In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Democrats In Disarray
• PRAY FOR HAITI
• Good News for Rifqa Bary
• The Good News Corner
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The Daily Brief - Thursday, January 21, 2010
"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." (Prov. 29:2)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Obama, Dems Consider Pared-Back Health Care Bill - ABC News
Obama and congressional allies signaled Wednesday they may try to scale back his sweeping health care overhaul to keep parts of it alive in the wake of a stinging rebuke in the Senate race in Massachusetts.
- Offer praise that Obama seems willing to cut back on his plans. Pray that no form of healthcare "reform" will pass that bears any resemblance to socialism, pro-abortion, or high taxes.
- "I Am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments." (Exodus 6:6)
2. Senate Democrats Propose $1.9T Increase to U.S. Debt Limit - Fox News
Senate Democrats on Wednesday proposed allowing the federal government to borrow an additional $1.9 trillion to pay its bills, a record increase that would permit the national debt to reach $14.3 trillion.
- Father, we beseech You to stop this administration from continuing its uncontrolled spending. We ask that You begin to turn this situation around, to once again bring stability and favor to our nation. We bind the spirits of usury and debt that have placed our people in bondage.
- "Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt." (Matthew 18:27)
3. Brown promises to be 'new breed of Republican' - Washington Times
Sen.-elect Scott Brown said Wednesday he believes in a "big-tent philosophy" for the Republican Party, but added that his election, powered by a populist surge of independent voters, signals the arrival of a "new breed of Republican."
- Father, we praise You for this beginning of victories to remove the unrighteous from power in Washington. We pray for wisdom and understanding for Senator Brown. We ask that Your Holy Spirit fill him and give him the mind of Christ. We pray that You will raise up more and more candidates with wisdom and insight who will be able to win the elections and bring a fresh wind of righteousness to America.
- "For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly will perish." (Psalm 1:6)
4. Gates: Al-Qaeda has assembled a 'syndicate' of terror groups - Washington Post
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Wednesday that al-Qaeda was using proxy terrorist groups to orchestrate attacks in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region.
- Lord, we take authority over the plans of the enemy to steal peace and stability from that region. As Your Word proclaims, when the thief is found, he must pay double. We ask that double strength be brought to the peace process in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, that Your Holy Spirit move over the region, bringing life, hope, and true peace.
- "if the thief is found, he shall pay double" (Exodus 22:7b)
5. Battered L.A. Braces for 4th Day of Rain, Wind - AP
The soil saturated by days of rain seemed to hold as a third powerful Pacific storm pounded California Thursday, but rain and snow shut down a major interstate, knocked out power to thousands and unleashed lightning strikes on two airliners on Wednesday.
Forecasters warned of yet another wave of rain and winds to come, with high surf battering the coastline and heavy snow in the mountains.
- Once again, Father, we call for Your mercy over California. We bind these storms and pray that the full destruction prophesied will be diminished. We pray that You will move in the hearts of the people, and bring them close to You during these difficult days.
- "I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities." (Psalm 31:7)
6. a) Haitians Flee in Fear As Big Aftershock Hits - AP
A powerful aftershock sent Haitians screaming into the streets on Wednesday, collapsing buildings, cracking roads and adding to the trauma of a nation stunned by an apocalyptic quake eight days ago. The magnitude-5.9 jolt matched the strongest of the aftershocks that have followed the huge quake of Jan. 12 that devastated Haiti's capital.
b) Haiti earthquake: one week on aid effort finally gathers momentum - London Telegraph
US troops are fanning out across the ruined Haitian capital as the military ramped up a huge aid operation one week after the devastating earthquake struck.
c) More 'points of entry' opening to Haiti - USA Today
The U.S. military will begin landing relief planes at two more airports today and hopes to have a seaport opened by the end of the week to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti, officials said Tuesday.
- Father, may the Wind of Your Spirit continue to blow over Haiti at this difficult time. May every seed of darkness be blown away, and may Your people rise up as righteous, loving lights to win souls for Your Kingdom.
- "For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you" (Isaiah 60:2)
7. Runaway Christian Convert to Remain Free of Parents - AP
A runaway teenage girl from Ohio who converted from Islam to Christianity has reached a court settlement that allows her to remain free of her Muslim parents. The agreement Tuesday says that 17 year-old Rifqa Bary will stay in a foster home under state custody in Columbus until she turns 18 in August. After that she'll be an adult and free to live where she chooses.
- Offer praise for this answer to prayer for Rifqa! Please continue to pray as the Lord leads for her protection and favor as she pursues our Savior's plan for her life.
- "God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity." (Psalm 68:6a,b)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Behold, He that keeps/guards Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." (Psalms 121:4)
1. U.S. official: Arming of Hezbollah could spark Israel-Syria war - Ha'aretz
An American source says that Syria allowed Hezbollah operatives to train within its territory in the use of advanced SA2 anti-aircraft missile batteries, the Kuwaiti daily Al Rai reported Sunday.
2. Vatican: Israeli occupation foments Mideast conflicts - Ynet News
A Vatican document released Tuesday blamed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the "occupying" of lands for fomenting most of the conflicts in the Middle East, driving Christians out and making life difficult for those who remain.
