In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• 10 Aid Workers Killed in Afganistan
• Prayers for 10 Aid Workers Killed in Afganistan
• Praying for Moslems During Ramadan
• Biblical Guidelines in an Election
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief - Thursday, August 12, 2010
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:24)
The Daily Brief
1. Democrats, Advocacy Groups Blast Cuts to Food Stamps to Fund $26B Aid Bill - Fox News
Some Democrats are upset and advocacy groups are outraged over the raiding of the food-stamp cupboard to fund a state-aid bailout that some call a gift to teachers and government union workers.
- This measure seems to be another of the "sleight of hand" policies ordained by the current administration: causing some to suffer so that others can "look good." Offer a chorus of praise that some Democratic members of Congress still have a sense of justice; and ask that their voices be heard before this bill is signed into law.
- "Blessed are those who keep justice, and he who does righteousness at all times! (Psalms 106:3)
2. World markets drop on US economy fears - BBC
World stock markets have tumbled as investors worry about the health of the US economy after the Federal Reserve warned that the recovery was likely to be "more modest" in the short term. The Dow Jones finished 265 points lower while European markets closed down 2%. On Tuesday, the Fed said it would keep up its efforts to try to bolster the economy amid signs the recovery was weaker than expected.
- Pray that America will "connect the dots" between our economic roles and rampant sin: abortion, homosexuality, greed. Because of God's blessings on our nation, we are required to be good stewards. Vote for representatives that demonstrate sound economic principles as they campaign in your home districts.
- "Choose wise and discerning and experienced men from your tribes, and I will appoint them as your heads." ( Deut. 1:13)
3. U.S. funding of ground zero mosque imam's trip draws ire - MSNBC
The imam behind controversial plans for a mosque near the site of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks is being sent by the State Department on a religious outreach trip to the Middle East, officials said Tuesday, in a move that drew criticism from conservative lawmakers.
- Please pray for God's timing, His mercy, and His wisdom to bring down this plan of Islamic indignity and political stupidity. These groups, known for building on conquered sacred soil, could never pass this off as tolerance without an international outcry. As this outcry has already erupted, ask that this loud voice would not leave the ears of those who are behind this scheme until they cease and desist in their plan. Intercede for unrelenting scrutiny to uncover every aspect of this horribly ill-advised scheme.
- "The wicked plots against the just and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming." (Psalm 37:12-13)
4. Army gags officer challenging Obama eligibility - WorldNetDaily
Lt. Col. Terrence Lakin, a decorated military officer who is challenging - in military court - President Obama's eligibility to be president was taken into custody and escorted under guard back to Walter Reed Army Base today after a hearing, apparently so he could not talk to the press or his attorney about his case, according to his defense attorney. Read more.
- We understand that, at times, the military needs to govern its own by its own set of rules. Pray that mercy, grace and favor be extended to this brave soldier, for his point Is valid, and he is "risking all" that his voice may be heard. Pray that the full truth be revealed regarding the actual birthplace of Barack Hussein Obama -- it's time.
- "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)
5. Floods in Pakistan Worst in UN History - Worthy News
Recent flooding in Pakistan has been called the worst in UN history, with the death toll reaching as high as 1,600 people, and millions more impacted by the devastation, Worthy News has learned. Although this figure is less than 0.003 percent of the total loss of life than that of the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir, and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake combined, estimates are that almost 14,000,000 people are affected by the floods.
- Please intercede for the thousands of people affected by the worst floods in Pakistan's history. Ask the Lord to draw men to himself through this time of trial for so many. Pray for comfort, aid and order in this unfathomable mess, that millions of people would find their hope and help in the love that God is willing to bring to this region.
- "For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6)
6. US may be ready to meet with Iran - Jerusalem Post
Obama's national security adviser, Gen. James Jones has said in a CNN interview that the US may be ready to meet with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad if the country would be ready to return to negotiations regarding its nuclear program. In an interview on CNN Wednesday, Jones said "the door's open" for a meeting between Iran and the US.
