Swazi Team Monthly Prayer Calendar

Saturday May 1: But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear Isaiah 59:2 The Big Bend Baptist Church began revival services on the 26th of April and will conclude on the 8th of May. Repentance is the theme and Isaiah 59:2 is the theme verse. Pray the people of the Big Bend Baptist Church will feel a deep burden to confess sins that separate them from their God and will seek His face and hear His voice.

Sunday May 2: During the first two weeks of May the Allens will be sharing with a few local Baptist churches near where Steve’s parents live in North Carolina. It is a small community and probably not many missionaries come share with these churches. Pray for the Allens as they connect with different churches in sharing how God is moving in Swaziland.

Monday May 3: “This is the first Easter in two years!” remarked a leader concerning the National Easter Services in April. The last two years problems had occurred that caused division. This year there was a spirit of unity, fellowship and a desire to see everyone work together. The “Spirit of Easter” definitely came to this year’s Easter services. Pray for a continued spirit of unity among the Swazi Baptist churches and Swazi Baptist Convention. Pray the Spirit of Easter will be with us all year long!

Tuesday May 4: A year ago Lisa Warren’s father, Lloyd Claiborne suffered a debilitating stroke. The Claibornes have lived with the Warrens since their return to the states in August 2009. Last month the Claibornes were able to return to their home. We praise the Lord for His healing touch. Pray Mr. Claiborne will have full recovery from his stroke. Pray for the Warren family as they seek the Lord’s will and direction for their future ministries.

Wednesday May 5: Trying to start and sustain homestead churches continue to be difficult. Challenges include not wanting to be identified as Zionist (African Traditional Religion), feeling the church belongs to the homestead family and feeling the church imposes on the family by meeting each week. Pray Christian Swazis will understand the need to reach their neighbors for Jesus. Pray these challenges will not keep them from organizing and meeting on a regular basis.

Thursday May 6: Praise the Lord for the opportunity the Allens have had for a stateside time of refreshment and renewal for themselves and the family. Continue to pray for great times with own family and special memories with their extended family. Continue to pray for Monica as she and Lacie are homeschooling while stateside. It is an adjustment for our family but we are enjoying these times of one on one with Lacie each day.

Friday May 7: Continue to pray for Al and Belinda Jordan as they serve in Mbabane and Manzini while the Allens are stateside. Pray for strength to do daily ministries and wisdom to make daily decisions that will glorify the Lord. Pray their time in Swaziland will be very special.

Saturday May 8: The executive committee of the Baptist Mission of Swaziland meets today. One item on the agenda is to evaluate the National Easter Services in April. Pray for this group as they prayerfully reflect on the 2010 Easter services. Pray for a time of unity and consensus.

Sunday May 9: MOTHER’S DAY!!

A mother’s love is something

That no one can explain,

It is made of deep devotion

And of sacrifice and pain.

(Helen Steiner Rice)

Pray this day will be very special for the mothers of the Swazi Team members!!

Monday May 10: Continue to remember Bill and Matt from the Integrity Baptist Church as they prepare to come and minister in the Shiselweni and Lubumbo regions of Swaziland May 19-31.

Tuesday May 11: The Swazi Team praises the Lord for answering our request for personnel. A couple will arrive in October to fill the request for a church planter in the Manzini region and Religious Education which includes developing Rural Church Training Schools for pastors and lay leadership. Pray for this couple as they prepare for their ministry in Swaziland. Pray God will send more workers to serve alongside the Swazi Team to further God’s Kingdom.

Wednesday May 12: Pray the Allens will be wise with their time management of scheduling to share with churches and groups and the much needed times of rest. Pray they do not neglect their daily times with the Lord and family worship times together. They are thankful to be able to attend different churches in English as well as for Lacie and Nathan to be with other kids their own age.


Thursday May 13: Please continue to pray for the First Baptist Church of Belton, Texas preparing to lead the 2010 Swazi Baptist National Youth Camp in August. Pray the Lord will provide wisdom in the preparation of lessons and activities. Begin now praying the National Youth Camp will reach many Swazi youth for the Lord.

Friday May 14: Continue to remember family members of the Myers who are dealing with physical problems. Pray for Wayne’s brother Terry, currently in remission from stage 4 cancer; pray for his sister Patsy with COPD and on oxygen 24/7; pray Barbara’s sister’s husband will fully recover from his herniated disc surgery and pray for Barbara’s niece’s husband’s mother diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Saturday May 15: A former pastor of the Velebantfu Baptist Church and his wife have experienced marital problems over the years and have tried to make the marriage work with little success. Last month the couple reconciled and live on a farm between Thunzini and Nhlangano. Pray this family will be able to work out their difficulties. Pray the Lord will be the victor in this situation.

Sunday May 16: The Hawane Baptist Church has elected members to serve on its building committee. Please pray for these members as they lead the church in making plans for building a structure for the congregation.

