Elijah Project: Day 12

All of the following information comes from Operation World by Jason Mandryke and is in no way my own work. 

Country: Christmas, Keeling, and Norfolk Islands

Three small Islands off the coast of Australia. In fact, Australia actually gives them the aid to keep them going. Population averages around 1000 on Christmas Island, 700 on Keeling, and 2000 on Norfolk.

While tourism certainly boosts the economy, the islands depend on the mining of phosphate, the farming of coconuts, and self sufficient agriculture.

What to pray for:

1) The isolation of the islands make Christian ministry very difficult. Pray for God to move throughout the churches for a heart to reach out to the people of the islands themselves. Also pray against natural disaster as isolation hinders immediate help from Australia.

Country: Austria

Austria is known for beauty, culture, art and music. With the Alps along their southern border and the Danube River running through the north, there’s much to see. They run on a balance of tourism, agricultural, industrial and commercial sectors. There is freedom of religion throughout, with a constitutional relationship between the catholic church and the state.

What to pray for:

1) The presence of the living God

·      Although Austria has one of the highest percentages of those who believe in God, the church and number of evangelical believers is steadily declining. High rates of suicide, abortion, and alcoholism display a need for biblical foundation.

2) Catholic and Lutheran church numbers are falling drastically. There is slight growth in the evangelical/ charismatic churches, but the numbers still remain very low.

·      Within these growing churches, there is a great need for pastors. There is little training taking place and as congregations multiply, there is no shepherd for the sheep.

·      Austria potentially has more believers serving outside of their country than within. Pray for Austrians as well as outsiders that are willing to come train and teach in an area of such great need.

3) There are many immigrants and refugees piling back into Austria after WWII. Pray that Austrian believers will greet these strangers with compassion and love.

Elijah Project: Day 11

All of the following information comes from Operation World by Jason Mandryke and is in no way my own work. 

Country: Australia

Australia is my home away from home. I hope and pray that the Lord will direct me back there soon. Growing up I always had a huge desire to go there and visit. Once I finally made it there last year to do my DTS (Discipleship Training School) with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) I fell in love with it. I have a heart for Australia and the people there and I'm so excited to know more of how to pray for this nation. 

Australia is a Parliamentary Democracy and is home to a wide range of ethnics groups that have full freedom of religion. The ecological standing at the country is extremely unstable with many droughts and bush fires wiping out much of the country. 

What to pray for:

1) Praise God for the many political leaders that base decisions on the morals that come through their faith in Christ.

2) Traditionally Christian, Australia is now characterized by their diversity and secularism of  values. New Age ideals have created a very “pick and choose” trend of religion throughout the country where religion itself has become very individualized.

·   Due to a growth in immigration and a very multicultural environment, there are many aspects of other religions being accepted and mixed in with Christianity. 

3) Australia’s ecology is one of the most fragile in the world. There are many efforts to preserve what they can, but the country is finding itself slowly dwindling. Pray for good stewardship for the people and favor for the land.

4) The church. Only 10% of professing Christians actually attend church.

·      Pray for a mentality of truth in love in dealing with the secular issues such as human origin, sexuality, and an existence of God.

·      Unity among churches. There is great conflict over issues such as homosexuality, women being ordained, as well as other issues, all leading to more and more division.

·      A heart for world missions throughout every denomination as well as local missions teams to specific ethnics groups in neighboring communities. ( Muslims, Chinese, Jews, and Vietnamese are all growing cultures.)

5) Aborigines- there is great unrest among the native Aboriginals about land rights as the original Australian people. Prime ministers have been working towards better feelings towards one another. Hateful acts of white Australians are often offset by many missionaries that come deliberately to show love. Pray for understanding among both people groups as well as an acceptance of love between both.

·    Many Aboriginals are Christian, and church leaders are working to blend Christian values with Aboriginal culture as a means of worship and outreach. Translations are being compiled for the many indigenous languages spoken.

6) Pray for a heart and means of training for student ministry throughout Australia. Along with that, pray for the Christian youth to have a heart not only for their community, but for world missions as well. 

What I am praying for Australia today:

Father I pray for the heart of a servant in each member of the Australian church. Inspire your people, show them how to have a passionate faith and how to follow you radically. Whether it be in the monotony of a "normal life" or overseas on a mission trip, I pray for a sold out radical faith. Unify the church. I pray against competition and fighting over things that don't truly matter in your kingdom. Unify your people in their love and desire to follow and obey you. Make it all about you, show the believers in Australia that it is completely and totally about you. Lord I pray for a desire in each heart to reflect this truth with their lives.

