Sun, Feb 1: Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt. Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt. – Julia H. Johnston Either today or tomorrow, millions of Muslims around the world will be celebrating God’s provision of a sacrifice in place of Abraham’s son. Unfortunately they believe that the son for whom the ram was provided (Genesis 22) was Ishmael; the Qur’an isn’t specific, but the Bible clearly states the son was Isaac. Beyond that, however, God provided the blood of Jesus as the final sacrifice. Pray for the MNK, as they seek God’s forgiveness this day; pray they will accept the blood of the Lamb.

Mon, Feb 2: What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. – Robert Lowry Last month, an MNK believer bought a sheep for the Tabaski sacrifice. Did he think he needed to sacrifice a sheep even though he is a believer? Did he buy it to make his father and wife happy? Did he do it out of habit? All these questions remain unanswered for the moment. But two days after he brought the sheep to his house last month, it died. When he asked his missionary friend why, he received the following response: “I believe God has a message for you.” Pray for MNK believers to listen to God and to hold to the truth of this song: Nothing but the BLOOD of Jesus!

Tue, Feb 3: And tho’ this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us. We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph thro’ us. The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him. His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure. One little word shall fell him. – Martin Luther The MNK believe in the spirit world. When they are sick, it’s not what made them sick, but who. When bad times befall them, it’s not what happened, but who made it happen. Often as missionaries, we ignore this daily reality…in the lives of the MNK…in our own lives…in our preaching. Pray for missionaries to not only be aware, but prepared, to battle the forces of evil through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Wed, Feb 4: Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee. Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity. – Reginald Heber Every morning at 5:00AM, the call to prayer sounds from the next-door mosque. The mosque recently purchased loudspeakers, positioning them so they are pointed directly at the compound of an MNK believer. This type of subtle, and other not so subtle, confrontations occur daily to MNK believers. But this family will not be swayed…they now have their family devotions every morning at 5:00 AM, and after the mosque has turned its speakers off, they broadcast whatever religious music they have handy! Pray for MNK believers who live in semi-hostile situations to not give ground while still exemplifying the love of Christ in all they do, and the strength to be good neighbors in the name of Christ.

Thu, Feb 5: Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms. Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms. – Elisha A. Hoffman The radio broadcasts continue every Thursday evening on a major radio station. Now a man from the local station has come requesting the Bible stories be broadcast on the local radio station…and he’s even offering a discount! A Muslim…asking for God’s Word to be put on the airwaves! Pray for the Righteous Way radio Bible broadcasts to project light to the Truth path…enabling the path to grow brighter every day!

Fri, Feb 6: Redeemed! how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed! by the blood of the Lamb. Redeemed! thro’ His infinite mercy, His child, and forever, I am. I think of my blessed Redeemer, I think of Him all the daylong. I sing, for I cannot be silent, His love is the theme of my song. – Fanny J. Crosby MNK men and women sing, but only their rite-of-passage songs, and normally in private. These are the songs taught to them at their times of circumcision and training; men don’t know the women’s songs, and vice versa. Islam has blotted out of MNK culture any and all singing within religion; religion is pious, stoic, and communal, not joyful. Pray for the MNK as they come to know Christ to sing their praises to Him, the One to whom all praises belong.

Sat, Feb 7: I have decided to follow Jesus. Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus. The world behind me, the cross before me. No turning back! No turning back! – Garo Christians and John Clark Worldwide, there are fewer than 50 MNK believers out of a population of 1.3 million. And two years ago it appeared as if there was absolutely no Christian witness among 700,000 MNK. Now, however, believers from other ethnic groups who live among the MNK are appearing. Three here…two there…small in number, but nevertheless standing amidst a strong tide. Pray for neighboring believers to reach out to the MNK; pray for the precious few believers to stand firm in their faith…no turning back…no turning back!

