In This Issue• On Capitol Hill This Week; Vol. XVI, No. 15a
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On Capitol Hill This Week - Volume XVI, Number 15
April 27 - May 1, 2009
April 27 - May 1, 2009
* * DOMESTIC NEWS * **
" You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday." (Psalm 91:5,6)
On Capitol Hill This Week; Vol. XVI, No. 15a
DOMESTIC NEWS
1. SWINE FLU SWEEPING ACROSS THE GLOBE
2. OBAMA'S DNI SAYS THAT "ENHANCED INTERROGATION WORKED"
3. IN THE SENATE: VOTE TO CONFIRM SEBELIUS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY
4. SENATOR INHOFE WILL FILIBUSTER JUDGE DAVID HAMILTON
5. IN THE HOUSE: HATE CRIME VOTE EXPECTED ON WEDNESDAY
6. OBAMA SIGNS "THE GIVE ACT" INTO LAW
7. U.S. EDUCATION SECRETARY SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH CHINESE
8. DHS LABELS PRO-LIFERS AS RIGHT-WING EXTREMISTS; GROUPS RESPOND
9. PENTAGON OFFICIAL BLAMES U.S. FOR AL- QAEDA ATTACKS
10. ELECTRICITY GRID IN U.S. PENETRATED BY SPIES
1. SWINE FLU SWEEPING ACROSS THE GLOBE
The outbreak of swine flu in Mexico has claimed at least 100 lives and effectively shut down the nation's capital, Mexico City. More than 1,600 people are being treated in hospitals for flu-like symptoms throughout Mexico. Cases of the disease are popping up all over the world: Israel, New Zealand, Canada, Spain, and there have been 40 confirmed cases here in the United States, in California, Kansas, Ohio, New York and Texas.
. . . the Health Commissioner for the European Union issued a statement urging Europeans to cancel travel plans to the United States and Mexico "unless it is very urgent." The Associated Press reports that "Russia, Hong Kong and Taiwan said they would quarantine visitors showing symptoms of the virus amid a surging global concern about a possible pandemic." And Japan, Thailand and Indonesia are installing thermal scanners to check people for fevers at key airports.
So far, we're doing none of that. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano held an unusual Sunday press conference at the White House to declare a "national health emergency." All we're being told to do is wash our hands and cover our mouths when we cough. That's what we tell kindergarteners. By the way, we go into this potential pandemic with no Secretary of Health and Human Services, the top 18 positions at HHS vacant and no Surgeon General.
At least one member of Congress is demanding that we close the border. Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY) issued a statement in which he wrote, "The public needs to be aware of the serious threat of swine flu, and we need to close our borders to Mexico immediately and completely until this is resolved. . . I am making this announcement because I see this as a serious threat to the health of the American public and I do not believe this issue is receiving the attention it needs to have in the news." (Gary Bauer)
• Pray for "all in authority" in this growing crisis. Is it possible that this flu is one of the end-time plagues described in the Bible? If so, we must pray grace through this. If not, we must ask for the Lord's perfect timing for that plague to appear on the earth. Either way, we praise God that, as we "pray in the spirit" over this complicated, global, and dangerous issue, our intercession WILL be in alignment with the perfect will of God, and our prayers will be heard. Praise God!
• "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." (Romans 8:26,27)
2. OBAMA'S DNI REMINDS OBAMA THAT "ENHANCED INTERROGATION WORKED"
President Obama's national intelligence director told colleagues in a private memo last week that the harsh interrogation techniques banned by the White House did produce significant information that helped the nation in its struggle with terrorists. "High value information came from interrogations in which those methods were used and provided a deeper understanding of the al Qa'ida organization that was attacking this country," Adm. Dennis C. Blair, the intelligence director, wrote in a memo to his staff last Thursday.
