NRB Strategic Partnership  

January, 2010 Prayer Newsletter  

Stepping into 2010

Stepping off into the year 2010, we look forward to a year of hope and anticipation. With our confidence in Christ and our security in the Sovereign God, we know that victory is ultimately ours and believers and servants of the Most High Lord.

Yet that doesn’t keep us from slipping back into times of worry about the challenging days in which we live. The word “change” seemed to be co-opted by a particular party in the past two years. Unfortunately, most of the change we deal with on a daily basis isn’t always a change for the better. Many still struggle financially, either dealing with down-sizing (the term “right-sizing” never felt right, did it?) or reduction in pay with increasing living costs.

So how do we live this year as examples for Christ in the midst of challenge and change? Is there a difference between concern and worry? What do we do when the negative changes and the big-time challenges hit home?

Fortunately, God has great instruction for us in His Word to guide us. That doesn’t mean it will be easy, but living the Christian life is always better when we follow the Maker’s instructions. Our Bible study teacher touched on some of these things recently, which triggered these thoughts. Some of his insights are included here as a help for us as we start this year.

One of the first verses that comes to mind is from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, when he instructed them (under the Spirit’s inspiration), “Be anxious for nothing….” I pulled out my Key Word study Bible, traced down the original Greek word “medies”, and…pulling out my reading glasses to see the fine print, discovered that the original word means… nothing. Or…if you like…not a thing; not a whit. By the way, the word “whit” relates to the smallest particle imaginable. There is not a lot of wiggle room with that, is there? Paul tells us that when it comes to the issue of worry, there is nothing…not a thing…not even a whit, that should command our worry time.

The impact of worry:

• It often affects our health.
• It negatively impacts how we treat others.
• It wastes our productive time.
• We become consumed by the object of our worry, and forget the One who is our sustainer.
• As a result, it erodes and reduces our ability to trust God.

I would like to tell you that I have mastered this part of my spiritual life. I would LIKE to tell you that. But the reality is that there are times I take my eyes off God and put it on the negative things of this world. There are times when I know in my heart that God is able…but I seem to think He is preoccupied with other, more important things. It is then that Jesus’ words on that hillside so long ago sting my heart as they come alive for me today. “O ye of little faith.”

Challenge and change? They are ever before us. Hard times and downturns? We live in a fallen world. We should expect such things. In these days our refuge should not be in the things of this world, but in the One who is the Maker of all that is…the One in whom we live and move and have our being…the Alpha and Omega, the author and finisher of our faith. We should take the time we would worry and turn it into the time to go over the promises of God. And we should do what Paul instructs in the rest of those Philippians verses.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-8 NASB)

Prayer Requests and Updates

NRB Convention

• In not too many weeks National Religious Broadcasters will hold its annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee. Pray that those who need to be there will be…and that all will be encouraged and strengthened during those days, February 27-March 2.

• Many of our international broadcasters want to come to the convention to learn, grow, and develop relationships with other Christian broadcasters. Pray that they will find the resources to follow God’s direction in their heart to attend the convention.

• Pray as staff and association leaders complete the preparation for the convention, that God will be honored, that His servants will be inspired, and that our ability to use electronic media to proclaim the Gospel will be strengthened.

International Needs and Updates

• Sweden – God is continuing to show favor to the ministry team at HopeFM. They are extending their hours of operation in Stockholm, presenting teaching and talk in the overnight hours. A law now in effect will allow many of the community stations in Sweden to carry HopeFM programming. Financial support is growing in Sweden, but the ministry still needs donations on a monthly basis to grow this new Christian broadcast effort. Pray for wisdom, financial support, and favor with Sweden’s regulatory agencies as HopeFM adds stations to their ministry.

