In This Issue· WHERE DO THE CANDIDATES STAND?
· WHERE THEY STAND ON ISRAEL
· TO THE NEXT PRESIDENT: BLESS ISRAEL
· SOME SENATE RACES HOTLY CONTESTED
· 3 KEY PRO-LIFE INITIATIVES
· "GAY" MARRIAGE INITIATIVES
· NEW VOTING SYSTEMS COULD CAUSE CHAOS
· ELECTION DAY PRAYER POINTS
· THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
· WHERE THEY STAND ON ISRAEL
· TO THE NEXT PRESIDENT: BLESS ISRAEL
· SOME SENATE RACES HOTLY CONTESTED
· 3 KEY PRO-LIFE INITIATIVES
· "GAY" MARRIAGE INITIATIVES
· NEW VOTING SYSTEMS COULD CAUSE CHAOS
· ELECTION DAY PRAYER POINTS
· THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
Special Alert: Praying for the Election November 2, 2008
"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." (Prov. 14:34)
[Please note: Unless noted otherwise, all prayer points listed below were taken from Intercessors for America, On Watch in Washington, Oct. 29, 2008]
WHERE DO THE CANDIDATES STAND?
Intercessors for America has posted a list of 17 key issues in this year's election, and where each of the Presidential candidates stand on each one.
These issues are:
1. Sanctity of Human Life Abortion Stem Cell Research
2. Marriage and Gender
3. U.S. Supreme Court Judges Death Penalty Freedom of Religion
4. Military Defense Foreign Policy Israel and Middle East
5. Taxes Social Security Health Care Education Energy
To see where Democratic candidate Senator Barack Hussein Obama and Republican candidate Senator John McCain stand on each issue, go here.
WHERE THEY STAND ON ISRAEL
Sen. John McCain
2. Marriage and Gender
3. U.S. Supreme Court Judges Death Penalty Freedom of Religion
4. Military Defense Foreign Policy Israel and Middle East
5. Taxes Social Security Health Care Education Energy
To see where Democratic candidate Senator Barack Hussein Obama and Republican candidate Senator John McCain stand on each issue, go here.
WHERE THEY STAND ON ISRAEL
Sen. John McCain
Describes himself as "proudly pro-Israel;" argues that there can be no peace process "until the Palestinians recognize Israel, forswear forever the use of violence, recognize their previous agreements, and reform their institutions."
- Supports Senate resolutions affirming Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital.
- In favor of conditional, appropriate talks with foreign leaders, but not with "implacable foes;" says U.S. president should not negotiate directly with Ahmadinejad.
- Would consult Congress and use military force if Iran attains nuclear weapons.
Sen. Barak Obama
- Foreign policy team includes Zbigniew Brzezinski, who calls Israel an "apartheid state" and supports unconditional dialog with the terrorist group Hamas. Voted against naming the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization.
- Stated to AIPAC that Jerusalem is Israel's undivided capital, then backtracked.
- Strong advocate of unconditional talks with all foreign leaders; has pledged to meet without preconditions with Ahmadinejad of Iran and other tyrants.
- Would be willing to consider a military option if Iran attains nuclear weapons.
TO THE NEXT PRESIDENT: BLESS ISRAEL
Pray that our nation may be a blessing to Israel
"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." (Genesis 12:1- 3)
Israel has been and is the vehicle of world redemption. That is, God's great acts of redemption have come to us through this precious nation. Jesus is a Jew, salvation is of the Jews and the Bible is a Jewish document. Truly, as Paul said, we are indebted to them. Our great nation has stood with Israel and much of the blessing that is ours as a nation is because of this. This is the promise of God's eternal word. We must pray today that this special relationship between Israel and the United States of America will not be broken or corrupted. We must, as a nation, pray for Israel, bless Israel and comfort her. (International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Presidential Prayer Campaign 10/21/08)
SOME SENATE RACES HOTLY CONTESTED
If Democrats manage to capture 10 out of the 23 Senate Republican seats up for reelection on Tuesday, they could gain a 60-vote filibuster-proof majority. That would make it difficult for Republicans to complete simple tasks in the Senate, or to exercise privileges normally granted to the minority party by Senate rules.
Democrats in the Senate face several strategic advantages in this election with five Republican senators retiring, only 12 Democratic seats up for reelection (compared to 23 Republican seats), and the fact that the Democratic incumbents lead in the Rasmussen Reports polls. (CNS News)
(To read the details of Senate races in 12 key states, go here.)
