Immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine France Prayer

Immeasurably more than all
we can ask or imagine
France
Prayer Guide
Thank you to the people who have helped and advised
in the writing of this Prayer Guide.
Contents
Introduction
How to use this prayer guide
1.Your Kingdom come, your will be done
2.For spiritual blindness to be removed
3.The spread of the Gospel to towns and villages
4.The spread of Gospel through the written word.
5.The spread of the Gospel through lives of individuals
6.Theological training centres
7.Evangelical academic research
8.Writers and publishers of Christian literature
9.GBU and student work
10.Training of student leaders
11.Outreach to overseas students
12.Student missions
13.The Christian community
14.Christian pastors and church leaders
15.A clear understanding of salvation
16.Vision in the church for outreach
17.Planting new churches
18.Apprentices in church work
19.Outreach to women
20.Christian marriages and Christian families
21.Youth groups and outreach to young people , Summer camps
22.Financial needs of Gospel based outreach
23.Education and Christian teachers
24.Christians in business
25.Against the occult, and suicide
26.Against the pull of Mary worship
27.Muslims in France
28.Christians from abroad working in France
29.The media and national debate
30.Opportunities to reach French people in UK
31.Spiritual hunger and a spiritual harvest
1
Introduction
The purpose of this France Prayer Guide is to generate informed prayer for the 65+ million people
of France – prayer that sees lives saved and changed by the Truth of the Gospel. Changed lives lead
to a changed society, and a changed France – to the praise and glory of God.
Religion and religious faith are considered a private matter in France. Religion plays no part in the
French state. Even though every religion is given equal status, no religion confers any special status
in any area of public life. The law controlling this is laïcité.
Statistics were taken from www.objectiffrance.org, in January 2005
PROTESTANTS
Recently (2012) the first ever conference of the National Council of Evangelicals of France (CNEF)
was held. This is a new body which aims to represent the evangelicals of France to the authorities and
to help different churches work together. Several interesting figures were given: out of a population of
60 million, there are 600 000 practising Protestants, of whom ¾ (460 000) are evangelical; the number
of evangelicals has multiplied by 9 in the last 60 years; a new evangelical church is founded every 10
days. The CNEF also supports church-planting initiatives: the current aim is to have one church for
every 10 000 members of the population (see HYPERLINK "http://www.1pour10000.fr"
www.1pour10000.fr for maps showing the most needy areas, and other information [in French]).
Towns of 10,000 In 1996 there were 254 towns of over 10,000 people which had no evangelical
church.
Missionaries: There are 1,224 missionaries working in France, and 452 missionaries sent out from
France today.
CULTS Membership There are an estimated 120,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses in France. Their
membership has been in decline since 1998. There is also a small number of Mormons. Cults
have been a particular target of the French government and press in recent years, especially those
perceived to engage in mental manipulation. A new law is currently in preparation to limit the
activities of cults in France. Evangelical churches and Christian organisations are sometimes
classified as cults by the government. Consequently they sometimes find themselves subject to
investigations and discriminatory pressures.
OCCULT Interest About half of the French population believe in faith healing, with one
quarter putting their faith in clairvoyants or astrology. An estimated 10 million people pay
around £20 billion for occult consultations, three times the amount paid to their family
doctors.
Spiritual Healers/Mediums There are over 30,000 registered Mediums and Spiritual
Healers in France.
"400 new evangelical churches have been started in the past 12 years. Over 1,000 new churches
have been started since 1970."
Ideas for using this guide
This France Prayer Guide can be used for individual prayer, in a home group setting, in a group
that prays for France or in a church service.
Individual prayer:
• Pray for France daily using the 31 Days in this Prayer Guide day by day through a calendar
month.
• Pray for France once a week using a Day from the Prayer Guide. The following week move onto
the next Day.
• Pray for France repeatedly during the week using the material from just one Day in the Prayer
Guide. The next week, use the next Day.
• Set aside any amount of time - 10 minutes, half an hour, 2 hours - to pray for France on a regular
basis.
• Take one area for prayer, eg students, and focus on that, according to interest.
Group prayer / church service:
During a meeting pray over one issue in detail or pray over many issues more generally.
Select a month for a special France prayer focus and during that month give time to praying for
France during all the meetings or services.
Set aside a special day of prayer and fasting for France, and use the France Prayer Guide to direct
the praying and ask different people to pray for different aspects.
Without ceasing:
Use the France Prayer Guide on a continual basis. Repeat the cycle from Day 1 to Day 31 time and
again. On each occasion a Day’s material will become more meaningful as insights from other
Days are added in.
• There is space to add notes on most pages about specific people and situations known to you. Do
keep a note of answered prayers!
Day 1
Your kingdom come, your will be done
This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your
name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matt
6:9-10
Notre Père qui es aux cieux! Que ton nom soit sanctifié;
que ton règne vienne; que ta volonté soit faite sur la terre comme au ciel. Matthieu
6:9-10
As we begin a new month let us pray for France with discernment and use God's
word as a basis for prayer, following the example set by Jesus:
Your kingdom come in France
Your will be done in France
Praise the Lord for what he has done, is doing and will do for France. Praise him for
his love for every single French person.
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made
for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and
quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1Tim 2 1-2
J'exhorte donc, avant toutes choses, à faire des prières, des supplications, des
requêtes, des actions de grâces, pour tous les hommes,
pour les rois et pour tous ceux qui sont élevés en dignité, afin que nous menions une
vie paisible et tranquille, en toute piété et honnêteté. 1Timothée 2 1 - 2
• Pray that the Lord will raise up an army of prayer warriors for France.
