· The Daily Brief - SPECIAL EDITION
· The Middle East in Focus
· Election News
· Another Look at Wall Street . . .
· HURRICANE IKE: THE AFTERMATH
· One Prayer Strategy for Houston
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief Tuesday, September 23, 2008
"We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work." (John 9:4)
The Daily Brief - SPECIAL EDITION
For this SPECIAL EDITION of the Daily Brief, you will find many other critical prayer requests, below.
Today's regular Daily Brief will be published later today, including today's headlines for prayer.
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: "Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of LORD [YHWH] is risen upon you. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but LORD shall arise upon you, and His glory shall be seen upon you." (Isaiah 60:1-2)
1. Olmert hands in his official resignation - Jerusalem Post
Thirty-three months after dramatically filling in for a stroke-stricken Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert - facing a number of corruption allegations - formally tendered his resignation to President Shimon Peres on Sunday evening.
2. Livni offers Barak 'full partnership' in new gov't - Ha'aretz
Aides to newly elected Kadima chief Tzipi Livni said on Sunday that her late-night meeting with Labor chairman Ehud Barak was "good." The two met just hours after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert submitted his resignation to President Shimon Peres.
3. Bibi to Shas: Stay out of Livni gov't - Jerusalem Post
Opposition leader and Likud chairman Binyamin Netanyahu met Rabbi Ovadya Yosef, the spiritual leader of Shas and asked him not to join a coalition led by newly elected Kadima chairman Tzipi Livni, on Sunday.
4. Yisrael Beiteinu demands elections within 3 months - Ynet News
President Shimon Peres is expected to complete his round of consultations with representatives of all the Knesset factions before leaving for New York on Monday night to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
5. ALERT -- Attack in Jerusalem's Old City; 13 wounded - Jerusalem Post; AP
Ultra-orthodox Jewish men looked on as Israeli police and rescue forces work at the scene of an attack outside Jerusalem's Old City, late Monday, Sept. 22, 2008. Thirteen soldiers were hurt late Monday when a Palestinian plowed his car into their group at an intersection near Jerusalem's Old City, police and rescue services said. Jerusalem police commander Ilan Franco said the driver was shot and killed by an army officer who was in the group. Franco said the driver was a Palestinian resident of east Jerusalem, apparently acting alone.
Election News
For all the headlines below, we thank God for the promise of His Word: It is written, And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Pray that the Lord would empower and enable His man and woman in any area of weakness.
1. Presidential Race Tightens, Moves to Familiar Battlegrounds
This is how close the contest for the White House really is: It comes down to an Electoral College slugfest over 14 states, and in some of those key states the race is too close to call. The closeness of the race has apparently prompted Obama to abandon earlier plans to fight for votes in states that generally go Republican, and the 2008 presidential race has settled on the familiar battleground and swing states.
2. McCain pledges to "raise hell" in Washington
MEDIA, PA - "Sarah and I are going to get on that chopper and ride it right to Washington and raise hell when we get there," McCain told about 10,000 supporters in suburban Philadelphia today upon being presented with a customized bike by the crew from Orange County Choppers.
3. McCain wins crowd size battle . . . finally
In what could be a first, it appears the McCain campaign has finally won a head-to-head with the Obama campaign on crowd size and won. While a joint McCain-Palin rally at the Resch Center in Green Bay last Thursday night drew about 11,000 supporters, an Obama rally at the same venue this afternoon drew only 6,000
4. Obama, McCain Question Wall Street Bailout
Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain raised doubts Monday about the Bush administration's $700 billion bailout and demanded conditions that could snag its quick passage through the highly partisan Congress.
5. Obama Declares Himself Fiscal Conservative
Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama moved to claim the mantle of fiscal responsibility in a roiling economy, vowing on Monday to slash federal spending on contractors by 10 percent and saving $40 billion.Urging members of his own party to be just as fiscally tough as the most conservative Republicans, Obama said the $700 billion economic bailout plan proposed by the Bush administration and congressional leaders is forcing a renewed look at federal spending.
