"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2
PRAYER
Prayer is a mainstay of the Christian life. Jesus spoke with His Father in this manner while He was among His people. Matthew 26:36 Besides giving us a living example, Jesus provides quite a bit of instruction on how to pray throughout Matthew chapter 6. The basis for prayer is a humble and thankful heart, and the call is to continually praying. 2 Chronicles 7:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:17
God the Father directs His people to avoid anxiety and gain peace by making our petitions known through prayer. Philippians 4:6 The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we aren't sure how to pray. Romans 8:26
Prayer promotes communication with God and fellow believers that changes hearts.
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16
The ministry of Lifework Forum is undergirded by the prayers of everyone involved; servants and those whom we serve. We praise God in the heights and ask that His name would be hallowed in all the earth. Amen
Specifics
Before you read through the following requests, we would ask that you seek the Lord about the ways He might have you participate in the increasingly global call He's placing before us. We would encourage you to respond in obedience and step into blessings galore.
Creative Access
The Lovelaces are heading out to serve a number of families in a country that must remain nameless. They have accepted the invitation with hearts humbled by the privilege. Praise God that visas have been obtained and ask the Holy Spirit to lead your prayers on various topics - travel mercies, housing, finances, cultural adjustment, health, safety, effectiveness, etc. Plenty of energy can be put into the preparations, but only God can accomplish the results. "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." Psalm 127:1
The Netherlands
God is calling His people to come out of the grayness of culture. He is developing His leaders on the firm foundation of biblical truth. Please pray for the Lord's blessing on His remnant - that they would be the Father's agent to affect the entire culture with the Gospel.
Bosnia
Praise God for the safety and protection He affords His people in the midst of spiritual struggle. The oldest child in one of our families was struck by a car in Sarajevo. He seems to be recovering well physically, but there is still the police and court process to undertake. Please ask the Lord to watch over the whole family through it all.
There are a number of changes going on among workers in this field. The most exciting for us is that Nicki Berthiauma is coming home after serving for seven month. Please join our local body in praying for her smooth, safe and timely return. Also, pray for such continued blessing as He coordinates the efforts of those He has sent to serve in this field.
Croatia
Prayer has been requested for the leadership of this country. The Prime Minister and Minister of Education have resigned. The overarching reason was the inability of the government to meet their commitment to improve the educational system. It is reported that many families are so frustrated they're prepared to take their children out of the schools and teach them at home. There are Croatian families who have fled the country in order to be able to do that already.
The interim Prime Minister is known as a person who appreciates and attends to the needs of the "underdog". So there is hope for short-term relief. Please petition our heavenly Father to grant favor to all the people of Croatia by causing the elections in the spring of 2010 to usher in more godly national leadership, adding in the extra request of educational relief for believers who wish to educate their children at home.
Hungary
God is indeed blessing this beautiful country. There is a serious movement of prayer among mothers, an increase of Hungarians accessing the resources of the Budapest Christian Library, and a fresh wind of mutuality among believers. Pray that God will continue His outreach into this remarkable culture.
Czech Republic
Please pray for the Christian International School of Prague (CISP). Their request to be recognized by the Ministry of Education has been denied. The CISP board is seeking the Lord about appealing the decision. Becoming a recognized school has many benefits one of which is that they would then begin a homeschool umbrella program. This development would bring major blessings to a number of national and expatriate families currently under increasing pressure from the Czech government. Please ask our Father to intercede on behalf of His children and grant favor with the Ministry of Education.
Romania
There are a number of sweet, homeschooling families with whom Lifework Forum has interacted. Please join us as we pray for our Father's grace and mercy to not only sustain them, but cause them to blossom for their peace and joy and His own glory. Amen