• Pray for France's leaders in the light of these verses, from the President to the local
mayors.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything
according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we
ask - we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15
Nous avons auprès de lui cette assurance, que si nous demandons quelque chose
selon sa volonté, il nous écoute.
Et si nous savons qu'il nous écoute, quelque chose que nous demandions, nous
savons que nous possédons la chose que nous lui avons demandée. 1 Jean 5:14-15
Day 2
For spiritual blindness to be removed
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of
this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the
gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God 2 Corinthians 4:4
Si notre Évangile est encore voilé, il est voilé pour ceux qui périssent;
pour les incrédules dont le dieu de ce siècle a aveuglé l'intelligence, afin qu'ils ne
vissent pas briller la splendeur de l'Évangile de la gloire de Christ, qui est l'image de
Dieu. 2 Corinthiens 4:3,4
We are engaged in a spiritual battle. There is a blindness that needs to be removed.
People are walking in spiritual darkness.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. Isaiah 9:2
Le peuple qui marchait dans les ténèbres Voit une grande lumière. Esaïe 9:2
Jesus said: I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in
darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12
Jésus leur parla de nouveau, et dit: Je suis la lumière du monde; celui qui me suit ne
marchera pas dans les ténèbres, mais il aura la lumière de la vie. Jean 8:12
Praise the Lord that he longs to bring light through Jesus to the people of France.
• Pray for the spiritual blindness to removed from the people of France and pray for
them to embrace the Truth of the Gospel and new life in Christ.
• Pray also for specific individuals whom you know and long to see turn to Christ.
Write the name of specific individuals for whom you are praying:
Joshua met the commander of the king's army before entering the promised land. He
was told that the land had already been delivered into his hands. May our prayers
sound out like the trumpets of the priests to pull down strongholds claiming the
victory that we already have in Christ. (Joshua 6:2)
Day 3
The spread of the Gospel to towns and villages
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they
believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without
someone preaching to them? Romans 10:14
Comment donc invoqueront-ils celui en qui ils n'ont pas cru? Et comment croiront-ils
en celui dont ils n'ont pas entendu parler? Et comment en entendront-ils parler, s'il n'y
a personne qui prêche? Romains 10:14
Praise the Lord for all who have brought and are bringing the Gospel to France
There are 96 departments in France and 22 regions.
Corrèze in Limousin, central SW France for example has the lowest number of
Christians of any. Choose one department and pray for all the people in it:
• Pray for any town or village that has no Christian church, that the Lord will bring
together believers and establish His church there.
• Pray for ministers of God's word in France and those with a gift of explaining the
Gospel.
• Pray that they will handle the word of God soundly, study it and live and breathe it
and proclaim it faithfully to others. May they persevere in the face of many setbacks,
and stand firm when opposed.
• Pray for the Lord's protection over evangelists.
• Pray also for every believer to be ready to give an answer for their faith, sensitively
and truthfully.
• Pray that the Lord will bring to France those who can share and tell the Gospel
effectively.
• Pray for courage and boldness.
Pray by name for anyone you know engaged in evangelism:
Day 4
The spread of the Gospel through the written word of
God.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the
thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Car la parole de Dieu est vivante et efficace, plus tranchante qu'une épée quelconque
à deux tranchants, pénétrante jusqu'à partager âme et esprit, jointures et moelles; elle
juge les sentiments et les pensées du coeur. Hébreux 4:12
There is a great need to get Bibles and good Christian literature readily available and
out into people’s hands.
Praise the Lord for the faithful work of those who offer God's word week by week
from market stalls
• Pray for door to door outreach
• Pray for street evangelism
• Pray for the many scriptural calendars distributed each Christmas
• Pray for people to accept and read what they are offered.
• Pray for attractive Christian book shops and for people to go in, buy and read
Christian books
Pray for a deep hunger for truth in non-Christians, and for a deep hunger for God's
word among Christians so that they may always be ready to account for the hope in
them.
The entrance of your word brings light
Day 5
The spread of the Gospel through the lives of individual Christians
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for
you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual
wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy
of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work,
growing in the knowledge of God Colossians 1:9-10
C'est pour cela que nous aussi, depuis le jour où nous en avons été informés, nous ne
cessons de prier Dieu pour vous, et de demander que vous soyez remplis de la
connaissance de sa volonté, en toute sagesse et intelligence spirituelle, pour marcher
d'une manière digne du Seigneur et lui être entièrement agréables, portant des fruits
en toutes sortes de bonnes oeuvres et croissant par la connaissance de Dieu
Colossiens 1:9-10
Many Christians feel very isolated. Let us be like Paul and praise him for
individuals, especially those who feel they are standing alone.
• Pray for them, that the Lord will bring them into contact with others.
• Pray they persevere in reading God's word and in prayer.
• Pray for the work of the spirit in their lives making them more like Jesus.
Isolated Christians known to me:
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your
salvation 1Peter 2:2
désirez, comme des enfants nouveau-nés, le lait spirituel et pur, afin que par lui vous
croissiez pour le salut 1Pierre 2:2
Day 6
Theological training centres
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of
their way of life and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7
Souvenez-vous de vos conducteurs qui vous ont annoncé la parole de Dieu;
considérez quelle a été la fin de leur vie, et imitez leur foi. Hébreux 13:7
Praise the Lord for places such as the Evangelical Theology Seminary at Vaux-surSeine, John Calvin Seminary in Aix-en-Provence, the Bible Institute in Nogent-surMarne.
