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ISRAEL | MIDDLE EAST ALERT
FRIDAY WATCH-FIRE |
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SIGNIFICANT POLICY SHIFT:
U.S. TO PARTICIPATE IN IRAN NUCLEAR TALKS
TOMORROW
Attendance at Geneva meeting will break a
three-decade policy of isolation
Pray for the safety and protection of all
representatives attending these meetings. Pray
that the Lord would provide wisdom and
statecraft skills to find answers and solutions
and avoid military conflict, while curtailing
the global advance of nuclear weapons,
especially in the Middle East. Ask the Lord to
send GOSPEL MESSENGERS into the midst of
meetings - that they may give a loving
demonstration, and a compassionate witness of
Jesus of Nazareth.
Intercede for spiritual statesmen and for
adherence to biblical revelation and principles
in the formulation and execution of U.S. foreign
policy, especially toward Israel and Jerusalem.
Intercede for the revelation of Jesus as Messiah
to the Israelis, Iranians and all people groups
of the Middle East and for "the peace of
Jerusalem." (Ps 122)
Tomorrow will mark an important moment. The U.S.
is breaking a three-decade policy of isolation
by sending a senior official, William Burns, to
the talks to sit shoulder-to-shoulder with his
counterparts from Britain, France, Germany,
Russia and China, as the Bush administration
embarks on a final push to force a deal.
The stakes are extremely high for the region.
Israel and Iran have been making increasingly
warlike noises and gestures. Israeli officials
insist they will not stand by while Iran
perfects the capacity to enrich uranium, and
thus the potential for making a bomb. Some say
the point of no return will come in the next
year or 18 months.
A positive result from this weekend's meetings
would open the way for intensive negotiations.
It would almost certainly pave the way for the
opening of a US interests section in Tehran,
with U.S. diplomats returning to the Iranian
capital for the first time in nearly 30 years.
U.S. officials said they felt comfortable making
this shift because there are increasing signs
that sanctions are beginning to harm Tehran,
such as the decision last week by France energy
giant Total SA to abandon plans to develop a
liquefied natural gas project in Iran.
(Washington Post, CFR,
Guardian.co.uk 7/18/08)
Pray for:
Javier Solana - European Union foreign policy
chief and delegation leader
Saeed Jalili - Iran's chief nuclear negotiator
William Burns - U.S. Undersecretary of State
Representatives from Great Britain, Russia,
France, Germany and China
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Let us affirm the Lordship, supremacy,
redemption and finished work of Christ from
Colossians 1:12-18, 2:15. Intercede as the Lord
leads. Recognizing that it is the nature of
God's adversary, Satan, and not the nature and
heart of Abba, our heavenly Father, to "kill,
steal, devour and destroy," let us cry out for
mercy and for the protection and redemption
of the whole of the human family.
ISRAEL REITERATES THREAT TO ATTACK IRAN
Israeli Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz this
week reiterated that Israel will attack Iran if
it feels there is no other option for preventing
the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear
weapons. Mofaz, who stands a good chance of
becoming prime minister when the ruling Kadima
Party holds its mid-September primary, was
accused of causing oil prices to rise sharply
when he became the first high-ranking Israeli
official to directly threaten Iran in early
June.
Mofaz dismissed the idea that his words alone
had negatively impacted oil prices, but insisted
that Israel had to put its survival ahead of any
other concerns. Mofaz said: "Israel cannot let
Iran get to the point of nuclearization. All
options are on the table. If there won't be a
choice other than a nuclear Iran or a military
option, it's clear what our decision has to be."
(Israel Today 7/18/08) |
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NIGHT TO HONOR ISRAEL
July 22, 2008
Washington, DC
(Excerpted from the Christians United For Israel
website)
Third annual Christians United for Israel
Summit.
A Night to Honor Israel is an evening packed
with outstanding speakers and music with all of
the focus being on support for Israel and the
Jewish people. In the Bible, God says, "I will
bless those that bless you and curse those that
curse you."
