Shiite Bride of Christ

Another video!

2009-12-19T22:52:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Hello, dear friends,

Thank you for praying for Shiites during Ashura. I just received word that one Iraqi Shiite family with ten children from Karbala visited with followers of Christ yesterday and listened to His Story from start to finish – just like we’ve been asking based on the story of Cornelius and his family in Acts 10. Pray that this Shiite family and many others like them will enter Jesus’ sheepfold this Ashura.

As we celebrate the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us this Christmas, may millions of Shiites encounter the Babe who shed His blood and now reigns as King over all nations. May our passionate Bridegroom hear us ask Him through fasting and prayer to keep pursuing His Shiite Bride especially now through December 27th.

Here is one more video that some friends of ours just produced to help you pray and fast for Shiites. Take a look! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WZKFnkmQ7c

If you haven’t seen this short Ashura video from Create International, check it out, too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU_59lIPPr0

And finally, I encourage you to visit these sites for more videos, photos, a Ten Day Prayer guide, and to sign up for daily prayer updates:

http://www.shbride.blogspot.com
http://25minutes.org
http://www.cryoutnow.org

With our thanks and blessings,

Grace, for many in His Body

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New Video!

2009-12-17T16:35:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Hi, friends,

Please check out this brand new video that our friends at Create International just produced to promote prayer and fasting for Shiites during Ashura, Dec. 17/18-26/27.

http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=ZU_59lIPPr0

It’s especially meant to mobilize children to pray for Shiites this year, so send the link to your family and friends.

We’re uploading two additional updated Ashura videos that will be available shortly. Our internet speed is SLOW here, but the other two videos will be ready for you to download and use soon, too.

Together, let’s fast and pray night and day for Shiites beginning this Friday through Dec. 26/27. May we see multiple thousands of Shiite families RUN into His sheepfold this Ashura when they hear our Shepherd’s voice.

Many Blessings

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Ashura

2009-12-04T00:25:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

"While focusing on Shiites the last eight years, I can track the response from workers among Shiites. Five years ago, workers said there weren't any Shiite believers in their areas. Three years ago there was a handful of Shiites following Christ, and now there are many, many Shiites following Him!

What I have seen happen is that when a lot of us pray in agreement with each other and with God during Ashura, God moves powerfully. I’m convinced that the response and openness to the Gospel we see among Shiites today is because thousands of Christ followers have prayed and fasted together during Ashura in the past. This year, may even more of us pray and fast during Ashura and may millions more Shiites enter Jesus’ sheepfold.”

The most important ten days of the year for Shiite Muslims starts December 17th. Ashura is a time when Shiites all over the world remember the brutal death of one of their leaders in 680 AD. They’ll be meeting together every day and night. Let’s do the same. As Christ followers, let’s fast and pray for Shiites Dec. 17-26. God will hear our collective voice crying out to Him for Shiites.

This Sunday when you go to church, invite your friends and family to pray and fast for Shiites around the world during the ten days of Ashura, December 17-26, 2009. Together, let’s CRY OUT for the salvation of Shiites this Ashura!

Download a ten-day prayer guide in five languages to print and share: http://www.shbride.blogspot.com
Download a video and slideshow of Ashura: http://www.cryoutnow.org/videogallery/index.html
Download stories of what God is doing among Shiites: http://25minutes.org <http://25minutes.org/>

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Sharifa Update

2009-09-09T22:09:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Remember Sharifa, the middle-aged Shiite Muslim mother of four who is sick with cancer and has a painful bone infection in her arm, who we told you about last month? She seems to have gotten worse. She has new pain in her stomach now and increased pain in her knees. She is now restricted to stay at home because her knees hurt too bad to go up and down stairs (she lives on the 3rd floor with no elevator). Friends laid hands on her last week and prayed again. Thank you for continuing to pray for Sharifa as He leads you.

Pray that many Shiites who are sick will experience both the physical healing touch of Jesus and His gift of salvation.

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Standing Firm

2009-09-09T01:35:00.003Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

"You will not need to fight in this battle.
Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf." II Chron. 20:17, ESV

Last night was one of the multiple “nights of power” or leiyali al qader for Shiite Muslims during Ramadan. They met together – men, women, and children - in large groups at mosques and prayed all night. I listened to some of their heartfelt praying and I prayed, too. I asked the Lord of heaven and earth to enable many of them to see and hear Jesus. I asked our Good Shepherd to bring millions of them into His sheepfold.

I was reminded how deeply God loves the Shiites. How passionate they are when they gather in groups and pray Du’aa (doo-ahh) - special supplications - to God....what God seekers they really are...what sincere, desperate cries for help come from Shiites - not just from their mouths but from their entire bodies.

Friend of His Shiite Bride, thank you for praying for Shiites this Ramadan!

Today and in the coming weeks, especially, we implore you to pray and fast for an important media project currently in progress to reach Shiite Muslims. Although we cannot tell you all the details, it is a project to help Shiites understand how they can live as followers of Christ while remaining in their families and communities. The spiritual and physical battle surrounding this project has become intense and we ask you, please, to pray and fast. May this project move forward under God’s favor and protection, for the honor and glory of Jesus’ name among Shiites! Together, let’s stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord through this media project!

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Dressed in White

2009-08-11T23:45:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Shiite Bride is a short update on God’s activity among Shiite Muslims with specific requests to help you pray, written and sent to you by followers of Christ who love God among Shiites.

"They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels." Revelation 3:4-5, NIV

Sharifa is a middle-aged Shiite Muslim mother of four who is sick with cancer and has a painful bone infection in her arm. She has had several visions and dreams of Isa, Jesus. A friend and I recently laid hands on her several times and prayed. As we were praying for Sharifa, both of us saw Jesus take her hand (the one with the infection) and lead her.

We read Galatians 5:22 and encouraged her that God not only wants to bless her physical body but also to give love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in her spirit. As we prayed and listened together with our eyes closed, she said she literally felt the Spirit of God as we prayed, and we did too!

Sharifa is eager to learn more about Isa and we sense strongly that God is wooing her. Ask God for a miraculous healing in her body and that she would be a witness to her whole family and extended network.

Sharifa’s niece, I'll call her Hiba, was in the room when we prayed for Sharifa. Right before we prayed, she broke down in tears and said she wanted prayer, too. Don't you love how the Spirit of God makes people soft and sensitive?! We asked her to close her eyes and listen for what God wants to speak to her (God speaks better Arabic than me!).

After a few minutes, she opened her eyes and with a big smile said she saw herself dressed in white clothes and asked what it meant!! Wow, GO GOD! Then we shared Revelation 3:4-5 with her.

Friend of His Shiite Bride, pray that seeds of His Word would grow. Pray for Sharifa and Hiba and their entire family clan to whole-heartedly enter the Kingdom. Pray that they will overcome and that their names would be written in the book of life.

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Bombs and Babies

2009-06-09T02:28:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." - John 14:27 NKJ

"Sometimes it's so scary for the women as they're delivering their babies because we are often being bombed right outside the delivery room," the classy middle-aged women explained to me.

As a gynecologist in southern Iraq, Farah has the tough job of guiding women through their pregnancies and deliveries while remaining focused hearing explosions right outside the hospital labor room where she works.

Farah is a devoted Shiite Muslim who does her best to follow God, but it is hard for her to find peace in her life in the midst of the consistent violence all around her.

Friend of His Shiite Bride, pray for Shiites such as Farah who live in places torn apart by violence. Ask God to give them many opportunities to hear about the Prince of Peace.

Pray that their hearts won't be troubled or afraid, and ask that they will put their trust in Jesus and find salvation and peace through Him.

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No One To Marry

2009-04-27T23:36:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Friend of His Shiite Bride, thank you for continuing to fast and pray for Shiites! Today, meet a young Shiite follower of Christ looking for a Bride who loves Jesus.

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.
For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?
Or what fellowship has light with darkness? - II Corinthians 6:14 (ESV)

Growing up in a very large Shiite Muslim family, Hisham loves children and dreams excitedly about the day when he will be married and be able to have a large family of his own.

There is a sizable kink in this dream of his, however. Hisham is a Shiite follower of Christ who wants to marry a woman who knows Jesus and follows Him.

On multiple occasions Hisham has met single women who follow Christ, but marriage never works out because the girls' families do not want their daughters to marry someone from a Shiite community.

Since marriage in the Middle East and Central Asia is between families, Hisham needs to find a girl whose family approves of the marriage. Hisham would love to marry a fellow Shiite follower of Christ, but he has yet to find one.

Please pray for single Shiite Muslim followers of Christ to find marriage partners from believing families who will approve and bless their marriages. Pray that Christ followers like Hisham will marry brides of God's choosing and build families of righteousness inside their Shiite communities.

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A Family Hears

2009-03-13T00:18:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 NIV

Inside the home of a practicing Shiite Muslim home, while drinking tea with their Shiite friends, two Christ Followers began to share about Jesus.

The father of the family and three of his daughters were in the living room visiting together when the conversation turned towards Jesus. They asked one of the Christ followers if she had a beloved and she answered, "Yes! My beloved is Jesus."

The family, a little surprised and very curious at this response, began to ask a plethora of questions. The Christ Followers were able to share the gospel message as the father and his daughters listened and asked more questions.

Rahma, one of the daughters, asked the Christ Followers how they prayed. They explained how, and then they asked the Shiite family for permission to pray right then and there. The family agreed. One of the believers prayed out loud, and then both the Christ Followers sang a worship song of prayer.

While this precious Shiite family did not agree or understand all they were told about Jesus, they were interested in listening and in hearing more about Him. At the close of their visit, the Christ followers asked the family if they would like a Bible. The family happily agreed!

Friend of His Shiite Bride, pray that thousands of Shiite Muslim families have the opportunity to hear about Jesus and embrace Him as their Beloved. Pray that millions of Shiite Muslims hear the Good News and begin to follow Him together, as entire families, parents and children. Ask God to give more Christ Followers access into Shiite homes to boldly share the Good News like these two believers did recently.

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Threats Update

2009-03-07T16:52:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37 ESV

Many of you prayed for Zeina, a young Shiite follower of Christ being ridiculed by colleagues at her job while she worked on an important outreach project to proclaim stories of Jesus to women. I asked her today about the bothersome young men. She smiled and said, "Oh, they stopped cursing me! They have completely changed, and now they are treating me with kindness." They said to her, "You love the Messiah? Well, then we guess you are good."

Thank you for praying for her, dear friend of His Shiite Bride. He has heard your humble pleas for Zeina. Continue to pray for her and the special outreach project she is working on to reach Muslim women with the Truth.

Agree in prayer and celebrate with us through this special devotional from Oswald Chambers today:

Oswald Chambers' Daily Devotionals
March 7, 2009, The Source of Abundant Joy

Paul was speaking here of the things that might seem likely to separate a saint from the love of God. But the remarkable thing is that nothing can come between the love of God and a saint. The things Paul mentioned in this passage can and do disrupt the close fellowship of our soul with God and separate our natural life from Him. But none of them is able to come between the love of God and the soul of a saint on the spiritual level.

The underlying foundation of the Christian faith is the undeserved, limitless miracle of the love of God that was exhibited on the Cross of Calvary; a love that is not earned and can never be. Paul said this is the reason that "in all these things we are more than conquerors." We are super-victors with a joy that comes from experiencing the very things which look as if they are going to overwhelm us.

Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. Let's apply that to our own circumstances. The things we try to avoid and fight against – tribulation, suffering, and persecution – are the very things that produce abundant joy in us.

We are more than conquerors through Him in all these things, not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn't know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said, "I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation" (2 Corinthians 7:4 ).

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Threats

2009-02-10T14:25:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. Acts 4:29-30, ESV

Zeina is a 24 year old Shiite follower of Christ. She just got a new job working at a large print shop, and quickly received authority to serve as an assistant to the print shop's Sunni Muslim owner.

She is overseeing a Mother's Day project to print a revised version of a little booklet called "God's Beloved," featuring six stories of Jesus' encounters with women from the New Testament.

In the past month since Zeina began her job at the print shop, openly working on the "God's Beloved" booklet, some of her fellow employees, young Sunni Muslim guys, have been making fun of her, calling her a "blasphemer" for working on projects that talk about Jesus.

It makes Zeina sad, and she cried the other day as she told me about it, but she is forging ahead in obedience to the Master, telling me she is so excited about the booklet, anxious for many Muslim women to hear the Good News and see Jesus for themselves.

In the meantime, another Shiite woman started bringing additional print jobs to Zeina's new workplace, asking them to print notebooks with Bible verses on them to give to Muslim children. This influential Shiite lady wants 500 copies of the "God's Beloved" booklets to distribute among Shiite women next month! With Zeina distributing 2000 copies, and other friends giving out thousands more, many Muslim women will discover that Jesus is truly the Mercy of God.

Zeina's dream is to have the six stories from the "God's Beloved" booklet professionally recorded this year, "So my mother can hear the stories," she told me (her mother cannot read).

