Tuesday, January 8, 2008
"Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake." (Psalm 79:9)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Obama, McCain clinch midnight ballots - AP
..
Polls open in New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary; wooing independent voters seen as key to victory.
· Father we continually cover the election process with Your truth and intervention. You alone choose world leaders, so we ask that tonight's caucus accomplish Your perfect will. · " He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding." (Daniel 2:21) "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16: 13 NKJV)
2. Kenya's Unrest Takes Violent Toll - AP
A week of postelection violence has left at least 250,000 people homeless, shattering the East African country's image as a haven for those fleeing conflict.
· In the name of Jesus we bind the spirits of violence and unrest in Kenya. We loose the peace of the Lord into all areas. Where there has been no resolutions, there will now be one. Heavenly Father protect all the innocent ones in this conflict. Bring hope back to this nation! Amen! · "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
3. Poland signals a shift on U.S. missile shield - Int'l Herald Tribune
Signaling a shift in Polish foreign policy, Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski said the new Warsaw government was not prepared to accept U.S. plans to deploy part of its anti-ballistic missile shield in Poland until all costs and risks were considered.
· Lord, we pray that the U.S. will have many nations that will strongly support us. We pray for this situation in Poland; we pray that they will see that when we stand united, the world is a safer place! We pray that the new government in Warsaw will quickly accept the plans of the United States. · " Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1:10)
4. Pakistan Denies U.S. Right to Hunt Terrorists Within Its Borders - Fox News
Pakistan reiterated Sunday that it will not let American forces hunt Al Qaeda and Taliban militants on its soil, after a news report said Washington was considering expanding U.S. military and intelligence operations into Pakistan's tribal regions.
· Lord, we pray that the generals and politicians will have wisdom and discernment about what to do in Pakistan. Father God, we trust You to show our military leaders the way to search out, find, and apprehend the militant terrorsts from Al Qaeda and the Taliban. We ask You, Lord, to bring peace to this nation. Let the gospel spread quickly throughout this region! · " But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 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 14:26-27)
5. American Al Qaeda Leader To Bush: 'We Will Be Waiting For You' - ABC News
American Al Qaeda leader Adam Gadahn told his followers to welcome Bush "with bombs and traps" upon his upcoming visit to the Middle East this week.
· Heavenly Father, we pray for a super-thick hedge of protection to be placed around President Bush and everything that pertains to him throughout his tour to the Middle East. Father, even if his plans are not Your plans for Israel, we nevertheless cry out for mercy for our president. In the name of Jesus we bind the spirits of hatred and violence against the President and against any American. We loose the spirits of peace and calm into this situation. · " And David went out to meet them, and answered and said to them, "If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if to betray me to my enemies . . . may the God of our fathers look and bring judgment." (1 Chronicles 12:17)
6. Iranian boats threaten US navy vessels in Persian Gulf - ICEJ News
Pentagon calls it 'most serious provocation' Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats harassed a convoy of three US Navy ships in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the gateway for oil shipping at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, threatening to blow up the American vessels, US officials said Monday. American forces were on the verge of firing on the Iranian boats in the incident early Sunday morning, an unnamed Defense Department official said, calling it "the most serious provocation of this sort that we've seen yet."
Five small boats began charging the American naval vessels as they entered the Straits, dropping boxes in the water in front of the ships and forcing the US ships to take evasive maneuvers. The Iranian boats turned away "literally at the very moment that US forces were preparing to open fire" in self defense," the Pentagon official revealed. He added that the Iranians radioed something like "we're coming at you and you'll explode in a couple minutes." Iran's Foreign Ministry on Monday downplayed the confrontation as "something normal" and suggested the Iranian boats had not recognized the US vessels.
· Offer praise that this act of verbal aggression did not result in actual violence -- at least not yet. Continue to hover in prayer over all issues related to U.S. - Iranian discourse, asking that our Lord grant wisdom to President Bush and his advisors, every step of the way. · "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye." (Psalm 32:)
7. Strong earthquake hits Canadian west coast region - AFP
Two strong earthquakes both registering 6.5 on the Moment Magnitude scale struck the western coast of Canada early Saturday, with no reports of casualties or damage, US and Canadian sesimological sites reported.
· Lord, You are the creator of everything. And everything bows to You at Your command. We speak to the storms - Peace, be still! And we pray that there will be a hedge of protection around the U.S. against both dangerous weather conditions and against the plans of the terrorists. In Your Name, amen! · "Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17, 18)
The Middle East in Focus 1. Jerusalem readies for Bush's arrival, 10,500 police involved in security - Ynet News 2. Israel to present Bush with 'Iran file' - Ynet News 3. Bush to propose ME plan to combat Iran - Jerusalem Post 4. Bush: We'd defend Israel in event of Iranian strike - Ha'aretz 5. Longer-range type of Katyusha rocket alarms Israelis - Int'l Herald Tribune 6. Olmert might be forced to resign, says Kadima official - Ynet News
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto You. When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I." (Psalm 32:8)
With hundreds of hotel rooms booked and municipal crews unfolding red, white and blue flags, Jerusalem is getting ready for its highest-profile visitor in years: President Bush.
