The United States has unilaterally reimposed all UN sanctions against Iran, despite opposition from Washington’s closest European allies and uncertainty over the impact of the move.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on September 19 announced the so-called snapback of UN sanctions on Iran, threatening U.S. action against any violators.
“If UN member states fail to fulfill their obligations to implement these sanctions, the United States is prepared to use our domestic authorities to impose consequences for those failures and ensure that Iran does not reap the benefits of UN-prohibited activity,” Pompeo said in a statement.
“In the coming days, the United States will announce a range of additional measures to strengthen implementation of UN sanctions and hold violators accountable,” he added.
Iran's currency fell to a record low against the U.S. dollar on September 20 following Washington's announcement. The Iranian economy has been under extreme pressure ever since the United States reimposed unilateral sanctions on the country in November 2018.
In reaction to the move, Iran on September 20 called on the rest of the world to unite against Washington's "reckless actions."
The U.S. move sets the stage for a major clash at the United Nations, where Washington finds itself increasingly isolated amid tensions with both Iran and other parties to the 2015 nuclear accord, known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA).
"The Americans as a rule act as a bully and impose sanctions.... The world community should decide how to act towards bullying," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Iranian state television hours before the U.S. announcement.
President Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and reimposed U.S. sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to progressively infringe on its nuclear commitments as part of a calibrated response to the absence of expected economic benefits from the JCPOA.
The remaining parties to the Iran nuclear deal have tried to save the faltering agreement, rejecting an attempt by Washington to trigger a return of UN sanctions on Tehran over its infringement of its nuclear commitments.
Ahead of the U.S. announcement, Britain, France, and Germany said in a letter to the UN Security Council that international sanctions relief for Iran would continue beyond September 20.
"We have worked tirelessly to preserve the nuclear agreement and remain committed to do so," the UN envoys for the three countries said in a letter to the UN Security Council on September 18.
Iran's President Hassan Rohani claimed on September 20 that the Trump administration's policy of trying to force Iran to negotiate a new nuclear deal by imposing punishing sanctions on the country -- often referred to as a "maximum pressure" campaign -- has backfired, resulting in "maximum isolation" of the United States at the UN.
"America is approaching a certain defeat in its sanctions move," Rohani said in a televised speech.
Pray that the nuclear accord can be re-visited and re-negotiated.
Pray that Iran will adhere to its nuclear commitments.
Pray for the people of Iran who are suffering the most as a result of the sanctions.
ISIS militants wreak havoc in Mozambique, killing more than 1,000 in insurgency. More than 1,000 homes have been torched by the militants, and entire villages are empty after residents fled.
Islamic State-affiliated terrorists have reportedly formed a base hub of operations in Northern Mozambique, killing more than 1,500 people, and displacing more than 250,000, according to the European Union.
The militants intend to spread out from Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province throughout Southern Africa unless stopped, according to analyst Jasmine Opperman of the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.
“It is Islamic State, seeking a footprint in Southern Africa,” she told Fox News. “Islamic State needs a platform in the region to operate, and Cabo Delgado presents that opportunity, and hence I am saying there is a regional threat.”
Opperman believes South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola, and Namibia are all at risk from ISIS, which started the insurgency three years ago.
More than 1,000 homes have been torched by the militants, and entire villages are empty after residents fled.
A top research analyst told Fox News villagers are given a choice: join ISIS or else. Some villagers have been tortured, raped, and murdered. Young girls have been kidnapped.
“To put it bluntly, it’s spiraling out of control,” claims Opperman.
The militants have fashioned several names for themselves – including Al Shabaab. But there’s no evidence of any direct link with the Somalia-centred group with the same name.
Analysts say the militants are targeting the wealth that is to come from massive natural gas fields currently being explored primarily just offshore. French energy company Total alone is reportedly investing $60 billion in its Mozambique LNG project.
But multiple factors, including alleged corruption within the Mozambican government, have visibly not led to signs of wealth being passed down to the general local community, other than the energy companies employing local staff.
