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21 hours ago

We meet more and more situations where people are truly in need of spiritual deliverance. People are oppressed by demonic powers and their religion doesn't give them any means of escape. Potions, magical objects and treatment by marabouts are ways to gain protection from spiritual attacks or to rebuke demons.

But as our friends here confirm, spiritual attacks often start again after the ‘treatment’ and the situation is even worse. This area is a great opportunity to open up deep spiritual discussions with people.

We realise that we need to proclaim clearly the good news of God's kingdom; that He is the One who delivers people from the powers of darkness. He is the One who sets the captive free from every yoke of oppression and fear. We need to demonstrate it by praying for oppressed people.
We've had some encouraging experiences recently, but many more Fulanis need to know this truth.

• Pray that many will come to know the freedom that can only be found in Christ Jesus.

• Pray that God would show workers how to better communicate his message to allow Him to act.

• We don't want people to approach Him in a magical way or as another means of healing amongst many, but as the One who is alive, loves them and is worthy of all trust. Pray for workers as they engage in this spiritual battle.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.” Isa 61:1

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1 day ago

Thursday 20th September

I sat outside on a colourful plastic mat enjoying a breeze after a hot sticky day. I watched as men and women from the neighbourhood came to visit my neighbour – a traditional healer – a marabout.

Each evening he was visited by a long line of people, who one by one would visit his room searching for healing, deliverance, blessing or vengeance on someone who had harmed them. I started praying. I prayed silently as I looked at the sunset sky, that God would frustrate this man’s work and lead him to the true Healer, the true Deliverer, the true source of all blessing and the true Judge.

Suddenly the power went out.

The marabout came out his room very frustrated. He then went back, lit a candle and continued with the next client. A gust of wind blew and his candle went out. Three times this happened until he was so frustrated that he shut his door, sent his clients away and came and sat outside on my mat.

You see, God answers prayer.

The Fulani have a deep heartfelt longing for healing, protection and deliverance. They seek these things in witchcraft and through marabouts, not realising they are looking in the wrong places.

• One of our deep prayers and longings is that the Fulani would know and experience Jesus as the answer and Lord of all their needs and desires. Let’s pray for this to happen to whole communities of people.

• Let’s pray the Fulani would see His power, His love and His authority as sufficient.

• Pray for Frontiers’ workers as they pray for their Fulani neighbours and seek to share Christ with both marabouts and the communities around them. Let’s ask for them to have spirit-filled conversations that pierce prepared hearts.

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2 days ago

Wednesday 19th September

Samson was a Muslim Background Believer (MBB) who had come to faith about five years ago. He had previously been a cattle rustler and was feared around the region for his skills at lying, cheating and killing.

He had a dramatic conversion and not only repented from his past sins but repaid all that he had unrightfully taken. However, Samson struggled to find work. He was a father of four children, lived in a small remote village and also was responsible for his aging parents and a blind older brother.

When people heard of his new faith, he was ostracised and finding employment was difficult for him. Samson came to our town to look for work. The phone rang just as we sat down for dinner. It was Samson's rich uncle calling him from the village.

"Deny Jesus, and I'll give you 40 cows.” (the equivalent of approximately £10,000)

A tear fell from Samson's eye. "I cannot, Uncle. I cannot." He hung up the phone.

MBBs like Samson face many challenges. They can struggle to find work, face ostracism, suffer from depression and often loneliness. They need to know Christ as Brother, God as their Father, the fellowship of the Spirit and the community of believers around them and throughout the world.

• Pray for strength and support for Muslim background believers like Samson, who count the cost of following Jesus. Pray they would know God’s favour and friendship is far greater than any loss they could experience.

• Pray that God will continue to work in communities and Fulani people will not be afraid to follow Jesus.

• Pray for workers as they seek to be the Fulanis’ brothers and sisters in Christ.

• In August, Pray Africa asked for prayer for some Fulani believers who had expressed interest and even belief, but who had not as yet had the boldness to identify themselves as followers of Jesus. Let’s pray that will be filled with boldness by the power of Holy Spirit, just like the believers at Pentecost.

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3 days ago

Tuesday 18th September

Fulani of West Africa

The following account (to be continued throughout the week) is from a Frontiers worker in West Africa:

Family life among the Fulani is very different from a typical western family life. It's very common for men to have up to 4 wives, though usually 2 or 3 is more common, and also to have many children. Marriage is supposed to be more of a ‘contract’ for the purpose of having children and giving social status.