Thank you for the opportunity Australian people have for missions. They are so so close to so many nations who need you desperately. I pray for a heart for the nations, for the unreached, the unloved. Give people boldness and faith to get up and go. To take advantage of how close they are geographically to so many needy nations. Provide Father, don't let money or lack of money get in the way of people going. I pray for the gift of faith among the church in Australia, show them that you do and will provide. Teach them to pray in expectation and to move forward in faith. Father breathe your everlasting life into places in this country that are dead or dying. I pray for so much fruit to come from Australia this year. Thank you for what you are doing there and for the youth that are on fire for you there. Let this nation be a light unto the world.

Elijah Project: Day 10

Country: Aruba

Aruba is a small island off the coast of Venezuela and is now a self governing part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Almost their entire economy runs on tourism ( so maybe we should go visit!) and they practice full freedom of religion.

What to pray for:

1) While there is a large amount of churches and evangelical believers, the ethnic split is uneven. Aruba has many immigrants from Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia, but there are few Asian churches. Pray for an impact to be made on the Asian population and for churches to arise.

2) Unity among believers

·      There’s been a fad growing of a televangelist- type preaching style of alien theology that honors the whole prosperity message of the church. Pray that this doesn’t pin one church against another, but that the church as whole would pull together to fight against the high numbers of teen drug abuse and illegitimate births.


What I'm praying for:
Genuine faith, a faith that is all about Jesus and what he has done for us. I pray against a faith that becomes about something other than that. 

Elijah Project: Day 9

Country: Armenia

An Island of Christianity in a sea of Islam.

Due to the location of Armenia (a land locked country bordering Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan) it has rarely known independence or peace. Consistently used as a buffer between Turkish, USSR, and Persian empires, it has known endless years of war. They are in a generally stable state politically at present, although some might argue a level of corruption.

Armenians practice freedom of religion and it is actually considered the first Christian nation, with strong ties between the government and the Armenian apostolic church.

What to pray for:

1) Good relations with neighboring countries

·      The killing of 1.5 million Armenians by Turkey in the early 1900’s is considered what many are called an unrecognized genocide. There is much unrest with Turkey although some progress has been made in recent years. Pray for a heart of forgiveness for the Armenians and for peace and established trade with their border countries.

·      There is great unrest between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the control of Nagorno-Karabakh, with now claims it’s own independence. Refugees from both sides remain unsheltered, with all involved not willing to back down. Pray that both sides may be able to find peace and move forward.

2) The Church

·      pray that they may continue to grow in Spirit and not simply tradition, but that Christianity may flourish and be a light to the nation.

·      Pray for unity within the church denominations as well as for godly leaders founded on the word of God.

·      Relief work within the church

What I am praying today:

Father protect this country from unnecessary violence. Lord bring strong followers of you out of Armenia. Use the people of the church to reach the countries around them. I pray for a bold and vibrant faith. Lord I pray that Armenia would radiate your love through Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan. 

Elijah Project: Day 8

Ok so I have been slacking on the blogging a bit but here is day 8!

Country: Argentina

Mainly an agricultural society, there has been a recent downward turn, creating a huge gap between rich and poor, wiping out the middle class.

In the 1970’s, Argentina went through political unrest resulting in a mistreatment of the people’s rights. True democracy was obtain in 1983, create a much more stable government. There is full freedom of religion with the Roman Catholic church being the most prominent.

What to pray for:

1) Although there is economic and political growth, the gap between rich and poor flourishes. Nearly 500,000 live in the slums surrounding Buenos Aires alone.

2) Through the recent unrest in the country, a spiritual has increasingly grown. This hunger, praise Jesus is being fulfilled. However, pray for that the Spirit will continue to draw many to the King and for sincerity of faith.

·      There continues to be an intense spiritual struggle for souls. The influence of the occult, Mormonism, and a growing Muslim population threaten the work of believers. Pray for a spirit of intercession within the church to fight on the front lines of the battle.

3) Pray for Christian leader who train, disciple, and create more leaders with a biblical foundation.

4)Pray for the indigenous groups of Argentina. Pray that the scripture is heard and received, as well as for translations of the Bible to continue to be worked on in the many indigenous languages.

