· The Daily Brief
· The Middle East in Focus
· Election News
· Pastors, Pulpits and Politics
· Catholic Bishops Confront Pelosi, Biden on Abortion
· This Week on Capitol Hill
· Russian - Islam Alliance: A Perfect Storm
· Presidential Proclamation: 9/11
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief Wednesday, September 10, 2008
"His Kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end." (Daniel 6:26)
The Daily Brief
1. Lehman Stock Slides More Than 40% -- Is Bailout for the Brothers Next? - ABC News
Worries about another major investment bank failure escalated Tuesday as shares in Lehman Brothers, the country's fourth largest brokerage firm, plummeted more than 40 percent.
· Pray that this new failure is God's cleaning house in the USA and not a sign of impending financal collapse for the entire country. Pray against panic in the nation.
· "What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall He teach in the way he should choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth." (Psalm 25: 12-13)
2. New Push Is On for $50 Billion Economic Stimulus Package - NY Sun
The final pre-Election Day push by Democrats in Congress will be to try to pass a $50 billion economic stimulus program.
· Pray that any economic stimulus law will be composed with wisdom and will not push the nation into any additional future debt. Pray that no games nor deceptions will be imposed on American citizens.
· "Wealth gotten by vasnity [deceit] shall be diminished; but he that gathereth by labor shall increase." (Proverbs 13:11)
3. US drug czar: Chavez' drug policy threat to Europe - Jerusalem Post
White House drug czar John Walters said Tuesday that Venezuela President Hugo Chavez' policies toward the cocaine trade represents a "global threat" that puts Europe, especially, at risk.
· Ask the Lord to bring a blight on the poppy crop in Venezela so that all sources of cocaine are dried up for the drug market. Pray that Europeans face the threat and take measures to remove it.
· "And the Lord shall help them [the righteous], and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them[ the righteous], because they trust in Him." (Psalm 37:40)
4. Rice makes 'full-court press' to win US approval of nuke deal - AFP
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has launched a "full-court press" to win passage in Congress of a landmark US-India civilian nuclear cooperation deal before January, her spokesman said Tuesday.
· While the US considers India a friend, much of its population is Hindu, Moslem, and Buddhist. Should the USA enter into any nuclear deals with India? Ask the Lord for wisdom about this matter. Perhaps the deal should die before it reaches Congress.
· "Thou shalt make no covenants with them, nor with their gods." (Exodus 23:32)
5. Western Officials Say North Korean Leader Kim Jong Il May Have Suffered Stroke - Fox News
Western officials confirm to FOX News that there is intelligence suggesting that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il suffered a stroke on Aug. 14 and could be incapacitated -- even wheelchair bound.
· Pray for the soul of this man that he can know the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Pray for the lifting of oppression on the N. Korean peoples while their dictator is incapcitated. Pray for merciful leadership in the country.
· "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness; but longsuffering to us ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
6. Officials: Al-Qaida operatives killed in Pakistan - Washington Times
Intelligence officials say four foreign militants killed in a suspected U.S. missile strike in Pakistan included two top al-Qaida operatives.
· Praise the Lord that more terrorists have met their doom. And it is too late to pray for their souls. Pray for the families of these men and for their followers that they may be saved. Pray for the protection of the soldiers who participate in these strikes.
· "The wicked plotteth against the just; and smasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him; for He seeth that his day is coming." (Psalm 37" 12-13)
7. UPDATE: Texas Begins Evacuating - AP
Forecasters Say Hurricane Ike Could Hit as Category 4The frail and elderly were put aboard buses Wednesday and authorities warned 1 million others to flee inland as Hurricane Ike steamed toward a swath of the Texas coast that includes the nation's largest concentration of refineries and chemical plants. Drawing energy from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the strengthening storm was expected to blow ashore early Saturday somewhere between Corpus Christi and Houston, with some forecasts saying it could become a fearsome Category 4, with winds of at least 131 mph.
· We continue to "watch unto prayer" over the news of this most dangerous storm. There are so MANY needs involved here, but primarily, please pray for the SAFETY of all who are in the storm's path. May each one, in his or her own time of apprehension, be drawn to the Prince of Peace to find comfort, and salvation, in Him.
