In This Issue• On Capitol Hill This Week; Vol. XVII, No. 8
• 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 8
March 22 - 26, 2010
"I know that my Redeemer lives." (Job 19:25) 1. PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON TODAY
2. NETANYAHU TO VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE TOMORROW
3. REPUBLICANS BLAST OBAMA OVER ISRAEL CRITICISM
4. U.N. CHIEF: SETTLEMENTS MUST BE STOPPED IN ISRAEL
5. OBAMA WILL SIGN HEALTH BILL ON TUESDAY
6. STUPAK'S "30 PIECES OF SILVER?"
7. A LETTER FROM A REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF CONGRESS
8. IT'S NOT OVER: A GUIDE TO RECONCILIATION
9. 38 STATES "JUST SAY NO" TO OBAMACARE
10. BIPARTISAN PRAYER SERVICE IN STATUARY HALL, U.S. CAPITOL
1. PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON TODAY
As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to leave yesterday for his trip to Washington, He made the following remarks to his Cabinet at their weekly meeting in Jerusalem:
"This evening I will leave for Washington to address the AIPAC Policy Conference , in the presence of many Senators and Congressmen. I will also meet with the Congressional leadership. I plan to speak about our policy - on both the peace and security issues, as well as about Iran and Jerusalem.
Our policy toward Jerusalem is the same policy of all Israeli governments in the past 42 years and it has not changed. From our point-of-view, construction in Jerusalem is like construction in Tel Aviv. These are the things which we have made very clear to the American administration. We also made it clear that in the proximity talks with the Palestinians, while each side will be able to raise its positions on the issues in dispute, a tangible solution to the fundamental problems between us and the Palestinians will be achievable only in direct peace talks. It cannot be otherwise. Only if we sit together, discuss the issues together and reach joint solutions, will we be able to reach a genuine peace agreement.
I think that it is very important that these matters not be left subject to commentary and speculation; therefore, I initiated the letter that I sent to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton so that these issues would be very clear. I must say that I sent the positions after consulting with my unanimous colleagues in the seven-member ministerial forum. I think that Israel's position is very clear and it will also be so during my visit to the American capital."
(Source: Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
-We're praying for Mr. Netanyahu, OH Lord,, Your will be done!
- I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. (Psalm 32:8,9)
2. NETANYAHU TO VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE TOMORROW
President Obama will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, Fox News has learned, as a sharp disagreement over settlements continues to fester. Israeli sources confirmed that Netanyahu, who will be in the United States for a meeting of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, will sit down with Obama now that the U.S. president has postponed his trip to Indonesia and Australia in order to work on health care reform. (Fox News)
Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet with President Obama at the White House Tuesday evening, the fourth time the two leaders have met since they took office. Netanyahu was accompanied by Defense Minister Ehud Barak. The pair met Monday with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Monday evening Netanyahu spoke to the AIPAC conference. On Tuesday, Netanyahu will meet with a large group of congressmen, before his meeting at the White House. On Wednesday, Netanyahu will do interviews with the U.S. media, and then depart for Israel. Sources in Jerusalem expect the proximity talks with the Palestinian Authority to begin next month after Passover. (Ha'aretz - 3/22/10) Read more.
- Lord, we thank You that the president will be in Washington to meet with Netanyahu. We pray that members of the administration will stand firm for Israel and not continue the attacks against the Jewish state.
- Like flying birds so the LORD of hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it; He will pass over and rescue it. (Isaiah 31:5)
3. REPUBLICANS BLAST OBAMA OVER ISRAEL CRITICISM
It is not only Israelis and Israel's supporters among the American public that are upset with Hussein Obama taking a very hostile stance against a new Jewish building project in Jerusalem. Republican Party congressional leaders on Monday also lashed out at the administration, calling its behavior in response to relatively routine housing construction "irresponsible."
The charge was led by Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), who accused Hussein Obama of being ready to stab America's true friends in the back in order to win points with its enemies. "In an effort to ingratiate our country with the Arab world, this administration has shown a troubling eagerness to undercut our allies and friends," said Cantor. He noted that while Obama focuses disproportionate attention on a few Jewish apartments, major Palestinian violations of their peace commitments are ignored.
