PRAY:
• For all hidden activity of the Sinaloa cartel to be exposed.
• For supernatural wisdom and protection for all local and federal law enforcement that deal with taking down all the illegal trafficking by the Sinaloa cartel.
• For all Arizonians to be alert to any unusual activity within their neighborhoods, to have the boldness to call local or federal authorities.
• For the arrest and conviction of “El Chapo” Guzman and the dismantling of the Sinaloa cartel!
I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes [Arizona] and makes her the praise of the earth. ~Isaiah 62:6-7
Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, whose capture we have been diligently praying for, NARROWLY ESCAPED capture three weeks ago. According to the Associated Press, Guzman had been hiding in plain sight in a coastal mansion in Los Cabos…Rumors also surface regularly that police have shown up in various hideouts just as Guzman is escaping out the back door…Guzman moves frequently among 10 to 15 locations to avoid arrest, and has a security detail of up to 300 men. Guzman's narrow escapes, including this latest one, raise the suspicion that he could be getting tipped off.
U.S. law enforcement officials say no other cartel has the international cocaine distribution networks of Guzman's Sinaloa Federation, which is also making a major push into methamphetamines in Mexico and Central America. Guzman appears annually on the Forbes magazine list of the world's billionaires, and also has been named by the magazine as one of the world's most powerful people. He has a $7 million bounty on his head in Mexico and the U.S., and teams of law enforcement agents from both countries are devoted to his capture.
PRAY:
• That law enforcement, governmental officials or any insider passing on confidential information that interferes with the capture of "El Chapo" Guzman will be discovered and apprehended. "But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known" (Luke 12:2 NLTse).
• For supernatural strategy, tips and the whereabouts of "El Chapo" Guzman to be given to law enforcement for the successful capture and conviction of Guzman.
• That the Lord would send His mighty heavenly army to position Guzman and law enforcement to be in the right place at the right time for Guzman's capture.
• That confusion will fall upon Guzman's new security chief, body guards and security plans. "Then panic struck the whole (Sinaloa Cartel) army-those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties-and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God" (1 Samuel 14:15 NIV).
• WE DECLARE IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST THAT JOAQUIN "EL CHAPO" GUZMAN WILL BE CAPTURED TODAY AND THE SINALOA CARTEL WILL BE DESTROYED!!
But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you (law enforcement and government officials), throwing them into great confusion until they are destroyed.
~ Deuteronomy 7:23
After stating repeatedly that the Muslim Brotherhood would not back a candidate in Egypt’s first presidential election since Hosni Mubarak was forced from office, the group reversed itself. On Saturday, March 31, the Brotherhood nominated Khairat al-Shater. This former political prisoner now serves as one of the Muslim Brotherhood’s three deputy leaders.
Al-Shater is a millionaire businessman who in recent months has “developed the Brotherhood’s economic policy and met the International Monetary Fund team.” He has also represented the organization in the “meetings with ambassadors, visiting foreign officials and international investors.”
The Muslim Brotherhood is now saying that the victories by Islamists in the parliamentary elections indicate that the people of Egypt want an Islamic state.
Observers believe Shater has a very good chance of winning the election. “The nomination of Khairat al-Shater is a smart choice,“ writes Mustafa al-Zahran, an expert on Islamist political movements, “because he has mass popularity among the grassroots membership and a long history of struggle.”
Egypt’s first presidential election since Hosni Mubarak was forced out of office is scheduled for May 23 and 24, 2012.
Pray for men and women of integrity and honesty to be given political power to lead Egypt into its special destiny and that the plans of the wicked will be overthrown.
“Pray4Saudi: Preparing the way for the Gospel of the Kingdom” (Pray4Saudi.com) launched on March 15, 2012. We are convinced that as churches, ministries, prayer networks, and Christians around the world begin to pray, the Lord will visit Saudi Arabia in a powerful way. Please join us in this initiative – and share it with others. Go to www.Pray4Saudi.com to learn more about how you can be part of this historic move of God.
Pray for:
• the Spirit of God to move powerfully in Saudi Arabia. Pray for the Gospel to be proclaimed in this nation and to all those in diaspora (Saudis living in other nations). Pray for multitudes to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (The Bible, Romans 1:16)
• the Kingdom of God to come to Saudi Arabia in power with signs, wonders, miracles, dreams, and visions. (The Bible, Acts 2:17)
Preparing the way for the Gospel of the Kingdom
I'm sure everyone knows that the world is moving toward a pivotal juncture in time. Iran's leaders are aggressively pursuing nuclear weapons while simultaneously pledging to destroy Israel. Israel, on the other hand, has sworn that Iran will not get nuclear weapons. The watching world has increased crippling sanctions on Iran, but to no avail. It seems inevitable that these two nations will meet in a war that will leave few survivors.
