"Here am I, here am I."' (Isaiah 65:1)
1. Genocide Resolution Advances - Washington Times
A House committee rejected warnings from the Bush administration yesterday and approved a resolution condemning Turkey for committing genocide against Armenians during World War I, an act the White House said could jeopardize military operations in the Middle East. Today in response, Turkey ordered its ambassador in Washington to return to Turkey for consultations over the House panel's action.
· Pray in the Spirit over this very difficult, complex and sensitive issue. On the one hand, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we bind the spirit of intimidation against our Congress and nation. If Christians must own the Inquisition and the Crusades, then Islam must own the sins of their religion as well.
On the other hand, however, we must ask: if this issue has been in place since the end of World War I, why is it in the news today? Authorities inside the Pentagon have advised President Bush that this action might precipitate a Turkish "blockade" -- just when goods and supplies are being delivered through that nation to our troops in Iraq.
We pray for WISDOM for all in authority, and we plead the Blood of Jesus over America.
· "You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth. That Your beloved may be delivered, save with Your right hand and hear me." (Psalm 60:4,5)
2. Bush Administration Seeks to Ease Turkish Concerns Over House 'Genocide' Bill - AP
Oct. 11: Members of Turkey's Workers' Party protest against the U.S.'s passing of a bill describing World War I-era killings of Armenians as genocide.
U.S. diplomats have been quietly preparing Turkish officials for weeks for the likelihood that the resolution would pass, and asking for a muted response. Burns said the Turks "have not been threatening anything specific" in response to the vote, and that he hopes the "disappointment can be limited to statements."
"The Turkish government leaders know there is a separation of powers in the United States, that today's action was an action by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, that this was not an action supported by President Bush and the executive branch of our government," he said.
· Pray that other nations will see that we do, in fact, have a tripartite system of government, even as the Bush administration works to resolve the impasse between Congress and the nation of Turkey.
· "If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you." (Matthew 18:19)
3. Capitol Architect Lets "God" Fly on Flag Certificates - Fox News
The Architect of the Capitol, responding to a public outcry, ruled Thursday that, from now on, the word "God" may be inscribed on certificates accompanying flags that have flown over the U.S. Capitol. Acting Architect Stephen T. Ayers said in a statement that the policy of disallowing political and religious statements on flag certificates has been inconsistently applied and does not fulfill the objectives of the office. "It is inappropriate and beyond the scope of this agency's responsibilities to censor messages from members," Ayers said.
· Offer a great chorus of praise over this news, which is a DIRECT ANSWER to our intercession, begun last weekend on our OCAP. Offer praise, too, that many, many others heard this news this week, and demanded that the "no God" rule be overturned. Finally, offer praise for the quick action on the part of Acting Architect Stephen T. Ayers; we are STILL "one nation under God."
· "Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me!" (Psalm 66:20)
4. Border Patrol Makes 25,000 Arrests At U.S. Entry Ports In 2007 - Washington Times
U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspectors at the nation's ports of entry arrested 25,000 people during fiscal 2007 - including 270 suspected of having terrorist ties - and seized 300 tons of marijuana and 93,000 pounds of cocaine. "'Homeland security often is a balancing act between two ideals: vigilance and convenience," said CBP Commissioner W. Ralph Basham. "Nowhere does this dichotomy between security and facilitation play out more dramatically than at our borders and ports of entry. Keep in mind that the arrests are more than just a number; they represent the capture of murderers, drug dealers, child molesters and potential terrorists."
· This is another report for which we offer praise. Our prayer partners have prayed for many years that the U.S. Border Patrol wouldbe successful in its efforts to secure our borders and to apprehend criminals who are trying to enter our nation. Praise God for this answer to prayer, and continue to pray over all of our Border Patrol agents that they might be strengthened in their task.
· "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
5. Pope Attacks Iran at Jewish Congress - Fox News
The Pope attacked Iran as he pledged to help world Jewish leaders in their fight against anti-Semitism. Pope Benedict XVI told leaders of the World Jewish Congress that Iran was "an issue of big concern" to him.
Muslim Leaders Warn Pope "the Survival of the World is at Stake" - Fox News
The "survival of the world" is at stake if Muslims and Christians do not make peace with each other, leaders of the Muslim world will warn the Pope and other Christian leaders today. In an unprecedented open letter signed by 138 leading scholars from every sect of Islam, the Muslims plead with Christian leaders "to come together with us on the common essentials of our two religions" and spell out the similarities between passages of the Bible and the Koran.
· Father we thank you for the Pope's courage at the Jewish Congress. We pray for Your protection over him, and against attempts to homogenize Christianity with Islam.
· "And so at last the poor have hope, and the snapping jaws of the wicked are shut." (Job 5:16 NLT)
6. U.S. Led Coalition to Iraq Withering Fast - ABC News
Britain's decision to bring half of its 5,000 soldiers home from Iraq by spring is the latest blow to the U.S.- led coalition. The alliance is crumbling, and fast: excluding Americans, the multinational force was once 50,000 strong by mid-2008, it will be down to 7,000.
· Father we ask for Your heavenly host to pick up the slack in this war, that You will triumph and all glory will rest with You.
· "To You, O Lord, I lift my soul. Oh, my God I trust in You; let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me." (Psalm 25:1,2)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"'I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed - I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,' declares the LORD, 'that I am God.'" (Isaiah 43:11-12)
1. MI assessment: Mideast peace summit likely to fail - Ha'aretz
In an assessment offered recently to the government leadership, Military Intelligence expressed doubts about the likelihood of success at the regional peace summit scheduled for late November in Annapolis, Maryland.
2. Palestinians open to possible land swap - Ynet News
The Palestinians are ready to yield parts of the West Bank to Israel if compensated with an equal amount of Israeli territory, the lead Palestinian negotiator told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday.
3. Abbas lays out land demands - Ynet News
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday laid out his most specific demands for the borders of a future independent state, calling for a full Israeli withdrawal from all territories captured in the 1967 Mideast war.
4. Barak unveils comprehensive missile defense plan - ICEJ News
Iron Dome system could offer 90% impenetrability Israel will be protected from "about 90 percent" of rocket attacks "within a few years," said Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday unveiling plans for a new 'Iron Dome' missile defense system.
5. Peace deal could cause Israeli flag to fly in Muslim capitals - ICEJ News
Sheikh Abdallah Nimr Darwish, founder of the Israel's Islamic movement told Israeli President Shimon Peres that the Arab world is ready to make peace once and for all if the "Israeli occupation" of Judea and Samaria comes to an end. "The Israeli flag will fly in the capitals of 57 Arab (and Muslim) states - something that the fathers of Zionism did not dare dream of," Darwish said on Tuesday at the close of Ramadan Iftar feast hosted by Peres. Darwish also said that the 57 Muslim countries have consented to the Saudi peace plan and that the Arab world wants to sovereignly acknowledge the State of Israel.
6. Rice: Iran 'Lying'
About Nuke Program
Allegations come ahead of Putin talks
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Iran has history of deceiving United Nations about nuclear ambitions
• Putin: Russia Agrees With West Over Nukes
* Pray for honest, accurate, evidential verification of the truth, and wisdom on how to proceed.
