In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• A Note to Our Readers
• See Also . . .
• "America's First Martyrs"
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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The Daily Brief - Monday, September 27, 2010
"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." (Rev. 3:10)
The Daily Brief
1. Global Abortion-Expansion Bill Fast-tracked in House - Citizen Link
Both chambers of the U.S. Congress plan to take up this week what purports to be an innocent bill to help women around the world. Unfortunately, the proposed International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) also would promote worldwide access to abortion services and export a hostile, anti-family, pro-gay agenda on nations, by using it as a bargaining tool.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee will likely try to take up their version of the measure (HR 4594) on Wednesday during a markup hearing. The Democrat-controlled committee could try to slip-in the billion-dollar abortion program and get it passed without a recorded vote -- a preferred scenario before any election. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will also review its version of the bill (S. 2982) on Wednesday. Read more.
- Last week, we featured this bill in a positive perspective, asking prayer for its passage. Tonight, we ask the opposite. Offer praise for the careful research done by our good friends at Citizenlink, and begin now to exert the force of intercession that this bill, and its companion version in the Senate, die this year.
- "This far and no further, and here shall your proud waves stop!" (Job 38:11)
2. Update on Mojave Desert Cross Case - Liberty Institute
On April 28th of this year, the Supreme Court heard the case of Salazar v. Buono, and remanded the case to the District Court for further review. Today, Liberty Institute filed a motion to intervene in the case on behalf of the VFW Department of California and VFW Post 385. On June 14, a coalition of veterans, including VFW, The American Legion, and Military Order of the Purple Heart, sent a letter to Obama asking him to help put the vandalized memorial back in its rightful place. After the Supreme Court's decision, the cross was stolen and the National Park Service has refused to allow a replacement to be put up.
BREAKING NEWS: - CHPP
Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) has introduced a resolution, H. Res. 1378, on the Mojave Cross situation, which will be debated tomorrow, with a vote likely on Wednesday. H..Res. 1378 states: "Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) condemns the illegal removal of the Mojave Cross memorial by vandals as a repulsive act that is an insult to the brave men and women who have served in the Armed Forces and who have given their lives to defend the country; and
(2) urges the National Park Service and Federal law enforcement to continue working with the Veterans of Foreign Wars to recover the Mojave Cross memorial." [To read the entire text of this bill, go here.]
-- PRAY FOR PASSAGE OF THIS RESOLUTION.
- The National Park Service (NPS) should be willing to protect the cross as a memorial to servicemen who died fighting for our country. Pray for those in charge at the NPS, for obviously a few people at the top don't understand and therefore think that a cross is only a symbol of Christianity, nothing more. The Establishment clause of the Bill of Rights does not allow for secularism. Praise the Lord for His moving on the minds of those who defend the presence of this cross on the Mojave Desert.
• "How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" (Isaiah 52:7)
3. Right to Hire on the Basis of Religion - Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance
The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit recently upheld the right of a faith-based organization (World Vision) to hire employees on the basis of religion. Now, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and its allies have asked the court to reconsider its decision. Barry Lynn, Executive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State said, "Religious groups have the right to impose theological requirements on staff in privately funded positions, but when tax money enters the picture, that must change. No one should be denied a taxpayer-funded job for being the 'wrong' religion. That makes a mockery of our nation's commitment to eradicating discrimination."
For information and resources regarding the right of faith-based organization to hire on the basis of religion, even if they receive federal dollars, please visit the Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance's website.
• When the 9th Circuit Court makes a decision in favor of Christianity, there is a victory for which we must praise the Lord! Continue to pray for the judges of the 9th Circuit, as well as all federal judges, that they will express the wisdom of the Lord, not popular sentiment. Rev. Barry Lynn needs a dose of the Lord's presence, so that he presents himself as a man of God, not a wolf in sheep's clothing.
• "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." (2 Timothy 4: 5)
4. Feds Look to Local Forces for Terrorism Response - Courthouse News Service
The Department of Homeland Security is helping local forces prepare to respond to terrorist threats, which have changed substantially since the Sept. 11 attacks to include more homegrown terrorists and smaller, faster-developing plots, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Wednesday. "Homeland security in fact begins with hometown security," Napolitano said in a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing. Napolitano appeared before the committee with two other national security heads, FBI Director Robert Mueller and National Counterterrorism Center Director Michael Leiter, to report on their agencies' efforts to combat terrorism Read more.
