Today's Daily Brief
1. Congress: Al-Qaeda Using Internet to Recruit Terrorists in the US - CNSNews.com
Using a video montage showing mass executions, bomb-making, and a promise to "slit the throats of Americans and Jews," two U.S. lawmakers unveiled a report that says homegrown violent Islamic extremism poses an increasing threat to the safety of the American people.The bipartisan report by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was unveiled by Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) at a press conference on Capitol Hill Thursday. Lieberman and Collins told reporters that al Qaeda and other Islamic terrorist groups are using the Internet to recruit and train extremists in the United States.
· Thank You, Lord, that You continue to answer our prayers in exposing the strategic plans of the enemy. We need Your blessings and wisdom in warring against those opposed to freedom.
· "For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies to save you. Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies." ( Deut. 20: 4, Ps. 60:12)
2. Bill Would Require ID Checks for Kids Buying Video Games - CNSNews.com
Reps. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) and Jim Matheson (D-Utah) held a press conference Wednesday to introduce legislation that would require identification checks for minors who try to buy or rent video games rated M (Mature) or AO (Adults Only) by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board. The bill would also impose a $5,000 fine on retailers who fail to comply.
· Thank You, Lord for a movement toward protecting children from unsuitable materials. We pray for Your blessing in having this bill passed quickly and that it will be fully enforced.
· "The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul." (Ps. 121:7)
3. United States Continues To Offer Aid To Cyclone Victims In Burma - AP
Relief supplies from the United Nations arrived in Burma on Thursday, but U.S. military planes loaded with aid were still denied access by the country's isolationist regime five days after a devastating cyclone. By rejecting the U.S. offer, the junta is refusing to take advantage of the United States' ability to deliver aid quickly, which was evident during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed 230,000 people in a dozen nations.
· Lord, we pray for those suffering from the cyclone. As they cry out in their time of need we ask for Holy Spirit activity in the revelation of Jesus Christ. You are Lord over Burma!
We pray for the junta to have a change of heart and to welcome aid workers who are bringing life-sustaning provisions to the people of Burma.
· "For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affiction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. Thou which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth." (Ps. 22:24, 71:20)
4. UN halts aid to Burma; junta seizes supplies - AP
A U.N. official says the World Food Program is suspending cyclone aid to Burma today because its government seized supplies flown into the country He says the WFP has no choice but to suspend the shipments until the matter is resolved. WFP spokesman Paul Risley said today that all "the food aid and equipment that we managed to get in has been confiscated." The shipment included 38 tons of high-energy biscuits. Mr. Risley said it is not clear why the material was seized.
· In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray for an opening that allows aid to reach the devastated people of Burma. Father God, we cry out to YOU to change the hearts of the leaders of Burma's government so that they WILL care for the people in need!! Release the aid that has been seized, in Jesus Name, we pray, amen!
· "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me." (Ps. 138:7)
5. North Korea gives U.S. nuclear papers - Washington Times
North Korea yesterday gave the United Sates eight boxes of documents from its nuclear weapons program dating back to 1990 - a move that U.S. officials said clears the way for the North to be removed from the blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism.
· Lord, we pray that You would give Your wisdom and insight to those who are inspecting all of North Korea's nuclear program. We ask You to uncover all things hidden. We place ourselves in the Light of the World -- Jesus Christ -- where all things are made known.
· "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"(John 8:12) "And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not: I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them." (Is. 42:16)
6. Jenna Bush wedding a big event for tiny Crawford - Houston Chronicle
Saturday, in an Oscar de la Renta gown with twin sister Barbara at her side, Jenna Bush, 26, will marry 29-year-old business school student Henry Hager at her parents' Central Texas ranch. Celebrating their marriage at the president's secluded ranch is an effective way to keep it private. The property is guarded by local law enforcement and Secret Service agents, with fencing, roadblocks, surveillance cameras, an overhead no-fly zone and more.
"We're both really, really excited," first lady Laura Bush said at the White House this week of herself and the president. "We're very thrilled, and, of course, Jenna is so happy, and Henry is very happy. And that makes their mother and dad really happy."
