In This IssueToday's Daily Brief
The Middle East in Focus
The Good News Corner
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief - Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (Rev. 5:11,12)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Expert: Obama's Fort Hood Terrorism Denial Dangerous - NewsMax
Robert Spencer, a noted author on the jihadist movement, suggested that Obama refused to condemn Maj. Nidal Malik's case as terrorism because he was worried how Muslims would have received such comments. The apparent show of weakness could encourage terrorists to increase attacks against the United States, just as Osama bin Laden became bolder after the Clinton administration's exit from Somalia, he said.
· Heavenly Father, we pray all officials in this nation be alert to terrorist threats without their own bias. Let all the leaders be vigilant and wise. Let them accept wise counsel.
· Your fierceness has deceived you; the pride of your heart, O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill! Though you make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there," says the Lord. (Jeremiah 49: 16)
2. Officials: Progress Made on Virtual Fence Project - NewsMax
While a prototype virtual fence in southern Arizona has been in use for nearly two years, the first permanent 23-mile stretch along the Mexican border near Sasabe, Ariz., would be handed over to the Border Patrol in January for testing, if everything goes as planned. The government hopes to begin construction on a second 30-mile section south of Ajo, Ariz., once environmental clearances are finalized.
· We thank you, Lord for these actions to protect our borders. We pray the work to keep out terrorists will be successful - without jeopardizing our civil rights to travel in the future.
· Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. (Job 1:10)
3. Authority to Spy on Americans Unclear as Patriot Act Expires - ABC News
Rushed into law by Congress just weeks after Sept. 11, 2001 three controversial provisions of the Patriot Act granting officials far-reaching surveillance and seizure powers in the name of national security, are due to expire this New Year's Eve.
· Lord, we pray Your wisdom to be upon all who are making these laws in regard to the surveillance and seizure powers. Let them not grant terrorist our rights, and let them not use those laws against our citizens.
· When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan. (Proverbs 29:2)
4. CDC: Swine flu less widespread - Washington Times
Swine flu infections seem to be dropping, but the number of children who died with the illness rose by about 30, according to a government report released Monday. In late October, 48 states reported widespread flu activity. Increasingly, that appears to have been the peak of the second wave. Since then, fewer states have been reporting widespread cases, and the number of school closings because of swine flu has at times dropped to zero.
· We thank you, Lord that you have slowed down this flu! We pray You continue to keep the flu from re-surging and for protection to be upon everyone in America, including foreigners.
· No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; (Proverbs 29:2)
5. U.S. Opts for Limited Surge - Wall Street Journal
Large buildup of troops for Afghan Mission, but Curbs sought on budget and duration. After a three-month review, the president delivers a televised prime-time address at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., Tuesday to publicly announce he's committing around 30,000 new troops to fighting the Taliban. Eight U.S. allies also have committed to sending additional troops, which could total some 5,000, according to European and U.S. officials.
· Heavenly Father, we pray our troops will receive everything they need without delay in order to win all battles. Protect them from disputes or deceptions by the officials.
· And they helped David against the bands of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and they were captains in the army; for at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a Great army, like the Army of God. (1 Chronicles 12:21, 22)
6. Senate Debate on Health Care Bill Opens with Heated Rhetoric - CNN
The debate will feature amendments intended to delete or change controversial provisions, including creation of a government-run public health insurance option to compete against private insurers, tax increases and provisions intended to prevent federal tax dollars from paying for abortion except in cases of rape, incest or danger to the mother's life.
· Lord, we pray these leaders will not pass any bills that go against Your Laws - especially dealing with abortion. Let them not punish a child for the sin of the father because the baby's mother has been raped or molested.
· The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. (Ezekiel 18:20)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
" For ever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)
1. Palestinians to ask UN for state based on 1967 borders - Jerusalem Post
Palestinian statehood is a "vital" component necessary for regional peace, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, in a message to mark Monday's annual International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
2. EU to recognize East Jerusalem as capital of Palestinian state - Ha'aretz
European Union foreign ministers are expected to officially call next week for the division of Jerusalem, to serve as the capitals of both Israel and Palestine. A draft document authored by the current holder of the rotating EU presidency, Sweden, and implying that the EU would recognize a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood, has been obtained by Haaretz.
3. Nasrallah: Continue arming to fight - Jerusalem Post
Hizbullah will improve its weapons capabilities to face off any Israeli threat, the group's leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah's said Monday, adding that armed struggle was the only way to regain "Arab lands" captured by Israel.
4. Abbas to UN: Immediate action against Israel needed - Ynet News
The Palestinian observer at the UN, Riyad Mansour, urged the Security Council to take measures against Israel in light of what he called years of failed peace negotiations and a lack of Israeli willingness to advance a comprehensive peace agreement.
5. If the Vilna Gaon was right, the 3rd Temple is on its way - Ha'aretz
If the 18th-century rabbinic authority the Vilna Gaon was right, on March 16, 2010, construction will begin on the third Temple. His projection states that the auspicious day will coincide with the third completion of the Hurva Synagogue in Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter.
The Good News Corner
Swiss Vote Bans Muslim Minarets - Sunday, November 29, 2009
GENEVA - Over 57 percent of Swiss voters on Sunday approved a blanket ban on the construction of Muslim minarets, according to official results posted by Swiss news agency ATS. A final tally of 26 cantons indicates that 57.5 percent of the population have voted in favour of the ban on minarets -- the turrets or towers attached on mosques from where Muslims are called to prayer.
Only four cantons rejected the proposal brought by Switzerland's biggest party -- the Swiss People's Party (SVP), which claims that minarets symbolise a "political-religious claim to power." The SVP had forced a referendum under Swiss regulations on the issue after collecting 100,000 signatures within 18 months from eligible voters.
The Swiss government was firmly against the call, arguing that accepting a ban would bring about "incomprehension overseas and harm Switzerland's image."
Switzerland has an uneasy relationship with its Muslim population of some 400,000 in a country of 7.5 million people. Islam is the second largest religion here after Christianity. (Washington Post)
- Offer a great chorus of praise for this GOOD REPORT. May all the nations of the EU follow Switzerland's lead on these initiatives . . . it is time to confront, oppose, and defeat the encroachment of Shariah law wherever the people of Islam are trying to impose this oppressive system. May all the followers of Islam instead be set free by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to know Him and to worship Him, and Him only, in Spirit and in Truth!
- "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the LORD!" (Psalm 150:6)