Admiral Blair's assessment that the interrogation methods did produce important information was deleted from a condensed version of his memo released to the media last Thursday. Also deleted was a line in which he empathized with his predecessors who originally approved some of the harsh tactics after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He wrote, "but I do not fault those who made the decisions at that time, and I will absolutely defend those who carried out the interrogations within the orders they were given."
The assessment by Admiral Blair represents a shift for Blair since he took office and appeared before the Senate intelligence committee. On Jan. 22, he said: "I believe strongly that torture is not moral, legal or effective." But he declined to assess whether the interrogation program under Mr. Bush had worked. (New York Times)
• Pray for honesty and truth to be revealed and dealt with without politics. Now Mr. Obama is agreeing to an investigation of the members of the Bush administration who sanctioned this type of waterboarding. To do so places the focus of the world on the past, which cannot be changed. What we need now is focus on what is coming from the White House and Congress. Is the safety of our nation the goal of the Obama administration?
• "I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him will I trust." (Psalm 91: 2)
3. IN THE SENATE: VOTE TO CONFIRM SEBELIUS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY
Time is running out to stop the confirmation of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to be President Obama's Secretary of Health and Human Services. A floor vote in the U.S. Senate is imminent Gov. Sebelius has compiled a record that is anti-woman and anti-life, yet President Obama has chosen her not only to lead the federal government's largest agency but to oversee a massive expansion of the government's role in health care.
Troubling news about Gov. Sebelius continues to pour in. On Thursday, Gov. Sebelius vetoed a pro-life bill that increases reporting requirements for doctors who perform late-term abortions and allows lawsuits against them if the woman later comes to believe such a procedure was illegal.
Sebelius' close alliance with the Kansas abortion industry has been known, but the extent of her ties, as now revealed, suggest that she may owe her entire political career to the huge sums this industry spent on and gave to her campaigns for public office. . . This record underscores how beholden Sebelius is to the ugliest business in America. It renders her unfit for any office, but particularly to lead the agency charged with protecting our families' health.
• Pray that a mighty chorus of opposition will be raised against this nomination. Pray that Senators will begin to question the integrity of Sebelius and her alliance. Pray that God's people in our nation not lose heart or become faint as we work together to see God's standard of righteousness raised up over our nation.
• "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Gal. 6:9)
4. IN THE SENATE: SEN. INHOFE WILL FILIBUSTER JUDGE DAVID HAMILTON
Heroic Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) has vowed to filibuster federal Judge David Hamilton, the judge who issued controversial rulings (banning public prayers offered "in Jesus name," and hastening the abortion of unborn children). Sen. Inhofe agrees we should stop Hamilton's nomination to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, the same court that reversed his liberal, activist, aggressive decisions for many years.
To support Sen. Inhofe, and stop Hamilton, we first need solidarity among any good conservatives or moderates seated on the 19-member Senate Judiciary Committee, especially Sen. Arlen Specter (R- PA). Then we need 40 strong Senate votes (including Sen. Ben Nelson, D-NE, both Arkansas Senators Pryor and Lincoln, D-AR, both Maine Senators Collins and Snowe, R-ME, and all Senators in either party from southern states), to inhibit the majority cloture vote, and help Sen. Inhofe prevent Hamilton from getting a final floor vote.
Judge Hamilton is the worst of Obama's 15 new liberal appeals court appointees. He was nominated to the district court bench by President Clinton even though he had no judicial experience and was rated as 'not qualified' by the American Bar Association." The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals covers Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois. Since most cases never reach the Supreme Court, the federal appellate circuits often provide the last word on cases affecting life and liberty. (Pray in Jesus Name) Read more.
• Pray for Sen. Inhofe's courage to never flag in his battle against this obviously unsuitable judge. We wonder what Judge Hamilton actually believes in: his own reasoning ability? Pray that other senators will join Inhofe in this filibuster, and you can act by calling your own senators about this battle. Ask the Holy Spirit to visit Hamilton in his dreams so that this man can understand how much he is grieving the heart of the Lord.
