Within Reach 2023 Calendar and Prayer Guide – October
ICM
Are you ready to read amazing stories of what God is doing around the world?
Healthy churches are changing communities. Lives are being transformed by the Gospel. Let us continue to pray for the nations together.
As we move towards our goal of reaching 25 Million Disciples for Christ, we know that empowering existing believers is just as crucial as sharing the Gospel with those who have never heard it. Healthy churches must be filled with healthy disciples who are fully equipped to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others.
This prayer calendar and journal highlights just a few of the people and projects that are blessed by your giving.
We hope you are touched by reading these testimonies from our ministry partners around the world.
All Scripture references come from the English Standard Version (ESV). *Names changed to protect identity.
"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds." — Psalm 9:1
Reaching the World for Christ, One Disciple at a Time
Pastor Elie: Nyabikenke Church
Burundi
Elie* vividly remembers his last day of school. It should have been a moment of celebration in anticipation of the next school year, but Elie knew he wouldn’t get to go to school again. He was only in fifth grade. Hanging his head low, he shuffled home after the school day was over, kicking up the red dust as he walked barefoot. Elie didn’t have anything to carry; no pencil, no backpack, nothing.
He longed to continue his education, but his family could not afford to pay school fees or buy him supplies. Life was not easy, but his family made sure they went to church, even if they had no shoes and no food to eat. Noticing his passion for the Lord, Elie’s Sunday school teachers helped him continue to grow spiritually and taught him about ministry.
When he got older, Elie joined the church choir and helped the elders in the church evangelize to the community. Miraculously, he was able to go to Bible school, thanks to sponsorship from his pastor and other leaders from his church. Today, Elie* is the lead pastor at a church in Burundi. He says, “I thank God …He blessed me in ministry and in my family…I have seen God working in my life and answering my prayers.”
Jesus loves us and He sees us, no matter what is happening in our lives.
This month, think about what season of life you are in. Where are you in your spiritual walk with the Lord? Do you need to increase your communication with Him? Do you feel distant from Him? Or are you in a season of happiness and gratitude? No matter where you are this month, ask God for comfort and ask Him to be near to your heart.
Prayer Requests
- Pray that Pastor Elie’s ministry will continue to grow even as he also works to expand his home construction business.
- Pray for those in Burundi that have not yet heard the Gospel.
- Pray that they will hear the Gospel and will become disciples of Christ.
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