"Watching over Zion" (The weekly News Report & Prayer Update)
Compiled by David Soakell Tel: 01642 469663
E-mail david@cfi.org.uk Website: www.cfi.org.uk

~ Thursday 26th January 2012 ~
Please note: There will be no report next week due to the CFI Trustees meeting. The next report will be out on 9th February 2012

The Word: To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No-one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long… See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you. Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles. (Psalm 25: 1-5, 19-22)

• Pointers for prayer & On Line bullet points:
• This week in the Middle East, Barak states: “We will negotiate with Hamas if they halt terror”
• Once again the BBC report that UK forces 'could be sent to the Gulf'
• One columnist asks, “Could Iran Trigger Accidental Armageddon”
• Meanwhile, Israeli Air Force (IDF) pilots train under unconventional warfare conditions
• Throughout this week Holocaust Memorial Day Services get under way… We report some stories you may not have seen in the press (see below).
• Please pray that we would have ears to hear, and hearts open to the areas the Lord wants us to be effective in throughout the weeks and months ahead.
• With the Bethlehem Bible College hosting its second "Christ at the Checkpoint" conference, please pray that the Church worldwide awakens to the days in which we live, especially regarding the Nation and future of the Jewish State of Israel. Pray the church would hunger after the complete Word of God and that when they read the promises of God in relation to the nation of Israel - revelation would flow.
• During the prelude to the Holocaust, many Christians and churches remained silent regarding the persecution of the Jewish people. Friday 27th January is Holocaust Memorial Day. Please pray against any “silent protests” and that we - the Church - would honour this special day and reflect on how we can make a difference.
More talks or more trouble?

Watching over Zion" (The weekly News Report & Prayer Update)
Compiled by David Soakell Tel: 01642 469663
E-mail david@cfi.org.uk Website: www.cfi.org.uk

~ Thursday 19th January 2012 ~

The Word: And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD. (Exodus 14:10)

They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; They found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses. And He led them forth by the right way… (Psalm 107:4-7)

How to Give a Cat a Pill

1. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby.

Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cats mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa.

Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws tightly with left hand.

Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe.

Deep thinking about God and directions and such things

Watching over Zion" (The weekly News Report & Prayer Update)
Compiled by David Soakell Tel: 01642 469663
E-mail david@cfi.org.uk Website: www.cfi.org.uk

~ Thursday 12th January 2012 ~

The Word: "But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. "All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:8-13)

Foundations - The Conference. And a splendid time was had by all!

Watching over Zion" (The weekly News Report & Prayer Update)
Compiled by David Soakell Tel: 01642 469663
E-mail david@cfi.org.uk Website: www.cfi.org.uk

~ Thursday 5th January 2012 ~

The Word: But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, “Let Israel be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!” But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand His plan, that He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor. “Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion, for I will give you horns of iron; I will give you hooves of bronze, and you will break to pieces many nations.” You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the LORD, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth. (Micah 4:11-13)

Pointers for prayer: Due to a severe viral infection I’ve had since Christmas, this is a shortened version of WoZ this week. I would welcome your prayer for full recovery.

It’s the one big issue that never goes away!

Why has a solution never been found to the Israel/Palestine conflict?

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This is the most thorough, challenging, entertaining and absorbing book to tackle the mystery of Israel and the Jews and shows why this is not an issue for fence-sitters, it is one that will ultimately affect the whole World. No Christian should be ignorant of this unfolding story ... there is more here than meets the eye.

This book traces the sweeping, surprising and poignant story of God’s ancient people from Bible times, through European history, right up to the current situation in the Middle East ... and beyond.

"OUTCAST NATION: Israel, The Jews ... and you" by Steve Maltz

• How have the Jews managed to survive so long?
• Why have they been so hated by so many other people for so many different reasons?
• Who has the right to the Holy Land and how does this affect others in the Middle East?
• Why should these questions bother, upset, irritate and energize Christians living thousands of miles away in towns and villages all over the World? Yet they do!

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The Complete Story - from Abraham to Armageddon

By Steve Maltz

How many times have you been approached by someone and asked the question, “so what do you think about what’s happening in Israel/Palestine?” Hopefully this may help.

Let's first go back to the 19th Century and look at the 'lie of the land'. Palestine, as it was called then was a poor country, ruled by absentee Turkish landlords, as part of the crumbling and corrupt Ottoman empire.

By all accounts the land was largely barren and uninhabited, its population was either nomadic or largely involved with agriculture, despite the poor environment. Sir John William Dawson, writing in 1888, said, "The motley impoverished tribes which have occupied it have held it as mere tenants at will, temporary landowners."

Where I dream of possibilities in 2012