In This Issue · The Daily Brief
· The Middle East in Focus
· The White House in Transition
· Good News for Christmas!
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.." (Psalm 33:12)The Daily Brief
1. Nation Honors America's Troops on Veterans Day - Fox News
Americans honored the nation's troops Tuesday in commemoration of Veterans Day. President Bush arrived in New York to formally rededicate the Intrepid museum in honor of Veterans Day, and thousands of visitors gathered at the aircraft carrier's newly rebuilt pier on Manhattan's West Side. "Thank you for your courage, thank you for your sacrifice, and thank you for standing up when your nation needed you must," Bush said.
· Offer praise for the great sacrifice of those who have served in our military -- those who have been on the front lines in the defense of freedom. Offer thanks to the Lord, too, for their loved ones who have been serving on the home front. May each one find the reward that he or she has so rightfully earned.
· "Render to all men their dues. [Pay] . . . respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due." (Romans 13:7 AMP)
2. Capitol Visitor Center to Open in December Overbudget and Overdue - Fox News
Three years behind schedule and almost $360 million above budget, the Capitol Visitor Center prepares to open its doors to millions of tourists who now must endure long lines without food, restrooms or shelter to catch a glimpse of the halls of Congress.
Changes were still taking place even as the opening approached. Sen. Jim DeMint, a South Carolina Republican, balked at the budget because he said the center's exhibits ignored the nation's religious heritage. To avoid further delays, Senate Rules Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and top Republican Robert Bennett of Utah agreed in principle to several changes, including engraving "In God We Trust" in stone in a prominent place.
· Tonight we offer great praise to the Lord, not only for the completion of this long-awaited Visitor's Center, but also for an ansewr to prayer: that our Christian heritage NOT be obliterated from the halls of this great facility. God has heard the prayers of His saints, and He has answered. Praise Him!
· For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer. (I Peter 3:12)
3. Tensions High in Minnesota Ahead of Senate Recount - Fox News
With a mandatory recount set to begin next week, the Minnesota Senate race between Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and his Democratic challenger, comedian Al Franken, has never been more serious. Officials say the winner will probably not be known until mid-December, at the earliest.
· This election is not over!! Call forth "justice in the gate" as this recount goes forward, asking only that a TRUE count be finally recorded for the Senate race in the State of Minnesota.
· "Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish justice in the gate: it may be that Jehovah, the God of hosts, will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph." (Amos 5:15)
4. Church told 'obvious lies,' gay activists allege - CNN
On the first Sunday after a gay marriage ban passed in California, activists rallied in defiance, including hundreds of protesters outside an Orange County mega-church whose pastor brought Barack Obama and John McCain together last summer for a "faith forum." Speaking on CNN's "Late Edition" Sunday, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said, "It is unfortunate," Schwarzenegger. "But it is not the end because I think this will go back into the courts. It's the same as in the 1948 case when blacks and whites were not allowed to marry. This falls into the same category."
· Lord, we come before You believing that You have heard our prayers for all homosexual people. We pray that these activists will not be successful in the courts. Let them come to realize their need of you and receive salvation.
· Those who oppose the Lord will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth. (1 Samuel 2:10)
5. Fed Defies Transparency Aim in Refusal to Disclose - Bloomberg
The Federal Reserve is refusing to identify the recipients of almost $2 trillion of emergency loans from American taxpayers or the troubled assets the central bank is accepting as collateral. Two months later, as the Fed lends far more than that in separate rescue programs that didn't require approval by Congress, Americans have no idea where their money is going or what securities the banks are pledging in return.
· We have prayed Father God, for several years that hidden agendas will be revealed. Again we come to You praying that things that can harm our nation will be quickly revealed and remedied. We pray You will stabilize the economy, for these answers cannot be wrought of man.
· Because the Lord revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time He showed me what they were doing. (Jeremiah 11:18)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
When LORD shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory. He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. This shall be written for the generation to come [lit: the last generation]: and the people which shall be created shall praise LORD." (Psalm 102:16-18)
1. Blair urges Obama to make Mideast peace a priority - Ynet News
The international community's envoy on the Middle East peace process Tony Blair on Sunday urged US president-elect Barack Obama to make peace between Jews and Palestinians a priority.
2. Olmert: We must cede parts of Jerusalem - Jerusalem Post
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday used a Jerusalem memorial ceremony for former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin to reiterate that Israel must be willing to cede parts of the capital.
3. Netanyahu: Peace talks with Palestinians will continue if I'm elected - Jerusalem Post
Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu said that if he wins coming elections, he will continue political peace talks with the Palestinians.
4. U.S. Sends 'X-Band' Missile-Detecting Radar to Israel to Confront Iranian Threat - Fox News
The U.S. is providing Israel with high-powered X-band radar capable of detecting missile launches up to 1,500 miles away -- and sensitive enough to detect small- and medium-range missiles being fired from Iran and Syria.
5. IAEA found uranium traces at alleged Syrian nuclear site - Ynet News
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found uranium at an alleged secret Syrian nuclear reactor site that was bombed by Israel last year, a diplomat told Deutsche Presse-Agentur in Vienna on Monday.