5) Missionaries to come out of Argentina

What the Lord laid on my heart for Argentina:

There is a battle going on in Argentina. The spiritual battle going on there is so real. Lord rise up warriors, give people a passion for prayer. Show up when people pray, Father show your power. Thank you that you have already won this battle, you are victorious! 

A few weeks ago I was at a house of prayer and the man speaking was talking about his experience in the occult. On multiple occasions the leaders of this cult told him that there was a lot of prayer around him. He told them it was his parents, they were bringing his name to churches for prayer as well as battling for him themselves. The leaders of the cult told him that this prayer was stopping him from having a good life, so they asked if he wanted them to remove the prayer from him. He agreed and they began to battle against the prayer. 

Sometimes I think that people in the occult or people involved in witchcraft believe in prayer more than Christians do. They know it is real and they are fighting against it. So lets fight back. Prayer is real and powerful and so necessary. We have to pray, we have to be a part of this battle. 

Father I pray against the powers of the occult in Argentina. Rise up a prayer movement, bring bold leaders into the church. Show up in times of intercession Lord, work through the prayers of your people. Show them how to pray and what to pray. Holy Spirit show up! 

Elijah Project: Day 7

Country: Anguilla 

Anguilla, a British dependency in the Caribbean, is a small little island with full religious freedom. Most have Christian backgrounds. 

What to pray for:

1) That the Holy Spirit will fall heavy on them and that their spiritual traditions might be infused with the daily work of the Holy Spirit.

2) Even slight changes in a tourism year can cause challenges for such a small populated island. Pray for strength to endure the ever changing environment.

3) Unity between denominations

What God put on my heart today:

It makes me so happy to read about the religious freedom in this country and I love knowing that so many of them know you and believe in you. I pray against people in Anguilla becoming stagnate in their faith. I pray for a vibrant, living, and active faith in each person there. Overwhelm Anguilla with your Holy Spirit and your mighty power. Lord don't let being a part of a denomination separate the church. I ask that each follower of you would be united because they are your children and they love you. Lord don't let different styles of worship or prayer get in the way of furthering your kingdom. Unite the church of Anguilla as one body under you.

Country: Antigua and Bermuda

Two small islands in the Caribbean, both with freedom of religion and high numbers of believers.

What to pray for:

1) Although many have a Christian background, there is a strong lack of biblical morals. It is a country that remains entrenched in strongholds of sin.

·      Gambling, violence, drug dealing, and money laundering are all rich within the country and actually contribute a good bit to the economy. 

·      Pray for biblically righteous authorities that deal with these issues with wisdom and discernment.

2) Unity among the churches and a call to fervent prayer for the state of their people. 

My prayer:

Father, thank you for loving us where we are at. Thank you for loving us in our sin. Thank you that you use us despite our sin. This is true of Antigua and Bermuda, show them your forgiveness. Give them a desire and passion to obey you. Lord break the chains of sin, they are strong but you are stronger. 

Elijah Project: Day 6

All of the following information comes from Operation World by Jason Mandryke

Today's Country: Angola

The Portuguese colonial rule of Angola was ended in the 70’s when a Marxist coup rose to take power. This brought with it many years of brutal civil war within the country. Power bounced back and forth between rebel groups and other trying to gain control, and in the middle of it were the people. 90% of the casualties through the wars have been Angolan Civilians.

Although Angola lies on some of the most fertile ground in Africa, especially for oil and diamonds, it see’s little to none of the profit and the country is immersed in immense poverty. 

What to pray for: 

1) Rehabilitation both physically and emotionally in this time of peace

· The people of Angola have been a tactical hostage within the war with leaders starving some to gain aid from other countries, attacking civilian villages as an act of revenge on others. 1/350 Angolans is a landmine victim with 70%-90% of the country living in poverty. Pray for landmines to be cleared away, for schools and homes and churches to be rebuilt, and for much needed medical care to be provided.

· Pray also for the psychological ad spiritual damage that has been done. Pray for biblical counseling and training to be provided.

2) With the amount of destruction in rural areas, many refugees flock to the cities. But they do not have the capacity, nor the means of feeding and sheltering all who have come. There are many orphaned and abandoned children that have been accused of witchcraft or sold into prostitution from families that wish to be rid of another mouth to fee.