The Bible commands us to pray for the peace of
Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), to speak out for Zion's
sake (Isaiah 62:1), to be watchmen on the walls
of Jerusalem (Isaiah 62:6) and to bless the
Jewish people (Genesis 12:3). These and so many
other verses of the Bible that have one
overriding message-- as Christians we have a
Biblical obligation to defend Israel and the
Jewish people in their time of need
If you live in the Greater Washington, D.C. area
and are unable to attend the entire CUFI
Washington-Israel Summit, we invite you to join
us for the Night to Honor Israel Banquet at 7:00
on July 22, 2008 at the Washington, D.C.
Convention Center. Senator Joseph Lieberman,
Pastor John Hagee, and Israel's Ambassador to
the United Nations Dan Gillerman will be the
keynote speakers.
Christians United for Israel has held over 75
Nights to Honor Israel in cities across America
since February 2006. Click
here
to attend a Night to Honor Israel in your city. |
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ISRAEL NEEDS RAIN DESPERATELY
Lord God Almighty:
- Perform a miracle in this season and replenish
the water supply.
- Give the leadership wisdom to know how to meet
the water needs.
- May the people be responsible in the use of
their water.
- Fill the Sea of Galilee and the aquifers to
normal levels.
- May Israel trust in You and have vision for
their water demands now
and in the future. As You are bringing Your
people back to the land
they need water. (Intercessors for Israel
www.ifij.org) |
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ISRAELI ARABS TRIED TO ASSASSINATE BUSH
A terrorist cell made up of six Israeli Arabs
was recently arrested by Israeli security forces
after they were discovered planning to
assassinate President Bush during his visit to
the region in May. The cell was working on
behalf of Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda terrorist
network. Among the cell's members were two Arab
students at Jerusalem's Hebrew University. One
of the students had a clear view of the
university's helicopter landing pad from his
windows and took numerous photographs of
helicopters landing and taking off.
It is believed the group's plan was to bomb a
helicopter that took Bush on a tour of Jerusalem
as he participated in Israel's 60th Independence
Day celebrations.
Bomb-making instructions were found on several
of the suspects' personal computers.
Two Israeli Arab Bedouins from the south of the
country were recently indicted on charges of
working for Al Qaeda. (Israel Today 7/18/08)
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HOMELAND SECURITY:
EUROPEAN TERRORISTS ARE TRYING TO ENTER THE U.S.
Let us agree in prayer that the Lord will expose
and thwart the spread of nuclear materials,
devices, missiles, and bombs. Pray for all in
intelligence agencies who are "on watch" against
nuclear, biological, and chemical terrorist
devices and plans. Pray that any terrorists who
would be attempting to detonate nuclear or other
weapons of mass destruction be exposed, arrested
and brought to swift justice and to redemption.
Pray for wisdom for security directors in U.S.
cities. Remember borders, ports, nuclear and
chemical facilities, roads and infrastructures,
energy grids, stadiums, fairs and large public
gatherings. Pray that our enemies would fail to
break through.
European terrorists are trying to enter the
United States with European Union passports, and
there is no guarantee officials will catch them
every time, Homeland Security Secretary Michael
Chertoff said Thursday. Chertoff's comments on
Capitol Hill comes as the country is entering a
potentially vulnerable period with the
presidential nominating conventions coming up
next month; the presidential election in
November; and the transition to a new
administration in January - all of which may be
attractive targets for terrorists.
"The terrorists are deliberately focusing on
people who have legitimate Western European
passports, who don't appear to have records as
terrorists," Chertoff told lawmakers. "I have a
good degree of confidence we can catch people
coming in. But I have to tell you . . .there's
no guarantee. And they are working very hard to
slip by us." (AP7/18/08) |
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Whoever would draw near to God must believe that
He exists
and that he rewards those who seek him. -
Hebrews 11:6
Never say, 'I've had enough. What's the use of
believing?' That would
be throwing away the crown which will be granted
to those who
keep faith. Say instead, 'I won't give up, for
You are alive,
my Lord and my God. You see me, and You will not
let me
be tempted beyond my strength. I trust in You!'
