Tuesday September 1: Kelly Woody, True Love Waits International consultant, has been in Swaziland since mid-August meeting with our leaders and teaching True Love Waits presentations. She will meet with a couple today for training in the Lubumbo region connecting with another Great Commission organization. Plans are being made to form a National True Love Waits committee with representatives from our Baptist churches as well as other Great Commission Organizations. Pray a strong True Love Waits program will be established in Swaziland.
Wednesday September 2: God tells us that we must rest when we are weary and the Allen family is going to do just that…rest a few days in South Africa (September 1-3). Pray for the Allen family’s safety and fun times together getting away from normal ministry routines in Swaziland.
Thursday September 3: Pray for direction on employment/ministry opportunities for Bert and Lisa Warren. Pray for Lisa’s parents as they adjust to moving into the Warrens’ home and for her father’s continued improvement and rehabilitation. Pray for smooth transition for Jessie, Matthew and Sarah as they attend schools in Union County.
Friday September 4: For the last 15 years Wayne and Barbara Myers have lived and ministered in Nhlangano and the Shiselweni region. Now they feel the Lord is moving them to Tshaneni Swaziland to continue with the ministry. The Myers hoped to be moved before their departure for the States on the 24th of Sept. This is a big move for Wayne and Barbara. Pray they will easily make this new change in their lives. Pray they will be able to have the packing completed and in the Tshaneni house by the middle of September.
Saturday September 5: 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 September 6: Continue to pray for all our Baptist churches without pastoral leadership. Pray these churches will 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 September 7: Winter is over as well as the dry season in Swaziland. Swazis are beginning to look forward to the time when rain will refresh the earth and crops can be planted with the hope of a plentiful year. Pray this year will be a year of abundance.
Tuesday September 8: Lacie Allen returns to school after term break for her last term of this school year. Pray she has a great school term with her teachers, friends and enjoys learning new things every day.
Wednesday September 9: Ramadan is based on a lunar calendar and runs approximately August 21-September 19. During these days, an author of a Teach Yourself Islam book says, “The Muslim becomes master of his or her own body and appetites.” Intercede these adherents of a strict belief will put their faith in the true Master, the Lord Jesus.
Thursday September 10: Thank you for praying for the National Youth Camp August 27-30 for all the youth of the Baptist churches. The theme was “God Chooses Me” based on Ephesians 1:4-5. The camp was a wonderful time for everyone and we praise God for all the lives that have been forever changed by His love for each of us. Pray the youth will continue to seek God first in all things and grow in their walks with the Lord.
Friday September 11: During the third school term, the Allens need to get Lacie’s name on a list for grade 1 at one of the private schools in our area. Although Lacie is only starting kindergarten in January 2010, the Allens will be stateside for six months next year and Lacie’s name needs to be on a list for school before the school year ends this year. Pray the right school can be found for Lacie before the end of the year.
Saturday September 12: Pray for Wayne Myers’ brother, Terry whose stage 4 cancer is in remission. Pray for his full recovery from cancer. Pray also for Barbara’s niece’s husband’s mother suffering from Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Pray for the Lord’s strength and courage for the family during this difficult time.
Sunday September 13: Pray for the new outreach group in Lesibovu, south of Manzini where Steven Allen started a new Bible study in February. He is averaging about 50 people each Saturday afternoon and the group is asking when they can start meeting 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 would rise within the group to be trained in the near future. There have been over 50 people that have accepted Jesus Christ during these Bible studies. Praise the Lord! There have been several afternoon services and more people have accepted Jesus Christ and few have requested baptism.
Monday September 14: Quote from an AIDS victim: I was so devastated upon first learning my HIV positive status I wanted to commit suicide. I did not ever imagine that I could be useful to my country, my continent and the world at large. Many that are still hiding have the opportunity like me to show others that hope is still there. Let us come out and come together, in the church and everywhere and spread the message of hope. Pray that people will not be silent concerning the cause of AIDS and the need for Christ to help change lives. Pray people will have the courage to speak honestly about AIDS and why God wants our behavior to reflect His guidance.
Tuesday September 15: Pray for the Allen family to have strength and wisdom as Steve and Monica balance family and ministry each day. Pray for their walks with the Lord to grow more and more and specifically direction for family as Lacie and Nathan are taught to love the Lord Jesus with all their hearts. Since the weekly church services are conducted in siSwati it is difficult for the children to understand what is being sad. Pray Steve and Monica will continue to find ways to make weekly worship at home positive and meaningful for the children especially Lacie.
