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8 of 12: August 2016
Dear Friend,

In this issue of Breakthrough, for the first time, we pray for the people of Algeria, a large and beautiful country of North Africa. We also pray for the impact of testimonies which, when told personally, can powerfully change people’s lives.

As usual, before you begin praying for these, we would encourage you to come before the Lord and spend some time focussing on him. Perhaps go to a quiet place where you find it easy to come into God’s presence, or think about something in nature that draws you close to him. For a few moments, turn your eyes away from the world and revel in the wonder of God’s love and mercy. Ask him what is on his heart and pray as you feel led. When you’re ready, move on to the information and prayer points below…

Country focus: Algeria

Key verse

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 26:36)
 

About

The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria lies on the Mediterranean coast and borders Morocco, Mali, Niger, Libya and Tunisia. It has a landmass of almost 2.4 million square kilometres, making it the largest African nation as well as the largest Arab nation. It has a population of 40 million, the majority of whom live in the northern parts, where the land is more fertile. The Sahara Desert takes up much of the southern part of the country.

Algerians are mostly of Arab and Berber ethnicity. They speak Arabic and Berber languages such as Kabyle, and use French for business and education. Sunni Islam is the main religion, which is followed by the majority of people. However, Christianity has grown massively among the Kabyle people. Today there are many thousands of Kabyle believers and a large number of established churches.

Statistical sources: World Factbook, Wikipedia
 

Stronghold

While Algeria has a flourishing church among the Kabyle people, there are very few Arab believers. Algerian Arabs have access to the truth through the web and satellite TV, but many millions remain unaware of their need for salvation. They have stubborn hearts that need to be softened by the Holy Spirit. Let’s pray for this stubbornness to melt away…
 

Prayer points

  • Pray that the Holy Spirit would do a new thing in Algeria, releasing the stubborn hearts of Arab men and women. Pray that they would seek out the truth that will set them free.
  • Pray particularly for young people in the country. Algeria has its own history of extremism, and young people are particularly vulnerable to indoctrination. Pray that they would turn their backs on the false promises made by groups like Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb and Daesh (ISIS). Pray that young people would have independent minds to make their own spiritual journeys. Pray that they would be open to hearing about the gospel.
  • Lift up Kabyle believers as they stand their ground in spite of opposition in their communities. As they continue to be faithful followers of Christ, pray that Arabs would be moved to find out why and how they withstand difficulties and refuse to return to Islam.
  • Lift up the small number of existing Arab believers and pray that they would be filled with the Spirit. Pray for their witness to family members and friends to be bold and clear. Pray for whole communities to hear and consider the gospel.
Additionally, this Prayercast video will help you pray for the people of Algeria.
 

Ministry focus: testimonies

Imagine you are a young Omani man, living with your parents and siblings in a small town…

You are part of a wide family and have many brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins. You see them every day.

A friend recently died and this caused you to begin questioning the beliefs your parents instilled in you. Secretly, you have begun to wonder whether Islam is really the right way. You can’t talk to anyone about this, so you take your questions to the web, where you discover the truth about Jesus. This excites you, but then you grow fearful, knowing that your family would never accept your faith, that you would be alone.

Now imagine that you come across a testimony from another Omani. He was once a Muslim too, and he shares that his faith has given him strength to endure opposition. You thought you were completely alone in Oman, but now you know there are others who feel the same. This encourages you to keep finding out more about Jesus. Because of this, you feel able to contact an organisation like Arab World Media. They put you in touch with someone in a nearby town who can meet in you person. You are also linked up with other believers online. You are no longer alone.

What a difference a testimony can make! Please pray for us as we seek to share more personal accounts with people of the Arab world…
 

Prayer points

  • Pray that more believers would come forward, ready to share their stories and build up the church in the Arab world.
  • Pray that we would have the resources and personnel to continue with our Arabian Dawn project, which seeks to produce video testimonies from Gulfi Arab believers.
  • Pray that through testimonies, as well as personal contact with seekers, more individuals would know they are not alone.
  • Praise God for the testimonies we’ve already been able to share (take a look on our Vimeo page). Pray that these would continue to be watched and shared widely. May they bring hope and strength to those who feel isolated and alone.

Please also pray for...

  • Those affected by the recent atrocities in France and Germany – particularly those who lost loved ones or were injured.
  • All who are living in fear of a terrorist attack including, perhaps, ourselves? Fear can drive people to hate. It can divide communities. Fear is driving many people’s thoughts, including the thoughts of believers. Let’s ask our Father to help us see the world as he does. Let’s pray that many people would seek him out rather than hardening their hearts as they see so much suffering in the world.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)

Thank you for your prayers

The Arab World Media team

Next month: Saudi Arabia