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.
6/27 - PRAY for the President and others in leadership (1 Tim. 2:1-3)
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.
BE Prepared TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ABORTION
"AID THE IRAQI CHRISTIANS! - THE U.S. NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE" - by: John Stonestreet and Roberto Rivera , Breakpoint.org, June 19, 2018; http://www.breakpoint.org/2018/06/breakpoint-aid-the-iraqi-christians/
For too long the U.S. government has done too little to aid Iraqi Christians. That has to change.
It takes courage to be a Christian in Iraq, more courage than I or I’d bet most of us can even imagine. Some of the courage we see from our brothers and sisters there comes from the church’s deep roots in the region.
Tradition holds that the Gospel was first preached in what is now Iraq by Thaddeus, who was either the Apostle of the same name or one of Jesus’ seventy other disciples mentioned in Luke 10. By the end of the first century, when most of our ancestors were still worshipping trees, the Aramaic-speaking people of what is now northern Iraq worshipped the Triune God.
Their faith has survived for generations, including through the coming of Islam and the Mongol hordes. But it might not survive American faithlessness.
Last October, Vice-President Pence announced that “From this day forward, America will provide support directly to persecuted communities through [the United States Agency for International Development]” instead of the “ineffective relief efforts at the United Nations.”
At the time it was a welcome announcement. That’s because little, if any, of the $1.4 billion in U. S. humanitarian aid distributed by the U.N. actually reached Iraqi Christians.
Unfortunately, as former Reagan National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane and Representative Chris Smith recently wrote in the Wall Street Journal, seven months later those communities still haven’t received the promised support from USAID. In fact, last month two requests for support from the Nineveh Reconstruction Committee and the Catholic University in Erbil were rejected without explanation.
In their article, McFarlane and Smith ask, “Where is the direct aid Mr. Pence promised?” They warn that “the light of Iraqi Christianity could be permanently extinguished” if the U.S. doesn’t keep faith with Iraqi Christians.
That same day, an even blunter assessment was published at National Review. Benedict Kiely of Nasarean.org wrote that Middle Eastern Christians, especially Iraqi ones, no longer consider the United States to be a serious ally.
It’s impossible to overstate how shameful this neglect is. And thankfully, as the Washington Free Beacon reports, the Vice-President agreed. “Irate . . . about the lack of progress in getting aid to Christian and Yazidi minorities,” he immediately ordered the USAID administrator to go to Iraq to “expedite the grant making process and ensure aid gets to the most vulnerable communities as quickly as possible.”
This is an important step to right what’s become a 15-year wrong. Since the invasion of Iraq in 2003, Iraqi Christians have been, at best, an afterthought in the minds of American policymakers. They failed to provide for their security when Saddam Hussein was deposed, and more recently, the United States failed to recognize the threat by ISIS posed against Iraq’s Christians. It took until March 2016 to use the word “genocide” in this context.
And as if to add insult to repeated injury, Iraqi Christians have been victimized by the administration’s immigration and refugee policy. According to the CATO Institute, “rather than rescuing more Christian refugees than prior presidents,” as he promised during the 2016 campaign, “President Trump has halved their numbers.”
McFarlane and Smith are absolutely correct when they write that “USAID must use whatever creativity is necessary to complete its mission and keep Mr. Pence’s pledge to Iraq’s religious minorities.”And they’re correct to call on the Senate to “swiftly pass bipartisan legislation to authorize funding for these victimized communities.”
If we can’t do this much, then calling us “unreliable” would be putting the matter charitably.
[italics and colored emphasis mine]
RESOURCES - As John reiterates, the situation with Iraqi Christians must change, and the United States has the ability and the strength to give the aid needed. Pray for our leaders and organizations to get rid of roadblocks and get the job done. For more discussion on this topic, check out the links in our Resources section.
"Trump Making Situation 'Worse' for Iraqi Christians by Continuing Obama's Policies" -
Samuel Smith | Christian Post | September 27, 2017; https://www.christianpost.com/news/trump-making-situation-worse-for-iraqi-christians-continuing-obamas-policies-nina-shea-200764/
"Iraqi Christians Are Still Waiting, Mr. Pence" - Robert McFarlane and Chris Smith | Wall Street Journal |June 7, 2018; https://www.wsj.com/articles/iraqi-christians-are-still-waiting-mr-pence-1528413035
"Pence Demands USAID Break Through Bureaucratic Gridlock to Help Iraqi Christians, Yazidis" - Susan Crabtree | Freebeacon.com | June 9, 2018; http://freebeacon.com/politics/pence-demands-usaid-break-bureaucratic-gridlock-help-iraqi-christians-yazidis/
"The U.S. Is Not a Serious Ally, Say Middle Eastern Christians" - Benedict Kiely | National Review | June 11, 2018; https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/06/iraqi-christians-say-trump-administration-not-serious-ally/
PRAYER MATTERS:
PERSONAL UPDATE: 6/23- Note my latest entry in the JOURNAL section on the right side of this page.
6/27 - 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 safety for President Trump and Vice President Pence as they travel.
*For guidance for President Trump as he speaks in North Datota TODAY regarding issues that concern the nation.
*For wisdom as Vice President Pence meets with leaders from Ecuador in an effort to address the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.
*For guidance for NSA head John Bolton as he meets with key U.S. allies in Europe and that he would be able to know what is in the best interest of national security.
*For God’s will to be accomplished through the efforts of our leaders regarding foreign policy.
*For God’s will to be done and lasting change accomplished through the results of the summit with North Korea the decisions that come after.
*For guidance for President Trump as he speaks in North Datota TODAY regarding issues that concern the nation.
*For wisdom as Vice President Pence meets with leaders from Ecuador in an effort to address the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.
