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BMS World Mission
Prayer Guide2017
A full year of prayer,Bible verses, inspiring quotes and devotions.
WITH TEAR-OFF PAGES
2 BMS Prayer Guide
It’s a new look with lots of exciting changes. It’s an annual guide, featuring devotional reflections and we’ve made it possible to tear out a page of prayer and put it in your Bible, on your fridge or church noticeboard, or anywhere else for easy reference. There’s a new editor too – me! Sarah Stone has done a fantastic job over the last three years and is now taking the helm of Engage magazine.
During 2017, situations may arise for which we will really value your prayers. In these instances, look out for prayer stories on the BMS website and keep up-to-date by liking our Facebook page and signing up to our weekly email update.
Front and back covers: Syrian refugee children in Lebanon being helped by BMS World Mission.
We hope that you are excited by the new look and love the new features as much as we do.
By making the shift to an annual prayer guide, we hope it will be more convenient for you to use and to refer to when planning prayer events. You will also be pleased to know that the costs saved from sending the Prayer Guide only once a year will allow BMS to invest more of your giving into mission work, transforming lives around the world.
Thank you for your prayers and support for BMS. God bless you in 2017.
CHRIS HALL Editor
Welcome to the 2017 BMS World Mission Prayer Guide.
BMS World Mission, PO Box 49, 129 Broadway, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 8XATel: 01235 517700 Website: bmsworldmission.org
Baptist Missionary Society: registered as a charity in England and Wales (number 233782) and in Scotland (number SC037767)
SUNDAY
Afghanistan continues to experience volatility and upheaval. Pray for peace for BMS World Mission workers and the communities they serve.
MONDAY
Pray for BMS’ partner in the country, which has experienced a time of transition. Pray for wisdom and encouragement for the new leadership team.
TUESDAY
Pray for BMS-supported projects focused on maternal health and sanitation, which are enabling the most vulnerable to experience better care and quality of life.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for a BMS partner's work supporting people with mental health challenges in a country where mental health is often misunderstood and support is weak.
THURSDAY
Pray for BMS workers Catherine, Rory, Jenny and Tim with key roles in leadership, healthcare and rural development.
FRIDAY
Thank God for the work he is doing by his Spirit through BMS in the lives of people who have little exposure to the good news.
SATURDAY
Pray for more workers to join the team in Afghanistan. There are roles in health, development, finance and education that need to be filled.
SUNDAY
Pray for those rebuilding their lives following the Nepal earthquakes in 2015. BMS World Mission is supporting families in restoring their livelihoods and schools.
MONDAY
Over 65 million people have been displaced by disasters around the world. Pray for the Syrian refugees BMS is supporting through educational opportunities and relief supplies.
TUESDAY
El Niño’s unpredictable weather affects millions of people annually. Pray for those BMS has supported in preparing and responding in Ethiopia and Peru, and across Asia.
WEDNESDAY
BMS remains when the media moves on. Pray for those we have helped in Ecuador, Ukraine, Sri Lanka and the Philippines following disasters.
THURSDAY
Give thanks for the opportunity BMS has to work alongside like-minded organisations to ensure effective and co-ordinated relief responses.
FRIDAY
BMS relies on those with local knowledge to implement effective relief responses. Pray for wisdom and discernment for all those involved.
SATURDAY
People affected by disasters have their families and lives ripped apart. Pray that BMS can be the hands and feet of Christ.
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Afghanistan
January 2017
BMS Prayer Guide 3
Disaster recovery
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Front and back covers: Syrian refugee children in Lebanon being helped by BMS World Mission.
SUNDAY
BMS World Mission supports the training of church leaders around the world. Pray for this, specifically in the Middle East as believers face challenges.
MONDAY
Pray for leaders at BMS HQ as they seek God’s wisdom regarding the direction of our mission.
TUESDAY
Pray for BMS workers David and Dorothy McMillan serving in the theological education of church leaders from across Europe in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
WEDNESDAY
The BMS Trustees hold governance responsibility. Pray that they may be wise and discerning in their meetings throughout the year.
THURSDAY
Remember the many local Christians serving in BMS leadership roles in countries like Peru and India. Pray for their equipping and sustaining by the Lord.
FRIDAY
Pray for BMS Trustee Nabil Costa as he leads the response of Baptists in Lebanon to huge national challenges like the refugee crisis.
SATURDAY
BMS Regional Team Leaders like Mark Greenwood carry responsibility for areas of BMS work. Pray for their equipping and empowering.
SUNDAY
Pray for China’s President Xi Jinping and his Government – for wisdom in their decision and policy making that will benefit all groups of people.
MONDAY
China enjoys a rich cultural diversity. Pray for freedom for each group to contribute to China’s development whilst retaining their group distinctiveness.
TUESDAY
Give thanks for the Church in China. Pray that the Church would flourish and that leaders would continue to be committed to faithful biblical teaching.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for students in China. Many foreign teachers teach in colleges and universities and contribute to students’ development and views.
THURSDAY
Give thanks for BMS’ relationship with Yidu Central Hospital. Pray for medical experts who could make short trips to provide input to the hospital’s development.
FRIDAY
Pray for college leaders and staff at Weifang Nursing Vocational College (WNVC) and for students to be equipped to provide holistic care for patients.
SATURDAY
Pray for BMS workers David and Jenny Mewes teaching English at WNVC. Pray for ongoing good relationships and for their wider involvement in the local community.
January 2017 Leadership ministries China
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BMS Prayer Guide 5
Be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Child at school supported by a BMS World Mission partner in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Ephesians 6: 18
SUNDAY
Pray for the BMS World Mission supported Nauta Integral Mission Training Centre (NIMTC), a resource helping local, national and international church and mission groups.
MONDAY
Give thanks for the NIMTC programme, teaching theology and community development. Pray for the around 20 church leaders from jungle villages attending each year.
TUESDAY
Praise God for the opportunities BMS has to share the gospel with distant jungle villages and to encourage remote church communities to continue in the faith.
WEDNESDAY
Give thanks and pray for Dave and Michelle Mahon, BMS long-term personnel preparing to come to serve in Loreto, in Peru’s Amazon, later this year.
THURSDAY
Hold BMS workers before the Lord: Laura-Lee in Nauta, and Daniel and Regiane Clark in teaching and administration at Lima Evangelical Baptist Seminary (SEBAL).
FRIDAY
SEBAL staff study on the BMS-sponsored master’s course and SEBAL students travel on BMS-sponsored mission trips. Ask the Lord to encourage them.
SATURDAY
Pray for BMS’ involvement with the Peruvian Evangelical Baptist Convention’s church, social and training projects.
SUNDAY
Today is the annual BMS Day of Prayer. Pray for all our work – and particularly our vision to work in ten of the world's most fragile states.
MONDAY
Pray for BMS work among some of the millions of Syrians displaced by war – both within Syria and in neighbouring Lebanon.
TUESDAY
Pray for the women who shared their experiences of sexual violence in Central African Republic with BMS researchers. Pray their stories will help bring change.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for the BMS team in Guinea – one of the world’s least developed countries – as they seek to reach out to the Muslim-majority population.
THURSDAY
BMS work in fragile states is challenging. Pray for prophetic imagination as we seek to discern how and where God is leading us.
FRIDAY
Pray for BMS workers in Afghanistan, Chad and Guinea. Pray that, amidst the challenges, they would know the peace and security of their heavenly Father.
SATURDAY
The death, poverty and violence rates in our world’s most fragile countries are heartbreaking. Pray for peace, justice, and BMS work to end inequality.
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Peru
Jan/Feb 2017
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Fragile states
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SUNDAY
Pray for the churches of BMS World Mission partner the Albanian Baptist Union, meeting this morning. Pray for their leadership and for greater interdependence.
