PREPARING FOR SEPTEMBER (PART 2)

# 09 SEPTEMBER 2010

PRAYING FOR THE MIDDLE EAST

PRAY NOW FOR THE DIRECT PEACE TALKS THIS WEEK

The main topic for September is praying for the nations of the Middle East. As you can see from part one of the notes there is a lot going on spiritually but also politically. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have been invited to Washington to begin direct peace talks on Thursday, September 2nd ,where

President Obama will hold one-on-one talks with each of the leaders on Wednesday 1st, followed by a dinner with both of them. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the special representative of the Quartet has also been invited to attend the dinner. US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton,  will then host the first direct Israel-Palestinian negotiating session on September 2nd. These talks could have many sessions.  The leaders of Egypt and Jordan have also been invited to join in the first session of direct talks. Pray for the Hand of God to be on these leaders.

PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM AND ……

As I write, the nations of the Middle East are all on high alert for war. How much more for us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem ( Psalm 122:6) and the peace of Cairo, Tehran, Damascus, Riyadh & Amman etc. Isaiah 19 gives us prophetic hope that the Lord will do a great work and that these nations will one day worship Christ together.

‘In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria will come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the  Assyrians. In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing  in the midst of the earth, whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.’ Isa 19:23-25

How wonderful to be able to pray through this scripture promise and to claim life in Christ for these nations. Similarly Romans has this astounding scripture:

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.  And in this way all Israel will be saved … Rom 11:25-26

Let us pray for a worldwide harvest to come in, especially in the Middle East. We have recently heard of multitudes of Muslims turning to Christ in Africa, Egypt and Iran. Pray for a mighty move of God in the Land of Israel and with Jewish people everywhere. Read Ezekiel 34-39 and ponder if the real geopolitical issue is that God is vindicating the holiness of His great Name (Ez 36:23).

PRAY FOR OUR GOVERNMENT

Bottom line:   Nations are judged on how they treat the Jews. Even when Israel is going through its own hard times and judgments the Nations must not take advantage of them. How important for Canadians and the Government to be wise and generous in their support of the Jewish people without disrespecting their neighbours. See the book of Obadiah & Romans 11:28-29

I believe that  Canada is included in the multitudes in the Valley of Decision (Joel 3:14). We are part of the Quartet of Nations that has taken it upon themselves to resolve the Palestinian issue by dividing up the Land of Israel. Doing this without reference to the Lord invites His judgment.

‘For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of  Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land … ‘  Joel 3:1-2

These are serious days. Pray for our Federal Government and Prime Minister to have much wisdom in how they deal with Israel and its neighbours. Currently the government claims on its web site that

‘Canada and Israel have strong, multidimensional bilateral relations, marked by  close political, economic, social and cultural ties. Support for Israel, especially its right to live in peace and security with its neighbours, has been at  the core of Canada’s Middle East policy since 1948. …Canada and Israel marked  60 years of diplomatic relations on May 11, 2009 …’

PRAY FOR THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IN CANADA

It is interesting to note that 20,000 Canadians live in Israel and the Canadian Jewish community, which stands at around 350,000, acts as an important bridge between Canada and Israel. Pray for many to find Jesus as their Messiah.

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PREPARING FOR SEPTEMBER (PART 1)

# 09 SEPTEMBER 2010

PART ONE:   Background for informed intercession – then read Part Two:

September 2010 is a busy month in the heavenlies! The clash of Kingdoms is profound as Jews, Muslims and Hindus all have very special spiritual holy days and festivals. For most Christians our main celebration will be Labour Day, our last weekend to chill! For many 9/11 will have sober importance. However we should be on spiritual high alert to discern what is happening in the World today with wars and rumours of wars!

My burden is that the uniqueness of Christ be not neutralized or diminished in the World. He is the supreme Lord and Saviour, there is no other. In the cosmic battle, annual festivals, parades, fasting and worship rituals invite demonic power and strengthen opposition to the Gospel. We desperately need a new seriousness and fear of God to fall upon us, and a powerful spirit of prayer in alignment all over Canada.

