In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Terror Alert
• Victory in Florida
• Le'Shana Tovah!
• 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World
• The Good News Corner
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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The Daily Brief - Friday, Sept. 18, 2009
"What the wicked fears will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted." (Proverbs 10:24)
The Daily Brief
1. Pelosi: Health Reform Rhetoric Reminiscent of Violence in '70s - Fox News
Republicans are rejecting comparisons made by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who came near to tears Thursday when she compared anti-government rhetoric over President Obama's health care proposals to tumultuous 1970s San Francisco. "I have concerns about some of the language that is being used because I saw this myself in the late '70s in San Francisco," Pelosi told reporters, her voice catching in her throat at her weekly press briefing. Pelosi, though she didn't elaborate on the reference, was alluding to the 1978 murders of Mayor George Moscone and city Supervisor Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist immortalized in a recent movie starring Sean Penn.
- Lord, we pray that there will be discernment through this nation so that citizens are not fooled by the rhetoric of leaders who are trying to push harmful agendas. We praise You for the recent rise in opposition to those who are demonizing their enemies.
- "May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaks great things; Who have said, 'With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?'" (Psalm 12:3-4)
2. FBI Investigating Increase in Death Threats to Pro-Life Organizations - CBN.com
The Brody File has learned that the FBI is investigating an increasing number of death threats against pro-life organizations. Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue tells The Brody File that the FBI spoke with him in person yesterday at their office in Wichita, Kansas and he handed over numerous death threat letters they've received. This is the third time there has been a face to face meeting with the FBI in the last three months. Newman says the death threats to his organization have increased dramatically since President Obama took office but it has been especially worse in the last three months.
- We pray for the safety of those in the pro-life movement. May the FBI protect citizens who are speaking for the innocent.
- "Rejoice, O nations, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants, And will render vengeance on His adversaries, And will atone for His land and His people." (Deuteronomy 32:43)
3. Ex-CIA chiefs urge Obama to drop abuse investigation - Reuters
Seven former heads of the CIA on Friday urged President Barack Obama to end the probe into allegations of abuse of prisoners held by the agency, arguing that it would hamper intelligence operations. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder last month named a prosecutor to examine whether criminal charges should be filed against Central Intelligence Agency interrogators or contractors for going beyond approved interrogation methods, including using a power drill and death threats to scare detainees. The former CIA chiefs countered that the cases had already been investigated during the Bush administration and lawyers had declined to prosecute all but one contractor. "This approach will seriously damage the willingness of intelligence officers to take risks to protect the country," they said in the letter. "In our judgment, such risk-taking is vital to success in the long and difficult fight against terrorists who continue to threaten us."
- Thank You for the leaders who are coming forward to defend those who are risking their lives in the intelligence community. We pray that the president will open his eyes to the threat of this probe and will allow the former investigations to stand.
- "Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation." (Romans 12:16)
4. Court overturns campaign finance rules - Washington Times
Independent advocacy groups will be able to spend more money to try to influence federal elections under a decision Friday from a federal appeals court that overturned rules limiting nonprofits' campaign spending. Three judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington agreed with Emily's List, a nonprofit that backs women Democratic candidates who support abortion rights, that the regulations limited free speech rights. The Federal Election Commission enacted the rules in 2005, after concerns were raised about the amount of unlimited "soft money" contributions used to fund attacks in the 2004 election.
- May laws not be an impediment to the ability of Christians to stand strong for the issues that define them, and may we sacrifice in order to spread the word about the dangers to life and families that come from corrupt governance.
- "For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord." (2 Corinthians 8:3)
5. A. Intel Used by Obama Found Iran Long-Range Missile Capacity Would Take 3-5 Years Longer - Fox News
President Obama, in reaching his decision to ditch a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe, used information from a May 2009 National Intelligence Estimate that said Iran would take three to five years longer than originally anticipated to build a long-range missile system, a senior administration official confirmed Friday. Unclear, however, is whether that estimate was paired with information contained in a "secret" document leaked from the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran has the ability to make a nuclear bomb and is developing a missile system to carry it.
B. 'IAEA: Iran can now build nuclear bomb' - Jerusalem Post
Experts at the IAEA are in agreement that Teheran has the ability to make a nuclear bomb and is on the way to developing a missile system able to carry an atomic warhead, according to a secret report seen by The Associated Press on Thursday.
C. NATO Chief Proposes Joint Effort With Russia on Missile Defense - Washington Post
The secretary general of NATO called Friday for greater cooperation between the Western alliance and Russia, including the possibility of linking their missile defense systems in an effort to stem proliferation and deter attacks by nuclear-armed nations such as North Korea and, potentially, Iran.