In the villages and in more traditional families, sons who get married, will along with their new wife, continue to live in community with their parents. Daughters who marry typically move away to join their husband’s family, though their primary loyalty remains to their father even after they are married. Boys and girls can get married at a very young age, even as young as 12 or 13 years old.

Cousins often call each other ‘brother and sister’ and children often call uncles and aunts ‘mothers and fathers’. There is a community value in raising children and it's very rare that a father would discipline his own child. Usually that would be the uncles' job. It is often the women of the family that pass on the family traditions and religion. This is due to the absence of men, who either shepherd the herds or work in the bigger cities.

As we find ourselves living among the Fulani, we find ourselves asking God what a Jesus-believing Fulani family would look like. We long to see Fulani families come to taste and see the goodness of the Lord together.

• Pray for Fulani families to know God's truth that brings freedom.
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

• Pray it will be His power that is told to the next generation.
“Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” Psalm 71:18

• Let’s pray for many Fulani families to know and see the goodness of the Lord.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Ps 34:8

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4 days ago

Monday 17th September

Fulani Pop: 40 million Islam 99.5%

The Fulani people are the largest nomadic people group in the world and probably the largest unreached people group in Africa. They number around 40 million, stretching all the way from the eastern part of Africa to the west.

They have large populations in Nigeria, Guinea and Senegal. They are also live in Mauritania, Niger, Chad, Gambia, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Mali and as far east as Sudan.

They work largely as cattle herders; their cattle are highly prized. The decreasing availability of land and drought has led to conflict with neighbouring farmers of different tribes.

Despite the diversity of culture among the Fulani, they all follow a code of conduct called ‘pulaaku’. These moral values can be summarised in four qualities: patience, wisdom, modesty and courage.

Africa Inland Mission have produced a 2-minute video on this people group: https://vimeo.com/243101308

There is a unique challenge in reaching the Fulani with the good news of Jesus because of their nomadic lifestyle. Currently there are a few groups of believers, but still very few compared to their total population.

Take a few minutes to meditate on the following Scriptures and then pray for the Fulani in light of them.

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9

“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord and all the families of the nations will bow down before him”. Psalm 22:27

• Let’s ask for a widespread move of God’s Spirit, with thousands and thousands of Fulani turning to Christ.

• Let’s pray for the Fulani to be brought into the light of God’s Kingdom.

• Let’s pray for more gospel workers to reach the Fulani with God’s blessing.
Source of some material: http://prayafrica.org/project/fulani-west-africa/

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6 days ago

Saturday 15th September

Niger and its Hausa people Pop: 22 million Muslim: 97%

Niger lies on Nigeria’s northern border. The country's predominantly Islamic population of about 22 million mostly lives in the far south and west of the country. 97% of the nation is Muslim. 76% of the population is listed as being in unreached people groups, which includes the Hausa people. Nearly half of Nigeriens is Hausa.

The majority of Hausa people have been Sunni Muslim since the 11th century. Today, many of the rural Hausa are only superficially Muslim and their religious practices have been mixed with local traditions. Many continue to practice their traditional religion, called Maguzawa, especially in remote locations. They believe in a variety of spirits, both good and bad. Traditional rituals include making sacrificial offerings to the spirits and to the spirit possessed. Most rituals are performed by family members, but specialists are called upon to cure diseases.

Poverty and illiteracy are severe limitations to reaching the people of Niger with the gospel. Niger is one of the least developed and poorest countries of the world. A majority of the population lives in rural areas and have little access to advanced education. As of 2015, 71.3% of Niger’s population could not read, one of the lowest literacy rates in the world.

Slavery is still practiced in isolated areas of the country. Nigerien children are trafficked for labour in gold mines, sexual exploitation and begging. Women are abducted and sold into domestic servitude or prostitution and young boys are kidnapped for work in stone quarries.

Prayercast have made a moving video of this country: https://vimeo.com/38104332

The cultural pressure to maintain the Islamic faith continues to hinder outreach efforts, though Muslim background believing pastors are beginning to lead in the fledgling church.

• Let’s pray for focused efforts to reach those under the age of 15 – almost half of the overall population of this country.

• Let’s pray for many more gospel workers to go to Niger to reach the Nigerien people, most of whom have not met a follower of Jesus.

• Let’s pray for God’s transforming power in this country, bringing change and prosperity to this land.

Did you know? Hausa Muslims are known for being hospitable to strangers. In the Hausa language, one word, bako, is used to define both the word "guest" and "stranger.”

Sources: http://www.prayercast.com/niger.html
https://joshuaproject.net/assets/media/handouts/the31.pdf

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