In This Issue• On Capitol Hill This Week: Vol. XVII, No. 1a
• This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
Partners in Prayer for the Nation
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
On Capitol Hill This Week - Volume XVII, Number 1a
January 11 - 15, 2010
January 11 - 15, 2010
* * * FOCUS ON HEALTH CARE * * *
" . . . my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10)
1. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, NANCY PELOSI: REDEFINING "TRANSPARENCY"
2. BEN NELSON CALLS HEALTH CARE BILL "A MISTAKE"
3. SEN. CASEY: PRO-ABORTION LANGUAGE WILL BE RETAINED
4. BLUE DOG DEMOCRATS HOLDING THE LINE FOR LIFE
5. CAN SOCIALIZED MEDICINE BE STOPPED?
1. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, NANCY PELOSI: REDEFINING "TRANSPARENCY"
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi told a Big Whopper yesterday. While she is in the middle of secret negotiations with the Senate leader and the White House regarding the widely-different versions of ObamaCare passed in the House of Representatives and the United States Senate last year, she lied when she said that "there has never been a more open process for any legislation in anyone who served here's experience" This statement has to be classified as one of the Biggest Lies in congressional history. But then, she is just following the example of her president.
Talk about the Democrat Party's Newspeak. Evil is Good. Closed is Open. Here is what Barack Obama said during his presidential campaign about transparency on his first day in office during which he promised to usher in a "new era" of openness: "[T]o make government responsible is to hold it accountable. And the way to make government accountable is to make it transparent so that the American people can know exactly what decisions are being made, how they're being made, and whether their interests are being well served." (Christian Coalition of America)
- Please pray for a reversal of fortunes for every official under oath who would deceive with trickery and secrets, choosing to negate the Constitution that they swore an oath to uphold and leave their own integrity behind, further obscuring the issues.
- He that by usury and unjust gain increases his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. (Proverbs 28:8)
2. BEN NELSON CALLS HEALTH CARE BILL "A MISTAKE"
Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, the 60th vote for the pro-abortion health care bill in the Senate, now says it was a "mistake" for the Obama administration and Democrats to push the bill at a time when the nation is facing a gigantic financial crisis.
Nelson has come under intense criticism from pro-life advocates after compromising his long-held pro-life views to okay abortion funding under the Senate measure. Initially, Nelson defended his decision -- bashing pro-life groups in the process by saying they opposed his pro-abortion language because they didn't have any input. Now, Nelson appears to be changing his tune in the face of local rallies and opposition from local Nebraskans and polls showing him badly trailing a potential 2012 re-election opponent.
In an interview with the Fremont Tribune newspaper that it says Nelson requested, he appears to back down from the bill for the first time since his landmark vote for it. "I think it was a mistake to take health care on as opposed to continuing to spend the time on the economy," he said. He complimented President Barack Obama on his handling of other issues but said those successes "are minor in comparison to health care.. . I would have preferred not to be dealing with health care in the midst of everything else, and I think working on the economy would have been a wiser move," he said. (LifeNews.com)
- Father, give our leaders one mind, reminding them of the outcome of being double minded. Raise a praise for Senator Nelson finally speaking his true mind on the issue of what he feels the President's priorities for the American people should be.
- A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:8)
3. SENATOR CASEY: PRO-ABORTION LANGUAGE WILL BE RETAINED IN FINAL BILL
When House and Senate Democrats meet behind closed doors to iron out the final abortion funding language in the government-run health care bill, one prominent senator says they will likely keep the Senate language that allows states to force taxpayers to fund abortions. Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey says in a new interview that the merged bill will contain the Nelson-Reid abortion funding language instead of the Stupak amendment. While the Stupak amendment, which the House added to its legislation, prohibits abortion funding, the Nelson-Reid language does not. Casey admitted that there is a danger that the Nelson language would result in losing the votes of pro-life Democrats in the House, led by Rep. Bart Stupak, who oppose the pro-abortion compromise he says will be included in the final bill. "There is a concern about that, but I think we can reach an agreement between the two houses and get it passed," he told the Morning Call.
(LifeNews.com)
- Pray that no agreement ever be reached on the notion of our "paying to destroy life", and also for the opening of "deaf ears" on the part of some in Washington. Intercede that men of sound judgment will "hold the line" and that God will intervene with His mercy, first for the unborn, and then for us, who would be forced to fund their obliteration.
