In This Issue· The Daily Brief
· The Middle East in Focus
· Pray for our Current President
· The Day After
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The Daily Brief Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. (Hosea 6:1,2)
The Daily Brief
1. Obama Promises "A New Dawn of American Leadership" - ABC News
Barack Obama cruised to victory Tuesday night in an historic triumph that promised change, overcame centuries of prejudice and fulfilled Martin Luther King's dream that a man be judged not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character.
· Congratulations are certainly due the President-elect for a successfully - run campaign and for his generating enthusiasm among the electorate, bringing out many new voters. Pray that he will be able to maintain that enthusiasm and not disappoint. Pray, too, for President-Elect Obama as he begins now to build the leadership team he will take with him to the White House in January.
· "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim 2:1-4)
2. President Bush Encourages the Nation Regarding the Elections - AP
"For more than two centuries, Americans have demonstrated the ability of free people to choose their own leaders. Our Nation has flourished because of its commitment to trusting the wisdom of our citizenry. In this year's election, this tradition continue[s]. And we [are] reminded once again that we are blessed to live in a free nation guided by the will of the people." (partial text)
· Thank our Lord for the graciousness demonstrated by President George W. Bush in this speech to all Americans, in which he also stated that would-be free nations around the world look at us during and after our elections. If we can succeed, then they should also.
· "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance." (Psalm 33:12)
3. Senator McCain Congratulates Barack Obama; Concedes the Election - AP
". . . I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited. Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans."
· Praise the Lord for the gracious statesman He has created in Senator John McCain. This speech demonstrates not a false humility, but the response of a man who has endured the trials of an exceptional life. Pray that John McCain is a strong voice for righteousness in the Senate.
· As we pray for Senator McCain in this time of transition, let's also lift up Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in prayer, as well. Ask our Lord to grace her with a special measure of peace as she stands down at this time, and prepares her heart to continue to serve the citizens of the great State of Alaska as its Governor. Amen!
· "The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth." (Isaiah 26:7)
4. Democrats Gain Seats in House, Senate - AP
Although Democrats gained seats in the Senate, they still lack the 60 seats needed in Senate to block a filibuster. Democrats broadened their control of both the House and Senate in Tuesday's elections. In the House, Democrats added at least 17 seats to the 30 they took from Republicans in 2006. Fewer than 10 races remained undecided as of Wednesday morning. The Minnesota Senate race may not be decided for several days. In the Senate, Democrats added seats but fell short of the 60 need for a filibuster-proof majority.
· Praise the Lord that total control of Congress is not in the sole hands of one party. Pray for Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who has been the minority leader under Senator Harry Reid. Debate is needed as bills and resolutions are discussed. Pray that the new members of Congress are not intimidated by the leadership.
· "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:12)
5. Conservatives Claim Victory on Same-Sex Marriage in California - CNSNews.com
Florida, Arizona also see victories in same-sex marrigae initiatives
According to the California Secretary of State, Proposition 8, which would ban same-sex marriage in California, has passed by a margin of 51-48 percent.Voters in Florida and Arizona also passed constitutional amendments saying that only marriage between one man and one woman will be recognized in those states.
· God has spoken His will in the passage of the resolutions against same-sex marriage by the citizens of California, Florida and Arizona. To God be the Glory! Continue to pray that judges will never be able to violate the will of the people who stand for righteousness.
· "Righteousness exalts a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people." (Prov. 14:34)
6. President Dmitri Medvedev orders missiles deployed in Europe as world hails Obama - Times Online
President Dmitri Medvedev took advantage of the euphoria in America today to order the deployment of missiles inside Europe as a response to US plans for a missile defence shield. Speaking within hours of Barack Obama's election as the new US President, Mr Medvedev announced that Russia would base Iskander missiles in its Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad next to the border with Poland.He did not say whether the short-range missiles would carry nuclear warheads. Mr Medvedev also cancelled earlier plans to withdraw three intercontinental ballistic missile regiments from western Russia. "An Iskander missile system will be deployed in the Kaliningrad region to neutralise if necessary the anti-ballistic missile system in Europe," Mr Medvedev said in his first state-of-the-nation address.
