· The Daily Brief
· The Middle East in Focus
· Iran in the News
· Pray for the Persecuted Church
· GOOD NEWS FROM SOUTH DAKOTA
· Flippity Floppity
· Do Not Be Given To A Spirit Of Fear
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief Wednesday, July 9, 2008
"Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith." (Isaiah 26:2)
The Daily Brief
1. Senate Sends Terror Surveillance Bill, Telecom Immunity Provision to Oval Office - Fox News
The Senate on Wednesday approved the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act on a 69-28 vote, a bill that will overhaul rules on terrorist surveillance while giving the Bush administration a win it had sought for months: legal immunity for telecommunications companies that helped in its secret eavesdropping program.The House approved the measure last month, and today's vote sends the bill to the president's desk. President Bush told reporters gathered at the White House Rose Garden, "This legislation is critical to America's safety. "This will help our intelligence professionals learn who the terrorists are talking to, what they are saying, and what they are planning. It is long overdue. ... I will soon sign this bill into law." Officials indicated afterward that the president could sign it as soon as Thursday or Friday.
· Dear Father, We know that You want to always protect Your children. We thank You that the right to wiretap for national security reasons will be upheld. We ask that You will continue to lead our current administration in the unfailing paths of Your wisdom. May President Bush leave a legacy that shows he made decisions based upon following Your Word and precepts. May Israel and America and Israel's allies be saved for Your Glory! In Your Name we pray. Amen.
· "But my enemies are vigorous, and they are strong; and those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied. Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation! (Psalm 39: 19, 21-22 NKJV)
2. Bernanke Endorses Expanded Authority - Washington Post
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke, yesterday endorsed major changes to the ways the financial system is regulated, advocating new tools to make sure big financial firms that fail do not damage the overall economy. Bernanke said that if the Fed were to gain more responsibility for guarding against financial crises, that responsibility would need to come with the power to regulate the activities of a wide range of financial players. He also advocated more authority for the Fed over the plumbing of the financial system, including the processes banks use to pay one another, and for investment banks to be overseen by a regulator with more explicit legal authority. Bernanke said he may extend a special loan program for investment firms, enacted during the March collapse of Bear Stearns, into 2009.
· Thank You God, that You see the future even though we can't. May Mr. Bernanke, the Federal Reserve Board and staff choose to inquire of Your Enduring Word, on how to implement this financial vision for America that will help guard against economic adversity. For Your Glory and in Your Name we pray these things. Amen.
· "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the Word of the Lord endures forever." (1 Peter 1: 10 NKJV)
3. Treasury Secretary Paulson To Appear Before House Committee Tomorrow - CHPP
Will ask for added powers for the Federal ReserveTomorrow morning, the Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Paulson, will appear before the House Banking Committee, along with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke, to ask Congress to increase the authority of the Federal Reserve Board over our nation's banks. Chaired by Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA), the panelists will address the "Blueprint for a Modernized Financial Regulatory Structure," which was proposed by the Treasury Department in March.The Blueprint, if approved by Congress, would extend the authority of the Fed to also regulate savings and loans, state chartered banks, or credit unions.
· Whenever issues relating to the Federal Reserve Board are addressed in Congress, much prayer is required. Pray in the spirit while this Committee meets tomorrow, beginning at 10:00 a.m. EDT. Then, ask our Lord to move on the hearts of those in authority to seek Him before any changes are made to the Fed. Praise Him that He is in control; and He does have a plan to sustain each of us, even in these perilous times!
· "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near . . . " (Isaiah 55:6)
4. Much Of U.S. West Coast Under 'Explosive' Fire Threat - Bloomberg
Conditions are right for red flag "explosive fire growth potential" in 650 miles of dry mountain range along the U.S. Pacific Coast, from southern Oregon to just north of Los Angeles, forecasters said today. The warning follows an `unprecedented'' start to the fire season, when 1,700 fires erupted in a 48-hour period starting June 21. The `red flag'' hazard area includes the Big Sur and Santa Barbara regions, where fires threaten hundreds of homes. Fires have burned 960 square miles in California, and 323 active fires continue to consume land and threaten more than 10,000 homes, commercial buildings and other structures, according to the CalFire Forestry Department. A 445-mile (718-kilometer) stretch of the coastal and inland areas above 1,000-foot (305-meter) elevations from near Gold Beach, Oregon, to Big Sur is under a red flag warning from the National Weather Service. Areas around Los Angeles and throughout southern California are experiencing similar conditions. California has spent more than $100 million fighting the blazes.
