MaryBeth Hall – Page 36 – Targeted Global Prayer

Lake Vostok: Antarctica

Lake Vostok is 2.5 miles under Antarctica’s surface, and may contain layers of both fresh and salt water. Russian scientists at Vostok Station drilled for 20 years before reaching the lake in 2012.

1. About 30 Russian scientists live in Vostok Station in Antarctica’s summer, but only 15 during winter months. Pray for a Christian to be in the next group transferring in, and that at least 2 other people will trust Christ during his/her tenure at Vostok Station.

2. It is commonly thought that Lake Vostok has been buried for 14 million years. Pray for a team member in Russia who receives and interprets data regarding the lake to genuinely consider the truth in relation to how the lake’s history is dated. Pray that this consideration will be the first step in turning to the light of truth as revealed in the Word of God.

3. Vostok Lake lies beneath the Pole of Cold, where earth’s coldest naturally occurring temperature was recorded. However, geothermal heating keeps the lake’s water liquid. Pray for Christians around the world who face a spiritually cold climate to themselves remain warm-hearted to the things of God. This can occur because of the Spirit’s work below the surface.

Revelation 22:1,17

Mississippi River: North America

Most, if not all, of the readers of this post have probably crossed the “Mighty Mississip’.” From Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi has been very influential in the history and culture of the United States. The drainage basin of the river is home to 70 million people, and both livestock and crops grown in this area are highly productive.

1. Though obviously a camera effect and not an actual representation of the boat’s position in the water, the picture above does illustrate how many people feel in life – like they are struggling to stay afloat, almost overwhelmed (in the literal definition of that word) by life’s challenges. Pray for someone living along the Mississippi River struggling to make it through the day to know the sustaining strength and peace that only Christ can give.

2. The Mississippi River runs through New Orleans to drain into the Gulf of Mexico. On June 12, 2023, TGP members prayed for someone living in the city’s French Quarter to receive Christ. The June 14 TGP post reported that nine people there had accepted Jesus as Savior. Pray for those nine people today, that the Lord will continue to bless their growth and walk with Him.

3. Pray for a vacationer enjoying the beautiful scenery at Lake Itasca to personally know and honor the Creator Who made all such beauty.

Revelation 22:1,17

Lake Toba (Indonesia): Asia

Lake Toba holds the distinction of being the world’s largest volcanic lake. It is also the largest lake in Southeast Asia, and one of the world’s deepest lakes. Presumably the largest explosion in earth’s history took place there.

1. Pray for evolutionists who have bought into lies about the island’s origin to embrace the Truth.

2. Pray that the Lord will open the eyes of the person living by Lake Toba who is most religious, yet far away from salvation.

3. Pray that someone from tribal descent will hear about the nature of the one, true God, and trust in Him.

Revelation 22:1,17

Amazon River: South America

The Amazon River discharges more water than any other river on earth, enough to fill 83 Olympic size swimming pools every second. It is also a close rival to the Nile for being the longest river in the world.

Here are some stats on the people who live in the Amazon River basin:

* 47 million people (wwf.org.uk)

* 300 languages (wwf.org.uk)

* 385 indigenous people groups (nasa.gov)

* 100 tribes who have not had contact with the rest of the world (pbs.org)

1. Pray for the gospel to reach 3 of those 100 tribes this year.

2. Pray for Baptist missionaries working in the Amazon River basin to see a great harvest of souls, and much progress in discipleship endeavors.

3. Pray for a boy living in Vila do Maquira to hear about / accept Jesus’ love, and be called to preach the Word of God.

Revelation 22:1,17

Rivers and Lakes

Two days ago, my family had the opportunity to visit our city’s Aquarium. One thing that caught my attention was a large world map showing the small percentage of Earth’s water that is found in freshwater rivers and lakes. My husband and I were talking about this, and he mentioned that even though that percentage is very small, the vast majority of earth’s population lives very close to one of those rivers or lakes. This fact presented a new opportunity to organize prayer for the peoples of the world. For the month of March, TGP will feature a river or lake each day, and we will pray for the various people groups who live along that body of water. The exception to this water series will be on Sundays, when we break away for our Sunday Series of prayer for a category of church workers from the various continents.