Mozambique ranks 181 out of 187 countries in the most recent UNDP Human Development Index. Meanwhile, the Borgen Project, a Seattle-based non-profit fighting global poverty, claims more than 80% of Mozambicans continue to live on less than $2 a day. Life expectancy in Mozambique is only 55 years, compared to 79 years in the US.
This is why the insurgents claim they attacked, in a huge firefight, and took control of the local port town of Moçimboa da Praia – the supply center for the nearby natural gas projects. Weeks later, with all communications cut, it’s still not clear whether the town is still under rebel control.
Pray that the Mozambique government will quash the efforts of these terrorist groups.
Pray for those displaced by these atrocities, that they will find safety and shelter.
Pray for the humanitarian agencies working to support the affected communities.
Pray against the corruption in the government and that the lack of investment in infrastructure will be reversed.
BREAKPOINT: Benjamin Watson, Tulsi Gabbard and Frank Wolf on the Slaughter of Christians in Nigeria
On Wednesday of this week, I was honored to participate in a media event, along with former U.S. Representative Frank Wolf, current U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, former Super Bowl star Ben Watson, and Stephen Enada, president of the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON). The targeting of Christians in Nigeria, for persecution, abduction, and death, is so dire, it’s been labeled “genocide” by observers both inside and outside the country.
Especially in northern Nigeria, Christians are under a sustained, brutal assault by two groups bent on their destruction: The Islamist terror group Boko Haram and Fulani militants motivated by a mixture of Islamist ideology and greed for land. On any given day, Christians are killed, raped, and kidnapped.
An interactive calendar on the ICON website offers a documented summary of how many Christian have been victimized each day since December of last year. As I mentioned in my comments for the panel, this campaign against believers has been going on for years, but the calendar offers a visual picture that the persecution of Christians in Nigeria is as recent as last week. For example, just last week, over 20 Christians were killed and over 60 abducted.
As Stephen Enada, leader of ICON and host for Wednesday’s panel, told me recently on the BreakPoint Podcast, Nigerian Christians are in the midst of an “existential crisis.” In addition to those killed, there are more than 3 million displaced Nigerians. Women and children are being trafficked to Europe.
Yet the Nigerian government has embraced a policy of indifference, if not complicity. At most, they arrest a few perpetrators, declare them “de-radicalized” after a short while, and send them back into the community. Many continue to prey upon their Christian neighbors.
This is why every member of Wednesday’s panel called for external pressure. The Nigerian government must be pressured by the international community, especially the government of the United States of America. Creating that pressure is the mission of ICON. Their comprehensive report, “Genocide in Nigeria,” offers the full, heartbreaking picture of what is happening in Africa’s largest country. You can get a copy on their website.
Wednesday’s event was designed not only to inform media about ICON’s activities and resources, but to press for action while offering possible ways the U.S. might pressure the Nigerian government to act.
After pointing out that more Christians have been killed in Nigeria than Islamists have killed in Syria and the rest of the Middle East, former Representative Frank Wolf urged the Trump Administration to appoint a special envoy for Nigeria. In addition to working with the U.N. and NGOs to coordinate all efforts to confront the crisis, a special envoy will send a signal that the United States is serious about the problem and is willing to put its sizeable weight to work in order to address it.
Enada seconded Wolf’s recommendations, saying that “it’s more important than ever that the U.S. government act to resolve this crisis. A special envoy,” he said, “with the full backing of our federal government, would have the power to hold perpetrators accountable.” Representative Tulsi Gabbard, a Hindu, voiced her support for these kinds of efforts as well. Too often, she said “these attacks go unnoticed,” but Americans must “join our voices against the systematic slaughter of Christians.”
Former Super Bowl Champion Ben Watson struck perhaps the most inspirational note of the event. “If we are silent about [what’s happening in Nigeria] we are in some way complicit.” He then linked the campaign for justice in Nigeria to the campaign for racial justice here at home: “This shouldn’t be limited to our shores . . . we must raise a voice against violations around the world.”
And please, pray for our brothers and sisters in Nigeria. As I said at the event on Wednesday, and I’ll say it again, praying is doing something. Primarily, prayer aligns our hearts with the heart of God. And, make no mistake, the heart of God is aligned with our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted. The more we pray the less we will tolerate silence about their persecution.
