"Prayer Priority" Request for Thrusday, May 29, 2008
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

THANK YOU LORD for raising up movements like the Association of Christians Ministering to Internationals which is meeting in the Washington, DC area starting tonight. We thank you that Bill and Ivy Bray will be able to be there to represent Overseas Students Mission. AMEN

ROOT OF JESSE, bless the ACMI meetings and help the Brays to find many Advisors and Mentors who will help OSM identify and train the next generation of indigenous missionaries. Provide for the travel and all other expenses needed to attend this conference and the upcoming Consultation on Support of Indigenous Missions (COSIM) meetings in Chicago next month. AMEN and AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed" (Romans 8:18-19).

"Prayer Priority" Request for Wednesday, May 28, 2008
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

SPIRIT OF CREATION AND RENEWAL...We thank you for the global prayer movement's "90 Days of Blessing" now in process as well as grass roots prayer revivals in the churches at Charlottesville, Chicago, Richmond and hundreds of other cities around the world. We especially thank you for the Charlottesville House of Prayer effort to organize 24/7 intercession and worship in the Bray Family Missionary's home-base city in Virginia. AMEN

STREAMS ON THE DRY GROUND...Be with Bill and Ivy and the OSM family as they begin leading a Wednesday night prayer meeting for indigenous missions and overseas student ministries starting this week in Charlottesville at the Charlottesville House of Prayer on Market Street. AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed" (Romans 8:18-19).

BACKGROUND ON TODAY'S PRAYER REQUEST: Through the years, we have found that nothing valuable is ever accomplished unless it is birthed in prayer. That's why we want to start this spring and summer with a new emphasis on regular, weekly prayer for indigenous missions and ministries to overseas students and visitors. Bill, Ivy and OSM have been invited by the local Charlottesville House of Prayer to sponsor and lead two hours in prayer every Wednesday night from 8 to 10 PM following the End Times Hand Maidens prayer hour for missions which begins at 7 PM. If you are in the Charlottesville area, feel free to join us at 609 East Market Street (22902) or you can join us in the spirit at this time wherever you are. This takes a sacrifice but God will honor you and our intercessions. Please send prayer requests to bray.william@gmail.com by 6 PM Wednesday.

"Prayer Priority" Request for Tuesday, May 27, 2008
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

ETERNAL SPIRIT, we continue to thank you for those who have died that we might live in freedom and truth. First of all we thank you for Our Lord Jesus who died that we might have abundant life but we also praise you for John the Baptist and all the saints and martyrs of all the ages who have carried the gospel to their generations and gave their lives for the Kingdom of God. AMEN and AMEN

FIRE, bless and use Bill Bray as he meets this week with ministry the leaders of international outreaches to students at the University of Virginia and then to leaders from across the nation during the Association of Christians Ministering to Internationals conference in Washington. We pray that Bill and Ivy will have the extra funds needed to attend conferences like ACMI and COSIM. May Bill move forward in the fear of the Lord and the Spirit of Wisdom as he speaks our for indigenous missions in his role as the leader of OSM. AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation of the sons of God to be revealed" (Romans 8:18-19).

"Prayer Priority" Request for Sunday, May 25, 2008
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

YOUR PRESENCE, we thank you for the growing number of student mentors and advisors who have shown interest or volunteered to help us identify and assist overseas students in the Chicago area, especially at Moody Bible Institute and Valparaiso University. We particularly thank you by name for Patcharaport Prupitikul, Walter White, Dr. Tim Sisk, Paul Butler, and Drs. Judith and David Hull. AMEN

GOD'S TESTIMONY, we pray that you will open doors and provide every need for Bill Bray and Ivy as they prepare to attend two major leadership conferences that relate to Overseas Students Mission; the Association of Christians Ministering among Internationals in Washington May 29-31 and the Consultation for the Support of Indigenous Missions in Chicago June 8-11. Use these once a year leadership conferences to help us expand our national network of mentors and advisors who will help us identify God's chosen vessels who are being called into international service. AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed" (Romans 8:18-19).

