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On Capitol Hill This Week - Volume XVI, Number 10
March 9 - 13, 2009
"For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills." (Psalm 50:10)
1. OBAMA TO FORCE FUNDING OF EMBRYO- KILLING STEM CELL RESEARCH
2. STIMULUS BILL PULLED OFF SENATE FLOOR; VOTE DUE ON MONDAY
3. SENATE MAY ELIMINATE COST-OF-LIVING PAY RAISES FOR CONGRESS
4. SPEAKER PELOSI BACKS SENATE AMENDMENT TO REGULATE TALK RADIO
5. OBAMA NOMINATES PRO-ABORTION ACTIVIST TO HEAD HHS
6. OBAMA TAKES NEXT STEP TO END PROTECTIONS FOR PRO-LIFE DOCTORS
7. RADICAL PRO-ABORTION FOCA BILL COMING SOON
8. NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER UNDER ATTACK FROM ATHEISTS
9. THIS PRAYER APPROVED BY THE WHITE HOUSE?
10. MARINE ONE HELICOPER PLANS LEAKED TO IRAN
11. ISRAEL TELLS CLINTON: MILITARY OPTION MUST REMAIN ON TABLE
12. UNITED STATES SEEKS RUSSIAN HELP WITH IRAN
13. NORTH KOREA THREATENS "WAR" IF "SATELLITE" IS SHOT DOWN
1. OBAMA TO FORCE FUNDING OF EMBRYO- KILLING STEM CELL RESEARCH
President Obama is planning to sign an executive order Monday to overturn Bush-era policy that limited federal tax dollars for embryonic stem cell research, according to administration officials familiar with the deliberations. The officials said the administration is planning a Monday event at the White House at which Obama will overturn the executive order signed by President George W. Bush in August 2001. It barred the National Institutes of Health from funding research on embryonic stem cells beyond using 60 cell lines that existed at that time.
Tony Perkins of the conservative Family Research Council accused the White House of leaking the details Friday night so that the move gets little attention, declaring that it is "a slap in the face to Americans who believe in the dignity of all human life."
House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said, "Advancements in science and research have moved faster than the debates among politicians in Washington, D.C., and breakthroughs announced in recent years confirm the full potential of stem cell research can be realized without the destruction of living human embryos." (CNN)
• Father God, as the president prepares to overturn this ruling on embryonic stem cell research today, we cry out once again for MERCY for our nation . . . mercy which must include judgment. We humbly ask You to please grant "embryos" a chance to be born and to live a life fully planned by You.
We don't know why we have such barbaric leaders in America, but You have allowed them to be in power for a season. So, we continue to cry out for mercy and justice for those who shed innocent blood for personal gain. May they give up their dark ambitions before more babies are killed, more would-be parents and families are permanently damaged and before Your judgment arrives for them. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
• "Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked. And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous." (Exodus 23: 7-8 NKJV)
2. STIMULUS BILL PULLED OFF SENATE FLOOR; VOTE DUE ON MONDAY
Thursday night, the Obama/Pelosi/Reid $410 billion Omnibus to fund non-defense government spending through September was pulled off the Senate floor. This wasteful monstrosity did not have the 60 votes required for passage. It appears at least 41 Senators object to the massive increase in spending -- 8% over last year's budget - and the larding in of 8,500 earmarks totaling $7.7 billion.
While Americans are losing jobs and seeing life savings evaporate this Obama/Pelosi/Reid $410 billion Omnibus funds earmarks like:
• $2.1 million for a Center for Grape Research in NY
• $1.7 million for pig odor research in Iowa
• $951,500 for Sustainable Las Vegas
$2 million for "the promotion of astronomy" in Hawaii
• $200,000 for a tattoo removal program
President Obama, after campaigning on a pledge to veto earmarks, now says $7.7 billion for 8,500 earmarks is ok with him. (Americans for Prosperity)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., privately threatened to abandon the bill altogether Thursday night, infuriated that GOP leaders were stalling it even though they helped craft it and have a big stake in its passage, according to a Democratic leadership aide. The aide demanded anonymity to speak frankly about a private meeting. If the larger spending bill ends up being amended by the Senate, the House would again have to act on that bill, giving Republicans more chances to launch political attacks. (Fox News)
• Praise the Lord that there are enough senators who are disgusted by the wasteful earmarks funded by the Stimulus Bill to stop it in its tracks. Pray for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who seems more interested in her expression of power and desire to grind Republicans under her high heels, so that the teachings of Jesus will find entrance into her spirit. She brooks no disobedience to her pronouncements in the House. Pray for wisdom to prevail.
