Thank you Father

We have much to be grateful.  These are the countries that prayed for France during the Tour.
France
United Kingdom
Netherlands
Germany
Spain
Ukraine
Czech Republic
India
Malaysia
Australia
Canada
United States
There were over 300 hits to the site during the tour. 
Thank you to all who prayed for France as we prayed through the Tour.  Please let me know any suggestions that you might have to make it better next year.  Thank you for your prayers and stop by and visit again as we continue to pray for France, region by region through 2010. 

Étape 20 Longjumeau > Paris

Thank you to you all for taking the time to pray.  God has heard our prayers and we can trust in Him for He is faithful and true.  We give Jesus the praise and honor for all that he has done. 
I Corinthians 15:57-58
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Here in Paris the need is great.  Pray for the churches here as they labor in the harvest.  Pray for the work of the Holy Spirit to be evident and that many will come to know Him. 

The Bridge International Church


Father we thank you for all that you are doing in and around Paris.  Continue to move in hearts and change lives here in this city of lights.  May they come to know that the light of the world is Jesus.  Lord, we pray for the churches here in Paris, keep them faithful as they know that they do not labor in vain.  Our salvation is real because you are real.  Let your gospel message stay simple and true here for the ears of Paris.  Thank you for hearing our prayers over the last few weeks.  We simply ask of you to remember the people of France.  They are in need of you.  I pray all these things in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Colfidies, le Crédit en ligne

Colfidies

Many big names of this tour were at one time part of Colfidies., David Millar, Bobby Julich, Stuart O'Grady, Sylvain Chavanel, and even Lance Armstrong, but he was dropped because of his cancer.  Cofidies is a French team and we hope to see good things from them in the future.  They have and eye for talent. 

Lord, we thank you for Team Colfidies, and we pray that as they look for great talent they will find you.  Lord, I know that we do not seek you on our own, but I pray that as they seek for the best talent in this sport they will find and believe in you.  Lord, I pray that you will bring salvation to this team.  Call them to you Lord.  I pray that they will hear the gospel of Christ and will believe.  I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Team HTC - Columbia

Mark Cavenish has proven himself to be very quick on the bike.  The American team, HTC - Columbia, has done well in wining stages with Mark's speed.  This year they have tried to use their lead off trains for Mark but this other teams worked well at breaking up their team work.  In the tour you see a lot of team work.  Each man has their talents and task and they rely on each other to do what needs to be done.  It is a lot like the church.  We all have gifts and talents to use for the glory of God.  Let us work together as a team to proclaim the gospel to the world. 

Lord, I know that HTC work hard as a team to reach their goals.  I pray that we as the Church will work hard to reach yours.  Lord, use us to be a witness to Team HTC.  Let your word be heard and understood so that they will believe in you.  Thank you for their example of team work.  Please forgive us when we do not work together using our talents and gifts for your honor and glory.  I pray in the name of Jesus, our Lord.  Amen

Here in Bordeaux is the Davey Family.  They have moved here to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Alan and Pat both have wonderful blogs which share this experience with the world.  Stop by their blog and let them know that they are being prayed for and that we are blessed by their faithfulness to the will of the Father. 

Lord, thank you for the Davey Family.  It has been good to know them and watch you work in and through their lives.  Thank you for using their gifts and talents so that others can know you more and more.  Bless them in all they do for you.  Bring many to know you Lord through their lives here in Bordeaux.  Provide for their needs and keep them strong.  We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen

Blogs
Davey Family
Pat in France

Étape 19 - Bordeaux > Pauillac

Sorry for my delay in my post today, but I thank you for praying today.  Bordeaux is a beautiful city with beautiful vineyard in the countryside. 

Lord,

 Thank you for all who prayed for France over the last three weeks.  Thank you for their faithfulness.  Thank you for the answered prayers.  We are blessed by those who shared the gospel message from stage to stage.  Lord, I pray that next year more people will come to France to share the good news from stage to stage and more Bibles, track, balloons, and your love will be shared with all of France.  Thank you Father, for those who heard and believed.  I pray that they will continue to learn more about you and live their lives for your honor and glory.  Thank you for the country of France, and all our brothers and sisters who live and do your will in the nation of France.  I pray all these things in the name of Jesus, our Lord.  Amen

Étape 18 - Salies-de-Béarn > Bordeaux

Today we travel north to Bordeaux and as we go I would like to introduce you to a few ministries working here in Aquitaine. CSI Christian Surfers International has a surf shop and is starting a new church called Surf Church Hossegor in the city of Bayonne. Pray for connections to be made and relationship built so that many Surfers from all over the world will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and then become a part of their local Church.