More at: https://breakpoint.org/benjamin-watson-tulsi-gabbard-and-frank-wolf-on-the-slaughter-of-christians-in-nigeria/
We are in a unique time in history. The world is in crisis and desperately needs the message of hope that can be only found in Jesus Christ. Would you like to be part of reaching every person with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the next 10 years?
We would like to invite church and ministry leaders to attend a special Zoom meeting on October 29 to launch GO Decade (2020-2030).
Building on experience with Global Outreach Day and GO 2020, GO Decade is a group of ministries, denominations, local churches and networks who are banding together to believe God to see the Great Commission fulfilled. We don’t believe any one organization can get the job done. But we also believe that through God’s power “Together we can reach the world”.
Please read the attached document to understand more of why GO Decade exists and what we hope it will help accomplish. If the vision of “Together we can reach the world” intrigues and motivates you like it does us, please plan to join us from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time Zone on October 29.
Indicate your interest registering here to the zoom conference:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrf-yrrzwvGd0gYjVXvuN06fndlChs4iOt or www.go2020.world/godecade
God is moving in unprecedented ways. Many people are looking to God for help in light of the overwhelming challenges they face. GO Decade exists to help each of our organizations make the most of the opportunities God is giving us.
We look forward to joining with you on October 29th.
Let's explore ways we can all be more strategic parts of what God is doing today.
Read this encouraging report from GO2020 so far! - Please share these testimonies to God's grace and redeeming love.
Werner Nachtigal, International President - Global Outreach
Beat Baumann, International Director - Global Outreach
Steve Douglas, President - Cru / Campus Crusade for Christ
Dave Gibson, US Director / Pastor of Missions and Evangelism Global Outreach / Grace Church of Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Please pray with us for this Go2020 KIDS initiative that has the potential (and vision) to reach more than twenty million through children and youth these next three months.
Thirty-nine leaders of church and youth and children’s ministry organisations from 21 countries across Africa recently met online to plan a huge 'Last Quarter Evangelism' outreach for the continent using the Children's Prayer Covenant (CPC). See: https://prayercovenant.org/go2020-kids.html It will run from October through to December 2020.
Two gospel focused Children’s Prayer Covenant flyers will be printed locally targeting children (4 pages) and youth (6 pages). All have pledged to work for its effective printing and distribution in their regions.
Rev. Elias Apetogbo, African Continent Leader for The Prayer Covenant chaired the meeting. He is General Secretary for the All Africa Baptist Youth Fellowship (AABYF)
During this landmark inaugural gathering, Rev. Dr. Samson Supo Ayonkule who is the President of CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria, the institution which stands as the Body of Christ in Nigeria) and Vice-President of Baptist World Alliance shared a devotional.
He challenged youth leaders to commit themselves and their groups of influence to the mission because youth have the energy to be the feet of Jesus and reach out to the unconverted. He also invited youth to dream big for the mission. He encouraged Youth to make themselves available for the mission and to focus no matter how big the challenges will be, Youth must know that Jesus is the rewarder.
The Prayer Covenant have printed an initial 750,000 flyers. Churches and organisations are being invited to pay for their transportation / postage. If anyone wishes to sow in towards further printing and distribution of the Prayer Covenant flyers, please contact Candy Marballi: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The mission will also be circulating e-flyers using social media and instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp. There will be training on online evangelism provided by a regional specialist.
From October 1, 2020, each Convention or Union represented from the 21 countries is going to pray and fast one day each, on a roster, 24/7 - during the three months.
Let's be praying with them for this GO2020 KIDS / Prayer Covenant outreach...
Please Pray:
That the flame, the excitement and the zeal of leaders towards GO2020 KIDS / Last Quarter Evangelism (LQE) must not quenched.
That 100% of our National Youth Leaders must be committed to LQE.
For wisdom and godly direction for Elias Apetogbo as he oversees the project.
