Prayer Focus Index
- PRESIDENT BUSH DEPARTS MONDAY FOR EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST
- A PRAYER FOR THE SAFETY OF PRESIDENT BUSH
- HUNDREDS OF IRAQI CITIZENS MURDERED IN TERRORIST RAMPAGE
- IRAQI LEADERS APPEAL FOR UNITY, PEACE
- REPORT: IRAQ INSURGENCY HAS FUNDS TO SUSTAIN ITSELF
- AHMADINEJAD: IRAN "READY TO HELP" U.S. WITH IRAQ TURMOIL
- SPECIAL REPORT: LEBANESE LEADER ASSASSINATED
- ISRAELI CEASEFIRE IN RETURN FOR PARTIAL ARAB TRUCE
- RUSSIA SENDS DEFENSE SYSTEM TO IRAN
- NETANYAHU -- IT'S 1938 AND IRAN IS GERMANY
- MEMBERS OF A "LOST TRIBE OF ISRAEL" RETURN TO ZION
1. PRESIDENT BUSH DEPARTS MONDAY FOR EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST
PRESIDENT BUSH IGNORES THREATS, WILL MEET WITH IRAQI PM AL-MALIKI IN JORDAN
Yesterday, Fox News reported that President Bush is sticking to his plan to hold a summit next week in Jordan with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al- Maliki, despite threats from radical Shiites to boycott parliament if al-Maliki attends. The President is leaving Monday for Europe where he will attend a NATO summit before meeting on Wednesday and Thursday with al-Maliki in Amman. His detailed itinerary follows:
-- Tuesday morning: President Bush arrives in Tallinn, Estonia, where he will participate in talks with President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip. Meetings are also scheduled with leaders of Estonia's democracy movement.
-- Tuesday afternoon: President Bush arrives in Riga, Latvia for talks with Latvian President Ingrîda Ûdre. The president will participate in a NATO Working Dinner, after scheduled talks with the Secretary- General of NATO. That night, he will particpate in a cultural Program at the Latvian National Opera.
-- Wednesday morning: President Bush participates in NATO Summit; Riga, Latvia
-- Wednesday afternoon: President Bush flies to Jodan's Raghadan Palace, where he will meet with Jordan's King Abdullah and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al- Maliki. Talks in Jordan will continue through Thursday.
President Bush is expected to return to Washington early Friday morning.
• Lord God Our Protector and Provider, we ask that Your angels encamp round and about President Bush every minute of each day this week, as he travels to these meetings. Draw near to President Bush with Your shield of protection and safety, and surround him with your supernatural strength and guidance, blessing him in all of his endeavors. In Jesus Magnificient Name, Amen and Amen! • "There shall no evil befall thee neither shall any plague come neigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways." (Psalm 91:10,11)
2. PRAYER FOR THE SAFETY OF PRESIDENT BUSH
(Source for this article: Intercessors for America)
a. THREE MOTORCYCLES IN BUSH MOTORCADE CRASH IN HONOLULU
HONOLULU - Three Honolulu police motorcycles in President George W. Bush's motorcade were involved in an accident on Tuesday morning at Hickam Air Force Base. A 30-year-old officer's condition has worsened. He was last reported in critical condition. He underwent surgery for internal bleeding. "The roadway that they were traveling on was not the typical asphalt that is out there on the public roadways," said Police Department Capt frank Fujii. The officers said they consider protecting the president among their highest and proudest duties.
b. PRESIDENT’S DAUGHTER ROBBED IN ARGENTINA
One of President Bush’s twin daughters’ purse and cell phone were taken while she was dining in a Buenos Aires restaurant. It was not clear from reports which daughter it was. A pair of thieves removed the purse from under a table while Secret Service agents stood guard at a distance.
c. WHITE HOUSE STAFFER ROBBED, BEATEN AT WAIKIKI NIGHTCLUB
HONOLULU, HI -- The acting director of the White House Travel Office, Greg Pitts, was robbed and beaten in Waikiki early on Tuesday morning outside a nightclub, according to Honolulu police. "He was knocked down, punched, kicked -- his wallet and id were stolen," Honolulu Police Department Capt. Frank Fujii said. Pitts' passport and international phone were also taken. Pitts accompanied President George W. Bush on a brief visit to Hawaii. The stop came after an eight-day trip to Asia. Paramedics treated Pitts and took him to Queen's Medical Center. He did not return with the president to Washington.