As Ramadan comes to an end the Jewish new year starts! Ramadan generates power for Islam through a 40 day partial fast of a billion people in alignment. Quds Day is a day of rage both political and spiritual against Israel – the liberation of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Jewish State. Notice Sunday 5th and the night of prayer called the ‘Night of Power’. What are the Christians doing?

The Jewish Feasts are of course biblical and have meaning with a New Testament application.  This is a good time to focus on the Jewish people having a revelation of Jesus as their Messiah and thanking God for all the virtue of our salvation.

We rarely focus on the Hindu feasts but they are important to a billion people again moving in alignment! The birth of Krishna is very similar to the nativity where a baby is worshiped. Vishnu will come again on a white horse! The 10 day festival has the potential to release or strengthen the spirit of Shiva upon devotees. Let us put on the whole armour of God and pray in the Holy Spirit at all times (Eph 6).

And if  that was not enough, the Autumn Equinox has a lot going on. September 22nd is the Chinese Moon Festival with overtones of Moon Goddess worship. For the Pagan, September 23rd (Mabon) is of great significance. On that day the mother goddess as the Dark Mother or  Crone is honoured with sacrifices and rituals. From this date through Halloween, occultists believe the veil separating the earthly dimension from the demonic realm gets progressively thinner, with the thinnest night being October 31; this supposed thinning of the veil makes it easier for the demonic realm to enter the earthly dimension.

Let’s pray!

ISLAM

Aug 11th – Sept 9th         Ramadan 40 days of partial fasting and remembrance of significant dates and events.

Friday 3rd                         Quds Day The word ‘Quds’ is Arabic for ‘the holy place’ and is the Arabic name for Jerusalem and the surrounding lands. A day of rage against the State of Israel/Zionism particularly strong in Iran. Note that the direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians started on the 2nd in Washington.

Sunday 5th                        Lailat al Kadr Observed during one of the last ten odd numbered days of the month. Muslims believe that this night which is also known as ‘The Night of Power’ is better than a thousand months. This is often interpreted as meaning that praying throughout this night is rewarded equally with praying for a thousand months (just over 83 years i.e. a lifetime). Many Muslims spend the entire night in prayer.

Thursday 9th                    Last Day of Ramadan

JUDAISM

Thursday 9th                    Feast of Trumpets – Rosh Hashana (lit. head of the year) Sunset on 8th, start of new year 5771. A day of rejoicing marked by the blowing of trumpets . (Leviticus 23:23-25).

Saturday 18th                   Day of Atonement – Yom Kippur. Most holy day. A day of fasting and repentance.   (Leviticus 23:26-32).

Thursday 23-29th            Feast of Tabernacles – Sukkot   (lit: booths) Historically, Sukkot commemorates the forty-year period during which the children of Israel were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters. Agriculturally, Sukkot is a harvest festival and is sometimes referred to as The Festival of Ingathering. It is a joyful time and also known as ‘The season of our rejoicing’.        (Leviticus 23:39-43)

Thursday 30th                  Last Great Day On the last day  of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.  (Leviticus 23:39;  John 7:37)

HINDUISM

Thursday 2nd                    Krishna Janmaashtami A Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of the Hindu deity Vishnu. The ritual is to fast the previous day which is followed by a night-long vigil commemorating the birth of Krishna at midnight in the jail where his maternal uncle Kansa was keeping them captive, and his immediate removal by his father Vasudeva to a foster-home for safe-keeping. At midnight, the idol of the infant Krishna is bathed, adorned in new clothes and jewellery, placed in a cradle and worshiped. The fast is completed after Aarti, a special prayer. At day break, ladies draw patterns of little children’s footprints outside the house with rice-flour paste, walking towards the house. This symbolizes the entry of the infant Krishna into his foster-home i.e. their homes.

