The Iowa State Senate Prays to Allah – Twice
The Iowa State Senate opens each daily session with a prayer. On February 8, State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott (D) “shared a prayer” written by one of her constituents who was a Muslim. The prayer was to Allah and included references to a number of Allah’s 99 Names.[1] It is interesting that the Iowa State Senate prayed to the Muslim god Allah, even though there are no Muslim members of that Senate. And it is even more interesting that these state senators bowed their heads in prayer to a god who curses Christians and Jews and condemns them to Hell.
Here is what Allah has to say in the Koran about Christians and Jews:
Allah states that the only religion acceptable to him is Islam (e.g., 3:19 and 3:85); Christians and Jews are disbelievers[2] (e.g. 2:120, 3:99, 3:110, and 5:65), and Jews are among the worst enemies of Muslims (5:82); Allah curses Christians and Jews (9:30) and states that those who believe that Allah had a Son commit the one unforgivable sin in Islam, Shirk[3](e.g. 4:48 and 4:116); Allah states that those who commit Shirk will go to Hell (e.g. 3:151 and 5:72-73); Allah states that Christians and Jews are among the worst of creatures and “will abide in the fire of Hell” (98:6); Allah specifically forbids Muslims from being friends with Christians and Jews (5:51), and instead commands Muslims to fight Christians and Jews (9:29).
Christianity is considered to be a false religion because Allah states that Jesus was not crucified, but it only appeared so (4:157-158). Islam teaches that Allah took Jesus bodily into paradise and made one of Jesus’ disciples look like Jesus; it was that disciple who was crucified. So Muslims who know their religion look at a crucifix or a painting of the Crucifixion and see an imposter hanging on the cross. And of course, if there was no Crucifixion, there was no Resurrection. So Islam teaches that Christianity is a false religion based on a fraud.
According to Koran 4:80, Muhammad spoke for Allah. Here is some of what Muhammad had to say about Christians and Jews:
- Christians and Jews will take the place of Muslims in Hell: Abu Burda reported on the authority of his father that Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: No Muslim would die but Allah would admit instead of him a Jew or a Christian in Hell-Fire.[4]
- Muhammad said that Christians and Jews who remained with their respective religions and did not believe in Islam would go to Hell: It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: By Him in whose hand is the life of Muhammad, he who amongst the community of Jews or Christians hears about me but does not affirm his belief in that with which I have been sent and dies in this state (of disbelief), he shall be but one of the denizens of Hell-Fire.[5]
- Muhammad said that Christians and Jews were inferior to Muslims: It was narrated from ‘Amr bin Shu’aib, from his father, from his grandfather, that the Messenger of Allah ruled that the blood money for the People of the Book is half of that of the blood money for the Muslims, and they are the Jews and Christians.[6]
- Muhammad said Muslims must not be the first to greet Christians and Jews: Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) had said: Do not greet the Jews and the Christians before they greet you and when you meet any one of them on the roads force him to go to the narrowest part of it.[7]
- And on his death bed Muhammad had this to say: It has been narrated by ‘Umar b. Al-Khattab that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saying: I will expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula and will not leave any but Muslims.[8]
Here is what Allah’s prophet Muhammad specifically said about Jews:
- Kill the Jews: Narrated Abu Hurairah: Allah’s Messenger said, “The Hour will not be established until you fight against the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say, ‘O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him.’”[9]
- Muhammad said the Jews were grave robbers. Al-Bukhari reported this hadith under the heading of What has been said about Bani Israel: ‘Uqba bin ‘Amir said, “I heard him [Muhammad] saying that the Israeli used to dig the grave of the dead (to steal their shrouds).”[10]
- Muhammad even said that Jews would be accompanying the anti-Christ: Anas b. Malik reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: The antichrist would be followed by seventy thousand Jews of Isbahan wearing Persian shawls.[11]