3) The church

· Pray that the church would be the beginning and head of an act of love and forgiveness within the country

· There is a large number of believers, but few evangelicals. Pray for sincere faith not mixed with tribal cultish religion, and against apathy of non practicing believers.

4) Biblically trained leaders

· There is explosive numbers of those coming to Christ, but it is filled with false beliefs and biblical ignorance. Many who claim Christ do not understand what it means.

· Pray for godly teachers and training programs that will saturate leaders with the word of God. 

5) Youth- Most of Angola’s Christians are under the age of 25

· Pray for schools to be rebuilt for one of the first generations to be able to get an education in a time of peace

· Pray for ministry and training programs targeting youth as well, the future of the church of Angola. 

What God put on my heart:

Father give families hope that you will provide, and please come through for them. Those children who are being put in to prostitution and accused of witchcraft need you! They need you right now Father, be the daddy they don't have. Comfort your children. Take care of them and show your love to them so that they may love you. Rescue your children Lord. Protect then innocence of your sons and daughters, don't let them be robbed of their childhood. Lord I pray for the parents to understand the gift their child it, show them how to really love their children. Help them to understand your sacrificial love and be willing to do that for their own children. Peace. Keep this country from war. Help them to rebuild. Lord I ask that each child will be able to grow up in a peaceful country, that they wouldn't have to be afraid of war. Please do something about the land mines, please remove them Father. Create a place for kids to be able to run and play and just be kids without fear. 

The Church.. I pray for a clear understanding of your word, give the leaders insight and strength to lead. Bring people who know your word to teach it. I pray against andy confusion and mixing your word with other beliefs. Give the people of Angola a clear and raw understanding of your truth. Father don't let this country be overlooked, put a burden on people's hearts for Angola. Call people to help. Call doctors, teachers, missionaries. Show this country your love. Rebuild it Lord.

Elijah Project: Day 5

MICHELLE. This is the person I am praying for today. Let me tell you a little bit about Michelle, she is a creative, very opinionated woman who I met on the streets of Santa Barbara a few months ago. We met because I felt God pushing me to go talk to her while walking by her one day, so I did it reluctantly. Since then I see her everywhere, and we have become friends through our encounters and God has really given me love for this woman. She has a very skewed view of the Bible and what it really means. She knows so much scripture and quotes it to me ALL the time, but she doesn't really know the true meaning of it. Some may call her crazy but I am beginning to realize that the enemy is really at work, confusing the truth she has hidden in her heart. It really makes me sad for her, at times I feel like there is no hope and that talking to her and telling her I disagree is pointless. My faith is so small so Father, help me in my unbelief. The God I serve is bigger than my weak faith, he can work even through my weakness. So I am choosing to trust that he will change Michelle. She is his daughter, fearfully and wonderfully made, she is in his eyes, BEAUTIFUL. This dirty homeless women who makes clothes out of old dirty towels from garbage cans is a beautiful daughter of the King of all creation. I believe that He wants to bring her clarity and wants to show her the truth and want's to reveal the freedom she has in living for him. So Father free Michelle in the powerful name of Jesus. I pray against confusion in the name of Jesus, Father protect your daughter free her from the confusion of the evil one. Give her eyes to see you and to see your truth. Remove the scales from her eyes Lord, show your great, powerful, wonderful love to my sister. She is lonely Father, Holy Spirit be so present with her right now! I don't know where she is but overwhelm her with your unfailing, never ending love. Break the chains that hold her in Jesus' name. Set her free God, she is in bondage, she fears death. Show her today that in you and because of you there is no fear in death, there is no fear of this world. Since I have been praying for Michelle this morning, I keep thinking about Jesus casting the demons out of the crazy man in Mark 5. Lord restore Michelle's mind to her, clear what has been clouded, free her in the holy name of Jesus. Cast out what is confusing her in Jesus name. Please Lord restore what she has lost.

We decided to double up on countries today:)

Country: American Samoa

American Samoa is a small country that thrives on the catching and canning of Tuna.

The average income is roughly $9,000, and with hurricane’s and the remoteness of the country, it’s hard to expand economic growth. 

What to pray for: 

1) A rise of the occult

 ·  While there is freedom of religion and there is a growth of cults, many of them actually happening from within churches, especially Mormon. Pray against this rise and for sincerity within churches.

