Pray for Christians of the Middle East who suffer as persecuted minorities within an increasingly intolerant Muslim society.
Update: As this prayer bulletin is being written, the Arabs of the Palestinian-controlled territories are voting for a 132-member parliament. Hamas, a terrorist organization whose charter calls for the destruction of Israel, is contesting the elections on a platform of 'change and reform'. With Hamas expected to make significant gains, Palestinian Christians and women fear the imposition of a hard-line Islamist agenda. In December 2005 the leader of the Hamas contingent at the municipal council of Bethlehem, Hassam El-Masalmeh, told The Wall Street Journal that Hamas intends to re-institute the 'jizya', a tax mandated by the Qur'an (sura 9:29) to be imposed on non-Muslims who have chosen not to convert to Islam and must now pay for their right to life. (Jizya is a form of systematic religious humiliation, persecution and extortion). Please pray for Palestinian Christians.
Click to see: Be Perfect!
Click to hear: Here is love! (WMP)
Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin - No. 362 – Wed., 25 Jan 2006
4 comments:
ha ha. Hamas is victorious.
European leaders said on Thursday the Islamic movement Hamas, which swept to victory in a Palestinian parliamentary election, must renounce violence or risk international isolation.
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin told reporters the "indispensable conditions" for France to be able to work with any Palestinian government included "the renunciation of violence and ... the recognition of Israel".
Hamas, which is officially committed to the destruction of Israel and has carried out nearly 60 suicide bombings in the Jewish state over the last six years, is outlawed as a terrorist organization by the 25-nation European Union.
Continue to pray for peace!
NO PEACE WITHOUT WAR
HOW CAN YOU STAND WITHOUT A FLOOR
......They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775
PRAY FOR PEACE
PREPARE FOR WAR
The audio statement by Osama bin Laden broadcast on al-Jazeera television Thursday appears to be related to recent threats made by an al Qaeda front in Europe and points to an imminent attack, according to a Washington-based analyst.
Christopher L. Brown of the Hudson Institute earlier this month analyzed the Jan. 6 videotaped message of Ayman al-Zawahiri, bin Laden's chief deputy. The tape, Brown said, and other al Qaeda communications indicated a high probability that al Qaeda would launch a major terrorist attack in the next 30 days and that the United States was the likeliest target.
"The new operation of al Qaeda has not happened, not because we could not penetrate the security measures," bin Laden said during the broadcast. "It is being prepared, and you'll see it in your homeland very soon."
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