Sun, Feb 8: Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me; as Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea. Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord; my spirit pants for Thee, O living Word. O send Thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me; that He may touch mine eyes, and make me see. Show me the truth concealed within Thy Word, and in Thy Book revealed I see Thee, Lord. – Mary Lathbury and Alexander Groves Much work has been done to translate Scripture into MNK. The entire New Testament is complete and half of the Old Testament. Unfortunately readership is limited as Roman literacy among the MNK is so low, about 20%. Arabic script literacy, however, is closer to 50%. At the moment, only one missionary is working in the field of transcribing Scripture into MNK language/Arabic script. Pray for this transcription work to go forward and for the MNK to hunger to know God through the reading of His Word.

Mon, Feb 9: He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne. In temptation He’s my strong and mighty tow’r. I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn from heart, and now He keeps me by His pow’r. Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore, through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal. He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star; He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul. – Charles W. Fry Even when MNKs become believers in Jesus Christ, they struggle to let go of their charms, which they believe protect them from illnesses and injury. Islam and Catholicism have allowed some of these syncretistic practices to become part of their religious practice. Pray for MNK believers to be faithful to the Word of God; pray they will stand firm through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Tue, Feb 10: To the work! To the work! We are servants of God; let us follow the path that our Master has trod. With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew. Let us do with our might what our hands find to do. Toiling on, toiling on, toiling on, toiling on. Let us hope and trust, let us watch and pray, and labor till the Master comes. – Fanny J. Crosby Some days being a missionary (or teacher or pastor or engineer) is just another job! You wake up on the wrong side of the bed…you didn’t get enough sleep…you are concerned about absent children (or parents)…you are hot and tired and frustrated. Irregardless of how we feel, there is work to be done for God while we live. Pray for those who go and tell the MNK about Christ to be energized for the work; pray for those who send, stay and pray for the MNK to remain energized for their task!

Wed, Feb 11: He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet, the birds hush their singing; and the melody that He gave to me, within my heart is ringing. And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known. – C. Austin Miles Devout MNKs recite their prayers five times each day; some also have a time when they “beg” God for different situations in their lives. Yet each time they rise from prayer, it is without hope, it is without joy, it is without assurance, it is lonely. They may ask God for many things, but they do not believe He will communicate with them, so they do not take the time wait on Him. Pray that today, as MNKs go through their ritual prayers, they will have ears to hear the voice of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thu, Feb 12: Great is Thy faithfulness, O God, my Father. There is no shadow of turning with Thee. Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not. As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth; thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide. Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! – Thomas O. Chisholm Where am I going to get the money I need for my children’s school fees? I don’t have the money to pay my electric bill. How am I going to feed my family? Will the rains be good this year? Should we plant corn or peanuts, or both? Who is going to take care of me when I’m old? My mother is sick and I don’t have the money for her medical care. Becoming a Christian doesn’t necessarily solve these problems, but it affords the security to rest in God’s care, complete with His blessings and peace. Pray for a sense of peace to come over those who have come to know God personally, yet are still plagued with daily survival struggles.

Fri, Feb 13: Not the labors of my hands can fulfill Thy law’s demands; these for sin could not atone. Thou must save, and Thou alone. In my hand no price I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling. – Augustus M. Toplady As MNKs throughout the world gather at the mosque to pray this Friday, they come seeking…seeking assurance…seeking God…seeking righteousness…seeking acceptance. Yet they are seeking with what they themselves can do, believing this is the way to satisfy and please God. Pray for those MNK who are seeking God to seek out those who can point them to the Righteous Way.

Sat, Feb 14: Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heav’n to earth come down. Fix in us Thy humble dwelling, all Thy faithful mercies crown. Jesus, Thou art all compassion; pure, unbounded love Thou art. Visit us with Thy salvation; enter ev’ry trembling heart. – Charles Wesley Valentine’s Day brings thoughts of love, flowers, candy, and gentleness. Yet the greatest love of all is the love God has for mankind, for every tribe and nation. Yet, the MNK are far from understanding this love. Pray for the MNK to experience the love of Christ.

