Note from the editors:

Dear all

Thanks very much to the countries that have sent in prayer and praise points for the first 2010 edition of the prayer news. It is good to have different countries sending in their prayer needs for each newsletter, and Burundi and Ghana are some of the new countries included in this edition. Please let us know if this resource is helpful to you, and also how we can make it better, to serve you better. 

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With love,

The prayer team - Feb 2010

Austria

Thankful for:

• A blessed last year with many challenges but even more the opportunities to see that god carries us through every situation
• Lorenz being back in the office after 4 months of sick-leave
• Openess from different churches to work together in Salzburg, vienna and corinthia
• More openness in the catholic church towards alpha

Please pray with us for:

• The start of new alpha courses and marriage courses this week
• The plan of our first city initiative in Vienna
• Bishops and delegates who to come to EMEA week 2010

Burundi

The praises for Alpha Burundi are the following:

• We praise God for the donnation (200 Pounds) from Hucknol Church in Northingam.
• We are grateful for the Laptop given to Alpha Burundi from York's doctors Couple in St Michael Le Belfree.
• We praise the Lord for the Regionl GATs that we are holding in various places in the Church of Burundi and the Unity, peace and reconciliation in our country.
• We praise the Lord for the Roman Catholic church involvement in Alpha work.
• We praise the Lord for the good relationship of Alpha Burundi with other christian ministries in Burundi and outside of the Country.

Points request:

• We want your prayers for Alpha Burundi Volunteers' care.
• The transport is difficult because we don't have enough money for this Year 2010.
• The whole amount which is needed is 24 730 Pounds for running the offfice, translation of resources in Kirundi and we have got already 8 000 Pounds.
• Pray for Alpha ministies to grow in Burundi.
• Pray for Burundi for the next June elections.
• Pray for the New Office Training in Uganda for Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda. Pray for the trainers.

France

Prayer Points

• All communication projects about 10th Alpha france birthday
• Unity of Alpha and marriage course regional teams
• Building of new internet sites
• Production of clip video for Alpha conference
• We feel it is highly necessary for the office to move from our garage, 40 km from central Paris to a central Paris location. Our current office is too small, many team members have over 3 hours of public transportation every day, and we find it difficult to recruit volunteers. The Lord has opened up three possibilities for a new office. Let us pray for his hand to guide us to the right place for Alpha in the next few weeks.

Ghana

Praise God for:

• Successful GAT conferences in 3 locations
• An active partnership with Compassion International with prospects for greater local church involvement in Alpha.
• Raising committed financial supporters for Alpha Ghana.
• Sending Sarah and Charlotte to work with us in Ghana as the Relationship Managers for W. Africa (Anglophone and Francophone).

Pray for:

• A successful fundraising effort by the Alpha Ghana Board during the first quarter of 2010.
• A positive response from local churches invited to participate in a GAT conference in Cape Coast (March, 2010).
• God's guidance and protection as Sarah and Eric make follow-up visits to the three sites where GAT's were organized last year.
• At least 50 new Alpha Courses to start in 2010

Hong Kong

• Give thanks for the 10th Anniversary Thanksgiving Dinner which saw 970 persons attended. It was a joyous occasion and we believe God received honour, praise and glory that are due HIM.
• Please pray that the Lord will bring the right person as the next National Director.
• Pray that God will lead the way as we move forward into China in a newer, bolder way and to a wider group of people. Pray that we will have favour in the eyes of people in authority as well as we have respect for them.

Malaysia

Praise:

• Successful Family Life & Marriage Conference 2009 with 300 participants
• Acceptance of Alpha into new Bentong Prisons which will modeled for all Prisons
• Youth Alpha @ National Service: NECF and G’ovt actively standardising to Alpha resource
• Key Infrastructure and Info-structure initiatives, eg Berita Alpha, CIVICRM  better placed to accelerate
• Increased participation from Alpha volunteers

Prayer:

• Regional Alpha Conference Kuching- 1200 delegates and double in new Alpha locations
• Senior Pastor Marriage Retreat in Mar 2010- revitalising of marriages
• Chinese Alpha- widening into BCCM, Methodist and Presbyterian
• Family Life- to reach 2000 couples in Kuala Lumpur
• Our Church, bolder and strengthened to witness- finish 2010 with an unprecedented and new harvest!

New Zealand

Praise

• Great holiday break for staff
• More people attended Alpha in 2009 than previous 3 years
• We introduced Alpha to the Churches of Vanuatu (GAT event)
• In conjunction with Prison Fellowship NZ we have produced a Kiwi version of CfEO Churches handbook
• We have finalised our 2010 promotions publicity

Prayer

• Preparation for and increased attendance at our 3 Annual Conferences in March 2010
• The success of our 2010 promotional material in attracting more people to attend courses nationwide
• Growth in attendance and number of churches using The Marriage and Marriage Prep Courses
• Preparation and planning for our Transform Conference August 2010
• Opening of a door to introduce Alpha to the NZ forces.

