FORGIVE your enemies. LOVE your enemies. PRAY for your enemies.
Easter's blasts were planned to be much larger. At the entrance gate security guards caught one person who immediately let off his bomb. Three others escaped. The bombers did not get to the place where they wanted to be, where it would have been more populated. Think what it would have been if four bombs had gone off. A friend shares, a nurse from our hospital and her baby and husband were at this park. He went to get tickets and was killed.
Military commission:
A year and a half ago a large explosion took place in a military school in the north, killing many children of military personnel. This was a terrible incident with the loss of life to many children. Out of this came a serious determination of the government and military to go after terrorists in the Northwest part of the country.
After this Easter tragedy this week- PRAISE the military now has set up a "military commission for the Punjab." This is to go after terrorists in the Punjab where 70% of the population of Pakistan lives. This is where the majority of the terrorist
organizations have originated and operated out of.
PRAY they might carry this out. For a long time it has been obvious that they need to be more serious about the terrorist nests in the Punjab.
PRAY for the right strategy to carry this out. The military is doing this. The government is not included in this. PRAY there will not be a clash between the two.
................................................................................
Christ said. FORGIVE your enemies. LOVE your enemies. PRAY for your enemies. There is power in these three.
STORY - A brother was in Pakistan last year for Easter. Shortly before that, two large terrorist attacks took place in Lahore and at the largest Christian settlement, Yohunabad in the city. This brother arrived a couple days after this. A pastor and he literally forced their way into this area as people were fleeing this area. They almost got trampled. They went to a smaller church where they were to teach children how to pray.
Everything had been taken out of the church, a long hallway and an outside courtyard so more people could be seated. People were seated on the ground and it was packed with hundreds of people. Kids and parents who brought their kids. The Spirit of God was so present in a powerful way. The meeting lasted from early afternoon to early the next morning. Hardly anyone moved. The brother ministering started by saying, "You do not expect me to say this but this is what God is telling me to say. Your friends and relatives have been killed by terrorists in this colony. God tells us, "to FORGIVE our ENEMIES, and to LOVE THEM. "
He told several instances of how terrorists had tried to kill him and how God had told him to
forgive them, and sometimes verbally to forgive them. He said this is the hardest thing you can ever do but he was asking them to do exactly this. There was absolute silence, and the brother thought everyone was going to walk out after stoning him.
Absolute silence for eternity. Then God's Spirit descended as kids and then adults began to cry out in forgiveness. God was doing a MIRACLE, from a people whose culture is tied in with revenge. God was doing the miraculous. Then we began to teach on children in prayer. They told stories of how God was using Pakistani children in prayer…
After midnight they asked that we begin to PRAY for those who were sick. Forgiveness had taken place, people were praying from clean hearts. The presence of God's spirit was very heavy. People were healed and those who were processed by evil spirits were released from that bondage. Those from the majority community who were non-Christians first accepted Christ and then were released from Satan's demons. When these nonbelievers were asked why they had accepted Christ they said because we saw people forgive one another and us and then we saw the power of Jesus, a God of love.
One woman in particular was the last to be brought because people said her demons are so strong and she is physically so strong no one could control her. Though once a Christian she
said she had given herself over to the devil. She accepted the Lord. Now they turned to releasing her from her bondage. It was like the Gerasenes demoniac, who was so strong he would break the chains that bound him. As we began to pray, she fell to the floor screaming and cursing at us. People had to help hold her. Her strength was so great she was lifting the men up. They prayed for for peace to come over her, the devil was there to 'kill and destroy' this mighty warrior of the devil who has just deserted him. Prayer continued and she was slowly released from those demonic spirits who bound her. She said, ”When I was going through that time I could see and knew that Satan was trying to kill me. But at the same time I could see Jesus' love and that you loved me and were fighting for my life."
It is hard but we must learn to love our enemies. The power of God's love and prayer can turn those who hate God and us to the foot of the cross and Jesus.
Many of those who were healed and released that night like this women have now started prayer groups - because they saw the love of Jesus Christ. Thank you, God, that you first loved us and for your power we see through prayer.
