URGENT PRAYERS/PETITIONS:
ATTENTION: TODAY is the 7th day of the 30 days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. (see link below for resource material you can download.) Please join me in focusing your prayers EVERY DAY for these over one billion people who need to hear the gospel of Jesus.[NOTE: 1) You can download a page of helpful basic information about Islam and Ramadan at: http://www.opendoorsusa.org/downloads/pdf-downloads/Islam_reference_guide-1.pdf ; and 2) The following is from a 30-day prayer guide you can download at: http://www.opendoorsusa.org/downloads/pdf-downloads/2013-ramadan-prayer-calendar-1.pdf (The following is from that prayer guide.) July 15 – Month of Ramadan Day #7 - WONDERFUL COUNSELOR (Egypt) “For to us a child is born…And he will be called Wonderful Counselor.” (Isaiah 9:6) The Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt, founded in the first century, is considered to be one of the oldest churches in the world. Egypt was once a safe haven for Jesus, and has been a safe haven for Christians for almost 2,000 years. But, since the Arab Spring revolutionary demonstrations and with the arrival of a government determined to impose Islamic law, the Christian community has seen both their freedom and security slip away. Pray that Egyptian Christians will rely on His wisdom as they reach out to their neighbors…in the name of Jesus…during Ramadan.
"Egypt Facing Civil War? "Some Fear Civil War As Violence Spreads In Egypt," http://www.presidentialprayerteam.com/Prayerwatch?pw=1605 -- PRAY for the nation of Egypt, as it faces a crucial moment, that the recent events would result in its becoming a true democracy and NOT an Islamic state. PRAY esp. that the peoples' freedoms, in particular the religious freedom of its minorities (specifically its oppressed Christians) would be protected.PRAY also: 1) For peace and stability in Egypt after the government overthrow, 2) That the U.S. will effectively reach out to the new government, and 3) For safety for Americans living in Egypt
"Angry Islamists Turn Wrath on Egypt's Christians," By George Thomas, CBN News Sr. Reporter http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/July/Angry-Islamists-Turn-Wrath-on-Egypts-Christians/ Friday, July 12, 201 - "Egyptian Christians are facing growing retaliation by angry Islamists for opposing ousted President Moham3med Morsi. His supporters say Christian leaders were behind his removal from office....On Thursday, the body of a Christian merchant was found decapitated in a cemetery. Last Saturday, a Coptic Christian priest was shot by gunmen in an outdoor market. Also, days after the military coup that removed Morsi from office, Muslim extremists in southern Egypt burned dozens of Christian homes and stabbed four believers to death. "It's part of the Brotherhood's mobilization that they are targeting Christians, that they are renouncing them as behind this. If the Brotherhood is able to portray what happened as a Christian-dominated or Christian-driven protest, then they get to gain massive support in the streets," Tadros explained.
Sat. July 13th -" Texas GOP Passes Abortion Bill, Dems Vow Fight," By Chris Tomlinson, Associated Press, http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2013/July/Texas-GOP-Passes-Abortion-Bill-Dems-Vow-Fight/ PRAISE GOD for the final passage of the bill that will, among other things, make illegal abortions before the 20th week (when babies are discovered to first feel pain) and which will regulate abortion clinics just as any other medical facilities are required . And praise God that Gov. Perry will sign the bill. PRAY that 1) the bill survive ALL court challenges, and 2) that the passage of this law will spur other such laws throughout the country and eventually be made into a federal law.