Monday May 17: May 17-26 the Allens will be in eastern North Carolina sharing with these churches: First Baptist Church, Washington (19th), Swan Quarter Baptist Church (23rd); and possibly a church in the Atlantic Association on the 26th. Steve and Monica look forward to sharing with these churches that impacted Steve’s life. Pray for a great time of reunion and encouragement for the Allens as well as the churches.

Tuesday May 18: The volunteer team from the South Roanoke Association (NC) scheduled to arrive in April to work with the Luwahawheni community cancelled due to economics. The team currently is making plans to come to Swaziland in September. Pray for this team as preparations are made to continue with follow-up ministries with the Luwhawheni Baptist Church and community. Pray for each member of this team as he/she prepare for a time of reaching the lost and encouraging believers.

Wednesday May 19: The two-man volunteer team from the Integrity Baptist Church (NC) arrives today. The team will minister in the Shiselweni and Lubumbo regions conducting a revival and baptism service, teaching Bible studies and visiting homesteads. Pray for Ben and Matt as the Lord prepares them for His special assignment in Swaziland. Pray many lives will be touched through their witness.

Thursday May 20: Please pray salvation will come to the house of the King of Swaziland, his wives and children. Pray true revival will take place in this country.

Friday May 21: Statistics continue to tell us that many in Swaziland are HIV positive and many are dying with AIDS. The country of Swaziland contains less than 1 million due to the AIDS pandemic. Pray the AIDS pandemic will begin to lose its grip on the Swazi people. Pray for spiritual renewal in the hearts of Christians that will lead to godly lifestyles and salvation for the many living in spiritual darkness.

Saturday May 22: There are 26 countries in Africa with more than 1 million Muslims. The term Muslim refers to followers of Islam and its literal meaning is “submitted one.” Pray the Swazis will not be influenced to follow Islam due to the offer of jobs, payment for school fees and nice buildings in which to meet. Pray many Swazis will adhere to the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ and submit their lives totally to Him.

Sunday May 23: Today the New Hope Baptist Church will conduct a baptism service. The volunteer team from the Integrity Baptist Church will lead this time of celebration. Pray those being baptized will truly understand the commitment they have made to the Lord. Pray this special service will encourage the congregation of the New Hope Baptist Church.

Monday May 24: June 13-14, Monica Allen is scheduled to share at the National WMU meeting in Orlando, Fla. Pray for Monica as she prepares exactly what God would have her share with the many that will hear how God is moving all around the world.

Tuesday May 25: May 25-28 revival services will be held in the Luwhawheni community. Matt and Ben from the Integrity Baptist Church will lead. Pray these special services will touch the hearts of many Christians as well as the many lost Swazis in this area. Pray for a strong follow-up after the completion of the revival services.

Wednesday May 26: The Swazi Team welcomes Kym Pennington as their True Love Wait International Consultant. With the threat of AIDS destroying Swaziland’s youthful generation, the need for a strong True Love Waits program is great. Plans are being made for Kym to visit Swaziland and meet with the True Love Waits presenters. Pray for the planning of Kym’s visit and her time in Swaziland will be the beginning of a wonderful working relationship.

Thursday May 27: SUB-SAHARN AFRICA UNENGAGED PEOPLE: Pray for the Jahanka people of Mali. They are extremely strict Muslims, believing Mohammed to their uncle and are very proud of their strong Muslim heritage. Pray they will have a chance to come in contact with believers and will turn to the truth.

Friday May 28: In just a few weeks the biggest event to happen in South Africa-FIFA World Cup 2010 begins (June 11-July 11). Churches and religious organizations in South Africa are gearing up to get involved in this international soccer event. Please pray more church leaders and churches will choose to get involved by providing sports-related programs with opportunities to share testimonies during the World Cup.

Saturday May 29: June 28-July 5, June Mason, retired missionary will conduct three one-day Swazi Baptist women Bible studies in the Shiselweni and Lubumbo regions. June served in Tanzania, Zimbabwe and with the Swazi Team before retirement. Please pray for June as she prepares to come to Swaziland and minister with the Swazi Baptist women.

Sunday May 30: The lack of pastors continues to be one of the biggest problems facing our Swazi Baptist churches. Many of the churches continue to meet under lay leadership (often the women) who get discouraged that God has not provided them with pastoral leadership. Please pray God will develop leaders for these congregations.

Monday May 31:
Father, thank you for the United States and its government. I pray for the president, the national and local government, the judges, the policemen, the business leaders and all those who are in leadership positions in this country. Please protect them from evil that is in the world and keep them safe and free from harm. You have promised to bless any nation that follows after you. Help us live quiet and peaceful lives so that we can continue to spread the Good News of the Gospel throughout our land. Amen
(www.presidentialprayerteam.org)