JUNE 7 APRAYED4CITY PRAYER GUIDE

THANKS FOR JOINING US IN PRAYING FOR THE DALLAS METROPLEX . FRIDAY, JUNE 7

HERE IS THE PRAYER GUIDE SENT BY APRAYED4CITY.

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The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”  So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man.  The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman’ for she was taken out of man.”  That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Genesis 2:18; 21-24

The approval of the Texas Marriage Amendment by voters in Nov. 2005 specifies the definition of marriage in the Texas Constitution as the union of one man and one woman. It protects the longstanding social practice of recognizing only the union of a man and a woman as a marriage, and reinforces the Texas Defense of Marriage Act of 2003 prohibiting any political entity in the state from recognizing the union of two people of the same gender.

This month AP4C is highlighting the institution of marriage.  It is our intention for believers from all ethnic, socio-economic and denominational backgrounds to unite in prayer and use this guide as a catalyst for our on-going prayer and the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom.  Let these Scriptures and your time with God renew your heart for our Metroplex.

Please prepare your heart before you begin to pray through the AP4C categories. 

TRANSFORMATION

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  Matthew 19:26

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  Ephesians 6:10-12

· Pray for God to reveal to members of the U.S. Supreme Court (members listed on back page) the importance of His design on the institution of marriage.

· Pray for the Holy Spirit to convict hearts across this city to protect marriage as the foundation for our society.

· Pray for God to bless, heal and/or restore the marriages of our educators, business leaders, media members, health care providers, elected officials, and church leaders.

· Pray for God’s people to respond with grace and truth, loving those who disagree with us about the sanctity and importance of marriage.

THE STATE OF MARRIAGE

Please find below information and statistics to help facilitate your on-going prayer, conversation and/or service:

Moral Acceptability Percentage       2001                     2013

Gay or lesbian relations      40%                    59%

Sex between an unmarried man & woman           53%               63%

Divorce  59%                     68%

Polygamy           7%                 14%

According to Research:

· The #1 cause of divorce is lack of communication

· An estimated 1 million U.S. divorces occur annually

· 83% of children born in S Dallas were to unmarried mothers

· 93% of children in S Dallas are being raised in single parent homes

· 2 out of 3 study participants say they are scared of the social, legal, emotional and economic consequences of divorce

U. S. Supreme Court Justices

Chief Justice John Roberts • Associate Justice Antonin Scalia •  Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy

Associate Justice Clarence Thomas  Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg • Associate Justice Stephen Breyer 

Associate Justice Samuel Alito • Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor • Associate Justice Elena Kagan

The Supreme Court is reviewing the following two challenges to laws that define marriage as the

union of a man and a woman:

· Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) - federal law passed by the U.S.   Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996 

· Proposition 8 (Prop 8) - amendment to the California constitution passed by voters in 2008

Update from Jenni Jessen in Ethiopia

Priceless Cube in Ethiopia

Thank you everyone for all your prayers over Jenni's trip.  It has been an emotionally, physically and spiritually challenging trip for her.  Currently she is on her way home and will arrive Sunday night.  Below is a heartfelt recount of some of her sights, sounds and emotions.  In addition to the results of this trip, the 4 villages her team was working in are now coming together to begin to protect the woman and children in their communities.


May 25, 2013 - Update from the heart
The sun burned down on my head and the homes plastered in manure. Its heat indiscriminate, baked us each a golden brown. Hiking on rocky trails from home to home I tried to take in the sights, the people, the stories. But as each hour on the field passed, I felt myself becoming anesthetized. By the evening of the second day, I could no longer feel my gut. I know exactly the moment it happened. I had used the Priceless cube to teach a group of 23 people in the Bahir Dar region of Ethiopia about the realities of human trafficking. I had talked about slavery, abuse, rape-for-profit. It was clear. It was concise. At the end of the presentation I asked if there were any questions. Two young women called from the back, "Yes, how do we get our sisters back?" Their plea cut me deep. The only way to bear the pain of that moment and continue to function was with a spiritual epidural. I couldn't breathe. I didn't know even if I wanted to. I found myself once again like a child who must become numb to survive. With a deep breath, I explained to the women that there are people doing investigations and rescue all over the world but that our only real hope is in Jesus. I assured them that he loves their sisters even more than they do and that He is the God of rescue.