MONDAY
Pray for BMS workers Nikki and Roger Pearce, and their children James and Beth. This is Roger’s last year as GDQ International Christian School’s Director.
TUESDAY
Pray for BMS workers Mat and Suzanne Gregory and Annie and Dan Dupree, leading local NGO Tek Ura (‘At the Bridge’), working for marginalised groups.
WEDNESDAY
The Duprees are pioneering new ministries among people isolated by disability and other forms of discrimination, funded by BMS. Pray for this important work.
THURSDAY
Pray for new BMS local workers Ina and Marko, enabling Tek Ura to run projects such as ‘Stay and Play’ for marginalised preschoolers, and a food bank.
FRIDAY
Jill Morrow and Janet Derby are BMS teachers at GDQ School. Pray for them, playing a vital role in the education of mission workers’ children.
SATURDAY
Pray for Albanian Baptist Union leader Mondi Palucaj (and family), pastoring his church and leading the Union. Pray that BMS will be a blessing to him.
SUNDAY
Give thanks for staff at the BMS International Mission Centre (IMC) who create a hospitable environment for BMS World Mission workers-in-training and other guests.
MONDAY
Pray for the BMS workers who left IMC last month for mid-term service and are settling into new lives in Kosovo and Thailand.
TUESDAY
Pray for community life at IMC, that it would be an expression of God’s kingdom, BMS values and a safe space for growth and reflection.
WEDNESDAY
Give thanks for Kat Brookes and the BMS team she heads up in the IMC kitchen, as they express hospitality through consistently cooking fabulous meals.
THURSDAY
Pray for the BMS long-term workers training at IMC as they complete their studies and set their sights on moving abroad to serve.
FRIDAY
Pray for BMS directors Claire and Mark Ord leading IMC, as their team develops it as a place of training, mission thinking and hospitality.
SATURDAY
Pray for the IMC teaching staff as they prepare BMS workers to be resilient and reflective in their cross-cultural service and witness abroad.
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Albania
February 2017
BMS Prayer Guide 7
Life at IMC
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Transformation: what does it mean?
At BMS World Mission we often discuss what transformation might mean for a community in the Amazon, for a village in France, or for a nation whose borders are sealed and where there is no freedom of expression, movement or belief. Transformation means change, of course, but of what kind and to what extent? What does transformation look like?
Read Leviticus 26: 4-6 and there you will find a beautiful picture of how God, in part, sees a transformed world. You’ll see a climate that encourages abundant crops and trees heavy with fruit. There’s mention of security, where one’s home is safe. You’ll see an absence of fear of the violence that wild animals or swords represent.
This is not complete transformation of course, for the Old Testament could not yet declare the coming of the king. These passages are prophetic and depend on Jesus for their realisation. Jesus who has “broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us” (Ephesians 2: 14). Jesus, who set his face towards
Jerusalem, there to die, to bear our sins, to destroy the very death that makes
transformation necessary, his empty tomb making transformation possible.
In this season of Lent, we have the opportunity to do
three things. Firstly, to walk with God’s people in the weeks
leading up to Easter. Good Friday and Easter Sunday are where this
transformation was won.
Secondly, as we do around the world, so too in our own country we are called to be evangelists, to invite men and women to come to Jesus and receive the salvation he offers. It’s a free gift, but one that has to be accepted.
Thirdly, pray that in the countries where we work, abundant signs of transformation will be plain for all to see.
DAVID KERRIGAN General Director of BMS World Mission
SUNDAY
Pray for patients benefiting from practical help and spiritual input in Pokhara and Nepalgunj, through BMS World Mission’s local workers Bishnu, Indira, Seeta and Tham.
MONDAY
Pray that the counselling services, pastoral care and training that BMS supports will bring transformation and healing to many churches, hospitals and communities.
TUESDAY
Pray for wisdom and grace in dealing with visa applications for personnel, and the government departments that are responsible for this.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for BMS workers Cynthia and Ian Chadwell, with children Justin and Lucy: for Ian’s involvement in strengthening the provision of healthcare in government hospitals.
THURSDAY
Pray for BMS workers Lindsay and Owen Davies, with daughter Iona: for Owen’s work helping communities in Nepal develop sustainable livelihoods.
FRIDAY
Pray for BMS worker Lindsay Davies’ work with children and young people with disabilities in Nepal, helping them learn life skills for the future.
SATURDAY
Pray for healing and dignity for women with drug and alcohol problems who are receiving care from BMS partner Asal Chhimekee Nepal.
SUNDAY
Pray for BMS World Mission supported Bethlehem Bible College. The College enrols around 190 Arab-Palestinian students and provides them with ministry training.
MONDAY
Pray for BMS local worker Kader Khoury, who has been planting churches over the last three years in Beit Jalah near Bethlehem in Palestine.
TUESDAY
Pray for peace and wisdom for Oussama Kirreh, a BMS-supported church planter in Beit Sahour (east of Bethlehem) in Palestine.
WEDNESDAY
Pray that BMS partner the Association of Baptist Churches in Israel will be salt and light in the Holy Land.
THURSDAY
Pray for BMS local workers Ziad and Randa Farraj and Hani and Lina Sayegh, church planting in Turaan and Eilaboun respectively (northern Israel).
FRIDAY
Pray for BMS-supported Nazareth Evangelical College, led by Yohanna Katanacho and Azar Ajaj. The college’s creation represents a move towards greater co-ordination in theological education.
SATURDAY
Give thanks for BMS partner Musalaha, led by Salim Munayer and Evan Thomas, promoting reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis, among believers and then more widely.
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Nepal
Feb/March 2017
BMS Prayer Guide 9
Israel- Palestine
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SUNDAY
Give thanks for the 30 or so young evangelical congregations in Kosovo and the Kosovo Protestant Evangelical Church which unites them.
MONDAY
Unemployment remains pegged at around half of the adult population. Pray for families BMS World Mission is helping who are struggling to make ends meet.
TUESDAY
Kosovo is an emerging European enclave for drugs, pirated goods and human trafficking. Pray for those BMS is working with who are vulnerable to exploitation.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for BMS work with women in Kosovo’s patriarchal society in which girls are not affirmed and women have limited choices in life.
THURSDAY
Pray for BMS workers Holly, Toby, Rose and Robert, and for supported partner workers Daria and Dmitri, ministering to one of Kosovo’s marginalised ethnic groups.
FRIDAY
Pray for the BMS Action Team (Raphael, Eloise and Jeffery), who have gone out from the UK to serve in Kosovo this year.
SATURDAY
Pray for the BMS workers in Kosovo, giving thanks for the opportunities they have to share their lives and their faith with local people.
SUNDAY
Pray for BMS World Mission local worker Pastor Djibrine, seeking to make Jesus known to patients and carers at Guinebor II (G2) Hospital.
MONDAY
Pray for the wellbeing of BMS mission worker Claire Bedford as she continues to lead pharmacy work at G2.
TUESDAY
Pray for BMS local workers within the G2 malnutrition programme. Pray that they will help bring many seriously ill children to full health.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for continued community co-operation with G2 Hospital. This is especially important for the maternity programme BMS helps run.
THURSDAY
Pray for safety for BMS workers and G2 staff. Pray for stability throughout Chad following the rise of Boko Haram and other radical groups.
FRIDAY
Pray for BMS volunteer Rebecca Hotchkin. Rebecca is on a gap year working with at-risk women in Chad’s capital N’Djamena.
SATURDAY
Please continue to pray for BMS doctors Andrea and Mark Hotchkin as they seek to rehabilitate a hospital in the north of Chad.
