Weekly MNN Prayer Requests for Jun 26, 2020 04:00 am

	In This Issue: World Mission Sows Gospel Seeds in Ethiopia Despite Locust Devastation | Palestinians live under constant threat of police brutality | Permanent solutions in Lebanon require transformation | Pakistan churches struggle amid locusts, coronavirus | China locks down Beijing as churches start to reopen |
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	World Mission Sows Gospel Seeds in Ethiopia Despite Locust Devastation Ethiopia (MNN) --mDrought, flooding and locusts have plagued Ethiopia for months. Now in the second half of June, experts warn the locusts will begin their migration again, potentially leaving many devastated by continued food shortages. Yet, in the midst of these plagues, local workers with World Mission are seeing increased interest in Jesus. Greg Kelley with World Missions says, "Our church planners are actually seeing more receptivity to the Gospel among people groups, like the Somali and the Afar, which are the two largest unreached people groups in the country of Ethiopia. And so, from that standpoint, there's tremendous opportunity." Because World Mission workers are facing the same struggles as their neighbors in Ethiopia they have been able to share their needs and offer support in tangible ways to unreached peoples. World Mission has invested in helping farmers get new seed or pastoralists buy animals so that their livelihoods are not completely lost. "So even though we're not a uniquely focused humanitarian organization, we strategically invest in humanitarian projects that open the door for the Gospel to be shared." People are responding to God’s Word, but in an area where the militant, Islamic al-Shabab is active, new believers are in danger. Pray for open hearts to the Gospel and safety despite the natural and human threats facing Ethiopians. Call to action Pray that God would continue to open doors to the Gospel with unreached people groups in Ethiopia. Pray for the safety of World Mission Workers on the field in Ethiopia. Join World Mission financially to help them spread the Gospel to unreached people groups.
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	Palestinians live under constant threat of police brutality Palestine (MNN) — As protests continue over the death of George Floyd in the United States, Palestinians continue to suffer police brutality and racism. Tuesday, Israeli police shot and killed a Palestinian man at a checkpoint in the West Bank. Dr. Munther Isaac of Bethlehem Bible College says, “The scary thing is that I just passed this checkpoint two hours prior to that. And one can’t help but think, this could be my fate. If I don't see the cue of the police or the soldiers at the checkpoint. If I miss something. It's so scary. Unfortunately, it's common.” Six days after George Floyd was killed by police in Minneapolis, a disabled Palestinian man was shot by Israeli police. Palestinians joined in the international protests, and a painting of Floyd appeared on the Israeli West Bank barrier. Isaac says Palestinians feel like their lives don’t matter. “I know they count to God, that's what I always say in my sermons. But it seems that to the Israeli soldiers they don't count.” So how can the Church respond? “We are mandated by God to implement His ideas, the ideals of the kingdom of God, in every community, in every society in every land. I think that's part of the calling of the Church, an integral part.” Call to action Pray that peace and justice will cover the land of Palestine. Ask God to help Christians all over the world reflect Christ's kingdom in the way we build our communities.
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	Permanent solutions in Lebanon require transformation Lebanon (MNN) -- Protestors are back on Lebanon’s streets after months of pandemic restrictions kept people at home. The currency’s fallen to a new record low, making everyday essentials unaffordable. Pierre Houssney of Horizons International says it’s going to take more than leadership changes to “fix” his country. Horizons confronts corruption with the Gospel in every level of Lebanese society. Use your God-given talents to support their efforts. We’ll show you how at Mission-News-dot-org. Call to action Pray for a peaceful and successful nationwide resolution to the economic and health turmoil. Pray for Horizons' social media ministry as staff and volunteers follow up with thousands of seekers. Pray for Horizons' MEC Training Team as they prepare to launch the virtual year-round Engaging Islam Academy. Pray for radical encounters with Jesus for the Muslim women who visit Horizons centers.
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	Pakistan churches struggle amid locusts, coronavirus Pakistan (MNN) -- Locust swarms munch their way across Pakistan, destroying crops and livelihoods as they go. Agriculture accounts for 20-percent of Pakistan’s GDP, and 65-percent of the population lives and works in farming communities. “Jonathan” is a Christian worker focused on Pakistan. He says local churches dig deep to help families in need, but they’re running out of options. Three months of helping people affected by COVID-19 have drained the coffers. Find ways to help at Mission-News-dot-org. Call to action Pray Pakistani believers and church leaders will have perseverance. Pray they can trust in God to bring them through these difficult times. Pray for needed relief and support from the global Church.
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	China locks down Beijing as churches start to reopen China (MNN) — China went back into a partial lockdown in Beijing this week as a major outbreak of COVID-19 emerged from a food market. Even aside from the coronavirus and tightening government control, it can be hard for Chinese citizens to get their hands on a Bible. Kurt Rovenstine of Bibles for China says, “I mean, they don't sell them on street corners. And in every Barnes and Noble or bookstore in town, there are only specific areas where they're available, even in the cities. I had a conversation with a friend of China And his thoughts were, in the larger cities, there could be as few as you know, 5 to 10 church-sponsored bookstores where Bibles could be purchased. In a town of millions, that's not a lot.” Now more than ever, Bibles for China is committed to distributing the story of the Gospel in China. But the Communist Party feels threatened by the message that Jesus is the King over all things, and is trying to rewrite the Bible to fit the communist ideology. “That rewriting is happening within all of the holy writings of the religions that are approved in China. It's definitely something that's more than just a murmur.” Call to action Pray for Christian leaders in China as they proclaim the Gospel while working with a government that is threatened by it. Pray that COVID-19 would recede from China and the rest of the world.
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