- "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees . . ." (Isaiah 10:1)
4. BLUE DOG DEMOCRATS HOLDING THE LINE FOR LIFE
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners is joining forces with Intercessors for America, Christian Coalition of America, Family Research Council, and many other Ministries in asking prayer for the "Blue Dog Democrats" now serving in the House of Representatives, who are upholding LIFE in the health bill.
As a group, these Democrats refuse to allow taxpayer money to be used to Fund abortion on demand. They deserve our support.
- Please pray for these members by name, by going here. Ask our Lord to send His heavenly host to shield these men and women, who stand and who vote for LIFE in the House of Representatives on every bill that crosses their desks. Praise God for each and every one of them!
- "For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer." (I Peter 3:12)
5. CAN SOCIALIZED MEDICINE BE STOPPED?
As I write this, President Obama is meeting with Big Labor leaders who are furious because their healthcare plans will be hit with new taxes if ObamaCare becomes law. Senator Chris Dodd told CNBC today that the legislation is "hanging on by a thread," and that one or two senators could defect.
Meanwhile in liberal Massachusetts, some polls indicate that growing anger about exploding federal budget deficits and the federal takeover of healthcare may result in the Democrats losing Ted Kennedy's former Senate seat in a special election on January 19th. I'll guarantee you if that happens there will be complete panic among liberals on Capitol Hill and across the country!
But let's assume that Obama, Reid and Pelosi hang on and ram this mess through Congress no matter what happens. We won't stop fighting it even then! I believe the evidence is overwhelming that the legislation is a blatantly unconstitutional power grab. We will work with others to challenge it in the federal courts! (Gary Bauer)
- When God's people were at the Red Sea, with no hope, He did not leave them forsaken But brought forth a miracle to bring them through. And He does not change! Let's join Forces in prayer tonight, asking our dear Heavenly Father for another "Red Sea Miracle" that will deliver all of us from the evil grip of Obamacare. Amen.
- "It is time for You to act, O Lord, for they have regarded Your law as void." (Psalm 119:126)
On Capitol Hill This Week: Vol. XVII, No. 1b
1. DEMOCRATS DODD AND DORGAN WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION
2. MASSACHUSETTS HOLDS SPECIAL ELECTION
3. CORNYN, STEELE CALL ON REID TO RESIGN AS SENATE LEADER
4. OBAMA APPOINTS TRANSGENDERED LGBT ACTIVIST
5. OBAMA'S HOMOSEXUAL AGENDA ANNOUNCED
6. IN TEXAS: U.S. EDUCATION DEPT. ORDERS TESTS FOR NEW TEACHERS
7. RAHM EMANUEL IS 'FED UP' WITH ISRAEL AND PALESTINIANS
8. IAF STRIKES FOUR TARGETS IN GAZA STRIP
9. QUARTET MIDEAST PEACE MEETING TODAY
10. ISRAELI RABBIS CALL FOR ABORTION TO END
1. DEMOCRATS DODD AND DORGAN WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION
With the 2010 election year barely under way, two prominent senators and one governor -- all Democrats -- announced that they are ditching plans to run for re- election in the latest signs of trouble for President Barack Obama's controlling party.
Taken together, the decisions by Sens. Chris Dodd of Connecticut and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota as well as Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter caused more consternation for Democrats as they struggle to defend themselves in a sour political environment for incumbents, particularly the party in charge forcing Health Care measures the public opposes.
As 2009 ended, Democrats watched a string of their House members announce retirements and one congressman switch parties to join the GOP.
Democrats, who have enjoyed and used a 60-40 Senate majority that includes two independents who vote with them, will now have to defend four open seats in the Senate. The others are Delaware and Illinois, where Sens. Ted Kaufman, who replaced Vice President Joe Biden, and Roland Burris, who replaced Obama, aren't running for full terms.
A number of "We will remember in November" moves are underway. (IFA)
- Pray that the Holy Spirit will prompt and enable godly and constitutionally principled candidates to run in 2012.