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Kosovo
March 2017 Chad
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SUNDAY
BMS World Mission is committed to the growth of the Church. Pray for evangelistic activity around the world today. May God build his Church.
MONDAY
Pray for national church planters in Odisha (formerly Orissa) and West Bengal in India supported by BMS, planting fellowships and striving to make God’s love known.
TUESDAY
Believers in many countries BMS works in face persecution. Pray for those suffering for their faith in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for Liz and Sergio Vilela in Mozambique, seeking to help a BMS partner in their church planting. May the Church grow in that land.
THURSDAY
Pray for the Church in Peru and the BMS personnel involved in supporting the leadership and training of pastors in Lima and Iquitos.
FRIDAY
The Church in Tunisia is growing. Pray for the BMS partners helping emerging leadership to be bold and wise as they serve the Church and nation.
SATURDAY
Pray for the Church in France seeking to make the love of Christ known. Remember BMS families in France, the Hallidays, the Judkins and the Wilsons.
SUNDAY
Pray for BMS World Mission and the Church in India, responding to the immense challenges of a growing population. Pray for grace, wisdom and compassion.
MONDAY
Pray for BMS local worker Ritesh as he leads the Street Servants ministry in Kolkata, working with those sleeping rough on the streets.
TUESDAY
Pray for BMS workers Caroline and Stephen Diamond (and family) in Kolkata seeking to share Christ’s love among some of the poorest and most marginalised in society.
WEDNESDAY
The Church in India is growing, often amidst persecution. Pray that BMS will help the Church to continue to increase in numbers and maturity.
THURSDAY
BMS supports a number of church planters in India working tirelessly to make God’s love known. Ask God to bless their mission and ministry.
FRIDAY
BMS has a long history with the Baptist Church of Mizoram, in northern India. Pray for our initiative supporting Mizo missionaries in Cambodia.
SATURDAY
Pray for Benjamin Francis, BMS India Team Leader, giving direction to our mission and the work of the BMS centre in Kolkata.
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Church ministries
Mar/April 2017
BMS Prayer Guide 11
India
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Village in Mozambique, near to where BMS partners work.
David Kerrigan General Director, BMS World Mission
“ The Church of God is for the world and not for ourselves"
SUNDAY
Give thanks today for all BMS Speakers undertaking speaking engagements, sharing news of lives transformed in a Baptist mission partnership that spans 225 years.
MONDAY
Pray for mission workers on Home Assignment. Between them they deliver over 400 speaking engagements every year, telling stories of thousands of changed lives.
TUESDAY
Pray for BMS staff undertaking many strategic speaking opportunities, sharing the vision and direction of BMS work, encouraging churches to get involved.
WEDNESDAY
Give thanks for BMS volunteer speakers, using their experience as former mission workers to challenge and encourage people to pray, give, campaign and go.
THURSDAY
Pray for churches hosting BMS gap year volunteers, Action Teams, touring the UK. Pray that what God is doing through BMS will be evident.
FRIDAY
BMS workers David and Dorothy McMillan are speaking at a Good Friday breakfast in London today. Pray for a warm welcome and a hearty breakfast!
SATURDAY
Give thanks for BMS workers in-training in Birmingham, who are today meeting churches and sharing their hopes for how God will use them.
SUNDAY
Pray for Benon Kayanja as he supports churches in improving their financial management and oversees BMS World Mission’s financial, legal and administrative obligations in Uganda.
MONDAY
Pray for Joe Ovenden overseeing BMS development activities in Uganda and supporting churches to transform communities in the north.
TUESDAY
Pray for Lois Ovenden, ministering to families impacted by disability and supporting churches in addressing gender issues.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for solar, water and sanitation projects BMS is involved in. Pray for BMS worker Tim Darby equipping rural church members to establish latrine-building businesses.
THURSDAY
Pray for BMS worker Linda Darby, Amos and the Ugandan Christian Lawyers Fraternity, as they provide legal aid, counselling, land rights and child protection training.
FRIDAY
Praise God for local BMS workers Genesis and Bernard working in Gulu, supporting households in transforming farming activities, increasing income and quality of life.
SATURDAY
Pray for local BMS worker Isaiah and the Baptist Association vocational training centre in Kasese.
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April 2017
BMS Prayer Guide 13
Uganda
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SUNDAY
Pray for BMS’ impact on churches across France and for the 2,000+ evangelical congregations as they meet today.
MONDAY
Pray for BMS workers John and Sue Wilson, leading a Baptist church in Paris and each serving the French Baptists in wider roles too.
TUESDAY
Pray for BMS workers Claire-Lise and David Judkins (with their four young sons), leading a team of three couples in a church plant in Brive-la-Gaillarde.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for BMS worker Christine Kling, sharing her time between the local church in Massy and the French Baptists' national office.
THURSDAY
Pray for BMS work with the French Baptists' Home Mission team, accompanying and supporting the Baptist church plants across France.
FRIDAY
Pray for Marc Deroeux and Thierry Auguste, General Secretary and President, respectively, of the French Baptist Federation. And pray for excellent BMS relations with them.
SATURDAY
Pray for BMS workers Philip and Rosemary Halliday, near Paris. Both are active locally and also travel widely. Philip is BMS Regional Team Leader for Europe.
SUNDAY
Praise God for BMS World Mission Insight Teams travelling to our projects abroad. Pray for churches and colleges who are considering sending teams.
MONDAY
Pray for our gap year volunteers on BMS Action Teams as they begin their UK tour around churches today. Pray for energy, enthusiasm and safe travels.
TUESDAY
Pray for our training staff at the BMS International Mission Centre as they prepare churches for Insight Teams and gap year students for Action Teams.
WEDNESDAY
Praise God for BMS partners and workers who have supervised the young people on Action Teams. Pray for them as they continue to serve overseas.
THURSDAY
Give thanks for gap year volunteers joining the 2017/18 BMS Action Team programme. Pray for them as they fundraise, finish exams and prepare for next year.
FRIDAY
Pray for our Short-Term Programmes Team in Didcot, as they seek to organise placements for teams and individuals. Pray for diligence and wisdom.
SATURDAY
Pray for our 2016/17 Action Teams as they prepare for university or work after their gap year with BMS. Pray for God’s clarity in what to do next.
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April/May 2017 Short-term teams
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SUNDAY
Pray for churches in the Baptist Union of Scotland (BUS), as they support BMS and serve communities through many practical ministries, sharing the love of Christ.
MONDAY
Thank God for BUS, and pray for it as it reshapes how it supports churches in reaching, discipling and training younger people for service.
TUESDAY
Pray for the Celebration Day for Baptists in Wales on 17 June as we mark the 150th anniversary of the Baptist Union of Wales (BUW).
WEDNESDAY
Pray for BUW churches, leaders and staff as they support BMS and develop a mission strategy to reach the Wales of today with the gospel.
THURSDAY
Pray for the 13 regional associations and three specialist teams of Baptists Together working towards growing healthy churches in relationship for God’s mission.
FRIDAY
Pray for the 2,000 Baptist Together churches, and for the BMS partnership with them, that they may be beacons of hope in their communities.
SATURDAY
Pray for those gathering for the Baptist Assembly in Harrogate today, hosted by BMS and Baptists Together, that we may inspire them for mission and discipleship.
SUNDAY
Thailand’s Christians make up about one per cent of the population. Pray that the gospel will bring transformation, and for BMS World Mission’s work there.
MONDAY
Pray for BMS personnel Helen and Withaya Boondeekhun, church planting in Uttaradit, in partnership with the Church of Christ in Thailand. Pray for that community.
TUESDAY
Pray for the Karen women’s and youth workers BMS supports in Thailand, as they minister to various women and youth in both rural and urban contexts.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for God’s blessing on the Thailand Baptist Missionary Fellowship. Pray also for the BMS workers in Thailand, all of whom are part of the fellowship.
