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On Watch in Washington / The Informer

January 13, 2016 

     Ever since the now-infamous U.S. Supreme Court decision on January 22, 1973 legalizing unrestricted abortion on demand in the United States, no other single cause has prompted more consistent prayer across our nation than the issue of life in the womb. Many Christian leaders have called that date a turning point from which our country has never recovered. And yet thousands of intercessors have pressed on patiently, continuing to pray.  
     As a result, God is showing His grace and power, and hearts are being changed. Glimmers of hope are bringing forth increased faith. There is evidence that light is advancing and darkness receding. For the first time in many years, a majority of Americans call themselves pro-life. Overturning Roe v. Wade seems a real possibility in our lifetime. God is at work, answering the prayers of His people.   
     January is National Sanctity of Life month, and IFA encourages you to fast and pray with many likeminded believers for these innocent lives at risk. Beginning January 17, we will share a weeklong series of daily devotions. Invite your family, friends, prayer group, and church leaders to pray with us. Each devotional, including specific prayer points, will be delivered daily to your inbox during this week of prayer. You can sign up here:  https://www.nationalsanctityoflifesunday.com/.  
    In addition, we will have a focused time of prayer during a National Sanctity of Life Prayer Conference Call on Friday, January 22, at 12:15 p.m. (ET). Leaders from the pro-life movement will be sharing their various perspectives and will lead us in prayer during the call. We have found such unity to be powerful. To join the call, dial 712-432-0075 and enter the code as prompted (1412452#). Alternatively, you may participate by watching the live Webcast at http://www.ifapray.org/resources/webcast.  
     Together, with God's help, we can lift the culture of life in our nation to a new height. Please join us. 
 
 
It's now official. The Supreme Court has scheduled a status conference on January 22, 2016 - the 43rd anniversary of Roe v Wade and Doe v Bolton - to consider whether to accept the North Dakota case banning abortion after six weeks.

IFA's prayer focus is two-fold: First, give thanks for Allan Parker and The Justice Foundation, for the legal skills and biblical insight Allan and staff bring to these life-and-death (literally) issues. Second, pray for the justices to be directed by God's overruling, sovereign power, to guide their deliberations away from politics and toward the fear of the Lord.

"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength." (Prov 8:13-14)  
  
 
The continuing collapse in commodity prices pushed oil futures still lower Monday, and analysts predicted that the slide was far from over. Oil prices fell to their lowest level in 12 years, with futures of West Texas intermediate crude for February delivery settling at $31.41 a barrel, down 5.3 percent. Oil futures, which lost 30 percent last year, have declined every day of 2016. Brent oil, the main international benchmark, lost 6.5 percent and closed at $31.55 a barrel.

Happy New Year? It's not so certain financially. How to pray? While a lower gasoline price means good news for drivers, still the economic picture in the U.S. and globally since 2016 trading began on Jan. 4 represents volatility, uncertainty, and downward trends. Intercede for God's purposes to prevail. As human resources fail, man's deep need for God becomes more evident. Pray!

 "For thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations,' ... says the Lord of hosts. The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the Lord of hosts." (Hag 2:6-8)   
  
 
Here are 10 reasons why a civilized nation that cares about the rights of women and children ought to support the permanent defunding of Planned Parenthood. The organization's widespread corruption should be particularly concerning to human rights activists and taxpayers in general, who are forced to pay for the 'services' Planned Parenthood performs.

Pray for widespread distribution of this solidly researched, honest article by Kristi Burton Brown. These facts about a scurrilous, deceitful, and unconscionable organization must be circulated far and wide by all lovers of truth and life. Please intercede fervently, asking God, "How long will such evil power and authority be tolerated?" The leaders are not our enemies; they are blinded to the truth.

[God speaking as Wisdom:] "For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord; but he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death." (Prov 8:35-36)
  
 
Is the pain of low oil prices becoming unbearable for OPEC? After watching the price of crude oil collapse by more than 65% to a 12-year low, there are signs that OPEC may have had enough. Nigeria's top oil official and OPEC President Emmanuel Kachikwu said the cartel is considering an emergency meeting, perhaps as soon as next month. At issue is whether OPEC would agree to cut production, a move that could help stop the crude price freefall."I expect to see one. ... There's a lot of energy currently around that," he told CNN.

Intercessors no doubt find it interesting that oil - a "God-made" and not manmade product - is dominating news headlines and economic balance sheets almost daily. Pray for God's merciful intervention and restraint on international greed. Of interest to Americans is whether the Iranian-Saudi Arabia conflict will escalate over oil production and exports. Intercede accordingly.

"Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 'Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.' He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision." (Ps 2:1-4) 
 
 


WEBCAST: Join us this Thursday, January 14, 2016
at 12:00 noon (ET) for an hour-long Webcast with
Ivan and Linda Doxtator 
on Governmental Intercession. 

Ivan and his wife, Linda, are founders of First Nations Counseling Ministry near St. Louis, Missouri. Since 1995 they teach have been equipping believers to bring healing to their land and communities. The Doxtator's provide training in understanding and applying prayer principles, recognizing spiritual and corporate authority, and identifying spiritual strongholds.

Join the Webcast by going to IFA's homepage and clicking on the link provided OR call in on our conference line at 1-712-432-0075, Access code: 1412452#.

To watch this, or any recent IFA webcast, go to IFA's Resource Drop down menu, and click on Webcast. The January 14, 2016 webcast will be uploaded on the IFA website no later than January 21, 2016.


There is a long list of threatening statements made by Iranian leaders toward Israel indicating their commitment to destroy it at any price, and expel the Jews from their land. Israel, more than the United States or any other country in the region, has been worried about Iran's weaponization, applying tremendous pressure to block the Iranian path to nuclear weapons. Though not directly involved in the negotiations with Iran, Israel has been a major player in framing the discussions as well in its effect on the development of the regime's nuclear program.

This compilation of information helps focus our prayers for Israel. None of the author's eight points is breaking news, but all praying friends of Israel will appreciate the summary. Along with many prayer needs in our own nation, those following our midweek alerts know IFA prays seriously and devotedly for Israel as a friend and ally. Pray for Israel's protection and ultimate reconciliation to God.

"He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Ps 46:9-10)


In the wake of a presidential veto last week, pro-life Americans are being encouraged to focus on the upcoming federal election and vote into office those who will defend the lives of the unborn. Last week President Obama vetoed the reconciliation bill passed by both houses of Congress. That legislation would have dropped key components of the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. ObamaCare), including the fee in policies to pay for others' abortions, and temporarily stopped most of the federal dollars going to Planned Parenthood.

Analysts agree that the reconciliation bill sent to President Obama was a test launch doomed to fail, yet providing a precedent for what can and will succeed in a conservative administration. It's not too early to pray for the elections in 10 months. Join IFA's campaign, "Get Out the Prayer-2016." Go to IFApray.org for resources, and pray for God's will to prevail and for pro-life candidates to emerge.

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Gal 6:7-9)
  

 

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