The Bulletin Board:(Please SCROLL DOWN this page to find the article titled on this post in LARGE CAPITAL LETTERS. Thank you.)
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)
PRAY FOR THE PRESENT CONFLICT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS TO END SOON BEFORE MORE INNOCENT LIVES ARE LOST ON BOTH SIDES.
PRAY FOR THE CRISIS HAPPENING NOW IN IRAQ (see post #907)
Please pray for Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol from Samaritan’s Purse:
Two Americans working for Samaritan’s Purse to battle the deadly Ebola virus plaguing Liberia, unfortunately have both tested positive for the this terrible virus and are fighting for their lives.
Dr. Kent Brantly, medical director for the Samaritan’s Purse care center serving the Liberian capital of Monrovia, and Nancy Writebol, part of the joint Serving In Mission/ Samaritan’s Purse team, are currently undergoing intensive treatment at an isolation center in ELWA Hospital.
Please join us by praying for both of these heroic individuals and their families at this time. For more information please visit their website at www.samaritanspurse.org. [from Crosswalk.com]
"Keeping Faith: Missionary 'Refused' to Flee Liberia" - By Heather Sells,August 06, 2014;http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2014/August/Keeping-Faith-Missionary-Refused-to-Flee-Liberia/ "The faith of David and Nancy shows a maturity that is teaching all of us," Cashwell said. "They know that God can move in at any time and heal Nancy." "But they also recognize that if God chooses to call her home, that He's going to bring a healing there as well," he added. "And that's the healing that we all hope for." .
"Not Everyone Happy with Religious Ambassador Pick," Caitlin Burke,July 29, 2014;
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/July/Obama-Taps-Rabbi-for-Religious-Freedom-Ambassador/ "President Barack Obama's decision to nominate Rabbi David Saperstein to the post of Ambassador for International Religious Freedom is drawing mixed reactions. Saperstein has spent his career in Washington focusing on social justice and religious freedom issues as an activist in the liberal reform branch of Judaism .... An estimated 76 percent of the world's population live in countries where religious freedom is restricted. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States must take a strong stand against those violations. "Around the world repressive governments and extremists groups have been crystal clear about what they stand against, so we have to be equally clear about what we must stand for," Kerry said. "We stand for greater freedom, for greater tolerance, greater respect, for rights of freedom of expression and freedom of conscience," he said A key development in the 2013 report is the large number of displaced members of religious communities, including entire Christian communities in Syria and Iraq that have been forced to flee their homes because of persecution."
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:
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]
/PRAYER ALERT- UKRAINE: 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.
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.
Jesus called Christians to pray for our enemies. It’s not easy, and it requires acknowledging that we have enemies.
Anyone who’s been keeping up with international news should see a trend developing. In Syria, Egypt, and Libya, Muslim extremists not only seek to overthrow established governments, they also seem to go out of their way to target vulnerable Christian populations. In Iraq, where the Muslim terror group ISIS is swallowing one city after another, Christians are especially and understandably uneasy.
Our friend Stan Guthrie, author of the book Missions in the Third Millennium, reports that a coordinated campaign of mass executions, forced implementation of harsh Islamic law, and frightening propaganda videos is accelerating the exodus of Christians at a rate that may soon leave Iraq “bereft of gospel witness.”
In Sudan, a Christian woman, Meriam Ibrahim, was arrested and imprisoned on bogus charges of apostasy and adultery. She was forced to give birth to her daughter in prison with legs shackled, which reportedly has left the baby disabled. Under great international pressure, the government released Meriam—only to re-arrest her and her family at the airport the next day.
In Nigeria, Boko Haram terrorists continue to kidnap girls and women. The group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, boasted in a video, “I am the Shekau that does not like Christians, and I don’t like Muslims that relate with Christians. We have been commanded by Allah not to associate with infidels because they cannot be trusted until they accept your religion.”
I could go on, but I think you get the idea.