This was not the first time the Iowa State Senate had opened a session by praying to Allah. On April 7, 2014, the opening prayer for the Senate that day was given by Des Moines Imam Mohammad Khan. In Arabic Khan recited the first chapter of the Koran – Al-Fatihah (this was confirmed by a native Arabic speaker).[12]
Al-Fatihah consists of only seven verses. Let’s focus on the last two verses. In Verse 6 Muslims ask to be guided to the Straight Way. Allah’s prophet Muhammad said the Straight Way (or Path) was Islam.[13] The modern Tafsir Ahsanul-Bayan explained the meaning of the Straight Path:
The Straight Path here means the religion of Islam as enshrined, enunciated and explained in the final Revelation, the Qur’an, and the authentic sayings and acts of Allah’s Messenger, called hadeeth.[14]
In Verse 7, Muslims then ask not to be guided to the way of those who have earned Allah’s anger or to the way of those who have gone astray. So who are those who have earned the anger of Allah? Allah’s prophet Muhammad said they were the Jews.[15] And who has gone astray? Allah’s prophet Muhammad said that those who had gone astray, or were misguided, were the Christians.[16]
The Muslim scholar Ibn Kathir explained these two deviations from the Straight Way:
These two paths are the paths of the Christians and Jews, a fact that the believer [Muslim] should beware of so that he avoids them. The path of the believers is knowledge of the truth and abiding by it. In comparison, the Jews abandoned practicing the religion, while the Christians lost the true knowledge. This is why ‘anger’ descended upon the Jews, while being described as ‘led astray’ is more appropriate of the Christians…We should also mention that both the Christians and the Jews have earned the anger [of Allah] and are led astray, but the anger is one of the attributes more particular of the Jews.[17]
So Allah is actually angry with both the Jews and Christians!
On two different occasions now the members of the Iowa State Senate have bowed their heads and prayed to Allah, the god of Islam, who curses the Christian and Jewish senators in that body and condemns them to Hell. It takes some thick skin to be a Christian or Jewish elected official in the Iowa State Senate.
Dr. Stephen M. Kirby is the author of six books about Islam. His latest book is Islamic Doctrine versus the U.S. Constitution: The Dilemma for Muslim Public Officials.
[1]https://www.legis.iowa.gov/dashboard?view=video&chamber=S&clip=s20210208125917369&dt=2021-02-08 – it starts at 1:07.
[2] For an in-depth look at how the Koran and Muhammad differentiated between the “believers” (Muslims) and the Jews and Christians, see my article “The Fantasy Islam of the University of Chicago’s Fred Donner (Part 1),” Jihad Watch, January 30, 2019, https://www.jihadwatch.org/2019/01/the-fantasy-islam-of-the-university-of-chicagos-fred-donner-part-1.
[3]Shirk: polytheism, worshipping others along with Allah, and/or ascribing partners to Allah (including ascribing a Son to him). By believing that Jesus is the Son of God, Christians commit Shirk.
[4] Abu’l Hussain ‘Asakir-ud-Din Muslim bin Hajjaj al-Qushayri al-Naisaburi, Sahih Muslim, trans. ‘Abdul Hamid Siddiqi (New Delhi, India: Adam Publishers and Distributors, 2008), Vol. 8, No. 2767R1, p. 269.
[5]Sahih Muslim, Vol. 1, No. 153, p. 103.
[6] Muhammad bin Yazeed ibn Majah al-Qazwini, Sunan Ibn Majah, trans. Nasiruddin al-Khattab (Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Darussalam, 2007), Vol. 3, No. 2644, p. 521.
[7]Sahih Muslim, Vol. 6, No. 2167, p. 439.
[8]Sahih Muslim, Vol. 5, No. 1767, p. 189.
[9] Muhammad bin Ismail bin Al-Mughirah al-Bukhari, Sahih Al-Bukhari, trans. Muhammad Muhsin Khan (Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Darussalam, 1997), Vol. 4, Book 56, No. 2926, p. 113.
In another hadith, Muhammad said that the Jews would hide behind stones and trees, and these stones and trees would call out,
Muslim, or the servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me; come and kill him; but the tree Gharqad would not say, for it is the tree of the Jews.
Sahih Muslim, Vol. 8, No. 2922, p. 349.
[10]Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 4, Book 60, No. 3452, p. 413. Bani Israel, or Banii Israa’iil, is an expression used in the Koran to refer to the early Jews. See the entry for Israa’iil in Mahmoud Ismail Saleh, Dictionary of Islamic Words & Expressions, 3rd ed. (Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Darussalam, 2011), p. 102.
[11]Sahih Muslim, Vol. 8, No. 2944, p. 366.
