Praise God for the rest and comfort we find in Him. Ask Him to help us all battle pride in our hearts and to trust Him and His sovereignty in all areas of our lives. Pray for us all to prioritize quiet moments of hope with God.

This week we are praying for the International Care Team, a ministry of Brook Hills. The mission and vision of our International Care Team is to meet immediate physical needs of internationals in Birmingham so that we can have the opportunity to meet spiritual needs as well. We pray that as we help provide food, furniture, friendship, transportation and more to vulnerable internationals around the city of Birmingham (many of whom are from least reached people groups) that the gospel will be made known to them.

will put their faith in Jesus Christ. We are also praying for Shades Valley Community Church and Pastor Jonathan Haefs.

DAY 1: Pray for the people God sends our way from least reached contexts, that He would open their minds and hearts to the life-changing truth of the gospel—a truth that many of them have never heard.

DAY 2: Pray that the International Care Team would love internationals well and that internationals would be attracted to Christ through their love and hospitality.

DAY 3: Pray for Brook Hills members to engage with the International Care Team in whatever way makes the most sense for their life and schedule, whether it be by offering their truck to move a bed for a family, being a friend to mother with young children, or occasionally driving someone to a doctor’s appointment, to pick up food, or to go to English classes, etc.

DAY 4: Pray for gospel seeds to be sown as needs are met, friendships are built, and conversations happen.

DAY 5: Pray that God would orchestrate clarity in conversations and help internationals understand the gospel even in places where the language barrier can make it more difficult.

DAY 6: Pray that God would draw many people to Himself through the collective work of Brook Hills members teaching English, building friendships, and meeting needs through the International Care Team. Pray that many people from hard-to-reach places would know and follow Jesus and make disciples of Jesus as a result.

This week we are praying for our long-term partner, Nia M. who is serving in Central Asia, providing education and childcare support for the missionary children. Recently Nia became engaged and will transition back to the states for a time before she and her husband return to the field.

DAY 1: A common obstacle to the good news in Central Asia is nominal religion and general morality. “We believe basically the same thing, and we’re both good people. There’s no real need for me to change” is the mantra that reverberates in the large city where Nia lives. Pray those in Central Asia would have open hearts and would see their need for Jesus. Pray for people in Central Asia to see their need for a savior outside of themselves.

DAY 2:  Nia works with third culture kids (children raised in a culture other than their parents' or the culture of their country of nationality). It can be difficult to discern when a child is making a profession of faith genuinely or out of a desire to please his or her parents. Please pray for the Lord to grant saving faith to the children she works with in the international fellowship she is a part of.  

DAY 3: There are ongoing efforts from the international fellowship in Nia’s city to help equip and unify the local church. Next month they will be hosting a women’s seminar which is open to all, and invitations have been sent out to local congregations. Please pray for this to be a way to get some of the great translated resources they have into different fellowships around the city and country to encourage and build up believers.

DAY 4: Pray for churches in Nia’s city to unite around the good news and work together for the advancement of the kingdom in their country and beyond.

DAY 5: Recently, Nia got engaged to Alex, a fellow worker who is finishing up his term in Paris. They will be moving back to the States at the end of the year in order to be married in the spring. Alex will begin seminary in the fall and will be on staff at a local church while they are preparing to serve on the mission field together as a family. Please pray for Nia and Alex and all the new transitions they are about to undergo in their marriage and as they prepare to return to the mission field.

DAY 6:  Pray Nia and Alex will continue to grow in their faith and relationship together as a couple. Ask the Lord to help them communicate well with one another and each other’s families. Pray they will serve and lead with servant-hearted love, grace, and empathy as they continue to get to know one another and transition to married life together.