Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ( Philippians 4:6 ) After all, The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous. ( Proverbs 15:29 )

Czech Republic:

There are several centers in the Czech District of UMC that provide care for the needed. They operate under an umbrella of Diakonie UMC. Directors of the centers as well as the director of Diakonie ask for prayers:

Diakonie

* wisdom for leadership of the centers, for church councils and steering committees, so that they may find good ways of cooperation (the center and the local church) to the glory of the Lord

*enough qualified staff and enough finances

* wisdom for directors so that they could keep the quality standards and support employers

Ctirad Hruby

SKP Plzen

We run three activities: Therapeutic community Holy Hill, Half-way house and Work – Social Agency. Please pray for Gods blessings, for the staff so that we may work well and be good examples for non-Christians. Most of our clients do not know Christ. Please pray for them so that they find a way out of their poverty – also spiritual poverty. Please pray for new grants, gifts and for the reconstruction of Holy Hill.

Ivona Pavelkova

POINT 14, Plzen (addictions)

Please pray for enough funds – grants in 2012, for unity in the working team, qualification, new insights and new strength.

Nada Ruckaufova

SKP Horni Pocernice (shelter for families in need, services for senior citizens)

Please pray for our clients so that they learn how to manage their lives, for protection of children, for senior citizens in our neighborhood, for good relationships with the local church, for reconstruction of the main building.

Jan Prochazka

SKP – Nadeje pro zivot, Jihlava (Hope for Life, shelter for mothers and children)

We pray for encouragement and wisdom for our staff so that they are able to discipline inhabitans of the shelter with a Christian love, for wisdom in counceling, God’s protection and blessings.

Ctirad Hruby

Slovakia:

November 6– 12 Trnava

Please pray for:

- The new mission work in Pezinok leading by Lubos Tagaj

- pre-Christmas evangelistic program for socially disadvantaged families (preparation, influence of Holy Spirit, salvation of unbelievers)

- the youth of our church

Rev. Stefan Rendos

November 13– 19 Slavkovce

Please pray for:

- a revival among our families and friends

- the strengthening of family relationships

- for my health (back problems)

- the exemplary life of the faithful outside the church

Rev. Jarmila Nagyova

November 20– 26 Bratislava Petrzalka

Pray for strength and courage to stand up and endure:

- in the practical steps of faith

- in the temptations and dangers of life in abundance

- in doing new decisions that lead to maturity

- in the street missionary activity

- in the dangers and attacks on our church

Rev. Brano Schmogrovits

November 27– December 3 Sered

Thank God for His mercy to us shows. Thank you for the older people in our church- they are an example for us and they are our witness of faith. Thank God that protects them. Brother Pisar, 86 years old, fell twice in the summer. Although the front has sewn, but otherwise is fine. One sister Anka had a stroke in the summer- thank God, that her condition had improved.

We are grateful for the autumn meeting of “campers under tent” that we have had from September 30 to October 2. Many people were refreshed spiritually.

Please pray for reinforce of the our church- we want continue in God’s work. Please pray for brother Michal Francisty, who moved from Slovakia. Let us pray that God strengthened him in solitude and to be able to find work Rev. Milena Belkova

Other:

Join us on In Mission Together Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/?sk=2361831622#!/groups/171409653540/

http://inmissiontogether.org

The Czech Republic:

Kladno
We thank God for blessings of the Softball Camp in July, for the team from TN, for the leader Bob Cantler and their friendship. We meet regularly with participants of the Camp and practice softball. Please pray with us for the outreach.  We have recently prayed for friends with serious health problems and for wisdom of their doctors. We are grateful for the answered prayers and God’s mercy.  Rev. Tomas Travnicek 

Tachov
We pray for VIM team from PA who are coming soon, for children from non-Christian families who attended our summer camp of Royal Rangers and for a bigger space for Sunday service. Also, our Center for Mothers and Children is growing.   Thank you for your prayers.  Rev. Milan Mrazek 