Sun, Feb 15: We’ve a message to give to the nations, that the Lord who reigneth above, hath sent us His Son to save us, and show us that God is love, and show us that God is love. For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright. And Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light. – H. Ernest Nichol Hundreds of thousands of MNK speak French; hundred of thousands speak English; tens of thousands speak Portuguese…all to varying degrees. But their heart language—the language they think and dream in—is not French, nor English nor Portuguese. It is MNK. Pray for those who minister among the MNK to comprehend and utilize MNK to impart a clear and unmistakable presentation of the Good News.

Mon, Feb 16: Ev’ry joy or trial falleth from above, trac’d upon our dial by the Sun of Love. We may trust Him fully all for us to do; They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true. Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed. Finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest. – Frances R. Havergal “May his soul live in perfect peace.” This is recited with every death announced over the radio. Though the MNK hold to Islam, they have no assurance of salvation. Their hope is like a child who hopes he’ll have ice cream after dinner…or a student who hopes to pass an exam he didn’t study for! Through Jesus Christ, we have the assurance of finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest. Pray for the MNK to learn to trust God wholly, for He is Holy, Righteous and Faithful.

Tue, Feb 17: From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence. Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense. Thy true religion in our hearts increase. Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace. – Daniel C. Roberts War rages across Africa. From Sudan to Liberia, from Congo to Sierra Leone, killing continues every day. Nationalism is strong in Africa, but tribalism is even stronger, often associated with religion. Muslim against Christian…Muslim against Muslim…Christian against animist…Satan will work through any and all who will allow him. Pray that MNKs will come to claim their true and eternal identity as children of the Living God, allowing God to be their defender and protector.

Wed, Feb 18: I heard about His healing, of His cleansing pow’r revealing. How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see. And then I cried, “Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit.” And somehow Jesus came and bro’t to me the victory. – E.M. Bartlett The MNK are known as the Muslim missionaries of the Senegambia. They have been the catalysts bringing Islam to many different tribes and cities. Pray for the MNK that when, and as, they come to personal knowledge of the Lord Jesus, they will maintain that same fervor and zeal in sharing the Truth.

Thu, Feb 19: To win that soul for Thee alone will be my constant prayer; that when I’ve reached my heav’nly home I’ll meet that dear one there. Some soul for Thee, some soul for Thee. This is my earnest plea. Help me each day, on life’s highway, to win some soul for Thee. – Mack Weaver and B.B. McKinney As MNKs become believers, they tend to remain quiet, secret for a variety of reasons. Pray for MNK believer’s hearts to burn with the desire to share their newfound joy.

Fri, Feb 20: Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so. – Anna B. Warner Thousands of MNK children are born every day. Most are born in less than optimum circumstances, much like Jesus. If they survive their first eight days, they are given a name and ushered into the greater MNK family; as their name is pronounced, the first words they hear are, “There is one God, Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.” Pray for MNK children to hear the truth in this precious song; pray they will grow up singing these words…Jesus loves me, this I know!

Sat, Feb 21: O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hands have made. I see the stars; I hear the rolling thunder; Thy pow’r thro’out the universe displayed. Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee. How great Thou art, how great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee. How great Thou art, how great Thou art! – Stuart K. Hine A blue sky. Birds singing. A cool breeze. Green trees and grass. White puffy clouds. Too many stars to count. A full moon. MNKs do not regard nature as a treasure or as confirmation of God’s magnificence. Rather, it is something they contend with daily for survival. Pray for the MNK to see God’s power and presence in every aspect of nature.

