{"id":32402,"date":"2024-01-09T10:14:10","date_gmt":"2024-01-09T10:14:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/?post_type=prayerline&#038;p=32402"},"modified":"2024-01-09T10:14:12","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T10:14:12","slug":"shining-lights-a-big-prayer-from-tim-adams","status":"publish","type":"prayerline","link":"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/shining-lights-a-big-prayer-from-tim-adams\/","title":{"rendered":"Shining Lights: A Big Prayer from Tim Adams"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we enter a new year, Tim Adams (IFES General Secretary) reminds us of the central role of prayer in our ministry and shares how the call of Jesus to be shining lights is inspiring his prayers for IFES in 2024.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dear friends,<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-quote is-style-plain\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-plain is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow can I pray for IFES?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Without doubt, this is the question I\u2019m most often asked. And I know that IFES friends and partners genuinely want to know the answer because a few weeks or months later, they\u2019ll ask for an update on the need I shared with them. Others don\u2019t even wait for specific prayer news items \u2013 I receive messages just telling me that they\u2019re praying for IFES or for me that day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To all of you who faithfully pray for student ministry around the world, THANK YOU!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prayer has always been a core value in IFES \u2013 some of the earliest student groups were prayer unions. And it is still the bedrock of fruitful ministry. For every student that decides to follow Jesus, for every new student group and national movement, for every Christian staff worker and student who holds firm to their faith through stormy trials, I believe it\u2019s because people are praying. The prayers of a righteous person are indeed powerful and effective (James 5:16).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, what is my answer? How can you pray for IFES in 2024?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is never a shortage of responses to that question. Many places are in crisis or special need due to natural disasters, war, civil unrest, tragedy, or difficult issues in the national movement. Movements are grappling with meta-issues, such as student mental health, secularism, corruption, and poverty. And then there are various IFES events and ministry initiatives \u2013 local, regional, and global \u2013 that will connect staff and students and promote mission, learning, and fellowship across our network. All these need our prayers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But through \u2013 and above \u2013 all these issues and opportunities, my one big prayer for IFES in 2024 is that we will be a global community of shining lights for God\u2019s kingdom. It is a direct calling Jesus makes to us in the Sermon on the Mount: \u201cYou are the light of the world&#8230; let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven\u201d (Matthew 5:14-16). Through Christ, we are to fulfil God\u2019s purposes for his people \u2013 to be a beacon of light drawing the nations to him (Isaiah 60:2-3):<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-verse\">\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">See, darkness&nbsp;covers the earth<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and thick darkness&nbsp;is over the peoples,<br>but the&nbsp;Lord&nbsp;rises upon you<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and his glory appears over you.<br>Nations&nbsp;will come to your light,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and kings&nbsp;to the brightness of your dawn.<\/pre>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I pray that people will see our bright witness and be drawn closer to their Creator, Saviour, and Lord. In different contexts this will look different. Our witness may be shining with hope amidst apathy and suspicion. It might be shining with courage in the face of intimidation and persecution. It could be shining with integrity in a culture of corruption. It may be shining with love in an atmosphere of fear and hate. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, as we start this new year, I invite you to join me in resolving to pray each day for students around the world. Begin today by praying for students in your country \u2013 that God will open their hearts to the good news \u2013 and pray for those involved in your <a href=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/global\/\">local IFES <\/a>movement as they shine the light of the gospel into schools, universities, and colleges where you are. And then continue praying through the year for student movements around the world where you have links, or for those you read about here in <a href=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/\">Prayerline<\/a>. In all these contexts and beyond, let\u2019s pray that the light of the gospel will so shine from us that many students will be moved to glorify our Father in heaven (1 Peter 2:12).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is my prayer for IFES in 2024, one crucial way in which we can be thriving together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>If you enjoyed hearing Tim\u2019s longings for this year, then look out for the <a href=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/blog\/\">Conexi\u00f3n<\/a> blog later this week, when other IFES leaders will be sharing their hopes and prayers for 2024.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"featured_media":32985,"template":"","area":[],"theme":[],"class_list":["post-32402","prayerline","type-prayerline","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Shining Lights: A Big Prayer from Tim Adams &#183; 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