6. Biden Says Ad Mocking McCain Was 'Terrible'
Barack Obama's running mate says a campaign ad that mocked Republican presidential candidate John McCain as an out-of-touch, out-of-date computer illiterate was "terrible" and would not have been done had he known about it.
Another Look at Wall Street . . .
A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
For another look at Wall Street, please go here.
[TOP PHOTO ON THIS PAGE, PLEASE.]
1 week ago: Elizabeth Rose, a specialist with Lehman Brothers MarketMakers, works her post on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Monday, Sept. 15, 2008.
- We ask your continued prayers for the chaos that is in the financial markets this week, but especially for all of the individuals (including you and me) who are or who will be affected by this crisis.
- May our Lord grant His wisdom to President Bush, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board Ben Bernanke and all other business and congressional leaders who are now attempting to bring this situation under control.
· "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)
HURRICANE IKE: THE AFTERMATH
(Lam 3:21-24; KJV)
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
[Below please find three letters among the many that have been sent in from readers in the Houston/ Galveston area of Texas. We will let their words speak for themselves, and we continue to ask your intercession for the needs cited in the aftermath of Hurricane ike.]
Sara,
Death count is up to 26 and Galveston residents are allowed to go today to look and leave because of health concerns. Two of the people in my ministry still do not have power. There are still over 1 million people without power and without homes. We need miracle funds for Hurricane Relief. Thanks for your prayers.
Love In Him and In You
Pastor Regina
Dear Prayer Warriors,
Praying Friends and Family.Our hearts go out to all of you who have experienced such tremendous devastation due to the hurricane. We continue to pray for each and every one of you. We thank God for His mercy and grace toward us. Many lives have been spared and we are very grateful for our heavenly Father's protection and provision. At this point, there is no actual death count. We do know of several cases of loss of live, but it is likely that it will rise as the search for those missing continues.
When you view these photos, you will understand the tremendous loss of property, animals and entire communities. Many are still in shock. They have no homes to return to. As you can well imagine, we need your prayers to get through the long process of sorting through, cleaning up and starting over again. It will take God's grace to sustain us as we continue to undertake the enormous task ahead. We will not get the job done overnight. Many P.OD.s are in need of more provisions and the volunteers are exhausted. Everyone needs rest and some time to recoup and re-group. We all need to remind ourselves to keep our eyes focused on the goodness of God rather than our current situations. We will survive. We will be even better through the testing as we continue to pray and love and trust God. Miracles begin to happen when we forget about ourselves and give aid to our neighbors
Please continue to pray with and for us as we pass through this time of loss, trial and uncertainty. Pray that we will walk humbly, in love, by faith and not by sight, that we will exercise patience and that as we bless the Lord at all times . . . His praise shall be continually in our mouths.
Blessings,
Bet Amante and the Glory Chain Prayer Ministries
[THIS IS THE HARDEST ONE TO READ, BUT I DO WANT TO SHARE THIS PRAYER BURDEN WITH ALL OF YOU.]
Dear Sara,
For starters, I was out of town . . . but got stuck due to the airport closure. I knew my family was fine but I was notified that my neighbor and FRIEND had been rushed to a hospital where lifeflight had been called. Since phones were not working, she was out of oxygen for too long. She went into a coma. I arrived Wednesday morning at 6am. Went to the hospital to pray for her. She had developed an enlarged heart during the pregnancy and she expressed concern over the effects of storm i.e the lack of power and her baby. Later she went into what appeared to be a convulsion . . . The two oldest kids witnessed the whole event. Paramedics worked for 90 minutes at the scene and lost her several times but we were praying even in the distance for LIFE. She came back alive but died on Wednesday at 3 am.
