THE WAR

The U.S. marked on Wednesday the transition to the final phase of the Iraq war, shifting the focus of the remaining 50,00 troops from combat operations to preparing Iraqi security forces to protect the country on their own.

General David Petraeus on Tuesday acknowledged that the Taliban were expanding their footprint across Afghanistan even as foreign forces were closing in on their traditional southern strongholds.

Continue to pray for the troops who remain in Iraq and those who are in the war zones of Afghanistan.

TERRORISM

Kim Jong-Il received an aid offer from South Korea after coming up empty on his recent China trip. South Korea has pledged billions of dollars in humanitarian aid to help North Korean flooding victims.

Two Yemeni men arrested this week in the Netherlands suspected of conducting a terror “dry run” have been released without charges as there was nothing to ink them to a terror plot, Dutch authorities said.

Pray that the hand of friendship offered by South Korea will have a diminishing effect on the North’s rhetoric.

THE ECONOMY

Currency trading volume around the world hit $4 trillion a day, fueled by investors in the wealthiest nations looking to diversify beyond their home markets in the time of economic turmoil.

U.S. companies face a “logistical nightmare” from a new Securities and Exchange Commission rule forcing them to disclose the ration between their chief executive’s pay package and that of a typical employee.

Pray about the many unseen manipulations of world and national economies.

ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST

Palestinian security forces in the West Bank detained dozens of Hamas activists Wednesday in response to a lethal attack on Jewish settlers. Four were killed including one pregnant woman.

Egyptian authorities discovered three weapons caches including artillery shells and antiaircraft missiles that were headed for Gaza through smuggling tunnels from the Sinai.

Pray against disruptions of the peace negotiations from extremists and others in the Middle East.

HEALTH NEWS

An altered version of the cancer drug Gleevec could form the basis of a new class of drugs that block the development of brain-damaging plaques in Alzheimer’s disease, U.S. researchers said this week.

An international scientific team has identified for the first time a genetic risk factor associated with common migraines and say their research could open the way for new treatments to prevent migraine attacks.

Pray for all those engaged in medical research in this nation and abroad.

The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want. – Psalm 23:1

President Obama declares NC disaster
emergency ahead of Earl

“Relentless” Hurricane Earl Roars
Toward East Coast

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Takes
Center Stage in Washington

White House Schedule (all times eastern)

11:30 AM Meets with his national security team.

1:00 PM Receives the economic daily briefing.

Acts of Omission

The Lord isn’t all talk. He’s action. When He sent out His disciples, He backed up the gospel with miracles. God doesn’t want believers today to be all talk either.

Yet Christians are often guiltier of the sin of omission (not doing what’s right) rather than commission (doing wrong). Think about it. You go to church, pray, and read your Bible, but are you actually doing the "good works" He called you to do (Ephesians 2:10)? On the other hand, Ephesians 2:8 declares you are saved by God’s grace … not by what you do. So you have a right relationship with the Lord because of your faith in Jesus – and it’s out of that right relationship that you do the acts of kindness He’s called you to achieve.

Pray that those around you will see you living what you say you believe. After all, if you desire others to repent of the acts they commit, you may need to repent of the acts you omit. Then intercede for your government leaders … that they also will back up what they say with what they do, placing actions behind their words

Recommended Reading: James 2:14-26 <- click to read or listen

C.P. – Your Prayer Team Writing Staff

How much should the president’s religious affiliation really matter?

by Diane Markins

According to recent polls, around 20% of Americans believe President Obama is a Muslim. This kind of perception regarding a sitting president has never been seen before in our country. It appears that many who believe this are not his supporters, but there are an increasing number of Democrats who share this view. His Muslim-sounding name, his Kenyan Muslim father and his time spent in a Muslim Indonesia school are given as evidence of the President’s affiliation with this religion, even though he has proclaimed he is a Christian. But there are a few questions to consider:

• Is President Obama a Muslim?
• Is he a Christian?
• Can he govern well regardless of his spiritual beliefs?
• Should his faith be the concern of Americans?

While there are some Muslim ties in his past, there doesn’t seem to be much proof that President Obama is affiliated with, or spiritually aligned with, the Muslim religion. He has not been known to attend services at mosques or follow any specific requirements of this tradition. However, neither does he currently attend Christian church services regularly.

Galatians 5:22-23 describes what a Christ-follower looks like. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” The general populace has very limited access to seeing what President Obama is like when he’s out of public view. He has publicly professed faith in Christ and is reported to read a daily devotional and to have attended a Christian church for years. Of course, I Corinthians 15:33 adds, “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.” President Obama attended Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s church for more than 20 years. Wright’s race-driven views about Christianity and the doctrine he espoused from those views were decidedly inflammatory and non-Biblical.

There have been many previous U.S. presidents whose allegiance to Christ was questionable (based on some of their quotes regarding Christianity), yet they accomplished much, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson. While it is also true that those who follow Jesus would prefer to have their president and other elected leaders be of like mind, the Bible is clear that Christians are to submit to their elected officials because God has allowed them into those positions. “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” (Romans 13:1) Believers must trust in the sovereign will and omnipotence of God to reveal His purposes for those who are elected.