· Gracious Lord, We humbly ask You to show Californians and their governor how much they need You. May they turn to You and ask You for help in putting out and preventing these fires that have plagued them since homosexual marriage was approved by their State Supreme Court. May You and not wickedness reign over this beautiful state. For Your glory, we pray. Amen.
· "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4: 1, 7-8 and 10 NKJV)
5. Polls Show Americans Increasingly Support Increased Domestic Oil Production -Wall Street JournalFaced with mounting pressure from voters to respond to record gasoline prices, some senior Democratic lawmakers Tuesday opened the door to a compromise with Republicans that would open more land on and offshore to oil and gas exploration and production. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), said 'I'm open to drilling and responsible production,' adding that he and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, (D-Nev.), could support a modest expansion of offshore production. Recent opinion polls have indicated strong public support for more domestic exploration. A Rasmussen Reports survey in June showed 67% of Americans support deepwater energy exploration - with 64% expecting it will lower gas prices - while a CNN poll published last week showed 73% of Americans favor more exploration of deep ocean energy resources far off U.S. shores."
· Thank You again, Lord, for opening the doors to renewed oil exploration in America. Please continue to guide our President and Congress on ways to relieve America's dependence upon foreign oil. We pray this in Your Name, for Your Glory, so that more may know it is because of You that we are saved. Amen.
· May we see Your love for us in the words of Joseph to his brothers: "'But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.' And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them." (Genesis 50: 20-21 NKJV)
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: "May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you." (Psalm 20:1)
1. Officials: UN Resolution 1701 on verge of collapse - Jerusalem Post
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, passed to stop the Second Lebanon War, is on the verge of collapse as Syria continues to rearm Hizbullah, senior defense officials warned Tuesday night ahead of a scheduled security cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
2. PA official: J'lem actions 'acts of war' - Jerusalem Post
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert are expected to meet during an international conference in Paris next week, PA chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said Sunday.
Iran in the News
For all the headlines below, we thank God for the promise of His Word:It is written, "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" (Psalm 118:6)
1. Iran tests nine missiles - Associated Press
Iran's president says there's no chance of a war with the United States or Israel. But Iran appears to be turning up the heat a bit.State television reports the Revolutionary Guards have tested nine new long- and medium-range missiles during war games. 1 of them has a range of 1,250 miles, which is within striking distance of Israel.
2. Iran test-fires missile in the Gulf - Financial Times
Iran on Wednesday test-fired its Shahab-3 ballistic missile, which in theory could hit Israel, amid escalating international tensions over the country's nuclear programme. The aim of the test was to prepare "for a quick and crushing response and retaliatory blows in the event of an enemy attack," said Mohammad-Ali Jafari, chief commander of the elite Revolutionary Guards before the missiles were fired.
3. Iran missile test shows threat not imaginary: Rice
Iran's latest missile test shows that the threat posed by the Islamic republic is not 'imaginary', US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said here Wednesday. 'It's evidence that the missile threat is not an imaginary one,' Rice told journalists at a news conference in the Bulgarian capital when asked about Iran's latest test of its Shahab-3 missile. 'It's time for Iranians to stop violating their Security Council obligations and start fulfilling them,' Rice said.
4. Iranian Missile Tests Send Oil Prices Climbing - The New York Sun
Oil prices rebounded from consecutive days of steep declines after Iran test-fired nine missiles long- and medium-range missiles today. Expectations that an American crude supply report later in the day will show stocks at continued lows also supported prices.
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. Colombia: Threats Drive Pastor from Ministry in Medellin - Worthy News
A series of death threats against a pastor in a working- class Medellín neighborhood prompted him to abandon his home and ministry last month and flee with his family to Colombia's capital.
2. Chinese Security Forces Raid House Church At Coal Mine - Worthy News
Chinese security forces raided a house church at a coal mine in China's Gansu Province and detained several Christians as part of a crackdown on unauthorized worship services in the Communist nation, a Christian rights group said Monday, June 30.