American Pastor Saeed Held Prisoner in Iran - June 5th Update - "Saeed's Wife Uses UN Speech to 'Plant Gospel'," by George Thomas, CBN News Sr. Reporter, June 05, 2013, http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/June/Saeeds-Wife-Uses-UN-Speech-to-Plant-Gospel/?cpid=EU_CBNNEWSPM_2013_156"Prayers from Prison: American Pastor Held in Iran Releases Letter," May 22, 2013; http://www.presidentialprayerteam.com/Prayerwatch?pw=1458"...Abedini has been held at the brutal prison for 238 days, enduring long stints in solitary confinement, and, according to his supporters, beatings and torture at the hands of his jailers and fellow inmates. For months, he has been suffering from serious injuries, including internal bleeding from beatings with no proper medical attention, according to his family and attorneys."(Sources: Fox News, Assemblies of God website) Please PRAY:1) For the imprisoned Pastor Abedini, and for those Iranians who tend to his needs in prison to treat him more humanely. 2) For his family in Boise, Idaho. and their efforts to involve the U.S. State Department in securing Pastor Abedini’s release. And 3) For the impact of his witness upon believers and non-believers, in America and across the world. And if you have not yet, join the over 600,000 worldwide who have signed the petition asking for his release at www.SaveSaeed.org
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"Evangelist Arrested Curbside for Condemning Homosexuality," - By Aisha Bascom, CBN Internet News and Social Media Producer, Friday, July 12, 2013; http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/July/Evangelist-Arrested-Curbside-for-Calling-Homosexuality-a-Sin/ [See Note At End]
A former Los Angeles police officer-turned evangelist was arrested in London on Monday for publicly calling homosexuality a sin, according to Christian Newswire. Retired Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff Tony Miano had traveled to the United Kingdom with Sports Fan Outreach International on a mission to bring the Gospel to England.
During the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, he preached about immoral living as he stood in front of the Centre Court Complex. Click play to watch CBN News UK Correspondent Peter Wooding's report. Miano cited homosexuality and fornication as examples of lifestyle choices that go against God's law, quoting 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, which mentions "sexual immorality." A passerby heard his comments and reported to the police that his statements offended her. The result: Miano was fingerprinted, DNA samples were taken, and he was later interrogated about his what he believed.
"As the questioning started it became apparent that the interrogation was about more than the incident that took place in the street, but what I believed and how I think," Miano told The Telegraph online. "I was being interrogated about my thoughts...that is the basic definition of thought police." "It was surreal because I was interrogated about my faith in Jesus Christ," Miano said. "I was asked if I believe that homosexuality is a sin. I was asked what portion of the Bible I was reading. I was asked if a homosexual was hungry and walked up to me, would I give them something to eat."
When asked if he would continue to same the same thing the next day, the evangelist contended that he did nothing unlawful and, if led by the Holy Spirit, he'd publicly preach the same message.
The arresting officer said Miano's affirmative reponses left him no choice but to seek prosecution. Miano was later released by another officer with no further charge, after seven hours in custody, according to the Huffington Post.
"The language I used was not homophobic, as I was not promoting fear or hatred of homosexuals," Miano said after the arrest. "I began my message by assuring the people that mine was not a message of hate but of love. I was simply explaining a passage in the Bible which speaks of sexual immorality and that people should abstain from it." "I did not speak solely about homosexuality as a form of sexual immorality, but also about any kind of sex outside of marriage between one man and one woman, as well as lustful thoughts," he said. "All of these are considered mainstream Christian positions and have been taught and believed by Christians for thousands of years," he argued.
Miano said the experience was disturbing. "It was very distressing to be arrested and interrogated for openly expressing my deeply held Christian beliefs," he said. He warned that Britain and other countries with similar laws are on a "slippery slope" toward the dissipation of free speech.
Meanwhile, Andrea Minichiello Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, echoed Miano's prediction. "If we continue on the current trajectory, Tony's arrest will simply be the first of many," he said. "It's clear that there is already a clampdown on freedom of speech where people publicly express mainstream Christian views on sexual ethics."
[italics emphasis mine] [AS I SEE IT: With America already beset by so-called hate-crime legislation, and with thought police apparent on many university campuses, how far are Americans from experiencing such as what Mr. Miano experienced in what has never been thought of as an oppressive society. And yet, as yesterday's post (#579) shared, believers in Christ are still called to boldly proclaim God's truth, though always with compassion. The day we back away in our pulpits let alone in the public square is the day we finally surrender our nation to those whose actions will only bring about this country so long blessed by God as no other nation in history. Let's PRAY that the Church in America experiences a true revival soon, that it become the Church God called it to be, one that stands boldly against the tide of darkness that is threatening to sweep our society.- Stan]]
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