In This Issue• On Capitol Hill This Week; Vol. XVII, No. 6-1
• On Capitol Hill This Week; Vol. XVII, No. 6-2
• This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
On Capitol Hill This Week - Volume XVII, Number 6
March 8 - 12, 2010
You have covered my head in the day of battle. (Psalm 140:7)
DOMESTIC ISSUES
1. MOSLEM IMAM OFFERS OPENING PRAYER IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2. OBAMA DEMANDS "UP-OR-DOWN" VOTE ON HEALTHCARE
3. LIEBERMAN, DEMOCRATS PUSH ENDING BAN ON GAYS IN MILITARY
4. SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES DAWN JOHNSEN TO HEAD OFFICE OF LEGAL COUNSEL
5. FRC OPPOSES BILL, PASSED BY CONGRESS, NEGATIVELY IMPACTING SCHOOLS
6. CONGRESSMAN RANDY FORBES INTRODUCES CITIZENS' CHOICE ACT
7. SUPREME COURT REFUSES TO RULE ON TEN COMMANDMENTS CASE
8. ARE MILITARY TRIALS AHEAD FOR 9/11 SUSPECTS?
1. IMAM OFFERS OPENING PRAYER IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Prayer was offered on Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Imam Abdullah Antepli, the Muslim chaplain at Duke University, delivered the opening prayer for the House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 3. Antepli served as guest chaplain at the invitation of Congressman David Price, D-N.C.
The guest chaplain program is sponsored by the Office of the Chaplain of the House of Representatives. Guest chaplains must be recommended by current members of Congress, and each member is allowed to recommend only one religious leader per session. Opening the House of Representatives in prayer is a tradition that began in 1789 with the first Continental Congress. For more information about the Office of the Chaplain, visit chaplain.house.gov. (Office of News and Communications; Duke University) Read more.
- We praise the Lord that the first order of business in both the House and the Senate Chambers is prayer. Intercede that only Biblically-based prayers be uttered in these Halls of government; and that any other words spoken, not according to the Word of God, be broken and of no effect. In Jesus Name, amen.
- He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. (Job 5:12)
2. OBAMA DEMANDS "UP-OR-DOWN" VOTE ON HEALTHCARE
Obama drew a line in the sand for health care on Wednesday, March 3
In a speech designed to put pressure on Democrats and Republicans to pass health care reform, Obama, on March 3, called on Congress to hold an up or down vote on his health care reform proposal. It is time to end this year-long debate, end the discussions, and end the demagoguery, he said, and vote for health care reform. The President then went on to indicate his support for the use of a legislative procedure known as reconciliation in which only simple majorities in both chambers are needed to pass legislation.
Under this approach the House would pass the health bill passed by the Senate in December. The House and the Senate would then use reconciliation to pass a set of fixes to the bill, to satisfy the demands of lawmakers in the House. The rules concerning reconciliation prohibit filibusters, allowing Senate Democrats to approve the changes by a simple majority vote a move intended to bypass a Republican caucus that remains united in its opposition to the legislation.
- Lord we bind the spirit of witchcraft that controls our leadership from the top on down. We Loose Your Holy Spirit and wisdom over America to bring truth and freedom from the demand for socialized medicine. We especially take authority over the spirit of Molech, who continually seeks to kill our children. We stand firmly against it with the Blood of Jesus.
- Assuredly I say to you, whatever you bind on the earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:18)
3. LIEBERMAN, DEMOCRATS PUSH ENDING BAN ON GAYS IN MILITARY
Calling the ban on gays openly serving in the U.S. military inconsistent with our most important national values, Sen. Joseph Lieberman and Democrats are pushing to revoke the law. But supporters of the ban say ending it while the country is fighting two foreign wars will sap morale and embroil troops in the nation s culture wars. (AFP)
- Lord we are continually grieved at the gay agenda s attempts to move their battleground into the military. We ask that You will find a way to protect our troops from demoralizing situations that create distractions from their missions.
