Thursday, May 1
Cubans are known around the world as superb athletes. Their passion for athletics is a natural bridge for sharing the Gospel. Pray for the many sports evangelism ministries in Cuba. Ask God to give creativity and boldness to believers using sports to win young Cubans to Christ. Pray that many Cubans will find the Lord through sports evangelism.
Day Thirty-nine
Wednesday, April 30
Ask God to bless the New Dawn Ministry, a Cuban Baptist outreach to disabled people in Cuba. Believers involved in this ministry share Christ with the blind, the Deaf and others who are physically or emotionally handicapped. These believers hope not only to win the disabled to Christ but also to empower them to take the Gospel to others who share their unique challenges. Pray, too, for the group's outreach to families of disabled Cubans.
Ask God to bless the New Dawn Ministry, a Cuban Baptist outreach to disabled people in Cuba. Believers involved in this ministry share Christ with the blind, the Deaf and others who are physically or emotionally handicapped. These believers hope not only to win the disabled to Christ but also to empower them to take the Gospel to others who share their unique challenges. Pray, too, for the group's outreach to families of disabled Cubans.
Day Thirty-eight
Tuesday, April 29
In the one-car garage of an apartment in Havana tonight, Cuban Baptist Abel Hernández (see week 6 story) will lead a group of street people to pray that God will help them break free from drugs, prostitution and delinquency. They will hear Christians share testimonies of how the Holy Spirit is transforming their lives. Together they will learn songs about Jesus and hear a Bible story about life in Christ. Ask God to make His message very clear.
In the one-car garage of an apartment in Havana tonight, Cuban Baptist Abel Hernández (see week 6 story) will lead a group of street people to pray that God will help them break free from drugs, prostitution and delinquency. They will hear Christians share testimonies of how the Holy Spirit is transforming their lives. Together they will learn songs about Jesus and hear a Bible story about life in Christ. Ask God to make His message very clear.
Day Thirty-seven
Monday, April 28
More than half of Cuba's population practices Santería, a mixture of African traditional religions and the worship of saints. Practitioners try to manipulate their circumstances by appeasing the many different spirits they believe control their daily lives. Pray for followers of Santería, asking God to open their eyes to their need for a personal relationship with Christ. Pray they will find true rest and freedom through the liberating power of the Holy Spirit.
More than half of Cuba's population practices Santería, a mixture of African traditional religions and the worship of saints. Practitioners try to manipulate their circumstances by appeasing the many different spirits they believe control their daily lives. Pray for followers of Santería, asking God to open their eyes to their need for a personal relationship with Christ. Pray they will find true rest and freedom through the liberating power of the Holy Spirit.
Week Six
Light for the darkness
"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, 'I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life'" (John 8:12, NASB).
Abel Hernández will never forget the day he came home to find a crowd in the street near his home in Havana, Cuba. Soon he learned what all the commotion was about. Pablito, a young man in the neighborhood, had committed suicide after struggling with a drug addiction.
God used that tragedy to call Abel to minister to Cuban youth hooked on drugs and alcohol. Now a pastor, Abel has a vision to reach these young people and others struggling to survive on the streets.
"When we began acting on the vision, we understood that a young person who comes from the streets needs to return to the streets. He comes hurt and returns transformed to a new life by the Holy Spirit," Abel says.
Several nights a week Abel opens a small garage and invites people from the streets to come in for worship. Concerned about taking the Gospel to the streets, Christian young people from local churches also join the group. Together the group forms the link joining the church with the streets, Abel says.
The garage soon becomes standing room only as more young people gather to worship before going out to witness to street people. Sharing Abel's vision, these young people learn to love the outcasts of their city. "Once they have the vision, they go out on the street and also begin winning others to Christ-others who are suffering or have no purpose in life. That's how we do it," Abel explains.
After worship, Abel and his group hit the streets around midnight and stay out until about 4 a.m., sharing Christ with street people in downtown Havana and in city parks.
"We say here that the cockroaches and rats come out at night. Since that's the kind of person we're looking for, we only go out at the time they're emerging," Abel says.
As they go out to shine Christ's light into the darkness, these young believers depend upon prayer. "We're praying because we know there are people suffering in all our cities-drug addicts and prostitutes. So we're preparing ourselves to go out," says Abel.
