Author: bbyrd

Team Expansion’s over-arching goal for several years has been to see 80 church planting movements planted by the end of this year. Pray for workers as they encourage and equip believers to continually encourage and equip those with whom they share the saving power of Jesus. Through this cycle, the Holy Spirit will be magnified to empower a long-lasting, far-reaching, Christ-centered movement.

“Faithful is HE who calls you, and HE also will bring it to pass” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Praise God for His faithfulness to call believers and then work through them to fulfill His purpose. Pray that every Team Expansion worker listens intently to God’s voice in developing goals for 2016.

Every December, Team Expansion reviews the year’s goals and sets new goals for the coming year. Throughout the year each team on field and each department in office periodically check the progress of attaining those goals. Pray that every task, every event, every word, and every deed will advance us toward our purpose multiply disciples among the unreached.

Each time you pray for one of our brothers and sisters in bonds, remember that someday we will all be together before God’s throne singing praises and ‘comparing notes’ from when we prayed and we will rejoice in how those prayers were answered (Rev 7:9).

2 Timothy 3:12 says, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Lord, remind believers and workers that persecution for the sake of Christ should be expected.

In its English propaganda magazine “Dabiq”, the Islamic State recently sought to give religious basis for its barbarity, saying it is “Islamic” to capture and forcibly make “infidel” women sexual slaves. In spite of horrific circumstance for these women, ask God to leave His presence with a shining face so that even their persecutors will see and come to know Christ. (www.idop.org)

 Many people are fleeing countries like Syria. Pray that the Gospel will be furthered rather than frustrated because of persecution. (www.idop.org)

Thanksgiving Day is certainly appropriate to give thanks to God for the role of the persecuted family in the Body of Christ. Pray believers increase in boldness when faced with harassment, physical threats, imprisonment, ostracism, or whatever hazard of persecution.

 Pray for the unreached so that they will become brothers and sisters in the faith.

When Indonesian President Joko Widodo took office over a year ago, there were high hopes that his government would check Islamist extremist violence. However, his ability has not yet met this expectation. Ask God to move Joko Widodo’s heart and in this restricted land he governs. (www.idop.org