· "In wrath, remember mercy." (Habbakkuk 3:4)
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: "O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who forsake You will be put to shame." (Jeremiah 17:13)
1. Iran demands UN response to Israeli 'threats' - Ynet News
Iran demanded on Tuesday a "resolute and clear response" from the United Nations to what it called dangerous threats against it by Israel, and said Tehran would not hesitate to respond to any attack.
2. Israeli leaders consider Bushehr's imminent opening - Jerusalem Post
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is scheduled to meet Wednesday with Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni for what have been characterized as "security discussions," and which are expected to focus on Iran and the prospect it will soon open its first nuclear plant.
3. Gas mask distribution could be delayed - Ynet News
The distribution of gas masks to Israeli civilians, scheduled for January 2009, is expected to be delayed.
Election News
For all the headlines below, we thank God for the promise of His Word: "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
1. Alaska: Battleground State - Fox News
Hardly eyed for its electoral votes, Alaska is a new political frontier because of the fight to define Sarah Palin.
2. GOP Women's Group Boycotts 'Oprah' for Refusing to Book Palin - Fox News
The Florida Federation of Republican Women has launched a boycott against Oprah Winfrey's TV show and magazine because the talk queen has said she will not have Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin on her show until after the election.
3. Biden: Clinton 'More Qualified'- Fox News
Democratic VP hopeful says Clinton 'might have been a better pick than me' to be Obama's running mate.
4. Obama: 'Pig' Controversy Is 'Phony' - AP
Barack Obama responded Wednesday to the John McCain campaign's call for an apology concerning his "lipstick on a pig" remarks, by calling the controversy "phony and foolish" and defending it as an "innocent remark" that was taken out of context.
5. Arab Nations Don't Want Republican in White House
The Arab world is voicing its increasing uneasiness at the possibility of another Republican administration in the White House. In years past, Muslim leaders have remained silent about their preferences during U.S. presidential campaigns. Clearly in 2008 they prefer a Democratic, Barack Obama win. According to Arab commentators, Obama is considered the "lesser of two evils," as he will likely be less intense about carrying out the war on terror launched by the Bush administration. Many Muslims fear a McCain contingent would pursue more aggressively the anti terror policies of the outgoing government. (Jerusalem-On-The-Line, METimes 9/9/08) [Reported by: Intercessors for America]
Pastors, Pulpits and Politics
Our friends at the Alliance Defense Fund have decided to underscore hypocrisy of ironic proportions. They are receiving all kinds of pressure from media outlets today about their announced plans to encourage pastors to openly endorse candidates from the pulpits between now and the November 4 elections. Many churches have been doing far more than this in America's inner cities for years with nary a peep.
The core idea of "separation of church and state" has been to PROTECT the church FROM the state. The church is allowed, like any other private organization or group of people, to be as actively involved in what happens to our nation as any other entity. The federal law that bars such expression does not date to Thomas Jefferson and the founding, but to Lyndon B. Johnson and his effort to restrain a charity from opposing his electoral ambitions. The constitutionality of that political interference in the church has never been tested. That time may be at hand.
(Family Research Council)
Catholic Bishops Confront Pelosi, Biden on Abortion
Vice Presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden (D- Del.) has found himself joining Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a dispute with the nation's Catholic bishops over their representation of Catholic theology. Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and Denver Auxiliary Bishop James Conley summarized the situation in the letter they released yesterday: "Meet the Press has become a national window on the flawed moral reasoning of some Catholic public servants.
On August 24, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, describing herself as an ardent, practicing Catholic, misrepresented the overwhelming body of Catholic teaching against abortion to the show's nationwide audience, while defending her 'pro-choice' abortion views. On September 7, Sen. Joseph Biden compounded the problem to the same Meet the Press audience." After Speaker Pelosi's comments, at least 23 Catholic bishops responded to her remarks. After Senator Biden's comments more bishops are preparing to respond to what they see as a misrepresentation of Catholic faith by public officials.
In addition to the Colorado bishops speaking out, Bishop Robert Morlino of Madison was so moved after watching Sen. Biden this past Sunday he scrapped his planned homily and instead addressed Catholic politicians who "forget" what they are taught in Catholic religious education both about faith and about biology. It would be wise for "Meet the Press" to have one of these leading clergymen on their program to clarify what Catholic teaching really says.
