OCTOBER 2014 ACCTS in action Our Mission: To assist in the development of Christian leaders in the armed forces of the world and in the establishment and growth of military Christian fellowships. Prayer and Praise! ACCTS and AMCF s Day of Prayer and Praise is 18 October Photo courtesy Steve Evans, flickr.com On 18 October, individual military Christians and military Christian fellowships from dozens of nations around the globe will join together for ACCTS and AMCF s annual Day of Prayer and Praise. Please join them, and us, by using this prayer bulletin on that day, and throughout the month, to pray for God s blessing on military ministry endeavors around the world. Please also join us in this prayer, which was adopted by AMCF leaders in 1930: Heavenly Father, we thank you that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin. Bless the service men and women of all nations, and grant that we who know the joy of being all one in Christ Jesus may be filled with your love and pass it on to others through the power of the Holy Spirit until His coming again.
General Prayer Requests: Pray for AMCF s leadership, including its president, General Weerasooriya, and its vice presidents. Pray for clear direction for vice presidents who are near the end of their time of service. Pray for the leadership of the military Christian fellowship (MCF) in your nation. If there is not yet an organized MCF, pray that Christians will band together to form one! MCFs the world over focus on achieving the goals God has given the AMCF and their individual groups. Pray for them in these endeavors. Pray for the leadership of AMCF s three primary support organizations ACCTS in the U.S., Military Ministries International in the U.K., and Mission Support Organization in South Korea. Pray that they will have counsel from the Holy Spirit and the resources needed to continue ministering. Pray for peaceful resolutions and the Lord s mercy to prevail upon the innocents in trouble spots in our world. Pray for areas of the world infected with severe health issues such as AIDS and Ebola. Pray against religious persecution around the world. Pray that young Christian cadets, midshipmen, and officers will finish their training well and enter their careers with a strong sense of God s calling in their work. Pray that older military Christians will finish their careers strongly, with a positive testimony for Christ. Pray that nations that do not have chaplains will recognize the need for spiritual guidance and encouragement in their armed forces. Pray that chaplains in other nations will be true to their calling to provide biblical spiritual care to soldiers. Uphold the evangelical chaplaincies that have been established over the past five years in Chile, Paraguay, Venezuela and Colombia. AMCF s Global Interaction 2014 (GI-2014): The MCF of South Africa will host Global Interaction 2014 (GI-14) in South Africa from 30 November to 6 December. Please pray for God s blessings on all aspects of the conference the program, participants, funding for scholarships, speakers, logistics, etc. Please pray that participants will have their leave time, passports, and visas approved and ready in time to attend. Please pray that GI-14 will change the lives of military men and women who attend, and that the Holy Spirit will unite all participants as all one in Christ (Gal 3:28). Prayer for Individual Nations: Argentina: Praise God for military Christians in Argentina and ask that they have wisdom as they share Christ with their coworkers. Australia: In September the MCF of Australia held a dinner for its members and guests. Pray that events like this will strengthen this fellowship and increase its ministry effectiveness. Bangladesh: There are a small number of Christians in this nation, which is primarily composed of Muslims and Hindus. Pray for these brothers and sisters. Belarus: Pray that the MCF will continue to seek God s will for their ministry and help its members deepen their faith in Jesus and support each other in prayer. Brazil: Pray for unity among the many MCF groups that meet across Brazil. Pray for God s hand to be on the nation s 5 October presidential elections. Bolivia: This landlocked country also has one of the largest populations of indigenous peoples in South America. Pray for military and civilian Christians as they share Christ s redemption with these groups. Burkina Faso: Indigenous religions play a large role in the lives of many Burkinabes. Praise God for military Christians who are faithful to Christ and pray for guidance as they share Christ with their coworkers. ACCTS IN ACTION Page 2 October 2014
Canada: Pray with the MCF of Canada as they seek to influence their society in a nation where religion s role has decreased significantly. Chile: Pray for military Christians who serve in this nation that has enjoyed relative stability since the end of General Pinochet s reign. China: Pray that the Holy Spirit will bring about spiritual revival in China s armed forces. Colombia: In August, Colombian military leaders met rebel leaders to try to implement a ceasefire. Pray for peace for this nation, and wisdom for military Christians. Cuba: In March, Cuba began talks with the European Union to improve their relations and economic ties, on the condition that Cuba makes progress in the area of human rights. Pray for this nation and much-needed changes, including more religious freedom. Czech Republic: Praise God for military Christians in this nation and their ongoing work for Him. Democratic Republic of Congo: Pray for peace and God s blessings on this nation. Ecuador: Military personnel represent Ecuador s diverse culture, with indigenous communities and people of Spanish and African origins. Pray that military Christians from all walks of life will successfully spread the news of Christ s redemption among their coworkers. Egypt: This nation has undergone drastic changes in the last year pray especially that any military Christians in this nation, no matter how few they are, will shine brightly as lights for Christ wherever they serve. France: In August a new French cabinet replaced those who opposed recent austerity cuts. Pray for wisdom for France s government, and pray for military Christians as they serve Christ and their nation during difficult times. Guatemala: Give praise for military Christians in Guatemala and pray that they will be known for their integrity and love for others Germany: Europe s most populous nation is also challenged by an aging population, which brings challenges to the MCF as well. Pray for wisdom as the MCF reaches out to younger officers and enlisted personnel. Pray also for the MCF s 2-5 October retreat for families. Israel: Ask that God bring about a deepening work of the Holy Spirit to revitalize military Christians and encourage them to form a fellowship group. Iran: Pray for peace in this nation, which has deep divisions. Iraq: Pray that radicalized Muslims will not dominate politics and policies in this nation, and for Christians and other religious minorities who have been persecuted by the Islamic radicals of ISIS. Italy: Pray that military Christians in Italy will have vibrant witnesses that will draw others to Christ. Japan: Ask that military Christians help their nation see Christ as their Redeemer and Savior from sin. Kazakhstan: Situated between Russia and China, this nation has well over 100 ethnicities and is about ¼th Christian and ¾th Muslim. Pray for peace between the two religions and peace in the nation. Kenya: Pray for safety for Christians in this nation, which has seen violent attacks by Islamist militants. Kyrgyzstan: In April a reformist candidate was elected prime minister. Pray for positive changes in this nation and strong faith for its Christians. Mexico: Ask that the Holy Spirit bring great ACCTS IN ACTION Page 3 October 2014