Abel knows firsthand why that preparation is critical. Earlier in his life, "I, too, was involved in drugs and delinquency," he says. "The Lord took me out of that and called me to reach others. God is looking for others who want to honor Him."
________________
Sunday, April 27 - Day 36
Pray for Cuban Baptist Abel Hernández (see week 6 story) and Cuban believers who share Christ with people in the streets of Havana. Pray lost people will see there is something different about these believers. Ask the Holy Spirit to draw these street people to Christ. Ask the Lord to transform their lives and use them to bring many others to the Savior.
"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, 'I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life'" (John 8:12, NASB).
Abel Hernández will never forget the day he came home to find a crowd in the street near his home in Havana, Cuba. Soon he learned what all the commotion was about. Pablito, a young man in the neighborhood, had committed suicide after struggling with a drug addiction.
God used that tragedy to call Abel to minister to Cuban youth hooked on drugs and alcohol. Now a pastor, Abel has a vision to reach these young people and others struggling to survive on the streets.
"When we began acting on the vision, we understood that a young person who comes from the streets needs to return to the streets. He comes hurt and returns transformed to a new life by the Holy Spirit," Abel says.
Several nights a week Abel opens a small garage and invites people from the streets to come in for worship. Concerned about taking the Gospel to the streets, Christian young people from local churches also join the group. Together the group forms the link joining the church with the streets, Abel says.
The garage soon becomes standing room only as more young people gather to worship before going out to witness to street people. Sharing Abel's vision, these young people learn to love the outcasts of their city. "Once they have the vision, they go out on the street and also begin winning others to Christ-others who are suffering or have no purpose in life. That's how we do it," Abel explains.
After worship, Abel and his group hit the streets around midnight and stay out until about 4 a.m., sharing Christ with street people in downtown Havana and in city parks.
"We say here that the cockroaches and rats come out at night. Since that's the kind of person we're looking for, we only go out at the time they're emerging," Abel says.
As they go out to shine Christ's light into the darkness, these young believers depend upon prayer. "We're praying because we know there are people suffering in all our cities-drug addicts and prostitutes. So we're preparing ourselves to go out," says Abel.
Abel knows firsthand why that preparation is critical. Earlier in his life, "I, too, was involved in drugs and delinquency," he says. "The Lord took me out of that and called me to reach others. God is looking for others who want to honor Him."
________________
Sunday, April 27 - Day 36
Pray for Cuban Baptist Abel Hernández (see week 6 story) and Cuban believers who share Christ with people in the streets of Havana. Pray lost people will see there is something different about these believers. Ask the Holy Spirit to draw these street people to Christ. Ask the Lord to transform their lives and use them to bring many others to the Savior.
Day Thirty-five
Saturday, April 26
Today, Cuban believers Osvier Acosta Ferrero, Ricardo Tadeo Soria Perez, Rosaida Camacho and Claribel Morales (see week 5 story) will pray with others from their church before they all go out as teams to share the Gospel in rural Cuba. Ask the Lord to prepare the hearts of the lost people these teams will visit. Pray that Cubans who need the Savior will be willing to commit their lives to Him.
Today, Cuban believers Osvier Acosta Ferrero, Ricardo Tadeo Soria Perez, Rosaida Camacho and Claribel Morales (see week 5 story) will pray with others from their church before they all go out as teams to share the Gospel in rural Cuba. Ask the Lord to prepare the hearts of the lost people these teams will visit. Pray that Cubans who need the Savior will be willing to commit their lives to Him.
Day Thirty-four
Friday, April 25
Pray for stamina, good health and safety for Cuban believers who go to remote areas of Cuba to spread the Gospel. Pray for their protection as they travel at night over unlit trails and roads. Continue to pray that a million Cubans across the island nation will accept Christ as their Savior by the end of 2010.
Pray for stamina, good health and safety for Cuban believers who go to remote areas of Cuba to spread the Gospel. Pray for their protection as they travel at night over unlit trails and roads. Continue to pray that a million Cubans across the island nation will accept Christ as their Savior by the end of 2010.
Day Thirty-three
Thursday, April 24
Christians in Cuba make many sacrifices to share Christ and to disciple believers. One sacrifice is leaving the comforts of home and going where the people are. Few church leaders have a vehicle, so most walk, take public transportation-where available-or ride bikes, horses or donkeys. Ask God to help Cuban believers reach the places they serve.
