The 31st annual U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon ended Wednesday after more than 400 readers read in 15 different languages from Genesis through Revelation in 90 continuous hours on Capitol Hill. The youngest reader was 10 and the oldest 85 years old.

The reading marathon began on Sept. 12. It traditionally takes place on the West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol, begins in May and ends on the National Day of Prayer service.

However, this year, Faith and Liberty hosted and facilitated the event in its Ministry Center across from the Supreme Court building with readers participating in person and virtually. Seedline International brought in a team that provided incredible technical infrastructure to facilitate the Bible Reading Marathon. As a result, more than 54,000 viewers watched the event.

Participants included U.S. House of Representatives Jody Hice, Doug LaMalfa, Louie Gohmert, Vicky Hartzler, Jeff Duncan, Cathy McMorris Rodgers and U.S. Senator James Lankford. A Chinese church brought over 25 readers who read in Mandarin, Cantonese and Korean.

Missionaries from South Korea read virtually, and multiple churches reserved hours and took turns reading from their hometown. Residents of the House of Ruth Transitional Living Center read for two hours. The founder of the center started a Bible reading marathon in the prison years ago with 53 readers, and many of them became Christians as a result.

The U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon was established in 1990 by Dr. John Hash and Dr. Corinthia Boone. Vonette Bright, the co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, served as the co-chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force and Chairman Emeritus of America’s National Prayer Committee. Bright helped facilitate the vision for the U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon and encouraged Dr. Boone to hold the event around the time of the National Day of Prayer.

In 1990, Boone took a group of 30 pastors and went on the West Lawn of the Capitol. Each reader would hold a carnation as he read God’s Word and then passed the flower to the next participant.

Boone, 85, participated in this year’s opening and closing ceremonies.

“It is a privilege to participate in the reading of God’s Word as it flows throughout Capitol Hill, especially during this time as the nation grapples with uncertainty and unrest,” Faith and Liberty Vice President Peggy Nienaber said. “The Bible is the foundation of America, and within those pages, we find the only answer for hope for this nation.”

Faith and Liberty is an evangelistic ministry, taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nation’s top elected and appointed officials. Faith and Liberty accomplishes its mission through building personal relationships with individuals serving in government, distributing Scripture and informative materials and staging special events such as panel discussions, Bible studies, news conferences, seminars, prayer and worship, and building strong alliances with like-minded individuals, groups, religious communities, churches and institutions. {eoa}

For the original article, visit .

There is a tsunami of the Holy Spirit beginning to flow with its overwhelming fruit, with its evidence of dreams, visions, signs, wonders, miracles and all manner of spiritual gifts. We are on the verge of the greatest move of God in all the ages. This outpouring will sweep multitudes into the kingdom of God as they are saved, healed and delivered.

Spiritual leaders from around the world are sensing this wave. This sovereign move of God is rising, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, there is a new unity which is being woven within the fabric of the body of Christ.

On Sept. 25-26, 2020, in Washington, D.C., a global broadcast will take place over the airwaves on satellite broadcast, including the PTL, TBN, CBN, TCT, God TV, Daystar and many more networks, and through livestreaming in tens of thousands of churches and simulcast partners worldwide.

Throughout 150 or more nations on all six continents, in nearly 90 languages real time; this will be the largest-ever global gathering in the history of Christendom, utilizing today’s technologies across a plethora of multimedia platforms, literally reaching tens of millions of souls:

—From Asia starting with broadcasts from Korea with Billy Kim, throughout Malaysia and Indonesia and more.

—To Australia with Steve Cioccolanti, who is senior pastor of Discover Church, Melbourne, Australia, with 4 million YouTube followers.

—In Africa with over 250,000 million viewers through Anthony Ojoibukun; Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, general overseer, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Nigeria; Dr. Sayo Ajiboye, Kenya; and Wellington Chadehumbe, representing the continent of Africa.

—In Europe from the Netherlands at the Hague with Jack van der Tang and across the nations of Germany, United Kingdom, France, England, Spain, Italy; and from Stockholm, Sweden to Helsinki, Finland, with Lars Enarson, and much more.

