Hi friends!  Mark September 1 on your calendar and let’s all pray in unity.

As was the case a year ago, Anne Graham Lotz is calling us together for an hour of prayer on September 1 to pray for Jerusalem.  Anne has identified these indicators that something significant is about to happen in Israel that will impact our world:

• Renewed missile attacks from Gaza on Israel’s southern communities during the first weekend of this August
• The deployment of the Iron Dome in the north to try and protect Israelis from expected incoming Hezbollah rockets
• The tsunami of cash that will flow into Iran, then through Iran to terrorists around the globe, as a result of the “Nuclear Deal” John Kerry has negotiated that includes the lifting of sanctions against Iran
• The fragile coalition Prime Minister Netanyahu has pieced together for his government that seems to lack unity of vision and strength of resolve
• The strained relationship between Israel and the US as our leaders have taken this nation to the dark side of Biblical prophecy because we no longer bless the descendants of Abraham by standing solidly with them against their enemies
• The alarming rise of worldwide anti-Semitism
• The end of the Jewish Shemitah Year on September 13 and the beginning of the Jubilee Year on September 28—both very significant in Biblical prophecy.

The burden of prayer has never been greater.  Just yesterday I watched a taped teaching by an Egyptian Christian who has gone through immense persecution.  He was encouraging a live audience (as well as those of us who would join via DVD) to commit to prayer.  Then he did something that made me stop and ponder.  He was addressing the “I don’t have time” excuse that we often use for our lack of commitment to prayer.

As he held up a participant’s Starbucks cup, he said, “How long does it take you to drink this?  An hour?  20 minutes?  5 minutes?  2 minutes?  Can you pray while you sip your favorite drink?”  Wow.  What if each sip I take is a reminder to pray…and what if I actually DO pray!  I am practicing that, and you know what…despite the busyness of life, I have squeezed in far more moments of prayer than normal!  I’m a heavy water drinker and I have decided to let each tip of my glass be a reminder to pray, if only for one minute at a time.  Why not join me in that practice and see if the Lord enhances your prayer life as well!

Meanwhile…back to the 911 re-call to prayer.  Anne is suggesting that September 1 (9th month, 1st day), we spend 1 hour (thus, 9 1 1) praying for Jerusalem.  But may I encourage you to supplement that with prayers for our nation’s leaders as well?  Our Congress is tasked with voting whether or not to approve the Iran nuclear deal.  From a Christian perspective, it is a very bad deal any way you slice it (or spin it!)  Thus, this plan needs to be defeated.  (Read more in What’s the Latest on the Iran Nuclear Deal and Considering Israel’s Options) While praying for Israel, pray also that the schemes of the enemy will not succeed.  Believers, we must understand that we are in a battle, but it is not against flesh and blood!  This is a spiritual battle against “world forces of darkness…spiritual forces of wickedness” (Ephesians 6:12).  Let’s put on our armor and go to battle on our knees!  After all, our Commander in Chief has already guaranteed a victory…we simply need to follow His game plan!  Are you with me!?!

To find out more, and to sign up for Anne Graham Lotz’s prayer pointers on September 1, visit 911: An Emergency Re-call to Pray for Jerusalem.  Also, please spread the word by re-blogging, facebooking, tweeting, emailing or whatever social media vehicle you prefer.  (Those options appear in the “Share this” area at the bottom of this blog.)

PS: While you’re at it, please pray for Anne and her family.  She recently lost her husband following a lengthy illness.  Will you stop right now and lift her, their children, and their grandchildren before the throne of grace and ask our Almighty God to strengthen and comfort them during this time?  Heaven only knows how comforting the blessed prayers of believers are in times like this.