THURSDAY
Pray for local BMS worker Daniel, providing leadership to BMS partner Compasio. Pray as he works to see stability and security for Burmese refugees and migrants.
FRIDAY
Pray for BMS workers Brian and Lydia English, with son Jesse, playing vital roles in projects sharing Christ's love with vulnerable refugees.
SATURDAY
Pray for Thailand’s role in the newly established Association of Southeast Asian Countries, and for BMS work to flourish in that context.
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May 2017
BMS Prayer Guide 15
ThailandUK Baptist family
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Baptism in Peru during week of Christian leadership training supported by BMS World Mission.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. Acts 1: 8
SUNDAY
Bangladesh has a growing population and many suffer in poverty. Pray for BMS World Mission workers seeking to play a part in addressing challenges there.
MONDAY
Pray for Ashim, Mahananda and John in leadership roles within the Baptist Church in Bangladesh. Pray for BMS’ partnership with the Church in the country.
TUESDAY
The largest unreached people group in the world today, numerically, is Bengalis. Pray for BMS workers seeking to make God’s love known among Bengali people.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for two BMS teachers serving with a Christian school in Dhaka. Pray for them as they teach, among others, the children of mission workers.
THURSDAY
Pray for the education of church leaders through BMS partners in Dhaka. Pray for the leadership and staff of the Bible college.
FRIDAY
Give thanks for the BMS team in Bangladesh, working in different ways to make God’s love known. Pray that the Lord will sustain and protect them.
SATURDAY
Pray for the local BMS workers engaged in church planting across the country. Pray that God may give them fruit in their mission.
SUNDAY
Thank God for schools in Albania, Nepal and Bangladesh, supported by BMS World Mission and enabling mission workers to stay and serve in country by educating their children.
MONDAY
Pray for opportunities for BMS English language teachers in East Asia to develop friendships with those they teach.
TUESDAY
Pray for literacy programmes run by a BMS partner in Afghanistan, enabling adults to read and write for the first time.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for the work of BMS-supported teacher training programmes in Nepal and India as they build capacity and teach the value of children in God’s kingdom.
THURSDAY
Pray for the children of BMS workers studying in boarding school or higher education institutions who are separated from their mission worker parents.
FRIDAY
Pray for more teachers to come forward for English language teaching, teacher training and teaching roles in some of the most marginalised and least evangelised countries.
SATURDAY
Pray for church schools in India, Uganda, and Bangladesh started by BMS but now in need of further support to realise their potential.
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May/June 2017
BMS Prayer Guide 17
EducationministriesBangladesh
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SUNDAY
Pray for Kim Jong-un as he leads the country; may he do so with integrity and wisdom, making decisions that benefit all sections of society.
MONDAY
North Korea is vulnerable to natural disasters. Pray for good plans and resources to be in place that are able to reach all the people.
TUESDAY
Pray for believers in North Korea, that they would be strengthened and encouraged and able to be shining lights, even in the face of hardship.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for foreign professionals working in North Korea, that they would contribute wisely to the country’s development and build positive relationships with local people.
THURSDAY
Pray for improved and wise international relations, that there would be increasing dialogue and a commitment to peace in the region.
FRIDAY
Pray for businesses in the special economic zones, that they may genuinely contribute to economic growth and the wellbeing of local employees.
SATURDAY
Pray for local people who travel out of the country for education or work, that they may have wisdom to process all they experience.
SUNDAY
Praise God – despite the bleak religious landscape in Europe, evangelicals are growing in strength and confidence. Pray for BMS World Mission as we support them.
MONDAY
Disillusionment with the emptiness of secularism often leads to an interest in spirituality. Pray for BMS workers and European believers as they make Jesus known.
TUESDAY
Economic, political and social upheaval and uncertainty may cause Europeans to ask questions about morals and meaning. Pray BMS workers will be able to respond.
WEDNESDAY
Pray that BMS will help dynamic Christians who have moved to Europe from the Global South to be integrated and active in the Church.
THURSDAY
Pray for BMS workers Ann and David MacFarlane, retiring after 24 years of continuous service in Italy. Pray too for the church they are leaving.
FRIDAY
Give thanks for Tony Peck and Helle Liht, leading the BMS-supported European Baptist Federation (EBF), offering leadership, counsel and encouragement.
SATURDAY
Pray for wisdom and strength for EBF indigenous missionaries, supported by BMS, who are sharing the gospel in their countries.
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North Korea
June 2017 Europe
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SUNDAY
Thank God for mission schools like KISC (Nepal) and GDQ (Albania) that give BMS World Mission children high-quality, supportive and encouraging educational environments.
MONDAY
Pray for BMS third culture kids (TCKs) whose families are relocating this summer, that they will feel a sense of peace and find a warm welcome on arrival.
TUESDAY
Pray for BMS TCKs Lucy, Katie and Lily in India, as they continue to adapt to their new schools. Pray for friends and a feeling of being really settled.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for Joshua, Ben and Samuel Judkins as they face the daily challenge of secular schooling in France, and for their little brother Nathan too.
THURSDAY
Pray for all BMS workers’ preschool children as they live in challenging and exciting places – that they will grow up with a real sense of security.
FRIDAY
Pray for Craig and Miranda who are being educated in a boarding school far away from their mum and dad who are working with BMS in Afghanistan.
SATURDAY
Pray for all BMS families with grown-up children finding their way in the world while their parents continue to serve overseas.
SUNDAY
Give thanks for the work of BMS World Mission’s Lebanese partner. Nabil Costa leads a highly skilled and motivated team, running many exciting ministries.
MONDAY
Pray for the BMS-supported multi-faceted humanitarian response to the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon, led by Lucas Shindeldecker and his team.
TUESDAY
Pray for BMS-supported work among children and teenagers with learning disabilities in Lebanon. Our partner runs a special-needs centre and also provides training in schools.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for BMS workers Arthur and Louise Brown (with children Jessica, Naomi, Jack and Jonathan), at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beirut.
THURSDAY
Pray for the Learning Support Project in Beirut, headed by BMS worker Louise Brown, providing education and life skills training for Syrian and Lebanese children.
FRIDAY
Pray for BMS workers Claire and Michael Skinner. As a writer and project manager respectively, they support our Lebanese partner in capacity-strengthening roles.
SATURDAY
Farid Lahoud has given his life to prison ministry in Lebanon. Pray for him as he shares the gospel with prisoners, supported by BMS.
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June/July 2017
BMS Prayer Guide 19
LebanonThird culture kids
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The highest goalpe ple t faith
AND AN EXPERIENCE
OF THE
abundant life
The highest goalpe ple t faith
AND AN EXPERIENCE
OF THE
abundant life
BMS Prayer Guide 21
THAT ONLY HE CAN PROVIDE.
The highest goal OF ALL WE DO IS TO BRING
IN OUR Lord and Saviour
abundant life
Jesus Christ
The highest goal OF ALL WE DO IS TO BRING
IN OUR Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ
abundant life THAT ONLY HE CAN PROVIDE.
22 BMS Prayer Guide
SUNDAY
Pray for the relationships between BMS World Mission and our partners as we seek to collaboratively transform vulnerability to resilience in the name of Jesus.
MONDAY
Pray for BMS worker Owen Davies and his veterinary work in rural Nepal. Pray for healthy livestock and strong community acceptance.
TUESDAY
Please pray for BMS livelihoods work amongst farmers in northern Uganda. Pray for good harvests and a good price for cash crops.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for the small businesses being supported through the BMS Loans for Life project in Mozambique. Pray for good returns and full loan repayment.