—From South America, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, to Chile and Peru, Nicaragua, Honduras and many other nations.

—In Oceania to the Caribbean and across the island nations, to North America with over 150 cities hosting city-wide “Return” gatherings in the biggest unified prayer and repentance movement the nation has ever hosted. These are all being led by the unifying power of the Holy Spirit within pastors, priests, rabbis, intercessors and laypeople, who are being drawn together in a supernatural way.

—From Russia, China, Iran, into Pakistan and India with Dr. Satish Kumar, Calvary Temple in Hyderabad, India, the largest church with over 300,000 members.

—With All Pro Pastors Network globally in Cuba, Algeria, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Guinea, Tanzania, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Ivory Coast and Malawi.

—In the Middle East from Jerusalem with live videos throughout Israel from Bethlehem to Nazareth, Galilee to the Mount of Olives.

Many are coming together for a global movement within the church (“The Return: National and Global Day and Movement of Prayer and Repentance”) of repentance as the members of the body of Christ are answering the obedient call to humble themselves, pray and seek His face, believing that as they repent and turn, God’s response will be to hear from heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land.

—”The Return” will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, on the National Mall—at 9 a.m.—between the Washington Monument and Capitol Hill, and all around the world by simulcast on television and livestreaming on the internet. There will also be a Friday Night Return Eve Celebration the night before—and “The Return” Night Celebration on Saturday Night.

To find out about how you can be a part on the National Mall or by simulcast, go to . {eoa}

Co-Chairs: Rabbi Jonathan Cahn and Rev. Kevin Jessip

Jonathan Cahn caused a worldwide stir with the release of his explosive first book, The Harbinger, which became an instant New York Times bestseller and brought him to national and international prominence. His next four books were all New York Times bestsellers: The Mystery of the Shemitah, The Book of Mysteries, The Paradigm, The Oracle and his highest-debuting book, The Harbinger II. Long before writing these books, he was known for opening the deep mysteries of Scripture and bringing forth messages of prophetic import. He leads Hope of the World, an international outreach of the word, teachings, and compassion projects for the needy around the world. He also leads the Jerusalem Center/Beth Israel, made up of people of all backgrounds, just outside New York City, in Wayne, New Jersey. Called the prophetic voice of this generation, Cahn is a much sought-after speaker and has been highlighted in The New York Times as well as in many national and international media. He has spoken at the United Nations, on Capitol Hill and to millions of people around the world. Find him at HopeoftheWorldorg., or Jonathan Cahn Facebook.

Kevin Jessip: Global Strategic Alliance (GSA), Board President is an adviser to national and global leaders within the business, political and faith community. Over the decades, Jessip has used his experience as an executive for one of the world’s largest publicly traded companies and his work with faith-based outreaches, as a catalyst for founding, developing and funding organizations.

Jessip is known for his ability to “network” a proven methodology to create successful strategic alliances worldwide. His relationships with many of the Fortune 500 companies, government officials and nonprofits have resulted in the transformation of individuals, communities and corporations. GSA is a faith-based organization whose mission is to restore Judeo-Christian values to the moral and civic framework on a local, state, national and international level. This method encourages engagement through dialogue, civic involvement and personal responsibility at every level of society. GSA is uniquely positioned as a voice addressing concerns and advocating for marginalized people. It is equipped for maximum impact through its alliances and initiatives while connecting organizations for greater strategic impact. GSA’s voice includes behind-the-scenes strategic planning with corporate, government and faith leaders working toward real solutions facing our national and international communities.

Jessip brings a wealth of experience to community transformation best practices, helping them define a course of action including: preparing a realistic feasibility study, anticipating various risks and mitigating them, linking budgets to resources and priorities, conducting realistic partner and assessment and selection, superior resource strategy planning, coupling investment and rewards with performance.

After attending North Central Bible College, Jessip has traveled around the world sharing the gospel on television, radio and in print. Currently, Jessip is involved in the “Nehemiah Project,” which is rebuilding and restoring America’s inner cities; leading a collaborative team with some of the top corporate leaders in the United States; and the “Joseph Mandate,” which is a global initiative aligning the nations with The Everlasting Covenant, Word of God. Connect with him at .