In the north in the city of Bergerac there is the beginnings of a new Church called  Bergerac Café Church.  Derek and Pam Cook have been working in this area building relationships with other English speaking people in the department of Dordogne.  They send out a wonderful news letter.  Let us pray for them as the minister for our Lord.

Dear Father,
We thank you for both of these ministries here in the region of Aquiraine.  They are faithfully serving you among people who need you.  Open doors and allow friendships to be built.  Prepare hearts to hear the gospel message of Jesus Christ.  Bless them as they continue to serve you, provide for them strength and wisdom to do your calling.  I pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen

The Lamb of God

Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins the world. John 1:29

When the sheep came up off the mountainside and joined the riders on the road, I could not help but think of the one true Lamb of God which every person in this world needs.  I am glad he came.

BMC Racing Team

BMC is a Swiss bicycle manufacturing company.  Started in 1986 it has developed in to an international company in 2003.  Their company philosophy of style, passion and precision has brought them into the world of racing.  BMC is considered an American team, I have not quite figured out how, but they have shown themselves with Cadel Evans in the Yellow Jersey for a day here in the tour.  George Hincapie has been a leader on this team. I hope they continue to do well in the years to come.

Lord, thank you for BMC and the people who are involved in this adventure.  I pray that they will have many opportunities to hear your gospel message as they go through their everyday life.  I pray that those who know you will shine as your light to the cycling world.  Thank you for their success here at the tour and we pray they will ride safely and with all their strength.  I pray all these things in the name of Jesus. Amen

Étape 17 - Pau Col du Tourmalet

Using their superb natural resources, the Hautes Pyrenees has created a range of wellbeing, relaxation and spa treatments in naturally heated and therapeutic waters.

To choose a spa treatment in the Hautes Pyrenees is to discover the region with the most rivers, lakes and torrents. The air is so pure you can almost taste it.

Come and regenerate and recharge the batteries by enjoying all our mountains have to offer ; sunshine, superb landscapes, traditional villages, a superb local cuisine.With water massages and fresh mountain air you will benefit from all the virtues of our spas and our magnificent mountains. Steam baths, saunas, jacuzzis, mud baths, hot water lagoons, water massages, essential oils, defoliation, chocolate massages, oriental massages, we have everything! You may find your place at one of  the seven spa centres : Aquensis in Bagnères de Bigorre, Balnéa in Loudenvielle - Louron valley, Barèges, Les Bains du Rocher in Cauterets, Edenvik in Capvern les Bains, Luzéa in Luz Saint Sauveur et Sensoria in Saint-Lary-Soulan.

Many people read and see this add and come.  The come to wash away all their cares or find relief to to a stress for life.  The sad part about it all is that it is a short fixes, nothing permanent. 
Jesus said to the women at the well.

John 4:13-14
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Lord, I pray that they will come to you for a drink of water.  Your water produces life for and eternity.  As we come to you for our needs, show us how to live what you have given us.  Let the water spring up in us and for the people of the Pyrenees.  I pray in your holy and precious name. Jesus. Amen

Team BBox Bouygues Telecom

154 - FEDRIGO Pierrick (FRA) a local boy, wins the stage yesterday.  He lives just up the road in Lot et Garonne (47) I am sure it felt wonderful to win so close to home.  BBox are doing well this year in the tour.  Last year in the team time trials they had a very bad day.  We are glad to see the French do so well in the Tour. 

Lord, we have been on our knees before you on the behalf of the nation of France.  Lord, please do not get tired of our cries and pleads.  We thank you for hearing our prayers.  Show your grace and mercy on the lives of the BBox team and all who are in their circle of influence.  Lord, I have no idea how you plan to answer this pray, but we know that you will be gracious.  Thank you for those you plan to use.  Bless them and allow them free access to the team.  Give them freedom to speak and hearts and minds that will hear them.  Change lives and bring them joy that makes this win feel small and insignificant.  I pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen

Pau

Today is a rest day in preparation for the mountains tomorrow.  Today as we rest we will pray for the churches in Pau.  The pictures yesterday of Pau from the helicopter were wonderful to see.   Here are the churches in Pau  Pau is a city of 300,287 people with only 4 evangelical churches.  I live in a city of 150,000 and we have over 200 Baptist Churches alone. 

