We’re in the paper!!  A Dutch paper came in and interviewed the primary organizer and our main speaker for the conference that I’m a part of this week called ICCM-Europe (International Conference on Computing and Mission).

It’s been a great week as I’ve presented on how people can use WordPress to develop websites and web applications as well presented on a web app that we developed to help facilitate intercessory prayer for groups that are geographically dispersed.

I really enjoy coming to this conference as I get to speak a lot of geekness as this conference attracts computer people from all over Europe. We get to share and swap ideas about how technology can be used in ministry so its really awesome.  My role here is really that of computer consultant and so far, I’ve talked to people about developing solutions that will be rolled out in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and even into the Mediterranean Sea.  I feel very privileged to have been able to be here to help these technology ministers.

Read the Dutch article (if you can read Dutch).

Latvia is nestled up in the northeast corner of Europe next to Russia.  The Latvian church suffered heavily under the Nazis and then later by the Communists.  With the freedom of religion in 1988, many returned to knowing Jesus but many have been led to understanding God in ways that just aren’t true.

Dear God,

Today, we thank You for the freedom of religion that has returned to Latvia so that people can freely choose to follow You.  We pray for the people of Latvia that they will hear the truth and come into a personal relationship with You.  Lord, we ask that those who know You will boldly tell others about how their lives are different because of You.  We ask that You be with this year’s elections and that You will be with those that get elected. Amen.

To know more about the prayer needs of Latvia, go to PrayEurope.com .

Kosovo is still trying to recover from the war between the Serbs and Albanians.  Being given official independence in 2008, they are still looking for peace but its a peace only given by God.

Dear Lord,

We pray for the people of Kosovo that they would come to an understanding of their need for You and that they would hear about how You can fulfill those needs.  We pray that the many Muslims (92% of the population) would be shown the truth that is that You love them and want them to know You intimately.  We pray that those that do know You will be united together and be a reflection of Your love.  Amen.

To know more about Kosovo, please go to PrayEurope.com.

Italy is the country shaped like a boot dipping into the Mediterranean Sea.  A wonderful tourist destination but has lost the spiritual fervor that it once had.  Many cathedrals are scattered throughout the land only to be visited by tourists rather than worshipers.

Dear Almighty,

We pray for the many in Italy who have heard Your name only in religious overtones and never as a God that is worth knowing personally.  We pray that they will hear about the true You.  We pray for those that do know You that they will be encouraged to share their lives with their neighbors and in doing so, reflect the love that You have shown them.  We pray that there will be a revival in the Italian church so that people can see You and that the religious and cultural stuff will not get in the way of that.  Amen.

If you want to pray for Italy, go to the PrayEurope.com site.

Ireland – the land of green.  Ideas of leprechauns and pubs are the normal understanding of Ireland however this is the land of St. Patrick where one of the greatest outreach movements known in the world happened but has been covered over and is now thought to be ancient stories.

Dear Father,

We pray today for Ireland where You once moved mightily through the people like St. Patrick and others that similar movements where the Irish can once again come to know You in a very personal way.  We pray that you will lift the bondage that is over drinking from the Irish people and allow them to live life with clear thinking.  We thank you for the Irish sense of humor that is so throughout their culture and lives.  I do believe that sense of humor came from You.  Father, we ask that you give a special blessing to many of the projects that are trying to help people’s circumstances so that they can see how You do take care of them such as Serve the City and The Anchorage.  Amen.

To find out more about how you can pray for Ireland, please see PrayEurope.com.

Iceland is considered to be one of the best places on Earth to live according to the United Nations however 84% of the population has not participated in church over the past 12 months.  This small island country northwest of the UK has the population size of a large city however you will only fill about half of an NBA Basketball arena with those that say they have a personal relationship with Jesus (about 3% of the population).

Dear Lord,

Please be with the Icelandic people as they search for spiritual things yet many overlook the signs You have set before them.  I pray that the Icelandic people will not be drawn into spiritual things that sound like they are You but are false.  I pray that You move in the many groups that are starting to get together to explore who You are.  I pray that You will give strength to those who are sharing how You have changed their lives there in Iceland and that You will allow them to find favor with the Icelandic people.  Amen.

To find out more about how you can pray for Iceland, please go to PrayEurope.com

Hungary is in Central Europe between Austria and Romania.  Communism put a heavy toll on freedom of religion and since the fall, there is still much mistrust to anything dealing with organized religion however there is much spiritual searching going on.

Dear Father,

We pray for the people of Hungary that in their searching to fulfill their spiritual needs, that they would look beyond history and see the true You.  We pray that they would come to understand the relationship they can have with You and partake in the relationship You so want them to have with You too.  We pray for those that have come to know You personally that they would be bold in sharing their stories with others.  We pray for those, especially in the younger generations, that they would look beyond personal circumstances to see how You can move in their lives.  Amen.

To know more about praying for Hungary, see the PrayEurope.com website.

The Holy See (otherwise known as Vatican City) is it own country – independent of Italy (and Rome which encompasses the whole country).  As expected, the Pope heads this country and it’s 100% Catholic.  From this tiny country, the Pope and the Catholic Church have some form of influence in almost every country of the world.

Dear Lord,

We pray for the Pope and the many pressures he faces on a daily basis as he is looked to by so many to be your representative.  Give him strength and clarity in what You would have him do and say.  We pray for the bishops and priests that are in this place that they would stay true to You in their service and that in everything they do, they would honoring to You.  We pray that the influence this area has over the rest of the world, that it done in a way to unite people to know You in a more personal and intimate way.  Amen.

To know more about the Holy See (Vatican City), go to the PrayEurope.com website.

Greece – land of blue sky, blue waters and white cities.  Here Christianity is a cultural phenomenon rather than a personal choice.  It’s just a part of being Greek which means they know no more about what they do and say certain things other than that is what they’ve always done.

Dear God in Heaven,

We pray for the people of Greece to open their hearts to understanding the significance behind many of the cultural things they do every day as these actions can be pointed towards You and move them towards understanding You more.  We pray that the spiritual movements in their hearts will recognized and that they will seek the Truth.  We pray that those that do know You would live lives in reflection of Your Love.  Amen.

To know more about Greece, go to the PrayEurope.com website.

Germany – once divided by a wall (which Alex owns a piece of now) – it is now reunified as a social and economical country but there are still many walls that stand when it comes to knowing God.  Germany is one of the largest if not the largest economic force in Europe and with that has huge influences both with culture and values to Europe and the rest of the world.  There is a huge desire to know things spiritually here however believing that they’ve know about the Bible (which is usually off since they’ve never really heard about the Bible except what people have told them) they turn to other religions or to their own personal philosophies.

This is where I live now and where my home is.

Dear Lord,

I pray for Germany.  I love this country and it’s people.  I pray that many would come to know You here and understand that You are what they are searching for.  I pray that traditions of the past that uplift devils, witches and other things would be put aside so they can see Your wonderfulness.  I pray that those that know You would be bold in taking You into every part of their lives so that others can see how their lives are different because of You.  I pray for those in my town who literally believe that those who know You personally have a “disease” and would much prefer traditions yet still have these spiritual yearnings that they can’t find satisfaction to.  Amen.

For more information about praying for Germany, go to the PrayEurope.com website.