HOW YOU
CAN PRAY
WITH US

World

In Open Doors' World Watch List top 50 alone, 312m Christians face very high or extreme levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith. As a people very far away from these countries, what can we do? What can we realistically do? WE CAN PRAY James 5:16b “...A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much.”

(name of the country, population Christians (% of population), main religion)

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – 95.1% ~ Christianity: The eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a dangerous place for Christians right now. Rebel groups are fighting for control of the area, including an Islamic extremist group, known as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which openly and brutally targets Christian homes and churches. Christians in this area live with the threat of kidnapping, and terrible violence is commonplace. The ADF kidnaps women, rapes them, and forces them to marry their soldiers, with Christian women sometimes being kept as a kind of 'trophy'.
- How to best PRAY: For stability and justice to return to eastern DRC;
- Pray that God gives church leaders great wisdom and strength as they look after their members;
- Pray for more opportunities to help churches providing trauma counseling and emergency aid.
- Pray for DRC's leader, President Felix Tshisekedi, that he may come to know the saving power of Jesus in his life and turn away from his former life to live for Christ.
Mexico – 95.6% ~ Christianity: There are an estimated 150 organised crime gangs in Mexico, financed by powerful drug cartels. Christians living in their territories risk being targeted. Christian leaders in particular can be viewed as a threat or defiant to a gang's authority and stability. When Christians refuse to carry out a gang's demand, or speak out against crimes, their church is soon in the firing line. The impunity and political instability contribute to the lack of justice when several pastors and priests have been kidnapped and held to ransom, badly beaten, or killed.
- How to best PRAY: Please pray for a return of law and order to Mexico, where crime currently reigns;
- Pray for God's wisdom and power for Christians standing up to the criminal gangs in their areas;
- Pray for safety for those who travel a long way to access Bible training or discipleship.
- Pray for Mexico's leader, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, that he may come to know the saving power of Jesus in his life and turn away from his former life to live for Christ. (39)

James 1:12... "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

Australia

PRAY for a wise and stable government, that we may live in peace;
PRAISE God that He sovereignly places every leader and that He has marked the days for which He uses them for His purposes;
PRAY that righteousness would reign in our country;
PRAY that evil is exposed and cut off from every agenda which is not of God and brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

1 Timothy 2:1-2... "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."

Exmouth

PRAY we are mindful of the needs of our community and to be proactive in meeting those needs;
continue to PRAY for our school, our administrators, teachers, and students...Pray that our children would not be exposed to information and decisions that are beyond their maturity to deal with...Pray that God would show us ways to extraordinarily love people while pointing them to Jesus;
PRAY for the Exmouth Community Pantry, a service that provides food to families in need for free so hunger can be alleviated (PRAY also that it can be a fruitful ministry to our town).

Mark 12:29-31... "Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”"

Our Congregation

PRAY for the courage to step out in faith and to share the Good News of God's grace, hope, and salvation with those around us;
PRAY that we would be a source of love, hope, and encouragement to all those who come to our church;
PRAY we may be a place of refuge and healing for those who are hurting, and a community of support and accountability for those who are seeking to grow in their faith in Jesus;
PRAISE God for new believers in our community...pray they would grow in their faith and maturity as they journey forward.

Hebrews 10:25... "Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Our Elders and Board Members

It is a humbling honour as well as a heavy burden to lead a church. Please...

PRAY for them as they seek to accurately represent God's purpose for our congregation;
PRAY for God to guide them and give them wisdom and insight to lead us in Your path;
PRAY that our elders and board members will be faithful servants of Your kingdom;
Please continue to PRAY that God will raise up church members who are willing to serve on our board and be a practical part of what God is doing here at ECF.