Exloring Life Eternal

Pierre Gemayel was a Lebanese politician who sought to establish peace in Lebanon, but was assasinated for his attempts to unite the remaining Christian community in Lebanon through the bond of peace and reconciliation. Please join with Windows International Network in praying for ...

The family of Pierre Gemayel to sense God’s peace, comfort and strength during this difficult time.

God’s wisdom, leading and guidance for Prime Minister Fuad Saniora and his Cabinet as they respond to Gemayel’s assassination.

Justice for those responsible for Gemayel’s slaying.
Gemayel’s assassination not to lead to a full-blown Lebanese civil war. Pray protection from hatred, violence and chaos.

The Church to realize the importance of its role in intercession and stand in the gap in this very crucial time in the history of Lebanon.

The Lord to either change the hearts of corrupt rulers or remove them from their posts. Pray for righteousness in the government. Pray for rulers who will father the nation with love for the people and the nation.

The walls between Lebanese churches to continue to fall and Believers will come together in unity. Division is one of the biggest strongholds of the nation. Pray for the Lord to send a spirit of humility to the Church and the nation. Pride is another stronghold in the country.

The Lord’s perfect plan for Lebanon and the neighboring 10/40 Window nations to be fulfilled.

A spiritual revival, for thirst and hunger for the Lord all throughout the Middle East.

Sources: The Associated Press, Catholic News, Assyrian International News Agency, Jerusalem Post, Operation World and World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission.

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Prayer requests received from http://www.win1040.com. Contact WIN for the full article.

We rejoice in seeing a small but growing band of workers on the field. As people come from various backgrounds and mindsets, differences of opinion do arise and methods of working and relating to each other are not always compatible. This is sometimes made worse by the need to report to supporting groups along with pressure to show results.

However, we know that as Believers in Christ, we are all of One Body. Though different members, though unique in our giftings and methods, the vision is One--to Reach those He has called to Christ. This is what unites us. Satan may want to use differences to cause division, but as we focus on the Vision, we learn to appreciate the differences and bless one another in the unique way the Lord seeks to use each one. Pray for us, that our focus will be on the unity of Purpose in Christ and that we will not allow Satan to sidetrack us from our work by not appreciating the special ways the Lord chooses to use each member in His Mission.

"Disciple All Nations" - This was the command of Jesus & it includes sharing the message that Jesus is Lord to all cultures & communities within the USA, as well as at the ends of the earth & around the islands.

The Ethnic Worker's Network is a Network of People who are committed to 1 thing: the Honor of our Father as all peoples pray to Him through the First-Born from the Dead.

To Learn More
http://www.ethnic-america.net/

Q: Why did Peter deny the Lord after insisting that he wouldn't??

A: He was a sinner. One example of this that is recorded is that he had just sliced off the ear of the high priest where he ended up denying the Lord. Perhaps he saw the healed servant there. Perhaps it was one more example of the ups & downs of his (& our) human nature.

In John 18:10 Peter is recorded as being the disciple who sliced off Malchus' ear.

"Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)" (NIV)
(Cross reference: Matt 26:51; Mark 14:47)
(I'm aware of no textual variants on John 18:10).

One online commentary:
18:10 The incident mentioned in this verse again contains details which imply eyewitness testimony. It is mentioned in all three of
the synoptic gospels, but only John records that the disciple involved was Peter, whose impulsive behavior has already been alluded to (13:37). Likewise only John tells us the name of the victim, Malchus, who is described as “the servant of the high priest.” John and Mark (14:47) both use a double diminutive to describe what was cut off,
and this may indicate only part of the right ear (for example, the earlobe).
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=2714

The right earlobe was to be atoned in the ordination of the high priest according to OT Levitical law.

It is my opinion that the synoptic Gospels did not include Peter's name for 2 reasons:
A. Peter was still alive at the time of their writing.
B. The writers of the synoptics did not want Peter to get in trouble with the Law.

Lesson: put away all violence, both verbal & physical. Do not retaliate. May God enable me to do this in my heart as well as actions & words.

- MJH.

A friend asked about "Alexander/Iskandar" the pagan Grecian conqueror being mentioned in the Quran. A Muslim acquaintance had never heard of such.

===
A. Are Abraham Lincoln, Lenin & Stalin, or Columbus mentioned in the Q
document, in the same conquistadorian vein of reasoning? Ah, but they
are post-Mo folks (though I doubt Islam would have reached the
Americans without Columbus).

