2. MAURICE STRONG AND GLOBAL WARMING
3. MAJOR US/IRAQI BAGHDAD OFFENSIVE TO BEGIN SOON
4. IRAN SUPPLIES ARMS TO IRAQI
5. AHMADINEJAD VOWS TO CONTINUE
6. PUTIN CONDEMNS US FOREIGN POLICY
7. GATES: NATO ALLIES MUST HONOR AFGHAN
8. HAMAS AND FATAH FORM UNITY
9. PA TEXTBOOKS: A WORLD WITHOUT
10. PALESTINIAN GROUP THREATENS TO
11. GOOD NEWS! STREAMS IN THE DESERT IN ISRAEL!!
12. JAPAN: NO INJURIES IN EXPLOSION NEAR AMERICAN MILITARY BASE
1. BAN CHANGES UN AT TOP
American diplomat B. Lynn Pascoe was named U.N. undersecretary-general for political affairs yesterday in a sweeping management shake-up that promises to boost the United States' voice in the organization's diplomacy and peace-making efforts. Mr. Pascoe, 63, has served in senior posts in Malaysia, Moscow and the State Department in Washington. He also worked with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. His appointment was part of a broad reorganization of top management by Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon, who took office last month.
Mr. Ban accepted resignations from five undersecretaries-general, including Shashi Tharoor, who headed the Department of Communications and Public Information. Jean-Marie Guehenno will remain undersecretary-general for peacekeeping for at least another year, allowing some continuity as the office is reorganized and field missions are expanded. The cumulative appointments -- 20 altogether since the beginning of the year -- mix traces of new blood with familiar faces from former Secretary-General Kofi Annan's administration. They include several career foreign diplomats well known to Mr. Ban from his years in the South Korean Foreign Ministry. Despite the deeply entrenched politics of U.N. appointments -- in which key countries stake a claim on a department and all but dictate who shall fill it -- Mr. Ban exercised autonomy in his selections.
Some 55 senior officials submitted letters of resignation last month in response to Mr. Ban's request. It is easier -- and more diplomatic -- to accept a letter of resignation than to fire a person. U.N. officials to be retained for at least another year include Nicolas Michel, the Swiss-born undersecretary- general for legal affairs; Ad Melkert, the Dutch associate administrator of the U.N. Development Program; Thoraya Obaid of Saudi Arabia, executive director of the U.N. Population Fund; and Antonio Maria Costa of Italy, director-general of the U.N. offices in Vienna, Austria, and the Office of Drug and Crime Prevention. (Washington Times)
• Pray for these UN officials so that wickedness can be avoided as much as possible at the UN. Pray for the souls of these appointees to know salvation in Jesus Christ and to be guided by the Holy Spirit. Never cease to pray for wisdom for Secretary-General Ban. Praise the Lord that the scandal-ridden UN has new personnel. • "But the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished." (2 Peter 2:9)
2. MAURICE STRONG AND GLOBAL WARMING
On January 28, we asked that the hidden background of a rather mysterious "chieftain" of the global warming movement -- Toronto businessman Maurice Strong -- would be brought to light. Maurice Strong is an insider at the UN, is an extremely radical environmentalist, and believes strongly in the eradication of the sovereignty of nations. Here are a couple of examples of his radical agenda:
-- Strong on national sovereignty at the opening session of the 1992 Earth Summit.: "The concept of national sovereignty has been an immutable, indeed sacred, principle of international relations. It is a principle which will yield only slowly and reluctantly to the new imperatives of global environmental cooperation. It is simply not feasible for sovereignty to be exercised unilaterally by individual nation states, however powerful. The global community must be assured of environmental security." - Maurice Strong at the 1992 Earth Summit.
-- Strong on the impending global environmental catastrophe: "If we don't change, our species will not survive . . . Frankly, we may get to the point where the only way of saving the world will be for industrial civilization to collapse." - Maurice Strong quoted in the September 1, 1997 edition of National Review magazine.
• Pray for his salvation; he is deceived. Pray also for him to be rendered ineffective in his efforts of supporting "Gaia worship" (mother earth worship) and the eradication of sovereignty for all nations so as to unite them against "global warming." (Source: Mark Williamson; Federal Intercessors)
• "To him belong strength and victory; both deceived and deceiver are his." (Job 12:16) "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-12)
3. MAJOR US/IRAQI BAGHDAD OFFENSIVE TO BEGIN SOON
American and Iraqi troops will soon begin the largest offensive to date against militants in Baghdad. President Bush has increased troop levels in the chaotic capital city in an effort to reign in sectarian violence that threatens to embroil the nation in a full- fledged civil war.
