In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• "Massachusetts Miracle"
• PRAY FOR HAITI
• The Good News Corner
Greetings!
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The Daily Brief - Wednesday, January 20, 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. Brown Scores Upset Victory Over Coakley in Massachusetts Senate Race - Fox News
Washington was waking up Wednesday to a new Senate make-up, one featuring Republican Massachusetts Senator-elect Scott Brown, who defeated Democrat Martha Coakley in a victory few thought possible just a month ago.
- God, it is You who performs Your perfect will in matters of government. Our government is in Your hands. Our country is coming back to God. You are being honored and we are filled with thanksgiving to our God for this mighty and godly breakthrough. There is no doubt that You are in control and we praise Your holy Name. May Your hand be upon Scott Brown, his family, his friends and all that pertains to his ultimate success as Senator of Massachusetts. In Jesus Name.
- "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you (Scott Brown) the spirit and revelation in the knowledge of him. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of your calling." (Ephesians 1:17- 18)
2. Brown Win Forces Democrats to Re-Evaluate Health Care Reform Game Plan - Fox News
Democrats are being forced to re-evaluate their plans for health care reform after Republican Scott Brown's victory for the U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts made clear that independent and even many Democratic voters are concerned about health insurance reforms being debated in Washington.
- God, You are opening the eyes of the world and revealing the truth that has been buried by myriads of lies. May You strengthen the arms of all those who stand for the right and cast away the wrong. Pour out Your Spirit upon this mighty move of our God. Dissolve and disintegrate the health-care reform by the blood of Jesus. In Your Name we pray. Amen. - "That in the ages to come God might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:7)
3. Democrats Negotiating Over Deficit Panel - NewsMax
Democratic infighting over demands by moderates to turn over some of Congress' decision-making power on taxes and spending programs to a special deficit commission is complicating prospects for a must-pass borrowing bill headed for the Senate floor.
- Father, we call forth heaven and all Your power to come against the passing of this borrowing bill. Speak Your Word against it and it shall be gone. Kill this bill by Your undefeatable force. Dethrone principalities and powers that work against Your perfect will. In Jesus Name.
- "Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered: let them also that hate God flee before Him." (Psalm 9:19,68:1)
4. Forecast: Debt to dwarf GDP - WND
A blue-ribbon panel that includes three former heads of the Congressional Budget Office is telling President Obama and the Democrat-controlled Congress that the federal deficit must be cut now or the national debt within about two generations will be 600 percent of the gross domestic product.
- Oh God, we cry out to you regarding how the evil distortions of money and greed have been used to attempt the destruction of America. Only in God's power and mercy can this be reversed to bring monetary life back into our country. We call upon the infinite wisdom of God to steer us back to solid footing. When men repent and are saved by the blood of Jesus, then God can and will take over. In Jesus Name.
- "That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Christ from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)
5. US State Dept: Drug trade enabling WMD acquisitions - Jerusalem Post
The explosion in the narcotics trade has provided drug cartels with the capability of acquiring radioactive material, chemical weapons and other WMD technologies, a top US State Department official warned Tuesday.
- God, who on the earth will go against this terrible evil? Who can be unleashed from restrictions to fight this battle to the end and win? Having said that, Lord, we call forth the mighty angelic host of our God to go forth and destroy this evil from the roots up. Cut away all ties that enable it to thrive. We put the blood of Jesus upon the ground to cleanse this deathly evil out of the land. In Jesus Name.
- "Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied." (Proverbs 27:20)
6. Scriptures on U.S. Weapons Cause Controversy - CBN News
U.S. military weapons inscribed with hidden Bible scripture references are creating new problems for Pentagon officials.
- Father, this only proves the power in the Word that You spoke. Woe be to the man who tries to annihilate the Word of God from these weapons. We ask that this situation be dropped and forgotten by Pentagon officials. In Jesus Name.
- "For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing assunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
7. BREAKING: Reid: We'll Wait on Brown for Health Care Vote - POLITICO
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday that there is no firm commitment for Democrats to rush a health care bill through Congress this year. "First of all, we're not going to rush into anything," he said. "We're going to wait until the new senator arrives until we do anything more on health care." In a press conference today, the day after Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown shattered the Democratic supermajority in the Senate, Reid said he'd spoken with President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on a number of issues, including the fate of the health care bill.
