September 7 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

Please pray for F. and A. This young couple planted a church in a slum area on the outskirts of Porto Alegre and then handed the reigns over to another couple and moved on to a staff position at a large church in another state. They have since returned to Porto Alegre and are searching for God’s will for their lives, including whether God would have them plant another church in the Gaúcho capital.

September 6 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

Please pray for E., a new believer in the Italian immigrant community of Alto Caraá on the outskirts of the Southern Brazilian megacity of Porto Alegre. E. was the first believer in Jesus Christ in the history of his county, and has since been involved in leading a few of his neighbors to Christ. He is being discipled and is learning how to lead the new church that God is forming in his community. Please pray that he will remain strong in the Lord, and that the Holy Spirit will bless his testimony and life with great fruit. Also pray for the new believers as they are facing persecution from their Catholic neighbors.

September 5 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

Please pray for R., a new church planter in a poor slum on the rural outskirts of the Southern Brazilian megacity of Porto Alegre. The church plant started several years ago, and has met in homes, a school, and rented facilities. They are currently meeting in a former grocery store. R. and his wife A. moved into the community and stepped into leadership at the church plant a few months ago. Please pray that they will be able to provide stability and build relationships which will enable them to share the gospel and build a solid foundation in Christ for the work. Pray that this church plant will soon begin to birth other church plants and that R. and A. will be encouraged and stay strong and holy in the Lord.

September 4 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

Please pray for the church planting work in the Menino Deus neighborhood of the city of Porto Alegre in Southern Brazil. This upper middle class neighborhood is strategically located and the residents have shown openness to the gospel. Several church small groups and outreaches to athletes have proven to be successful, but actual church planting has not yet gotten off the ground. Please pray that God would raise up workers for the harvest, and that in short order, we will be able to celebrate in how God has raised up a vibrant, reproducing Christian community in Menino Deus.

September 3 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

Please pray for the church planting efforts among the urban poor in the city of São Leopoldo in the Southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. A simple church was planted under IMB leadership several years ago that ended up not surviving long term. However, one of the leaders who was trained in that church planting effort later started a new group in his home using what he learned. That group is now thriving and has twenty people participating in weekly Bible study and church life. Please pray for A. and T. as they lead this group, and ask the Father to multiply their reach and to use this group both as a mother church to other simple churches and an example to other leaders of how to plant new churches.

September 2 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

Please pray for L and L, a church planting couple in the unreached Mega City of Porto Alegre, in South Brazil. After completing an internship in a simple church plant on the outskirts of the city, L declared that he would “plant a church in Porto Alegre or die.” This couple and their young child are now looking for the most strategic place in the city and the best way to plant to make the biggest potential impact. Please pray that God would lead them to the right location and strategy, and that they would have tremendous wisdom to go along with their passion to reach this vitally important city.

September 1 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

The Metropolitan Porto Alegre area in South Brazil is home to more than 5 million Urban Gaúchos, less than 1% of whom have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. September is a key month in the history of the Gaúcho people, as it serves as the anniversary of their failed civil war against Brazil many years ago. This war has marked the psyche of the Gaúchos, and millions will turn out to celebrate their culture and heritage in civil war reenactments and celebrations this month. The Month of Prayer for the Gaúcho People recognizes the spiritual significance of this month and draws together believers across geographical and denominational lines to take a stand and declare that September is a turning point when through prayer, the people who have lived in darkness WILL see a great light, and that the gospel will take firm root and spread throughout this needy land. Pray that God would raise up prayer warriors this month to stand with us and the Gaúchos before the throne of God and declare that Porto Alegre will become a place where God is greatly glorified.