Église Évangélique Libre

Église Évangélique Tzigane

Église Protestante Évangélique

Réunions Chrétiennes

 For more information about each one http://www.eglises.org/france/64/?Langue=en

Lord, provide faithful men of God to come and build new Churches to reach the people of Pau and the surrounding areas.  Thank you for these 4 Churches.  We ask that you add to their households of Faith each and everyday.  Allow many to come to know you as their Lord and Savior.   Father let the Holy Spirit convict people of sin and show them that Jesus paid it all for each one.  We love you Father and we know that you love us.  Let the people of Pau see your love today.  We thank you for all you are doing in Pau.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray.  Amen

The Spanish Teams

Team Footon - Servetto

Is a new team this year from Spain and it has been fun to watch their guys in the break-aways.  They have some new talent on their team and it will be interesting to watch them develop in the next few years. 

EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI

  The team is commercially sponsored, but also works as an unofficial Basque national team and is partly funded by the Basque Government. Its riders are either Basque, or at least have grown up in the Basque cycling culture. Its sponsor is Euskaltel, a Basque telecom company. 

CAISSE D’EPARGNE

Team Caissi D'Epargne was founded in 1980 as team Reynolds and has many different names since and in 2005 became Caisse D'Epargne.  In 2006 Óscar Pereiro was given the victory for the Tour after Landis was disqualified for testing positive.  Enjoy joy watching this team fight it out with Radio Shack for the team overall jersey. 

Lord,
we thank you for the Spanish teams and as we ride through the mountains which border their homeland, I pray they will have a good showing for their fans.  Lord, I also pray for their knowledge of you.  I pray that they will come to know you as their personal Savior.  I pray for those who are working in the country of Spain preaching and sharing your love.  Thank you for loving us and giving us your son as our sacrifice.  Lord, help these young men come to understand and live in your love.  I pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen

Étape 16 - Bagnères-de-Luchon > Pau

Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

 

One thing about France is that every region has food they are famous for.  Here in Midi-Pyrénées they are famous for foie gras, Pave du Quercy is a traditional cake, decorated with nuts, raisins and crystallised cherries, a stew called, garbure, and Roquefort ewes milk cheese to name a few.  Each region has its own taste and flavors.  As wonderful as french cuisine can be, it does not compare to the goodness of our Lord. 

Lord,

I pray while we are here in the Pyrénées that people will see that you are good.  Lord, thank you for the wonderful taste you give to us to enjoy through the flavors of France, but I pray that the people of this region will soon know how good you are and that you are trustworthy of our devotion.  Thank you for moving in the hearts of the people of Bagnères-de Luchon and in Pau.  Please allow your word to be shared with boldness and love.  I pray that they will see the love the Father has for you and us.  Bless these cities today with your goodness and love.  I pray all these things in the name of Jesus, the bread of life.  Amen

Étape 15 Pamiers > Bagnères-de-Luchon

On route today we come to MAS-D’AZIL.  This town is rich in protestant church history.  When there were times of persecution they, early Christians, Albigensians, and Huguenots, sought refuge in these caves. . The biggest cave is Mas-d'Azil. Its Caverne Merveilleuse extends 2-1/2 miles.  Two scriptures come to mind.

Psalms 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.  and
Psalms 18:2  The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

I am glad the Word of God the Huguenots believed in is still the same today and their God is our God.  In times of hardship and persecution they trusted in God to protect them and to be their strength.  I am honored by the rich heritage we have as believers in Christ.  It will be glorious to be in Heaven and hear the stories of God's goodness to all of them. 

Sovereign Lord,
As we travel through France today, we see our church history unfold before us.  In these stories of the past we see your faithfulness and we are blessed to know that you never change.  I praise you for all that you did for this region in the time of the Huguenots and others who have lived here believing in your salvation.  Lord, I pray that you will gather together a mighty army of believers who will once more stand for the truth of the word of God.  Lord, thank you for those you have saved and those whom you will save, but we know that they can only be saved through the hearing of your word.  Bring believers to this area to boldly preach the gospel of Christ.  I pray these things in the name of Jesus the Alpha and the Omega.  Amen

Étape 14. Revel > Ax-3 Domaines

Into the mountains we go.  The Pyrenees will entertain us as we cheer these men  up and over then down to the finish line or up to the finish line  as it is today  The author of Hebrews talks about a race for us as well. 

Hebrews 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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I know our race can be like today's stage up hill all the way, but let us remain faithful to complete the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.  Forget all the sins  and things that hinder us and continue on in the strength of the Lord.  Have you noticed the sprinters and they are coming in for a sprint finish they start throwing off any water bottles they have left so that they are as lite and as fast as they can be. 

 

Lord,

I pray for the people of these beautiful mountains.  Lord, I pray that we will run our race so that your glory will be seen in the Pyrenees.  As we leave Revel bless Église Évangélique Apostolique, and Église Évangélique Vie et Lumière as they preach your word on this day.  Lord, I pray that these churches love each other with your love so that the world will desire you.  Thank you for their faithfulness. Let only your truth be spoken today.  Lord, we give you all the praise and adoration as we cross the finish line.  We pray in the name of Jesus, the Truth.  Amen.

