August 11th 2024

Psalm 119: 81-88

My soul longs for your salvation;
I hope in your word.
My eyes long for your promise;
I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
How long must your servant endure?
When will you judge those who persecute me?
The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.
All your commandments are sure;
they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
In your steadfast love give me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Latvia in Europe

Religion & Geography
Largest Religion: Christian 60%
% Evangelical:  7% 
Population: 1,810,240

After decades of Communism, the Soviet Union's collapse
left a moral vacuum in Latvia which was quickly filled by
opportunistic negative influences. Drug and alcohol abuse, a
widespread sex trade, and high rates of abortion and suicide
all point to significant needs. People often feel numb or even
helpless. Latvia has done relatively well from a technology
and development perspective, but needs prayer for the
deeper and eternal needs of its people.
Christianity in Latvia, is characterized mostly by
nominalism, since the excitement of the 1990s has yielded to
a lethargic status quo. Although 60% belong to a Christian
confession, only a small minority actually practice their faith.
The Lutheran, Catholic and Orthodox churches dominate
the religious scene; and while they are trusted, social
institutions need an injection of spiritual dynamism and
renewal. The spread of cults, both Christian and pagan, is a
challenge to Christianity. Pray for a new move of the Spirit
in the mainline churches; there are certainly many signs of
life already. Pray for the many nominal Christians to become
true believers.

Connor & Caroline Kennedy

Scotland

In the coming weeks, I (Connor) will be preaching several
times at our church out of the Psalms and finishing leading a
summer bible study through Ecclesiastes. Then, on August
30th, Caroline and I will travel to Edinburgh to visit with
the pastors and saints at local church. The church invited us
to come for this visit so that their church members could get
to know us, sit under Connor’s teaching, and be in a better
position to corporately receive us. This visit will also give us
the chance to scout out housing opportunities, schools, and
other logistical matters while building deeper relationships
with the local church members.
After our visit to that church, Lord-willing, their lead pastor
will travel to Minneapolis to spend time with our family and
to bolster the relationship between our churches. At that
point, Caroline and I will be full speed ahead pursuing
financial partners to invest in what the Lord is doing in
Scotland. We will also begin the visa process, which takes
approximately 5 to 6 months. 

Advancing Christ’s Kingdom

Are there people you have shared the gospel with recently? Let us pray for those seeds to take root.

Are there people you are seeking to engage with the gospel? Let us pray for opportunity, boldness, and the Lord's salvation. 

Are you burdened by anything in our community? Let us take it to the Lord. 

In what other ways can we pray for Christ’s kingdom to advance in our region?