Now let me say something somewhat controversial: these Muslim terror groups have made themselves enemies of the gospel and to those who follow Christ. There’s no sugar-coating what they themselves say. How should then Christians respond? Well of course we should continue at every opportunity to advocate for the human rights of oppressed Christians and Muslims. But we can’t stop there.
Keeping in mind the Apostle Paul’s teaching that we war not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, we must pray. And the indisputable fact that these terrorists are our enemies imposes on us this sacred obligation given to us by our Lord. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”
Radical Islamists kill their enemies in the name of their god. Christians are to love our enemies and pray for them. Let’s face it: This battle cannot be won by hashtags, online petitions, or even with “boots on the ground.” To deal with the spiritual enemy known as radical Islam, we don’t hate; we love. And one way to show that love is by praying for the enemies of the gospel. I know that sounds hard. In fact, it’s even impossible. And yet our Lord commands us to do it. A Christian worldview that’s grounded in the Scriptures reminds us that every human being is made in God’s image and thus is potentially a brother or sister in Christ—even a hardened Muslim terrorist.
As Southern Baptist researcher David Garrison demonstrates in his book “A Wind in the House of Islam,” there are tons of stories of Muslims coming to faith in Christ. “We’re seeing a moment,” he told me, “that we’ve never seen before in the history of Christianity’s interaction with the House of Islam.” And our prayers can help....
[bold, italics, and colored emphasis mine]
RESOURCES:
30 DAYS Muslim Prayer Guide:2014 - WorldChristian.com | 2014; http://www.worldchristian.com/productdetails.php?product_id=36631
"A Wind in the House of Islam" - John Stonestreet, Dr. David Garrison, Paul Filidis | BreakPoint.org | February 7, 2014;http://www.breakpoint.org/features-columns/discourse/discourse-archive/entry/15/24514
"Called Out of Islam" - John Stonestreet, Nabeel Qureshi | BreakPoint.org | February 14, 2014;http://www.breakpoint.org/features-columns/discourse/discourse-archive/entry/15/24567
"Praying for Muslims As Well As Christians" - Valen Caldwell | BreakPoint blog | June 23, 2014;http://www.breakpoint.org/tp-home/blog-archives/recent-point-posts/entry/4/25486
"Missing Girls, Missing Concern" - Stan Guthrie | BreakPoint | May 1, 2014; http://www.breakpoint.org/features-columns/breakpoint-columns/entry/2/25134
"Targeted: The Disappearing Christians of Iraq" - Stan Guthrie | Christianheadlines.com | June 19, 2014; http://www.christianheadlines.com/columnists/guest-commentary/targeted-the-disappearing-christians-of-iraq.html
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)
PRAY FOR THE PRESENT CONFLICT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS TO END SOON BEFORE MORE INNOCENT LIVES ARE LOST ON BOTH SIDES.
PRAY FOR THE CRISIS HAPPENING NOW IN IRAQ (see post #907)
Please pray for Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol from Samaritan’s Purse:
Two Americans working for Samaritan’s Purse to battle the deadly Ebola virus plaguing Liberia, unfortunately have both tested positive for the this terrible virus and are fighting for their lives.
Dr. Kent Brantly, medical director for the Samaritan’s Purse care center serving the Liberian capital of Monrovia, and Nancy Writebol, part of the joint Serving In Mission/ Samaritan’s Purse team, are currently undergoing intensive treatment at an isolation center in ELWA Hospital.
Please join us by praying for both of these heroic individuals and their families at this time. For more information please visit their website at www.samaritanspurse.org. [from Crosswalk.com]
"Keeping Faith: Missionary 'Refused' to Flee Liberia" - By Heather Sells,August 06, 2014;http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2014/August/Keeping-Faith-Missionary-Refused-to-Flee-Liberia/ "The faith of David and Nancy shows a maturity that is teaching all of us," Cashwell said. "They know that God can move in at any time and heal Nancy." "But they also recognize that if God chooses to call her home, that He's going to bring a healing there as well," he added. "And that's the healing that we all hope for." .