• Pray for the overall leadership, for Biblical integrity, blameless lives and moral
courage.
• Pray for excellent teaching
• Pray for wisdom in selecting good students, who grow in grace, knowledge and
understanding; students who give each other spiritual encouragement.
• Pray that students will learn to love and correctly handle the Word of Truth.
• Pray for the lives of students once they have been trained and for enough funding to
support them throughout their ministry.
• Pray for blessing on the new masters course in Church Planting at Vaux-sur-Seine.
Updates:
Day 7
Evangelical academic research
that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may
know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of
wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3
enrichis d'une pleine intelligence pour connaître le mystère de Dieu, savoir Christ,
mystère dans lequel sont cachés tous les trésors de la sagesse et de la science.
Colossiens 2:2-3
Praise the Lord for work now coming from Vaux-sur-Seine by OT researchers such
as Matthieu Richelle
Pray that
• the Lord raises up evangelical researchers and thinkers of the highest quality who
will influence thinking in the churches and beyond.
• more good evangelical Biblical academic research is accepted and discussed at the
highest level in France, and that it helps advance people's understanding of the Bible.
• those engaged in research and teaching always seek to do their best for the Lord
and do not become discouraged, but that they persevere with joy, and trust they are
making a difference.
• research is done in areas relevant to general debates in France, that leaders will be
bold to engage in public, in the media and elsewhere.
• Pray that evangelical researchers stay true to God's word when faced with other
more sceptical or non-believing researchers.
See to it that no-one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive
philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this
world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fulness of the Deity lives in bodily
form Colossians 2:8-9
Prenez garde que personne ne fasse de vous sa proie par la philosophie et par une
vaine tromperie, s'appuyant sur la tradition des hommes, sur les rudiments du monde,
et non sur Christ. Car en lui habite corporellement toute la plénitude de la divinité.
Colossiens 2:8-9
Day 8
Writers and publishers of Christian literature
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Ps119:11
Je serre ta parole dans mon coeur, Afin de ne pas pécher contre toi. Psaume 119:11
Praise the Lord for those who are writing Christian commentaries in French, books
to encourage Christians in everyday living; books to understand the wonder of God's
grace and salvation; books of prayers.
Often writing is an extra activity, on top of leading and preaching, or lecturing in
Bible college, so pray for freshness and energy, clarity of thinking and good periods
of time in order to do a good job for the Lord.
Pray for the Lord
• to raise up and equip Christian writers
• for publishers willing to print and distribute.
• to raise up excellent translators, who can select the sort of books in other languages
which could be used and widely appreciated in France, relevant and attractive to nonbelievers.
Pray also for
• good critical reviews and publicity
• many to buy, read, and grow in their faith or to turn to Christ through this literature.
Here are the names of a few Christian writers:
Henri Blocher, Lydia Jaeger, Alfred Kuen, Alain Nisus, Christophe Paya, Matthieu
Richelle, Sylvain Romerowski, Paul Wells
Add the names of any you know and are praying for:
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer Psalm 19:14
Reçois favorablement les paroles de ma bouche Et les sentiments de mon coeur, O
Éternel, mon rocher et mon libérateur! Psaume 19:14
Day 9
GBU and student work
Remember your creator in the days of your youth Ecclesiastes 12:1
Mais souviens-toi de ton créateur pendant les jours de ta jeunesse Ecclésiaste 12:1
Praise the Lord for all the Groupes Bibliques Universitaires (GBU)* [CU
equivalent,] that exist in France
• Pray for
• the growth of Christian groups in French universities and the Grandes Ecoles.
• student leaders who love and obey God's word
• all Christian students to have a hunger for God's work
• boldness to speak to non-believers and skill in passing on God's word.
• the Lord to create a spirit of curiosity and spiritual hunger in non-believers, a desire
for truth.
• freshers to seek out a GBU group and fellow Christians.
• Pray for Christian students who do not find an existing GBU group that they make
their way quickly to a local church, that they are welcomed and well looked after.
• Pray that Christian students meet and marry fellow-Christians.
List those you know personally who are Christian students, and/or involved in
student outreach:
• see list of websites, final page
Day 10
Training of student leaders
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to
reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2Tim 2:2
Et ce que tu as entendu de moi en présence de beaucoup de témoins, confie-le à des
hommes fidèles, qui soient capables de l'enseigner aussi à d'autres. 2Tim 2:2
Good training of university students is a way of strengthening local churches once
these students leave university.
• Pray for God to raise up many men, who will become leaders of churches in the
future.
• Pray for those who lead the training that they will give future leaders a deep
understanding of God's word and help them to apply it wisely to their lives and to
living for Christ in France.
Pray that the GBU leaders have a real vision for the possibilities in their universities
and believe that with God all things are possible.
Personal prayer notes:
Day 11
Outreach to overseas students
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations Matthew 28:19
Allez, faites de toutes les nations des disciples Matthieu 28:19
Many francophone students and others arrive in France to study and are often more
open to the Gospel as they come from cultures where religion is a normal topic of
conversation. In any country outreach to this group of students can be very fruitful.