• Secretary Napolitano issues good news, for every town does need to know and apply security measures. We know that terrorist cells are alive and well in many rural areas as in cities. Training camps are prevalent in rural areas. We must be alert to what is happening. But what does Secretary Napolitano mean by her statement? What are the details that the average American needs to know? Pray that she will provide some essential facts for hometown security. Continue to pray for the Lord's protection over your town and neighboring towns as well as the nation as a whole.
• " I say you speak of having plans and power for war; but they are mere words. " (Isaiah 36:5)
5. Obama files U.N. human rights complaint against Arizona - ACLJ
Obama has launched a new offensive against Arizona's immigration law - this time at the United Nations (U.N.). He has filed an unprecedented report with the U.N. Human Rights Council, citing the Arizona immigration law as a ''human rights problem'' in this country -effectively handing over review of a domestic issue to some of the WORST HUMAN RIGHTS OFFENDERS IN THE WORLD. Those nations include: Libya, Cuba, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Ghana - nations with horrendous human rights violations themselves. Read more.
• Obama still doesn't understand that we are a sovereign nation and that states have rights accorded by our Constitution. Why would he be so unwise as to take any issue about Arizona, as well as any state, to the UN, which now has a horrible record in dealing with human rights? Did he speak with any American before opening his mouth at the UN? Pray that the Obama will begin to think as an American, that he will respect our Constitution, and that he will not run to the UN for "help" where it is not needed.
• "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly." (Proverbs 26: 22)
6. Kagan Presence to Be Felt by Her Absence in First Court Term - Bloomberg
Elena Kagan may make her mark in her first U.S. Supreme Court term less by her presence than by her absence. Kagan has disqualified herself in 20 of the 38 cases on the court's calendar because she took part in the litigation as U.S. solicitor general. The 20 include some top business cases: a fight over sanctions on employers for hiring illegal aliens, a clash between manufacturers and discount stores over the multibillion-dollar "gray market" in imports and disputes over consumer suits against automakers and drug companies.
In each case, Kagan's absence creates the prospect of an evenly divided court, an outcome that would leave the lower court ruling intact without setting a nationwide precedent, Bloomberg Businessweek reports in its Sept. 27 issue. The term starts Oct. 4. Read more.
• Praise the Lord that Justice Kagan has had the wisdom to disqualify herself from several cases. Ask the Lord to grant her His wisdom as she continues her work at the Supreme Court. Let her be deaf to her leftist leanings but focused on the right application of our Constitution. Ask for her to have a teachable spirit so she can be monitored/mentored by Justice Scalia.
• "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)
7. U.S. Supreme Court justice considers outlawing speech against radical Islam - CNSNews.com
Justice Breyer Suggests That Burning a Quran Could be Like Shouting 'Fire' in a Crowded Theatre--Thus Not Protected by 1st Amendment
Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer said on Tuesday that globalization may change the way the First Amendment applies in the United States, and he suggested that Pastor Terry Jones' proposed Quran-burning may or may not be protected under the First Amendment. Read more.
• Has Justice Breyer made too many trips to Europe and is now interested in bringing our Constitution in line with international law? Although Pastor Jones of Florida was making an unwise decision about burning the Koran, the case seems a far cry from shouting "fire" in a theater. Pray that the Islamists cannot use our Constitution again to gain more influence in the USA. Pray that Pastor Jones will receive an infusion of wisdom from the Holy Spirit, for the Bible is powerful, not the Koran.
• " A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. He will not be afraid of evil tidings." (Psalm 112: 5-7a)
8. CIA runs 3,000-strong covert army to hunt down al-Qaida in Pakistan - (Press Trust of India)
America's CIA is running a 3,000-strong covert army to hunt down key leaders of Taliban and al-Qaida in not only Afghanistan but across the border in Pakistan. This heavily-armed irregular force manned entirely by Afghan personnel operates in small units called Counter- terrorism Pursuit Teams, the New York Times reported today quoting extracts from a new book 'Obama's wars' by journalist Bob Woodward. The stunning disclosures in the book which is making waves for laying bare the policy divisions and the personality clashes among the Obama advisors on the Afghan policy may complicate relations between Washington and Islamabad, the paper said. Read more.
• Should journalists reveal security secrets that our enemies ought not know? Pray that journalists will use extreme discretion in what they choose to expose publicly. Pray for self-monitoring. To understand that the White House is suffering divisions in its policies may be good for Americans to know, but covert troops working against the Taliban and jihadists probably should not be exposed. Lift up these troops for the Lord's protection.