Our trek took us over ground cracked deep and into families broken by deception. In every place the stories were the same.

"They took my nephew when he was 8. We have never heard from him. That was three years ago."

"I just got my passport picture yesterday and I am supposed to leave for the Middle East in two days."

"I sent my daughter two years ago. She only called once. She was afraid and wanted to come home but the phone went dead. We have not heard from her again."

Place after place the sadness washed over me, it pooled deep. My tears lay in wait, themselves waiting to be released from captivity. This morning, as if resurrected from an ancient tomb, my heart came throbbing back to life, swollen and bleeding. We listened first in Amharic then in English as a government agent explained what they know is happening to the women and children trafficked from this region into the Middle East. He told us of people being tightly packed into shipping containers with no food, water or toilet. When these containers are shipped by land as many as 50% of the people will die in the container before reaching their destination several days later. Others are taken through the desert to Djibouti and then shipped by sea to Yemen. Often the ships are overloaded with human cargo and they become unstable in the journey. The traffickers then throw a number of the children to their death into the sea. When arriving in Yemen, the ships don't land in a seaport but instead in the desert. Those who have survived are met by men who like lions eagerly await those whom they will devour for a profit. Shopping through the "human merchandise" like cattle, they bid pennies for the bodies of children.

And it came like a tidal wave crashing through my defenses. I wept. I wept for those who have gone. I wept for those stripped of their humanity and packed into shipping containers. I wept for the children somewhere on a storm tossed sea crying out for mothers they will never see again. I wept tears of relief for those who mercifully die in route before the unthinkable happens and then happens again. And I cried for young girls and boys who are desperately learning how to survive by appeasing the lust of beasts dressed as men.

I am compelled to my knees crying out for mercy. "Father, forgive us! How have we let this happen?" The tears come, they wash away the red clay crust of the week. 

 

Our team was welcomed into 120 homes over four days. We saw more than 30 families with plans to send their wives or children commit instead to protecting them, keeping them home. We saw young women with recently obtained passports changing their minds and refusing to go. We witnessed the courses of these women and children's lives changed forever. In every home we shared the hope we have in Jesus. I told them of His power displayed in my own life to bring rescue and healing. We invited them into a personal relationship with him. 465 people over the course of the week accepted that offer, not only for hope in their present lives but also for eternity.

Our final two days in Ethiopia were spent helping to host a conference on human trafficking. 70+ leaders were trained and equipped with thePriceless cube. We were also able to work with the staff of Compassion International-Ethiopia equipping their staff with training and Priceless cubes.

The trip pulled and stretched me in many different ways. It broke my heart and if possible, even further solidified my stand. When asked by a national church leader, "if we take a stand against human traffickers will it not be dangerous?"

I answered, "Jesus was innocent of any sin but he was crucified for you and for me. If I am threatened or hurt for taking a stand to protect those who are defenseless, then that is nothing in comparison to what Jesus did for me. We must protect the vulnerable because everyone of them is made in the image of God."

Truly, after the experiences carved into my soul this week, I can say along with famed abolitionist William Wilberforce, "Your sufferings have been the theme that has arrested and engaged my heart."


In His Grip,

Jenni

 

 

 

Jenni Jessen is in Ethiopia for the month of May testing a new resource for preventing human trafficking, there, in Thailand, and throughout the world.  Read more below and see the link to her prayer calendar.  

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Dear friends and family,

 Ethiopia? Thought they were working in Thailand? You are correct, however as we've have been developing and testing the Priceless cube, which prevents Human Trafficking through education, an opportunity to travel to Ethiopia to pilot the cube with an e3 Expedition team came up. For us it was another reminder that this issue is not only in Asia and the USA but it is worldwide. There are reports of villages in Ethiopia that have no children remaining in them as they have ALL be sold! Jenni and the team will be working in such areas to bring the light of Jesus and sharing with them that they are priceless in God's sight. It is ONLY through an encounter with Jesus that we will be able to combat this issue through changed hearts. The team will then return to the capital lead a national conference on Human Trafficking.  They expect to see 120+ leaders, pastors, government officials and other NGOs trained on how to recognize/fight slavery and to use the Priceless cube to bring needed awareness to the issue.

