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· The Middle East in Focus
· Pray for the Persecuted Church
· The White House in Transition
· Homosexuals Now Bashing Blacks
· Gay Activists In Schools
· One-world Obama
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and power . . . for everything in heaven and earth is Yours." (I Chronicles 29:11)
The Daily Brief
1. Financial Crisis Tab Already In The Trillions - CNBC
Given the speed at which the federal government is throwing money at the financial crisis, the average taxpayer, never mind member of Congress, might not be faulted for losing track. Try $4.28 Trillion! Try $4.28 trillion dollars. That's $4,284,500,000,000 and more than what was spent on WW II, if adjusted for inflation, based on our computations from a variety of estimates and sources.
· As the economy continues to spiral downward, Lord, we pray that people will not panic and make foolish decisions. Give our leaders wisdom and a spirit of restraint when they make decisions that will impact our economy -- and our nation -- on a permanent basis.
· "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever." (Psalms 111:10)
2. A New Assertiveness on Economy - Wall Street Journal
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pledged Monday to press ahead with legislation giving government aid to Detroit's ailing auto makers, but prospects for passage before a new Congress arrives next year remained dim. The sweep of the evolving plans for government involvement in a range of sectors, from housing and banking to energy and autos, is raising questions about how far the U.S. should go in embracing an "industrial policy" to shape the national economy.
· As we enter the New year, Heavenly Father, we pray for those businesses that are struggling to make wise decisions in order to survive. We pray for government to help only when necessary.
· "For the Lord your God will bless you as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you." (Deuteronomy 15:6)
3. Americans feel religious values attacked - The Jerusalem Post
Among the main findings of the ADL survey, American Attitudes on Religion, Moral Values and Hollywood: 43% hold the view that Hollywood and the national media are waging an organized campaign to "weaken the influence of religious values in this country."
· As we begin the new Administration, we pray Lord, for religious values to be strengthened in our nation and for a fresh breath of the Holy Spirit to envelop all of our nation; especially in Hollywood and the media. Amen.
· "Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding . . . She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her." (Proverbs 3:13, 18)
4. Admirals, generals: Let gays serve openly - MSNBC
More than 100 retired generals and admirals called Monday for repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays so they can serve openly, according to a statement obtained by The Associated Press. Obama said he would instead work with military leaders to build consensus on removing the ban on openly gay service members.
· Lord, many in the service have expressed reservations about repealing the military rule that is now in place. We pray for military leaders to have Your mind and wisdom when establishing these important policy decisions.
· "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge." (Proverbs 1:22)
5. Poll: Only 6% of Americans think U.S. should back Palestinians in peace talks - Haaretz.com
Despite "all the problems America now faces at home," 58 percent of those polled agreed more with the statement that "America needs to stand with Israel" than with "Israel needs to take care of itself." Of those polled, only 19 percent think "making peace between Israel and the Palestinians" should be among President-elect Barack Obama's top foreign policy priorities.
· Lord, we thank You for this Bush Administration that has continued our strong support of Israel. We pray that President-elect Obama will see the value of keeping that relationship with Israel strong.
· "I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:3)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming T
HIS DECREE: "Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you." (Isaiah 60:1-2)
1. Palestinians: IDF tanks roll into Gaza for first time in a week - Jerusalem Post
Palestinian residents in the Gaza Strip said Tuesday IDF tanks have moved into the area for the first time in a week. Terror groups said they fired rockets and mortars at the tanks.
2. 'Assad ready for peace, if he gets what he wants' - Ynet News
"(Syrian) President Assad is willing to reach a peace agreement, if Israel and the United States give him what he wants," IDF Military Intelligence chief, Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin, said on Monday evening.
3. Officials: Israeli Mob Kingpin Killed in Car Bombing - Fox News
A car carrying one of Israel's top mafia kingpins exploded as it traveled in central Tel Aviv on Monday, killing him and threatening to unleash an all-out war in Israel's increasingly violent underworld.
4. El-Baradei confirms traces of uranium found at Syrian site - ICEJ News
IAEA chief says uranium is not 'sufficient evidence' The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, confirmed on Monday that traces of uranium were found at the site of a suspected Syrian nuclear plant allegedly bombed by Israel last year.
