Monday June 1: Because of the concern of charismatic tendencies and practices displayed at the National Easter Services, the Baptist Convention of Swaziland scheduled a time of teaching on the 22nd-23rd of May at the Manzini Baptist Church. Steven Allen taught about a “Biblical Response to the Prosperity Gospel” and Wayne Myers taught on a “Biblical Response to Speaking in Tongues.” Pray those who attended understood Baptist doctrine and the scriptural concept of “tongues”. Pray members of our Baptist churches will commit to making their churches stronger in Baptist beliefs as well as Christian beliefs.
Tuesday June 2: Thank you for praying for the National Youth Committee’s planning retreat on the 29th-30th of May. Many plans were discussed and pray for final direction through plans for both the upcoming Youth Leaders’ Retreat and the National Youth Camp. Pray for a spirit of unity and one mind of all decisions.
Wednesday June 3: Pray for the Swazi Team as “we” search for ways to effectively fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic that is taking the lives of so many Swazis.
Thursday June 4: The Warrens began homeschooling the last week in May. Since the family has settled in and have a better feel for their ministry, it was felt a change would give more flexibility with schedules/ministry, allow Bert and Lisa to be more accommodating with volunteer teams and at the same time give the children “first hand” experience in more of the ministry while continuing education. Pray for Bert and Lisa as they begin the task of homeschooling their children and pray for Jesse, Matthew and Sarah as they adjusts to education outside the school environment.
Friday June 5: Rejoice with the Maloma and Ntuthwakazi Baptist Churches in their revival services last month-- Maloma’s revival May 4-15 and Ntuthuwakazi May 18-21. Descisions were made and a spirit of unity was present. Pray for true revival in the heart of both churches and communities. Pray those who made decisions will truly know what it means to follow Jesus Christ with all their heart, mind and soul.
Saturday June 6: The executive committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland meets today. Pray this meeting will reflect the desire to glorify the Lord in all that is said and done. Pray for good attendance of those on the executive committee.
Sunday June 7: Continue to pray for all our Swazi Baptist churches that are without pastoral leadership. Pray for these churches to remain one body and faithful in serving one another as they patiently wait on the Lord to provide the right person to lead these churches.
Monday June 8: Pray Matthew 9:37-38 Then He said to His disciple, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray for the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Also, pray for the Swazi Team as personnel job requests are prayerfully submitted for laborers to come to Swaziland.
Tuesday June 9: Hunter and Brinkley Johnson (sisters) arrive today to serve with the Swazi Team June 9-July 8, leading children/youth Bible studies, National Youth Leader’s Retreat June 26-27, partnering with other mission organizations and other various ministry opportunities. Pray for Hunter and Brinkley as they serve with the Swazi Team and for health and safety as they travel on June 8th to Swaziland.
Wednesday June 10: Mandla Sigwane, pastor of the Phuzumoya Baptist Church had a vision to reach his home are, Maphungweni and asked the missionaries and volunteer team members to join him in this vision. In April a volunteer team held revivals in this area. The outcome was “simply phenomenal.” One evening over 400 people came. Many throughout the services responded to the all to accept Jesus as their Savior. Pray for the new outreach group in Maphungweni that is fast becoming a church with a body of brand new believers. Pray for leadership to develop from this new fellowship.
Friday June 12: Today, Monica Allen’s mom, Polly Trice arrives to spend several weeks with the Allen family. Lacie and Nathan are very excited that “gogo” Polly is coming for a visit. Pray for Polly’s safety and health as she makes the long trip to Swaziland.
Saturday June 13: Continue to pray for Wayne Myers’ brother and sister struggling with cancer. Pray the Lord will draw Terry and JoAnn into His healing embrace.
Sunday June 14: Pray for the new outreach group in Lesibovu, south of Manzini where Steven Allen recently started a Bible study. His is averaging about 50 people each Saturday afternoon and a group is already asking when Sunday morning services can begin. Plans are being discussed to start once a month on Sunday mornings. Pray for God’s wisdom in guiding each step for the Allens with this new group. Even now, pray for leaders that will develop within the group to be trained. Recently, nine people accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Monday June 15: Continue to pray for Lisa Warren’s father, Lloyd Claiborne as he continues to recover from his surgery and stroke. He is currently taking physical therapy. Pray his strength will fully return and his recovery will be complete.
Tuesday June 16: Praying for Our Troops:
Give thanks for all who serve our country through military service at every level in every branch. Pray for safety and protection from God, for families who struggle with absent parents and multiple deployments, and pray for all who lead our troops to have God’s wisdom and grace.
Wednesday June 17: Pray for Lacie Allen today on her birthday!!
