Palestinian Christians find themselves attacked or betrayed from all sides. They are regarded as Arab Palestinians by Israel and as Western collaborators by extremist Muslims, and they are generally ignored or abandoned by the global Church. Yet they trace their roots back to pre-Islamic times. Their numbers in Palestine itself have declined at an accelerating rate, largely due to emigration. The pull to leave is strong, with a vastly greater quality of life available elsewhere, and with increasing pressures from Israel on one side and Islamists on the other. Pray that those who remain might continue to stay strong in both their Christian faith and in their commitment to live out the gospel in very difficult conditions. Pray that they might also know God's protection.

Arab evangelicals number several thousand in 30 churches, most on the West Bank. They feel isolated and rejected by Jews, Arabs, traditional Christians and even Western evangelicals. The formation and operations of the Council of Local Evangelical Churches in the Holy Land are very positive developments. The loss of leadership through emigration is very damaging. Bethlehem Bible College plays a key role in training new leaders but faces many challenges. Pray for this ministry, and pray for courage, endurance and a spirit of love for evangelicals in Palestine. Pray especially for believers from a Muslim background to stay strong and to grow in their new faith.

Palestinian exiles make up 61% of all Palestinians. While Israel's harshness toward them was not admirable, neighbouring Arab lands were grudging and unhappy hosts. Palestinians in exile have mostly lived for generations in refugee camps (breeding grounds for extremism) and still face the spectre of poverty and uncertainty. Their possible return to the Holy Land remains a hugely divisive issue, since sheer numbers would threaten to swamp Israel's population. Pray for a solution that offers justice and righteousness to these unwanted people. Pray also for Christians to demonstrate love and concern for them in effective ways.

Panama is a nation of great diversity and great potential. Because of its strategic location and the Canal, Panama is a melting pot of many races. The country's motto is "Panama, Bridge to the World, Heart of the Universe". Pray that this unique nation may bless the world.

The Church's impact is significantly less than its size. Nominalism is widespread in both the Catholic Church and in many English-speaking churches. Catholicism has lost much impetus to the more dynamic evangelicals, JWs, Mormons and Muslims. The Church lacks the strength to turn this trend around and is further compromised by many of its members dallying with the false teachings of New Age, astrology and psychics. Pray for the intervention of the Holy Spirit.

Evangelicals, despite much growth, face major obstacles and challenges:

• Spiritual unity and vision. Despite some progress in recent years, too often local churches are more concerned about their own "success" than about working together to transform the nation. Pray for the churches to grow in unity and for the work of the Panamanian Evangelical Alliance to this end.
• Traditional morality is under siege. Divorce, illegitimate children, domestic violence, immorality and drug use are common. This is partly due to Christians' failure to provide a biblical model and example of godly living. Pray for the conviction of sin and for solid discipleship that shows people how to live.
• Inadequate impact on society. Evangelicals are strong in number, but have barely begun to engage the wider needs of Panama. Pray for an informed Church that will bring the gospel into the spheres of politics, culture and the marketplace.
• Effective ministry to young people. For many, local church structures and ministry do not connect with them. There is an increasing problem with young people forming gangs and taking drugs. Pray for dynamic and relevant ministries to young people. The Bible Society is having an impact in schools through Bible classes and distribution.
• Theological training that encourages holiness of life and spirituality. There are now nearly 35 Bible schools (20 within AoG alone) and seminaries, as well as four TEE programmes. Pray for more Panamanians to be called into full-time service. Godly, mature leadership is needed to energize the Church and to combat widespread proselytism by marginal sects and Islam.

Amerindians respond positively to the gospel; there are churches in all tribal groups, many of them active and thriving. The goal of NTM and Avant is to phase out their work as indigenous churches grow and mature. Pray that other ministries might follow suit and allow the flourishing of indigenous leadership and indigenous expressions of Christian faith. There is a NT in each language, except two which have works in progress; pray for their completion.

Missionary vision. Panama is developing into a sending nation. There are over 94 Panamanians serving cross-culturally, a number bound to increase. A number of agencies work to mobilize the Church into world missions (YWAM, AoG, Baptists, others). The network PAAM ("Panamanians Reaching the World") is at the vital core of the movement and brings together dozens of ministries and denominations. The main obstacles to greater mission sending are lack of unity, lack of vision and lack of training.