2. MINNEAPOLIS SHERIFF: "OUR CITY HAS BEEN CUT IN HALF"
3. CONGRESS PASSES BILL FUNDING BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION
4. SWEEPING ETHICS BILL WINS HOUSE APPROVAL
5. BUSH SIGNS LAW TO EXPAND WIRETAPPING RULES
6. SOUTHWICK NOMINATION GOES TO SENATE
7. VETERANS ASSISTANCE BILL PASSED IN HOUSE
8. S. 1138: THE LUGAR/BAYH NUCLEAR SAFEGUARDS AND SUPPLY ACT
9. PENTAGON'S BUDGET APPROVED - MINUS PRESIDENT'S WAR FUND
10. SUNNI ARAB BLOC WALKS-OUT ON IRAQI PARLIAMENT
11. ATTACK WARNINGS INCREASE IN NATION'S CAPITAL AND ACROSS U.S.
12. ISRAELI EXPERT: ATTACK ON AMERICAN CITIES LIKELY WITHIN 90 DAYS
1. U.S. MOVES CLOSER TO ARABS, FURTHER FROM ISRAEL
The United States of America Tuesday put its official stamp on the Saudi Arabian plan that calls for Israel's surrender for all time of the land returned to Jewish rule in 1967. According to a report in [an Israeli newspaper], Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wrote her signature alongside those of Egypt, Jordan and six Persian Gulf states endorsing the plan as a foundation for Middle East peace. With the move, the Bush administration gave Israel yet another shove down the road towards completing its severance from its biblical heartland and the cradle of Jewish nationhood.
The Saudi Plan offers full normalization of relations between Israel and the Arab world in exchange for Israel's withdrawal from Judea, Samaria and the Golan Heights. (Gaza was included in the original draft, but Israel in 2005 already abandoned that strip of land to the Palestinian Arabs who, instead of starting to build themselves a state there, turned it into a haven for terrorists and a launching pad for increased terrorism.)[Excerpted from Jerusalem Newswire, Stan Goodenough, 8/1/07]
· " . . .Israel is the "watershed," the line of separation between nations. Rulers and nations will determine their own destiny by how they respond to what God does for Israel." - Derek Prince, from his book Promised Land. Pray for advisers and leaders to be raised up to give the President wise counsel regarding decisions and actions taken in the Middle East, with particular emphasis on recognizing and supporting God's purposes for Israel. Ask the LORD to raise up government leaders in Israel (and worldwide) who will not seek to "divide the land," and who would recognize the unique significance of Jerusalem in God's end-time purposes.
· Ask the LORD to break every threat over Israel, to watch over His word: "And [ Israel ] shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God." (Ezekiel 28:26) "I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land." (Joel 3:2)
Source for all the above: Intercessors for America
2. MINNEAPOLIS SHERIFF: "OUR CITY HAS BEEN CUT IN HALF"
Better than expected conditions in the Mississippi River have aided in the search at the scene of Wednesday's deadly bridge collapse in Minneapolis, officials said Friday afternoon. Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek said four of the five submerged vehicles inspected were found to be empty. One of the missing victims whose car was among those underwater was found safely. The fifth vehicle was crushed under another car and was on the bottom of the river.
Hennepin County Commissioner Mark Stenglein said the sight of the collapsed bridge is "beyond sobering." "It's a very, very sad, sad sight," he said. "Our city is cut in half." Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek said at an afternoon news conference that divers went in about 10:35 a.m. and searched an area upriver from the collapse site. He said Friday morning that conditions on the river were more treacherous than they were Thursday. (Channel 4000 News; Minneapolis-St. Paul)
· The Word of the Lord is clear: a judgment awaits those who divide the land of Israel. Perhaps it is merely a coincidence that, one day after Ms. Rice signed the document (above), dividing Judea, Samaria and the Golan Heights from Israel . . . one of the largest cities in our nation -- one that sits in the very middle of the country upon a waterway that divides our land -- was literally "cut in half." Coincidence or not, perhaps we need to take heed quickly, lest a worse fate yet befalls us. Pray for President Bush -- that only advisers who understand this critical fact be permitted to surround him, and that our national policy would then be reversed to uphold the law of God.
· ". . . remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness." (Prov. 25:5) "All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal." (Psalm 119:160)
Please see our Recommended Reading, below, for more insight on the blessings and curses that go with the dividing of God's land, Israel.
3. CONGRESS PASSES BILL FUNDING BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION
Just before the Congress went into recess for the remainder of the summer, the House voted to appropriate $250 million in emergency transportation money to help reconstruct the Interstate 35W bridge that collapsed in Minneapolis. Also, during his visit to the collapse site on Friday, the president promised to "cut through the red tape . . . to get this job done as quick as possible" in rebuilding the bridge. He also stated that Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters would be in charge of this project at the federal level and that, "when she sees roadblocks and hurdles in the way of getting the job done, she'll do everything she can to eliminate them. " (Washington Times)
· Begin to lift up Secretary Peters and all who will work with her at the federal, state and local levels to coordinate this reconstruction effort. Thank the Lord for the president's commitment to see that this job gets done as quickly as possible, and let's add the resource of "prayers of agreeement" to help expedite the work.
· "I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron." (Isaiah 45:2)
4. SWEEPING ETHICS BILL WINS HOUSE APPROVAL
In the most sweeping overhaul of congressional ethics rules in a generation, the House overwhelmingly approved a bill Tuesday aimed at curbing the influence of lobbyists and repairing Congress' corruption-sullied image. The Senate may approve the identical bill this week and send it to President Bush for his signature.
The bill would impose many new rules on lawmakers and lobbyists, requiring reports on the campaign checks that lobbyists solicit from different contributors and denying congressional pensions to lawmakers convicted of felonies. The bill also aims to end the secret process that allows lawmakers to slip special- interest appropriations - often at a lobbyist's behest - into legislation. It would require disclosure of the names of the lawmakers behind the items. Earmarking has figured prominently in the congressional scandals. (Baltimore Sun, 8/1/07) [Reported by: Intercessors for America]
· Praise the Lord for an ethics bill that curbs hidden spending and lobbyists' bidding. Ask the Lord to reveal any loopholes that may exist. Is this bill the best that the House can create, according to the Lord's truth? Should there be skepticism? Pray that the Senate will follow with an ethics bill that is even clearner. · "In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of wicked is trouble." (Proverbs 15:6)
5. BUSH SIGNS LAW TO EXPAND WIRETAPPING RULES
signed into law yesterday an expansion of the government's power to eavesdrop on foreign terrorism suspects without warrants. The law, which updates the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, was deemed a priority by Bush and his chief intelligence officials.
"We must remember that our work is not done," Bush said upon signing the bill at Camp David. "This bill is a temporary, narrowly focused statute to deal with the most immediate shortcomings in the law." The new law, which aims to capture foreign communications that pass through the United States, will expire in six months unless Congress renews it.
· Offer praise that Congress was able to work out a solution to the logjam that had been in place over the passage of this measure. May this new ruling be used only to ferret out those who are truly our enemies, and not those who are innocent American citizens.
· "And you would be secure, because there is hope; yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety. You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid; yes, many would court your favor. But they eyes of the wicked will fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope--loss of life!" (Job 11: 18 - 20 NKJV)
6. SOUTHWICK NOMINATION GOES TO SENATE
Drama came to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday when Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) broke ranks with her Democratic colleagues to vote in favor of sending the nomination of Judge Leslie Southwick, a nominee to the Fifth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals, to the Senate floor for confirmation. In her statement before the committee, Sen. Feinstein said: "I don't believe he's a racist. I believe he's a good person. Judicial nominees are not just a collection of prior writings or prior judicial opinions. My hope is that we can put these days behind us, and that we can give people a fair hearing, and that we can move them on."
