PRAY

MAKING GOD’S LOVE VISIBLE ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST

AND NORTH AFRICA THROUGH CHRISTIAN TV

SAT-7 News & Prayer articles are available in full at: www.sat7uk.org/pray SAT‑7 UK, PO Box 3941, Chippenham SN15 9HQ Email: respond@sat7uk.org Phone: 01249 765865 Registered Charity No 1060612, and a company limited by guarantee (registered in England and Wales), no 3301736

NEWS AND PRAYER

PRAY

Sunday 24 SeptemberPray for young people in Turkey who are demoralised at not being in employment.

Monday 25 SeptemberAsk that the stories of successful Christians would inspire young people to “dream big and stand firm in their faith”.

Tuesday 26 SeptemberGive thanks for Mehmut Ahif Khan as he uses his experience to inspire others.

Wednesday 27 SeptemberAsk that more successful Christian business people would be willing to share their stories on SAT‑7.

Thursday 28 SeptemberPlease continue to pray for the recruitment of gifted Christian presenters and staff for SAT‑7 TÜRK.

Friday 29 SeptemberPray for Turkey as its infrastructure struggles to meet the needs of refugees. Saturday 30 SeptemberGive thanks that SAT‑7 TÜRK is able to provide such a positive witness for Christianity in Turkey.

“I FELT STRONG”: EMPOWERING CHILDREN THROUGH EDUCATION

George Makeen, Programming Director for SAT-7’s ARABIC channel, is one of the driving forces behind SAT-7’s vision to help meet the educational needs of families in the Middle East.

After witnessing first-hand the struggles of refugee children dealing with depression, anxiety,

nightmares and behavioural problems, Egyptian-born Makeen says, “It pushes me to pray, asking God for justice and to be a Father to them. May we be part of God’s plan to protect them.”

SAT-7 believes education can play a key role in providing this suffering generation with a better future and is therefore launching its new channel, SAT-7 ACADEMY, this month. Makeen recalls a recent production for SAT-7 ACADEMY, Storytelling Club, in which refugee children were invited to participate in a story-sharing workshop together. “These shy children were all too aware that they are often not accepted by others. But once they were given the tools to express themselves, and to see themselves not as victims but as creative people, they excelled!”

Young viewers were encouraged to write out or draw their experiences of overcoming problems, helping them feel empowered to deal with other situations. One personal story, about a young Syrian refugee girl who witnessed her brother being bullied and beaten by a bad-tempered teacher, was turned into a mini movie. “I felt the power to stand up, go to this teacher who everybody was afraid of, and say, ‘Why did you beat my brother? You shouldn’t do that!’” she shared on Storytelling Club. “When I did that, I felt strong!”

Friday 1 SeptemberPray for SAT‑7 ACADEMY as it is launched today.

Sat 2 - Sun 3 SeptemberGive thanks for the vision of SAT‑7 leaders who desire to make a difference in the lives of children across the region.

Monday 4 SeptemberPray for refugee and displaced children who are traumatised by their experiences and crave peace and stability.

Tuesday 5 SeptemberPray that families tuning into SAT‑7 ACADEMY for the first time will be encouraged by the messages on the channel.

Wednesday 6 SeptemberPray that the producers of Storytelling Club will have opportunities to hold further workshops.

Thursday 7 SeptemberPray for the continued development of SAT‑7 ACADEMY, as new programmes are planned, produced and broadcast.

Friday 8 SeptemberAsk God to provide the resources required to develop SAT‑7 ACADEMY to its full potential.

September 2017

MOTIVATING YOUTH TOWARDS SUCCESS

At a challenging time for Turkey, SAT-7 TÜRK’s brand-new Careers programme is helping teenagers to thrive, not only

in their spiritual lives but also in the workplace.

Unemployment in Turkey is now at a seven-year high. Whilst the UN has praised the country’s efforts to host some 3 million refugees and help them integrate into society, this has created practical challenges, particularly in the workforce. Many young people in Turkey are wondering what options are open to them as they finish their education. Careers supports them by preparing them for what to expect from working life.

Inspiring the young viewers is presenter Mehmet Ahif Kum, a well-known businessman and author. “Christians should not only be successful in their walks of faith, but also in their careers,” he says. “I want to encourage youth and prepare them for what to expect at the beginning of their careers.”

