a monthly guide to prayerthrough the streets of Naples, Italy

Pizza BoxPrayers

Welcome to Naples, a beautiful city surrounded by mountains, the sea, and Mt. Vesuvius. Neapolitans are as varied as the terrain that surrounds them and are bursting with a life and energy that makes Naples a truly unique place. You never know what you will find around the corner: children playing soccer, a homeless man playing the violin for a few coins, or an open-air market filled with a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood.

With a population of approximately 1.5 million within the city limits and another 3 million in the suburban areas, Naples is one of the most densely populated cities in the western world. In a city this size, however, less than half of 1% are evangelical believers, the majority being Catholic.

We invite you to join us in prayer for this great city throughout the year. You will find two prayer requests for each month. We ask that you keep this calendar in a place where you will see it and regularly lift up Naples to our Father. Our prayer is that God moves your heart for the people of Naples, Italy and they will be on your mind daily.

Catholic ChurchGod, tear down the stronghold of tradition and make the Catholic Church a place where truth reigns over tradition. Father, guide the leadership in the Catholic Church to desire knowledge of and intimacy with You. Lead them in coming to know truth and teaching others Your ways.

TraditionsThe roots of tradition are strong, Lord. I ask that You bring Neapolitans back to Your Word so that “for the sake of [their] tradition [they would not make] void the Word of God.” Matthew 16:6

JANUARYPhoto: Chiesa (Church)

Gesu’ Nuovo (the Historic City Center), Naples, Italy

IdolatryIdols fill Catholic churches, Lord. As people kneel before graven images, bring to their minds Your command “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.” Exodus 20:4

Mary & the SaintsBreak the chains that hold Neapolitans to Mary and the saints. Allow them to see Jesus Christ as their only mediator and the way, the truth, and the life.

FebruaryPhoto: Shrine to Mary

Naples, Italy

FriendsAs personnel strive to build and deepen relationships with those around them, Lord give them wisdom in speaking about You. Guide conversations to be spiritually focused.

Meals & MinistryWhen personnel sit down to a meal with Neapolitans, guide the conversation to spiritual things, Lord. Let it be a time when Your lovingkindness and truth are shown in and through conversation and prayer.

MARCHPhoto: Building friendships with Neapolitans (Shannon Worthy and her friends Patrizia and Assunta)

Naples, Italy

Younger GenerationLord, as teenagers and college students look for something or someone to fill the void, lead them to You. Give them the courage to question what they have been taught. I pray that when they seek You they will find You. Stir in their hearts and give them a desire to know more about You. Give them a desire to want more than head-knowledge of You.

Older GenerationLord, please guide the older generation of Naples away from traditions they believe will save them. Tear down the walls of false teachings they believe and fill their hearts with the desire to find truth in Your Word. Give them the courage to make the decision to follow You instead of traditions.

APRILPhoto: A group of Neapolitan youth

Naples, Italy

Family UnitLord, I pray for the integrity of the family. Father, show husbands how to love their wives. Guide wives in their role of respecting and submitting to their husbands. Teach children to obey their parents and help parents to learn to discipline in a manner that is pleasing to You.

Guidance for Children & TeensThere are so many bad things for children and teenagers to become involved in. Lord, I pray for guidance for the children and teenagers of Naples that will “train [them] in the way [they] should go, [so that] when [they are] old [they] will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

MAYPhoto: Grandmothers caring for their grandchildren

Naples, Italy

Partnerships with U.S. ChurchesFather, give Christians in America a strong desire to see the Gospel spread. Fill them with love and compassion for those who do not know You and break their hearts for the lost in Naples and around the world so much that they cannot help but act.

VolunteersGod, as volunteer teams plan to come to Naples, help them to prepare spiritually and emotionally, being led by the Holy Spirit in prayer. When they are in Naples, I ask that the Holy Spirit would burden them for the lost so they can embrace Neapolitans in Christian love.

JUNEPhoto: International World Changers sports ministry volunteers

Naples, Italy

Immigrants God, comfort immigrants who are far from their home and families. Open the hearts of Neapolitans to be accepting and kind towards them.

MafiaGod, You are Lord over all and I ask that You would break the stronghold the mafia has over Naples. Lord, bring the corruption to an end and allow peace and rest to come to this restless place.

JULYPhoto: Immigrant Street Vendor

Historic City Center, Naples, Italy

PovertyJesus, I ask that the hearts of Christians be burdened for the poor. Guide Your children to meet the physical, as well as, the spiritual needs of the poor. Help the poor to find their hope and comfort in You.

JobsPlease give hope to those without jobs, Lord. As they search to find work, I pray that they would not only find a job, but would find You as well.

AUGUSTPhoto: Street Performer

Seafront next to Castle dell’Ovo, Naples, Italy

GovernmentGuide government officials to make wise decisions that are in the best interest of the people they serve, not themselves. Help them to choose the path of morality and turn from corruption and greed.

PoliceI ask for Your protection to cover the policemen in Naples. Direct them in the way of truth and justice so they can better protect and help Neapolitans.

SeptemberPhoto: Neapolitan Police Officers

Naples, Italy

Bible StudyHoly Spirit, move in the hearts of Neapolitans to have a desire to study Your Word. Guide them to see the importance of knowing and hiding Your Word in their hearts. Then, through their obedience in studying the Bible, bring them to repentance and forgiveness.

DiscipleshipFather, guide personnel in wisdom and truth as they disciple Neapolitan believers. I pray that, through discipleship, leaders would be raised up and begin to disciple other Neapolitans.

OCTOBERPhoto: Paul Davidson with his friend Giovanni

Naples, Italy

Existing Evangelical ChurchesI ask that the evangelical churches in Naples would be a light in a dark place. Holy Spirit, guide Christians to live lives of boldness and love so that others will see You in their lives.

EvangelismLord, I ask that through mass evangelism Neapolitans would come to know You. Please give evangelical churches the desire to reach people on a larger scale so that Your name might be proclaimed to the masses.

NOVEMBERPhoto: Worship ServiceSaccavo, Naples, Italy

PersonnelFather, be with those serving in Naples to “stand, therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and... put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace,” taking up the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit. Ephesians 6:11; 14-17

TCKsLord, please guide the steps of the children of personnel in Naples. I ask that You bring them into a personal relationship with You, and help them to be lights for Christ to their friends. Give them courage to be bold in sharing what they believe.

DECEMBERPhoto: Benjamin, Emma, Alessia, and Micah Worthy

Naples, Italy

Thanks & AcknowledgementsThere are several people who helped make this calendar a reality. A big thanks to the Forward Communication Team, European Peoples for doing the layout and design and getting the calendar to the printer; the Naples team for all their hard work and support. Thank you to Paul Davidson, Charlie Worthy, Jason Moore, and Matt Jones for their photos. Finally, to all the churches and individuals who gave generously in order that the calendar could be printed and distributed, thank you. None of this could have happened without you.

To find out how you can be a partof the work in Naples, Italy,

email Charlie Worthy at csworthy@pobox.com.