Tuesday, February 26, 2008

The Daily Brief - Tuesday, February 26, 2008

"But the Lord your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies." (II Kings 17:39)


Today's Daily Brief

1. N. American Army created without OK by Congress - WorldNetDaily

In a ceremony that received virtually no attention in the American media, the United States and Canada signed a military agreement Feb. 14 allowing the armed forces from one nation to support the armed forces of the other nation during a domestic civil emergency, even one that does not involve a cross- border crisis. Read more.

- Pray much over this development, as you read through this report. God has established our borders, and they need to be honored. Pray!

- "Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered!" (Psalm 68:1)

2. Congressman J. Randy Forbes Introduces the "Religious Heritage Resolution" - (Christian Coalition of America)

Congressman J. Randy Forbes, R-VA, now has a total of 72 co-sponsors on his bi-partisan "Religious Heritage Resolution" bill, H.Res. 888, which is a non- binding resolution detailing many examples throughout America's history where faith and religion played a significant role. The Forbes Resolution also affirms America's rich religious and spiritual heritage and designates the first week in May as "Americ an Religious History Week."

· Lord, thank You for people like Congressman Forbes who are doing what they can to preserve our religious freedoms, the history of our nation, and how religion is reflected in our nation's documents, events, and places throughout our nation's capitol. We pray more leaders will speak up for our religious heritage.

· Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. (Psalms 33:18, 19)

3. Gun Control Advocates Introduce 'Microstamping' Bill - CNSNews.com

A gun control group is hailing Sen. Ted Kennedy (D- Mass.) and Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) for introducing legislation that would require gun microstamping in all fifty states. The National Crime Gun Identification Act, introduced in both the House and Senate on Feb. 7, "will help law enforcement track down armed criminals and solve gun murders," the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence said. The National Rifle Association calls such legislation "incremental gun control."

· Lord, we pray that any bill that would encroach on our Constitutional freedoms will be blocked. Give our leaders ideas about how we can ensure the safety of private citizens without imfringing on people's rights. The spirit of murder was unleashed upon our nation when Roe v Wade became law. We repent of that action in the Name of Jesus, and we ask You, dear Lord, to bind that spirit and to heal our land. Amen.

· So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. (Nehemiah 4:16)

4. Catholics Can't Support 'Pro-Choicers,' Church Leaders Say - CNSNews.com

Rev. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, said that a presidential candidate who supports abortion or embryonic stem cell research can't be the choice of a Catholic. "Voters may not morally protect the so-called right to abortion in any way," Pavone told Cybercast News Service. "Therefore, they may not vote for a pro-abortion candidate.

· Father God, we thank You for leaders like Fr. Pavone who clearly see that unborn babies in the womb or embryonic stem cell are clearly children who just need time to grow. The sanctity of life is the first provision of our Constitution . . . Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We pray more people will come to see that fact and then work and vote to protect the unborn.

· So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel. (Numbers 35:33, 34)

5. Wolf to Georgetown: Detail Use of Saudi Millions - Investigative Project

A U.S. congressman is asking Georgetown University about its academic scrutiny of Saudi Arabia and its use of $20 million donated by a Saudi prince in 2005. U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) wrote to Georgetown President John DeGioia Thursday, saying he was concerned about how the money was being spent at the university's Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. Of particular concern, Wolf said, was the university's role in training current and prospective U.S. foreign service personnel. Read m ore.

- Lord, we pray You will expose those who place U.S. policy under microscope and erroneously find it responsible for fostering anger and resentment among terrorists who are directly involved in terrorism. We pray for the salvation of these people because it is the only way to change them and their ways!

- In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness. The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 29:18, 19)

6. Senator Barack Obama Sponsors S. 2433: "Global Poverty Act" - Christians United for Israel

Approved by Senate Foreign Relations Committee

S. 2433 reads: "To require the President to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the United States foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty , the elimination of extreme global poverty , and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people worldwide, between 1990 and 2015, who live on less than $1 per day."

- [This bill was passed in the House by a voice vote on September 25, 2007, as H.R. 1302, and was then referred to the Senate, where it was assigned to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. That committee passed the "Global Poverty Act" on Thursday, February 14, 2008. This bill will now be placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar for a vote by the full Senate later this year.] Pray for the defeat of the Global Poverty Act.

-- "This far you may come, but no further, and here shall your proud waves be stopped!" (Job 38:10,11)

7. Farrakhan Sings Obama's Praises - ABC News

In his first major public address since a cancer crisis, Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan said Sunday that presidential candidate Barack Obama is the "hope of the entire world" that the U.S. will change for the better.

- Offer praise for this endorsement, as hidden things are being revealed and the "true colors" of certain candidates are being made known. Continue to lift up the voting public in America, that they be given "eyes to see," "ears to hear' and "a heart to know and understand" the true nature of each candidate whose name will appear on the ballot in Novermber. May each voter vote for RIGHTEOUSNESS -- not wickedness!