B. Are any Chinese leaders mentioned in the Q document?

C. What about Indian leaders / conquerors that spread regional
ideologies before Islam hit the subcontinent?

Rhetorical questions ... but the idea of conquest as Islam / Islam as
conquest seems to keep the problem in focus rather than providing any
solution.

Here are some more sober questions:
1. How does one conquer the human heart & tongue, and their fallen tendencies?

2. What does this reveal of the uniquely Goodness of the News which we share?

When a soul savors the Flavor of forgiveness,
it knows the Father's favor in the Lord.
This is the kind of salt that
removes the rot & makes right.

In Christ Jesus the Victor,
Mert H.

We continue to hear stories of people being visited in their dreams and visions. One girl tells of the night she saw a man dressed in white who promised to bring her peace. She came from a troubled home situation and the idea of receiving peace was very attractive to her.

Praise that she followed through on her dream and sought out a believer who could introduce her to the Prince of Peace. Pray for her as she grows in her new faith. Lift others who have visions that they would come to a full understanding of the meaning of this revelation.

The major international press has not noticed what has been happening in Rio city just lately. According to the media here, an army base was invaded by bandits late last week and some guns were stolen. In retaliation, and reportedly in an attempt to recover the weapons, the army has surrounded and invaded about ten of the major slums in Rio, with 1500 troops, tanks, armoured cars and helicopters, with another 1200 troops on standby. An apparenty innocent sixteen-year old boy was killed yesterday during one of these operations. (To put this operation, which is the largest in Rio in ten years, in perspective, the international peace keeping force in Haiti, which Brazil leads, has a total force of only 1200 troops). Fortunately, this is all happening a couple of hours drive away from us, although we should be visiting Rio city on Friday.
- from a Christian Worker (P.C. in Brazil near Rio de Janero)

PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF CHRIST JESUS TO REIGN

Muslims try to refashion their religion at times. But the underlying issues remain. These are the shortcomings that I see, they are needs that cannot be met with Islam:

integrity (beyond one's own capacity)
faith (beyond theory)
holiness (beyond discipline)
hope (beyond terminal illness)
truth (beyond mere tolerance)
love (beyond family ties)

Jesus alone is able to save. He alone died on the cross for Muslims. Mohammed is dead. His kingdom is not eternal. At best, it lasts up to the grave side ... & then there is no hope! If you are a muslim, repent of your false peace. If you are a follower of Jesus, proclaim the peace!

Practical advice cannot always fulfill permanent aspirations.
Pacifism cannot quell the wrath of God.

I have found the following statement to have results when talking to
Muslims locally who ask if I am a muslim:

If you mean that I believe in one God, yes.
If you mean that I am submitted to Him, yes, I lay down my arms before
the name of Lord Jesus, the Messiah.
But I do not recognize Muhammed as a prophet.

.. One man who tried to engage in a battle ended up leaving the
workplace because he could no longer face his hypocrisy. ... Another
had his eyes opened.

Reasons that Muslims should see the movie: "End of the Spear"

1. It shows revenge cycles mark primitive rather than civilized peoples.
2. It shows how to interrupt the revenge cycle.
3. It presents the Gospel in new ways.

-Bruce
bruce@oprev.org

FEBRUARY
11 Iran (Islamic Republic Of), Victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran
23 Brunei Darussalam, National Day
25 Kuwait, National Day

These are the national days of some countries of particular interest.

Holy Day Greetings:
Barakah fi al-MaLKi-Tsedek wa al-MaLKi-Salam!
Rest in the Blessing found in the True King of Righteousness & the True King of Peace! (Hebrews 7:1-17)

PRAISE:
We rejoice in the opportunity that two expatriate pastors had to share and visit with a National Muslim man they met while waiting their opportunity to greet the rulers during the mourning of Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum in Dubai. Praise the Lord for divine appointments!

PETITION:
Pray for the MBBs and tentmakers in Kuwait as they have conversations with National Muslims during the mourning period for Sheikh Jabber Al Sabbagh, the ruler of Kuwait. Pray that the new ruler will allow even more religious freedom for Christians.

Please lift up “Franklin” and “Gene” – two National Muslims that are seriously seeking for God. Ask that God would continue to draw them unto Himself. Pray that they will find fellowship through each other, through other local believers or seekers, and/or through further contact with their tentmaker friend – as God desires.

