PRAYING FOR

THE MIDDLE EAST

USE THIS DAILY PRAYER GUIDE ALONGSIDE

OUR PRAYER DIRECTORY TO FOCUS PRAYER
ON THE MIDDLE EAST AND MECOS MINISTRIES

JUNE 2015

God gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves to God

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
James 4:6-8
1 MONDAY INTERNATIONAL
David Garrison tours the UK this month, sharing the findings of
his book A Wind in the House of Islam. As people are invited
to hear him, may our praying grow deeper and more energetic,
our perspective grow, and our witness to Christ be bolder and
clearer as a result of his encouragement. May he be protected and
strengthened as he travels and speaks.

8 MONDAY EGYPT
Chris A works with Think & Do, whose leaders are seeking the Lords
guidanceas they wrestle with questions of strategic direction,
funding, and how to build up a second tier of leadership. It is no
longer true that almost everyone in Egypt believes in God, and
Egyptian believers are considering how to reach out to the estimated
millions of atheists.

2 TUESDAY MIDDLE EAST

As fighting continues across the region, appeal to the Lord to bless
the work of all who are working to bring and build peace. Uphold
peacemakers and diplomats in the international community as
they work with governments and groups in countries across the
Middle East, asking for just and lasting solutions to be found against
overwhelming odds.

9 TUESDAY JORDAN
Stian & KatrinaG and their family are settling in to their new home
as Stian prepares to work in a long-established Christian hospital;
uphold them and their boys in a new place together. R* is back with
A* and the boys, and is reconnecting after his recent return. Uphold
our families and those among whom they live, work and witness.

3 WEDNESDAY UK & IRELAND

Trustees are meeting in London this afternoon, with a significant
agenda as we look ahead and as we make sure legacies are invested
wisely in Middle East ministries. Give thanks for a number of
promising conversations with people considering work in the region,
and for the faithfulness and wisdom of our Trustees.
4 THURSDAY LEBANON
ZakT sits his national Lebanese Brevet Exams on 5,6, 8 & 9th June;
JakeT has his exams from 15-19th June and then on the 25th leaves
for UK until Christmas - his first time living away from home. Pray
for all our members children, whether home-schooled or in national
schools, to grow to be world Christians who love their host culture
and are equipped to hold their own in their own.
5 FRIDAY IRAQI KURDISTAN
SR* asks for wisdom as he oversees writing the remaining
introductions to the books of the Sorani Old Testament, and
prepares the OT text for typesetting. Give thanks for continued
opportunities to reach out with relief supplies and scriptures within
the country and also across to Western Kurdistan. Pray for the
opening of a bookshop in a new area.
6 SATURDAY UK & IRELAND
David Garrison is speaking at a number of venues in Scotland
and Ireland this weekend and through next week. MikeP will be
introducing and interviewing him in Edinburgh tomorrow, as David
shares his research into remarkable movements of people turning to
Christ from their inherited faith.
7 SUNDAY CYPRUS
JM* reports that as the sports ministry is going ahead in leaps and
bounds, significant work needs to be done. Ask for workers to join
to fill in the gaps in administration and support. Life is hectic but its
clear what needs to be done to reach people through soccer.

10 WEDNESDAY LEBANON
The education centre for refugees that Mike & VickyT run closes for
Ramadan today; their staff and team have a day away with families
and children and a closing meal together. Pray that more opportunities
will open up to start Bible studies with families either amongst our
neighbours, or from those connected to the education centre.
11 THURSDAY CYPRUS
The long awaited trial of a Cypriot driver who caused the death of an
expat Christian worker, Graham, starts next week. Pray for JM *as
she ministers to Grahams family sitting in on this trial, and for Paula,
Grahams widow, who has been called as a witness. May there be a
just outcome to this emotive case.
12 FRIDAY EGYPT
Today the Archbishop of Canterbury welcomes Bishop Mouneer of
Egypt and the Egypt Diocesan Association to celebrate sixty years
of support for ministry in Egypt, North Africa & the Horn of Africa.
Uphold our colleagues who work with Diocesan initiatives, teaching
English in Cairo, serving refugees from neighbouring countries, and
visiting to reach out to prisoners.
13 SATURDAY UK & IRELAND
From next week MECO UK staff are involved in Hope4Muslims
tour venues in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast, Leeds, Bradford,
Birmingham, Oxford, Bristol and London. Pray for many to take
up the challenge to pray for the Muslim world following David
Garrisons talks, particularly as Ramadan begins on the 18th.
14 SUNDAY JORDAN
R* works with her Jordanian husband whos an assistant church
pastor in his local church. Although the Christian church is tiny
relative to the majority religion, it is nonetheless Gods light to the
world. Ask for all evangelical churches in the region to shine brightly,
and to be learning, growing fellowships of servant-hearted workers
for our Saviour.

