| JOEL-NEWS-INTERNATIONAL-461 * 28 NOVEMBER 2003 * WWW.JOELNEWS.ORG IN THIS EDITION: JN461-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Peace comes to the spear throwers JN461-2. PRAYER FOCUS: International terrorism JN461-3. NEWS BRIEF: Final 'The Call' in Dallas, Texas JN461-4. RESOURCE: Pivotal praying JN461-5. RESOURCE: World Christian Database --- JN461-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Peace comes to the spear throwers Their neighbouring people groups feared and despised Ethiopia's 50,000-strong people group Me'en for their drunkenness and violence. "Violence and daily drinking parties had their toll," reports Ruth Weber, missionary in a bush clinic. Spear wounds were commonplace. That, and the local spirit cult gave rise to hopelessness, illness, undernourishment and poverty. The Me'en first heard the Gospel from missionaries in 1993. At first, they all reacted skeptically towards the Gospel, except Gebre, the first Me'en to become a Christian. He then helped in the hospital as a translator. The first open conflict between the Gospel and the true power behind the Me'en was when Esther, Gebre's stepsister, was tormented by demons. It seemed certain that she would die. The entire clan was afraid, but Gebre proclaimed Jesus as Lord, commanding the demons to leave her. Something entirely unexpected happened: Esther was freed on the spot. The following morning, she said "From now on, Jesus is my Lord." The news of her deliverance spread rapidly, and others followed her example. There are now more than 40 churches in the Me'en area, with over 10,000 Christians. Their faith in Jesus has transformed them: the spears are no longer needed in many places, because they have placed their protection in God's hand. Peace has come to the Me'en. Source: DMG, Friday Fax --- JN461-2. PRAYER FOCUS: International terrorism Several American prayer leaders felt prompted this week to specially focus prayer on international terrorism. Intercessors for America called to pray for "the foiling of every terrorist plot and for the dissolution of Al Qaeda and its related groups throughout the world." According to DEBKAfile (www.debka.com), an international terrorism and intelligence website, a message published over al Qaeda's electronic channels and websites declared that the countdown has begun for the biggest operation ever carried out in the U.S. "The big blow will fall very shortly. It will consist of a series of surprise attacks that will cut America off from communication with its armies in Muslim countries." The reference is clearly to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The largest number, around 115,000 soldiers, is present in Iraq. Muslims living in the U.S. are urged by the Al Qaeda warning to "take advantage of the short time left" to escape the country and harm's way. Associated press reported on 24 November that he U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced to the public that the nation's current terror threat level stands at yellow, or elevated, indicating there is only a significant risk of terrorist attacks. But, behind the scenes, it has directed federal and state law enforcement, as well as security personnel to initiate protective measures under its highest threat level - red - a condition when there is an imminent risk of terrorist attacks. John Robb of the International Prayer Council says: "Prevailing prayer is a necessity. Ask the Lord to act in His own displeasure toward those who would strike terror into the earth (Ezekiel 32:22-25; Psalm 7:11-16). Pray that He would root out and bring terrorists to justice. Pray that the Lord would show mercy, expose and thwart terrorist schemes, grant wisdom, discernment and protection to all in authority working to prevent terrorist attacks." Source: IPC --- JN461-3. NEWS BRIEF: Final 'The Call' in Dallas, Texas On November 29, 7 AM to 7 PM, the seventh and final 'The Call' meeting will be held in Dallas, Texas. This strategic gathering for fasting and prayer will bring together thousands of young people as well as the generations. Che Ahn, one of the initiators of The Call says: "There are times when God creates solemn assemblies that bring Heaven to earth and establish His order. Bondages are broken, veils are lifted, and the purposes of God are clearly established. Ideologies change. The Calls held around our nation and the globe over the last three years were such times." Three years ago in Washington, D.C., 400,000 young people jammed the Mall to pray and fast for God to forgive and change America. Generations were bridged and hearts were healed. Countless youth answered The Call to a holy life and destiny. The nation experienced an upset Presidential election marked by the hand of God, and a foundation of a huge new awakening was laid for youth missions and ministry training that will reach the globe. Boston: A time of healing right after the 9-11 tragedy. Ivy League schools report momentous outbreaks of fiery new churches and radical Bible studies birthed in New England. God begins shaking mainline denominations with public exposure to sin. New York: 85,000 endure sweltering heat to cry out for prayer to be brought back to the schools. A softened heart in America and the leadership of President Bush brings great latitude in this regard. Wall Street is shaken as fraud, greed and materialism are exposed and people cry out for integrity in the marketplace. Kansas City: Thousands return to first love intimacy with our Bridegroom, Jesus. The contagious love is infiltrating the earth and wooing God's true Bride. Los Angeles: We cried out for transformation and repentance. Hollywood is beginning to experience change. Before The Call LA, Mel Gibson, as a born again celebrity, began making a movie called 'The Passion' about the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus. This could be the next 'Jesus Film' that could lead thousands to the Lord. We see signs that an impact is being made against pornography beginning with those in the church who are under its spell. San Francisco: Incredible anointing and visitation of God. The spirit of greed and materialism is broken. The largest offering ever received at a Call provided an overflow that was sown at the apostle's feet in the city to care for the poor. "I believe this seventh and final Call is God's summing up and seal," says Che Ahn. "We are beseeching God for a healing of root injustices in our land, and believing God to break the spirit and culture of death on the emerging generation as we pray for an overturn of Roe v. Wade abortion decision birthed in Dallas 30 years ago, and solemnly mark the assassination of President Kennedy there 40 years ago. "Our quest is not over yet. While there will still be other 'Calls' around the globe at which Lou and I will speak - Calls which God is birthing through others for the vision of the nations - my heart is to faithfully finish what God specifically commissioned us to do. There is no way we could express the joy that has been sown in our hearts in being privileged to convene these Calls. It is humbling beyond words. God has indeed done great things!" LINK: http://www.thecall.com LINK: http://www.thecalltexas.com --- JN461-4. RESOURCE: Pivotal praying Many Christians pray selfish, trivial and even manipulative prayers. According to research the top three prayer subjects are meals, personal and family safety, and personal blessings. But there is a more fulfilling and God-honouring kind of prayer: pivotal praying, which means we learn to pray at higher levels. Both the intimacy we share with God and the subject matter of our prayers deepen. Our prayers become more progressive, rather than merely accomplishing damage control. Our prayer becomes mission driven, not maintenance driven. This article is a summary of several chapters from John Hull and Tim Elmore's book 'Pivotal Praying. Connecting with God in Times of Great Need'. It contains several encouraging testimonies of ordinary people entering into 'pivotal praying'. LINK: http://www.nppn.org/Resources/Resources11192003.htm#14. --- JN461-5. RESOURCE: World Christian Database In order to provide an overview of the development of Christianity around the world, David Barrett published the World Christian Encyclopedia, a monumental work of 2,600 pages. This tome now has a digital successor: the World Christian Database, published by the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. LINK: http://www.worldchristiandatabase.org --- 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. Editor: Marc van der Woude. You can contact the editorial office at joel-news@xs4all.nl. Joel News International is distributed weekly by e-mail on the basis of an annual donation. For more information see http://www.joelnews.org/donation-jni.htm#options. Has this bulletin been forwarded to you? Then subscribe directly by sending an empty e-mail to: subscribe-joel-news-international@xc.org. |
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