Progressive advocates seeking to push a radical sex indoctrination program into public schools just learned a valuable lesson: Don’t mess with Texas!

For two decades, the Texas State Board of Education has done it the right way. While schools are not required to provide sex education, any sex education that is offered must focus on abstinence until marriage. This commonsense approach has served the needs of Texas children well, and it has respected the God-given role of parents.

Not surprisingly, the far left demanded a change. Activists groups like Planned Parenthood and its morally bankrupt allies were salivating at the chance to eliminate abstinence-based teaching once and for all and replace it with a not-suitable-for-children indoctrination program. If they got their way, 11- and 12-year-olds would spend classroom time learning about gender identity, condom use and other highly sexualized topics.

Thank goodness the Texas State Board of Education had the courage to stand up to these corrupt bullies and their evil agenda. The board deliberated last week on the proposed curriculum changes and, in its initial vote, struck down sex indoctrination 9-6. Notably, the vote was almost entirely along party lines, with all Democrats supporting the radical agenda and all but one Republican opposing it. A final vote will take place in November.

This was a huge victory! A progressive site had hailed this as a “once in a generation” opportunity and predicted that what happened in Texas could quickly spread throughout the rest of the country. If last week’s vote carries in November, let’s hope they are right!

Here’s what you can do. Contact the Texas State Board today at sboesupport@ and let the members know that they got it right on the initial vote, and urge them to stand strong in November. If you don’t live in Texas, contact your state’s board of education, and tell them to take a lesson from Texas. Sexual indoctrination doesn’t belong in the classroom!

Finally, remember that the two major parties in this country have very different visions for America when it comes to educating our children and parental rights. With a major election less than 47 days away, let us never underestimate the power of casting a vote for what is right, and that is exactly what nine members of the Texas State Board of Education did this past week. I applaud their courage and convictions!

Dr. James Dobson is a celebrated psychologist, Christian leader and founder and president of the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI), which is dedicated to preserving the biblical institutions of marriage and family by encouraging, inspiring, supporting and leading parents and children to build their lives on God’s Word. Dobson is the author of 71 books dedicated to the preservation of the family.

The Trump campaign has announced a new Jewish outreach effort that will focus on the president’s record regarding Israel and anti-Semitism.

The “Jewish Voices for Trump” initiative—which was first reported by the Jewish Insider and Axios and officially announced on Wednesday—will be co-chaired by Nevada casino mogul and conservative donor Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam, a doctor and philanthropist.

Other co-chairs include former Trump White House aide Boris Epshteyn; Wayne Berman, a businessman and Republican Jewish Coalition board member; and Julie Strauss Levin, wife of TV and radio personality Mark Levin.

“President Trump is a champion of the Jewish people and the greatest ally the state of Israel has ever had,” Epshteyn, who also serves as a strategic advisor to Trump’s campaign, said in a statement.

Epshteyn also lauded Trump for fighting “against anti-Semitism in America and throughout the world” and for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

The news broke the same day President Donald Trump reportedly led a White House call to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, which begins this year on Friday (Sept. 18) at sundown. According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Trump urged American Jews to vote for him, saying during the call that voting for Democrats would leave Israel “in big trouble.”

“We really appreciate you,” Trump reportedly said as he signed off the call, an annual pre-Rosh Hashanah presidential tradition. “We love your country also.”

Trump has been criticized in the past for suggesting that all Jews are Israelis.

Both the news of the Jewish outreach effort and the Rosh Hashanah call come on the heels of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain establishing formal diplomatic relations with Israel, a deal brokered by the White House that is now officially being referred to as the “Abraham Accords”—a reference to the biblical patriarch revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike.

Although a recent poll found that most Jewish voters (64%) listed concern for Israel as important, it ranked last among the major issues listed. Asked whether former Vice President Joe Biden or Trump was more trustworthy regarding relations, most chose the Democrat (46% vs. 32%).

