April 30 - Pray for Vermont!

Isaiah 56:7
. . . these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.

Thank you for joining the International Missions Society in our "month of prayer for missions." Today we are praying for the state of Vermont, known as the "Green Mountain State" because of its beautiful forests. Vermont is also the nation's leading producer of maple syrup! Click here for more information on Vermont.

We have a church of about 25 disciples meeting in Burlington, the capital of Vermont. Although the church has been led by volunteers for several years, Mike and Kristen Balzer from Portland, ME are moving to Burlington later this summer to help re-invigorate the church.

To view today's video from Vermont, click here. If you are interested in being part of the Burlington mission team, you are invited to attend the missions devotional this coming Saturday evening, May 4 at 7:30 at the Framingham building. If you are looking for guidance in terms of what to pray for, here are some suggestions:

1. Pray that God will strengthen the disciples who are living in this state.
2. Pray that God will open hearts, and connect those open hearts with disciples.
3. Pray for the youth and family ministry, and for the campus and singles ministries to grow.
4. Pray for a spirit of sacrifice as disciples make plans to give to missions.
5. Pray for God to inspire brothers and sisters to want to lead others.

If you want to send a note of encouragement to the disciples in Vermont, please reply to this email and we will pass on your message. Thanks!

April 29 - Pray for Ukraine!

2 Cor. 13:9
We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection.

Thank you for joining the International Missions Society in our "month of prayer for missions." Today we are praying for Ukraine, the country with the largest land area in Europe and a population of about 45 million people. Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union for 70 years until it dissolved in 1991, and Ukraine became independent again. Click here for more information on Ukraine.

We have seven churches in Ukraine with a combined membership of over 2,500 disciples. Shawn and Lena Wooten lead the North Region of the Kiev Church, and Shawn also serves as European Missions Director for the International Missions Society. To view today's video from Ukraine, click here.

If you are looking for guidance in terms of what to pray for, here are some suggestions:

1. Pray for a stable government that is favorably disposed to Christianity.
2. Pray that God will strengthen the disciples who are already in the country.
3. Pray that God will open hearts and connect those open hearts with disciples.
4. Pray for nationals to be converted in other churches around the world.
5. Pray for God to inspire brothers and sisters to want to lead others.

If you want to send a note of encouragement to the disciples in Ukraine, please reply to this email and we will pass on your message. Thanks!

April 28 - Pray for Switzerland!

Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

Thank you for joining the International Missions Society in our "month of prayer for missions." Today we are praying for Switzerland, a county speaking both French and German which has a long history of neutrality, is dedicated to peacemaking and was the birthplace of the Red Cross. Click here for more information on Switzerland.

We have two churches in Switzerland with a combined membership of about 140 disciples. Christian and Sabine Herbst lead the church in Zurich, and Thierry and Isabel Fender lead the church in Geneva. We have videos from both churches, one from Geneva and one from Zurich.

If you are looking for guidance in terms of what to pray for, here are some suggestions:

1. Pray for a stable government that is favorably disposed to Christianity.
2. Pray that God will strengthen the disciples who are already in the country.
3. Pray that God will open hearts and connect those open hearts with disciples.
4. Pray for nationals to be converted in other churches around the world.
5. Pray for God to inspire brothers and sisters to want to lead others.

If you want to send a note of encouragement to the disciples in Switzerland, please reply to this email and we will pass on your message. Thanks!

April 27 - Pray for Spain!

Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Thank you for joining the International Missions Society in our "month of prayer for missions." Today we are praying for Spain, one of the largest countries in Western Europe and historically known as a crossroads between Europe and Africa. Click here for more information on Spain.

We have a church of about 45 disciples in Madrid, the capital of Spain. This church is currently led by Juan and Olga Zaragoza, and to view today's video, click here. If you are looking for guidance in terms of what to pray for, here are some suggestions:

1. Pray for a stable government that is favorably disposed to Christianity.
2. Pray that God will strengthen the disciples who are already in the country.
3. Pray that God will open hearts and connect those open hearts with disciples.
4. Pray for nationals to be converted in other churches around the world.
5. Pray for God to inspire brothers and sisters to want to lead others.

If you want to send a note of encouragement to the disciples in Spain, please reply to this email and we will pass on your message. Thanks!

April 26 - Pray for Slovenia!

Psalm 141:2
May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

Thank you for joining the International Missions Society in our "month of prayer for missions." Today we are praying for the nation of Slovenia, a country of about 2 million people located in the mountains of Central Europe, and having the highest standard of living of any of the former Yugoslav republics. Click here for more information on Slovenia.

We have a very few disciples living in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. To view a slideshow with pictures of Slovenia, click here. If you are looking for guidance in terms of what to pray for, here are some suggestions:

1. Pray for a stable government that is favorably disposed to Christianity.
2. Pray that God will strengthen the disciples who are already in the country.
3. Pray that God will open hearts and connect those open hearts with disciples.
4. Pray for nationals to be converted in other churches around the world.
5. Pray for God to inspire brothers and sisters to want to lead others.