- He shall send form heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth. (Psalm 57:3)
4. SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES DAWN JOHNSEN TO HEAD OFFICE OF LEGAL COUNSEL
After yesterday's vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee, President Obama is on the brink of appointing the most liberal team ever assembled at the U.S. Justice Department. His controversial pick to head up the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), Dawn Johnsen, survived her first vote (12-7) in a committee sharply divided along party lines. Although the move brings her one step closer to final confirmation, she might not be ordering her business cards any time soon. After years in the legal and academic world, Johnsen has compiled quite a record of disdain for life, religion, freedom, and judicial restraint. Given her radical background, there may be enough opposition in the full Senate to delay her nomination -- though it will take a concerted effort . . . to block her. (Family Resear
ch Council) Read more on this nomination from the Traditional Values Coalition by going here.
- Here we go again. It is time for the intercessors to take up our positions as watchmen on the wall and beseech God to block this nomination when it comes to the full Senate for a vote. May only those who fear God and who obey His law be placed in positions of authority -- especially within the Judicial branch of our government. We are still ONE NATION UNDER GOD -- the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the God who gave us His Law -- the Ten Commandments -- to obey. Amen.
- Then Moses and the priests, who are Levites, said to all Israel, "Be silent, O Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of the LORD your God. Obey the LORD your God and follow his commands and decrees that I give you today." (Dt. 27:9,10)
5. FRC OPPOSES BILL, PASSED BY CONGRESS, NEGATIVELY IMPACTING SCHOOLS
FRC Calls on U.S. Senate to Reject H.R. 4247; Far-reaching Bill Threatens Faith-Based Education
Washington, D.C. - On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4247, the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act. The bill's purpose is to ensure that teachers do not use physical, mechanical or chemical means of restraint against students. The bill significantly increases federal oversight of schools that receive federal funding, including many Catholic parochial schools and independent private schools, and it has been strongly opposed by the Council for American Private Education and the American Association of Christian Schools.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released a statement about H.R. 4247. You can read his statement by going here.
- In those days, they shall call good evil and evil good. Praise God for Tony Perkins and others who stand watch over the affairs of Congress and sound the alarm when bills are passed that are harmful to our people. Pray that this bill is stopped in the Senate; and never makes it to the president's desk for signature into law. Pray!
- And I placed boundaries on it And set a bolt and doors, And I said, 'Thus far you shall come, but no farther; And here shall your proud waves stop'? (Job 38:10,11)
6. CONGRESSMAN RANDY FORBES INTRODUCES CITIZENS' CHOICE ACT
It was in thinking of this that I introduced the Citizens' Choice Act, a bill that would empower citizens - rather than the federal government - to meet the needs of their communities and of our nation by providing a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for charitable contributions up to $1,000. This legislation would therefore empower any American to determine where the first $1,000 of his tax dollars go, so long as they are directed to a charitable organizations or church. But the impact of the bill would be far greater than a tax credit.
The Citizens' Choice Act, or H.R.4702, would reinvigorate charitable giving to organizations serving our communities and would recognize that it is our faith leaders, housing counselors, clinic workers, university leaders, job trainers, and other folks in our communities that know how to meet the needs of our communities - not bureaucrats in Washington.
It would remove the federal government as a middle man and, in turn, reinvigorate giving, encourage choice, and promote community-level efficiency and accountability. Revitalizing local charities will inspire a level of confidence, creativity, and specificity that the current 'big government' mentality in Washington could never hope to contend with. Randy Forbes. Even more importantly, the Citizens' Choice Act would send a clear message to Americans that government trusts them to make the best decisions for their families and communities better than any committee or government entity can.
It is Americans - not the federal government - who are the creators, collectors and keepers of the story of our nation. And if we empower Americans to continue to carry the story, we will see a momentum, an ingenuity, a force - a story - that is unmatched across the world. (Source: Office of Congressman Randy Forbes)
- Praise the Lord for the foresight of Rep. Randy Forbes (R - VA) to believe in Americans and to present a resolution that puts a deep trust in American ingenuity. Pray for the passage of this bill with the support of Congressmen on both sides of the aisle. Memorize the number of the bill and contact your representative to join Forbes. Be sure to teach your children and grandchildren about what being an American means (not global dependence!). What are your local public schools teaching about the USA?
- Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. (Psalms 33:12)
7. SUPREME COURT REFUSES TO RULE ON TEN COMMANDMENTS CASE
Even a Center-Right Court Rules "No" on Ten Commandments
Today, the United States Supreme Court refused to get involved in a lawsuit regarding a Ten Commandments display on public land in Oklahoma. This is a warning to conservatives and to other Americans who believe in religious freedom that elections have consequences.
The fact that a center-right U.S. Supreme Court can refuse to allow a Ten Commandments display on the grounds of a county courthouse in Stigler, Oklahoma is sobering. The additional fact that Hussein Obama is quickly filling the federal court vacancies with legislate-from-the-bench left-wingers is truly terrifying.
An 8-foot-tall stone Ten Commandments monument has been on public property since the year 2004. Some atheists, egged on by the ACLU, challenged the monument through a lawsuit and a federal appeals court in 2009 ruled that the Ten Commandments monument was an unconstitutional endorsement of religion by the county commission. (Christian Coalition of America)
- Intercede that our government, now more than ever, will refuse to put God out and mandate that He exist only in the private sector. Intercede and reclaim this land for the Lord, as He truly is the One who sustains us in all our time of testing and trouble. He longs for His people to be free!
- Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. (Jeremiah 29:12-14)
8. ARE MILITARY TRIALS AHEAD FOR 9/11 SUSPECTS?
Obama aides mull September 11 suspect military trial
Advisers to President Barack Obama are close to recommending that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the self-professed mastermind of the September 11, 2001, attacks, be tried in a military tribunal instead of a civilian court, the Washington Post reported on Thursday. This would be a reversal of Attorney General Eric Holder's plan for Mohammed and four other suspects in the 2001 attacks to stand trial in a civilian court in New York City.
Obama administration officials have reconsidered the plan amid objections by some lawmakers who have balked at security costs and the idea of granting full legal rights to the suspects. If Obama agrees to his advisers' likely recommendation, the White House could get from Congress the funding and legal authority it needs to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Post reported. (Reuters)
- Thank You that this path is being followed so that the people are safe. We pray that we will be fair in our prosecutions of these terrorists, but may we not give them a forum to spread hate.
- Let those be ashamed and humiliated altogether who rejoice at my distress; Let those be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves over me. (Psalm 35:26)
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
1. US SEARCHING FOR 'RADICALIZED' AMERICANS
2. US CRITICIZED ON IRAN SANCTIONS
3. TURKEY WITHDRAWS ITS AMBASSADOR/ WARNS US OVER GENOCIDE CLAIMS
4. HAMAS LEADER DISOWNS SON WHO SERVED AS ISRAELI SPY
5. TOP IDF GENERAL LEAVES FOR WEEK-LONG VISIT IN U.S.
6. VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN ARRIVES IN JERUSALEM
7. OBAMA FAMILY TO TOUR INDONESIA LATER THIS MONTH
1. US SEARCHING FOR 'RADICALIZED' AMERICANS
The top U.S. diplomat in Pakistan says the Obama administration does not know how many Americans might have disappeared overseas to train with al-Qaida or other terrorist groups. The number is not thought to be large, but Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson outlined a possible "nightmare scenario" -- people holding U.S. passports receiving terrorist training and then returning legally to the U.S. to commit violent acts.
She said in a speech Friday to the Pacific Council in Los Angeles that the U.S. is working with Pakistan and other governments to figure out how to identify such people. She said after the speech "there are more out there than we know about." (AP)
- Praise the Lord that the Obama administration has decided to search for Americans who have and are now training with al-Qaeda. Praise the Lord that Jesus is Truth and not deception, unlike allah. Ask the Lord and His angels to join in this search, so that the deceived can be quickly found and be restored to the principles of our republic, encountering Jesus for their salvation.
- And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)
2. US CRITICIZED ON IRAN SANCTIONS
The Obama administration is pushing to carve out an exemption for China and other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council from legislation pending in the Senate and the House that would tighten sanctions on companies doing business in Iran, administration and congressional sources said. China has balked at supporting a fourth round of U.N. sanctions on Iran. That has emboldened countries on the council, such as Brazil, Turkey and Lebanon, to also express opposition.