Israel does not have any evidence which could turn the tables on a recent US intelligence report which concluded that Iran has stopped developing nuclear weapons, according to the senior political-diplomatic forum at the Prime Minister's Office.
US President George W. Bush will work with Middle East allies to develop a security plan to counter Iran during his upcoming visit to the region.
An Iranian attack on Israel isn't imminent, but the U.S. would defend its ally in such an event, U.S. President George Bush said in an interview with Channel 2 Television broadcast Saturday, days before he is slated to begin a Mideast visit.
Israeli security officials asserted Sunday that the Katyusha-type rocket fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza into the coastal city of Ashkelon on Thursday had been made in Iran.
As the release of Winograd Commission's final report on the Second Lebanon War approaches, speculations in the political arena are mounting and MKs begin preparing for the report's aftermath.
Prayers for the Persecuted Church
Prayers for the Persecuted Church
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Remember the prisoners as if chained with them-those who are mistreated-since you yourselves are in the body also." (Hebrews 13:3)
1. Kenya violence is affecting ministry - Mission Network News
The Regional Director of World Gospel Mission, Terry Duncan, is asking Christians around the world to pray. "Pray that the church would be strong. Pray for those who are displaced at this time -- those who have had their homes burned down. Food is in short supply. Pray for the people of Kenya that God will somehow bring a quick end to what has taken place in just a few days here."
During times of uncertainty, there are many opportunities to share the truth of the Gospel. Pray that believers would be bold in their witness.
(To view the full article, go here.)
2. Group claims responsibility for killing U.S. diplomat in Sudan - CNN
..John Granville, seen in an undated family photo, was shot to death in Sudan Tuesday.
A group calling itself the Partisans of Monotheism in Sudan claimed responsibility Friday for the shooting death of an American diplomat and his driver early New Year's Day.
(For the full report on CNN, go here.)
3. Harshest Persecution Likely to Occur in Saudi Arabia and North Korea - Christianity Today
..Christian persecution in Saudi Arabia --
According to persecution watchdog Release International, some of the harshest persecution endured by Christians in 2008 is likely to take place in states where Christianity is illegal - North Korea and Saudi Arabia. Elsewhere, millions of Christians this coming year will face varying degrees of harassment, persecution and repression simply because of where they live.
Most persecution of Christians in 2008 is set to take place in the four 'zones' of Islam, communism, Hinduism and Buddhism, says Release. Persecution may stem from the government or its agents, such as the secret police, military or judiciary, or from non- governmental movements, such as militant Islamic groups.
[To view the full article, go here.]
4. Catholic officials, Muslim scholars to meet in Rome - Reuters
A landmark meeting between Catholic officials and Muslim scholars that aims to spur dialogue between Christianity and Islam is planned to take place in Rome this spring, a senior Vatican official said.
Some 138 Muslim scholars wrote to Pope Benedict and other Christian leaders in October, saying "the very survival of the world itself" might depend on dialogue.
The Pope, who as head of the Catholic Church represents more than half the world's two billion Christians, responded in November by welcoming their call and inviting them to Rome.
[To view this entire report, go here.]
THE PRESIDENT'S MIDDLE EAST ITINERARY
January 9 - President Bush arrives in Tel Aviv in the afternoon
The President changed the itinerary of his trip late this week in order to fit in a visit to Capernaum, the Christian holy site.
January 9, 10 - On Wednesday and Thursday, while in Israel and the West Bank, (Judea and Samaria) the President will have meetings with Israeli President Peres and Prime Minister Olmert, and separately with Palestinian President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad.
January 11 - On Friday, the President will meet with Quartet representative Tony Blair to get an update on efforts to help build the institutions of a Palestinian state and enhance the Palestinian capacity to self-govern.
The President will also lay a wreath at the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem before traveling to Kuwait, where he will meet with Amir Sabah.
January 12 - On Saturday, President Bush will visit with U.S. troops at Camp Arifjan (Kuwait). He will meet with Ambassador Crocker and General Petraeus to get an update on the current situation in Iraq. Also, the President will have a roundtable on democracy and development with Kuwaiti women. The President will then travel to Bahrain, where he will meet with King Hamad.
January 13 - On Sunday, President Bush will visit the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet before traveling to the United Arab Emirates, where he will meet with President Khalifa. Following this meeting, President Bush will deliver a speech in Abu Dhabi. In that speech, he will talk about the progress we have seen in the Gulf, the progress of the freedom agenda in the region, emerging economic progress, and how regional security is important for both continued economic growth and for the spread of freedom.
