With the 2004 Athens Olympics fast approaching, we are provided a unique and unprecedented opportunity to reach Greece for Christ. Miriam and I, on behalf of our Hellenic Ministries team, would like to share an open invitation with you – asking you to join us in a strategic partnership through prayer.

HISTORY’S MARK ON GREEK CHRISTIANTY:
Despite the Greek language being God’s choice for the New Testament, less than 1% (20,000) of Greece’s population (11 million) believes with assurance in the gift of eternal life. Greece today has the smallest evangelical community of any Western nation. While nearly 2000 years have passed since the early beginnings of the Church which was largely Greek, the question remains – “Why are Greeks today so tragically blinded to the Truth?”

GIDEON’S MIGHTY ARMY : (Int’l Prayer Offensive-‘Air Superiority’)

What will it take to break through centuries of darkness and forces controlling this land? I envision a mighty spiritual network of a hundred thousand prayer partners (IPT-GO) who will wage a spiritual ‘air-superiority’ strike against the principalities and dictating rulers of the heavenly realms. (Eph 3:10) For the ground troops to go in (Operation Gideon I), the “air-offensive” must first be effective. (Operation Gideon II).

WILL YOU PRAY?
Your involvement through prayer is so vitally important! As in every major movement of God among the nations, without prayer, spiritual change simply cannot occur. The same applies for Greece! We need you!

DANIEL, ALEXANDER THE GREAT…AND A KEY HOLDER:
When Daniel humbled himself, wept and fasted for Israel on the shores of the Tigris, his plea was heard in heaven! It was revealed that the Prince of Greece would rise to great power. Alexander the Great best fits this description (Dan 8-11) following the Persian Empire. It’s no wonder that to date, the most closed countries to the Gospel are those of the 10/40 window – many of them the very nations that Alexander the Great conquered with Greek imperialism, philosophy, culture and religion. Altars and the worship of Zeus became the distinctive religious form of his widespread empire – today’s dark Muslim world. (Turkey, Middle East, North Africa extending to India.)

Greece remains a stronghold, a critical gateway. You…are a key holder!

A “KAIROS” MOMENT:
The Greek Department of Culture is campaigning for the revival of the Hellenic Spirit during the upcoming summer Olympics - the spirit of ancient Greek mythology and the tribute to Zeus – gods of man’s own making! I believe this is a ‘kairos’ moment, an opportunity we must seize for Truth (Jehovah) to take its stand in this land. This is a spiritually defining moment for the peoples of Greece and beyond.

If true ministry is defined by what happens in the spiritual realm, it is Hellenic Ministries desire to invite you to join us in this great battle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and rulers in the heavenly realms. (Eph. 6:12) Will you help us through your commitment to prayer against the enemies’ ancient and present stronghold in this beautiful land of Greece?

By joining the International Prayer Team for Greece and the Olympics (IPT-GO) we are asking you to:

Pray as often as you are reminded about the Olympics and Greece

Pass on our prayer e-mails to a friend & subscribe others

Invite your prayer group, church, or fellowship to join with us

Fast with us as the Lord leads you

Log on to our Operation Gideon Web Site (www.operationgideon.org) for regular prayer updates.

Our commitment will be to send you up-to-date items for prayer and praise.

Here are a few for starters:

• Praise for the quality people who have joined HM’s Operation Gideon planning team.

• Pray for additional help and spiritual protection.

• Pray for growth in our intercessory prayer chain.

• Pray for the Greek people who have been blinded by centuries of religious traditions. Pray their eyes will be opened to the truth of the gospel & God’s incredible love.

• Pray for the Greek Olympic committee, that they will not oppose the outreach programs despite the paganism surrounding the games.

• Pray for a renewed interest in Christ the Living Savior and against the cultural stream of attention currently given to the pantheon of Greek gods (eg. Zeus, Athena Hermes, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Poseidon, Apollo, etc.) and the revival of the ancient Greek Spirit.

• Pray for the Lord to send laborers into His harvest, especially to the Islands of Greece.

• Pray also for our faith in His supply for the carrying out of this wonderful but financially challenging opportunity.

Thank you in advance for partnering with us in prayer. To join the prayer team contact us at info@operationgideon.org.

We would appreciate any names and addresses of others whom you think might want to join this team.

Because of Him,

Johnathan Macris

President, Hellenic Ministries