Conservative activists, however, are urging like- minded Americans to press the Senate for a quick vote. "With the Senate on a month-long August recess, it is important for Americans to contact their Senators to let them know that they expect a vote on Judge Southwick very soon," said Fidelis, a Catholic-based advocacy group that supports the confirmation of judges who are faithful to the U.S. Constitution. (CNSNews.com)
· Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for this vote by Senator Feinstein, for now the full Senate will be able to weigh and decide the nomination of this very capable man to serve on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Praise God!
· "In everything give thanks . . ." (I Thess. 5:18)
7. VETERANS ASSISTANCE BILL PASSED IN HOUSE
The House required the Veterans Affairs Department to provide outreach and mental health services to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns with brain injuries and post traumatic stress disorder. The House also waived co-payment for veterans receiving hospice care, and passed a bill allowing disabled veterans living temporarily with a family member to become eligible for adaptive housing assistance. (AP, 7/31/07) [Reported by: Intercessors for America]
· Offer praise for the passage of this bill and offer intercession that the monies that have been allocated for this need be used for their intended purpose.
· "Open your mouth for the dumb, For the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy." (Psalm 31:8,9)
8. S. 1138: THE LUGAR/BAYH NUCLEAR SAFEGUARDS AND SUPPLY ACT
..
Last week Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) introduced this bill on the Senate floor. Also, Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) co-sponsors this bill to deal with the proliferation of nuclear power in the world, by discouraging the development of enrichment and reprocessing capabilities of nuclear materials in other nations. It also requires the President to begin exploring the creation of an International Nuclear Fuel Bank. The legislation would authorize the President to negotiate bilateral and mutilateral mechanisms to ensure that nations seeking civilian nuclear power have a reliable and affordable supply of nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes [energy].
After using the fuel, each nation would return the spent fuel to the International Atomic Energy Agency for safe oversight. The IAEA labs are currently outdated, and technicians can spend only limited time analyzing nuclear evidence because of dilapidated air purification systems. The legislation also will provide funds to refurbish the labs. This bill has passed out of committee but has not yet been brought to vote on the floor of the Senate. (Intercessors for America)
· Please ask the Lord for wisdom about this bill. On the surface, it seems a rational way to deal with the world's lust for nuclear power, but men are frequently not rational when great power falls into their hands. Would the USA be tying her hands but allowing other nations to clandestinely work with nuclear energy? The bill will not come to a vote until after the summer recess, so there is time to seek the Lord.
· "Understand, ye brutish among the people, and ye fools, when will ye be wise?" (Psalm 94:8)
9. PENTAGON'S BUDGET APPROVED - MINUS PRESIDENT'S WAR FUND
The House on Saturday approved modest changes to President Bush's record Pentagon budget proposal, but Democrats signaled plans to resume a more contentious debate over the Iraq war after the August recess. The House's $459.6 billion version of the defense budget, approved on a 395 to 13 vote, would add money for equipment for the National Guard and Reserve, provide for 12,000 additional soldiers and Marines, and increase spending for defense health care and military housing.
Minutes after the vote, the chamber adjourned until after Labor Day.
The White House criticized Democrats for cutting Bush's request and effectively transferring $3.5 billion of the money to domestic spending programs. It is likely that the cuts will be restored in the fall when Congress will consider another wartime supplemental spending bill. The administration has not threatened to veto the measure.
The measure does not include Bush's 2008 funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Democrats say they want to consider that money in separate legislation in September. This approach would set the stage for a major clash over the war; Democrats are likely to try to impose conditions on the money. (AP)
· Clearly, in Congress the war over the war in Iran is not over . . . just postponed. Take time this month to contact your own elected officials while they are in their home districts, giving your own opinion about the war in Iraq. Godly people should not shun their responsibility as a part of our government. [For more on this principle, go here.] Our legislators need to hear from you!