“Featuring a variety of successful guests inspires our young audience to dream big, and to stand firm in their faith while pursuing their careers,” says Programming Manager, Cuneyt Arıkan. “God will provide the right guests to speak into our viewers’ lives.”

PRAY PRAYPRAISING THROUGH THE PAIN

“We have the right to sing despite all the difficult circumstances around us…We thank the Lord because He is with us just as He was with the three men in the furnace and with Daniel in the lion’s den.” One viewer of SAT-7’s live praise and worship

programme, Keep on Singing, captured the very essence of the show when they recently phoned in with this encouragement.

Ruth from Cairo, also called to share her experience of coping with breast cancer aged just 32. Ruth shared, “The Lord said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”...This is what I am experiencing. In the midst of the pain, the Lord provides joy and peace.”

Sibling members of worship band, The Good News Team, who regularly lead the live on air worship for Keep on Singing, recently lost their mother after a long illness. Singer Victor Fawzi shared, “I want to say that there was no sorrow nor depression. Our mother knew how to live the kingdom of God here on earth…That’s why we could sing hymns when we were celebrating her passing away.”

Praise and worship programmes are a vital part of SAT-7’s ministry to empower the Church and be a catalyst for spiritual renewal in the Middle East and North Africa. As producer, Andrew Gamal, explains, “offering the messages of the Bible through songs can touch people’s souls and help them feel God’s presence.”

BREAKING WITH THE PAST“We were stampeding like pigs not knowing where to go. We had no peace in the house.” This was family life for Amrouche after he first married and started a young family.

Talking to SAT-7’s Algeria-produced testimony programme Free Souls, he looked back on his younger self and said, “I never knew honesty or integrity, I was a drunkard and took up gambling. Then the Lord broke my chains. I thank Him for rescuing me.”

He told Free Souls that he had been heavily involved in a folk version of his religion. At local mausoleums he would slaughter animals to earn blessing for his family. God spoke to Amrouche in dreams over three consecutive nights, telling him he must stop doing this. On the third night, he was shaking with fear and woke his wife who told him, “Amrouche, God told you that because He loves you.”

Amrouche’s journey was also influenced by a Christian man in a nearby village, who explained more about Jesus. Finally, it was when Amrouche watched a video dramatising the life and death of Jesus and how He forgave His enemies while on the cross, that he decided to give his life to Christ.

Days afterwards, Amrouche visited the nearest church and asked to be baptised. “I registered my name and my family also”, he said. “We were all baptised and we all accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. ‘What is impossible for man is possible for God,’ he quoted, adding “When we cry out to Him, He answers our cries.”

Sat 9 - Sun 10 SeptemberPraise God for the spiritual awakening among Kabyle (Berber) people in Algeria, many of whom are finding new life in Christ.

Monday 11 SeptemberGive thanks for the eagerness of Algerian Christians to share their testimonies of God’s love and faithfulness for them.

Tuesday 12 SeptemberPray for isolated Algerian believers, many of whom have voiced delight at discovering SAT‑7’s broadcasts of testimonies and church services from their own community.

Wednesday 13 SeptemberPray for peace, security and more government investment in the Kabyle region.

Thursday 14 SeptemberAsk for protection and courage for those coming to Christ who may be seen as betraying inherited cultures and belief.

Friday 15 SeptemberPray for God’s guidance for the leaders of the Algerian Church as they teach and equip first generation believers. Saturday 16 SeptemberGive thanks for the passionate commitment of Christians making programmes for SAT‑7 in Algeria.

Sunday 17 SeptemberGive thanks for recent testimonies shared by viewers and guests on Keep On Singing.

Monday 18 SeptemberPray that viewers of SAT‑7’s worship programmes would feel God’s presence and be renewed in their spirit as they watch and listen.

Tuesday 19 SeptemberPray for Ruth from Cairo as she battles cancer. Praise God for her strong testimony of faith.

Wednesday 20 SeptemberPray for producer Andrew Gamal as he seeks to share God’s love with viewers through praise and worship.

Thursday 21 SeptemberPray for the Fawzi family as they adjust to the loss of their mother. Give thanks for her example of living a life of praise.

Friday 22 SeptemberPray for God's grace to shine through SAT‑7's praise and worship programmes. Saturday 23 SeptemberPray this verse for SAT‑7 viewers across the region: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2

Amrouche and his wife praying on Free Souls (above)

Amrouche sharing on Free Souls (left) Keep on Singing