PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14)
ANSWERED PRAYER! "High Court Strikes Down Abortion Clinic Buffer Zones" - CBNNews.com, June 26, 2014; http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2014/June/High-Court-Voids-35-foot-Abortion-Clinic-Buffer/ - The Supreme Court handed a victory to pro-lifers Thursday.The justices unanimously struck down a 2007 Massachusetts law that created a 35-foot protest-free zone outside abortion clinics in Massachusetts. [AS I SEE IT: As one who used to pray outside of abortion clinics, this is a great decision, esp. as it was UNANIMOUS! - Stan]
ANSWERED PRAYER!! - Sudan Mom Sentenced to Die for Faith Set Free - CBNNews.com, June 23, 2014: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/June/Sudan-Mom-Sentenced-to-Die-for-Faith-Set-Free/ :The Sudanese mother condemned to die for refusing to renounce her Christian faith has been set free, according to her attorney. Meriam Ibrahim's release came after her sentence was overturned by an appellate court..."
Month of RAMADAN - Please make note that THIS SATURDAY begins the Muslim month of Ramadam, this year June 28-July 27. This is the second year I will join with the over 1 billion Muslims in their annual time of prayer and fasting (sun-up to sun-down each day) and ask God to reveal Himself to them in dreams and visions. As this is the time each year when they are most open to spiritual things, I ask you to join me that God would speak clearly to each one and come to lead millions to leave their kingdom of darkness for Jesus' kingdom of light. (Col. 1:13-14) - Stan]
RAMADAN 2014 - Day #3 - Peace - "Lord Jesus, during Ramadan, our brothers and sisters living in the Muslim-dominated countries are faced with added pressures. Remind them that You dwell in them and fill them with your perfect peace."- from Open Doors Ramadan Prayer Guide for the Persecuted Church.
SIGN A PETITION TO THE UN FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHRISTIANS :" The church in Syria has shone brightly for 2,000 years. But today violence and persecution threatens its survival. Thanks to an incredible response, Open Doors is helping 8,000 families in Syria survive each month. We believe the signatures and prayers of 500,000 people will encourage the UN to act and protect the rights and lives of all Syrians, especially the vulnerable Christian community." Go to: http://lp.opendoorsusa.org/emails/nov-13-action/save-syria.html?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=button&utm_campaign=november
WORLD-WDE PRAYER REQUESTS:
6/13 - PRAY FOR THE CRISIS HAPPENING NOW IN IRAQ (see post #907)
(6/12-7/13) PRAY for the WORLD CUP IN BRAZIL - that God will show favor to the many thousands who are there to present the message of Christ to the athletes and visitors from around the world. May many return to their home countries having come to Christ and sharing that same new faith with family and friends.
LATEST SAHEED NEWS! May 22 - "Pastor Saeed Forcibly Returned to Prison after Beating" - By Caitlin Burke,CBN News, May 22, 2014;http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/May/Pastor-Saeed-Beaten-Sent-Back-to-Iran-Prison/ "Saeed Abedini, a U.S. pastor imprisoned for his faith, was severely beaten at an Iranian hospital before being returned to the brutal Rajai Shahr prison. His Iranian family claims the transfer was unexpected and the reason is unclear. But one of the guards involved in the transfer suggested recent Iranian nuclear talks could be a motive, the family said...""
We need to continue to pray for Pastor Saeed - that his health will improve and that he will be re-united with his wife and two young children who live in the United States. We also remain hopeful that in addition to getting the medical care he so desperately needs, that Iranian officials display the kind of humanitarian treatment that often accompanies the start of the Iranian New Year which began on March 21st. This is the time of year when the Iranian government frequently offers clemency to prisoners of conscience. [If you have not yet, please sign the petition for his clemency- http://beheardproject.com/saeed#sign]
PRAY ALSO : - For comfort and peace for Saeed’s wife and children here in the U.S.\
- For a strong witness and testimony from Pastor Abedini in the prison where God has placed him
- For Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ
- For leadership from the White House and State Department in defending the freedoms of Abedini and other Americans
- GO TO SaveSaeed.org to sign a petition over 600,000 others asking for his immediate release
The U.S. State Department believes the Russian army is now prepared to launch an invasion of eastern Ukraine if President Vladimir Putin decides to pull the trigger, according to a senior Administration official."At this point, they are amassed and they could go at a moment’s notice if Putin gave the go ahead," the official said...Top Ukrainian security officials said Thursday that Russia now has 100,000 troops on its side of the Russia-Ukraine border.(Sources: CBS News, Washington Post, Huffington Post, Daily Beast)
As the Lord leads, please pray:
*For God to suppress President Putin’s ambitions to "restore" the Soviet empire.