THURSDAY
Please pray for BMS worker Tim Darby in Uganda as he seeks to help families and communities thrive through improved water, sanitation and hygiene.
FRIDAY
Pray for BMS partners around the world that continue to recognise the many ways in which gender justice and creation care build strong, sustainable communities.
SATURDAY
Pray for BMS workers and partners around the world as they aim to mobilise churches and communities to shape their own development.
SUNDAY
Pray for BMS World Mission workers Carlos, Liz and Sergio, working with the Mozambican Baptist Convention in development, education and evangelism.
MONDAY
Thank God for lives transformed through BMS conservation agriculture programmes, small business loans and biblical teaching our workers do.
TUESDAY
Praise God for BMS-supported preschool programme PEPE, annually preparing 1,400 children for school and helping churches to engage with local communities.
WEDNESDAY
BMS-supported church planting work allows 25 national missionaries to receive vital training in mission and evangelism. Pray for them and their ministries.
THURSDAY
Pray for BMS workers Annet, Damien and Kathy, working with Christian lawyers to seek justice for vulnerable people through legal advice and representation.
FRIDAY
Praise God for co-operation between BMS, the Mozambican Baptist Convention and the Mozambican Christian Lawyers Association in legal education work in churches and schools.
SATURDAY
Pray for new BMS worker Jane Edwards, as she goes through language study to enable her to participate in the BMS justice work.
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Development ministries
July 2017 Mozambique
SUNDAY
Pray for justice and equality in Paraguay and Brazil, where BMS World Mission has worked for many years. Pray for the millions who still live in poverty.
MONDAY
Praise God for Space-to-Fly after school clubs in Brazil. Pray for BMS local worker Jailma Rodrigues as her team transforms the lives of vulnerable children.
TUESDAY
Pray for the churches planted by BMS in Trapiá and other places in Brazil’s arid northeast, that they demonstrate God’s love in word and deed.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for the new partnership between BMS and the Brazilian Baptist Mission, with sports ministry in several countries led by Josué.
THURSDAY
Praise God for the BMS-founded online church leadership training resource, the Timothy Project. Pray its success continues to grow beyond Latin America.
FRIDAY
BMS support of the Paraguayan Evangelical Baptist Convention’s teenage ministry ended this year after successful implantation. Pray for those who take it forward.
SATURDAY
Earthquakes and hurricanes often hit Latin America. Pray for BMS-funded projects combating the effects of last year’s disasters in Ecuador and Haiti.
SUNDAY
Pray for the safety and security of BMS World Mission workers and colleagues as they travel to often insecure places in Afghanistan.
MONDAY
Pray for the mini-cluster schools providing education for the children of BMS and partner workers, releasing parents for ministry.
TUESDAY
Pray for the Afghan office workers and community trainers working with a BMS partner, that they would undertake their work with integrity and courage.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for BMS workers Jenny and Tim, who live and work in an extremely marginalised region. Pray for Katie’s home-schooling and for baby Robert.
THURSDAY
Flying is often the only way to get around Afghanistan. Pray for a partner agency providing a lifeline to BMS workers through their planes.
FRIDAY
Afghan girls are often excluded from education. Pray for a project run by a BMS partner which seeks to empower girls to learn.
SATURDAY
Pray for the friendships that are developing between BMS workers and local people and the good conversations that are shared.
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July 2017
BMS Prayer Guide 23
Afghanistan
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SUNDAY
In Afghanistan, BMS World Mission needs people with transferable skills to manage and run various education, development and health projects. Pray for people willing to serve.
MONDAY
Tunisia remains one of the world’s least evangelised countries. Pray for health and social workers, teachers and project managers to work there with BMS.
TUESDAY
Can running a business overseas be mission? BMS thinks so. Pray for entrepreneurs and business-people to come forward to join us in this vision.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for doctors and health professionals to join BMS work with partners in Chad, Tunisia, Bangladesh, Nepal and Afghanistan.
THURSDAY
Pray for wisdom and discernment for the Programmes Team at BMS which is responsible for recruiting new workers.
FRIDAY
Teaching English as a foreign language helps us work in countries that remain closed. Pray for more qualified TEFL teachers to join BMS to serve.
SATURDAY
Pray for the young people who, this summer, will be thinking about taking a gap year. Pray that they might consider BMS Action Teams.
SUNDAY
Pray for BMS World Mission workers and partners in Thailand, much of whose work focuses on the needs of the most marginalised.
MONDAY
Give thanks for the children with severe disabilities who receive love and care through BMS’ Hope Home. Pray that more children will be adopted.
TUESDAY
Pray for BMS worker Judy Cook as she oversees Hope Home and provides input to the Church of Christ in Thailand’s Health Promotion initiative.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for BMS worker Kathryn Smith, learning Thai in Bangkok. Kathryn is preparing for palliative care work with Aids patients in Chiang Mai.
THURSDAY
Pray for BMS workers Paul and Sarah Brown, working with our partner NightLight, providing skills and support to those impacted by commercial sexual exploitation.
FRIDAY
Pray for BMS worker Ashleigh Gibb as she learns Thai, settles into Bangkok and uses her business skills to contribute to the work of NightLight.
SATURDAY
Pray for BMS workers and for the Thai Government in their efforts to combat human trafficking in Thailand – a source, transit and destination country.
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Recruitment
July/Aug 2017 Thailand
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SUNDAY
Pray for BMS World Mission’s involvement with Baptist leaders from around Britain as they seek to lead churches in effective mission.
MONDAY
Pray for vision for BMS, as we engage in mission work within the UK and discern appropriate ways to encourage and support initiatives here.
TUESDAY
Pray for BMS partner Urban Life, which offers research, training and support for people involved in ministries in marginalised places in Britain.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for the BMS International Mission Centre, offering training in cross-cultural mission to churches and mission-minded people within the UK.
THURSDAY
Pray for BMS partners Urban Expression and Incarnate Network, engaged in mission in some of the UK’s most marginalised places.
FRIDAY
Pray for BMS worker Ben Francis and Big Life, with whom BMS partners in church planting in India, as they begin working in the UK.
SATURDAY
Pray for Baptist Colleges across the UK as they train leaders for ministry and mission. Pray for BMS collaborations in this important work.
SUNDAY
Pray for the women who will graduate from the BMS-supported Freedom Bakery project in Thailand. Pray for their continued freedom from the sex industry.
MONDAY
Thank God for the testimony of Boran in India. Having responded to Jesus at a BMS World Mission outreach event, he’s now a fruitful evangelist.
TUESDAY
Pray for Michael in Kampala, Uganda. He is living with an alcohol addiction but remaining sober, and is presently housed by BMS supported partner workers.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for Rahaf, Cedra and Aram – Syrian refugee children receiving education in Lebanon through BMS partners.
THURSDAY
Pray for new mum Hawa, living in Chad. Having safely delivered, she’s been able to have her child vaccinated at the BMS-supported Guinebor II Hospital.
FRIDAY
Thank God for Pastor Inacio in Mozambique. Through a BMS cattle project, he has achieved food security and is free to minister in his community.
SATURDAY
Pray for all BMS workers and partners, teams and volunteers, writers and policy makers, that God would deepen their love for beneficiary communities and individuals.
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UK
August 2017
BMS Prayer Guide 25
Beneficiaries
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26 BMS Prayer Guide
This is what a conker should look like. I picked this up a month later and it had that unmistakable brown conker look. It was ripe and ready for children to play conkers with it.
Now, I am not going to say a conker is a bit like Jesus, because it isn’t. It is often like us though. We think that God has called us to do something amazing, to help transform people’s lives perhaps, and expect it to happen right away. But like the first conker, we are not yet ready. It could be that we have something else to do first, to mature and grow until the right time.