Thank you for praying for Pakistan.
(From a Christian brother who loves Pakistan.)
Praise God for what He is doing in one of the most challenging national situations on earth! Let’s continue to pray for His people to arise in unity and love for one another and for their enemies so that Pakistan will be rid of its darkness and turn to Him who is the light of life.
Invitation
You are invited to a Prophetic Prayer Assembly in South Africa to:
- Welcome the King of Glory in the Southern Gate of Africa through a prophetic action
- Welcome a prayer team from the Pacific Islands on their journey towards Jerusalem (APPA)
- Pray for God’s plans for Africa and for the fulfilment of many prophecies concerning Africa and her role in this season of advancing God’s kingdom on earth, and especially for the fulfilment of the Isaiah 19 Highway
- Release a ‘New Song’ from ‘Beyond the Rivers of Cush’ as prophesied in Zeph.3:10
Attached documents: Invitation letter; The vision of Welcoming the King of Glory in Jerusalem 2017; The History of the prayer movement in South Africa; The Trumpet Call 2015 in Europe; Registration for Goudini Spa conference.
Dates: 22 – 25 August 2016 (Prayer Assembly)
26 August 2016 (Prayer action at the southernmost tip of Africa)
Venue: Goudini Spa, Worcester, South Africa (http://www.atkvgoudini.caravanparks.co.za/ )
Airport: Cape Town International Airport
Conference costs and Accommodation: Please see attached document for registration and different accommodation options
For more information, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Mobile tel. +27823351975 / +27827753793
Facilitated by APPA (All Peoples Prayer Assembly)
and Jericho Walls International Prayer Network.
The changing face of Christianity has been dramatic in our time. The Pew Foundation completed a six-year study of what Christianity will look like by 2050. They project that four out of every ten Christians in the world will live in sub-Saharan Africa. Whereas in 2010 they found that 25% of Christians are in Africa, by 2050 they project the percentage is going to go up to 40% of the world's population. One of the reasons could be MANI: The Movement for African National Initiatives. You can read all about the story and the latest gathering in the following MANI 2016 Press Release. - Luis and Doris Bush
MANI 2016 Press Release
The Movement for African National Initiatives
By Reuben Ezemadu
The Movement for African National Initiatives (MANI) recently drew together leaders from across Africa and around the world at two major events focused on the mobilization of the African Church for fulfillment of the Great Commission.
A Time of Celebration
MANI was launched in 2001 as a network of networks catalyzing African National Initiatives and mobilizing the resources of the Body of Christ in Africa for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Its purpose is to affirm, motivate, mobilize and network Christian leaders by inspiring them with the vision of reaching the unreached and least-evangelized in Africa, and the wider world.
A Time of Listening
The vision is advanced through the country assessment process, the communication of up-to-date research, partnering initiatives, prayer efforts and national, regional and continental consultations focused on the unfinished task. Previous MANI continental consultations have been held in Jerusalem (2001), Nairobi, Kenya (2006) and Abuja, Nigeria (2011)
The MANI 2016 Continental Consultation brought together 560 delegates from over fifty countries in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 7-11, 2016. Held in the African Union Centre, Christian leaders focused on the biblical mandate to "make disciples of all nations" in the venue normally reserved for African heads of state and their representatives.
A Time of Reflecting
Dr Reuben Ezemadu (MANI Continental Coordinator) led the assembly in celebrating God's dynamic work through the African Church and in assessing the challenges that lie ahead. The consultation theme was "Hearing and Obeying God in Times Like These." Stirred by biblical expositions from Revelation 2 and 3, delegates sought to discern what the Spirit of God is saying to the Church in Africa regarding her national and global mission.
On behalf of the African body of Christ, delegates prayerfully repented, renewed their personal devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ and freshly aligned with God's mission of love to all nations. Worshipping the Lord of the harvest, they affirmed the collective goal of healthy, Christ-honoring churches living out the good news among every kind of people in every place.