Sunday Praise!!

The following update is from Eugène Rard - Director of the ministry SEMER who has led the Tour de France de la BIBLE for the past 4 years:


From Friday 2nd in Rotterdam-NL till Sunday 25th in Paris, Christians from different denominations are on the roads of the Tour de France to be Christ witnesses bringing the love of God !

13 persons followed the race till Reims. Another team continue till St Jean de Maurienne help with local Churches who invested themselves at this opportunity ! The same team will be in Paris for the finish juillet 25th with people from different Churches.

More than 20 000 flyers in French,Dutch and English have been distributed till now, 1 500 balloons for the children, 20 Bibles given to interested people !. Thousands of contacts are established. From Reims where some people joined the evening in the Church, fantastic events encourages us as the local Churches: This a group of handicapped people who joined the service, right in the middle of one city close-by the finish line, a women began to cry as she read the text on one of our banner telling Jesus is giving us he victory; she manifested her desire to come back to God. It is also that young man Olivier and his father ; we pray with them in front of there house. Their neighbour using méthadone told us about his desire to be set free… The local Church will follow them encouraging them to believe that with God, every thing is possible !

In different Churches, group of people joined us to live vivid experiences which will encourage them to continue to go ahead. Certainly, some lives will be changed by such an experience and new local actions will begin in September! Let us pray for them.

The race is going on without a proper team of us but we believe some Christians encouraged by our work will take advantage to join the race to shine among the people.

Our Holy Father,
We praise your name.  To you we give all praise and honor.  We thank you for hearing and answering our prayers.  Lord,  thank you for those who have been added to your Church these last two weeks.  We pray that they will grow in you.  Thank you for the believers who have faithfully passed out information and shared the good news about Jesus Christ. Thank you for the Bibles that have been given out.  Holy Spirit teach them as they read.  Open their eyes and guide them in your Truth.  We bless you for hearing our prayers.  Lord, be with the team as they go to Paris next week.  Prepare hearts and change more lives.  We pray for those who will be added to the church this week.  Lord, thank you for all that you are doing in the hearts in France.  We praise you in the name of Jesus our Savior.  Amen

Feet on the ground at the tour

This is in French but it is wonderful to see.  It is a video of last year when Semer ministry was at the tour.  I hope they make one for this year as well. 

Team AG2R La Mondiale

This French team, AG2R,  began in 1992 by the former french cyclist Vincent Laveu.  Today they are sponsored by the insurance company Ag2r Prevoyance.  They have won some stages in the past at the tour.  They are riding for the home folk so look for them to be a contender here this year.

Lord,

We thank you for the tradition of the Tour.  It is a wonderful way to see France and learn more about the people of France.  Lord, we pray for ag2r as they race for their countrymen.  We pray for their safety and for their success.  It takes a lot of courage to ride this race and I pray that they will some day take courage in who you are.  Lord, we know that life can be lived without our understanding of who you are, but life is so much better knowing you.  I pray for the riders of ag2r that one day soon they will understand and believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God and that living our lives for you is the best way to ride.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen

Étape 13 Rodez > Revel

The more I learn about the country of France the more I believe France is about simple things.  France is filled with cities Rodez and Revel were life is very much down to earth, good people living with each other making their lives full of family and good things from the earth.  Some fresh bread, wonderful cheese, the local wine, and a place to live with centuries of history and the buzz of today all around them.  But like all people life is not always wonderful, and the French do not like to share what is private.  For missionaries coming to live in France is takes along time before, if ever, they are pulled into the real part of French life.  Pray that God will break down those barriers that keep relationship from growing.  Ask God to help the non-french to understand the culture and rules of the French society. Pray that these things would not hinder the message of Christ being accepted in France.  This area of France has a long history of religion playing a part in their lives and it has not always been good. Pray that the French will see Jesus Christ, worthy to be part of their lives and not just a piece of history.  

Sovereign Lord,

The past has built many stronghold in the people of France.  We see their culture and rules are different then our own and it is hard to be accepted as one of them.  Lord, I know that you can break down these barriers to the gospel message and bring a new spirit into the hearts of the French.  Jesus, you are worthy of our worship today just as you were in the days of the past.  I pray that unbelieving hearts will soon open when you stand at the door and knock.  Thank you for knocking.  Lord, we are fully convinced that you are able to do what you have promised.  So Lord, we boldly ask to you to call the French people to salvation on this day, binding whatever stands in the way of the preaching and teaching of the Word of God to all.  We pray in the name of Jesus the one and only.  Amen