Daily Topic for July 10, 2006
Political leaders have tough jobs. Ours is not an easy world to rule, with competing factions, complex political structures, fluctuating economic conditions, explosive population growth, and increasing violence. Paul’s encouragement to pray for our political leaders should remind us of the crucial role they often play in the spread of the gospel throughout their realms of influence.
Pray that the Lord will turn the hearts of rulers in many “closed countries” to Himself to allow for an open door for the gospel message.
Habib carefully lifted the crocodile tooth to his chest and tied it around his neck as an amulet for good luck. Then he placed small symbols into triangular pieces of black cloth and also tied them around his neck to protect him from bullets. Next Habib gently settled the belt of snake bones around his waist to keep bodily pain far from him. Finally, he fastened the bamboo stem bracelet around his wrist to protect him from sickness. After placing the white cap on his head, marking him as a good Muslim, Habib left for the rice fields to begin the harvest.
The nearly 100,000 Yakans are Muslim people living on the island of Basilan, just off of the southwestern part of Mindanao in the Philippines. They practice what might be called “folk Islam” in that their religion features Islam with a strong mix of traditional folk beliefs.
Learn more at joshuaproject.netPray that Habib and all the Yakan people not only learn of, but yield to the truth of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Pray for the few Yakan believers and the fellowship of believers that was recently disbanded due to fear of harm. Pray that God will make a way to reestablish this group and transform it into a dynamic force for a gospel witness to the Yakan people. Pray that God will use them to heal the sick and drive out demons so that Christ will be glorified.-PE