Faced with the threat of militant Islam, African believers were called to loving, proactive witness in hostile contexts and to faithful obedience despite great suffering and loss. The participants acknowledged that least-reached peoples are now in greater contact with Christian communities than ever before. With millions of African Christians moving beyond their national borders, it was affirmed that the African Christian diaspora must be more intentionally equipped and mobilized as massive mission force.
MANI 2016 emphases included:
- Go North – mobilizing mission initiatives from sub-Saharan nations to the peoples of the Sahel and North Africa.
- Discipleship – multiplying followers of Jesus through disciple-making movements and other discipling
- Younger leaders – proactively developing emerging leaders and creating opportunities for their engagement in mission.
- Women – affirming and releasing African women to fully employ their gifts in Church and society.
- Children – nurturing the next generation as a redemptive force in our world.
- Prayer and intercession – hearing from God and recognizing that all-important work of the Spirit in the advance of the Gospel (Zech. 4:6)
- Orality – utilizing oral communication to reach the great majority of least-reached peoples living in oral cultures. One hundred global delegates traveled from other continents to learn from and collaborate with African delegates. Focused interaction was devoted to mutual partnering opportunities and best practices with the Church in Africa. Among topics discussed was the sending of African missionaries into other world regions as catalysts for evangelism, church planting and renewal.
MANI 2016 was highlighted by the presence of leaders from the China Mission 2030 movement who came in response to MANI's call for assistance in reaching two million Chinese living in Africa. They were enthusiastically received and returned home with a plethora of invitations.
MANI advocates the central strategy of national initiatives in mobilizing the African Church for mission. A national initiative is an evangelistic partnership within the body of Christ in a given country, drawing major denominations, local churches and Christian ministries together in a multi-pronged national strategy of renewal, church growth, discipleship and missions (e.g. church planting). National initiatives are currently in varying stages of development across the continent.
National delegations returned to their countries with a sharper vision and a revitalized commitment to see:
- every unreached people group, geographical area and class of society penetrated with the gospel;
- the involvement of a significant number of its churches in global missions;
- healthy churches functioning in every community of population;
- the Body of Christ working together to achieve these goals.
MANI 2016 culminated with the proclamation "from Addis to everywhere… until Jesus comes" and a reading of the MANI 2016 Declaration (follow this link to download a copy).
God is on the move in Africa and the African Church is moving with him! MANI has been raised up as a dynamic tool in God's hand to mobilize the body of Christ for the discipling of nations. May the Lord be honored in the outcomes of these two strategic events. For more information, please visit the MANI website: www.maniafrica.com.
Give thanks to the Lord for this dynamic and well-connected missions movement for the continent of Africa. Pray for MANI and its leadership as they move forward into the future and that the plans made by the Christian leaders taking part will be effectively and unitedly implemented so that every unreached people group will be reached with the Gospel of Christ in wise, loving and relevant ways.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
“KI-YELED YULAD-LANU . . .” “FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN . . .”
FOR THE FIRST TIME, HANDEL’S ‘MESSIAH’ IS PERFORMED IN JERUSALEM—IN HEBREW!
On the fourth of April, the second day of the Passover “Feast of Unleavened Bread” there occurred a “Miracle Night” in Jerusalem. For the first time since it was written in 1741 the mighty oratorio “Messiah” by George Fredrich Handel was performed in Jerusalem in the language in which most of its texts were originally written—Hebrew! For two evenings a choir made up of Messianic Jewish and Christian believers and a chamber orchestra of professional musicians released those ancient texts of Salvation set to glorious music into the heavenlies over Jerusalem. The two performances took place in the “Pavilion”—a wonderful auditorium built and used by Believers in the center of the city.
It was a strange and wonderful experience, for those of us who are familiar with the oratorio in English and who have become familiar with the same texts in our Hebrew Bibles, to hear the beloved music, to hear the ancient texts, and to see in “super-titles” the actual Hebrew words being projected with their references on a screen above the stage—Here, in Jerusalem where most of the events took place—Here, the day after Passover when it took place—in the idiom through which it was prophesied to take place…
Visiting non-believing Israelis were stunned by the power of the Biblical texts and the music—and the “Spirit” which they felt in the air. Many had never realized how married the prophetic texts were to those of the New Covenant. Also…many portions of Isaiah 53 are in the Oratorio. Tellingly, this incredible prophecy of the suffering and ultimate victory of Messiah is unknown to most Jews—the portions taken from the Prophets read in Synagogues around the world each weekend, hit Isaiah 52, and 54—but leave out all of Isaiah 53.