(Info: DOM-TOMs: DOM the Départements d'Outre Mer, French overseas
departments, two in the Caribbean (Guadeloupe and Martinique), one in South
America (Guyane), and one in the Indian Ocean (La Réunion). TOM. The Térritoires
d'Outre Mer. The last four existing French colonies, namely French Polynesia, New
Caledonia, Wallis and Fatuna, and the French Antarctic Territories.
Since 2003 DROM-COM (pour Départements et régions d'outre-mer -collectivités
d'Outre Mer approx pop: 2,654,000)
Praise the Lord for francophone Christians who seek to share Christ with fellow
French students.
• Pray that Christian international students grow in knowledge and understanding of
God's word and put it into practice.
• Pray for the GBU and IFES teams doing outreach among international students, that
they depend on the Lord, persevere in prayer and receive courage to initiate
conversations and give out invitations to meetings.
• Pray for many arriving in France to have hearts prepared by the Lord to receive
salvation, and that they are built up both within a student group and in the life of local
churches.
Day 12
Student missions
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of
everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. Rom 1:16
Car je n'ai point honte de l'Évangile: c'est une puissance de Dieu pour le salut de
quiconque croit, du Juif premièrement, puis du Grec Romains 1:16
Each September in Paris there is a week of outreach to new students called Camp
Nouveau Départ.
The teams are led by GBU and IFES workers and the team members come from
around the UK and Europe.
Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No-one went out and noone came in. Then the LORD said to Joshua, See, I have delivered Jericho into your
hands … Joshua 5:15-6:2
Jéricho était fermée et barricadée devant les enfants d'Israël. Personne ne sortait, et
personne n'entrait. L'Éternel dit à Josué: Vois, je livre entre tes mains Jéricho ...Josué
5:15-6:2
May teams go out in faith, trusting the Lord and obedient to Him, just like Joshua.
Praise the Lord for this opportunity.
January - August
• Pray for key leaders and recruitment of teams who love the Lord and will work well
together, and for their training and preparation.
September – during the camp
Pray for
• unity and stamina
• the team's daily preparation and training and reliance on God's power and word
• the morning distribution of invitations to be well received
• many students to attend and respond to the evening events, which are varied
presentations of the Gospel
• Christian freshers to nail their colours to the mast and join in
• lasting fruit
• Pray that GBUs around France will be inspired to do something similar to reach out
to students as they arrive at university.
Make a note of any from your church who are part of the team:
Day 13
The Christian community
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love
one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John
13:34-35
Je vous donne un commandement nouveau: Aimez-vous les uns les autres; comme je
vous ai aimés, vous aussi, aimez-vous les uns les autres. A ceci tous connaîtront que
vous êtes mes disciples, si vous avez de l'amour les uns pour les autres. Jean 13:34-35
The Christian community in France has always been in a minority and can feel very
different from the surrounding culture. This may result in it feeling under threat and
withdrawing from engagement in the world. There is the equal danger of
assimilation. The history of France tells of Protestants who were mercilessly
persecuted and massacred at the time of the Reformation. Many of them had to fight
for their lives or leave France for a safer place. The revolution and its resulting
Republican values continue to have an impact on the thinking of French people
making it difficult for French Christians to think biblically.
It is very difficult for Christian churches to be biblically faithful, outward looking and
serve the local community in visible ways.
Some Christians are very antagonistic towards the Catholic church, yet there are
some lovely Christian Catholic people, who love the Lord and his word and want
fellowship with any who believe.
Praise and thank the Lord for every single person who belongs to him.
• Pray earnestly for love and unity among true believers
• Pray that the quality of their lives attracts non-believers
• Pray that groups of French Christians will be outward looking and start praying for
non-Christian friends.
• Pray for those who are on the ground, and often very isolated – they need so much
wisdom and grace.
• Pray for the restoration of any Christians who have wandered from the truth.
List the church groups whom you pray for regularly:
Day 14
Christian pastors and church leaders
• Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus - remember Jesus Christ raised from the
dead. 2Tim 2:1, 8
fortifie-toi dans la grâce qui est en Jésus Christ -Souviens-toi de Jésus Christ, issu de
la postérité de David, ressuscité des morts
• Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity 1Tim 4:13
Jusqu'à ce que je vienne, applique-toi à la lecture, à l'exhortation, à l'enseignement.
• Fight the good fight of the faith 1Tim 6:12
Combats le bon combat de la foi
At a general level, the idea of ‘leadership’ in France is virtually non-existent. This is
for the very simple reason, that without a protestant work ethic, leadership is not
leadership but simply authority. Often it is autocratic, defensive, secretive, abusive.
The example of godly, servant-hearted leaders in the church is therefore crucial.
Praise the Lord for faithful leaders serving the Lord and his people in France.
• Pray that in areas where there is more than one Christian group, the leaders will
work together in love and unity.
• Pray against deceptive and weak teaching which is rife.
• Pray for leaders:
- their walk with the Lord and joy in salvation
- faithfulness in prayer
- good marriages and family life
- spiritual protection and trust in God's word alone
- desire to evangelise
- creativity in planning outreach
- more church plants to places where there is no church
- excellent teaching from God's word
- wisdom in dealing with pastoral issues
- love for those they pastor
- good days off
- perseverance
- adequate finance for daily living
- ability to recognise and withstand temptation
- good health and sleep
Write down the names of pastors you know in France:
Day 15
Clear understanding of salvation in the church
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no-one can boast. Eph 2:8-9
Car c'est par la grâce que vous êtes sauvés, par le moyen de la foi. Et cela ne vient
pas de vous, c'est le don de Dieu. Ce n'est point par les oeuvres, afin que personne ne
se glorifie. Éphésiens 2:8-9
Praise God for the glory of his salvation.