Consider these interesting statistics:

Only 1/150th of 1% of earth’s water is found in rivers and lakes.

https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/where-earths-water#:~:text=And%2C%20of%20the%20total%20freshwater,one%20percent%20of%20total%20water

50% of earth’s population lives closer than 1.86 miles to freshwater, and only 10% of people live further than 6.21 miles away from freshwater.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51233091_How_Close_Do_We_Live_to_Water_A_Global_Analysis_of_Population_Distance_to_Freshwater_Bodies#:~:text=Our%20results%20show%20that%20over,administrative%20regions%20and%20climatic%20zones

Consider also this wonderful truth from the Word of God, the theme verse for this water series:

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” -Revelation 22:1,17

“Thank you for praying, and please ask someone to join our TGP team for this series!

February Pause

TGP will take a break from daily posts for the month of February. Please continue to pray for needs around the world as the Lord brings them to your attention. March 1 is the planned resume date for daily emails. As always, thank you for praying for Jesus to be known to the peoples of the world! John 14:6

Wollongong, Australia

Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the harvestfield of Wollongong.

Pray for the last family who sat at this picnic table to know and rejoice in the love of Christ.
The Flagstaff Point Lighthouse is a fully automated lighthouse that assists ships sailing into Port Kembia. It flashes a white light for 4.5 seconds, then a red light (warning of reefs/headlands) for 3.6 seconds (lighthouses.org.au). Pray for a local resident to see the Light of the World illuminating the safe way to sail into eternity’s port.
A “Gongster” is a person from Wollongong. Pray for a Gongster who has visited the city’s Buddhist temple Nan Tien and is comparing Buddhism’s teachings to the claims of Christ to choose the only way, truth, and life.

John 14:6

This post was originally published on May 22, 2022.

Sunday Series: Oceanian Discipleship / Sunday School Teachers

1. Oceania includes Australia, New Zealand, and numerous island nations / territories in the South Pacific. TGP also includes in this category prayers for the relatively small transient Antarctic population due to its geographical proximity to Oceania. Pray for discipleship and Sunday School teachers in these countries to have practical goals toward helping their class members memorize passages of Scripture. The Word of God is the best thing a teacher can instill in the hearts of students of any age.

2. Discipleship / Sunday School teachers teacher are sub-shepherds of the church at large, carrying out a pastoral type ministry in the lives of their students. Pray for these leaders to themselves have people who minister to, encourage, and challenge them.

3. Pray for genuine spiritual growth to occur in the lives of many small group attendees this week.

Psalm 122:1

Saturday Morning Recap

Revelation 3:8

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”

1. Cluj-Napoka, Romania: Pray for the person who speaks the most languages in Cluj-Napoka to also be Biblically literate and heaven bound.

2. Bir Anzerane, Western Sahara: Pray that if a Christian has been seeking to do a work for God in Western Sahara, that the Father would open doors to make that a reality.

3. Your Choice: Please pray for a request you remember from the other cities featured this week:

Swindon, England

Clorinda, Argentina

Skun, Cambodia

North American Church Custodians

Thank you for praying!

Swindon, England

Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the harvestfield of Swindon.

1. Pictured above is Swindon’s Magic Roundabout, consisting of five small roundabouts joined together. According to Wikipedia, “In 2009, it was voted the fourth-scariest junction in England.” (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Swindon)). Pray for a driver on the Magic Roundabout today who feels like life parallels that exhausting schematic to see that following the Maker’s instructions is the only way off the endless cycle of activity without destination.

2. Swindon has several museums, including the Museum of Computing and the Museum of the Great Western Railway. Pray for one worker at each of these two places to realize that he personally must interact with Jesus Christ, and enter that relationship today.

3. Pray for someone living in Swindon who shares your birthday to also learn how to have a spiritual birthday, and be born into God’s family.

2 Corinthians 4:3-7

This post was originally published on March 7, 2023.