For example, in May 2005, representatives of several Christian churches in the country signed an agreement with the Government of Qatar for a 50-year lease on a large piece of property in the capital Doha on which they intend to erect six churches at their own expense. Also the a new constitution explicitly provides for freedom of worship, of association and public assembly though there are some restrictions.

From Sand to Pearls to Oil

Qatar may be best known around the world as the home of Al-Jazeera, the controversial Arabic language satellite television news channel. For centuries Qatar was simply a peninsula of sand jutting into the Gulf of Arabia where the local Arabs were building ships and sustaining themselves through pearl hunting, fishing and weaving. Oil was discovered in Qatar in 1939. Presently oil and gas account for more than 55% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Qatar even has the potential to supply up to one third of the world's natural gas resources transforming Qatar into one of the world's richest countries. As much as 75% of the population is comprised of immigrant workers including Arabs, Iranians, Indians, Pakistanis, Europeans, Americans, Filipinos and others.

The Wahhabi

Qatar embraced Islam very early in the 7th century. Later Qatar maintained ties with the Ottoman Empire and the Khalifate. Today Qatar is highly influenced by the Wahhabi Islamic reform movement's interpretations of Islamic law on a political and social level. Wahhabis believe their role as a movement is to restore Islam from what they perceive to be innovations, superstitions, deviances, heresies and idolatries. It is a Sunni movement very opposed to Shi'a tendencies.

Non-Muslims may not proselytise, and the government regulates the publication, importation, and distribution of non-Islamic religious books and materials. No foreign missionary groups can operate openly in the country. The number of Christians from all denominations and levels of commitment in the country is estimated at 8-9 percent, primarily foreign workers.

Flag of Qatar

Map of Qatar

Prayer Requests:

* The Al-Thani family has ruled Qatar since the mid-1800’s. Pray that the the leading members of the family would know how to wisely lead the nation. The Emir has 3 wives and 15 children.

* Pray for the church building project. There have been delays and some Muslim media have complained about the project. May the churches be refuges for many.

* Pray that nominalism, immoral and unspiritual behaviour would be greatly reduced in the Christian community. It will only be in this way that believers may gain respect in the Muslims and bring real blessing to the nation.

* Some Qataris and foreign workers are discovering Christ through the media and contacts with local believers. Pray for those who are discovering the risen Messiah as they grow in their faith.

About Qatar (World Factbook)

Ruled by the al-Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by the amir, who had ruled the country since 1972. His son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani, overthrew him in a bloodless coup in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Oil and natural gas revenues enable Qatar to have one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.

Economy of Qatar

Oil and gas account for more than 60% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have made Qatar one of the world's faster growing and higher per-capita income countries - in 2006 per-capita income equaled that of the EU. Sustained high oil prices and increased natural gas exports in recent years have helped build Qatar's budget and trade surpluses and foreign reserves. Proved oil reserves of more than 15 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 25 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total and third largest in the world. Qatar has permitted substantial foreign investment in the development of its gas fields during the last decade and is expected to become the world's top liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter in 2007. Qatar is also trying to attract foreign investment in the development of its non-energy projects by further liberalizing the economy.

Statistics for Qatar

Population: 848,016 (July 2011 est.) World rank #160

Life Expectancy at Birth: 75.7 years. World rank #84

Ethnic Groups: Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%

Religions: Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other 14%

Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language

Literacy: 89%

School life expectancy: 12 years

Modern Standard Arabic is a major language in Qatar, but also much Farsi is spoken. Listen to or download Farsi Gospel Recordings here ...>>

"Qatar Rides the Oil boom - The Pearl - Video

While most countries are suffering from high oil prices, they are also fuelling one of the biggest transfers of wealth in history. A video with a difference.

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| · Population: 541,000

The first inhabitants of Abu Dhabi were Bedouins (nomads) of the Bani Yas tribe whose customs remained unchanged for a thousand years. However, the new generation sees little need to retain the traditions.

* As the young people put aside the culture of their fathers, pray that this void would not be filled with secular materialism, but by a hunger for God and His truth.

As the modern city of Abu Dhabi continues to grow, new high-rise apartments and offices are replacing decaying 1960s compound homes built with the first oil revenues. As the city grows its inhabitants face all the issues of any large city. Many who are lonely, needy, and feeling trapped are ready to hear good news.

* Pray that those Christians working in the city will have open eyes to see these needs and also have compassionate hearts.