Hopefully, these two performances were only the beginning of a new annual presentation of this wonderful vehicle of the Good News, not only in Jerusalem but throughout Israel!
PLEASE PRAY:
*Praise and Thanksgiving that the Spirit Who breathed all of these wonderful words of Scripture – and Who inspired one of His servants to use His gift in setting them to music – has chosen to release it in this way to His ancient people in the Land of Israel during these days—and in the language in which much of it was originally written to them.
*That the Holy Spirit will brood over those Israelis who attended the performances, not knowing their Messiah—that they would respond to the revelation released over the holy Word—drawing them with Everlasting Love. That their Mashiach would be revealed to them as the Passover Lamb of God, whose blood is their salvation, who bears away the sin of the world and brings us clean before our Father in Heaven.
* THAT LIGHT WILL SHINE IN DARKNESS AND THE DARKNESS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH IT!
Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem
Dear Prayer and Ministry Leader,
You are invited to an assembly of national prayer, denominational, and kingdom network leaders from across the nation. America is at a historic crossroads with growing threats within and without. It is a tumultuous election year and an absolutely pivotal time in our history. A dysfunctional and divided government has become increasingly ineffectual in dealing with our growing national problems, including a $19 trillion debt hanging over our heads. In addition, our society is becoming progressively apathetic—even cold to the things of God. Surely, we need a new Great Awakening to turn America around. A critical component in this pursuit of awakening is the coming together of both America’s prayer and denominational movements to seek His face. We need to join forces, praying with one heart and mind for a fresh, massive outpouring of His Spirit that will bring revival and transformation to the United States of America.
It is time to gather ministry leaders for two days of concentrated intercession, listening, and sharing what God is saying to us. As in the National Prayer Assembly of October 2014, we will have brief reports from experts on the critical issues facing the nation. Our approach will be to pray at least twice as much as we talk. Earlier assembly participants felt this was the right balance, so we will endeavor once again to let the Spirit of the Lord reveal, inspire, and pray His heart concerns through us for our nation.
Listed below are preliminary issues for our prayer focus at the NPA. If there are others you think are essential to be included, please send them for consideration to Dave Butts This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.(National Prayer Committee) or John Robb This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (International Prayer Connect). You may also communicate with others on the NPA planning team listed below.
The NPA is by invitation only, so please do not forward this invitation to others unless they serve as leaders or coordinators of prayer ministries, national or denominational ministries, or kingdom networks.
We look forward to your being with us for this crucial time of encountering the Lord together on behalf of our beloved country.
Every blessing in Christ,
Dave Butts (National Prayer Committee)
Rickie Bradshaw (Pray Houston)
Pierre Bynum (Family Research Council)
Paul Cedar (Mission America Coalition)
Lisa Crump (National Day of Prayer)
Kay Horner (Awakening America Alliance)
Dave Kubal (Intercessors for America)
Daniel Lim and Doug Conder (International House of Prayer)
John Robb (International Prayer Connect)
Prayer Assembly Participant Details:
Time:
- 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, October 27, 2016
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, October 28, 201
Registration fee: $120 per person. You must register each person individually. The fee will include beverage service throughout, lunch on Friday, and our meeting space overlooking Washington, D.C. We are encouraging both prayer and fasting as part of the Assembly and a 40-day call to fasting prior to election.
To Register: https://intre.org/?297
Venue: Sheraton Pentagon City, Arlington, VA
- Reagan National Airport (DCA) is nearest airport.
- Shuttle service is provided to hotel.
