#2326 (5/30) "Flocking To Tend To Our Nation's Spiritual Needs"

ATTENTION:  SCROLL DOWN  to get TODAY'S article entitled in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. And PLEASE be sure to note the various PRAYER REQUESTS listed BEFORE and AFTER the posted article. (NOTE the list of DAILY prayer requests for the persecuted church.)  They ALL deserve  your intercession. THANK YOU.

May 15 | Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, begins TODAY. Historically, persecution against Christians increases during this time. Pray for the safety of churches and

Christians and that God would use churches to be salt and light to their Muslim friends during this difficult time. 

   PRAY FOR THE MUSLIM WORLD DURING RAMADAN - Download the Free 30-Day Prayer Journal - https://www.opendoorsusa.org/resource-pages/pray-for-muslim-world-during-ramadan/

PERSONAL UPDATE: 5/29 - Note my latest entry in the JOURNAL section on the right side of this page.

5/28 - PRAY for the President and others in leadership (1 Tim. 2:1-3)

Heavenly Father,

 I pray that you will guide President Trump to seek you with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength in the New Year. May he act with wisdom and strength against those whose actions would bring harm to this nation and the world now and for generations to come. I pray that you would strengthen his marriage and deepen the love he and his wife Melania share. Pray that you give them wisdom to speak into the life of their son Barron. Please protect him and his family and others in our leadership from physical harm that any might seek to do against them. May all that our President does bring honor and glory to YOU and cause him to draw in closer relationship with you. I ask this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
P.S. - 3/27: I just finished reading the newly released book, "The Faith of Donald J. Trump" that the public library had and sent to me. Greatly recommend you read it to better understand our 45th President.

(from Intercessors For America) As the Lord Leads, please pray:

*For wisdom for President Trump as he makes decisions regarding health care in the United States.
*For the new legislation the President proposed and signs TODAY - the Right to Try Act (that allows desperate Americans to try medication not yet approved by the FDA) - will help people suffering from debilitating illnesses.
*For the many American’s who are suffering from terminal illness, that God would grant them grace in this time, and healing, according to his will.

     BE Prepared TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ABORTION 

(...because ALL Babies Matter! - http://www.lifenews.com/2017/03/01/why-do-unborn-babies-matter-just-because-they-are/ : Go to: LIFE Training Institute - http://prolifetraining.com/resources/five-minute-11/  

Be Prepared TO ENGAGE WITH THE PC CULTURE:Go to:"Tactics" - 

http://townhall.com/columnists/mikeadams/2016/04/29/tactics-n2154983
"Don't Argue the Exceptions - Beating Bad Arguments For Abortion and Transgenderism" - by John Stonestreet, Breakpoint.org, May 25, 2017; http://breakpoint.org/2017/05/breakpoint-dont-argue-exceptions/

American Pastor Andrew Brunson

May 16th - [from the American Center for Law and Justice] "It's an outrageous miscarriage of justice. Pastor Andrew's sham trial just got worse. The head Turkish judge in his trial basicallyy told American Pastor Andrew Brunson that none of his witnesses will be allowed to testify on his behalf. He was thrown back in prison and his trial is again being delayed until July 18th! "

May 8 :(Yesterday, the pastor's trial resumed.) "It's an absolute outrage.Turkey is playing political games with an innocent pastor's life. After the second day of trial - which came after a 3-week delay from the first day of trial - the panel of judges has just thrown American Pastor Andrew Brunson back into prison - delaying the trial again. This time, more than 70 days - until July 18th. Yesterday's hearing, which lasted nearly 12 grueling hours, was more of the same absurd antics. The first two witnesses were once again "secret." They had no firsthand knowledge about any of their testimony; it was all completely hearsay and conjecture. In fact, all 7 witnesses testified that they had not personally seen or heard Pastor Andrew do anything. It's a complete and utter sham. Pastor Andrew is innocent. This isn't a real trial - it's a show trial".     "We must keep maximum pressure on Turkey. 66 U.S. Senators and 50 Members of the European Parliament have sent letters to Turkey's President demanding Pastor Andrew's release. There are even calls now for sanctions to be brought against Turkey by the international community."

Sign the Petition: https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/save-pastor-andrew-from-a-turkish-prisonPLEASE PRAY FOR HIS  SOON RELEASE!