Saturday 11th – 21st          Ganesh Chaturthi Ganesha Chaturthi is the 10 day Hindu festival of Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, who is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees in the duration of this festival. It is the birthday of Lord Ganesha who is widely worshiped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. Involves setting up Mantapas (pavilions), street processions and idol immersion in waters. Ganesh may be the chief of a troop of semi-divine beings that form part of the retinue of Shiva. The Hindu trinity of gods is Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva. Vishnu in his 10th and last incarnation is said to come personally to earth at the end of the age seated on a white horse. (see Rev 19:11)

OTHER                                                                                                                                                                                        Fall Equinox

Wednesday 22nd                        Chinese Moon Festival

Thursday 23rd                             Mabon Pagan Festival

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GODLY VALUES IN SOCIETY

# 08 AUGUST 2010

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices …

By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted … Proverbs 11:10-11 ESV

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34 ESV

When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of

understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue. Proverbs 28:2 ESV

When good people come to power, everybody celebrates,

but when bad people rule, people stay in hiding. Proverbs 28:12 GNV

Canada is a blessed and prosperous nation and the last thing I want to do is to be a complaining Christian! Thank God for the civil infrastructure here in Burnaby, BC, that could respond quickly to a large grassfire near our town house complex last week and get it under control before disaster could strike.  Thousands were on the verge of evacuation but 15 fire trucks rushed to the scene and dealt with it. Not to mention three helicopters, countless RCMP and ambulances standing by.  My concern is that even as God is shaking the World that the peace and blessing of God would continue in our nation.

As the verses above show, stability and prosperity are conditional on righteousness prevailing in society. I am grateful for the many Christians serving in Government but that does not mean that other public servants are not righteous! Thank God for the many non-Christians who have strong consciences, moral values and high principles. Not all in the community of the ‘redeemed’ actually walk in full integrity. Righteousness is linked to doing things God’s way – the right way. Pray that righteous people will be elected to office at every level who will serve with integrity.

I have had a good look at the ‘Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms’ that was introduced in 1982. It is a remarkable document that protects and defines rights and freedoms that we all value in a free and democratic society. Canada is prosperous through the rule of law, and corruption, though not absent, is minimal compared with other nations. The Ten Commandments have been the fundamental basis of our common law which is a respect for people, their persons and their property. Our challenge has come with regard to equality rights which has led to the recognition and enforcement of the rights of a number of minority groups. It has been difficult for many in the church to see some historic ’sins’ become law and even promoted in politics, arts and media. In a pluralistic and multicultural society perhaps this sort of trend is almost inevitable. What is not acceptable is the embracing of the culture of the world in the church. As the Lord shakes the nations He will also shake the Church:

‘For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God … ‘ 1 Peter 4:17

Two current issues concern:

ISSUES OF LIFE BEFORE BIRTH – Abortion:

This is a huge issue as about 100,000 babies are aborted every year in Canada.  Pray for Roxanne’s Law (C- 150). It is currently in the process of becoming law and will make it a criminal offence to pressure a woman to have an abortion against her will.

This bill will not criminalize abortion in any way. If C-510 is passed, Canada will remain the only developed nation in the world without any abortion legislation. Abortions will remain legal through all nine months of pregnancy. However, for those mothers who choose life, there will be a new protection to assist them in fulfilling their hopes and plans for both themselves and their children.                                                                                                                             (EFC Activate Blog)

ISSUES OF LIFE AFTER BIRTH – Children & Human Trafficking:

On June 16th, the Senate of Canada adopted at Third Reading, Bill C-268, which will amend Canada’s Criminal Code to introduce a new human trafficking offence specifically addressing child traffickers. The new law will provide a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment for anyone convicted of trafficking a minor in Canada and a minimum of six years imprisonment for cases with aggravating factors. We praise God that this will now become law. However the wider problem of organized crime and adult human trafficking is still a major challenge and needs much prayer.

Some other issues of great urgency for prayer and godly values are:

QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES

Poverty / Homelessness / Education / Health

END OF LIFE ISSUES

Euthanasia

MARRIAGE ISSUES

The challenge of the divorce rate and same sex marriage

PERSONAL PRIVACY

Surveillance Society Privacy – cameras everywhere

MEDICAL RESEARCH

Cloning; Stem cell research.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Pollution, emissions, air quality, health

WAR

Afghanistan. Canadians dying and injured overseas. Afghanis also suffering greatly.