"Prayer Priority" Request for Thursday, May 22, 2008
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

PRAISE THE LORD for a safe arrival back in Charlottesville Thursday night from an intense a very blessed week of outreach for Overseas Students Mission in Chicago and celebration with the Bray Family CIS Support Teach for 35 years of ministry to native missions in the name of Jesus Christ. We thank you Lord for the way the Bray Family "A-Team" is growing in size and strength, and for the good will and support that is coming as they transition into this full-time work with OSM. AMEN

MIND OF THE LORD and STREAMS OF LIVING WATER, provide wisdom to Bill and Ivy as they follow up on the many contacts new and old from the Chicago mission, and bless the Brays as they return to the home office work of OSM today. May it go smoothly and effectively. Provide the volunteers and help needed to establish a strong online community and outreach to overseas students and friends on the World Wide Web and Internet. AMEN and AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory" (Romans 8:16-17).

"Prayer Priority" Request for Tuesday, May 20, 2008
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

SPIRIT OF HOLINESS AND LAMP OF THE LORD, we thank you for the next generation of indigenous missionaries that are coming from "Generation Y" students at Moody Bible Institute and among overseas visitors who are returning to their homelands with the Gospel. We thank you for the excellent training sessions Bill Bray was able to hold at Moody today and for meetings tonight which Ivy set up with Filipino hosts in Chicago. AMEN

SPIRIT OF GRACE, we thank you for the open doors you have opened with local churches and Mentor/Advisors who are working with us to send students back to Africa with the Gospel. Bless talks that Bill is having with them and may long-term agreements for cooperation be birthed and prosper till the Lord Jesus returns. May the message of Overseas Students Mission fall on good grown as it is sown and may many join with us. Use Bill and Ivy in meetings Wednesday night at North Fairview Bible Church in Downers Grove, Illinois. AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory" (Romans 8:16-17).

"Prayer Priority" Request for Saturday, May 17, 2008
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

THANK YOU LORD for the class of 2008, and the many overseas students who are graduating this month and now are able to take the Gospel back to their homelands. We are especially grateful for the graduation of Stephen Asare in Communications today at Moody Bible Institute and the leadership he is showing to other overseas students from Africa and Asia. We praise you for the many internationals who graduated as well from 21 other countries including many whose goverments limit religious freedom and persecute Christians. AMEN

GOD BLESS THE SCHOOL THAT D. L. MOODY founded and for the many similar Bible schools and seminaries who have a vision to train overseas students to return to their countries. Lord, we ask that you bless Bill Bray with power and authority as he presents his missionary work to faculty and students at Moody this week, and especially as he trains, advises and ministers to students on Tuesday. May Dr. Bray present the vision with excellence and divine power at the Anniversary Celebration on Sunday afternoon and throughout the week in various local Chicago-land churches. AMEN and AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba' Father" (Romans 8:15).

BACKGROUND ON BIBLE SCHOOLS: While many overseas students are studying at state and private universities, the Bible Schools and seminaries are ideal places to find missionary candidates who have the calling, faith, moral strength, and scriptural training needed to reach nations for Christ. Pray that we will find advisors and mentors like Paul Butler at Moody who will invest their lives in identifying and encouraging these students to resist the temptations of life in the west and return to obey the commands of Christ in their native lands.

"Prayer Priority" Request for Thursday, May 15, 2008
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

SPIRIT OF PROPHECY, we thank you for safe travel to Chicago and making provision for Bill and Ivy to minister with family, friends and prayer partners. AMEN

DOUBLE PORTION, be with Dr. Bill and Ivy as they visit Moody Bible Institute missions and communications leaders on Friday and honor overseas students at graduation on Saturday. Bring out a good attendance of supporters and potential supporters at the CIS 35th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday at the Club House in Oak Brook Center and give Bill and Ivy a strong message of encouragement. May many true hearted, faithful mission supporters in Chicago be attracted to Bill and Ivy when they speak this month and next when Bill plans to return to the Coalition for Support of Indigenous Missions in June. May the Chicago-area again become a great pillar in their support. AMEN AND AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba' Father" (Romans 8:15).

