In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
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The Daily Brief - Wednesday, May 13, 2009
"O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness . . ." (Psalm 96:9)
Today's Daily Brief
1. U.S. Considers Financial Pay Rules - Cross Action News
Federal policymakers have been discussing ways to ensure that pay is more closely linked to performance. Among the ideas under consideration are incorporating compensation as a "safety and soundness" concern on official bank examinations as well as expanding the existing regulatory powers of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Federal Reserve to obtain more information regarding compensation. The policymakers are also expected to publish formal guidelines regarding Wall Street pay.
• We pray that every effort comes in sync with Your principles alone on finances and good government. Please intercede fervently for the illumination of the true nature of systemic risk that we might ease the chances of a repeat catastrophe. Ask the Father to quiet the hearts of bank executives on the pay issue, that talented managers and traders would not flee their companies for overseas institutions. Appeal to the heart of the Almighty for His perspective, wisdom and justice to show up and be served, for He alone brings life and health during any societal challenges.
• You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. (I John 4:4-5)
2. GOP Govs. plan Tea Party sequel - Worthy News
Hoping to recapture the grassroots energy of last month's "tea parties," Republican Govs. Mark Sanford of South Carolina and Rick Perry of Texas will host a tele-town hall Thursday that's being dubbed "Tea Party 2.0." The Republican Governors Association said it is expecting 30,000 people to participate in the town hall, which will take place roughly one month after the much-publicized anti-tax tea party rallies held in hundreds of locations across the country on April 15, the tax filing deadline.
• As millions of people are not willing to wait until 2010 to send a message to Washington to say that too much spending and borrowing is taking place, pray that the United States of America will, as always, find it's unique blend of freedom of speech and town hall participation to drive this message home. Pray for all who are mobilizing and all who are gathering to peacefully convey their message. Please pray that eyes and ears will be opened to the limit that government is restricted to according to The Constitution and that God will move in the hearts of this administration to do justice. Pray that our federal government will flee the temptation to become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our state. Intercede, that God will find His way into their hearts, minds, and actions, in Jesus Name.
• No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (I Corinthians 10:13)
3. One-Fourth of Overseas Votes Go Uncounted, Study Finds - Fox News
One out of every four ballots requested by military personnel and other Americans living overseas for the 2008 election may have gone uncounted, according to findings being released at a Senate hearing Wednesday.
Sen. Charles Schumer, chairman of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, said the study, while providing only a snapshot of voting patterns, "is enough to show that the balloting process for service members is clearly in need of an overhaul."
The committee, working with the Congressional Research Service, surveyed election offices in seven states with high numbers of military personnel: California, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and West Virginia.
• Pray that our distinguished leaders will find a way to put all voting errors, inconsistencies, and processes on an accountable system with integrity and ease. Ask the Father for simplicity and honesty in our country and in the balloting process for overseas citizens and military personnel to be, once and for all, full-proof. Intercede that anything or anyone who would undermine this process be caught and dealt with, and that men of reliability and honor would return us to an effective and efficient procedure that works.
• Look out, therefore, brethren, seven men of you, who are well testified of, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may set over this necessity. (Acts 6:2)
4. NY legislature approves gay marriage - Worthy News
New York's legislature approved a law allowing gay weddings in the state, which now faces a much tougher reading in the upper house. The lower house in the New York legislature approved the law submitted last month by Governor David Paterson, by a vote of 89-52.
If it passes the senate, the law would make New York the sixth and highest profile state allowing same-sex couples to wed, providing powerful impetus to other states considering such laws.
• As the spirit of Jezebel continues to ravage our country on this issue, ask that the Father raise up Elijahs with wisdom and determination to tear the mask off this evil, which will ultimately hurt America and those involved with it, bringing them to utter ruin. Pray that the voice of the people be heard and that God's love in our physical make-up would speak loudly to God's creation concerning His plan and purpose for marriage. Pray their eyes would be opened, and they would see for themselves that marriage is between a man and a woman. Ask that the Father would receive His due glory and that His glory would not go to another. Pray that lawmakers would remove themselves from battles that cost tax-payers millions of dollars, and that men and women would come back to their Maker with their hearts in their hands.
