow and they feel that they are not safe here. Ask that they will be able to leave soon.

A new team in our country asks you to pray for opportunities for church planting. There are many things that need to happen to make this possible. Pray that God would open the doors to use this team in establishing new churches in the area.

Pray for the Iranian believers to grow strong in our country. Last year, for the first time, they came together to form a church. This year, several couples have come here with a specific outreach to them. God is answering previous prayers on their behalf!

Ask God to be at work amongst the workers that he has gathered in this land. Pray that they would be challenged by Him and grow in holiness, obedience and devotion to Him, so that the light of Christ will shine in all that they do and say.

Testimony

Many students from non-Christian backgrounds are getting involved with Christian campus groups. Bob, a campus worker, had lunch in the campus food court last week with one of these students.

Asif shared in conversation, "My life is a wreck – I've seen too much and I've messed up lot. When I met you all Saturday (at a monthly worship & training event), it was the most peaceful time I've ever experienced in my life." He is the son of a ranking Asian politician (seen too much!) and completed treatment for drug abuse about a year ago.

"Why do you think that time on Saturday was so peaceful?" Bob asked. What followed was a penetrating conversation about the Good News of Jesus. The two men are planning to continue the conversation on Thursday in a more private setting, where Bob hopes Asif will decide to repent, believe & follow Jesus. Pray for many students, like Asif, who are in Bible studies and conversations about the Gospel. Pray that Jesus would be revealed and they will follow Him.

Praise

Thank the Lord for conversations going on all over the country. One lady recently met with a group of women and their children and was able to share her News with them. A man met with 3 men and talked about Luke and what his book says. A lady met another lady who was interested in owning a Book and she gave one to her. Ask that these conversations, as well as others, will result in people believing.

Prayer

Pray for two workers that are meeting with a believer, "Frances". "Frances" seems to be distracted by many issues as they struggle to study the Word of God with her. Please pray that God would give them wisdom as they try to encourage her to seek the Lord.

A tentmaker, "Dan", was recently attending his mission organization's conference in Thailand. While there, a candidate for the mission from the Southern Hemisphere, told Dan about a Gulf Arab friend who had come to Christ in his country, and now had returned to the Gulf state in which Dan was a missionary. Pray that the new BMB will contact Dan, and continue to grow in his faith.

One in our country recently commented that, “God tends to do amazing things in the hearts of our Muslim neighbors as Ramadan festivities end”. Pray that this would happen for many people who have a heart for the local people and that many nationals would be drawn to Christ.

Pray for "Lydia" as she recently got divorced from her husband. She is just starting to deal with the repercussions of it with both her family and her daughter. Pray that Jesus will show Himself during this painful process.

At a campus outreach, another intern is teaming up with former interns to rejuvenate the ministry there. They're empowering the students to lead Bible study/community groups on their campuses. We've seen that the best person to reach a student for Christ is another student. Please pray for much fruit.

Testimony

Abu Mohammed recently came to our weekly Bible study for BMB's. He is a 60 year old new believer from an outlying area in our country, who had learned much of Jesus just by watching Christian satellite TV. A Christian Bangladeshi knew Abu Mohammed, and the two started studying the Bible together. When the Bangladeshi was to return to his country, he met another new national believer at the expatriate church, who recently started attending our weekly Bible study, and consequently brought him to join us. Abu Mohammed is marking his Bible and asking questions. Pray for his solid growth.

(BMB = Believer from a Muslim Background, now preferred by these people to the former "MBB" Muslim Background Believer)

Praise

Praise God for the news that has reached the ears of a tentmaker that two national ladies returned to our country from the USA, having become believers in Jesus. Pray that they will come into contact with a worker who can disciple them and bring them into fellowship.

Prayer

As Ramadan ends and people begin to make plans to go on the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, ask that the Lord will speak to them in visions, dreams, through the written Word and through hearing the Word. Ask that families will listen to radio programs or see TV shows about the Savior.

Pray for the Lord of the Harvest to bring in His harvest this year. Pray for new brothers and sisters for those who have believed in Him. Pray for fathers, mothers, sons and daughters to enter His kingdom. Ask God to send his Holy Spirit to open eyes and hearts to Him and to bring people gloriously into His kingdom.

As the financial world reels in the face of the meltdown of some major banks in the US and Europe, remember those involved in the finance industry across the GCC. The markets have also tumbled here bringing instability in the lives of the wealthy and not so wealthy who have invested in the local stock markets. Ask that Jesus, the Rock, will bring eternal stability in the lives and communities of those who have suffered losses here in the Gulf

Pray for campus leadership to have strong vision and prayer support for their outreach especially in their country but also throughout the entire AP. Pray for open doors in individual lives and within campus organizations. Pray for favor toward those serving with school leadership

Y’s water table level is decreasing. In one town, it has dropped 40 meters in the last 5 years. Ask that something will be done to decrease this trend and to conserve water in the whole country. Ask that the “Living Water” will be shared across this whole nation.