• "Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom." (Proverbs 4:7a)
3. SENATE MAY ELIMINATE COST-OF-LIVING PAY RAISES FOR CONGRESS
Members of Congress would lose their annual cost-of- living pay raises under a proposal that's headed for a vote in the Senate next week.
The move, by Sen. David Vitter, R-La., would require Congress to vote itself pay raises rather than get them automatically under a two-decades-old ethics bill that gave the annual raises, known as a cost-of-living adjustment or COLA, but required lawmakers to give up paid speeches called honoraria. Vitter, who faces a potentially difficult re-election next year, has seized a potent issue with voters. But he's not winning any popularity contests with his colleagues. "In this tough economy when many people are making sacrifices, it's time that the Congress quit . . . trying to quietly give itself a raise," Vitter said in a statement.
His move has put congressional leaders, who generally support the system, in a difficult spot. If he's successful, a pay system that has had solid backing from leaders in both parties - GOP icon Newt Gingrich was a key supporter back in 1989 - will be in shambles.
Most members support the pay raise as a means of retaining experienced lawmakers and of making sure that Congress is not simply dominated by wealthy people. Many lawmakers maintain homes both in the expensive Washington housing market and back in their districts. On most days, they meet with lobbyists making far more than they do.
Lawmakers have already opted against taking the raise that they're due next Jan. 1 - the first day of an election year - adding language to an omnibus spending bill pending in the Senate to turn off the COLA for 2010. Vitter's amendment would turn it off permanently, but is expected to be defeated on a bipartisan vote. (AP)
• Please spread the word about this move, for voters will be happy to learn that Congress is thinking about the economy of the whole nation and not just their own wallets. Pray for passage of this resolution in the Senate in spite of the odds against it. Call/email your senators offices to say you want the Vitter resolution passed. Your voice does matter.
• "Execute true justice. Show mercy and compassion; Everyone to his brother." (Zechariah 7:9b)
4. SPEAKER PELOSI BACKS SENATE AMENDMENT TO REGULATE TALK RADIO
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told CNSNews.com on Thursday that she supports an amendment to a Senate bill that would force the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to "take actions to encourage and promote diversity in communication media ownership and to ensure that broadcast station licenses are used in the public interest."
The amendment's language is viewed by many media experts as a means to regulate conservative talk radio, particularly popular programs such as the Rush Limbaugh Show and the Sean Hannity Show, among many others.
House Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-Ind.), a former radio broadcaster and one of Congress' biggest opponents of the Fairness Doctrine -- an FCC regulation removed in 1987 that forced broadcasters to grant equal airtime to opposing political viewpoints - - told CNSNews.com that the amendment is a masked attempt to restore the Fairness Doctrine. (CNS News)
DIVERSITY AS THE NEW "FAIRNESS DOCTRINE?'
It's become quite clear now what Obama and the Democrat's strategy was (and is) on the Fairness Doctrine - turn down the volume and deny that's what you really want, while you work to repackage it under a new name.
So what name will the new version of "fairness" operate under? Diversity. Or "diversity of ownership", if you prefer.
Just last week, the Senate passed an amendment sponsored by SC Senator Jim DeMint that would prohibit the FCC from reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine, while at the same time approving an amendment by IL Democrat Dick Durbin that would instruct the FCC to promote policies that foster more "minority ownership" in broadcasting. (Of course the House hasn't weighed in on this yet) . . . [Christian Coalition of America]
• Dear Lord, it is time for all broadcast, corporate and individual free speech deceptions to stop in the White House and in the U.S. House and Senate. We ask that You will guide and protect champions of free speech like Indiana's Congressman Mike Pence and South Carolina's Senator Jim DeMint. May those who seek to silence Your Word and the conservative organizations that honor Your presence, be stopped; and also stop their plan to ensure biased broadcast ownership and programming. May You use the FCC and the Congress to rule in favor of free speech in our nation's airwaves; a right that is guaranteed by our Constitution's First Amendment. In Your Son's Mighty Name, Jesus, we pray. Amen.