Christians in Cuba make many sacrifices to share Christ and to disciple believers. One sacrifice is leaving the comforts of home and going where the people are. Few church leaders have a vehicle, so most walk, take public transportation-where available-or ride bikes, horses or donkeys. Ask God to help Cuban believers reach the places they serve.
Day Thirty-two
Wednesday, April 23
Pray that many new churches will be started in rural Cuba. Ask God to call out and provide training for believers to lead these congregations. Pray that Cuban Baptists will realize their goal of starting 100,000 new churches-a church within walking distance of every person in Cuba-during the next three years.
Pray that many new churches will be started in rural Cuba. Ask God to call out and provide training for believers to lead these congregations. Pray that Cuban Baptists will realize their goal of starting 100,000 new churches-a church within walking distance of every person in Cuba-during the next three years.
Day Thirty-one
Tuesday, April 22
Praise God for the changes Cuban believers Rosaida Camacho and Claribel Morales (see week 5 story) have seen in one rural neighborhood where they prayerwalk and witness. Pray that God will allow these women to prayerwalk and share the Gospel in many other parts of Cuba's countryside. Ask Him to provide transportation to places too far to walk.
Praise God for the changes Cuban believers Rosaida Camacho and Claribel Morales (see week 5 story) have seen in one rural neighborhood where they prayerwalk and witness. Pray that God will allow these women to prayerwalk and share the Gospel in many other parts of Cuba's countryside. Ask Him to provide transportation to places too far to walk.
Day Thirty
Monday, April 21
Ask the Lord to show Cuban believers how they can be involved in missions. Pray that God will call out more Cuban workers to reach fellow Cubans who have never before heard the Gospel. Pray these believers will respond in obedience to the Lord's call.
Ask the Lord to show Cuban believers how they can be involved in missions. Pray that God will call out more Cuban workers to reach fellow Cubans who have never before heard the Gospel. Pray these believers will respond in obedience to the Lord's call.
Week Five
Willing to go
"And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news'" (Romans 10: 15, NIV).
When Osvier Acosta Ferrero, 70, and Ricardo Tadeo Soria Perez, 56, navigate dirt roads on their bicycles, they're not out for their daily exercise. Instead, they're praying for rural Cubans who need Jesus Christ. It's not obligation that compels these two men to serve but a clear understanding of the Gospel's transforming power.
That power made a dramatic difference for Ricardo. "I was lost in alcohol, and He rescued me from the deep hole where I was," he says. "This is why I want to help people who are in the same hole-so they can understand the joy and life that Jesus Christ gives us."
The two men sing hymns as they peddle along the dirt roads of Cuba's countryside. Ricardo and Osvier cycle for miles on end to lead Bible studies in rural communities.
With a heart for evangelism, these men are willing and ready to serve wherever the Lord leads. "If God someday sends us to another country, we will go," Osvier says. "We have the joy of evangelization, always asking God for wisdom, a love for people and that every day of our lives we could have the joy of proclaiming the Word of Christ to every soul."
While Ricardo and Osvier bike to their Bible studies, another two-some from their church is walking from house to house to proclaim the Word in rural neighborhoods. Rosaida Camacho and Claribel Morales pray as they go, asking God to prepare hearts and homes before they arrive. "Our greatest desire and prayer is for the salvation of our families, our neighborhoods and all of Cuba," Rosaida says.
She and Claribel are helping people find salvation in Jesus in an area where they prayerwalk and witness regularly. The neighborhood used to be known for domestic problems, problems between neighbors, even murders. But that started changing as people began to accept Christ.
"Now there is peace here," Rosaida says.
_________________
Sunday, April 20 - Day 29
Pray God will give Cuban believers Osvier Acosta Ferrero and Ricardo Tadeo Soria Perez (see week 5 story) many opportunities to share the love of Christ with rural Cubans. Ask the Lord to strengthen their faith and provide physical endurance as they bike to distant villages to spread the good news. Pray that God will call out more Cuban believers to take the Gospel to other rural areas of Cuba.
"And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news'" (Romans 10: 15, NIV).