"Where is the outrage when top Fatah officials call for riots on the Temple Mount? Why does the Palestinian Authority get a pass when it holds a ceremony glorifying the woman responsible for one of the deadliest terror attack in Israel's history? Surely, the administration's double standard has set back the peace process."
Many Israeli commentators have made the same warning, noting that as serious as the Palestinians view the building of new Jewish homes on lands they claim, so do the Israelis view ongoing incitement to kill Jews as an insurmountable roadblock to peace. (Israel Today Headline News, 3/17/2010)
- Praise the Lord for our lawmakers who understand the importance of American support of Israel. Many of the members of Congress have received certificates and other forms of recognition for their support of Israel, and most went to Sunday school and have a familiarity with the Bible. Pray that our president will have a teachable spirit and will refuse to rely on politics and the opinions of other men!
- "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)
4. U.N. CHIEF: SETTLEMENTS MUST BE STOPPED IN ISRAEL
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Saturday in Ramallah that Israeli settlements are undermining peace. Israeli settlement building anywhere on occupied land is illegal and must be stopped, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Saturday, after getting a closer look at some of the Israeli enclaves scattered across Palestinian-claimed territories.
During a high-profile West Bank visit, Ban was escorted to an observation point by Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. (Reuters)
- Pray that Ban Ki-moon will sit under the teachings of Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho so that he speaks righteous knowledge about the place of Israel according to God's Word. Ban's mind seems so irrational when considering the violence and deception of the Palestinians. Did an Israeli also lead Ban on a tour of the "claimed" land? Pray that the foolish thinking will cease.
- "The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools." (Proverbs3: 35)
5. OBAMA WILL SIGN HEALTH BILL ON TUESDAY
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says Obama will sign the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on Tuesday, two days after the House passed the legislation in a party-line vote. Obama on Sunday acknowledged that the bill was surrounded by controversy, but applauded the House for acting on one of his signature campaign promises. "This is what change looks like," Obama said. "I know this wasn't an easy vote for a lot of people. But it was the right vote."
A package of fixes to the larger bill now heads to the Senate where Republicans may use parliamentary tactics that could send the legislation back to the House. Secretary Sebelius told Fox and Friends that despite Republican accusations that the legislation was crafted by the White House and Democrats behind closed doors "they were in the room for months." She added that many GOP ideas were included in the bill, "This is an improvement over the Senate bill and hopefully it will be a bipartisan effort to make the bill better."
- Offer praise that, in spite of the president's signature on this bill tomorrow, this is not yet a "done deal." The bill now goes to the Senate, where more procedural moves may be scheduled to block it or refine it. . . When the Founding Fathers built our nation with three branches of government, in a system of true checks and balances, they were using divine wisdom. Pray that our Almighty God, moving in the hearts of the members of the United States Senate, would still move to block the implementation of this wicked and disastrous piece of legislation.
- Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, Who write misfortune, Which they have prescribed . . . (Isaiah 10:1)
6. STUPAK'S "30 PIECES OF SILVER?"
U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced three airports in northern Michigan have received grants totaling $726,409 for airport maintenance and improvements. The funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration.
Alpena County Regional Airport received a grant of $85,500 to acquire friction measuring equipment, specifically a decelermeter and tow vehicle, to replace equipment that has worn out. Delta County Airport in Escanaba received a grant of $179,209 to install a 10 foot perimeter fence to enhance security and prevent wildlife from entering the airport. The Chippewa County International Airport near Sault Ste. Marie received a grant of $461,700 to install lighted signs on Runway 16/34 and make repairs to the pavement to meet marking requirements and maintain structural integrity.
This funding is provided to the FAA through the regular federal appropriations process and is awarded through competitive grants. (Office of Congressman Bart Stupak) Read more.
- It seems that there are very few true threads of morality left in the fabric of our nation. How terribly sad. The healthcare bill is only a symptom of the real problem in our nation. As a nation, we have left our God and we will reap what we have sown.