America, meanwhile, has pledged to stand with Israel. The Muslim world knows America (and its European allies) are weakened economically and tired of war, yet the U.S. is resolved to face Iran militarily if sanctions do not stop Iran's ambitions.
Though the stage is being set for a massive conflict, I do not believe this dreaded confrontation is inevitable. Let me explain: Islam is divided into two major sects. Approximately 80% of the Muslim world is Sunni and the rest mostly Shiites and some smaller sects. These two major groups have coexisted but have an historical hatred and mistrust for each other.
Iran is part of the smaller Shiite sect. Thus, Iran's determination to develop nuclear weapons is not only a threat to Israel, but it is an unacceptable advantage that threatens most of the Sunni world. A nuclear Iran has the potential, not only to ignite a catastrophic war with Israel, but it could easily spread chaos and conflict throughout the Muslim world and beyond.
However, there is always a third component to determining the future, and that is the “God factor.” The fact is, in recent years Christianity has experienced explosive growth in Iran. I recently met by email a remarkable Iranian woman. Nasrin was born a Muslim in Iran; however, she found Christ through supernatural dreams and visions of Jesus, which led to her study of the Word of God. She now lives in the USA. In a recent email she said,
God is working in Iran in a mighty way. Before the 1979 Islamic revolution, there were approximately 500 known converts in Iran. However, today many mission leaders believe that now close to one million Iranian converts serve Christ in underground house churches. The Lord is exposing the dark side of Islam to the people in Iran and Jesus is being revealed through visions and dreams. People in Iran have come to associate Islam with hate and war, and they are opening their hearts to the Prince of Peace…
God is doing something in Iran. It is this divine initiative that gives me hope that a military option will not be needed. Therefore, I speak to you as people of prayer, faith and vision: let us join intercessors around the world in prayer for Iran! The focal point for our intercession should be the Muslim world in general, but in particular for the leaders of Iran. Let us also pray fervently for the church in Iran, and also Israel.
Can we dare to hope for such breakthroughs? Absolutely. It was not too long ago when the Soviet Union collapsed before our eyes. Since its fall more people have come to Christ worldwide than the sum of all conversions prior to its demise. We are close to the times of judgment, but we are not there yet. The Holy Spirit has yet to be poured out upon ALL nations (See Acts 2), and that includes the Muslim world!
I believe a great harvest is going to occur in the Muslim world. The first stage of an outpouring is the awakening of intercession in God's people. Indeed, let us beseech the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into this harvest field, and beyond into the entire Islamic world. Let us, as followers of Jesus Christ, never forget the God factor when we pray about the future.
*Nasrin Z. wrote an inspired book about her journey. You may be interested in buying a copy. It is called Passing Through the Fire: Pathway to Freedom and is available at both the Amazon and Barnes and Noble web sites.
A young American English teacher who was executed by Muslims accusing him of proselytizing in Yemen was described by family and friends as someone who "loved his job" and had a heart for the poor. Officials said a motorcycle gunman and an accomplice pulled alongside the vehicle that Joel Shrum was riding in March 18 and opened fire.
Shrum was on his way to work in the city of Taiz at the time of the attack. The 29-year-old served as deputy director of the Swedish Institute, a language school, and spent time offering vocational training in some of Yemen's poor areas. "He was just motivated by especially seeing people coming out of poverty," Shrum's father, James, said Sunday night.
The assailants escaped after the shooting, but an al Qaeda-linked group quickly claimed responsibility for the attack. "This operation comes as a response to the campaign of Christian proselytizing that the West has launched against Muslims," an unidentified person claiming responsibility on behalf of the group Ansar al-Sharia said in a text message to journalists. The group, whose name means "Partisans of Islamic Law," also called Shrum "one of the biggest American proselytizers."
Last week, Saudi Arabia's highest Islamic authority said no Christian churches should be allowed in the Arabian Peninsula, which includes Yemen.
Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah said the Islamic prophet Mohammad taught that there cannot be two religions on the Peninsula and that only Islam should exist there.