The White House in Transition
1. Obama to Use Executive Orders for Immediate Impact - Washington Post
Positions Himself to Quickly Reverse Bush Actions on Environmental, Social Issues
Transition advisers to President-elect Barack Obama have compiled a list of about 200 Bush administration actions and executive orders that could be swiftly undone to reverse the president on climate change, stem cell research, reproductive rights and other issues, according to congressional Democrats, campaign aides and experts working with the transition team.
· Lord, once again we implore You to grant mercy on America and to forgive us for losing sight of Your law. We decree that those who would undo much of the good works Of President Bush will be silenced. We pray for the teeming life and productivity that Flow as part of Your blessing on this nation. In Jesus' Name, we ask this prayer, amen.
· Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the Lord is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed . . . The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. (1 Samuel 2:3, 7)
2. Obama Asks Bush to Provide Help for Automakers - Bloomberg
Barack Obama spoke with President George W. Bush about the urgency for aid to U.S. automakers at a private White House meeting, aides to the president- elect said. Figuring out how to keep the U.S. auto industry afloat if action isn't taken before the end of the year is one of the more pressing economic issues Obama will face.
· Our automakers are some of the largest job providers in the nation; but, they did not plan well for these hard times. Now they also need a bailout! We pray for leadership to have frugality in our government. And we pray that the economy will improve as those leaders in both government and business seek Him for strategies to move our nation forward.
· The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich. (Proverbs 13:4)
3. Obama Moving to Halt Oil Drilling - NewsMax
Environmentalists on Monday applauded an announcement that U.S. President-Elect Barack Obama would consider curtailing oil and gas drilling in some areas, and expressed hope future energy policy decisions would contain more environmental protections. Members of the oil industry expressed concern about attempts to limit energy exploration on federal lands.
· Despite all the turmoil that our nation has gone through, our citizens want solutions to the economic crisis and energy crisis we are facing. Father, we pray that You will grant all Americans a desire to work together as we seek solutions to our common needs. In Your Name, amen!
· And in those times there was no peace to the one who went out, nor to the one who came in, but great turmoil was on all the inhabitants of the lands . . . (2 Chronicles 15:5)
4. Obama Plans US Terror Trials to Replace Guantanamo - ABC News
President-elect Obama's advisers are crafting plans to close the Guantanamo Bay prison and prosecute terrorism suspects in the U.S., a plan the Bush administration said Monday was easier said than done. Under the plan being crafted inside Obama's camp, some detainees would be released and others would be charged in U.S. courts, where they would receive constitutional rights - the same legal rights and protections as American citizens and open trials.
· Heavenly Father, we pray that You will intervene and block any plans that would jeopardize our national security. Give our new leaders and especially our new President-Elect, Senator Obama, Your discernment and Your wisdom as to what needs to be done.
· "You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you." (Exodus 23:32, 33)
5. Obama arrives for White House tour, talk with Bush - AP
America's next first family -- President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle -- spent more than an hour at the White House Monday, getting a tour of what will soon be their new home and an orientation of sorts.
White House press secretary Dana Perino described the meeting as "constructive, relaxed and friendly." She said the president and his successor spoke about domestic and international issues, as Bush showed Obama his eventual living quarters and office, as well as the Lincoln Bedroom and the rooms where the Obamas' two daughters will stay.
Obama spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter described the meeting as "productive and friendly," saying they had a "broad discussion" about the importance of working together for a smooth transition.
· Offer praise to the LORD that, once again, our nation is witnessing a smooth transition of power; and is serving as a shining light to other nations that are watching us. May our Lord bless both the President and the President-Elect, their families, and their staffs, during this key time . .. . in their going out and in their coming in. In His Name, amen."
· The LORD will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:7,8)
Good News for Christmas!
GOOD NEWS: Eight Leading Retailers Commit to Recognize Christmas
Last year, Focus on the Family helped Christmas shoppers across the U.S. by letting them know which major retailers were embracing the use of "Christmas" in their advertising.
This year, we gave retailers an opportunity to communicate their intent months before the shopping began.
In April, Focus on the Family sent certified letters to the CEOs and marketing executives of 33 leading retailers inviting them to share their plans to generously use the term "Christmas" in their 2008 catalogs and Web publications. We also requested information about their policies regarding in-store use of the term "Merry Christmas."
In exchange for an early commitment to use the term "Christmas," we offered to share their decision with our constituents early in the shopping season.
Eight of the 33 retailers replied with enthusiasm and stated their plans to generously use the term "Christmas." In fact, a number of them intend to increase their use of "Christmas" this year.
The eight that plan to intentionally recognize Christmas are:
Best Buy
Cabela's
Kohl's
Lowe's
Nordstrom
Pier 1 Imports
Toys "R" Us
Wal-Mart
We trust these industry leaders will make good on their promise and publish "Christmas-friendly" material as they roll out their catalogs and Web sites. As you observe their "Christmas-friendly" approach, please thank them and patronize their stores. (Read more)
(Source: Focus on the Family; CitizenLink)
