Arise, December 05

7 reasons why we shouldn't be ashamed of the gospel this Christmas

Apologies for the late delivery of translations of the November letter. We will deliver as soon as possible. Spanish version available. 21st Dec. '05

The Bulletin of the Prayer Network for the Evangelisation of Spain

Bulletin 26 (December 2005)

“because it is the power of God for salvation”... for my family and friends. (from Romans 1:16)

Let's not be ashamed of the Gospel this Christmas!

1. Because God will give us many opportunities to share with family and friends, who are more sensitive to talk of God than at any other time of year.
2. Because people are increasingly fed up with the superficiality of the world and hungry for spiritual things.
3. Because a prayer of thanks for food, a gift of a Bible or an invitation to a childrens' Christmas event in our church could open the door of salvation to them.
4. Because the gospel is power of God to transform broken and upset lives, we ourselves being witnesses of the fact. Why deny them the only road to real change?
5. Because if we are ashamed of the Son of Man, He will be ashamed of us when He comes.
6. Because God will demand of our hands the blood of those who perish if we do not pray for them and preach the gospel when they are with us.
7. Because we should preach in season and out. Christmas is an 'in season' moment, if ever there were one.
Let us join in prayer for all these reasons and for the following opportunities this month of December.

§ 17th in Zaragoza, 18th in Valladolid: 10th anniversary of the spanish version of Handel's “Messiah” Public concerts given by the National Evangelical Orchestra and Choir, director Dean Hollingsworth.

§ 17th to 23rd United Outreach in Seville Ted Blake (of Decision) greets us asking prayer for the united open air outreach over these 7 days in key pedestrian shopping streets. Music groups, including a children's choir and distribution of a specially prepared magazine will include events on the city's official Christmas celebration stage. The aim is to distribute over 20,000 magazines and sell 1,000 CDs at “a symbolic price”. It is hoped that many of the homes in the province will be reached through this means.

§ 22nd in ASTURIAS-GOSPEL Concert: Piedras Blancas church, making use of the visit of the north American group «The Sound of Gospel».

§ 23rd Spanish TV: first ever public broadcast of an evangelical church service. 19.00 local time on TVE 2. The direct broadcast will be from the Betel church (WEC) in Madrid, with musical contributions from singer pastor Marcos Vidal, the Madrid United Churches' Choir and others, with children reciting poetry.

§ Operation Transit follow up from summer outreach with North African contacts. Half of this year's contacts live in Spain. Pray for the North African believers who are heading up this process. Many people have come to know the Lord through this outreach over the past years. Pray that in each country, despite the spiritual opposition, the Lord would raise up disciples who will share their faith and make local disciples. (2 Tim.2:2).

§ Last Friday every month – day of prayer and fasting for Spain. Juan Sánchez Araujo suggests the following topics: thanksgiving for rains after a year of heavy drought – pray for spiritual rain to fall on this dry land; give thanks for money forthcoming from the State for social projects of the churches – pray for wisdom in its use and in applications for next year's round, but above all that this source of finance would not ensnare the churches; give thanks for national church leaders, especially those of the Churches' Federation, who are 'our official representatives to society' – pray that they would exercise in the Lord's power and wisdom, living out the truth of the gospel; pray likewise for the leaders of the Evangelical Alliance, that they may be like the sons of Issachar, “understanding the times”; pray for all other church leaders who are well known, that they may remain firmly rooted in the gospel and protected from temptation; pray for God's intervention in the process of government, so that the process of de-christianising the law books be halted and reversed, also for other government decisions, in issues such as immigration and terrorism, that they be protective and yet caring, but not taking anything and everything on board; continue praying for a spiritual awakening in this land and that the evangelicals may sound a clear call to repentance and faith in Christ.

§ January 15th to 23rd February. Call to 40 days of prayer and partial fasting Fasting suggested 6.00 to 14.00 each day. “Sound the trumpet..”(Joel 2:15-17). The movement "España Intercede" (Intercessors for Spain)calls us to pray during this period for: 1- That the church awake from its inertia and sleepiness to a new dimension of power and authority, such that God's Kingdom be reveales among us and usher in a new era for the history of Spain. 2- For the Nation, that the Holy Spirit move to change the direction of this land in its moral, social and political degeneration.

Dear brethren, may the Lord give us all the refreshing anointing of His Holy Spirit to love, pray, embrace and minister to the large number of broken lives which He places in our path this Christmas. May He fill us with His peace and joy. Do pass on this prayer letter and url.

Many thanks again for your commitment to pray for Spain. We would love to hear from you, so please if you are praying regularly for Spain let us know by sending us an email. If you have any queries or contributions, don't hesitate to get in touch!