PRAY FOR THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF:
PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH
FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH
THEIR DAUGHTERS, JENNA AND BARBARA
THE WHITE HOUSE STAFF
CABINET MEMBERS AND THE MEN AND WOMEN IN HIS ADMINISTRATION
THOSE WHO ARE CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THEM (SECRET SERVICE, U.S. MILITARY)
• Ask the Lord to thwart any attempt to assassinate or injure the President and his family. Declare that any and all curses against the office of President of the United States have been nullified and removed. • "Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, And stand up for my help. Also draw out the spear, And stop those who pursue me." (Psalm 35:1-3)
3. HUNDREDS OF IRAQI CITIZENS MURDERED IN TERRORIST RAMPAGE
a. Iraq: Over 230 murdered in terror attack on Thursday The carnage over a 24-hour period amounted to one of the worst spasms of violence since the Americans toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. The Iraqi government maintained a tight curfew across the capital today, apparently fearful that events could spiral into full-scale civil war. Hundreds of mourners poured into the streets of Sadr City to join processions of minibuses and sedans carrying wooden coffins.
b. Record Iraqi deaths in October
More Iraqi civilians were killed in October than in any other month since the American invasion in 2003, a rise that underscored the growing cost of Iraq’s deepening sectarian war. According to the report, 3,709 Iraqis were killed in October, up slightly from the previous high in July, and an increase of about 11 percent from the number in September. (NYT)
• Intercede for the exposure and thwarting of any planned terrorist attacks, both in the U.S. and abroad. Pray for the apprehension and arrest of terrorist organizers, and the breakup of "sleeper cells" and networks. Intercede for President George Bush, Vice President Richard Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Defense Bob Gates, UN Ambassador John Bolton, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace and all involved in U.S. foreign policy. Pray that they receive wisdom, especially regarding Israel, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, North Korea and Sudan.
• “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. . . He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him." (Daniel 2:20-22) (Source: IFA)
4. IRAQI LEADERS APPEAL FOR UNITY, PEACE
Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish leaders called on Sunday for an end to Iraq's sectarian conflict and vowed to track down those responsible for the war's deadliest attack. But as they spoke on national television in an effort to keep Iraq from sliding into an all-out civil war, fierce fighting between Iraqi security forces and Sunni-Arab insurgents raged for a second day in Baqouba, the capital of Diyala province north of Baghdad. On Saturday, officials including Defense Minister Abdul-Qader al-Obaidi and Gen. George Casey, Iraq's top U.S. commander in Iraq, met and decided to fire Diyala's police commander, saying he was unable to stop infiltration of the force by Sunni insurgents, two Iraqi officials said on condition of anonymity.
After holding another meeting of Iraq's Political Council for National Security in Baghdad on Sunday to discuss Iraq's crisis, Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al- Maliki, Sunni Parliament speaker Mahmoud al- Mashhadani and Kurdish President Jalal Talabani made a joint statement on state-run TV. "We promise the great martyrs that we will chase the killers and criminals, the terrorists, Saddamists and Takfiri [Sunni extremists] for viciously trying to divide you," they said, referring to the 215 people who died when Sunni insurgents attacked Sadr City, the capital's main Shiite district, on Thursday. Al-Maliki also urged his national unity government of Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds to end their public disputes and curb the sectarian violence sweeping through cities such as Baqouba. "The crisis is political, and it is the politicians who must try to prevent more violence and bloodletting. The terrorist acts are a reflection of the lack of political accord," al-Maliki said. (AP)
• In addition to praying for the American authorities, listed above, lift up all Iraqi authorities, too, as they grapple with the rising tide of violence in their own nation. • "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)
• The only true path to peace is the knowledge of Jesus Christ ("Isa" in Arabic) in our hearts -- the Prince of Peace. Intercede for the safety of those who are in Iraq now, sharing the Gospel in this war-torn nation. May God grant each one numerous opportunities to share the Good News with those who surely need His Hope, His Comfort, and His Peace now. • "“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound . . ." (Isaiah 61:1)
5. REPORT: IRAQ INSURGENCY HAS FUNDS TO SUSTAIN ITSELF
The insurgency in Iraq is now self-sustaining financially, raising tens of millions of dollars a year from oil smuggling, kidnapping, counterfeiting, connivance by corrupt Islamic charities and other crimes that the Iraqi government and its American patrons have been largely unable to prevent, a classified United States government report has concluded. The report, obtained by The New York Times, estimates that groups responsible for many insurgent and terrorist attacks are raising $70 million to $200 million a year from illegal activities. It says $25 million to $100 million of that comes from oil smuggling and other criminal activity involving the state-owned oil industry, aided by “corrupt and complicit” Iraqi officials. As much as $36 million a year comes from ransoms paid for hundreds of kidnap victims, the report says. It estimates that unnamed foreign governments — previously identified by American officials as including France and Italy — paid $30 million in ransom last year.