I recently met two new BMS mission workers who felt a calling on their lives to
overseas mission. But in both cases they waited years for it to become a reality. Along the way, it sometimes looked like it might never happen.
They never gave up trusting in God though and now their calling has
been confirmed.
If you are feeling impatient that you are not where you feel God has called you to be, don’t give up. In Psalm 37: 5 it says: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this,” and in verse 7 of the
same psalm: “Be still before the Lord and wait
patiently for him.” God knows what he’s doing and
his timing is perfect. Trust him.
CHRIS HALL
Editor of the BMS Prayer Guide
Conkers for
Jesus
Guess what this is?
Yes, it’s a conker!
Doesn’t look great, does it? That’s because I picked it up in August and I peeled it from its case too early. Therefore, it has a peaky look, like it has been covered in yoghurt. It is not yet ripe.
SUNDAY
Pray for believers in the region, cut off from family and fellowship. Pray for strength and hope from BMS World Mission supported Christians.
MONDAY
Some in the region are beginning to follow Jesus as a result of dreams. Pray we would find ways to support them.
TUESDAY
Give thanks for BMS-supported Christian media in the region, giving many their first opportunity to learn about Christianity.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for God’s grace upon those Middle East Christians who are being discriminated against, marginalised, imprisoned and even killed for their faith.
THURSDAY
Pray that Christians in the Middle East would be known as peacemakers. Pray that the next generation of believers would grow strong with BMS help.
FRIDAY
Pray for BMS workers serving in the Middle East and North Africa. Ask that others would be raised up to serve in this needy region.
SATURDAY
Pray for BMS work in the Middle East and North Africa. Pray that local believers would be used by God for his kingdom.
SUNDAY
Pray for the BMS World Mission trainees arriving at the BMS International Mission Centre (IMC) for up to eight months of training before going to serve overseas.
MONDAY
Pray for BMS Action Teams as they begin a month of living and training together before each team heads off to their country of service.
TUESDAY
Pray for all BMS staff at IMC as they have a very busy month, with a full house and lots of people to welcome and look after.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for the BMS teaching staff as they begin a new year of courses and pastoral care for the mission trainees and Action Teams.
THURSDAY
Pray for the Heart of England Baptist Association, the International Nepal Fellowship and the growing number of colleges and missions who now use IMC for training.
FRIDAY
Give thanks for Sam and BMS staff doing admin work to develop IMC as a training facility and a place of hospitality.
SATURDAY
Pray for directors Claire and Mark as they oversee a great team, developing effective mission training and broadening the impact of both IMC and BMS.
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Aug/Sept 2017
BMS Prayer Guide 27
Training at IMC
Middle East and North Africa
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SUNDAY
Pray for the Kathmandu International Study Centre (KISC), providing quality education for families in the mission community, supported by BMS World Mission.
MONDAY
Pray for BMS teachers Daniel and Becky Parnell, with children Sam and Miriam. Pray for Daniel as KISC School Director and Becky teaching English.
TUESDAY
Pray for BMS workers Angus and Helen Douglas, with children Caleb, Charis and Esther. Angus is overseeing the development of a new KISC school site.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for BMS teacher trainer Annie Brown, providing consultancy and training for Nepali schools through BMS partner KISC EQUIP.
THURSDAY
Pray for BMS workers Simon and Wendy Hall with KISC EQUIP in Lamjung. Pray for their input to schools and for wider local community interactions.
FRIDAY
Give thanks for BMS local workers Dil and Krishna, working with KISC EQUIP to develop relevant, effective education in Nepali schools.
SATURDAY
Pray that students receiving scholarships provided by BMS partner organisations FOCUS and PRABHAV successfully complete higher education and contribute well to society.
SUNDAY
Give thanks and pray for all mission-minded UK Christians with hearts for other countries, who are keeping BMS World Mission work on church agendas.
MONDAY
Praise God for the sportspeople – the marathon runners, cyclists and amateur athletes raising money for BMS. Ask for more of these inspiring, energetic people!
TUESDAY
Pray for God to be present in church meetings across the country, as budgets are decided. Pray that churches would remember the wider world.
WEDNESDAY
Thank the Lord for 24:7 Partners and others giving regularly to support BMS’ life-transforming work. Pray they would be encouraged and their number multiplied.
THURSDAY
Pray for upcoming harvest services and mission Sundays – that they would raise the funds BMS needs to transform lives, and inspire Christians to pray.
FRIDAY
Pray for children giving pocket money or doing fundraising activities to help less fortunate children around the world. Pray God will bless their generosity.
SATURDAY
Pray that God would encourage and inspire BMS Reps, mission secretaries and mission advocates in churches – that they would have support and inspire others.
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Nepal
September 2017 BMS supporters
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SUNDAY
An estimated 700 million people are living in extreme poverty today. Please pray for them and for the BMS workers and partners trying to help.
MONDAY
Pray for BMS as we invest one third of our resources in some of the world’s least developed countries over the next four years.
TUESDAY
In Chad, most people will live for just 50 years, and almost half of them do so in poverty. Pray for BMS medical work there.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for the BMS-supported maternal health and child nutrition work amongst disadvantaged Chadians at Guinebor II Hospital. Pray patients will enjoy physical and spiritual wellbeing.
THURSDAY
BMS is helping marginalised people access justice in Mozambique and Uganda. Pray this work will enable voices to be heard and lives to be transformed.
FRIDAY
An estimated 50 per cent of Afghans suffer from mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder. Pray for BMS-supported projects seeking to help them.
SATURDAY
Pray that, together, BMS would enable more people living in the world’s poorest places to know what it is to have fullness of life.
SUNDAY
Pray for Pastor Julio Montalvo as he leads the Peruvian Evangelical Baptist Convention (CEBP) and encourages local churches, sponsored by BMS World Mission.
MONDAY
Pray for Ynes Palácios, running BMS-funded National Baptist Theological Institute ministerial training courses. Pray for the more than 50 students.
TUESDAY
Pray for local BMS workers Amilcar, Denisse and Rossmeri, blessing around 100 families through El Puente Baptist Church and social projects in Cusco.
WEDNESDAY
Give thanks for pastors Julio, Ramon and Pedro, with Mirabel, leading the Lima Evangelical Baptist Seminary’s MA and mission courses, sponsored by BMS.
THURSDAY
With BMS funding, CEBP’s Social Action Department trains and resources local churches for community social action. Pray for co-ordinator Pastor Homero.
FRIDAY
Pray for BMS local worker Pastor Luis leading Loreto Baptist Association’s mission work and for Sara and Pedro at the Nauta Integral Mission Training Centre.
SATURDAY
Pray for wisdom for BMS and local staff working on local fundraising strategies that are essential for the future of CEBP ministries.
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Most marginalised
Sept/Oct 2017
BMS Prayer Guide 29
Peru
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30 BMS Prayer Guide
SUNDAY
Give thanks that BMS World Mission is on track to meet the faith-stretching target of providing life-changing healthcare to 100,000 vulnerable people by 2020.
MONDAY
Please pray for BMS worker Ian Chadwell as he seeks to increase capacity and ensure quality medical practice within Nepal’s public hospital system.
TUESDAY
BMS workers Judy Cook and Kathryn Smith are providing care for severely ill children and those suffering with HIV in Thailand. Please pray for them.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for the BMS-supported volunteer doctors who are working on Kolkata’s streets in order to provide basic health care for homeless children.
THURSDAY
Pray for Guinebor II Hospital in Chad. Pray especially for continued safe birthing at the highly valued maternal health centre funded by BMS supporters.
FRIDAY
Please pray for BMS workers involved in palliative care in Tunisia. Pray for growing commitment to best practice end of life treatments in the country.