- "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Mt. 21:22)
2. MASSACHUSETTS HOLDS SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL TED KENNEDY'S SEAT
In just 7 days, the people of MA will elect a new senator who will replace Ted Kennedy's seat. We believe this will be one of the most important elections in the history of our nation. God still has a plan & a purpose for the state founded by the Pilgrims & many of our founders.
On Tuesday, January 19, voters in the State of Massachusetts will choose the man or woman who will fill the seat vacated by the late Senator Ted Kennedy. There are three candidates running for this office:
1. Attorney General Martha Coakley (Democrat)
2. State Senator Scott Brown (Republican)
3. Businessman Joseph L. Kennedy (Independent) [Note: Mr. Kennedy is not related to former Senator Ted Kennedy or his family]
These three candidates have widely different views on issues we are concerned about: abortion on demand, universal health care, gay marriage, etc. Latest polls in Massachusetts are now showing a "dead heat" between Scott Brown and Martha Coakley.
For detailed information about this race, please visit the website for the Massachusetts Family Institute.
- When the "lion of the Senate" passed away, the Lioin of Judah ROARED and took command of that seat. Thank our Lord that He continues to ROAR in the Senate today, and thank Him for what He is about to do with this open seat in the United States Senate. Praise God!
- "And Joshua commanded the people, saying: 'Ye shall not shout, nor let your voice be heard, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.'" (Joshua 6:10)
BULLETIN!
PRAYERSURGENOW to host a nationwide conference call to pray for the election in Massachusetts.
Date: WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13, at 9:30 a.m. EST
Number: 712-432-9998
Access Code: 526338#
With: Kris Mineau, Massachusetts Family Institute and Bob Emrich, Maine Jeremiah Project
3. CORNYN, STEELE CALL ON REID TO RESIGN AS SENATE LEADER
Result of Reid's "Poor Choice of Words" about Obama's Race
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has joined Republican National Committee Chairman Michale Steele in calling on Harry Reid to resign his Senate majority leadership role after news broke over the weekend that Reid described then-candidate Barack Obama in 2008 "light-skinned" with "no Negro dialect" unless he wants one.
Cornyn, head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said Sunday that Reid should follow the example set by Trent Lott in 2002, who resigned his leadership post after making unfortunate remarks at the centennial birthday party for Sen. Strom Thurmond, who had been a segregationist in the 1940s. "In 2002, Democrats expressed outrage at Senator Lott and called on him to step down as leader. That same standard should be applied to Senator Reid and his embarrassing and racially insensitive statements; statements, I would add, that Senator Reid still has yet to clarify," Cornyn said in a written statement. "As we await his explanation, Senator Reid should do the right thing, follow the example that he himself set in 2002, and step down as majority leader."
Earlier in the day, Steele also accused Democrats of hypocrisy on the matter. "There is this standard where Democrats feel that they can say these things and they can apologize when it comes from the mouths of their own. But if it comes from anyone else, it is racism," Steele told "Fox News Sunday." "If (Senate Minority Leader) Mitch McConnell had said those very words that this chairman and this president would be calling for his head, and they would be labeling every Republican in the country as a racist for saying exactly what this chairman has just said," Steele continued. (FOXNews.com)
• There does seem to be truth in what Steele and Cormyn say - hypocrisy abounds. How unfortunate that so many Democrats seem to follow a double standard or are silent. Pray for Senator Reid, for the more he pushes the Obamacare bill the deeper he gets into trouble. Pray that he finds the burden of all the politicking so onerous that he is led to resign. Once his usefulness is past, he will be dumped quickly. Praise the Lord that He is exposing more and more!
• "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed." (John 3: 19,20)
4. OBAMA APPOINTS TRANSGENDERED LGBT ACTIVIST
President Obama has named Amanda Simpson to a post in the Commerce Department, making Simpson perhaps the first-ever transgender appointment in a U.S. presidential administration.
Prior to the presidential appointment, Simpson worked for Raytheon Missile Systems in Arizona. While at Raytheon, Simpson underwent the sex- change "transition." In his new post, Simpson will serve as a senior technical adviser at the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security. A 30- veteran of the aerospace industry, he once served as a member of the National Center for Transgender Equality's board of directors.
Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality is not surprised that Simpson was appointed. "This is a man -- and by the way he is a man; he's not a woman -- who is one of the leaders in crusading for so-called 'civil rights' based on gender- confused behavior," he points out.
- Father, it's not what we know, but who we are that matters to You. When we forsake You to serve Baal, we will always wind up with such confusion and worse. We ask and pray for amplified discernment for those appointing leaders in this hour.
- They deserted God and served Baal-gods, leaving the God of their parents who had led them out of Egypt; they took up with other gods, gods of the peoples around them. They actually worshiped them! And oh, how they angered God. (Judges 2:12-13)
5. OBAMA'S HOMOSEXUAL AGENDA ANNOUNCED
John Berry, the homosexual activist appointed by President Obama to head the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has outlined the President's plan to pass the entire LGBT agenda before the "sun sets" on his administration:
1. Passage of Hate Crimes legislation (accomplished),
2. ENDA,
3. Don't Ask, Don't Tell (allow open homosexual behavior in the armed forces),
4. Repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). President Obama has named his first "transgender" appointment. Amanda Simpson, who underwent sex change surgery a decade ago, is now Senior Technical Advisor to the Commerce Department. Simpson said, "I hope that I will soon be one of hundreds, and that this appointment opens future opportunities for many others." (FRC Prayer Targets)
- Praise God for California and 30 other states who have taken a stand for traditional marriage. May God burden His people to contend, endure and prevail in prayer and citizen action in this sphere of public policy at the national, state and local levels. And may God help us to reach those caught up in this sad lifestyle so plainly condemned in Scripture.
- "Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed." (Job 24:35)
6. U.S. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ORDERS TESTS FOR SOME FIRST-YEAR TEXAS TEACHERS
Several thousand first-year elementary school teachers will have to take competency exams as early as this spring, the U.S. Department of Education has ordered after rejecting Texas' appeal to waive the requirement. The agency told state Education Commissioner Robert Scott that first-year teachers in elementary and some middle schools who didn't take a "generalist" exam on core subjects are not in compliance with federal standards and must be tested. Texas has a week to come up with a testing plan.
An Oct. 19 monitoring report from the Education Department said Texas is in violation of the federal No Child Left Behind Act and must submit a plan to implement the requirement that those teachers pass a multi-subject exam. . . State Commissioner of Education Robert Scott this afternoon said his agency will press federal education officials to reverse a decision that could strip credentials from thousands of teachers and cause districts administrative headaches."The real issue here is, you don't do something like this after school starts," Scott said in an interview this afternoon. "And you don't just decide it in a letter or an email... They leave themselves open to criticism and litigation when they do something outside the rule-making process." (THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS) Read more.
- The interesting question is why Texas is now under such scrutiny by the federal Dept. of Education. Has Texas been too noisy in its criticism of activities in Washington, D.C.? Nothing is reasonable in this demand for teachers' general testing right now. Why not wait until next year's teachers are being hired? Besides, doesn't the Constitution grant powers of education to the states? Pray that any hidden agenda will be exposed by the Lord and that the demands for this school year will disintegrate and fall to the ground like snowflakes.
- "O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause." (Psalm 25:2,3)
7. EMANUEL IS 'FED UP' WITH ISRAEL AND PALESTINIANS
The United States is "fed up" with Israelis who "adopt the right ideas too late," and also with the "Palestinians who always miss opportunities," White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel angrily told an Israeli diplomat recently. IDF Army Radio reported that Emanuel said this in a meeting with Israel's Consul in Los Angeles, Yaki Dayan, two and a half weeks ago. Dayan reported to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem that Emanuel said: "We are fed up with you Israelis who adopt the correct ideas several months too late, so that they become inefficient. In addition, we are also fed up with the Palestinians, who never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. If there is no progress in the diplomatic process, we will reduce our involvement and effort in the conflict, because we have other matters to deal with." (Israel National News)
• Let Rahm Emanuel speak for himself! Although he is chief of staff for the president, Emanuel really has no authority to speak for all of the USA, most of whom support Israel. Pray for this man's salvation in Jesus Christ and for a conviction from the Lord to begin to read the Bible. Pray down his decree that the USA "will reduce our involvement and effort in the conflict." Emanuel's important "matters" matter not to the Lord.