3. Tajikistan Protestant Church Threatened With Destruction Amid Crackdown Across Former Soviet Union - Worthy News
In several former Soviet republics Christians were detained or facing their last worship service in their church building Sunday, June 29, as authorities stepped up a crackdown on mainly Protestant Christians, including believers involved in evangelism or unauthorized gatherings.
GOOD NEWS FROM SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota Pro-life Law Enforceable for Now
The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned an injunction preventing enforcement of a 2005 law requiring abortionists to notify their clients that an abortion ends a human life. The law requires that women be told "the abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being"; that they have a right to continue a pregnancy and that abortion may cause women psychological harm, including thoughts of suicide.
Planned Parenthood, who brought the original suit, failed to show that the information required is untruthful, misleading or irrelevant to a woman's decision. State Attorney General Larry Long said, "If the state legislature orders a professional to tell the truth, that's not a violation of the First Amendment." The case will now go back to U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier of Rapid City, who will decide whether the law is unconstitutional.
South Dakota voters in 2006 failed to pass a ballot measure that would have banned nearly all abortions. A measure on this year's ballot will ban abortions with exceptions for rape, incest, threat to a woman's life and health. (FRC Prayer Targets)
· May Judge Schreier rule the truth to be constitutional. May the march toward full protection of the unborn move forward in South Dakota and across America!
· "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you." (Matthew 17:20b)
Flippity Floppity
Flippity Floppity:Senator Barack Obama Backpedals on Abortion Stand
In an interview last week Senator Barack Obama (D- Ill.) made a statement that "mental distress" is not a sufficient reason for a woman to have an abortion. If Senator Obama had stuck by his assertion that would have been a dramatic policy shift both for him and for the pro-abortion Democratic Party. The junior senator from Illinois quickly "revised" his remarks in an attempt to both backpedal on his comments and to further muddy his extreme views on abortion. In his interview Senator Obama gave a false description of the bill he repeatedly worked against while he was in the Illinois state senate, legislation that would have protected children who survive abortions. His statements on the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions show a dangerous lack of knowledge about the two Supreme Court cases that legalized abortion in the United States.
Additionally his co-sponsorship of the federal Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) shows his unwavering support of abortion on demand. He went as far as telling a Planned Parenthood audience "the first thing I'd do as president is, is sign the Freedom of Choice Act." FOCA would not only codify Roe v. Wade into law it would also successfully overturn numerous state laws that have been passed over the years to protect children and parents. (FRC Action)
Do Not Be Given To A Spirit Of Fear
World events are moving so fast, one upon another, that even journalists for major news services are taking notice and wondering what is going on. The Associated Press has written a story that asks in its lead, "Is everything spinning out of control?" The authors of the story cite a laundry list of catastrophes occurring right before our very eyes. They include the floods in the midwest, where entire towns are under water; the declining values of homes; unaffordability of air fare, college tuition, and health care; wars raging without end in Iraq and Afghanistan; and worldwide disasters killing tens of thousands.
The story says that American need to do no more than check the weather, look in their wallets or turn on the news for their daily reality check on a world gone haywire." The story points out that food is becoming more scarce and more expensive because of countries like China, consuming energy and resources at alarming rates. There are running blackouts in America because suppliers cannot keep up with energy demand. And Americans are blaming government as the President's approval ratings are about one in three and the Democratic-controlled Congress fares even worse. Only 17 percent of Americans think the country is headed in the right direction, according to the story.
The AP story then concludes that America has endured comparable periods, even worse, throughout its history; claiming the Iran hostage crisis, the cold war, the Korean War, the Great Depression and the hunt for communists in the 1950's were similar. The AP writers seemed resigned to an America without positive direction and without leadership that provides solutions, concluding: "Eroding it is a dour powerlessness that is chipping away at the country's sturdy conviction that destiny can be commanded with sheer courage and perseverance." It says that the 21st century may just be about "a great unraveling of some things long taken for granted."
Understanding the current situation around the world is just a book away. The AP reporters ought to read Matthew 24 in the Bible to gain a clear understanding of what is happening. Jesus Christ explained that in the "beginning of sorrows", "You shall hear of wars and rumors of wars...nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places." But, as the Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." In that, has been the blessing of the Christian nation of America. Let us as Christians rise to the occasion, for we have the full knowledge of Christ and His plan.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministrywww.dailyjot.com
(June 24, 2008)