- Special conference rate is $179/night.
lodging: To reserve your hotel accommodations please click here:
https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/events/start.action?id=1603180291&key=101F35BB
For other questions about logistics, please contact Lisa Crump with the National Day of Prayer Task Force via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Preliminary Prayer Emphases for the NPA:
- Repentance for
o Corporate sins of America
o Sins within the Church
- Reconciliation and healing of
o Leadership division
o Racial division
o Restorative justice
- Restoration of
o Spiritual revival and morality within the church
o Truth in media
o Morality in arts and entertainment
o Integrity and blessing in marketplace
o Protection for marriage and the family–an institution under assault
o Truth and protection in educational institutions
o Sanctity of human life and protection of the unborn
- Reaching and evangelizing the lost
o Prayer-care-share lifestyles among Jesus followers
- Government and the national election
- Religious freedom
o Court decisions
o Legislative actions
- Prayer movement
o Unity
o Strength
o Mobilization
o Engagement
- Next generation
o Children
o Youth
o Emerging Leaders
- False religion and the occult invasion
- National security issues
o Military forces
o Law enforcement
o Homeland security
o Radical Islam and ISIS threats
- Restoration of supremacy of Jesus Christ
o In church
o In society
Please join with us in prayer that ministry leaders from across the nation will heed God’s call and be able to join us for this time of all-out prayer at this pivotal time in American history. May it be a history-changing time for this nation!
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 NKJV
C.H. Spurgeon often referred to one of these ‘weapons’ as the ‘weapon of all prayer’. In one of his sermons titled Prayer is a Never-Failing Resort, he expanded upon the Apostle Paul’s instruction. As a seasoned and gifted shepherd, he said “Prayer is the never-failing resort of the Christian in any case, in every plight. When you cannot use your sword you may take to the weapon of all-prayer. Your powder may be damp, your bow string may be relaxed, but the weapon of all-prayer need never be out of order. Leviathan laughs at the javelin, but he trembles at prayer. Sword and spear need furbishing, but prayer never rusts, and when we think it most blunt it cuts the best. Prayer is the open door that none can shut.”
Prayer is a most powerful weapon in the hands of a seasoned prayer warrior, “pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” Strategic, intentional, passionate, fervent prayer ‘avails much’! As we approach the National Day of Prayer, ask the Lord to reveal the strongholds that He would have you work on ‘pulling down’ in your family, in your community, and in our nation. Your ‘air strike’ of prayer can lay waste to any and all of the work that that enemy has built up.
The 65th annual National Day of Prayer takes place on Thursday, May 5th, just a few days from now. Get involved at www.NationalDayofPrayer.org
Alex Kendrick - Creator of War Room
At the 64th Annual National Day of Prayer observance in Washington DC, Alex shared this moving prayer for America:
Our Father in heaven, we come before You today, acknowledging You as our Creator. You are the God of Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac, the One who established Your chosen people and through whom You gave Your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. You established the promised land of Israel and demonstrated time and time again that if Your people sought You, worshipped You, and obeyed You, that You would bless them with guidance, provision, and protection. But that if they turned away, then You would remove Your hand and allow judgment.
Continue reading this prayer >>
Prepare the Hearts of your People for the National Day of Prayer
In every movie from the Kendrick Brothers, including Courageous and Fireproof, prayer played a key role. In War Room, prayer is the star of the movie! Before the National Day of Prayer, plan to show War Room in your church with a special site license from Provident Films. And order now using the code NDP10 and your church will save 10%. Find out more and order your site license today here: http://providentfilms.org/film/war-room.
Click here to watch a special message from Alex Kendrick
There is still time to order - 50% OFF all National Day of Prayer Themed Product
We are just days away from the National Day of Prayer, and we want to make sure that everyone who is hosting an event has the opportunity to order resources that will help promote prayer in our nation.
http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/
National Day of Prayer Task Force · PO Box 64225, Colorado Springs, CO 80962, United States
The team behind Australia's National Day of Prayer & Fasting is calling the nations of the world to pray and fast for six days for USA from this Saturday 30 April - 5 May 2016. Watch this promo video.
Australia has done this for the last 3 years so this will be our fourth year praying for America. The 30 April 2016 is the USA Day of Repentance and 5 May 2016 is the USA National Day of Prayer.