[12]https://www.legis.iowa.gov/chambers/video/archive?chamber=S&ga=85; click on the link to the Senate session on April 7, 2014 at 1:12 PM.
[13] Abu al-Fida’ ‘Imad Ad-Din Isma’il bin ‘Umar bin Kathir al-Qurashi Al-Busrawi, Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged), abr. Shaykh Safiur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri, trans. Jalal Abualrub, et al. (Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Darussalam, 2000), Vol. 1, p. 84.
[14] Salahuddin Yusuf, Tafsir Ahsanul-Bayan, trans. Mohammad Kamal Myshkat (Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Darussalam, 2010), Vol. 1, p. 23.
[15] Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Ansari al-Qurtubi, Tafsir Al-Qurtubi: Classical Commentary of the Holy Qur’an, Vol. 1, trans. Aisha Bewley (London: Dar Al Taqwa Ltd., 2003), p. 127; Abu ‘Eisa Mohammad ibn ‘Eisa at-Tirmidhi, Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, trans. Abu Khaliyl (Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Darussalam, 2007), Vol. 5, No. 2954, p. 281; Interpretation of the Meanings of The Noble Qur’an, trans. Muhammad Muhsin Khan and Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali (Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Darussalam, 2007), n. 1, p. 12; Safiur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar (Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Darussalam, 2008), p. 493; Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 4, p. 410; and Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 6, Book 65, No. 4475, p. 22.
Commentary about the Jews being those with whom Allah is angry is found in: Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 1, p. 87; Tafsir Ahsanul-Bayan, Vol. 1, p. 24; and Jalalu’d-Din al-Mahalli and Jalalu’d-Din as-Suyuti, Tafsir Al-Jalalayn, trans. Aisha Bewley (London: Dar Al Taqwa Ltd., 2007), p. 2.
[16]Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, p. 127; Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 4, p. 410; Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 6, Book 65, No. 4475, p. 22; Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 5, No. 2954, p. 281; Interpretation of the Meanings of The Noble Qur’an, n. 1, p. 12; and The Sealed Nectar, p. 493.
Commentary about the Christians being those who had gone astray is found in: Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 1, p. 87; Tafsir Ahsanul-Bayan, Vol. 1, p. 24; and Tafsir Al-Jalalayn, p. 2.
[17]Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 1, p. 87.
Today ‘violent extremists,’ means patriots
When the current regime in Washington, D.C. says they are ‘going after violent extremists,’ they mean patriots
When the current regime in Washington, D.C. says they are “going after violent extremists,” they mean patriots.
Three weeks ago, President Obama’s “Counter-Terrorism Czar” and the former Director of Central Intelligence, John Brennan, spoke on MSNBC and stated the Biden team is moving in “laser-like fashion” to identify “religious extremists, authoritarians, fascists, bigots, racists, nativists, and even libertarians” who constitute, in Brennan’s words, a great threat to the Republic. He said that the civilian enforcement and intelligence agencies, as well as the military, are and should be working to root out this “threat.”
In describing the threat, Brennan specifically mentioned the previous administration and its supporters.
Two weeks ago, the Biden Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin, warning of “objections” to “governmental authority.” The report states in part: “Information suggests that some ideologically-motivated violent extremists with objections to the exercise of governmental authority and the presidential transition, as well as other perceived grievances fueled by false narratives, could continue to mobilize to incite or commit violence.”
Who are the “violent extremists” they are discussing?
Constitutionally-minded patriots.
Not sure of that?
Last week, Robert Grenier, the former CIA Station Chief for Pakistan/Afghanistan told NPR that the U.S. needs to handle people such as those who “stormed” the U.S. Capitol on January 6 the same way the U.S. government handled insurgents in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In other words, kill them.
Also last week, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered a sixty-day military-wide “STAND DOWN” order so that the military can purge “extremists” from its ranks. In his confirmation hearing, Austin said, “If confirmed, I will fight hard to…rid our ranks of racists and extremists…”
A noble effort.
So how are we defining “extremists?”
Remember: during the Obama administration, “extremists” included military veterans returning from combat.
From where did the term “violent extremist” come?
First, let’s back up to a few years after September 11, 2001, when the U.S. government brought the “Countering Violent Extremism” (CVE) program to the United States from Britain.