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I received the email below with a link to a video from Phill, the director of the program, today. Please continue to keep them and Montreal in your prayers as they finish up next week.

Our first week has gone incredibly well.   The teams are mature and ready to grow.  The training themes lead us through commitments to SHINE, know God’s love, praying with authority,  the Holy Spirit, sharing Jesus in parks, intercession, acts of peace and MORE!  Its been great.  The first afternoons, 120 of us spent time in acts of kindness, prayer walking, spiritual surveys and distributing scripture.  I am proud of these guys taking risks and seeing God bring in his results.  The Family Team (6) arrived for their one-week mission.  They have been serving in food/clothing distribution centres and agencies for the poor and immigrant families. The rest of the teams are on assignment this week during daytime hours, each reaching out to various Montreal communities.

We’re getting tired, days are full of activities, relationships, teaching and prayer.  Please pray that God protect our energy and unity, and that we finish well and not miss out on any potential discipleship training.  We head into Debrief this Monday for 2 days, then we travel home.

Watch video HERE

Bill Arsenault
PEI

 Canada is a democratic society.  We vote in our government leaders and we vote them out.  This gives us the impression that we can vote out any leader that we want to, including our pastors and Spiritual leaders as well as our secular and domestic leaders.  What we often don’t realize is that the Kingdom of God is not a democracy.  According to Rom. 13:1 “For there is no authority except from God and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”  God also says in His Word that “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water, He turns it wherever He wishes.”

 It’s really easy to pray and give thanks for those in authority that we like or respect, whose opinions we agree with but our challenge comes with praying and giving thanks for those who exhibit their human frailties all too readily.  How often do we take our prayer time for our leaders and begin to blast out their shortcomings to God, speaking the “truth” in “love”?  James 4:1 says “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren.”  This is not merely avoiding slander but also speaking out a true statement which runs down another.  This Scripture applies to our speech, even in the prayer closet.

 If we are to take the Word of God as divinely inspired and true then we must pray for those in authority and give thanks for them, regardless of their failings and frailties.  Imagine removing the murmuring and complaining from our prayers where we speak negative prayers (curses) over our leaders and, instead, begin to give thanks for them.  I can pray for my pastor like this:  “Thank You Lord, for my pastor!  I thank You that You are filling him/her with greater revelation and increased anointing to preach the Word!  I thank You for protecting his/her marriage.  I thank You for Your righteousness being poured out upon my pastor!”  etc, etc.   Or praying for our Prime Minister: “Thank You Lord for Stephen Harper.  Thank You that You are imparting Your divine wisdom into him as he fulfills the role that You have placed him in.  Thank You for increased righteousness in his life.  Thank You for a healthy marriage and family life.  Protect & bless him in his going out and his coming in. Thank You for directing his path and turning his heart the direction You want it to go.”  You get the picture!

 This verse in Timothy comes along with a promise.  As we pray and give thanks for all men and those in authority God promises a “quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”   I don’t know about you but that sounds like a pretty good reason to me to pray and give thanks for those in authority over me!

Glenda Schwarz

Morden, MB

JULY 2010

“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy

deeds of the Lord, his power, and the

wonders he has done.”

Psalm 78:4 NIV

In this month of July we are praying for a move of God amongst children, teenagers and young adults. The Summer months of July and August are also the months when thousands of young people find Christ through church camps and special outreaches.

PRAY for these younger generations to know the Gospel as the power of God for salvation.

PRAY for them to experience the divine call of God upon their lives for life purpose.

PRAY for a release of giftings and anointings so that they can impact their peers.

PRAY that they will embrace a Kingdom culture that will overcome the attraction of the world.

PRAY for youth events in your Province/City that you know about.

One highlight in the West is the Rock The River Tour with Franklin Graham – a series of youth evangelism festivals – August 7th in the Fraser Valley, BC; August 21 in Calgary;  August 28th in Edmonton. Last Summer’s Rock The River Tour along the Mississippi  attracted over 112,000 people in 4 events.