3 KEY PRO-LIFE INITIATIVES
PRO-LIFE INITIATIVES WHICH WILL APPEAR ON THREE STATE BALLOTS IN NOVEMBER
SOUTH DAKOTA - An Abortion Ban Initiative will appear on the November 2008 ballot in South Dakota as an initiated constitutional amendment. If the state's voters approve it, the South Dakota Constitution will henceforward ban all abortions in the state except for those performed because of rape, incest or to protect the woman's health. Doctors who perform an abortion in violation of this initiative's provisions could be charged with a Class 4 felony, which in South Dakota carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in jail and a $20,000 fine.
COLORADO - The Colorado Equal Rights Amendment, appearing on the ballot in November, asks the voter, "Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution defining the term 'person' to include any human being from the moment of fertilization as 'person' is used in those provisions of the Colorado constitution relating to inalienable rights, equality of justice, and due process of law?" The amendment defines a fertilized egg as a person, even before being implanted in the uterus. (Denver Post 6/2/08)
CALIFORNIA- Proposition 4, or the Abortion Waiting Period and Parental Notification Initiative, also known to its supporters as Sarah's Law, is an initiated amendment that will appear on the November 4, 2008 ballot in California. It proposes a new amendment to the California Constitution. The initiative would prohibit abortion for unemancipated minors until 48 hours after physician notifies minor's parent, legal guardian or, if parental abuse has been reported, an alternative adult family member. (San Francisco Chronicle 5/30/08
(Source: Intercessors for America; On Watch In Washington - August 27, 2008)
"GAY" MARRIAGE INITIATIVES
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE INITIATIVES
1. CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 8 On May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage constitutional within the state. California voters had defined marriage as between a man and a woman via Prop 22 (by 61 percent) in 2000, but the state supreme court struck down the statute. The court argued that the statute was similar to earlier laws against interracial marriage.
Proposition 8 provides California voters another chance to defend marriage and in a much more concrete way. Prop 8 would amend the state constitution to say "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." The court could therefore not declare laws against same- sex marriage "unconstitutional."
There has been an amazingly intense battle in California over this issue. Supporters and opponents of Prop 8 have raised more than $60 million combined in their battles to win voters' hearts on the issue of same-sex marriage. Even in California, $60 million is a lot of money. Prop 8's fate is not important to Californians alone, however; the election results will be felt by the entire nation.
2. ARIZONA Prop 102: The Marriage Protection Amendment will amend the Arizona State Constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman. The constitutional amendment will protect existing laws against same- sex marriage.3. ARKANSAS: The Unmarried Couple Adoption Ban will make it illegal for non-married cohabitating couples (including those of the same sex) to legally adopt or provide foster care to children.
4. FLORIDA Prop 2: The Marriage Protection Amendment will amend the state constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman. It requires a 60 percent majority in order to pass.
· We Americans live in a nation ruled by a Constitution, in states ruled by state constitutions, and not under a dictatorship or monarchy. We the people of the United States are responsible for hiring people to public office, and for the laws we allow them to put on the books. Let's take our job seriously and walk with prayer and knowledge into the election booth next Tuesday. We want God to bless our nation, but we need to be a nation He can bless.(K-house News, 10.29.08)
NEW VOTING SYSTEMS COULD CAUSE CHAOS
Getting it right on Election Day could be the difference between a close finish and a month long debacle. New systems are being implemented in key states.
With a possible historic turnout of as many as 130 million voters nationwide, the question becomes whether election system can handle the large number of voters. For the 2008 race, about half of all precincts will use machines that differ from those used in 2004. Combine that with a boom in new voter registrations in the swing states, the number of voters unfamiliar with their precinct's equipment will be at an all-time high.
Most of the changes are away from the touch-screen systems that caused controversy in 2004. Paper ballots, read with optical scans, are thought to be simpler for voters to understand. As a result, 55 percent of Americans will vote on paper this year, compared with 49 percent in 2006.
Early Voting May Cause Delays - Long lines, machine breakdowns and mistakes by voters and poll workers have plagued the run-up to this year's election at a time when more than 30 states are having early voting periods to try to boost turnout and reduce logjams at the polls on Election Day. As many as 1 in 3 ballots nationwide could be cast before Election Day. But absentee ballots could come with a price. If an absentee voter does not fill out the ballot properly, the vote may be nullified. Mail-in ballots also take longer to process, which will cause delays if voters wait until the last minute. (U.S. News 10/22/08)
· You are also encouraged to prayer walk your polling place sometime on or before Election Day and plead the blood of Jesus. Please encourage others to do the same.· The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)
ELECTION DAY PRAYER POINTS
Prayer Focus for Elections from Mahesh & Bonnie Chavda
1. Jesus is Lord: Make the Lord awesome and mighty. Declare His rulership. Magnify the Lord and His power over the elections.