Before the advent of oil, Abu Dhabi was a small fishing village on an island. Now it is a large modern city with outstanding architecture; it is also the political and financial centre of the UAE. The pre-eminence of this city and its role in the UAE brings with it responsibilities both to the federation and to the entire Arabian Gulf region.

* Pray that decision-makers in the capital will be wise and compassionate stewards of this influence and authority. Pray that the Christians whom they may meet prove to be faithful role models, influential work colleagues, and examples of Christ.

Dubai

| · Population: (674,100 in city and 1,510,000 in the metropolitan area)

Shopping malls are the main place of recreation during the hot summers in Dubai. Materialism and the lust for money make Dubai a somewhat "cut-throat" business environment.

Flag of the UAE

Map of the UAE

* Pray that Muslims turn to Christ instead of secular materialism. Remember in prayer those Christians who seek to bear witness to Christ through their business activities in Dubai, since this is an especially stressful calling.

The Burj Al Arab, a seven-star hotel, is an image recognised around the world and identified with Dubai. The Burj, or "tower", symbolises more of Dubai than just an amazing feat of architecture. Decadent opulence, craving for the biggest and best, and a desire to be seen as a modern city in the eyes of the world underlie many of the local building projects.

* Pray that people of the Emirates will see that their need for significance is best met in a personal relationship with Christ.

Many local families have grand palaces for homes. The ruling sheikhs look after their people well by providing homes, education, and financial assistance. Many are discovering that material comfort does not necessarily bring happiness.

* Pray for the witness of the many Christian servants (mostly Filipinos and Indians) who live in these homes. May they have courage to serve their employers as they would the Lord, so that their employers may desire to serve the Lord Jesus.

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matt 5:16)

Al Ain

| · Population: 318,000

Al Ain is the birthplace of the late UAE ruler, Sheikh Zayed al Nayhan. On the crossroads of a significant desert trade route, Al Ain is steeped in an influential past. The only large inland city in the country, and a border city with the Omani township of Buraimi, Al Ain is as much today a place of crossroads as it was in ancient times.

* Pray that this city will also be a crossroads with the gospel message proclaimed enthusiastically by the many who visit there.

Al Ain's green oasis feel is only possible through the presence of water. Irrigation systems are used like arteries to supply groves of trees with water from its source in the mountains. The Arabic word for water ("mai") is used figuratively to describe something easy, sweet or pleasant.

* Pray that the people from Al Ain would come to know the One who is the source of living waters. Pray that they will come to know Christ as their "living water".
Mountain ranges dominate the Al Ain oasis. The rainfall on these mountains is trapped underground to supply the springs, which water the oasis.

Evidence of civilisations 3,000 years old speaks of a time when this region was cooler and more fertile. Even within living memory there is talk of when it rained more and these plains supported wandering herds of goats and camels.

* Pray that the searing spiritual dryness of this place will be replaced with "streams in the desert".

The information on these pages has been provided by the "Praying Through the Arabian Peninsula" intercession effort. We strongly recommend using their prayer material (printed and digital), which is available from the website www.pray-ap.info.

Video: UAE

Sky from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.

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Praying for the people in Saudi Arabia’s holy city

Mecca is the spiritual centre of the Islamic world. The religious sites participated in by the pilgrims make Mohammed’s teaching and activities more real. Each day millions of Muslims turn toward Mecca five times each day during their daily prayers. Thousands of people work in Mecca managing, maintaining and cleaning hotels, working in restaurants, transporting food, selling food, working as guides, selling gold jewelery and souvenirs.

Many more work in the transportation industry driving buses and taxis. The banking industry is important as well because the millions of pilgrims who arrive in the region need cash. All types of public health activities (doctors, nurses, inspectors, ambulance personnel and trash pick-up workers) are present trying to assure good health and safety for the millions of visitors. The general coordinator of “30 Days” even studied in university with some men who became public health administrators for the pilgrimage. In recent years the construction industry has been transforming the area around the Grand Mosque and the Kaaba in order to receive even more pilgrims. People who come to Christ in Mecca are rare but some have been known to find the Lord in this city of 1.7 million people.

Saudi Flag

Map of Saudi Arabia

Prayer Starters:

• Use Revelation 4:11 and 5:4-14 to declare that Jesus is worthy to be worshiped by the people of Mecca (from the lowest labourer to the princes of the Saudi royal family).
• Pray for friendships, dreams, visions, internet, print and media exposure to multiply the gospel to the many workers listed above (cite them by name).
• Pray for new believers to be well integrated into believing communities.