- Lord, we pray that leaders throughout the world and within the Obama administration will awaken to the threats that are wide-spread. May we be wise in choose those with whom we will partner and be alert to warnings coming from both hostile and "friendly" nations.
- "And their bows will mow down the young men, They will not even have compassion on the fruit of the womb, Nor will their eye pity children." (Isaiah 13:18)
6. Tehran protesters chant 'death to dictator' - CNN
Large crowds gathered in the Iranian capital Friday to march in an annual pro-Palestinian rally, among them thousands of green-clad supporters of the opposition movement, according to CNN sources in Tehran.
- You are an amazing Lord who turns an anti-Israel march into a march against the Iranian government. We pray for safety for those who are working to spread Christianity in Iran, and those who are seeking to push the haters of Israel out of power.
- "He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him." (Proverbs 26:27)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Thus says LORD, in an acceptable time have I heard You, and in a day of salvation have I helped You: I will preserve You, and give You for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;" (Isaiah 49:8)
1. US says forces to employ Israeli 'Arrow' in missile system - Ynet News
Vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General James Cartwright, announced Thursday that the Israeli 'Arrow' missile defense system would be employed by US forces.
2. IAF chief: We must make every effort to stop delivery of S-300s - Jerusalem Post
Israel needs to make every effort to stop the S-300 missile defense system from reaching countries where the air force may need to fly, IAF commander Maj.-Gen. Ido Nehushtan has told The Jerusalem Post in an exclusive interview.
3. Netanyahu, Mitchell meet again - Ynet News
Prime Minister Netanyahu and US special envoy George Mitchell met Friday morning in Jerusalem for the third time in four days. The two are attempting to reach agreements which would lead to the summit the Americans are interested in organizing, between Netanyahu, US President Barack Obama, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Terror Alert
Report: FBI Fears Subway Attack, Planning More New York City Raids
(From the Ministry of Francis Frangipane)
Recent headlines reveal that federal agents are going into homes in New York, Denver and elsewhere and are looking for terrorists. These probes are symptomatic of, what many believe to be, credible evidence that say a major "9-11" type attack is possibly imminent. We must not take these threats lightly. A certain "ho-hum" attitude has infiltrated the church concerning terror attacks in America, and we need to shake that off. With faith, not fear, let us pray for federal agents and their efforts. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to help our agents find the terrorists, expose their plots and end the threats -- and also that the agents would attribute this success to God.
I, for one, am taking this call to prayer seriously, and I ask you to join me in praying daily for this need.
Francis Frangipane
- Lord, we pray these suspected attacks will be brought to nothing. The plans will be discovered and stopped in Jesus Name. Give our law enforcement the insight they need to be at the right place at the right time, to stop any attacks.
- Keep them from the jaws of the trap which has been set for them, and from the snares of those who do iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while they pass by safely. (Psalm 35:1, 141:8-10)
Victory in Florida
Judge rules in favor of school administrators charged with illegal prayer
After a day-long trial in Pensacola a federal judge ruled in favor of high school principal Frank Lay and athletic director Robert Freeman, Santa Rosa County School District employees caught in the middle of an ongoing battle between the American Civil Liberties Union and the district's employees.
Lay and Freeman of Pace High School faced jail time after U.S. District Judge Margaret C. "Casey" Rodgers cited both men with violating a court order issued Jan. 9 that forbid employees from "promoting, advancing, aiding, facilitating, endorsing, or causing religious prayers or devotionals during school sponsored events."
Rodgers ruled the administrators did not intend to violate the court order. (Florida Baptist Witness)
• Lift up a GREAT CHORUS OF PRAISE for the decision that has been rendered in this case. Offering a prayer in our nation should never be considered a criminal offense. Praise God!
• "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord!" (Psalm 150:6)
Le'Shana Tovah!
Happy Rosh Hashanah! Happy New Year!
To all of our friends who are celebrating Rosh Hashanah this weekend:
Le'Shana Tovah!
May the coming year be filled with our Father's abundant blessings of health, sweetness, and peace to you and yours!
In him who loves us and in whom is all goodness,
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World
Covering RAMADAN in prayer - August 22 - September 20
During these 30 days when the people of Islam observe Ramadan, we encourage you to visit this site in order to view daily prayers. May we raise up the people of the Muslim world in prayer that they will come to salvation in Christ Jesus.
Prayer For Friday, 18 September, Ramadan 2009
Islam's new TV representatives
Outside the Middle East most people may not have heard of Amr Khaled, Mustafa Hosni, Moez Masoud, or Ahmad al-Shugairi. However these men have a significant following in the Arab world through Middle Eastern Television and the web. Amr Khaled's influence for moderate and practical Islam has been compared to the North American evangelical preacher Rick Warren.
