Transforming The 10/40 Window Nations Through The Power of Prayer
10/40 Window Reporter February 2012
Aqim: Terror In North AfricaThey call themselves al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and are affiliated with the late Osama bin Laden and his network of al-Qaida terrorists. The actual link, other than a similar desire to steal, kill, and destroy, is not entirely clear. What is clear is that this group is steadily taking over North Africa. “While al-Qaida’s central command is in disarray and its leaders on the run following bin Laden’s death,” notes Associated Press, “the group’s 5-year-old branch in Africa is flourishing.” Perhaps the most interesting – and frightening – part of this development is the way in which AQIM is expanding and taking control of the region: by winning the hearts of the people. “With almost no resistance,” the Associate Press article says, “al-Qaida has implanted itself in Africa’s soft tissue, choosing as its host one of the poorest nations on earth.” While the goal of the group is a global jihad, it is embedding itself in North Africa through good works. When they first enter a new area, AQIM members politely greet local inhabitants. They pay for water and often hand out candy to the children. “Besides candy, the men hand out cash. If a child is born, they bring baby clothes. If someone is ill, they prescribe medicine.” The organization raises funds by kidnapping Westerners (known as a “kidnap economy”) and by smuggling drugs. Security experts say AQIM has tripled in size in the last 5 years. Founded in Algeria, it now includes operations in most of North Africa. Observers say the kindness of AQIM members, along with the poverty of the region, have allowed the group to prosper. They are also persuasive proselytizers and preachers of extremist Islam/terrorism. Instead of forcing their ideology on people, they introduce it slowly. “It was the third time that I saw them that they started preaching to me,” one Malian man said. “They said that everything they do is in order to seek out God.” A former al-Qaida member points out, “The situation in Mali is they [AQIM] have become locals – they are not foreigners. This is really very, very difficult to do, and it makes it very hard to get rid of them.” PRAY FOR:
SOURCES: Associated Press 
The Regions Beyond“Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory.” (The Bible, I Corinthians 10:15,16) The apostle Paul was a pioneer missionary. He wanted to go where others had never been – the regions beyond. His heart was to reach those who had never been reached, to preach to those who had never heard the Gospel. Like Paul, WIN seeks to mobilize prayer and evangelism in the regions beyond. In missions language, that part of the world is known as the 10/40 Window. As you know, the 10/40 Window is home to:
That is the “regions beyond” in the 21st century. The people in the nations of the 10/40 Window are waiting to hear the Gospel. No wonder it is known as the “final frontier of missions.” Join us as we join God in mobilizing prayer and evangelism in the 10/40 Window. The Gospel must be preached in the regions beyond. Go to www.win1040.com/partnershipinvestment to donate today. 
PRAISE REPORTSIndia In December, the Karnataka State Cabinet withdrew cases that had been filed against 338 Christian youth in 2008. Church leaders spent three long years attempting to secure the release of these young people. Give thanks to the Lord for this development. Pray for the youth who have reportedly suffered a great deal and were forced to give up their education and career prospects. Pray for the church in Karnataka to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Egypt In July 2011, the Supreme Administrative Court “ruled in favor of those seeking to have their religious registration officially changed back to Christian.” This ruling applies to anyone who was once registered as a “Christian,” but had their status involuntarily changed. In October 2011, the Supreme Administrative Court also ruled in favor of a Christian woman who was petitioning to have the religious registration of her children changed back to “Christian.” (It had been changed to “Muslim” by her ex-husband.) Praise the Lord for these court rulings. Pray for Him to continue working powerfully in Egypt. Ask Him to encourage Christians in this nation and give them boldness in sharing their faith. Pray for a great harvest of souls in Egypt. Chad The North African nation of Chad is one of the poorest in the world. It ranks 173 out of 177 on the UN Human Development Index. But according to Global Hope Network International, “Chad is taking steps to address poverty in their country by allocating 10 percent of their oil revenues to improve health, education, roads, and water supply for future generations.” Give thanks to God for this. Pray for Christian humanitarian agencies, like GHNI, to be instrumental in alleviating poverty and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ in Chad. Israel According to the Jerusalem Post, Israeli “Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will begin hosting a regular Bible study group in his residence for researchers, public officials and invited guests.” Joel Rosenberg describes this “an excellent step” and has called Christians to “pray that the study of the Word of God has a powerful, personal impact on the Prime Minister and his family and each of his colleagues and guests.” Praise the Lord for this and pray that it will indeed have a powerful impact on Israel’s leaders and future. SOURCES: South Asia Mail, Middle East Concern, Global Hope Network International, FlashTrafficblog (Joel Rosenberg) 
