Weekly Watch Focus: Middle East Turmoil

FRIDAY, February 3, 2012. War could break out if Iran decides to shut the Straits of Hormuz, which is the oil-supply pipeline for many nations in the globalized economy. American aircraft carriers and Nato's battle groups are gathered nearby. In addition, Syria is inflamed with violence and a civil uprising. The Muslim Brotherhood has the majority in the Egyptian Parliament, putting additional pressure on Israel.

Pray for these nations that are often mentioned in the Bible. May Iranians be freed from the oppressive Mullah regime. May the Lord have mercy on the people of Syria. May the Coptic Christians in Egypt be preserved and protected. May these nations know a sweeping revival leading them to knowledge of Christ!

Isaiah 19:19-25, “In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lord at its border. And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them. Then the Lord will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day, and will make sacrifice and offering; yes, they will make a vow to the Lord and perform it. And the Lord will strike Egypt, He will strike and heal it; they will return to the Lord, and He will be entreated by them and heal them. In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians. In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, ‘Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.’"

Acts 2:17 "And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh."

2 Cor. 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

Eph. 6:12 (Amp), “For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.”

Ps. 2:1-12, “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, ‘Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.’ He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, ‘As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.’ I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”