The CVE program in Britain was created by Muslim Brotherhood groups, including the Muslim Council of Britain, the Muslim Association of Britain, and others.
U.S. officials, thinking anything the Brits do must be awesome, literally bought this program in its totality and brought it back into the FBI, DHS, CIA, et al.
The main purpose of CVE is to define threats as “violent extremism” so that intelligence and law enforcement agencies target “extremists” instead of jihadis, communists, and other definable threats.
If you cannot name the threat, you cannot target the threat, and, therefore, you can never defeat the threat.
Also, the DHS CVE Working Group has included jihad enablers such as Mohamed Elibiary, Mohamed Magid, and others, who were given secret clearances during their tenure at DHS.
So here we are, 20 years after 9/11, and not only is America much farther away from defeating the jihadis and communists, the communists just seized executive power in the United States one month ago.
On January 30, MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace suggested that Trump supporters who “incited violence” at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 be convicted just like Al Qaeda’s leader in Yemen, Anwar al-Awlaki, who also “incited violence” and was killed in a U.S. drone strike in September 2011.
Put aside the fact for a moment that Nicolle Wallace lied when she said that al-Awlaki was killed because he “incited violence.” Awlaki was actually killed because he was the leader of Al Qaeda in Yemen and responsible for jihad attacks inside the United States.
The fact that the propaganda arm of the U.S. communist/jihadi cabal, the traditional media, is openly calling for violence against Americans exercising their unalienable right to freely express themselves and hold the federal government accountable when it is ruled by those hostile to the Constitution should alarm and alert all thoughtful patriots.
The point is clear. The U.S. government under the current communist regime in the White House will use and is using its full power to suppress and eliminate opposition.
The communists/democrats did it to President Trump when they traitorously and unlawfully used the FBI, CIA, DNI, and other agencies to spy on him, his family, and his staff.
They are doing and will do it to citizens.
For those unable to see this unfolding before them, Understanding The Threat (UTT) encourages you to attempt to educate yourselves and join the patriots who are working diligently to reestablish a republican form of government at the local and state level right now around America.
From:
https://www.jihadwatch.org/2021/02/when-the-current-regime-in-washington-d-c-says-they-are-going-after-violent-extremists-they-mean-patriots?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_2021_02_14_jihad_watch_daily_digest&utm_term=2021-02-14
Statement by Donald J. Trump Feb. 13, 2021
February 13, 2021
Statement by Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America
“Our cherished Constitutional Republic was founded on the impartial rule of law, the indispensable safeguard for our liberties, our rights and our freedoms.
“It is a sad commentary on our times that one political party in America is given a free pass to denigrate the rule of law, defame law enforcement, cheer mobs, excuse rioters, and transform justice into a tool of political vengeance, and persecute, blacklist, cancel and suppress all people and viewpoints with whom or which they disagree. I always have, and always will, be a champion for the unwavering rule of law, the heroes of law enforcement, and the right of Americans to peacefully and honorably debate the issues of the day without malice and without hate.
“This has been yet another phase of the greatest witch hunt in the history of our Country. No president has ever gone through anything like it, and it continues because our opponents cannot forget the almost 75 million people, the highest number ever for a sitting president, who voted for us just a few short months ago.
“I also want to convey my gratitude to the millions of decent, hardworking, law-abiding, God-and-Country loving citizens who have bravely supported these important principles in these very difficult and challenging times.
“Our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun. In the months ahead I have much to share with you, and I look forward to continuing our incredible journey together to achieve American greatness for all of our people. There has never been anything like it!
“We have so much work ahead of us, and soon we will emerge with a vision for a bright, radiant, and limitless American future.
“Together there is nothing we cannot accomplish.
“We remain one People, one family, and one glorious nation under God, and it’s our responsibility to preserve this magnificent inheritance for our children and for generations of Americans to come.
“May God bless all of you, and may God forever bless the United States of America.”
https://canadafreepress.com/article/statement-by-donald-j.-trump-45th-president-of-the-united-states-of-america
America: Freedom removed
Biden Regime Moves Swiftly to Impose Communist Agenda
by John D. Guandolo
Having brought down the American Republic by unlawfully seizing Executive and Legislative power, the communists and their jihadi/globalist cabal now control the U.S. federal government.