February ElectionsElections can change the course of nations. As you consider those sceduled to be held this month: pray for fair elections free from rigging and manipulation. Ask the Lord to raise up men and women who will serve with integrity, righteousness, and justice. Pray for an end to corruption and graft. Invite the Lord to appoint those of His choosing and fulfill His purposes in the nations of the 10/40 Window. "He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. (The Bible, Daniel 2:21) 
The Killing Fields Of NigeriaIn Nigeria, one of the favorite pastimes of Muslim herdsmen and soldiers is the killing of Christians. With the familiar shouts of “Allahu akbar!”, they attack, maim, and murder Christians, burning their property and stealing their possessions. In November 2011 alone, Muslims massacred 45 Christians in Plateau state, 35 in Barkin Ladi and a nearby village. “Christians are fleeing,” said one Nigerian Christian. “We have no guns to fight back. Muslims have guns, and they have their soldiers fighting for them, so we have no choice but to leave town.” Hundreds of Christians were killed in March 2010 as Fulani Muslims attacked villages near Jos. In the most recent murders, Muslims accused Christians of stealing cattle and then went on a deadly rampage. In one instance, they broke into a home to murder a Christian policeman and his son. In another case, a Christian was beheaded. Muslim soldiers were brought in to stop the violence, but ended up joining in the killing spree. “Soldiers took sides with their fellow Muslims and were shooting and killing Christians,” one witness reported. “They also had soldiers guarding mosques in the town, but none was sent to watch over our churches.” Christians have responded by fleeing for their lives. “This is to chase us out of town and make us homeless,” one Nigerian Christian stated, “and at the same time starve us to death.” Those who have survived the attacks and are leaving the region have all been asking the same question: “When will the killings of Christians in Nigeria stop?” PRAY FOR:
SOURCES: Compass Direct 
Lebanon, The Middle East
Lebanon, officially the Lebanese Republic, is a small, mountainous, Middle Eastern country located at the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east, and Israel to the south. Due to the conflict between the government and the Hezbollah, the presidency was vacated in November 2007. Former army chief, Michel Sulayman was sworn in as president in May 2008. Although the Lebanese government has made progress in combating terrorism, there are still concerns about its ability to successfully counter the Hezbollah. This powerful terrorist organization is supported by the Shia community, which accounts for a third of the population. PraiseIn a major answer to prayer, a peace deal was reached to end fighting between the government and the Hezbollah. It is also notable that Lebanon is the only nation in the Middle East that allows citizens to change their religion. Prayer
A Global Day of Harvest of SoulsPentecost – May 27, 2012 Dr. Victor Choudhrie of the Starfish Alliance ministry in Padhar, India has set aside Pentecost 2012 (May 27) as a day to be fruitful and multiply. He has issued a challenge to the Church around the globe to make disciples on that day – and to pray in the months leading up to this event. Pentecost, Dr. Choudhrie notes, is the birthday of the Church. It is also a harvest festival in the Jewish calendar. “Our Lord changed it into a harvest of souls. “Three thousand families were baptized, who immediately started meeting in homes where they had apostolic teaching, fellowship, prayer and broke bread. This resulted in signs and miracles, sharing of material blessings and daily addition of new souls. (Acts 2:37-47) Very soon, an additional 5,000 families were added (Acts 4:4). Soon the new believers became disciples and multiplied (Acts 6:1,7). “The best way to celebrate the birthday of the church is to replicate the original first Pentecost – i.e. to reap a huge harvest of souls. Aim at baptizing at least 3,000 souls. And why not! After all, you believe in a great and awesome God for whom nothing is impossible.” Dr. Choudhrie has seen God do the seemingly impossible in India: enabling the Starfish Alliance to baptize one-million people between Pentecost 2009 and Pentecost 2010. “Every Christian is ‘ordained’ to fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord. The best way to fulfill that Command is to bring forth lasting fruit (John 15:16).” PRAY FOR:
The Generosity MovementThere is a new movement afoot. or at least, there could be. if we choose to join in. A Generosity Movement has been proposed by certain segments of the Body of Christ. It calls for a return to Biblical standards in terms of giving. A movement like this would involve:
What is keeping the Generosity Movement from taking hold in the Church? “God blesses Christians with vast resources,” says Dr. Sas Conradie, coordinator of the Resource Mobilization Working Group (RMWG). “Unfortunately, Christians are keeping the blessing for themselves instead of sharing it in God’s mission in the world. We need a movement of whole life disciples of Jesus Christ who give and share freely, abundantly and joyfully the financial resources God has entrusted to them.” The Lord himself gave us a mission to perform (The Bible, Matthew 28:18-20). We know He has provided the resources, yet the job hasn’t been finished. Why? What impact would a Generosity Movement have on completing the Great Commission? At Window International Network, we are seeking to reach the least-reached nations and people groups on planet earth. We do that by mobilizing prayer for the 10/40 Window and by raising up and equipping leaders inside this region who will effectively evangelize, plant churches, and disciple others. It’s a big job. And that’s why we need your help. Join the Generosity Movement today by investing the resources God has entrusted to you in His Kingdom. Prayerfully consider giving generously to the work WIN is doing in the final frontier of missions. 
Harvest PrayerIs it possible to hold a mini-Global Day of prayer every day of the year? Dr. Victor Choudhrie, a church planting leader in India, thinks so. Which is why he has issued a summons to the body of Christ to pray in harmony each morning and has even provided an outline to help make it happen. 3@6 invites believers the world over to spend 3 minutes praying for global evangelism at 6 a.m. every morning. Choudhrie’s suggestions for utilizing this time include the following:
It’s an incredibly simple, yet potentially powerful way to finish the task (The Bible, Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20; Revelation 5:9). The question is: Can we spare 180 seconds of our day to see God’s most passionate desire fulfilled? 
Islam: Out of ControlImagine being sent to prison for touching a book. That’s what is happening in 10/40 nations where Islam is out of control. Of course, it isn’t just any book that lands violators in jail. It’s the Qur’an. “Defiling the Qur’an” is a crime punishable by imprisonment, even death. Ruqqiya Bibi knows this to be the case. She was accused of “touching [the Qur’an] with unwashed hands.” She has already spent eight months in prison and is now attempting to get bail. Her husband, Munir, was accused of the same crime. He was sent to prison, but later released on bail. Defiling the Qur’an is part of what is usually referred to as the Blasphemy Law. This, in turn, is part of Shari’a (Islamic) law and is usually a vague, often indefensible accusation used to oppress, intimidate, and persecute Christians. It is especially abused in Pakistan, but also found in Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, and other staunchly Islamic nations. The government of Pakistan has even asked the United Nations to “approve a universal blasphemy law to protect religious minorities from ‘intolerance, discriminations and acts of violence.’” PRAY FOR:
SOURCE: International Christian Concern, Christianity Today, the Guardian 
Egypt: After The Arab SpringApproximately one year after protests began in Egypt (first staged on January 25, 2011), the nation continues to be in a state of transition. The demonstrations that led to the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak also led to the introduction of a military government. Elections are being held, but the results are very different than many had hoped for. Islamists are taking most of the seats in parliament. Instead of a representative democratic government, some feel the elections are turning into a competition between religions – with Christians losing out. In fact, Christians have been the target of a campaign of violence since Mubarak was deposed. And this hasn’t only come at the hands of extremist Muslims. In November 2011, the Egyptian army killed 27 people (at least 23 of them Christians) who were protesting the burning of a church. “Instead of assuming any responsibility for the killings, the military instead blamed unidentified ‘enemies of the nation.’” Though Christians make up an estimated 10% of the population, they are increasingly persecuted and politically discriminated against. Some are fearful of the future. “The church might not survive what’s coming,” a shop owner recently lamented. PRAY FOR:
SOURCE: Compass Direct, The Wall Street Journal |
See what $10.40 / month can do!
Stay in touch with news & updates.
Buy books, study guides & calendars.
The latest issue of the Reporter.
  |
