Please keep praying for the WPA! Your prayer support will be all-important to the planning of this event which is intended to be a “new paradigm” for an international congress—carried out Acts 13-style—incorporating listening to God, united prayer, and strategic implementation of world-impacting action that proceeds out of that encounter with the Lord and one another.
Please pray that those from every nation God is calling to take part in Jakarta will be able to be with us and for that the resources for them and the Assembly itself will flow in abundance.
Just the other week, it was revealed that the first Shariah Law court had opened in the Belgium city of Antwerp – a city which has a 10% Muslim population. There are also well over 85 Shariah courts operating in the United Kingdom according to a recent study by an independent UK-based think-tank. In the first of a special two-part report on the spread of Shariah Law, Clarion Fund’s Senior Fellow Clare M. Lopez, examines the systematic and subversive creeping of Islamic Shariah Law in Europe and the United States.
Islamic Law Conquering the West
by Clare M. Lopez
Western liberal democratic civilization is under assault by the forces of Shariah Islam. The so-called “Arab Spring” that swept across the Middle East in 2011, while encompassing the hopes and dreams of millions who seek freedom from tyranny, unfortunately has been commandeered for the violent phase of the Islamic Awakening that began in the 20th century. The jihadist drivers of that Islamic movement seek the re-establishment of the caliphate and global imposition of Islamic law. They are determined and sophisticated, deftly deploying information warfare to co-opt and neutralize what little remains of Western defenses. There will be no democratic transformation of the Arab Middle East until and unless the United States (U.S.) and all who treasure the principles of equality, individual liberty, pluralism, and tolerance, confront those who are willing to fight and kill and die for Islam – not just on the kinetic battlefield, but in the far more important War of Ideas. The war we fight is far along at this point: Shariah is advancing not only across North Africa and the Middle East, but throughout the Western world as well.
10 Things You Need to Know about Islamic Shariah Law
1) Jihad is defined in Shariah as “warfare to establish the religion [Islam]” and is an obligation for all Muslims for all time until the entire world is subjugated to Islamic law [‘Umdat al-Salik, Section o9.0.pg. 599].
2) All Muslims have a religious duty to strive toward instituting worldwide Shariah law.
3) “Creeping Shariah” is the term used for the slow, methodical, deliberate advance of Islamic law in non-Muslim countries.
4) Official Shariah courts already operate in the UK, handling cases dealing with divorce, domestic violence, and financial disputes. Attempts to introduce Shariah in courts throughout Europe are ongoing. Studies show that Shariah has also been applied or formally recognized in a number of U.S. state court decisions.
5) Shariah commands that drinkers and gamblers be whipped.
6) Shariah commands husbands to beat their wives [Q 4:34].
7) Shariah literally allows for “an eye for an eye” and commands that a thief must have his hand cut off.
8) Any criticism by both Muslims and non-Muslims of Islam, the Qur’an, Shariah, Allah, or Muhammad is deemed to be “slander” under Islamic law and can be punishable by death. This is one major reason why “moderate Muslims” do not speak out about Radical Islam.
9) Islamic law prescribes the death penalty for any Muslim who leaves Islam (i.e. the ‘crime’ of apostasy).
10) According to Islamic law, Muslims can deceive non-Muslims if it benefits Islam. The Quran instructs Muslims to lie to non-Muslims about their beliefs and political goals in order to protect and spread Islam. (There are many examples of today’s Islamic leaders saying one thing to Western media and saying another to their own followers.)
“Please pray that the Supreme Court will serve our country without a trace of deceit. Intercede that no private interpretation in any legislation will stand and that our freedoms will remain intact. Pray that God would give the justices on the Supreme Court His wisdom to grasp the ramifications of their decisions. Ask for unity in our country and for unprecedented discernment on state and federal matters.
The 2011-12 term of the U.S. Supreme Court started on Monday, October 3. Many items are being slated for review by this historic U.S. Supreme Court.
1) GPS: Whether police need a warrant from a judge to attach a GPS device to a car to track its movements for extended periods. United States v. Jones. Antoine Jones was a Washington, D.C., nightclub owner and suspected drug dealer. So as part of their investigation, officers attached a Global Positioning Satellite tracing device on a Jeep driven by Jones.