Listen to the Podcast - DAY 03 - Mecca's Working Class

Video: Renewing The City of Makkah [1:20]

poor quality but it gives an idea

The Dates for Ramadan

The dates for Ramadan are established according to the Islamic lunar calendar of 354 days. Starting 11 days earlier each year, it takes about 33 years for the Islam calendar to go through all the seasons. Because of the changing nature of the Islamic year the 2011 booklet is actually our 20th edition. There have been 20 Islamic lunar years since the beginning of “30-Days” in March 1993.

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As the conversation continued he said he was from Peshawar on the Afghan border which is a real hotspot for militant and violent Islamists. He described himself as a Pashtun, one of the great tribal peoples of South Asia. He had developed enough language ability to speak some English, Arabic and Hindi in addition to Urdu. One of his last comments was striking. "Working all night I see a lot of things which I would prefer not to see. There are too many prostitutes here. Too many Ruskies (Russians), too many illegal things at night."

The Dark Side

Dubai is a small city state in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In recent years, however, it has become a world class city of gleaming towers and walled villas. Dubai’s shopping centres even have a ski slope, an aquarium and under water zoo along with luxurious shops. But unfortunately the city is not only made of outward beauty. About 85% of the inhabitants are non-Emiratis. A majority of the foreign workers come from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other Arab countries. Many live in substandard or crowded housing and work terribly long hours. Muslims, including the local Emiratis, make up about 50%+ of the 1.6 million population (In all the United Arab Emirates - population 5 million - the figures are: Muslim 65%, Hindu 17%, Christian 9% Buddhist 4% other or unknown 5%). While the vast majority of foreign workers are men, women from various countries have also arrived mostly working in housekeeping and service jobs while some are employed in Dubai’s night life as indicated by the Pakistani taxi driver. The city definitely has its dark side. The large amounts of money in Dubai’s financial and real estate markets attracts all kinds of legal and illegal activities (1 Tim 6:10).

Flag of the UAE

Map of the UAE

Prayer Starters for Dubai

Many of the foreign workers who consider themselves Christian are actually fairly nominal in their faith. Some are true and committed believers in the Messiah.

• Pray that these believers may really provide an example to Muslims and non-Muslims about what it means to walk in God’s ways (Mt. 4:16, John 8:12).
• Pray that the knowledge of God could come to the Emiratis, other Arabs, the Pakistanis and the Bangladeshis. Emirati society is especially closed to outsiders. The actual contact between Emiratis and non-Emiratis is fairly limited. Pray for openings so that all these peoples could discover the Messiah.

Video: In This City (1:51)

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Tonight in mosques all over the Muslim world millions of people will be praying asking for God’s help. The so called “Night of Power” is a special night. Muslims believe that Mohammed received the Qur’an during the later part of Ramadan. The Night of Power commemorates this event. Muslims will do various religious activities during this night but many make special requests of God.

Some Muslims rise well before dawn to make their requests, others pass much of the night in prayer. They are encouraged to ask Allah with sincerity and conviction for anything and everything they need that is religiously permitted.

Focusing on the Needs

Without doubt some people around the world will be seeking God’s help for employment issues, marriages, the ability to have a child and other things. However, Muslims worldwide need help with their handicapped relatives. Many of the most difficult cases among the young and old find themselves rejected, hidden, abandoned and abused. Their social stigma is great because they are considered “the cursed of God.” Families often hide them, tie those with mental disabilities up in back rooms or send them away to state-run institutions. Many institutions are over-crowded and unable to properly care for the needy ones.

A Real Night Of Power

At one such facility in Turkey, there is a waiting list of 3,000 individuals. Parents or relatives who do not want or do not know how to care for their own disabled children believe that the government will do a better job of caring for their children. The result is slow, often hurt-filled death or mass housing in prison-like conditions. We can pray for a real “Night of Power” in the lives of many who suffer from the pain, hardship and rejection caused by disabilities and sickness.

Testimony

Murat in Turkey was one such abandoned son, left by his father on the doorstep of the orphanage as a young boy with extreme cerebral palsy. I met him fifteen years later living in a metal crib too small for him in a ward for mentally and physically impaired children. After discovering that he could speak and was not mentally challenged I told him that God loved him only to be shocked with his clear response, “No He doesn’t. The fact that I’m disabled means that God definitely DOESN’T love me.” Murat let me pray with him that day. One week later when I went to visit him in his metal crib bed, I met a changed young man. The Lord Jesus had appeared to him and told him that He loved him. Murat was grinning from ear to ear. “I know God loves me!” he laughed with joy while I wept with profound gratitude for the message of the Kingdom. This “sign” had followed the proclaiming of the Kingdom of God.