• "For the indignation of the Lord is against all nations, And His fury against all their armies; He has utterly destroyed them, He has given them over to the slaughter." (Isaiah 34:2)
9. Mideast Talks in Turmoil Over Israeli Settlement - AP
The expiration of an Israeli moratorium on new construction in West Bank settlements threw fledgling Middle East peace talks into turmoil on Monday as Israel, the Palestinians and the U.S. scrambled to find a compromise that would keep the negotiations alive. Curbs on new construction in settlements that had been in place for the past 10 months expired at midnight and Israel showed no sign of a new willingness to compromise on the issue. Palestinians regard settlement as a major obstacle to peace and have repeatedly said they will quit peace talks if Israel did not extend its restrictions.
• Pray for peace in Israel, as the Palestinians think that they have the right to demand that Israel stop building settlements for its citizens. What happens if the "peace" talks stop? Was David overcome by the size and strength of Goliath? Is anyone telling the Palestinians that they should stop having children? To be happy with the land that they do have? Pray that this situation dies down like a tempest in a teacup. Pray that hatred for the Jews is replaced by a love for one's neighbor.
• "Thou comest to me with a sword and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." (1 Samuel 17:45)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, "What has God wrought!" (Numbers 23:23)
1. Settlement freeze expires; PM 'hopes Abbas will continue honest talks' - Ynet News
The 10-month construction moratorium imposed on West Bank settlements passed by the cabinet in November 2009 officially expired Sunday night.
2. Barak: 50/50 chance deal on freeze can be reached - Jerusalem Post
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that he is returning to Israel from New York to try to convince the government of the need to compromise on the issue of the moratorium on West Bank settlement building which is scheduled to end Sunday night. Barak's comments came in an interview with the BBC aired on Sunday.
3. Israel must choose: Peace or continuation of settlements - Jerusalem Post
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday that no peace deal is possible unless Israel stops settlement construction, but he did not threaten to walk away from the negotiating table if the settlement construction moratorium expires as scheduled on Sunday at midnight.
4. Netanyahu's associates: He'll never give up Western Wall - Jerusalem Post
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is under no obligation to honor any of the commitments that former prime minister Ehud Olmert made to the Palestinians, Netanyahu's associates said on Saturday night, reiterating statements Netanyahu made throughout his campaign for the premiership a year and a half ago.
5. U.S.: Syria is essential to achieving Mideast peace - Ha'aretz
A senior U.S. official said Friday that the United States saw Syria as an essential component in the path to achieving a comprehensive Middle East peace, ahead of a meeting between the U.S. and Syria, scheduled for Monday.
6. 'Jews for Justice' aid boat sets sail for Gaza - Ha'aretz
A boat carrying Jewish activists from Israel, Germany, the U.S. and Britain set sail on Sunday for Gaza, hoping to breach Israel's blockade there and deliver aid.
A Note to Our Readers
Dear Friends,
Please know that, beginning tonight and continuing through Wednesday, October 13th, you will be receiving an abbreviated version of the Daily Brief.
The "shorter" edition will include The Daily Brief, the Middle East in Focus, and the Daily Jot. All other features will resume after October 13th.
Also, please note that the Daily Jot was not published today, so it does not appear in today's Brief. Thank you.
See Also . . .
Great Sources for News for Prayer!!
DOMESTIC NEWS
1. Family Research Council: www.frc.org
2. Christian Coalition of America: www.cc.org [Note: this site includes Voter's Guides that can be downloaded into your computer]
3. CitizenLink -- Go here. [Lots of news in Congress]
4. Gary Bauer - Campaign for Working Families-- www.cwfpac.com
TRACKING SHARIAH LAW
1. Democracy Under Attack - www.democracyunderattack.org
2. Brigitte Gabriel - www.americancongressfortruth.com/
NEWS FROM/ABOUT ISRAEL
1. UCI - Unity Coalition for Israel (EXCELLENT!) - www.israelunitycoalition.org
2. Intercessors for Israel - www.ifij.org
3. ICEJ - www.icej.org
4. Bridges for Peace - www.bridgesforpeace.com
As we "stand down" for a short while, please pursue these excellent sites for more news for prayer, as our Lord directs . . .
"America's First Martyrs"
Sara Ballenger's book can be ordered by following the instructions posted on our blog.
