With the Olympics beginning Friday and Tisha b’Av on Sunday, this weekend is a vital time for breakthrough prayer. Jolene and I will be sharing and praying Saturday at the “Gathering of the Remnant,” 1pm at Word of Life Church in Springfield VA. The meeting is hosted by our friend Sara Ballenger. If you’re in the area, hope to see you there!

Romney in Israel on Tisha b’Av
In this season of Dire Straits, many US leaders are making a point to strongly identify with the Jewish people. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his wife Ann will be visiting Israel on Tisha b’Av. In fact, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara have invited the Romneys to join them Sunday as they end their fast with a meal.

According to the Weekly Standard, “Netanyahu… encouraged Romney to be in Jerusalem on this solemn day, one that recalls the tragedies of Jewish history and calls to mind current threats to the Jewish people.”

Sec. Clinton Condemns ‘Demonization of Jews’
On Tuesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed a conference on genocide at the US Holocaust Museum. She “asserted that criticism against Israeli policy must be separated from a demonization of Jews and the state of Israel,” according to Haaretz.

“We must remain vigilant against [Holocaust] deniers and against anti-Semitism,” said Clinton, “because when heads of state and religious leaders deny the Holocaust from their bully pulpits, we cannot let their lies go unanswered. When we hear Holocaust glorification and public calls to, quote, “finish the job,” we need to make clear that violence, bigotry will not be tolerated.”

Iran: Teeth-Breaking Response
Meanwhile, Iran continues to pursue its nuclear program in defiance of the entire globe. Iranian leaders have just threatened a “teeth-breaking response” if the US launches more cyber attacks against its nuclear program, according to NBC news. They have also pledged military backing of Assad’s regime in Syria in the event of “foreign intervention.”

We encourage you to continue praying 2 Thessalonians 3:1-4. “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the WORD OF THE LORD may RUN SWIFTLY AND BE GLORIFIED, just as it is with you, and that we may be DELIVERED FROM UNREASONABLE AND WICKED MEN; for not all have faith. But the THE LORD IS FAITHFUL, who will ESTABLISH YOU AND GUARD YOU from the evil one.”