Day 10

ABANDONED DEVOTION:

Creative Praise:

In response to the following Scripture, sing a song of praise to Jesus, draw Him a picture, or write Him a poem.  

“Join those in heaven who John heard singing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb, ‘Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear You, O Lord, and bring glory to Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You.’” (Revelation 15:3-5)

3-Stage Bible Study:  Read the Q—Analyze the Verse—Write Your Response

What prayers do not get answered?  List a few times you felt God didn’t answer your prayers.[i]

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.  But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2)

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me].” (Psalm 66:18)

Prayer Journal Questions: Listen to the Lord as you meditate on the following verses. 

What are sins that God is showing you that need to be confessed in your life and in your generation? 

“Now Joshua said to Achan, ‘My son, I beg you, give glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession to Him, and tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.’  And Achan answered Joshua and said…’When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the silver under it.’” (Josh 7:19–21)

What are ways you can pray for and pursue revival on your campus?

“Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, ‘Go up now, look toward the sea.’ So he went up and looked, and said, ‘There is nothing.’ And seven times he said, ‘Go again.’  Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, ‘There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!’ So he said, ‘Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.'” (1 Kings 18:42-44)

GLOBAL PROCLAMATION:

Forgotten People Group: The Northern Kurd of Turkey

The 5.5 million Northern Kurd of Turkey live in the most rugged part of Kurdistan. They are located near the Turkey-Iran border, and eastward along the Iraq and Syrian borders. In the mountain regions, winter temperatures drop to -30C. In the summer, they reach 45C. Water is scarce; and malaria, tuberculosis, and trachoma are persistent problems.

What are their beliefs?
Nearly all Kurds are Muslim, most being Shafiite Sunnis, and embraced Islam following the Arab conquests if the seventh century.

Although Kurds are predominantly Sunnis, there is stormy hostility between the Sunni Kurds and the Shi'ite Kurds. These differences have class overtones, and the lower class minorities are associated with the more unorthodox sects of Islam. These have proven to be the most fervently rebellious parts of Kurdish society.

Even among the Sunni Kurds, there are traces of an earlier pagan and violent type faith which sets them apart from other Muslims. In the rural areas, a few still believe in jinnis, demons, and elements of animal worship. Mullahs (Muslim spiritual leaders) play an important role in the social and cultural life of those living in the country. Religious fraternities operate throughout Kurdistan. In the past, some influential sheiks (spiritual leaders) even became members of parliament. However, as time went by, their authority began to crumble. Today, their spiritual and economic power is being challenged.

What are their needs?
The Kurds have walked in the darkness of Islam for many years. Although the New Testament is now available in their language, there are only 551 known Northern Kurd believers.

Physically, the Kurds live in very poor conditions. Good water supplies are scarce, and they are exposed to diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis. Politically, they are oppressed by the government. They need the liberty to educate their children in their own language.

Prayer Points

• Ask the Lord to call qualified Christian doctors who are willing to go to Turkey and share their medical expertise as well as Jesus Christ with the Kurds.
• Ask God to strengthen, encourage, and protect the small number of Kurds who are Christians.
• Pray that God will raise up qualified linguists to translate the entire Word of God into the Kurdish language.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Kurds towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
• Pray that God will open the hearts of Turkey's governmental leaders to the Gospel.
• Ask the Lord to raise up a strong local church among the Northern Kurd of Turkey by the year 2010.

Promise from Scripture:

“Now therefore, O Lord our God, I pray, save (this people group) that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone.” 2 Kings 19:19

Generational Barrier:

Perspective on Trials – As a generation that God wants to use to accomplish great exploits for His kingdom, there will come great pruning and trials in order for God to work out of us what is natural and work into us what is of His Spirit. This happens through trials and testing. Pray that the emerging generation might not rebel against the ways of God in testing us and instead embrace the lessons He wants to teach in order to fully prepare for mature ministry. (James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-5)

Prayer Journaling Response:

Take a few moments to record thoughts, prayers, and any insight. Also, it is often helpful to record how the Lord led in prayer – Scriptures, mental pictures, or a word or thought. Practice not only praying but also listening to the Lord. As we understand how the Lord is leading us, we can more quickly tune into the Lord’s voice when we have major decisions facing us or in times when the Lord feels far from us.

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