• "For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us." (Isaiah 33: 22 NKJV)
5. OBAMA NOMINATES PRO-ABORTION ACTIVIST TO HEAD HHS
President Obama has nominated Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, one of the most divisive elected officials in the United States, to be Secretary of the vast U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In that role, in addition to overseeing an annual budget of $821 billion that affects every American's health, Sebelius will have chief responsibility for guiding the creation of the Obama health care plan.
As governor, Sebelius time and again failed Kansas women and families, opposing good health policies. To name just a few examples:
• In 2003 and 2005, she vetoed bills that would have guaranteed the safety of abortion centers in Kansas, which were operating under medically dangerous conditions;
• In 2008 she vetoed a measure to enforce the state's parental notice law so that parents' could be assured an abortion would not be performed on their minor daughter without their knowledge;
• Even more shocking, she recently vetoed a bill that would have required those doing late-term abortions to provide an explicit medical reason;
• She likewise vetoed another bill that would have required those doing post-viability (that is, after the point when the child is developed enough to breathe on its own outside the womb) abortions to report the diagnosis that led to the abortion.
Finally, Gov. Sebelius has received massive political donations from a notorious late-term abortionist and used the Governor's Mansion to entertain both this man and the nation's leading partial-birth abortionist. (Family Research Council)
• Gracious and Heavenly Father, we come to You as your children, and cry out for our yet unborn brothers and sisters who will ultimately suffer at the hand of this woman nominated to be Secretary of HHS. May she not be approved, and may any and all intimidation that has been launched on those who oppose her nomination be put back upon those who directed it at them.
Lord what we are seeing is the dismantling of everything sacred to You, even the repudiation of a doctor's oath which has always been understood to be, "Do no harm." We cry out to You for help in correcting the attack on Your meaning of "right from wrong" since January 20th. If we did not have Your Word and faith, we would be helpless to do anything more than just stand back and see evil totally take over our country.
We pray for the complete removal of witchcraft and the occult from our nation's leadership and America's people. We pray that You will cleanse our federal, state, and municipal executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, along with our school boards. We pray that not one more official will be elected or appointed that mocks You and Your Word; and we ask for forgiveness of those who do hate You, Your Word and Your children so that they might be saved. In Jesus' Matchless Name we pray. Amen.
• We ask for discernment Lord for our leadership and people. "Some men's sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden." (1 Timothy 5: 24-25 NKJV)
6. OBAMA TAKES NEXT STEP TO END PROTECTIONS FOR PRO-LIFE DOCTORS
President Barack Obama has taken the next step to remove the new protections the Bush administration put in place to protect pro-life medical centers and staff who do not want to do abortions. The protections provided better enforcement for existing conscience laws for medical professionals. The Bush administration put the protections in place after learning that medical centers and staff were facing increasing pressure to be involved in abortions despite three federal laws prohibiting such discrimination.
Obama officials had told media outlets that the president wanted to merely clarify the existing rules, but, today, the administration published in the Federal Register a proposal to rescind the pro-life protections entirely. "The Department is proposing to rescind in its entirety the final rule," Obama HHS officials wrote in the proposal.
The Obama administration appears to be relying on the objections pro-abortion groups posed to the abortion conscience clause and it refers to those objections from groups like Planned Parenthood in its proposal. Abortion advocates "asserted that the rule would limit access to patient care and raised concerns that individuals could be denied access to services, with effects felt disproportionately by those in rural areas or otherwise underserved," the Obama administration noted. (LifeNews.com)
Senator Coburn: "I'd go to jail before being forced to do abortions" Dr. Tom Coburn, a highly principled Republican Senator from Oklahoma, still delivers babies as an obstetrician on weekends after completing business in Washington D.C. In fact, over the years, Senator Coburn has delivered some 4,000 babies. He has credibility when he denounces the Democrats' plan to get rid of President George W. Bush's regulations put into effect in January clarifying the rules for physicians and other medical personnel to refuse to do abortions, refer for abortions, etc.
Indeed, yesterday on Fox News, Senator Coburn told co-host Megyn Kelly that he would go to jail before being forced to do abortions. Senator Coburn also said: "I will do nothing against my conscience in the practice of medicine ever regardless of what any law is at any time. And I can tell you that there are a lot of physicians that feel exactly that same way across the country." [Christian Coalition of America]
• Father God, we THANK YOU for the courage of men like Dr. Tom Coburn, the Senator from the State of Oklahoma. May many more voices like his be raised now throughout our nation, and may this wicked agenda, forcing our physicians to perform abortions against their will, be CANCELED and come to naught. We ask this in Jesus' Mighty Name, amen!