Friend of His Shiite Bride, pray for Zeina and for those of us who are assisting her to complete both the printed and audio recorded versions of "God's Beloved" in time to distribute among Muslim women on Mother's Day in the Arabic speaking world, March 21.

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The Internet and Cell Phones

2009-01-27T13:02:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:16, ESV

Friend of His Shiite Bride, keep asking the Father for Shiites.

In search of true peace, Shiite friends Hakim and Walid decided to go to a church in the Muslim nation they call home.

At the church they met a pastor who began to disciple them, and they eventually saw that there is peace in Christ. They chose to follow Jesus personally!

It's not clear whether Hakim has truly committed himself to Christ or if he is just saying he's following Jesus to be different. Pray that Hakim quits play-acting his faith in Jesus and embraces Him in spirit and truth.

Walid, on the other hand, is using the Internet to tell other Muslims about the beauty of knowing Jesus personally! Not only is Walid growing in his faith through the pastor's intentional teaching and mentoring, he is sharing what he learns with others. He has been chatting on-line with men from other Muslim countries, talking to them about God in ways they will understand and not become immediately defensive. His heart is to help them see the lack of peace in their lives.

Pray for Walid and other Shiite followers of Christ who are proclaiming God's Truth through on-line chat rooms, email correspondence, and cell phones. Ask God to give them discernment as they talk with Shiites as well as with Sunnis about the saving power of Jesus Christ.

Ask God to open the eyes and ears of every Muslim who goes on the Internet or who calls or sends an SMS seeking answers. Pray they see and hear Jesus and begin following Him.

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Day 10 They Saw and Heard Today

2009-01-08T03:52:00.005Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

...You will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries. Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left. - Isaiah 30:19-21 NLT

Our family read these words of the Prophet Isaiah out loud together this morning as we prayed for our Shiite friends. We believe that many Shiites saw Jesus and heard his voice this Ashura, and in faith, we join you in believing that many Shiite Muslims entered Jesus' sheepfold today.

You may have seen one of today's Ashura gatherings on your television news, or on the Internet. As I write this, this final tenth day of Ashura is coming to a close in the Middle East. Millions of Shiite Muslims around the world marched and beat their chests and heads in sorrow this morning, thousands of them bleeding profusely in ways that I can barely describe to you.

In the midst of today's sorrow, you and we were praying, and God was - and still is - listening and responding!

In upcoming emails and visits, many of us who live and work among Shiites will share stories of what God did these past ten days during Ashura. God will give you and us glimpses of what He did as we prayed and fasted together, revealing specific answers to what we prayed for; some things we will see, and some things we may never see. But aren't you glad we looked to God these past ten days and nights, and that we agreed together and with Him for Shiites?

We send our heartfelt thanks to you, your family, and friends who prayed and fasted for Shiites these past ten days during Ashura. Be alert alongside us in the coming days and nights to recognize how God answered. Tell us what you see!

Always, for God's glory among Shiite Muslims!

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Day 9: Bleeding to Remember

2009-01-06T18:05:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Today's email comes to you from a 24 year old follower of Christ loving Him among Shiites this Ashura.

Thank you for fasting and praying with us that many Shiites will come to know God through Jesus this Ashura!

For the last 9 days Shiite Muslims have been meeting together to hear and remember the massacre of Imam Hussein and his family many years ago in Karbala, Iraq. During these gatherings men, women, and even children loudly wail and cry for hours. We've been with some of them, praying.

Many Shiites are also making pilgrimages to important shrines now. You may have heard that 38 Shiites from Iran were killed by a female suicide bomber in Baghdad this past Sunday. Shiites in many lands are experiencing enhanced pain this Ashura because of their anger and sadness over what is happening in Gaza.

There is now only one day left of this Ashura. Tomorrow, January 7, on the 10th day of Ashura, many Shiite Muslims will march through their neighborhood streets chanting and beating their chests in sorrow. Some Shiite men will even cut their heads and backs with knives or chains to better remember the pain that Imam Hussein and his family suffered.

Sometimes it's hard to understand why these precious people are so sorrowful about the death of a man and his family well over a thousand years ago; but then I think of how hopeless we would be if Jesus had been killed against his will on the cross and had never risen again.

Shiites understand suffering and pain. They are searching for hope. And they are a cluster of peoples who God is greatly moving among.

From Afghanistan to India to Pakistan to Iran to Iraq to Bahrain to Lebanon, more Shiite Muslims have entered Jesus' sheepfold in the past three years than in the last 1300 years combined!

God is always at work, but there are special seasons of His activity. There is no question: NOW is one of those special times for Shiite Muslims!

As we begin this final day of Ashura, please join me in praying:

Shiites will have a personal encounter with Jesus in the closing hours of this Ashura
Many Shiite families will see, hear, and understand the Message of the Gospel in the next 24 hours
Entire Shiite families will begin to follow Jesus
Shiites will continue to have dreams about Jesus that will compel them to know and love Him more

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Sh Br: Day 8 He Is Answering

2009-01-05T23:59:00.003Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

If you have a copy of the Ten Day Prayer Guide for Ashura, you will see that today we are agreeing together and asking God to enable Shiite Muslim religious leaders to hear the Truth of the Gospel.

Do you know what happened in the past when we prayed and fasted like this during Ashura?

A female Shiite religious leader approached a Christian pastor and his wife in India and asked them to tell her the true meaning of Christmas. They spent time with her reading and listening to God's Story, and you know what? She chose to follow Jesus!

Then she shared the Good News with her husband, also a Shiite religious leader. Today this husband and wife are both following Jesus and they are telling many other Shiites about Him.

Keep fasting and praying, Friend of His Shiite Bride. Together let's ask God to bring thousands more Shiite religious leaders like this couple into the Community of the Redeemed.

Tell your family and friends! For the latest updates and media resources to help you pray, visit http://www.shbride.blogspot.com.

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Sh Br: Day 7 The Passion

2009-01-04T19:30:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Please continue to fast and pray for Shiite Muslims now through Wednesday, January 7, dear Friend of His Shiite Bride.

Today in addition to praying that Shiite husbands and fathers (heads of households) enter Jesus' sheepfold, will you pray that Shiite Muslims will be riveted on the passion of Jesus and remember ALL that Jesus went through to give then right standing and access to God?

This Ashura concludes in most countries around the world on Tuesday, January 6, but we are asking you to intentionally intercede for Shiites one extra day through Wednesday ~ like a final outcry to God on Shiites' behalf as their lives return to normal after Ashura.

Pray and fast with your friends and family this Ashura! For the latest updates and media resources, visit http://www.shbride.blogspot.com.

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Sh Br: Day 6 Keep Agreeing

2009-01-04T00:19:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for,
it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.
Matthew 18:19-20, NIV

When a lot of us agree together and ask him the same thing, God moves in ways we can barely comprehend.

Did you know you are one of many thousands of Christ followers around the world who are fasting and praying for Shiites now during Ashura?

As you pray for Shiites now through January 7, you are actually agreeing with Christ followers in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Sweden, the UK, Germany, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, South Africa, and throughout the Middle East and Central Asia.

Keep agreeing! Keep asking that millions of Shiite Muslims enter Jesus' sheepfold this Ashura.

We will have many stories of praise to God when all this is over, but for now, continue to be serious in praying and fasting for Shiite Muslims AGREEING TOGETHER and ASKING HIM to bring millions of Shiite families into the Community of the Redeemed during this Ashura.

Ask others to join you! For the latest updates and media resources to help you invite others to fast and pray for Shiites now, visit http://www.shbride.blogspot.com.

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Sh Br: Day 5 More Than Ever

2009-01-03T16:07:00.002Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

"I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also.
They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock with one shepherd."
Jesus' words in John 10:16, NIV

Jesus is the One who will bring Shiite Muslims into his sheep pen, so does it matter that you pray and fast for them during Ashura? YES!

Thursday night along with his wife and daughters, a Shiite man in his 30's named Ali, visited the home of Christ followers. He listened more than ever to their words about Jesus being the Good Shepherd, about Jesus being the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Ali is not in Jesus' sheepfold yet, but he is beginning to hear the Shepherd's voice more than ever.

If you were to ask Christ followers living in countries of Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Arabian Peninsula WHO in their lands is responding to the Gospel, many of them would tell you it is their Shiite neighbors who are most open to hearing Jesus' voice now.

From Afghanistan to India to Pakistan to Iran to Iraq to Bahrain to Lebanon, more Shiite Muslims have entered Jesus' sheepfold in the last three years than in the last 1300 years combined!

But you know what? Millions of Shiites like Ali and his family have not entered Jesus' sheepfold yet. Tell your friends and family! Continue fasting and praying for Shiite Muslims especially now through Wednesday, Jan. 7.

For the latest updates and resources visit http://www.shbride.blogspot.com.

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Sh Br: Day 4: Heart Wrenching

2009-01-01T16:48:00.002Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

God bless you, dear friend of His Shiite Bride, on this first day of 2009 and into this new year! Thank you for fasting and praying for Shiites during their ten days of Ashura.

Here in the Middle East last night in the midst of New Year celebrations - some quiet, some loud - I watched and prayed as I saw Shiite men and boys clad in black, hitting their chests in a melodic display of collective grief, while Shiite women and girls wiped tears from their eyes during the fourth night of Ashura. I thought my heart would break as I asked God how much longer will it be until millions more Shiites worship and follow Him?

From Pakistan to Iran to Iraq to Bahrain to Lebanon and beyond, Shiite Muslims are commemorating a battle that took place in 680 AD when their leader, Imam Hussein, was brutally beheaded along with 72 of his family and followers.

I watched and prayed last night as group after group of precious Shiites swelled into a feverish pitch of chanting while they hit their chests and heads in unison. This collective remembrance and lamentation will rise in intensity through Tuesday, January 6, when it will culminate with many Shiites cutting their heads or backs with knives or razor blades.

Friend of His Shiite Bride, PRAY! FAST! The Lord of heaven and earth loves these nations of the earth! We see Him pursuing Shiite communities with unwavering passion. We believe that all this fasting and praying you and we are doing will result in transformed Shiite communities in 2009. Let us continue to agree together and with Him to see many more Shiite Muslims enter Jesus' sheepfold this Ashura.

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Sh Br: Day 3 - Searching for Truth

2008-12-31T16:25:00.003Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Dear Friend of His Shiite Bride, thank you for fasting and praying day and night for Shiites during Ashura as the Holy Spirit leads you now through January 7, 2008!

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart." Jer 29:13 (NIV)

Today, meet Yassir, a young 20-something Shiite man searching for Truth.

As friends and I were spending time together over a meal, I looked over and noticed that my friend Yassir was drinking alcohol. This surprised me quite a bit, because I knew Yassir to be a devout Shiite Muslim and in turn, I knew that he is typically opposed to ever drinking alcohol.

"You are drinking alcohol now?" I asked my friend. "Yeah, I started about a month ago," Yassir responded.

I was baffled. What is happening to my friend who only months ago would defend his faith - even to the death?

"Well, are you still a practicing Shiite, are you still praying?" I inquired of him.

Yassir looked down for a second and then sadly told me that he couldn't pray anymore. He said that although he is still Muslim, he is not allowed to pray because he drinks alcohol.

Yassir concluded by telling me, "I'm just looking for the truth. I know that there is a God, but other than that, I'm just not sure."

Pray seriously now and ask God to use Yassir's uncertainty and openness as an opportunity for him - and other young Shiites like him - to find the love of Christ.

Ask that all Shiites will have a holy dissatisfaction that drives them to hunger to know Jesus better.

Pray that all Shiite Muslims who seek Truth will truly find it in Jesus this Ashura!

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Sh Br: Our Apologies

2008-12-31T14:28:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Dear Friend of His Shiite Bride,

On our blog, www.shbride.blogspot.com, we invited you to download a copy of the Ten Day Prayer Guide and the new Power Point presentation, but we just discovered that you may have encountered an objectionable advertisement when you reached the Media Fire site where some of our large files are stored.

Please accept our deepest apologies to you for this objectionable ad that may have popped onto your screen when you tried to download tools to help you pray for Shiites.

Thank you for understanding that Media Fire is a commercial site that we use so you can access large files that will help you fast and pray for Shiites during Ashura.

Don't let these distractions keep you from doing what our Shepherd wants in these important days of fasting and prayer for Shiites during Ashura Dec. 29-Jan. 7!

Alongside you, to see the knowledge of His glory flood Shiite communities,

Friends of His Shiite Bride

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Sh Br: Day 2 Dreams

2008-12-31T02:16:00.002Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Friend of His Shiite Bride, pray and fast for Shiites as the Holy Spirit leads you now through January 7. We are in the early days of Ashura, which is ten days of collective commemoration and lamentation for Shiites all over the earth. Pray they meet Jesus this Ashura!

Some of you have heard me tell the story of families in a Shiite village who had the same dream in the same night and now all follow Christ. More than 1500 Shiites collectively responded to Christ in one night!