• Pray that Christians have a clear understanding of what the Bible teaches on
salvation.
• Pray for a hunger for God's word and a deep desire to be steeped in it and to dig
deep to find eternal truths.
• Pray for the impact of lived changed through salvation and for the impact of such
lives.
• Pray that both isolated Christians and those who lack good teaching stand firm in
their faith and read the Bible day by day.
May individual Christians be so full of love for their Saviour that they overflow in
good deeds and have the courage to share their faith sensitively.
Day 16
Vision in the church for outreach
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the
city was full of idols. Acts 17:16
Comme Paul les attendait à Athènes, il sentait au dedans de lui son esprit s'irriter, à la
vue de cette ville pleine d'idoles. Actes 17:16
Praise the Lord for those who have a vision for evangelism.
• Pray for the growth of the church in France, for the establishment of strong, solid
churches with good teaching and wise leaders
• Pray that church leaders, elders and others may experience Paul's deep distress for
those who do not yet know the Lord. May they be like Christ who looked on people
as sheep without a shepherd.
• Pray that the Lord will raise up men and women of vision.
• Pray for that churches get right the balance between being distinctive and engaging
with the world but not being part of it. Pray for their effectiveness in their
neighbourhood – that the whole community will be blessed. Pray that they won't be
set in their ways but be imaginative in finding acceptable ways of drawing in nonChristians to hear a gospel message.
• Pray that the Lord will add to their number and bring Christians who may be
isolated, into fellowship with them.
• Pray that church congregations will plan events to which they can invite their
friends. Pray that regular services will be visitor-friendly.
• Remember again all those towns without any recognised church of believers and
pray that the Lord will bring groups of Christians of all ages and with many gifts to
be new churches together.
Day 17
Planting new churches
When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who
are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then
you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. Joshua
3:3-4
Lorsque vous verrez l'arche de l'alliance de l'Éternel, votre Dieu, portée par les
sacrificateurs, les Lévites, vous partirez du lieu où vous êtes, et vous vous mettrez en
marche après elle. Mais il y aura entre vous et elle une distance d'environ deux mille
coudées: n'en approchez pas. Elle vous montrera le chemin que vous devez suivre,
car vous n'avez point encore passé par ce chemin. Josué 3:3-4
•Praise the Lord for those who are pioneering new churches, that they depend totally
on the Lord and persevere in prayer and outreach.
•Praise the Lord for those who have planted a new church from an existing
congregation and are seeing growth.
•Praise Him for the new course in church planting at Vaux-sur-Seine theological
college.
Pray for
• wisdom for leaders of medium-sized congregations to know when and how to
approach the planting of a new church.
• agreement and unity in the sending church, that people will accept the pain of
separating from other church members.
• good relationships between these newly planted churches and any others in the
neighbourhood.
• the Lord to add to their number and bring Christians who may be isolated into
fellowship with them.
• new church congregations to plan events to which they can invite their friends and
services that are visitor-friendly.
• Remember again all those towns without any recognised church of believers and
pray that the Lord will bring groups of Christians of all ages and with many gifts to
be new churches together.
Make a note of a place you know without a witnessing church and pray for it:
see also Day 6, and statistics in introduction.
Day 18
Apprentices in church work
Jesus said to his disciples: The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to
the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his
fields. Matthew 9:37-38
Alors il dit à ses disciples: La moisson est grande, mais il y a peu d'ouvriers. Priez
donc le maître de la moisson d'envoyer des ouvriers dans sa moisson. Matt 9:37-38
The challenges for a French person wanting to do church work are considerable.
Praise the Lord for those with the vision to train young people considering future
church work, and for churches who take on an apprentice.*
• Pray that God will use special weekends for young people considering full-time
Christian ministry to raise up more workers for the harvest field.
• Pray that they are clear about what it means to serve, and that they serve him with
all that they are.
• Pray for God to give all involved a greater passion for his glory, delight in all that
he is doing for us in Jesus, and courage to respond to his call.
• Pray for churches to offer places for training and that many more churches see the
importance of training and become committed to it.
Our God is great enough to overcome the difficulties. And as he gives himself to us,
may the young trainees find that he is sufficient in all circumstances.
Note down any trainees or church training that you know about:
* For more info see nouvelles générations website on final page
Day 19
Outreach to women
Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live ... to teach what is good.
Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children Titus 2:34
Dis que les femmes âgées doivent aussi avoir l'extérieur qui convient à la sainteté …
qu'elles doivent donner de bonnes instructions, dans le but d'apprendre aux jeunes
femmes à aimer leurs maris et leurs enfants. Tite 2:3-4
Loneliness is a huge problem in France. The Fondation de France found in a study in
2010 that four million French people are lonely. It is difficult to develop warm and
deep friendships in France, especially in Paris, so pray that Christian women are not
lonely but demonstrate God's love by caring for each other. May they not be tempted
to seek ungodly relationships with non-believers.
Praise God for the growth of groups which encourage women to read the Bible and
reach out to their friends.
• Pray for the building up of women who are married to non-believing husbands
• Pray for Christian women whose husbands have divorced them.
• Pray for church workers and other women who lead such groups, for wisdom and
skill in passing on their pastoral gifts.
Do pray that women use and develop their gifts within the church, that they learn to
teach the Bible and show forth their good deeds.