Slany
Our prayer requests are: English Camp lead by a team from TN, Sep. 17 – 23; new people who have not yet decided for Christ; we need younger persons who would serve in our church; we ask Holy Spirit to help us not to lose hope and eagerness.  Rev. Jana Daneckova 

Trebon
Please pray for new musicians in the church, for weak and ill persons among us, for another church in the charge Ceske Budejovice, for the team from our partner church Monticello, IL  who will come in September and serve in high schools bringing the Gospel there. Thank you.  Rev. Richard Novak 

Vimperk
Please pray with us for young persons in the town and surroundings, for praise music during youth worship, for families in the church, for wisdom in planning future activities and working with Romany people, for job opportunities in our region.  Rev. Zdenek Neuzil

Slovakia: 

September 4 – 10 Bratislava-Panenska
The 1st of September we organize afternoon for children and their parents with the name: The School is calling! We pray for all invited, as the ministers and all the interviews that we conducted with guests. We believe that through our Lord appeals to many. The 10th of September we will have a church conference and  youth meeting for which they invited many friends who do not yet know our Lord. May the Lord bless his minister of the Gospel, that all his disciples who bear witness to it!  Rev. Gabriella Kopas 

September 11 – 17 Gerlachov
At the beginning of the school year 2011/2012 we prepare a full-day event, which will be invited to all Roma children, youth and adults. The program will consist of games, concert of Agape- group from Slavkovce and preaching. Everyone will be able to enjoy a good stew. Please remember this event in your prayers. Also please pray for regular follow-up work with children, adolescents and youth that God changed their lives and that many decided for Jesus. Every Sunday at 15.00 we have the Sunday worship with 10-15 participants. Thank all of you in the love of Christ.  Rev. Luboslav Sirkovsky                                                         

September 18 – 24 Velke Kapusany
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7: 14)

 Last week we reflected upon the following about the meaning and importance of prayer and fasting. Now we invite you to join us in prayer because more families we serve have children ill with jaundice. We brought to the village disinfectants, which were ordered to be collected or accept the looming epidemic. Thank you for your prayer support.  Rev. Svetlana Komives-Francisty 

September 25 – October 1  Jenkovce
Please pray for the health of our older members and generally for the successful start of our children into schools.  Rev. Jirko Bassano

Other: 

VIM Team Sept 1 for Tyn nad Vlatova UMC and then on to Tachov UMC.
We will be doing light construction work and will return stateside on Sept 19.  Rev. Deb Koresky 

Join us:  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?qid=171409653540

The next Eastern Europe and Balkan Consultation VII is Oct. 27-29, 2011 at Main St. UMC in Alton, IL (near St. Louis), please put this on your schedule to attend.

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Hello to all . I hope all is well with you and yours . We have been very busy here in Costa Rica. Since the storm was here last month we have been able to help over 1900 families with food and clothing. The team and I are on the road traveling now and delivering food bags to families and giving testimonies to churches to help empower them to reach out . The team has been giving so most powerful testimonies. If I wasn’t there and know i did not write them , i would have thought it was me speaking . Praise God we share the same vision. Our Goal for the Feed the Families program was to help 500 families but since the storm was here our focus has changed. We have delivered 780 bags and many bags of clothes and supplies for December or will by Sunday . With the focus as it is we are still short on helping now. 

The Czech Republic
Trebon UMC, Czech Republic - [IMT partner First UMC, Denton, TX] – We have the following requests: our ministry in a home for the elderly and a home for the mentally ill; an advent concert open for the public; church members – ill and elderly, students and their exams, newly baptized members, home groups, Sunday school, and Disciple Bible Study. We pray for the former pastor of Trebon UMC, Rev. Vaclav Svidensky who had a serious surgery recently. Thank you for your prayers. Rev. Richard NovakPraha 9 

Horni Pocernice UMC, Czech Republic – [IMT partner First UMC, Richardson, TX] – Please pray for the Alpha Courses we organize; for various outreach Christmas events we plan (festivals, concerts, distributing Bibles); for children in our troop of Royal Rangers; for seniors and a project Helping Hand (volunteers helping in households). Thank you for your prayers. Rev. Radislav