• We must continue to stand in the gap for those who love the Lord and pray for those who don't.
• Ask forgiveness for their sins because they really have no idea what they are doing.
• Pray for personal leading and guidance from the Lord to take you through the storm that is coming.
• "MAKE READY" the time has come to totally and completely trust in the Lord.
[Prayer points offered by Mary Murphy, Christian Women's Outreach]
- Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of the LORD. (Isaiah 26:10)
7. A LETTER FROM A MEMBER OF CONGRESS
Dear Friends,
Last night Pelosi and the Democrat led Congress passed a government takeover of our healthcare system. I was proud to stand with the American people when I stood on the House floor and voted NO! This fight is not yet over - in fact it has only just begun. My Republican colleagues and I will explore every option available to challenge and ultimately REPEAL THIS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BILL. I wanted to share my official statement on House passage of Obamacare with you:
Democrats Pass Prescription to Bankrupt our Country
Washington, Mar 21 -
Tonight, Congressman John Sullivan issued the following statement after House Democrats voted against the will of the American people and passed a 2,700 page government takeover of our healthcare system. Sullivan, who signed the club for growth's "repeal it" pledge, again reiterated he will explore every option at his disposal to challenge and ultimately repeal the bill.
"This is a sad day in the history of the United States Congress. The American people were clear that they did not want this government takeover of our healthcare system, yet Speaker Pelosi and her liberal allies in Congress didn't seem to care. They twisted arms and cut backroom deals until they had the votes to pass it anyways - I got news for them, the American people will have the votes to hold every single one of them accountable in November. This fight is not yet over - my Republican colleagues and I will use every means at our disposal to challenge, and ultimately repeal this unconstitutional bill." (Office of Congressman John Sullivan, R-OK)
- Of course, every member of Congress on the right side of the aisle has now issued similar statements, but we share this letter with you as a "first fruits offering" for prayer this everning . ..
Tonight, now that this debacle has taken place in the House of Representatives, we ask for renewed and supernatural strength to be released to our leaders who are working to pass laws that are written according to the wisdom of God, and not man. This year is not even half way through; may each one be renewed form a Power on High -- our Lord Jesus Christ -- that he or she may yet be able to stand in the days ahead. In Jesus' Name, amen.
- "He will be a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate." (Isaiah 28:6)
8. IT'S NOT OVER: A GUIDE TO RECONCILIATION
Should the House pass the Senate bill and the package of reconciliation fix-its tonight, Senators will take over the reconciliation fix-its as soon as Tuesday. That will set in motion a week or longer parliamentary floor battle with points of order, references to the budget act, the Byrd Rule and more. For an appetizer, take a look at Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Judd Gregg's statement tonight.
"Immediately after receiving the final reconciliation bill language, Senate Republican staff was ready and willing to meet with Senate Democratic staff and the Senate Parliamentarian to discuss the fact that the House reconciliation bill may be brought down by the 310(g) point of order in the Senate. Senate Democrats are mysteriously unavailable until after the House votes on the health care bill tonight. The Senate Democrats appear to be pushing off this meeting so that House Democrats will remain in the dark about what is likely to happen to the reconciliation bill on which many have staked their careers in Congress. House Democrats should be alarmed by this latest development, since the survival of the reconciliation bill is clearly at risk in the Senate."
If Republicans can get the parliamentarian to agree with them even once, whatever ultimately passes the Senate will have to go back to the House. And Democrats in the House quietly admit that it's very likely they will have to vote again on the reconciliation fixes at some point down the road. (ABC) Read more
Also recommended reading from Fox News: "Reconciliation - Your Guide to the Game." Go here.
