post

Praying 40 Days to Freedom — Day 27

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 . . .

 

post

Praying 40 Days to Freedom — Day 26

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.

post

Praying 40 Days to Freedom — Day 24

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!

 

post

Praying 40 Days to Freedom — Day 23

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.

 

post

Praying 40 Days to Freedom — Day 22

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.

 

post

Praying 40 Days to Freedom — Day 21

August 31 (Day 21) — Saturday. Jesus spent his Saturdays in the synagogue. He was true to himself, confident in his mission. When the authorities told him to toe the line with tradition, he healed, he surprised, he followed the call given him by his Father in heaven. Pray today for the heart of each one who will be preaching the word tomorrow. Pray that each messenger will be still today, listening to the still, small voice. Pray that their posture will be one of broken submission. Pray for the Spirit’s power and insight to be theirs today. Pray for the people speaking the Somau Garia and Aruamu languages today, that they will be moved to attend a worship service tomorrow, that the Spirit will provoke and encourage them to seek out a Christian gathering tomorrow.

 

post

Praying 40 Days to Freedom — Day 20

August 30 (Day 20) — Friday. Half way through the journey, friends. How goes the praying? Is Satan buffeting you, challenging you to give up and lay aside the work of intercession. Friends, stand firm. Pray today for yourselves and for others like you who are on the “hump day” of the forty day season today. Pray for clarity to see and acuity to hear what the Spirit is speaking to you in your prayer time. My prayer for you today is that He is filling you with all knowledge through Jesus Christ, that he is giving you the spirit of wisdom and revelation (in increasing measure) that you may know him better. I’m praying for you today that He is sustaining your strength and resolve as you imitate Jesus’ ongoing ministry of intercession, taking us to the Father and praying for us. Let’s pray for one another today.

 

post

Praying 40 Days to Freedom — Day 19

August 29 (Day 19) — Thursday. Pray for the Owen family, as widely separated as we’ve ever been in this life. Todd in Papua New Guinea, Angela and girls in South Dakota, Samuel in Missouri, Andrew holding down the fort in Florida. God has given each of us different assignments for this period of time and has also given us the resources to carry out his intentions for each of us in our various places. Ask God to place his hand of blessing upon each of us and grant us each influence and voice in each situation we find ourselves in. Especially pray that as we interact with others, that those with whom we have to do will be drawn to Jesus through our words, our actions, our mercy, our fortitude. Pray that Jesus’ name will be held in high esteem.

 

post

Praying 40 Days to Freedom — Day 17

August 27 (Day 17) — Tuesday. Continue to pray for Todd’s trans-Pacific journey today. Pray today that one of the Somau Garia friends who has been praying for and anticipating the Owen family’s return will get the word and be able to get into town to meet with Todd and make arrangements for the trip out to Uria Village. This trip involves buying food and other supplies, riding in the back of a flat bed truck for 40 miles, from the main road into the village for a couple of miles, finding a place to sleep for the week (if the house is greatly damaged—a genuine possibility), and setting up housekeeping for the week. Pray for God’s mercy in making these connections and basically getting it done.

 

post

Praying 40 Days to Freedom — Day 16

August 26 (Day 16) — Monday. August is drawing to a close. Todd is boarding his flight to Papua New Guinea today. Ahead is the unknown. Six years away from Papua New Guinea is a long time. Todd and Angela’s emotions will be swirling today, a mixture of anticipation and butterflies fluttering around in the stomach. Pray for the travel to the airport, for Todd’s luggage, safe passage, and timely connections. Pray that as Todd progresses toward Papua New Guinea, he will be filled with the confidence that comes through the Holy Spirit. Pray with him that even as he flies, God will be preparing the way and moving his angels and people to create divine appointments. Pray for God’s anointing on this time.