In This Issue
· Update: Hurricane Ike
· The Daily Brief
· The Middle East in Focus
· Election News
· The Election: An Overnight Change
· Prayers for evacuees; volunteers
· IKE -- ANOTHER WAY TO HELP
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief Friday, September 12, 2008
"His Kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end." (Daniel 6:26)
UPDATE: HURRICANE IKE
To view a photo of this storm, go here!!!.
1. Texas Braces for Ike's Rage - AP
Massive hurricane nears Category 3 strength with winds of 110 mph, threatens to swamp parts of Texas.
· "The Lord is slow to anger and great in power (and mercy) . . . the LORD has His way in the whirlwind and the storm. " (Nahum 1:3)
2. Ship Carrying 22 People Stranded in Ike's Path - AP
GALVESTON, Texas - Twenty-two men aboard a 584-foot freighter adrift in the Gulf of Mexico faced riding out Hurricane Ike if the situation remained too dangerous for a rescue attempt, the Coast Guard said Friday.
3. Texas Hospitals Prepare for Hurricane Ike - Fox News
As Hurricane Ike bears down on Galveston and Houston, two Texas hospitals are bracing for the storm."We're at emergency status, only essential personnel remain at the hospital," Marsha Canright, director of public relations at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, told FOXNews.com. "The neonatal babies are going to San Antonio by air. We stopped taking new patients on Monday. We just have very ill people at the hospital."
4. 1M Ordered To Evacuate as Texas Prepares for Hurricane Ike - NY Sun
Cars and trucks streamed inland and chemical companies buttoned up their plants Thursday as a gigantic Hurricane Ike took aim at the heart of the American refining industry and threatened to send a wall of water crashing toward Houston.
The Daily Brief
1. Sept. 11 Marked With Ceremonies in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania - Fox News
The country honored the nearly 3,000 victims of the worst terrorist attack on American soil Thursday with ceremonies in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania to mark seven years since Sept. 11, 2001.
2. McCain and Obama commemorate 9/11 anniversary - AP
Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama are honoring the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, paying a joint visit to ground zero.
∙ Lord, thank You that the plans of the wicked have been confounded in the last seven years. Be with those who lost loved ones and help us all keep their memories alive.
∙ Remember the days of old; consider the years long past. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will teach you. (Deuteronomy 32:7)
3. US Trade Deficit Widens to $62.2B in July - Fox Business
The U.S. trade deficit widened much more than expected in July as average oil prices jumped to a record $124.66 per barrel and the volume of crude oil imports grew to the highest in four years, a U.S. government report showed on Thursday.
∙ Lord God help our leaders be thoughtful in their dealings with other countries. Allow us to meditate on the truth that everything belongs to You and we are just stewards of Your largess.
∙ They have installed kings, but not through Me. They have appointed leaders, but without My approval. They make their silver and gold into idols for themselves. (Hosea 8:4)
4. U.S., China Laying Plans in Case North Korea Collapses - Fox News
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is more impaired from the stroke he apparently suffered last month than reports from the region suggest, and the United States and China are holding talks about what to do if the government in Pyongyang collapses, FOX News has learned.
∙ Lord, we thank You that the prayers of your faithful, especially those in South Korea, have been heard. We trust that You will put in place the resources that will be needed if this evil man loses power.
∙ But if you will not listen, my innermost being will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, for the LORD's flock has been taken captive. Say to the king and the queen mother: Take a humble seat, for your glorious crowns have fallen from your heads. (Jeremiah 13:17-18)
5. Bush Secretly Approved Pakistan Raids, Furthering Country's Harsh Rebuke of U.S. - Fox News
President Bush secretly approved orders allowing American Special Operations forces to undertake ground assaults inside Pakistan this summer without getting prior Pakistani government approval, a former intelligence official said Thursday.
∙ As the decisions of war become more difficult, help the military be mindful of Your whisperings and bring about supernatural victories that will bring You glory.
∙ You hide them in the protection of Your presence; You conceal them in a shelter from the schemes of men, from quarrelsome tongues. (Psalms 31:20)
6. US Congress vows to examine nuclear deal with India - AFP
The US Congress said it would examine a landmark civilian nuclear agreement with India sent for approval by the White House, as leaders of the two countries prepared to meet this month.
· Ask that Congress be granted wisdom as it addresses tihs sensitive issue.
· If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)
7. Russia Wants Guarantees Over Missile Shield - ABC News
Russia wants the United States and its European allies to provide convincing guarantees that a planned missile defense shield is not aimed against Moscow, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying on Thursday.Russia delays Iran reactor yet again, until Bush leaves office - World TribuneRussia, ignoring yet another contract deadline, has again delayed plans to launch operations of Iran's first nuclear reactor.
Russia's Putin Says No Basis for New Cold War with U.S. - Fox News
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin warned the West on Thursday not to instigate an arms race in Europe, Reuters reported.
∙ Lord in this time of uncertainty help us to see through falsities and understand the true motives of people in positions of power throughout the earth.
∙ Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things God's wrath is coming on the disobedient. (Ephesians 5:6)
8. 200 Villages Destroyed as Quake Hits Iran - CNN
A strong earthquake measuring 6.1 in magnitude struck southern Iran on Wednesday, according to a report from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Big Quakes Causes Fears, No Damage in Japan, Indonesia - AFP
Powerful earthquakes hit Japan and Indonesia on Thursday, setting off warnings of tsunami waves but causing no injuries or damage, officials said.
∙ Thank You, Lord, that damage and death from these quakes was minimal. We ask that You send Your Holy Spirit to these nations to bring souls into Your Kingdom.
∙ "Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses . . ." (Psalm 25:6)
9. Zimbabwe accord outlined - CNN
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe will remain at the helm as part of a power-sharing deal reached this week with his perennial rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, sources within their parties said Friday. Although the details of the landmark deal are expected to be officially unveiled Monday at the signing ceremony, sources said the deal would have Mugabe and opposition leader Tsvangirai jointly running an inclusive government.
∙ We praise you for this development and we pray that these accords will lead to a new dawn in Zimbabwe that will wash away the memory of the evil night that has just passed. [Ed. note to our Prayer Partners: Thank you, too, for your intercession on behalf of the nation of Zimbabwe in recent weeks.]
∙ Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good. (Romans 12:21)
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. 'No peace in Mideast if Israel exists' - Jerusalem Post
Hizbullah chief Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah voiced his opinion on Thursday about the various peace processes currently underway in the Middle East, saying that as long as Israel exists, there will never be peace in the region.
2. Livni beats Mofaz by 15%, poll says - Ynet News
Kadima voters would like to see Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni as their new party chairman, according to a new Yedioth Ahronoth poll conducted by the Dahaf Institute headed by Dr. Mina Tzemach and published Friday.
3. Israeli leaders furious over US Consul's comments on Jerusalem - ICEJ
NewsMofaz: Livni making 'strategic mistake that could be a tragedy forever'Netanyahu: Walles' remarks shows government's incompetenceIsraeli leaders across the political spectrum expressed outrage on Thursday to US Consul General Jacob Walles' comments to the Arabic daily Al-Ayyam that Israel has agreed to begin discussing the fate of Jerusalem with the Palestinians, some in opposition to such a move and others because he leaked to the public.
4. Palin: US should not 'second guess' Israel on Iranian threat - ABC News
'Washington has got to put the pressure on Iran' During her first major media interview since being nominated for US vice president, Gov. Sarah Palin told ABC News on Thursday that Washington must ensure Iran does not get nuclear weapons and should not "second guess" Israel in its decisions on how to confront the Iranian nuclear threat.
5. Iran hiding enough enriched uranium for six nuclear bombs - ICEJ News
Atomic experts monitoring Iran's nuclear program have discovered that over 50 tons of enriched uranium has been diverted away from the Isfahan enrichment facility lately, enough to build up to six nuclear warheads, indicating Tehran is once again in full pursuit of atomic weapons.
6. Ex-Syrian minister: "US to blame for 9/11 terror" - ICEJ News
As Americans held solemn ceremonies remembering the seventh anniversary of 9/11 this week, Syria's former information minister, Mahdi Dakhlallah, accused US intelligence agencies of orchestrating the September 11th terror attacks in the government daily Tishreen on Wednesday. According to Dakhlallah, US intelligence agencies helped bring on the 9/11 terror attacks to create a reason for invading Iraq and Afghanistan.
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. ABC Misrepresents Palin Quote - Fox News
Network airs Palin calling Iraq war 'a task that is from God' but skips crucial end to same quote. Read more.
2. Palin's Definition of 'Bush Doctrine' Hits the Gibson Mark - Fox News
ABC News' Charles Gibson, who is being credited with stumping Sarah Palin on the definition of the "Bush Doctrine," has himself defined the nebulous phrase in a variety of ways, including one that mirrored Palin's disputed explanation. Read more.
3. Alaska lawmakers vote to subpoena Todd Palin - Washington Times
The abuse of power investigation against Sarah Palin, Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential candidate, took a potentially ominous turn for her party on Friday when state lawmakers voted to subpoena her husband.
4. Obama ratchets up counterattacks on McCain - Washington Times DOVER, N.H. - AP
Belittling John McCain as a relic of the disco age, Democrat Barack Obama pushed his campaign Friday to a new level of counter- punching "on the issues that matter" and directed his running mate to be tougher on their Republican opponents. The changes come as national polls find McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, pulling ahead of Obama and Joe Biden, prompting some jittery Democrats to implore them to fight back harder, and Obama's camp to pledge "speed and ferocity" in that effort.
The Election: An Overnight Change
Pollsters Seeking Answer To Overnight Change In American Attitudes Toward Politics
Headlines on several news websites are quoting new polls that show almost a miraculous turnaround in the fortunes of the Republican Party with respect to the November elections. And the headlines include such phrases as "Battle for Congress Suddenly Looks Competitive," "Dems on Capitol Hill Fear Obama Fallout," and "Biden Living Up to His Gaffe Prone Reputation." It would appear that after the Democratic National Convention that candidate B. Hussein Obama did not get the "bounce" in the polls that was expected and after the Republican National Convention, John McCain received a bigger "bounce" than expected. All of a sudden, things look rosy for conservatives.
Political analysts are scouring the poll data to determine what happened to cause this massive shift. It would seem that Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin happened--and that's a phenomenon that cannot be measured in statistical and mathematical terms. Sarah Palin has not only energized the Republican base, she has energized America. She has presented an alternative to the dark pall that has been cast over America by those in the news media and radical left who have tried to convince Americans that they favor homosexual rights, the killing of the pre-born, America bashing, and the secularization of the country.
Here we have a church attending, pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, pro-conservationist rather than a radical environmentalist, woman with some down-home, off- the-street common sense at center stage in national politics. Americans seem alive again. One of them is finally arrived on the political scene. There are self- admitted red neck male chauvinists who wish Palin was the top of the ticket so they could vote for her. She is so far removed from the shrill-voiced, pant-suit feminist that the media has promoted as the modern woman that she has inspired an entire nation with good old fashioned womanhood. Finally, someone who is like the rest of us or is what we would want to aspire to be. How very Reagan-eske.
Now I am sure Sarah Palin has her faults--and her opponents are trying to dig them up. But under the microscope of public scrutiny, we all have our blemishes. It is interesting, however, that Palin has already overcome many of the criticisms. She has cast a new light on having special needs children, calling hers a blessing from God. She has shown that her daughter's choices were flawed, but Palin still hands out unconditional love. How very right. How very American. How very Christian. The answer to the pollsters' question is found in Proverbs 21:21: "He that follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor." May we be so inspired individually and as a nation.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
PRAYERS FOR EVACUEES, VOLUNTEERS IN HURRICANE IKE
Dear Intercessors,
I know many, many of you are aware and praying about hurricane Ike coming to the Texas shores at midnight Friday. What you may not know is the effects of trying to house the evacuees in cities to the north of the landfall and other issues.