• "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to be enjoyed. Storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (! Timothy 6: 17,19)
5. IN THE HOUSE: HATE CRIME VOTE EXPECTED ON WEDNESDAY
In a vote of 15 to 12, the House Judiciary Committee Thursday advanced hate crimes legislation. But critics warn it could also criminalize preachers, who preach against homosexuality. (CBN)
The claim is that this bill applies only to physical violence. It is a lie. This is a further step toward criminalizing Christianity! The entire House is expected to vote on this bill next week, possibly on Wednesday April 29. (Federal intercessors)
- We know that legislation like this has been used to attack pastors in other countries. Lord, we pray for protection for those who will speak Your word with truth and for a change in the minds of the legislators who will attack Your people and Your law. We pray, too, that this bill be stopped in the Senate through a filibuster; and that You would raise up men and women in that chamber who will not be afraid to uphold righteousness by their vote.
- "There is nothing reliable in what they say; Their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave; They flatter with their tongue." (Psalm 5:9)
6. OBAMA SIGNS "THE GIVE ACT" (H.R. 1388) INTO LAW
New law to 'manage' 8 million 'volunteers'
President Obama today (April 27) signed into law the "GIVE Act," H.R. 1388, which massively expands the National Service Corporation and allocates to it billions of dollars, and one executive for the program now says it will allow for the "managing" of up to 8 or 9 million people.
WND has reported on plans to create the corps since Obama told a campaign stop in Colorado Springs last year he wants a "Civilian National Security Force" as big and as well-funded as the U.S. military. The bill includes a "National Service Reserve Corps" whose members have completed a "term of national service," "training" and "not less than 10 hours of volunteering each year."
Joseph Farah, founder and editor of WND, used his daily column first to raise the issue of a "national civilian force" and then to elevate it with a call to all reporters to start asking questions. "If we're going to create some kind of national police force as big, powerful and well-funded as our combined U.S. military forces, isn't this rather a big deal?" Farah wrote. "I thought Democrats generally believed the U.S. spent too much on the military. How is it possible their candidate is seeking to create some kind of massive but secret national police force that will be even bigger than the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force put together? Is Obama serious about creating some kind of domestic security force bigger and more expensive than that? If not, why did he say it? What did he mean?" Farah wrote.
WND reported when the bill began its quick trip through Congress, and its original language called for a study of how best to implement a mandatory national service program for citizens of the United States. Later the language was dropped from that bill, only to appear at the same time in another legislative proposal. That plan, H.R. 1444, now is in committee.
Officials said there also are specific programs for seniors and children to become involved in the government operation, and the plan goes far beyond just working on planting trees or addressing storm damage. "The bill provides the opportunity for a social innovation fund," said one official, which will allow the government to pursue changes. The plan also raises First Amendment issues over its limitations on what various corps participants are allowed to do.
• We offer praise to the Lord for the careful investigative journalism that Joseph Farah and his staff have pursued during the development of this bill and this program. Certainly, there are more questions that must be asked. We encourage all of you to read this entire article now.
In the meantime, we will keep a watchful eye on H.R. 1444: The American Civic Service Act -- the bill that enforces mandatory service in this youth brigade. Continue to pray over all issues related to the impact of the federal government over our youth, for they belong to US to raise!
• "Pray in the spirit and with understanding . . ." (I Corinthians 14:15)
7. U.S. EDUCATION SECRETARY SIGNS PARTNERSHIPS WITH CHINESE
SAME LEADERS PLACE DISSIDENTS IN RE- EDUCATION CAMPS
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has signed a formal educational partnership agreement with the Peoples Republic of China, a Communist regime that, according to the U.S. State Department, subjects political dissidents to re-education through labor. Duncan signed the 2009 Joint Statement of Exchange and Cooperation with the Chinese Minister of Education Zhou Ji on April 16.
The State Department's Human Rights Report on China, dated Feb. 25, 2009, states that the Chinese government puts political dissidents into reeducation through labor camps.