*For guidance for NSA head John Bolton as he meets with key U.S. allies in Europe and that he would be able to know what is in the best interest of national security.
*For God’s will to be accomplished through the efforts of our leaders regarding foreign policy.
*For God’s will to be done and lasting change accomplished through the results of the summit with North Korea the decisions that come after.
(...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/
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! "
Sign the Petition: https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/save-pastor-andrew-from-a-turkish-prisonPLEASE PRAY FOR HIS SOON RELEASE!
"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 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." |
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"AID THE IRAQI CHRISTIANS! - THE U.S. NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE" - by: John Stonestreet and Roberto Rivera , Breakpoint.org, June 19, 2018; http://www.breakpoint.org/2018/06/breakpoint-aid-the-iraqi-christians/
It takes courage to be a Christian in Iraq, more courage than I or I’d bet most of us can even imagine. Some of the courage we see from our brothers and sisters there comes from the church’s deep roots in the region.
Tradition holds that the Gospel was first preached in what is now Iraq by Thaddeus, who was either the Apostle of the same name or one of Jesus’ seventy other disciples mentioned in Luke 10. By the end of the first century, when most of our ancestors were still worshipping trees, the Aramaic-speaking people of what is now northern Iraq worshipped the Triune God.
Their faith has survived for generations, including through the coming of Islam and the Mongol hordes. But it might not survive American faithlessness.
Last October, Vice-President Pence announced that “From this day forward, America will provide support directly to persecuted communities through [the United States Agency for International Development]” instead of the “ineffective relief efforts at the United Nations.”
At the time it was a welcome announcement. That’s because little, if any, of the $1.4 billion in U. S. humanitarian aid distributed by the U.N. actually reached Iraqi Christians.
Unfortunately, as former Reagan National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane and Representative Chris Smith recently wrote in the Wall Street Journal, seven months later those communities still haven’t received the promised support from USAID. In fact, last month two requests for support from the Nineveh Reconstruction Committee and the Catholic University in Erbil were rejected without explanation.
In their article, McFarlane and Smith ask, “Where is the direct aid Mr. Pence promised?” They warn that “the light of Iraqi Christianity could be permanently extinguished” if the U.S. doesn’t keep faith with Iraqi Christians.
That same day, an even blunter assessment was published at National Review. Benedict Kiely of Nasarean.org wrote that Middle Eastern Christians, especially Iraqi ones, no longer consider the United States to be a serious ally.
It’s impossible to overstate how shameful this neglect is. And thankfully, as the Washington Free Beacon reports, the Vice-President agreed. “Irate . . . about the lack of progress in getting aid to Christian and Yazidi minorities,” he immediately ordered the USAID administrator to go to Iraq to “expedite the grant making process and ensure aid gets to the most vulnerable communities as quickly as possible.”
This is an important step to right what’s become a 15-year wrong. Since the invasion of Iraq in 2003, Iraqi Christians have been, at best, an afterthought in the minds of American policymakers. They failed to provide for their security when Saddam Hussein was deposed, and more recently, the United States failed to recognize the threat by ISIS posed against Iraq’s Christians. It took until March 2016 to use the word “genocide” in this context.
And as if to add insult to repeated injury, Iraqi Christians have been victimized by the administration’s immigration and refugee policy. According to the CATO Institute, “rather than rescuing more Christian refugees than prior presidents,” as he promised during the 2016 campaign, “President Trump has halved their numbers.”
McFarlane and Smith are absolutely correct when they write that “USAID must use whatever creativity is necessary to complete its mission and keep Mr. Pence’s pledge to Iraq’s religious minorities.”And they’re correct to call on the Senate to “swiftly pass bipartisan legislation to authorize funding for these victimized communities.”
If we can’t do this much, then calling us “unreliable” would be putting the matter charitably.
[italics and colored emphasis mine]
RESOURCES - As John reiterates, the situation with Iraqi Christians must change, and the United States has the ability and the strength to give the aid needed. Pray for our leaders and organizations to get rid of roadblocks and get the job done. For more discussion on this topic, check out the links in our Resources section.
"Trump Making Situation 'Worse' for Iraqi Christians by Continuing Obama's Policies" -
Samuel Smith | Christian Post | September 27, 2017; https://www.christianpost.com/news/trump-making-situation-worse-for-iraqi-christians-continuing-obamas-policies-nina-shea-200764/
"Iraqi Christians Are Still Waiting, Mr. Pence" - Robert McFarlane and Chris Smith | Wall Street Journal |June 7, 2018; https://www.wsj.com/articles/iraqi-christians-are-still-waiting-mr-pence-1528413035
"Pence Demands USAID Break Through Bureaucratic Gridlock to Help Iraqi Christians, Yazidis" - Susan Crabtree | Freebeacon.com | June 9, 2018; http://freebeacon.com/politics/pence-demands-usaid-break-bureaucratic-gridlock-help-iraqi-christians-yazidis/
"The U.S. Is Not a Serious Ally, Say Middle Eastern Christians" - Benedict Kiely | National Review | June 11, 2018; https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/06/iraqi-christians-say-trump-administration-not-serious-ally/
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"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.
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/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/
June 27 | DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DRC) - Jadot Kasereka Mangwengwe, the director of a radio station in the North Kivu province, was recently kidnapped. Pray for lasting peace for civilians and pray for often-indoctrinated members of the rebel group Allied Democratic Forces.
*Names changed for security purposes
June 27 | DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DRC) - Jadot Kasereka Mangwengwe, the director of a radio station in the North Kivu province, was recently kidnapped. Pray for lasting peace for civilians and pray for often-indoctrinated members of the rebel group Allied Democratic Forces.
*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.
Lord, broaden my awareness of the needs of my suffering brothers and sisters. May I not be known for my silence.
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