Please click the link for the prayer calender and join us in praying for success for this team as they do battle for the Kingdom.

May God be glorified in all.

The Jessens

Aprayed4city

Please join our church family in praying for the city of Dallas and its surrounding areas, tomorrow, May 7.  Following is the prayer guide that will help you to focus your prayers.
MAY 2013 PRAYER GUIDE
You, Lord hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and You listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.  Psalm 10:17-18

This month AP4C is highlighting the very sensitive issue of human trafficking.  It is our intention for believers from all backgrounds to unite in prayer and use this guide as a catalyst for our on-going prayer and the advancement of Christ's kingdom.  Let these scriptures and your time with God renew your heart for our Metroplex.  Please prepare your heart before you begin to pray through the categories.
SALVATION
But this is a people plundered and looted, all of them trapped in pits or hidden away in prisons.  They have become plunder with no one to rescue them; they have been made loot, with no one to say, "Send them back", Isaiah 42:22
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  John 8:36
*Pray that God will convict the hearts of people that exploit slavery victims and turn their hearts to Christ.
*Pray for God to bring His rescue and restoration to victims of human trafficking and for them to receive the Gospel message in their hearts
*Pray that the Gospel will sweep through our city, bringing healing and spiritual life
*Pray for God to bring an awakening in your own life and in the lives of those close to you--areas where we need freedom and healing.
DISCIPLESHIP
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  James 5:16
Learn to do right, seek justice.  Defend the oppressed.  Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17
* Pray for God to touch the hearts of His children and to increase trafficking awareness and action in His Church.
*Pray for the Church to respond to the biblical mandate to seek justice for the estimated 27 million human trafficking victims in the world.
*Pray for the ministries and organizations in our communities that fight human trafficking and serve the victims of slavery.
*Pray for God to raise up believers to lead the way in the fight for people from slavery.
COMMUNITY
Break the arm of the wicked man; call the evildoer to account for his wickedness that would not otherwise be found out. Psalm 10:15
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  Galatians 6:2
*Pray for the people in our neighborhoods(known and unknown) who are victims of sex trafficking and trafficking for forced labor
*Pray for the individuals in our city who are in bondage to the acts and lifestyle that depend on the exploitation of human beings--that their hearts will be stirred to repentance and that they wikll seek and receive treatment for healing and that relationships would be developed with believers.
*Pray for citizens to become aware of product we purchase and their supply chain to ensure that we are not inadvertently supporting slavery
*Pray for parents, church leaders, educators and community leaders as they guide and engage our communities to take action against slavery
TRANSFORMATION
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers. Proverbs 11:14
I urge, then, first of all, that p etitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people--for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness 1 Timothy 2:1-2
* Pray that God inspires our government officials and law enforcement to make fighting slavery a top priority and that He moves them to pursue laws and legislations for the abolishment of modern day slavery
*Pray that God will strengthen and encourage the people who work to care for and restore victins of slavery and that He will increase their wisdom as they serve Him.
*Pray for God to convict the hearts of business and corporate leaders to review their supply chain sources and to take steps to abolish slavery in their spheres of influence.
THE STATE OF THE CITY
Please find below info and statistics to help facilitate your on-going prayer, conversation and service:
Human trafficking statistics I polaris project
very little research has been done to determine the extent of human trafficking on the state level; however some state wide reports have been published. Due to
data collection limitations the following statistics should be taken as baseline estinates only.  These statistics are bot definitive or conprehebnsive estimates,
119  the number of minors exploited for commercial sex identified by the Dallas Police Dept in 2007
55  the number of domestic minor sex trafficking related cases in Dallas in 2007
33 the number of individuals charged in sex trafficking related cases in Dallas in 2007
35  the number of juveniles charged with prostitution-related offenses in Tarrant County from 2000-2008
*  The U.N. and other experts estimate the total market value of illicit human trafficking at $32 billion--about $10 billion is derived from the initial sale of individuals, with the remainder representing the estimated profits from the activities or goods produced by the victims of this crime. (UNODC)
*  $90 is the average cost of a human slave sold around the world. (freetheslaves.net)
*  The protected innocence challenge is a comprehensive study on existing state laws designed to inspire and equip advocates.  Under the challenge, every state receives a report card that grades the state on 41 key legislative components that must be addressed in state's laws in order to effectively respond to the crime of domestic minor sex trafficking.  In addition, each state receives a complete analysis of this 41 component review and practical recommendations for improvement.  The state of Texas scored a "B" with an overall score of 86.5 (Shared Hope International)
Additional information is available at the following sites:
www.ijm.org., www.thea21campaign.org., www.polarisproject.org, www.sharedhope.org., www.enditmovement.com