Leading human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize- nominee Harry Wu, who has documented many of China's human rights abuses and crimes, said you cannot compare China's way of governing with that of the United States. "You cannot [function in China] without it. Laogai and freedom and democracy are incompatible. That is very clear," he said. "The Communist Party is talking about dictatorship; talking about totalitarian. How to handle the dissidents - that is Laogai [re-education] camps," said Wu. The Laogai Research Foundation estimates there are at least 1,000 laogai prisons functioning in Communist China today, holding more than 6 million prisoners. The Black Book of Communism (Harvard University Press) estimates that at least 65 million people have been killed or died as a result of China's Communist policies. (CNSNews.com)
• Please pray for the soul of Ame Duncan so that she can understand that her actions with China do not speak of patriotism to the United States. She seems caught like an insect in a spider's web. Cancel any ties of the USA to this document, for we have nothing to learn from Communist China. After spending almost 3 decades "dumbing" down education in American public schools, we are now to turn to communism to teach us how to teach our children? Our president certainly needs much prayer, for his every political action leads us farther from the nation envisioned by our Founding Fathers.
• "For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity." (Psalm 125:3)
8. DHS LABELS PRO-LIFERS AS RIGHT-WING EXTREMISTS; GROUPS RESPOND
Conservatives and religious groups across the nation are outraged by a recent report from the Department of Homeland Security that labeled them as right-wing extremists and terrorists. Republican members of the Committee on Homeland Security have requested a committee hearing and investigation on the report. Some are calling for the resignation of Secretary Janet Napolitano.
Gary Bauer, president of American Values, said an investigation is unlikely to go very far with Democrats in charge."It's going to be very difficult to get anything done about this outrage," he said, "or about any other issue, unless some of the members of President Obama's party begin to step up and hold his feet to the fire."
While the Homeland Security Department said it has no evidence to suggest any extremist group is planning violent action in the U.S, its memo included pro-life groups in its definition of right-wing extremists.
Dr. Janice Crouse, senior fellow at the Beverly LaHaye Institute, said the department is on a rampage against people with biblical views. She said: "It's astounding to me in a world where we are fighting extremism of all sorts from terrorists around the nation --- including pirates in the seas --- that Homeland Security would be concerned about people who are pro-life." Read the full report. (Source: CitizenLink)
• Watch and pray for the safety of our nation. President Obama needs to speak against such statements, for they are un-American. Pray that the Lord will cause Ms. Napolitano to be removed as the head of DHS, and to raise up a person who truly understands the purpose of this department.
• "But God is the judge: he puts down one, and sets up another." (Psalm 75:7)
9. PENTAGON OFFICIAL BLAMES U.S. FOR AL- QAEDA ATTACKS
WARNS OBAMA MAY NOT GIVE JEWISH STATE 'BLANKS CHECKS'
She believes al-Qaida was an "obscure group" turned into a massive threat due to U.S. policies. She's referred to former President Bush as "our torturer in chief" and a "psychotic who need(s) treatment" while comparing Bush's arguments for waging a war on terrorism to Adolf Hitler's use of political propaganda. She's worked on behalf of George Soros' philanthropic foundation,and she served as a regular columnist at the Los Angeles Times.
Meet Rosa Brooks, the Obama administration's new adviser to Michelle Fluornoy, the undersecretary of defense for policy, a position described as one of the most influential in the Pentagon. Brooks will advise Michelle Fluornoy, the undersecretary of defense for policy, a position that wields enormous power over drafting U.S. military doctrine in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Regarding Israel, Brooks states that while President Bush was "blindly" and "mindlessly" supportive of Israel, President Obama may be less willing to give the Jewish state "blank checks." A WND review of her opinion pieces in the newspaper finds trends that defenders of the Jewish state may view as anti-Israel, including distorting history to seemingly whitewash Palestinian terrorism.