Perhaps you've heard me speak of Zeina, a young Shiite woman who kept having a dream about walking in a desert. In her dream, she reached a cord of blood she couldn't pass through, so she grabbed it in her hands, collapsing on the sand, crying. That same Shiite young lady now joyfully follows Christ and tells other Shiites about her wonderful Savior Jesus.

Many times Shiites move closer to Jesus' sheepfold through a special dream. Will you fast and pray that many more Shiites see Jesus in their dreams especially tonight and in the coming seven nights of Ashura?

Visit http://www.shbride.blogspot.com to download a Power Point presentation, a short video, and a copy of the Ten Day Prayer Guide to help you and your friends pray.

A brand new two minute video clip will be available to you on You Tube by this Sunday (we hope!) for you to share with your church family.

Fast and pray for Shiites now! God is listening to us, pursuing Shiites all over the earth as we fast and pray for them this Ashura.

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Sh Br: Ash Day 1

2008-12-30T03:24:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Thank you for praying and fasting for Shiites during the ten days of Ashura, Dec. 29-Jan. 7!

To help you and your friends pray and fast for Shiites, download a brand new Power Point presentation called "Shiites, a People Loved By God" at www.shbride.blogspot.com.

It's 20 MB, but is well worth the effort you take to download it, especially if you have friends at church wondering what Ashura is and why we are praying and fasting for the next ten days.

As I write this to you, many Shiite men, women, and children are going to mosques and to friends' homes to hear a story dramatically chanted of that terrible battle in Karbala, Iraq many years ago.

Even though that battle took place in 680 AD, many Shiites are crying even tonight, thousands hitting their chests in unison in a massive display of grief and lamentation over Imam Hussein's death.

Many Shiites from Iran to Iraq to Lebanon and beyond are agonizing over the death and suffering they see happening in Gaza now, and this, coupled with their deep emotional sorrow remembering Imam Hussein's death, is bubbling into a deep, collective turmoil that we - as followers of Christ who live, love, and work among them - can see and hear and feel.

For the next ten days through Jan. 7 will you ask God to move in Shiites' sadness and to display His glory among them? Will you pray that in the midst of their anguish and sorrow they will discover the beauty of Jesus and experience his awesome power?

Together, this Ashura, let's ask God to break into their world and to reveal Jesus as Savior, Redeemer, and Lord to Shiite families all over the earth!

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Sh Br 51: Grand Invitation

2008-12-21T02:42:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Meekness and majesty...Manhood and deity....Fall down and worship....This is our God.

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary,
and they bowed down and worshiped him. Matthew 2:11a NIV

You are receiving many invitations this month, but one of the grandest invitations you and I will ever receive is to fall down and worship the King this Christmas and beseech Him for the peoples of the earth.

God hears your heart cries to open Shiites' eyes and ears to Jesus - in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and in other places where Shiites call home - from Brazil to Australia to Sweden to the United States to Canada!

One Shiite lady recently said, "Bring me many, many Bibles and Scripture recordings so I can share this Good News with my entire family!" Reports are coming in of entire Shiite families following Jesus now, as well as Shiite religious leaders who have surrendered to Jesus and are now teaching others about Him.

Is it any wonder that as we celebrate Christmas in just a few days that God is still displaying His glory, inviting people you would least expect to fall down and worship the King?

Don't miss your opportunity to fast and pray for Shiites with Christ followers all over the world Dec. 29-Jan. 7 during Ashura. If you don't have a Ten Day Prayer Guide yet, download a copy at www.shbride.blogspot.com.

The new Ashura Prayer video on You Tube will be available to you soon, as well as a beautiful PowerPoint presentation a friend is putting together to help you spread the word at your church or home group.

Tell your friends and family. May millions of us who love the King fast and pray for Shiites during Ashura Dec. 29-Jan. 7.

Together, let's spend time on our knees worshiping the King of kings this Christmas and during Ashura. Together, let's ask Him for many more Shiites to fall on their knees and worship the King in 2009.

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Sh Br: Update from Nov. 21-23

2008-12-20T21:02:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Dear Friend of His Shiite Bride,

It matters when we fast and pray all together for specific days. Remember when you prayed and fasted for the country of Iran Nov. 21-23? God is moving across that land in power and might!

One follower of Christ in Iran wrote a couple of days ago:

As I know these days of prayer was for different issues, specially for us and for our work here and also Iran like other part of the world faces with many crises and anyway believers still are living in this world, but the good news is because of God's grace and your prayers Lord is opening some new doors for us.

Believers in Iran are telling us of many doors opening with amazing opportunities and responses to the Good News. I'm convinced that our fasting and prayer is enabling the Body in Iran and in other lands among Shiites to be bold and to persevere.

Continue night and day as He leads you to pray for His Body among Shiites, and for Shiite families who are not yet in Jesus' sheepfold.

Blessings to you this Christmas!

Dear Friend of His Shiite Bride,

May we invite you to join us in a special call to prayer and fasting this weekend, Nov. 21-23, 2008, for followers of Christ in Iran?

Our brother, Sam Y, who loves the King and the country of Iran is asking us to join him and thousands of others around the world to pray and fast for Iran this weekend.

Join us this weekend, and invite your family and friends to pray and fast, too.

For God's glory among Shiites all over the earth, Friends of His Shiite Bride

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Sh Br: 50: Get Ready for Dec. 29

2008-11-25T22:12:00.004Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

For the Bridegroom will not come until the gospel is preached to the nations, and the nations are reached through spiritual breakthroughs that come by fasting and prayer. - John Piper, A Hunger for God, Crossway, 1997, p. 95.

Dear friend of our Bridegroom and His Shiite Bride, in just over a month from now, right after Christmas, you have an opportunity to join thousands of Christ followers around the world for ten days to fast and pray for Shiite Muslims. Will you say YES to God and pray that many more Shiites come to know, love, and worship the King of kings this Ashura?

Ashura begins December 29, 2008 through January 7, 2009. For these ten days, Shiites all over the earth - from Iran to Afghanistan to Lebanon to Iraq to Pakistan to Bahrain will be gathering in homes and mosques to listen and participate in the tragic retelling of a story, a horrendous battle that took place in Karbala, Iraq over 1,300 years ago when their Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, was violently murdered along with 72 family members and friends.

Ashura is a collective time of deep emotional grief for Shiites. On the tenth day, Wednesday, January 7th, that grief culminates when millions of Shiites will march through their city and village streets, many bleeding profusely from their heads and backs where some have cut themselves to increase their pain and grief.

During every Ashura, Shiites are keenly sensitive to spiritual matters. They are expecting great things both when they are awake and when they are asleep. This year, dear friend of His Shiite Bride, pray they find Jesus.

To help you and your friends pray for Shiites during Ashura, please download a PDF copy of the Ten Day Prayer Guide in English, Chinese, Korean, or Portuguese at www.shbride.blogspot.com. Feel free to print out copies to share with your friends.

A two minute video will be available soon on YouTube as another tool to help you and your friends pray for Shiites during Ashura.

Mark your calendar for December 29-January 7, and together, let's see millions more Shiites turn to Christ this Ashura!

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SH Br: Special: Nov. 21-23

2008-11-21T20:51:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus' Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Dear Friend of His Shiite Bride,

May we invite you to join us in a special call to prayer and fasting this weekend, Nov. 21-23, 2008, for followers of Christ in Iran?

Our brother, Sam Y, who loves the King and the country of Iran is asking us to join him and thousands of others around the world to pray and fast for Iran this weekend.

Join us this weekend, and invite your family and friends to pray and fast, too.

For God's glory among Shiites all over the earth,

Friends of His Shiite Bride

November 21-23, 2008: Three Days of Prayer and Fasting for Iran

In response to a year of persecution and the imminent passing of a law making the death sentence mandatory for all Muslim men who turn to Christ and life imprisonment for Muslim women who turn to Christ, Iranian church leaders are calling for prayer and fasting from November 21 â€" 23, 2008.

They know they have no influence in the courts of men â€" but they want to take their case to the courts of heaven.

And like Esther of old, the queen of Iran who told Mordecai to ask all the people of God to pray and fast for three days, so Iranian Christian leaders are asking the world-wide church to also set aside these three days for prayer and fasting.

If you are a prayer leader in your church, please contact other intercessors to be involved in these three days, and please approach your pastor to see if special prayers for Iran can be made at your church service on Sunday November 23.

2008: YEAR OF INTIMIDATION FOR CHRISTIANS IN IRAN

The growing church in Iran is under attack. Since April there have been at least fifty-three arrests of people whose only crime is their faith in Jesus Christ. The arrests are not localized, but have happened in all of Iran's major cities: Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Kerman, and elsewhere. Sometimes people have been released the same day, others spent months in prison, some still remain behind bars. Many of them have had to pay exorbitant fees for bail and face frightening court cases. Some have suffered physically while in detention and it is believed that one elderly couple died as a result of being beaten up. These are only the arrests that get reported: it is likely there have been many more.

All of this has been happening against the ominous background of legislation going through the Iranian parliament that will make the death sentence mandatory for any man who leaves Islam and chooses another faith. Women will face life imprisonment for the same "crime."

<http://www.prayforiran.org/Sites/English/NewPenalCode/tabid/507/Default.aspx>

Despite the persecution, the church in Iran continues to grow rapidly. The Word of God is reaching many in the country and many believers are determined to courageously share Christ with their countrymen. Christian leaders in Iran believe that the church will continue to grow very rapidly in the next five to ten years, such is the openness of Iranians to the Gospel.

We urge Christians world wide to pray and fast on behalf of the church in Iran.

Pray for all those who have been arrested and intimidated. Pray that the Lord will be their Rock, Deliverer and Shield. (Psalm 18:2)

Pray that despite the persecution, Christians will be "encouraged to speak the Word of God more courageously and fearlessly." (Phil 1:14)

Pray against the law of apostasy. Pray that the severe mandatory punishments regarding apostasy in Iran's new penal code will not enter the statute book. Pray that many millions of Muslims will see the evil of this law and will hunger for spiritual truth and salvation.

http://www.prayforiran.org/Sites/English/overview/tabid/508/Default.aspxLook here for more details about persecution in Iran in 2008.

Thank you for praying for Iran.

Sam Yeghnazar

Prayforiran.org/Elam Ministries

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Sh Br 49: Walking Uprightly

2008-11-12T14:38:00.008Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

The next Ashura begins approximately December 29, 2008 to January 7, 2009. Fast and pray with us, and tell your friends! Download a copy of the ten day prayer guide in English, Chinese, Korean, or Portuguese at: www.shbride.blogspot.com.

Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. Psalm 106:3 (NIV)

"Praise God," Salam replied when I asked how his family was doing after he lost his job. Salam is a Shiite husband and father - a man of justice and integrity living in a land of corruption and scandal.

Salam has lost multiple jobs. He was fired when he didn't give a high grade to an undeserving student - even when that student's father was the university dean. At another university he refused to cooperate with corrupt leadership and colleagues, and they got rid of him. His educational computer software had to be abandoned because pirated computer software became all too common in his homeland.

Most recently Salam resigned as mayor of his Shiite village. He opened a medical dispensary, paved and lit roads, and gave the community their first little fire station. Even though he struggled as the mayor to make enough money to provide for his family, Salam always put his mayor's paycheck back into the village's budget.

Even though Salam gave much to the village, many people began to spread rumors about him, and some even called his home threatening to kill him. In a land where people in authority commonly steal from the community, Salam was doing the opposite. The pressure became so bad that he resigned.

Salam has lost or quit jobs for different reasons, but the root is always the same. Salam refuses to compromise his integrity and is unwilling to give God a bad name. As a Shiite Muslim man of peace, Salam prays daily. Every month now Salam wonders how he will be able to provide for his wife, children, and mother. He knows he can't depend on his government or the economy of his nation, but he is fully trusting God.

Friend of His Shiite Bride, pray for Salam and his family - and other Shiite families like them - to be blessed as they maintain justice in their corrupt villages and cities. Pray that Salam's entire family will come to know Christ personally and be bright lights of Truth in their Shiite village - boldly proclaiming the gospel no matter what the threats.

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Sh Br 48: Instruments of Righteousness

2008-10-08T12:33:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. Romans 6:12-13, ESV

It has been over two years that I’ve been discipling my dear friend, Bader. He is a Shiite Muslim from Iraq who has truly come to believe in the saving power of Jesus alone.

I am confident that despite the hardships he has faced while following Christ in a spiritually oppressed land such as Iraq that he is a true follower of The Way. Currently though, I feel very burdened for Bader because he is desperately contending with his flesh and falling into sin, even though he desires to go deeper into God’s Word.

Following Christ in Iraq is quite a calling! Between thousands of years of spiritual oppression and a long record of physical violence and strife, the enemy has worked hard to keep the peoples and cities of past and present day Iraq under his dominion.