“Which really amazes me, and I have to tell you, because I saw a poll that in the last election, I got 25% of the Jewish vote, and I said here I have a son-in-law and a daughter who are Jewish, I have beautiful grandchildren that are Jewish. I have all of these incredible achievements,” Trump reportedly said on the White House call. “I’m amazed that it seems to be almost automatically a Democrat.”

Trump may be hoping to chip away at Biden’s lead with the group. Although 67% of Jewish voters surveyed said they plan to vote for the former vice president and only 30% said they plan to vote for Trump, Biden has yet to match the support Hillary Clinton enjoyed in 2016, when she won 71% of the group.

Trump and his allies are also planning outreach efforts to other religious groups, such as Catholics and evangelical Protestants. {eoa}

© 2020 Religion News Service. All rights reserved.

For the original article, visit .

Pastors in Ohio’s Richland and Ashland counties are activists. They’re reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement, advocating pornography be declared a public health emergency and holding prayer vigils to support U.S. Marshals operations.

In the last month, the numbers of children rescued and alleged sex offenders arrested are unprecedented. An interdenominational prayer assembly focusing on the welfare of women and children was followed by a series of raids.

Operation Safety Net involved the rescue of 25 children from human trafficking.

A week later, Operation Moving Target led to the arrest of 27 people in northern Ohio for sexually explicit online conversations with undercover agents posing as children.

“The police say they’ve never seen anything like it,” said Bruce Philippi, pastor of Journey Life Center in Marshfield, Ohio. He is one of 74 co-signers of a resolution connecting pornography with sex trafficking and requesting local and state adoption. Passage of the resolution would align Ohio with around 15 other states which have adopted similar resolutions.

In contrast to legislative changes minimizing sentences for pedophilia in California, Ohio’s Attorney General Dave Yost has waged war on sex-related crimes, especially human trafficking. Since taking office in January 2019, he has launched the Human Trafficking Initiative with the goal of ending labor and sex trafficking in Ohio.

The pastors’ example of speaking out and working with law enforcement is impacting their congregations. Recently, two women from Philippi’s church recognized a teenage girl out of place with three adult men at Cedar Point Amusement Park. They photographed the girl, who had a black eye, and the men; notified park employees; and called the National Human Trafficking Hotline (888-373-7888).

“I just knew something was wrong,” said Candace Williams. “We were scared when we realized the guys were pointing at us. My friend wanted to just leave. I felt like no one else was seeing what we were seeing. Everyone was on their phones.”

A flurry of activity ensued with park security and police. Williams later received a message that the girl was safe. The testimony was shared at Philippi’s church. Local newspapers picked up the story.

The pastors and their parishioners are encouraged—taking a stand changes lives. From Oct. 2-9, Journey Life Center is hosting 24/7 prayer.

“Whenever Christians remain silent, the outcome is usually bad,” said Philippi. “We need to speak up peacefully and we need to pray” (2 Chron. 7:14). {eoa}

In probably one of the most ironic moments of this year, members of the Minneapolis City Council asked the city’s police chief how his department was responding to the city’s rise in violent crime just months after the council led an effort to defund the police department.

MPR News reports even though the two-hour session was to study police reform, council members told police Chief Medaria Arradondo that their constituents were reporting street racing, brazen daylight carjackings, robberies, assaults and shootings. Then they asked Arradondo what the department is doing about it.

“Residents are asking, ‘Where are the police?'” said Jamal Osman, newly elected council member of Ward 6. He said he’s already been inundated with complaints from residents that calls for police aren’t being answered.

“That is the only public safety option they have at the moment: MPD [Minneapolis Police Department]. They rely on MPD. And they are saying they are nowhere to be seen,” Osman said.

The number of reported violent crimes, like assaults, robberies and homicides, is up compared to 2019, according to MPD crime data. More people have been killed in the city in the first nine months of 2020 than were slain in all of last year. Property crimes, like burglaries and auto thefts, are also up. Incidents of arson have increased 55% over the total at this point in 2019, according to MPR News.

Click here to read the rest of this story from our content partners at CBN News. {eoa}

The ceremony at the White House this week where the island nation of Bahrain established diplomatic relations with Israel comes on the heels of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreeing last week to also sign the accord.