The administration's plan in effect would label China as a country cooperating in the U.S.-led drive to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and appears to be part of a broader strategy to prod Beijing to vote for a new sanctions resolution. The three previous resolutions enjoyed broad support in the 15-member council, so any result that includes several abstentions or no votes would be viewed as a major diplomatic setback.
But the administration's lobbying for a Chinese exemption has raised eyebrows in Congress and angered several allies, most notably South Korea and Japan, which would not be exempted under the administration's plan. Among other things, the legislation tightens existing U.S. sanctions on Iran by targeting sales of refined petroleum products to the country and the administration would want it to include an exemption for the six countries seeking to negotiate with Iran on its nuclear program. The six are the five permanent members of the Security Council -- the United States, France, Russia, China and Britain -- and Germany. The most controversial, by far, would be China. (Washington Post) Read more.
- What China wants is Iran's oil to operate its factories and economy. At this point, it is difficult to see any military collusion between the two countries. Is this move on the part of China and other countries a preparation for the armies of the world to move against Israel when oil is released there? Never cease to pray for the peace of Jerusalem! Only the Lord can untangle the knotted threads of this international dilemma. Pray for His help.
- . . .and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. (Rev. 20:8)
3. TURKEY WITHDRAWS ITS AMBASSADOR/ WARNS US OVER GENOCIDE CLAIMS
Turkey has warned the Obama administration of negative diplomatic consequences if it does not impede a US resolution branding the First World War killing of Armenians as genocide. Foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu said yesterday that Turkey, a Muslim ally of the US, would assess what measures it would take, adding that the issue was a matter of "honour" for his country. A US congressional committee approved the measure late on Thursday. The 23-22 vote sends the measure to the full House of Representatives, where prospects for passage are uncertain. Minutes after the vote, Turkey withdrew its ambassador to the United States. (Scotsman)
- Turkey is taking this stance because it thinks it can in facing a weak Obama administration. It is true that the Turks entered Armenia around 1900 and did slaughter the Armenians, many of whom were devout Christians. Is there any "honor" in the genocide of a peoples? Probably this complaint is part of the revived Moslem movement inside Turkey. Pray that the USA will continue its firm stance against Turkey s new attitude. Pray that the members of the full House of Representatives be granted "wisdom from above" as they consider this resolution in the days ahead.
- An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire. (Proverbs 16: 27)
4. HAMAS LEADER DISOWNS SON WHO SERVED AS ISRAELI SPY
The jailed Hamas leader Sheik Hassan Yousef has disowned his eldest son after learning that he was a spy for Israel. Hassan Yousef, who has been held in an Israeli prison since 2005, said in a statement that he, along with other family members, disowned his oldest son Mosab, 32.
The statement was reportedly smuggled out of his Israeli prison. Mosab Yousef was Israel's most valuable source on Hamas for more than a decade. He converted to Christianity ten years ago and left the West Bank [Judea and Samaria] in 2007 for California, where he now resides.
His spying was reported last week by the Israeli daily Haaretz in advance of this week's release of "Son of Hamas," a book written by Mosab Yousef and Rob Brackin. The son of Hassan Yousef reportedly was code-named "Green Prince" by the Mossad [Israeli intelligence agency].
His intervention is said to have led to the prevention of dozens of suicide bombing attacks and assassination attempts on Israeli officials and the exposing of several terrorist cells. (By The World Jewish Congress, March 3, 2010) [Reported by Bridges for Peace]
- Pray for Mosab's protection.
- Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings, from the wicked who oppress me, from my deadly enemies who surround me. (Psalm 17:8-9).
5. TOP IDF GENERAL LEAVES FOR WEEK-LONG VISIT IN U.S.
The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, will left Israel on Sunday night for a week-long working visit in the United States. He will hold a series of meetings with government, military, security and public diplomacy officials in Washington, D.C. and New York. Lt.-Gen. Ashkenazi has scheduled meetings at the White House with the Head of the U.S. National Security Council, General James L. Jones, as well as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S Military, Admiral Michael G. Mullen and additional officials in government and congress.