Pray for me as I learn Arabic here, and as I disciple my friend, Bader. As a laborer in the harvest, I want to dive more deeply into God’s Word and obey what it says, and I want Bader right beside me, doing the same!

Friend of His Shiite Bride, pray that God removes the grip of sin on Bader’s life. Pray that Bader and other Shiite followers of Christ hunger and thirst for righteousness. Pray that they pursue the One who gives Life, because he is so desperately needed in this land. Pray with me for Bader and other Shiites to grow into mature, victorious disciples who run from sin to worship and follow Jesus Christ!

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Sh Br: Join Us Dec. 29 - Jan. 7!

2008-10-01T19:20:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Jesus said, "Where two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together because they are mine (in my name), I am there among them." Matthew 18:19-20, NLT

As we end 2008 we ask you to join us in His Name for a holy time of prayer and fasting for Shiite Muslims Dec. 29, 2008 – January 7, 2009, Shiite Muslims all over the earth will set aside ten days for collective lamentation and remembrance in an event they call Ashura. They will pray and weep, seeking God's favor and blessing.

Will YOU, as a Follower of Jesus, pray and fast for Shiite Muslims during these ten important days of Ashura? Set aside part of the day or night Dec. 29, 2008 –Jan. 7, 2009 and ask Jesus, our Good Shepherd, to bring many Shiite families into His sheepfold during this important season.

Pass around a sign up sheet to friends at church or work, and as a group cover entire days and nights in prayer and fasting for Shiites during Ashura!

Some GREAT RESOURCES are available to help you, your family, and your friends

pray:

Ten Day Prayer Guide, download a PDF copy at http://www.shbride.blogspot.com

Available in English, Chinese, Korean, and Portuguese

7 Minute Music DVD, WORTH MORE THAN RUBIES, produced by Create

International available for purchase at http://www.createinternational.com/.

Share the Ten Day Prayer Guide and Worth More than Rubies DVD with your church family. Show the DVD to your Sunday School class or Home Bible Study Group. Make it available in a prayer room at church, work, or school, along with copies of the Ten Day Prayer Guide.

Did you know?

Shiite Muslims are about 15% of the world's Muslims. They are the majority in lands

like Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Bahrain. They also live in lands including Syria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan. They can be found all over the world. You very well may have a Shiite family living in your city or town!

You probably have heard of these famous Shiites:

Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan's former Prime Minister, assassinated in late 2007

Muqtadar al-Sadr, Shiite Leader in Iraq

Hassan Nasrallah, Leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon

Mahmoud Ahmadinjejad, President of Iran

Ayatollah Khomeini, Founder and Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who died in 1989

God moved mightily during Ashura the past two years when many followers of Jesus prayed and fasted for Shiites.

Let's agree together in Jesus' name this year, Dec. 29, 2008-Jan. 7, 2009. As we ask Him to bring many Shiite families into His sheepfold, let's see what God will do!

"The nations are reached through spiritual breakthroughs that come by fasting and prayer." Hunger for God, John Piper, Crossway, 1997, p. 95.

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Sh Br 47: Waiting and Watching

2008-09-02T12:40:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.” John 4:25-26 NIV

Shiites have been expectantly waiting for Someone for centuries.

In the eighth century a special man among Shiites vanished in Iraq. He is affectionately remembered by Shiites as the Mehdi, and ever since he disappeared, they have been waiting in anticipation for his return. His homecoming is significant because Shiites believe the Mehdi will come back to establish justice on the earth.

Recently over three million Shiite Muslims from around the world traveled to their holy city of Karbala, Iraq to make an annual pilgrimage in honor of the Mehdi. Some Shiites in Iraq even marched up to seven days to join the important ceremonies.

Extremists often target Shiite festivals. Recent festivities in Iraq proved to be no different. Although there were many security measures taken by the Iraqi government, at least 36 Shiites were killed just walking from other parts of Iraq to get to Karbala and at least 6 Shiites headed to Karbala were killed in a car bombing. But possibly the worst attack against the Shiite pilgrims came when two women suicide bombers killed 22 people and wounded at least 73.

Today, friend of His Shiite Bride, pray for Shiites as they make pilgrimages. Ask that they will encounter Jesus and begin to follow him. For millions of Shiites eagerly awaiting the Mehdi’s return, pray that Jesus captivates their hearts and becomes their Only Hope. Pray that Shiites discover the Messiah has come and that His name is Jesus.

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Sh Br 46: Abundantly More

2008-08-12T02:09:00.002Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,
according to the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the church in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
forever and ever. Amen. - Eph. 3:2021 ESV

Do you know how much it matters that you are asking God in faith to do great things among Shiites? God has been listening to you, dear friend of His Shiite Bride!

Recently I met a precious Shiite follower of Jesus whom I will call Ali. He told me in village after village, and city after city in his land, God is miraculously healing Shiites and bringing many of them into Jesus' sheepfold.

I asked Ali if he had ever seen anyone raised from the dead. His eyes got really big and he smiled, "Oh, yes! One! We've had one."

He said that he and nine other Shiite followers of Jesus gathered around the body of a dead Shiite man and began to pray. "We prayed, and we prayed," Ali told me, "and we asked God to raise him back to life."

At this point, like an airport ground person waving his arms up and down to direct an airplane into it's proper gate, Ali extended his arms down and then UP and said, "God raised him back to life! The man sat right up in that hospital bed and then we began to really praise God together!"

God answered those believers' prayer inside the hospital room in that staunchly Shiite land, and YOUR prayer as well wherever you are, friend of His Shiite Bride.

Imagine my joy when followers of Jesus from that land told me that so many Shiites are beginning to follow Jesus there that "you cannot even count them!"

In fact, a couple of them told me that in a year or two, they expect their entire city of nearly two million people will have heard the Good News and responded to follow Jesus.

Does God do far more abundantly than all that we can ask or think? (Eph. 3:20) YES!

Not every area where Shiites live has heard the Good News and experienced the tsunami of God like Ali's homeland, but pray they will hear, and ask God to move in their lands as well.

Keep asking God to display His awesome power to Shiites. From now through the end of Ramadan in September, Friend of His Shiite Bride, pray they come into Jesus' sheepfold by the tens of thousands!

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Sh Br 45: He Counts Their Tears

2008-07-03T18:53:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

You have kept record of my days of wandering. You have stored my tears in your bottle and counted each of them. Psalm 56:8 (CEV)

Crying softly as she waddled into the women’s room of the mosque, the older Shiite woman determinedly proceeded to the center of the room. Her tears became more intense as she pressed her body, clad in a flowing black garment from her head to her toes, against the shrine which the room encircled.

This extravagantly decorated shrine is seen by many Shiites as having supernatural importance because it is home to the body of Ruqiyeh, the daughter of Imam Hussein, revered as holy by Shiites. Although she has been dead for centuries, her resting place is believed to house a great deal of power for those who pray there.

After resting against the colorful shrine for a while, the sobbing woman suddenly crumbled to the floor. For minutes she laid next to the shrine, still grasping its exterior bars with her hands.

At first her tears were quiet, but gradually genuine outcries of despair followed. All of the sudden the woman, still prostrate on the floor, began to illegibly yell and loudly cry out as her body went into convulsions.

Causing quite a scene, many of the other Shiite women in the room quickly abandoned their prayers and fellowship with others to encompass the space around the desperate woman. Her piercing cries were not quenched for a long time.

Right now, there is a desperate cry emanating from Shiites at over 25 different shrines throughout the Middle East, Arabian Peninsula, and Central Asia.

How can they find peace without knowing and following Christ?

Pray for Shiites like this woman who are desperately crying out at shrines, wanting to experience blessing and power through dead saints. Pray they cry out to God and discover the blessing and power that comes only from Him, the Lord of heaven and earth.

Friend of His Shiite Bride, let’s pray that thousands of Shiites encounter Jesus when they visit special shrines in the coming days.

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Sh Br 43: Beloved Update

2008-06-09T11:16:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Isaiah 55:11, NLT

Dear Friend of His Shiite Bride,

In March you prayed for Zeina, a 23 year old Shiite follower of Jesus, who, along with other believers in the Middle East distributed a small booklet called "Beloved Women of God." Thank you for praying!

Guess what? We are starting to hear stories of people whose lives have been changed after reading and hearing the stories of Jesus in that booklet.

A Shiite MAN called her last week saying, "I found you! I've been searching for you ever since I received and read a copy of 'Beloved Women of God.' I love the Messiah, too, and wonder, will you please come teach me and some others here how to follow Jesus?"

Zeina said he was crying on the phone and said, "I really, really love Jesus. There are many of us in this area who have read your booklet and we want to follow the Messiah. Please come teach us about him."

Pray for Zeina as she meets this man and his friends. Ask that they will grow into a thriving community of faith in Jesus that will replicate into many other new communities of faith in Jesus among Shiites.

Continue to pray for many Shiites and others - both men and women - to hear the Good News through this booklet and through other scripture media tools that are being distributed.

Pray that many Shiites - more than we can count - begin to follow Jesus' teachings, and pray they will walk joyfully and obediently in His ways.

Zeina took a small booklet a dear friend wrote, added her unique perspective as a Shiite follower of Jesus, and had it professionally printed. It's called "Beloved Women of God," and each page features a simple New Testament story in Arabic showing how Jesus interacted with women.

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Sh Br 42: Reconciliation

2008-05-28T17:49:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Soon - and it will not be very long - the forests of Lebanon will become a fertile field, and the fertile field will yield bountiful crops. In that day the deaf will hear words read from a book, and the blind will see through the gloom and darkness. - Isaiah 29:17-18, NLT

I lost track of how many individuals and groups around the world were praying and fasting for Lebanon the past few weeks! Lebanon was moving at a rapid pace towards all out civil war, and believers from lands including Korea, England, the USA, Sweden, Brazil, and here in the Middle East - from Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, and here in Lebanon, all got down on their knees and prayed.

One large group gathered in Lebanon during the fighting, on the Global Day of Prayer, May 11, and this is what they said:

"When we started the gathering there were very few people present and it was understandable, but to our surprise, slowly and surely the whole space was quickly filled to the overflow."

The time was exceptional and as we proclaimed II Chronicles 7: 14 'If my people who are called by my name would repent from their evil ways, humble themselves, and seek my face, I will hear their prayers and heal their land,' a spirit of repentance came over every person attending, over all the priests and pastors and even on our TV audience as the event was broadcast live all over the earth. Truly we heard testimonies of people kneeling with us in their homes and joining us in prayer for the Spirit of the Lord to inhabit Lebanon."

Many of you prayed. God heard! Everyone in Lebanon is saying, "It's a miracle!" Many are saying, "God did this."

Last week, after six days of deliberations in Qatar between various leaders from Lebanon and other countries, the violence in Lebanon quickly subsided, a president was elected, the airport and streets reopened, and life in Lebanon got back to normal - a new normal.

This past weekend, young men wearing yellow baseball caps removed hundreds of opposition tents, picked up trash, and planted fresh flowers - by the thousands - in downtown Beirut. Lebanon's new president, Michel Suleiman, said he will be working under one slogan: Reconciliation.

On Saturday, May 24, one day before he took his oath of office, Suleiman told An Nahar Daily: "My era will be devoted to reconciliation and (building) understanding."

Even though street battles are flaring up occasionally and on-going dissension still pits rival groups against each other in Lebanon - many of them Shiite, there is a beautiful peace - a reprieve of Mercy.

Look back in history, dear friend of His Shiite Bride, and see how God displays His power when believers take seriously their role to love and obey God together. When they collectively fast and pray, when they worship Him in spirit and truth, and when they live out their faith through tangible acts of justice and mercy, God is magnified and entire communities - yes, entire countries - are changed.

Keep praying that "in a very short time Lebanon will become again a fertile field and then the lame shall walk, the blind shall see and the deaf shall hear the good news."

Pray that millions of Shiites in Lebanon see and hear, and walk and run with the good news, telling others.

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Sh Br 41: Under His Wings

2008-05-13T17:56:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalm 91:4 NLT

Pray that Shiite children and their parents hear and discover God's faithful promises, and experience the joy and comfort of being under His wings.

Friend of His Shiite Bride, in the midst of violence in his land, one little Shiite boy is discovering how wonderful God's feathers are.

Hadi is an 11 year old Shiite Muslim boy living in Beirut. A few days ago gunmen stormed his neighborhood. He watched as snipers walked the streets and picked out victims from rooftops near his home.

During a lull in the fighting, Hadi happily walked to our home so he could play with our son. As we sat around the table eating lunch together, we began to talk about the recent fighting, the noise, the gunmen.

"I've been thinking about how God is like a mother bird who puts us under her wings and protects us from storms," I said. "Don't you feel like little birds these days?" I asked the boys.

"I feel like an ANT," Hadi said. "A very small ant. And a big lizard is coming after me."

We talked more together. The fighting was scary. We did feel small, quite helpless, really. But God was with us, and He will continue to be with us, no matter what.

Just before he left our home, Hadi stretched his arms out wide like a large bird and said, "I think God is like an eagle!"