- M. Basilea Schlink, More Precious Than Gold
 More
Precious Than Gold
M. Basilea Schlink
Perfect summer reading!
This beautiful devotional, recently published in
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Additional titles by
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Other books by M. Basilea Schlink . . .
Repentance The Joy Filled Life
Allah or The God of the Bible
My All For Him
Nature Out of Control?
Building A Wall of Prayer
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WAR IN IRAQ | WAR IN AFGHANISTAN
Pray that wisdom and strategy be granted to U.S.
commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan. Intercede
for Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the Afghan
government, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani
(Kurdish), Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki
(Shiite Muslim), the Parliament, and all
officials-that a form of good government that is
representative of all Iraqi and Afghan
socio-religious ethnic groups be established and
maintained. Intercede for all troops deployed
and for their families-for protection, good
health and morale. Intercede for all Christians
and churches in both countries. (1 Tim 2:2)
AL-QAEDA LOSING RELEVANCE IN IRAQ WAR
As of Thursday morning, 4,111 U.S. service
members and 11 Defense Department civilians had
been identified as having died in the Iraq war:
3,358 from hostile action and 764 from
non-combat-related incidents. (Reuters)
Insurgent group hasn't been eliminated, but is
less of a threat, military says
Throughout the country, al-Qaeda in Iraq, an
insurgent organization thought to be affiliated
with the global terrorist network but composed
mainly of Iraqis, has lost so much clout it is
close to becoming irrelevant to the outcome of
the war. The group has not been eliminated,
however, leaving open the possibility of
resurgence if the Iraqi government fails to
follow up the military gains with civilian
services. It is generally accepted among U.S.
officers and intelligence specialists that
despite its decline, al-Qaeda will remain in
Iraq at some level long after the Americans are
gone. The group had no meaningful foothold in
the country before U.S. forces invaded in 2003.
(MSNBC 7/17/08)
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FENDING OFF BIG TROUBLE IN AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan has a bigger population and roughly
30 percent more land area than Iraq, both
suggesting it would take more manpower to pacify
Iraq and Afghanistan are not two separate wars
but two theaters in the same war, with both
theaters drawing from the same limited pool of
military and civilian resources.
Afghanistan has been getting just enough
resources from the Pentagon to keep the
situation roughly stable, while the bulk of the
U.S. military was committed to a more aggressive
battle for control of Iraq.
There are no easy answers.
The United States and its NATO allies have tried
to suppress a Taliban and al Qaeda offensive by
gradually increasing troop strength, but so far
the Afghan "surge" has had little effect.
Taliban attacks continue to increase.
Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, takes a similar position,
although Mullen also stresses the importance of
maintaining recent security improvements in
Iraq. "I've made no secret of my desire to flow
more forces, U.S. forces, to Afghanistan just as
soon as I can," Mullen said. "Nor have I been
shy about saying that those forces will not be
available unless or until the situation in Iraq
permits us to do so." (Atlanta-Journal
Constitution 7/18/08)
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JOINT PRAYER MEETING ACROSS AMERICA
Afghanistan & Iraq
Revival in America
Saturday Morning, July 19, 2008
8AM Eastern, 7AM Central, 6AM Mountain, 5AM
Pacific
Use the Conference Call Number & Access Code:
1-712-432-9998 & 526338#
(Alternate Number: 1-712-432-1690 & 399430#)
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U.S.
BLOOD BANKS DOWN TO 24-HOUR SUPPLY
American Red Cross officials issued an urgent
plea for blood donors in Tennessee on Monday, as
regional blood levels dipped to less than a
24-hour supply. "It hasn't been this low in the
three years that I've been associated with the
Red Cross. It is a really urgent situation,"
said Gwen Hunter, Johnson City Donor Center
coordinator.
The Red Cross strives to keep between three and
four days' supply of blood on hand in every
service region so that blood banks can meet
everyday needs for blood in cases like surgeries
and chemotherapy and still have enough left over
for emergency needs like car crashes and
industrial accidents.