"Israeli policies are a major source of discord in the Islamic world, and anger at Israel usually spills over into anger at the U.S., Israel's biggest backer," Brooks wrote. "With resentment of Israeli policies fueling terrorism and instability both in the Middle East and around the globe, it's past time for Americans to have a serious national debate about how to bring a just peace to the Middle East," she recommends. "But if criticism of Israel is out of bounds, that debate can't occur - and we'll all pay the price." (WorldNetDaily)
• Please pray against the appointment of Rosa Brooks to such an important position at the Pentagon. This lady truly needs several Bible lessons without which she is a real danger to the USA. Her views reflect those of George Soros but not those of American Christians and Jews. Pray also for this woman's soul that she may know the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Pray also that voices within the Pentagon will rise up against Ms. Brooks' appointment.
• "I see the treacherous, and am disgusted because they do not keep Your Word." (Psalm 119:158)
10. ELECTRICITY GRID IN U.S. PENETRATED BY SPIES
Cyberspies have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system, according to current and former national-security officials. The spies came from China, Russia and other countries, these officials said, and were believed to be on a mission to navigate the U.S. electrical system and its controls. The intruders haven't sought to damage the power grid or other key infrastructure, but officials warned they could try during a crisis or war.
• Father, as it seems the enemy may have the US in it's crosshairs, we raise up a cry to You for a complete nullification of any plan that does not fit with The Word of God for this hour. We thank you for your protection and Your wisdom flowing through the hearts and minds of Your people. Nothing can happen that Your timing will not preempt. Please, intercede for every aspect of American life to be under the Hand and the Purposes of God.
• And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings. (Acts 17:26)
On Capitol Hill This Week; Vol. XVI, No. 15b
• On Capitol Hill This Week; Vol. XVI, No. 15b
• Alert: Pakistan
• NEWS ALERT: Pakistan Taliban Executes Christian
• This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
* INTERNATIONAL NEWS *
" You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday." (Psalm 91:5,6)
1. TALIBAN TAKE MORE OF PAKISTAN
2. NORTH KOREA BEGINS EXTRACTING PLUTONIUM; REFUSES TALKS
3. OBAMA'S PLAN FOR MIDEAST PEACE: STRIP ISRAEL BARE
4. U.S.: P.A. NEED NOT RECOGNIZE ISRAEL AS JEWISH STATE BEFORE TALKS
5. IDF PREPARES FOR TERROR ACTIVITIES
1. TALIBAN TAKE MORE OF PAKISTAN
The government of Pakistan, seeking to appease Islamic radicals who had helped orchestrate the 9-11 Jihad attack on the United States, gave these terrorists the Swat Valley. Of course appeasement never works, and soon the Taliban terrorists moved into another province just 60 miles from the Capitol. Pakistan sent in troops, and the Taliban backed off into the Swat Valley after destroying some schools. "It's a tactical move, these kinds of movements make tactical retreats," said Hasan Askari Rizvi, a military analyst based in Lahore. "They'll be back." (Religious Freedom Coalition)
Clinton Raises Alarms About Spiraling Security in Pakistan
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is raising alarms that the Pakistani government is losing control of its country and ceding ground to Taliban extremists, as she presses lawmakers to approve fresh funding for the region. In back-to-back days of testimony on Capitol Hill, Clinton raised concern that government- backed law enforcement was losing the northwest region of the country. (Fox News)
• Father we pray that You would station Your angelic host around Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, and keep it from the hands of the Taliban or any other terrorist group. We pray that You would stabilize this nation as a friend of America, and remove all hostile entities within it.