His visit will also include his participation as guest of honor at the annual Friends of the IDF (FIDF) conference this Tuesday at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. In the wake of a planned Arab anti-Israel demonstration outside the hotel, various Jewish groups have announced a counter-protest that evening, involving the distribution of literature and otherwise alerting the public about the true nature of Fatah, Hamas and the PA. The Jewish groups will highlight the facts that Hamas acts against Christians, uses women and children as human shields, fires rockets from mosques, homes, and schools, and teaches hatred of Israel in its schools and media.
Escorting the Chief of Staff on his visit will be his wife Ronit, IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Avi Bnayahu and Ashkenazi s top aide Lt.-Col. Amos HaCohen. He will be replaced during his absence by Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Benny Ganz. (Israel National News)
- Pray for the protection of all officials who will be involved in these discussions; and ask that only God s perfect will be done throughout. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
- . . . if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 18:19)
6. VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN ARRIVES IN JERUSALEM
(Washington, D.C., March 8, 2010) -- Vice President Biden, his wife, Jill, and a team of national security advisors arrived in Israel on Monday afternoon, local time. This is the beginning of a five-day trip through Israel.
The main focus of the Biden visit from the Israeli perspective: the rising nuclear threat from Iran and whether the U.S. will truly stand with Israel and act decisively to stop Iran from getting The Bomb, before it's too late. But Biden also wants to pressure the Israelis to give the West Bank and half of Jerusalem to the Palestinians. Should be an interesting week. (Source: Joel Rosenberg)
Here is the Vice President's itinerary for this trip:
- Tuesday: Jerusalem meetings with Israeli PM Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres, and opposition leader Tzipi Livni
- Wednesday: Ramallah meetings with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and PM Salam Fayyad.
- Thursday: Amman meetings with Jordanian King Abdullah
- Friday: Possible Cairo meetings with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, if he has recovered enough from a recent surgery.
- Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for the VP's eyes to be opened to the magnitude of the Iranian threat facing the Jewish State. Please also pray for the Bidens' safety and for the Lord to move deeply in their hearts. As above, pray for the protection of all officials who will be involved in these discussions; and ask that only God s perfect will be done throughout. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
- . . . if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 18:19)
7. OBAMA FAMILY TO TOUR INDONESIA LATER THIS MONTH
Obama and First Family to Wear Sarongs for Visit to Borobudur (Buddhist) Temple
According to Central Java Governor Bibit Waluyo, sarongs will remain the order of the day for all visitors to Central Java's famed Borobudur Temple, including Obama, his wife, and daughters Sasha and Malia.
"I have received information from the Foreign Ministry that the US President, his wife Michelle and two daughters are scheduled to visit Candi Borobudur on March 22. The [state] visit aside, even Obama's family must follow the existing regulations applied within the confines of the temple," Bibit said on Friday. . ." We have made the central government aware of these rules and all parties involved in the planning of the US president's visit to Indonesia. We are relieved that they understand these rules and have no objections to following them."
As previously reported, local worshippers have voiced serious concern over tourists revealing too much skin or wearing footwear, including high heels, that has ended up damaging the temple s stonework. The temple was built around 800 AD and is believed to have taken about 75 years to construct. (Jakarta Globe, February 13, 2010) Read more
- You may wish to Google information on the Borobudur Temple, which is fascinating. Pray that the President's steps be ordered by the Lord, and that he not enter any shrine like this one. Pray and ask the Lord to speak to Mr. Obama in dreams in the night, thereby directing his steps. As always, whenever the president travels, we ask for his protection, too --- and for protection for Mrs. Obama and the girls. Pray!
- A man s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)
This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
ANCIENT OF DAYS (Ahteek Yomeen)
As I looked, "thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow;
the hair of his head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire,
and its wheels were all ablaze." (Daniel 7:9)
From before time was, You Are. Father, to know that You are the Ancient of Days gives me great peace and assurance for the days ahead. Thank You for this shalom, this peace. Amen.
(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)