Pray for success for US and Iraqi troops as they seek to quell the insurgency in Baghdad. Ask the Lord to intervene in the heavenly places above this war-torn nation. Pray for mercy on the Iraqi people who have experienced so much suffering over the past few decades.
• Pray for supernatural wisdom for President Bush and the Congress as they manage US policy on the war in Iraq. Pray that the power of the insurgency would be broken and that the threat of civil war would recede. Continue to intercede for the success of Iraqi PM Jawad al-Maliki. Pray that Americans would realize how high the stakes are and how foolish it would be for the US to withdraw before the mission is accomplished. (Sons of Issachar)
• "He which has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil. 1:6)
4. IRAN SUPPLIES ARMS TO IRAQI INSURGENTS
According to US military intelligence, Iran is supplying bombs, missiles, and rockets to Iraqi insurgents battling US and Iraqi forces. These Iranian-supplied weapons are killing and injuring hundreds of American and coalition troops. Iran’s influence in Iraq threatens to further destabilize the Middle East. (The Washington Times)
Iranian PM Mahmoud Ahmadinejad believes it is his calling to pave the way for the coming of the “Mahdi,” the so-called Twelfth or Hidden Imam. In Shi’ite Islam, it is the “Mahdi” who is to arrive amid global cataclysm to initiate worldwide justice and peace. Of course, this “justice” and “peace” are according to Islamic law, that is, everyone must be subject to Islam and its teachings. Ahmadinejad believes the “Mahdi” will soon reveal himself, and that his coming can be hastened with a little help. Ahmadinejad is threatening to trigger the global chaos that will precipitate his coming. The Iranian Prime Minister continues to threaten Israel with destruction and to call for a world without the United States.
• Pray for wisdom for President Bush and our Congressional leadership as they face a seemingly impossible crisis in the Middle East. Pray that disunity over Iraq would not prevent our nation from countering the more serious threat from Iran specifically, and militant Islam, more generally. (Sons of Issachar)
• "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." (Matt. 18:19)
5. AHMADINEJAD VOWS TO CONTINUE URANIUM ENRICHMENT
On Sunday Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared that Iran will continue to pursue the enrichment of uranium. He also said, however, that he is willing to resume negotiations with the international community. According to the resolution adopted by the UN Security Council, Iran must halt its uranium enrichment program later this month or face the possibility of additional international sanctions. Ahmadinejad will continue to play games with the US and the UN to buy time for its nuclear research to continue. With the tacit support of Russia and China, Iran knows that the international community is hamstrung when it comes to any meaningful action against her. Given the unpopularity of the Iraq war, President Bush’s hand is significantly weakened as he tries to deal with the mounting threat posed by Iran. For decades Iranian leaders have referred to the US as the “Great Satan” and Israel as the “Little Satan.”
• Pray that the international community, particularly Western Europe and the US, would be able to come together to confront the increasingly dangerous threat posed by Iran. Pray that the Western European nations would wake up to the danger they face from militant Islam. Pray that our leaders would recognize the folly of appeasement before it’s too late. (Sons of Issachar) • ". . . it is time to seek the LORD . . ." (Hosea 10:12)
6. PUTIN CONDEMNS US FOREIGN POLICY
This weekend Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly condemned the US for what he called an “almost uncontained use of military force.” He said that America’s “unilateral, illegitimate actions have not solved a single problem, they have become a hotbed of further conflicts” and that the “United States . . .has overstepped its national borders in every way.” (The Washington Times)
Russia has become increasingly friendly with her Muslim Cold War Era allies while snubbing and criticizing the West. The Lord showed me while I was a missionary in Russia in the 90s that Russia would revert to totalitarianism, reconnect with her former Arab and Muslim allies, and become increasingly hostile toward Israel and the Jewish people, particularly those still living in Russia. I wrote about this in my book, Sons of Issachar for the 21st Century. If you’re interested in more information you can read more about this topic there. To order the book, please visit our web site www.SonsofIssachar.org and click on book information and follow the link.