• "I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies." (Psalm 18:3)
2. NORTH KOREA BEGINS EXTRACTING PLUTONIUM; REFUSES TALKS
S. Korea, Japan Sign Defense Pact
North Korea has started to extract plutonium from spent fuel rods at its nuclear arms plant, its foreign ministry said on Saturday, further raising regional tensions already stoked by its defiant rocket launch this month. The announcement came hours after a U.N. Security Council committee on Friday placed three North Korean companies on a U.N. blacklist for aiding Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programs, eliciting a sharp rebuke from a North Korean envoy. Reclusive North Korea has lashed out at being punished for the April 5 launch, widely seen as a disguised long-range missile test that violated U.N. resolutions, saying it would boycott six-way nuclear talks and bolster its nuclear deterrent. (Reuters)
Meanwhile, South Korea and Japan signed a letter of intent on bilateral defense cooperation, Thursday, the first formal military pact between the two neighboring countries, the Ministry of National Defense said. The letter covers goodwill exchanges of top defense officials and military units from the two nations, exchanges between defense institutes, institutionalization of joint search-and-rescue operations, reciprocal visits by aircraft and naval ships, and joint international peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, according to the ministry. (Korea Times)
• While our attention is diverted in so many other critical directions, let us not forget to continue to pray for this situation in North Korea, until it is resolved. Ask the Lord to soften the heart of North Korea's President Kim Jong Il, and to show His mercy and His grace to the people of that nation - especially to believers who are there. Ask for a miracle.
• [For Kim Jong Il] "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezek. 36:26)
3. OBAMA'S PLAN FOR MIDEAST PEACE: STRIP ISRAEL BARE
The Obama administration has decided to base its approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on an Arab "peace" initiative, according to a source in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Defenders of Israel warn the so-called "Arab Peace Initiative" in its full form would leave the Jewish state with truncated, difficult-to-defend borders and could threaten Israel's Jewish character by compelling it to accept millions of foreign Arabs.
Netanyahu held a meeting with Obama's envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, to outline the prime minister's approach to Syria and the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu reportedly told Mitchell he would condition future talks with the Palestinians on Palestinian leaders' first recognizing Israel as a Jewish state, a step that would be difficult should Hamas join a unity government. This statement is now being contested.
The Israeli Ynet news website quoted Netanyahu telling Mitchell of fears that any Israeli withdrawal from strategic territory would leave a terrorist hornet's nest in its wake. "Israel must make sure that the political process does not result in the creation of a second 'Hamastan' (in the West Bank) that would threaten Jerusalem and the coastline," Netanyahu reportedly said.
The source said Mitchell conveyed to Netanyahu that Obama seeks to create a Palestinian state in hopes of normalizing relations between Israel and the Arab world in line with the "Arab Peace Initiative." The source told WND Mitchell relayed that Obama's Mideast strategy would be based on the concept of the "Initiative" but with security guarantees for Israel.
• Ask the Lord to forgive Americans for electing a man to the presidency who does not understand the significance of Israel to the health and welfare of the USA. Pray for someone to speak with George Mitchell about what he is allowing the president to say through his position. Pray for the Biblical view of Israel to permeate the White House and the Obama administration.
• "But the Lord is with me as a mighty awesome one. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will not be forgotten." (Jeremiah 20:11)
4. U.S.: P.A. NEED NOT RECOGNIZE ISRAEL AS JEWISH STATE BEFORE TALKS
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand that the Palestinians recognize Israel as the state of the Jewish people as a condition for renewing peace talks is unacceptable to the United States, the State Department said during special envoy George Mitchell's visits last weekend to Ramallah and Cairo. Mitchell's talks also indicate the US does not accept Netanyahu's position the renewal of negotiations should be postponed until the Iranian nuclear threat is removed. (Ha'aretz)
• "He drove out nations before them and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance. He settled the tribes of Israel in their homes." (Psalm 78:55)
5. IDF PREPARES FOR TERROR ACTIVITIES
The defense establishment is monitoring the rise in the number of terror attacks taking place in the Gaza Strip, West Bank [Judea and Samaria], and Jerusalem in the past few weeks, and security officials admit that although there is no common denominator or "guiding hand", this trend must be addressed with extra caution in order to be prepared for more radical developments.