A copy of the seven-page report was made available to The Times by American officials who said the findings could improve understanding of the challenges the United States faces in Iraq. The report offers little hope that much can be done to choke off soon insurgent revenues. It acknowledges how little the American authorities in Iraq know about crucial aspects of insurgent operations andpaints an almost despairing picture of the Iraqi government’s ability, or willingness, to take steps to cut off the insurgency’s financing. “If accurate,” the report says, its estimates indicate that these “sources of terrorist and insurgent finance within Iraq — independent of foreign sources — are currently sufficient to sustain the groups’ existence and operation.” To this, it adds what may be its most surprising conclusion: “In fact, if recent revenue and expense estimates are correct, terrorist and insurgent groups in Iraq may have surplus funds with which to support other terrorist organizations outside of Iraq.” (NYT)
• Our Lord God, ruler of the universe, can cut off funds that supply the terrorists with weapons and personnel. Ask the Lord to reveal exact details about these avenues that the terrorists are using to fund their activities in Iraq and around the world, including the USA. Goliah only thought that he was invincible; David trusted in the Lord, and so must we. • " ...that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands." (I Samuel 17:47)
6. AHMADINEJAD: IRAN "READY TO HELP" U.S. WITH IRAQ TURMOIL
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Sunday hewould help the United States calm Iraq if Washington changes what he described as its "bullying" policy toward Iran. But the Islamic Republic denied reports that it was trying to organize a summit bringing together Ahmadinejad and the leaders of Iraq and Syria. Reports of a meeting came as the Bush administration is under increased pressure at home to approach Iran and Syria for help in Iraq. Such a measure is believed to be one of the recommendations by a panel on Iraq led by former Secretary of State James A. Baker III.
"We are ready to help you," Ahmadinejad declared while addressing a group of members of the Basij paramilitary group, affiliated with the elite Revolutionary Guard. Julie Reside, a State Department spokesman, responded that Iran's offer was nothing new. "The Iranians have made comments similar to this in the past," she said. Mohammed Ali Hosseini, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, said a summit involving Iraq and Syria was never on Iran's agenda. However, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani was scheduled to visit Tehran on Saturday but had to postpone his trip until Baghdad's airport — closed in a security clampdown after the violence — reopens.
Iran's lack of transparency about its nuclear program and other issues has increased suspicions by the U.S. and several of its Western allies. (FOXNews.com)
• Ahmadinejad, if nothing else, displays an ironic sense of humor in chastising the USA for our "bullying" policies and then offering to help us with Iraq. If he has that much wisdom, then he should stop funding terrorists in Iraq and threatening Israel with annihilation. Pray that the US will not heed any counsel from this anti-Christ type of man and that his words are like vapors in the wind. Speak confusion into any plans that would involve the enemies of Israel and the USA. • "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished." (Proverbs 16:5)
7. LEBANESE LEADER ASSASSINATED
(Please see our detailed, special report, following this edition of the OCAP.)
8. ISRAELI CEASEFIRE IN RETURN FOR PARTIAL ARAB TRUCE
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Saturday night agreed to withdraw all troops from the Gaza area and cease anti-terrorist actions in return for a halt to terrorist attacks from the region. However, at least one of the terrorist organizations denied a Hamas claim it agreed to the partial truce, which is to take effect at 6 a.m. Sunday (11 p.m. Saturday night EST). Prime Minister Olmert said Israel will abide by the truce so long as there are no violations by the PA.
Two days ago, the Israeli government rejected a proposal by terrorist organizations that they halt rocket fire, but not other terrorist attacks, in return for a total halt to counter-terrorist actions by Israel throughout Judea, Samaria and Gaza.The latest Palestinian Authority (PA) offer includes a ban on suicide bombings and other attacks but only from the Gaza area, and it does not mention the smuggling of arms and terrorists.
Israel's promise to stop retaliating against terrorists in the Gaza area also does not refer to similar activity in Judea and Samaria.
Israel wants to see quiet in the Gaza Strip, but terrorists two fired rockets at Israel after the agreement was announced. Between Friday and midnight Israeli time Saturday night, Arab terrorists had fired 12 rockets at the western Negev.
