In This Issue• The Middle East in Focus
• The Good News Corner
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, June 16. 2009
"Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (James 5:8)
1. At Least 25 Lakers Fans Arrested After Riot - AP
Hundreds celebrated in the streets outside Staples Center after the Los Angeles Lakers' NBA title win Sunday night, with some revelers damaging police cruisers, throwing rocks and bottles at officers and setting bonfires in the street, authorities said.
Aerial television footage showed people jumping on a police car, rocking vehicles attempting to pass through the crowd, setting small trees on fire and throwing fireworks and flares set up by police. No injuries were reported.
• Heavenly Father, we come to You in repentance for allowing the coarsening of our society. We pray against the spirits of anarchy and rebellion. Lord, give us a righteous nation; and let our laws be just.
• You shall teach them (commands) diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (Deuteronomy 6:7)
2. Administration Plans to Scale Back Real ID Law - Washington Post
Yielding to a rebellion by states that refused to pay for it, the Obama administration is moving to scale back a federal law passed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that was designed to tighten security requirements for driver's licenses, Homeland Security Department and congressional officials said.
• We thank You, Lord, for this great report. We pray for Your intercessors and people to stay awake against any infringement of our rights. Quickly remove those who would pass bad laws. Stop this ID law permanently.
• I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed. I have wounded them, So that they could not rise; They have fallen under my feet. (Psalms 18:37, 38)
3. Cybersecurity lawmaker: Power grids vulnerable - Reuters
Sophisticated hackers could bring down electrical grids serving an entire region of the United States, leaving homes and businesses dark for months, a lawmaker who specializes in cybersecurity issues said on Friday. Rep. Jim Langevin, a Rhode Island Democrat and a cybersecurity expert, praised President Barack Obama for raising the profile of efforts to fight cybercrime, including the expected naming of a cybersecurity czar to coordinate the effort.
• Lord, We pray for our leaders to remain vigilant especially in the area of our national security. We pray that any hackers who have evil plans will be blocked. We pray for them to get saved.
• Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need. (Ephesians 4:28)
4. Iran Bloodshed - AP; Jerusalem Post
At least one reported dead, several wounded as gunmen believed to be Iranian militia open fire on massive opposition protest in Tehran. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's main challenger on Sunday on authorities to cancel Friday's presidential election, saying it is the only way to restore public trust.
• Heavenly Father, we pray for the Iranian people's desire to be free is accomplished. We pray for a leader who will give them true liberty and for this to be a new nation; let the gospel be spread freely.
• But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. (Romans 6:22)
5. Exiled group says race on in Iran to build bomb - Reuters
Iran will redouble efforts to build an atomic bomb following Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's victory in a presidential election but could still be deterred by tough sanctions, the head of an exiled Iranian group said Saturday.
• Lord, God of all, we pray for these plans to have nuclear weapons to terrorize the world, especially Israel, to come to nothing. Block them at every attempt. Replace evil people in their country's leadership.
• You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. (Isaiah 41:12)
6. Report: 7 Killed in Tehran Clashes After Rally - AP
Iran's state radio reported Tuesday that clashes in the Iranian capital the previous day left seven people dead during an "unauthorized gathering" at a mass rally over alleged election fraud - the first official confirmation of deaths linked to the wave of protests and street battles after disputed elections in last week.
Meanwhile, President Obama on Monday said Iranian voters have a right to feel their ballots mattered and urged the investigation into vote-rigging allegations to go forward without additional violence, and the State Department announced that the U.S. is "deeply troubled" by the latest news from the scene.
• Lord, we pray for a good outcome in this situation. Let Obama have wisdom to know what he needs to say and how much we need to do. Let the other nations rise up against this fraudulent outcome to make it right.
• Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and do it. (Ezra 10:4)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mont Zion in the far north, the city of the great King. (Psalm 48:2)
1. Obama: PM's speech shows possibility for 'serious talks' - Jerusalem Post
US President Barack Obama on Monday welcomed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's endorsement of Palestinian independence, saying the development shows the "possibility we can restart serious talks."
2. 'US, Israel can make settlement deal' - Jerusalem Post
It is possible for the US and Israel to come to an agreement over continued construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, incoming Ambassador to Washington Michael Oren insisted Monday afternoon.
3. Palestinians Blast Netanyahu's Peace Terms - Fox News
Palestinian officials sought U.S and European help to salvage foundering peacemaking on Monday after tough terms laid out by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but they stopped short of refusing to resume negotiations.
4. Netanyahu Lays Out Conditions for Palestinian State, Offers Obama History Pointers - CNS News
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu can wait a thousand years without finding a single Palestinian prepared to accept his offer, a senior Palestinian negotiator said late Sunday after Netanyahu in a policy speech laid down conditions under which Israel would accept a Palestinian state.
The Good News Corner
Judge Orders End to Muzzling of St. Louis Christians
A federal judge has issued an order permanently prohibiting the city of St. Louis from banning a Christian ministry from distributing literature at an annual gay- pride event.
In 2006, Apple of His Eye ministry was threatened with arrest by St. Louis officials for handing out tracts and talking about their Christian faith at PrideFest. With the help of the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), though, the ministry was able to get the ban lifted.
"Christian groups shouldn't be prohibited from expressing their beliefs at public locations," ADF-allied attorney Rick Nelson of the American Liberties Institute said.
"We are pleased with the court's decision to lift an unconstitutional ban on expression in these areas throughout the city, allowing members of Apple of His Eye to peacefully exercise their First Amendment right to free speech."
The ruling comes in time for Apple of His Eye members to share their faith at PrideFest later this month. (CitizenLink)