Sun, Feb 22: While passing through this world of sin, and others your life shall view. Be clean and pure without, within; let others see Jesus in you. – B.B. McKinney Business practices are not affected by an MNK’s religious life, nor vice versa. A shopkeeper may charge a stranger more for a kilo of rice. A woman in the market may only put three onions in the pile instead of the customary five. Lettuce is in short supply, so asking twice the normal price is acceptable, especially with a holiday coming. Conducting business in an upright manner is a challenge for everyone, especially as an MNK comes to know Christ. Pray for MNKs as they observe believers to see a difference in their lives…to see pure lives…ones that do not contradict the teachings of Scripture.

Mon, Feb 23: I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold. I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands. I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand, than to be the king of a vast domain, or be held in sin’s dread way. I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today. – Rhea F. Miller It is said prisons are filled with innocent people. In many places in West Africa, unfortunately this is a very accurate statement. Still, there are those within prison walls who are coming to know Christ, those who see where their quest for riches or houses or lands has led them. How wonderful that they are hearing the Good News. Praise God with us for those who labor in prison ministries across West Africa; pray for the MNK who are incarcerated to find salvation and freedom in Christ.

Tue, Feb 24: I know that my Redeemer liveth, and on earth again shall stand. I know eternal life He giveth, that grace and pow’r are in His hand. I know, I know that Jesus liveth, and on earth again shall stand. I know, I know that life He giveth, that grace and pow’r are in His hand. – Jessie B. Pounds The MNK acknowledge that Jesus was a great prophet. They acknowledge that He will return to judge the earth one day, though they fear that day. They do not accept that He is the Son of God, the Redeemer, the Resurrected One, that He lives even today. Some concepts simply boggle the human mind; the human Jesus died 2000 years ago. But God sent the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to help us in our unbelief. Pray for the MNK as they encounter concepts which are totally foreign to everything they’ve ever heard or been taught; pray for those who witness to be articulate as they speak.

Wed, Feb 25: I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore. Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more. But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry. From the waters lifted me, now safe am I. – James Rowe MNKs live on or near rivers and marshes. One reason the MNK remain unexposed to the Gospel is that they live in isolated places, often cut off by a river or, in the rainy season, flooded fields. Crossing rivers involves taking normally over-loaded-and-in-poor-condition vehicle ferries, or local, dugout canoes. MNKs do not swim, as they live in fear of the spirits that inhabit the waters. Pray for the MNK to come to know the God of all creation who is able to carry them safely in His arms.

Thu, Feb 26: Come, ye thankful people, come. Raise the song of harvest home! All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin. God, our maker, doth provide for our wants to be supplied. Come to God’s own temple, come; raise the song of harvest home. – Henry Alford The MNK do not live where winter storms assail the ground, but they do live where everything dries up and blows away during the long 8-9 month dry season. If they do not have a bountiful rainy season and harvest, hunger sets in months before any new crops might be ready. Pray for the MNK as they struggle to survive as subsistence farmers; pray that they will give thanks to the God of all Creation for all that He provides.

Fri, Feb 27: When shall I reach that happy place and be forever blest? When shall I see my Father’s face and in His bosom rest? I am bound for the Promised Land, I am bound for the Promised Land. O who will come and go with me? I am bound for the Promised Land. – Samuel Stennett Few in the world look forward to death…most of us genuinely fear dying. On the other side of death the Lord waits for those who have forgiveness of sin. MNKs fear death…they fear dying…thoughts of who will bury their bodies consume the thoughts of the elderly, so much so that they don’t consider standing before their Creator. Pray that MNKs will seek God’s face before they stand before Him face to face; pray they will desire to greet their loved ones in the promised land.

Sat, Feb 28: If they lead thro’ the temple holy, preaching the Word. Or in homes of the poor and lowly, serving the Lord. Footprints of Jesus that make the pathway glow; we will follow the steps of Jesus where’er they go. – Mary B.C. Slade Pray for boldness and commitment among MNK believers to tell the Good News to their friends, their family, their religious leaders.

Sun, Feb 29: Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch Him, and say that we love Him. Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen. Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus. – Robert Cull Pray for the MNK to desire to see and hear and know God personally.

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