As you will see by the examples below this week, the spiritual warfare dealing with powers and principalities over Israel and the Middle East continues to intensify. Thank you for your continued and dedicated intercession. Here are some extremely short summaries:
Palestinian Christian Murdered by Islamic Radicals –
Rami Ayyad, 30, manager of the Bible Society bookshop in Gaza, was kidnapped on Saturday near his home in Gaza City. His body was later found near the Islamic University on Sunday morning, having been tortured and murdered.  Ayyad leaves a pregnant widow, Pauline, and two children. The Christians in Gaza face the threat of attack daily. But they are dedicated to demonstrating the Bible’s life-changing message to the Palestinian people.
Pray for L' (director of the Palestinian Bible Society), for H' (pastor of the evangelical church in Gaza). Pray for a massive reaction within the Palestinian Muslims to recognize the murderous ways of radical Islam. Pray for victorious spiritual power for revival from the blood of this dear martyr. Even today more and more Palestinian Muslims are secretly turning to Yeshua (Jesus).
Armenian "Genocide" Declaration –
This week the U.S. Congress voted to declare the murder of 1.5 million Armenians in Turkey during the years 1915 to 1925 as "Genocide." This comes from years of lobbying from American Armenians. The historical fact of the number of these murders is relatively undisputed by serious historians – the issue was whether to label it as "Genocide," making an obvious parallel with the Nazi efforts to destroy the Jews in World War II.
Turkish reaction was harsh – recalling their ambassador, demonstrations in the streets, and blaming the "Jewish Lobby" for conspiring to pass the legislation. President Bush and Jewish organizations agree on the horrible nature of the Armenian massacres, but have been against taking a stance against Turkey, which is seen as an ally in the Middle East. (70 percent of U.S. military flights into Iraq come through Turkey.)
Israeli Messianic Young Adults Conference –
Young adults from across Israel are meeting this weekend for a conference of worship, teaching, and fellowship in Yeshua. Pray for the spirit of revival, unity, and holiness to be poured out upon them.
Holy Land Foundation trial –
The HLF is a non profit organization in the U.S. that has apparently been serving as a channel for fund raising and channeling support to terrorist groups in the Middle East, particularly to Hamas. The organization has been brought to trial, being prosecuted in Dallas. The jury seems to be deadlocked. The trial has great significance as setting a legal precedent for dealing with terrorist supporting Islamic organizations in the U.S.
Pray for justice to prevail, for the jury to come to the right decision, and for the correct legal precedent to be set for other Islamic organizations in the U.S.
"Anti-Missionary" court cases in Israel –
There are three key cases being brought before the Israeli courts (one in Arad, one in Beer Sheva, and one in Ashdod) in which ultra-Orthodox Jewish religious groups have attacked and persecuted Messianic Jewish believers in Israel. The legal issues involved are delicate and complex. However, it is essential that this persecution be stopped. Pray for the Israeli courts to take a strong stance against these so-called "anti-missionary" groups, so that the Messianic community in Israel can live in peace with freedom to express our faith.