#248 (6/30) - Prayer Items for Week beginning 6/23

[FYI - My GENday is Sept. 19th. What is yours?]

[NOTE: The following items for prayer come from the Presidential Prayer Team(NOT associated with the White House but an independent Christian prayer minsitry.) These cover news items not mentioned previous in this blog; I trust also pray for regarding each subject mentioned in each of my posts. If you would like to sign up for a free subscription to their daily devotionals and prayer alerts, please go to: Info@PresidentialPrayerTeam .org I will try to present items from their alerts each week and encourage you to take time when you read each item to pray for the prayer requests listed. - Stan]

Wildfires and Floods Bring Devastation and Displacement, June 27, 2012; http://www.presidentialprayerteam.com/Prayerwatch?pw=430

"The wildfire burning near Colorado Springs, Colorado has chased some 32,000 residents from their homes. The fire doubled in size overnight and by Wednesday morning, 15,324 acres were burning with only 5% contained, said Rich Harvey, incident commander of the Waldo Canyon Fire.."

As the Lord leads, please pray:
•For protection and safety on the part of firefighters and hot shot crews in the Western U.S.
•For families and businesses who have sustained losses, and for their recovery, physical, material and emotional.
•About the nation being just at the "front end" of hurricane and wildfire seasons.
•That the Lord would bring rain to drought-stricken areas, and calm the wind and seas in the Atlantic and Gulf.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Lawmakers Accuse Air Force of Hostility Toward Religion, June 23, 2012, http://www.presidentialprayerteam.com/Prayerwatch?pw=418

"A group of 66 Republican lawmakers is accusing the Air Force of creating 'a culture that is hostile toward religion.' The House members wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta asking him to investigate whether recent incidents at the Air Force are having a "chilling effect" on people of faith. The lawmakers outlined several instances where they had problems with Air Force policy, particularly a memo last year from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, which said that 'chaplains, not commanders' should notify airmen about chaplains’ religious programs. The lawmakers wrote the memo was 'suggesting that the mere mention of these programs is impermissible.' They also took issue with the suspension of a briefing that discussed Bible references, the changing of a Latin office motto that included God and removing Bibles from Air Force Inn checklists. They wrote the policy of 'complete separation' between church and state is having a "chilling effect" down the chain of command. "The changes lend credence to the notion."

As the Lord leads, please pray:
•For Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and members of the Pentagon who grapple with issues of "separation." [Question: Why in all of US history till now has this never been a concern?]
•For the members of our Armed Forces who are sustained by faith to be encouraged by the Lord and not discouraged by actions of others.
•For a military environment where faith in God is honored.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Gaza terrorists fire 23 rockets hitting school and factory, June 23, 2012,(Source: The Times of Israel, Ha’artez)

"Gaza-based terrorists fired 23 rockets into southern Israel on Saturday, causing damage to a school and factory. The latest attacks bring the total number of rockets and other projectiles fired from the Strip to approximately 150 over the past six days. Iron Dome shot down five of the incoming rockets, according to Israel Radio."

"The mayor called on the government to act, and said that the city’s center for victims of stress and anxiety was open and had already received several residents.
During a visit to Sderot and neighboring towns surrounding the Gaza Strip on Saturday, Home Front Defense Minister Matan Vilnai said 'Israel cannot remain silent following the events in the South in recent days.' In an afternoon strike, the Air Force targeted and killed a terrorist in northern Gaza near Jabaliya who was making final preparations for a rocket launch. Later, the IAF bombed a second terrorist cell en route to launching rockets outside Gaza City. Palestinian sources reported one dead, 10 injured, and damage to nearby buildings."

As the Lord leads, please pray:
•About increasing levels of terrorism coming from Gaza.
•About the probable disavowing of the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt as the Muslim Brotherhood candidate has been announced as the winner of Egypt’s elections.
•About the potential for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Prisoner to President - Islamist Wins in Egypt, June 24, 2012
http://www.presidentialprayerteam.com/Prayerwatch?pw=420

"In a reversal of fortunes unthinkable a year and a half ago, an Islamist jailed by Hosni Mubarak has succeeded him as president of the biggest Arab nation in a victory at the ballot box which has historic consequences for Egypt and the Middle East..."

As the Lord leads, please pray:
•For calm throughout Egypt as the military plans to install Morsi as president later this week.
•For women, Christians, Jews and other minorities in Egypt who are facing the potential for harsh Sharia law.
•For wisdom for President Morsi and those who will be his primary advisors as they enter Egypt into democratic rule.
•For the impact of the election result upon Israel and other nations in the Middle East.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Intelligence Chief Takes New Steps to Crack Down on Leaks, June 25, 2012
http://www.presidentialprayerteam.com/Prayerwatch?pw=423

"Director of National Intelligence James Clapper on Monday announced new steps intended to cut down on leaks after a furious backlash from Congress...Congress is demanding investigations and vowing to write new laws of its own after a series of national security leaks became major news stories, including reports on a U.S. cyberattack against Iran, a double agent infiltrating al Qaeda in Yemen and a terrorist 'kill list.'

As the Lord leads, please pray:
•About the damage done to the United States at home and abroad by leaks in matters of national security.
•For Director Clapper and members of Congress to work together in formulating appropriate measures to identify and deal with "leakers."