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JOEL-NEWS-INTERNATIONAL-427 * 27 JANUARY 2003 * WWW.JOELNEWS.ORG

IN THIS EDITION:

JN427-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Prayer makes most dangerous city harmless
JN427-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Elections in Israel
JN427-3. NEWS BRIEF: Christian radio permitted in Belarus
JN427-4. NEWS BRIEF: Soldiers become incredibly rich
JN427-5. RESOURCE: What is an 'open heaven'?
JN427-6. RESOURCE: Praying like brides instead of widows

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QUOTE: "God does not owe us an explanation for everything. Besides, explanations don't take away the pain. Even when we know why a tragedy happens, it still hurts. It is more helpful to ask 'How' and 'What.' How can I grow from this situation, and what does God want me to learn from it?" (Rick Warren)
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JN427-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Prayer makes most dangerous city harmless

"For a long time, San Marcos was El Salvador's most dangerous city," writes Amaury Braga, prayer coordinator for the DAWN Movement. "With a crime rate of 80%, it was a centre for drug dealers, witch doctors, kidnappers and alcoholics. All the banks closed because they had been raided so often. Around two years ago, God used a young Christian leader to start a strong prayer movement which mobilised almost all Christians to pray for the city, even though some denominations did not want to take part."

"Only one year later, the violent crime rate sank from 80% to 10%, and in January 2002, the national police declared San Marcos completely free of violence. As a result, all Christian churches have grown rapidly - even those of denominations which did not join in prayer. Today, all Christians want to work together. The mayor and other city officials became Christians, and two banks have re-opened, even with cash machines. Two witch doctors who had declared war on the pastors and were not prepared to repent have died. Important drug dealers have turned to Christ and bars have closed. Instead of ceasing prayer, the Christians are now motivated to pray on until God's purposes with the city have been fulfilled," writes Braga.

Source: Dawn Ministries

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JN427-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Elections in Israel

The Jerusalem House of Prayer for all Nations issued a call to pray for the Israeli elections on 28 January (tomorrow). Let's pray for:

1. The right Prime Minister, cabinet members and people's representatives to be put into place.
2. An outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the people of Israel, both Jews and Arabs, so that the gates of Jerusalem will be wide open again for God's presence, preparing the way for His purposes.
3. Protection for the people of Israel, the disarming of evil regimes and the diffusion of terrorism.

At 9 AM Jerusalem time shofars will be blown at all 12 gates of Jerusalem and on the highest mountains surrounding the city. This is the time of day when the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost 2000 years ago. The Jerusalem House of Prayer encourages Christians to go to the high places of their own states and countries to blow the shofar at 9 AM Jerusalem time and to join them in worship and warfare until 10 AM for a breakthrough for Israel and the nations.

Reports and experiences relating to prayer for Israel are welcomed at jhopfan@jhopfan.org.

Source: Jerusalem House of Prayer for all Nations

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JN427-3. NEWS BRIEF: Christian radio permitted in Belarus

After 18 months of intense negotiations with the government, Alpha Radio in Belarus got permission to air one hour of Christian programming a day. This is remarkable because President Lukashenko had just passed a new religion law that is considered the most restrictive in all of Europe. Christians around the world prayed for two years that the station would obtain the necessary permission, and Alpha Radio describes this result as an answer to prayer. Alpha Radio can now reach an audience of around 1,5 million in Minsk and neighboring Vitebsk.

Source: IDEA

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JN427-4. NEWS BRIEF: Soldiers become incredibly rich

"Almost 600 soldiers have become Christians since the start of 2002," writes Compass magazine. In the Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, Europe's largest military garrison, both Army Chaplains and SASRA staff (The Soldiers' and Airmen's Scripture Readers Association) serve. One of the SASRA staff reports "I entered a room in which the soldiers were complaining that someone had stolen money. 'I'm sorry to hear that,' I said, 'and I can't change it, but I can make you incredibly rich, and show you how to gain riches which cannot be stolen.' 'Tell us, Sir,' they told me. I sat on the ground and explained the Gospel according to the Bible. Before I could give them the chance to give their lives to Jesus, they were already on their knees."

Source: Pioneer Network

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JN427-5. RESOURCE: What is an 'open heaven'?

"An open heaven can be described as an unhindered manifestation in the earth of all that heaven is, of God's own presence and glory," says David Orton in this article. "Natural laws can be temporarily or permanently suspended as heaven breaks in. Signs and wonders, miracles and healings, revelations and unusual manifestations of power begin to occur. To varying degrees poverty, sickness, disease, and human degradation are driven back by the overpowering love of God. The most unlikely are swept into the Kingdom and significant wealth can flow into the church. Generally these seasons are characterized by at least four things: revelation, visitation, habitation, and inundation."

LINK: http://www.openheaven.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000154.html

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JN427-6. RESOURCE: Praying like brides instead of widows

"We should stop praying like a widow and start to pray like a bride," says Graham Cooke in this article for intercessors. "Warfare in the kingdom is always concerned with the battle for intimacy. This is a time, the Lord is saying, to come off the battlements and enter a new place of intimate petition. Too many intercessors have become exhausted and burned out. God is raising up an army of Esthers, an army of bridal intercessors, and the Lord says this is a time to come off the wall and rest in the throne room presence of God. This is going to be a difficult thing for some people to do, to come out of one type of ministry into the discipline of resting in God."

LINK: http://www.grahamcooke.co.uk

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COLOPHON

Joel News International is a leading special interest bulletin on prayer, church growth and revival. We offer a keen selection of the most encouraging news reports, the most challenging developments and the best resources from over 100 reliable sources in six continents. Joel News International is a great help and time-saver for thousands of Christian leaders and intercessors in over 120 nations.

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