Today's Daily Brief
1. Mexico City Policy Left Intact in Budget Bill - CNSNews.com
In what can be considered a victory for the Bush administration, Democrats were unable to override a promised presidential veto that would end their fight to reverse the president's ban on aid to family planning groups overseas that provide abortions.
· "Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." (Prov. 14:34)
2. White House Has 'Serious Concerns' About Climate Negotiations - CNSNews.com
Two weeks of tough negotiations at the U.N. climate conference in Bali ended at the weekend with an agreement that few seem genuinely happy about. The "Bali action plan" finalized on Saturday -- after talks went into overtime -- sets the stage for countries to negotiate a new climate change treaty within two years. That treaty would come into force when the U.N.'s Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.
President Bush has not submitted the Kyoto Protocol to the Senate for ratification. (President Clinton did not do so either.) Bush cited the potential damage to the U.S. economy, and the fact that Kyoto does not require nations like China and India -- big CO2 emitters but still defined as developing countries -- to meet specified emission reduction targets.
· Lord, we pray for people to come to understand why President Bush has not agreed to the Kyoto Protocol. Let them understand that it is not in our best interest to agree to it. We pray that President Bush will be imbued with Your wisdom, discernment, and fortitude to do the right things.
· "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him." (Colossians 1:16)
3. Environmentalists Cheer as Senate Passes Energy Bill - CNSNews.com
The Senate passed the energy bill late Thursday to cheers from environmental groups, though critics argue the bill could have done more to boost energy production. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) noted that the House will take up the legislation next week.
· Lord, You are the creator of all things and You have given us the earth to take care of while we are here. We pray that we will not have a wrong view of the stewardship You have given us to take care of the earth! We are not to worship the created things, but rather worship the Creator!
· "I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images . . . Let all give glory to the Lord, And declare His praise in the coastlands." (Isaiah 42:8, 12)
4. Greenspan: U.S. Moving Closer to Recession - ABC News
Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan said this morning that even though it seems more and more probable that the United States is headed into a recession, what is remarkable is that the likelihood of a recession is not already higher.
· Lord, even in a time of trials and tribulations, we will have hope because You will be with us. We pray against this prophecy of a recession, that it will not be so. We pray You will give us a covering during hard times as You covered the Israelite children during famines.
· "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)
5. Pakistan campaign kicks off after emergency lifted - AFP
Pakistan's election campaign began in earnest on Sunday, a day after President Pervez Musharraf lifted his unpopular emergency rule and restored the constitution.
· Heavenly Father, we know You love the people of Pakistan and want the best for them. We pray for order, peace, and unity in this nation. Let multitudes be saved and the gospel spread quickly, deeply, and mightily to all. We pray that they will be bonded to us in a godly way after the elections.
· "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:25)
6. China supplied the technology for Iran's first solid-fuel missile - World Tribune
Israeli intelligence sources said Iran has developed a solid-fuel missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers. The intelligence sources said Iran acquired solid-fuel technology from China. In 2002, Iran developed the Fateh-110 single-stage solid-propellant, surface-to- surface missile with a range of 200 kilometers, Middle East Newsline reported. The sources said the Ashoura missile, similar in range to the Shihab-3, would enable Iran to rapidly prepare an attack against Israel. "This is a major development and exceeds the achievement of Shihab- 3," an intelligence source said.
· Father God, we thank You that it is written in Your word that, at that time, You alone will fight for Israel. May the nations learn of You quickly and bow their knee to You, lest judgment befall them. We pray tonight for the lost souls of China and Iran, that each one would come to know You as their Savior and Lord. Amen.
· "However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities."
(Luke 5:15) "And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women." (Acts 5:14)
7. Russia and Iran to Complete Nuclear Reactor at Bushehr - World Tribune
Iran and Russia have agreed on plans to complete the Bushehr nuclear energy reactor. Russia's state- owned Atomstroiexport, prime contractor of Bushehr, said the timetable would be announced over the next two weeks. "We have resolved all the problems with the Iranians," Atomstroiexport president Sergei Shmatko said. "We have agreed with our Iranian colleagues on a timetable for completing the plant, and we will make an announcement at the end of December."
· Lord, we pray that the Bushehr atomic power station will never be completed. Let there never be agreements between the Russians and the Iranians to share weapons, or work with each other on any projects. Let rogue nations pull back from acquiring weapons that would destroy other nations!
· "But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand." (Matthew 12:25)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
Therefore thus says the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: My house shall be built in it. . . and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem." (Zechariah 1:14-16)
1. First Post-Annapolis Israel-PA Meeting: No Results - (IsraelNN.com)
A meeting between Israeli and PA final-status negotiating teams in Jerusalem Wednesday made no progress, except for an agreement to meet again at the end of December. The meeting was agreed upon during last month's Annapolis summit.
2. Palestinians to Receive Billions of Dollars in Aid - CNSNews.com
Even before the international donors conference in Paris began on Monday, the Palestinian Authority seemed to be well on its way to receiving pledges toward its $5.6 billion budget for the next three years, reports said.
3. World Doesn't Grasp 'Severity' of Iranian Threat, Israeli Envoy Says - CNSNews.com
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told government ministers on Sunday to stop making statements about Iran and the recent U.S. National Intelligence Estimate, which said Iran stopped its nuclear weapons program in 2003.
4. Dichter: US report on Iran could bring about another Yom Kippur War - Ynet News
"US misconceptions regarding Iran could bring about another Yom Kippur War in our region," said Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter at a cultural event at the Holon Theater Saturday.
5. Hamas: We're ready for IDF invasion - Jerusalem Post
Hamas has completed preparation plans to counter an expected IDF invasion of the Gaza Strip, the military wing of the Islamic organization announced on Monday.
6. Palestinian UN envoy slams General Assembly adoption of Israeli resolution - Ha'aretz
Israel, often pilloried in the United Nations, claimed an unprecedented diplomatic triumph on Tuesday when a resolution it had drafted, on farm technology rather than Arab-Iraeli issues, was approved by a UN committee. However the decision was blasted by the UN's Palestinian envoy, Riyad Mansour.
In order to keep our Briefs "brief," we ask you to explore other key sites on your own, as you continue to pray for our nation, for Israel, and for His Kingdom on earth.
Recommended sites include the following:
DOMESTIC NEWS:
a. Intercessors for America
b. Family Research Council
c. End-of-Day by Gary Bauer
d. Citizen Link (Focus on the Family)
e. The Daily Jot
f. Traditional Values Coalition
g. Christian Coalition of America
INTERNATIONAL NEWS:
a Worthy News
Bridges for Peace
c. Intercessors for Israel
d. The JerUSAlem Connection
" . . . every joint supplies . . ." (Eph. 4:16)