- In the difficult maze that is Capitol Hill and its various Senate and House "points of order" and rules procedures, and as we pray for our leaders to find their way through this maze to produce legislation that is biblically sound, we may wish to consider today's daily word from Marsha Burns ("Small Straws in a Soft Wind"): In a vision I saw a brier patch, then a tangle of twigs, and then a snare or a trap. I believe these all mean the same thing. A brier patch is a mass of woody, thorny, prickly-stemmed plants. A tangle is a twisted mass. A snare is something by which one is entangled. Then, I heard the Lord say that He will give us discernment of thoughts or situations that have the potential of entangling us by bringing us into confusion. Then, as we yield to His power of extrication, He will set us free and bring absolute clarity of spirit and soul.
- Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayer and for helping our leaders in government to be extricated from this tangled mess -- as they pray, repent, seek Your face, and ask for guidance . . . one day at a time.
- Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1)
9. 38 STATES "JUST SAY NO" TO OBAMACARE
Less than 24 hours after the House of Representatives gave final approval to a sweeping overhaul of healthcare, attorneys general from several states on Monday said they will sue to block the plan on constitutional grounds. Republican attorneys general in 11 states warned that lawsuits will be filed to stop the federal government overstepping its constitutional powers and usurping states' sovereignty. States are concerned the burden of providing healthcare will fall on them without enough federal support.
Ten of the attorneys general plan to band together in a collective lawsuit on behalf of Alabama, Florida, Nebraska, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Washington. The Republican attorney generals say the reforms infringe on state powers under the Constitution's Bill of Rights. Virginia Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli, who plans to file a lawsuit in federal court in Richmond, Virginia, said Congress lacks authority under its constitutional power to regulate interstate commerce to force people to buy insurance. The bill also conflicts with a state law that says Virginians cannot be required to buy insurance, he added.
"If a person decides not to buy health insurance, that person by definition is not engaging in commerce," Cuccinelli said in recorded comments. "If you are not engaging in commerce, how can the federal government regulate you?"
In addition to the pending lawsuits, bills and resolutions have been introduced in at least 36 state legislatures seeking to limit or oppose various aspects of the reform plan through laws or state constitutional amendments, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. So far, only two states, Idaho and Virginia, have enacted laws, while an Arizona constitutional amendment is seeking voter approval on the November ballot. But the actual enactment of the bill by [Hussein] Obama could spur more movement on the measures by state lawmakers. (Reuters)
- Praise God for bold stand the states are taking against the brazen usurping of their authority, and for the logic that "if a person decides not to buy health insurance, that person by definition is not engaging in commerce," and therefore "If you are not engaging in commerce, how can the federal government regulate you?" Please pray for more godly strategy to isolate instances, file suit, and overcome the sweeping magnitude of this madness. Intercede for victory by wisdom and for the state's lawsuits, bills, amendments, and resolutions to be the final word on their right to reject this monstrosity, in whole or in part.
- "The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked; but God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness." (Proverbs 21:12)
10. BIPARTISAN PRAYER SERVICE IN STATUARY HALL, U.S. CAPITOL
First time a Sunday prayer service has been held inside the Capitol in 130 years
Hours before the turmoil would unfold, the Congressional Prayer Caucus gathered in Statuary Hall on Sunday under the Capitol dome. Together with families in churches all across America, they lifted up our great nation and prayed for God's guidance. One congressman told me it was the first time in 130 years that members had held a church service on the site. As we try to cope with these frightening new realities, let's hope--no, let's pray--that this is the beginning of true change in America. (Family Research Council)
- We offer praise to the Lord for this breakthrough in the Capitol yesterday morning. We rejoice to know that up to 500 members of Congress and their wives and invited guests stood in Statuary Hall on Sunday morning, asking for help from a Power greater than themselves. May God grant each one, in return, His divine wisdom, grace, strength and protection in the days ahead. Amen.
- "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle." (Psalm 24:7,8)
This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
GOD OF HOSTS (Ehloheem Ts'vaot)
"Restore us, O God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved! " (Psalm 80:7)
O God of hosts, God of the Armies of Heaven, thank You that the power of Your might goes before me in battle. You surround me with the Hosts of Heavens and Armies of Heavens to help me. Thank You that as I yield myself to You, Your strength is around me. Help me to go through the day ever aware that You, the God of Hosts, the God of the Armies of Heaven, are with me. 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)
