Enjoying WORLD MISSIONS . . . in FEBRUARY

February's MISSION-MINDED FAMILY holiday focus includes: Valentines Day, Chinese New Year, President's Day, and Mardi Gras/Carnival. Our emphasis is God's LOVE for the WORLD, the PASSION of JESUS CHRIST as He died on the CROSS, and our need to PRAY for Christians who are being PERSECUTED for their faith.

Teaching Opportunity: Update Your Family Calendar

Throughout the year, acknowledging international holidays and using these days as focus-points for prayer, can give our families an insight into our world's need for Jesus. These vibrant festivities are filled with colorful expression, yet often these traditions are rooted in false religion and fear. Get out your family calendar, and take a moment to write down the names of these holidays on their respective dates.

Throughout the year, you can come back to the chapter, "Enjoying Missions Throughout the Year" in The Mission-Minded Family, to read about each holiday and pray accordingly.

Valentine's Day

(February 14th) - This holiday, also known as Saint Valentine's Day, was named after two early Christian martyrs named Valentine and is observed by Western and Western-influenced cultures. In the United States and some other countries, cards and gifts are given to friends, sweethearts, and family members to express love.

• A STARTLING MISSION FACT: From Neal Pirolo's book, Serving as Senders: On just one day, February 14th, Americans spend over 700 million dollars to say "I love you" with Valentine's Day cards. Less than that is spent in the whole month of February (or in any of the other months) to tell a lost and dying world that God loves them!
• NEIGHBORHOOD VALENTINE OUTREACH: Encourage your kids to make Valentine's Day cards to thank the special people in their lives. You could also use these cards as a witnessing tool - to share "Jesus LOVES You!" with unsaved family members, young friends, or adult neighbors who need the Lord.
• HELPFUL LINK: Click here for FREE Valentine's Day notebook pages.
• PRAYER FOCUS - Voice of the Martyrs & the Persecuted Church: Pray for contemporary Christians who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. See persecution.org, or read a selection from the great book, Jesus Freaks, by dc Talk. Also, here's an excellent article about St. Valentine the Martyr from Christian Persecution blog (The Voice of the Martyrs).

Chinese New Year - China

Pray for the nation of China!

(February 14, 2010) - The Chinese New Year is celebrated with family gift giving and celebrations. In China, many people need Jesus, and many Christians suffer persecution.

• Pray for Needs in China: Operation World, Missions Atlas Project).

• Learn about Missionaries to China:Hudson Taylor, Gladys Alyward.

• Fun ideas: Eat a Chinese meal with chopsticks. Translate words into Chinese with an online translator. Watch a classic film about Gladys Alyward, "Inn of the Sixth Happiness" starring Ingrid Bergman. (Although not totally accurate, this film is heartwarming and inspirational).

President's Day - USA

(February 15, 2010) - Third Monday of the month.

Pray for the government leaders and for the president of the United States. A good source for help:

 The Presidential Prayer Team

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:1-4).

Mardi Gras - Carnival

Beginning February 16th

Pray for Mardi Gras and Carnival (especially celebrated in Latin American countries). Carnival is a yearly "celebration of the flesh" before the 40 days of Lent. For many Catholics, Lent is a annual time of giving up fleshly things in preparation for Easter.

Mardi Gras and Carnival may look like a lot of fun -- with feathered masks, colorful beaded necklaces, and elaborate parades; but it is a sinful celebration (to "party" before entering into a yearly "fast" to prepare for Holy Week).

• PRAYER FOCUS: God isn't looking for an outward display of piety. He wants our whole heart. YWAM Mazatlan has some interesting information about specific Mardi Gras/Carnival mission outreaches and intercession-focus points for this holiday.

The world needs Jesus . . . all year long!

Let's share God's LOVE!!!

• "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." (John 15:13).

• "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).