United States

Praises:

• For the c.60,000 people who made first or re-commitments to Christ in 2009
• For the fruit the Lord gave us in 2009 – 47% growth in active Alpha churches, 116% growth in Regional Leadership Teams, 127% growth in Lighthouse Pastors and 900% growth (3-30) in Alpha Invitations.
• For the growth in prayer and the outstanding laborers the Lord added to the team in 2009
• For tremendous provision at the year end that, as far as we know, has enabled us to be in the best financial position in Alpha USA's history
• For the tremendous enthusiasm and willingness from other ministries to partner with us in the 'faith in the workplace' roadshows in 2010

Requests:

• For guidance in planning a series of road shows across America in 2010 to give a ‘call to action’ for Christians to live out their faith in the workplace. Pray for laborers, wisdom and resources to deliver this plan.
• For wisdom and guidance as we introduce a number of initiatives aimed at improving the quality of courses across America e.g. having more un-churched guests on each course.
• For wisdom and favor as we establish nine groups of senior pastors across America to encourage, share ‘best practice’ and pray for each other’s churches to make better use of Alpha to spread the gospel to their communities.
• For wisdom and guidance as we look to recruit 10 outstanding interns for the Vintage program, which is designed around a 9-month ministry and mentoring experience and hosted by a successful Alpha-connected church.
• For an outstanding response as we start to promote the Americas conference June 22-23 and the International / Family Days June 24-25.

Alpha UK

Prayer Points

• For all the Alpha courses running this term in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland and the teams involved.
• That God powerfully impacts the hearts and lives of those attending the Alpha course.
• The Church Leadership Conference in March.
• The Alpha UK Vision Day and the Vision Days in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
• The 2010 Invitation, for new creative ideas and the team working on the project.
• Lets Make Jesus the Talk of Scotlad 2010 - Our upcoming Alpha Scotland vision day with a great line up of speakers including Nicky Gumbel, Pete Greig, Nicky and Sila Lee, Kenny
• Borthwick and Karl Martin with worship from Worship Central. We are aiming for 750 delegates, please pray for the speakers, delegates and we don't have blizzards like last year!
• Please pray for the 'Big If' prayer event in the evening with Pete Greig as we focus on praying for the student generation in Scotland.
• We are launching a new Alpha promotional DVD for the Church of Scotland and have a day for ministers in April. We are also having an Alpha day for Catholic priests and lay leaders.
• Please pray for these strategic days that we would continue to find favour and that Alpha would increasingly be a tool that is used to serve the mission heart of these two denominations.
• For more in Scotland to catch vision and passion for GAT and for the teams that are planning to go in the late spring/early summer.

Praise Points

• We thank God for all the Alpha courses running in the UK and the difference that Jesus is making in peoples lives.
• We are thankful for the network of Alpha Advisers, Regional Teams and Recourses Churches working together to impact their local communities.
• We praise God for advertising campaign that ran this Autumn across the UK.
• Lots of new courses starting in Scotland - marriage, classic Alpha, Schools Alpha, Students, God at work course launching etc
• A great response to the first two editions of the Alpha Scotland Alpha News supplement
• The Big Banner Bonanza going down a storm with many churches rising to the challenge and displaying Alpha banners to help back up this years invitation
• Great strategic engagement and partnerships with Scottish Church leaders and Christian organisations and leaders
• GAT getting going including first training event outside London in Edinburgh
• Major opportunity to unite in prayer in Scotland with two days for senior leaders hosted by Alpha Scotland, EA, CARE and Prayer for Scotland and with Pete Greig speaking

Zimbabwe

Praise Points

• Thank God for new opportunities to partner with Miracle Missions, the Greystone Park Christian Fellowship's Michael Project, Joyce Meyer Ministries, Mrs. Karidzamimba of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and our continuing partnership with the Workplace for Christ Jesus Team.
• Thank God we can again communicate more effectively following the repair of our landline after almost eight weeks without.
• Thank God for the encouragement and support received from Alpha International, Alpha Africa and for the prayer and financial support received from international and local donors.
• Thank God for great joy exhibited at the conclusion of the first Prison Alpha run for women incarcerated at Chikurubi, and for increasing numbers of prison Alpha courses planned.
• Thank God for continued freedom to worship in Zimbabwe, to God be the glory!