With blood supplies at current levels, one
serious traffic accident could completely
deplete local stores, forcing the Red Cross to
appeal to other communities for help. Many
cities across the U.S. are experiencing the same
shortages.
"More blood is collected by the American Red
Cross here (Greater Tri-Cities region of
Northeast Tennessee and Soutwest Virginia), than
any place else in the country," said Hunter.
"What that tells me is that if we're low,
everybody else is low. Because when other areas
get low, they look to us to supply them. But
when we get low, we don't have very many other
places we can look to get the supplies that we
need."
In order to donate blood, you must be at least
17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more and be in
general good health. To learn more visit
www.givelife.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE
(1-800-448-3543). (timesnews.net 7/14/08) |
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U.S.
FOOD BANKS STRUGGLING TO ACCOMMODATE
RISE IN NEEDY FAMILIES
With food and fuel prices going up, it's no
secret many folks are facing
tough times. And food banks are seeing more and
more people
looking for a helping hand.
Ask the Lord to preserve life and that the
Church would rise up, help to supply food,
shelter and clothing, and spread the message of
the Kingdom. Ask the Lord to provide and protect
the poor who will certainly be the first to be
afflicted by higher prices and lower
availability.
Allentown, PA
- The shelves are stocked with cans and boxes,
all piled high. But still area food banks say
it's getting harder to help the hungry. Second
Harvest Food Bank distributes food to pantries
in 6 counties. And they are seeing almost 4
times as many people as they saw only a few
short months ago. With gas prices rising and
food prices rising people who were doing ok
3,4,5 months ago are not doing ok now.
Manchester, NH
- The New Hampshire Food Bank, which supplies
the state's soup kitchens, food pantries and
shelters, has less food than it has had in many
years. The food bank's executive director,
Melanie Gosselin, said "This is the lowest we've
seen, this is the worst." The agency's warehouse
usually averages from 500,000 to 700,000 pounds
of food, but now it contains just 137,000
pounds. Gosselin said the New Hampshire Food
Bank, which works with national companies to
obtain food through the National Harvest
network, is not alone. "This is a national
problem, so no other states have back-up
inventory that we can call on," she said. (wfmz.com,
unionleader.com 7/16/08) |
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PRESIDENT SURVEYS CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE DAMAGE
Firefighters have whittled the state's more than
2,000 blazes down to 38
Pray that the Lord will "remember mercy" and
grant strength and protection to all who are
fighting wildfires, sandbagging flooded areas
and engaging in rescue, emergency housing and
massive cleanup in California and around the
country.
President Bush offered federal help and
encouragement Thursday to some of the 25,000
firefighters working under a blazing sun to
contain wildfires that make up the single
largest fire event ever recorded in California.
Bush took an aerial tour with Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger to survey fire damage in the 2.1
million-acre Shasta-Trinity National Forest, the
largest in California. Schwarzenegger thanked
federal officials for deploying 80% of available
resources nationwide to fight the fires. "We can
fight 20 fires at one time because our
firefighters are the greatest of all time. But
when you have 2,000 fires all at one time,
that's a little much -- even for us. We need
help." (LA Times, WTTE Fox28 7/18/08)
See the national
fire map for July 18
National Interagency Fire Center
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See the IFA PRAYER FOCUS FOR JULY | AUGUST
Go to the IFA website |
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PRAYER CALENDAR
July 15-20
World Youth Day Sydney 2008
http://www.wyd2008.org/
August 16
The Call - The National Mall in Washington, DC
www.thecall.com
September 11
CRY
OUT AMERICA
http://www.awakeningamerica.us/
Ongoing
Praying Through The Window 9
Global terrorism, world religions, and lawless
regimes in the 10/40 Window.
www.win1040.com
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Israel | Middle East Editorial Team:
Gary Bergel / Brian Miller
THE MISSION OF INTERCESSORS FOR AMERICA:
Uniting Believers in Effective Prayer and
Fasting for America
INTERCESSORS FOR AMERICA
P O Box 915 Purcellville, VA 20134
Phone 540-751-0984
ifa@ifapray.org
http://www.ifapray.org |
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