Novotny Tachov UMC, Czech Republic – [Needs an IMT partner] – Our prayer requests are: students of English – 22 adults and 18 children, so that they may know Christ; 6 persons who will soon bebaptized, so that they follow Christ faithfully; Christmas Eve worship service and the chance to approach new people; God’s inspiration in finding a vision for our church. Rev. Milan Mrazek

Vimperk Mission Station, Czech Republic – [Needs an IMT partner] – We pray for a new fire in our lives; leadership of the Holy Spirit; the church growth; awakening of young people; gifted servants; wisdom in planning events in 2011; God’s love revealed in the church. Rev. Zdenek Neuzil

Slovakia

Bratislava – city UMC, Slovakia [IMT partner University Park UMC, Dallas, TX] – We are thankful for God’s leadership and for people whom He has put into our lives. We want to thank God for those who take an active part in mission activities during this month – preparing programs, prayers for the programs themselves. We are thankful for wisdom and leadership of the Holy Spirit while inviting our unchurched friends to advent and Christmas activities. Rev. Gabriella Kopas

Gerlachov Mission Station, Slovakia – [Needs an IMT partner] – We ask for prayers- for adults who are being invited for regular activities on Sunday afternoons when we sing together, pray and here God’s word,- for wisdom and building our mutual relationships while visiting families,- for the Christmas children’s program,- for grace, so that many children and adults could understand the gospel and accept Jesus as their personal Savior. Rev. Luboslav

Sirkovsky Kosice Mission Station, Slovakia – [IMT partner Divine St. UMC, Dunn, NC]
- we are thankful for the team of coworkers
- for the possibility to start clubs for kids and worship at the same place where they used to be
- we ask for Lenka – a student and at the same time mission coworker
- for peace, unity, the Spirit and wisdom while visiting people and also during Christmas activities
- for motivational retreat during winter holidays.
Rev. Maria Skrivankova

Jenkovce UMC, Slovakia – [Needs an IMT partner] – We ask for prayers for:
1. peaceful life in our village
2. ecumenical Christmas activities
3. Christmas peaceful time in our congregation where many people are elderly and sick.
Rev. Jiri Bassano

Michalovce UMC, Slovakia - [Needs an IMT partner] – We ask for prayers
- for effective partaking of children and youth
- for conversion of new people so that the Lord would open new doors for us
- for the mother center “Eunika”, may the Lord lead us to at least 2-3 families who we will be able to work with.
Rev. Pavle Kocev

Really, Paul? Give thanks in everything? No matter the circumstance?

Already, you’ve rocked my world. You’ve told me to rejoice always – not just when life is going well. That means that even though I’m tempted to rejoice only in the good times, you want me to rejoice in the bad times too.

You’ve told me to pray constantly – not just when life is going badly. Here, you’ve dealt with the opposite temptation. Even though I’m tempted to pray only in the bad times (when I sense I need something), you want me to pray constantly – in the good times too.

Paul, you’re calling me to a way of life that doesn’t depend on my circumstances. And what bugs me about this call is that you aren’t some idealistic pastor asking me to do the impossible. You are doing this yourself. You’re writing from a prison cell. Your happiest, sunniest letter (Philippians) is written when your circumstances are terrible.

And now, you’re telling us to give thanks in everything. But how? I want to be thankful, but come on… even for bad things? Even for trials?

That’s when I notice you’ve provided the key to thankfulness in all circumstances. You talk about the will of God in Christ Jesus. Everything that comes at us in life comes through the filter of God’s love to us through his Son. Once we see the victory achieved in the worst of places (the cross), our view of our circumstances is turned upside down.

Paul, your gospel upsets all my expectations. I can no longer define good and bad circumstances the way the world does. The cross messes with me. There, the worst of circumstances brings the best of blessing.