"Not Everyone Happy with Religious Ambassador Pick," Caitlin Burke,July 29, 2014;
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/July/Obama-Taps-Rabbi-for-Religious-Freedom-Ambassador/ "President Barack Obama's decision to nominate Rabbi David Saperstein to the post of Ambassador for International Religious Freedom is drawing mixed reactions. Saperstein has spent his career in Washington focusing on social justice and religious freedom issues as an activist in the liberal reform branch of Judaism .... An estimated 76 percent of the world's population live in countries where religious freedom is restricted. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States must take a strong stand against those violations. "Around the world repressive governments and extremists groups have been crystal clear about what they stand against, so we have to be equally clear about what we must stand for," Kerry said. "We stand for greater freedom, for greater tolerance, greater respect, for rights of freedom of expression and freedom of conscience," he said A key development in the 2013 report is the large number of displaced members of religious communities, including entire Christian communities in Syria and Iraq that have been forced to flee their homes because of persecution."
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:
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
*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.
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.] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Praying for Our Terrorist Enemies- A Spiritual Battle" - By: John Stonestreet| Breakpoint.org: July 3, 2014;
http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/25583?spMailingID=8948222&spUserID=MTMyMjM2ODE5OQS2&spJobID=340234776&spReportId=MzQwMjM0Nzc2S0 [AS I SEE IT: For over a year now, God has led me to pray DAILY for our military who are in harm's way. I had been praying that NOT ONE would be killed or injured that day. (It's always exciting to hear a news report on a Monday say that the military reported that NO one had been killed in combat the past week.) After praying in this way for awhile, one morning the Lord just said, "So, how about praying for those who are targeting our troops?" It was a light went on; I couldn't believe I had never thought of that. (While I of course have never prayed that our soldiers would kill their attackers, it never occurred to me to pray for their SALVATION!) And so now daily, I not only pray for our troops's safety but ALSO that each enemy soldier would get a dream or vision that would lead them to consider the false teaching of Islam and instead turn their lives over to Jesus. Will you join me in praying? - Stan]
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.] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Praying for Our Terrorist Enemies- A Spiritual Battle" - By: John Stonestreet| Breakpoint.org: July 3, 2014;
http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/25583?spMailingID=8948222&spUserID=MTMyMjM2ODE5OQS2&spJobID=340234776&spReportId=MzQwMjM0Nzc2S0 [AS I SEE IT: For over a year now, God has led me to pray DAILY for our military who are in harm's way. I had been praying that NOT ONE would be killed or injured that day. (It's always exciting to hear a news report on a Monday say that the military reported that NO one had been killed in combat the past week.) After praying in this way for awhile, one morning the Lord just said, "So, how about praying for those who are targeting our troops?" It was a light went on; I couldn't believe I had never thought of that. (While I of course have never prayed that our soldiers would kill their attackers, it never occurred to me to pray for their SALVATION!) And so now daily, I not only pray for our troops's safety but ALSO that each enemy soldier would get a dream or vision that would lead them to consider the false teaching of Islam and instead turn their lives over to Jesus. Will you join me in praying? - Stan]
"Praying for Our Terrorist Enemies- A Spiritual Battle" - By: John Stonestreet| Breakpoint.org: July 3, 2014;
http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/25583?spMailingID=8948222&spUserID=MTMyMjM2ODE5OQS2&spJobID=340234776&spReportId=MzQwMjM0Nzc2S0 [AS I SEE IT: For over a year now, God has led me to pray DAILY for our military who are in harm's way. I had been praying that NOT ONE would be killed or injured that day. (It's always exciting to hear a news report on a Monday say that the military reported that NO one had been killed in combat the past week.) After praying in this way for awhile, one morning the Lord just said, "So, how about praying for those who are targeting our troops?" It was a light went on; I couldn't believe I had never thought of that. (While I of course have never prayed that our soldiers would kill their attackers, it never occurred to me to pray for their SALVATION!) And so now daily, I not only pray for our troops's safety but ALSO that each enemy soldier would get a dream or vision that would lead them to consider the false teaching of Islam and instead turn their lives over to Jesus. Will you join me in praying? - Stan]
Jesus called Christians to pray for our enemies. It’s not easy, and it requires acknowledging that we have enemies.
