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JOEL-NEWS-INTERNATIONAL-407 * 11 AUGUST 2002 * WWW.JOELNEWS.ORG

IN THIS EDITION:

JN407-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Prayer creates openness for gospel
JN407-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Advance of God's Kingdom in Pakistan
JN407-3. KINGDOM DEVELOPMENT: Postmodern expressions of Church (1)
JN407-4. RESOURCE: Prayer and fasting for kids
JN407-5. RESOURCE: Operation World for youth

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QUOTE - "If you are using Yesterday's methods for Today's business you will be out of business Tomorrow." (Rick Warren)
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JN407-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Prayer creates openness for gospel

The pastor of a Christian church in Phoenix, Arizona, asked the members of his church to randomly choose 80 people from the telephone book. He then asked them to pray for each of the 80 names every day for 90 days. At the same time, he asked them to choose another 80 names from the telephone book - but this second list was simply laid aside, and nobody prayed for the people on the list. After 90 days, church members called all 160 people on the lists, asking them whether they would allow Christians to visit them to pray for them.

"The amazing result," says Alvin VanderGriend, speaker of the American Lighthouse movement, "was this: only one person on the list of people who did not receive prayer was prepared to allow Christians to visit, whereas 69 of the 80 people for whom the church members prayed were prepared to allow Christians to visit, and 45 even invited them into their house, offered coffee and named special prayer requests. Prayer was clearly the decisive factor causing these people to open their houses for personal prayer," he says.

Source: Mission America, www.lighthousemovement.com

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JN407-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Advance of God's Kingdom in Pakistan

From several reliable sources we received a call to pray for Pakistan.

1. Pray that the predominantly Muslim nation of Pakistan, made up of 150 million people, will open up to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. Pray for President Musharraf, for wisdom on his part. He is in a very difficult position because he has taken a stand against terrorism. This is seen by many in his country as going against the Muslims and siding with the 'Christian' West. Pray for his safety.

3. Pray for a spiritual change in the attitude of Christians in Pakistan. There is a spirit of apathy and discouragement. Most of the Christians came from a low-caste Hindu group who accepted Christ over 100 years ago. May they realize who they are in Christ, and that God can use them mightily.

4. Pray that Christians may reach out in evangelism and effective churchplanting. Because of the present situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan, there is a tremendous desire and searching for truth. Pray for a multiplying house church movement in Pakistan.

5. Pray that the Christians may learn to pray. Christians have been going through a time of fear and persecution. May they learn that if they will pray, God can do anything for them and can and will answer their prayers. Pray for the start of a national prayer movement in Pakistan, that will be used by the Lord to unite the Church and overtrow the forces of evil.

Source: Several ministries working in Pakistan

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JN407-3. KINGDOM DEVELOPMENT: Postmodern expressions of Church (1)

Many Christians tend to see postmodernism as an enemy. But Andrew Jones, a New Zealander living in Prague, Czech Republic, holds a radically different view. A few months ago he started a series of (up to now four) articles on understanding our present postmodern world.

His first article deals with postmodernity and the global worldviews. He describes three global kinds of thinkers: Traditionalists (who inherit truth), Rationalists (who discover truth) and Mystics (who experience truth). They are reflected in the Book of Job (Bildad, Zophar and Eliphaz) as well as in teachings from philosophers and missiologists. But there is also a transitional worldview (Elihu in Job) which is the postmodern worldview (which constructs truth).

LINK: http://www.theooze.com/articles/read.cfm?ID=402&CATID=4

In his second article Jones states that we are leaving Plato and Aristotle behind. "My conviction is that the postmodern period gives the Christian and the church the ability to come out from under centuries of Greek influence and take hold of the worldview God intended us to have all along. Unbelievers no longer are attracted by the light of American Cultural Christianity. Some pagans think themselves more spiritual than church people."

LINK: http://www.theooze.com/articles/read.cfm?ID=406&CATID=4

His third article is on the emerging blogging culture. "My ministry cannot be separated from my breakfast," says Jones. "Or my family. Or what car I drive. My life is a story and everything I do should have prophetic value. Blogging is a way for me to speak out as a whole person."

LINK: http://www.theooze.com/articles/read.cfm?ID=409&CATID=4

The fourth article is about new models of church that resonate with the postmodern experience of time and space. It is a growing trend that postmodern spiritual seekers would rather be a part of a small, committed order or team on a journey than be an attender in a large, impersonal worship service.

LINK: http://www.theooze.com/articles/read.cfm?ID=420&CATID=4

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JN407-4. RESOURCE: Prayer and fasting for kids

'Prayer and Fasting for Kids' is a lighthearted, fast-paced short video (narrated by kids for kids) that encourages children to fast and pray for other nations. The heart of the video is Isaiah 58's emphasis on the poor and needy and having a heart for justice. For information, e-mail joey@gracebridge.org.

Source: Brigada

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JN407-5. RESOURCE: Operation World for youth

'Operation World For Youth' is a youth-friendly version of Patrick Johnstone's 'Operation World' prayer manual. The first 50 countries are now online.

LINK: http://www.24-7prayer.com/ow

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COLOPHON

Joel News International is a leading special interest bulletin on prayer, church growth and revival. We offer a keen selection of the most encouraging news reports, the most challenging developments and the best resources from over 100 reliable sources in six continents. Joel News International is a great help and time-saver for thousands of Christian leaders and intercessors in over 120 nations.

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