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"FLOCKING TO TEND TO OUR NATION'S SPIRTIUAL NEEDS" | Travis Weber | InsideSources.com;http://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/fl-op-elected-officials-chaplain-debate-20180523-story.html [AS I SEE IT: We need to pray regularly that our chaplains - whether serving the military or our nation's leaders - will not be restricted in their work by atheist and other groups opposed to them. They - and our service men and women - need to have the freedom to practice and share their faith freely. - Stan]

President Trump greets U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Lieutenant Colonel Dawud Abdul-Aziz Agbere, Rabbi Levi Shemtov of the Rabbinical Council of Greater Washington, and Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl during an event to mark the National Day of Prayer on May 3. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

     In July 1950, during the Battle of Taejon early in the Korean War, enemy forces cut off and trapped a number of wounded U.S. troops who could no longer move across the difficult terrain. One Army chaplain, Herman Felhoelter, provided physical and spiritual care even as North Korean soldiers approached. After ordering the medic assisting him to flee, the chaplain continued to minister to the wounded up until the moment he was shot along with his men.

   Felhoelter’s story is only one among many throughout the distinguished history of our military chaplaincy. For 247 years, the U.S. Army has provided for chaplains in order to facilitate the free exercise of religion by those serving in our armed forces — such as those who lay wounded and dying on the Korean Peninsula that day. Who knows what spiritual care and comfort they drew from Chaplain Felhoelter as they took what they likely knew were their last breaths?

   While closer to home and removed from such daily reminders of our mortality, the chaplaincies of the U.S. House and Senate — and other bodies of government — are no less essential. Our elected officials at all levels and of all parties are constantly being called upon to make very difficult decisions, and they need spiritual wisdom that chaplains can help provide.

   An account known as the Judgment of Solomon describes the delicate wisdom required of government officials. The Book of 1 Kings tells of two mothers (each with a baby of their own) who came to King Solomon. One baby had died, and the remaining baby was being claimed by both women as their own. Solomon directed that this baby be divided in half, with each woman receiving an equal portion. When one woman cried out in protest and asked that the baby be given to the other, Solomon realized that she was the living baby’s mother.

  Such wisdom in ascertaining the truth is incredibly valuable. We should encourage our elected officials to seek it. Chaplains can help them find it.

  Still, some doubt whether religion should be in our public life. Skeptics should look to accounts like that of a former bank robber and the FBI agent who arrested him, a story that reveals a friendship and reconciliation that only happened because faith played a role in the criminal justice system. When agent Richard Beasley showed up at John Ponder’s home the day after he was released from prison to let him know he had been praying for him, he found out that Ponder had actually come to faith in prison. The men went on to become good friends, and Ponder now runs the Hope for Prisoners ministry to help prisoners transitioning back into society.

  Despite its obvious benefits, some still suggest that religion in public life is somehow vaguely improper, or unconstitutional. They reiterate claims like “church-state separation is the law of the land.” Yet this assertion is simply inaccurate. There is no legally required “separation” of faith from the public square, at least not in any broadly applicable way that could justify such a statement.

  In the face of the overwhelming benefit of religion in public life, it is inevitable that the “separation” argument will be revealed for the foolishly unworkable argument it is. Our Navy servicemembers sing the Navy hymn, “Eternal Father,” to call for God’s help on the seas; must we declare that to be “unconstitutional” too?
 When the government calls service men and women away from home and requires them to serve our nation around the world, it has a special duty to provide for their spiritual care. This is one of the reasons that even under today’s increasingly far-fetched judicial interpretations of the First Amendment, the military chaplaincy is upheld — it is no Establishment of religion, and the Free Exercise Clause actually requires it.

  Members of Congress are also called away to our nation’s capital for much of the year. While they are not deployed on an aircraft carrier, they are often separated from their families and hometowns at length. This makes caring for their spiritual needs a heightened responsibility. In addition, they should be able to call for spiritual wisdom for the decisions they face — regardless of their party or political views.

  Military service members rely upon chaplains for spiritual strength and comfort. Shouldn’t we allow our elected officials the freedom to do the same?

[italics and colored emphasis mine]

Travis Weber is director of the Center for Religious Liberty at Family Research Council. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.

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PRAYER MATTERS:

"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world." - Karl Barth; "Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory. Intercession is the one of the great privileges AND responsibility for EVERY believer." - Stan 

“INTERCESSORS ARE THE RUDDER” – A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT - Wanda Alger, June 28th, 2017; https://www.getamericapraying.com/blog/

I was recently given a word by my good friend, Bill Yount. His word greatly encouraged me as an intercessor. Working for Intercessors for America, I soon realized it was not just a word for me, but for all who have been praying for our nation, wondering if their prayers are truly making any difference. Bill told me, “I kept seeing you as a small rudder on a huge ship. Hidden, but giving guidance. Although it seemed slow it was turning the whole ship. Patience was needed to see the impact of your…ministry. I sense the Lord saying, ‘Don’t jump ship! I’ve made you the rudder!’ ” I was immediately touched in my spirit by this encouragement, knowing that our seemingly small place in prayer was having a great impact.