Warwick Marsh from Australia said, “On the morning of 7 May 1942, Admiral Fletcher, commander of the US fleet gave orders to his scouting pilots to find the enemy fleet. Suddenly at 8.15AM his fighter pilots spotted the enemy. In warfare surprise is everything. It is our belief that this sighting was an answer to prayer.
Within a few hours the US aircraft carrier, the Lexington, and the Yorktown launched 80 Dauntless Dive Bombers, Torpedo Bombers and Fighters. The Naval Air Squadron attacked the Japanese aircraft carrier Shoho at 11AM. The carrier was hit by 13 bombs and up to 7 torpedoes, she sank at 11.35AM with a loss of 638 lives.
The Battle of the Coral Sea was a strategic victory for the United States and Australia because the Japanese invasion landing force was turned back permanently. Yet the cost of victory was high. 656 Americans paid the ultimate price in the fight against tyranny. Here is an Australian-produced documentary about the Battle for the Coral Sea.
This story is very relevant to us. In several days' time, we in both Australia and America will celebrate the 74th anniversary of that historic battle on the 4-8 May 1942. Many military historians would assert that the Battle of the Coral Sea was the turning point in the Second World War.
Right now the USA is in a spiritual battle for its very survival as a nation under God. Secular forces have taken prayer out of school and progressively waged war against family, faith and religious freedom. It is time for Australia and the people of the world to join with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the USA in this battle for their nation.”
Marsh continued, “We are praying for revival and transformation for America according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. We in Australia are grateful for the protection that America gave Australia during World War II. American blood was poured out in the Coral Sea for Australians. It is time for us to return the favour and get on our knees and pray for America. It is time for us to call the nations of the world to stand in the gap in prayer for America.
Often the prayer part of God's army is likened to the air arm aspect of modern warfare. The Battle of the Coral Sea was fought and won in the air. We believe the battle for both Australia and America will be fought and won on our knees. So we encourage whoever can to pray and fast in whatever way you can between Saturday 30 April and 5 May 2016. Together we can make a difference!”
For more information phone: Warwick Marsh 61 418 225 212
See the Main YouTube Prayer YouTube Video Here: Watch this promo video.
See this Australian prayer YouTube video of how God answered prayer & Fasting for America in 1746.
See the Australian prayer YouTube video of Abraham Lincoln’s ‘Presidential Proclamation of a Day of Prayer, Fasting and Humiliation’ 30 April 1863.
Ezekiel Australian Prayer for America YouTube Video: stand in the gap video
Facebook Versions of Above Videos for Ease of Posting:
Face Book Australia Calls World to Pray for USA 2016 - Short Promo 1:30Secs : https://www.facebook.com/warwick.marsh.9/videos/vb.1186364112/10207432674033477/?type=2&theater
Facebook Abraham Lincoln Australian Prayer Video: https://www.facebook.com/warwick.marsh.9/videos/vb.1186364112/10207432737435062/?type=2&theater
Facebook Prayer & Fasting Miracle 1746 Australia Prayer Video: https://www.facebook.com/warwick.marsh.9/videos/vb.1186364112/10207432867758320/?type=2&theater
Facebook Ezekiel Australian Prayer Video: https://www.facebook.com/warwick.marsh.9/videos/vb.1186364112/10207432705994276/?type=2&theater
(From the Iraq-Syria Update by Robert Lee Maginnis
Author of 2015 book by Defender: Never Submit: Will The Extermination Of Christians Get Worse Before It Gets Better?)
APRIL, 2016
- Syrian peace talks unravel. Peace talks in Geneva to end Syria's civil war seem all but finished after the main opposition body, the High Negotiations Committee, decided to formally suspend its participation, Deutsche Welle reported April 20. A Western diplomat close to the situation said an end to talks now would be devastating, adding that they might not restart for at least a year. The opposition's announcement followed reports that airstrikes in Syria's Idlib province on April 19 killed more than 40 civilians. The U.S. State Department said the Syrian government was likely responsible for the airstrikes. Opposition delegates said they refuse to participate in negotiations while reports surface of government troops violating the country's crumbling cease-fire. With heavy fighting throughout the country, the cease-fire seems to be at its breaking point, and rebel leaders are openly calling for more arms support from outside backers. For its part, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the High Negotiations Committee of blackmail for walking out of negotiations and used the opportunity to call for other opposition groups to participate in the talks.