"YES! And he puts his wings around us like this," I said, embracing Hadi. He smiled.

Minutes later as Hadi walked back home with my husband and our son, Hadi said, "I wish I could stay all day and night at your house. My parents know I would be safe with you, but they are afraid these days."

Pray with us that Hadi - and many other Shiite children like him - discover the haven of belonging to Jesus no matter what home or what city they find themselves in.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In the past week in Lebanon, fierce street battles have killed over 60 people and nearly 200 have been injured. Shiites are involved in this fighting, along with other groups.

For more insight into the current crisis in Lebanon and its global implications, check out this article from BBC's Middle East Analyst, Roger Hardy: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7392013.stm

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Sh Br 40: History Speaks

2008-04-27T20:35:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Jesus said, "Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true." Luke 22:37 NLT

In a recent visit, I met with Hassan, a young leader in a Shiite community.

He asked me the question, "What is the difference between the Passover and Easter?"

In the discussion that followed, I was able to share the story of the Passover from the Old Testament and tie it to the events of the last week of Jesus' ministry before his death. Our discussion continued for over an hour as questions were asked and answers were given.

As our time together came to a close, Hassan said, "I never knew that Isa al-Messih's (Jesus the Messiah) execution had to be rushed, so it would happen before sunset in order to avoid breaking Jewish law."

Hassan went on to tell me, "I was not aware of the connection between the events that took place in the Old Testament and how they spoke of Isa's life and death!"

The Shiite community is steeped in tradition and the events of history.

They have their own stories that tie their past to the present and help them make sense of current events, and enable them to explain their faith and beliefs.

Due to their understanding of the importance of tying the past to the present, many Shiites are eager to know how Isa al-Messih fits into the whole picture of Jewish, Christian and Islamic beliefs. Thank God that history speaks so that more Shiites can understand and follow Jesus!

Friend of His Shiite Bride, pray that Hassan, his family, and other Shiite families who are seeking ways to connect the dots of history will clearly see that Isa al-Messih is the center of history, worthy of their complete allegiance and their total worship and devotion at this very present time in history.

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Sh Br 39: M's Dream

2008-04-13T23:49:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

"Nicodemus exclaimed, 'How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?' Jesus replied, 'I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.' Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life." John 3:4-6 NLT

Maryam and Yusef have been in the United States for only 5 months. They are Iraqi Shiite refugees who fled their country due to the war and came to the USA looking for a new life.

Here is part of a dream that Maryam had at 5:50 AM on Easter Sunday morning!

In her dream, Maryam was sitting while looking at 200 children playing off in the distance. Jesus came to her, dressed in a white robe, walking with a staff. He joined her in watching the children. All the children recognized Him as Jesus.

Maryam told Jesus that she had nothing, but He told her she was wrong. Then, (remember, this is in her dream!) Jesus reached into her womb and pulled out 200 eggs. The eggs looked like pearls and were glowing. She was amazed.

Jesus then tossed the eggs on the ground towards the children. The children excitedly exclaimed, "EGGS!!!" and then came rushing towards Maryam. She smiled, and turned to look at Jesus, but He was gone.

Believers in the Middle East began to share Jesus with Maryam and Yusef long before they ever set foot on American soil, and now this Iraqi Shiite couple is surrounded by people in a local church in the USA who are helping them settle in and adjust to life in their new land.

Friend of His Shiite Bride, pray this week for Maryam and Yusef to understand who Jesus is and to give themselves to Him. Pray that the 200 eggs Maryam saw Jesus pull from her womb will become 200 real Shiite Muslims who are born again and enter the Kingdom of God through Maryam and Yusef's influence. Pray, too, that many, many children come to Jesus when they see those EGGS, those Shiites who are following Jesus!

In these days, there are many Shiites coming to the United States. Some are coming to small towns and some to large cities, but all are looking for some hope and a NEW LIFE.

Many of these Shiites are hurting and lonely and are open to a smiling face and an open heart that stands out from the many faces they will see that are filled with fear and misunderstanding.

Will you be a face of fear or faith? Can Jesus use you tell the Shiites in the United States why Jesus matters? Will you look around you this week and see the Shiites around you as Jesus sees them?

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Sh Br 38: Beloved Update

2008-03-30T21:49:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

The news raced through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord.
Acts 9:42 NLT

This was the news that raced through the whole town of Joppa long ago:
"Peter has raised young Tabitha from the dead!"

We don't have that particular kind of news to share with you in this special update today, dear friend of His Shiite Bride, but we do have something else to tell you: many Muslim women are hearing that Jesus is a miracle worker, and the news is racing through the whole town and beyond!

Remember the booklet called "Beloved Women of God" that you've been praying would help Shiite women discover they are beloved women of God? As you know, each page of this booklet features a simple New Testament story in Arabic showing how Jesus interacted with women; hundreds of copies were given out over the past couple of weeks as part of a Mother's Day celebration in the Middle East.

Zeina called us a few days ago and said that the Muslim owner of the print shop that printed the "Beloved" booklets wants to print MORE copies because of the on-going demand for the booklet, and - get this - he does not want to charge Zeina!

This is part of the "give and take" we have in this society, but isn't it wonderful that the Muslim owner of the print shop wants to print more of the "Beloved" booklets? He even wants his daughter to get forty copies so she can share the booklet with more of her friends!

Thank God that the good news of Jesus' miracles among women is racing through the whole town through this little booklet. Pray that many will believe and begin to follow Jesus.

Pray that many more Arabic speaking women read and hear these stories of Jesus' miracles among women, and pray they come to know that they, too, are Beloved Women of God.

Pray for Zeina to continue to have God's favor and blessing with the owner of this print shop, her family, and other people in her life.

Pray for all the Muslim girls and women who are starting to hear the Shepherd's voice, and ask Him to bring many of them into His sheepfold! (John 10:16)

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Sh Br 38: Beloved

2008-03-22T00:03:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Zeina is a 23 year old Shiite follower of Jesus. Will you pray for her this week and a wonderful project she is working on to reach Shiite women?

Zeina took a small booklet a dear friend wrote, added her unique perspective as a Shiite follower of Jesus, and had it professionally printed. It's called "Beloved Women of God," and each page features a simple New Testament story in Arabic showing how Jesus interacted with women.

Followers of Jesus are distributing these booklets to Shiite women in several lands over the next few days leading up to Mother's Day, which is this Friday, March 21, in Middle Eastern countries.

As you remember our Savior's Amazing Love this Good Friday and celebrate His resurrection this Easter Sunday, will you thank Him that He is still transforming women's lives in the Middle East? Pray for Shiite women who will encounter Jesus as they read and hear the following stories.

Luke 7:36-50
A woman broke an alabaster bottle of perfume over Jesus' feet and washed his feet with her tears.

John 8:3-11
A woman was caught in adultery but when Jesus wrote in the dirt, all her accusers left. Jesus said, "Go your way, and from now on, sin no more."

Luke 8:43-48
A woman had a hemorrhage for 12 years but when she touched Jesus' garment she was immediately healed.

John 4:1-26
A woman met Jesus at a well in Samaria. He asked her for a drink, and ended up telling her everything she had ever done. He told her God is looking for true worshippers who will worship Him in spirit and truth.

Luke 13:10-17
A woman had a sickness and could not stand up straight for 18 years. Jesus laid hands on her and immediately she was healed and began glorifying God.

Luke 7:11-17
A widow's only son died. When Jesus saw her, he had compassion on her, touched the coffin, and said, "Young man, I say to you, Arise." The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave the boy back to his mother.

Friend of His Shiite Bride, pray for Shiite women who will be reading and hearing these stories about Jesus. As the booklet is read and shared orally with other women who cannot read, pray that many Shiite women will discover that they are "Beloved Women of God."

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Sh Br 37: Plans for Good

2008-03-03T22:10:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

plans for welfare and not for evil,

to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11, ESV

Today, dear friend of His Shiite Bride, we share a story from a follower of Jesus and her family living and loving God among Shiites.

Thirteen year old Hussein turned in circles and squealed with excitement at our visit. "Ahlan wa sahlan! Ahlan wa sahlan!" - Welcome! Welcome!

Hussein's mother, Fatima, looked embarrassed and a bit tired from his commotion as we entered their home. I sat down beside Fatima and listened to her recount the story of Hussein's diagnosis. My heart was filled with a mix of emotions. From God's perspective, he was a perfect gift sent by Him to them. Hussein seemed smart, energetic and happy, but he was unaware of the shame his family seemed to feel for him because he was autistic and slightly retarded.

I grasped Fatima's hand as the words "I'm pregnant" fell from her mouth. In the same breath she announced, "And I don't want this baby! What if he turns out like Hussein?" My heart burned with emotion as she spoke the words. I had never heard these words spoken by any devout Shiite woman before.

Fatima needed a touch of grace from the Lord to see His plans for her life and Hussein's. Followers of Jesus began to surround Fatima with a cord of grace, a resource she did not know.

Recently she decided not to go through with her plan of abortion. For the first time in her life, Fatima is experiencing selfless love given to her by followers of Jesus. She is beginning to understand what it means to have hope and strength for the future, not in herself, but in God.

Please continue to pray for Hussein, his mother Fatima, and their entire family as they prepare for the birth of this new baby. Pray that their eyes would be opened to the truth, hope, light and mercy of Jesus! Pray for many Shiite women who are pregnant now - that they will know the plans God has for them and their babies - plans for welfare and not for evil, to give them a future and a hope.

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Sh Br 36: Almost Persuaded

2008-02-13T21:31:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Almost Persuaded

And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me. But don't begin until you count the cost....So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me. Luke 14:27-28, 33 NLT

Ali and Hammad are brothers born into a Shiite family. They have experienced civil war and foreign invasion and occupation. They were constantly told about the need to regain honor by getting revenge, but what their hearts longed for was peace.

One day, Ali heard about a foreigner in a nearby village who was telling people about a way to have peace, so he went to see him - and laughed in his face. The story was "ridiculous" that he could have peace with God because Issa ibn Maryam had died and been raised to life to pay for his sins. Everyone knew that wasn't true.

And yet, the story and the love he felt from the foreigner kept drawing him back, and over time, he accepted that Jesus really is the Way, the Truth and the Life! He began telling others about Jesus, and his brother, Hammad, was also drawn to this new Way of Peace.

Even though he is not ready to call himself a follower of Jesus yet, Hammad often goes to the foreigner and says, "Let's go tell my friend about Jesus." He regularly attends Bible studies with his brother and shares what he is learning with many of his friends and associates.

Hammad says he's "about 80% there" - that he is almost ready to commit his life to Jesus. Let's pray he gives up everything to follow Jesus!

Pray that Hammad keeps sharing the Good News with others. Hammad has high status in his community because he is a friend of an influential Shiite sheikh. Pray that Hammad and his Shiite sheikh will follow Jesus, and through both of them, pray that many more in their Shiite community will hear the Good News and begin to follow Jesus, too.

Pray for Ali to continue to be bold and to share the Good News of salvation with his family and his Shiite neighbors. May many Shiite families begin to count the cost and become Jesus' disciples this year!

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Sh Br 35: Family, Join Me

2008-02-01T05:24:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

The power of the Lord was upon them, and large numbers of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. Acts 11:21 NLT

Today, Friend of His Shiite Bride, hear from a follower of Christ who loves God among Shiites:

In recent weeks I have spent time with a Shiite follower of Christ whom I will call Hassan. After the death of Hassan's mother he was placed in an orphanage where he not only heard about the love of Jesus, but was able to see it in the lives of the orphanage staff. He decided to follow Jesus, and soon was influential in seeing two of his sisters make the decision to follow Jesus, too.

Today Hassan is studying God's Word, learning to know and follow Him. He is sensing God leading him back to live and work among his extended family. He is preparing himself for the day he can return to the part of his country where his relatives live.

Pray for Hassan and for others like him who are sensing a call to return to their families to share the light of Christ. Many obstacles stand in their way, so ask God to open doors wide for them to share the Good News with their relatives. Ask God to make their families eager and ready to receive the Truth.

May the power of the Lord be upon Shiite followers of Christ like Hassan, so that ALL their relatives will follow Jesus and join them inside Jesus' sheepfold!

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Sh Br: Thank You

2008-01-21T16:23:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

So God has given us both his promise and his oath...Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence. This confidence is like a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. Heb. 6:18-19 NLT

Dear Friend of His Shiite Bride,

THANK YOU for praying and fasting with us during Ashura! Let us know what you and your friends did, and tell us what God showed you as you prayed and fasted for Shiites during Ashura.

Reports are trickling in and we will have much to share with you in the days ahead. For now, be encouraged by what He did as we prayed and fasted together the past ten days. Here are two highlights:

An entire Sh community heard and saw the Good News when some Asian believers were able to perform a pantomime drama on the life of Jesus inside a mosque last week!

An entire Sh family heard God's Word read aloud to them by their literate daughter, and now the whole family, through the head of the household, is asking to be baptized!