Data collected by the defense establishment show that 50 terror attacks of various types were counted in January. February saw 124 terror attacks take place, including the firing of rockets from the Gaza Strip, while March saw 132 such incidents.
The IDF is cautiously examining the situation in the West Bank in light of the fact that the many incidents which took place there are unlinked to each other and are not executed following instructions issued by a "guiding hand".
The defense official added that "it's too early to reach conclusions on what has happened in recent weeks, but we can definitely say that terror activists are waking up, not necessarily the senior ones and not necessarily incidents which were planned in an organized manner."
"Our main goal is to prevent escalation," added the source. "Any incident may lead to additional incidents, which may be followed by an escalation, and therefore were examining this situation with extra caution." (Excerpts from Hanan Greenberg, Ynetnews.com, April 19, 2009) [Reported by: Bridges for Peace]
• Pray that the Lord will bless IDF officials and soldiers with wisdom and protection as they work to secure the safety of the people of Israel; pray that escalation of terror will be prevented.
• "He shall cover you with his feathers, and under His wings you shall find refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler." (Psalm 91:4-5)
Alert: Pakistan
Thursday, April 23, 2009
THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND
Here in Pakistan things are getting from bad to worse, We have four provinces of Pakistan namely Baluchistan, Sindh, Punjab, & NWFP (North West Frontier Post), Taliban have entered, Invaded and took full controll over NWFP, our Govt. has given them aproval of implementing the Sharia Law (Fundamentists Muslim Law). Due to this they got boldness and now the've started working in other provinces as well, in Baluchistan Last night Govt. of Pakistan has pulled out and now no police force is there it is being delibrately left emptied for them to come in.
We are in the province of Punjab, here also we are reciving many threats from them, foremost is that Women cannot go out of the houses niehter ofr shopping, women who are going out they are being humilated by them. two days ago in Lahore Taliban have asked for "Jasia" from the Minorities, "Jasia" is like you pay for your living and security to the stronger ones. Like you pay to bullies and Don's. Since people are poor and cannot afford to pay they've improsioned little children, women and men, yesterday some of them were released one dead and others badly injured. The Clusters of our Community are in server danger, they are threatning to do more if we do n ot pay them "Jasia".
Also They've captured the Village "Buneer" which is less than 100 Km from Islamabad, and we are now just waiting when they capture Islamabad. We need you prayer support badly, maybe in the following few months we might have to go underground.
In the Fourth Province "Sindh" in the area of "Maleer" three Churches have been burnt by them last week.
Please do pass on the prayer request to Roger and everybody there as we need prayer coverings.
Thanks for all your prayer and Moral support. May The Lord God Bless you abundantly!
In His Divine Protection
Rev. Dr. Asher Saleem
CALL TO PRAYER FROM AGLOW
We must urgently pick up this intercession and cry out to the Lord. Pakistan could totally fall to the Taliban in a very short time. Other reports coming in have suggested that beheadings have already begun in that nation, as these forces move through and seize control. If the Taliban take over the leadership of the nation, Pakistan's nuclear weapons will fall into their hands. The terror of that is unthinkable. There must be strong action taken immediately in the Spirit and in the natural.
The Pakistani government must not appease or surrender ground to this evil. They must fight. This wave of murderous wickedness needs to be stopped here and now . . . unless the cup of evil is overflowing . . . unless the Lord has chosen for judgment upon the world to continue to unfold. Our world is changing right before our eyes. Surely these violent men are demon possessed. It is as if the demon hoards, rushing onto the earth, have now been given legal right, authority, and power to ravage the planet. Humanism has opened the door for radical Islam to move with terrifying freedom and with crushing intimidation.
May the Lord help the people of Pakistan . . . especially the believers! Pray courage, safety, discernment, power and authority into these believers. In the midst of the horrors, the Lord can sustain His people. Our prayers of repentance and supplication may yet bring forth His mercy. Let's pray for a major revival in Pakistan and in India as well. The demonic deities that have received the worship of these nations can be overthrown by repentance from the people, and through intervention by God.