• Pray that the US would awaken to the rising danger we face in a resurgent, nationalistic Russia. Pray that our leaders would not have their heads in the sand in regard to Russia’s budding alliances with Iran and other Muslim states. (Bill Lewis; Sons of Issachar)
• “Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Matthew 24:4)
7. GATES: NATO ALLIES MUST HONOR AFGHAN AID PLEDGES
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, in his first speech as Pentagon chief, made an urgent call Sunday for NATO allies to live up to their promises to supply military and economic aid for Afghanistan, saying that failing to do so would be shameful. "It is vitally important that the success Afghanistan has achieved not be allowed to slip away through neglect or lack of political will or resolve," Gates said. Failure to muster a strong military effort combined with economic development and a counternarcotics plan "would be a mark of shame," he said. (AP)
• The new Secretary of Defense gave this speech after only eight weeks on the job, and he was well received by those who were present. Pray for continued favor to rest upon Secretary Gates, and for the continued strong alliance between the U.S. and NATO.
• "He which has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil. 1:6)
8. HAMAS AND FATAH FORM UNITY GOVERNMENT IN MECCA IN MECCA
NO PEACE FOR ISRAEL IN PACT
Late last week in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Hamas and Fatah came to an agreement concerning the formation of a national unity government. The agreement is designed to stop intra-Palestininian violence between Fatah forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas militants. Though Abbas holds the presidency, the terrorist group controls the parliament.
One provision of the agreement involved Hamas’s willingness to “respect” past agreements that had been made with Israel. This falls far short of the Israeli/US demand that Hamas formally recognize Israel’s right to existence. Israel has neither accepted nor rejected the terms of the Palestinian accord. Next week US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice will travel to the Middle East for three- way talks with both Israeli PM Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
• Continue to pray that the eyes of both the Israeli people and leaders would be opened to the threat they face to their very existence. Ask the Lord to expose the true intentions of the Arab leaders in the Middle East. Continue to pray that President Bush and the United States would not continue to pressure Israel to accept the Road Map, making peace with enemies set on her destruction. Pray that the US would stand in strong support of Israel. Pray for the salvation of both Arabs and Jews in Israel and throughout the world. (Sons of Issachar)
• The Lord has always allowed those who attacked Israel to ultimately turn on themselves. Can there ever be peace in the regions of Israel given to the Palestinians? Ask the Lord how and what He would have you pray about this situation. Declare that no US monies be given to terrorist organizations, no matter how man's concept of compassion should dictate. Continue to pray that the US will have no part in the further dividing of Israel. • "Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom." (Proverbs 13:10)
9. PA TEXTBOOKS: A WORLD WITHOUT ISRAEL
The new Palestinian Authority [PA] textbooks for Grade 12 encourage students to view Israel, the United States, and the West as enemies, and portray the PA’s territorial disputes with Israel as an existential religious conflict for Islam, according to a report released today by Palestinian Media Watch [PMW]. The report, “From Nationalist Battle to Religious Conflict: New 12th Grade Palestinian Textbooks Present a World Without Israel,” was written by PMW director Itamar Marcus and associate director Barbara Crook and analyzes eight textbooks released at the end of 2006. The Grade 12 texts analyzed in the PMW report are the most recent books to be written by the Palestinian Curriculum Development Center, whose director is Dr. Naim Abu Al-Humos, a long-time member of Fatah and appointed PA Minister of Higher Education in 2002 under Yasser Arafat and continued after PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’s election.
According to the report, the new books create for students an image, both textual and visual, of a world without Israel. While rejecting Israel’s right to exist, describing its founding as a “catastrophe that is unprecedented in history,” the books encourage students to see themselves as victims of Israel’s existence and actively prevent these young people from seeing Israel as a neighbor to live beside in peace. The history books barely acknowledge the peace process. This is compounded by the presentation of the conflict as a religious one to defend Islamic land, leaving no latitude or religious option for students to have positive–or even neutral– attitudes toward Israel.
The textbooks likewise portray the US and the West in negative terms, describing the relationship as a “clash of civilizations.” The books teach that the US is a human rights abuser and a violator of international humanitarian law. The texts assert that the US is an economic supporter of Israel, while completely ignoring US aid to the PA and to Palestinian humanitarian projects. (Bridges for Peace)
• Pray that these facts will convince world leaders that the PA is no peace partner for Israel. Pray that other members of Congress will publicize this problem and that candidates for president in 2008 will also condemn the continual brainwashing of PA children and the culture of hatred and death imposed on young minds. Pray that Jesus sets them free from such mental abuse. • “He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.” (Psalm 101:7) "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)
10. PALESTINIAN GROUP THREATENS TO TARGET SYNAGOGUES
A Palestinian armed group is threatening to attack Jewish places of worship if Israel does not stop its construction work near Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, a group affiliated with Fatah, said all synagogues and Jewish places of worship would become targets if the works did not stop immediately. This was to stress that “the holiness of Al-Aqsa Mosque is no less than that of their places of worship,” they said. The threat was a response to Israel’s continuing campaign to destroy Al-Aqsa mosque, obliterate its historical landmarks and make the area of the mosque Jewish, the group said. They called on all Palestinians to organize continuous “anger rallies” for the mosque until the works ended.