Wednesday September 16: Pray the strongholds that keep the King of Swaziland, his wives and children from accepting Jesus as their Savior will be broken. Pray each will have a chance to hear and understand what it means to be a Christian.
Thursday September 17: Pray for wisdom on the next step of where God wants Steven Allen to pursue seeking a new work area. After much prayer and seeing other established evangelical work in the Nkhaba area God has closed the doors to continue the outreach Bible study.
Friday September 18: Pray for the Shiselweni Youth Rally today and tomorrow at the Velebantfu Baptist Church. Theme: “How Christian Youth Enjoy Life.” Sessions include Have a Desire…; Youth Challenges; God’s Purpose/Plan for Your Life.
Saturday September 19: Pray for the Swazi Team as they prayerfully work on personnel job requests for folks to come serve alongside us in Swaziland. Even now be praying for the people God wants to send to work with our Swazi mission team and the Swazi people to further his kingdom.
Sunday September 20: Ntuthwakazi Baptist Church conducted revival services in August. Ntuthwakazi is deep in the rural area of Swaziland where culture and traditions reign supreme. Pray those who attended and heard God’s Word preached will allow the Lord to touch their hearts. May true revival take place in this community and in people’s hearts.
Monday September 21: Pray for several churches that are currently trying to obtain plots for building new churches or shifting existing churches. Hawane Baptist is STILL waiting to have their plot of land marked by the community council. Victory Baptist plans to move a bit closer to the main road. Ntsintsa has met in a Red Cross building since it started in the 1990s and desires to have their own church. Mphembekati has to move their existing church due to being too close to a school. Peniel lost their church meeting place so they are seeking a new one temporarily until they can begin building their own structure.
Tuesday September 22: Sipho is HIV positive. After testifying during a worship service at the Nhlangano Baptist Church, the pastor led a time of prayer for him. There are many Siphos in Swaziland. Unfortunately, many of them do not have a relationship with the Lord. Many are afraid to share their HIV status with friends and family. Many do not have anyone to pray for them. Pray for the Lord to continue to wrap his loving arms around Sipho. Pray the many who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior will have time to make things right.
Wednesday September 23: Pray many Swazi children will have an opportunity to attend school and secure a future that provides sufficiently for their needs. Pray every child in Swaziland will feel he or she is a child of promise.
Thursday September 24: Wayne and Barbara Myers leave today for their 3-month stateside assignment in Kentucky. Pray for them as they begin their long flight to the states. Pray for a relaxing and full-filled time with family and friends.
Friday September 25: Pray for the plight of women in Swaziland and for laws to be passed giving more rights and choices. Pray Swazi men will not be able to abuse women in the absence of laws protecting women from such behavior.
Saturday September 26: Lottie Moon was an outspoken missionary who put Christmas and mission gift giving together. The mission field, China was 360 million people strong upon her arrival. She was one of six Southern Baptist workers sent there. For every tireless missions teacher, field worker and supporter who promotes the offering that bears her name, Lottie’s work indeed lives on. Please pray for the Lord’s direction concerning your contribution to the 2009 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
Sunday September 27: Pray the Lord will burden the hearts of the Swazi church leaders to develop a strong prayer relationship with him. Pray prayer will be an important ministry in every Swazi Baptist church.
Monday September 28: The Myers leave today for a week at the International Mission Center, Rockville, Va. participating in their stateside conference (9/28-10/3). Pray their time at ILC will be helpful and enjoyable.
Tuesday September 29: Monica and Lacie Allen are flying to the USA today for a short holiday with Monica’s family and to attend her cousin’s wedding in West Palm Beach, Fla. Lacie will be one of the flower girls. Pray for safety and fun travels together and great times with lots of family.
Wednesday September 30:
Young Swazi men who know what the Bible expects but are still unwilling to change from immoral lifestyles are a strong barrier to spreading the gospel in Swaziland. A young pastor committed adultery while separated from his wife and children. Knowing his behavior was wrong and disqualified him from being a pastor, he resigned as pastor of a Swazi Baptist church and married the lady in an unchristian way. This man began the church in which he was pastor as well as another church in the community. Pray committed Christian men will give their lives totally to the Lord, depending upon the Lord to deliver them from the bondage of the flesh. Pray for the Lord to provide strong Biblical leaders to lead Swazi Baptist churches.
--Please pray the prayer booklet for the Swazi people “So That Christ Will Dwell In Their Hearts” will be soon be printed.
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