What I'm praying for:

Father provide for your people. Provide what each person needs each day. You know what they need most, please wow them and surprise them with that knowledge. Show them more of who you are through your provision. Bring people to you through your miraculous and loving provision. You are good and you are love. I pray against the occult in Jesus' name, Lord keep people from seeing good and hope in the occult. Don't let the occult be attractive to people, instead bring believers to show how much hope is in following you. Lord I pray for the churches to be rooted in your word and your truth. Place your angels around those churches. Protect them from confusion Father, don't let the enemy twist your words. 

Country: Andorra

A small country in the heart of the mountains bordering Spain and France.

(It’s kind of just smooshed there between them.)

What to pray for:

1) A Hold of Materialism

·  The country is a port for duty-free sales and therefore draws many rich, business style financiers. It has become based on material objects and riches. It is actually a very wealthy country with most of the economy based on tourism

2) Backburner Faith

· While most of the country claims to be catholic, there are few who truly seek God with their lives. Many are becoming more and more superstitious, inviting seers and fortune tellers to speak into their lives. Once again, pray against the power of the occult and for a biblical foundation for living.

What I'm praying for:

"You cannot serve both God and money." Lord I pray for this country that knows of you, that they would choose to live for you. Don't let the wealth of Andorra consume them, I pray for a spirit of generosity among the people there. I pray for people who will read your word and obey, that their wealth  would be used to send out missionaries or to help the needy. Thank you that there is freedom in Andorra, I pray against the occult Lord I know that the enemy is strong and at work but you are so so much stronger. Come against the occult with fire, show your creation that you are King. 

Elijah Project: Day 4

Country: Algeria

A Country Unreached.

This country has known nothing but war for years. From revolutionary wars to unrest amongst themselves, Algeria has found itself under the hand of many Islamic militants. Freedoms are slowly being taken away, especially that of religious freedom. Persecution has greatly increased since 2008 and Islamic groups are becoming more and more intolerant of any religious expression other than their own. 

What to pray for:

1) Political Climate

·  The country is very war-weary. The violence has never ended and many of the freedom’s promised have not come through or have continued to lessen.

· There is great unrest between secularist who want to embrace a more western way of governing and Islamist who have been gaining more and more control within society. They now have power of schools, mosques, and threaten to murder those who oppose.

2) Persecution of Christians

· Laws have been passed against the practice of “non-Muslim worship.” Pressures for Christians come not just governmentally but through family and friends as well

3) The Church

· Pray for unity and the growth of strong leaders, especially among indigenous groups.

·   Strength for Christian families as many Christians girls are forced to marry Muslim men and hide their faith. Pray for the few Christian couples that they would remain strong.

· Unemployment among Christians is 90%, deeming many churches and pastors with no provision

4) A nation unreached

·  Youth comprise most of the country, as well as most of the Christian population. But many are running to Europe to have more freedom, leaving the country with few believers.

· The nomadic people groups (The Tuareg and Bedouin) are becoming more and more open to the Gospel. Pray for continued growth and strategies to reach these people as well as leaders to disciple.

·  There is no ministry in Algeria geared toward children. This must grow in homes since the children are taught Islam in their schools.

· Bible translation is sparse and slow moving for Algerian Arab as well as in the indigenous languages. 

What the Lord put on my heart today through prayer:

Father give me your eyes and your heart for the Algerian people. Show me what is burdening your heart, I want to know your love for these people. Restore the leadership in Algeria, I pray for believing, God fearing, honest people to step up into leadership roles. Free the believers, give them back their freedom to worship you Father. Give them the freedom not to hide and reason for the young people not to flee to Europe. Show those young people that you are so present especially in times of opposition. Light a fire in them, give them a passion to declare your name, to make your name famous. Use them to renew and restore what has been lost. The Lord gave me a picture of a great wind blowing the Algerian youth from Europe back to Algeria. Each young person was covered in flames and when the wind blew them to Algeria the whole country was ignited. Father please do just that, ignite the country with a fiery passion for you, with a great love for you and what you have done for us. Show the Algerian people the importance and treasure of children. Especially in the Christian families, teach them to bring up children who are boldly ready to share their faith despite what shape their country is in. Lord I pray for a desperation for you a thirst and hunger for you. I pray against fear of man in Jesus' name. I pray that the fear of man would be transformed into a fear of you. Let their actions be spurred on by your love and their fear of you Lord.