2) Strip Search: Whether jails can strip-search all newly booked inmates without evidence that they are concealing contraband.
3) Profanity: Whether the Federal Communications Commission’s rules on indecency which prohibit radio and television stations from broadcasting patently offensive words and depictions of sexual activities, are unconstitutionally vague.
The case, FCC v. Fox Television, will examine whether the FCC’s indecency enforcement procedures violate the First and Fifth Amendments. At issue is the government’s attempt to police the public airwaves to prevent not only obscene material but also indecent communications offensive to a family-oriented audience.
4) Church and State: In an important case involving the First Amendment’s separation of church and state, the justices will consider whether a former teacher at a Lutheran elementary school can sue the church-run school for alleged disability discrimination and retaliation. The case is Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC and Cheryl Perich.
School officials argue that the lawsuit is barred under the “ministerial exception,” a legal doctrine which blocks employment-related lawsuits against religious organizations filed by employees who perform important religious functions.
5) Disputed Status of Jerusalem: Because Jerusalem is a major source of disagreement in Middle East peace talks, the U.S. government has tried to remain neutral on the Jerusalem issue. As a result, children born in Jerusalem to U.S. Citizens are listed on birth documents as having been born in Jerusalem. No country is noted on the State Department documents. Pro-Israeli members of Congress who disagree with this posture, sponsored and passed a law directing the State Department to record the place of birth as Jerusalem, Israel.
Besides these issues, there are several other topics for review.
Obamacare – States and a business group opposed to the Obamacare overhaul asked the Supreme Court for a speedy ruling that puts an end to the law aimed at extending insurance coverage to more than 30 million people…The ACA requires every American to purchase a government-approved level of health insurance or pay a penalty.
This Supreme Court is in a position to leave a giant footprint on public policy in the coming year.”
Ask the Lord to protect the U.S. from any revenge attacks that may be planned by Moslems. Ask that the Lord would give intelligence sources sharp knowledge and understanding of harmful actions that could be planned. The Lord is our strength and shield. Look to Him as our strong tower.
“Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just; for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.” (Psalms 7:9)
“They say nothing good happens in Washington today. I beg to differ.
Granted, it's easy to become cynical about current events in the nation's capital. The polls tell us that voters are tired of Washington politics amid the constant clamor of problems and solutions. While the pundits claim that "Washington is broken," candidates in both parties run on the pledge to "fix" Washington.
But there is something good going on in Washington, and you won't find it highlighted on the 6 o'clock evening news. Prayer is happening. Not just the prayers of those who gather outside the Capitol to protest or rally (although those prayers are important too), but prayers from within the Capitol itself - our lawmakers! A bi-partisan group of 94 Members
- all elected congressmen and women - meet regularly to pray before votes are cast on the floor. Known as The Congressional Prayer Caucus, the group formed in 2005 and is now an official Caucus of the United States House of Representatives. According to Founder and Co-chairman Congressman J. Randy Forbes of Virginia, the Members recognize "the role that prayer has played in strengthening the fabric of our society throughout our more than 200-year history."
I don't know about you, but this makes me feel hopeful. Following the examples set by Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln, this group exists to acknowledge the importance of the role of our Creator, our nation's dependence on prayer, and the reality of God's presence woven throughout America's history since its founding…
We can only pray that those who participate in the Caucus would vote in a manner according to God's will, and that our country would elect more representatives who would increase and enrich the group's fellowship. Let's lift up these current Caucus Members in prayer…let's pray for them specifically as a group and as individuals. Click on the following link to use the list of current Members to intercede for them by name:
http://forbes.house.gov/PrayerCaucus/Members.aspx
Serving in Washington can be a perilous job for believers today. These men and women need our prayers to remain strong in their faith, true to their word, and aligned with God's plans for this nation. Is Washington broken? Certainly not all of it. praise God!”
Forced labour investigations across Wales by Soca
Factories, farms and hotels could be forcing hundreds of people across Wales to work against their will. The Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) is conducting several investigations into forced labour across Wales, the BBC understands. These businesses could be breaking new anti-slavery laws and employers may end up in prison. The chair of the assembly's working group on people trafficking said boys as young as 16 were forced to work. Joyce Watson said along with government action, the onus was on employers to ensure forced labour did not take place. Anti-Slavery International estimates 5,000 people are in some form of forced labour across the UK. Most forced labour investigations have focused on women being trafficked into the British sex trade, but the BBC has learned Soca is investigating people being made to work in places such as factories, farms and hotels against their will.