Your command to thanksgiving reminds me of a story I heard about interpreting good and bad events:

A Chinese man lived on the border of China and Mongolia. In that time, there were battles and wars between the two countries. This Chinese man had a beautiful mare. But one day, that mare jumped over the fence and went over the border into Mongolia. The Mongolians stole the horse. The Chinese man’s friends came to him to console him, “O what terrible news!” they said.“Why do you think it’s bad news?” the Chinese man asked. “Maybe it’s a good thing.”

After a couple of days, the mare came back to the man, together with a stallion. The friends of this man came around him and said, “What great news!” “Why do you think it’s good news?” the man asked. “Maybe it’s bad news.”

Later, while the Chinese man’s son was riding the stallion, trying to tame him, he fell and broke his leg. The friends came again, “O what terrible news!” Again, the Chinese man said, “Why do you think it’s bad news? Maybe it’s a good thing.”

After a week, another big war broke out between China and Mongolia. A Chinese general came into the town and took all the young men with him to fight in the war. All those young men died, except for the son of the Chinese man. He couldn’t go to war because he had broken his leg. The Chinese man told his friends, “See? The things you thought were bad were actually good, and the things you thought were good were bad.”

So now, Paul, I’m starting to understand how little I understand. I’m starting to figure out that I haven’t got God figured out. I’m starting to see that resting in the providence of God brings comfort.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
but trust him for his grace,
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.

Ultimately, I have two responses to trials. Genesis 42:36 or Romans 8:28. In Genesis 42:36, Jacob is going through a great trial, and he says, “All this has come against me!” It’s a self-centered view. I’m in the center of the universe and everything is happening to me. But Romans 8:28 says that everything works together for good for those who love God. That picture puts God in the center, so somehow I know that even the bad things are working out for his glory and my ultimate joy in him.

The choice is now clear. I can look at my situation and see bad things that are against me or I can see them as things working for my good. Decision: Despair or Thankfulness. Thanks, Paul. You’re right. The gospel takes my despair and transforms it into thanksgiving.

Repost from Kingdom People blog

Plzen – Maranatha UMC [IMT partners Christ UMC, Farmers Branch, TX and Grace UMC, Frisco, TX - We pray for the wisdom to recognize what is important and precious, for the ability to share God’s love in an authentic way, to receive and pass on God’s word of encouragement, and for the courage to do new things. We are thankful for the good cooperation of the church and the ministries to children, youth and drug addicts. We are grateful for our US partner churches.  Rev. Filip Jandovsky  

Plzen - Maranatha, Children’s Center Duha (Rainbow) - We are thankful to God for new mothers with children who come to our center. We pray for safety of the children in our pre-school,  for the mothers who do not know God and for funds that would allow us to go on with our work.  Linda Cechova

Protivin UMC [IMT partners Sandbridge Community Chapel, VA Beach, VA and FUMC, Brighton, MI] – We started a club “Junior Christian”.  Most of the children and youth come from the villages from around Protivin, which requires cars and drivers.  Every other week we meet in a local gymnasium for sports and games like the basics of softball.  We pray for wisdom and strength of the persons who serve in the various and for the other two churches in the charge:  Tyn and Bechyne.  Rev. Josef Cervenak

Praha 10 – Strasnice UMC – [IMT partner First UMC, Decatur, TX] – Please pray with us for our ministries to children and youth, for blessings in home groups, for preparations of a Christmas service – we shall invite people from the neighborhood, and for a new pastor in the new conference year.  Rev. Bohuslav Straka

SlovakiaSered UMC [IMT partner Cheviot UMC, Cincinnati, OH] – We ask for prayers for
- the youth in our church
- the pastor and his family
- an awakening in church
Rev. Jan Tagaj

Slavkovce UMC [Needs and IMT partner] – Please pray for our singing praise group because attacks are coming from all ends. Please pray that these young people remain strong in their faith.
Also we ask for prayers for adults who keep having excuses why they cannot come to church. May God touch them and may they get to know Him.
Also we ask for our children, so that they could open their hearts for Jesus.
Rev. Jarmila Nagyova

