Esther 7:3-4 – “Then Queen Esther answered, ‘If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life—this is my petition.  And spare my people—this is my request.  For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation.  If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.’ ”

This passage records Esther’s third request of the King.  Here, Esther finally explains to the King what she really needs.  She asks the king to save her life.  We see in her request a prayer for salvation.

continue

During the month of September 2009, our churches around the world are focusing their prayers on the Work of the Holy Spirit in other countries.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

[click on the title above to make the "print this page" icon appear]

• During the first week, we devote our early morning prayers (6 am) to this subject.
• During the second week, the churches fast together each day until 9 am.
• During the third week, the churches have noon prayer meetings devoted to this topic.
• During the fourth week, the churches should have special services to thank the Lord for the victories He has given around the world.

Recommended Prayer List for This Month:

Pastors should make the Church aware of the need to intercede for the Work of the Lonrd in othePr countries.  You can obtain some useful information from the 2008 “Country Profiles” on this website and on our “Photo Gallery.”

During the month of August 2009, our churches around the world are focusing their prayers on their neighbors. [click on the title or heading above to make the "print this page" icon appear for easy printing]

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” – Psalm 34:7

We are praying for the salvation of our neighbors, and also for God to bless them and to help us have good relationships with them.

We also pray for those who live around the church building or meeting place itself.  They have easy access to the church services, giving a good opportunity for the Lord to bring them to salvation and for them to mature in their faith as they attend a church near their home.  It is also important to avoid, if possible, any problems with the neighbors who live around the place where we have services.

• During the first week, we devote our early morning prayers (6 am) to this subject.
• During the second week, the churches fast together each day until 9 am.
• During the third week, the churches have noon prayer meetings devoted to this topic.
• During the fourth week, the church members should make an extra effort to invite their neighbors to church, in faith that the previous three weeks of prayer and fasting by the whole church for this subject will release a blessing for this outreach.

Recommended Prayer List for This Month:

• For salvation of neighbors (in the early mornings and during family services at home);
• For a good testimony from the members’ families to their neighbors;
• For good relationships with the neighbors, so that they can be reached for the Lord;
• For the Lord to reveal the needs of the neighbors;
• For the Lord to bestow grace and to honor the brethren’s efforts in inviting their neighbors.

Guidelines for having a good relationship with those who live around the place where the church meets for services:

• Respect the privacy of those who live next to the church, whether they are members or not.
• In all the services, but especially in the early morning prayer meetings, avoid having loud conversations at the entrance of the church, singing loud enough to be a nuisance to others, slamming car doors, etc.
• Avoid making noise from services late at night that could wake neighbors who are sleeping.
• Do not park your cars blocking the entrance to other people’s driveways and garages.
• Make sure the children do not sit on walls or go into people’s yards to play without permission.

Remember: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

- Romans 12:18

Asia and Africa – Churches Learning Maranatha’s Approach to the Christian Faith

In the last ten years, hundreds of pastors from countries in Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe have started learning and implementing Maranatha’s unique teachings and practices.  We have country profiles for about thirty nations where pastors have contacted us through this website and are corresponding with us regularly and receiving teachings and sermons by email and regular post.  We hope that you will find these brief summaries helpful, and will use the special prayer needs listed on each profile as a guideline for your intercession on their behalf.

______________________________________________________________________________

Maranatha in Brazil: “Igreja Cristã Maranata - Presbitério Espírito Santense”

In late 1967, a small body of churches emerged in a Brazilian coastal town called Vila Velha (adjacent to Vitoria, the capital of Espirito Santo state), as the culmination of an evangelical revival that had blossomed there.  Completely committed to following the direction of the Holy Spirit in every situation they faced, the churches grew steadily and multiplied rapidly throughout Brazil over the following decades.  As of 2009, Igreja Cristã Maranata had more than 8,000 close-knit congregations, several large seminar or conference facilities arond the country, and branches in other countries, primarily in Brazilian expatriate communities in Europe and North America.  Its headquarters and leadership remain located in Vila Velha, and it is the source of our essential doctrines and practices.

Bangladesh – information and prayer needs

Information on contacts and efforts in Benin

Botswana – information and prayer needs

Burkina Faso – Prayer needs and information