· The Daily Brief
· The Middle East in Focus
· Pray for the Persecuted Church
The Daily Brief Tuesday, August 19, 2008
"But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble." (Psalm 59:16)
The Daily Brief
1. No sign of Russian pullout, West alarmed - Ynet News
Russian troops and tanks did not move out of Georgia overnight through the main military crossing point, despite a Russian announcement that a gradual withdrawal was underway. No Russian tanks or armored personnel carriers were seen leaving Georgia. "I hope the world has woken up to what is going on. The Russians should get out of my country," Georgian President Saakashvili says.
· Heavenly Father, scripture says that You set up and bring down leaders. Please intervene quickly to stop this aggression and open the door of salvation for the troops and leadership in Russia.
· "Their tongue is an arrow shot out; it speaks deceit; one speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he lies in wait. Shall I not punish them for these things?" says the Lord. "'Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?'" (Jeremiah 9:8, 9)
2. Ukraine offers satellite defence co-operation with Europe and US - Telegraph UK
Ukraine inflamed mounting East-West tensions yesterday, by offering up a Soviet-built satellite facility as part of the European missile defense system.The proposal, made amid growing outrage among Russia's neighbors over its military campaign in Georgia, could see Ukraine added to Moscow's nuclear hit list. A Russian general declared Poland a target for its arsenal after Warsaw signed a deal with Washington to host interceptor missiles for America's anti-nuclear shield.
· We thank You Lord, for the cooperation of leaders of the former Russian countries with our nation. Give our leadership as well as those nations freedom, protection, and wisdom to set up the satellite defense systems.
· The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say, 'Destroy!' (Deuteronomy 33:27)
3. Pakistan's Musharraf: 'Forgive My Mistakes' - Reuters
President Pervez Musharraf stepped down from his post Monday, ending a nearly nine-year tenure that his opponents said was hindering Pakistan's shaky return to democracy. Musharraf said he wanted to spare Pakistan from a dangerous power struggle with opponents vowing to impeach him. He said he was satisfied that all he had done "was for the people and for the country." The White House praised Musharraf's role in combating terror. President Bush appreciates President Musharraf's efforts in the democratic transition of Pakistan as well as his commitment to fighting Al Qaeda and extremist groups, U.S. National Security Council Spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. "President Bush looks forward to working with the Government of Pakistan on the economic, political and security challenges they face."
· We pray that as the new leadership goes into place in Pakistan, our nation will have favor and cooperation with them. We pray that the new leadership will not side with terrorist rogues, but work in honesty and loyalty with us.
· And it came to pass when all the kings who were on this side of the Jordan, in the hills and in the lowland and in all the coasts . . . they gathered together to fight with Joshua and Israel with one accord. (Joshua 9: 1, 2)
4. Tropical Storm Fay Makes Landfall in Southwest Florida - AP
Tropical Storm Fay made landfall on Florida's southwest coast early Tuesday, bringing soaking rains and gusty winds but nothing like the destruction last seen in the area during a 2004 killer hurricane.
· Thank You Lord, that you have protected Florida. We pray against the flooding; drain the water quickly! We pray You will keep a hedge of protection around our nation against severe weather and also attacks of any sort.
· But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (Matthew 8:26)
5. Bush Says Breakaway Regions Must Remain Part of Georgia - Fox News
President Bush said Saturday, that the two disputed regions at the center of the conflict between Georgia and Russia must remain part of Georgia, but called the signing of a cease-fire between the two nations a "hopeful step."
· Lord, we ask that Your mighty wisdom and discernment be upon our leaders in regards to how we can best help Georgia. It is a nation rich with promise of democratic ideals and accomplishments. Bless them abundantly.
· Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more. (Psalms 10:17, 18)
6. China Confiscates Bibles From American Christians - AP
A group of American Christians who had more than 300 Bibles confiscated by Chinese officials when they arrived in China is refusing to leave the airport until they get the books back, their leader said Monday. Pat Klein said he and three others from his Vision Beyond Borders group spent Sunday night at the airport in the southwestern city of Kunming after customs officers took the Bibles from their checked luggage.In China, Bibles are legally printed at just one plant - the world's largest - run by a communist government-backed Christian association, and are available in many bookstores. But the officially atheistic government prohibits proselytizing and is worried that if the spread of religion goes unchecked, believers might ultimately challenge the Communist Party's authority.
· Lord, protect the Christian church in China so that they will not receive bad repercussions. We ask that You will give Your wisdom to these Christian leaders and that they will obey You. Bless the Christian church mightily.
· Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; he devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks justice. But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand. (Isaiah 32:7, 8)
7. Post-Abortion Women Challenge Psychologists' Claim of 'Harmless' Abortions - CNS News
Women who have had abortions, scientists, and pro-life advocates are joining forces to refute the findings of an American Psychological Association (APA) task force, that claims women who have one abortion do not experience any more mental problems than women who decide to give birth.
· Lord, we pray that You will turn what the devil meant for evil into good. Pray that people who have gone through an abortion decision, will have bold courage to speak up against abortion and diligently work to end it!
· Thus says the Lord: "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted for her children, Because they are no more." (Jeremiah 31:15)
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: "The grass withers, the flower fades: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." (Isaiah 40:8)
1. Palestinians slam Israel's 'revolving door policy' on prisoners - Ynet News
Officials in the Palestinian Authority do not appear overly enthused by the Israeli cabinet's recent decision to release 1999 prisoners, including detainees with 'blood on their hands', as a gesture to President Mahmoud Abbas.
2. Israelis: War With Hezbollah Inevitable - NewsMax
The Israeli army says Hezbollah has re-armed with 40,000 rockets -- triple the number it had at the start of the Lebanon War two years ago. Therefore, many Israelis believe another war with Hezbollah is inevitable.
3. Huckabee: A divided Jerusalem is 'unimaginable' - Ha'aretz
The man who could soon become America's next vice president, gained a new title Monday in Jerusalem's Muslim Quarter, when his host jokingly called him "Huckabee the Maccabee."
Pray for the Persecuted Church
Prayers for the Persecuted Church This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." (Proverbs 31:8)
1. Saudi Arabia: Muslim Father Kills Daughter for Converting to Christianity
The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) www.persecution.org has learned that a Saudi Arabian man cut out the tongue of his daughter and burned her to death after finding out that she had converted to Christianity.
2. Student Attacked Over Gospel Tract
Sohan didn't know what to expect when the man asked him to wait for just a minute. Sohan, a third year student at a Gospel for Asia Bible college, was handing out Gospel tracts in a city in Maharashtra, India. One man who received a tract asked Sohan to stay put until he got back.
3. Nigeria: Islamist Group Attacking Christians in Kwara State
Blaming the death of their leader on Christian prayers, an Islamist group that launched a hate campaign in response to an evangelistic event in 2004 is reportedly attacking Christians in this Kwara state capital with renewed virulence, area Christians said.
4. Malaysia: Court Denies Woman's Appeal to Leave Islam
A civil court on Aug. 5 denied a woman's appeal to renounce Islam in favor of Christianity, highlighting the jurisdictional disputes in Malaysia's dual legal system.