Please continue to pray for us and for Shiites as the Holy Spirit leads you. In the midst of these awesome deeds of God, emergencies and threats are happening on every side for those of us who love and serve God among Shiites.

Pray that we will be wise as serpents and as gentle as doves in these days so we can keep listening to our Shepherd's voice and continue joining Him in His unrelenting, passionate pursuit of these precious people, the Shiites.

With our collective thanks,

Friends of His Shiite Bride

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Sh Br: 34

2008-01-16T19:23:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Dear Friend of His Shiite Bride,

Remember: Ashura continues through this Saturday, Jan. 19. Thank you for praying and fasting with us during this important time.

Then Moses said, "If you don't go with us personally, don't let us move a step from this place. If you don't go with us, how will anyone ever know we have found favor with you? How else will they know we are special and distinct from all other people on earth?" And the Lord replied to Moses, "I will indeed do what you have asked, for you have found favor with me, and you are my friend." Ex. 33:15-17 NLT

Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. Joshua 1:3 NKJV

Many of us who follow Jesus among Shiites need God's favor right now! Will you pray that God goes personally with us this week? Pray that He answers you and us on the Shiites' behalf because we have found favor with Him and He calls you and us His friends. Pray that God gives us the land we set our feet on this week. Pray that we receive the inheritance He has promised among Shiites.

Specifically, pray for these followers of Jesus loving God among Shiites this week:

One family plans to move to a Shiite village soon. They need a miracle from God to have His favor there even before they get to meet the Shiite leaders of the village. Pray for them as they prepare their resume this week.
A Shiite follower of Jesus is giving candy and little notebooks with scripture verses to Shiite children this Friday and Saturday. She will talk with the children about Jesus, and plans to pray with their mothers.
Four young men and their two local guides need special permission from government authorities and Shiite religious authorities to enter sensitive, conservative areas where Shiites are gathering this week for Ashura.
A family has been waiting for over 8 months for some important paperwork to go through. Pray that their residency and work permit gets approved this week so they can continue working among Shiites.
A little boy needs God's favor to be Jesus' salt and light with his Shiite friends at school.
A young woman needs God's continued favor with her Shiite "family of peace." They want to get her a job teaching at a Shiite school, but there are many logistics still to work out.
A family is asking for God's power to continue their leadership position joining Him among Shiites.
Several men need favor when they pray and talk with Shiite seekers of God at shrines and mosques this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

May these followers of Jesus and others like them have God's favor this week as they join God among Shiites. May many Shiite families hear the Shepherd's voice and enter His sheepfold during Ashura!

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Sh Br: Jan. 10-19, 2008

2008-01-10T11:18:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Dear Friend of His Shiite Bride,

Thank you for praying for Shiites during Ashura! We want you to know that due to variations in using the Lunar Calendar, Ashura officially begins for most Shiite Muslims on Thursday, Jan. 10, and will conclude on Saturday, Jan. 19.

If you and your friends are already planning to pray and fast beginning Jan. 12th, as we have asked, that is great! However, if you are able to begin NOW, you will be praying according to the days Shiite families are observing Ashura around the world.

Don't forget to take a look at the brand new two minute video trailer called "Worth More Than Rubies," prepared especially to help you pray for Shiites. Check it out, and order the full 7 minute music video at: http://www.createinternational.com.

Do you have a copy of the Ten Day Prayer Guide to help you pray and fast for Shiites during Ashura? If you need more copies for friends or do not have a copy for yourself yet, visit http://www.shbride.blogspot.com to download a PDF copy of the guide in English, Chinese, or Portuguese.

May God do exceedingly above all we can even ask or imagine this year as we collectively pray and fast for Shiites during Ashura, Jan. 10-19, 2008!

Joyfully alongside you - all for His glory,

Your Friends and Family among Shiites

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Sh Br #33: Join Us Jan. 12-21!

2008-01-01T18:10:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Jesus said, "Where two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together because they are mine (in my name), I am there among them." Matthew 18:19-20, NLT

As we begin 2008, dear friend of His Shiite Bride, we ask you to join us in His Name for a holy time of prayer and fasting for Shiite Muslims.

Jan. 12-21, 2008, Shiite Muslims all over the earth will set aside ten days for collective lamentation and remembrance in an event they call Ashura. They will pray and weep, seeking God's favor and blessing.

Will YOU as a Follower of Jesus pray and fast for Shiite Muslims during these ten important days of Ashura? Set aside part of the day or night Jan. 12-21, 2008 and ask Jesus, our Good Shepherd, to bring many Shiite families into His sheepfold during this important season. Pass around a sign up sheet to friends at church or work, and as a group cover entire days and nights in prayer and fasting for Shiites during Ashura!

Some GREAT RESOURCES are available to help you, your family, and your friends pray:

Ten Day Prayer Guide, download a PDF copy at http://www.shbride.blogspot.com Available in English, Chinese, and Portuguese

7 Minute Music Video, WORTH MORE THAN RUBIES, produced by Create International View a 2 minute trailer and purchase WORTH MORE THAN RUBIES on DVD for $9.95 plus postage (for a limited time only) at http://www.createinternational.com

Share the Ten Day Prayer Guide and Worth More than Rubies Video Trailer and DVD with your church family. Show the DVD to your Sunday School class or Home

Bible Study Group. Make it available in a prayer room at church, work, or school, along with copies of the Ten Day Prayer Guide.

Did you know?

Shiite Muslims are about 15% of the world's Muslims. They are the majority in lands like Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Bahrain. They also live in lands including Syria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan. They can be found all over the world. You very well may have a Shiite family living in your city or town!

You probably have heard of these famous Shiites:

Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan's former Prime Minister who was assassinated last week.
Muqtadar al-Sadr, Shiite Leader in Iraq
Hassan Nasrallah, Leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon
Mahmoud Ahmadinjejad, President of Iran
Ayatollah Khomeini, Founder and Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who died in 1989

God moved mightily during Ashura last year, Jan. 21-30, 2007, when many followers of Jesus prayed and fasted for Shiites. Let's agree together in Jesus' name this year, Jan. 12-21, 2008. As we ask Him to bring many Shiite families into His sheepfold, let's see what God will do!

"The nations are reached through spiritual breakthroughs that come by fasting and prayer." Hunger for God, John Piper, Crossway, 1997, p. 95.

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Sh Br #32: The Lamb

2007-12-18T22:44:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus,
for he will save his people from their sins.
Matt. 1:21 NLT

The sacrifices...were repeated year after year,
but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship...
But our High Priest offered himself to God as one sacrifice for sins, good for all time.
Heb. 10:1, 12 NLT

I will never forget a few years ago when we watched as our neighbors took a large ram and killed it outside our kitchen window. Never before had I seen a lamb sacrificed to honor and please God - I had just read about it. I thought it was only in Bible times, but not today. But this was real. This was right in front of me. This was our neighbors!

Today, sheep are for sale in little "sheepfold pens" in many countries around the world, including where we live, because in just a few days, many Muslim families - both Shiite and Sunni - will once again buy a lamb, sacrifice it, and cook a special meal to share with their family and needy people in their neighborhood for Aed Al-AdHa, Feast of the Sacrifice.

Families will exchange gifts, like many of us give gifts at Christmas. Children will receive new clothes and toys. Families will visit their relatives. It is a happy time. One Shiite family of peace - true seekers of Jesus - asked if they could eat turkey with us sometime over this holiday!

This week is also the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca for many Muslims - both Shiite and Sunni - who want to make this important pilgrimage at least once before they die. As part of their ritual in Mecca, they will sacrifice lambs as part of the Feast of the Sacrifice.

This week as you see the reports on the Hajj and think of our neighbors, both Shiite and Sunni families who are sacrificing a lamb this week, will you pray that they see THE LAMB WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD?

Pray that Shiite families and Sunni families will encounter Jesus, receive cleansing once and for all, and begin following Him in droves.

Did you know some Muslims have come to know and follow Christ while on the Hajj? Check out our friends website to see this video dramatization based on the true story of Ali. Visit: www.godnews.podomatic.com and select Vid.Cast#6, The Story of Ali.

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Sh Br #32: The Lamb

2007-12-18T22:22:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus,
for he will save his people from their sins.
Matt. 1:21 NLT

Pray that Shiite families and Sunni families will encounter Jesus, receive cleansing once and for all, and begin following Him in droves.

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Sh Br #31: His Amazing Ways

2007-12-03T21:22:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)

A South Asian believer living in the Middle East recently asked God to put him in prison so he could share Jesus with Arab Muslim guys living there. God answered his prayer and put him in prison, even though all his residency papers with that Middle Eastern country's government were in order and he had done nothing wrong! For two months, he shared the gospel message with 81 other prisoners, and many responded, wanting to follow Jesus!

I stand amazed at this kind of faith. This kind of burning heart to share Jesus' message of Hope - even if it means going to prison to share the Good News. Don't you want to be more like that?!

Guess what? That South Asian believer is out of prison now. Shiite Muslim families are inviting him and other believers into their homes to pray for the sick, and people are getting healed - every week!

When Shiites are getting healed, they are saying to these South Asian followers of Jesus, "We don't understand what you are praying, but we know you are praying to Jesus, and we know this is the right way. Please bring us something in our language so we can know more about him."

That is just what these South Asian believers from a thriving church in the Middle East are doing: giving God's Word in Arabic on audio tape and in printed form to Shiite families who are hungry to know more about Jesus...this wonderful Savior, in whose name the lame walk and cancer-ridden bodies are healed. Shiites are being healed, and many Shiites are being saved.

Friend of His Shiite Bride, praise God today that many Shiites are being healed and asking to know more about Jesus. Thank God that Shiite families are hearing God's Word, and reading God's Word, many for the very first time.

Pray that Shiite families will HEAR God's Word, SHARE God's Word, GROW in God's Word, and GROUP around God's Word in the Middle East where these South Asian believers are faithfully proclaiming His Truth, and in other lands around the world where Shiite families call home.

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Sh Br: #30 Take Delight

2007-11-21T13:52:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires. Psalm 37:4-5, NLT

Today, dear friend of His Shiite Bride, we introduce you to Sara, a follower of Jesus from the United States who is learning to take delight in the Lord. On a recent trip to India, God began to give her the desires of her heart to join Him among Shiites.

God is good all the time! After a whole week of doing His work in a small Hindu village in India, He completely surprised me.

I knew God was leading me to go on a short trip to a small town in central East India. A few days before the trip, we got word that instead of having to take a 12 hour train ride, we were able to get connecting flights in two other airports.

On my way home we landed in the Hyderabad airport in southern India, and it was there that I saw them. Shiite Muslims! More than I could count. Shiite lady after Shiite lady clad in black. I was overwhelmed.

As I was waiting in line for my bags to get cleared I showed my hand to a woman that was standing nearby. We both had a design painted on our hands. She was covered from head to toe, and all I could see were her eyes. As I showed her my hand, her eyes began to squint and I could see that her cheekbones had risen. She was smiling!

On this particular trip, I had been sharing my desire to go to the Middle East with a friend. I had been asking God to give my friend a heart for the Shiites and to come with me to love Jesus in their midst next summer.

We were just finishing talking about it. And right in front of us, there at the airport, was a sign with the name of the country in the Middle East where believers have invited me and some friends to go next summer!

As I am delighting in Him, He has been giving me the desires of my heart, and now I must trust that this desire will come to pass so I can go spend some extended time loving Him among Shiites in the Middle East next summer.

Friend of His Shiite Bride, ask God to continue to give Sara the desires of her heart to join Him among Shiites. Ask God for more "holy connections" like this between followers of Christ and Shiites. Ask that wherever in the world they are, Shiites will see and hear the Truth and experience Christ's love through believers who delight in God and put their trust in Him.

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Sh Br 29: Father's Day 2008

2007-11-05T16:16:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
I Cor. 12:4-6 NKJV

Every two weeks we send you a story about what God is doing among Shiites, and together, we pray for Shiites. Today, dear friend of His Shiite Bride, we have something different for you.

We want to invite you to participate in three amazing days to be Jesus' salt and light among Shiite families June 13-15, 2008. Friends of ours with a group called Impact International plan and carry out family friendly events for Shiite families and others in Dearborn, Michigan, just outside Detroit, every Father's Day weekend, as part of an annual Arab Festival. They need people like you to come and help!

Whether you start praying for this event now (and we want you to do that!) or you begin making plans to go and help, you won't regret joining God among Shiites in this special way.

People are needed next summer who will help:

Set up and clean up

Work in the children's tent to oversee crafts and talk with kids Work in the parking lots Assist Festival leadership Conduct surveys Serve on the hospitality team Work at the snow cone booth Do roaming activities like making balloon animals, doing illusions, etc.

This is a tangible opportunity for you, Friend of His Shiite Bride, to be Jesus' hands and feet among Shiites, to serve their community, respect their culture, and exchange friendship. Will you say yes to our invitation?