Your sister in Christ,
Pam Woller

Disaster in West, Texas

“The Lord is close to those who are brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

We are deeply saddened by the tragedies in Boston and in West, TX this week. Here are three great ways to respond:
1.       Pray. Click here for our Prayer Guide in Response to Disasters.
2.       Give. Give funds to the Red Cross and the Texas Baptist Men, who are among the first to        respond to any disaster. Give blood at your nearest blood bank (click here for info on a drive today in Coppell).
3.       Serve. Effective relief comes from trained volunteers. Make plans now to attend the Texas Baptist Men’s Yellow Hat Trainings on April 26th in Rockwall or April 27th in McKinney. They will be sending trained volunteers over the next several weeks.

.

Update from the Stickney Family

ACO Partners,

Yesterday was the culmination of so many of you who have been praying for PEACE and SAFETY in Kenya since the beginning of March. Around 1pm Nairobi time the 4th president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, was sworn in and now we can get on with life! We want to thank you for your diligent prayers during this time of uncertainty. The process, although scary and with some riots and incidents, was a successful passing of power. 

We now buckle up on campuses across the country as students are preparing for final exams. 

Our students on the coast at Pwani University have begun their final exams this week. The coast staff, Jonathan and Nic, decided to take this week to do a mission trip to an unreached people group south of Mombasa. The two will be distributing water filters in villages and using their training (Jonathan is a Donkey vet & Nic is an agricultural engineer) to gain entrance into the villages. You can be praying for them this week! It’s very exciting for us to see our staff taking the initiative to reach out into the community God has placed them in!

The ACO 5 (graduates who chose to spend this past year with us in training) at Egerton University are wrapping up their last two months of internship with us. They have led 53 new students to Christ this year on their campus and have 4 new Bible studies started. You can be praying for them as they decide what God has for their future after May. Some may stay on and join our full-time staff team and help us open new campus ministries around the country or into new East African countries. 

Our Nairobi staff team added two new schools this January and even with the Presidential Election mess, have managed to get two Bible studies meeting from their door-to-door encounters in dorms. 

We were so excited to finally have our first ACO staff baby arrive in December. Norbert and Dorcus, have an amazing little girl, that every staff person thinks is their own. Dorcus is excited to be back from maternity leave this month as ACO's Women's Director. In her first week back she was able to get ACO officially invited to a new campus in Nairobi!

The Eldoret team (or as we refer to it, The North Pole Team since its so far away), has a great group of 1st year students they have been working with on the 3 campuses in the area. After last years graduating class of key men and women, they knew the task would be finding some "young ones" to continue the legacy. Victor and Ann, ACO National Directors are working hard at continuing the ministry in their neck of the woods. Their teammate, Solomon, will join a team of US ladies and men who are on a 6 month adventure with the International Mission Board. He will be leading them into the Pokot area of Kenya, another region with several unreached tribes. Solomon has spent his last 3 summers working with local pastors in the region reaching into these villages and was approached by the IMB to help facilitate/lead this group. 