Terrorist leaders warned that if Israel did not follow suit, with a halt to all counter-terrorist actions, they would consider escalating attacks. Saturday night's cease fire agreement came hours after Khaled Meshaal, the Hamas leader based in Damascus, threatened a new and more violent Intifada if Israel does not give up in six months all parts of the country that were re-gained in the Six-Day War in 1967. He also made the remarks after meeting with Egyptian leaders concerning IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, whom terrorists kidnapped in June in a deadly strike on an IDF Gaza crossing position in Israel.
Neither Prime Minister Olmert nor Abbas referred to Shalit in their phone discussion Saturday, but Meshaal's visit to Cairo may be a sign that Hamas is prepared for serious discussions for releasing the soldier. The Hamas leader previously had cancelled at least two planned visits to Cairo, sending junior officials instead. (www.israelnationalnews.com)
• Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, where policies being made affect the whole nation of Israel. So much violence has occurred in Israel since Sharon forced Israelis out of Gaza, now a refuge and storage place for terrorism of all kinds. Ask the Lord to bring the young soldier Shalit home without further delay. Pray that Israel will put her trust in the Lord God of Israel and forget about men's counsel. • "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." (Psalm 138:7)
9. RUSSIA SENDS DEFENSE SYSTEM TO IRAN
Russia has begun delivery of Tor-M1 air defense missile systems to Iran, a Defense Ministry official said Friday, confirming that Moscow would proceed with arms deals with Tehran in spite of Western criticism. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the issue, declined to specify when the deliveries had been made and how many systems had been delivered. Ministry officials have previously said Moscow would supply 29 of the sophisticated missile systems to Iran under a $700 million contract signed in December, according to Russian media reports.
The United States called on all countries last spring to stop all arms exports to Iran, as well as ending all nuclear cooperation with it to put pressure on Tehran to halt uranium enrichment activities. Israel, too, has severely criticized arms deals with Iran. Tehran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but the United States and its allies suspect Iran is trying to develop weapons.
The UN Security Council, where Russia is a veto- wielding permanent member, is currently stalemated on the severity of sanctions on Iran for defying its demand to cease uranium enrichment. The Tor-M1 deal, involving conventional weapons, does not violate any international agreements.
Russian officials say that the missiles are purely defensive weapons with a limited range. According to the Interfax news agency, the Tor-M1 system can identify up to 48 targets and fire at two targets simultaneously at a height of up to 6,000 meters (20,000 feet). Russian media have reported previously that Moscow had conducted talks on selling even more powerful long-range S-300 air defense missiles, but Russian officials have denied that. (AP)
• What a friend we have in Jesus but certainly not in Russia! Please pray for wisdom for Russia and other countries who are more interested in money from arms sales than in safety for the nations. Continue to pray for protection for Israel, for these missiles can easily reach Israel. Ask the Lord to reveal where these missiles are being delivered and where stored and what strategies can be executed to render them disfunctional. • "Riches profit not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death." (Proverbs 11:4)
10. NETANYAHU -- IT'S 1938 AND IRAN IS GERMANY
(Please see article below for indepth report.)
11. MEMBERS OF A "LOST TRIBE OF ISRAEL" RETURN TO ZION
TEL AVIV – About 50 Jews from a group of thousands in India that believes it is one of the 10 "lost tribes" of Israel landed here today, (Wednesday) fulfilling for many a life-long dream of returning to what they consider their homeland. "I truly believe this is a miracle of immense historical and even biblical significance," Michael Freund, chairman of Shavei Israel, the organization leading the charge for the return of the tribe. "Just as the prophets foretold so long ago, the lost tribes of Israel are being brought back from the exile," Freund said.
For a decade, Freund's group has been working to facilitate the immigration to Israel of the Bnei Menashe, about 7,000 Indian citizens who believe they are the descendants of Manasseh, one of biblical patriarch Joseph's two sons, and a grandson of Jacob. The tribe lives in the two Indian states of Mizoram and Manipur, to which they claim to have been exiled from Israel more than 2,700 years ago by the Assyrian empire. The group, which has preserved ancient Jewish customs and rituals, has been trying the past 50 years to return to Israel. Over the last decade, Freund's Shavei Israel, working with other organizations, brought about 800 Bnei Menashe members to the Jewish state. Many settled in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. (WorldNetDaily, 11/22/06)
• Praise God for this great breakthrough for the Bnei Menashe. Praise God for the persistent work of Michael Freund and others who have worked tirelessly to see this wonderful day. • “Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD brings back the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.” (Psalm 14:7)