• Bolivia – Radio Mosoj Chaski continues to have a great impact on the Quechua Indians of Bolivia. Now, after 10+ years of operation, they need to update some of their key broadcast equipment to make sure the ministry continues its strong outreach. In addition, they need to add some video and editing equipment to reach those in the Andes Mountains who have DVD players, so that quality Bible teaching can impact the lives of these who are often isolated from others due to the terrain and the weather. Radio Mosoj Chaski needs about $8,000 a month to operate. But this rather small budget is challenging in Bolivia with its uncertain economic future. Pray for financial support, the funds to purchase needed video equipment, and for direction for its leadership team.

• Albania – Radio 7 in Tirana, Albania, continues to impact Albania with Christian programming that is touching and changing lives. With the help of ministry partners, Radio 7 is distributing fixed-tuned solar-powered radios to the Roma (Gypsy) people of Albania. God is using this to touch hearts and impact a needy group of people. In addition, Radio 7 is making plans to broadcast into Kosovo, where 90% of the people speak Albanian, but where 95% are Muslim. God is already giving favor to the broadcast ministry in Kosovo, even though Christians are being persecuted for their faith. Pray for the $75,000 needed to put a transmitter in the mountains on the border with Kosovo, and for continued wisdom for the broadcast ministry leadership as they go above and beyond in service to the Lord Jesus.
 
• Czech Republic – Evangelicals are an extremely small minority (about 0.02% of the population) of this country, and there are no Christian radio stations in that country. Radio 7 in Brno, CZ, affiliated with TWR, produces programming that is heard in Slovakia, on the Internet, and on a few secular stations in the Czech Republic. Attempts to secure a license through the government channels for a Christian station have been unsuccessful. However, it is thought that a broadcast license might be available for purchase. Pray for God to open the door to this faithful ministry, and that the financial resources, about $75,000, would be available.

• Eastern Europe – God is raising up dedicated Christian leaders throughout the Balkans who want to serve the Lord and His church with effective Christian broadcasting and electronic media. Many of them have acknowledged the need for further training, and are talking with NRB’s International Strategies to help bring this about. With the expertise of US Christian broadcasters, they believe there can be great advancement in Christian media at a critical and important time in history in this region. The cost for such a training seminar would be $20-25,000. Pray for the Christian broadcasters in this strategic part of the world who have influence from Europe to Russia, from Scandinavia to the Middle East. And pray for US broadcasters who will be willing to pay their way to help train and mentor these Christian broadcasters in Eastern Europe.

International Strategies

• Pray that God will lead us to the right people and broadcasters who can catch the vision of helping faithful, committed, Christian communicators in places around the world.  Their involvement and financial support is critical as God opens doors for proclaiming His Truth to a dark, dark world.  
 
Finally...
 
To you who have faithfully prayed over this past year, thank you. I cannot begin to express what it means to know you are lifting up these needs in prayer on a regular basis. The ministry work would not be possible or be as effective without you. While we face financial challenges, we know that our God is able to provide all that is needed. We try daily to live in the light of the truth shared above, that we not spend a moment worrying about the needs, but claim that time in prayer, placing before our Father these needs, and waiting for Him to supply all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

I pray for you that you will see God at work in your life in amazing ways, and that you will listen to His voice and follow His will in every area of your life. You are a part of God’s great plan to touch lives around the world. Thanks for your partnership.

Ronald L. Harris, DD
Senior Vice President for Strategic Partnership
National Religious Broadcasters
 
817-446-1094 (Direct)
703-330-7000 ext. 400 (NRB HQ)
rharris@nrb.org

Dr. Ron Harris
Sr. Vice President for
Strategic Partnership, NRB

Prayer Thoughts 

When in doubt physically, dare; when in moral doubt, stop; when in spiritual doubt, pray....
 - Oswald Chambers

The possibilities of prayer are the possibilities of faith. Prayer and faith are Siamese twins. One heart animates them both. Faith is always praying. Prayer is always believing.
 -E. M. Bounds

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
 -Matthew 7:7

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
 -I Peter 5:7

Cast all your cares on God; that anchor holds.
 -Alfred Lord Tennyson
 
We ought to act with God in the greatest simplicity., speaking to Him frankly and plainly, and imploring His assistance in our affairs, just as they happen.
 -Brother Lawrence