- "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." (Proverbs 29:2)

8. Muslim with ties to Farrakhan may be headed to Congress - AP

A convert to Islam stands an election victory away from becoming the second Muslim elected to Congress and a role model for a faith community seeking to make its mark in national politics. Political newcomer Andre Carson is the Democratic nominee in a March 11 special election to succeed his late grandmother, Julia Carson, representing Indiana's 7th District. She died in December of lung cancer, and her grandson is seeking to fill out the rest of her sixth term, which expires at year's end. If Andre Carson wins the Democratic-leaning Indianapolis district over a freshman Republican legislator and a longshot Libertarian candidate, he would join Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., as the only Muslims elected to Congress.

· Lord, we pray more people will come to know what the real agenda is with people of the radical Muslim faith. Their intention is to change America into a Muslim nation. Awaken Your people to the dangers in our nation and motivate them to get involved now, while there is still time to stop the onslaught of this dangerous religion on our shores.

· So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. (1 Samuel 30:3, 4)

9. Nader Announces New Bid for White House - AP

Ralph Nader said Sunday he will run for president as a third-party candidate, criticizing the top White House contenders as too close to big business and pledging to repeat a bid that will "shift the power from the few to the many."

· Continue to pray in the Spirit over all matters related to our national election.

· "Pray without ceasing." (I Thess. 5:17)


The Middle East in Focus

This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:

"On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem." (Zech. 12:9))

1. Hezbollah chief: We're preparing for war with Israel in coming months - Ha'aretz

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Friday that operatives within Lebanon were preparing for a new war with Israel in the coming months.

2. Sderot boy severely wounded in Kassam rocket attack - Jerusalem Post

A ten-year-old boy was severely wounded by shrapnel when a Kassam rocket landed in the center of Sderot on Monday.

3. Nasrallah: Israel's disappearance inevitable - Jerusalem Post

Hizbullah head Hassan Nasrallah on Friday said Israel's "disappearance" is an inevitable fact.

4. Christian Zionists stand firm as friends to Israel - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Israel is feeling the love from an unusual constituency. A slice of evangelical Christendom, which spent decades trying to convert Jews, has organized in recent years to support them.


Prayers for the Persecuted Church

This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:

"Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 124:8)

1. Eritrea Releases Dozens Of Evangelicals - Worthy News

Dozens of evangelical Christians spend another day in freedom in Eritrea after they were unexpectedly released from prison by security authorities, Christians said.

2. Sri Lanka Pastor Shot Dead Over Conversion
Wife Injured, Child Traumatized
- Worthy News

Gunmen in Sri Lanka shot dead a young Protestant pastor in a contract killing ordered by a husband whose wife converted to Christianity, a major newspaper reported Sunday, February 24, citing a police investigation.

3. Mexico Authorities Expel Evangelicals From Homes, reports - Worthy News

Some 20 evangelical Christians, most of them children in a troubled town of Mexico's Guerrero State, were homeless Saturday, February 23, after they were reportedly expelled by authorities for their refusal to participate in festivals honoring Catholic saints.

4. China "Detains" House Church Alliance President In Inner Mongolia - Worthy News

The leader of China's House Church Alliance in the country's Inner Mongolia region has been detained along with dozens of co-workers, an organization representing the Christians said in remarks monitored by BosNewsLife Friday, February 22.


KEY PRO-LIFE VOTE IN SENATE TODAY!

Vitter Amendment Would Prevent Federal Money from Funding Abortions

The U.S. Senate will vote Tuesday on an extension of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

Sen. David Vitter, R-La., is sponsoring an amendment to the bill - S. 1200- to keep the funds from going toward abortions.

The amendment language is based on the Hyde Amendment, which forbids federal funding of abortions. Indian health services are funded through the Interior Appropriations bill, which has never been subject to the Hyde Amendment.

TAKE ACTION

Ask your U.S. senators to support Sen. Vitter's pro-life amendment. You can find contact information through our Action Center.

(Note: S.1200 is likely to be completed by around mid- day tomorrow.)

[Source: CitizenLink]


This Week on Capitol Hill

[Source: citizenjoe.org -- opinions are their own]

Congress distracts itself with a couple of dead-end bills on energy, housing and Iraq this week, while long-stalled action - on the Farm Bill, secret intelligence courts, consumer product safety and patent reform - simmers on the side.

Green for green: The House revives an energy bill that would extend and build out alternative energy incentives. While lawmakers are generally behind the bill's green tax credits, Republicans in the Senate and the president don't like its rollbacks on oil tax breaks that would pay for the green goods - and are almost certain to block final passage.

Forestalling foreclosures: The Senate tosses a life-line to families on the cusp of foreclosure with a bill that would funnel money toward rehabilitating ($4 billion) and refinancing ($10 billion) homes with shaky subprime mortgages. The deal-breaker is a provision that lets bankruptcy judges restructure mortgages for families falling into default.

Snuffing out Iraq: Senators will also test out another almost-sure-loser that would cut off funding for troop deployments to Iraq in four months.


Prayer for the Primaries

PRIMARIES, CAUCUSES FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH:

Tuesday, March 4

(D) (R) Ohio Primary
(D) (R) Rhode Island Primary
(D) (R) Texas Primary
(D) (R) Vermont Primary

Saturday, March 8

(D) Wyoming Caucus


Tuesday, March 11

(D) (R) Mississippi Primary

· 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.

(Source: Intercessors for America)

" . . . 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: