· The Daily Brief
· The Middle East in Focus
· Iran in the News
· Pray for the Persecuted Church
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief Tuesday, July 15, 2008
"The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth." (Isaiah 26:7)
The Daily Brief
1. Prayers Requested for Financial Markets - CHPP
a) Feds Plan to Shore Up Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac - Fox News
The Federal Reserve and the Treasury announced steps Sunday to shore up mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, whose shares have plunged as losses from their mortgage holdings threatened their financial survival.
b) Regulators seize troubled IndyMac - CNN
In what could turn out to be the most expensive bank failure ever, troubled mortgage lender IndyMac Bank was taken over by federal regulators on Friday.c) Wall Street's woes escalate ahead of earnings wave - APInvestors can't seem to catch a break -- Wall Street again starts a week with oil prices at their highest levels yet, and banks poised to reveal that they remain on shaky footing.
· Heavenly Father, we have confidence in You in these times of financial woes in our nation because we know in Whom we believe! You have everything in control and we look to You, not man, to take care of us ! AMEN!
· And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 8:18)
2. Candidates' tax plans agree on one thing: More debt - Washington Times
The differences between the tax policies being promoted by Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain are stark, but neither candidate's proposal tackles the nation's worsening fiscal problems, analysts say.· Lord, we pray that the next President of the United States will not get sidetracked; but, will tackle the fiscal problems first before anything else by creating jobs through innovative solutions to the energy crisis.
· "For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." (Proverbs 1:32, 33)
3. Obama: I used 'poor phrasing' in undivided Jerusalem remark - Ha'aretz
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama, said on Sunday, he used "poor phrasing" in a speech supporting Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel.
· Lift up both presidential candidates -- Senators John McCain and Barack Hussein Obama -- throughout their campaigns, that they be given wisdom to articulate their positions on the issues CLEARLY and with NO CONFUSION. . . especially regarding all matters pertaining to Israel. May each man be granted the grace to WAIT before stating any position . . . even, in humility, deferring to answer a question to a later time. Pray!
· Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:37)
4. California: Judge dismisses home-schooling credentials case - LA Times
Home-school advocates said Thursday's decision makes the appellate discussions moot. "It should mean the whole thing goes away," said Michael Farris, chairman of the Home School Legal Defense Assn. "I'm very optimistic for the long haul. I don't see how in the world this case could be upheld. That [dismissal] absolutely bolsters my optimism greatly."
· Lord, we pray that all home-schools in America will be free of all state interference. Let this ruling stand and the opponents desist in their opposition to the home-schools. The Bible says we are to teach our children.
· In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. (Isaiah 54:14, 15)
5. Heavy rains complicate Calif. firefighting efforts - AP
Violent thunderstorms brought rain bursts that modestly helped firefighting efforts Sunday, but the downpours also triggered mudslides that complicated California's unfolding wildfire disaster.
· As these fires continue to ravage California, we pray that people will cling to You even more. We pray that the leaders will repent for the sins of their state. Lord, We look to You to stem these fires and calm the storms.
· Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me. (Psalms 57:1, 2)
6. Gay clergy split is 'most perilous crisis' in Church's history - London Telegraph
The Anglican Church is facing the "most perilous crisis" in its history due to disagreements over gay clergy as it meets for the Lambeth Conference this week, traditionalists have warned.
· As we focus this week on the impact of the sin of homosexuality on others who surround the one caught in its web, let us not forget to pray for the church. May God show His mercy upon the church that is following the ways of Baal; and His grace upon the true church that stands in truth. And Lord, we ask You to strengthen the hands of those who turn the battle at the gate -- in this case, the leadership of the Anglican church that refuses to ordain "gays" in the pulpit.
· [The Lord is] " . . . a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, And for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate." (Isaiah 28:6)
7. Sudan President Charged With Genocide in Darfur - ABC News
The prosecutor for the International Criminal Court sought an arrest warrant Monday for Sudan's president on charges of waging a campaign of genocide and rape in Darfur, a high-risk strategy that could backfire against the people in the war-torn desert region.
· Although we are grateful to know that this dictator will be brought to justice, nevertheless, we approach all matters pertaining to the International Criminal Court with great caution. From whom does this court derive its power? And who will they charge next with supposed "war crimes." Time to be careful here.
· "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord." (Proverbs 21:30)
The Middle East in Focus
The Middle East in Focus This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming
THIS DECREE: " . . . you shall rejoice in LORD, and shall glory in the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 41:16)
1. Barak: Resolution 1701 a failure - Ynet News
In light of the recent two-year anniversary of the Second Lebanon War, Defense Minister Ehud Barak had some harsh criticism for the stroke that led to its finalization.
2. Lebanon: 'We'll take land by force if talks fail' - Jerusalem Post
Should diplomacy fail to return "Israeli-occupied land" to Lebanon, the Lebanese army (LAF) will take it by force, Lebanese President Gen. Michel Sueleiman said on Sunday.
3. Assad: Iran attack would hurt US, Israel - Ynet News
Syrian President Bashar Assad, said Monday, that a military attack on Iran over its nuclear program would have grave consequences for the United States, Israel and the world.
4. Israeli liberals said to hamper preparations for war with Iran - World Tribune
U.S. officials said last week that despite increased tensions and the ongoing war of words between the West and Iran, Israel is not fully prepared for any attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran in the News
For all the headlines below, we thank God for the promise of His Word: "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you." ( 2 Chronicles 20:6)
1. Iran and Russia sign major oil deal - Jerusalem Post
A few days after French oil giant Total withdrew from its planned multi-billion dollar gas investment project in Iran, Russia's Gazprom is entering the market in a multi-billion-dollar deal.
2. Iran Ready for Direct Talks With U.S., Ahmadinejad Tells State TV - Fox News
Iran's president tells state television he would welcome direct bilateral talks with the United States under certain conditions.
3. Ahmadinejad: We won't accept conditions - Jerusalem Post
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told state TV on Monday that he won't accept any conditions on his country's disputed nuclear program during talks with EU officials this weekend. Major world powers have offered Iran a package of incentives in exchange for a halt to Iran's uranium enrichment - a process that can be used to generate electricity, or make a nuclear weapon. Ahmadinejad told state television Monday that he rejected that condition. He said Saturday's talks will focus on 'common' points instead.
Pray for the Persecuted Church
Prayers for the Persecuted Church This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE: "May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you." (Psalm 20:1)
1. Bush Condemns Religious Rights Abuses In Iran, Eritrea, Sudan and ChinaUnited States President George W. Bush on Monday, July 14, condemned Iran, Eritrea, Sudan, North Korea, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and China for violations of religious rights, saying thousands of people are suffering and "languish in the nation's" jails, but noted some progress in Communist-run Vietnam.
2. Pakistan: Girls Kidnapped, Allegedly Forced to ConvertA Christian father in Pakistan is in a legal battle with kidnappers for the custody of his pre-teen daughters, who allegedly have been forced to convert to Islam.
3. Yemen: Arrests May Spark New Wave of PersecutionOn 18 June Yemeni news source Al Sahwa reported that Yemeni political security forces in Hodiada province had arrested a "missionary cell" of seven people and charged them with promoting Christianity and distributing the Bible. One of those arrested, Hadni Dohni, stands accused of converting to Christianity.