It might also be helpful to remember that kings and presidents weren’t even God’s idea. His people insisted upon having human rulers. I Samuel 8 spells this out as the Israelites, directed and intended to be different from other nations and types of government, demanded that Samuel appoint a king to rule over them. This was not in accordance with God’s plan. He desired them to trust and be subject only to His rule, but it wasn’t enough for them.

The bottom line is that you can’t know President Obama’s heart toward Jesus any more than you can truly know the heart of anyone. Christians don’t have a pretty crown on their heads to identify which one is “the real deal.” Your concern should be to follow Christ and His ways so that it is easy for others to identify you as a believer. You should also strive, through your prayers and your vote, to help elect those who have historically lived their lives according to the fruits of the Spirit and surround themselves with people who do the same.

As you take this matter to the Lord, pray that:

• God will search your own hearts for sin and judgment.
• You will possess supernatural discernment as you help elect the nation’s leaders.
• You will be discerning and humble as you discuss leaders’ faith.
• God would woo and captivate those leaders who don’t know Him.
• God will give you peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7) when the government doesn’t line up with God’s Word.

Diane Markins, a writer and conference speaker, has served on missions trips in Mexico and also assisted with border patrol watches. She and her husband and family live in Arizona.

America’s long tradition of public gatherings on the National Mall

by Adam Colwell

The dual rallies held August 28 in Washington D.C. continued an American tradition of public gatherings on the National Mall – a string of marches or meetings that have included major events where Americans were either called to remember the nation’s Godly heritage…or reminded of Biblical principles and how they should impact national public policy.

Most rallies in Washington, D.C. are one-time events. An exception is the annual “March for Life” held January 22 marking the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case legalizing abortion. That march has been held yearly since 1974.

The overall attendance of these events – and likewise perceived public sentiment toward each event – has varied over the past 100+ years. In fact, a controversy after the so-called “Million Man March” in 1995 compelled the National Park Service to stop releasing official crowd estimates for rallies on the National Mall. Today, protest organizers, researchers or news outlets come up with the attendance estimates.

Regardless of how many people participate, these rallies have become as diverse as the nation itself, and have grown in number since the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” on August 28, 1963 in which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. In fact, only eight major recognized rallies had occurred before then on the National Mall, dating back to the march by “Coxey’s Army” on April 30, 1894, a protest by unemployed American workers during the second year of a four-year economic depression that was the worst in United States history to that time. Officially named the “Commonweal in Christ,” its nickname came from its leader, Jacob Coxey.

It was the “Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom” on May 17, 1958 that was the first large demonstration in Washington D.C. of the African-American civil rights movement. A large number of the 85+ major rallies in the nation’s capital since then have been anti-war protests. Two decidedly Christian rallies on the National Mall in that time include the October 4, 1997 Promise Keepers’ “Stand in the Gap: A Sacred Assembly of Men,” and the September 2, 2000 TheCall DC for “God’s move in this nation.”

Events have been held since 2000 regarding immigration reform, taxation, gun control laws, domestic violence and human rights. The two August 28 rallies, held in conjunction with the yearly anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. speech, indicates that such marches and meetings at the National Mall are only going to increase as Americans become more frustrated with what they perceives is being done – or not done – by the federal government.

As believers in the Lord consider their opinions of and participation in such events in the future, it would be wise to keep in mind the discourse of the apostle Paul in Romans 12:9-13:2 about Christian conduct and attitude. Take it to heart as you pray this week for the nation and the government:

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Adam Colwell is a freelance writer/editor and Chief Editor of The Presidential Prayer Team website. Active in Christian para-church ministry for over 25 years, he and his wife Ginger have two daughters and a grandson and live in Tucson, AZ.

American Christians are increasing being told to keep quiet and go away

by Dr. Tom Askew

Ilene Vick is a member of Cookeville, TN Assembly of God. In 2009, she self-published a book of 101 tips on how to witness for Jesus Christ in the course of daily life without any special training. Seeking a central location in which to discuss her book with friends from other churches, she applied to use the meeting room at the local public library…but was denied access because library policy prohibits use of the community room for “partisan or religious” purposes.

Undaunted, Ilene Vick requested the room twice more, hoping for a change or exception to the library’s policy. Now she’s taking them to court for denying her first and fourteenth amendment rights to free speech and equal protection under the law.

It would be easy for many to say, “Well, she can discuss her book somewhere else,” or “Surely some church will lend her a room for this,” but that’s not her point. The title of Vick’s book is Personality-Based Evangelism, reflecting her passion to live and witness for Christ in the marketplace of exchange and ideas in a free America. She would reason that if Christians are constantly pushed behind closed doors, their chances of impacting the lost world around them are diminished.