A leading tentmaking family have some big decisions to make regarding a potential new role. Please pray that they will hear clearly from God on this. Pray for clarity of vision and oneness of spirit between us as a couple. There are a lot of difficult barriers which stand in the way if they say yes. Pray for faith to pursue God and trust the barrier-clearing to Him.

Pray for the Bible Society here - for God to raise up a new leader and for his visa to be completed without delay or problem. Pray for God's continued anointing on the current leader as he and his family move on to another location. Pray for this work in the region, for distribution of Bibles and scriptures, especially to poor and migrant workers.

Praise God that he is bringing more workers to live, work and be a witness to His saving grace in Qatar! Pray that the new tentmakers will have discernment in finding housing, enrolling in new schools, arranging transportation and building friendships with National Muslims.

TESTIMONY:
The volunteers came and went. They did some good and their hearts were changed. Perhaps some will return to serve the Lord in this hot and barren land. Direct impact is hard to measure, but one example of partnership at it's best came out during this short term outreach. Through one of several projects the volunteers did that summer, a relationship was born between a long-term tentmaker and “Franklin” (not his real name). Franklin is a National Muslim who is seriously seeking for God. But that relationship was made possible because Franklin had been listening to Christian radio broadcasts, and had questions. This tentmaker seemed like someone who could answer his questions and be trusted. Interestingly though Franklin was not afraid to ask his questions in front of his peers - not usually the case in this environment where persecution is common. The initial questions led to a visit and more discussion of the questions. The answers were not really found in the words of the tentmaker, but in the Book that was given to Franklin and his friend “Gene” as a gift. They so enjoyed their time of reading the Words of God in their own Arabic! Some time has passed since anyone has heard from Franklin and Gene. It wasn’t known whether Franklin and Gene were still reading the book, still listening to the radio, or still asking questions. But just in the past few weeks, Franklin called the tentmaker after a long silence and has now begun to re-establishment the relationship. Hopefully this will lead to another face-to-face visit in the near future.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray through the heart of the Muslim world so that church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

====
To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit:
http://www.srginc.org

Or write:
ptap@srginc.org

Or:
PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

===========
Note that several government authorities are passing & we are praying for their successors & peace in these lands @ a time when one land remembers the struggle for Freedom & Civil rights. There is no Greater Right than to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ & to thus be called a child of God as you pursue His peace daily with others.

Indonesia - ACEH REBELS OFFICIALLY DISARMED: Ending the 30-year insurgency

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In an answer to prayer, the civil war in Indonesia's Aceh province may be over after Free Aceh Movement rebels officially disarmed on Tuesday, December 27, effectively ending a 30-year insurgency one year after the tsunami destroyed their battlefield.

Christian groups working in Indonesia said peace talks between the rebels and the government were already underway prior to the December 26, 2004 tsunami. However, once the disaster struck, it forced the two parties to work together.

Many experts agree that the tsunami opened the door for humanitarian aid, relationship building and the potential for evangelistic work.

However, prayer remains essential. Thousands of people around the world have been praying for this region during the Praying Through The Window initiatives for more than a decade. Intercessors have prayed for this region because Indonesia is an area that has endured great persecution, even recently with many teenagers being beheaded. The hostility towards Christians may not stop overnight, but the absence of armed conflict is obviously going to be a good thing for the people of Banda Aceh.

The December 27 action paves the way for the guerrillas to transform themselves into candidates in provincial elections in April, in which they expect to win strong support. The Aceh rebels' army disbanding, which took effect immediately, is a key step in a peace plan born out of the devastation wrought by the tsunami to end an insurgency that has left at least 15,000 people dead.

"We are entering a political era now, we do not need weapons anymore," Sofyan Daud, one of the group's commanders, said.

The announcement came shortly after rebel representatives met with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Banda Aceh, the capital of the province that was the area worst hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami.

Under the peace accord, the government has agreed to withdraw its troops from Aceh, grant the province broad autonomy and allow former rebels to stand in the elections. The rebels agreed to disarm and disband.

The December 2004 tsunami left at least 156,000 of the province's people dead or missing and a half-million more homeless.