SATURDAY
Please pray for BMS-supported work in university medical departments and in tribal mountain areas in sensitive countries in north east and central Asia.
SUNDAY
Thank God for the work of the BMS World Mission Action Team at Ebenezer Farm this year and for the young lives blessed.
MONDAY
The Theological College of Zimbabwe (TCZ) trains ministers for various denominations and countries, led by Dr Ray Motsi. Pray for the BMS-supported tutor.
TUESDAY
Pray for TCZ students supported by BMS grants, that God may use their ministries to impact the lives of many.
WEDNESDAY
Ask God for wisdom for local BMS workers Lynne Knight and Kudzai Mutanga, leading BMS partner Family Impact Africa’s Christian family and sexual education programme.
THURSDAY
2nd Chance Rehabilitation Ministries seek to disciple and help reintegrate ex-offenders into society. Pray for the BMS-funded tailoring course and for its students.
FRIDAY
Pray for struggling families in Zimbabwe, particularly those suffering after recent severe drought. Pray for BMS partners working to help the country’s most marginalised.
SATURDAY
Pray for BMS’ role in equipping Zimbabwe’s future Christian leaders. Pray that God will enable the Church and political leaders to build a strong nation.
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Health ministries
October 2017 Zimbabwe
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BMS Prayer Guide 31
“ It is essential for us as Christians to show through the way we communicate that we love people and we care for them."
Nada, a Syrian refugee in Lebanon who has received food parcels provided by BMS.
Judy Cook, BMS World Mission worker with disabled children.
32 BMS Prayer Guide
SUNDAY
Pray for our International Mission Centre in Birmingham, preparing new mission workers, and for our Finance and Corporate Services Department, keeping BMS World Mission running smoothly.
MONDAY
Pray for the Short-Term Programmes Team helping Action Teams, Insight Teams and other volunteers prepare for service overseas.
TUESDAY
Pray for UK staff supporting mid-term and long-term mission workers, helping them with practical needs and ensuring their physical, mental and spiritual care.
WEDNESDAY
Our Communications Department produces resources and information for supporters across the UK. Pray they would be creative, resourceful and effective, inspiring Christians to help us.
THURSDAY
Pray for all UK staff involved in the production of the Baptist Assembly in Scotland today and tomorrow.
FRIDAY
Pray for BMS’ top leadership following David Kerrigan’s retirement this summer. Pray for wisdom for him or her.
SATURDAY
Please pray for our World Mission Department and General Directorate, overseeing field work and leading BMS strategy respectively. Pray for God’s will to be done.
SUNDAY
India’s economy is growing, but great inequality between rich and poor persists. Pray for just leadership and for BMS World Mission’s work amongst the vulnerable.
MONDAY
Pray for BMS worker Paul Roach in Delhi as he seeks to support the work of the Baptist denomination across north India in practical ways.
TUESDAY
Aruna Khan is the manager of the BMS mission centre in Kolkata. Pray that God would bless her and make her a blessing to others.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for the Church to demonstrate God’s love in word and deed in India. Pray for BMS-supported local workers sharing Christ and planting churches.
THURSDAY
BMS worker Ruth Roach is investing her time and skills in developing teachers in Baptist schools in Delhi. Pray for God to bless her ministry.
FRIDAY
Pray for the historic Baptist denominations to be active in mission across India. Pray for wise, compassionate and godly leadership and for BMS’ supportive role.
SATURDAY
In Kolkata, tens of thousands live on the streets. Pray for BMS work with partners in the city, alleviating poverty and addressing its causes.
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SUNDAY
BMS World Mission plans to invest half of our resources in the world’s least evangelised countries by 2020. Pray for opportunities to share good news.
MONDAY
In India, BMS supports 37 church planters who are sharing the gospel in villages that have never heard about Jesus. Pray for open ears.
TUESDAY
Pray for BMS church planters around the world – for strength in persecution, for joy in lives transformed and for the experience of God with them.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for BMS development and health workers using their skills in Afghanistan and Tunisia, countries whose populations are over 99 per cent Muslim.
THURSDAY
Our own continent is becoming increasingly secular. Pray for BMS workers Claire-Lise and David Judkins and John and Sue Wilson, sharing Christ in France.
FRIDAY
Pray for BMS-supported colleges in Amsterdam and Beirut, educating leaders to serve in many places resistant to the gospel. Pray for those being trained.
SATURDAY
Pray for BMS’ role in helping all people to hear “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” for them.
SUNDAY
Pray for the pastors of BMS World Mission partner the Albanian Baptist Union, including Endri, Fredi, Enea, Toni, Genis, and Fatjon, and for the Union itself.
MONDAY
A BMS-founded NGO in Albania called Tek Ura has been growing this year. Pray for continued partnership with the Baptist Union and other NGOs.
TUESDAY
Pray for BMS-founded NGO Tek Ura’s projects, building bridges between people. ‘Eat, Talk, Pray’ invites people to come and pray together for the first time.
WEDNESDAY
BMS staff help to run Tek Ura, working with needy communities, many of whom were displaced due to flooding in 2016. Pray for them.
THURSDAY
Pray for our workers’ children: Charis, Isaac and Amaya Dupree and Seth and Esther Gregory, all attending GDQ School for mission kids this year.
FRIDAY
BMS partner GDQ International School has a new Interim Director: Lori Neuman. Pray for Lori, the board, and the school.
SATURDAY
BMS partner the Albanian Baptist Union has its annual meeting this month. Pray for discernment and wisdom as delegates plan for the year ahead.
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BMS Prayer Guide 33
Albania
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34 BMS Prayer Guide
SUNDAY
Pray for the estimated 1,600 believers who are the indigenous Church in Tunisia. Ask God’s blessing on them and BMS workers as they worship today.
MONDAY
Give thanks for those coming to faith in Tunisia, despite pressure from families and society. Pray for BMS’ presence to help their stability and growth.
TUESDAY
Pray for BMS’ partner organisation in Tunisia. Having recently transitioned to become an international NGO, the Tunisian Church can now play a larger role in it.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for BMS personnel Grace and Taieb, serving in leadership roles in our partner organisation and in the indigenous Church in Tunisia.
THURSDAY
Pray for Naama, a BMS worker who is supporting special needs educators in Tunisia and helping local organisations to provide a better quality of care.
FRIDAY
Pray for Mary and Beth, BMS nurses in Tunisia, as they equip health professionals and family members alike to better deliver palliative care.
SATURDAY
Pray for Sophie who is currently doing language study and orientation in Tunisia before taking up her role as Communications Co-ordinator for our partner organisation.
SUNDAY
Pray that the BMS World Mission Dignity initiative and its stand against gender based violence (GBV) will inform our strategy to transform one million lives.
MONDAY
Pray for all UK and global church leaders to increase their commitment to preaching and influencing for gender justice in their ministries.
TUESDAY
Pray for the BMS Speaker Team as its members communicate GBV as an international justice issue and the BMS work which addresses it.
WEDNESDAY
Pray that even more of our supporting churches will choose to sign the Dignity Church Charter and to live out its intention through their fellowship.
THURSDAY
Pray for GBV survivors – that they will find safe places in which to be helped and that the Dignity Church Charter will help in this.
FRIDAY
Pray that the women impacted by BMS health, education and legal ministries in Africa, Asia and South America will have injustice acknowledged and experience healing.
SATURDAY
Pray for effective advocacy as BMS co-chairs the We Will Speak Out network, and for yourself as you influence your own networks towards greater awareness.
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Nov/Dec 2017 Dignity
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BMS Prayer Guide 35
‘How long, Lord God Almighty?’ Psalm 80: 4
The people of Aleppo ask, “How long until the bombing will stop and our lives can resume?” The children in refugee camps in Lebanon, Greece, Jordan and Italy ask, “How long until I can have a home and go to school?”