The White House is being secretive about the ceremony, secretive even by the opaque Bush administration standards. "Be assured that there will be absolutely no readout of the wedding, whatsoever," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said Thursday. "This really is a private event for the family."
· Please remain in serious prayer for the safety and protection of everyone who will be attending this wonderful event tomorrow on the President's ranch in Crawford. And may this new marriage be mightily blessed of the Lord!
· "So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." (Matt. 19:6)
| | The Middle East in Focus | |
| ||
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all His saints. Praise LORD." (Psalm 149:5-9)
1. Iran, via Hizb'allah, moves in on Lebanon - Jerusalem Newswire (JNW)
Lebanon appeared to be sliding into chaos Friday as the Iranian-backed, Syrian-supplied Hizb'allah moved to dramatically upgrade its role in the running of Israel's sorely-troubled northern neighbor. At least 11 people were reportedly killed and dozens wounded in three days of clashes which saw armed Hizb'allah fighters - who are Shia Muslims - clash with Sunni Muslim and other government-supporting Lebanese and take over most the Muslim western part of Beirut.
2. Bribery allegations may end Olmert's reign - JNW
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said late Thursday he would resign if indicted on charges he illegally accepted substantial quantities of cash amounting to bribery from a number of people, including a wealthy American Jew. While he admitted receiving money from Morris Talansky, Olmert insisted they were legitimate funds for elections purposes, and that "not one cent" had been spent personally. Nonetheless, he stated unequivocally that "if the Attorney General decides to file charges against me, I will resign."
3. 'Olmert must resign!' - JNW
Israeli lawmakers and others across the political spectrum are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert after police revealed Thursday he is under investigation for allegedly receiving large amounts of cash in bribes.
4. Condi flares at Israel: 'Get it done already! ' - JNW
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, appearing increasingly desperate to see an Israeli-Palestinian Arab agreement signed before her president leaves office at the end of the year, reportedly used less than diplomatic language speaking to a reporter last Monday.
5. Olmert said ready to bring about peace agreement with Syria - Ha'aretz
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Thursday he was prepared to bring about a peace agreement between Israel and Syria during his term in office, according to a report in the magazine Paris Match.
6. Ariel pastor troubled by lack of police progress over Purim parcel bomb that wounded his son - Jerusalem Post
An Ariel Christian pastor whose son, Ami, was badly wounded in a parcel bomb disguised as a Purim package expressed exasperation this week over the lack of progress made by the police investigation into the attack.
| Sunday: GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER |
"When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place."
(Acts 2:1)
GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER
Sunday, May 11, 2008
A Call for Repentance and Prayer
At the turn of the millennium, many believers in Cape Town, South Africa, sensed God calling them to seek God in repentance and prayer and to call people across their country to assemble in united prayer for their cities and nation. People filled halls and stadiums of every size.
Soon gatherings like it-all meeting on the same day of the year-multiplied across Africa. Year by year, millions more sought God together from almost every stream or tradition of Christian faith in every country of the continent. African Christians issued the same call for repentance and prayer to believers around the world. The result was the first Global Day of Prayer on Pentecost Sunday in 2005, drawing an estimated 200 million people.
Across the face of the earth, in 2006, and again in 2007, on Pentecost Sunday, even greater numbers of Christians gathered in almost every country on earth. The movement continues to spread and to deepen, packing large stadiums, filling homes with small groups, spilling out to the open squares of small villages, surging around the clock and uniting many churches in prayer for Christ's greater glory and the blessing of all nations. On May 11, 2008, Christians will again gather to pray and to repent with sincere hearts and united hopes.
To find the location of a Global Day of Prayer event near you, go to the website for the Global Day of Prayer.
PLEASE NOTE: God.TV plans to broadcast from 13 venues across 5 continents for the 24 hours of May 11.
SkyAngel wants to broadcast Dallas (DISH Network) across the United States.
Check your local cable listings or satellite listings for available in your area