Please pray:

• For Alpha courses being run in Anglican churches of the Harare Diocese of the Church of the Province of Central Africa currently being persecuted and forced from their churches by the excommunicated ex-Bishop, especially that alternative venues will be available and that the body of Christ  will continue to grow both spiritually and numerically as they share God's love within the Diocese.
• For an Increase in the number of  Alpha prayer partners, Intercessors and advisers supporting our ministry.
• That visas will be awarded to Tiri Madzima of Northside Community Church to attend the Youth Alpha Conference in February at Holy Trinity Brompton and Chairman Murombedzi to attend EMEA Week scheduled for June 2010 at Holy Trinity Brompton.
• For organisers of the Joyce Meyer outreach in Zimbabwe scheduled for 4-6 June at the Harare International Conference Centre, for overwhelming guest attendance and for opportunities to use Alpha as follow-up discipleship course for new converts.
• That new Trustees and members of staff will be appointed to continue growing the ministry, that they will be outward focussed, dependent on the Holy Spirit, passionate to grow God's Kingdom and essentially divinely inspired.
• For all involved in running Alpha and Marriage courses this term, especially that the guests will be encouraged to meet Christ without pressure or hype.
• For opportunites to run four 'Classic' GAT events (one for prisons) and one Youth Gat event during 2010.

Alpha for Prisons/CFEO

Praise Points

• For the increase in prisons running Alpha around the world. We have seen 4 new prisons start in the UK so we are now up to 125.
  Pilot Prison GAT in Rwanda. Thanks for the enthusiasm of the team which was lead by Emmy Wilson and included 2 prison chaplains and a UK prison governor.

Prayer Points

• Haiti and the Churches out there. We were planning to do an Alpha for Prisons training event out there in March which we have had to cancel. Prayer for the church leaders and charity staff that we were working with.
• For the Pilot Prison GATs that we are planning over the next 3 months. Please pray for God’s provision of team members and the release of finance with the host countries and for the teams finance. Pray for an explosion of Alpha courses running in Prisons and that both ex-offenders and GAT team member’s lives will be transformed.
• Pray for the planning of the Prison Ministry conference in Asia Pacific.
• For the re-development of the Caring for Ex-offender training and the events we are planning in the UK. Pray that it would be effective in getting more churches involved in this ministry.

Forces

Prayer Points

• USA - To find the right person to support and eventually take over from the Alpha for the Military National Coordinator Uganda - That the decision will be made to conduct Alpha for Forces training at the East Africa, Association of Military Christian Fellowships (AMCF) Conference in May. South Africa - That we will continue to move forward with planning for a forces specific GAT (Global Alpha Training), to take place later in the year. The planning is presently at a very early stage but it looks hopeful!

Praise Points

• A successful forces GAT in Nairobi, Kenya - November 2009
• Good relationships with the senior Chaplains of the Navy, Army and Air force - UK Alpha for Forces courses up by 67% in 2009 as compared with 2008

Workplace/God at Work

Praise points

• For GAW’s success in the city over 2009 and for the amount of companies that it was a blessing to
• For the amount of Alpha in the Workplace courses that started of the back of GAW courses being ran and people feeling more equipped to evangelise in their workplace
• For the amount of Alpha in the Workplace courses that have been started up in Local Authority offices over 2009

Prayer Points

• For GAW launch in the US and that the course will be well received
• For the workplace Road show in the USA that the right people will come along and that they will be both envisioned and equipped enough to start courses off the back of the event.
• For Ambassadors in each sector of the workplace to rise up and be used as the workplace departments voice.

Youth

Praise points:

• For a great time at Alpha International Week involving a stream specifically for those working with Youth and Student Alpha.
• For more and more youth courses being put on around the world and young people coming to know Christ through Youth Alpha.
• For our tour training days involving 8 separate days around the UK where we trained and equipped many young people and youth leaders to run their own Youth Alpha course in their local towns and cities.

Prayer Points:

• For our Youth Alpha Conference on 18-19 February, where we have young people coming from all over the world to be trained up to run Youth Alpha, with guest speakers such as Mike Pilavachi from Soul Survivor, Pete Greig from 24/7 Prayer and worship with Tim Hughes, Ben Cantelon, Beth Croft and 29th Chapter. Pray for everyone to be inspired and envisioned and for a really fun event!
• For our updated and refreshed resource which is being released at the conference. This will include an online version where course leaders can download the material for free and write their talks using our online talkbuilder! Please pray that this resource will be useful to thousands of people around the world!
• For more courses and more young people to be equipped to run Youth Alpha around the world and spread the message of the gospel to their friends!

Students

Praise God:

• For our Central London course held at St Paul’s Onslow Square, where we filmed all the talks given by Rev. Jamie Haith.
• For everything you need to run Student Alpha now being freely and easily available on our new blogsite: www.studentalpha.org .
• For the continued growth of our relationship with Campus America and the number of Campus Alpha courses springing up all over the states.

