Pray for Greece

In praying for the countries of Southeastern Europe also known as the Balkans, we will take this week to pray for Greece.
Two Major events in Greece: 1) Wreckage of EgyptAir flight MS804, 2) Migrant riot on Macedonian border.

1) Greece: EgyptAir made sharp turns before crashing with 66 aboard

USA TODAY) -- Greek officials said Thursday that an EgyptAir flight that disappeared over the Mediterranean in route from Paris to Cairo with 66 people aboard apparently made two sharp turns then suddenly lost altitude before vanishing from radar.

Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Sherif Fathi said the possibility of a terror attack as the cause of the crash of flight MS804 was “stronger” than technical failure.

Egyptian and Greek authorities said the plane likely went down near the Greek island of Crete.
Reuters reported that Greek authorities had spotted two floating objects in sea 50 miles southeast of area where the plane left the radar, 174 miles off the Egyptian coast.  Greece's defense ministry mobilized a search and rescue operation.

2) Migrants throw stones at police – Greek police throw Gas canisters
“Violence flares as Greek police clash with migrants,” May 18, 2016:

Migrants throw rocks at Greek police during a scuffle at the Macedonian border (AP)
Greek riot police have fired tear gas and stun grenades at refugees and other migrants who tried to push a railway carriage through a cordon during a protest at a crowded camp on the border with Macedonia. Police said about 200 people were involved in the violence, and the migrants also attacked officers with stones. There were no immediate reports of injuries or arrests.

The sprawling Idomeni camp is home to about 10,000 people trapped in Greece after a series of border closures further north on the Balkan migration route to Europe’s prosperous heartland. <Read More>

Two situations in Greece; one is of high priority to the media and one less covered but both are important to Europe. If EgyptAir flight was a result of terrorism, then it adds to heightened risk of flying especially in light of the Brussel’s attack. The refugees from the Middle East are backed up on the border of Greece because Macedonia will not allow them access as all consequent borders to Western Europe are currently closed to migrants.

Prayer Points:
1)    Let us first pray that the Greek authorities will handle both situations with much wisdom.
2)    Pray for the families of loved-ones that perished on the EgyptAir flight.
3)    I can only imagine what it would be like to be a refugee and have to flee my home. Let us pray that the Greek government and the European Union will figure out how to relieve their suffering.
4)    In last week’s prayer points we inserted this link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQfs7nSHGGU.  In this video it is mentioned that 53% of all refugees are Christians fleeing the Islamic oppression. Let us pray for these Christians fleeing the Middle East. May the Lord be with them as He was with the Children of Israel when they fled Egyptian bondage.
5)    It is said that a good number of Christians in the Middle East or those that lived in Muslim lands, are nominal in their spiritual and doctrinal beliefs. It is also true that persecution can supply a grace that immediately deepens a person’s faith.
   a.    First let’s pray that they would be safe on their journey and the Lord would help them get to a safe dwelling place.
   b.    Let us pray that many Christian organizations would be able to get Arabic and Farsi language Bibles into the camps.
   c.    May these Christians from Muslim backgrounds be bold in their faith and lead many Muslims to the redemptive love of Jesus.
6)    With the present situation in Greece, let us pray for Greek churches to get involved in reaching out to these refugees. May the compassion of Christ compel them to see them as human beings first.
7)    There are reports of the Greek government and EU authorities restricting access to the camps. Pray that those helping the refuges would respect the authorities but at the same time the authorities would grant favor to visit and help. Pray for any confusion to cease and may the Spirit of God bring order into the camps.