Flag of Turkey

Map of Turkey

Prayer Starters:

• We can certainly pray for people in many nations tonight, may God guide you. Many Christians seek the Lord all night in prayer for Muslims at this important time.
• Here is a specific subject: About one sixth of Turkey’s population of 73 million struggles with some form of sickness or disability. (See Mt 15:30; Mark 1:34 and 3:10)
• Pray for the wonderful Turkish believers who are reaching out to people with Special needs. May they be strengthened and Spirit-led to the prepared-ones. Pray for societal change concerning the disabled and mentally afflicted. May many increasingly not be put-off by the poverty or social pariah attitudes of some.
• Pray for a new government policy to be implemented in Turkey, which would allow volunteers to regularly work within these state-controlled institutions.
• Pray for an increase of media in communicating the Good News to the disabled.

Listen to the Podcast - DAY 26 - The Night of Power

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Istanbul is longing to be loved. And loving her is easy. Extremely diverse, the malls are some of the most modern in Europe yet some cobble stone streets go back to Byzantine times. Teens with pierced bodies mingle easily on streets with heavily veiled women. Reconciling religion and modernity are part of the multi-cultural makeup of Istanbul, the world’s fifth-largest city, but the only city in the world on two continents.

About 3,000 mosques are in the greater Istanbul area but the degree of religious commitment among Istanbulites varies significantly. Roughly 70% of the population live in the European section of Istanbul while 30% live in the Asian section. Istanbul is truly a city of different worldviews.

When Praying for Istanbul...

It is good to keep some things in mind when praying for Istanbul. Firstly, the culture is eastern; it is based on the honour and shame concepts rather than concepts of guilt and innocence. In relationships and religion Istanbulites seek to save face. This is one reason families often disown members who commit themselves to the Messiah. Family honour calls for it. Muslims are not supposed to leave Islam. To do so is shameful for the individuals and their families. Jesus spoke of leaving everything for His sake. Certainly “leaving all” for His sake is a real choice for many young people in Istanbul. (Mark 10: 29-30)

Animism and Amulets

Another important aspect of praying for Istanbul is breaking from the past. Although some of Istanbul is a “secular society”, strict Islamic practice, folk Islam and Animism are very much a part of everyday life for most people. Women were a blue bead to throw off “curses” and encourage fertility. Marriage and death have customs based on verses of the Qur’an. Everything is left to divine fate / destiny (called kismet), which often gives a mix of fear and anger while facing life’s woes.

Fear and frustration are natural consequences of the Islamic idea of the God of Abraham. In their way of thinking one cannot be assured being forgiven of sins or being freed from shame. Because of this mix of beliefs many believers in Istanbul attest to the difficulties of explaining how Jesus willingly gave up his life to bring us salvation. Muslim Background Believers (MBB’s) testify to the fact that they must make a total break with their amulets and fatalistic worldviews in order to be totally free to serve the Lord. Prayer needs to include renewal for those who find Christ (Eph. 4:22-24).

Flag of Turkey

Map of Turkey

Prayer Starters:

• When we pray for Istanbul, let us try to see these wonderful people from God’s perspective. Im-agine the frustrations of men who work hard, often sixteen hours a day but whose salary is ea-ten by inflation. Pray for the youth for whom most promises and hope of a brighter future seem empty. Pray for women destined to birth boys and often abandoned when they don’t. Let us pray in faith; that our prayers are being answered. (Eph. 3:18, John 14:13: 2 Peter 3:9)

Learn more about Istanbul: MeetIstanbul.com

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Syria has also backed Hezbollah politically and practically. The organisation is very present in the Beqaa Valley, southern Beirut, and southern Lebanon. It is a significant political force and it has developed a very strong and active social services network.

Its Connections

Several world governments consider Hezbollah to be a terrorist organisation, including the USA, Australia, Canada, Israel and the UK. Hezbollah condemned the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001, but it has been accused of other suicide attacks (or attempted attacks) in the past. Hezbollah denies involvement in any attacks. The Shi’ite Hezbollah movement has no ties to Al Qaeda (a Sunni movement).