BACKGROUND: Bill Bray was born and raised in Chicago and took his Bible and missions training at Moody Bible Institute. Ivy and he fell in love there met there when she worked in the CIS offices at Wheaton, and that eventually led to their marriage and ministry.

"Prayer Priority" Request for Monday, May 12, 2008
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

SPIRIT OF GLORY, we thank you for our mothers and the celebration of their day yesterday in the USA and for the Global Day of Prayer that was held on Pentecost Sunday in more than 200 countries. We thank you that this begins 90 days of worldwide prayer to you, Spirit of the Living God, seeking your comfort and guidance for transformed hearts. AMEN

COUNSELOR, we ask you to give wisdom and passion to our partners in Chicago as they prepare for our coming on Wednesday for a week of missionary outreach. May the Chicago Celebration of Outreach begin a new era of support and ministry for Overseas Students Mission and the Bray Family missionaries from the Chicago area. We look to you to meet every need in connection with this week. Open many new doors miraculously and give Bill and Ivy the grace to walk through them to your glory and for the fulfillment of your will on this earth. AMEN and AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father' " (Romans 8:15).

BACKGROUND ON TODAY'S PRAYER REQUESTS: Revival is coming to the church at Charlottesville and in Chicago. A revival of obedience is coming to the churches in the USA. God is revealing his power and we are expecting to see great repentance from sin and a new humility as our family, friends and neighbors turn from the spirit of the age to the Spirit of God. May this revival not be one that tickles our fancies, but one that results in changed hearts. Today begins 90 Days of Blessing worldwide as we unite to pray with believers in over 200 countries. Here in Charlottesville, OSM is sponsoring two hours of prayer for global missions each week at the Charlottesville House of Prayer on Wednesday nights and we invite local friends to join us starting Wednesday night, May 28.

"Prayer Priority" Request for Friday, May 9, 2008
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

SON OF DAVID, we thank you for the way native missionaries are reaching out to the millions of homeless survivors of the cyclone in Myanmar and for the way you are using them to show your love and grace in the face of bigotry, deliberate ignorance, idolatry, persecution and unbelief from the military junta--and to overcome death, disease, epidemic, starvation, terrorism, uncleaness and witchcraft. AMEN

HAND OF GOD, reach down into the hearts of Bray family supporters and friends in Chicago as invitations arrive this weekend for the 35th Anniversary Celebration of CIS next Sunday in Oak Brook. We pray that many people will look with favor on the invitations, decide to come and bring with them many friends. Lord, we ask you to fill The Club in Oak Brook with friends of native missionaries. AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" (Romans 8:14).

ACTION POINT: Please forward this prayer request to any mission-minded person you know in the Chicago area and ask them to call Bill and Ivy Bray today to make reservations to attend for the Celebration Luncheon in Chicago. THANKS.

"Prayer Priority" Request for Thursday, May 8, 2008
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

ASCENDED LORD and EARNEST OF OUR SALVATION, we praise you for giving us eternal life and for taking your seat in the heavens in your resurrected body next to God the Father ever living to make intercession for us. Holy Spirit we thank you for your presence in our hearts as the earnest of our salvation and for making the Bray Family Missionaries welcome everywhere in your Body here on earth. AMEN

MAN OF SORROWS, we ask you to give Bill and Ivy Bray great favor in local churches and with believers as they present their new ministries, and use the premier of the Bray Travel Store and online Flower Shop during this week leading up to Mother's Day. We pray that the Marketplace Ministries will contribute positively to their missionary support as they work on raising the budget for their new ministry at Overseas Student Mission. AMEN and AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" (Romans 8:14).

BACKGROUND ON TODAY'S PRAYER REQUEST: For a long time, we have looked for additional home-based opportunities to supplement our missionary support. One such is the CIS Missionary Book Table Ministry and another is our online travel store, www.BookWithIvyBray.com which by IRS regulations must be operated separately from our tax-exempt non-profit ministries. All the proceeds from these organizations go 100% to Bray Family Missionary support after taxes are paid. Please pray for the success of these efforts to supplement our missionary support.