James 3:4 talks about the power of a small rudder to steer a large ship. In this scripture about the power of our tongue, consider the power of prophetic intercession! In the Forerunner Commentary on this verse we read, “…rudders manipulate the course of immense ocean vessels with a slight movement of a pilot’s hand. Since it is underwater and aft, the rudder of a ship does its work UNSEEN. A passenger is ignorant of its movements most of the time. Yet, when it is in proper working order, the rudder holds more power over the ship than the wind. The wind will blow, toss, even destroy the ship’s rigging, but the rudder guides the ship exactly where it directs.”

This is God’s promise to the intercessors in this hour of national turbulence. Don’t stop praying! Your prayers have great power to turn the ship! Continue praying, interceding, and discerning the workings and movements of the Holy Spirit, being faithful to God’s commands. As we come together to declare God’s faithfulness, this nation will, once again, head in the direction that God intends. Don’t give up and don’t give in. Regardless of the winds of adversity and the fires of the enemy, God’s people have a power that cannot be matched. Let us join in faith and continue to pray and speak of God’s faithfulness in order to bring God’s people and this nation into the fullness of God’s plans. Note this additional encouragement from God’s word:

Colossians 2:15 – “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (ESV). 

Psalm 33:8-11 – “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” 

Wanda Alger, IFA Field Correspondent

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) Short of that, we should not be saying "God Bless America"but instead "God be merciful towards America!"

PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS:  1) Pray for President Trump and his advisers, that they would select Godly leaders at the federal level who will be accountable to do an excellent job (or be fired!) ; that he would seek God's wisdom and be enabled to lead our country effectively in the years ahead; and 2) Pray our leaders at every level of government will Spirit-filled, leading us with Godly wisdom and integrity; that they will  only pass legislation and enact policies that will benefit Americans today as well as future generations and NOT do any lasting harm.

SUPREME COURT: PRAY that the justices will only hand down decisions that are Constitutionally sound and in the best interests of our country now and for future generations.

World-Wide Prayer Requests:

1/1 - PRAISE GOD for the continuing recent successes against ISIS! Pray that coalition forces will be able to  fully destroy the leadership and infrastructure of ISIS.
*For believers in Syria and in this region as they navigate so much uncertainty. May they remain faithful to God through these most difficult times as He sustains them with peace and endurance. 

Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:To learn more, please go to -   - https://www.opendoorsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/April-2018.pdf
May 30 | NORTH KOREA-This North Korean underground believer shares from the inside of the darkest place for Christians: “We pray for you. Please pray for our spiritual and physical well-being.”
*Names changed for security purposes

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STANDING STRONG THROUGH THE STORM - OpenDoorsUSA.org

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.  2 Tim.y 4:16                                                 

SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO SUFFER

The Apostle Paul knew exactly what it was like to be alone, to be deserted by all who called themselves “brothers” and “sisters.” A former colleague who has done considerable travel among the persecuted says, “It is hard to believe that Christians are the largest persecuted group in the world today. But it is even more difficult to believe that this is so seldom mentioned in our gatherings and church services. More Christians know the names of their favorite actors than their fellow believers who are in prison.”

He continues, “With every trip something in my heart breaks as I hear the echoes of suffering:

I remember the echoes of an Egyptian mother as she shared how her young boy was stuck in a haystack because she refused to deny Jesus.

I remember the sounds of weeping as fellow students in Indonesia shared how Sariman, their co-student, was hacked to death.

I remember the cries of anguish as we walked from church to church that was burned to the ground on the island of Lombok.

I remember the tears of Rebecca in Iran as she showed the picture of her father who was stabbed to death for sharing the gospel.

I remember the voice of Pastor Daniel in Vietnam as he shared how he was chained to the ground for six months.

I remember the fear of Grace from Sudan as she shared how her church was attacked and her friend was shot through the head.

Oh, I remember the cries of Caleb in Eritrea as he shared with tears how two dear friends were executed in front of him because of their faith.

And I remember the tears of Joy in the southern Philippines as she shared how her fiancé was shot to death in their church in Mindanao.

But, most all, I remember the deafening sounds of silence every time I return home.

RESPONSE

How can I be silent today? How can I not speak on behalf of those who suffer? How can I desert those that belong to the same body that I belong to and who desperately need the encouragement of my intervention on their behalf?

PRAYER
Lord, broaden my awareness of the needs of my suffering brothers and sisters. May I not be known for my silence.