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Prayer Points

Please pray for:

* Praise God for this major step in bringing peace to the Banda Aceh area. Pray that one of Southeast Asia's longest separatist conflicts will come to an end in 2006. Pray also that Islamic oppression of the Acehnese will end.

* Thank the Lord that so many people found Christ in Indonesia during 2005. Praise God that the light continues to dispel the darkness. Pray that 2006 will be a great year for the Gospel in Indonesia.

* Thank God that the three Indonesian Sunday school teachers, who were jailed in September 2005 for allegedly forcing Muslim children to become Christians, are being used mightily by the Lord. Pray that God will continue to protect Rebekka Zakaria, Eti Pangesti and Ratna Bangun. Pray also that they will gain justice.

* Three men on death row (Tibo, Dominggus and Marinus), who are due to be executed shortly after a grossly unjust trials. They are accused of defending their people against jihadist attacks while the government stood by and did nothing to protect them.

* The revision of government regulations regarding church buildings in Indonesia, which is not proceeding well and needs divine intervention.

* Christian relief organizations working in tsunami areas to be allowed to continue to work without government or rebel interference.

* The 2005 increase in persecution of Christians in Indonesia to decline in 2006.

* Christians to be allowed to worship and live in peace as they rebuild their lives devastated by the December 2004 tsunami.

Sources: Mission Network News, The Associated Press, IndonesiaWatch, Open Doors USA
====
RCVD from:
Window International Network [win@win1040.com]
for other relevant news: goto: http://www.win1040.com

Tunisia - Pray that Tunisian society will more openly accept the existence of Tunisian Christians, thereby reducing the pressure on new Believers from their extended families.

Somalia – Lord, as many representatives from the UN, the World Bank, donors, and NGOs meet in Kenya to discuss the future of Somalia, which has remained without a functioning government for 14 years, we ask that You would bless them with Your wisdom as they try and rebuild this broken land.

Jordan – Pray for greater tolerance by society of those who choose to follow Christ and an end to the practice of labeling people as apostates. Pray for stability following the bomb attacks of November 9, 2005.

Eritrea - We pray for Pastor Oqbamichael Tekle-Haimonot who was recently released from prison on bail after suffering a breakdown caused by the conditions he was subjected to in prison. Pray that God will sustain and strengthen him and his family and bring healing to his mind, body, and spirit.

Syria - Pray for those who choose to follow Jesus Christ, that they will stand firm against intense family pressure

West Bank & Gaza - Pray that Christians would be protected from violence, whether committed by Israelis or Palestinians.

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Copyright © Window International Network. http://www.win1040.com

Hi David,

This book was one that you commented on more ... & the notes you gave also showed something I have noticed about most people: we tend to get our perspective messed with when we engage with another/our own culture for a long period of time. Many missionaries to Arab countries have a slightly more Palestinian perspective. I sometimes wonder, "Why can't we all just get along?" But then, I remember that this is really only possible at the foot of the cross of Jesus, when we realize that the Lord Jesus effected reconciliation for those who will receive it.

...
Peace in Christ Jesus,
Mert

-----Original Message ==>with comment-----
Book Notes by David Mays See more book notes at www.davidmays.org

UNDERSTANDING IRAQ: The Whole Sweep of Iraqi History
William R. Polk
HarperCollins, 2005, 219 pp., ISBN 0-06-06468-6

“Nationalization of the IPC (foreign petroleum conglomerate) was perhaps the most popular move Saddam ever made. It is difficult for foreigners, particularly modern Americans, to understand how bitter the Iraqis were about foreign domination.” (127)

==> My wife is from Indonesia. Aceh had long been a sore spot with Indonesians about USA interferance & "raiding" of oil. Indeed, most American men-Indonesian women couples that we know were involved with the oil trade. Dirty business & a means of spreading Islam in many instances, sad to say!

By God's tremendous grace the tsunami came. Since then Indonesians (including my wife) have come to see that not all those who hold American passports enter their land to steal resources. Which, of course, makes things a little more pleasant when we discuss matters of global politics (Happily, this is not as frequent now). She had also been moved to help raise funds for the region ... & God moved in the hearts of those we knew to give rather generously. I think that if we as the church were to really pray for the worst situations / conflicts, then even greater things would happen.

