Today's Daily Brief
1. House Fails To Override Health Bill Veto - NY Sun
For the second time in three months, the House failed yesterday to override President Bush's veto of a bill that would greatly increase spending on a popular children's health insurance program.
· Lord, with a grateful heart, we thank You for answered prayer. We praise You for the protection against this bill. Thank You for exposing the details of the long term effect this bill would have on the American people. Bless those who continue to watch over our system to spend money wisely.
· You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the sould of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. (Ps. 97:10-12)
2. Cheney Urges Congress To Act on Surveillance Law - NY Sun
Vice President Cheney prodded Congress yesterday to extend and broaden an expiring surveillance law, saying "fighting the war on terror is a long-term enterprise" that should not come with an expiration date.
· Father, move over Congress to extend the surveillance law for the duration of the war on terror. We ask that this tool be sustained, so that the plots of the terrorists against our nation can be discovered. · You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; . . . . I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. ( Ps. 32:7a-8)
3. Drought Could Force Nuke-Plant Shutdowns - AP
Nuclear reactors across the Southeast could be forced to throttle back or temporarily shut down later this year because drought is drying up the rivers and lakes that supply power plants with the awesome amounts of cooling water they need to operate.
· Lord, we pray for our nation to be aligned in repentance with Your will, so that we might receive the blessing of rain. We understand that You alone command the rains; we ask for Your mercy to visit us and to replenish our water reservoirs. We ask all of this in Your Name, amen.
· God thunders marvelously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work. Also by watering he wearieth the thick clouds: he scattereth his bright cloud: And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth. He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land or for mercy. (Job 37:5-7,11-13)
4. New Al Qaeda Tape Calls for Global Jihad' - Fox News
An Al Qaeda spokesman this week called for unity among Islamic militants worldwide in a new recorded message, according to a U.S. intelligence official.
· Lord, as hatred is stirred up and the enemies against liberty arise, Your people stand united exalting Your Name. We pray for salvation in the enemies' camp. We ask for the kingdom of God to expand. Our trust and protection is in You, therefore we do not fear.
· Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. ( Ps. 2:1, 7,8)
5. Stimulus deal reached - Washington Times
The White House and House leaders yesterday agreed on a $146 billion financial stimulus package that will attempt to stave off a recession by delivering rebate checks to lower- and middle-class Americans of $300 to $600 per person, in addition to child credits of $300.
· Father, thank You that a bipartisan agreement was reached on a stimulus package. We pray that wisdom and unity would come to our beleaguered government, and both parties would begin to cooperate in Your will on the serious issues before us.
· "That they may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this. . ." (Isaiah 41:20)
6. Bush to Make His Last State of the Union Address on Monday - Voice of America The Middle East in Focus 1. UN fails to agree on statement against Gaza blockade - Ynet News 2. Fatah: More attacks to come - Ynet News 3. Border policeman killed by terrorists outside Jerusalem - Jerusalem Post 4. Israeli Official: Israel Wants to Cut Ties With Gaza - Fox News 5. PM completely freezes new construction in W. Bank settlements - Ha'aretz KENYA'S VIOLENCE DELAYS CHRISTIAN GROUPS' AID Violence in the once-hailed democratic oasis continued Thursday between angry young demonstrators and police, making it difficult for Christian aid groups to provide help to affected victims. Reports surpass 1,000 for 2007, worst toll ever for nation A new report confirms what Christians in India already feared: 2007 was the worst year since their nation's independence in 1947 for attacks on Christians. The report from Compass Direct cited statistics compiled by the All India Christian Council in confirming that the number of attacks on Christians in 2007 surpassed 1,000 for the first time in India's history. At least 200 anti-Christian attacks, including four murders, had been documented before the recent violence erupted in Orissa State's Kandhamal district, the report said. There, at least another four Christians were killed and about 800 attacks were reported. At least 730 homes and 95 churches were burned. The Iowa Legislature started just over a week ago and some people were upset before the first issue was ever addressed. When the session began, a Muslim Imam began the prayer in the Iowa Legislature. This is where the controversy begins. The prayer asked of "Victory over those who disbelieve," and "Protection from the great Satan" among other things. Pastor Steve Smith of the Evangelical Free Church in Albert City is among those concerned about the Muslim prayer. Rev. Smith admits that he doesn't know about all the levels of Muslim but knows that the Jihadists believe those in the U.S. are the great Satan. Rev. Smith also wants to point out the mention of "victory over those who disbelieve." He feels "this is a request in the Iowa Legislature for God to grant the Muslims victory over every non-muslim. Not a request for salvation." Smith takes it as a gesture not of prayer but more as a political statement, especially with the wars that have been going on in the Middle East. "I'm not concerned about a Muslim Imam opening the Legislature in prayer but it concerns me with the statements that were made. He interpreted this prayer from his understanding of Islam." (Storm Lake Pilot Tribune) COMMENTARY FROM ACT FOR AMERICA The news story above reports how a Muslim imam opened the Iowa legislative session with a prayer that included an appeal for "victory over those who disbelieve" and "protection from the great Satan." The "great Satan," of course, is the United States. "Victory over those who disbelieve" is consistent with Islamic teaching that Allah is to be dominant over all religions, government, laws and people. This is to be accomplished through "Jihad" - which can take the form of violent conquest or cultural subversion and ultimate subjugation. That some Muslims are becoming so bold as to proclaim their ultimate objective and declare us their enemy - in such a public forum as a state legislative opening session - speaks volumes as to how far Cultural Jihad has already advanced in America. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is why we continue to issue warnings, alerts and information. This is why we are calling concerned citizens to action and organizing across the country. Those who wish us harm, those who wish to steal our liberties and change our society, are not only "over there." They're in our midst. (Read more) So far this month, we have survived primaries in several states, including Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina (Republican), Michigan and Nevada. The remaining schedule for primaries in January is: 26- South Carolina Democratic primary On February 5th, more than 20 states, representing a total of 2,075 delegates, have scheduled their contests for the earliest date allowed by the party without special exception. · Earnestly intercede against media and special interest manipulation during this primary season. Pray that moral, God-fearing, pro-life, pro-marriage, and pro-family men and women be selected, supported, and find favor in local, state, and national campaigns. Intercede that the Lord reveal His choices, expose corruption, immorality, bribery, the occult, and hidden anti-biblical agendas. " . . . if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19) For a complete guide to the Republican primaries, go here: For a complete guide to the Democratic primaries, go here: Recommended links are now posted on our CHPP Blog. Click here to visit our blog for more information. We particularly wish to cite Intercessors for America as the source to find all other ongoing prayer initiatives at this time. For news at the state level (including court decisions re: gay rights), please see the links for the Family Research Council and for Citizen Link (Focus on the Family.) Thank you!!
President Bush's final State of the Union address before both houses of Congress this Monday continues a long-standing tradition in the relations between the executive and legislative branches of the United States government. This year's nationally- televised address comes as several key issues are foremost in the minds of many Americans.
· Pray for President Bush as he works this weekend to finish the details of this very important address to the nation on Monday night. Some are reporting that the President will address -- and support -- the "two-state solution" in Israel . . . the creation of a Palestinian state. Pray that our president will hear, know, and do the will of GOD on this very important matter.
· It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. (Zech. 12:9)
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Who is like unto You, O LORD, among the gods? who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" (Exodus 15:11)
A third day of discussions at the UN Security Council failed to produce a compromise statement that would press for an end to the Israeli lockdown of the Gaza Strip as well as to rocket firing into the Jewish state.
-- Hamas leader says attacks 'must continue' - UPI
Fatah activists belonging to the "Brigades of Return" and to "Black September" claimed responsibility for carrying out the shooting attack in Shoafat Thursday evening. The attack left one Israeli dead and another one seriously wounded. A senior Hamas official said in Syria the conflict with Israel must continue until the Israeli siege ends and "the liberation of Palestine" is realized.
A border police officer was killed and another female officer was seriously wounded Thursday night in a shooting attack near the entrance to the Shuafat refugee camp in northern Jerusalem.
Israel wants to abandon all responsibility for the Gaza Strip, including the supply of electricity and water, now that the territory's southern border with Egypt has been blasted open, Israel's deputy defense minister said Thursday.
Israel has completely frozen all new construction in West Bank settlements, despite recent comments by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that Israel would treat construction in the major settlement blocs differently from building in most settlements.
Prayers for the Persecuted Church
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Mt. 5:44)
Families "too scared" to return home.
600 dead, 250,000 displaced.
More than 600 people have died and 250,000 displaced in Kenya since violence erupted following the disputed presidential election Dec. 27. International aid groups working with local churches have responded to the instability by distributing food and relief supplies to sustain vulnerable children and adults.
Christian aid agency World Vision has provided humanitarian supplies to more than 150,000 people in Kenya. A WV spokesman from Nairobi noted that the humanitarian situation is likely to get worse the longer families are "too scared" to return home because they will be without basic needs such as food and clean water. Christians account for 78 percent of Kenya's 37 million people, while 10 percent of the population is Muslim. (Christian Post 1/17/08)
(Reported by: Intercessors for America)
ATTACKS ON INDIAN CHRISTIANS EXPLODING
The series of attacks prompted Christians to stage a rally to demand government intervention to halt violence against members of the minority religion. A recent rally in Delhi drew an estimated 1,000 Christians and was organized by the All India Christian Council. (WorldNetDaily.com 1/11/08)
(Reported by: Intercessors for America)
Imam offers prayer at Iowa Statehouse
Asks Allah for "victory over those who disbelieve"
Over the past few months we have sent out reports and articles providing insight into "Cultural Jihad" - the Islamist subversion of a society from within. Cultural Jihad is at a very advanced stage in countries like France and Great Britain, and it is on the march here in America.
What is insidious about Cultural Jihad is that it is not obvious, like acts of terrorism are. But its "end game" is the Islamization of a society and the replacement of existing law with strict Islamic sharia law.
Prayer for the Primaries
More Primary News in January
29- Florida primary
(Source: Intercessors for America)
Links to Other Resources