Pray for Croatian

Pray for Croatia

IN THE NEWS: Croatia’s Far Right Weaponizes the Past

“The European Union’s newest member, Croatia, has an unabashed and strong-willed fascist in its new cabinet — one who makes the right-wingers in power in Hungary and Poland look like wimps. The contested figure is Zlatko Hasanbegović, a 42-year-old historian who became culture minister in late January after the country’s latest election produced a new right-wing ruling coalition. Hasanbegović had been a prominent figure in a small ultra-rightist party that openly extols the fascist World War II-era Ustasha movement (He left the party and is now unaffiliated, though he has never renounced it). As a historian, his work focuses on downplaying the crimes of the Ustasha and cautiously rehabilitating its ideas. Unlike the right-wingers in Poland and Hungary who are eviscerating their states’ democratic structures, the Croatian nationalists are waging their war within the realm of political culture — for now. Their goal is to lay the groundwork for an eventual assault on the country’s liberal democracy”, writes Foreign Policy.
http://www.total-croatia-news.com/politics/11762-foreign-policy-magazine-criticises-croatia-s-new-government

In the Balkans, digging up the political past has no redemptive value. The past is full of ethnic, territorial and political ghosts that only fuel revenge. Hatred runs deep and generations have been passing it on for a thousand years. It even penetrates the churches here. Having been in Croatia now for over years, we have seen the ugly face of back-biting, slander, dishonor and perpetual division.  As citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven we know how to combat these continual divisions, we must come in the opposite spirit. At ISTgroup our desire is to operate from a place of honor regardless of who we are dealing with. We cultivate honor in our lives and others as we encounter Him daily in the Upper Room here in Zagreb. At the ISTgroup we as a team are about about to begin a workbook study on the “Culture of Honor” by Danny Silk. If you have not read this book, we highly recommend it.
 
Prayer Points:
1)    Pray for the government of Croatia; right wing, left wing, they all need Jesus.
2)    There is fear and hopelessness among Croatians regarding the direction of the government. We pray for Jesus lovers to raise up into all spheres of government and society in order to influence culture in Croatia.
3)    Croatia, just like every other country in the world, needs Godly men and women to rise up and call upon the Lord to redeem their country from corruption. Let us pray for the Lord to raise up a Moses in Croatia. Someone that hears the cry of their people.
4)    Division in and among the churches is limiting spiritual and numerical growth in Croatia. Let us pray that Christians would be convicted of slandering other Christians.
5)    Help us Lord to honor everyone. Let us pray for the revelation of a culture of honor to take root in our Croatian brothers and sisters.
6)    The redemption of a country always starts with intercessors. Lord, we pray for the coming together of intercessors to pray for Croatia. The burning hearts need to unite and cause a fire.
7)    At the Upper Room here in Zagreb, we are praying for the country. Pray that we would stay faithful to our calling. Pray that we endure until we see a greater light shine and Lord show us how to maintain the light.
8)    It has been prophesied that God is raising up a hidden Christian army in Croatia. Let us all pray into this word and ask God to bring them forth quickly.

The following video is a powerful prophetic word for Europe that was given by Tim Morley near the end of April 2016. Tim Morley is introduced by Aliss Cresswell of Morning Star Europe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQfs7nSHGGU

Pray for Zagreb, Croatia

Pray for Zagreb

We are so glad to be living in Zagreb. It is a beautiful city with beautiful people in it. We have now been lifting up Jesus in the house of prayer for seven months. We really believe Jeremiah 29:7, And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. We are compelled by the Lord to pray for the city. God is moving here, but we are believing for His glory to be poured out in a much greater way.

This month in Zagreb, a ministry called Cornerstone Arts is preparing to perform a musical. This ministry is plowing through some hard ground as arts and entertainment is very much controlled by the secular industry.
 
Prayer Points:
1)    First of all pray for the peace of the city. There are problems in the government but we pray for peaceful solutions.
2)    Pray that the churches in Zagreb will be temples where Holy Spirit freely dwells.  May the pastor’s be led by the Spirit to love their people like Jesus does.
3)    There is discontent among the unchurched of Zagreb. Many we encounter on the streets are disgusted with the Catholic and Protestant churches, but they believe in God. Pray for us as we encounter people on the streets. Pray that we will be compelled by the compassion of Jesus.
4)    Continue to pray for the coming meetings with Yonathan Lara. He truly had an impact last year and we are praying for the double anointing this year. (Meetings are May 26-28)
5)    Pray that the Upper Room we oversee will draw the burning ones form throughout the city as we cultivate His presence.
6)    Pray for Richard Montez and Cornerstone Arts to be able to overcome all opposition and prepare the musical carrying the message of hope and raising the banner of Jesus over the entertainment industry in and around Zagreb.

