Pray for the Roma People (Gypsies)
The Roma are a distinct people group with a common language and history. Often referred to as Gypsies, the Roma are the largest minority group in Europe, with a population of 7-15 million. Numbers are difficult to determine because the Roma are not usually counted in census statistics since their nomadic history and wartime persecution forced them to move without many of their documents.
The Romanians and the citizens of Rome complain about the word Roma being used but the term "Rom" means "people" in Romani, the mother language of the Roma.
Although the Roma never claimed to be Egyptians, the term "gypsy", which stems from "Egyptian", was given to the Roma by Europeans who incorrectly thought that they originated from Egypt.
Current News: Turkish Employment Organization (İŞKUR) General Manager Mustafa Kemal Biçerli has said İŞKUR has started implementing a program geared toward boosting employment for the country's disadvantaged people, including Roma.
1) We thank the Lord for the Turkish government having wisdom to help the Roma people. Let us pray the this will be a productive program and that the Rome will conform to guidelines.
I, Jerry Low, was able to perticipate in an outreach to the Roma population of central Romania last January. Our mission was to take shoes, coats, blankets and other warm items to the very poor in many villages. Also we shared Jesus and 87 people were saved. We parnered with a church there that has been reaching out to these villages for years now. Also I was in Serbia in June where I also seen a church with about half the congragation being Roma. I keep hearing other reports of many Roma people coming to Jesus.
2) Lord we thank You for bringing many Roma to salvation. Truly Lord, You desire that none perish. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (New International Version)
3) Lord, we ask for your direction for the Roma people. Do they become part of established churches or do they gravitate to their own culturally distinct churches. Let us pray that above all they will be cared for by loving pastors.
4) Let us rejoice in the beneficial things built into their culture that can be of redemptive value. Tight family units, tribal, honor given to patriarchal leadership, and culturally connected throughout every country.
5) Lord, let not materialism and individualism pull families apart. May they stay true to their family connections.
6) Tribal can be good because if one gets saved many times others easily follow. Lord, we ask for deep and true conversions and not just religious acts to satisfy others.
7) Lord, we ask that You speak directly to family and tribal patriarchs. Because of the respect afforded him many in the family will come to faith in You. Lord, send your word from family to family and from nation to nation. Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, Your God reigns!
8) With many gypsies coming to know Jesus in the past few years, and many churches springing up, there is a need for scriptural teaching and the operation of the five-fold ministry. Lord raise up more Bible schools throughout the Balkans to train those that are called to evangelize, pastor, and teach the Roma people. May the present schools embrace the Roma in their countries.
9) There are many Gypsy churches outside of the Balkans that are mature in the faith; May they be senders of missionaries to the struggling Balkan churches.
10) Lord, we ask that You release finances for ministry to and through the Roma people.
The more I pray for these people the more my heart is broken for them.
Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you prayed.
No comments:
Post a Comment