Please Pray For:

• Our Student Alpha training day with IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students) coordinators in the Netherlands in April.
• For pocket-sized Student Alpha courses springing up all over the UK as people watch the talks online and discuss what they’ve seen with their mates.
• The continued growth of Student Alpha around the world and that more and more countries will be led to reach out to university campuses and the student age group.

Senior Alpha

Prayer Points

• For the Senior Alpha courses running during the Spring term.
• That God powerfully impacts the hearts and lives of those attending the Senior Alpha courses.
• For the leaders and helpers running the Senior Alpha courses in churches, care homes and sheltered housing.
• Development of plans to run a Senior Alpha course at HTB in 2010.

Praise Points

• We thank God for all the Senior Alpha courses running in the UK and Internationally and the difference that Jesus is making in peoples lives across the world.
• We are thankful for the network of Alpha Advisers and Regional Teams working together to impact their local communities.
• We thank God for putting this ministry for the Older Generation on the hearts of men and women.

Alpha for the Catholic Context

Prayer Points

• Let us pray for the coming year, that God will equip all the Alpha courses that are running for the first time and those that are running again. We especially pray for the courses being run in the UK, for individuals to be excited about running Alpha in their parish and to be able to attend any training events coming up in the New Year.
• Let us pray for the Northern Ireland Vision Day, which is taking place on Saturday 23rd January 2010. That many Catholic contacts in Northern Ireland will be able to attend and enjoy the day.
• Let us pray for the Youth Alpha conference, which will be held on 18th- 19th February 2010. That it will be a great time of building relationships and sharing ideas about how to run Youth Alpha in the Catholic Church.

Praise Points

• Let us praise God for the first Latin America Alpha Conference, which took place in Bogotá, Colombia in October, co-hosted by ITEPAL (Catholic Theological Institute for the Latin American Episcopal Council). 30 Archbishops and Bishops from Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela, together with 154 priests, 31 nuns and 159 lay members from across Latin America and the Caribbean attended.
• Let us praise God for all the training events that have happened this year, including the GAT event, attended by over 130 delegates at the Catholic Evangelisation Centre in Kaunas, Lithuania and the Alpha Training event hosted by the parish of Bovolone, Verona in Italy in September this year.
• Let us praise God for the six new Alpha courses run in six locations as part of the Year of Evangelisation in the Archdiocese of Dublin, Ireland.
  We also give thanks for all the other courses run in Catholic churches across the world this year.

Alpha Related Ministries

Relationship Central (Family Life)

Prayer Points

• The publishing of The Parenting and Parenting Teens Course. We ask that God will bring the right team members to create a new resource to benefit families across the world.
• For the launch of the Valentine's Dinners' in the UK. This is an initiative to encourage more Marriage Courses to start across the UK and to attract more guests from outside the church.
• For the new Family Life and Relationships Director who starts her role in January. May she feel a part of the team quickly and guide her in her decision making.
• For all new Marriage and Marriage Preparation Courses starting in the new term. May all the couples be truly blessed.

Praise Points

• The success of both the Malaysia Marriage Conference and the South African Marriage conferences. We thank God for bringing so many people to these events who have a heart to see marriages strengthened.
• The launch of the new Marriage Course resources and the fantastic feedback we have received from both leaders and guests.

Worship Central

Praise Points:

• Praise for 8000 worshippers, musicians and Worship Leaders who came to be trained and worship in 8 cities on the UK Worship Central Tour.
• Praise for the release of the first Worship Central Album – Lifting High. That this will be a blessing to the worshipping communities all over the world.

Prayer for

• Prayer for the Holland Worship Central Conference on 6th February and the London Worship Central Conference on 12th-13th March. Pray that many worshippers across The Netherlands and UK would register for these training conferences and get trained and equipped to reignite their communities through worship.
• Pray for the planning for 2010. As Worship Central considers its priorities and where God is leading the ministry over the coming months.
• Pray for the continued development of the Worship Central Book. That it would become a book and eventually a course that churches all around the world can use to effectively train their worship teams.

SPTC

Prayer Points

• For the final editing process of the Faithtrack DVD set, that this is completed on time.
• For the continued filming of the Bibletrack course.
• For Graham Tomlin and Andrew Emerton for their trip to the US in February - that this would be fruitful.

Praise Points

• For the term of Monday Theology and School of Theology that has just finished.
• For our St. Mellitus residential week away in Merville, France for our ordinands.
• Give thanks for the continued work on our Faithtrack and Bibletrack DVD's that we are working on as a resource for churches around the world.
• For our SPTC Annual lecture 'Planet Narnia.' We had around 350 people attending and had Michael Ward speaking on his book 'Planet Narnia.'