Both nations are participating in the signing ceremony at the White House. This brings the total of Muslim-majority nations in the Middle East who now recognize Israel to four: Bahrain, the UAE, Egypt and Jordan.

These latest events are the first such agreements in that troubled part of the world in 40 years. The significance of these new accords cannot be overstated.

I lived in Bahrain for almost a year in military service and visited the UAE. In both countries I noted how much the people there valued the United States and were decidedly pro-American. I became friends with Crown Prince Ahmed Al-Khalifa of Bahrain; over and over (as we worked together daily in support of U.S. personnel and Bahraini troops), Ahmed stressed the long-term strategic importance of Bahrain’s relationship with the United States. Bahrain and the UAE are reliable allies and both countries are very “Western,” as opposed to some of the stricter Islamic nations.

However, the history of this region of the world is one where, no matter how valuable the relationship with the USA might be, there was no compromise in their anti-Israel sentiments. Now all indications are there are more Arab countries in the region which are prepared to follow the example of Bahrain and the UAE and also establish official relations with Israel. How and why is this all coming about?

There are a number of factors that have changed the calculus in the Middle East:

First, it has become clear that the real threat to peace and security in the region is not Israel; rather, it is Iran and its malign behavior and support of terrorism. Iran is an existential threat not only to Israel—but to all of the nations there, including the Gulf States.

Iran has actively worked to overthrow the royal family and government in Bahrain. (Notably, when Bahrain cracked down on the Iran-backed insurgents in Bahrain, then-President Obama canceled the sale of F-16 fighter planes to Bahrain. It is a weapons platform that is critical to Bahrain’s security. Thankfully, President Trump reversed that decision.) The common threat of Iran to the nations in that part of the world is uniting the nations there and Israel is viewed as a key ally.

Second, it has been the policy of the United States for decades by both Republican and Democrat administrations to attempt to bring about peace by funneling financial and verbal support to the Palestinians. All of these efforts have failed. The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), which was established in 1964, is a terrorist organization. It has the blood of thousands of people on its hands. They have reneged on every peace proposal for decades.

The Madrid Conference in 1991 where the PLO recognized Israel’s right to exist (belied by their continuing efforts to kill Israeli citizens) was officially revoked by the Palestinian Central Council in 2018. Every compromise by Israel has been rebuffed or met with additional demands from the Palestinians. Palestinian officials at times seem to refuse to take “Yes” as the answer to their demands. The U.N. still considers the PLO to be an official representative of the Palestinian people.

The Palestinian Authority (PA), which technically rules over all Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, is rife with corruption. It continues to give stipends to imprisoned terrorists who kill Jews and offers additional financial support to the families of terrorists who die in their attempts to kill Israeli and U.S. citizens in the area. The PA has lost control of Gaza, which is now administered by Hamas, an internationally recognized terrorist organization.

Both the PA and the PLO embrace armed struggle as a tactic to claim all of what they call Palestine, a land area that includes all of the nation of Israel. When Iranians and some Palestinians chant “Death to Israel” and “Death to the United States,” they mean it.

The efforts of the U.S. and its allies to bring about peace (even a two-state solution) have repeatedly failed. Why? Because placating terrorism and corruption simply does not work. What the Trump administration has brought to the table is a strategy of strength, honesty and a refusal to look the other way when representatives of the Palestinian people lie, break promises or commit acts of violence. It is also a policy of unapologetic support for Israel, the only democracy in the region. It is a strategy that works. Nations in the region are weary of the Palestinian problem, with its subterfuge and endless controversy. Additionally, Hamas and Hezbollah (both supported by Iran) are bad actors in the area. They are a threat to peace and stability to all of the nations in that area.

The present U.S. administration’s strategy of strength and refusing to compromise with terror works. It is living up to the adage concerning America: “No better friend. No more formidable adversary.” Peace through candor and strength is effective.