When women gather to read the Bible together they can see how to live to God's
glory in their homes, what to avoid in the way of gossip and above all reach out to
non-believers in everyday life.
Pray that barriers do not arise between the single and married women.
Pray that the men who lead churches are aware of any such problems and find good
ways of encouraging the gifts of everyone in ministry.
Write down the names of any women you know who lead ladies' Bible study groups:
Day 20
Christian marriages and Christian families
Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must
respect her husband. Eph 5:33
Que chacun de vous aime sa femme comme lui-même, et que la femme respecte son
mari. Eph 5:33
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not
embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Col 3:21-22
Enfants, obéissez en toutes choses à vos parents, car cela est agréable dans le
Seigneur. Pères, n'irritez pas vos enfants, de peur qu'ils ne se découragent. Col 3:21-22
Praise God for every Christian family in France.
• Pray for Christian families to remain firm in their faith and to build strong
marriages that last and bear witness to Christ.
• Pray for wisdom for Christian parents to follow God's word in bringing up their
children, so that the children always want to follow Jesus
• Pray for the good influence of godly grandparents
• Pray that from a young age children from Christian families will expect only to
marry a fellow-Christian.
• Pray for the work of Sunday school in churches, for well trained, creative teachers,
who know how to teach God's word in ways relevant to young children.
Make a list of families you know:
Day 21
youth groups and outreach to young people
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the
believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity 1Tim 4:11
Que personne ne méprise ta jeunesse; mais sois un modèle pour les fidèles, en parole,
en conduite, en charité, en foi, en pureté. 1Tim 4:11
Praise the Lord for any youth leaders you know at a church in France.
• Pray that the leaders will be godly men and women who model the Christian life
and reflect Jesus in all they do.
• Pray that leaders will teach God's word in attractive, relevant ways to young people,
so that they know how to stand firm at school.
• Pray for young people to invite their friends to Christian events.
Make a list of the young people you want to pray for:
Summer camps
Each Summer there are different Christian camps for young people. These range from
the bilingual camps to the rallies for the Flambeaux from all over French-speaking
Europe. These are a great time for small groups to meet up with others and see they
are not alone, for networking pre-university, for hearing good and relevant teaching
and for becoming independent of parents in developing their understanding of their
faith and salvation.
Praise the Lord that these do exist in France.
• Pray for their numbers to grow and for good organisation
• Pray for good publicity
• Pray for the leaders and all their preparation
• Pray for safety in travelling to camp and during all the activities
• Pray for the young people to delight in God's word and want to follow Jesus.
• Pray that young campers will tell and invite their friendships
• Pray that the word is not snatched away afterwards
• Pray for those who return to non-Christian homes that they may win over their
parents through their changed lives.
Day 22
Financial needs and church buildings
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for
your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2
Corinthians 8:9
Car vous connaissez la grâce de notre Seigneur Jésus Christ, qui pour vous s'est fait
pauvre, de riche qu'il était, afin que par sa pauvreté vous fussiez enrichis. 2
Corinthiens 8:9
Lack of adequate financial support can be the reason why some churches fail, and
pastors have to leave. Adequate finance is difficult when congregations are small and
there is no history of sacrificial, planned and joyful giving.
Praise God who has given us everything and pray for a spirit of generosity in French
congregations.
Pray that the Lord will give unexpected gifts that can be used in his work.
Pray for trust and against anxiety on the part of church leaders.
Pray that leaders will preach well on the grace of giving.
It can be very difficult for churches to find suitable buildings in a public space.
• Pray that the spread of the Gospel will not be hampered because of inadequate
premises.
• Pray also that where Christians meet, the rooms will be attractive, feel fresh and
modern, and be overwhelmingly welcoming to visitors and outsiders.
List any specific needs re. finance or buildings, known to you:
If you wish to make a personal gift, follow the links at the end of this prayer guide to France Mission, who will direct
your gift to a needy church.
Day 23
Education and Christian teachers
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2
Ne vous conformez pas au siècle présent, mais soyez transformés par le
renouvellement de l'intelligence Romains 12:2
Teachers in France have to follow a very strict curriculum and there is no religious
teaching except in Catholic schools. They are not expected to do any pastoral care,
but they are directed by the Government to give non-religious moral instruction.
Praise God for every Christian teacher bearing witness to the Truth of Christ
• Pray for Christian teachers under pressure to do secular teaching of morality. May
they be given wisdom to communicate their faith to their pupils in ways that show
God's love. May they be people of integrity.
• Pray for opportunities to integrate faith into teaching in relevant ways.
• Pray for teachers and the teaching administration in France which is centralized at a
regional level and because of this, is often difficult in terms of management and
authority structures in individual schools, leading to serious discipline issues and a
lack of healthy examples of good governance; for example that anti-bullying
programmes might be well-received.
• Pray for God to open doors to get Christians into schools in France
• Pray for children of Christian families that they will apply what they learn at church
and stand firm at school. Pray especially that they withstand the pressure against
Christianity.
• Pray for their witness to their friends
Make a list of Christian teachers for whom you want to pray:
Day 24
Christians in business
whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
soit que vous fassiez quelque autre chose, faites tout pour la gloire de Dieu
1Corinthiens 10:31
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on
the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; the face of the LORD is against
those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry
out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:1416
Éloigne-toi du mal, et fais le bien; Recherche et poursuis la paix. Les yeux de
l'Éternel sont sur les justes, Et ses oreilles sont attentives à leurs cris. L'Éternel tourne
sa face contre les méchants, Pour retrancher de la terre leur souvenir. Quand les justes
crient, l'Éternel entend, Et il les délivre de toutes leurs détresses Psaume 34:15-17
It is hard for Christian businessmen and entrepreneurs to obey fully all the regulations
and pay all taxes and many go under and are forced to move their families. Some
Christians drop out of their profession because they are expected to pay backhanders.