2. Pour Out Your Spirit: Ask the Holy Spirit to be poured out in the voting booths, touching the hearts and minds of Americans as they go to the polls to vote.
3. Pull the Lever: Pull the lever for God's choice for President, Vice President, both Houses of Congress and local leaders and local referendums.
4. Release Angels: Release Holy Angels to guard the destiny and call of God over America. Loose Angels over every precinct and every voting booth in America.
5. Bind Fraud: Bind Fraud and loose the Spirit of Truth into every aspect of the election.
6. Break Enchantment: Break the spirit of manipulation and enchantment, bind the spirits of witchcraft and antichrist as we make a choice for the Commander in Chief of our Armed Forces.
7. Protect the Unborn: The next president will determine the next justices for the Supreme Court. Pray that America will choose leaders who will nominate and confirm justices who will be strict constitutionalists, protecting the unborn.
8. Bless Israel: May God use these elections to be a blessing and strength to Israel.
THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC
We close this special edition by sharing this inspiring patriotic song, sung by a children's chorus in a public school. Praise the Lord!
May we all be diligent to pray, to vote, and to TRUST OUR LORD with the outcome of this historic election. The batlle IS the Lord's!!
- Supports Senate resolutions affirming Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital.
- In favor of conditional, appropriate talks with foreign leaders, but not with "implacable foes;" says U.S. president should not negotiate directly with Ahmadinejad.
- Would consult Congress and use military force if Iran attains nuclear weapons.
Sen. Barak Obama
- Foreign policy team includes Zbigniew Brzezinski, who calls Israel an "apartheid state" and supports unconditional dialog with the terrorist group Hamas. Voted against naming the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization.
- Stated to AIPAC that Jerusalem is Israel's undivided capital, then backtracked.
- Strong advocate of unconditional talks with all foreign leaders; has pledged to meet without preconditions with Ahmadinejad of Iran and other tyrants.
- Would be willing to consider a military option if Iran attains nuclear weapons.
TO THE NEXT PRESIDENT: BLESS ISRAEL
Pray that our nation may be a blessing to Israel
"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." (Genesis 12:1- 3)
Israel has been and is the vehicle of world redemption. That is, God's great acts of redemption have come to us through this precious nation. Jesus is a Jew, salvation is of the Jews and the Bible is a Jewish document. Truly, as Paul said, we are indebted to them. Our great nation has stood with Israel and much of the blessing that is ours as a nation is because of this. This is the promise of God's eternal word. We must pray today that this special relationship between Israel and the United States of America will not be broken or corrupted. We must, as a nation, pray for Israel, bless Israel and comfort her. (International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Presidential Prayer Campaign 10/21/08)
SOME SENATE RACES HOTLY CONTESTED
If Democrats manage to capture 10 out of the 23 Senate Republican seats up for reelection on Tuesday, they could gain a 60-vote filibuster-proof majority. That would make it difficult for Republicans to complete simple tasks in the Senate, or to exercise privileges normally granted to the minority party by Senate rules.
Democrats in the Senate face several strategic advantages in this election with five Republican senators retiring, only 12 Democratic seats up for reelection (compared to 23 Republican seats), and the fact that the Democratic incumbents lead in the Rasmussen Reports polls. (CNS News)
(To read the details of Senate races in 12 key states, go here.)
3 KEY PRO-LIFE INITIATIVES
PRO-LIFE INITIATIVES WHICH WILL APPEAR ON THREE STATE BALLOTS IN NOVEMBER
SOUTH DAKOTA - An Abortion Ban Initiative will appear on the November 2008 ballot in South Dakota as an initiated constitutional amendment. If the state's voters approve it, the South Dakota Constitution will henceforward ban all abortions in the state except for those performed because of rape, incest or to protect the woman's health. Doctors who perform an abortion in violation of this initiative's provisions could be charged with a Class 4 felony, which in South Dakota carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in jail and a $20,000 fine.
COLORADO - The Colorado Equal Rights Amendment, appearing on the ballot in November, asks the voter, "Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution defining the term 'person' to include any human being from the moment of fertilization as 'person' is used in those provisions of the Colorado constitution relating to inalienable rights, equality of justice, and due process of law?" The amendment defines a fertilized egg as a person, even before being implanted in the uterus. (Denver Post 6/2/08)
CALIFORNIA- Proposition 4, or the Abortion Waiting Period and Parental Notification Initiative, also known to its supporters as Sarah's Law, is an initiated amendment that will appear on the November 4, 2008 ballot in California. It proposes a new amendment to the California Constitution. The initiative would prohibit abortion for unemancipated minors until 48 hours after physician notifies minor's parent, legal guardian or, if parental abuse has been reported, an alternative adult family member. (San Francisco Chronicle 5/30/08
(Source: Intercessors for America; On Watch In Washington - August 27, 2008)
"GAY" MARRIAGE INITIATIVES
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE INITIATIVES
1. CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 8 On May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage constitutional within the state. California voters had defined marriage as between a man and a woman via Prop 22 (by 61 percent) in 2000, but the state supreme court struck down the statute. The court argued that the statute was similar to earlier laws against interracial marriage.