• For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am awesomely and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-14a)
5. Social Security, Medicare finances worsen - Worthy News
The continuing U.S. recession has worsened the financial health of the government's two biggest benefit programs, figures released Tuesday showed. Medicare, the main medical program for the elderly and disabled, will even pay out more in benefits this year than the government collects in taxes for it.
The findings released by the trustees of Medicare and Social Security, the government's pension system begun during the Great Depression of the 1930s, is a blow to President Obama's plans for a major reconfiguration of the health-care-delivery system in the country. A major part of his campaign last year was to bring almost universal government-run health care to the United States, one of the few developed countries whose medical systems are based on private medicine. Both Social Security and Medicare are financed through payroll contributions from workers and employers.
• Father, as checks and balances continue on this issue, bring some fairness to tax-payers who have paid their whole lives for the needed funds late in their years. Thank God that universal government run health care be slowed to a halt. Ask that contributions will be paid out to those that made them and that a system will remain in place for the disabled and the elderly. Pray that each one of us will trust in the One Who can truly take care of our years and recompense on the earth.
• For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
6. Hawaii "Islam Day" secretly marks September 11 - Cross Action News
Muslims have just tricked the Hawaii Legislature into celebrating Islam on September 11. Hawaii has no Christianity Day, no Judaism Day, and no Buddhism Day--but Hawaii's Democrat Legislators-with the loud public support of Ron Paul connected Rep Kym Pine (R-Ewa)-passed a resolution to create Islam Day.
By a 22-3 vote the Hawaii Senate May 7 approved House Concurrent Resolution 100 which designates September 24, 2009 as Islam Day. The State House had quietly approved the measure without dissent March 17.
• Father we ask for an outcry against such an "oversight". Only the blind of heart and conscience would not be able to see the connection. Pray that the people of Hawaii and the rest of the country will not stand for this type of "slap in the face". Intercede for the families of the 4,000 lost on that day who are still grieving.
• He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. (Proverbs 17:5)
7. Israel's 'warm' strategic ties with U.S. under Bush have cooled significantly - Worthy News
Strategic cooperation between Israel and the United States has faded under the administration of President Barack Obama. Officials in both Washington and Jerusalem said no high-level strategic meetings have taken place in more than three months and the weekly informal discussions on such issues as Iran, Iraq , Al Qaida and threats in the Middle East have ended.
"We had extremely warm and intimate relations on a strategic level under [President George] Bush," an official said. "Now, we have returned to being just another country friendly to the United States."
• Even as discussions have ended, terror does not cease. Ask God to wake up this Presidents heart to understand the kind of friend that the United States has been to Israel. As President Bush reiterated again and again the United States' "unbreakable" alliance with the Jewish state and denounced calls to negotiate with "terrorists and radicals.", pray that Mr. Obama would see the need to openly secure our unwavering commitment to Israel, no matter what. May the President see that this is his blessing and the blessing of our country.
• Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you." (Psalm 122:6-7)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
" For ever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)
1. IDF fencing off part of Egyptian border - Jerusalem Post
Fearing an increase in infiltration attempts by terrorists along the border with Egypt, the IDF's Southern Command recently began constructing a barrier along part of the border near the Gaza Strip.
2. Report: Tehran preparing for attack on its nuclear sites - Ynet News
Saudi daily 'Al-Watan' is reporting that over the past several weeks Iran's Revolutionary Guard has deployed several mobile surface-to-air and anti-ship missile batteries in the Strait of Hormuz and other areas in the Persian Gulf.
3. Obama's New Middle East Diplomacy - Spielgel
The Obama Administration is hoping to revive the peace process in the Middle East. Part of the strategy is to distance Washington from Israel.
4. 'Obama peace plan: Muslim world must recognize Israel' - Ha'aretz
The United States is promoting a peace plan for the Middle East involving a "57-state solution" in which the entire Muslim world would recognize Israel, Monday's Times of London quoted Jordan's King Abdullah as saying.
5. 'Vatican to stop missionizing Jews' - Jerusalem Post
After meeting the grand mufti of Jerusalem, Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, and praying at the Western Wall on Tuesday, Pope Benedict XVI arrived for a historic meeting with the chief rabbis at Heichal Shlomo, next to the capital's Great Synagogue, and agreed that the Catholic Church will cease all missionary activity among Jews.