Anyone who’s been keeping up with international news should see a trend developing. In Syria, Egypt, and Libya, Muslim extremists not only seek to overthrow established governments, they also seem to go out of their way to target vulnerable Christian populations. In Iraq, where the Muslim terror group ISIS is swallowing one city after another, Christians are especially and understandably uneasy.
Our friend Stan Guthrie, author of the book Missions in the Third Millennium, reports that a coordinated campaign of mass executions, forced implementation of harsh Islamic law, and frightening propaganda videos is accelerating the exodus of Christians at a rate that may soon leave Iraq “bereft of gospel witness.”
In Sudan, a Christian woman, Meriam Ibrahim, was arrested and imprisoned on bogus charges of apostasy and adultery. She was forced to give birth to her daughter in prison with legs shackled, which reportedly has left the baby disabled. Under great international pressure, the government released Meriam—only to re-arrest her and her family at the airport the next day.
In Nigeria, Boko Haram terrorists continue to kidnap girls and women. The group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, boasted in a video, “I am the Shekau that does not like Christians, and I don’t like Muslims that relate with Christians. We have been commanded by Allah not to associate with infidels because they cannot be trusted until they accept your religion.”
I could go on, but I think you get the idea.
Now let me say something somewhat controversial: these Muslim terror groups have made themselves enemies of the gospel and to those who follow Christ. There’s no sugar-coating what they themselves say. How should then Christians respond? Well of course we should continue at every opportunity to advocate for the human rights of oppressed Christians and Muslims. But we can’t stop there.
Keeping in mind the Apostle Paul’s teaching that we war not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, we must pray. And the indisputable fact that these terrorists are our enemies imposes on us this sacred obligation given to us by our Lord. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”
Radical Islamists kill their enemies in the name of their god. Christians are to love our enemies and pray for them. Let’s face it: This battle cannot be won by hashtags, online petitions, or even with “boots on the ground.” To deal with the spiritual enemy known as radical Islam, we don’t hate; we love. And one way to show that love is by praying for the enemies of the gospel. I know that sounds hard. In fact, it’s even impossible. And yet our Lord commands us to do it. A Christian worldview that’s grounded in the Scriptures reminds us that every human being is made in God’s image and thus is potentially a brother or sister in Christ—even a hardened Muslim terrorist.
As Southern Baptist researcher David Garrison demonstrates in his book “A Wind in the House of Islam,” there are tons of stories of Muslims coming to faith in Christ. “We’re seeing a moment,” he told me, “that we’ve never seen before in the history of Christianity’s interaction with the House of Islam.” And our prayers can help....
[bold, italics, and colored emphasis mine]
RESOURCES:
30 DAYS Muslim Prayer Guide:2014 - WorldChristian.com | 2014; http://www.worldchristian.com/productdetails.php?product_id=36631
"A Wind in the House of Islam" - John Stonestreet, Dr. David Garrison, Paul Filidis | BreakPoint.org | February 7, 2014;http://www.breakpoint.org/features-columns/discourse/discourse-archive/entry/15/24514
"Called Out of Islam" - John Stonestreet, Nabeel Qureshi | BreakPoint.org | February 14, 2014;http://www.breakpoint.org/features-columns/discourse/discourse-archive/entry/15/24567
"Praying for Muslims As Well As Christians" - Valen Caldwell | BreakPoint blog | June 23, 2014;http://www.breakpoint.org/tp-home/blog-archives/recent-point-posts/entry/4/25486
"Missing Girls, Missing Concern" - Stan Guthrie | BreakPoint | May 1, 2014; http://www.breakpoint.org/features-columns/breakpoint-columns/entry/2/25134
"Targeted: The Disappearing Christians of Iraq" - Stan Guthrie | Christianheadlines.com | June 19, 2014; http://www.christianheadlines.com/columnists/guest-commentary/targeted-the-disappearing-christians-of-iraq.html
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