How Arabs View Hezbollah

Among Arabs generally, Hezbollah is seen as a legitimate Lebanese resistance organisation that has consistently stood up to the Israeli armed forces (65 to 85 per cent were favourable to Hezbollah according to some surveys). However, several governments in the Middle East, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, oppose Hezbollah as an “irresponsible and adventurous” organisation. Through its collaboration with Iran and Syria, Hezbollah has amassed great stocks of arms in Lebanon (perhaps four times as many weapons as it had before the 2006 Israeli invasion of Lebanon). Hezbollah considers Israel to be an illegitimate state and justifies actions against Israel as defensive Jihad.

Flag of Lebanon

Map of Lebanon

Prayer Starters:

• Pray for the Hezbollah leaders: Hassan Nasrallah, Naim Qassem, and other lesser leaders that they may discover the life that is only in Jesus (John 1:9-14, 1 John 1:4). These men need to discover God’s plan to really bless the world through Abraham’s seed (Galatians 3:13-14 and 3:26-29).
• There are possibly 7,000-10,000 Hezbollah volunteers and fighters who are ready for armed conflict with Israel. Pray that the light of God would come among them. May they discover the Messiah. Jesus is the only one who can ultimately fulfill their aspirations of a just world ruled by the true God of Abraham (Isaiah 65:17 and 2 Peter 3:13).

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Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa - Islam’s third holiest site

According to Islamic tradition, during the year AD 621 Mohammed, the prophet of Islam, was in Mecca, and he had either a vision or an amazing bodily voyage called the “Night Journey.”

Supposedly the angel Gabriel came to him with a winged horse named Buraq, which had a human face. Mounted on this strange animal, Mohammed flew through the air to Jerusalem (1,200 kilometres or 750 miles).

In Jerusalem on the Temple Mount Mohammed supposedly led other prophets who appeared such as Moses, Jesus, and Adam in prayer. (The Temple had been destroyed 551 years earlier in AD 70.)* Then supposedly Mohammed remounted Buraq and went up to the heavens into the presence of God, where he pleaded with God about having only five daily prayers. God had supposedly been demanding 50 daily prayers. After this it is said that Mohammed returned to Mecca and described his journey to others. Most people refused to believe him.

The Farthest Mosque

The site, on the southern extremity of the Temple Mount where Mohammed supposedly prayed during the “Night Journey,” became known as the “farthest mosque,” which is the Arabic meaning of Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa. The actual mosque was finished in AD 705 and it was rebuilt several times following earthquakes. According to tradition the golden “Dome of the Rock,” which is beside the Al Aqsa Mosque, now covers the site where Mohammed supposedly went up to heaven.

Islam's Third Holiest Site

The Al Aqsa Mosque is said to be the third holiest religious site for most Muslims. According to one tradition, Mohammed himself said that an Islamic prayer done at the Kaaba in Mecca is worth 100,000 prayers; a prayer done in Medina is worth 1,000 prayers; and a prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is worth 500 prayers more than in any other location. (Of course, Christians do not think of prayer as having any value other than as a means of communion and communication.)

* Muslims prayed daily toward Jerusalem until AD 624 when Muslims began to pray toward Mecca.

Flag of Israel

Map of Israel

Prayer Starters:

• Several thousand Muslims attend the weekly Friday prayers at the Al Aqsa mosque, which has an interior capacity of about 4,000 (tens of thousands pray on the esplanade outside during major religious events). For security reasons, the Israelis have restricted the attendance at Friday prayers to only older men who have families (some of them are the patriarchs of their families).
• Pray for the men who attend the Friday prayers. May God awaken their minds to want to know about what happened at Israel’s ancient temple (especially Mt. 27:51). They need a revelation that only Jesus can truly lead men to the Father (John 14:6).
• Declare Jesus, the Son of God, the King of Israel also Lord over the Muslim men who come to pray (John 1:49).
• Pray for their families to also come into the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

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| · Gaza Strip: 365 km2
| · Population: 1.5 million
| · 4,108 people per km2
| · 8 refugee camps

For the Palestinians living in the Gaza strip, Nablus (the old Sichem), Hebron, Bethlehem, Ramallah and elsewhere, life is hard. Economic survival is difficult for most Palestinian families in normal periods, but the conflictual relations between the Jews and Palestinians as well as the conflicts between the Palestinians themselves makes things much more difficult. Families, the elderly and the handicapped are especially suffering.

