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PRAYER GUIDE Impacting the World Through Prayer!Why Should I Pray? The burden of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1) should become our burden as well as we seek to represent the glory of God in restoring a fallen, broken world. His burden is best defined with three components that give us a complete picture of what a godly burden looks like. 1.A godly burden is an overwhelming concern with some aspect of human distress or sin. 2.A godly burden includes an irresistible conviction that God has an available remedy. 3.A godly burden surrenders with an unreserved compliance that God can use me to deliver the remedy. When you gain the attention of God, you share the anguish of God over a fallen world. Jesus Christ wept over Jerusalem. A godly burden has a way of disrupting life. Rarely, if ever, is it convenient – in fact, it’s most often discomforting. The average Christian is burdened about nothing because it will cost him something. For Nehemiah, his burden will cost him everything. He seems to know it will, and so, he prays, “Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant…” (v. 6) Does Nehemiah think that God isn’t always listening? Does he think that God’s eyes aren’t always open, that He’s somehow absent minded about His universe? He says again in verse 11, “O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant…" Nehemiah doesn’t want to take another step until he knows that he has the maximum attention of God—an attention best described as the intimacy, communion, and fellowship with God that He rewards with the courage, strength, and resources necessary to restore some part of a broken world. 23 Before any man or woman can walk the path of a restorer and rebuilder, he or she must first, like Nehemiah, travel the path to God in prayer. The secret to service is discovered in secret. What made Nehemiah successful in public before mankind was that he was successful in private with God. Redacted from a sermon by Pastor Stephen Davey, (Nehemiah 1:5–11) The Prayer Path; February 13, 2000GLOBAL RELIGIONS AND PURPOSE FOR PRAYING 4 28.8–31% ~2.3 Billion Unaffiliated ~24.2% ~1.9 Billion Other Religions 2.2–2.4% (Sikhism, Judaism, etc.)5 Islam 24–25.6% ~2 Billion Hinduism ~14.9% ~1.2 Billion Buddhism 4.1–7% ~500 MillionGLOBAL STAFF Tony & Bridget Arnold USA After serving 36 years with Cru, Tony and Bridget joined Levasis Ministries in 2010. Levasis resources other ministries and churches with the skills they need to advance the gospel and truth. Tony’s expertise in crisis communication, news and social media helps ministries attain positive media coverage for their efforts. Bridget serves as a mentor, motivator and mobilizer, helping female leaders to mature spiritually and impact their spheres of influence. (levasis.org) Peter & Dawn B The Balkans Peter (a Shepherds Theological Seminary grad) and Dawn both serve at a school in a war-torn, non-Christian country in the Balkans. Whether in the gym, the classroom, or the community, the pattern and passion of their lives is to share the love of Christ in each relationship in order to advance the gospel. These faithful witnesses serve the Lord both in the United States and around the world (Acts 1:8). Pray for abundant fruit from their work of faith and labor of love (1 Thessalonians 1:3). Global Staffare those either commissioned by The Shepherd's Church or those who consider The Shepherd's Church to be their home church. 6Greg & Brittany Burton London, England Greg (an STS grad) has trained athletes and developed leaders for over 20 years in the US, Europe and in other nations. He now makes disciples through his consulting work with teams and organizations in these same areas. Brittany helps families navigate the education process to help children passionately pursue their gifts. Maya Clark Liberia, West Africa As part of Team Liberia, Maya (an STS grad) aids in church planting by sharing the hope of Christ through children’s ministries, Bible studies with young girls, and health workshops with mothers. Joel & Nicole H The Balkans Joel (an STS grad) & Nicole reside in the Balkans where Joel is an educator. The relationships established in the school and community afford them opportunities to demonstrate the love of Christ and have gospel impact. Gary & Michelle Kittredge Liberia, West Africa Gary (an STS grad) and Michelle have been serving in Liberia since January 2012. As leaders of Team Liberia, their comprehensive approach to ministry and training is helping the Liberian church thrive by addressing three critical needs of the national church: training leaders, sustaining communities, and educating children. (intoliberia.org) 7Karl & Jo Ann Kosobucki NCSU & Triangle After directing a Bible school in Romania for 17 years, Karl and Jo Ann now make disciples among international believers and unbelievers on campus and in the community. In addition, Karl teaches the Global Connect ABF at The Shepherd's Church, and Jo Ann teaches in the church's ESL program. Dima & Maria Kotik Central Asia Dima and Maria facilitate the formation of church multiplication networks among dominant people groups in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. They make disciples, establish leaders and train church planters. Paul & Summer Lofquist Albania Paul and Summer are serving in Albania, a land made up of less than 1% Evangelical Christians. Their primary ministry is leading and serving within the local church, where they are focused on discipling the next generation of believers and spreading the gospel throughout the capital city where they live. Mark & Sarah Lott Dominican Republic/ International With several years of cross-cultural ministry experience, Mark and Sarah moved to Santiago in early 2026. Their ministry is focused on serving local churches in the Dominican Republic by helping develop ESL courses, outreach events, and doing teacher training. Sarah also serves as the Director of International Ministries for Ms. Jane & Friends Gospel Ministries. (msjaneandfriends.com) 8Lorraine McNeill El Salvador Lorraine has been ministering in El Salvador since 2009. She teaches children's Bible classes, equips teens, and shares the gospel through various means. She uses her nurse practitioner skills for those in need of medical care. (hannahshands.org) Steve & Katrina P The Balkans Ministering in an ethnically divided city in the Balkans, Steve and Katrina are using sports, compassionate medical care, and community relationships to share the love of Christ and make disciples. Hanna & Evelyn S N Africa / Middle East Hanna is founder and president of Endure International (EI). He and Evelyn are engaged in advancing the gospel, church, truth, and biblical shalom throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. EI has an extensive media ministry that includes satellite TV, radio, and internet-based ministries. (endureinternational.org) D & J W Eurasia D has a marketplace ministry in the maritime services industry, and he and his wife also work on making disciples in their country. 9Next >