Meanwhile, Poltico is reporting that JAPAN is emerging as another key player in these talks. This report states: "Japan's strong relations with both Washington and Iran have . . . led it to take on a key behind the scenes role in trying to negotiate a possible nuclear fuel swap deal between the West and Iran, regional expert sources said, although there were differing accounts of how promising such efforts have been." Read more.
- Pray that any and all schemes that are now taking place behind closed doors between the U.S. and Iran . . . and any other allies . . . would be covered with the Blood of the Lamb. May all these key players instead find Christ as their Savior, for only He has the answer to this dilemma. Pray!
- "For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," says the Lord of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch." (Malachi 4:1)
7. Taliban Condemned Pregnant Woman to Be Flogged and Executed - Worthy News
Three Taliban mullahs condemned a pregnant Afghan widow sentencing her to being publicly flogged and then shot three times in the head in a remote part of Western Afghanistan, Worthy News learned on August 10.
Bibi Sanubar, 35, was kept in captivity for three days before being publicly tried by a Taliban court of having an "illicit affair" that left her pregnant. Before being executed, she was first lashed 200 times according to the deputy provincial police Chief, Ghulam Mohammad Sayeedi, according to an AFP report.
The shooting is a harsh reminder of the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, during which public stoning, lashings and executions were meted out to those accused of adultery or sex out of marriage. Those found guilty of theft or robbery often had their hands and feet chopped off by the Taliban regime. - Ask that a spirit of mercy invade all peoples and religions that would allow such butchery to take place. Pray that self-righteous, misinformed, and deluded people will embrace civil law and leave justice and judgment to authorized officials.
- "To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity." (Prov. 1:3)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
""No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of LORD, and their righteousness is of Me," says LORD." (Isaiah 54:17)
1. IDF chief: Future Gaza flotillas will be blocked by Israel's defensive shield - Ha'aretz
Future aid flotillas traveling to Gaza to break the naval siege on the territory will be blocked by the Israel Navy's defensive shield, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said on Wednesday.
2. Lebanon: No to US aid with conditions - Jerusalem Post
Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr Wednesday said he would reject any American military assistance to the Lebanese army if it comes with conditions that the weapons not be used against Israel.
3. Netanyahu rejects peace talks based on 1967 borders - Ha'aretz
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday rejected a Palestinian demand that direct negotiations be based on a statement by the Quartet confirming its position that the future Palestinian state will be based on the 1967 borders. Meeting in Jerusalem with U.S. envoy George Mitchell, Netanyahu repeated his demand for the renewal of direct talks without preconditions. Mitchell briefed Netanyahu on his meeting on Tuesday with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and gave the prime minister the Palestinian proposal.
- Thank our Lord that He has granted P.M. Netanyahu wisdom from on high - along with boldness and an anointing to carry forth all that He has in His heart for Israel in this season. Ask our Lord to continue to strengthen and encourage the prime minister, as he Continues to withstand international pressure to divide Israel.
- "Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people you shall divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them." (Joshua 1:6) [Prayer offered by Intercessors for Israel.]
The Daily Jot
Of the laws of God and the dangers of political parties
Jesus said in Matthew 24:12, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." Have you noticed that Americans have grown colder to one another? Democratic state house candidate in New Hampshire Keith Halloran wrote in facebook that he wished former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin would have been on board the flight on which former Republican Senator Ted Stevens was killed. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs recently called "crazy" members of his own party who criticize the man who occupies the Oval Office. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid from Nevada recently said, "I don't know how anyone of Hispanic heritage could be a Republican, okay. Do I need to say more?"
When God's laws are not followed, the love of many waxes cold. It is so true. George Washington understood this principle as he shaped the very first underpinnings of political government in America. In his 1796 farewell address, he said, "The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles." Washington knew that Americans needed to be moral and just people in order to survive as a nation. He spoke against the divisions that political parties bring.
Washington said, "One of the expedients of party to acquire influence within particular districts is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heartburnings which spring from these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection." He went on to say, "All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency."