Testimony

During Ramadan (month of fasting), Allison spent a lot of time visiting the families of her Arab friends. She would generally go over for the evening meal to break their fast with them (called “iftar” in Arabic).

One night, she went to her good friend, “Amy’s” house. They had a great time feasting on a giant spread of food. Afterwards, they together returned to Allison’s house to put her son to bed, and then started to talk.

As the conversation went on, the topic turned to religion and faith. She was really curious about what Allison believes. They had had a lot of discussions before, but this time it was more specific. At one point, Amy asked about Jesus…… “Who do you think He is?” It was then that Allison explained what the Bible says about Jesus. She explained that Christians do actually believe that Jesus is God. It is a huge stumbling block to Muslim friends, but she was fairly open to the news. Amy commented that “…it was hard for her to understand as she was raised to believe that He is merely a prophet.”

Please pray that God will reveal all of who He is to Amy. Pray that she would see the REAL Jesus.

Praise

Praise God for a new family who report they have had a great first month on the AP. They started language school last week and are having a wonderful time picking up Arabic in an immersion situation. While they have found the weather hot and the cultural adjustment great, they are doing well and LOVE it here. Continue to pray for their ability to learn the language and communicate effectively and the adjustment to the new environment.

Prayer

You may have heard the news of the attack on the US Embassy recently in Yemen. There were several families and small children in the consular section getting passports and visas when the attack occurred. Thank the Lord, with us, that none of them were physically injured in any way. Pray that they will heal emotionally, as they heard the conflict and felt the building that they were in shake. Pray for the families of the guards and attackers, as they grieve the loss of their loved ones. Pray that all young people of this country will see the senselessness of using this method to solve conflict and not be pulled into terrorist groups.

Please continue to pray for the youth program at the church here which is just re-starting. Pray for the many international youth (from USA, Europe, India, Philippines, New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka etc..). Ask God to bless the leaders with wisdom, energy and the gifting to lead youth to a whole hearted commitment to Jesus Christ. Pray that the youth would not experience a spiritual desert here, but would rather blossom and bloom in their spiritual lives while residing here in the Gulf region.

Pray for the 5 families who have had to leave our country. Ask for God to speak to them, comfort them and give them direction. Ask that He will lead them back to the AP.

Please pray for all of the college campuses as ministry begins and continues with the new fall semester. Pray that student's open attitudes towards studying new ideas will lead them to take an objective study of our book. Pray for preparation of hearts for ripening of the word that is shared through campus leaders and believing students.

Jim was invited to a friend's home and to his surprise he was asked to pray for the meal. He wasn't sure what to do. He recounted later, "I can't recall what I said, but in my head I know I was sincerely praying to God." Pray that Jim will come to know this God to whom he prays!

Testimony

Over the Northern Summer, three teams worked in a European holiday destination which is popular with Gulf Arabs. One of these teams was made up entirely of Arabs and had many encouraging encounters.

One of the most exciting was to hear how God had worked in the life of a a lady from North Africa who had met some from this team four years ago during a similar summer outreach. Since the challenge of encountering Arab believers then, she testified of how she had now become a believer. She now serves in a local church nearby. She also joined the team for the rest of the time and ministered boldly on the streets alongside her Arab brothers and sisters.

Praise

Praise God for those who are native to the Arabian Peninsula who have come to faith in Christ over the past decade. Ask that God would encourage each one of them and help them keep the faith. Praise God that we will meet these, His children in heaven.

Prayer

There is much talk among MBB's in a weekly Bible study about becoming a church in our city. Some of the steps discussed could involve becoming more visible as believers. Please pray for God's wisdom and protection.

On our college campus, we recently brought a few key leaders together to invest in specific leadership training, campus envisioning, and a study through the book of Jonah. On campus, the students who are leading these small group meetings are applying skills that will be valuable within the body for the rest of their lives. Please pray that God will light a fire in the hearts of the students, that many new students will enter into the community and that together, we will see God transform their hearts.

There are many Somali refugees who live under poor conditions in camps or homes around Y. Many of them could tell frightening tales of how they arrived here. Many have suffered terribly. Pray for one European family who has been asked to help some of the Somali orphan children - that they would know how to minister to them.

Please pray for the security and safety of the workers here in this country. We are now losing our third family this summer because the authorities have terminated visas. Please pray that we will not lose heart and become fearful as we continue to share in our workplace and with our neighbours. The spirit of fear is apparent in some of the workers and we need the encouragement of our many prayer warriors.