· Russia reminds one of a spider lying in wait for its prey. Pray that President Bush and President-elect Obama have the wisdom to know how to deal with this new move of Russia. Also, going back on promises seems to be part of the wickedness of today's world. Pray that our leaders will always be alert to the activities of Russia
· "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter." (Proverbs 25:2)
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: 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. Gaza Rocket Hits Israeli City of Ashkelon - Daily Alert
Palestinians in Gaza fired a rocket into the Israeli city of Ashkelon on Wednesday. The Kassam rocket was among 20 fired into Israel between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, an Israeli police spokesman said.
· Pray that the Lord intervenes in this attack on an innocent Israeli city and stops any more rocket attacks. Ask the Lord to divert Palestinian attention to other matters. Pray that the source of rockets be dried up and never again be replenished.
· "There brake He the arrows [rockets] of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle." (Psalm 76:3)
2. Rice Heads to Mideast for Final Peace Push - Christian Science Monitor
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sets out Wednesday on what could be a final push for the sputtering Israeli-Palestinian peace process. This weekend, the Egyptian seaside resort of Sharm el- Sheik will host a summit of the foreign ministers of major powers along with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, perhaps setting markers from which a new U.S. administration could take up the peace process next year.
· Pray that this summit either does not take place or that it bears no fruit. One major reason the enemy has been able to discredit George W. Bush is his failure to stand for a united Israel. Unfortunately, most Americans agree with President Bush. God warns against dividing His land.
· "And He shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the Lord our God shall cut them off." (Psalm 94:23)
3. Rice Seeks to Document Status of Israeli - Palestinian Talks - Jerusalem Post
U.S. Secretary of State Rice will likely present the next U.S. administration with her own parameters for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, diplomatic officials in Jerusalem said on Tuesday, two days before she arrives for yet another visit to the region. According to assessments in Jerusalem, Rice was likely to present a paper summing up the talks and laying out what she thought needed to be done to reach an agreement, similar to the way President Clinton issued his "Clinton Parameters" before leaving office in January 2001.
· Again Secretary of State Rice seems determined to find her place in history with her work to divide Israel. Pray for the protection of Israel from the plots and counsels of the nations. Even much of the Israeli population thinks that division of their tiny land is best and will bring peace to their region. May they come, instead, to rely upon God's Word and trust in His plans.
· "The Lord is nigh unto all them that love Him, to all that call upon Him in truth." (Psalm 145:18)
Pray for our Current President
Offer thanksgiving for President Bush's continuing strong leadership. (1 Tim 2:1-4) Mindful of the many challenges and crises that he and his administration will be facing until they transfer power on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2009, intercede that "wisdom from above," protection, and strength be granted to him, to Vice President Cheney, Secretary of State Rice, Defense Secretary Gates, Secretary of the Treasury Paulson, all members of the Cabinet and staff.
Intercede that biblical and constitutional principles be upheld in domestic and foreign affairs, especially regarding Israel and Jerusalem, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, North Korea, India, China, and Venezuela. (Source: Intercessors for America; On Watch in Washington, Nov. 5, 2008)
The Day After
Pray for Our President and Our Nation by Charles Colson
Whether you voted for Barack Obama or John McCain, whether you're recovering from your all-night celebration or drying the tears from your pillow, today's a good day to remember the words of the apostle Paul:
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
The new President will surely need our prayers because he and his administration face huge, serious challenges to the health of our nation and to peace in the world - challenges that, in my opinion, neither he nor any government on earth will have the power to overcome without divine aid.
So this is no time for Christians to go into the bunkers. No time to wail or moan over our retirement plans. This is a time to repent, to pray more, to give more. It's a time for Christians to lead, encourage, and minister to a faltering country in a faltering economy.
This is a time for the Church to get serious about Christian discipleship. Enough cheap grace. So pray for the new President and his administration. But most of all, my brothers and sisters, this is a time to love our neighbors and to hunger for God and His righteousness. (Breakpoint, Charles Colson 11/5/08) [Read more.]