Reid had earlier ruled out reconciliation, but now he's leaving the door open to using the controversial, filibuster-busting procedural move, sometimes called Reid's "nuclear option." "I've said that reconciliation is one of the things we need to look at," a somber Reid said. "No decision has been made." Reid's statement today was a complete reversal from what he said just before Thanksgiving: "I'm not using reconciliation," he said flatly at the time.
- Pray that the U.S. Senate and House would heed the "wake up call" from the Massachusetts election, and re-do reform.
- Pray for full transparency of language, exposure of all hidden and unconstitutional provisions, exact cost analysis, disclosure and media attention to buying of votes and "cash for cloture" deals, and for fiscal responsibility.
- Continue to cry out to God for mercy, asking that tax- funded abortion not be included in any final health bill. [Prayers offered by Intercessors for America]
- "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith." (James 1:5)
8. Scott Brown Calls for Bi-Partisan Approach to Health Care - Intercessors for America
Senator-elect Scott Brown has called for an end to the secret Obama/Senate/House merging of the House and Senate bills and for a bi-partisan fresh start: "One thing is clear, voters do not want the trillion-dollar health care bill that is being forced on the American people." "This bill is not being debated openly and fairly. It will raise taxes, hurt Medicare, destroy jobs, and run our nation deeper into debt. It is not in the interest of our state or country - we can do better."
"When in Washington, I will work in the Senate with Democrats and Republicans to reform health care in an open and honest way. No more closed-door meetings or back room deals by an out of touch party leadership. No more hiding costs, concealing taxes, collaborating with special interests, and leaving more trillions in debt for our children to pay."
"In health care, we need to start fresh, work together, and do the job right. Once again, we can do better."
"We can do better. Yes we can!"
- Offer thanksgiving for Senator-elect Brown's courage to call for a bi-partisan "fresh start" on health care reform.
- " . . . the righteous are bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:1)
SPECIAL NOTE TO OUR READERS: For an excellent, in-depth report of this week's events, we recommend today's "On Watch in Washington" published by Intercessors for America.
9. TSA Nominee, Erroll Southers, Stands Down - Family Research Council
Airplane passengers can breathe a little easier after news that Erroll Southers, the President's pick to head the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), has withdrawn his name from consideration after a series of scandals that involved misuse of government resources and recent comments that compared pro-lifers to terrorists. For conservatives--and Sen. Jim DeMint (R- S.C.) in particular--this is an incredible victory. Sen. DeMint was instrumental in blocking Southers until he was appropriately vetted.
- Offer praise for this DIRECT ANSWER TO PRAYER.
- "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord." (Ps. 150:6)
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. Merkel to Press Abbas as Israel Says Time for Peace - Bloomberg
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she'll press Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to grasp the offer of talks with Israel and "get the peace process moving again."
2. PA demanding temporary building freeze in eastern Jerusalem - ICEJ News
Ahead of a visit to the Middle East region by US special Mideast envoy George Mitchell, the Palestinian Authority has increased pressure on Israel to agree to a settlement freeze on the east side of Jerusalem.
3. Floods ravage Galilee region this time - ICEJ News
Follows torrents in Negev, forecast is for more rain Another massive winter storm system is dumping record rainfalls in the eastern Mediterranean region, bringing relief to the drought stricken area and replenishing water supplies, but also causing widespread flooding and severe damage.
4. 'Pentagon refusing Israeli F-35 demands' - Jerusalem Post
The Defense Ministry has told the Pentagon that it will purchase the stealth-enabled Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) if it is allowed to replace 50 percent of the systems with Israeli-made technology, defense officials said Tuesday.
"Massachusetts Miracle"
Brown's Win Seen as "Massachusetts Miracle"
Scott Brown: His Church; His Faith
One day after "The Miracle" that has transformed the political landscape of our nation, Intercessors for America offers this brief "look" at Scott Brown: the man.
Scott Brown won the Massachusetts Senate seat Tuesday night, replacing the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy. The first Republican Senator from Massachusetts to be elected since Edward Brooke in 1972, Brown proudly used his 2005 GMC Canyon truck as he campaigned across his state. Barack Obama criticized Brown's truck when he campaigned in Massachusetts last weekend for Democrat Martha Coakley. Obama reportedly said they should look under the hood and shouldn't get in Brown's truck without knowing where it's going. "When he criticized my truck, that's where I draw the line," Brown said.
