In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Netanyahu: "Jerusalem Will Always be Ours"
• Netanyahu to Obama: "Stop Iran or I Will!"
• The Daily Jot: The Senate and the White House
• House Committee Approves Flawed State Dept. Bill
• Surprise Victory for Traditional Marriage in N.H.!!
• Bibles in the News
• Good News Corner
• A Special Thank You to Our Team!
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief - Thursday, May 21, 2009
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." (Psalm 20:7)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Obama to Say it's Time to Divide Jerusalem - No, Obama, It's Not -- Joel Rosenberg
I'm horrified by reports this morning that in his June 4th speech in Cairo, President Obama will say it is time to divide Jerusalem and make the holy city the capital of a Palestinian state.
No, Obama, it is not.
Jerusalem is and should be the eternal, undivided capital of the Jewish people and the Jewish state. Dividing Jerusalem will not make peace. Rather, it would send a message to every Radical Islamic jihadist around the world that Israel is weak, that the Jews won't even defend the sovereignty of their own capital, that there is "blood in the water," and that it is time to strike Israel and wipe her off the map. Dividing Jerusalem would trigger an apocalyptic war in the Middle East the likes of which the region has never seen.
• Pray that this plan to divide Jerusalem will be thwarted at every turn, and that God will rise up and deliver His city!
• "So you shall know that I am the lord your God, dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy, and no aliens shall ever pass through her again." (Joel 3:17)
2. Senate to Approve Obama's $91B War Fund - Fox News
President Barack Obama is likely to get a sweeping bipartisan endorsement when the Senate votes on his request for continuing military and diplomatic operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Lord, we offer Praise for funding of military operations, and ask that You provide enough funds for the proper protection of our troops. We ask that the money be well used and not be siphoned off for purposes that are not productive.
• "Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the Lord is His treasure." (Isaiah 33:6)
3. Obama Tries to Circle Square That is Guantanamo Box - Fox News
Obama on Thursday stood steadfast in his commitment to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and announced five categories of prisoner that the administration will use to evaluate their cases.
• Lord, in spite of being dealt a defeat in Congress over this issue, the agenda to close Guantanamo is being pushed ahead. We pray that any plan created by this administration will not prosper unless it is forged by Your wisdom and guiding hand. We humbly call for Your protection over America and her allies against the release of these prisoners whether in the US or abroad.
• "Let them curse, but You bless; when they arise, let them be ashamed." (Psalm 109:28a)
4. NYC Police: Terror Suspects Wanted to Commit "Jihad" -- AP
As part of a holy war against America, four men sought to commit jihad when they plotted to bomb a synagogue and shoot down military planes in upstate New York, the New York City police commissioner said Thursday.
• Lord, we praise You that these men were caught before a tragedy was committed.
• "Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed in the assembly." (Proverbs 26:26)
5. Congress Sends Obama Major New Credit Card Rules - AP
Congress on Wednesday sent Barack Obama a bill with sweeping new rules for the credit card industry that will affect just about every American.
• Father, we pray that this plan will indeed assist people who are faithful. If it punishes the faithful ones who work hard to pay on time and make payments, we ask that You will intervene to challenge it in the courts immediately. We ask that You help Your people be delivered from the harsh rule of the spirits of slavery to credit card debt.
• "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous." (Proverbs 13:22)
6. Ministers Issue Call to National Repentance -- Charisma News
A cross-section of Christian leaders on Tuesday issued a call for churchgoers to kneel in prayer on July 5, not for the nation, but for the body of Christ.
"We're asking churches as an act of humility, on behalf of the church first and the nation second, to get on our knees and cry out to God on July 5," said Family Research Council (FRC) President Tony Perkins, who is spearheading the initiative being dubbed the Call2Fall. "On July 4 we celebrate our independence, and it's our desire on July 5 to declare our dependence upon God as a people and as a nation."
• Lord, we are so grateful for this action on the part of church leaders. We fervently and humbly ask You to move on the hearts of Your people to pray in truth and repentance on July 5. May every person who is called by Your Name hear and answer this call! And may the power of Your Holy Spirit come like a flood, filling the church with anointing and fresh relationship to You.
• "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting." (Acts 2:2)
7. Obama OKs nuclear deal with United Arab Emirates - Jerusalem Post
Barack Obama agreed Wednesday to share US nuclear power technology with the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, giving his consent to a deal signed in the final days of George W. Bush's administration.
• Lord, we pray that You would cover the agreements with Your grace and set Your heavenly host in the midst of them. We ask that this agreement not be used for anything other than their domestic power grid and that the components never be stolen by unfriendly groups for evil purposes. We also ask for great wisdom for our leadership.