Impact International provides training and orientation, so even if our invitation seems daunting to you now, please ask God if He wants to send you to Dearborn to join Him among precious Shiites there.

For more information, visit Impact International's website at: http://www.impactint.net. Email our friend, Mike, the director of Impact International, if you can go and help: mike@impactint.net. Also, take a look at this 3 minute video on YouTube showing Impact International helping at last year's Dearborn Festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr-8_O-dKHU

Tell your friends! Begin praying with us that next Father's Day Weekend many Shiite families in Dearborn will come to know our Good Shepherd.

May He use us, His Body, with all our diverse gifts, ministries, and activities, to bring blessing and hope to Shiites wherever they are - whether it is in Dearborn, Los Angeles, Sao Paolo, Beirut, Damascus, Baghdad, or Tehran - wherever, whenever, may we be Jesus' hands and feet to them.

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Sh Br 28 Healing

2007-10-22T18:06:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well.
And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. James 5:15 NLT

She was bubbling with excitement this morning when she saw me: "There was this lady who came to our meeting yesterday. She hasn't been able to walk for 35 years, but when we all prayed for her, asking Jesus to heal her, she began to walk. She began to walk!"

My friend went on to describe three Shiite Muslim ladies who were at that same meeting: "You should have seen them! They were devout Shiites! They were right there beside us, lifting their hands in praise to God, eagerly praying to Jesus, crying, asking for healing."

A loving, faithful local pastor and friend whom we call "Uncle" recently received word from his doctors that his cancer has returned. Last week he began a round of chemotherapy. One local follower of Jesus began to cry, remembering him: "Who will take his place? Who will love us and help us the way he has done for so many years? Why does God allow these things to happen?"

In a very loving and respectful manner, her adult son, a Shiite follower of Jesus, looked at his mother and said, "Mother, you are talking like he has already died, but he is still with us, and God has the power and the authority to heal him! Let's pray that God will do just that and if God does choose to heal him, imagine what a testimony of Jesus' power that will be to all the people in this area!"

Friend of His Shiite Bride, will you join us to celebrate and thank God for the healings that we are starting to see - truly, nearly every week now - here in the Middle East?

Will you pray for Uncle, and ask God, in faith, to heal him? Pray with us and these dear Shiite followers of Jesus, that God sends his healing power. Pray that many families - Shiites, Bedouin, and Gypsies in this area where Uncle and his family pour out their lives in love to Jesus - will see Jesus' power and authority to heal and will begin to follow him. Ask God to strengthen Uncle and his entire family, and pray that they will keep running their races with endurance, in faith.

Remember Zeina, who we asked you to pray for in the last Shiite Bride email? The chocolate and scripture verse bookmarks that she and other local believers gave out to all the kids during the holiday right after Ramadan were a huge hit. Yesterday, she gathered 30 young adults together - most of them Shiite - to pray and ask Jesus what He wants them to do next to help needy children and their families. They piled their meager incomes together yesterday and went out and bought several children school books. God is up to something amazing with Ziena, and we will keep you posted.

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Sh Br 27 - Children and Chocolate

2007-10-09T17:05:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Jesus said to them, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them!

For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14, NLT

Today, friend of the Shiite Bride, meet Zeina, a 23 year old Shiite Muslim who loves and follows Jesus. She is doing something big to share the Good News with Shiites this week and we invite you to pray for her.

"I want to do something special for children who are poor, and let them know Jesus loves them. Will you help me?" Zeina asked me and my husband about a month ago.

"Sure, dear one, what do you want to do?" I asked her.

"Just before the Islamic holiday (following the end of Ramadan), let's give out hundreds of boxes of chocolate candy with a special card that has Jesus' words on it!" she excitedly told us.

My husband and I clearly sensed Zeina's boldness and vigor to carry out this God-given idea.

"Go for it!" I said. (Well, not in those words, but the Arabic equivalent!)

Along with some money we gave her for the project (from people like you), Zeina enlisted donations from Muslim businessmen for the cards and chocolates. Muslim friends of hers are even packaging up all the little boxes of chocolates with the scripture cards!

Even though Zeina is poor herself (in human terms), she is excited about blessing these little children who are poorer than she is - some of them live in homes without electricity and running water, and many go to bed at night with their tummies not quite full.

We estimate that by the time these Shiite children and their families see the scripture card and receive the chocolate this week, along with Zeina's Muslim friends who helped her put this project together, a minimum of FIVE THOUSAND SHIITE MUSLIMS and others will see and hear the following words of Jesus in their language this week:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Friend of His Shiite Bride, pray for these Shiite children and their families who will receive chocolate and the words of Jesus this week. Pray that they will come to know Jesus and will become partakers with us in the Kingdom of God.

Pray for Zeina and for other followers of Jesus who are distributing the decorative boxes of chocolates and the scripture card. Ask that they will have God's favor, boldness, love, and authority as they visit Shiite families and orphanages this week.

Together, let's agree with Jesus in our prayers: Let the little Shiite children come to You, Jesus, and don't let anyone stop them. Your Kingdom belongs to them!

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[ShBride 26] Desperate

2007-09-24T13:46:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation." Psalm 91:14-16 NLT

Here is a tender, heart-rending account from one of our family. She is a young follower of Jesus from America, who lived this past year in Baghdad where she taught English at a place we call "The Peace House."

*******

I am exhausted. We all are.

One of my good friends came into the office the other day, cracking jokes with a smile that never reached his eyes. After a little while, I asked him how his day had been going. He shrugged in his usual way and said, "So bad."

In his broken English, he told me that on his way into the office he had come upon on a bomb just minutes after it had exploded. All around him were bodies and body parts.

I watched him as he struggled to find a way to tell me, torn between wanting me to understand him and wishing that I didn't have to. He tells me his stories glassy eyed and without emotion. It's almost as if, years ago, the first bullet meant to take his life, killed his sense of feeling instead.

I watch and listen to the truth of life in this city unfold in the stories of every person who comes through our door. Every time I close my eyes I half expect to see the credits roll, as if it's all some terrible movie. It's reality though, a reality where it's a miracle every time I hear footsteps echoing down the hall outside my classroom door.

**********

Today, Friend of the Shiite Bride, will you pray for Shiites who are suffering? Pray for those who are hurt beyond our comprehension, who are numb from the depth of pain they have experienced, like this young man.

Whether they are caught on a street next to a horrible bomb that has just exploded, or are at home wondering how they can wake up and face tomorrow, pray that Shiites everywhere will call upon God and hear His answer. Ask Him to tangibly comfort Shiite families. Together, let's ask God to rescue Shiites and give them His salvation!

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[ShBride 24] Light Shine

2007-08-25T19:33:00.001Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.Matthew 5:16 ESV
"I am still searching." This was the response my new Iranian Shiite friend gave me when I asked him what he thought about Jesus.
Khosrow is an Iranian Shiite who lives in North America and is married to a born again believer. I was shocked to hear he had been on a mission trip with his wife to Africa. I was even more shocked when he handed me a pamphlet to help her raise money for a medical clinic for the poor in Central America.
His eyes sparkled as he talked about his wife's zeal for serving Jesus by serving the ones who are most needy. He said, "My wife is so excited about what she does and I like that!" It is evident that her faith is real and alive, and she is touching her husband's life.
Pray with us that God will give those Shiites that are "still searching" a bright light in their lives, so that they will see the good works of people who follow Jesus and give God glory. Pray that Shiite families will experience a new and living faith in God through Jesus when they see you and me letting our lights shine!

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[ShBride 23] They Won!

2007-08-04T23:25:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. Ps. 30:11-12, NLT

Recently on all the local television stations in the Middle East, we watched as jubilant Iraqis danced in the streets and shouted with joy because their soccer team won the Asian Cup!

You have seen and heard the plethora of tears and heart wrenching mourning emanating from Iraqi families in the midst of violence and death in their land.

Today, thank God with us for the JOY God gave many Iraqi Shiites when their football (soccer) team won the Asian Cup. As we watched Iraqis celebrating their big win, we kept envisioning what their celebration will be like someday - in the not too distant future - when millions of them passionately follow Jesus.

Pray with us that one day Shiites in Iraq (and the nearly two million Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan) will shout for joy because they know Jesus! Ask God to turn Iraqi Shiites' mourning into joyful dancing. Ask Him to remove their clothes of mourning and give them clothes of joy, so they can sing praises to God and not be silent.

Thank you for praying the past couple of weeks for God to unify His body living and working among Shiites. We are confident that God unifies His Body when He is preparing to WOW a community with His presence and transform them into a righteous nation who follow Him.

Will you take a further step when you finish reading today's Shiite Bride? We invite you and your family and friends to visit our friends' website that will enable you to adopt a specific city or neighborhood in Iraq to pray for three minutes a week. Sign up your group to pray three minutes a week at <http://www.iraqprayer.org>.

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[ShBride 22] Be One

2007-07-24T01:14:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Jesus prayed for his disciples in John 17:17-18, 21 (ESV):

"Set them apart for holy service to God. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world....that they may all BE ONE, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE that you have sent me."

Over the past couple of weeks many across the Islamic world have been watching TV, eagerly following the games of this year's Asian Cup, a huge soccer tournament. One team in particular has captured the emotional support of the whole Middle East. Their success is creating a glimpse of hope for their war ravaged land. That team is from Iraq and they have made it as far as the semi finals.

As each goal is made by the Iraqi team, TV announcers yell "GOOOAAAAAAL! GOOOAAAAAAL!!" and Iraqi nationals of all faiths unite in celebration. With each victory, thousands of Iraqis run into the streets to hug each other and wave their national flag in pride.

The Iraqi national soccer team, with its Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish players, is uniting their country even as bombings and killings are tearing their nation apart. A simple game of soccer is uniting Iraq in a way that dictators, armies, gangs, and religious leaders have not been able to do! Yet it is not the game itself that is uniting the country, but it is the manner in which the Iraqi team is playing and demonstrating unity with a common purpose. They are putting their differences aside for a common purpose: to win the Asian Cup.

We, as followers of Jesus writing to you today, have a common and holy purpose with you to see more Shiites follow Jesus and grow as his disciples. Even though we share a common purpose, we are diverse a bit like that Iraqi national soccer team! Just as Jesus prayed that his disciples would be one, as he and his Father are one, he wants us to be unified with each other and with him so the WORLD will believe Jesus is sent from God!

As you pray for Shiites across the world, give a prayer of thanks for the "Team" that is reaching out to them you and us! Pray that we will be one. Pray that we experience unity like we have never known before, so that many more Shiites will believe Jesus and follow him. Pray that we use our skills to compliment each other to score many "spiritual goals" in obedience to the Lord's instructions among Shiites.

May all heaven rejoice when we hear the Lord Himself shout to all of us, "GOOOOAAAAAAAL! Well done, my good and faithful servants."

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[ShBride 21] Narrow Door

2007-07-10T16:39:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Jesus told him (Thomas), "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6, NLT

Enter by the narrow gate....For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14, ESV

How does God bring a Shiite Muslim to Jesus? In many ways, dear friend. Today we want to tell you how God used His Word, a strange dream, and some followers of Jesus to help one Shiite lady encounter Him.

During a recent house church meeting in the Middle East, a new Shiite Follower of Christ named Ali asked if he could say something. With the pastor's permission, Ali stood up and said, "You people...in order for you to go to heaven and avoid going to hell, you must accept Christ, who is like no other prophet."

As Ali sat down, Betoul, a Shiite woman who was visiting for the first time that evening, looked at him with curious amazement. She had never heard anything like this before.

Later that night, God gave Betoul a dream. She saw a black horse chasing her and she was desperate to escape. Running as fast as she could, she found a house and pounded on the door just as the black horse was bearing down on her. An old man with a beard answered the door and said to her, "You need to walk through the narrow door to find the way of life."

The next morning after her dream, Betoul went directly to visit the local pastor and his wife. They invited Betoul inside and together they read the words of Jesus in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." They looked at the passage in Matthew 7:13-14 where Jesus revealed that life is found through a narrow door.

Praise be to God, that day Betoul discovered that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life! She chose to walk through that narrow door, and now she eagerly follows Jesus as her Savior and Lord!

Today, dear friend of His Shiite Bride, pray that more Shiite followers of Jesus take a bold stand to proclaim Jesus like Ali did that night at the house church meeting. Ask God to pour out even more dreams and visions among Shiites to reveal their utter desperation and point them to Jesus as their only Rescuer.

Night and day, pray that Shiites have tangible encounters with GOD'S WORD. Ask God to open Shiite families' eyes and ears to see and understand what they read or hear from His Word.

May thousands of Shiite Muslims come to Jesus in the next few weeks as we pray and ask God together!