• "So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him." (Isaiah 59:19)
8. IAF STRIKES FOUR TARGETS IN GAZA STRIP
The Israeli Air Force struck four targets in the Gaza Strip Thursday night, in response to the firing of a Katyusha rocket which landed near Ashkelon earlier in the night. The air force targeted several smuggling tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip, as well as a tunnel which the army said was intended for infiltration of terrorists into Israel. A weapons manufacturing facility was also bombed. All of the IAF jets struck their intended targets and returned safely from the mission, the IDF said. Palestinians said three men were killed and two were wounded in the strikes. (Jerusalem Post)
• Praise the Lord that He leads the current government to attack Gaza every time that rockets are fired from Gaza into Israel. The purpose of the IDF's bombing is not to kill people but to destroy the terrorists' infrastructure. Pray that the Palestinians will rise up against the terrorists occupation of their land.
• "Thus says the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the nations, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to My servant Jacob. They shall dwell there safely, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards. They shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am LORD their God. (Ezekiel 28:25-26)
9. QUARTET MIDEAST PEACE MEETING - BRUSSELS TODAY
U.S. URGES WORLD TO HELP REVIVE MIDEAST TALKS
Washington wants the international community to issue a joint call next week for renewed negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Jerusalem officials said on Wednesday. The American administration wants the statement to be issued at the end of a meeting held in Brussels of the Quartet - the United Nations, United States, Russia and the European Union. American envoy George Mitchell intends to brief the Quartet at the meeting on his talks with Israel and the Palestinian Authority in a bid to resume the negotiations between the sides.
Senior Jerusalem officials said on Wednesday that the U.S. administration wants the Quartet's meeting to provide further international support for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and result in the issuing of a statement calling to renew the peace talks. The Americans hope the statement, agreed on by the international community, will persuade Abbas to be more flexible and agree to resume the talks. The last time the Americans tried to draft a statement supporting a renewal in negotiations, Russia thwarted the effort.
Abbas confirmed Wednesday that Washington has formulated a plan to jumpstart the negotiations over the final-status arrangement between Israel and the Palestinians. However, he told journalists in Qatar that the plan was still being examined. . . . The report also stated that the Egyptian initiative would raise the possibility of exchanging territory equivalent to one-third of the West Bank, while the PA would agree to the construction of some 8,000 housing units in the West Bank. (Israel National News)
- How the nations plot and plan to eliminate Israel! Not one plan has been successful. When will the nations learn? Please pray against any formal effort to bring about a new initiative for "peace" talks. Ask the Lord to open the eyes of George Mitchell. He has been blinded for so long regarding Israel that he cannot see God's plans at all. Pray for the protection of Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon.
- "So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.'" (Acts 4:24-26)
10. ISRAELI RABBIS CALL FOR ABORTION TO END
A report last week stated that Israel's two Chief Rabbis said that abortion is delaying Israel's redemption, and that they asked synagogue rabbis and teachers to share on this. Yet the day to speak on this topic was this past Shabbat, not last week because the Torah portion for last week includes the story of how the Pharaoh ordered infanticide against Israel's new born sons and how God intervened through two godly midwives. (Intercessors for Israel)
- Praise the Lord for the report that abortion rates are dropping in Israel. However, abortions are not only still being preformed, but are legal. Anoint those who will teach against this sin tomorrow and use their words to wake up many Israelis to the killing of the children by their parents. Call upon the religious Knesset [Israel's parliament] members to overturn the legalization of abortion in Israel. Cause all those who have been involved in abortions - whether as mothers and fathers or doctors and nurses - to be convicted of their sin and cry out to You for forgiveness and healing. Then lead them to Your Son, who alone can bring them the comfort they need.
• "Therefore thus says LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob - Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale. But when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify My name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel." (Isaiah 29:22-23) (Source: Intercessors for Israel)
This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
IMMANUEL
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)
Immanuel - God with us.
God, You never forsake us.
You are never not with us.
Thank You for Your marvelous plan, and that I can always know Immanuel - God with us. Amen.
"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you." (Psalm 5:11)
(Taken from: Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God, by Barri Cae Malin and Shmuel Wolkenfeld; Bridge-Logos Publishers; Gainesville, FL, 32614. ISBN: 0-88270-801-5)