Proposition 8 provides California voters another chance to defend marriage and in a much more concrete way. Prop 8 would amend the state constitution to say "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." The court could therefore not declare laws against same- sex marriage "unconstitutional."
There has been an amazingly intense battle in California over this issue. Supporters and opponents of Prop 8 have raised more than $60 million combined in their battles to win voters' hearts on the issue of same-sex marriage. Even in California, $60 million is a lot of money. Prop 8's fate is not important to Californians alone, however; the election results will be felt by the entire nation.
2. ARIZONA Prop 102: The Marriage Protection Amendment will amend the Arizona State Constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman. The constitutional amendment will protect existing laws against same- sex marriage.3. ARKANSAS: The Unmarried Couple Adoption Ban will make it illegal for non-married cohabitating couples (including those of the same sex) to legally adopt or provide foster care to children.
4. FLORIDA Prop 2: The Marriage Protection Amendment will amend the state constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman. It requires a 60 percent majority in order to pass.
· We Americans live in a nation ruled by a Constitution, in states ruled by state constitutions, and not under a dictatorship or monarchy. We the people of the United States are responsible for hiring people to public office, and for the laws we allow them to put on the books. Let's take our job seriously and walk with prayer and knowledge into the election booth next Tuesday. We want God to bless our nation, but we need to be a nation He can bless.(K-house News, 10.29.08)
NEW VOTING SYSTEMS COULD CAUSE CHAOS
Getting it right on Election Day could be the difference between a close finish and a month long debacle. New systems are being implemented in key states.
With a possible historic turnout of as many as 130 million voters nationwide, the question becomes whether election system can handle the large number of voters. For the 2008 race, about half of all precincts will use machines that differ from those used in 2004. Combine that with a boom in new voter registrations in the swing states, the number of voters unfamiliar with their precinct's equipment will be at an all-time high.
Most of the changes are away from the touch-screen systems that caused controversy in 2004. Paper ballots, read with optical scans, are thought to be simpler for voters to understand. As a result, 55 percent of Americans will vote on paper this year, compared with 49 percent in 2006.
Early Voting May Cause Delays - Long lines, machine breakdowns and mistakes by voters and poll workers have plagued the run-up to this year's election at a time when more than 30 states are having early voting periods to try to boost turnout and reduce logjams at the polls on Election Day. As many as 1 in 3 ballots nationwide could be cast before Election Day. But absentee ballots could come with a price. If an absentee voter does not fill out the ballot properly, the vote may be nullified. Mail-in ballots also take longer to process, which will cause delays if voters wait until the last minute. (U.S. News 10/22/08)
· You are also encouraged to prayer walk your polling place sometime on or before Election Day and plead the blood of Jesus. Please encourage others to do the same.· The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)
ELECTION DAY PRAYER POINTS
Prayer Focus for Elections from Mahesh & Bonnie Chavda
1. Jesus is Lord: Make the Lord awesome and mighty. Declare His rulership. Magnify the Lord and His power over the elections.
2. Pour Out Your Spirit: Ask the Holy Spirit to be poured out in the voting booths, touching the hearts and minds of Americans as they go to the polls to vote.
3. Pull the Lever: Pull the lever for God's choice for President, Vice President, both Houses of Congress and local leaders and local referendums.
4. Release Angels: Release Holy Angels to guard the destiny and call of God over America. Loose Angels over every precinct and every voting booth in America.
5. Bind Fraud: Bind Fraud and loose the Spirit of Truth into every aspect of the election.
6. Break Enchantment: Break the spirit of manipulation and enchantment, bind the spirits of witchcraft and antichrist as we make a choice for the Commander in Chief of our Armed Forces.
7. Protect the Unborn: The next president will determine the next justices for the Supreme Court. Pray that America will choose leaders who will nominate and confirm justices who will be strict constitutionalists, protecting the unborn.
8. Bless Israel: May God use these elections to be a blessing and strength to Israel.
THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC
We close this special edition by sharing this inspiring patriotic song, sung by a children's chorus in a public school. Praise the Lord!
May we all be diligent to pray, to vote, and to TRUST OUR LORD with the outcome of this historic election. The batlle IS the Lord's!!