When Osvier Acosta Ferrero, 70, and Ricardo Tadeo Soria Perez, 56, navigate dirt roads on their bicycles, they're not out for their daily exercise. Instead, they're praying for rural Cubans who need Jesus Christ. It's not obligation that compels these two men to serve but a clear understanding of the Gospel's transforming power.
That power made a dramatic difference for Ricardo. "I was lost in alcohol, and He rescued me from the deep hole where I was," he says. "This is why I want to help people who are in the same hole-so they can understand the joy and life that Jesus Christ gives us."
The two men sing hymns as they peddle along the dirt roads of Cuba's countryside. Ricardo and Osvier cycle for miles on end to lead Bible studies in rural communities.
With a heart for evangelism, these men are willing and ready to serve wherever the Lord leads. "If God someday sends us to another country, we will go," Osvier says. "We have the joy of evangelization, always asking God for wisdom, a love for people and that every day of our lives we could have the joy of proclaiming the Word of Christ to every soul."
While Ricardo and Osvier bike to their Bible studies, another two-some from their church is walking from house to house to proclaim the Word in rural neighborhoods. Rosaida Camacho and Claribel Morales pray as they go, asking God to prepare hearts and homes before they arrive. "Our greatest desire and prayer is for the salvation of our families, our neighborhoods and all of Cuba," Rosaida says.
She and Claribel are helping people find salvation in Jesus in an area where they prayerwalk and witness regularly. The neighborhood used to be known for domestic problems, problems between neighbors, even murders. But that started changing as people began to accept Christ.
"Now there is peace here," Rosaida says.
_________________
Sunday, April 20 - Day 29
Pray God will give Cuban believers Osvier Acosta Ferrero and Ricardo Tadeo Soria Perez (see week 5 story) many opportunities to share the love of Christ with rural Cubans. Ask the Lord to strengthen their faith and provide physical endurance as they bike to distant villages to spread the good news. Pray that God will call out more Cuban believers to take the Gospel to other rural areas of Cuba.
Day Twenty-eight
Saturday, April 19
Pray with Cuban Baptist lay missionaries as many of them go out today for evangelistic visitation in homes in their part of Cuba. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give them boldness. Pray that lost people will open their hearts and homes to the Gospel message.
Day Twenty-seven
Friday, April 18
As you pray for the salvation of Cuba, pray also for the generations of Cuban families that have been separated geographically for decades. Ask God to strengthen these families and to provide comfort and peace during family crises such as illness or death of a loved one. Pray that non-Christian family members will come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Day Twenty-six
Thursday, April 17
Ask God to show elderly Cuban believers new ways He wants to use them. Pray the last years of their lives will be some of the most fulfilling and productive times of service to the Lord. Pray elderly Cubans who don't know Christ will realize how much He loves them. Pray they will accept His free gift of salvation.
Day Twenty-five
Wednesday, April 16
Most elderly Cubans live with their children or grandchildren. Concerned for Cuban seniors who have no one to care for them, Cuban Baptists have built two retirement homes to meet the needs of the elderly. Pray for the workers at these homes. Pray all residents will have a strong relationship with Christ.
Most elderly Cubans live with their children or grandchildren. Concerned for Cuban seniors who have no one to care for them, Cuban Baptists have built two retirement homes to meet the needs of the elderly. Pray for the workers at these homes. Pray all residents will have a strong relationship with Christ.
Day Twenty-four
Tuesday, April 15
Nearly 20 percent of Cuba's people are over age 60. Ask God to open doors for Cuban believers to reach elderly Cubans with the Gospel. Pray that these seniors will realize their need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and will decide to trust Him as their Savior. Pray that a million Cubans of all ages will accept Christ during the next three years.
Nearly 20 percent of Cuba's people are over age 60. Ask God to open doors for Cuban believers to reach elderly Cubans with the Gospel. Pray that these seniors will realize their need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and will decide to trust Him as their Savior. Pray that a million Cubans of all ages will accept Christ during the next three years.
Day Twenty-three
Monday, April 14
Pray for new Christians who are led to Christ by Víctor González Sr. (see week 4 story) and other Cuban believers. Pray that the Holy Spirit will help these new disciples make the changes necessary to walk closely with the Lord. Pray they will quickly get involved in a church and begin studying God's Word regularly. Ask God to help Cuban Baptists start a church within walking distance of every Cuban by the end of 2010.