Velke KapusanyMission Station – We are thankful for God’s mercy and the return of some of the older members of the church. We are also thankful for a new guitar. We ask for wisdom and endurance.
We are very thankful for the possibility to regularly meet in Kralovsky Chlmec (another village). We ask for prayers for children and youth who live there and also for those who would like to be baptized. We are planning the first club for children there on 10 November.  Rev. Svetlana Francisty

Trnava UMC [First UMC, Keller, TX] – Thankfulness: more members have actively started serving in the church.
Pleadings: May God show us new ways of proclaiming in our town.  Rev. Stefan Rendos

Banska Bystrica UMC [First UMC, Santa Barbara, CA] – Let us pray for students who started their bachelor studies of evangelical theology and mission – Tomas Wittiska and Monika Kralova.  Rev.  Pavel Prochazka

“God hears us whenever we ask Him and we know also that He gives us what we ask from Him.” 1 John 5:15 (GNT)

Czech Republic
1.  Mikulov UMC, Czech Republic – [IMT Partners Mt. Olivet UMC, Arlington, VA  and Iroquois River District, Illinois]- An old factory was reconstructed and opened as a church house. We thank God for the facility and pray for blessings.  Rev. Jana Krizova  

2.  Kladno Mission Station, Czech Republic – [Needs an IMT Partner] -   We thank God for good relationships among our church members. We pray for mission, Alpha courses and youth.  Rev. Tomas Travnicek 

3.  Litomerice UMC, Czech Republic – [Needs anIMT Partner] – We thank for God’s protection and peace, for the possibility to serve in the Mothers Center, in the local prison and home for elderly. We pray for ministry to the youth, for developing partnerships with churches abroad and for finances needed to put  plaster on our church house.  Rev. Zdenek Broz 

4.  Znojmo Mission Station, Czech Republic – [Needs an IMT Partner] – Please pray for finding suitable facilities – church house, for leaders of home groups and children’s Sunday School, for various activities and ministries in the church.  Rev. Pavel Kuchynka   

Slovakia 

1.  Michalovce UMC, Slovakia – [Needs an IMT Partner] -We ask for prayers for mothers and children which we are trying to get to come to our newly open mother’s center.  We continue to pray for people who we work with, so that they would give their lives to Jesus.  We also pray for needs of our congregation to be fulfilled.  Rev.  Pavle Kocev  

2.  Partizanske UMC, Slovakia – [Needs an IMT Partner] -We are thankful for- gypsy children who attend our club for children – two young men who started coming to our Sunday worship services – blessed Bible studies.   We ask for
- brother Cani who will have a surgical operation
- people who respond to our evangelizational advertisements, so that they would seek the way to living God
- for the gypsy children, so that they would start also coming to our Sunday worships.  Rev.  Stevka Sklenarova 

3.  Petrzalka UMC, Slovakia – [IMT Partner Memorial Drive UMC, Houston, TX] – We were able to find premises where we are opening a club for children, a club for teenagers and a food bank for socially challenged families.  We are thankful that the Lord made it possible for a lady from our congregation whom we have tried to help for a longer time, to receive a social apartment from the city authorities for 5 years. We are now helping her furnish it. On October 16–17 a church picnic will take place in Casta, where we have invited our friends. We ask for prayers that they feel good among us and long to come to our worship services and other activities too.  Rev. Brano Schmogrovits and Vojto Sirkovsky 

4.  Piestany UMC, Slovakia – [Needs an IMT Partner] -We are thankful for
- All summer activities
- Team from the USA
- Charity events at the beginning of the school year.
We ask for
- girls in our Bible study group
- protection and wisdom for our daughters studying abroad.

Rev. Kornelia Francistyova

Other: 

1.  Jihlava UMC team to McEachern UMC in Powder Springs, GA – October 1-10, 2010 

2.  Joint IMT on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=17140965340

Slovakia

Banska Bystrica UMC, Slovakia [IMT Partner First UMC, Santa Barbara, CA]
Please pray for students and teachers at the Department of Evangelical Theology and Mission as the new academic year is starting.
Let us also pray for the future of the mission station in Banska Bystrica where there is momentarily no mission worker.