January 14 - On Monday, President Bush will travel to Dubai, where he will be greeted by the ruler of Dubai. President Bush will then travel to Saudi Arabia, where he will meet with King Abdullah.
January 15 - On Tuesday, President Bush will be in Riyadh for meetings.
January 16 - On Wednesday, President Bush will travel to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where he will meet with President Mubarak. The President will depart Sharm el-Sheikh on Wednesday January 16 in the afternoon en route to Andrews Air Force Base.
(White House Press Briefing 1/3/08)
Pray for the safety and protection of President Bush, his aides, members of the Secret Service teams attending the Middle East meetings.
Ask the Lord to send GOSPEL MESSENGERS into their midst - that they may give a loving demonstration, and a compassionate witness of Jesus of Nazareth.
Jerusalem police chief Aharon Franco was quoted as saying that the three-day visit, which will start next Wednesday, will see a total of 10,450 police officers on the streets of Jerusalem to safeguard President Bush and his entourage.
[This article was reported by Intercessors for America.]
We also note that White House reporter Bill Koenig has been asked to accompany President Bush on this trip. Mr. Koenig is the author of the book, Eye to Eye - Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel, and knows well the dangers of dividing the land of Israel and/or Jerusalem. Please pray along with us that Mr. Koenig's message, based on the Word of God, would be heard during this trip.
Reality (in the Persian Gulf) Reality The polls indicate that many Americans are tired of war and looking for a new president who will rely on "diplomacy." Sadly, no matter who gets elected in November, these Americans will likely be disappointed by a reality of today's world, a reality that the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf had to confront last weekend. Here is what you need to know about the incident. In November, the Iranian government turned over its naval operation in the Persian Gulf to the radical Revolutionary Guard - committed Islamic jihadists. As I have reported before, Iran's Revolutionary Guard is responsible for providing the sophisticated weaponry that the terrorists have used to target U.S. tanks and armored vehicles in Iraq. The weekend provocation was most likely a "test" of our naval defenses. The biggest threat facing the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf and the strategic Strait of Hormuz is a "swarm attack" by dozens or even hundreds of small Iranian vessels loaded with explosives. It only took one such boat to disable the USS Cole and kill 17 sailors in October 2000. The Pentagon fears that an attack by dozens of such "suicide boats" could sink a major U.S. naval vessel and inflict massive casualties. It would be wonderful if we could wish away the danger we face. I would love to live in a time when there was no chance of a jihadist detonating a dirty nuclear bomb and taking out an American city, and where U.S. troops could come home and have normal lives. But that is not our world. (Gary Bauer; End-of-Day; Jan. 7, 2008) China: One Child Policy Trumps Party Loyalty The mere fact that the Yanis' suit will be heard is a victory of seismic proportions. It is certain to draw some unwelcome attention to a deep scar on the human rights record of this year's Olympic host. While out-of-wedlock pregnancies are a violation of Chinese law, so are forced abortions--or so the government would like us to believe. Sadly, the suit's outcome is likely to have little impact on the brutal enforcement of the one-child policy by the Communist Party. According to media reports at least 500 ranking Communist officials have been expelled from the party and another 395 were "stripped of their posts" for having more than one child.
The Defense Department reported this morning that five Iranian ships made threatening moves toward U.S. vessels. The Iranian ships came within 200 yards of our ships and actually radioed this message: "I am coming at you. You will explode in a couple of minutes." Our sailors manned their gun positions and were "in the process" of giving the order to fire when the Iranian vessels abruptly turned away.
You may recall that last January President Bush issued orders to "kill or capture" Iranian operatives in Iraq, and the administration later designated the Guard a terrorist organization, an action overwhelmingly endorsed by the Democrat-controlled Congress.
The next president . . . will begin each day in the White House with an overnight "threat assessment" of the dangers facing our country. Then, glibness, sound bites, pollsters and good looks won't matter. All that will matter is whether or not they have the fortitude, strength and foreign policy knowledge to keep Americans alive in an era when thugs are working feverishly on ways to kill us.
Chinese Court to Hear Abortion Case
In a case that is believed to be the first of its kind, China's high courts have agreed to hear the suit of a young married woman who was forced to undergo an abortion against her will. Jin Yani, who violated Chinese law by becoming pregnant five months before she wed, was ready to deliver her baby when family planning officials appeared at the couple's door. They escorted her to a local abortion center, where her unborn child was given a lethal injection and later removed from the womb. Jin lost so much blood as a result of the procedure that she was hospitalized for six weeks and, in the seven years since, has been unable to conceive.
(Family Research Council; Tony Perkins' Washington Update)
Links to Other Resources
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!!