Pray: for an end to forced labour in Wales and throughout the UK. (Gal.5:1)
Ofcom issues warning over risqué pre-watershed TV
Ofcom has clamped down on scantily clad singers and dancers appearing on TV before the 9pm watershed, in its new guidance for broadcasters. It comes amid much concern about the sexualisation of children, and follows a furore over sexually provocative dances on last year’s X Factor final. The move also comes as the BBC has reportedly cut some overtly sexualised dance moves from its Strictly Come Dancing show. In relation to music videos broadcast before the watershed, Ofcom gives guidance on issues including sexual images, clothing and dancing. The group, which has a statutory duty to protect young people, also cautioned broadcasters to take ‘particular care’ with ‘family shows’ – programmes that attract a significant child audience despite not being made for children. An editorial in The Observer backed the new guidance, saying it ‘is not prudery to believe that there is an adult duty to try to manage information on behalf of the children in one’s care’.
Pray: for all media leaders to recognise their responsibility and duty to protect children and young people from such sexualisation. (Pr.4:5)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ofcom-issues-warning-over-risque-pre-watershed-tv/
PM’s speech criticised by church leaders
The Prime Minister has faced a backlash from Christian leaders after stating in his speech at the Conservative party conference that he backed legalising homosexual ‘marriage. Mr Cameron said in his speech: ‘We're consulting on legalising gay marriage. To anyone who has reservations, I say: Yes, it's about equality, but it's also about something else: commitment. His comments on homosexual ‘marriage’ were picked up on by a number of church leaders. The Most Rev Peter Smith, Archbishop of Southwark, said: ‘Whilst we welcome the Prime Minister's support of marriage, the proposed redefinition of marriage cannot be right. Marriage by its very nature is between a man and a woman and it is the essential foundation of family life. The state should uphold this common understanding of marriage rather than attempting to change its meaning.’ A spokesman for the Church of England said ‘The Church’s view remains of marriage as the life-long union between a man and a woman.’
Pray: for Mr Cameron to recognise the dichotomy of his view and to ensure the Government’s positive support for heterosexual marriage. (Gen.1:27-28)
Christmas removed from Thomas the Tank Engine to be politically correct
The daughter of the clergyman author who created Thomas the Tank Engine has criticised television producers for writing Christmas out of a new series. Hilary Fortnam said that her father, the Rev W Awdry, would have been distressed after executives decided to omit religious references from one his adventures. His relatives have now protested after the television company which is recording new adventures for the little blue engine rebranded Christmas as ‘the holidays’ in its latest storyline, to comply with ‘politically correct’ thinking.‘He would feel very strongly about this politically correct age and that those who now write his stories should not have taken Christ out of Christmas. Political correctness against Christian beliefs offends,’ Mrs Fortnam said in a letter to the Daily Telegraph. She explained that her father, who worked as a vicar for nearly 30 years, ‘always impressed on reporters and publishers that he ‘was a priest first and a children’s author second.’’
Pray: for such misguided political correctness to be abandoned and replaced by a better understanding of the needs of different faith groups who understand and respect each other’s traditions. (1Co.2:13)
“Please join in praying – 138 least-reached people groups live in Sudan, the largest being the Sudanese Arabs.
KHARTOUM, Sudan – Muslim extremists have sent text messages to at least 10 church leaders in Khartoum saying they are planning to target Christian leaders, buildings and institutions, Christian sources in Khartoum said. “We want this country to be purely an Islamic state, so we must kill the infidels and destroy their churches all over Sudan,” said one text message circulating in Khartoum last month. The text messages were sent in July and August.
Church leaders here said they fear more persecution as they and their flocks become targets of local Islamists. In addition, Muslim extremists from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh arrive in sudan every two weeks to undergo training in secret camps in Khartoum before they are sent to various parts of Sudan to preach Islam and demolish church buildings, according to a Christian source in Khartoum…
The Rev. Ramadan Chan Liol, general secretary of the Sudan Council of Churches, told Ecumenical News International last month that threats have caused Christians to stay away from some church services, and some government leaders have ordered pastors to close down churches without proper documentation.”