Rev. Pavel Prochazka

Bratislava-mesto UMC, Slovakia [IMT Partner University Park UMC, Dallas, TX]
We are thankful for:
- worship services which we had together with the Petrzalka UMC during the summer;
- new opportunities which are opening to fulfill the ministry of reconciliation in our surroundings.

We ask for:
- new volunteers for all ministries of our congregation;
- calling of lay men to preach the gospel.

Rev. Gabriella Kopas

Kosice Mission Station, Slovakia [IMT Partner Divine Street UMC, Dunn, NC] 
We are thankful for:

- tent mission
- protection during the tent mission
- volunteers who served, even though there were obstacles
- grace and faith God gave me when problems arose.

We ask for:

- people who heard the gospel, so that they would seek God and His salvation    
- wisdom and blessing for volunteers – lay people in ministry.

Rev. Maria Skrivankova

Jenkovce UMC, Slovakia [Needs an IMT Partner]
We pray for the children as they start the new school year.

We also pray for the elderly people in our congregation who are sick, so that God blesses them and strengthens their faith, gives healing and strength to overcome the hurdles of life.

Rev. Jiri Bassano

Gerlachov Mission Station, Slovakia [Needs an IMT Partner]
We ask for prayers for Roma children, teenagers, youth, and the whole families in Gerlachov. May their lives be changed through the activity of the Holy Spirit, may they become faithful followers of Jesus Christ.
Pray for me as the mission worker too, please. Thank you

Rev. Luboslav Sirkovsky

The Czech Republic 

We remember 90th anniversary of the Methodist church in Czechoslovakia. The celebration takes place in Prague, Jecna 19 on Saturday, September 11. Please pray with us for the Czech UMC, as well as for the superintendent Rev. Petr Prochazka. We ask God’s blessing so that we may be a blessing for others.

A team of five Czech Methodists is working alongside of a team from the partner district in the  Buffalo Mountain Camp near Johnson City, Tennessee, USA by September 6. Please pray for safe travels.

A small team from the partner church Settle Memorial UMC, Owensboro, KY is coming to Jablonne to help with a roof of their church house. We pray for  favorable weather.

A new school year starts on September 1. We pray for children, their education and for all the regular activities of churches during the school year.

Czech Republic:

We pray for all the special events organized by the Czech churches in the summer months and for safe travels.  We are grateful to the US teams who came and encouraged us. Please pray for the people who participated in the VBS, English Camps, Sport Camps and other activities. Some of them met  Christians for the first time and were exposed to the good news. For example in the Sedlcany English Camp prepared by a team from Tennessee.

Rev. Richard Novak from the Trebon UMC will lead a retreat at the Camp Poust August 7 – 14.

Jiri Simek in Jablonne UMC preaches at the main square of the town on Sundays in August to bring the gospel closer to the people.

A part of the church Plzen – Lochotin went together for a week of holiday to the mountains the first week of August. The church members prepare a program for children from the neighborhood at the end of the month.

Five members of the Czech UMC shall work in the Buffalo Mountain Camp, Tennessee, August 28 – September 6. We pray for blessings of the event. 

Slovakia: 

Please  pray for Roman Bassano who will be attending a conference  July 31 – August 6  in Velletri near Rome.  The theme  is the five practices of fruitful congregations.  

Please pray for those who will be invited to the following events and do not know Christ personally,so that they may find Him here. We also ask for prayers for the organizers and helpers.  

August 6-8 – Tent evangelization in Tahanovce, Kosice.  A team of four from our IMT partner congregation in Dunn, NC will be coming for this event.  

August 11-15 – Tent evangelization in Michalovce 

August 17-20 – Day camp for children in Velke Kapusany 

August 17-20 – Street evangelization in Trnava 

August 21 – Evangelization held in City Center Velke Kapusany 

August 22-31 – Four members of Sered UMC visiting their IMT partner in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Please pray for their blessing along the journey as well as during the visit. 

Other: 

1.  July 30 – August 8; Youth Bicycle trip; Plzen 

2.  August 28 – September 6; Construction; Buffalo Mountain Camp