This regime is placing communists, jihadis, and anti-American atheists in the Cabinet, and in key positions throughout the regime.
The current regime is wasting no time in moving to ensure liberty is snuffed out before Patriots can rally to the cause.
In the first five (5) business days in office, the Biden/Harris regime has already moved to do the following:
*Restricted efforts by ICE to remove criminals illegally inside the United States from local communities
*Included people illegally inside the United States in the U.S. Census in violation of the law
*Cancelled the Keystone project and rejoined the U.S. to the Paris Climate Accords
*Terminated all construction/funding for a wall at the U.S. Southern border
And all of the above – and more – took place on Day One. Mr. Biden also…
*Signed numerous orders which strengthens the use of the “covid pandemic” as a tool of oppression against the American people, including the use of military troops
*Expanded tax-payer funded social programs including food assistance, unemployment insurance, and other programs further socializing and bloating/bankrupting the federal government
*Is moving to make the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C. for those of us who went to public school) a state in the United States in violation of Articles I, IV, and others of the U.S. Constitution
*Reversed the ban on transgenders in the military and opened the doors nationally and internationally to more abortions, many of which will be increasingly tax-payer funded
The current regime dubs those who speak out about injustices – voter fraud, abuse of power, and the like – as “domestic terrorists.” It will not be long before they begin rounding people up as was done in the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, and under Mao’s rule. If you think that is “overboard” you do not understand where this is heading.
Make no mistake, all efforts by Patriots should be considered “counter-revolutionary” since the enemies of liberty have unlawfully and unconstitutionally seized power. Those who have sworn an oath to “protect and defend” have a duty to obey only lawful orders which conform to the moral standard of the founding principles. See our article HERE for more on that.
While this situation appears grave, there is great hope. Local citizens working together to identify and root out hostile actors from their LOCAL communities can, one county at a time, create strongholds for liberty from which we can grow liberty.
UTT is ready to help your community. The time is now. Get trained and get in the war or fund the war effort.
Mike Lindell’s Absolute Proof Proving DFL Deception
https://youtu.be/KY6zF9E3DIY
We Are Under His Wings – An Encouragement
WE ARE UNDER HIS WINGS–AN ENCOURAGEMENT
FEBRUARY 4, 2021 | ANGELA RODRIGUEZ, IFA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Today of all days I should not be writing an article. Everything is falling apart. The sun seems to have hidden itself. My eyes are clouded with tears.
Things aren’t going well for me lately. It’s hard to believe a solution is possible. To add to this, the nation I live in is under attack. The future feels hazy and unpredictable.
As these things pervade my mind today, I begin moping around the house. With my head down I walk past my son’s room. That’s when I hear a familiar sound. My son’s bird is happily whistling. I walk into the room and immediately he starts singing, “I love you, I love you, I love you.” In an instant my heart melts.
I pick up Casper, who is a beautiful all-white cockatiel, and take him into the living room with me. Right away he starts singing as he walks over to my feet. You see, Casper has a habit most people would find strange. Even the veterinarian thinks it’s unusual. Casper’s weird habit is that he adores feet! The moment he sees my feet, he rushes over and begins spreading his wings over them. He hovers gently and methodically as he sings, “I love you, I love you, I love you.” Next, he kisses my feet and rubs his soft head on them. After a minute or two, he paces back and forth as if guarding my feet from approaching enemies. Then it’s back to hovering over my feet with his wings, while he sings.
Today, as I watch this unfold, I begin to cry because I realize Casper’s actions are a reminder of something that supersedes and overcomes all the problems in my life and nation right now. Psalm 91 immediately comes to mind, especially the verse that says, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.” Like Casper’s wings that hover over my feet, I am suddenly reminded that Jesus has all my problems under HIS FEET. Jesus offers comfort to me in my darkest hour. As Zephaniah 3:17 says, “he will rejoice over me with singing.” Jesus guards my heart and life. He takes me under his wings and gives me shelter, much like a bird does for its babies.
But there’s even more to this and it’s seen in the garment that Jesus would have worn during his time on earth. All Jewish males were commanded to wear a prayer shawl, known as a tallit (Numbers 15:37-41). This rectangular shawl would have laid on the shoulders of Jesus. There are four corners to the tallit which are called wings. Hanging from the wings are fringes called tzitzit. The tzitzit are knotted and twisted in a special way to symbolize God’s commandments.