Moez Masoud has often spoken out for sincerity and really trying to understand people from other faiths. He has written: "I'm pretty much dedicating my life to a deeper and more profound understanding between human beings, the children of Adam. I actually named my son Adam just so that I could never be distracted from the goal."
Prayer Starters:
- Pray that God will continue to use everything which is good and positive from these men to change Middle Eastern society for the better. May they and their listeners discover the Lord in a profound way, He is the giver life (John 10:10).
- Believers in the Messiah in the Middle East have often been oppressed under Islam. Pray for an explosion of new spiritual life among believers across the entire Middle East which will enable them to be a channel of life for Muslims desiring sincerity, depth and real life with God.
To read this article in its entirety, go here.
http://www.30-days.net/islam/islams-new-tv-representatives/
The Good News Corner
Former Palestinian Terrorist Embraces Jesus, Jews
"Arafat Once His 'Hero'"
These rigid views sound all too familiar to Tass Saada. The Palestinian native ran away from home and joined the movement when he was just 17.
"I joined the Fatah movement, basically, because (Yassar) Arafat was my hero," Saada told CBN News.
Israel's resounding victory over the surrounding Arab nations in the Six Day War of 1967 devastated young Tass. He was soon drawn to the militant views of Fatah founder and Saada family friend, Yasser Arafat.
"I used to sit right across from him and just stare at him, just mesmerized," said Saada. "He was such a charismatic character."
Saada believed the Jews had stolen Palestinian land. He was determined to help Arafat and Fatah push Israel into the sea.
"Our training was specialized, basically, in intense, marine-type fighting skills," he recalled. "We used to call ourselves guerilla fighters, commando fighters."
Fatah's 'Butcher'
Saada became a Fatah sniper, picking off and killing Israeli soldiers. His nickname was "Butcher."
"My job was to knock off whoever was the commander of the unit," he said.
Saada took part in bloody battles against the Israeli army. He even attempted to assassinate the Crown Prince of Jordan, who he saw as unfriendly to Palestinians.
But his most prestigious job was as a personal driver for his hero: Arafat.
"Everybody knows I was a fierce driver," said Saada. "And so when it came a time and need for Arafat to be transported from one area of Jordan to the other, they called me to do that."
Life in the United States
Saada eventually made his way to the United States to attend school. By that point, he had given up on waging violent jihad, but he still hated Jews.
He became a successful restaurant manager, married an American woman and had two children. But he was miserable - living a fast lifestyle of mistresses and booze.
Until a longtime friend told him about Jesus Christ.
"He put the Bible in the middle, between the two of us.
And I just got scared and I jumped away from the Bible," Saada recounted. "I said, 'I cannot touch that! It's got the name of God, the word of God in it!'
He said, 'So you believe this is the word of God?' I said, 'Yes.'
"Why did I say 'yes,' when we as Muslims don't really believe that the Bible is valid as the word of God?"
He says he momentarily lost consciousness at that point.
"The next thing I know, I'm on my knees with my hands lifted up, inviting Jesus. And the rest is history."
Loving the Jew
When Tass told his Muslim family back in the Middle East of his conversion, his brother vowed to kill him. In the meantime, his Christian friend threw him for yet another loop.
"He said 'Tass, to have the peace that I have, you must love the Jew.'" remembered Saada. "I literally froze, turned around and looked at Charlie. Charlie knew how much I hated Jews."
But Saada soon got past that lifelong hatred. He developed close friendships with Jews and began to look at Israel in a brand new light. His book, Once an Arafat Man, recounts his transformation.
"I don't believe in the two-state solution," Saada told CBN News. "I don't believe in that. Because I believe that land belongs to the Jews. It doesn't belong to us."
"But, on the other hand," he continued. "I believe that we have the right to live in that land, as is recorded in the Book of Ezekiel, where the Lord redivided the land among the Israelites and told them to give the foreigners living among them an equal share of the land."
Seeds of Hope
Today, Saada spends much of his time in the West Bank and Gaza, helping provide modern necessities to Palestinians through his charitable organization, Seeds of Hope.
He says Muslims in the Middle East are turning to Christ in record numbers.
"Millions of Muslims around the earth--especially the Arabs in Saudi Arabia, in Qatar," Saada marveled. "In all these 12 nations of Ishmael, all of these nations, there is so much conversion in that land."
That's why Saada is confident that peace will one day come to the region--the kind of peace that politicians can never bring. (CBN News)