(Source: Family Research Council)
This Week on Capitol Hill
Congress returns this week for an - optimistically speaking - brief stint before hitting the campaign trail full force. The week's legislative line-up is still taking shape, but sure to be at the top of the list are:
Energy: Lawmakers may continue July's political stalemating over gas price fixes, when Dems and the GOP butted heads over off-shore- drilling, but forces for compromise - albeit less likely - could push through a bipartisan bill this month. The House is planning to bring an energy bill to the floor this week matching an off-shore drilling measure - that would allow coastal drilling in Virginia, North & South Carolina and Georgia - with a host of green measures including tax breaks and funding for alternative energy and a mandate for renewables in electricity production. The cost of the bill would be picked up by taxes on the oil industry.
Defense: Passage of the yearly Defense Authorization bill (S 3001) got sidetracked by energy politicking in July, but senators hope to make swift work of it this week.
(Source: Citizen Joe)
Russian - Islam Alliance: A Perfect Storm
Russian Aggression in Alliance with Islam makes for the Perfect Prophetic Storm
While American citizens are focused on the presidential election, the Bush Administration is trying to navigate the tricky waters of diplomacy with Russia-- the outcome of which may accelerate the fulfillment of the ancient Biblical prophecies of Isaiah, Ezekiel and Jeremiah. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on September 6th told his State Council that things have changed since the day that Russia invaded Georgia. He said, "We have reached a moment of truth. It became a different world after August 8. Russia will never allow anyone to infringe upon the lives and dignity of its citizens. Russia is a nation to be reckoned with from now on."
This statement was underscored in a State Department briefing on September 9 where State Spokesman Sean McCormack declared, "Right now, we're taking a look at our relationship with Russia. Quite clearly, it is not business as usual." Russia, which has been complaining for over a year about US plans to put missile defense installations in the former Soviet states of Poland and the Czech Republic, has used oil profits and shrewd business and political moves to place itself in what appears to be a position of strength. Russia has threatened that Poland and the Czech Republic will be nuclear targets if the missile installations go forward.
Russia has made overtures about placing nuclear carrying aircraft in Cuba, and Russia is soon to conduct war games with Argentina. In addition, Russia has solidified its alliance with rogue Islamic terrorist states Iran and Syria. On August 21, Russia announced it would complete a new arms deal with Syria. Russia has stepped up its pace to help Iran with its nuclear program. The Bushehr nuclear plant in Iran is about to open because Russia has shipped the fuel and is putting last minute personnel in place. The strain of a new influx of Russian weapons in Syria, a Russian-Syrian defense pact, and Russia propping up Iran with missiles and nuclear technology has the makings of a perfect prophetic storm.
Russia appears to have solidified its relationships with Islam to the point that it believes it is strong enough to make a military play for world domination. While the US and Israel move diplomatically, it may well be that Russia and Islam are making battle plans. Nuclear weapons in Iran, Syria and Cuba could touch off a hair-trigger prophetic firestorm. The prophets Jeremiah and Isaiah both speak of the demise of the Syrian capitol Damascus. Isaiah 17:1 says, "Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap." Ezekiel predicts a catastrophic latter day war led by Russia and Iran against Israel. As Russia makes its move and the US counters without considering the consequences, these events grow closer.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
Presidential Proclamation: 9/11
PRESIDENT PROCLAIMS NATIONAL DAYS OF PRAYER AND REMEMBRANCE FOR THOSE KILLED ON 9/11/01[An excerpt]
President Bush has proclaimed Friday, September 5 through Thursday, September 11 special days for prayer, remembrance and tribute to the thousands of innocent Americans who were killed in 2001, when Islamist terrorists took down both towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, an airliner in Pennsylvania, and part of the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Had terrorists had their way, experts believe the White House, the Capitol, or both would also have been hit.
The president wrote, "Our Nation honors the brave citizens, service members, police officers, and firefighters who heroically responded in the face of terror . . . we reflect on the terrible events . . .and lift the victims and their families in our prayers." The president also asks us to "pray for the safety and success of the members of our Armed Forces now serving freedom's cause. We seek God's grace on their families, and commit to Heaven's care those brave men and women He has called home.
We ask the Almighty to watch over America and pray for His providence and continued blessings on our country. May He always guide the United States of America. As we defend our country against its enemies, we pray for help in protecting the gift of freedom from those who seek to destroy it, and we ask the Almighty to strengthen all those securing liberty on distant shores."
To read the White House summary of this administration's achievements in the War on Terror since 9/11/01, go here.