The kids are still in shock. . . they didn't even cry at the funeral. The 5 year old asked if there was a phone in heaven because she "still needs her mom".
The family is strong in the Lord. Her children:Benjamin - 5 months oldXiomara - 5 years oldSarai - 13 years oldPedro - 15 years old
Thank you for your prayers. The city is recovering and is STRONG.
Obeth in Houston
One Prayer Strategy for Houston
Our friend, Obeth, also sent over this map of the power grid in Houston that remains out of service. Please notice the dates they expect to restore power and lay hands on this map, asking our LORD to bring His grace to bear upon this emergency.
Thank you.
"The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
Part 2
"We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work." (John 9:4)
The Daily Brief
1. Early Voting Starts This Week In Some States - USA Today
Voters by the thousands will begin casting ballots for president this week in an early voting process that's expected to set records this year. Residents of Virginia, Kentucky and Georgia are among the first in the nation eligible to vote in person, as well as by mail. During the next few weeks, at least 34 states and the District of Columbia will allow early in-person voting for Nov. 4 elections.Experts such as Paul Gronke, of the Early Voting Information Center, predict nearly a third of the electorate will vote early this year, up from 15% in 2000 and 20% in 2004. In closely contested Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, about half the voters are expected to cast ballots before Election Day. Florida could be 40%.
∙ Gracious Father, we ask that You will station Your mighty warring Angels around all election activities and that not one vote will be tampered with, be they early or "day of" votes. May nothing stop Your selection of the next President and Vice President of the United States and all other elected officials in America. May every American seek Your guidance on how to vote. May Godly men and women be elected. For Your Glory and Honor we pray these things. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
∙ "But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the Lord will hear when I call to him." (Psalm 4: 3 NKJV)
2. Doubts on Rescue Plan Spur Fall In Dollar, Leap for Oil - Wall Street
JournalVolatility spread across financial markets on Monday, undermining the dollar and contributing to the biggest-ever one-day surge in oil prices. The SEC in particular was trying to protect financial stocks from aggressive short sellers. (Short selling -- in which an investor sells borrowed shares, hoping to buy back shares later at a lower price, and pocket the difference -- can itself push prices lower.) Democratic leaders in Congress and the Bush administration moved closer to agreement on key details of the behemoth $700 Billion package, amid widening hostility from economists and lawmakers toward the plan. The administration agreed to allow tougher oversight of the program and to give more help to homeowners facing foreclosure, two Democratic priorities. But differences remain on major points, including a proposal to limit executive pay at firms participating in the bailout.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 372.75, or 3.3%, Monday to 11015.69. It marked the first time in the Dow's history that it has moved more than 350 points, four days in a row. The dollar posted its worst single-day percentage drop against the euro, 2.5%, since the European currency's inception nine years ago. Oil made its biggest single-day price jump ever, briefly spiking to $130. a barrel, shattering the record for the biggest one-day gain.
∙ We cry out for Help, Lord, with our nation's financial calamities. May our President, Treasury Secretary, Federal Reserve Chairman and other officials involved with America's economic well-being look to You for help. We pray that You will be honored and glorified in this situation, and that we, as believers, will not give up hope and prayer. You promise to help when we ask.
∙ "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer." (Psalm 4: 1 NKJV)
3. Russian Navy Ships Head to Venezuela for Maneuvers - Fox News and Associated Press
A Russian navy squadron set off for Venezuela Monday, an official said, in a deployment of Russian military power to the Western Hemisphere unprecedented since the Cold War. Russian navy spokesman Igor Dygalo, said the nuclear-powered Peter the Great cruiser accompanied by three other ships sailed from the Northern Fleet's base of Severomorsk on Monday. The ships will cover about 15,000 nautical miles to conduct joint maneuvers with the Venezuelan navy.