*For the people of Ukrainen [esp. for the church 'to be THE church'] as they wait to see if the Russian troops will advance.
*About President Obama and to use wisdom in crafting our foreign policy, and wisdom for his advisers.
NEWS/PRAYER ALERT!"Kim Jong-un Calls for Execution of 33 Christians" - 3/7/2014; http://www.presidentialprayerteam.com/Prayerwatch?pw=3651 "North Korea tyrant Kim Jong-un has reportedly ordered that 33 Christians believed to be working alongside South Korean Baptist missionary Kim Jung-wook be put to death. The South Korean missionary - who was arrested last year - and his accomplices have reportedly started 500 or so underground churches..."[PRAY that the plans for execution would be rescinded, and these believers released.] [Che\ck out: They'll Be Dead By Morning (What Difference Will It Make) http://loristanleyroeleveld.blogspot.com/2014/03/theyll-be-dead-by-morning-what.html
NEWS ALERT/PRAISE! "Iran Allows Surgery on Ailing, Imprisoned Pastor" - CBNNews.com,March 07, 2014;http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/March/Iran-Allows-Dire-Surgery-on-Ailing-Imprisoned-Pastor-/ The Iranian government has finally allowed doctors to perform surgery on imprisoned Pastor Benham Irani.Irani suffered from a herniated disc and bleeding intestines and urgently needed medical care. PRAY for the final release of Pastor Irani and others imprisoned for their faith.
Continue to Pray for EGYPT - Continue to pray for the tense situation in Egypt and especially for the Christian believers who are being targeted with violence by Muslim Brotherhood members.]
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Continue to Pray for EGYPT - Continue to pray for the tense situation in Egypt and especially for the Christian believers who are being targeted with violence by Muslim Brotherhood members.]
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The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) executed as many as 190 captives earlier this month, according to Human Rights Watch. Their report is based on an analysis of satellite imagery and graphic photos released by ISIS terrorists. "The number of victims may well be much higher, but the difficulty of locating bodies and accessing the area has prevented a full investigation," the rights group said.
The news comes as thousands of Iraqi Christians are fleeing for their lives this week before the brutal onslaught of the jihadist army. ISIS terror groups are still attacking Christian villages as they press on in their attempt to take more territory.
'They've Cut Off Heads' -
At a checkpoint near the Kurdish controlled areas, both Christians and Shiite Muslims warned of an ongoing slaughter at the hands of ISIS. 'They (ISIS) have cut off heads. There are eight bodies on the river banks. No one knows what they want," Iraqi refugee Ahmed Hussein said.
Approximately 2,000 Christians sought refuge in the Kurdish city of Erbil after Sunni Muslim gunmen attacked their towns near the city of Mosul. Iraqi Christian refugee Ibrahim Marzina says he hopes to leave Iraq. "There are a lot of people who wish to emigrate in this situation because our future is unknown," he explained. "And in general, the future of Iraq is unknown. But we as a Christian minority, our future is even more unknown. Honestly, we can't predict our future."
It's a familiar refrain for the Christians who are left in Iraq. Hundreds of thousands have fled the country since the U.S. ousted Saddam Hussein 11 years ago. "We won't have a future here in Iraq--never. Now I want to emigrate to a European country. Now. At this moment," Iman Abdul Azis Majid, another Christian refugee, said. Fellow refugee Abdul Wahed Abd al Boules echoed those sentiments.
"Yes, we are afraid for Christians (in Iraq). Different groups of Christians are treated badly. They're being displaced," he said.
One group of refugees is now living in a sports center. Others have been sent to nearby schools, suffering from lack of sleep and exposure to hot weather. With no one to defend them, the situation for Christians is likely to get more desperate. "The only protected zones for the Christians are within the Kurdistan Region Government territories, especially within the Kurdish territory in Iraq," Ano Jawhar Abdoka, the head of Shlama Entity for Christians Issues, explained. "Other places are very dangerous," he continued. "And there are very (many) tensions, of violence against the Christians all over Iraq, especially in the middle and the south of Iraq."
As the U.S. struggles to find a diplomatic solution to the unraveling situation in Iraq, the chances are good that thousands more refugees will join those already in the Kurdish controlled areas of the country's north.
[ bold and italics emphasis mine]
Related Stories:
"Those Who Face Death: Kurdish Army Takes on ISIS" - - http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/June/Those-Who-Face-Death-Kurdish-Army-Takes-on-ISIS/
"What an Islamic Caliphate Would Mean for the West" - http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/June/What-an-Islamic-Caliphate-Would-Mean-for-the-West/
"ISIS a 'Clear and Present Danger' to US Homeland" - http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/June/ISIS-a-Clear-and-Present-Danger-to-US-Homeland/
The Bowers Family