The Stickney's are keeping everlasting at it. Sydney and Reagan have almost forgotten what a pencil is used for after the election week, Easter, spring break and inauguration day school closings. They started back today and as they pulled out of the driveway Sydney informed me we have 44 days until we fly to McDonalds, I think she meant the US....one in the same in her mind. Kerry is fast approaching her yearbook deadline, so she has been putting long hours in at school. All of us are looking forward to our family and friend time in the US during June. We hope our travels allow us to cross paths with you! We are also very excited about our ACO SUMMER PROGRAM in July. Seven (7) US college students will be joining us here in Nairobi for a month of training and hands-on ministry. It will be a great way to start back to ministry after our fundraising/family time trip in June. 

We wouldn't be here if it weren't for you and how you partner with ACO. Like most small ministries our budget is lean and our bank account leaner, but we are always encouraged each month as we are reminded how faithful God is through his faithful people. Our Kenyan staff, the Stickneys and the ACO Board thank you for acting as the constant reminder that God continues to call and equip us here in East Africa. 

Blessings,

The ACO National Staff Team

ACO Board of Directors

&

The Stickneys

African Christian Outreach

stickneytk@mac.com

www.acokenya.org

aprayed4city

Whether you live in Dallas, one of the suburbs, or another area entirely, the prayer points inside this guide apply. If you want to see some of the statistics specific to the Dallas Metroplex that may help you to pray, serve and communicate the needs more effectively, please go to www.ap4c.org to see more details.
Here is "food for thought" when preparing to pray on April 7 and throughout the rest of this month:  1 in 6 people in our community don't have the ability to buy healthy, affordable food. Why is this happening?  There are "food deserts" where healthy, affordable food is not available to buy and the poverty rate in DFW is twice the national average!
Praise our GOD, all peoples, let the sound of HIS praise be heard; HE has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.  For YOU, GOD, tested us; YOU refined us like silver.  YOU brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.  YOU let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but YOU brought us to a place of abundance.  Psalm 66: 8-12
This guide is intended to unite us in praying for our city.  Use it as a catalyst for your on-going prayer this month. 
SALVATION:  EPHESIANS 2:4-7  TITUS 2:11
* Reflect on the Easter message and thank God for His plan of salvation offered to all and for the many  millions of people He has saved throughout the generations.
*Pray for God to soften the hardened hearts of non-believers, that they might respond to His gift of salvation and join His family
*Pray that unbelievers in our communities who are suffering emotional and physical duress, will find a place of comfort and mercy within the Church and be drawn to the saving grace of Christ.
COMMUNITY: JAMES 1:17  MATTHEW 5:14
*Pray for believers to walk in righteousness in our neighborhoods, so the light of Jesus may increase and shine into the darkened hearts of people across our city
*Pray for believers to have divine appointments with non-believers at community events, and to take ad advantage of these opportunities to share Christ's love and the Gospel
*Pray that believers will intentionally develop relationships with non-believers that will reveal God's character and love drawing them to desire to know God and to desire to receive His mercy and grace
*Pray that God would open our eyes to the needs around us and that He would use us --we are His hands and feet--to reveal Him to the community
DISCIPLESHIP  ROMANS 15:13  MATTHEW 6:33
*Pray that Christ's church will be diligent in prayer, evangelism and service.
*Pray that His church will be diligent in making disciples as Jesus commanded, so that more of His disciples will be found in every neighborhood and community throughout the Metroplex.
*Ask the Lord to reconcile fractured congregations and divided denominations through the love and forgiveness that begins in Jesus.
* Ask God to encounter struggling believers so they may once again experience the abundant life of Christ.
TRANSFORMATION  ROMANS 12:2   PHILIPPIANS 4:8
*Thank the Lord for the godly leaders in our Metroplex.  Ask God to strengthen them, and pray for them to serve God openly in their places of influence, so that others may join them in working for the Lord.
*Pray that those in the entertainment industry will seek God and that their work will reflect His beauty and will impact our city with His wisdom and creativity, drawing more people to Him.
*Pray for upcoming city elections--for godly leaders to be elected.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO PRAY.  --pam woller