=====
In 1983 the U.S. identified with the Iraq cause. According to Polk, “To this end, the United States either supplied directly or arranged for others to supply conventional weapons, cluster bombs, anthrax, and other biological weapons materials as well as components for nuclear weapons and equipment to manufacture poison gas.” (132, footnote) [Polk cites a German newspaper article (footnote, p. 146). But I find it difficult to believe. dlm]

==> I do not see why it would be difficult to believe the factual basis for this. The greater question seems to be rather, why would God permit the USA to become so corrupt & yet still have such power? I can only think of one reason: there are still those who go out & spread the good news. Under Clinton, the USA could have had Osama bin-Laden & tried him for involvement with the earlier car bomb in the Twin Towers, but the US declines. ... then the USA reaped the consequences. The USA government is one more rod in the hands of God. But the question we must face is: will the church be willing to serve as the Lord's staff, gathering the flock to Himself? I googled "Iran Iraq USA 1983" and came up with a couple of interesting links rather quickly. Some of the conspiracy sort, yes. But that is essentially what most political books are about anyways.

=====
[That Saddam sold the food for arms, allowing his people to starve, is openly admitted but receives no condemnation here. dlm]

The facts speak for themselves. Saddam will one day have to report to a higher authority (God). However, my understanding is that Polk is a USA citizen ... he is therefore called upon to first call the USA to account. Why should he meddle with other nations before critiquing his own government?

=====
In a 2003 interview with Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, he “cut me off, saying that ‘America has long since decided to attack Iraq and nothing Iraq could do would prevent it.’” (169) [Polk seems to have taken this statement at face value and judged all else by it. dlm]

==> I agree with you here. This is the key problem: listening to politicians too much. They can be sly foxes at times! They want to stay in power & that means "protecting" their own people (i.e. saying what will make them/us feel good = re-election / re-appointment).

=====
American ideologically-driven Neo-Conservatives “proclaimed that America had the right, indeed the obligation, to impose its way of life on the whole world. Iraq was an early step in what was to be a new ‘crusade,’ which would be accomplished by warfare, essentially unending and everywhere.” (186-87)
[Polk’s political bias is stated strongly here! dlm]

==> I am personally concerned about a seeming open acceptance / sometimes delight/comfort in war that is too readily received in the church. I believe we must remember to keep the Good News as our mission, not political aspirations or international expansion & "homeland security." The Methodist Church lost the advance of the Gospel after the Revolutionary war when they put politics ahead of an independent stand. During the Revolutionary War, they were the one church movement that grew. Why? Because they preached a Jesus who was Lord over both the USA & Britain (& the whole earth!) In time they lost view of the Lord's sovereign holiness as a movement & the Lord has shown himself to/through other movements more effectively in later times.

=====
"Those Iraqis who aspire to complete sovereignty are prepared to create complete insecurity." (193)

==> "complete sovereignty" that certainly sounds like a devilish way of putting it! This has the same meaning in English as the Hebrew idiom "knowing good & evil." I take it that this is an exact quote. Indeed, radical independence always tends towards chaos!

"I will both lay down in peace and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." - Psalm 4:8 (NKJV)

PRAISE:
Last year our team was working with 1 believer and now we are working with 5 new believers! May this only be the beginning of the harvest!

PETITION:
Pray for a new believer whose wife and children have discovered he has become a Christian. It is only a matter of time before the extended family finds out and he could be in serious trouble. Please pray for protection – spiritual, emotional and physical. Pray for wisdom for him. We are asking God to draw his whole family to Himself.

Pray for A, a new believer who is very open about his new belief. Due to his situation this could lead to his imprisonment or worse. Pray for protection and wisdom for him.

Pray for a Ladies Church Group in our area, whose goal is to be a safe place where female Muslim seekers and MBB's can come to observe or particpate in Christian worship. Pray for interested seekers & for a local MBB who will be invited for the first time this week. Pray for wise leadership, and for a gifted worship leader to be part of the group.

Pray for a missionary family who has a great ministry for 10 years in the region. Due to financial struggles of some main supporters in their home country, they are below their target support level. They may need to leave the work in order to raise more support. Please pray God will raise up the needed funds and wisdom in this situation.

Pray for more workers for Oman. Pray that God would lay the country on the hearts of men and women - both to intercede and to come and work here. Pray for open doors into suitable employment in order to secure residency visas.

