Life
for women in most of the Arabian Peninsula (AP) has changed over the past
fifty years. In some of the countries women have been allowed to pursue
higher education and to enter the work force. Most Arab women are covered in
black; this dress has given them greater freedom to enjoy a public life and
still retain an unblemished reputation.
Doors of opportunity to reach out to young women are open as never before
through friendships with Christian women developed naturally in the
universities, work places, hospitals and over the Internet. As a result of
these contacts, some women have requested Bibles and asked searching
questions, yet there is always the fear that their newfound freedom can be
snatched away if their families become suspicious.
Family relationships are also undergoing rapid change. Wealth and
modernization have resulted in fathers becoming more distanced from their
families and spending most of their waking hours outside of the home. Wives
are often suspicious that their
husbands will take another wife. Children sense this lack of trust between
their parents and often fear the disapproval of their fathers. It seems that
women and children tend to see God in the same way, for although they know
that God is all-powerful, they see Him as inaccessible. Many women devoutly
practice Islam but with little sense that God is truly concerned about them.
Some women have asked Christian women to pray for them and the needs of
their children. They admire the access and open relationship that these
women seem to have with God.
Arab families think and act corporately. It runs counter-culture for Arabs
of the AP to make an important decision without consulting with family
elders. Christian workers in these countries long to minister to family
units and see entire households make the decision to follow Christ.
PRAYER POINTS
Monday - Pray
for God to draw entire households to Himself. Pray that God would continue
to reveal Himself to whole families through dreams and visions.
Tuesday - Pray
for freedom from evil spirits and oppression (Luke 8:2). Pray that women
would find freedom through Christ and go on to follow Him.
Wednesday - Pray
that women would know Him as "the God who sees me" (Genesis 16:13) just as
their ancestor Hagar did.
Thursday - Pray
for the production of videos, satellite programs, literature and other tools
that minister specifically to the spiritual needs of women and their
families.
Friday - Pray
for Christian teachers in the schools. Pray for relationships to develop
between young Christian women and children and their fellow Arab students in
public schools, colleges and universities.
Saturday - Pray
for the isolated female believers in the Arabian Peninsula. Pray for their
safety and resolve to follow Christ. Pray for wisdom for those who are
discipling them.
Sunday - Pray
that the Lord would lead Christian workers to "Lydias" (Acts 16:14, 15),
devout women and their families whom God is preparing to receive the Gospel.
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