revival to this nation s armed forces, and that military Christians will establish a thriving, culture-changing fellowship group. Myanmar: Praise God for recent political reforms, but pray against continued human rights abuses and the influence that the army has on politics. New Zealand: Praise God for a couple who have indicated interest in leading this nation s MCF, and pray that it will flourish. Nigeria: Pray that a ban on passes and leave will be lifted so that military Christians from Nigeria can attend Global Interaction. Pray for improved security against Boko Haram terrorists and insurgents in Nigeria. North Korea: Pray for God s blessings to pour out on this spiritually and materially impoverished country, and pray that God will change the hearts of North Korea s leadership. Palestine: Pray for long-term peace between Palestine and Israel. Peru: Pray that military Christians will continue to be a beacon of hope for those around them. Philippines: In March the Islamic Liberation Front rebel group signed a peace agreement with the government, ending one of Asia s deadliest conflicts. Pray that military and civilian Christians will be at the forefront of reconciliation and healing in this nation. South Africa: The MCF of South Africa hosts AMCF s Global Interaction 2014 from 30 November to 6 December. Prayer requests for this event are at the beginning of this prayer bulletin -- as you pray, remember to thank God for the great dedication and work that has gone into preparing for this spiritual leadership conference! South Korea: The demilitarized zone (DMZ) between South and North Korea is the world s most heavily-fortified area. Pray for this nation, and the efforts of military Christians to reach all of their countrymen and women for Christ. South Sudan: This nation is currently at risk of widespread famine. Pray for God s blessings on this nation and its food crops. Pray also for Christians and other religious faiths who struggle against persecution from Muslim extremists, and for healing of the country s wounds from many years of war. Spain: Pray for a spirit of unity, wisdom, and grace in the hearts of Spanish military Christians as they develop ministries that lead more service personnel to Christ. Sri Lanka: Pray for wisdom and integrity for military Christians as they serve during tumultuous times. Syria: Pray for peace for this nation that has Portugal: As this nation struggles to regain financial ground, pray that military Christians will be the light of Christ to their coworkers, friends, and family. Russia: Pray for peace between Russia and Ukraine, for wisdom and restraint on the part of political and military leaders, and for wisdom and safety for the good number of military Christians in this nation. Photo courtesy Guppydas, flickr.com ACCTS IN ACTION Page 4 October 2014
Photo coutesy Kenny Rivas, flickr.com Uganda: Praise God for the positive changes in Uganda since the 1980s, and pray that this nation will experience peace both political peace and peace with Christ. Thank God for strong military believers in Uganda. Ukraine: Pray for peace between Russia and Ukraine. Pray for the Ukrainian MCF as they minister to many displaced veterans from the Crimea and pray that they will be able to minister to wounded soldiers. United Kingdom: The Armed Forces Christian Union has a Ladies Weekend and a Families Weekend, both on 10-12 October. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move participants in both of these events. United States of America: Pray that military Christians will help their coworkers, especially those with PTSD, find hope and joy in Christ. Pray for effective ministry to quell the rash of suicides in the armed forces. seen over three million people flee during the current political crisis, and for the Christians who face hunger, privation, isolation, and increasing persecution. Sudan: Ask that religious freedom flourish in Sudan, and pray for courage, steadfastness, and protection for Christians who face daily challenges to the practice of their faith. Tanzania: The heavily populated nation of Tanzania marked its 50th birthday this year. Pray that military Christians will be led by the Spirit in all they do at work or in their personal lives. Thailand: Pray for this nation s leaders, including its new prime minister, a general who led a May coup, and for the godly influence of military Christians within that country. Uruguay: Pray for this nation s second round of presidential elections on 30 November, and for MCF members in that country that they may be light to their fellow military members. Venezuela: Praise God, and pray for, the recently-formed military Christian fellowship in this nation. Vietnam: Pray for military and civilian Christians in this Communist nation, who live under many restrictions to the practice of their faith, that they would find ways to integrate their faith into their lives in a manner that draws others to Christ. Zimbabwe: Pray with military and civilian Christians as they follow Christ during economically and politically challenging times in their nation. Turkey: In August a new prime minister was elected during the first direct popular election. Pray for wisdom for Turkey s political and military leaders. ACCTS IN ACTION Page 5 October 2014
Our Core Values: Biblically-based Spirit-led Prayer-centered People-focused God grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world As it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right If I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life And supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Reinhold Niebuhr (1892 1971) ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID LITTLETON, CO PERMIT NO. 162 Association for Christian Conferences Teaching and Service PO Box 27239 Denver, CO 80227-0239 Phone: 1-800-487-8108 Fax: 303-986-4710 Email: accts@accts.org Web: www.accts.org