5. Olmert promises to release 250 Palestinian prisoners - ICEJ News
In a meeting at his official Jerusalem residence on Monday, outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas that he would release 250 Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture to mark the upcoming Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
6. Israel to bring Holocaust education to the US - ICEJ News
'Witness Theater', an interactive, intergenerational Israeli educational program that brings high school students together with Holocaust survivors recently received a large financial donation in order to bring the program to the US. Created by Irit and Ezra Dagan, the 18-month program allows for students to actually get to know the survivors. The final presentation is a combined effort where the survivors tell their stories as the students reenact it on stage.
7. Ami Ortiz: Where's the Justice? - Worthy News
It has been nearly eight months since 15-year-old Ami Ortiz was almost killed by an explosion while opening an innocent looking Purim basket on March 20th, however no arrests have been made despite the fact that the Ariel police have months of surveillance tapes and a considerable amount of evidence in their possession.
Pray for the Persecuted Church
For all the needs listed below, let's pray THIS PROMISE this week for the persecuted church across the world:
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." (Matthew 25:40)
1. Iraq: Court Releases Christian Girl Sentenced for Murder In prison at the age of 14 for having fatally stabbed her uncle in northern Iraq, Asya Ahmad Muhammad's early release on Nov. 10 thanks to a juvenile court decision was overshadowed by fear of retaliation from her extended Muslim family.
2. Pastor Still Missing In Colombia; Christians Fear For His Life Christians in Colombia were still searching for a Christian leader Wednesday, November 12, more than six weeks after he disappeared amid reports that several fellow pastors were killed by leftist rebels.
3. Iraq Releases Christian Girl From Prison Authorities in northern Iraq have released a 16-year- old Christian girl who was serving a 3 1/2 years jail sentence for killing her uncle after he attacked her, observers of the case confirmed Wednesday, November 12.
4. Iran: Son of Martyred Pastor Free on Bail, Awaiting Trial Concerns about the health and safety of the son of martyred Iranian pastor Hossein Soodmand are swirling around Ramtin Soodmand as he awaits trial for "promoting anti-government propaganda." [Source for all articles in this section is Worthy News.]
The White House in Transition
1. Obama nixes new New Deal - Washington Times
President-elect Barack Obama on Sunday said that the United States faces an economic situation worse than anything since the Great Depression and that his administration will do "whatever it takes" to address the problem, including more stimulus spending, increased help for homeowners and aid to automakers.
· Heavenly Father, we pray for President-elect Obama and the new Congress, Senate, and our citizens to choose to have restraint on spending. Give everyone a desire to be frugal in their spending.
· Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5 NIV)
2. An Obama Administration Marks "New Chapter" on Climate Change - Fox News
President-elect Obama made his third on-camera appearance in as many days when he submitted a short video to address the Global Climate Summit, a two-day event in Los Angeles to discuss the issue ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poland next month. In the four minute video, the president elect pledged his administration marks a "new chapter in American leadership on climate change" and vowed that the lack of leadership on the issue "will change when I take office."
· Lord, we pray for wisdom that there will be balance in the government between what is helpful for the earth and what is helpful for people.
· God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth." (Genesis 1:28)
3. Eric Holder Being Vetted as Obama Attorney General - Fox News
Senate lawmakers are being questioned as to whether former President Bill Clinton's Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder would pass confirmation after his role in the 2001 Marc Rich pardon, sources say.
· May there be leaders in the Justice Department who look to You for justice and who will be faithful to the laws of this country.
· It is by me that kings reign and rulers enact just law; by me, princes lead, as do nobles and all righteous judges. (Proverbs 8:15-16)
4. The end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell? - CNN
The lead sponsor of a bill to overturn the controversial Don't Ask, Don't Tell law said the law could conceivably be passed in the first year of President- elect Obama's administration. President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to lift the ban on gays serving openly in the U.S. military.
· May the military be led by those who are aware of the problems that would arise from overturning "don't ask, don't tell."