• "Without counsel, plans go awry . . ." (Proverbs 15:22a)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)
1.World Press: Obama Used 'Tough Love,' Bibi Stood Firm
Global media report that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu "stood firm" against pressure from the Obama administration Monday on the issue of a "two-state solution" with the Palestinian Authority.
"The Israeli prime minister stood firm," reported France24 after the talk between President Barack Obama and Israel Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. "He said he is ready to negotiate with the Palestinians but only if they recognized Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state."
2. US to fully fund Arrow 3 missile system - Jerusalem Post
The US has said it will provide the full funding for the development and production of the Arrow 3 anti-missile system, defense officials told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.
3. U.S., Russian experts: Iran could have nukes in 1 to 3 years - Ha'aretz
Iran could produce a simple nuclear device in one to three years and a nuclear warhead in another five years after that, a group of U.S. and Russian scientists and experts said in a report issued Tuesday.
4. Clinton: No more settlement construction - Jerusalem Post
Sharp differences emerged between the US and Israel over the settlement issue on Wednesday - one day after Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu concluded his first official visit to the White House - with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calling for an absolute stop to all settlement activity and sources close to the prime minister saying the terms of a settlement freeze still needed to be defined.
Netanyahu: "Jerusalem Will Always be Ours"
(IsraelNN.com) "Jerusalem was always ours, will always be ours, and will never again be divided," said Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Thursday in a speech in honor of Jerusalem Day.
Netanyahu spoke at Ammunition Hill, a memorial for Israeli soldiers who fell in battle during the Six Day War. The war ended the Jordanian occupation of historic Jerusalem and led to the reunification of the city.
"You, who fought to liberate Jerusalem, removed the strangulating hold over the city with your bodies," Netanyahu said, addressing the fallen soldiers. "You reunited the city and allowed Jerusalem to flourish once again."
Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem benefits Muslims and Christians as well as Jews, Netanyahu said. "Only under Israeli sovereignty is continued freedom of worship and free access to Christian, Muslim and Jewish holy sites guaranteed," he stated. "Only thus can members of all faiths and all minority groups continue to live in security."
Peres: Jerusalem Our Capital
President Shimon Peres spoke as well, affirming the Jewish connection to Jerusalem while dismissing other claims to the city. "Jerusalem was and remains the capital of Israel. Israel has never had another capital city, and Jerusalem has never been the capital city of another people," he told the crowd.
Like Netanyahu, Peres reminded his listeners that only under Jewish rule were members of all faiths welcome to pray at their holy sites.
Peres offered his sympathy to families who lost loved ones in the battle for Jerusalem. The fallen soldiers "saved what is most precious to us throughout the generations, Jerusalem," he said.
• Offer praise for this stand on the part of Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding the sovereignty of the city of Jerusalem, for this position is based squarely upon the Word of God. Continue to ask our God to strengthen Mr. Netanyahu as he stands for an undivided Jerusalem. Amen.
• "But now I have chosen Jerusalem for my Name to be there, and I have chosen David to rule my people Israel." (2 Chronicles 6:6)
Netanyahu to Obama: "Stop Iran or I Will!"
"Israeli journalists who attended the press briefing after President Barack Obama's protracted Monday meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the two men as 'grim and formal.'" (Time.com 5/19/09)
Israeli journalists who attended the press briefing after B. Hussein Obama's protracted Monday meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the two men as "grim and formal." Both seemed to come away from their session with a wariness towards each other, "like circling prizefighters," as Tim McGirk of Time.com phrased it.
In an interview conducted shortly before he was sworn into office at the end of March, Benjamin Netanyahu laid down a challenge for B. Hussein Obama. The American president, Netanyahu said, must stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons - and quickly - or an imperiled Israel may be forced to attack Iran's nuclear facilities itself. (The Atlantic 3/31/09)
Netanyahu held to this position on Monday and came away with an assurance from Obama that he would give Tehran until the end of this year to put the brakes on its nuclear weapons programs. If not, the U.S. will push for sanctions. If those fail, Washington is keeping open the option of a military strike. Security sources told TIME that soon after taking office, Obama urged the Pentagon to formulate a military plan to take out Iranian nuclear facilities in 2010. (Time.com 5/19/09)
But in exchange for a tough U.S. line on Iran, it was unclear whether Netanyahu would oblige Obama on at least giving lip service to a "two-state solution" and on halting the building of settlements.
The Palestinians continue to lack coherent leadership. Hamas declared earlier this month: "We won't accept a two-state solution," yet said it might still be part of a "national unity government if a Palestinian state is established based on 1967 borders." The discordant Palestinian terrorist factions have been in dialogue in Cairo, Egypt for months. (Haaretz 5/12/09)
Obama came across as "a man not easily deterred" and has set his sights on a regional peace initiative, is roping in moderate Arab states, which he will unveil on a June 4th visit to Cairo.
The Israeli public is bracing itself for a tougher approach from Washington. A cartoonist with the Israeli Haaretz newspaper showed Obama escorting Netanyahu across the White House lawn and telling him, "You can take the subway to your hotel. Next time you're around, give me a call." Sadly, this sort of casual send-off isn't what Israeli leaders are accustomed to when visiting the White House. (Time.com 5/19/09)
• Ask forgiveness for any show of U.S. arrogance and control.
• Pray that the Lord will hold the U.S. in a biblical posture of honor, friendship and support toward Israel. (Rom 11:18)
• Let us continue to pray that the Lord will fulfill His promise to hold "the kings of the earth" who are working against His will and timings "in derision and displeasure." (Ps 2)
• Intercede that the Lord will thwart any diabolical scheming during Obama's June 4th meeting with terrorist factions and "moderate" Arab leaders in Cairo, Egypt. (Prayers offered by Intercessors for America)
The Daily Jot: The Senate and the White House
The White House must be moving too aggressively by linking Israel's movement on a Palestinian state with America's efforts to prevent a nuclear Iran. The Democratic controlled Senate, usually considered a rubber stamp for the man who occupies the Oval Office, used its own brand of nuance diplomacy to warn the president about his reckless policy approach with America's strongest ally in the Middle East. 76 Members of the Senate signed on to a letter sent to Obama cautioning him on his approach to forcing Israel into accepting the establishment of a Palestinian state without meeting the needs of Israeli sovereignty, and reminding him that Israel is a longstanding friend.
While many analysts might look at the letter as supportive of the US position taken by the current Administration, the language in the letter suggests a concern rarely aired in public to the office of the President by such a large majority in the Senate. The Senators said that any agreement requires adherence to key principles: "These include an understanding that while the United States has an important role to play, the parties themselves are the ones who will need to negotiate and live with whatever agreement is reached. As we work closely with our democratic ally, Israel, we must take into account the risks it will face in any peace agreement."
The letter seemed to take the tone that Senators were concerned that Obama is soft on terrorism. Senators warned: "We must also continue to insist on the absolute Palestinian commitment to ending terrorist violence and to building the institutions necessary for a viable Palestinian state living side-by-side, in peace with the Jewish state of Israel." The Senators emphasized that the Palestinian government must have strong security forces in order to prevent terrorism and to be able to foment and enforce peace with Israel. And the Senators encouraged the president to "promote far greater involvement and participation by the Arab states both in moving toward normal ties with Israel and in encouraging moderate Palestinian elements."
Trial balloons have surfaced recently in Washington that the president wants to divide Jerusalem and force Israel to accept a plan that essentially cuts Israel in half to accommodate a Palestinian state that includes Gaza to Israel's West and traditional Jewish lands of Samaria and Judea on Israel's East connected by a highway. This would be like trying to build a secure highway connecting Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona to New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and part of Washington, DC, and giving those states to Iran. Zechariah 12:3 says, "And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces." Maybe the Senate is finding some wisdom.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
House Committee Approves Flawed State Dept. Bill
The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee voted Wednesday in favor of H.R. 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. Two key Republican amendments were defeated.
The funding bill establishes an Office for Global Women's Issues, which life advocates believe will promote abortion overseas. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., offered an amendment that would have added pro-life language to the legislation. "It is absolutely imperative that women never be regarded or reduced to the status of objects or second-class citizens," he said during the debate. "The same is true, I would respectfully submit to my colleagues, of unborn children."
H.R. 2410 also requires the U.S. government to track violence in other countries that is "based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity." The committee rejected an amendment by Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., which sought to replace the language with a statement supporting universal human rights.
"I oppose mandating that our secretary of State, diplomatic and consular staff promote a gay-rights agenda around the globe, over and above other issues, Pence said.
Proposed transportation benefits for same-sex partners of foreign service members were removed from the bill, but Committee Chairman Howard Berman, D-Calif., said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told him she will add the benefits anyway.
Meanwhile, the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act has been introduced in the House and Senate. It is identical to legislation brought up during the last session of Congress, and would give same-sex partners of federal employees the same benefits as married couples. (CitizenLink)
Surprise Victory for Traditional Marriage in N.H.!!
This week, New England's homosexual activists had planned to celebrate the five-year anniversary of counterfeit marriage by welcoming the state of New Hampshire into the fold. But just three days after the May 17 celebration of court-imposed gay "marriage" in Massachusetts, the Granite State cut the party short.