PRAY for our cities also to be ROCKED for Jesus!

Below is BGEA Canada weekly prayer that is very helpful in praying for the younger generations.

Please adapt it for events in your own community:

Pray SUNDAYS for:
Christian adults to be burdened for the salvation of the next generation.
Strong foundations of prayer in each tour community.

Pray MONDAYS that:
God will transform thousands of lives through this year’s tour.
An army of Christians will be equipped to share their faith through the adult Christian Life and Witness Course and the student FM419 training

Pray TUESDAYS for:
Unity among Christians as we reach and teach the next generation to live for Jesus.
Committed leaders and workers, sufficient financial support, and the many venue and logistical needs.

Pray WEDNESDAYS that:
The next generation will see their true value in God’s eyes and hunger to know Him better.
The next generation would become witnesses for Christ in their worlds

Pray THURSDAYS for:
‘Bring a Friend’ outreach to encourage the next generation to pray and stand boldly for Christ each day.
God to raise up prayer warriors for the Rock the River Tour West.

Pray FRIDAYS for:
God to prepare Franklin Graham for the presentation of the Gospel to the young people at each event.
God to speak to the hearts of the band members as they prepare for the tour.

Pray SATURDAYS for:
Diligent follow-up and discipleship by local churches; protection of each new believer;

Christ-centered homes to increase; multiplied outreach after the tour.
God to receive all the glory.

Click here to sign up for weekly prayer updates for Fraser Valley.

Will you join us in prayer as we rock the next generation with the lifesaving Gospel of Jesus Christ?

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Ce fût un réel privilège pour moi de créer cet espace mis à part pour notre Créateur avec l’aide de trois jeunes passionnés. Notre prière était que cette salle soit un lieu où les participants puissent se reposer dans la présence de Dieu, se réconcilier avec leur Père et expérimenter un peu plus la puissance de sa résurrection. Les échos et les conversations que j’ai eu durant cette fin de semaine me confirment que Dieu est à l’oeuvre et qu’Il aime son peuple! Il y aurait trop à raconter, mais voici un témoignage qui me fait sourire chaque fois que je le relis, car il exprime bien l’apprivoisement de la salle de prière et l’expérience que l’on y vit. Notre Dieu est bon et Il sait nous rencontrer et nous surprendre lorsqu’on ose prendre des risques pour Lui!

“Moi, en entrant dans la pièce, j’étais gêné si je peu m’exprimer ainsi. Je ne savais pas trop quoi faire donc je me suis mis à lire ce que les autres avaient écris. Ça m’a inspiré et je me suis finalement exprimer. Dans la pièce, il y avait un endroit plus clos avec de grands rideaux. Sans savoir pourquoi, je n’osais pas y aller. Au bout d’un moment, je me suis décidé et c’est là que j’ai passé le meilleur temps! J’ai ouvert un recueil de prières et en le lisant, j’étais inspiré à prier pour ces personnes qui s’y étaient exprimés!!  Ça m’a relaxé et apaisé. Lorsque la personne suivante est arrivée, j’ai dû prendre mon courage à deux mains pour lui dire que je devais prier avec elle et pour elle afin de lui “passer le flambeau”. J’aurais pu faire comme si rien n’étais et partir car elle ne savais pas que c’était la consigne,mais je l’ai fait. Je suis quelqu’un de très timide lorsqu’il est question de prier à voix haute et c’était une première pour moi! Elle était heureuse que je fasse cet effort pour elle. Après ma prière, elle pria pour moi et j’étais surpris de constater que ce qu’elle disait faisais partie de certaines choses sur lesquelles je m’étais exprimé durant mon heure! J’ai vraiment aimer ce temps et c’est certain que la prochaine fois j’y participerai!”

Caroline Nantel pour le Centre Chrétien des Milles-Iles à Rosemère

PRAYER SIGN UP

Below are some resources which will help you pray for the G8/20

Cityscape Prayer

World Vision