In This Issue· The Daily Brief
· The Middle East in Focus
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The Daily Brief Wednesday, Jananuary 7, 2009
The Daily Brief
1. Israel Opens Humanitarian Aid Corridor - Worthy News''
Israel is halting its military operations for three hours each day beginning Wednesday, January 7, to allow humanitarian aid to enter into Gaza, Israeli officials said.
· Praise the Lord for this move on the part of the Israelis, probably a move that would never be contemplated by Hamas. What more do the Israelis have to do to gain the approval of the world powers who are so quick to condemn Israel? Pray that any humanitarian aid entering Gaza be just that - with no rockets or other munitions hidden within the aid. Let the Israelis have eyes that spot and identify any materials not humanitarian.
· "Let not mercy and truth forsake you. Write them on the tablet of your heart. And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man." (Proverbs 3: 3,4)
2. Israel Prepares For Rocket Attacks From Lebanon - Worthy News
As Israel continued its ground assault into the Gaza Strip Monday, January 5, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were on high alert along the country's northern border amid concerns the militant Hezbollah group would fire rockets from Lebanon in revenge for the offensive.
· Ask the Lord to block any attack from terrorist groups from Lebanon or any other border. Pray that the Lord will send Michael and a host of His warrior angels to Israel's borders, angels that the terrorists can actually see. Pray peace into the Israelis' hearts as they boldly take stands to defend their country.
· "O, Israel, hope in the Lord; For with the Lord there is mercy. And with Him is abundant redemption." (Psalm 129:7)
3. U.S. Opens New Embassy in Baghdad - Worthy News
Amid tight security, the United States embassy in Iraq's capital Baghdad was open for business Tuesday, January 6, after a dedication ceremony to open what is the largest embassy compound in the world.
· Pray that this new embassy stands strong amid the oft troubled situation in Iraq. Ask the Lord to surround the compound with angels to prevent any attacks or bombings. Pray for God-chosen people to be the ambassador and staff.
· "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice." (Proverbs 29:2a)
4. Russia's Putin Orders Halt To Gas Shipments Via Ukraine - Worthy News
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin asked state-run energy giant Gazprom to cease all deliveries of natural gas into Ukraine, destined for Europe, Russian state media reported Wednesday, January 7, despite reports that over a dozen people in Europe already froze to death as temperatures dropped.
· Putin seems determined to destroy the Ukraine one way or another. Obviously, this is a man whose conscience has been seared. Ask the Lord for strategies for the Ukraine to deal with this situation as well as those European countries that rely on Russia's natural gas.
· "The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil." (Proverbs 15: 28)
5.Powerful Earthquakes Kill Four, Causing Widespread Damage in Indonesia - Worthy News
Recovery work continued Monday, January 5, after at least four people were killed and dozens more injured as two powerful earthquakes hit Indonesia over the weekend, cutting power lines and destroying buildings, officials said.
· Pray that these earthquakes provide significant opportunity for spreading the gospel and leading people to salvation in Jesus Christ. Islam usually does not rush to aid victims to recover from or deal with loss. Let the light of Jesus shine in spiritually dark Indonesia.
· "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famine and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows." (Mark 13: 8)
6. Feinstein Backs Panetta After Initial Hesitation - FoxNews.com
Senate Intelligence Committee chairwoman says she's now behind President-elect Obama's choice to head the CIA. "All systems are go" for Leon Panetta to head the CIA, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Wednesday, after initially questioning the decision of President-elect Barack Obama to tap former President Bill Clinton's chief of staff for the top spot at the nation's spy agency. Feinstein, chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said she talked to Panetta, a longtime friend, for hours on Tuesday night and is decidedly behind the nomination now.
· Pray that if Panetta is not the Lord's choice for this post as head of the CIA, he shall be removed. Panetta has been named as one of the ultra-liberals. Since he has no experience with intelligence, why has Panetta been chosen by Obama for this important position? Of course, his appointment has to be confirmed by the Senate. Pray that Mr. Panetta receives salvation in Jesus Christ.
· "A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days." (Proverbs 28:16)
7. Egypt's United Nation's envoy says Israel, Hamas and the Palestinian Authority will meet Thursday for talks. - FOXNews.com
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who was at U.N. headquarters for the council's emergency session on Gaza, said she had talked with both the Israelis and Arab envoys about the importance of moving forward a cease-fire proposed Tuesday by Egypt and France. "We are very much applauding the efforts of a number of states, particularly the effort that President (Hosni) Mubarak has undertaken on behalf of Egypt," Rice said. "We're supporting that initiative."Israel agreed to principles of the Gaza cease-fire proposal, but has yet to iron out key details about how it would be implemented, senior Israeli officials told Reuters. The proposal calls for an end to fighting as well as a drive to prevent Hamas militants from rearming, Israel's key condition, Reuters reported. Israel said it needs guarantees that any cease-fire will halt rocket fire and prevent Hamas from rearming, while Hamas demands that Gaza's blockaded border crossings be opened.U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday, called for an immediate end to fighting in the Gaza Strip during a meeting of the U.N. Security Council in New York. Ban criticized both Israel for its bombardment of Gaza and Hamas for firing rockets into Israel and urged members to act "swiftly and decisively to put this crisis to an end."
· Please pray for the discernment of Israeli officials so that none fall for any empty promises coming from Hamas. In Islam, lying to the infidel is perfectly acceptable and such promises never have to be kept. Pray for UN Sec. Gen. Ban so that he has a biblical view of the situation. Enough attacks on Israel, whether actual munitions or verbal!
· "So the nations shall fear the name of the Lord. And the kings of the earth Your glory. For the Lord shall build up Zion." (Psalm 102:15, 16a)
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:
"Through God we will do valiantly, For it is He who shall tread down our enemies." (Psalm 108:13)
1. Dozens Killed As Israel Hits U.N. School; Christians Concerned - Worthy News
At least 40 people were killed and over 50 injured when the Israeli Air Force struck a United Nations-run school in the Gaza Strip in what it said was a response to repeated mortar and rocket attacks from militants of the Hamas group.