He said political parties, "serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels and modified by mutual interests." Washington's solution is found in the principles of the Bible itself. He says, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports." Keep the law of God and love for one another.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
10 Aid Workers Killed in Afganistan
Press Release: International Assistance Mission
On the death of 10 Kurdistan Eye Camp team members
(12 August 2010, Kabul, Afghanistan)
We want to update you on developments following the brutal killing of 10 of the IAM Nuristan Eye Camp team members.
Since our first press release and conference on 9 August we have received hundreds of emails, phone calls, and letters from well wishers. All but a few have paid tribute to the team members who were killed, to their selfless service and to IAM's commitment to continue working alongside the Afghan people. Representatives of various organizations and dignitaries have visited us and pledged their support. We are overwhelmed by this response, the practical help offered and given and by the prayers of so many around the world. We ask that the press respect the privacy of the families during this time of bereavement.
In the meantime we have conducted further investigations into what happened. As an NGO we are not in a position to determine who committed this crime. We await the outcome of the official investigation by the relevant departments of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its partners.
Our own research suggests that the murders were not a robbery as initially reported in the press. We are now working on the assumption that the attack was an opportunistic ambush by a group of non-local fighters. A group of guides from the community that invited the team accompanied them from the village where the road ended to Parun in Nuristan. As per local etiquette the guides also accompanied the team back. Shortly after the team boarded their vehicles they were ambushed. They had just managed to drive their three vehicles across a river swollen by the heavy rains in the area. After making it safely to the other side of the river they got out of their vehicles obviously relieved at the successful crossing and end of the difficult part of their trip. It was then that a group of armed men attacked the team killing all but one of its members on the spot. |
The government has released Mr Safiullah, the lone survivor. No doubt many would like to interview him. However, please realize that he has been through the traumatizing experience of seeing all his colleagues killed. We therefore kindly request the press to respect him, his privacy and security. IAM is revisiting its security directives. Due to this incident our ability to conduct eye camps like this has been curtailed because we have lost both the veterans as well as the younger workers being trained to do these difficult assignments.
The IAM eye care work alone has benefited an estimated 5 million Afghans since 1966. The vast majority of the local people welcome IAM's work in their communities. God-willing, we will continue to serve the Afghan people.
Dirk R Frans
Executive Director, International Assistance Mission
PS. For more information on IAM and its work see the IAM website: www.iam-afghanistan.org
Prayers for 10 Aid Workers Killed in Afganistan
PRAY THAT THE DEATHS OF CHRISTIANS WHO LOVED THE AFGHAN PEOPLE
WILL BRING REDOUBLING OF OUTREACH TO AFGHANS
The world, especially Afghanistan, suffered a great loss recently when ten aid workers, primarily Christian missionaries serving with International Assistance Mission (IAM) were murdered by the Taliban. The group had just brought medical aid to people in an area of 50,000 in the North-East, an isolated harsh region.
IAM stated, "We hope it will not stop our work that benefits over a quarter of a million Afghans each year." One of these IAM missionaries was, Dr Tom Little, 61, a Optometrist who came to Afghanistan in1976, with his wife Libby and family. He set up clinics and ophthalmic workshops and was much loved by both foreigners and Afghans.
Just BEFORE his death, his wife wrote a wonderful response to an article written by Ajith Fernando (director of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka) titled 'To Serve Is to Suffer. "
This is a quote from Ajith's article: "People who are unfulfilled after pursuing things that do not satisfy may be astonished to see Christians who are joyful and content after depriving themselves for the gospel. This may be a new way to demonstrate the glory of the gospel."
Libby Little's response is titled "A SMALL VERSION OF THE GRAND NARRATIVE." In closing she wrote: "May the fruitful door of opportunity to embrace suffering in service, or at least embrace those who are suffering, remain open for the sake of God's kingdom."
-- Here are the names of those who died:
From the United States:
Glen Lapp, 40, intensive-care nurse , organized the mobile eye camps that reached the remote areas of Afghanistan. Cheryl Beckett, 32, aid worker whose focus was on nutritional gardening and mother-child health. Dr Tom Little (see above). Dan Terry, 63, long term missionary who helped aid groups to improve services for Afghans living in rural areas. Dr Tom Grams a dentist who came to Afghanistan specifically for this mission trip. Brian Carderelli, 26, :worked with several organizations in Afghanistan in development and humanitarian efforts.