The Abraham Accords with Bahrain and the UAE mean there is a real chance for lasting peace in the region. Israel is no longer isolated in the Middle East. Bahrain and the UAE now join with Egypt and Jordan in establishing trade, travel and security cooperation with Israel. Additionally, for the first time, Saudi Arabia (which for the time being does not have diplomatic relations with Israel) is openly allowing Israel to use Saudi airspace for overflights when its planes fly to other countries. Saudi Arabia has been cooperating for some time with Israel on matters of national security for both nations.

The Middle East is still a volatile part of the world. Iran continues to sow discord, threats and violence. There are malevolent actors in every nation there. But, for the first time in a long time, there is hope for true peace in the region. It is a cause for celebration and anticipation of better days to come. {eoa}

For the original article,visit .

Mary Colbert, wife of bestselling author Dr. Don Colbert, is not only an author in her own right but a powerful prayer warrior and leader in the area of interceding for America. I believe Donald Trump achieved his miraculous 2016 victory in part because of the supernatural impact of the daily prayer calls she hosted. But Mary has now issued an even more critical call for prayer. I invited her onto my God, Trump and the 2020 Election podcast to discuss the urgency of this call, how God is using the prayers of the saints and what you can do to get involved.

“Donald Trump cannot do this by himself,” Mary told me. “It’s been proven from this last midterm [election], where everybody became very relaxed and sat back and thought, OK, great. We got Donald Trump in; that’s all we needed to do. And surprise, surprise.” As you know, that election saw conservatives lose significant races and allowed Democrats to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Instead of stepping back, Christians must get engaged in local and state governments, supporting the conservatives who will back the Constitution, Mary said. “We know that the next president is going to appoint a couple of judges. And this is going to set and shape the country for generations to come. And so the stakes are high, folks. They’re very, very high,” she said.

Her prayer calls have such a huge reach that Mary had to recruit more intercessors to assist her. To get involved, go to , where you’ll find a listing of hosts and times, including many state prayer calls. “There are some people hosting prayers 24 hours a day, seven days a week right now,” she said. “And they have people who have signed up and volunteered to go in and to be praying literally every single hour for this country,” she said.

Mary says she always prays before going live with her morning prayer calls so she is ready for the battle. And one day, as she did before a midterm prayer call in 2018, the Lord gave her a crucial message: “Tell the people that 2020 will be known as the year that all eyes shall see. He said, ‘Mary, I’m going to clearly reveal evil versus good. And it’s going to shake people to their core. But this is necessary, that they see this.'”

Mary told me, “It’s shaken me to my core day after day because I don’t think I was even prepared for some of what we have witnessed and what we have walked through as a nation. But it was necessary,” she said.

Mary assisted in the writing of the outstanding book, The Trump Prophecies, which shares the story of retired fireman Mark Taylor, who prophesied Trump’s election when few people thought it would occur. The book became a movie, and Mary shared that Fathom Events now plans to re-release The Trump Prophecy in major markets nationwide on Oct. 8. “And they have said if people want to gather at the end of the movie and pray, that’s going to be permitted,” Mary said. “So we’re encouraging people to show up at the theater on that day. This is going to be promoted as the largest prayer gathering in the history of this country.”

To hear more from prayer warrior Mary Colbert about why we must redouble our intercession over this year’s election and even why we must not stop praying for the Democratic Party, listen to the entire podcast episode here. And, as always, be sure to like and share this podcast and this article with friends, family and anyone else who needs to understand why Christians must get behind this president and platform that have stood for biblical values time and again. {eoa}

Dr. Michael L. Brown looks back tat the groundbreaking book The Harbinger and then focuses on the author’s new release, The Harbinger II, in this interview with Jonathan Cahn.

Learn more at .

Watch the full video here. {eoa}

Dr. Mike Evans, founder and CEO of the Friends of Zion Museum and founder of the Jerusalem prayer team, attended the signing of the Abraham Accord in Washington, D.C.

Evans was also on a call with President Trump and Jared Kushner after the event. interviewed Evans about the groundbreaking agreement between the U.S., the UAE and Bahrain as well as his views on evangelical support for the peace deal.

Watch here for Evans’ hints about how the deal may extend to even more Muslim countries and why he says “quiet diplomacy” is the strength of the Trump administration. {eoa}

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