• [Pray that this initiative would die on the vine; cut off its root and its fruit, in Jesus' Name. Amen.] "Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof." (Ezek. 17:9)
7. RADICAL PRO-ABORTION FOCA BILL COMING SOON
Pro-Life Advocates Must Prepare
The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), would make unlimited abortions for any reason throughout pregnancy the national law. It would also overturn hundreds of pro-life laws approved in states across the country.
Matt Bowman, a pro-life attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund, estimates that FOCA could result in an increase of 125,000 abortions or more annually throughout the country. "Advocates and opponents of FOCA all agree that the bill would nullify every legal limit on abortion, state, federal or otherwise," he explains. "Certain state laws that are doomed under FOCA actually prevent a statistically significant number of abortions. These laws include parental involvement requirements, informed consent laws, and restrictions on government funding of abortions," Bowman added.
Leading pro-life advocates have been criticized as "verbal terrorists" by the mainstream media for organizing opposition to the radical bill yet to be filed in Congress. However, a leading pro-abortion Congressman calls FOCA a top priority and says the bill is coming soon. A spokesman for Rep. Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat who is chairman of a House Judiciary subcommittee that could consider the bill, says the bill is forthcoming. FOCA "is among the congressman's priorities. We expect to reintroduce it sooner rather than later," Ilan Kayatsky told the St. Louis Post Dispatch. He indicated that he expects pro-abortion Sen. Barbara Boxer to introduce a companion bill shortly. If the bill is introduced in roughly the same form as it has been in previous Congressional sessions, then pro-life advocates will be preparing to vigorously oppose it.
Douglas Johnson, the legislative director for National Right to Life, says his group would "continue to work to heighten the barriers to the FOCA, no matter when it is re-introduced." He added that pro-life advocates need to be aware of all of the threats to pro-life laws such as the concerns presented with FOCA. "We will be working against the immediate threats posed by the Obama Administration's radical abortion agenda, such as its efforts to enact abortion mandates in health care legislation, and to repeal the Hyde Amendment," he added. (LifeNews.com)
• Dearest Lord, even your martyrs cry out to you in Revelation 6: 10, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" These little ones are being martyred for the Cause of Christ and their senseless killings cry out for Your justice, too. Gracious Lord, we ask for intercessory strength in this unending battle of life and death, and we ask You to give us Your words, thoughts and actions to help end abortion in America. Let us be a small part of Your move to stop this murder of the innocents. Jesus, you understand this so well, because Herod slated You for destruction as well. Please ask Your Holy Spirit to intercede for this request to save many alive. For Your glory we pray an end to abortion and to those plans to perpetuate this barbaric practice. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
• "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes." (Hosea 13: 14 NKJV)
8. MARINE ONE HELICOPTER PLANS LEAKED TO IRAN
Blueprints were sent in a simple file-sharing program.
Employees of Tiversa, a Cranberry Township Pennsylvania-based company found a file containing entire blueprints, sensitive financial information, and avionics package for President Obama's private Marine One helicopter at a computer IP address in Tehran, Iran. The file was traced back to a defense contractor in Bethesda, MD. The company had a peer- to-peer file-sharing program on one of their systems that also contained the highly sensitive blueprints for Marine One. It is thought someone downloaded the file-sharing program, typically used to exchange music, which allowed individuals in Iran to access the hard drive. Officials said similar "searches for information" are routinely coming out of Pakistan. Yemen, Qatar, China, and other nations. (Fox News MSNBC 3/1/09) [Reported by: Intercessors for America]
• Offer thanksgiving for the exposure of this security breach and the thwarting of danger to the President. Praise the Lord for American employees working in a Moslem country who are attentive to the security of the USA. Ask the Lord to block the plans of our president to visit countries who will dupe him with pleasing words never meant to be fulfilled. Pray for National Security Advisor James Jones, National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair, National Security Agency Director Keith Alexander, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitno, FBI Director Robert Mueller, CIA Director Leon Panetta, and for all intelligence and security agents, guards, capital police, and staff.
