Visit Southern Namibia

Tomorrow I will travel to Karasburg, Keetmanshoop and Mariental. I went to school in all three these towns, many years ago. The photo is of one of the main streets in Karasburg.

The purpose of the trip is to build relationships with church leaders, to share about Global Day of Prayer 2009 (www.globaldayofprayer.com) and to inform the leaders about a DVD Workshop on "How to grow a High Impact Church". God willing I will visit more regions during this year and be able to report on the country.

Please pray for a safe trip, open hearts and minds and unity amongst churches, revival in the south - hearts on fire for the Lord, that God's blessing will be on this, one of more poor and needy regions in Namibia.

I will share about this visit over the coming week-end.

Kingdom Prayer for Namibians

I have found this Kingdom prayer on the internet. It says what I want to say. The author suggests that we pray this prayer every day for 21 days.

Why don't you make this prayer part of you quiet time, as you intercede for Namibia and enjoy this fiery Namibian sunset from the past week-end. Please share how God used this prayer in your life (pray4namibia@gmail.com):

My God,

You have placed me in your Kingdom and today I gladly acknowledge you as my King. Take every area of my life and use it in Your Kingdom to bring glory to Your name. Lord, I believe your Word instructs me that I am to operate with Your authority and power as I live out my life in the Kingdom.

Your Word is clear. I am to walk in supernatural authority and power as did Jesus. However Lord, I ask you to increase my faith as my head knowledge far surpasses my life style, and my fear of man limits my involvement in Kingdom activity.

I really want to live in Kingdom power- but I have problems believing that I can do so. Increase my faith until doubt is extinguished! Holy Spirit fill me! Holy Spirit empower me! Holy Spirit anoint me to live a Kingdom lifestyle.

As best as I know myself, I tell You today that there isn't any gift that You have for me that I don't want. If You want to use me in a way that I'm not used to, I yield myself to that. There is nothing that I will not do by your direction. There is no place I will not go by your direction. It is my heart's desire to want to choose to follow the Holy Spirit's promptings.

I declare today, on the basis of Your Word, that I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God sent to be involved in the message, the signs and the deeds of Christ's Kingdom in Namibia and to the ends of the earth.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!

Prayer authored by Dale Schlafer

Pray for our Cabinet

The New Era newspaper reported that the Namibian Cabinet opened on 20 January 2009 to a heady and busy presidential and general election year, with President Hifikepunye Pohamba reiterating calls for peace, tolerance, stability and social cohesion.

“This is another year of hard work to enhance the well-being of our people,” said Pohamba.“We must not relent in our commitment to make Namibia a better place. We must unequivocally demonstrate that we are committed to govern through the implementation of pragmatic policies that make a positive difference in the lives of our people and improve the economic trajectory of our country.” Source of news and photo New Era http://www.newera.com.na

It is God’s will for Christians to be good citizens. We are to obey the laws of the land. We are to respect those in public office. And we are to pray for government. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God.

In his first epistle to Timothy, Paul wrote, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour” (I Timothy 2:1-3).

Here are some prayer points as we are called upon to pray for the president, his prime minister, his cabinet members, and his advisers. Pray that the leaders would:

• Have the moral and political courage to do what is best for the Namibian nation.
• Set high moral and ethical standards of conduct for themselves and those associated with government, setting and example for other world leaders to follow.
• Surround themselves with people of integrity and godly wisdom.
• Have a “Daniel” to reveal the things of God to them.

Schools Prayer Network Namibia

The Schools Prayer Network exists to stimulate and encourage committed Christian prayer for every school in Namibia, and to provide a means of communication and support for those concerned. You are invited to contact the National Coordinator of this ministry for more information. Imelda + 264-61-256 017

Again, you are encouraged to get the guide to pray for your school at http://www.kingdompraying.com or write to pray4namibia@gmail.com and I will forward this short but very helpful prayer guide as a Word document to your e-mail address.

Please pray for this ministry, that it will play the vital role necessary to mobilize pupils, parents and teaching staff to pray for their schools. Ask God that there will be a Christian difference through prayer at every school in our country.

Pray for my school!

I have found a powerful guide to help you intercede for your school. Parents, teachers, and students can use it to pray for their school. Churches can use it to intercede for the Namibian school systems around them. In order to cover a school in prayer, you must intercede for three groups: the students, the teachers, and the parents. You can use these prayers or develop your own from them. You are encouraged to get the guide from http://www.kingdompraying.com or you can ask and I will forward this short but very helpful prayer guide as a Word document to your e-mail address. Please write to me at pray4namibia@gmail.com

Here are three examples from the prayer guide:

Praying For The Students

Father, I ask for a powerful and deep work of the Holy Spirit among the students of my school (___________________). I plead that He will do a powerful and gracious work in their hearts. Holy Spirit, release Your power in this school and meet the particular spiritual needs of the students (John 16:7-11; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 42:1-2).

Praying For The Teachers

Father, I plead that the unsaved teachers of my school (___________________) would enter into a personal relationship with You through the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that they would turn from their sin to Jesus in genuine faith (John 3:15-18, 6:44; Acts 4:12, 17:30-31).

Praying For The Parents

Father, I plead that the parents of my school (___________________) will create an atmosphere at home that will help the children learn and grow. I pray that the parents will take the initiative to teach and train the children at home (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

May God bless you and your school as we all intercede!

Pray for Namibian Education

Schools will open in Namibia on the 14th of January 2009. The photo shows our friend Miss Elfrieda and her 2008 graduates from the ABC Pre-School. Some of them, with thousands all over the country will now enter Pre-Primary. Namibia have a school population of about 600 000 students.

Let's pray for all Christians working in Education in Namibia as they help to prepare our children for the future. Here is a suggested prayer:

Lord of all things, we thank You for the women and men You have called to work in education. Bless their hearts with Your love, joy and peace. Season their words with Your patience, kindness and goodness. Fill their minds with Your faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When they respond to a broken-hearted child show them how to be big-hearted. When they reach out to a rebellious teen remind them to be obedient to You. When they advise a lonely mature student help them to be Christ Jesus to them. When they meet with an angry parent let them see a child of God. When they give advice to a discouraged colleague give them helpful and encouraging words. When they speak to visitors and strangers grant them the gift of hospitality. Amen.

Source: http://www.schoolsprayernetwork.org.uk

Shout Namibia!

Shout To The North
We've been through fire / we've been through rain
We've been refined by the power of his name
We've fallen deeper in love with you
You've burned the truth on our lips
Rise up church with broken wings
Fill this place with songs again
Of our God who reigns on high
By His grace again we'll fly!

Your purpose in Namibia 2009

My wife and I love the daily devotional by Dr Selwyn Huges called Every Day with Jesus. The theme for the first two months of 2009 is "Purpose for Living". From it I want to challenge you to spend some time with God and to bring your purpose for 2009 in line with His concern.

From the devotional: Christians need not to be in any doubt about the direction in which God wants them to go, or what is the Creator's highest purpose for their life.

It is receiving God's love, and channelling that love into the lives of those around us, including those who are discouraged or wounded. God wants you to be a caring person, sensitive to the needs of others, and aware of how He wants you to minister to them. Whatever else God may have for you to do in this world (and in Namibia), his highest purpose is to make you a channel of His tender, loving care to others. Once you grasp this, then you are on your way to fulfilling your highest destiny.

Father God, drive this truth deep into my spirit. Help me to see that You have put me on earth and in Namibia for a high and far reaching purpose, and make Your purpose more clear to me day by day. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

Source Every Day with Jesus Jan / Feb 2009 "Purpose for Living".