Month of Prayer and Giving Day 24- The City Within the City

“And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.’”
Acts 18:9-10 ESV

Ever since I spent a day there in 2000 on my way to Kathmandu, Nepal, Vienna has been one of my favourite European cities. I’ve been there quite a few times for various reasons and always return with a story to tell.

Like the time Steve Missios and I were taking in the sights of this impressive city of art and culture. He rightly gathered that I had lost interest. He asked if there was something I would rather do – some place I would rather be?

Since he’s a friend, I answered with complete honesty. Take me away from the tourist area. Take me to a poor section of the city. Introduce me to some real people with real problems.
He did. And neither of us have ever been the same.

We had numerous opportunities to share our faith with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds and an array of socio-economic situations. There was an openness that we both remember – and discuss! – till this day.

I returned to Britain. Steve and his family – though not in the same district we visited that day – continue to reach real people with real problems in this beautiful (but spiritually needy) city.

Will you pray today for Steve and his family as they seek to balance various personal, work and ministry responsibilities? Will you pray for Grace Life Church of Vienna to continue to be built up numerically and spiritually? Will you pray that churches will be planted elsewhere in Austria for the glory of God?

While you’re at it why not pray for gritty urban areas in Britain that still stand in need of the only gospel that saves?

“Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”
3 John 8 ESV

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