Radar image of jet’s path
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
A Russian fighter jet entered Turkey’s airspace on Tuesday near the Syrian border. Turkish officials say the pilots were warned 10 times over five minutes to turn back, but ignored the warnings. Turkish military shot the jet down 30 seconds or less after it entered Turkey’s airspace. One of the two pilots was killed; the fate of the other is not known. The jet went down 2.5 miles inside Turkey’s border. Turkey’s President Erdogan said they were protecting Turkmen, “our brothers and sisters,” who live in that area near the Syrian border.
Why this Matters: Turkey is a U.S. ally and NATO member, but President Erdogan is a nationalist and not trustworthy. During the Ottoman Empire, the Turks controlled that part of the world and had established a caliphate. Some analysts predict the next conquest for control of the Middle East will come from Turkey. Russia is helping Syria’s government kill rebel forces. Putin would love to have control of Syria’s oil fields. They also recently sold intercontinental ballistic weapons to Iran. Vladimir Putin is not to be trusted.
How to Pray: Father, You care about what happens in these areas and their people. May Your plans and purposes be carried out according to Your timing. We pray for Christians being persecuted and ask for Your mercy. We know that You are good, and only good. We praise Your name!
Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people,
and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that
which is good in his sight. 1 Chron. 19:13
President Obama Meets with France’s President Hollande
The two Presidents gave a press conference on Tuesday, showing their solidarity in the fight against ISIS. President Hollande was hoping to get the U.S. to commit to stronger measures in light of the recent ISIS attacks on Paris. He planned to urge Obama to work with Russia to build a coalition to fight the extremists. However, in light of the downing of the Russian jet and the destruction of a Russian rescue helicopter, those plans were curtailed. President Obama pledged to intensify his strategy to fight ISIS but called Russia an “outlier.”
Why this Matters: Few analysts believe President Obama will change his policy of limited action against ISIS. One explanation, according to former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, is that Obama believes terrorism is a “law enforcement” issue, not a matter for war.
How to Pray: Father, help our leaders to understand the fluidity of alliances, especially in the Middle East. May our President and his advisers remember to put the interests our country before the rest of the world. But no matter what our leaders decide, we choose to rejoice always and allow Your Spirit to lead and guide us in the way we should go.
John 16:13 – Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
A Rough Week for Soldiers
Blackhawk Helicopter
Four American soldiers were killed on Monday at 6 p.m. during a training mission when their Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopter crashed at Ft. Hood Army base in Texas. The cause of the crash is unknown.
Two soldiers were also killed during a routine training mission on Monday in South Korea. One would imagine training missions to be safe. However, the helicopters fly low and are practicing dangerous operations. Also, some of the helicopters are old and may have been flying for decades.
Father, we pray for these families who are facing a grim holiday and sad days ahead. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but because of Jesus, death was swallowed up in victory. Thank You for salvation. Bring glory to Your name out of this tragedy.
1 Cor. 15:55 – O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Praying Citizen 
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