Pray for workers in our land as they prayerfully consider the year ahead and where to give their time and energies. There is much to be done and so few workers. Pray, too, that the Lord of the Harvest would enable workers to enter the country through secular jobs and fulfill whatever role He gives them in bringing the light of Christ into situations.

Testimony

“It happened to me twice”, our new believing friend, Joy recalled. “Once in the summer and now again. I had no food in the house and all my children were complaining. I sat and prayed and prayed and cried out to God.”

“Then, there was a knock at the door. We all went to the door and found a pile of food - rice, oil, pasta, tomato sauce, etc. Everything we needed. There was no one in sight. Is it really for us?”, Joy asked. Her daughter said: “Of course it's for us. Who else would it be for!” Now my kitchen is full of food!!

Praise

Praise God for the new home that our fellowship has found. This has overcome parking problems and has given us space to meet together and grow.

Prayer

A weekly gathering for food, fellowship and Bible study has been established in our city. Most recently, three to five MBB's have been attending and we would love to see a church arise from this gathering. Pray that their involvement with each other will become intimate and consistent.

Pray for Amy who will be spending this Ramadan away from her family. In a recent email she said, "I'll really miss the family gatherings this year, but hopefully this will help me to put all my concentration to worship Allah and get closer to him." May God answer the prayer of her heart and reveal who He truly is to her!

Do remember the people of our country during the month of Ramadan. This is the time when people read the Quran more and are more religious. Ask that they will read the passages in that book about the Savior and want to know more about Him.

Please pray for the work of the Bible Society in providing Bibles, books, DVDs etc. in many languages. Pray for their work amongst poor migrant workers especially.

As Muslims fast and pray in intensity during this month of Ramadan, seeking after God, ask the Holy Spirit to lead them to the Truth and have a revelation of the Lord Jesus which brings a hunger for relationship with Him.

Testimony

"Al" was our first local national to come to faith in Jesus. We spent almost two years teaching him the Bible and praying with him through his newly found life in Christ. He made strong statements of his commitment. But like others, he intermittently disappeared for a while, then returned again! In the most recent occurrence, two years ago, I received a text message from him: "Forget me, I am a Muslim."

Over the summer, he and another MBB from our country, and previously unknown to us, discovered each other in a Christian chat room! Now, “Al” and "Matthew" are both fellowshipping together in a small weekly Bible study. Al explains that he had fallen into sin, and that his Muslim wife and her family had written those messages to the list of contacts on his mobile phone. Questions remain. Please pray for the repentant transparency, establishment, and continuance of these young believers.

Praise

Praise God for those who have returned to the AP refreshed from vacations and breaks in their home countries.

Prayer

Pray for a worker who is facing some work challenges with his new job. Pray for wisdom as he represents Jesus at work.

Ask that the LORD Jesus Himself would appear to men and women in dreams this month of Ramadan. It is happening all over the world, and please pray especially for this to happen in the AP countries this Ramadan.

Continue to pray for those who are detained here, for their faith. We know of one by name and have asked you to remember him in the past. Please continue to pray for him. International news reports have said that others are being held as well, but we do not know who they are or if this information is accurate. The Lord is near all who are suffering for his name. Pray for all who are being held. Ask that all will have their needs met, that they will be kept safe from harm and that they will have tremendous peace in the situations that they are in. Ask that they will share the Good News with their guards.

Remember Linda, the friend of a tentmaker who immigrated to the West. Pray that she will experience the wonder and joy of truly getting to know the Lord.

Pray for a worker as he continues counseling Jim in his new marriage. Pray that workers will be able to develop a strong friendship with Faith, Jim’s new wife.

Testimony

Khalid and Fatima were enjoying their holiday in a beautiful western city far from their homeland on the AP. Their day had been tiring and they pulled up beside the road in their car to take a nap. When they woke in the late afternoon, they noticed something interesting nearby which attracted their attention and decided to take a closer look.

When they got closer, they discovered it was an international book fair and as they approached the venue, they were greeted and invited in by a Christian. After completing a tour and browsing through the books at this Christian project, they sat down with one of the staff, John to share a coffee. Before too long, Khalid, dressed in western clothes but speaking with a thick Gulf accent said, “We have been in this country for more than one year studying, and nobody has explained to us about Christianity”. Then he asked, “Could you explain to me what it is all about…?” What followed was a detailed and intense discussion about the gospel of Christ and how it compared to the Qu’ran.

God had directed the steps (and the sleep) of Khalid and Fatima so that they could hear the gospel for the first time! Pray that the seeds of truth that were sown will take root and grow, so that both they and their extended family will find faith in the Lord Jesus.