Please pray that the Syrian peace talks and ceasefire will get back on track and that the recent violations will be stopped.
- ISIS and Boko Haram collaborate more closely. The New York Times reports that American officials claim ISIS and Nigeria’s Boko Haram terror network are collaborating more closely and planning more attacks on American allies in North and Central Africa. On Wednesday, the commander of American special operations forces in Africa cited a weapons convoy believe to belong to ISIS in Libya that was headed for the Lake Chad region, an area devastated by Boko Haram. Officials said the convoy demonstrates a direct link between the two extremist groups. That shipment was seized near the Chadian border with Libya on April 7.
Pray that links between terror groups will be cut off and that their plans to attack will be discovered and foiled.
- Chaos continues in Iraqi parliament reshuffle dispute. Chaos continues in Iraq's parliament amid an ongoing fight over Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's proposed Cabinet reshuffle, NRT reported April 20. Speaker Salim al-Jabouri canceled the parliament's April 20 session, disregarding a recent vote by a number of protesting lawmakers to replace him. At the same time, Kurdish party blocs announced a boycott of all parliamentary sessions until they deem the parliament once again legitimate. The al-Ahrar bloc, a group of Shiite parties affiliated with powerful Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr, also said it would not attend any parliamentary sessions… The political drama, coupled with the country's deep financial woes, comes during a critical time in the battle against the Islamic State.
Pray for the unity and stabilization of the Iraqi government and that they will be successful in their military effort against ISIS.
- Iraqi anti-ISIS efforts stumble, Pentagon wants to come to the rescue. The Military Times reports the Pentagon is finalizing plans to deploy more American ground troops to support Iraq’s offensive to retake Mosul. That plan is headed for the White house. “The timing is focused on the next phase of the campaign, which is towards Mosul,” Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said. Dunford declined to provide a number of additional troops but unnamed defense officials reported indicate those numbers are closer to 5,000. There are now officially 3,870 U.S. personnel authorized for the counter-ISIS effort in Iraq.
- ISIS targets Germany for Brussels-style attacks. Reuters reports that ISIS posted pictures on the Internet calling on German Muslims to carry out Brussels-style attacks in Germany and especially Chancellor Angela Merkel’s offices at the Cologne-Bonn airport. The ISIS images published in German media outlets on Thursday included slogans in German inciting local Muslims to commit violence against the “enemy of Allah.” A German federal police spokeswoman said, “We are aware of this material and our experts are checking it. It is clear that Germany is the focus of international terrorism and that attacks could happen, but this material doesn’t change our security assessment.”
Pray that any intended attacks on Germany or other nations will be found out and overthrown.
- Obama rallies support to keep ISIS from obtaining nuclear material. Bloomberg reports that President Obama is using the nuclear summit in Washington to call for stepped-up efforts to keep ISIS from obtaining nuclear material perhaps for a radiological bomb attack. Bloomberg reports that Obama’s call comes after investigators into ISIS’ attacks last year in Paris found surveillance footage of a senior official at the Nuclear Research Center in Belgium, the nation where 32 victims were killed in a series of attacks on March 22. U.S. officials told Bloomberg ISIS leaders have the intent to use any weapon they can to murder or create fear but, according to those officials, ISIS doesn’t currently have the capability to deploy nuclear or radiological weapons such as a “dirty bomb.”
Pray that terrorists will be unable to get access to weapons of mass destruction whether nuclear, chemical or biological.