"Prayer Priority" Request for Wednesday, May 7, 2008
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

TRIED STONE, we thank you for all our mothers; our mothers already in heaven with you, our mothers still on earth and the mothers of our children. May they be blessed this weekend and always. AMEN

ROSE OF SHARON, we pray for Christian mothers and their children today. We ask you to give Christian mothers the grace and wisdom they need to discipline, educate, train and raise God fearing children in a culture that seems to have forgotten how to parent according to the Bible. We pray for children that they will learn to honor and obey their mothers. We pray for husbands that they might learn how to love their wives and how to support them as fathers. Lord, restore our marriages and homes to biblical standards and help us to witness to the church, non-Christians and the world through our Christian homes. Use Bill and OSM to forward this agenda and help the next generation of indigenous missionaries to have healthy families. AMEN and AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" (Romans 8:14).

"LOVE IN ACTION POINT" AND BACKGROUND ON TODAY'S PRAYER REQUEST: You can support the Bray's in their missionary work training indigenous missionary leaders and their families, and honor your own mother at the same time by sending your Mother's Day flowers this year through our new marketplace travel store ministry. Just go to www.BookWithIvyBray.com and click on YTB Flowers. You can order Mother's Day gifts there and all the proceeds will be given 100% to the Bray Family Missionary Support Fund.

"Prayer Priority" Request for Tuesday, May 6, 2008
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

BREAD OF LIFE, we thank you for transforming relationships and increasing friendships and working relationships with other indigenous support agencies, churches, leaders, missions, organizations and associations. AMEN

HOLY SPIRIT, we cry out to you and ask you to have mercy on the suffering millions of tribals and the Burmese people themselves who are homeless and hungry in the wake of this cyclone. We pray that you will release this land from the grip of tyranny and protect your people during times of persecution and bloodshed. In the long term, we pray that you will encourage many overseas students and refugees to return to Burma through the work of OSM. Especially use Dr. Bray to identify, mentor, train and help support missionaries to Myanmar and other closed dangers. Use Bill and Ivy to not only show hospitality and extend mercy but disciple and train many young men and women from the "Y Generation" in their marriages and ministries. AMEN and AMEN!

VERSE OF THE DAY: "For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity" (Psalm 125:3).

BACKGROUND ON TODAY'S PRAYER REQUEST: Read the article called "Betrayed--The People of Burma" on pages 73 and 74 of the YWAM Prayer Diary and note that Burma is our Prayer Focus of the Week. News of the disaster in the country is on the World Wide Web. Let us pray for Christian aid agencies during this time that visas will be granted and doors opened for help to be sent into the country.

"Prayer Priority" Request for Thursday, May 1, 2008
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

LORD OF HOSTS, we thank you for pouring out your Holy Spirit on the vision and work of OSM, especially in Charlottesville and Chicago this month. Thank you for guiding the Brays in their meetings with volunteers, student missionary candidates, potential staff supporters, professors, pastors, mentors, foreign student advisors and all others concerned with this growing mission network. AMEN

MY MAKER, we unite our hearts in prayer and faith, asking you to use the introduction letter from Dr. Finley to bring a fresh outpouring of support to the Brays this month. May every letter be opened quickly and prayerfully read. May many respond with generous offerings for the work, even this weekend, and $5000 or more in support for the ministry of Bill and Ivy Bray come forth in this month of May. AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32:27).

BACKGROUND ON TODAY'S REQUEST: A special introductory brochure and letter was sent out over the last week to friends and supporters of OSM and of the Brays. In it there is a cover letter from Chairman Bob Finley introducing Bill as the new president of OSM and stating the case for the mission. Also, in some letters, there are notes from Bill Bray explaining the matching challenge grant that has been promised from an anonymous friend to give up to $50,000 toward the Bray's first year of support. This is only being offered conditionally as friends of the Brays give through CIS to support their new mission. For many who get this letter, it will be the first time they have heard the news. Pray that the Holy Spirit will correct any errors in communication and give folks a burning desire to rally behind Bill and Ivy as they begin the long road to rebuilding this wonderful mission that has done so much since it was stated in 1953. Nothing is too hard for the Lord, ask God to give grace to all concerned to communicate wisely and give freely to this essential new force in foreign missions.