Senegal 2023

Today there are fewer missionaries working among the most unreached people groups, the Wolof and Peul, of Senegal than there were 15 years ago. And, it takes a few years for a missionary to raise support, learn a new language and culture, and begin effective ministry in a Muslim context.

We also know disciple making movements are led by indigenous leaders, not missionaries. Yet, missionaries can serve as catalysts to get a gospel movement started and provide initial training and support to national leaders who will eventually take the reigns of the movement.

Sadly, in the last couple of years several key national Christian leaders in Senegal died from COVID, leaving a void in the ranks of mature Christians in Senegal. This might appear discouraging to many of us, yet we know from the story of Gideon, that God doesn’t rely on a large army. God is not discouraged or daunted by the obstacles or the setbacks experienced by his people.

PRAISE

“And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

’Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!’” (Revelation 15:3)

KINGDOM COME

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.” (Matthew 23:13)

In Jesus’ day there were many opposed to the Kingdom of God, and the world today is no different. Sadly, there are many religious and cultural leaders in Senegal who make it difficult for those who want to enter God’s Kingdom to do so in peace. Muslim parents and grandparents often make it difficult for their family members to enter Jesus’ kingdom.

We appeal to you, Jesus, the One who opens the Kingdom to sinners, to open the Kingdom to many in Senegal today.

PRAY THE BOOK OF ACTS

Jesus told Paul that “I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” (Acts 26:18)

We beseech you, Lord, to send many Senegalese “Pauls” to “open eyes” throughout every corner and ethnic group of Senegal. Father, raise up more strong leaders who will stand firm in their faith and be diligent in helping people turn from darkness to the light of the gospel of Jesus.

PRAY THE HALL OF FAITH

“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon…” (Hebrews 11:32-35a)

Gideon allowed God to dwindle an army of more than 30,000 to 300 so God would receive all of the glory for the victory. Yahweh, raise up leaders like Gideon in Senegal, men and women who will have more confidence in you than in their resources. Father, your power and presence are so much more important than our numbers and resources. Contend for your people in Senegal against the Evil One who seeks to deceive and destroy.

PRAYER

Lord, you are the God of the harvest, and from you we are asking for more workers. Father, we need more gospel seed sowers since the Wolof and Peul “fields” here lack sufficient seed and are not yet ripe for harvest. Most of these seed sowers and harvesters will come from within the harvest here in Senegal–Senegalese who already speak Wolof or Peul and already understand the culture. We pray the believers in Senegal will be intentional and diligent in making disciples who will make more disciples.

If you’d like to learn more about disciple making movements, go to https://zume.training/god-uses-ordinary-people/