Violence in Jos, Nigeria
On last Friday's program we talked with Bulus Galadima, provost of the ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos (JETS) in Jos, Nigeria.  He asked that we pray in this way for their current situation involving violence against Christians:

The first thing is pray for us that the Lord is going to work on behalf of these people who are attacking Christians. That they would come to see the light of Christ. And turn to Christians. That’s really the first prayer because those who are doing this—it’s because they do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Secondly, pray for the safety of Christians. That the Lord would have mercy and protect us. Many children are suffering and we are praying that the Lord is going to help us Christians to respond in a way that will be honoring to the Lord. That our children would not grow up with bitterness and hatred in their hearts for Moslems. Because if they do not respond in a Christian manner it’s going to continue to prosper hostility and enmity between Christians and Moslems for generations to come.

Pray also for Christian leaders, because there is an attempt to undermine Christian leaders and also to paint Christianity in a bad light. The state we are in and where the seminary is located is called the Plateau state. It has been a flash point for Moslems because they believe this is a stronghold of Christians in Nigeria because of the many Christian organizations headquartered here. They have a direct agenda in order to capture Plateau state to make it into an Islamic state, and we are praying that the Lord will keep this state for himself and continue to use it as a place where the gospel is preached in this country and where training is provided for Christian leaders. Not only for Nigeria but West Africa and all of our continent. So be praying that there would also be a sense of justice in this situation, that those who planned this will be brought to justice.

Update from Susi
Our friend, Susi, called in on Thursday and Friday. Here is a request she has about Haiti.

"The wall around the orphanage in Despinos has big gaps in it. The few men on staff there are standing in the gaps to protect the place from being looted.
 
My husband and several others are flying into the Domincan Republic Tuesday and driving across to repair the wall and try to bring food to our kids. Two other gentlemen from Tennessee and Pennsylvania are meeting up with them.
 
My husband and crew will be camping and roughing it for a week, then the second crew will tag them out. Could you please ask people to pray for these guys' safety. Watching footage of choppers getting mobbed is going to make a long week for us at home.
 
There is no one coming for those kids but us...."

My Pop Challenge
A lot of listeners are responding to my triple dog dare to stop drinking soda pop! Please pray for those who have been struggling with this issue and are committed to making a change. Pray that God would help them gain victory over this unhealthy habit and empower them to make better choices in other areas of their lives, as well.

If you'd like to become a pop-stopper yourself and receive some periodic encouragement from me, you can sign up for my Stop the Pop/Forsake the Fizz email newsletter. We'd love to have you on board!

Joyce
Please pray for Joyce who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Pray for wisdom as far as treatment and that she would be a good example to her family and friends as she walks through this valley.

Carla
Please pray for Carla that she would, in God’s timing, be able to reunite with her son again.

More Stories from Haiti
Here's a link to a news video about several Central Florida students stranded in Haiti on a church mission. Also, this video report (in French) includes footage of Compassion International's Dan Wooley being pulled from the wreckage of the Hotel Montana, which was destroyed in the earthquake.

UPDATE 1/15: The New Missions team of 44 was safely evacuated from Haiti on Friday, arriving at a secure location in the Dominican Republic. Arrangements are being made to fly the team back to Orlando, with an anticipated arrival as early as tonight. Please continue to pray for the safe return of these students to their waiting families.

Weight Struggles
Please pray for a listener (and many others) who is struggling with her weight. She has a medical condition that makes it hard to exercise and she is embarrassed about her weight. Pray for help for her condition—that she will be able to get help from her doctor and church to assist her.

AG
Please pray for AG. She’s struggling, young, and over the weekend was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Pray that God will give her the strength she needs to overcome this, as well as many things in her past. Pray that God would bring a Christian friend into her life to help her walk through this valley as well.