In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Good News Corner
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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The Daily Brief - Friday, June 26, 2009
"O, Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart . . ." (Psalm 10:17)
PLEASE NOTE:
Congress will not be in session next week, for its Independence Day recess. Accordingly, we will not publish "On Capitol Hill This Week" on Monday, June 29. The Daily Brief will be published, Tuesday through Friday, as always.
The Daily Brief
1. A. House passes energy overhaul bill: 219-212 - CNN
A sharply divided House of Representatives narrowly passed a White House-backed climate change bill Friday after hours of cajoling and arm-twisting by Democratic leaders among members worried about the legislation's potential economic and political fallout. The bill passed 219-212, with virtually no Republican support. The bill would reduce nationwide greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050 through a so-called "cap-and-trade" program under which companies would buy and sell emissions credits.
B. Rep. Boehner Reads From 300-Page Amendment to Climate Bill, Delaying Vote - Fox News
Filibusters are not allowed in the House -- they're a province of the Senate -- but House Minority Leader John Boehner may have figured out a way to get around that prohibition Friday, at least temporarily, as the House inched closer to voting on a controversial energy and climate change bill. Overnight, House Democrats tacked onto the bill a 300-page amendment. So when Boehner took his time to speak against the package at the end of the debate, the Ohio Republican then decided to peel through major portions of the bill and read them aloud before his House colleagues.
- Lord, we are disappointed by this development that places the environment over the well-being of people, but we pray that the Senate will stop this bill. We thank You for legislators who listen to the concerns of their constituents and who stand strong even in the face of ridicule.
- "God blessed them; and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'" (Genesis 1:28)
2. Senate Confirms Harold Koh for State Dept. Chief Lawyer - Federal Intercessors
The Koh nomination was confirmed earlier on a vote of 62-35. Republicans voting yes were: Collins, Lugar, Martinez, Snowe, Voinovich.
• Pray first that this man be saved, and that he be convicted to adhere to our Constitution. Pray that he does minimal harm in this position, and that his extremism be exposed for what it is.
• " . . . if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)
3. Report: Administration plans indefinite detention - UPI
The White House has prepared an executive order to reassert presidential authority to detain suspected terrorists indefinitely, The Washington Post reported.
- Lord, we are thankful that this administration has awakened to the continuing threat of terrorists against this nation. We pray this power will be used only against true threats, and not against Your people.
- "The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned." (Psalm 34:22)
4. U.S. Troops, Iraqi Civilians to Become Less Protected on July 1 - Washington Post
U.S. military officials fear that the closure of inner-city bases and restrictive guidelines that go into effect next week will leave American troops and civilians in Iraq more vulnerable.
- We pray for protection for American troops throughout the world, and especially for those who may be newly exposed as troop levels shift. May those in intelligence be given focus and determination so they can stop evil plans before they are able to be carried out.
- "Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the one with us is greater than the one with him." (2 Chronicles 32:7)
5. International Oil Companies Poise for Return to Iraq - AP
International oil companies poised for a return to Iraq find themselves in an unfamiliar spot, preparing to assist rather than lord over drilling operations and taking risks that at first glance don't appear worth the effort. The bigger risk, however, might be failing to seize whatever opportunity presents itself in a country with the third-largest petroleum reserves in the world. Iraq desperately needs oil revenue for reconstruction, and it wants to double its daily crude output within four to five years. On Monday, the country's Oil Ministry is set to auction off service contracts that in total may pay up to $16 billion over 20 years to the dozens of oil companies that have qualified to bid.
- This is a time of thankfulness for the people of Iraq as they are again taking control of their country. We pray the profits from this oil will be used for Your glory and that Iraqi Christians will be blessed through the funds that will come into their nation.
