In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• What's the Connection?
• PRAISE THE LORD!!
• IN GOD WE TRUST
• The Good News Corner
• Thoughts on Prayer
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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The Daily Brief - Friday, October 2, 2009
"Blessed are those servants whom the Master, when He comes, will find watching." (Luke 12:37)
The Daily Brief
1. Support for Abortion Slips - Pew Forum
Polls conducted in 2009 have found fewer Americans expressing support for abortion than in previous years. In Pew Research Center polls in 2007 and 2008, supporters of legal abortion clearly outnumbered opponents; now Americans are evenly divided on the question, and there have been modest increases in the numbers who favor reducing abortions or making them harder to obtain. Less support for abortion is evident among most demographic and political groups. The latest Pew Research Center survey also reveals that the abortion debate has receded in importance, especially among liberals.
At the same time, opposition to abortion has grown more firm among conservatives, who have become less supportive of finding a middle ground on the issue and more certain of the correctness of their own views on abortion. This shift in attitudes is also evident on other measures of public opinion about restrictions on abortion. For instance, four-in-ten Americans (41%) now say they favor making it more difficult to obtain an abortion, up six points from 35% in 2007. Similar movement is seen on the question of whether it would be good to reduce the number of abortions in this country; in 2005, 59% of respondents agreed it would be good to reduce abortions. Today 65% take this view, an increase of six points. And three-quarters (76%) continue to favor requiring minors to obtain the permission of a parent before having an abortion.
- The movement of this nation toward life is a great blessing! We pray that more eyes will open to the horrors of abortion and that the lies of the pro-abortion forces will be exposed.
- "Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;" (Exodus 19:5)
2. Texas judge clears way for gay divorce - AP
A Texas judge has cleared the way for two Dallas men to get a divorce, ruling that Texas' ban on same-sex marriage violates the constitutional guarantee to equal protection under the law.
- We pray for judges who will made determinations on the issues of family and life. May they be just and may we all rise up to defend the structures that you designed for our good.
- "They did not keep the covenant of God And refused to walk in His law;" (Psalm 78:10)
3. Obama's 'Stealth Taxes' Estimated at Over $1.5 Trillion - NewsMax
Taxpayers at all income levels could be hit with over $1.5 trillion in new taxes, fees, and other costs over the next 10 years, despite President Obama's repeated promises that he would not raise taxes "one dime" on those earning less than $250,000 a year.
- Lord, we pray that the leaders of this nation will become aware of their responsibilities and that they will wake to the harm they do by seizing the property of those who work and redistributing it against the wishes of the citizens.
- "You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?" (Romans 2:21) |
4. ACORN Legal Memo Confirms Depths of Troubles - Big Government
ACORN's lawyer warned ACORN 15 months ago to begin fixing its massive internal problems or face certain catastrophe. It chose to do nothing.
- Thank You for those who are willing to stand against groups that are exploiting the poor. You are faithful to bring all bad deeds into the light.
- "He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart." (Luke 1:51)
5. President Obama: 'You Can Play a Great Game and Still Not Win' - ABC
Returning from his failed attempt at bringing the 2016 Olympics to Chicago, president said he was proud to make the trip.
- As Rio celebrates tonight, we pray that Brazil will be able to keep visitors safe and that the choice of this city will bring needed reform to the cities that were not chosen.
- "For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself." (Galatians 6:3)
6. World Powers and Iran Agree to More Talks on Nuclear Issues - VOA
In a sign of progress, six world powers and Iran have agreed to meet again in the coming weeks to discuss nuclear weapons and other issues. The meeting took place after a 15-month pause in which concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions have grown.
- Lord, please give discernment to all the negotiators as they attempt to deal with untrustworthy Iranian diplomats.
- "Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle." (Zechariah 14:3)
7. U.K. source: We disagreed with U.S. assessment on Iran nukes - Ha'aretz
British officials suspect Iran has been seeking nuclear weapons for the past few years, differing from a U.S. view that Tehran halted work on design and weaponization in 2003, a UK security source said on Wednesday.
- May the truth continue to be brought to light and may the US government be open to intelligence from the nations who are our true allies.
- "The king answered Daniel and said, 'Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery.'" (Daniel 2:47)
8. Quake and Tsunami Death Toll Could Be in the Thousands - ABC News
Thousands are believed to be buried under rubble on Pacific islands ravaged by earthquakes this week and many more were washed out to sea by a resulting tsunami, relief workers estimated today.
- As this area is being struck by multiple natural disasters, we pray for the residents of these nations. May those who are helping be given strength and wisdom so they will be able to work beyond their own abilities. We pray for peace and hope for families who have either lost loved ones or who are missing family members.
- "For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), "I am the LORD, and there is none else." (Isaiah 45:18)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"O Israel, you have destroyed yourself; but in Me is Your help. I WILL be your King: where is any other that may save you in all your cities?" (Hosea 13: 9-10)
1. Israel to receive Gilad Shalit video at noon - Ha'aretz
For the first time since he was kidnapped by Hamas in a cross-border raid in June 2006, Israel will Friday receive a videotape of Gilad Shalit.
2. Qassam hits southern Israel in continuing Gaza border tension - Ha'aretz
Palestinian militants fired a Qassam rocket into the western Negev early Friday morning, in another of several recent incidents along the border with the Gaza Strip.
3. Netanyahu: UN may become irrelevant - Jerusalem Post
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu had some harsh words for the world during the government meeting on Thursday, saying that if the international community endorses the Goldstone Report on Israel's Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip last winter, the peace process with the Palestinians, as well as the global war on terror, would be dealt a fatal blow.