For instance, today alone, 300 buses arrived in Dallas for emergency housing needs. In all, the government officials think close to 20,000 people will come just to the Dallas/Fort Worth area needing free food and shelter for the duration of the storm and afterwards. This does not count those who come in their own vehicles and who can afford to provide for their own hotel, which number into the thousands. And, just days ago, officials were finishing clearing out facilities used during Gustav.
Due to the Katrina and Rita events, local officials are better prepared, but to say it does put a strain on supplies and city services is putting it mildly. Because, this storm is 800 miles across and has a reach of 250 miles ahead of itself with hurricane force winds. So, when it landfalls in Galveston/Houston, 250 miles away here in Dallas we will start to feel the effects of at least Tropical force winds, with an estimation of 50 mph sustained winds for the better part of Saturday.
And East Texas is told to expect the same or more winds plus 12-20 inches of rain. Due to the June floods in Iowa, Red Cross is saying they are now without funds to pay for assistance they are asked to provide.
So, please pray:
1) that the storm is minimal in strength as it comes ashore
2) pray for the provision needed to care for those evacuating
3) pray for the host cities providing refuge - that the state and local officials have God's wisdom to handle such large evacuee numbers for a second week and that all needs are met.
4) for others across the nation to bring to bear financial and other resources needed by our cities/states to deal with these natural disasters. Louisiana is far from repaired due to Gustav wind damage.
5) safety for those driving away from harm's way and for the first line defenders. Power outages are expected along the shore line and 200 miles inland for upwards of 3-5 days, which the state and local police are preparing for looting and for those in shelters to continue to be safe in the event of power outages. Reserve police are being put on standby to enforce order, especially in the shelters.
6) For our people in America to conserve gasoline this weekend as 73% of the nation's refinery capacity is now shut down until the storm passes - pray the storm does not damage the refineries, the largest in America is located in Texas City, close to Houston.
God Bless,
Pat Allen
Dallas, Texas
IKE -- ANOTHER WAY TO HELP
HUMANITARIAN INTERNATIONAL SERVICES GROUP (HISG)
Disaster Relief UNITED STATES- HISG's Global Operations Center (GOC) is preparing for a comprehensive response to Hurricane Ike, which is projected to hit the Texas coastline this weekend. The GOC is connecting different aid organizations who are able to meet needs across 15 different primary service areas, ranging from ranging from food and water services, shelter and reconstruction, and transportation and communications, to professional responder networks like law enforcement, firefighter and emergency medical teams. If you would like your organization to be included in the relief efforts for Ike, please contact us. For updates on HISG's response to Hurricane Ike, please visit http://www.hisg.org/ike.php.
During disasters, the Global Operations Center acts as a hub for sharing critical information by hosting conference calls for partner aid organizations, gathering data from inside the disaster zone and publishing updated Situation Reports for organizations involved. One instance where HISG's Global Operations Center was able to react quickly to fill a need was during the response to Hurricane Gustav earlier this month. A shelter in Louisiana was hosting 1,200 people who had evacuated their homes on the coast. The shelter had exhausted its supply of drinking water and had been looking for hours for a way to get restocked. HISG leadership was able to contact a network of partners who were able to meet the need within a matter of minutes.
HISG specializes in connecting private sector resources and capabilities to large-scale disaster relief efforts. Following Hurricane Katrina, HISG set up an emergency operations center in Houston to help coordinate the aid efforts of hundreds of private sector companies, thousands of faith-based groups and over 55 warehouses. In our International Disaster Response Model, HISG has identified 15 Primary Service Areas that the private sector can engage in.
To contact HISG, send an email to:
Kyle Adams [kadams@hisg.org]
