OCTOBER 1 (WEDNESDAY)
As we embark on this new month, praise God for a new member to our team. Gyan Kumar has joined the Finance team in our MAF in Australia office in Sydney. Please pray for Gyan as he settles into his new role. Pray that this very busy month of October will be a time of leaning into God for His strength and enabling, as we continue to celebrate all that God has done during these 80 years of MAF serving around the world.
OCTOBER 2 (THURSDAY)
Praise God for celebrations in Guinea on their Independence Day. Guinea gained their Independence in 1958. One of MAF’s newest programs, we have been working in Guinea since 2022. Pray for the redevelopment of many closed airstrips and for the medical flights which link patients in isolated communities to much needed medical help in larger centres.
OCTOBER 3 (FRIDAY)
Melissa Barclay (pg.3) – Pray for Melissa as she leads a Youth Girls Bible Study fortnightly at her place. Please pray also for a wise balancing of work, ministry, life, rest, etc., as Melissa serves with MAF in Arnhem Land in her many and varied roles as Family Support Worker. Pray also for Melissa’s knee. She is awaiting surgery. Pray for strength in the waiting and for a smooth reconstruction surgery and quick recovery.
OCTOBER 4 (SATURDAY)
As the people of Lesotho celebrate their Independence Day, please be in prayer for this small African nation crippled by poverty, famine and one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world. However, with the help of MAF, Lesotho’s mountain airstrips are a gateway through which access to food, medicines, and other essential services can be delivered. Pray for the families that continue to be reached by the Lesotho Mountain Discipleship team.
OCTOBER 5 (SUNDAY)
It is World Teacher Day and we praise God for the many amazing teachers in the programs where MAF serves around the world, who overcome poverty, isolation and lack of access to ensure pupils receive education and the opportunity to reach for their dreams. MAF airplanes are a vital link for teachers working in remote communities, enabling safe and reliable transport to larger town centres, flying in school materials, students, and even food supplies.
OCTOBER 6 (MONDAY)
Pray for good health amongst the MAF pilots in Papua New Guinea, as Home Assignments or sickness have meant that many are unable to fly.
OCTOBER 7 (TUESDAY)
Pray for the MAF in Australia Admin/Finance Team (pg.13) – for perseverance, patience and protection to serve the wider MAF Australia team with excellence during this busy season. They are processing all the phenomenal Fuel for Father’s Day donations coming through from churches, while also navigating a new computer system.
OCTOBER 8 (WEDNESDAY)
Please pray for the recruitment of teachers for Juba Christian Academy in South Sudan. JCA caters for 16 MAF children and 15 children from other missions in Juba. Please pray that this vital ministry can continue.
OCTOBER 9 (THURSDAY)
Uganda Independence Day is being celebrated today. Uganda gained their Independence in 1962. Please pray for the people of Uganda as they continue to face many challenges. Pray for MAF’s presence in providing a vital link for NGO’s working in Uganda and in particular for those working in refugee camps, that the love and light of Christ may shine brightly for those facing devastation and heartbreak of having to leave their homes and families because of war or food crises.
OCTOBER 10 (FRIDAY)
Mark and Jodie Simmonds (pg.6) – Praise God that the Simmonds move to Townsville has gone well and Jodie has found a new job near where their house is. Please pray for Mark as he finds a new routine working remotely from the Cairns Support Office.
OCTOBER 11 (SATURDAY)
Please continue to pray for MAF’s newest program in Bougainville, PNG. MAF has a history in Bougainville from 1965 to 1975. Pray for preparations for flights to resume by early 2026.
OCTOBER 12 (SUNDAY)
Praise God for all our faithful supporters all around Australia who continue to pray and give. Praise God for our advocates and volunteers. We’ve had a few events to raise awareness of who MAF is in our communities that our tireless volunteers and advocates recently attended and we are incredibly thankful for their time and energy.
OCTOBER 13 (MONDAY)
Mark Simmonds (pg.6) – Please pray for Mark as he is supporting the position of Quality Manager for the Continuing Airworthiness department. It is a crucial position to enable MAF to continue our operations in Arnhem Land and Timor-Leste. Pray that a suitable candidate will apply for this vital job.
OCTOBER 14 (TUESDAY)
Continue to pray for the health of our office staff in Sydney as the seasons change. Continue to pray for more opportunities for understanding and awareness of MAF to grow throughout Australia.
OCTOBER 15 (WEDNESDAY)
Please join us in praying for MAF candidates currently in the recruitment process. Pray that no matter the stage of their journey they find themselves in, that they may know God is with them. Pray they may feel supported in this life changing journey.
OCTOBER 16 (THURSDAY)
Praise God that a new airstrip was built in Jonglei State, South Sudan. The airstrip is located in the middle of three communities, where intercommunal violence is prevalent. Pray that as MAF serves in this community, the violence will decrease and peace would reign.
OCTOBER 17 (FRIDAY)
Please pray for the Kajjansi Airfield runway upgrade that is happening in Uganda. The MAF hanger at Kajjansi is a vital place of training, aircraft maintenance and is a support hub for MAF pilots and airplanes that not only fly around Uganda, but also many of MAF’s operations in other countries around Africa. Pray that the airfield runway upgrade will be a blessing to all who use this space.