15 MONDAY LEBANON
The Arab Baptist Theological Seminary hold their Institute of Middle
East Studies conference in Beirut this week. The focus is on identity
and belonging, the key theme for people who come to trust in Christ
and change communities. MikeP will be listening and meeting with
others who support churches in their outreach, and learning lessons
for global church witness.
16 TUESDAY MIDDLE EAST
Where is God in the Middle East? is the theme of an event in
London this afternoon for agencies and workers. Speakers include
David, Chawkat and Colin. An evening event aims to encourage prayer
for and engagement with Muslim neighbours, colleagues and friends.
17 WEDNESDAY UK & IRELAND
A forum of groups and agencies who focus on the Muslim world
meets today to encourage one another and hear whats going on in
the rooms of the house of Islam. Our staff will be at these London
events. Stephen E-L is speaking at a prayer gathering in Newport
this evening.
18 THURSDAY INTERNATIONAL
About 23% of the worlds population identify themselves as Muslim,
20% of whom live in the Middle East. As Ramadan begins today,
pray for all who are taking extra time to seek God and draw near
to him. Ask for them to find him, fully revealed and experienced in
Christ who alone offers forgiveness and transformation. DavidJ will
be leading a special Ramadan prayer meeting for groups in Leeds.
19 FRIDAY JORDAN
RS* works amongst very needy women who have known abuse or
other difficult circumstances. Some have a very young and tender
Christian faith, but no means to fellowship with others. Some are
lonely and lack real friendship, except what our colleague can offer.
May she find herself able to help them in the name of our Saviour, and
may women in these heart-rending circumstances find solace in Him.
20 SATURDAY LEBANON / USA
PerryS asks for ABTS: Tomorrow we will be graduating
approximately 20 students. Most of them are returning to complex
and difficult ministry contexts. Ask for wisdom and grace as they
seek to serve Gods mission in these contexts. He, Karen and
Phoebe are preparing for time out this summer connecting with
family and supporters and telling the story in the USA.

23 TUESDAY IRAQI KURDISTAN

EM *gives thanks for work with staff and disabled children in
refugee camps. Ive been encouraged by the capabilities of locally
trained staff, what theyre doing even when their circumstances
are so difficult and hope for any change in the near future has
diminished to nothing. Uphold them as theyre in daily contact with
people in camps who can grumble and complain and dont always
appreciate what they are trying to do for them and their children.
24 WEDNESDAY EGYPT
BR* is part of a team regularly visiting a Womens prison near Cairo.
Theyre able to bring small gifts of toiletries and food, cooking oil,
tea and sugar for the inmates. A number of Russian inmates they
are ministering to have received bibles and are avidly reading them.
CR* leads Refuge Egypt, which is looking for more funding for their
refugee food program.
25 THURSDAY JORDAN
Josie is preparing to be lead teacher in a small English-medium
school catering for western workers children later this year - a vital
role, as without adequate educational provision families struggle
to sustain their presence in the region. Other key roles including
maintaining visas and finding adequate housing are essential to
support medical ministries.
26 FRIDAY LEBANON
Darren asks for prayer as this month I intend to begin sharing with
people in the street. I need wisdom to make good decisions and help
from God with language. Pray that God will use recent conversations
to bring salvation to people and their families.
27 SATURDAY LEBANON
SC* distributes the Jesus film DVD in several languages. One
Bangladeshi lady whod received and watched the film ended up in
jail for being undocumented. She told a prison visitor: Id never seen
anyone like Jesus. No one compares to him. Pray for Gods Spirit to
touch lives as people watch the DVD.
28 SUNDAY UK & IRELAND
David & MargaretJ will be involved with the Leeds Arabic
Fellowship outreach lunch and meeting this afternoon. Pray for
good numbers, helpful conversations and freedom and clarity for
the Arab couple speaking to the group.

21 SUNDAY UK & IRELAND

RuthB has just returned home from Lebanon for her Home
Assignment. In a busy schedule, pray she and her hearers will
blessed as she shares her story with her home churches, friends
and supporters, and as she takes time for rest, spiritual input and
enrichment before returning in August.

29 MONDAY JORDAN
Well-taught, professionally trained new leaders of high quality are
desperately needed to maintain the vibrancy of the church in our
region. Uphold the hundreds of theological students being trained,
asking God to turn them into godly, wise, Christ-centred leaders.
Vernon is completing his Masters and joining the academic staff of a
leading seminary in the country.

22 MONDAY JORDAN
Relief teams do their best to meet the needs of hundreds of
thousands of displaced people, but their greatest need is spiritual.
Uphold Jolene as she works with a local church near the border and
longs to find those with a hunger for God and his good news. Ask
for open hearts, and for her to find herself alongside people who
recognise their spiritual need.

30 TUESDAY USA
Priscila is preparing to take time out in the USA from this summer.
She has made many friends in Lebanon, including some Egyptian
students. As we talk about departure we talk about doing ministry
together in the future. It amazes me how God has bound us together
through his mission to love and serve others. May this time be
fruitful as she shares her stories and experiences in Lebanon with
friends and supporters.
* Some names are only shown as initials for security.
MECO International is an interdenominational fellowship of evangelical
Christians from many countries with shared goals for the Middle East.
As partners with Middle East Christians, our aim is to mobilise and equip
people and prayer for the region.