The Kremlin recently has moved to intensify contacts with Venezuela, Cuba and other Latin American nations amid increasingly strained relations with Washington after last month's war between Russia and Georgia. During the Cold War, Latin America became an ideological battleground between the Soviet Union and the United States. The deployment follows a week long visit to Venezuela by a pair of Russian strategic bombers and comes as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez - an unbridled critic of U.S. foreign policy who has close ties with Moscow - plans to visit Moscow this week. It will be Chavez's second trip to Russia in about two months.
∙ May these warships see and fear Your Power, and be sent home by You before they even reach the Venezuelan Coast! We humbly ask for protection for Israel, America and Israel's allies. May those who seek to harm innocent nations be brought to justice before their evil plans are achieved. We ask that those leaders and the nations that they represent be able to receive Salvation, too. In Jesus' Mighty Name we pray. Amen.
∙ "The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil." (Proverbs 19: 23 NKJV)
4. South African President Thabo Mbeki Resigns - Times of Swaziland and The Sunday Times
South African President Thabo Mbeki, told South Africans yesterday in a live television broadcast, that he has tendered his resignation, effective from a date to be decided by South Africa's parliament. Mbeki, who has followed a pro-business line since taking over from Nelson Mandela as president in 1999, agreed on Saturday to accept the ruling African National Congress' (ANC) request that he resign before the end of his term next year. The move threatens to shatter the foundations of the country's post-apartheid political landscape, which has been dominated by the ANC since the end of white minority rule in 1994.Mbeki's downfall came about a week after a judge suggested there was high-level political meddling in the graft case of Mbeki's rival and ANC leader Jacob Zuma, the front runner to win the next presidential election. Although Mbeki's willingness to give up the reins without a fight suggests an orderly transition of power, a number of ministers including Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota, Deputy Defence Minister Mluleki George and other Mbeki loyalists have threatened to resign and start a new party rather than serve in a Zuma-controlled government.
∙ May the truth about what has really happened to this president and the election of a new South African President be revealed for Your Glory, Lord. May this turmoil help bring about the furtherance of Your Gospel throughout Africa and the world. May a Godly man or woman of Your choosing be the next South African president. In Your Name we pray. Amen.
∙ "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water, He turns it wherever He wishes. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts." (Proverbs 21: 1-2 NKJV)
5. Study Finds Major Shift in Abortion Demographics - Washington Post
The face of women who have abortions has shifted significantly in the past 30 years, with relatively fewer white childless teenagers and more mothers of color in their 20s and 30s opting to terminate their pregnancies, according to a report being released today. In the first comprehensive analysis by the Guttmacher Institute, analyzing annual data collected by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention between 1974-2004, of demographic characteristics of women who have had abortions; researchers found that the overall drop in the abortion rate has been marked by a dramatic shift, declining more among white women and teenagers than among black and Hispanic and older women.The analysis confirmed previous reports that the abortion rate fell to the lowest level since 1974, dropping 33 percent from a peak of 29 abortions per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44 in 1980, to 20 per 1,000 in 2004. Although abortion rates have declined among all racial and ethnic groups, large disparities persist, with Hispanic and black women having the procedure at rates three to five times the rate of white women.
∙Thank You, Lord, for this Good News that men and women are beginning to see, through Your Holy Spirit, that life is sacred. May many more hearts be opened up for this truth to be known and many more lives be saved--those of the mother's, father's and children! For Your glory we pray this. Amen.
∙ "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." (Genesis 2: 7 NKJV)
6. Anglicans back Darwin over 'noisy' creationists - The Times of London
The Church of England expressed deep concerns last week about the spread of creationist views, as it prepared to unveil a website promoting the evolutionary views of Charles Darwin. Anglican leaders fear that "noisy" advocates of a literal interpretation of the Bible - especially in the United States, where even the Republican vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, is a vocal supporter - are infecting the perception of Christianity worldwide.
∙ Lord, Your truths are self-evident and we pray for the awakening of the leaders of churches that are leading their flock away from the inerrancy of Your scripture.
∙ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