Pray for the Allen family to have strength and wisdom as Steve and Monica balance family and ministry each day. Pray their walks with the Lord will grow more and more and specifically direction for their family as they lead to teach Lacie and Nathan to love the Lord Jesus with all their hearts. Since the weekly church services are conducted in siSwati it is difficult for the children as they don’t understand what is being said. Pray that Steve and Monica will continue to find ways to make weekly worship at home positive and meaningful for the children, especially Lacie.
Thursday June 18: Pray for the Manzini and Sithwethweni Baptist Churches as they continue to meet concerning the possibility of merging the two churches. They are currently trying to work on a joint constitution. Please pray they will be able to agree on who will lead the church after the proposed merger. This is the major issue regarding the coming together of the two congregations.
Friday June 19: Pray the strongholds that hold the King of Swaziland, wives and children in cultural bondage will be broken. Pray a clear presentation of the gospel will be shared and hearts will be convicted of the need for Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Saturday June 20: Pray for protection for girls living in situations that are not safe and lead to sexual abuse and possible death. Pray the Swazi government will take notice of the plight of women and children and will seek to pass laws that will protect them. Pray for a safer place to live for children that will allow them to have a future.
Sunday June 21: Happy Father’s Day!!
Steven Allen has a wonderful opportunity to serve in Israel on an archeological dig with Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Pray for his safety as he travels and a wonderful time of holiday being refreshed doing something that is a passion of his heart.
Monday June 22: Please pray that with the help of God’s Word, Swazi youth understand the True Love Waits message and the impact it could have on the entire country, especially in view of the AIDS pandemic.
Tuesday June 23: Pray for Pastor Mandla Sigwane to remain faithful as he is obedient to God’s leading in starting new churches in the Lubumbo region. He is faced with many challenges in this task; conveniences like transportation that we so often take for granted.
Wednesday June 24: On May 9th Barbara Myers and Annah Thwala taught 120 children in the Lubumbo region the AIDS booklet “Learning About AIDS”. Please pray the children in Swaziland will learn and understand how AIDS affects the body. Pray also each will learn and understand God’s plan for living and marriage.
Thursday June 25: Pray for several churches currently trying to obtain plots for building new church structures or shifting existing structures. Hawane Baptist is waiting for a final decision for their plot to be marked. They recently had a new chief appointed in their area so the council is getting ready to soon mark their plot. Victory Baptist and Ntsintsa Baptist were recently approved for new plots and both have begun building. Victory plans to move a bit closer to the main road and use most of the existing church materials. Ntsintsa Baptist has met in a Red Cross building since it was started in the 1990s and desires to have its own structure. Mphembekati Baptist has to move their existing structure due to being too close to a school. Peniel Baptist recently lost their church meeting place so they are seeking a new one temporarily until they can build they own structure.
Friday June 26: June 26-27 is the National Youth Leader’s Retreat. Pray for this important retreat for all the youth leaders and vice-youth leaders of the Swazi Baptist churches. Hunter Johnson will be the main speaker. Pray God will move in a mighty way among the hearts of our youth leaders.
Saturday June 27: The Myers have expressed concern with the increased Muslim influence in Nhlangano, a small “bush” town of approximately 4,000. More and more of the small businesses are being operated by Indian Muslims from South Africa who promise help with school fees and jobs if recipients convert to the Muslim faith. Pray Swazis will not be easily misled by the Muslim faith. Pray for a stronger and bolder witness of the believers in Nhlangano and all of Swaziland.
Sunday June 28: Pray for workers to help disciple all new believers that are professing their faith in Christ. Pray they would mature spiritually and not be led astray by incorrect doctrine.
Monday June 27: Frank and Sheri Moran, missionaries to the Deaf of South Africa (and beyond) had a great opportunity to meet two Swazi Deaf leaders during the South African Deaf Christian Camp March 23-30. The Morans were invited to come and help with the Swazi Deaf Christian Conference/Camp in October near Mbabane. Please lift the Swaziland Deaf and their leaders in your prayers. Pray for the Morans to be prepared to share God’s Word to those attending the camp and God’s Word will expand throughout Swaziland.
Tuesday June 30: One Sunday the adult Sunday School Class of the Nhlangano Baptist Church prayer walked around the Regional Education Office where the church meets. It was a joy to pray for the many living in the houses, passing by in vehicles and walking down the streets. Prayer walking has been a wonderful tool used to open doors of ministry and evangelization. Pray the ministry of prayer walking will continue to be used to reach many lost Swazis. Pray more and more Swazis will desire to have a personal prayer life and will include prayer walking as part of their church’s ministries.
Check these special Swazi sites:
www.swaziprayerbytes.blogspot.com
www.swazimissions.org.
MY FAMILY
Of all the many blessings
My God has given me,
The greatest earthly treasure
Is my dear family.
A husband who’s kind and gentle
Each child like a precious gem;
For a home that’s sweet and loving,
I owe my thanks to Him.
--Janice Mizzell Taylor
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