In a stunning victory for families that took both sides by surprise, the state legislature pulled an incredible upset yesterday and defeated language that would have made New Hampshire the sixth state to legalize counterfeit marriage. By just two votes (188-186), the House refused to pass the religious exemptions requested by Gov. John Lynch (D)--just hours after the Senate approved the same wording on party lines (14-10). The amendment, which seemed like a done deal Wednesday morning, has now thrown the entire prospect of same-sex "marriage" for New Hampshire in doubt.
That's just fine with state residents, who, according to a new poll, are overwhelmingly opposed to counterfeit marriage. In a survey of sampling households in New Hampshire--all 432,398 of them--64% agreed that the union of a man and a woman should be the only legal definition of marriage in their state.
Gov. Lynch used to be among them, saying repeatedly in the days leading up to this debate that he "oppose[s] gay marriage." He later crumbled under the political pressure and broke his promise, saying that he had "a responsibility to look through a broader lens." Instead of standing on principle, Gov. Lynch suggested a flimsy compromise as a condition for his signature.
Now that the provision has failed, voters want to know where his veto is! The bill to legalize same-sex "marriage" has been sitting on the Senate President's desk since the Governor demanded religious exemptions. Since those conditions were not met, Gov. Lynch should demand the bill so he can veto it.
While the state waits on Lynch to hold up his end of the bargain, the bill on religious exemptions now heads to conference. The Speaker and Senate President (both Democrats) will be responsible for appointing the members to the conference committee. Although they're expected to pick liberals who will vote with them, the rules clearly state that they must include at least one member from the other party. If the bill doesn't pass out of the conference unanimously, it will die. FRC will keep you updated on the committee activity as it happens. (Family Research Council)
BREAKING NEWS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
In other breaking marriage news, FRC is happy to report that Congressmen Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.) officially introduced a D.C. Defense of Marriage Act in the U.S. House today to block the City Council's push to legalize same-sex "marriage" in the nation's capital. At a press conference today with area pastors led by Bishop Harry Jackson, Rep. Jordan announced his intent to fight in Congress to protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Bibles in the News
Burning Bibles?
After weeks of rumors, Jake Tapper of ABC News has confirmed that Bibles sent to U.S. troops in Afghanistan were confiscated and destroyed. The Bibles were translated into the predominate Afghan languages and were intended as gifts U.S. soldiers could give to the people. The Pentagon said the Bibles were a violation of regulations prohibiting proselytizing and could endanger the lives of our forces in the overwhelmingly Muslim nation.
But even if that argument is compelling, it is outrageous that the Bibles were burned or destroyed in some other way. The U.S. military has been ordered to go to extraordinary lengths not to "defile" a Koran. At GITMO our soldiers are required to wear gloves when handling that book so as not to offend Muslims. Is it too much to ask that orders be issued that Bibles be handled with as much respect?
When a Koran is mishandled Muslims riot all over the world. In contrast, when the Bible is defaced there are no riots in the Bible Belt, because we tend to remember the teachings of Christ that urge us to "turn the other cheek." Frankly, I am running out of cheeks.
And Don't Quote It Either!
It is a bad week for the Bible. GQ Magazine has published a hit piece on former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Among his "sins" exposed in the lengthy article is that when Rumsfeld sent top secret briefings on Iraq and national security to President Bush, the front page often included - are you ready for this? - a BIBLE VERSE!!! Egad! Horror of horrors! Appoint a special prosecutor! Call the ACLU! Horsewhip him!
God bless Secretary Rumsfeld. In the middle of a war against death worshippers, he thought it was good to remind the president of the God who is the author of our liberty with "Seek the Lord and His Strength; seek His face continually," (1 Chron 16:11) or "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Gary Bauer; End-of-Day; May 20, 2009)
Good News Corner
IT IS THE SOLDIER
As we approach Memorial Day, please take time to stop, remember and pray for all those that serve valiantly to protect our freedom and our way of life. Remember, those who have gone before us and unselfishly served their country.
IT IS THE SOLDIER
"It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protestor to burn the flag."
A HUGE "THANK YOU" TO ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE SERVING TODAY AND WHO HAVE SERVED. WE ARE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. (Submitted by: Mary Murphy, President, Christian Women's Outreach, Stillwater, OK)
A Special Thank You to Our Team!
Dear Friends,
By now, you surely have noted that this week's Daily Brief (until today!) has been abbreviated. That's because our excellent and faithful backup team has been filling in for me, while I have been a bit "under the weather."
Well, I'm back today (can you tell?? SMILE!), working with the same team to bring you news, for prayer. So a very big THANK YOU today, from a very grateful ME to our backup team, for a JOB WELL DONE. Way to go, troops!
Sara Ballenger, President
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
