September 10 (Day 31) — Tuesday. Pray for clear weather, for travel mercy, for dry roads into Tiap (the Tiap road turns into sticky clay when it rains and is sometimes impassable). Pray that the vehicle we are traveling in will not have mechanical problems, but make it there and back again. Pray for physical safety—from bandits, broken bones, and accidents. Pray for spiritual protection as we enter the area we will be ministering in for the coming week.
September 9 (Day 30) — Monday. The battle is intensifying. Pray diligently for this day. Todd is trying to make his way back to town by Public Motor Vehicle. Marsha and team are finishing preparations. The preparations of months are culminating in the coming journey north on the coastal highway toward Tiap. Pray that the preparations will be completed in good order and that the team will get some much needed rest before tomorrow’s journey. Pray that the vehicles that have been arranged will be on hand and ready. Pray for peace in each heart. Pray that as we travel to Tiap, Aruamu hearts will be prepared and in anticipation of the events of the coming days. Ask God to impart a strong sense of expectancy in the hearts of those attending the events—expectancy that God is going to “show up” and move powerfully.
September 8 (Day 29) — Sunday. Things are heating up in heavenly places today. Todd and the Somau Garia guys have been talking by now and things are progressing in getting the translation program back on track. The Spirit of God is working in the hearts of these men and women to establish his plan for this people to be gathered around the throne, before the Lamb, singing, worshipping, honoring the name of Jesus and ascribing power and majesty to him in eternity. The enemy looks at the victory Jesus has and is insanely jealous and angry. The Aruamu team is preparing to travel to Tiap Village for an evangelistic crusade, for dedication of the Word of God in digital audio, making it accessible to those who cannot read or write. The fate of thousands of Papua New Guineans from these two peoples are weighed in the balance today as mild-mannered servants do one thing: obey the call. Pray for God’s servants today. Pray for the warfare that they are engaging in today. Pray that they will be filled with the Spirit in an especially powerful way today, that the enemy will be intimidated and neutralized as they move toward the goal of their journey. Pray for the Lord to go before them, to come behind them as their rear guard, to undergird and overshadow them by the strength of his mighty right arm.
September 7 (Day 28) — Marsha and team members are making preparations for the trip to Tiap early next week. Pray for all involved in preparations to be able to find the supplies needed for the week (this can be hard in PNG) and to have wisdom as to what and how much to buy. Pray that the various parts of the planning will come together in a timely fashion. Papua New Guinea is the “Land of the Unexpected”, after all.
September 6 (Day 27) — Friday. Pray for heart to heart talks with Somau Garia co-workers and friends to take place. Ask the Father to open Todd’s mind to the things that he needs to speak into with the Somau Garia translators in order to move them toward active involvement in translation again. Ask the Father to open the hearts of the Somau Garia co-workers to his drawing them and calling them back to this special ministry again. Pray that there will be no confusion, no deception, no smoke screens in the heavenly realms to distract and draw these men away from this history altering ministry. Ask God to give these men real clarity to hear and perceive what the Spirit is speaking to them. Ask God to open their eyes to see what he has for his faithful ones. Ask God to grant wisdom and insight into who and when and where and why . . .
September 5 (Day 26) — Pray today for Todd’s physical, emotional, and spiritual stamina. The oppressive heat and humidity can drain the strongest person of strength. Madang Province sits 5 degrees 28 minutes south of the equator and the rainfall (at Uria) is an amazing 190 inches of rain a year. Pray that Todd won’t pick up any amoebic, malarial, or fungal infections. Pray that despite the radical change in time zone, diet, and environment, he will be able to sleep well and function at prime capacity, feeling rested and strong. The cultural and spiritual landscape is populated with enough change, threat, and adjustment that the average missionary (or visitor) can tire easily. Pray that through all the adjustment, Todd will be attuned to the still, small voice; attentive and yielded.
September 4 (Day 25) — Jesus promised that in this world we’d have trouble (John 16:33). Those who undertake the work of translating the work of Bible translation place themselves in the crosshairs of the enemy’s efforts to kill, steal, and destroy. Pray for the protection of the Aruamu, Somau Garia, and missionary personnel who give themselves to the Lord through following this call. Pray that Satan’s efforts to discourage and destroy will be fruitless. Indeed, Jesus also promised, “But take heart, I have overcome the world!”
September 3 (Day 24) — Tuesday. There are about 4,000 Somau Garia speakers, yet this people wields profound power throughout northern Papua New Guinea by means of their shamans and sorcerers. Imagine if these same people were known all over northern Papua New Guinea for their holiness and devotion to Christ, for his working in their midst! Pray today that many of these 4,000 will turn away from traditional deities, from devotion to practices and behaviors that hurt them, to the living Christ, the one who has removed death’s sting, won the victory, and did a victory march with captives in his train. Pray that my Somau Garia friends will know the freedom that is only possible in Jesus Christ, through the work accomplished on the cross, the life and power given through his resurrection from the dead, and through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. Pray that these friends will become famous for faith!
September 2 (Day 23) — There are about 10,000 Aruamu speakers. Many live in their home area but many others are scattered across Papua New Guinea working in government service or education or business. Pray that a fire will ignite in the hearts and minds of those whom God is raising up to carry his message and live life as his witnesses. Paul feared that the cross of Christ would be somehow diminished if he preached using words of human wisdom alone. (1 Corin. 1:17) Pray that the words spoken by Aruamu messengers will be imbued with divine wisdom and power, that the cross will not be diminished in the hearts and minds of any who would respond to the Father through the preaching of the Word.
September 1 (Day 22) — Sunday. Pray that those tempted to absent themselves from a Christian gathering will be motivated to join others in worship, preaching, and fellowship. Pray that the Word will be proclaimed with power today, that the preachers will speak the Word of Christ with such insight that none can deny that it was from God. Pray that the Word will multiply and grow in each heart, that the power of the spoken Word will stick in the spirit of each hearer, that they will dream about it, talk about it, marvel in God’s name and majesty. Pray that transformation will begin today.