Senator-elect Brown is an interesting study - a preview of 2010 GOP candidates? Pro-abortion voices decry him as anti-choice and pro-life voices decry him as not pro-life enough. Gay groups denounce him as "homophobic" for not supporting same-sex marriage. Pro-family groups attack him for advocating "civil unions." Senator-elect Brown campaigned on the promise he would oppose federal funding of abortion in any health care reform.
Rev. Rob Schenck has posted this added background: The Brown family's home church is New England Chapel in Franklin, MA. It's in the network of new Christian Reformed Churches. That is, the congregation is contemporary in its culture and style, "Evangelical" in its ethos, soft in its delivery of its message, yet Calvinistic at its core.
Senator-elect Brown's pastor, Chris Mitchell , is a graduate of the evangelically renowned Gordon-Conwell Seminary, where Billy Graham once chaired the board. He seems like the kind of minister many evangelicals generally keep company with and many would be familiar with the church's ministries.
While Republican, Brown ran as an independent. A nation-wide populist awakening and return to fiscal responsibility and founding Constitutional principles is gaining momentum.
- Pray for Senator-elect Scott Brown, his wife Gail, his two daughters, and all on his state and Washington staff.
- Pray for Senator Brown's safety, his protection, and for wisdom and strategic guidance from the Lord.
- Pray that the Holy Spirit help him and staff overcome the difficult spiritual atmosphere of Washington, DC, and that he is granted faithful colleagues and strong Christian allies.
PRAY FOR HAITI
ANSWER TO PRAYER: HAITI WATER PROJECT
Sponsored by: HISG (Humanitarian International Services Group)
HISG is partnering with our network to provide water filtration systems to Haiti. Water is one of the most urgent needs in Port-Au-Prince and HISG is positioned to provide safe, clean water for tens of thousands of people.
HISG has access to thousands of single-family drip filter units that can supply a family with clean water for an entire year. The filters are easy to assemble and maintain, and are available right away. You can click the donate button below to give to this need.
We have an opportunity to provide large systems that can treat 10 gallons per minute, with each system serving a community of 5,000 people each. These systems are portable, self-contained, and built with a rugged design so they can be transported by pickup truck into the rural areas that are often the last to receive aid. The systems can be set up in just two hours, meeting an entire community's need for water. If you would like to give through HISG to provide water to Haiti, please click the donate button below. Through the gift of a generous partner, HISG will match the first $5,000 in donations, effectively doubling the impact of your gift!
[Capitol Hill Prayer Partners has been networked with HISG for many years now, and we can attest to the integrity of their quiet work around the world -- showing Jesus' love to the nations by meeting their real needs. Please visit their website to learn more about their valuable work in Haiti.]
The Good News Corner
The Scott Heard 'Round the World...
A Note from CHPP:
Today, the nation seems to be enveloped in a cushion of gentle, wonderful GRACE. It is as if the Mayflower has once again landed upon our shores, bringing with it the renewed vision of who we are as a people. May we all come home now to our foundational roots and calling as a nation; and may we never forget our Godly heritage again.
For an inspriing message about the "Massachusetts Miracle," go here.
And now, "The Scott Heard 'Round the World . . . ", from Tony Perkins, President, Family Reserach Council.
Massachusetts was the sight of the first American Revolution, and after Scott Brown's victory, it might be the start of the next. Last night, the popular fury of the United States was on full display as voters literally pulled the seat out from under Senate Democrats and elected Republican Scott Brown, ending a 38-year drought for the GOP in a seemingly untouchable blue state. The last time Massachusetts sent a Republican to the Senate, Barack Obama was 11 years old. Now, exactly one year after his inauguration, Americans finally understand the President's vision for "change"-- and want no part of it.
This election had nothing to do with Scott Brown or Martha Coakley. It was about our President, who stepped into the Oval Office 365 days ago and made a hard-Left turn so fast that it gave Americans whiplash. Were it not for his wildly unpopular health care plan, Martha Coakley would probably be packing her bags for Washington. Instead, the administration jilted voters for a "better than nothing" bill that undermines our freedom, destroys innocent human lives, and sticks taxpayers with the tab.
Scott Brown's upset was the culmination of thousands of townhalls, tea parties, and angry voters who, when push comes to Senate shove, can be just as passionate about preserving our values as the Democratic leadership is in destroying them. Social conservatives held back criticism of Brown's social views--and, in some cases, openly supported him-- because they believe a Brown win fulfills a short term goal of blocking President Obama's abominable health bill. (Family Research Council)