The tallit becomes a secret shelter for the person wearing it when they place it over their head. The sides and wings of the shawl become walls of protection around the wearer. Another name for the tallit is “little tabernacle.” It is under this little tabernacle with wings that one dwells with God and takes refuge through prayer. Psalm 91 tells us that, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” It is under the shadow of the tallit’s wings that one finds rest. Jesus is the living embodiment of the tallit and his wings surround us with deliverance.
During a Jewish wedding, the groom will cover the bride with his prayer shawl (tallit). This is a reminder that she is under his wings and protection. It’s also a reminder that they will dwell under the commandments of God. In addition, the wedding canopy (chuppah) will often be covered by a large tallit, symbolizing this same concept. The couple is married under this canopy which symbolizes their union with God and his sovereignty over their marriage.
As believers we are the Bride of Christ. Because of this, we too are under the protection of our Groom’s wings. When we are troubled, we must take refuge in Him. We don’t need to have a tallit to do this, but it’s a beautiful reminder of His love and protection.
Jesus most certainly wore a tallit, and it’s referenced beautifully in the story of the woman who had a bleeding condition that persisted for 12 years. This woman had sought many treatments, but to no avail. In fact, the condition grew worse. Her last hope was Jesus.
Even though Jewish law declared she was unclean due to her bleeding issue (Leviticus 15:25-27), she reached out for Jesus’ cloak, which would have been his tallit. The key to understanding this lies in Matthew 9:20-22 when it says, “Just then a woman, who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the hem of his garment.”
This word translated as “hem” is actually referring to the fringes of his tallit. These fringes (tzitzit) would have hung from each corner (wing) of Jesus’ garment. The woman simply reached for one of these fringes/tassels. Immediately Jesus felt power leaving him. This is amazing when you consider this verse from Malachi 4:2, NLT which says, “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.”
Though things are difficult right now, there is healing in HIS WINGS. Like the woman with the bleeding issue, we just have to reach out. The fringes of the tallit represent the Word of God. The wings represent taking refuge in Him through prayer and worship. We need all these things to receive healing in our lives and nation. Like Exodus 19:4 says, “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”
God cared for the nation of Israel like an eagle cares for her babies as seen in Deuteronomy 32:10-11 (NIV).
“In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft.”
God guarded the nation of Israel like a mother eagle. He hovered over them. The word for hovered used in the scripture is the Hebrew verb rachaph (Strong’s 7363). This word can also mean flutter. It is used twice in reference to God. The other place is in Genesis 1:2 which describes the spirit of God moving across the waters and hovering over the deep.
When Casper hovers over my feet I am reminded that God does the same thing for our nation. He stands guard over our land and people. By the way, do you know what Casper does if I try to touch him when he’s guarding my feet? He swiftly charges forward and moves in with a swift bite! Imagine how God feels when the enemy touches the apple of his eye!
God can use his creation to remind us of his promises. He used my son’s pet bird to bring new life into my spirit. Suddenly everything wasn’t falling apart. My heart was filled with joy. But most importantly, the sun was shining– or should I say, the SON was shining. The next time you feel like the wind has been knocked out of you, let Him be the wind beneath your wings.
I’ll leave you with one last thing– a picture of Casper’s wings–do you notice how they are shaped like a heart? I also included a picture of Casper with my prayer shawl (tallit).
Angela Rodriguez. 67owls.com. 100trumpets.com (Photo Credit: Unsplash.)
WHAT DO WE DO WHEN IT APPEARS EVIL WON THE DAY?
https://ifapray.org/blog/what-do-we-do-when-it-appears-evil-won-the-day/
JANUARY 26, 2021 | KAREN HARDIN, IFA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Habakkuk was written during a day in which the prophet saw violence, lawlessness, and injustice go unpunished. Sound familiar? Habakkuk questioned God’s justice as I know many of us are doing right now.
“How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore, the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted (Hab 1:1-4).
That Scripture sounds like it could have been written today. Habakkuk questioned God, because it seemed evil had won the day—as it feels now.
