{"id":20835,"date":"2023-01-24T06:17:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-24T06:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/?post_type=prayerline&p=20835"},"modified":"2023-01-24T09:44:30","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T09:44:30","slug":"thank-you-for-praying-in-2022","status":"publish","type":"prayerline","link":"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/thank-you-for-praying-in-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"thank you for praying in 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Thank you for joining with us over the past year in prayer for students around the world \u2013 your support is appreciated in all IFES national movements. As we begin 2023, it is a wonderful opportunity to look back at how God has been working through our prayers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Juliette and Joseph from TSCF Papua New Guinea: the God with something to say<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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In July, we prayed for students in Papua New Guinea who attended the Bible Summit, working together through the theme \u201cWounds of the Heart and the Hope of the Psalms\u201d. Juliette and Joseph, ministry interns with TSCF, the IFES movement in PNG<\/a>, share how prayers have been powerfully answered as the movement increasingly focuses on God\u2019s Word:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cThe topic exposed people to deep issues that they never realised the Bible addresses. Especially when students shared their own laments, it formed a deeper bond than an \u2018exciting event\u2019 would have. Many students have seen for the first time how the cross of Jesus calls us to follow him to glory through suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The movement has grown stronger. Since the Summit, more students have been drawn into the ministry, seeing depth and sensitivity rather than superficiality. Recognising the power and value of God\u2019s Word, many have joined small group Bible studies, with new students coming regularly and inviting their friends. Older students and graduates who have seen the impact are investing their time in the ministry, through Bible studies and mentoring. The younger generation, seeing this change, are connecting more deeply with their faith. These have been amazing answers to our prayers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Please continue to pray for what God is doing among students in Papua New Guinea. Pray that new Bible studies and one-to-ones would begin on more campuses, and that more ministry interns like Juliette and Joseph would be trained. Pray with Juliette and Joseph that \u201cBiblical evangelism would call students to Biblical discipleship.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Tasia and Brandon from InterVarsity Canada: the God who keeps giving rest<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Last January, we prayed for Tasia and the group in Ottawa with InterVarsity, the English-speaking student movement in Canada<\/a>. Tasia shared how God brought her through spiritually and emotionally difficult times.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Since then, Tasia has seen God\u2019s grace in new ways, although not without new struggles. The same verse that God used before (Matthew 11:28) has deepened in richness and significance for her. \u201cI was quite sick for a few months\u201d, she explains, and after \u201cweeks of trying to remain independent, I realized I needed family help. The more I leaned on others the more I could get better, although I can’t believe how hard it was for me to be honest about what I could handle. God has placed people to support me. Here, I can find God’s rest.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cWe\u2019ve noticed greater excitement in a slowly more post-COVID life\u201d, says Brandon, Tasia\u2019s staff worker. \u201cWe are forming community through Bible studies, worship nights, and lots of other collaborative events\u201d with student groups in Ottawa. Although many “still struggle with anxiety and depression, they are learning how to be social again.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cPray we learn to be courageous again in forming community with those who come to seek out Jesus, not just those we are already comfortable with. Continue to pray for creativity as students figure out how to reach out to their friends, and for increased compassion in listening and loving the people on campus.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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If you\u2019d like to find out more about the student group at the University of Ottawa, you can find their Facebook page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Delia and Mike from OSCER Romania: the God who brings community<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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This year we prayed for postgraduate student Delia, who fought hard to establish a new group in Cluj after moving there to pursue a master\u2019s degree. Mike, a staff worker with OSCER, the student movement in Romania<\/a>, recently visited Cluj and reports that they need encouragement to reach out to friends; he asks that we join \u201cin praying for this small group of students to build a strong community that would be attractive for their friends to join as well.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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To keep up with the group in Cluj you can find their Facebook page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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David from Koinonia Cuba: the God who welcomes little children<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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In March we prayed for the Sancti Sp\u00edritus group from Koinonia, the student movement in Cuba. They visited a children\u2019s home to show the love of Jesus to its residents. David, General Secretary of Koinonia, shares that \u201cthe group from Sancti Sp\u00edritus have not visited again because of COVID-19 restrictions. Nonetheless, we have kept in touch, and we have prayed for them all this time. Our group in Havana have managed to go to a children\u2019s home in their city. Thanks to the Lord, new doors have been opened to us in that city.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Let\u2019s pray that in both Havana and Sancti Sp\u00edritus God would open doors for Koinonia students to continue making a difference in these children\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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GBEEC Cameroon: The God who wins hearts<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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In March we also prayed for students from GBEEC, the IFES movement in Cameroon<\/a> and the impact of their evangelism at the Africa Cup of Nations. GBEEC member and evangelist, Guy Simo, subsequently invited new believers to the School of Practical Discipleship. He reports that some of the students they engaged with at the Cup of Nations continue to follow Jesus. However, as fellow evangelist and GBEEC member Magloire Tene shares, “the challenges are enormous\u201d. They seek prayers for:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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