TESTIMONY:
A tentmaking couple that had been on their field for a number of years and had seen God at work over and over have recently shared this story. Their ministry was going well, and God had given them a number of really dramatic answers to prayer. Muslims were hearing the Gospel, some had received Bibles, literature, videos and cassette tapes. They had led one Muslim man to Christ and discipled another. Now, it seemed as if the Enemy were retaliating against the work God was doing through them.

Their second child, four-year-old Lydia, was having frequent nightmares. The couple decided to make it a habit to say an extra prayer with her every night after she was tucked in bed. They quoted Scriptures and asked the Lord to protect her and give her good dreams. Some nights she got through alright, but many she didn’t. Seeking the solution, they began having Lydia memorize pertinent verses, and teaching her how to pray for herself more specifically. However, their daughter continued waking up terrified three or four times a night. The parents were becoming exhausted as the nightmares continued night after night. They sought God’s wisdom in this matter. One night, the mom told her daughter the next time she has a nightmare to ask Jesus to help her. He has more power than her mom and dad, she should seek His comfort.

When the mom woke the next morning she realized that her child slept through the night without waking the whole house for the first time in weeks. The mom rushed to the child’s room to find her sound asleep in her bed. Later on in the morning the daughter awoke with a smile on her lips and a song in her heart. When asked what happened during the night, the little girl responded that she did as her mom suggested – she asked Jesus to help her. She went on to explain that Jesus came into her room when she had the scary dream. He sat on her bed, patted her on the back and sang a sweet song. The bad dream went away and the girl went back to sleep.

There are no more sleepless nights in their rural home in the desert due to little girls and scary dreams. In fact, their daughter has comforted other children who struggled with bad dreams. She tells them that Jesus will comfort you when you cry out to Him. Praise the Lord for His work in this young girl’s life, for the Biblical truths she has solidly stored in her heart and for the blessings brought to her parents.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray through the heart of the Muslim world so that church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

====
To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit:
http://www.srginc.org

Or write:
ptap@srginc.org

Or:
PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

October 31, 2005

"I leave peace with you: I give you My peace!" - Jesus

PRAISE:
For the good report a key tentmaker in the Arabian Peninsula has had regarding his cancer treatment. The doctors are encouraged by his progress and response to the chemotherapy.

PETITION:
Pray for the following prominent business and political families in Saudi Arabia: Al Jaffali family, the Al Jamjoom family and the Al Gusaibi family. All of these families have major influences in all sectors of society in their respective regions.

Pray that Arabian Peninsula Muslims would see that Islam does not provide the answers that they need in life, and that they would hunger to find the truth. Pray that they would search for truth and find it.

Pray that God will bring more workers for the harvest - many people with a heart to reach the lost and the faith in Him to come to this harsh region.

Qatar is in the process of adopting a new constitution. Pray for further changes regarding the legal recognition of churches, especially for the size restriction to be removed.

With only a few days left of Ramadan (month of fasting), this is the time of year where people pray with increased intensity and fervor. Please pray that Jesus would show Himself to those who are seeking revelation. Ask that the Lord would arrange divine appointments with tentmakers in their lives.

TESTIMONY:
In the past few months, I have been so amazed at what God is doing. We are seeing an increase in spiritual interest, new believers and other miraculous events. The following is an exciting story from a worker in our city and his Arab friend, Baraka.

They broke the fast at an outdoor cafe. There Baraka told him about encountering the Holy Spirit last Friday, how "God was there in my house". He had sent a text to the tentmaker very distraught over a big fight between his parents. The worker called him, prayed for him over the phone, and they both said we'd keep praying. Come to find out, a local Arab fellowship just happened to be praying for him that night, too!

Anyway, Baraka talked about crying out to God in desperation. He had come to the end of his abilities and strength, and needed God to do something. He really humbled himself before God. He said he talked to God like was really there, "like the Christians do." All of a sudden, he felt a cool tingling in his chest that grew and spread throughout his whole body. It covered him with peace. Then he said it felt as if someone was actually touching him, stroking his head, his back, and his arm…amazing. He grew so peaceful that he crawled into bed and slept about 20 minutes. When he woke up, everyone was still going at it in the front room. He said he realized how blinded they all were by Satan. There was such compassion in his voice as he told this story. He walked out into the middle of it all and said simply, "God is watching us." Suddenly, everything stopped. His mom went to her room to pray and his sister, too. And his brother and dad sat on the couch, dumbfounded!
at what had just happened. This is particularly significant, because the tentmaker had prayed that Jesus would give Baraka the authority to bring peace into his family. Praise God! So Baraka became a firm believer in intimacy with God, and the power that comes from that. "Can God do this all the time?" He wants that, connects it on some level to Jesus, and asked to start reading the New Testament with the tentmaker. Praise the Lord!