· When you are encamped against your enemies, be careful to avoid anything offensive. (Deuteronomy 23:9)
Homosexuals Now Bashing Blacks
Not all is well on the Left. There are some strains developing in the Democrat coalition. Homosexual rights activists are furious that black Californians who turned out in large numbers on Election Day to vote for Barack Obama also voted overwhelmingly against same-sex "marriage" and for Proposition 8, California's marriage protection amendment. The radical gay rights movement has been trying for years to draw parallels to the black civil rights movement, but black Americans apparently disagree. Some press reports indicate that during street riots, angry gays have been regularly using the "N" word. Disgusting!
In September, one of the left's core groups, People for the American Way (PAW), saw the "problem" developing in the black community and decided to do in-depth focus groups of black churchgoers. Sure enough, they were against same-sex "marriage." And what did PAW conclude from its study? Kathryn Kolbert, president of People for the American Way, said that the black voters they interviewed "had difficulty sorting out the difference between civil marriage and marriage as a religious institution."
In other words, she concluded that the reason they opposed same-sex "marriage" was that they were DUMB! Now there's a great example of bigotry. Apparently Ms. Kolbert thinks that if blacks were just as smart as she is, they would think men "marrying" other men is a great idea. Her racist conclusion shows once again that the Left reeks with its own biases and prejudices while it masquerades as "tolerant" and "progressive." Black voters oppose same-sex "marriage" because they attend church at levels much higher than the rest of America and they understand that marriage is a God- created institution meant for a man and a woman. Any lack of understanding on this issue lies with the Left and the militant homosexual rights movement. (Gary Bauer; End-of-Day; Nov. 18, 2008)
Gay Activists In Schools
In Schools, Gay Activists Increasingly Set the Agenda
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) wants to take control of school calendars, scheduling at least six "Days of Action" or other celebrations in public schools every year. The group is calling on students to recognize the "Transgender Day of Remembrance" on Nov. 20. A GLSEN guide encourages students to lobby for a "multi-gendered bathroom at your school" and "join or create a coalition with transgender advocacy groups in your community." TransAction - a recent addition to the gay-activism calendar - arrives Feb. 27. The cause for celebration? "Transgender and gender non- conforming people and experiences."
Candi Cushman, education analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said groups such as GLSEN are using students to promote an adult agenda. "Not only does this politicize classrooms, but it's an unnecessary distraction from academics at a time when schools are struggling to close achievement gaps and raise graduation rates," she said. "Parents need to be aware these groups are inappropriately sexualizing the school environment." (Focus on the Family; CitizenLink)
One-world Obama
Had the whole world been able to vote in the American elections, it would make the same choice made by Americans: Obama. Indeed, he has enjoyed record- breaking global support. In the past 60 years, the US elections have not featured a presidential candidate whom a majority of six billion people hoped would win. According to Ynet columnist Sever Plocker, the wave of excitement that swept through the streets of the world in the wake of Obama's victory reflects deep desire by current-day humanity for a social leader who would not only lead the world's greatest power but, also, the entire world.
Does Obama carry significance in Islamic prophecy? According to Daniel Pipes, he just might. Ali ibn Abi- Talib, the seventh-century figure central to Shiite Islam, is said to have predicted when the world will end. A "tall black man" commanding "the strongest army on earth" will take power "in the west." He will carry "a clear sign" from the third imam, Hussein. Ali says of the tall black man: "Shiites should have no doubt that he is with us." Barack Hussein in Arabic means "the blessing of Hussein." In Persian, Obama translates as "He with us."
But the Muslim reaction to Obama's victory is more mixed than one might expect. American Islamists are delighted, and terrorist groups like Hamas are happy. However, Iran insiders believe that enmity between the U.S. and Iran would have been better served with a McCain victory, and Taliban terrorists believe that resistance will continue.
In a Sunday address celebrating Obama, Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan said Obama has a God-given capacity to handle any burdens he'll face as the nation's leader. Farrakhan added that Obama will only be able to make positive changes with help from "God and people of good will," and he urged the Chicago-based movement's followers to do their part. "Because if God is involved, and He is, then it is God who has laid on this young man this horrible burden at the worst time in the history of America and the world," he said. "But it was also God that has given this young man this tremendous capacity to handle what God has put on his shoulders." (AP)
(Source: William Koenig; Executive Summary; www.watch.org)
