Hot spots to PRAY for:

AZERBAIJAN

Location: Southwestern Asia, on the west coast of the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range.

Capital: Baku, ±2million

Population: 8,2 million

Religion: Muslim 83%, Non-Religious 11%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, Other 1.18%, Christian 0,02%

Language: Azerbaijani ( with ±20 dialects)

The Azeri people need our prayers:

Praise the Lord for the completion of the full Bible in Azeri, the first ever 3000 Bibles arrived in May and have all been distributed.

• Pray that the power of God’s Word will bring much fruit and depth to the Kingdom among the Azeris.
• Pray for the unreached western part of the country, where many towns and villages are still untouched by the Gospel.
• Pray for the long term workers planning to settle there in near future. Pray for the government officials to willingly issue visas for foreign workers.
• Pray for wisdom and discernment for the workers to know where and when to share the Gospel. Evangelism is severely restricted.
• Pray for the 15 million Azerbaijanis in Iran. They have had very little to no exposure to the Gospel. Ask God for creative ways to reach these millions with the Good News of Jesus.
• Pray for translation work and workers. Several translation projects are in process. The Bible and other Christian materials are not available in the local dialects of Azerbaijan.

Cape Peninsula residents spent a miserable night after heavy rain caused flooding - Comments by Brahm Hattingh

People in disaster areas need more help than what they realise. So often, when disaster strikes, Christians are there to help. But are we willing to help beyond our discomfort? When we give, do we only give money? Or are we willing to give time and effort as well?

I spoke to some people who came back from an outreach in Zimbabwe recently. The Christians in Zimbabwe, who have very little, share the little that they have with others, who have less. Most importantly, when we as Christians give, we must always give the good news of Jesus.

Act 3:6 But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" .

Peter knew that without the knowledge of who Jesus is, the lame man, would gain nothing even if he could walk. In the name of Jesus, we must help those who are in need.

England and Australia in a dramatic draw after 5 days of play - Comments by Brahm Hattingh

I personally can not understand how it is possible to play a game for 5 days, the score is not equal, but the game is called a draw? But it did make me think of the parable of the vineyard.

In Mat 20:1-16 we read how the Master appointed labourers to work in his vineyard. Some labourers were appointed early in the day, others toward the end of the day, yet all were paid the same wage. When those who started yearly complained, the master responded by saying that the most important thing is that you get paid and not that others got the same amount of money for less work. The master reminded the complaining labourers that he (the master) was free to do what he wanted with his positions.

This story relates to salvation and entry into the Kingdom of God. It is not important how late in the day you meet Jesus, it is important THAT you meet Jesus. Don’t waste time, today is the day for salvation.

2 Co 6:2 For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Hot spots to PRAY for:

Pakistan

MUSLIMS ATTACK 110 HOMES OF CHRISTIANS. On Tuesday (June 30) the mosque in a village falsely broadcasted the accusation that a Christian had blasphemed Islam. More than 500 Muslim recruits rampaged the village, breaking down gates, wrecking and plundering at least 110 homes and in some cases beating Christian women.

• Pray for peace between Christians and Muslims.
• Pray for the Christians to forgive the Muslims and in the midst of persecution show the Love of Jesus.
• Pray for the conversion of Muslims – that they will become disillusioned with Islam.

China

XINJIANG AUTONOMOUS REGION The Uyghurs, a minority people in Western China, are Muslims. Very few Uyghurs are Christians.

July 08: 156 people are dead, and 800 people have been injured in a massive protest during ethnic clashes between the Uyghurs and the Han people groups. This has put intense pressure on the small Christian Uyghur community for three reasons: “They are a national minority; many of them are Muslim-back¬ground believers from their Islamic environment; and they are Christians in a communist government of China.”

• Pray for peace between Uyghurs and Han.
• Pray that many Uyghurs will find peace in faith in Jesus, the Prince of Peace.