|
Prayer
News Alert
Dear Standers-in-the-Gap:
I am forwarding
a prayer request for Miami-Dade County. Diane Buker, our United
States Strategic Prayer Network Coordinator for the Southeast
Region, compiled the background and prayer points for this critical
week in Miami. By no chance, the Lord also directed Global Harvest
Ministries to hold our first ever Worship Warriors Convocation
in Miami for this Thursday – Saturday. Worship is so key
at this time. As we worship, our adoration ascends to His throne.
Through this process we are then able to then descend in effective
warfare. The purpose of this unique national gathering is to
release the Church into a new dimension of authority through
worship. This is a conference not only for worshippers but also
for leaders to receive revelation on how to move forth in victory
today through worship (2 Chron. 20). Speakers include Peter Wagner,
Chuck Pierce, Steven Fry, Cindy Jacobs, Guillermo Maldonado,
Lora Allison, Alvin Parris and Paul Wilbur. Please pray that
this gathering will not only mobilize the Body in a new way,
but release true worship into the heavens which will shift the
atmosphere over Miami, the state of Florida and our nation. (For
more information on the Worship Warriors Convocation, go to www.globalharvest.org/conferences)
Blessings,
Chuck D. Pierce
I am writing
to ask for urgent prayer for Miami-Dade County the week of Nov.
16th-22nd. This is the time of the VII Americas Business Forum,
and Nov. 20 and 21 will be the FTAA Trade Ministerial. A coalition
of grass-roots organizations, activists and union members are
planning a weeks worth of protest activities against the proposed
FTAA.
For those who
are not aware, these are some of the same protestors who trashed
Seattle, WA. in the late 90's. Also, at the recent WTO meetings
in Cancun, one young man killed himself in protest. There is
potential for much violence, and the police departments are gearing
up for the worst.
At the end of
this email you will find a list of some highlights and locations
for the FTAA protestors activities, during this time.
What is the
FTAA?
The FTAA is a free trade area which comprises the entire continent,
Latin America, and all the Caribbean, except for Cuba. In December
1994, the presidents of 34 countries agreed to start the promotion
and establishment of this area, with the progressive elimination
of trade and investment barriers in the 34 participating countries.
Miami is vying among five other cities to be the permanent home
of the FTAA Secretariat. This decision will be made by January
2005.
The FTAA Meetings
themselves, will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel, where
most of the ministers (delegates) will be staying. To get further
information about the FTAA itself, you can access the following
sites: www.wsvn.com, www.Herald.com.news and look for "FTAA
IN MIAMI" or www.miamiftaa2003.com. If you want further
detailed information, regarding the events, you can go to www.mobilizemiami.ftaa.org
(this site is maintained by the protestors) or www.ftaasafety.info.com
(this site is maintained by the City of Miami.)
According to
one article on the www.stopftaa.org website, some of the immediate
goals of the protestors are: Delay, disrupt, and topple the FTAA
meetings Bury the City of Miami's plans to house the permanent
FTAA Secretariat Engage in the globalization debate...so that
our actions resonate across the hemisphere, and demonstrate that
we can and will play a part in this struggle. The protesters
will be maintained in protest pens--not sure of their locations.
And the City of Miami passed a law prohibiting many items, that
could be used to do bodily harm. Of course the ACLU is indignant
and going to fight.
Chief Timoney--Miami
Chief of Police, will be overseeing the 5 police departments,
who will be maintaining security for this event. They are City
of Miami, Miami-Dade, Miami Beach, Hialeah and Coral Gables.
Some suggested
prayer points:
Please pray for safety for the police and also harmony amongst
the 5 departments. There has already been one incident which has
brought division between two of the departments. Pray also that
the police will have wisdom to know which situations are set-ups,
and which are truly dangerous. Pray the works of darkness be exposed
and all acts of terrorism will be thwarted. Pray for safety of
businesses that are involved in international trade, such as: Target,
McDonalds, Starbucks--these types of businesses are often targeted
for terrorist activates. In fact, last week 2 or 3 anarchists were
arrested at a Starbucks . They were caught with pipes and gas,
presumably to make a bomb and blow up the building. Pray for safety
at the Port of Miami, MIA, all Hotels, parks---anywhere that meetings
or rallies are being held. All public buildings and many merchants
are closing down during that week, please pray for safety for those
businesses. Pray that God will alert the intercessors to keep our
city in prayer this weekend and reveal His strategies..--It is
no coincidence that the Worship Conference will be taking place
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of the same week. Pray for protection
of the FTAA trade Ministers themselves.
