Exloring Life Eternal

How to pray for Iraq:


Go to:
http://www.opendoorsusa.org/Display.asp?Page=prayIraq

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.

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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.

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[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?

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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).

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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.

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"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!

Iraq, Middle East

Leader: Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari
Dominant Religion: Shia Islam
Christians: 2-3%
Persecution Ranking: 21st

Iraq is diverse in many ways. Geographically, there are deserts, there are fertile lands--well watered by the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, and there are mountainous parts in the north. Ethnically and religiously, about 55% of the population is predominantly Arab Shi'ite, 20% Arab Sunni, 20% Kurdish Sunni, and 5% comprised of other groups, including Turkmen Muslims, and Armenian and Assyrian Christians. Politically, Iraq is in transition. Saddam Hussein's rule ended in April 2003. Prime Minister Jaafari now heads an interim government, working toward the approval of a new constitution and further elections. During this period of much change, the number of evangelical Protestant churches in Baghdad increased from five in January to 2003 to 15 in 2004.

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Prayer points:

= Pray for daily strength for each Christian, especially those living amidst the threat of violence and crime.
= Pray that the diversity of the Church will be a source of creativity and strength not of division and weakness.
= Pray for the establishment of peace, good government, freedom, religious liberty and democracy in Iraq.

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Dear LORD Jesus, Prince of Peace, may Your peace reign in the hearts and minds of those in Iraq who seek You. Uphold Your Church in these days. Grant success to all who are striving for peaceful and godly governance. We pray that the government of Iraq would truly be a government for all Iraqis, and that it would protect minorities including Iraqi Christians. 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, Voice of the Martyrs USA, and 3P Ministries.
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"Copyright © 2005, Window International Network. All rights reserved."

SUDAN: North Africa

Leader: President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir
Dominant Religion: Sunni Islam
Christians: 19-24%
Persecution Ranking: 19th

Since gaining independence from the British in 1956, Sudan has had only 11 years of peace. The year 1983 marked the beginning of a brutal civil war between northern and southern Sudan which spanned more than two decades. The war finally ended in January 2005, making it the longest running military conflict in Africa. In that time, two million people have died in the fighting as well as from starvation and martyrdom. A peace agreement was signed in January 2005, when John Garang, the leader of the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement, was installed as Vice-President. Southern Sudan was given permission to rule herself, at least for the next six years. However, Garang was killed in August 2005 in a helicopter crash while traveling back from Uganda. This led to widespread rioting and the loss of 130 lives. Meanwhile a humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region continues to claim lives and create thousands of refugees. Numerous restrictions on religious freedom exist, particularly in the north where, for example, apostasy carries the death penalty. The good news is that "Sudan is home to many thousands of dedicated Christians," according to the prayer guide Light the Window, and "they have been able to hold on through many atrocities because of their strong faith."

Prayer points:

Pray that, in the wake of John Garang's death, the peace agreement would hold and strengthen.

Pray for strong and effective action by the international community to bring an end to the crisis in Darfur.

Pray for the unity of the church across all denominations and ethnic groups.

Pray that the Church would be a beacon of hope and a model of reconciliation for the nation.

In spite of the horrendous persecution, pray that the LORD will use Sudanese Christians powerfully to transform their Sudan into a beacon of light and hope for all her people.

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Almighty God [our Father], we thank and praise you that the civil war has finally come to an end and pray that in these turbulent times, Sudan's leaders would continue to seek peace. We also pray for Your protection and provision for all who face oppression and displacement in Darfur. In these difficult times, we pray that Your Church would shine out as beacons of Your light, witnessing to the healing and restoration that Christ has won by his death and resurrection.

"Copyright © 2005, Window International Network. All rights reserved."

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.

Arabs Especially need Intercession based on Observation & Unity.

Please join in prayer for these Arab / Arabic influenced peoples who need the good news / to grow in grace:

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Jordan – Pray that Christian leaders and churches would work together to make Jesus Christ known in this nation.

Syria – Pray blessings upon President Bashar al-Assad and that God will grant him mercy and grace and a revelation of His great love.

Gaza Strip – Pray that God will provide wisdom and discernment for the spiritual leaders in the Gaza Strip to be able to guide believers in a spirit of unity and peace.

West Bank – Pray that all hurts, suspicions, and mistrust will be broken down between the spiritual leaders in West Bank.

Mauritania – Pray that Mauritanian political leaders will humble themselves and acknowledge their need for a Savior and the forgiveness of sins.

Sudan – Pray against the enemy and his evil plans to further war, persecution, and deception, but that a righteous government with godly leaders will be established in this nation.

Kuwait – Pray that God will strengthen the church leaders in Kuwait and that their faith would not fail.

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Mission Prayer Focus # 397

PRAY THAT THE PEOPLES OF RUSSIA, CHINA AND IRAN WILL KNOW GOD DESPITE GROWING MILITARY AND INTERNATIONAL CHANGES OCCURRING AMONG THEM

“Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5

On August 18th, the top military leaders of Russia and China shook hands as they stood on the grounds of China’s Shandong Peninsula. They were beginning a seven-day maneuver involving a joint military exercise in order to show the world that they had settled their conflicts. They are now united in a peaceful bond after decades of a Cold War rivalry. The U.S. was not asked to observe these maneuvers, while representatives from India, Iran, Pakistan and Mongolia were all invited.

There are a number of issues that are significant:

1) Russia is also now China's main source of high-technology weaponry, while the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has become an important source of foreign currency for the crumbling Russian military-industrial complex.

2) Russia and China have billions of dollars at stake with Iran. Both countries have energy supply agreements with Iran. Both countries supply weapons technology to Iran. Both countries are also interested in counterbalancing the political base of power in the Middle-East by aligning with Islamic nations against the United States and Israel. And both countries have a vital interest in keeping Iranian oil and gas flowing north. Russia warned against using force to stop Iran’s nuclear program, saying that any such action would have grave and unpredictable consequences.

3) Iran is working with Russian and Chinese scientists to perfect its missile delivery systems. Additionally, Iran has brought in top tunnel engineers from North Korea to design and help build underground facilities undetectable by the International Atomic Energy Agency and Western spy satellites.

4) Taiwan and Japan have openly expressed deep concern over the military threat of a combined force such as China, Russia and Iran.

PRAY for all believers especially in China, Russia, Iran and North Korea that they will reach the hearts of their own people who do not know God’s eternal glory and love. Pray for the military leaders that their hearts will be changed by God’s commandments and love.