If you've received this message via Facebook and you've prayed for Slovenia today, click "Like" to show your support. Thanks!

April 25 - Pray for Serbia!

Psalm 122:6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
May those who love you be secure.

Thank you for joining the International Missions Society in our "month of prayer for missions." Today we are praying for the nation of Serbia, a country of about 10 million people located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe. Click here for more information on Serbia.

We have a few disciples living in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. To view a slideshow with pictures of Serbia, click here. If you are looking for guidance in terms of what to pray for, here are some suggestions:

1. Pray for a stable government that is favorably disposed to Christianity.
2. Pray that God will strengthen the disciples who are already in the country.
3. Pray that God will open hearts and connect those open hearts with disciples.
4. Pray for nationals to be converted in other churches around the world.
5. Pray for God to inspire brothers and sisters to want to lead others.

If you've received this message via Facebook and you've prayed for Serbia today, click "Like" to show your support. Thanks!

April 24 - Pray for Romania!

Jeremiah 29:7
Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

Thank you for joining the International Missions Society in our "month of prayer for missions." Today we are praying for the nation of Romania, a country of over 20 million people located on the Black Sea in Southeastern Europe. Click here for more information on Romania.

We have a church of about 50 disciples in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. The church is led by Gyuri and Ani Orsos. To view today's video from Romania, click here. If you are looking for guidance in terms of what to pray for, here are some suggestions:

1. Pray for a stable government that is favorably disposed to Christianity.
2. Pray that God will strengthen the disciples who are already in the country.
3. Pray that God will open hearts and connect those open hearts with disciples.
4. Pray for nationals to be converted in other churches around the world.
5. Pray for God to inspire brothers and sisters to want to lead others.

If you want to send a note of encouragement to the disciples in Romania, please reply to this email and we will pass on your message. Thanks!

April 23 - Pray for Rhode Island!

Ephes. 1:18-19
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, [19] and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

Thank you for joining the International Missions Society in our "month of prayer for missions." Today we are praying for the state of Rhode Island, known as "The Ocean State" because of the numerous bays and inlets which add about 15% to its total area. Rhode Island was the first of the 13 original colonies to declare independence from Great Britain, and the last to ratify the constitution. Click here for more information on Rhode Island.

As we announced last year, the Rhode Island Church which was planted from Boston in 1993 no longer considers themselves to be part of the International Churches of Christ. This saddens us, but we do recognize the right of each congregation to make its own choices in these matters. Both the church in Rhode Island and the other New England churches wish to affirm our mutual love for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Plans are currently underway to plant a new congregation in Rhode Island. To view today's video about the new planting, click here. If you are looking for guidance in terms of what to pray for, here are some suggestions:

1. Pray that God will strengthen the disciples who are living in this state.
2. Pray that God will open hearts, and connect those open hearts with disciples.
3. Pray for wisdom as we make plans for the new church planting in Rhode Island.

If you've received this message via Facebook and you've prayed for Rhode Island today, click "Like" to show your support. Thanks!

April 22 - Pray for Portugal!

Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Thank you for joining the International Missions Society in our "month of prayer for missions." Today we are praying for the nation of Portugal, the western-most country on the European mainland with a population of over 10 million people, a third of whom live in the cities of Lisbon and Porto. Click here for more information on Portugal.

We have a handful of disciples living in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. If you are looking for guidance in terms of what to pray for, here are some suggestions:

1. Pray for a stable government that is favorably disposed to Christianity.
2. Pray that God will strengthen the disciples who are already in the country.
3. Pray that God will open hearts and connect those open hearts with disciples.
4. Pray for nationals to be converted in other churches around the world.
5. Pray for God to inspire brothers and sisters to want to lead others.

If you've received this message via Facebook and you've prayed for Portugal today, click "Like" to show your support. Thanks!

April 21 - Pray for Poland!

1 Kings 8:48-49
and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; [49] then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause.

Thank you for joining the International Missions Society in our "month of prayer for missions." Today we are praying for the nation of Poland, the largest country in Central Europe with a population of 40 million people, almost all of whom are unified by a common language and a shared religious tradition. Click here for more information on Poland.

For the past two years, plans have been underway to plant a church in Warsaw, the capital of Poland. Sergij and Tatiana Stanowski have relocated to Warsaw from Kiev, and the official kickoff of the church is scheduled for June 30 of this year. To view today's video from Warsaw, click here.

If you are looking for guidance in terms of what to pray for, here are some suggestions:

1. Pray for a stable government that is favorably disposed to Christianity.
2. Pray that God will strengthen the disciples who are already in the country.
3. Pray that God will open hearts and connect those open hearts with disciples.
4. Pray for nationals to be converted in other churches around the world.
5. Pray for God to inspire brothers and sisters to want to lead others.

If you want to send a note of encouragement to the disciples in Poland, please reply to this email and we will pass on your message. Thanks!