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September, 2010
Dear Prayer Supporter,
Life often seems overwhelming. Each of us faces our own challenges, and often the resulting anxieties threaten to swamp us. Thankfully, this is something which our Heavenly Father is aware of. He knows this propensity of ours towards anxiety, and assures us of His care and provision (Matthew 6:25-26). Jesus even warns us that the worries of this life can come in and choke the Word he has planted in us, making us unfruitful in our Christian lives (Mark 4:18-19).
Paul tells the Philippians, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4: 6). Peter tells his listeners, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). God is able to lift us up, taking on the burdens which bear us down. Let us commit those things which are burdening us down with anxiety to Him, and then enjoy His peace, which transcends all understanding, and will guard our hearts and minds in Christ.
When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)
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To download a PDF of this Prayer and News Update, click here
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Please join with the staff of Bible Society as together
we pray for the following projects and opportunities
during the month of September.
SPECIAL NEED FOR PRAYER
Australian Government—We have all been challenged recently to think about how we should live in relation to those in charge of our country. The authorities exist because they've been established by God. See Romans 13:1-2. We are told that we should submit ourselves - for God's sake to every authority instituted among people. See 1 Peter 3:13-17. Please pray that our interests as a Nation - in politics, policies and the Government be Bible-focussed with intent to glorifying our great God. Please also pray for the leaders of Australia - that they would be truly contemplating the best interests of our Nation, its people and future generations. See 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
WEEK ONE
'Taste and See' Cooking Demonstrations
Rachel Billington, renowned Chef and owner of 'Neat Eats' trained in England as a Cordon Bleu Chef and now lives in Sydney with her family. She is passionate about good food, family and telling people about Jesus. Rachel's tantalising 'Taste and See' cooking demonstrations are an evangelistic Women's ministry supported by the Bible Society who are excited to be helping Rachel glorify Jesus and spread the name of our great God through this 'delicious' ministry. Please pray for continued effectiveness in glorifying God and reaching many non-Christian ladies through these events across New South Wales.
Egypt - Bible Society Bookshop
In Egypt, it is legal to sell Scripture materials but not to distribute them freely. Christian bookshops therefore play a key role in providing Egyptians with access to God's Word. A man planning revenge for his son's death saw an open Bible in a bookshop window, and was shocked to read about loving one's enemies. Bible Society staff shared with him the radical truths found in God's Word. Seeds of faith were planted, and he purchased a Bible for himself. "Bible Society bookshops on the streets are shining beacons of light and truth," says BSE's Lois Nagieb. Please pray that BSE's bookshops can continue to cover their operating costs, continue to be shining lights and offer hope to all those who enter and pass by the shops. With large public gatherings of Christians, there are many who are fearful, so we would appreciate your prayers for security and safety for all involved.
WEEK TWO
Indigenous Australia - Audio Scriptures
Over 50,000 Australians speak an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander language at home and in their community. They find English difficult, especially when it comes to understanding and expressing the truths of the Bible. Yet, even though 26 indigenous languages have Scripture translations, many people remain cut off from God's Word because they can't read their own language. Because of this, translated Scriptures are being made available in audio format. Please pray that Indigenous Australians will continue to have the opportunity to hear God's Word in their heart language that God will work in their hearts and bring them to Him. Please also pray that an appropriate amount of audio Scripture will be made available for five indigenous languages with 4,650 speakers.
The Bible Society 2011 projects
The Bible Society's mission is to make the Bible available to all in a language and format each can understand, engage with and afford. We are now considering and proposing exciting project plans for 2011 with partner organisations. Please pray for our current partners as they continue spreading the Gospel to people around the globe. Please pray for the Bible Society Missions staff - that God will give them His wisdom and discernment as they select projects for 2011. Please also pray that through the projects that are selected, people world-wide will come into full understanding of the love of Christ that is found in the Bible.
WEEK THREE
Bible engagement resources and www.jesusallaboutlife.com.au
Our Jesus. All About Life website has transformed into a resource website. Available on the site free of charge are Scripture lessons, Bible study discussion guides, Bible reading plans, and Bible devotional material. The new Rev blog is also up and running (therevblog.wordpress.com), where CEO Daniel Willis, as 'The Rev' engages in discussions about various topics and encourages online visitors to have conversations about Jesus. Please pray for us as we continue to source good quality Bible engagement resources for the website. Please also pray for 'The Rev' blog, that many people would visit the blog to have conversations about Jesus and also for us as we consider the need for Scripture teaching material for secondary schools.
India - REAP Literacy Programme
A third of India's children live in urban slums, struggling in desperate poverty. Together with our ministry partner REAP, we conduct a literacy program promoting the teaching of English through Bible reading. A whole new world opens up for these children when they gain basic English skills. They do better at school, and because God's Word is the focus of their learning, there is the added bonus of young hearts and minds being transformed by the Gospel! Please pray for continued growth of the Reap Literacy Programme and for the health and education of all the children who enter the programme. Specifically, please pray for G. Yesubabu (12 years) whose mother committed suicide because his alcoholic father was beating his mother. This student dropped out of the programme but has recently started going back to school. Please also pray that more English-speaking Christian teachers will become available to teach in the programme. "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."
WEEK FOUR
Scripture Grants - Juvenile Justice
Richard Thackray offers the Gospel to thousands of troubled boys in his work as Chaplain at Cobham Juvenile Justice Centre in Western Sydney. "Usually the boys are quite disoriented when they arrive. They're thrown together - with a whole lot of kids from different ethnic backgrounds, various religions, broken families - into an environment where they're told what to do 24/7. It's a very confronting situation." says Richard. Please pray that the Word will continue to be distributed in portions that strike a chord with the boys, that they would truly 'hear' what God has to say to them. Pray also for Richard, that he would continue to help these boys learn of Jesus' love for them, and that the Bible Society will be able to continue to supply Juvenile Justice Centres with Bibles and Scripture free of charge through the Scripture Grants program.
New Guinea - Capacity Building
The Bible Society Papua New Guinea strives to meet the many and varied needs of their constituents.
Please pray that God will give them His guidance as they consider the direction to take in the future and formalise a strategic plan. Pray also for the Council and staff that God will give them wisdom in their decision making and also for God's provision of a new General Secretary to lead Bible Society Papua New Guinea forward as the current General Secretary prepares for his retirement next year.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
September 11th - 17th The Fabulous Mudgee Vineyards Classic Ride (Bike for Bibles)
September 18th Alstonville Archaeological Seminar
September 19th Central Coast Hymnfest, and Canberra Hymnfest
September 20th - 24th Northern Rivers Showcases
Your on-going prayer support for the Staff of Bible Society is greatly valued and appreciated. Also a number of
our supporters from time to time face health, financial and other family issues. Your regular pray for our
brothers and sister in Christ who are in need, both here in Australia and overseas, is both welcomed and valued.
Postal address: PO Box 375 North Ryde NSW 1670
Telephone: (02) 9888 6588
Email: info@biblesocietynsw.com.au
Bookshop Telephone: (02) 9262 6355
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