- "For we are slaves; yet in our bondage our God has not forsaken us, but has extended lovingkindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us reviving to raise up the house of our God, to restore its ruins and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem." (Ezra 9:9)
6. Iran's security council tells Moussavi to back off - CNN
Members of Iran's influential National Security Council have told opposition leader Mir Hossein Moussavi that his repeated demands for the annulment of the June 12 election results are "illogical and unethical," state media reported. Iranians in Dubai hold a candlelight vigil Thursday for Neda Agha-Soltan, who was slain in election protests. Esmaeel Kowsari told the government-run Iranian Labor News Agency in an interview Friday that the council met with Moussavi, former presidential candidates Mehdi Karrubi and Mohsen Rezaie, and former Iran President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who now chairs the Assembly of Experts. The assembly is responsible for appointing or removing the supreme leader.
- As this situation in Iran continues, we pray for strength for the people who are daring to stand up to the government. Place Your hands of protection around them and continue to refresh them in the face of adversity. We are thankful that the brutal nature of the Iranian leaders has been exposed and that nations across the world are rising up in opposition. We pray this will begin a new time of understanding of the threat of this regime to the entire world and especially to Israel.
- "Who by the mouth of your servant David have said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?" (Acts 4:25)
7. Iranian embassy in Sweden attacked - MSNBC
Angry demonstrators broke into the Iranian Embassy outside Stockholm on Friday, climbing in through shattered windows and injuring one embassy worker, police said.
- Lord, we pray the demonstrations of the Iranian people across the world will be peaceful, and they will not be used by malcontents to sow trouble.
- "According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity And those who sow trouble harvest it." (Job 4:8)
8. Police Chief and 91 Officers Detained in Mexico - Fox News
A police chief and 91 officers were detained Thursday in a sweep on a city in central Mexico. The authorities are suspected of sheltering the Zetas, one of the country's most violent drug gangs. Federal Police Intelligence Coordinator Luis Cardenas told the AFP that the Zetas carried out kidnappings and extortion in liaison with local police around Pachuca. A dozen army soldiers and police officers have been arrested for allegedly harboring organized crime, particularly drug trafficking.
- Thank You for bringing to light the government officials who are corrupt in Mexico. Lord, we pray for the people of that nation. We pray for security and peace and that You will comfort who have lost loved ones to the violence.
- "How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!" (Psalm 1:1)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face evermore! Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, O seed of Abraham His servant, you children of Jacob, His chosen ones! He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth. He remembers His covenant forever, the word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, The covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, and confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, To you I will give the land of Canaan as the allotment of your inheritance." (Psalm 105:4-11)
1. Mashaal rejects idea of demilitarized Palestine as 'pathetic' - Ynet News
Hamas' senior political leader Khaled Mashaal said on Thursday that his organization is willing to cooperate with any international effort to end the occupation but would never accept the notion of a demilitarized Palestinian state.
2. Thousands take part in Jerusalem Pride 2009 - Ynet News
After weeks of anxious preparations, thousands gathered in Jerusalem on Thursday for the annual pride march. Mayor Nir Barkat opted not to make an appearance, as did the usual multitudes of ultra-Orthodox protestors.
3. Hamas leader: Obama must do more for peace - CNN
Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal on Thursday called on the United States to take a more active role in the Mideast peace process "so that America and the rest of the world can take a break from the headache of the region."
4. Nixon administration tried to force Israel to sign NPT - Jerusalem Post
Officials in the US Nixon administration four decades ago weighed options to pressure Israel to declare the existence of its a nuclear weapons program, documents released by the Nixon Presidential Library show.
5. Medvedev Calls for Middle East Peace Conference by Year's End - Moscow Times
President Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday that Moscow aimed to hold a Middle East peace conference before the end of 2009, a move backed by Egypt.
The Good News Corner
"What Happened at the First Self Righteous Church"
The Mississippi Squirrel Revival . . .
It's been a very long week . . . time for a break. Enjoy this short video by going to the link below.
http://travisab1.multiply.com/video/item/73/The_Mississippi_Squirrel_Revival.flv
"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." (Job 8:21)