• "The Lord of Hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge." (Psalm 46:11)
9. THIS PRAYER APPROVED BY THE WHITE HOUSE?
Is the Obama White House vetting prayers? Dan Gilgoff of U.S. News and World Report reports that this represents a "new tradition" established by the administration of President Barack Obama. As Gilgoff revealed, "In a departure from previous presidents, his public rallies are opening with invocations that have been commissioned and vetted by the White House." The issue of public prayer is increasingly controversial in an age of religious diversity and increasing secularization. Yet, prayers at government ceremonies and events have been common since the nation's founding and, until recently, few prayers related to White House events have been controversial. Radical church/state separationists consider these prayers to be improper and perhaps unconstitutional, but this is a hard case to make given the nation's historic practice.
On the other hand, sign me up as an opponent of any prayer that is vetted by any government official or agency. For reasons having less to do with the Constitution and more to do with the nature of prayer, I cannot imagine that a Christian minister could in good conscience allow the government to edit or approve a prayer. Gilgoff's report contains some shocking details:
[Source: Christian Post]
• Please read this article in its entirety; then seek the LORD for your own direction in prayer. One thing is clear: this administration does not like the Name of Jesus being used in the public square. One little word: JESUS. We wonder why?
• "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
10. NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER UNDER ATTACK FROM ATHEISTS
More than 50 years after it was made official by a joint resolution of Congress, the National Day of Prayer is being threatened by a group of atheists. The Freedom From Religion Foundation has filed a federal lawsuit, saying the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional and creates a "hostile environment for nonbelievers."
The Alliance Defense Fund will defend the National Day of Prayer Task Force. "The lawsuit will not keep us from responding to our call to ask Americans to intercede in prayer for our nation's leaders and their families," said Brian Toon, vice chairman of the NDP Task Force. "We pray without fear of retribution."
The National Day of Prayer falls on the first Thursday of May --- May 7 this year. Millions gather across the nation in stadiums, schools, town halls, state capitols, nursing homes and prisons. "The National Day of Prayer is one more reminder to the enemy that we are not willing to give up our nation," Toon said.
Kevin Theriot, senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) faces an uphill battle. He said the case may not even reach the courtroom. "The National Day of Prayer is something that has been done for years," he told CitizenLink. "The Supreme Court has said that prayers don't violate the Constitution. "They (FFRF) have to realize that their chances of succeeding are slim, very slim." (Focus on the Family; CitizenLink)
TAKE ACTION
Watch a special video on the ADF Web site. You can also sign a petition encouraging President Barack Obama to support NDP by issuing a presidential proclamation --- something every president since 1952 has done.
Visit the National Day of Prayer Website.
• We praise God for the amazing faithfulness, grace and tenacity that have been demonstrated by the leadership of National Day of Prayer organizers: both at their National Task Force in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and also at all State and local levels. What a mighty army they are for truth, righteousness, holiness and godly living in our day!
Thank the LORD that He promises to be a Shield around them, and that He will serve as their Chief Advocate in heaven. Praise God!
• "When a man's ways are pleasing in His sight, He causes even his enemies to be at peace with Him." (Proverbs 16:7) "May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You." (Psalm 33:22)
11. ISRAEL TELLS CLINTON: MILITARY OPTION MUST REMAIN ON TABLE
The identical message Israel's leaders made . . . as they met with visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton . . . on March 3 is that Israel expects US President Barack Obama's administration to lead the international charge against the Iranian nuclear threat.
Here on her first official visit since being appointed secretary, Clinton's hectic schedule included meetings with President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni -- all of whom told Clinton that the progression of Iran's military nuclear program must be halted and that more pressure must be exerted to cut off the supply of missiles and technology to Tehran while combating the funding of terror organizations. Israel considers Iran its central threat, Clinton was told. Furthermore, Israel also believes that time is running out while Tehran stalls in an effort to establish facts on the ground that will be difficult to change in the future.
Jerusalem is seeking to have Washington set time constraints on dialogue with Iran, and if these should fail the world must impose harsher economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic. And if this course of action should also fail to yield results, Israel is asking the United States to consider military action. . . Clinton made clear during her visit that the Obama administration would continue predecessor George W. Bush's stalwart opposition to an Iran with nuclear might at its military's disposal. (Bridges for Peace)
• Pray that the Obama administration "friendship" with Israel will be one of sincerity, maintaining an emphasis on Israel's right to peaceful existence in the land given her by the Lord.