Calendar of
events
Convergence Center 2300 N. Miami Ave. opens this weekend--the public
is welcome The center will offer training in nonviolent resistance
and other techniques.
Nov. 16-18 9:00-9:30
AM Root Cause People's March The events are starting with a 34
mile parade, beginning in Ft. Lauderdale. The route will follow
U.S. 1, most of the way, until they arrive in Miami. They will
march Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, culminating with a huge/rally
concert Tuesday evening in Bayfront Park.
Monday Nov.
17
2pm - We'd Rather Wear Nothing Than Wear Gap Location: Gap, 673
Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL They are going to "strip for
justice in forest field & factory!!" It's not clear if
this is going to be total nudity--participants are urged to bring "outlandish
underwear". This is Miami Beach so anything is possible!!
4pm - Continental Campaign Coordinating Meeting Location: 1st Methodist
Church, 400 Biscayne Blvd., seems to be a key location for much
of their strategy and teaching
Tuesday Nov.
18
6:30 - 8pm - Interfaith Service and Vigil, A Call for Peace through
Justice and Understanding Location: 1st United Methodist Church,
400 Biscayne Blvd Description: We invite brothers and sisters of
all faiths to join in prayer, song and reflection for the transformation
of the unjust structures that prevent the alleviation of poverty,
justice for workers, democracy for citizens of the world and stewardship
for the earth. As people of faith we seek peaceful solutions through
open dialogue among all affected communities. The service in the
Church will be followed by a candlelight vigil at the Torch of
Friendship, with a prayer for transformation of the unjust structures
that currently dominate our world. Sponsored by: Pax Christi, First
United Methodist Church of Miami, Unitarian Universalist Congregation
of Miami Contact: Anthony Vinciguerra, Pax Christi, 305-206-8332,
paxchristimiami@yahoo.com; The Rev. Dr. Lucy Hitchcock Seck, Unitarian
Universalist Congregation of Miami, 305, 667-
Wednesday Nov.
19
12noon - Rally to Take Back Public Education-- No Privatization
of School Services Location: Miami Dade County School Board, 1450
NE 2nd Ave. Thursday Nov. 20--The Unitarians Arrive!!!! (emphasis
mine) 7-9 am - Unitarian Universalists FTAA Brunch Location: Miami
UU Congregation, 7701 SW 76th Ave., Miami FL Description: We will
be welcoming the UU Caravan to Miami, sing, pray, have a dialog
about where we go from here, and prepare for the march, with signs
and banners. T-shirts are $10. Sponsored by: Unitarian Universalists
for a Just Economic Community Contact: Pam Kelly 617-542-0634 or
uujec@uujec.net 12pm-6pm - Coalition March and Rally for Global
Justice Location: BayFront Park Amphitheater, Biscayne Blvd and
NW 1st Description: The main rally and march of the mobilization
will bring a diverse lineup of speakers to voice their opposition
to the FTAA and to propose alternatives to neo-liberal trade policies.
The march will be kicked off by a rally at BayFront Park Amphitheater,
then travel through downtown Miami, past the official meetings,
and return to the Amphitheater for a finale with musical entertainment.
The march will incorporate a symbolic delivery of ballots outside
the trade ministers' meetings and will be peaceful and permitted.
Sponsored by: a broad coalition of organizations Contact: Elizabeth
Drake, AFL-CIO (202)637-5000 edrake@aflcio.org 4pm-6pm - Post March
Rally Location: BayFront Park Amphitheater, Biscayne Blvd and NW
1st Description: Music and speakers will welcome marchers back
from a successful march. Sponsored by: a broad coalition of organizations
Contact: Elizabeth Drake, AFL-CIO (202)637-5000
|