Israel began renovation works this week on the Mughrabim ramp, a passageway leading up to the compound of Al-Aqsa Mosque and several other Muslim shrines. Israel’s Antiquities Authority maintains it is erecting supporting pillars for a permanent ramp, to be built for the benefit and safety of visitors, and that it aims to minimize damage which could be caused to ancient remains as a result of the construction. The new ramp will replace the temporary wooden bridge which was established after the old one collapsed. However, the renovations have struck a chord with the Muslim world, and especially with the Palestinians, who say Israel is deliberately digging in the area to undermine the foundations of the nearby mosque.
• Pray that the Arab leaders’ statements condemning Israel on groundless misinformation will not escalate into a conflict blown out of proportion. Pray that Israel, nor the nations of the world, will succumb to such manipulation. • “Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; fighting all day he oppresses me. All day they twist my words; all their thoughts are against me for evil.” (Psalm 56:1, 5)
11. GOOD NEWS! STREAMS IN THE DESERT IN ISRAEL!!
During the last week of December, Scott Holtz reported from Israel that a deluge of "flashflood" proportions had broken out over northern Israel. Here is his report:
"The Yishimon desert of Israel has been hit by flashfloods the last 72 hours. This is a very rare event in the desert wasteland area just south of the Dead Sea. Though the rains fall each year in the other desert regions of Israel (there is 6 other desert regions in Israel), yet in this specific area it is very, very rare! The prophet Isaiah declares to us that the premier sign that God is doing something new on the earth is when this certain desert known as Yishimon breaks out with flashfloods and rivers!"
As we were rejoicing at this report, one of our prayer partners sent us a video, taped by Israeli citizens, of this event, and of the STREAMS THAT THEN CAME FORTH IN THE DESERT! As you view this video, you can hear the absolute JOY and DELIGHT of these Israelis as they beheld a STREAM in the DESERT that was a "new thing."
And last week, Bridges for Peace reported that "The rains of the past few days are beginning to have an effect on the Kinneret, raising it 8 centimeters [3 inches] in the past two days. Eighty centimeters [31 inches] of snow were added to the ski slopes of Mt. Hermon in the north. The Kinneret has risen a total of 30 centimeters [12 inches] in the past six weeks. . . . The Kinneret is fed by a number of fresh water streams to its north and also has salty springs at the lake bottom and along its shores."
• Join us in offering prayers of rejoicing with those who live in Israel, not only that the rains are now falling, but that STREAMS IN THE DESERT are also now going forth! Praise God!
• "Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the Desert (Yishimon). The beasts of the field will glorify Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I have given waters in the wilderness and Rivers in the Desert, to give drink to My chosen people. The people whom I formed for Myself, will declare My praise." Isaiah (43:18-21 NASB)
12. JAPAN: NO INJURIES IN EXPLOSION NEAR AMERICAN MILITARY BASE
A small explosion occurred outside an Army base south of Tokyo late Monday, police and military officials said. A Japanese news report said police suspected an attempted attack on the base. The Army was investigating the blast, said an official at Camp Zama who spoke on condition of anonymity, adding that there were no reports of injuries or damage. “A small explosion was heard in the vicinity of the base,” said Maj. David Smith, a Pentagon spokesman. “It did not occur on the base.”
Kyodo News agency reported that police had found a “launch pad” near the base and suspected an attempted guerrilla attack. The Army could not immediately confirm what had caused the explosion.
A Kanagawa Prefecture police official who only gave his name as Okamura said Zama residents reported hearing the explosion around 11 p.m., and police were investigating. (AP)
• Offer praise that no one was injured in this attack; and ask that all hidden things be revealed to our authorities regarding this incident. Pray for the safety of our troops, not only in Iraq, but in every place they are now stationed around the world. • Psalm 91