Stress and Bitterness

Despite their withdrawal from Gaza, the Israeli military presence at sea and on the borders of the Gaza strip is still commonly perceived by Palestinian Muslims as an Israeli occupation because of the difficulty of importing goods from the outside world into the overpopulated enclave. Gazans can only rarely leave the enclave to travel abroad. On the Egyptian side the difficulties of getting visas are enormous. Most Gazans have never even been across the frontier with Egypt or to Cairo, which is the biggest city in the Arab world, only 350 kilometres away. And since the Arab Spring Uprising in Egypt 2011, matters have become more complex than ever. The West Bank is still under very strict Israeli control as well, however happily there are some isolated pockets of prosperity. While the Palestinians do get economic help from abroad, some countries also send weapons, shells and rockets that often only make the situation worse. This incites further violence against Israel.

Enormous stress, bitterness and often actual hatred is felt because almost every family had a son, a nephew, a cousin, a father or a mother or sister who died during the wars, protests, armed insurrections, terrorist efforts and confrontations of the last 65 years. Even among the Arabs, factional fighting between their own political and military groups (Hamas and Fatah) have killed many hundreds of people (about 600 people died in 18 months in 2006 and 2007 alone). Ultimately only God’s love can change the people and take away hate and resentment.

Believers In Gaza

About 2,500 people in Gaza call themselves believers. However, the vast majority of them are not practising, although some committed believers have been martyred for their faith. Some have actively done things to help the widows, the handicapped and the elderly. The Gazan believers definitely need encouragement. Visitors to Gaza from the outside tell how their hearts are touched and they are moved to tears when they leave. “The believers in Gaza say 'Do not forget us.'”

Map of Israel

Prayer Starters:

• Thank God that he has not forgotten his promises to the Jews or the Arabs. He is faithful to both; some Arab speakers (from Arabia) first heard about the Messiah on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:11). God obviously wanted them to hear the Good News. Thank God for the Palestinians who have recognised the Messiah already. Ask for more!
• Pray for profound inner healing for many. The scars of decades of conflict destroy lives in the present.
• Pray for the Hamas and Fatah militants. May their hearts be changed. May they come to know the love of the Messiah. Simon the Zealot was among Jesus' disciples. Many zealots at the time of Jesus used violence to accomplish their goals (Mt. 10:4).
• Pray for the brave believers who live among the Muslim Palestinians that they may be a good witness (Mt. 5:16). May they be strengthened in their faith (Ephesians 3:16-17).

“The best way I can help Israel is by leading her enemies to Jesus Christ.” ~ Brother Andrew

Listen to the Podcast - DAY 11 - Palestinian Territories

Video: Mosab Hassan Yousef - How God is working in the Middle East (3:34)

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The presence of Jesus in Iraq

In recent years Sara befriended a Christian woman in Iraq. This person was able to visit her whenever Sara's father was absent. Sara heard about Jesus from her friend and longed to know more; however, there was opposition. Whenever she attempted to speak the name of Jesus evil spirits would physically hinder her. Sara was given a Gospel of Luke, which she hid under her pillow. Sara read the Gospel whenever she had an opportunity; faith slowly grew in her heart. She longed to be delivered from the powers of darkness. The presence of Jesus became very real to her.

One evening in September 2003 a group of believers gathered together, and Sara was invited. While the group worshipped and prayed Sara publicly declared her faith in Jesus. During that evening Sara was completely released from demonic bondage. She came out of darkness into God's light. Sara has since been able to stay for an extended period with her Christian friends and is being discipled to grow daily in her love for Jesus.

Flag of Iraq

Map of Iraq

Not an isolated story

In response to the prayers of many people God is active in the lives of Muslims throughout Iraq. Happily, Sara's story is not an isolated or totally unique experience. Despite war and destruction, the Spirit of God is active in the most unexpected places. While it is still small and in great difficulties, the Church of Jesus Christ in Iraq is multiplying and growing and in faith and boldness.

Prayer for Iraq:

* Pray that the believers in Iraq's many churches will see God's harvest field among the Muslims of Iraq (Matt 9:35-38; 10:1). Pray that the fear of Muslims which often grips the hearts and minds of Iraqi Christians will diminish as they rely on the Lord.

* Pray that the historic Iraqi churches will be encouraged and revived. Pray that the young people in these churches will discover afresh the riches that they have in Christ Jesus.

* Pray for relative peace and stability in Iraq. Pray that the new government will permit the freedom of religion.

* Pray for God to continue His work among the Iraqi people, and that many may experience the same new life that Sara has discovered.

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