Pray for new Christians who are led to Christ by Víctor González Sr. (see week 4 story) and other Cuban believers. Pray that the Holy Spirit will help these new disciples make the changes necessary to walk closely with the Lord. Pray they will quickly get involved in a church and begin studying God's Word regularly. Ask God to help Cuban Baptists start a church within walking distance of every Cuban by the end of 2010.
Week Four
Strength for the journey
"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:30-31, NIV).
At his rural home near Matanzas, Cuba, the front porch is a sacred place for retired Baptist pastor Víctor González Sr.
Before his wife died more than four years ago, the two of them prayed together there every morning. They interceded for lost people in Cuba and across the globe.
Víctor misses his wife and prayer partner, of course, but he isn't sitting around feeling sorry for himself. He still starts each day on the porch, reading God's Word and praying for the world. He prays, too, for the people he'll meet that day and for strength to go share the Gospel with them.
Then Víctor, 88, sets out on foot, walking for hours along rugged roads in the mountainous countryside. He stops at homes along the way and tells everyone he meets the good news of Jesus. "I go out to evangelize almost every day," he says.
Víctor has been serving as a "walking evangelist" since he retired as a pastor 16 years ago. At the time, "I said, 'I'm not going to sit around with my hands crossed. I want to keep working!'" he remembers.
God used a familiar Scripture passage to call Víctor to this new chapter of his ministry. "I opened the Bible to Isaiah 40:30-31," he recalls, paraphrasing those verses. "Young people will weaken ... Those who wait on the Lord will have new strength. I said, 'Lord, that's what I need!' I was aware when I retired at 72 that I needed strength. I asked for strength to walk kilometers and kilometers, and the Lord strengthened me."
Relying on God's power, last year Víctor made 2,640 home visits-all on foot-to share the Gospel. That's an average of 220 visits per month, about seven visits per day.
Today, Víctor's still going strong, with no signs of slowing down. "Pray that the Lord will lengthen my life, to be able to keep working in the Lord's service," he says.
"There's a promise in the Bible that one day all the nations of the world will know the Lord," Víctor continues. "We want one day to see one another there gathered in the great family in Heaven, without distinction of race or class. That will be a day of rejoicing."
"Pray that Cuba and the whole world might be won to Christ," he adds.
______________
Sunday, April 13 - Day 22
Ask God to strengthen Víctor González Sr. (see week 4 story) and other retirees in Cuba who continue to serve Christ and share the Gospel. Pray that their "golden years" will be fruitful ones. Pray that God will use these senior adults to introduce many Cubans to saving faith in Christ.
Day Twenty-one
Saturday, April 12
Pray that homes of Cuban church leaders will reflect the love of Christ to non-Christian neighbors. Since many churches meet in homes with windows wide open, neighbors hear the music, prayers and Bible teaching. Pray the Holy Spirit will draw lost neighbors to Christ. Pray these home groups will multiply and permeate every neighborhood in Cuba.
Pray that homes of Cuban church leaders will reflect the love of Christ to non-Christian neighbors. Since many churches meet in homes with windows wide open, neighbors hear the music, prayers and Bible teaching. Pray the Holy Spirit will draw lost neighbors to Christ. Pray these home groups will multiply and permeate every neighborhood in Cuba.
Day Twenty
Friday, April 11
Pray today for Cuban Baptist pastors' wives. Ask the Lord to help them balance the many demands of ministry, marriage and parenting. Pray they will maintain strong prayer lives. Ask God to strengthen and guide them in their roles as wives, mothers, church leaders and mentors to other Christian women.
Pray today for Cuban Baptist pastors' wives. Ask the Lord to help them balance the many demands of ministry, marriage and parenting. Pray they will maintain strong prayer lives. Ask God to strengthen and guide them in their roles as wives, mothers, church leaders and mentors to other Christian women.
Day Nineteen
Thursday, April 10
Because of a need for more church leaders, most Cuban Baptist pastors serve several congregations at the same time. Ask God to give them peace in the midst of a stressful lifestyle. Pray they will prioritize their time well, giving proper attention to their prayer life, marriage and family. Ask God to show them how to train more leaders to help them.
Because of a need for more church leaders, most Cuban Baptist pastors serve several congregations at the same time. Ask God to give them peace in the midst of a stressful lifestyle. Pray they will prioritize their time well, giving proper attention to their prayer life, marriage and family. Ask God to show them how to train more leaders to help them.