3. Peres to Abbas: Resume talks or face new intifada - Ha'aretz
President Shimon Peres recently warned Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that continuing the deadlock in negotiations with Israel could lead to a third intifada and that in delaying, Abbas was "playing with fire."
4. PA wants US to negotiate in its place - Ynet News
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has proposed that the Obama administration negotiate the final borders of a Palestinian state with Israel, a Palestinian official said Wednesday, as a US envoy headed to the region for another attempt to restart Mideast peace talks.
5. Netanyahu demands Israeli presence in West Bank - Ynet News
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel must have a presence in the West Bank even after a peace agreement is achieved, the first time he has spelled out such a demand.
Democrats In Disarray
Congressional Democrats returned to Washington this week determined to pass their healthcare "reform" bill. Speaker Pelosi boldly told reporters, "Let's remove all doubt, we will have health care -- one way or another." That was Monday.
Late Tuesday evening, Democrats huddled in Speaker Pelosi's office to commiserate after the people of Massachusetts drove a stake through the heart of the trillion-dollar, pro-abortion, Big Government, socialized medicine monstrosity. Speaker Pelosi kept a stiff upper lip as she quietly left Capitol Hill just before midnight after a contentious caucus meeting. Fear and panic is spreading among the rank and file. Democrats are in total disarray today.
Many Democrats who will face the voters in 286 days don't want to be the next "Marcia" Coakley, and their comments are decidedly different in tone from Pelosi's remarks on Monday. Even Barney Frank is in full retreat, saying today: ". . .there is now no bill that I believe can pass or should pass." Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) was even more frank, saying, "If there isn't any recognition that we got the message and we are trying to recalibrate and do things differently, we are not only going to risk looking ignorant but arrogant." (Gary Bauer: End-of-Day; 1/20/10)
PRAY FOR HAITI
President of Haiti thanks Israel for helping in most difficult hour
Israeli Field Hospital Gives Outstanding Service to Quake Victims
Haitian President Rene Preval said Wednesday that his country appreciates the aid that Israel has provided to those hurt in the quake.
"This disaster has not only harmed people," Preval explained to Channel 10, describing his government's helplessness in the face of the disaster.
"One must understand that the damage caused was comprehensive and has effected every aspect of Haitian society," the Haitian leader said. (Jerusaem Post)
Israel Sets Up Field Hospital in Haiti
The world press is full of glowing reports on Israel's field hospital in Haiti.
To view the report by CNN, go here.
Israel sent a delegation to establish a field hospital in Haiti, Foreign Ministry spokesman Yossi Levy said Thursday [January 14]. The party sent to set up the hospital will include 40 doctors and 24 nurses and was scheduled to leave Thursday evening.
The hospital, capable of treating 500 patients, included an intensive care unit, two operating rooms, a pharmacy, and an X-ray lab. Search and rescue agents from the Homefront Command were also included in the party. Deputy head of the Foreign Ministry''s Latin America Department Yossi Regev said that Israel''s ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Amos Radian, was in Haiti, and that he would prepare to receive an Israeli aid party set to arrive later Thursday. (Source: Bridges for Peace)
Good News for Rifqa Bary
RIFQA BARY WILL NOT BE FORCED TO RETURN TO ISLAM OR HER PARENTS
Runaway teen convert and parents end dispute
A deal was cut today in the trial of Rifqa Bary. In exchange for pleading guilty to the charge of being "unruly", Rifqa will not have to return home.
The long legal dispute over runaway teen convert Fathima Rifqa Bary apparently ended in Franklin County Juvenile Court late this afternoon when the girl and her parents agreed that she'll stay in the custody of Children Services and the family will try to resolve their issues with counseling.
That leaves two options for Rifqa, who is in foster care: She could eventually reconcile with her parents and go home or stay in foster care until her 18th birthday on Aug. 10.
Rifqa admitted she was unruly when she fled her parents' home last July to live with a Christian pastor and his family in Florida. She said at the time that her father, Mohamed, had threatened to kill her for abandoning the family's Muslim faith, although authorities say they never found credible evidence that that was true.
Mohamed and Aysha Bary and their daughter all agreed today not to continue with the Juvenile Court dependency case. The next hearing, besides a minor hearing regarding a gag order on Monday, is set for her birthday.
Today's decision ends months of legal action in Florida and Ohio.
In a statement read by Rifqa's attorneys, both she and her parents said they loved each other and believe counseling is the best route. (Source: The Columbus Dispatch) Read more.
- HALLELUJAH!!!
1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. (Psalm 150)
The Good News Corner
GOD IS ANSWERING MANY PRAYERS AT ONCE!
Finally, God is mightily answering our prayers! Now lacking a veto-proof majority in the Senate, the President, like Rehoboam after Solomon's death, must decide whose counsel will guide him (see 1 Kg 12:1- 16). Rifqa Bary's parents have consented to her remaining in Ohio foster care until she turns 18 (please continue to pray for her safety). The people of Haiti will need our prayers and support for years to come. And on this 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we should pause to consider what Jesus said about those killed by disasters in his day, "Do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Lk 13:1-5 Thank you for joining us in humble repentance and devoted, believing prayer!
Sincerely,
Rev. Pierre Bynum
National Prayer Director
Family Research Council
