In This Issue· The Daily Brief
· The Middle East in Focus
· How to Listen to Israel Radio
· 21 Days for a New Awakening
· Reminder: CHPP Publishing Schedule
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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The Daily Brief Tuesday, December 30, 2008
". . . my God turns my darkness into light." (Psalm 18:28b)
The Daily Brief
1. Israel Mulls Halting Gaza Strikes, Official Says - MSNBC
Israel is considering halting its Gaza offensive temporarily to give Hamas militants an opening to halt rocket fire on Israel, but coupled with the threat of a ground offensive, if such a cease-fire does not hold, an Israeli defense official said Tuesday.
· Pray for peace in the nation of Israel, but that peace be a true one, not one of man's creation. Ask for wisdom on the part of Israel's leaders not to make decisions that allow the continuation of Hamas rocket attacks.
· "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee." (Psalm 122:6)
2. Iran hardliners register volunteers to fight Israel - Reuters
A group of Iranian hard-line clerics is signing up volunteers to fight in the Gaza Strip in response to Israel's air strikes that have killed at least 300 Palestinians, a news agency reported on Monday. "From Monday, the Combatant Clergy Society has activated its website www.rohaniatmobarez.com for a week to register volunteers to fight against the Zionist regime (Israel) in either the military, financial or propaganda fields," the semi-official Fars news agency said. Israel patrols the coastal waters around Gaza and has declared areas around the enclave a "closed military zone." The hard-line Iranian group, which is headed by some leading clergy, says it has no affiliation with the government and was formed shortly after Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.
· Pray that this action be thwarted by the angelic host, and that God will show Himself against the enemies of Israel.
· "And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel." (II Chronicles 20:29)
3. Taliban are Beheading Their Way Through Former Pakistan Tourist Haven - AP
Taliban militants are beheading and burning their way through Pakistan's picturesque Swat Valley, and residents say the insurgents now control most of the mountainous region far from the lawless tribal areas where jihadists thrive.
· Father, as the Taliban resurges in Afghanistan, we ask that You destroy their plans and their organization. Bring Your truth and light to the people of that region.
· "Break Thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till Thou find none." (Psalm 10:15)
4. India Moves Troops Toward Shared Pakistan Border - AP
Pakistan said Tuesday, that India had moved troops toward their shared border, following Islamabad's own redeployment of forces toward the frontier amid tensions over the Mumbai attacks.
· Father, we pray for calmer heads to work through this threat of war to save this region from nuclear conflict over terrorist activities. We pray that the leadership of these nations will see what the plan of the enemy truly is, and not become a part of it.
· "But whoso hearkeneth unto Me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet of fear of evil." (Proverbs 1:33)
5. Yellowstone Quake Swarm Worries Scientists - AP
Yellowstone National Park was jostled by a host of small earthquakes for a third straight day Monday, and scientists watched closely to see whether the more than 250 tremors were a sign of something bigger to come.Swarms of small earthquakes happen frequently in Yellowstone, but it's very unusual for so many earthquakes to happen over several days, said Robert Smith, a professor of geophysics at the University of Utah."They're certainly not normal," Smith said. "We haven't had earthquakes in this energy or extent in many years."
· Of all the natural disasters that could occur, this one has the potential to bring total destruction to much of the country. Pray that the Lord will not allow Yellowstone to have a major eruption, that His mercy will cover us.
· "Show us Thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us Thy salvation." (Psalm 85:7)
6. Study: DoD May Act On US Civil Unrest - McClatchy-Tribune
A U.S. Army War College report warns an economic crisis in the United States could lead to massive civil unrest and the need to call on the military to restore order. Retired Army Lt. Col. Nathan Freir wrote the report "Known Unknowns: Unconventional Strategic Shocks in Defense Strategy Development," which the Army think tank in Carlisle, Pa., recently released. "Widespread civil violence inside the United States would force the defense establishment to reorient priorities ... to defend basic domestic order and human security," the report said, in case of "unforeseen economic collapse," "pervasive public health emergencies," and "catastrophic natural and human disasters," among other possible crises. The report also suggests the new (Barack Obama) administration could face a "strategic shock" within the first eight months in office.
· Lord, we come before You to ask for peace within our borders. We pray that You will cover our nation with peace, that civil violence will not occur on a massive scale.
· "I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
7. Soldier Alleges Military Pattern of Christian Bias - AP
An atheist soldier suing over prayers at military formations claims a larger pattern of religious discrimination exists in the military, citing attempts to convert Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan and an evangelical bias in a suicide prevention manual.
· Pray that this lawsuit will fall to the ground and dismissed. We declare the Lordship of Jesus Christ over our nation, our military, and our leadership.
· "For He is the Living God, and steadfast forever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end." (Daniel 6:26b)
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:
"Through God we will do valiantly, For it is He who shall tread down our enemies." (Psalm 108:13)
1. Aboul Gheit lashes back at Nasrallah - Jerusalem Post
Tensions between moderate and radical rival camps in the Arab world reached a new height Monday, with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit launching a scathing critique of Hizbullah chief Hassan Nasrallah, who on Sunday had called on millions of Egyptians to take to the streets to protest their government's response to Israel's attack.
2. Hamas calls 'reservists' to foil attack - Jerusalem Post
Hamas's armed wing, Izaddin Kassam, on Monday announced that it was recruiting an additional 1,000 militiamen ahead of a possible IDF ground operation in the Gaza Strip.
3. IDF raises alert level in the North - Jerusalem Post
The IDF has raised its level of alert in the North out of fear that Palestinian terror groups - possibly acting under Hizbullah auspices - will launch rockets into Israel in the coming days to open another front as the army operates against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
4. Shalev: Israel seeks to 'destroy' Hamas - Jerusalem Post
Israel will push forward with its offensive in the Gaza Strip until it "completely destroys" Hamas, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Gabriela Shalev, said Monday, saying that the operation will continue as long as necessary to reach that goal.
How to Listen to Israel Radio
Listen live to Israel National Radio "pray the news"
To listen to live streaming broadcasts of Israeli Radio news, go here.
This is an excellent way to monitor and to pray over the news coming out of Israel at this critical time. Amen.
21 Days for a New Awakening
January 1-21, 2009
"Decare a Holy Fast..." (Joel 1:14)
Join us January 1 - 21 fasting together for a New Awakening in America!!!
Sponsored by: Awakening America AllianceUniting Together for America's Future
If your organization or you personally will be joining us in this time of seeking God's face together, please let us know by sending us an e-mail at:mail@awakeningamerica.us or by visiting: www.awakeningamerica.us/21dayfast
"Thy people shall volunteer freely in the day of Thy power." (Psalms 110:3 NAS)
Reminder: CHPP Publishing Schedule
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners will publish our alerts according to the following schedule, adjusted for the New Year's holiday:
Today and tomorrow: The Daily Brief (December 30, 31)
Thursday and Friday: Holiday break ( January 1,2)
Monday, January 5: On Capitol Hill This Week -- Our New Year's edition -- the first "OCAP" of 2009.
Congress returns next week on Thursday, Jan. 8th. We invite you to join us in prayers for this new Congress, beginning next week.
Tuesday, January 6 through Friday, January 9: The Daily Brief resumes its normal schedule.
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR STANDING WITH US IN PRAYER FOR "ALL THOSE IN AUTHORITY" IN WASHINGTON, D.C. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
"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." (I Timothy 2:1-4)