• "The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance." (Psalm 33:10-12)
12. UNITED STATES SEEKS RUSSIAN HELP WITH IRAN
The United States appears willing to compromise on plans for a missile defense shield in exchange for Russia's help with Iran, even as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton privately admitted that the chances for changing Iran's course through engagement don't look good, according to reports in the New York Times.
The Times quoted anonymous US officials who confirmed the existence of a letter from US President Barack Obama to Russian President Dimitry Medvedev that in essence offered to drop plans for a missile defense shield to be deployed in eastern Europe, by saying it would no longer be necessary, if the Russians can force Iran to abandon their nuclear weapons plans. The letter was first reported by the Russian newspaper Kommersant. Both leaders have denied the implications of the letter.
US Department of State Acting Deputy Spokesman Gordon Duguid said in a press briefing, as seen on the Department's Web site, that engaging Iran will be difficult. "The President and the Secretary have stated that the United States is committed to engaging Iran, but we have no illusions about the difficulties of doing that," said Duguid. "It's clear that there are differences between us and the Iranian Government, and at least one purpose of our engagement is to see if it's possible to overcome these difficulties."
"I will not re-interpret the Secretary's words, but I see it as a restatement that we are willing to engage, but there is no guarantee that the Iranians, who have not been very forthcoming heretofore, are at the same stage as we are." Iran's nuclear program has made lots of headlines lately, as the Islamic nation's nuclear progress has spurred discussion of just how far the Iranians have come and how far they have left to go to achieve a military nuclear capability. [Bridges for Peace]
• Pray that international efforts will be successful in ending the Iranian nuclear threat which Iranian leaders have repeatedly directed at Israel.
• "Arise, O Lord, confront him, cast him down . . ." (Psalm 17:13a)
13. NORTH KOREA THREATENS "WAR" IF "SATELLITE" IS SHOT DOWN
North Korea ordered its armed forces on standby and warned Monday it will retaliate against anyone seeking to block its planned satellite launch, which many fear will disguise a missile test.
The threat was the North's latest attempt to escalate tensions on the divided peninsula and a strong sign that the communist nation intends to push ahead with the launch despite mounting international pressure to drop the plan. Analysts say Pyongyang is trying to grab President Barack Obama's attention as his administration formulates its North Korea policy.
Monday's warning came hours before United States and South Korea kicked off annual war games involving tens of thousands of troops, which the communist nation has condemned as preparations for an invasion. . . U.S. and Japanese officials have suggested they could shoot down a North Korean missile if necessary.
"Shooting our satellite for peaceful purposes will precisely mean a war," said a statement, carried by Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency. The North's military ordered all personnel to "be fully combat ready" so that they could "deal merciless retaliatory blows" at the enemy, KCNA said in a separate dispatch.
• Pray that all tensions between North and South Korea, and the United States, be diffused supernaturally. For the backfiring of any missiles launched against South Korea and the USA. Decree that confusion will prevail against its leaders, and malfunctioning of its weaponry. Nothing is too difficult for God; we simply need to ask.
• "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." (Eph. 6:16) "For it is not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord." (Zech. 4:6)
Prayer for Church Shooting
Today we join our hearts and our prayers with all of you on behalf of the community of Maryville, Illinois, who now are mourning the loss of the pastor of the First Baptist Church, Fred Winters.
We ask our Lord to comfort all who mourn, and to touch his wife (and now widow) with His special embrace. We ask for the physical healing of others, stil in the hospital, who were wounded in this shooting; and we ask for the emotional healing of all involved.
May our Lord release His angels to stand guard over the congregations of America, as they gather to worship; and may He grant His wisdom to "those in authority" who are charged with addressing the security needs of these churches and fellowships. We ask all this in Jesus' Name, amen.
• "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)
This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
LORD OF HOSTS (Adoni Tsvahot)
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is filled with His glory!"
(Isaiah 6:3)
Lord of Hosts, how glorious it is to be in Your presence! My heart and my flesh sing for joy to you, for there is none like You. You, Lord of Hosts, Lord of All Heavenly Armies and Heavenly Hosts -- YOU do battle for me! As the seraphim say, "The whole earth is filled with Your Glory!" I shall never let the rocks out-praise me. How I love You, O Lord of Hosts! AMEN.
(Taken from: Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God, by Barri Cae Malin and Shmuel Wolkenfeld; Bridge-Logos Publishers; Gainesville, FL, 32614. ISBN: 0-88270-801-5)
