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)
Month of RAMADAN - Please make note that the Muslim month of Ramadan this year is 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 # 16 - Faithfulness - An angry mob arrived before noon. Destroying everything inside the stadium, the hope of hosting the country's first crusade was dashed. The coordinators persevered and 120 new believers arose out of the ashes. Holy Spirit, fill Christians today with faithfulness to share Your Word, with Muslims in particular, regardless of circumstances. - 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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"The Faith of Soccer Star Tim Howard - Shining On and Off the Pitch" - By: Eric Metaxas|Breakpoint.org: July 9, 2014; http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/25631?spMailingID=8983762&spUserID=MTMyMjM2ODE5OQS2&spJobID=340736549&spReportId=MzQwNzM2NTQ5S0
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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With the success of the U.S. soccer team, more Americans than ever before have watched the World Cup. And one player’s faith is making headlines.
Moments after Brazilian defender David Luiz scored what turned out to be the winning goal versus Colombia in the World Cup quarterfinals, my friend looked up his bio on Wikipedia. He knew that Luiz, like several of his teammates, was a Christian who often speaks about his faith. And sure enough, Luiz’s Wikipedia photo showed him wearing a t-shirt reading “Deus é fiel”: or, “God is faithful.”
Well, apparently the sight of David Luiz on his knees praying was too much for one Wikipedia user, who had edited the Brazilian’s page to add the following comment: “He is another one of those people with limited intelligence who do not know that 'god' does not exist.” Well, I’m happy to say the disparaging remark was quickly removed. And I’m sure Luiz has learned to ignore such attacks on his faith—much like former Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow.
Now, for all us Americans who normally don’t follow soccer, it may come as a surprise to learn that Luiz isn’t the only committed Christian shining brightly on the biggest stage in the world. Perhaps the most extraordinary story of faith has its origins not in Sao Paolo but in North Brunswick, New Jersey.
That’s the hometown of the American team's goalkeeper Tim Howard. On July 1, 22 million Americans watched Howard put on a goalkeeping clinic in the USA’s 2-1 loss to Belgium.Howard set a World Cup record with sixteen saves and cemented his place among the world’s top goalkeepers.
It’s a status that no one would have predicted when he was in the sixth grade. That’s when Howard was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by physical and vocal tics.
As you can imagine, the condition is isolating due to the stigma and the low self-esteem that goes with it.
All of which make Howard’s success even more remarkable. If there’s one thing a world-class goalkeeper has to have, it’s confidence. And where does Howard get his confidence? His Christian faith. In a piece for Athletes in Action, Howard wrote that he didn't experience much peace while growing up.
The one exception was in the presence of his grandmother, whose peace and strength came from “her faith in the Lord.” He recorded that “through her, God revealed His love for me as well. It wasn't long before I was following in her footsteps. I wanted the same kind of faith and peace she had, and that is exactly what God gave me.”While he acknowledges that life with Tourette’s “is not easy,” God also blessed him with athleticism and that, in turn, has provided him with a platform to help others with Tourette’s. His use of that platform isn’t limited to helping Tourette sufferers. He has reached the pinnacle of his profession by playing in England’s Premier League. In fact, a year after joining legendary Manchester United, Howard was named “Goalkeeper of the Year." And this is in a country where relatively few people attend church. What the locals call “football” is a religion there, and players are, whether they want to admit it or not, role models. And Howard, a Christian at the top of his game, has used the opportunity to witness to his faith.
Once the World Cup is over, most of us Americans will go back to ignoring what many countries call “the beautiful game.” But the rest of the world will still be watching, which is why I’m thankful for the faithful witness of men like David Luiz and Tim Howard.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION
The Faith of Soccer Star Tim Howard: Shining on and off the Pitch - Like Tim Howard, we each have a platform for proclaiming our faith to the world. Whether that platform is a large or small one, our witness encourages others as we model living for Christ. To learn more about soccer star Tim Howard’s life, check out the article linked below.
"Tim Howard Credits Christian Faith For Giving Him The 'Gift Of Athleticism'" - Antonia Blumberg | Huffington Post | July 2, 2014; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/02/tim-howard-christian_n_5551160.html
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