• Pray for business people of integrity to honour the Lord in every aspect of their
work.
• Pray that against all the odds, the Lord will so bless their righteous lives that others
will be amazed
• Pray against corruption
List any Christians in business whom you know:
Day 25
Against the occult, and suicide
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of
evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
Car nous n'avons pas à lutter contre la chair et le sang, mais contre les dominations,
contre les autorités, contre les princes de ce monde de ténèbres, contre les esprits
méchants dans les lieux célestes. Ephésiens 6:12
OCCULT Interest: About half of the French population believe in faith healing, with
one quarter putting their faith in clairvoyants or astrology. An estimated 10 million
people pay around £20 billion for occult consultations, three times the amount paid
to their family doctors.
There are over 30,000 registered mediums and spiritual healers in France.
Praise God for the victory we have in Christ.
• Pray against the power of the occult.
There are many advertisements for tarot competitions; pray that people will stop
visiting such events.
• Pray that Christians will not get sucked in and that they will be bold to challenge
those who are involved.
• Pray against the control that freemasons have in some towns and cities
• Pray for any recent converts from the occult or freemasonry that they will know the
freedom which is theirs in Christ and that they will make a total break from their
former allegiances.
* * * * *
The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
L'Éternel est près de ceux qui ont le coeur brisé, Et il sauve ceux qui ont l'esprit dans
l'abattement. Psaume 34:19
Far too many people commit suicide. Pray for those with mental health problems,
often on the fringe of churches, that they will have assurance of the Lord's love and
see it in tangible ways amongst his people.
Pray for patience and understanding for those who care for these folk.
Day 26
The pull of Mary worship
I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered. Luke 1:38
Marie dit: Je suis la servante du Seigneur. Luc 1:38
The Catholic church: Membership70% call themselves Catholics, but about 10%
practise regularly. Of these an estimated 300,000 are practising charismatics.
Catholic Missionaries: There are 22,754 Catholic missionaries sent out from France,
making France the second largest sending country in the Catholic world.
Catholic Priests: In 1976 there were 41,000 Roman Catholic priests in France. In
1995 there were only 28,000. Most priests are elderly and, as there are few young
replacements, each priest has to cover an increasing number of communities. (Stats
January 2005 )
Praise the Lord for many Catholics who are experiencing revival and renewal and
who love the Lord and His word; praise too for the Alpha courses which are being
used by Catholic groups to reach out to non-believers and lapsed Catholics. Many
Christians in France are converted catholics who never had access to the full word of
God and who were taught that you were closer to Mary than Jesus.
Pray for
• born again Christians to be freed from this oppression and know true life from
Jesus alone; from Mary-worship and the hold of any traditional church teaching
which is counter to the Bible.
• those catholics who have Christian friends that they may be won for Christ through
the quality of lives of their friends and the light and life of Jesus in them.
• the “new catholics” who have received the word of life and bear witness to
salvation, while remaining members of their catholic community.
• Pray for special anointing for those who have to deal with the Protestant-Catholic
divide; pray that the Truth would be revealed more and more, both within and beyond
the church.
• Pray for good inter-church, inter-denominational relationships.
• Pray that hard-pressed congregations will not see Catholics as the enemy, and will
not jump on half-truths, but be welcoming to any who turn up at their churches.
In South America, the Anglican church is realising its missionary potential to reach
Catholics. This may be a way forward in France if people are trained with an
Anglican background, and a knowledge of liturgy familiar to Catholics.
• Pray that if it is God's will, he will call Anglicans with a vision for the Gospel in
France to reach out to Catholic communities.
Day 27
Muslims in France
The eunuch asked Philip, Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or
someone else? Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the
good news about Jesus. Acts 8:34-35
L'eunuque dit à Philippe: Je te prie, de qui le prophète parle-t-il ainsi? Est-ce de luimême, ou de quelque autre? Alors Philippe, ouvrant la bouche et commençant par ce
passage, lui annonça la bonne nouvelle de Jésus. Actes 8:34-35
ISLAM Membership: 7.7% of population. An estimated 4.5 million people, mainly
from N. Africa, Mid.East, West Africa and up to 150,000 French.
There are 8 “Grand Mosques” in France, 120 mosques accommodating 200-1,000
people each, and more than 1,000 places of worship. The relatively small number of
mosques, given such a large Muslim population, is due to the fact that a large
percentage of the Muslims are non-practising. Also, those who came as migrant
workers in the 60s and 70s didn’t expect to stay permanently, giving them no need to
build special places for worship.
There are about 500 Imams in France, though only 4% are French citizens.
Praise the Lord for Christians reaching out to Muslims in France and for those
former Muslims who have turned to Christ.
• Pray for immigrant communities that they will be reached with the Gospel and that
this will have a huge impact on the life of their neighbourhoods.
• Pray for Christians with Muslim work colleagues and friends to be convinced that
Jesus is the only way to the Father.
• Pray that converted Muslims will naturally pass on the Gospel. Pray that they will
know freedom in Christ from the hold of Islam
• Pray for the Lord to intervene directly in people's lives through dreams and visions.