Day Eighteen
Wednesday, April 9
Cuban doctors are highly respected, and many people travel to Cuba seeking treatment from them. Pray for Christian physicians as they care for the sick and share the hope of Jesus Christ. Pray that medical professionals who travel outside of Cuba will come in contact with believers in other countries.
Cuban doctors are highly respected, and many people travel to Cuba seeking treatment from them. Pray for Christian physicians as they care for the sick and share the hope of Jesus Christ. Pray that medical professionals who travel outside of Cuba will come in contact with believers in other countries.
Day Seventeen
Tuesday, April 8
Pray for the sick in Cuba who need a touch from God. Many of those who are sick come to the churches seeking prayer or even medicine. They have seen churches rally around those who have needs. Pray that they will find the hope of Jesus Christ.
Pray for the sick in Cuba who need a touch from God. Many of those who are sick come to the churches seeking prayer or even medicine. They have seen churches rally around those who have needs. Pray that they will find the hope of Jesus Christ.
Day Sixteen
Monday, April 7
On the first Monday of every month Cuban Baptists observe a day of prayer and fasting for God to bless their nation. Join them during this time of concentrated prayer, asking God to help them reach a million Cubans by the end of 2010. Pray that 100,000 churches will be started during the next three years.
On the first Monday of every month Cuban Baptists observe a day of prayer and fasting for God to bless their nation. Join them during this time of concentrated prayer, asking God to help them reach a million Cubans by the end of 2010. Pray that 100,000 churches will be started during the next three years.
Week Three
The Power of Prayer
"Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3, NASB).
Estrella Sánchez, a pastor's wife in Cuba, remembers the day she found out she had a brain tumor. "I'm a Christian. I'm not afraid," she told her physician, a non-believer. "God can take away this tumor if He wants to. He made everything."
Her doctor laughed. But he gave this advice while Estrella waited for her surgery: "Call on God to see if He will help you."
"I'll call on God," she replied, "but not so much that He might heal me, but that you would be converted."
That day "God flooded me with a great peace," recalls Estrella, a young wife and mother. "I was resting in Him."
But her husband, Rasiel, was distraught at first. "I locked myself in the bathroom and cried," he says.
When he came out, he hugged Estrella. Together they knelt in prayer at their bedside. "I put my hand onher head and prayed, 'Lord, heal my wife.' We knew God was helping us. We prayed He would give us strength," he says.
It's been more than two years since that day, and Estrella is still battling a brain tumor. "I'm recovering for the glory of God, but recovery is very slow," she says. "I'm learning to trust in God and His promises."
In the process, she relies on prayer. "God says to me, 'Estrella, be strong. Strengthen those weak knees.'"
The prayers of others, at home and abroad, have been a big part of that strengthening. "Prayer is powerful," she says.
One day a Christian worker from the States told Estrella that a prayer network of more than 3,000 believers was praying for her. "That gave me great joy!" Estrella says. "To think that my name was before God with so many people praying for me. What a great blessing!"
Two months after that prayer chain began, Estrella's tumor began to shrink. She's still in the healing process, but "I am waiting on God," she says. "This is God's time, not mine."
"His presence is sufficient," Rasiel adds. "His power is enough."
Sunday, April 6 - Day 15
Thank God for the ways He has answered prayer for Estrella Sánchez (see above) as she recovers from a brain tumor. Pray for her continued healing. Pray God will be glorified through her and her family. Pray many Cubans, including her doctors, will come to saving faith in Jesus Christ through her testimony.
"Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3, NASB).
Estrella Sánchez, a pastor's wife in Cuba, remembers the day she found out she had a brain tumor. "I'm a Christian. I'm not afraid," she told her physician, a non-believer. "God can take away this tumor if He wants to. He made everything."
Her doctor laughed. But he gave this advice while Estrella waited for her surgery: "Call on God to see if He will help you."
"I'll call on God," she replied, "but not so much that He might heal me, but that you would be converted."
That day "God flooded me with a great peace," recalls Estrella, a young wife and mother. "I was resting in Him."
But her husband, Rasiel, was distraught at first. "I locked myself in the bathroom and cried," he says.