During advent we join with these people and the prophets of old in longing for justice and peace and ask, ‘how long?’
‘How long’ is a question that runs through Scripture. It is asked fifty-eight times. It reflects our impatience with God, it expresses God’s frustration with our rebellion and injustice. The question is an expression of the gap between the now and the not yet; our present suffering and our future hope. The gap between the first coming of Jesus and his return.
As a mission agency seeking to transform lives, BMS is trying to narrow the gap, bringing the kingdom of God closer, bringing Jesus’ life in all its’ fullness. We can get frustrated that the gap remains, and call out to God, ‘how long?'
Hebrews 11 encourages us to have an eternal perspective: our forebears had faith in what they did not see, they believed the promises of God, but didn’t see them all fulfilled, at least not in this life.
In Advent we are reminded that sometimes waiting in the gap is the point; not a hopeless acceptance of the status quo, but a hopeful and painful longing that scans the horizon for signs of God’s promises while working for his kingdom on earth.
As a modern prophet said, “How long? Not long. The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice. My eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.” The words of Martin Luther King Jr.
We are people who are waiting in the gap for God's ‘not long.’
CLAIRE ORD
Co-Director of the BMS International Mission Centre
‘How long?’: waiting in the gap
36 BMS Prayer Guide
SUNDAY
Bangladesh has a thriving economy, but many workers endure terrible conditions. Pray for BMS World Mission and others as we seek to improve this situation.
MONDAY
Give thanks for strong leadership in the Baptist denomination and pray that God will bless them. Pray for BMS involvement with the Church in Bangladesh.
TUESDAY
Pray for the BMS workers in the country, that God may bless them and make them a blessing to those whom they serve.
WEDNESDAY
BMS partner worker Mahananda leads the development wing of the Baptist Church. Pray for wisdom and equipping as they demonstrate good news to the poor.
THURSDAY
Bangladesh is hugely affected by global warming. Pray for leaders across the world seeking to address this issue. Pray, too, for BMS creation care work.
FRIDAY
Pray for us as we seek to recruit new BMS team members to serve in Bangladesh. Pray that God would call and equip passionate Christians.
SATURDAY
Pray for the protection of Christians in Bangladesh, facing the rising challenges of insecurity in that land. Pray for safety for BMS workers and families.
SUNDAY
In some countries in Asia where BMS World Mission works, local believers have limited rights to religious liberty. Pray for protection and freedom.
MONDAY
Pray for BMS supported partner worker Eunice Nabafu, director of a key BMS justice partner in Uganda. Pray for energy, wisdom and inspiration for Eunice.
TUESDAY
Please pray for BMS workers Linda Darby and Amos Ogwang as they seek to establish land security for vulnerable people in northern Uganda.
WEDNESDAY
Pray for BMS lawyers in Mozambique: Annet Ttendo Miller, Damien Miller, Jane Edwards and Kathy Russell. Pray for wisdom, energy and grace.
THURSDAY
Pray for BMS’ faith-stretching target of developing justice ministries in four countries to impact over 120,000 people by 2020.
FRIDAY
Pray for peace and reconciliation work being conducted by several BMS partner organisations working in Israel-Palestine.
SATURDAY
Pray for local BMS worker Lynne Knight as she seeks to train community and church groups on gender justice in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries.
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December 2017 Justice ministries
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BMS Prayer Guide 37
Nepal street scene near to BMS World Mission work, taken around Christmas.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
Isaiah 9: 2
38 BMS Prayer Guide
SUNDAY
Pray for the BMS World Mission team in Guinea: Mac, Lucy, Caroline, Victor, Ben and Isabelle; that they would listen to God and seek his face.
MONDAY
Pray for Isaac and Noah, the children of BMS workers. Pray that they thrive as they begin early years’ education and grow up in Guinea.
TUESDAY
Some people groups remain a challenge for pioneer mission. Pray for boldness and courage for BMS-supported workers in explaining opportunities for new directions in life.
WEDNESDAY
Ask God for opportunities for the BMS team to encourage and equip nationals in sharing Christ with their neighbours.
THURSDAY
Pray for BMS involvement in education, development and social activities, offering abundant life amidst limited resources. Sometimes teachers have 120 students per class.
FRIDAY
Plead that God’s Spirit might enable local people’s hearts and minds to understand Christmas, as our team teaches about its true meaning.
SATURDAY
Pray that Guinea’s Church can, at Christmas, unify and heal after long-standing ethnic difficulties. Pray for BMS workers celebrating Jesus’ birth far from home.
SUNDAY
We’re almost at the end of year two of our 2016 to 2020 strategy. Pray we’ll reach our goal of seeing one million lives transformed.
MONDAY
BMS World Mission’s highest goal is bringing people to faith in Christ. Pray that we’ll see even more people meeting Jesus, ‘born this happy morning’.
TUESDAY
BMS seeks to see people experience the abundant life Christ offers. Pray for this in a country in the news today.
WEDNESDAY
Four values shape our strategy. Pray that love, integrity, faith and excellence will characterise all BMS work throughout the world.
THURSDAY
BMS works in several countries where there is no visible Church. Pray today for the least evangelised countries in the world.
FRIDAY
Pray today for the most marginalised countries, where poverty is endemic. Pray that BMS will find creative ways of presenting Jesus as good news for the poor.
SATURDAY
Pray today for the most fragile countries in the world, places that are unstable and where BMS work often hangs by a thread.
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December 2017 The Highest Goal
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BMS Prayer Guide 39
SUNDAY
Give thanks for the Church in Nepal and pray for continued growth and freedom to worship. Pray for local Christians supported by BMS World Mission.
MONDAY
Pray for those training church leaders, and for BMS’ role in this, that those who graduate would be used to build Nepal’s Church.
TUESDAY
Pray for BMS local workers Pastor Mahendra and Deacon Shekhar as they support and strengthen Baptist churches in Nepal.
WEDNESDAY
Give thanks for BMS workers Andy and Jenny Saunders, for the input they have given to equipping church leaders and strengthening counselling services in Nepal.
THURSDAY
Pray for Chris and Debbie Drew, with children Rebekah, Sam, Tabea and Joshua, as Chris helps lead the work of BMS partner International Nepal Fellowship.
FRIDAY
Give thanks for BMS’ work with partners rebuilding communities following the 2015 earthquakes, and in helping them develop disaster preparedness.
SATURDAY
Pray for political stability and for the Government to make wise policies that protect all in society. Pray for the BMS Nepal team.
SUNDAY
On this first Sunday of 2018, give thanks for fellowship and pray BMS World Mission would see fruit from planting strong indigenous churches in 2018.
MONDAY
As children in your community go back to school, pray that BMS would continue to make strides this year in bringing education to the poor.
TUESDAY
Pray that 2018 would be a year of justice. Pray that God would help BMS workers bringing access to legal justice and awareness of injustice.
WEDNESDAY
Our world needs righteous, godly leaders. Pray for God to guide BMS in our strategy to empower and enable leaders across the world this year.
THURSDAY
Give thanks for employment and support for the unemployed. Ask God to help BMS bring sustainable livelihoods to people in other countries in 2018.
FRIDAY
The world saw many heartbreaking disasters over the last few years. Pray that BMS would be effective in responding to new ones in the coming year.
SATURDAY
Jesus came to heal, and in his name BMS workers bring healing too. Pray that this year our work would see wholeness restored to many.
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Dec/Jan 2018 The year aheadNepal
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We are BMS World Mission.
By 2020, we want to see one million lives transformed. Thank you for praying with us.
bmsworldmission.org/prayer