- ISIS inside the Saudi kingdom. The New York Times reports about a growing ISIS-influenced insurgency inside the kingdom. This shouldn’t be surprising because ISIS embraced elements of Saudi Arabia’s conservative version of Islam – a Sunni creed known as Wahhabism. “Wahhabism is fundamental to the Islamic State’s ideology,” said Cole Bunzel, a scholar of Wahhabi history at Princeton University. “It informs the character of their religion and is the most on-display feature, in my opinion, of their entire ideology.” There have been at least 20 ISIS-inspired terrorist episodes in Saudi Arabia since late 2014 and in each case the ISIS terrorists claimed Saudi Arabia practiced a corrupted version of the faith
- Merging ISIS and AQ franchises into greater global menace? Foreign Affairs reports that our so-called terrorism experts keep misjudging groups like al Qaeda. John Brennan, the president’s Homeland Security and Counterterrorism advisor, said in 2012 “we can look ahead and envision a world in which the al Qaeda core is simply no longer relevant.” This February James Clapper, director of National intelligence, painted a bleak picture of the newly resurgent al Qaeda alongside the expansionist ISIS as a global threat. Clapper admitted in Senate testimony, al Qaeda has “proven resilient and are positioned to make gains in 2016.” Clapper went on to describe ISIS as “the preeminent terrorist threat because … its branches and emerging branches in other countries, and its increasing ability to direct and inspire attacks against a wide range of targets around the world.” The Foreign Affairs piece speculations that over the next few years al Qaeda and ISIS might reunite or “at least have entered into some form of alliance or tactical cooperation.” Why? Consider the following that might drive the groups together. (1) ideological similarities between ISIS and al Qaeda and they share the same enemies – Western democratic kafur/infidels, (2) their differences are over clashing egos not substance, (3) they share the same strategy – resurrection of the caliphate and establishment of the Islamic State, and (4) reuniting has been a regular feature of the behavior and rhetoric of both sides.
Pray that no alliance of ISIS, Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups will be possible. May they be thrown into confusion, division and defeat!
- West African group pledges to ISIS. The Long War Journal reports that the Islamic State West Africa (ISWA), also known as Boko Haram, reaffirmed its allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. In a video message an ISWA spokesman said the “steadfastness of the monotheists” and that the “enemies of Allah the Almighty hold conferences and meetings to come up with a solution for the hole into which they fell, thinking that they can rescue their proxies and allies from the assault of the soldiers of the caliphate.” The ISWA spokesman promises his group will inflict harm on their enemies in “Nigeria, the Niger border, Cameroon, or Chad.” The spokesman also lambasted the Nigerian government for claiming “victory is imminent” over the jihadist group. “Neither the disbelievers nor their apostate henchmen were able to extinguish the light of Allah, so they rushed to use trumpets of hypocrisy from among media personnel and journalists to achieve what they can of fake victory.”
- Giant Islamic “gray zone” in Europe etc. The Gatestone Institute published an article musing just how large is the Muslim “gray zone” in Europe today. The term “gray zone” originated in the 1970s when Europe was terrorized by communist groups and the big question when was “How deep is the ‘gray zone’?” – the sympathizers of terrorism. Peggy Noonan speculates in the Wall Street Journal that perhaps 10% of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims harbor feelings of grievance toward “‘the West,’ or desire to expunge the infidel, or hope to re-establish the caliphate.” That translates into 160 million who would become jihadi or give them aid. It is noteworthy a BBC commissioned report found 27% of British Muslims have sympathy for the terrorists who attacked the Charlie Hebdo office in Paris and another poll released by Newsweek found 16% of French Muslims support ISIS. The most enthusiasm for ISIS comes from Qatar with 47% and Pakistan with 35%. Worse for Europe, among young European Muslims support for suicide bombings range from 22% in Germany to 42% in France, according to a Pew poll.
Let’s continue to pray for the overthrow of ISIS and other radical groups like Boko Haram and Al Shabab. Pray for the peace and healing of Syria and Iraq and that the international coalition will be successful in its military, social media, and other actions to effectively counter this growing terrorist menace to our world. Pray that radical Muslims are unable to get their hands on weapons of mass destruction and that the intelligence community will be able to track and interdict any such intentions. Pray too that many of today’s terrorists will be converted by the power of God through visions, dreams and the courageous sharing of the Gospel by believers with whom they come into contact. May Sauls become Pauls and become mighty missionaries to the Muslim world!