When he came out, he hugged Estrella. Together they knelt in prayer at their bedside. "I put my hand onher head and prayed, 'Lord, heal my wife.' We knew God was helping us. We prayed He would give us strength," he says.
It's been more than two years since that day, and Estrella is still battling a brain tumor. "I'm recovering for the glory of God, but recovery is very slow," she says. "I'm learning to trust in God and His promises."
In the process, she relies on prayer. "God says to me, 'Estrella, be strong. Strengthen those weak knees.'"
The prayers of others, at home and abroad, have been a big part of that strengthening. "Prayer is powerful," she says.
One day a Christian worker from the States told Estrella that a prayer network of more than 3,000 believers was praying for her. "That gave me great joy!" Estrella says. "To think that my name was before God with so many people praying for me. What a great blessing!"
Two months after that prayer chain began, Estrella's tumor began to shrink. She's still in the healing process, but "I am waiting on God," she says. "This is God's time, not mine."
"His presence is sufficient," Rasiel adds. "His power is enough."
Sunday, April 6 - Day 15
Thank God for the ways He has answered prayer for Estrella Sánchez (see above) as she recovers from a brain tumor. Pray for her continued healing. Pray God will be glorified through her and her family. Pray many Cubans, including her doctors, will come to saving faith in Jesus Christ through her testimony.
Day Fourteen
Saturday, April 5
As Cuban Baptists move toward their goals of reaching a million Cubans and starting 100,000 churches by the end of 2010, they will need many more church leaders for the future. Pray God will call out Cuban Christians to serve in church leadership roles. Ask the Lord to give church leaders a vision for developing lay leaders to guide these new congregations.
As Cuban Baptists move toward their goals of reaching a million Cubans and starting 100,000 churches by the end of 2010, they will need many more church leaders for the future. Pray God will call out Cuban Christians to serve in church leadership roles. Ask the Lord to give church leaders a vision for developing lay leaders to guide these new congregations.
Day Thirteen
Friday, April 4
Many Christians in Cuba worship in home Bible studies. As these groups grow, host families have to make adjustments to fit everyone inside. Some move all their furniture to one room. Some even knock down walls to create more space. Ask God to bless these believers for opening their homes. Pray many people will come to Christ through these groups.
Many Christians in Cuba worship in home Bible studies. As these groups grow, host families have to make adjustments to fit everyone inside. Some move all their furniture to one room. Some even knock down walls to create more space. Ask God to bless these believers for opening their homes. Pray many people will come to Christ through these groups.
Day Twelve
Thursday, April 3
A team of Christian workers travels across Cuba teaching believers how to share their faith and start churches through Christian music. Ask the Lord to give this team creativity, endurance and travel safety as they train future worship leaders in Cuba. Pray that Christian music will touch the hearts of Cubans who have yet to hear the Gospel.
A team of Christian workers travels across Cuba teaching believers how to share their faith and start churches through Christian music. Ask the Lord to give this team creativity, endurance and travel safety as they train future worship leaders in Cuba. Pray that Christian music will touch the hearts of Cubans who have yet to hear the Gospel.
Day Eleven
Wednesday, April 2
Last summer Ivette, a Christian violinist for a Havana symphony orchestra, and some other Cuban Christian musicians used music to share the Gospel with rural Cubans. In one week, 450 people accepted Christ. Ivette returned burdened to win fellow musicians to Christ. Pray for her and another orchestra member as they share their faith with their peers.
Last summer Ivette, a Christian violinist for a Havana symphony orchestra, and some other Cuban Christian musicians used music to share the Gospel with rural Cubans. In one week, 450 people accepted Christ. Ivette returned burdened to win fellow musicians to Christ. Pray for her and another orchestra member as they share their faith with their peers.
Day Ten
Tuesday, April 1
Musicians are accustomed to performing and attracting people to the beautiful sounds of their instruments or voices. But some Christian musicians in Cuba are using their skills not to entertain others but to plant churches. Pray for these Christians as they share the Gospel through music. Pray that hearts will be receptive and churches will be started.
Musicians are accustomed to performing and attracting people to the beautiful sounds of their instruments or voices. But some Christian musicians in Cuba are using their skills not to entertain others but to plant churches. Pray for these Christians as they share the Gospel through music. Pray that hearts will be receptive and churches will be started.
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