As the busy and exciting Christmas season draws close, ironically I find it easy to let the still small voice of God get crowded out. So this year during November, I’ve set aside a bit of time by cutting out social media, reading the news and a few other things, to pray. It’s been really good, God has shown me some new things and reminded me of some old ones.
There are always more things to pray about, say thanks for and give over to our Father, which is why it’s so important that the A2B army all stand together to pray. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes 5 16-18.
As things get even more busy at this time of year, please join us in holding up the work in Albania, praying for our brothers and sisters and all the amazing people they are helping.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.”
1 John 5:14-15
Child Development Training
Give thanks for Melanie and the Passi & Beyond Organisation. Pray that God would bless them as they train and grow teachers from all over Elbasan through the connection with A2B. Please pray that the skills and knowledge that Melanie shares will improve opportunities for children across Elbasan.
Children and Families
A2B support over 400 children and families each week through our different programs. Thank God for the opportunity we have in all of these different situations. Please pray for good health as the colder weather bites. Pray for protection from trafficking, poverty, loneliness and hopelessness. Pray children continue to learn and work hard, pray for those with learning difficulties, that they would feel part of the community and they would be accepted and loved. Pray for those with speech problems to learn and grow in confidence as they learn and use language more freely.
I’m sure you know the feeling, it can be exhausting giving of yourself to support others. Please pray for the staff of A2B, particularlly in the run up to christmas that they would display the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) as they use God’s strength to serve. Pray God’s blessing on them. Some specific people to pray for this month: Xhuli, Moza, Festa, Eni, Ersiola, Ledja, Alketa and Elona.
We are called to pray for our leaders (1 Tim 2) and so we continue to pray for the mayoral election in February. Mayors hold significant power in Albania, so please pray that God would put the right person in this position. Pray for a leadership that governs without corruption and with love for the benefit of the people.
Please continue to pray for the Kindergarten “Another Life” in Peqin as the funding situation is still uncertain. Please pray that God would provide for the children that are taught, fed and loved through the kindergarten and homework clubs. Please pray for our partner organisation FSCI that they would be successful in securing the funds they need to continue to support A2B.
This centre in Elbasan feeds around 130 people each day – that’s a lot of cooking! Give thanks for Nexhmile who has joined the team as a cook, pray that the love she puts into her work would be tasted by all. Give thanks for the partnership with YWAM where we support them by feeding around 40 Roma children each day. Please pray for Teuta who has now started her social work role, that she would be able to offer support and healing to the elderly people she works with. Please pray for funds, specifically for medicines as the winter gets colder and people fall ill more regularly.
Give thanks for the amazing response there has been by local traders partnering with the food bank and giving food to support those who cannot support themselves. Pray that the networks between the project and traders strengthen and that the foodbank groups across Albania are able to grow and continue to support hungry people.
“The poor will again find joy in the LORD, and the neediest of people will
rejoice in the holy one of Israel.” (Isaiah 29:19)