<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray through the heart of the Muslim world so that church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

====
To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit:
http://www.srginc.org

Or write:
ptap@srginc.org

Or:
PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

Lebanon, Middle East

Leader: Prime Minister Fouad Siniora
Dominant Religion: Sunni and Shia Islam
Christians: 23-30%
Persecution Ranking: Not Ranked

"Lebanon has been wracked with war and civil war for decades," reports Light the Window, the prayer guide edited by Floyd McClung. But this "once beautiful Mediterranean country" has begun to recover. The Syrian army which had maintained a military presence in Lebanon since 1976, withdrew after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on February 14th 2005. Since then, there have been several bomb attacks, mostly in Christian communities.

Lebanon officially recognizes 18 religious groups including Sunni and Shia Islam, Druze, and Christian. In fact, the political structure allocates senior positions to specified religious groups. Religious freedom, granted by the Lebanese constitution, is respected. Citizens may change the religion denoted on their identity cards to reflect personal choice. However, society in general is not accepting of such changes. Further, the government is fearful that citizens changing religion may ignite inter-community tensions. People from all religious backgrounds are choosing to follow Christ. They do face societal and family pressure, and some are forced to move to other more Christian parts of the country.

<+><
Prayer points:

= Pray for Prime Minister Siniora and his government as they seek to establish a new era in Lebanese politics following the withdrawal of the Syrian army.

= Pray for those who choose to follow Christ and face hostility from their families.

= Pray that Jesus Christ will be made known in the midst of ethnic tensions and diversity.

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Dear LORD Jesus, we thank You for the extensive network of Christian schools in Lebanon that are held in high esteem. Continue to bless these schools, we pray, that they would continue to provide good education and honor your name. Bring greater stability and a sense of national good to this religiously diverse land. We pray that the Almighty God would be made known in the midst of ethnic tensions and diversity. Amen.
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Sources: LifeAgape International, Barnabus Fund, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Forum 18 News Service, Jubilee Campaign, Middle East Concern, Open Doors International, and 3P Ministries.
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"Copyright © 2005, Window International Network. All rights reserved."

Ah, a bank is standing ready to offer a loan ... sounds like how the Israelite's ended up in Egypt for years.

You can donate through them ...
You can borrow from them ...
You can repay them ... later, and again.
Notice the endnotes: You will still have to pay interest!!
You may lose all your blessings at any time, at the bank's discretion. How kind!

Is it not good that the cross of Christ is not so whimsical or unreliable? Is it not good that we can daily draw on the store of credit established through the blood of Jesus? Indeed, his life sustains us!! You say, I'm too bad, too evil. Good news folks!! Jesus welcomes both bad & good to the banquet! Rejoice & fear not! While there may be many in the Salvation Army who really are not acquainted with the good news, the Lord's Army daily does His will in proclaiming His glory! What love, what mercy!!

Peace,

Mert

----- from askus@regions.com -----
From: Regions Bank <askus@regions.com>
Reply-To: Regions Bank
Dear customer:

As one of the largest banks on the Gulf Coast and in Louisiana, Regions
is grateful for the opportunity to work with our customers and
associates to rebuild our communities in the devastating aftermath of
Hurricane Katrina and now, also in the wake of Hurricane Rita. We wanted
to update you on what we are doing to assist our customers and
associates in the affected areas during these difficult times.

- Regions Bank branches are accepting donations for disaster relief
for the American Red Cross and Salvation Army.
- We are matching contributions to the Regions Associate Assistance
Fund dollar-for-dollar. To date, the fund has provided more than
$230,000 in assistance for our own associates who were displaced
from the storm. We are also working to relocate those associates
and provide them jobs in our many branches that we have reopened
since the storm, or, of course, that were not impacted at all.
- In addition, Regions is offering a variety of financial resources
to assist customers, including:

-- Loan Payment Deferral -- Payment deferral on personal
installment loans and lines of credit and Right Business Line

of Credit. (Call 1-866-453-9892 to make arrangements.)
-- Discounted Rates -- Discount rate on new direct consumer
installment loans and home equity loans.* (Call Loans by
Phone, 1-800-588-1267.)
-- Mortgage Payment Deferral -- Payment deferral assistance for
Regions Mortgage loans (in hurricane affected areas).
(Call 1-800-986-2462 to make arrangements.)
-- Credit Cards -- Credit card line increases and payment
deferment.** (Call 1-800-362-6299, or 1-800-892-3219 if you
are a business credit card customer.)
-- Waived Fees -- Fees waived for retail customers on incoming
and outgoing wire transfers.* (International wire transfers
not
included.)
-- Line Increases -- Consumer line of credit and home equity
line increases.* (Call Loans by Phone 1-800-588-1267.)

Banks play a critical role in peoples' lives after a disaster, and even
though Regions did have to deal with some serious problems from
Hurricane Katrina in certain markets, we have been and will continue to
be there to make sure both our customers and others have access to their
cash and credit. Over the course of these disasters, we kept our
automatic teller machines in operation for as long as possible,
sometimes with generator power; immediately reopened as many branches as
we could when the storms had passed; and deployed our mobile ATM
capacity across the impacted areas for use by both customers and
non-customers, waiving foreign ATM fees for all.

And, in other parts of our 16-state footprint, Regions associates held
fundraisers for the Red Cross and Salvation Army, donating time, money
and clothing to these worthy charities, once again demonstrating their
commitment to our values of respect for all individuals and to -- as
always -- doing the right thing.

If you have questions about how Regions can help, please call us at
1-800-REGIONS or visit our Web site at www.regions.com . We want our
customers and associates to know that we are confident that they, we and
our communities will rebound from these natural disasters -- and that
all will be stronger than before -- especially our relationships.

Together, we will rebuild, with confidence.

Every day.

Sincerely,
Jack Moore
President and Chief Executive Officer
Regions Financial Corporation

Special services available to the residents from Hurricane Katrina and
Rita-affected areas only. These special offers are subject to change and
may be withdrawn at any time. Services to non-customers may be subject
to fees charged by other banks.
*All loans subject to credit approval.
**Regions' credit card customers in the areas deemed a natural disaster
area by FEMA will also automatically receive a 60-day payment holiday.
Credit card customers should contact 1-800-362-6299 for consumer cards
and 1-800-892-3219 for business cards to request emergency line
increases, alternative payment arrangements, overrides and other
services. Calls from credit card customers in the natural disaster area
will be given priority handling. In all cases, interest on accounts will
continue to accrue and payments will be applied in the normal fashion.

Below is a letter that was shared with some friends about why I believe the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is a message of Peace:

Dear Brother _____,

Yes, I am quite familiar with the fact that Islam is by nature a religion
that is hostile to God & no-one can ever please God by the methods which it
espouses. It has much form of godliness, but no real power. I also am 100%
aware that Islam teaches, in essence, that the best way to win in this world
& the next is to be violent. I believe Islam is false when compared to
Christ & the cross.

However, my point was to clarify that I (& others?) preach & practice
"Christ & Him crucified." We will not see Muslims come to Christ just
because we return tit-for-tat with swords or bombs or laws. Nor because we
do nice & courteous things to Muslims. Rather, because we preach the Risen
Lord & are willing to follow Him to the cross.

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. If all muslims were miraculously
redeemed & then secure in Christ, would they then continue to wage war
against non-Muslims simply because _they_ were from a Muslim background? I
sure hope not. In otherwords, the dragon may deceive & satan may use lies,
but he will ultimately lie dead at the foot of the cross.

Our security is not in national boundaries either. The Lord is our Defense.
The name of the Lord defines who we are as a people. (I am under the
distinct impression that there are members of this forum & the Body of
Christ from political states other than the USA, correct?)

I am not advocating that all people from the West evacuate the Middle East.
Quite the opposite. We need to send more there who will go in the Lord's
name. Nor do I advocate/endorse the opintion that the USA stop supporting
Israel/mediating in the regional conflict. That seems both unwise & useless
to me. Though, the USA is a straw reed compared to the Man who suffered
outside the gates of Jerusalem.

Pray for me to be a better communicator & listener, my friend.

Peace in the name of Jesus,
Mert Hershberger
PTAP@srginc.org
S.E. Michigan

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Real nice expression of a wonderful Christian faith / walk!
N.