· "Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And he who speaks right is loved." (Proverbs16:13)
10. SUNNI ARAB BLOC WALKS-OUT ON IRAQI PARLIAMENT
The Shiite-led Iraqi government, while trying to cope with violence, suffered a political setback today when the largest Sunni Arab political bloc in the parliament followed through on a threat to walk out of the coalition cabinet that is trying to unify the country. (NY Times)
The immediate impact of the move was blunted by its coming on the first day of the government's widely criticized summer recess, when political activity slows down considerably. It also followed reports of increasing tensions within Mr. Maliki's own party. The parliament is scheduled to resume its work on Sept. 4.
· Pray for a profound lessening of political tension in the Iraqi parliament during this summer recess, when the actual temperature is unbearable. Pray for our soldiers who are trying to establish peace in the midst of this terrible heat, both physical and political. Let the desire to cooperate increase.
· "Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile." (Psalm 34:13)
11. ATTACK WARNINGS INCREASE IN NATION'S CAPITAL AND ACROSS U.S.
Capitol Police officials have stepped up the department's security presence on Capitol Hill in response to intelligence indicating the increased possibility of an al-Qaeda terrorist attack on Congress sometime between now and Sept. 11.
Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Terrance Gainer said, "Given the world situation and recently released snippet from al-Qaeda threatening to attack Washington, we're just being a tad more vigilant if that's possible."
Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott (R-Miss.) ominously advised Thursday that Congress needed to pass changes to terrorist surveillance laws before leaving for the August recess and warned that otherwise "the disaster could be on our doorstep." When asked if people should leave Washington, D.C., during the month of August, Lott responded, "I think it would be good to leave town in August, and it would probably be good to stay out until September the 12th." (ABC News, Roll Call) [Reported by: Intercessors for America]
· Continue to place the "shield of faith" around Washington, D. C., for protection against the enemy. Pray also for your own state and area, especially if important military and/or federal facilities are nearby. Ask the Lord to reveal the exact plans that Al-Qaeda is boasting about. Pray also for those who are deceived and think that the USA is their enemy.
· "Through Thee will we push down our enemies: through Thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us." (Psalm 44:5)
12. ISRAELI EXPERT: ATTACK ON AMERICAN CITIES LIKELY WITHIN 90 DAYS
Israeli Counterterrorism expert Juval Aviv believes that an Al Qaeda attack on several American cities is likely within the next ninety days. Aviv states, "I predict, based primarily on information that is floating in Europe and the Middle East, that an event is imminent and around the corner here in the United States.
It could happen as soon as tomorrow, or it could happen in the next few months. Ninety days at the most." Aviv's warning should not go unnoticed. He has a respectable background that includes service as an Israeli Counterterrorism Intelligence Officer and as a special consultant to the United States Congress on terrorism and security.
Another indication that an attack on the United States may be in the works is the release of a new Al-Qaeda video titled, "Wait for the Big Surprise." The video shows a digitally altered image of President Bush and Pakistani President Musharraf engulfed by flames with the White House burning in the background.
Despite the fact there has not been a major terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11, Aviv's remarks and this new Al Qaeda video remind us that the enemy has not retreated and still desires to inflict great harm on the United States. Other American intelligence agencies have recently suggested that Al Qaeda operatives are in the United States and are waiting for the right time to strike again.
The radical Left is convinced that if we get out of Iraq the threat of a terror attack on the United States would be greatly reduced. They are wrong. Our retreat would be seen throughout the world as a sign of American weakness; it would be perceived in the Middle East as a victory for Al Qaeda. And it would invite more aggression, not less. The Left does not understand that our enemy is relentless and will stop at nothing until our way of life is destroyed. Reports like Mr. Aviv's are sobering reminders of the war we are in with a persistent and patient enemy. (Gary Bauer, American Values)
· Alert your neighbors and fellow workers to the urgency of this message. Ask all to pray for America's protection. Is your city one of Al-Qaeda's targets? Intelligence allows us to be prepared, both spiritually and physically. And no prayer is ever wasted. Is this the opportunity for leading your neighbor into salvation through Jesus Christ of Nazareth?
· "Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man." (Psalm 43:1)