Violence has increased in Yemen since President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February, vowing to stop al Qaeda. The Islamic group has increased attacks in Yemen as a result.
Azerbaijan:12 April liquidation for Baku church?
Exercising the right to freedom of religion or belief without state permission is illegal in Azerbaijan, in defiance of international human rights standards. However nearly 19 years after gaining state registration with Azerbaijan's Justice Ministry and despite no complaints about its conduct, the Protestant Greater Grace Church in the Azerbaijani capital Baku could be liquidated within two weeks. The Judge hearing the liquidation suit lodged by the State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations is to give her decision on the afternoon of 12 April when the case resumes. If the Judge rules to liquidate the church, all its activity will become illegal and its members will be liable to prosecution.
Pray: that restrictions would not hinder the spread of the Gospel in Azerbaijan, but rather opposition would bring about a spiritual revival. (2Th.3:1)
More: http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1686
USA: Seven died at Christian University in California
Oikos University's website describes students as being ‘given the opportunity to obtain a Christian education that is based on solid Christian doctrine and ideology. Our main goal is to foster spiritual Christian leaders who abide by God's intentions and to expand God's nation through them.’ At the beginning of Holy Week seven were killed at this Christian University with a medical school, a school of theology and which offers studies in music and nursing. One can assume that the most of the people who were killed were Christians, or at least friendly towards Christianity. Teased for his bad English, the Korean ex nursing student who shot dead seven in a gun rampage. The police believe he had a grudge after being expelled several months ago, had thousands of dollars of debt and two recent family deaths.
Pray: for the gunman’s family, the students, friends and relatives of the injured and bereaved to know Gods comfort and peace.(Ps.7:10)
Egypt: The Muslim Brotherhood
Despite promising not to back a candidate in the upcoming presidential election the Muslim Brotherhood nominated Khairat al-Shater on March 31st saying the parliamentary elections which were dominated by Islamists ‘indicate that the Egyptian people support an Islamic state.’ Al-Shater is a millionaire businessman who in recent months developed the Brotherhood's economic policy and met the International Monetary Fund team. He has also represented the organization in meetings with ambassadors, visiting foreign officials and international investors. Observers believe Shater has a very good chance of winning the election.However, Prayer Alert has recently heard from a reliable source that two senior members of the Brotherhood are exploring Christianity.
Pray: that the Lord would raise up leaders of His choosing in Egypt, and men and women of integrity and humility to be elected to office. (Da. 2:21)
More: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/jan-june12/egypt2_04-03.html
Afghanistan: Bombs, trauma, refugees and poisoning
Militants killed four Afghan policemen and two civilians inside a police checkpoint by poisoning their yoghurt . Suicide bomb attacks continue to target government officials or military personnel killing and injuring innocent bystanders in larger numbers than the actual targets. A suicide bomb attack near a government ministry was recently discovered and prevented. If successful it could have resulted in many deaths. After thirty years of war nearly everyone in the country has experienced the death of a relative or friend and many people have been severely injured or maimed. People under thirty cannot remember a time of peace, but almost all long for a time when they can live in peace and safety. Many who have left because of war and poverty are scattered around the world starting new lives but others live as refugees struggling to survive. There are many orphans in Afghanistan.
Pray: for the organisations and churches attempting to minister to the many needs. May God bring a great harvest of people coming to faith out of this chaos.(Mt.9:37)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17597797
Mali: Holding national convention to decide junta
The military junta that seized power promised to hold a national convention to determine the country's future. Meanwhile international pressure to restore civilian rule continues. The military leaders, who overthrew Mali's democratically elected president, will invite the political class and all civil society representatives to decide what path to take ‘in a consensual manner, democratically and in all freedom, Capt. Amadou Sanogo, the junta leader, said onTuesday. Mali has a history of controversy surrounding presidential elections. Rebels have been given until Monday to hand over power or face sanctions of:- closed borders except for humanitarian purposes, - denied access to neighbouring ports - freeze regional bank accounts - suspend participation in cultural and sporting events. Historically Mali has been more threatened by tribal insurgencies than by terrorist threats and has been one of the largest recipients in the region of military training and assistance from the United States.(see this weeks INSIGHT article)
Pray: the changes and turmoil will peacefully bring about economic favour in this devastatingly poor country. May the Mali have confidence in their leaders. (Job 5:9-16)
More: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/04/world/africa/mali-unrest/index.html