Over the past month, we have felt the Spirit of God calling us as individuals, nations, and as a global family into a marked time of consecration. The Holy Spirit is moving upon our hearts to remember all that Jesus has done for us, transforming us into the living stones that God is using to build His dwelling place on earth.
Following this prompting, we released a call to our global family to set aside 28 days of prayer and fasting from September 10th to October 8th, 2020. Alongside these days of consecration, we have invited the family to join us for a 4-Part "Preparing a Dwelling Place" gathering series in this window of time on September 17th, September 24th, October 1th, and October 8th respectively.
The first portion of the series took place on the Feast of Trumpets on September 17th. Corporately, we leaned into the heart of God and entered into His rest. We felt that this year marks the release of a warning and a call to mobilization. Together, we prayed that we would be a family that ascends to a higher place; hearing what the Father is speaking and releasing His trumpet sound here on earth.
During the second portion on September 24th, as a global family, we placed Jesus at the center. His presence became so tangible, ushering us into deeper moments of communion with Him and with one another. During this time, we also stood with our family from the USA in particular as they stand in a pivotal season of destiny.
The upcoming third portion on October 1st will be led by teachers from different streams of the Body. Mike Bickle, Francis Chan, Asher Intrater, Bill Johnson and David Demian will come together to share what the Lord is revealing to them about the emerging Ecclesia. The final portion of the series on October 8th will focus on the global family congregating to hear His desires for the house He wishes to dwell in.
Please visit our website for more information on the 4-Part "Preparing a Dwelling Place" gathering series at: www.watchmen.org/dwellingplace
The full recording of each gathering is available for replay and sharing in multiple languages.
Revival4Survival - Oct 10th, 10-10pm CST
USA National Prayer Assembly - Oct 13-15 2020
www.nationalprayerassembly.org
2020 a year of evangelism across the UK
40 Days of Worship & Prayer (Korea) 1 Sept - 11 Oct
https://en.40dayworshipandprayer.com/
Hinge of History Fast 2 Sept - 11 Oct
https://louengle.com/hinge-of-history/
Feast of Tabernacles - Oct 2nd - tpm ET
www.reconnectingministries.org
GO2020 KIDS Last Quarter Evangelism AFRICA - Oct - Dec 2020
https://prayercovenant.org/go2020-kids.html
Preparing a Dwelling Place (4) Oct 8th
Pray4Europe EEA Prayer Meeting - Oct 27th 13:00 (Amsterdam)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/prayernetworkHFE
The Gathering - 24-7 Prayer - Oct 30th-31st 2020
Contend! - 21 Days of Prayer for Global Mission
4-25 Nov 2020
15 Days Prayer for the Hindu World - Nov 8-22
Movement for African National Initiatives – Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 8-12 March 2021
https://maniafrica.com/category/prayers/
UPRising Events Calendar
UPRISING Chile – November 2020 (Date TBA)
GLOBAL UPRISING Manila, Philippines, Nov 2021
www.unitedprayerrising.com
UPRISING MINDANAO (Mindanao, Philippines)-- dates TBA
- UPRISING BUKIDNON (Northern Mindanao)
- UPRISING CARAGA (Butuan, Bislig, and Surigao)
- UPRISING DIGOS (Davao Del Sur)
- UPRISING CENTRAL MINDANAO (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos)
FB: United Prayer Rising Mindanao
FB: United Prayer Rising North Mindanao
IG: @uprisingmindanao
Watch this beautifully captured video of a sung prayer for America - for the Healing of our Land - followed by 4 prayer pointers as we pray for America in the run-up to the 2020 Presidential elections:
- That we Americans will humbly repent of our many sins before God. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
- That forces of evil seeking to divide us and overthrow our nation will be bound. (Matthew 18: 18-19)
- That all will be moved to vote for life and Judeo-Christian values in the November 3rd 2020 US election.
- That America will be delivered and enabled to fulfill its God-given destiny and calling for the future.
Hand in Hand we Declare - Jesus is Lord!
As one we stand... Amen!
Join us for the National Prayer Assembly - October 13th-15th 2020
More info and sign up for free at: www.nationalprayerassembly.org