* * * * *
Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father
except through me. John 14:6
Jésus lui dit: Je suis le chemin, la vérité, et la vie. Nul ne vient au Père que par moi.
Jean 14:6
• Pray that converted Muslims and other French Christians worship in love and unity
as an example of true assimilation and integration as God's people of the Truth.
• Pray also for persecuted Christians in Algeria, Tunisia
Day 28
Christians from abroad serving in France
In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show
integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that
those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about
us. Titus 2:7-8
te montrant toi-même à tous égards un modèle de bonnes oeuvres, et donnant un
enseignement pur, digne, une parole saine, irréprochable, afin que l'adversaire soit
confus, n'ayant aucun mal à dire de nous. Tite 2:7-8
Praise the Lord for those who have chosen to serve the Lord in France.
List and remember in prayer:
• IFES workers:
• Church pastors:
• British and American missionaries:
• Christians with second homes in France:
• Anglican churches already in France:**
• Pray about the possibility of new Anglican churches being involved in mission and
being able to cross the divide between the Catholics and existing Christian
communities
• Pray that all workers from outside France will speak French fluently and continue to
improve their French
• Pray that they will establish good relationships with their neighbours and persevere
in building friendships
• Pray that they will work well with local churches
• Pray that their lives will be worthy of the Gospel
• Many travel long distances regularly, pray that they drive well and are kept safe.
** France Mission (www.france-mission.org): contact this group for info regarding churches to visit
when holidaying in France
Day 29
The media and national debates
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made
for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and
quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1Timothy 2 1-2
J'exhorte donc, avant toutes choses, à faire des prières, des supplications, des
requêtes, des actions de grâces, pour tous les hommes, pour les rois et pour tous ceux
qui sont élevés en dignité, afin que nous menions une vie paisible et tranquille, en
toute piété et honnêteté. 1Timothée 2 1 – 2
Fear is a major element in the functioning of state institutions in France. It is very sad
and very disturbing. But what is even more distressing, is the lack of capacity to
believe that there might be alternatives – the lack of hope. Many people in France
mock those who believe in God or want to talk about their faith in Jesus.
Keep aware of what is happening in France and pray accordingly. Pray at times of
elections and pray at all times for the leaders.
Praise God that he is not mocked; he is sovereign.
• Pray that fear of mockery will not silence Christians.
• Pray for the press so that it becomes normal in national debates that an evangelical
Christian be invited to put a clear Christian point of view.
• Pray for Christians to get involved in the press and put their point of view.
• In national debates pray for Christians to express themselves clearly and have
something different to say.
• Pray that the laws of laïcité (secularity and separation of church and state) will not
prevent politicians from welcoming Christian viewpoints.
• Many French people are hugely disempowered - pray that the true Liberator would
be revealed across the nation.
• Pray for Christians in high profile positions, that there would be more of them and
for favourable media coverage of Protestants.
Day 30
Spiritual hunger and a spiritual harvest
Pray with faith, hope, confidence and expectation for that which we do not yet see,
but by God's grace and mercy, at His time and in His way, will come.
Consider the amazing growth of the church in China. This growth was unexpected
and happened in a country without a history of Christian-Judeo values. What has
happened around the world God can do in France, against all normal expectations and
against a history of bitter and aggressive oppression of the protestant reformation, the
atheistic Revolution and suppression of the church, and a secular state in which
people do not appear to consider God exists.
Praise the Lord that he is the Creator of the whole world and ruler of it. He can do all
things and with Him all things are possible.
Praise Him – God IS working his purposes out as year succeeds to year.
• Pray for the power of the cross in individuals’ lives, for repentance and forgiveness
of sins to be known and accepted and for a great turning to the Lord. For hope in life
in Christ beyond the grave.
• Pray with faith, hope, confidence and expectation for that which we do not yet see,
but by God's grace and mercy, at His time and in His way, will come.
• Pray for greater understanding in the British church of the spiritual darkness that
exists in France and the immense needs of their neighbours. Pray that more and more
cross-Channel relationships would be established to bring in the harvest.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in
Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
Or, à celui qui peut faire, par la puissance qui agit en nous, infiniment au delà de tout
ce que nous demandons ou pensons, à lui soit la gloire dans l'Église et en Jésus
Christ, dans toutes les générations, aux siècles des siècles! Amen!
Ephésiens 3:20-21
If it is the end of the month, return to Day 1
Day 31
Opportunities to reach French people in England
• Pray for the establishment of hospitality ministries in England for French people
wanting to learn English.
• Pray for French students studying at British universities that they will meet
Christians and be attracted to finding out more about Jesus.
• Pray that many are truly converted and have a vision for living for Christ back in
their home country.
Pray also for high-quality Christian English language teaching facilities on the
internet – this is a ministry with world-wide potential, but pray particularly for this
area of outreach for France.
Now return to Day 1
Some useful addresses for further information
http://www.nouvelles-generations.org/
www.gbu.fr
www.ifesworld.org/country/fr
International Fellowship of Evangelical Students
www.france-mission.org
In addition to the prayer news they publish, France Mission can also help
anglophones find a church when visiting France, and can help folk connect with
short-term mission opportunities, including Year Abroad possibilities for students of
French
Statistics are taken with permission from the France mission website
You can find more statistics at: http://www.ccfof.org/evangelicalfrance/evangelicalfrance.html
CNEF – the National Council of Evangelicals of France
http://www.1pour10000.fr/