~Finland - June 2011 Prayer Focus

Finland's Intercessor Team Prayer Focus The Mark Alphin Family-UPCI Missionaries, FINLAND	June 2011

You have received this email because: (1) You voluntarily joined our prayer team, or (2) You support us financially and we want to keep you in the "communication loop."

We greet you in Jesus' Name with hopes that this email finds you well! As you probably know from reading our newsletter (sent via Constant Contact on June 6, 2011), we recently attended the Scandinavian Conference. While there, both Mark and I were given a prophetic word that we know was from God, as He alone knows the prayers of our heart. He has seen our struggle, and He will overcome and give us complete dominion in our country. However, we know that God's timing is perfect. As humans, it is easy to think, "God said he would conquer, so let's watch as He does a quick work!" But, it generally doesn't work that way. Habakkuk 2:3 says, "For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Just as the Old Testament prophets had to wait for God's Word to be fulfilled, we must also wait.  Prior to conference, I had been praying specifically for spiritual doors to be opened within our community. I was somewhat taken aback to hear the Lord say, "I'll open them when you're ready." "Ready? What do you mean, 'When we're ready?' God, we gave up everything we knew to be 'normal' in order to help You fulfill your vision for Finland." It was then that God began to remind me of the circumstances under which our family has lived for the last five months. Undergoing cultural changes from one country to another: these encompass the way people think, act, talk, and live. Absence of close family and friends: we're learning to live with our loved ones far away while we enlarge our friendship base here in our new country. Finding a new place to call home, then finally being able to settle into it once our shipment arrived in May (after five months of waiting). Just imagine potentially being in a state of relocation for that length of time (*smiling*)! Experiencing a different sort of spiritual attack than we'd faced before: being responsible for the salvation of a nation, whereas before, we'd also been under the umbrella of someone else's leadership. Now, as we say in the United States, "the buck stops here." So, we continue to pray, learn, and wait. There is no stress or frustration, for we understand that God is in control. His plan is perfect, and so is its implementation. "Finally, my brothers, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified, even as it also is with you." (2 Thessalonians 3:1, MKJV)  Glenda Alphin

OUR PRAYER NEEDS May 2011's prayer focus requested that, rather than declaring spiritual war and fighting the enemy, prayers for God's light to shine in Finland be sent up to heaven. Within hours of Finland's Intercessor Team (FIT) members receiving our email, the spiritual atmosphere began to shift and continued to do so throughout the month. While there is definitely a spiritual battle, its parameters have shifted. We ask that prayers like this continue, as it is enabling us to gain more dominion in the spirit realm. Continued Prayers for Light "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light." (Psalms 36:9)   "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." (Psalms 119:130)   "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more to the perfect day." (Proverbs 4:18) "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16) "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)    Home Bible Studies We are currently teaching three individuals. We need continued wisdom to present the Gospel in such a way that they will both have a better understanding of scripture and God's plan for their lives. Ongoing Requests Language studies: new language teacher, clarity, focus--this is an important one for us, as it is imperative that we be able to grasp the Finnish language AIM couple for Tampere A hunger to arise within the Finnish people, that they would begin to feel a deep urgency to seek God A spiritual awakening to occur in the hearts and minds of men A blood covering over the people of the Name within the country Open doors for the Word of God to have free course The spirit of God to draw people who are hungry for salvation For the atmosphere to be changed so that people would more easily understand and accept salvation

FIT Member Prayer Requests   Carolyn - is suffering with a recurrence of bone cancer Shirley - has a situation in her family that only God can work out; she asks for His wisdom If you have a prayer request that you would like to share with the team, please feel free to contact us.

"Blessed is Jehovah, because He has heard the voice of my prayers. Jehovah is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song I will praise Him. Jehovah is a strength to them, and He is the saving strength of His anointed." (Psalm 28:6-8)

This is Finland!