From other nations:
UK: Dr. Karen Woo, 36, Surgeon
Germany: Daniela Beyer, 35; a linguist and a translator
Afghan workers: Mahram Ali and Jawed (For more details see www.iam-afghanistan.org/)
PRAY for the Afghan people, families, friends and others who have been affect ed by the tragic loss of these servants.
PRAY for all Christians reaching out to Muslims, especially at this time of Ramadan.
PRAYERS FROM OUR PARTNERS
1) From Diane in Ohio:
May each of us live our lives where He calls us to serve with His compassion, grace, patience, mercy, truth, faith, and forgiveness. Family, friends, employers, fellow employees, neighbors, etc. We all have the love of God and His DNA inside us. May He be pleased to reveal Christ in us our hope of glory as we go through our spheres of responsibility. May we live purely and freely in all that we think, say, and do.
2) From Lee in Tennessee:
As I read this . . .I realized these people who were killed in Afghanistan are Martyrs for Christ . . .come into agreement that thousands upon thousands of people will be saved, transformed and healed radically for the Kingdom God. Satan cannot get away with this..if the people will pray. What really hit me is the 25 year old . . . Lord give us a million souls for his life.
- Thank God for the overcoming authority of the Blood of the Martyr:
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Rev. 12:11)
Praying for Moslems During Ramadan
Three Guides to Prayer
First:
Open Doors has written a prayer resource as you pray for Muslims & Christian brothers & sisters in Muslim countries during Ramadan.
To find that guide, go here.
Second:
You may also wish to visit this site to see another guide to prayer for Moslems during the 30 days/nights of Ramadan.
Third: The 30 Days Prayer Network has released this guide to prayer. Go here.
-- We praise the Lord that, in this day and age, the Body of Christ is being provided with so many strategic tools to pray for those who are bound by the darkness and the lies of Islam . . . that they may find the Light of Christ and receive Him as their own Savior and Lord. Praise God!
- "He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners . . ." (Isaiah 61:1)
Biblical Guidelines in an Election
The Third Prerequisite:
Hate Dishonest Gain
Hate dishonest gain
This primarily deals with bribe taking, that is making decisions not based on the facts, the truth and what is best for the people, but making decisions based on economic benefit to the decision maker. This leads to instability in the government and a populace who cannot and will not trust the government.
"The king gives stability to the land by justice, But a man who takes bribes overthrows it." (Proverbs 29:4)
Tomorrow:
The Fourth and Final Prerequisite:
Leaders who represent the people
The Good News Corner
Pro-Life Group Launches 23-City
"'Votes Have Consequences" Bus Tour
The Susan B. Anthony List, a pro-life political action group, will begin a bus tour on Tuesday targeting pro-life Democrats who voted for President Obama's health care reform.
As written, the health-care law allows federal dollars to pay for abortions.
The "Votes Have Consequences" tour will make stops in 23 cities in Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania.
"This election cycle has turned out to be dramatically different from the one in which we began," SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said. "Before the health care vote, we conducted polling and launched a media tour in (targeted) Democrats' districts in an effort to support their pro-life convictions. Then, they voted for the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade. (Our) latest polling shows that five months of a long, hot summer have not burned off any voter intensity on the issue. Our "Votes Have Consequences" bus tour will ensure that voters understand exactly what their members of Congress did to undermine their convictions and those of their pro-life constituents."
CitizenLink Senior Vice President Tom Minnery, one of the guest speakers, will join the tour for two of the week-long event.
"Pro-life Democrats in Congress cannot hide behind Obama's executive order that purports to prohibit abortion funding in health care. It does no such thing, and we’ll be telling Indiana voters the truth."
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Learn more about the "Votes Have Consequences" bus tour by going here.
Worship with Us Today!
"Casting Crowns"
Voice of Truth
Yes, Lord . . .only You are worthy!