CALL TO PRAYER FROM CHPP
• Father God, the saints in PAKISTAN are facing the demon of Islam; and they are now fighting for their lives. We take up the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and we SEVER THE SINGLE-EDGED SWORD OF ISLAM -- the one that beheads Your people!! In the Name of Jesus and through the power and authority of His Shed Blood, we render the sword of Islam USELESS and of NO EFFECT. And we DECREE to that demon: "This far and no further, and here shall your proud waves STOP." (Job 38:10)
And now, Lord, we pray for our enemies, for You died for them. We ask You to send forth Your Sword of Truth into the hearts of each of these terrorists, and pierce each one unto salvation.
And finally, we lift up the Church in Pakistan -- Your remnant believers -- and we ask You to comfort each one as only You know how to do; and to surround them with the peace of God, which passeth all understanding. We ask these things in Your most precious and Holy Name, Lord Jesus, amen.
NEWS ALERT: Pakistan Taliban Executes Christian
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (Worthy News) -- Minority Christians in Pakistan feared more attacks Sunday, April 26, after militants of the Taliban group executed two residents in a Christian neighborhood while one child died during a crackdown on believers, local Christians and rights investigators confirmed.
U.S.-based International Christian Concern (ICC), which investigates cases of persecution, told Worthy News and its news partner BosNewsLife that the incidents happened Tuesday, April 21, in Taseer Town near the city of Karachi, where Christians protested against pro-Taliban messages "chalked onto the walls of two churches."
The messages included, "Long Live the Taliban," "Talibanization is our goal," and "Embrace Islam or Prepare to Die," Christians said. "Christian residents staged a protest in hopes of attracting the attention of the local government to provide protection. Officials, however, did nothing."
Instead, on the night of the protest Tuesday, April 21, "more than 100 masked terrorists invaded Taseer Town" with automatic rifles, ICC said. Christians reportedly ran away, but Taliban militants allegedly went door to door, breaking into Christian homes and dragging the elderly and women out into the street by their hair.
WOMEN ASSAULTED
"The terrorists sexually assaulted several women and physically abused dozens more with clubs, iron rods, and whips. They set a number of homes on fire. When two Christians resisted, the militants killed them execution-style directly in front of their families," ICC added, citing local sources.
In addittion, "The elderly were injured and one child fell to the ground and died in my friend's arms," said Christian politician Asif Stephen in comments released by ICC. "Militants carrying the latest weapons rushed in, entered homes and pillaged money and jewelry and abused the women and burned their properties."
The latest reported incident comes amid international concerns over the growing influence of the Taliban, which has imposed Islamic law in Pakistan's volatile Swat valley and is advancing towards the capital Islamabad.
MILITANTS DETAINED
Police have reporgedly detained seven of the Taliban militants involved in the anti-Christian attacks, however ICC Advoacy Director Jeremy Sewall warned that "The Pakistani government created an opening for terrorists to attack Christians indiscriminately by acceding to their demands in the Swat Valley."
Sewall said that altough Pakistani Christians in major cities of the country already experienced discrimination, they had till now not to fear threats of forced conversion or executions on a wide scale.
"This attack is a harbinger of worse to come if the Pakistani government continues to cower in the face of Muslim radicals." The United States has also expressed concerns over the growing influence of the Taliban in Pakistan.
This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
CREATOR (Bohray)
"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. " (Isaiah 40:28)
It boggles my mind to think that You, the Creator of the universe, know me. May I live my life in thankfulness for all that You have done, are doing and will do in my life. How I praise Your name!
"I called on Your name, O LORD, From the lowest pit." (Lamentations 3:55)
(Taken from: Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God, by Barri Cae Malin and Shmuel Wolkenfeld; Bridge-Logos Publishers; Gainesville, FL, 32614. ISBN: 0-88270-801-5)