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[ShBride 20] Good Soil

2007-06-26T20:40:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

Jesus told this story: "A farmer went out to plant some seed......some seed fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted...The good soil represents the hearts of those who truly accept God's message and produce a huge harvest - thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted." Matt. 13:3, 8, 23 NLT

A LOT of seed has been sown among Shiite Muslims the past couple of weeks! Let's ask God to bring forth a harvest of thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as was planted so that multiple, unstoppable harvests will spring up and flourish among Shiites! Pray for the following Shiites who recently received some seed, and spread the word to others to pray, too.

ALI, AN INFLUENTIAL RELIGIOUS LEADER, HIS WIFE, FATIMA, AND THEIR CHILDREN LIVING IN A RURAL AREA OF THE MIDDLE EAST A large crowd eagerly watched a series of mind boggling illusions performed by a friend of ours this past Sunday. Ali became very upset when our friend began to present the Gospel, but Fatima begged her husband to be quiet so she could listen. It appears that birds may have come and snatched the Gospel seed away from Ali, but Fatima seems to have received the seed in good soil. Let's pray that the seed of the Good News flourishes in Fatima, and increases many fold, to include Ali, all their children, and other relatives.

HASSAN AND MOHAMMED, TWO TEN YEAR OLD BOYS LIVING IN BEIRUT Their boyish glee and excitement during a fun show this past Saturday quickly turned to serious silence when our illusionist friend began to talk about Jesus. Life for these city boys is filled with trips to the beach and hours playing PlayStation 2. May the hot sun and shallow soil in their lives not last long! Ask God to till their hearts into good soil so that Gospel seed will flourish in Hassan and Mohammed and spread to their families.

ZEINA, A 55 YEAR OLD MOTHER LIVING IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN

After some followers of Jesus visited her and read portions of God's Word together this past weekend, Zeina looked at the followers of Jesus and said, "Go away and let me read this (Gospel) so I can see for myself. Then come back and we will talk more." Thorns have been choking out the seed of God's Word in Zeina's heart, but now, as she reads the New Testament, pray that the seed of His Word falls on good soil in Zeina and will bring forth a beautiful, abundant harvest among Shiites in Dearborn.

HUSSEIN, MAJED, HAIDER, NOOR, BETOUL, AND FATIMA, SIX FOLLOWERS OF JESUS LIVING IN IRAN These Shiites are your brothers and sisters in Jesus who received the seed of God's Word in good soil recently and are now meeting together as a little church! Pray that the seed of God's Word flourishes among them and that these precious six will multiply to thirty, sixty, and even a hundred fold among Shiites in their land and in neighboring lands.

As we pray together for Shiites, may the seed of God's Word fall on fertile soil and flourish among Shiite families all over the world so that multiple, unstoppable harvests begin and don't stop!

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[ShBride 19] Other Sheep

2007-06-11T13:35:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out...
and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.
So there will be one flock, one shepherd. John 10:3b-4b, 16 ESV

A group of us worshipped Jesus in the local language of some Shiites and gathered afterwards for some tea and cake. It was then that we saw her. She was ahead of us in the line on our way to get some tea and cake. Turning her face towards us she said, "Hello, welcome!"

We began talking together and I noticed a radiance about her, this precious Shiite woman who has been following Jesus for several years. She had a peace that is hard to put into words, a serious intentionality to her life that made me just want to hang around her.

She reached in her purse and pulled out a picture. "I want to show you my family," she said. "I have been praying for them back in Iran and now Jesus is calling them one by one, by name. Look!" she pointed to the photograph. "Here is my brother and his wife visiting a church! Jesus is speaking to them and he told them to go there."

She smiled, her face betraying her utter confidence in our Good Shepherd to rescue her family members and bring them into his sheepfold. Jesus says the sheep not yet in this fold are HIS sheep. He says he will bring them in - he says he MUST do it - and that they will listen to his voice and be one flock with one shepherd!

Friend of His Shiite Bride, let's pray that more Shiites hear the voice of our Good Shepherd! Pray that more and more Shiite families come to Jesus in many lands - from Iran and Iraq, to Lebanon and Bahrain, to Afghanistan and Pakistan. May those lands be covered with sheep who know their shepherd's voice, with millions of Shiite families who love to listen to their shepherd's voice and follow him. Together, let's walk in his ways.

A brand new magnet is available to help you pray for Shiite families. Order magnets to share with your friends at church by emailing: shbride@rightbox.com. Be sure to include your name, snail mail address and tell us how many magnets you need.

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[ShBride #18] Fire

2007-05-28T12:14:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 (NASB)

Today meet my new friend, Zeina. She is a 20 year old petite Shiite girl with huge brown eyes and long, wavy, dark hair down her shoulders. She loves a guy named Ali and wants to get married, but her uncle, who is in charge of her, is forbidding her to see him.

Before I tell you about our recent conversation, let me explain a term she used. It is the word, Sayyed, and in this case, it refers to a Shiite who traces his lineage to one of the Twelve Imams, revered Shiite leaders from the past, who now provides daily spiritual guidance to specific Shiite communities.

"Do you follow a Sayyed?" Zeina asked me.

"Well, I know about them," I responded.

She smiled. "You know everybody in my neighborhood has to follow one of the sayyeds, it is just the way it has to be."

In Zeina's neighborhood, nearly everybody really does follow one particular leader - Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah of Lebanon, whom you heard about in the last Shiite Bride email.

We went on to talk and Zeina sighed deeply over the political divisions currently in our land.

"You know, in heaven..." I was just beginning to tell her about that great multitude in heaven when people from every tribe, tongue, language, and nation will fall down and worship Jesus.

"In heaven!" she declared. "We aren't going to heaven. We are all going to the fire (hell). We are all going to end up in the fire." She said it with such resoluteness that it shook me to my core.

"You don't have to end up in the fire!" I told her. "There is a way, a clear way to heaven...."

Right then we were interrupted and we never got back to the conversation, but will you pray that I get to reunite with her and share the Good News with her soon?

Friend of the Shiite Bride, join us in praying for young Shiite men and women like Zeina who follow earthly leaders, but in their hearts know they are going to hell. Pray that they hear the Good News and experience God's gift of salvation. Pray that more Shiites will find salvation in Jesus!

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[ShBride #17] Our Divine Victor

2007-05-14T09:33:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and for those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." I Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

As we walk through the different parts of the city where we live, we pass through many different neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has its own flavor and markings that offer hints as to what the dominant religious faith is of that particular community.

In the Shiite areas these signs are large posters of different religious and political leaders of not only our local Shiite community but also of different Shiite leaders from the broader Shiite world. Under many of these pictures one can read words of praise such as "The Divine Victor" or "Yes, we trust your successes and victories won."

Shiites are drawn to the charismatic attributes of these leaders. They often feast on every word their leaders utter, believing their words to be divine truth. The words of these men can bring tens of thousands into the streets in protest or for a display of religious or political unity. These men literally have the power to cause death or allow life, to bring peace, or to promote strife.

As we walk and view these portraits we are reminded that God has called us to pray for those in authority and He has called us to pray for these men. Not to pray for their destruction, but to pray for their salvation.

Please join us in praying for three of the Shiite world's most powerful men. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, Imam Muqtada al-Sadr in Iraq, and Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon.

Pray that God will open their hearts to the truth of Jesus and grant them His wisdom to use their authority wisely. Pray that God will work a miracle in their lives! Like Paul two thousand years ago, pray that these men will experience a life changing event that will draw them to Jesus, which in turn will open the door for thousands of their loyal followers to turn to Jesus, our real "Divine Victor!"

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[ShBride 16] I Understand!

2007-04-30T16:01:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

“And because you Gentiles have become his children,

God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,

and now you can call God your dear father.” - Galatians 4:6 NLT

Today, dear friend of the Shiite Bride, let's hear from an American follower of Jesus who has spent most of his life living and serving God among Muslims.

Shiites are similar to all Muslims in the fact that they struggle with the idea of the Trinity. I am often told, “There is no god but God, but you, as a follower of Christ, believe in three separate gods.”

While trying to work through this issue with my Shiite friend, Zul-Fikar, I tried many different ways to explain these truths, even though there is much I don’t fully understand myself.

Our discussions went on for weeks with little headway seemingly being made. Zul-Fikar just couldn’t accept the fact that God could have a son and also be spirit. “If God had a son then that means that God is a father. God being a father, how could that be?”

Zul-Fikar's earthly father was abusive towards him, his siblings and his mother. He was depressed and wondered if life was even worth living. Each day Zul-Fikar's hatred for his father grew more intense, and he told me: “I am the son of one father and am trying to get away from him. I don’t want to be the son of another.”

Zul-Fikar agreed to read a book titled, The Way of Jesus, along with a Bible. As the weeks passed, our discussions continued. Then one day I received a phone call from my friend. There was excitement in Zul-Fikar’s voice as he proclaimed, “I am so happy! I am so happy! I understand. I understand. I read the book you gave me, and I understand the connection of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I am so happy! I am so happy!”

Friend of the Shiite Bride, pray that more books like this, along with understandable translations of God's Word will be produced and given to Shiite families.

Later this week, copies of God's Word and other books about Jesus are being distributed in a large land where Shiites live. Pray that Shiites will eagerly accept and read copies of God's Word and other books about Jesus so they can understand and follow Him. Pray that many Shiites will be able to say as Zul-Filkar did, “I am so happy! I understand.”

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[ShBride 15] Milk of the Word

2007-04-16T09:36:00.000Z

Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word,
that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
I Peter 2:2-3, NASB

I am a wife and mother who lives and works among Shiites.
I would like to tell you about a dream God has been giving me recently,
and share a story that I believe is a cry of God's Spirit for our people loved by Him, the Shiites.

For months God has been giving me the same dream several times a week.
In my dream I see a helpless newborn baby whose mother has forgotten to feed him.
The baby is desperate, needing food and comfort from his mother.
It isn't until the infant cries that the mother remembers to feed her baby,
and then she satisfies his tears by embracing him in her arms and giving him her milk.

A few days ago my husband and children stumbled upon a kitten abandoned by its mother.
The kitten's umbilical cord was still attached,
so we knew the kitten was only a day or two old.
With great compassion, my husband scooped the cold,
hungry kitten into one of his hands and rushed home.
As a family in response to the abandoned kitten's needs,
we gave it warm milk in a dropper and placed heated bottles all around it,
and now we are nursing it back to health.

May I make a parallel?
Just as the newborn child in my dream is completely dependent on his mother's milk,
and the abandoned kitten is completely dependent on our family's care,
there are many Shiites who have chosen to follow Christ
but are still babes in Him, hungering for the milk of His Word.

They need our prayers.
Shiites who have decided to follow Christ are facing persecution,
fear of rejection, confusion about their identity,
loss of joy, lack of fruit, and lack of discipleship.
We, as mature believers, have the wonderful privilege,
mandate and responsibility to respond to their needs through prayer and by giving them His Word.

As you pray for Shiites who are followers of Jesus,
remember the picture of an infant crying for the arms of his mother
and a newborn kitten abandoned on the side of the road.
Together, let's pray that more Shiite followers of Jesus will be fed the milk of God's Word
and will grow into mature Shiite followers of Jesus.

[ShBride 14] The Rescue

2007-04-02T17:04:00.000Z

Shiite Muslims – a people God is pursuing to be Jesus’ Bride

shbride@rightbox.com

"He reached down from heaven and rescued me; He drew me out of deep waters...He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because He delights in me." Psalm 18:16, 19, NLT

Recently, several of us visited two Shiite families who follow Jesus. We women cried, talked, and prayed with the two wives and some of their children.

They were in a panic because one of their friends, a follower of Jesus whom I will call Ahmad, had been arrested and put in jail. Fear marked by deep apprehension was seared on their faces, radiating out of their eyes, permeating their every word.

"Where are you, God?" we were all thinking. "What word of comfort and assurance do You have for us tonight?" we softly prayed. Then came His response: "Have FAITH! I am God. I am the Lord. There is no other. I excel in doing exceedingly above and beyond all that you can ever ask or think."

Our visit with the hurting Shiite families continued. We talked about the goodness of God, His faithfulness, and His mighty power to rescue and save. In utter hopelessness, we clung to Jesus, the Rock of our salvation.

Then the news came. "Ahmad has just been released from prison!" one of the men told us. "But the authorities are taking him to the border, and we fear they will take his life."

"Yes, that may happen," I responded. "But let's remember, God can shut the eyes of authorities at the border so they don't even see Ahmad, if He wants to. He can carry our brother safely through."

Later that evening, several of us were filled with hope that God, in His sovereign way, was taking Ahmad, a new follower of Jesus, to another land so more Shiites will hear the Good News.

God did just that! Ahmad is now in Syria where many Shiites travel for pilgrimages to key shrines...a land where there are over a million Iraqi refugees now, many of them Shiite. Syria is a land where, among over 20 million people, our Shiites are a minority, and few of them know and follow Jesus.

Join us in prayer that Ahmad will find other Shiite followers of Jesus in Syria who will be his family. Pray that Ahmad will be God's ambassador, speaking boldly for God no matter what the cost, so many people in Syria, Shiites and others, will hear the Good News and follow Jesus.

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