"Forget the former things: do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself, that they may proclaim my praise.” Isaiah 43:18-21
During 2019, Frontiers took several teams of young people went to pray in a part of North Africa with no believers and no field workers to share the gospel. Meeting the people and seeing their spiritual needs helped them to grasp God’s heart and to pray accordingly in a way they couldn’t do if they stayed in the UK. Several also went to see if God might want them to live in the Muslim world long-term.
The teams went to areas where millions of people live, who have very little chance of hearing about Jesus from a local believer. They prayed as they went through the towns and villages. A key prayer request was for workers to come and live in this region. Praise God this prayer has already been answered and it is hoped a church planting team will be established there soon. While this is a fantastic start, more is needed.
Excitingly, a national believer has come to help to lead the first fellowship in the local language.
The most immediate emotional and spiritual impact for the team was fellowshipping with the few local believers who risk much to follow Jesus. They actively share their faith and have counted the cost of doing so. Proselytism is illegal. Pressure comes mainly from families and society. One believer was delighted to have fellowship with the team – normally he only has fellowship with the expat workers - and he openly said he was a follower of Jesus in front of other Muslims.
Not only did they value prayer, but the ongoing visits showed them they were not alone – they are part of the worldwide family of God. One team had a very multi-ethnic/ cultural flavour which wonderfully demonstrated to the local church that Jesus is for everyone, not only Westerners. As we had fellowship, shared meals and tea they repeatedly asked, “Pray for us.”
Prayer is powerful and the fruit of a long-term teams' ministry is based on a bedrock of faithful prayer.
If you would like to start praying for a particular people group, country, or organisation, or if you would like to travel overseas on a prayer trip, visit the SWAN partners' websites to find out more.
By Frontiers