The Alliance Defense Fund believes as Ilene Vick does – and is defending her in court. Since 1994, the Alliance Defense Fund has successfully supported cases such as:

• Rosenberger vs. Rector, in which the University of Virginia was required to give equal access to a Christian group for publication funding that was available to all other groups on campus.
• American Library Association vs. Reno, which upheld the practice of labeling materials to protect children in libraries.
• Good News Club vs. Milford Central Schools, which decided that public schools do not violate the U.S. Constitution by allowing Bible Clubs to meet after school hours.

Today, the Alliance Defense Fund is engaged in the defense of cases in which Christians are facing hostility and viewpoint discrimination in regard to free assembly and free speech because of their Biblical views on sanctity of life and the nature of marriage. These cases include:

• A graduate student in counseling who is being forced to retract her beliefs about homosexuality or be dropped from the counseling program;
• A nurse who will be dismissed if she refuses to participate in elective abortion procedures;
• A Christian camp which refused to host the civil union ceremony of a same-sex couple in its worship pavilion.

Each of these cases comes with far-reaching consequences. The graduate student is being told that what she believes is not even an option for a graduate from a state university, and that she must undergo what the university dubs a “remediation plan.” The nurse is being told that she must violate a commandment of God or lose a job in which she is competent and useful. Organizers of the Christian camp are being told to deny its Biblical foundation at the will of an adversary which wants to redefine its mission.

In a nation which prides itself on freedom for all, these are frightening prospects. That such a large percentage of the population can look on these travesties of justice with indifference or approval reveals disturbing attitudes which range from seriously disregarding God to outright hostility toward Him.

In one sense, this should not be a surprise to you. Jesus promised His followers, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…” (Matthew 5:11-12a)

Even though this and other passages promise eternal benefits to those who suffer for Christ here on earth, remember also Paul’s example in Acts 25. When falsely accused, he appealed to Caesar, buying more time to witness for Christ and reminding you that even human governments can be used by God for your protection.

Therefore, pray today:

• for Ilene Vick as she witnesses in court;
• that judges at all levels will rule with just wisdom;
• for Alliance Defense Fund as they represent those whose freedom is being denied.

Dr. Tom Askew has been an educator in both public and private schools for 36 years, in Hong Kong, Germany, Georgia, and Arizona. He is currently the director of The Christian Teaching Academy, a staff and school development resource for the Christian schools of Tucson, Arizona.

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), 34^th President of the United States

On June 14, 1954, President Eisenhower signed into law the Congressional Act, Joint Resolution 243, which added the phrase “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. He said:

In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war.

Dwight David “Ike” Eisenhower was born in October 1890, in Denton Texas. The family moved to Abilene, Kansas, where he grew up. He graduated from Abilene High School. The family called him Dwight, although his birth name was David Dwight, so he reversed the order of his given names when he enrolled at West Point Military Academy. He graduated in the upper half of his class. That class became known as “the class the stars fell on,” because 59 members eventually became general officers.

Eisenhower served in the infantry at various camps in Texas and Georgia. During World War I, he became the number three leader of the new tank corps and rose to temporary Lieutenant Colonel in the National Army. His unit did not see combat during the war. He served in the Panama Canal Zone, and at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and Fort Benning, Georgia. For a time he served as chief military aide to General Douglas MacArthur, accompanying him to the Philippines. After sixteen years as a major, he was promoted to the permanent rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

On his return to the U.S., he held a series of staff positions in Washington, D.C., California and Texas. On the eve of World War II, he was promoted to Brigadier General. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he was assigned to the General Staff in Washington, where he served until June 1942 with the responsibility for creating the major war plans to defeat Japan and Germany. In 1942, he was appointed Commanding General, European Theater of Operations and was based in London. His war exploits are numerous, including the D-Day assault on the coast of Normandy under the code name Operation Overlord, and the liberation of Western Europe and invasion of Germany.

Following the war, Eisenhower returned to Washington as Chief of Staff of the Army. In 1948, he became President of Columbia University, and two years later took leave from the university to become the Supreme Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Not long thereafter there was a “Draft Eisenhower” movement across the U.S. He was courted by both parties, and the “I Like Ike” slogan saw him elected as President in 1952.

Throughout his presidency, he preached a doctrine of “dynamic conservatism.” Among his many enduring achievements as the Interstate Highway System, the admittance of Alaska and Hawaii as States, the insertion of “under God” into the Pledge of Allegiance, and the adoption of “In God We Trust” as the United States motto and its introduction onto paper currency.

He served two terms, and was the first U.S. president to be constitutionally prevented from standing for re-election, having served the maximum two terms. He retired to a working farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, next to the famed battlefield. The land was later donated to the National Park Service. He died in March 1969 at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington of congestive heart failure, and is buried in Abilene, Kansas.

President Eisenhower was married to Mamie Doud, and they had four sons. His faith is listed a Presbyterian.

Father, our prayer today is for the good will of those attending the Mideast Peace talks – for Prime Minister Netanyahu, for President Abbas, for King Abdullah, and for President Mubarek. You know their hearts, Lord; and we desire Your will for the region. For Jesus’ sake, Amen. (From the Prayer Wall)