-2018- MAY MISSION MONTH PRAYER DIARY This prayer diary highlights prayer needs for Global Interaction s ministry as a whole. Various themes related to the mission and vision of Global Interaction are used to prompt daily prayers for our ministry throughout May. For prayer ideas related to specific workers, teams or ministries, subscribe to Hotline (weekly e-newsletter) or Pray Daily (mailed or emailed every two months) at: www.globalinteraction.org.au/pray Australian Baptists together in global mission www.globalinteraction.org.au empowering communities to develop their own distinctive ways of following Jesus
The Least-Reached Tuesday 1 - Friday 4 May Our passion is to join with God in reaching the least-reached people of our world. We share the Gospel by learning their culture, speaking their heart language and deeply engaging with people in their spiritual and physical needs. Scripture: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 1 T. That the hearts of Australian Baptists will be sensitive to the call to reach the least-reached people groups of our world. The harvest is plenty, the workers are few 2 W. That the strong man (Mathew 12:29) will be bound, so that the eyes and hearts of the least-reached will be open to welcome the love of Jesus 3 T. That the church is equipped and resourced both to send candidates who are preparing to go, and to sustain the cross-cultural workers who have gone before them 4 F. Pray for church pastors and leaders as they advocate for global mission and journey with those discerning a call to see vibrant faith communities among least-reached communities. Spiritual Life Saturday 5 - Wednesday 9 May Cross-cultural workers are living and serving in communities where spirituality is strong in the worship of counterfeit gods, prophets, belief systems and practices. Scripture: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 5 S. That workers will be protected from counterfeit spiritual influences 6 S. That workers and teams have time and a safe place to read the Gospel, pray and worship 7 M. That the Holy Spirit draws nearer and nearer to them, for their personal spiritual growth, discernment and comfort 8 T. For spiritual bondages to be broken within the communities our teams are serving 9 W. That the Fruits of the Spirit will manifest in our cross-cultural teams who, as branches of the True Vine, bear witness to the glory of God
Culture and Language Thursday 10 - Monday 14 May God created all of humanity in His image. We believe that all people of all cultures and all faith backgrounds should have the opportunity to hear the message of Jesus. Still today, 42% of people on Earth have little or no chance to hear the message of Jesus in a way that makes sense to them. Scripture: The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 10 T. That language is not a barrier to building relationships that share the love of Jesus 11 F. That our team members receive insight and understanding into cultural customs so as to connect with sensitivity and understanding to new people and places 12 S. For cross-cultural workers to find areas of common ground which can offer opportunities for conversations about Jesus 13 S. For the language nurturers who engage with our cross-cultural workers, that God will be preparing their hearts to hear the Good News 14 M. That cross-cultural workers will have the opportunity to host local friends for Easter and Christmas celebrations where stories of these events can be shared Teams Tuesday 15 - Saturday 19 May Our ministry is built on teams of people passionate about sharing the message of Jesus, working together towards a common goal and treating each other with respect and compassion. Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 Don t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 15 T. For positive, nurturing relationships between all team members 16 W. For couples as they serve together in partnership, grow their relationship with one another and Jesus 17 T. For the education, friendships, language and protection of children of our cross-cultural workers 18 F. For our cross-cultural workers peace of mind, that they will not be concerned or worried for anything as the Lord guides their way and sustains them in mind, body and spirit 19 S. For the families and friends of our cross-cultural workers, that the Lord will draw near to them while their loved ones are serving God elsewhere
Faith Sharing Sunday 20 - Wednesday 23 May Our cross-cultural workers seek to express the Gospel in a contextualised way, expressing faith in Jesus in ways that are culturally understandable and accessible within their local friend s communities. Scripture: For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 24 S. That cross-cultural workers will maintain their dependence on God, discerning His unique leading and direction as they commit to a faith-filled response from those they serve among 25 M. For Australian Baptists as together we follow Jesus to make disciples of all nations, with the prayer of Your Kingdom Come, on our hearts 26 T. For boldness for all who are proclaiming the Kingdom of Heaven, here in our local church ministries and abroad 27 W. For pathways for faith sharing to be opened, for clarity in communication and that nothing comes to steal or destroy the seeds of faith that are planted Ministry and Development Projects Thursday 24 - Sunday 27 May Global Interaction develops projects to nurture and equip faith communities, to support ministry or respond to social, economic or environmental needs. Projects are an opportunity to develop relationships and engage with communities. Scripture: According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 1 Corinthians 3:10 20 T. That projects in each community will flourish and those involved will be empowered to share and receive the grace of God 21 F. For project leaders, that they will remain confident, creative in their thinking, will take appropriate risks and retain wisdom and discernment to manage projects well 22 S. For the provision of people skills and other resources that are required for projects to remain sustainable and deliver long-term Kingdom benefits 23 S. That local community leaders will recognise the positive contribution of team projects and encourage community participation in the projects available to them
Give Thanks Monday 28 - Thursday 31 May The Global Interaction family gives thanks and praise for the hearts of Australian Baptists. For all who have served historically and today in advancing the Gospel to bring Jesus to the least-reached. Scripture: And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 Please give thanks and praise to God: 28 M. For those who discern and follow the calling to serve in or support cross cultural mission 29 T. For the protection and safety of cross-cultural workers and all involved in this ministry at home and abroad 30 W. For His provision and resources, nourishment, and fruits of our labour as together we branch out to share the Gospel and build the Kingdom of Heaven. 31 T. For all who have served historically and as custodians today as pastors, leaders, directors, staff and volunteers in support of those called to mission.