Psalm 95:2
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

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Pray for the IST Group

Pray for the IST Group

Thanks for joining us in prayer as we intercede for the Balkan countries. This week let us pray for Intentional Strategies for Transformation, the ministry we steward. Every first week of the month we cover IST Group in prayer.

Last month the whole team was in Dallas, Texas for the Upper Room Global Summit and for the IST Group board meeting. (For a reminder of the prayers we prayed for that time see this link  http://istprayer.blogspot.hr/2016/04/pray-for-istgroup.html).

Thank you so much for your prayers while we were stateside. We were able to share the vision we carry with many. We had two new churches join us as partners. We love it when churches come on board with us, and likewise we honor all the individuals that give their sacrificial missions offering each month. We love and pray for our partners regularly.

Momentum is building here in Zagreb for the up-coming conference with Prophet Yonathan Lara from Argentina. There are five churches involved and we truly expect faith to be activated in this city and nation. The conference is May 26-28th!

The IST Group as a team will be going to Macedonia next weekend (May 6-8).  Zuzanna and Lidija will be ministering at the Daughters of the King Macedonija Conference, and Jerry will be visiting a house of prayer and a coffee shop ministry in Skopje, the capital.
 
Prayer Points:
1)    Thank you for continuing to lift up the IST group as we in collaboration with the Board suntan working towards the establishment of this vision. We are beyond blessed as we see it all coming together.
2)    Pray for the meeting with Yonathan Lara. Because of the cooperation of the 5 city leaders, the organizational piece is in good shape. We still lack some of the finances in order to cover the cost of this sizable undertaking.
3)    Pray that the same Spirit which poured out revival after revival in Argentina, would be poured out on this dry and thirsty land! We expect that believers faith will be activated and the result will be: true believers fulfilling their destiny.
4)    Pray for our time in Macedonia. May the Macedonian Call ring loud in our ears. Pray for Lidija as she leads the conference and pray for Zuzanna as she ministers. Pray for many Holy Spirit encounters.
5)    Pray for Jerry in Macedonia as he desire to reach people on the streets. Lord give him boldness to share the revelation of Jesus in power and in love.

What can I say; the Lord is just SO GOOD!

Pray for Bulgaria

As we pray for the Balkans each fourth week of the month, let us highlight Bulgaria this time.
We received feedback from some Bulgarian friends on conditions in their country.

From K.A.
Bulgarians celebrate Good Friday on April 29th and Easter on Sunday, May 1st. So, I think a primary prayer focus would be that more Bulgarians grasp the reality of Christ dying on the cross for our sins that we may join him in resurrection living.

From A.M.
Bulgaria is struggling spiritually - Many claim Christianity but it is cultural and not religious in nature.  Due to hard economic times many people work many jobs and have no time for God or the church.  They are still by enlarge a conservative people but with EU requirements that too is changing.
In some areas the Orthodox Church makes being an evangelical difficult but since it was revealed a few years ago that may of the Orthodox Church leaders were part of the communist party - even the Orthodox Church has lost its impact especially with the youth.

From P.R.
…we recently had a big crusade with Daniel Kolender. That CFAN ministries. [Daniel Kolender is being raised up to flow in the anointing of Reinhard Bonnke]

From the Facebook page of Evangelist Daniel Kolender
I thank God for what He did in Plovdiv, Bulgaria this past weekend! The power of the Holy Spirit touched so many people there. May Bulgaria continue to be changed by the power of the Gospel in Jesus name!