I have had friends say since the election, “It will be a long time before I can pray again.” But do we stop praying because God didn’t answer our prayers in the way and time-table we thought He should?
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts (Is 55:8-9)
Several years ago, my pastor passed away from cancer. Only in his fifties, it was a shocking and premature death. He had stood in faith—and the man had strong faith. He had written books on healing and held miracles services in which many people had been healed. And yet he wasn’t—at least here on earth.
The outcome wasn’t what we had prayed and expected. As a result, it shipwrecked many who said, “If he couldn’t get healed, we certainly can’t.”
Wrong answer then and now.
Now is when we must grow roots downward.
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness (Col 2:7).
At this time, we need to go back to the Bible to remember who God is and what He has done. Let us not forget who He is:
- He is a God of justice.
- He said the wicked will not go unpunished.
- He is also long-suffering and merciful.
- But when His judgement comes…and it will…it will be swift.
- He hears the cry of His people.
But what happens when it seems He hasn’t?
I was reminded today of the much-quoted Scripture 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray,” In my opinion we did that. But a friend reminded me the verse didn’t stop there. It also says we are to turn from our wicked ways.
When Nineveh was delivered in biblical days, it was because the entire nation fasted, prayed and repented. America is still a divided land of those who seek after God, those who want to remain neutral and those who seek to remove Him. Many of us had prayed for divine deliverance. Repentance and revival come usually in one of two ways. By supernatural divine intervention that brings the fear or the Lord or by oppression and persecution of the Church. It appears we are headed into the latter.
We have seen many Christian leaders and believers who have abdicated their positions of authority and chosen to remain silent in the face of evil. That happened in the day of Hitler and we see the tragic results. We need to learn from that tragedy. Will we continue to remain silent and say, “This must be God’s will?” Was it God’s will when Satan deceived Adam and Eve and gained rulership of the earth? When Hitler exterminated the Jews? Or the many other acts of ungodly leaders? Just because something happens, doesn’t mean it was His will.
Some have immediately embraced the new leadership thinking it will bring unity. I cannot congratulate an administration that TOOK office in every sense of the word.
But I can and should pray for them. But how?
First, I cannot pray for their success if they work to force ungodly mandates back into law. I cannot align with evil.
But I can pray:
- That they will walk and govern by the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom (Prv 9:10).
- That they will govern according to righteousness and godly justice.
- That America will not be forced to take part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead we would expose them (Eph 5:11).
- That God will deliver us from evil (Mt 6:13).
- That they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will (2 Tm 2:26)
And when I don’t know how to pray, I can pray in the spirit. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Rom 8:26).
This isn’t the first time in history that people have waited to see God’s deliverance. We must not give up hope because He said He would deliver.
But we also need to remember that when Jesus lived on the earth, the people expected him to deliver them from the evil leadership of Rome. That wasn’t His goal. He came to deliver them from sin.
His plan and goal have never changed. Do we continue to pray for justice and deliverance from evil? Yes. But more importantly, may we press in to pray for repentance and revival not only in America but around the world. And may we not remain silent in the face of evil.
Lord, we choose to trust in You with all your heart; and lean not on our own understanding. We make the decision to seek Your will in all we do, and You said You would He would show us which path to take. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from which comes my help. My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow our feet to be moved for He neither sleeps nor slumbers. Thank You Lord that You are our keeper. You said You would preserve from all evil and preserve our soul.
Help us see from Your perspective. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear. Lord, we pray for our governmental leaders that they will serve with righteousness. We pray that evildoers will be thwarted and the wicked will not go unpunished. We pray for courage for those in leadership to stand up for righteousness and justice. You said when the righteous are exalted the people rejoice. May the righteous be exalted Lord and evildoers removed and may we continue to seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways.
Karen Hardin is a literary agent, author, and intercessor. Her work has appeared in USA Today, World Net Daily, Intercessors For America, Charisma, CBN.com, The Elijah List, etc. To order her new book: “INFECTED: How to Stop the Global Spread of Rage, Deception and Insanity” click here. To join the city-by-city prayer movement to save our nation go to: www.city-by-city.org. For additional information on her ministry, business or to sign up for her prophetic blog go to: www.karenhardin.com or you can contact her at www.prioritypr.org.