OCTOBER 18 (SATURDAY)
Pray for the nation of Myanmar to get back on track with stability and development, so that MAF can fly and take part in the nation’s rebuilding efforts.
OCTOBER 19 (SUNDAY)
Ethan McMaster (pg.4) – Please pray for Ethan as he shares with individual supporters and churches about the ministry of MAF and his role as a pilot. Pray for him to have fruitful meetings and enriching conversations as he represents MAF at various events. Pray for safety in his travels and pray also for the time to rest and enjoy being with family and friends, before heading back to Arnhem Land.
OCTOBER 20 (MonDAY)
Matt Painter (pg.5) – Pray for Matt in his role as Asia Pacific Regional Communications Manager. He travels to Timor-Leste today to offer support and training for Lobitos, the Communications Officer in Dili. Pray for safe travels and a productive time of listening to stories and engaging with how MAF is making a difference in Timor-Leste.
OCTOBER 21 (TUESDAY)
Please pray for the appointment of a Quality Safety Manager for our Australian Maintenance Organisation, which supports Mareeba Flight Training, Arnhem Land, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea.
OCTOBER 22 (WEDNESDAY)
Katie & Garrett Munyard – Pray for them as they are currently in the last stretch of their Ministry Partnership journey. Pray for God to continue to open doors of opportunity and for God’s strength as they prepare for their upcoming assignment in PNG.
OCTOBER 23 (THURSDAY)
Pray for the progression of a new airstrip being built in Liberia and for the communities this will reach.
OCTOBER 24 (FRIDAY)
Pray for safety for all who are travelling to Melbourne for the 80th Anniversary celebrations and fundraising gala tomorrow, for all who are speaking and serving and for those who will be attending – that their hearts and minds might be open to what God is doing in this time of celebration, remembrance and looking to the future.
OCTOBER 25 (SATURDAY)
Pray for the MAF 80th celebrations today, for smooth running of the programs, meaningful fellowship for all who attend, and a renewed understanding of all that God has done in and through MAF over the past 80 years. Pray also for the launch of the Chris Coffee Aviation Foundation and the special fundraising that will take place tonight.
OCTOBER 26 (SUNDAY)
Please pray for the Solar and Electrical
team with MAF Technologies in PNG who have many solar projects to complete in the next three months. Pray for safety with travel and availability of all the necessary equipment to complete the jobs.
OCTOBER 27 (MONDAY)
Pray for the progress and funding of the new housing and school compound in South Sudan. The first phase involves building a wall, putting in pipes for water, power and internet, installing a water bore and building a facilities workshop.
OCTOBER 28 (TUESDAY)
Mark and Jodie Simmonds (pg.6) – Pray for their plans for home assignment in Jan 26 as they look to visit supporters and churches in Victoria.
OCTOBER 29 (WEDNESDAY)
Matt Kaye (pg.11) – Pray for Matt as he settles into his new home in Balimo in the Western Province of PNG. There are many challenges to living in a remote town, from limited food supplies, to difficult roads and unreliable power. Pray for health and safety in the daily challenges.
OCTOBER 30 (ThurSDAY)
Michael and Karen Penn (pg.9) – Please pray for the Penns who will be travelling to the Arnhem Land program to meet with staff there and offer pastoral care. Please pray for both peace and protection in the lead up to, and especially in the performance of, this ministry. The Penns leave for Arnhem Land the first weekend in November, and would like to feel that they will be able to leave home without anxiety about what might be happening in their absence.
OCTOBER 31 (FRIDAY)
Pray for the Education Team (pg.15) and the Schools Program run by MAF in Australia. We praise God for continual growth in the schools program. We’ve been able to visit lots of schools this last term and share with students about who MAF is. Please pray for continual strengthening of our current partnerships with schools and open doors for new ones.
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A Little note
By Joe Farren, MAF Pilot in Timor-Leste
Recently in my time that I spend with Jesus, I have been reading from the book of Hebrews. It fascinates me that while we do not know exactly who wrote the book, it has such power, wisdom and testament to who Jesus was, the message He brought and the authority He holds over this world. A famous verse from Hebrews being chapter 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Jesus has recently been convicting me of this idea of control around holding onto things that I think will bring good and help nurture my faith, but actually will not bring a deepening and strengthening. The author tells us to “throw off everything that hinders” but I can find myself sometimes holding onto things because I think I know best. It is almost this unconscious response we can sometimes have as purely a part of being human. But, Jesus being the pioneer and perfecter of my faith, demonstrates He actually knows what is best for me and what should be pruned from me! I just need to have the obedience to pray for that, and pray He will continue to sharpen and refine my faith so that my eyes be constantly fixed on Him.
I wonder as I share, if the Holy Spirit might be convicting you of something. What might we need to “throw off” in order to fix our eyes on Jesus, that we have been holding onto for too long! I pray you are able to be encouraged in your walk with Jesus today!