Prayer Points:
1)    Let us praise the Lord for the recent crusade by Daniel Kolendar and others. Thank You, Lord, for visiting Bulgaria through these evangelist.
2)    Let us pray that those receiving Jesus at this crusade would not fall away. Holy Spirit we ask that a special protection be assigned to their souls.
3)    We pray that follow up will be very active to nurture those that received Jesus.
4)    Let us pray that this Easter will be a time when many are drawn to Jesus the resurrected one. May all Bulgarian churches, even the Orthodox give extraordinary light to the power of the Lord’s resurrection.
5)    Many in Bulgaria and across the Balkan countries has lost faith in the church as an institution. May the word of hope go forth across Bulgaria and especially reclaim the youth.
6)    Let us pray for evangelist to be raised up in Bulgaria. This is a great need across the Balkans; evangelist that have a passion for the lost.
7)    May 1st is Orthodox Easter and also May Day. May Day is a socialist/communist backed celebration to honor the working class. Let us pray that Jesus would not be over shadowed this coming Sunday.
8)    Let us pray for the working class, which is actually all mankind, that they would see Jesus in the midst of their hard work. Market place ministry is available to every Christian.

Prayer for Zagreb 4/11/16



Pray for Zagreb, Croatia this week

Break the “Chains”.

Acts 16: ²³ And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. ²⁴ Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. ²⁵ But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

Paul and Silas knew how to capture the attention of Heaven. They knew the power of thanksgiving and understood that the sound of high praise was the key to lifting their hearts above their situation into the presence and power of God. Not only did their chains fall off, but everyone's chains fell off!

Now personally we don’t want to receive stripes and be thrown in prison but we long for Zagreb to experience freedom. Metaphorically speaking, the people of Zagreb have also been beaten and thrown into prison.  

We must lift up high praise in Zagreb and believe God to break the chains.

Prayer Points:

1)     Let us approach His throne and ask for increased praise and worship to ascend over Zagreb.

2)     Lord, we ask for a sound from heaven that will invade the city and break the enemy’s chains.

3)     Lord, we ask for a team of sold-out totally committed worshipers and prayer warriors that will raise up a standard in Zagreb.

4)     Ask with us for the city of Zagreb. May it be our inheritance:

Psalms 2: 8-9
Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.

5)     Lord, give us a spiritual rod of iron to beat the enemy into pieces. Help us to understand the spiritual warfare necessary to break the people’s chains.

6)     Let us proclaim and see liberty so Zagreb can experience an outpouring of His glory. 

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Pray for ISTgroup

Please pray with us for the ministry we steward, Intentional Strategies for Transformation (IST Group).

We are currently in Texas having attended the Upper Room Global Conference in Dallas. Which was a blessed time of being equipped and ministered to by our home church. We feel so spoiled, UR Dallas loves us well! While in America we are meeting with churches and donors, expressing our thankfulness for their continued partnership. We are also meeting with many to cast the vision for ministry needs and opportunities in Croatia and Southeaster Europe.

If you are in Texas and we have not had the chance to meet with you this time, we are so sorry. This is the hardest part of coming to visit that we never have time to see everyone.
 
Prayer Points:
1)    At the top of our focus right now is reaching the contribution goals needed to sustain the ministry. Pray that these goals will be reached.
2)    Pray for our safe travels during our remaining time in America and our return to Croatia.
3)    Our health has suffered some while in America, so pray we fully recover.
4)    We are truly being encouraged by many here in the States and feel renewed strength to carry the vision forth. We pray blessings and increase over our spiritual and financial partners and thank the Lord for their willingness to say ‘yes’.
5)    While here in Texas, we have had a very productive board meeting and our hearts are filled with joy, hope and anticipation for what God has in store for the IST Group and Southeastern Europe. We labored in prayer over the vision and believe God has a productive course set out for us. Pray with us as we walk through a few changes for transformation in Croatia and the region.
6)    Our Worship leader Lidija from our HOP in Zagreb is with us in the US. This has been a great time of impartation and catching the DNA of the Upper Room HOP for her. Pray that Lidija is able to absorb everything the Lord has for her here and  please pray that we are able to regain the momentum in the HOP we had before our trip to the US.

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