Pray BFF Letter #145
February 23, 2009
Dear Prayer Team,
Devote Yourself to Prayer
During difficult and stressful times, do you pray more or less?
Some have been discouraged by the difficult economic climate, poor political judgment, reduction of retirement accounts, and threat of job loss.
Do these things shape how you pray? Actually, it is these very circumstances that the Lord uses to call us to deepen our trust in Him and to pray for His purpose to be accomplished around the world.
We are to devote ourselves to prayer.
"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned" (Colossians 4:2-3).
Let me give you an example why we need to be vigilant.
The Struggle to Strengthen God's Kingdom
This coming June, another pastor and I plan to train pastors, church planters and evangelists in several African countries: (Nigeria, Kenya and possibly Malawi). When we ask you to pray, we are not only thinking of the financial needs for the trip or for our strength and protection. We also ask you to pray for the people that we will be ministering to.
Since our last prayer letter, numerous email requests have come from the pastors that we plan to visit. They have been facing many difficulties.
We had two special requests for the children of the pastors that coordinate the seminars. One pastor's 27 year-old daughter, who has two children, was hospitalized with yellow fever. Another pastor's 18 month-old daughter contracted malaria. They have little or no money to treat them. One pastor also needs help with some housing issues.
We are glad that both children are doing better, but it is always difficult to see your own child suffer. Many people there do not have the health or financial resources that are found in the West. This includes many Christian leaders all around the world.
When you pray for us, pray also for those coordinating our trips. They face many obstacles that challenge their own faith.
Praise
- Thanks to the Lord for bringing a measure of healing to the pastor's children.
- Paul has had a little break-through on a Flash project.
- Refreshing vacation visiting parents and friends.
Pray
- Starting March 3rd, Paul and Linda will begin teaching another 2 month series on Biblical Parenting Principles.
- Paul again needs grace to speak in Chinese.
- Pray for the hearts of parents that will attend to be open to God's Word.
- Baby sitters for the class.
- Paul is revising the marriage book before publishing, "Building Great Marriages".
- We still have not finalized the itinerary to Africa for early June. We still have time, but will soon need to be completed.
- Wisdom as Paul develops modular discipleship materials to be used one-on-one.
Thanks so much for your prayers that accomplish God's good will around the world!
In Christ's Majestic Love,
Rev. Paul J. Bucknell
Biblical Foundations for Freedom
Email: info@foundationsforfreedom.net
Phone: (+01) 412-398-4559
3276 Bainton St.,
Pittsburgh, PA 15212 USA