4. Some 8,000 Christian pilgrims to arrive in Israel for Feast of Tabernacles - Jerusalem Post
About 8000 Christian friends of Israel from about 100 countries around the world, including the heads of Evangelical Christian communities, will participate in the Christian Feast of Tabernacle from 2 to 8 Octobe, the Tourism Ministry said in a statement Thursday. The festival, which this year carries the slogan "The Tabernacle of David", is sponsored by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem with assistance from the ministry.
What's the Connection?
Were This Week's Pacific Earthquakes Connected? - National Geographic
In the past four days there've been at least five substantial earthquakes-and a tsunami-in the same general region, the tectonically rambunctious Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean. Coincidence? Maybe yes, but probably not, scientists say. The Ring of Fire jaggedly circles the Pacific and cuts roughly beneath Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga-the region where Tuesday's magnitude 8.0 undersea earthquake triggered the tsunami that killed at least 180 people and where a magnitude 6.3 quake struck today. Also along the ring are Indonesia-where a magnitude 7.6 quake Wednesday and a 6.3 temblor on Thursday may result in a death toll in the thousands-and Peru, where a 5.9 quake struck a remote region on Wednesday. While new evidence says earthquakes can aggravate far-away fault lines, scientists are reluctant to say that the Samoa, Indonesia, and Peru quakes are linked.
- Lord, we know that the movement of the earth is all controlled by You and that You are the connection between all these events. We may not understand the reasons for these earthquakes and for the storms that are also hitting this area, but we rest secure in the knowledge that all these events will be for Your glory. May Your people be the hands and feet of the body as they have opportunity to bless others.
- "You have made the land quake, You have split it open; Heal its breaches, for it totters." (Psalm 60:2)
PRAISE THE LORD!!
IN GOD WE TRUST
"In God We Trust" Engraved in Capitol Visitor Center
Friends:
More than a year after this fight began, out national motto, 'In God We Trust,' is finally engraved in the Capitol Visitor Center! Thank you for standing with Congressman Forbes and other Members of the Congressional Prayer Caucus to ensure that America's history is accurately portrayed. We look forward to standing with you and your organizations in the future as we work to protect religious liberty and recognize our spiritual heritage.
Please feel free to post this picture and a link to the Congressman's press release on your websites as you share this victory with your memberships.
The Congressional Prayer Caucus
Forbes: "Because We Believe, We Stand Because We Stand, We Can Make a Difference"
"In God We Trust" Unveiled in Capitol Visitor Center
Washington, D.C. - After more than one year of fighting to restore references to our nation's spiritual history stripped from the newly-constructed $621-million Capitol Visitor Center, Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) and Members of the Congressional Prayer Caucus today applauded the unveiling of our national motto "In God We Trust" engraved in stone in the Capitol Visitor Center.
The initial design of the Capitol Visitor Center was stripped of all references to America's religious heritage and contained a number of factual inaccuracies, including incorrectly stating that our national motto was "E Pluribus Unum" and inaccurately representing Capitol church services.
In July 2008, after touring the newly constructed Capitol Visitor Center, Congressman Forbes led 108 Members of Congress in signing a letter to the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) expressing their concerns with the incomplete historical religious content in the Capitol Visitor Center. In October 2008, the Committee on House Administration and the Senate Rules and Administration Committee agreed to correct the inaccuracy of "E Pluribus Unum," engrave in stone in the Center "In God We Trust" and the Pledge of Allegiance, and create a permanent religious history display. Congressman Forbes and other Members of the Prayer Caucus worked to ensure those changes were agreed to before legislation was passed directing the opening of the Capitol Visitor Center. H.R. 5159 was signed into law in October, and the Capitol Visitor Center opened in December 2008. H.Con.Res.131 passed the House and Senate in July 2009, directing the AOC to engrave the national motto and Pledge of Allegiance in the Capitol Visitor Center.
The "In God We Trust" engraving was completed and unveiled this week and the Pledge of Allegiance is scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks.
"This was accomplished due to the efforts of so many individuals in Congress and across the country who were willing to stand up on behalf of our nation's religious heritage. Thousands of visitors will walk through the center each day. The efforts of the individuals that have joined in this issue have enabled those visitors to experience a more accurate depiction of our nation's heritage written in stone. This success serves as proof that because we believe, we stand, and because we stand, we can make a difference," said Forbes.
Congressman J. Randy Forbes
Virginia's Fourth Congressional District
Congressman Forbes is Founder and Chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus.
The Good News Corner
While He Prayed
By Dr. Henry Blackaby
When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased." (Luke 3:21-22)
The greatest moments in a Christian's life come through prayer. When Jesus prayed, heaven opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. The Spirit came upon the disciples as they gathered to pray on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:14; 2:1). When the disciples prayed together after Pentecost, their gathering place was shaken, and they were emboldened to proclaim the gospel throughout the city (Acts 4:31).
Prayer is not a substitute for hard work-prayer is the work! God does things in and through our lives by prayer that He does in no other way.
As we pray and as our attention is turned toward God, we become more receptive to aligning our lives with His will. God will not equip us with His power while we are racing off to our next appointment! His Spirit will not empower us if we are oblivious to what He is saying. He requires our complete attention before He will fill us with the powerful presence of His Spirit.
If you want to learn how to pray, use Jesus as your model. Jesus did not always receive what He asked for, but His prayers were always heard and always answered (Mark 14:36; Heb. 5:7). If you do not sense the Holy Spirit's power in your life, you may not be spending adequate time in prayer. Perhaps you are pursuing your own agenda rather than seeking the Father's will. You may have abandoned the place of prayer before God's answer came. If you will commit yourself to spend sustained time in prayer, asking for God's kingdom on earth, God will work in your life just as He did in the lives of Jesus and His disciples.
Thoughts on Prayer
"There is a mighty lot of difference between saying prayers and praying." -- John G. Lake
