In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• DADT Ambush on the Hill
• Is This Raw Deal the Real Deal?
• A Special Prayer Request from CHPP
• 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 - Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way." (2 Thess. 3:16)
The Daily Brief
1. Repeal of DADT to Be Introduced as a Separatel Bill - Fox News
A stand-alone measure to repeal the 1993 "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, the military's ban on gays serving openly in the armed forces, is expected to pass the House Wednesday and should then be taken up by the Senate in the lame duck session. That bill appears to have the 60 votes needed for passage, though the dwindling time on the calendar could affect support. Republican supporters of repeal, like Sen. Susan Collins, R-Me., have said they support repeal but want to have time for debate and consideration of amendments by opponents of the measure.
BULLETIN: House Votes to Overturn Military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy
House votes to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell,' a policy that since 1993 has banned gays from serving openly in the armed forces, as the bill now moves to the Senate for what is expected to be a contentious debate.
--PRAY THAT THIS IS STOPPED IN THE SENATE.
"This far you shall come, but NO FURTHER, and HERE SHALL YOUR PROUD WAVES STOP!" (Job 38:11)
"All unrighteousness SHUTS ITS MOUTH." (Psalm 107:42)
"Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever." (Rev. 11:15)
"So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)
2. Senate Passes Tax Cut Bill, Setting Up Battle in House - AP
Senate overwhelmingly passes tax package President Obama negotiated with the congressional Republicans, setting up a final contentious vote in the House.
- Continue to hover over this bill in prayer, thanking the Lord that, by His spirit, all hidden "booby traps" be removed, and only that which will bless and strengthen our people will remain.
- 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. (Zech. 4:6)
3. House Dems focusing on an amendment to the estate tax provision - Politico
House Democratic efforts to change the tax deal struck by President Obama and congressional Republicans are focusing on an amendment to the estate tax provision, according to senior party sources familiar with a Monday leadership meeting.
- God, we plead with You to strike down this amendment by the fire of Your wrath and raise up a standard of righteousness that will exalt our nation. In Jesus Name.
- "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever." (Revelation 11:15)
4. Senate Dems unveil $1.1T spending bill - The Hill
Senate Democrats have filed a $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill that would fund the government through fiscal year 2011, according to Senate GOP sources.
- Give thanks unto the LORD for our two-party system! Pray that the Republicans will now find ways to revisit this bill and to put the brakes on it. Reckless spending is not the way to run a country. Pray for wisdom.
- "As the fire burns a wood, and as the flame sets the mountains on fire; so persecute them with God's tempest, and make them afraid with Your storm, that men may know that God, whose Name alone is Yawah, is the Most High over all the earth." (Psalm 83:14,15,18)
5. Reid threatens to keep Congress into next year - Washington Times
Senate Democrats on Tuesday unveiled a broad agenda for an end-of-session sprint that, in other years, could be a whole year's worth of activity -- ranging from an arms-reduction treaty with Russia to a major immigration bill to overturning the ban on gay troops.
- Almighty God, follow hard after those who are in a hurried frenzy to pass legislation to set up a stronghold of the enemy over America. Pull down their towers. Destroy all their foundations so that what they are building will come down suddenly. We ask You to dispatch warring angels to fight this battle and set in place God's righteous cause over our land. Weaken the knees and shut down the will of those who plan destruction.
- "But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away." (Psalm 64:7-8)
6. Holbrooke's Death Leaves Obama With Tough-to-Fill Void on AfPak Team - AP
The president's year-end Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy review wasn't expected to contain any major course corrections. But with the sudden loss of his top diplomat in the region, President Obama will have to scour to find somebody who can fill the civilian commander role Richard Holbrooke played and ensure the strategy he helped develop succeeds.
- Father, we express our condolences to the Holbrooke family and their needs at this time. The urgency to stop the war in Afghanistan was of utmost importance to Mr. Holbrooke and we ask that You appoint the successor to fill this post who has the vast intelligence and understanding he had of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Lord, we need a miracle here. You are God over all things and are totally able to direct these important decisions. May Your presence fill the room where the funeral will take place and bring many out of darkness into the glorious light of Jesus. In Jesus Name.
- "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)
Update:
The State Department has announced that the memorial service for Ambassador Holbrooke will be held in Washington, D.C. in the middle of January. (Exact location to be announced.)
The public may access condolence information on www.state.gov/holbrooke.
Also, it has now been announced that Frank Ruggiero, previously Ambassador Holbrooke's senior deputy, is the Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
- Please pray for Mr. Ruggiero as he prepares to assume his new responsibilities at the Department of State.
7. Sidestepping the U.S. Dollar, a Russian Exchange Will Swap Rubles and Renminbi - NY Times
Russia and China are poised to take a small but symbolic step in their expanding economic relationship, a move that in the long term could make the dollar less relevant to business between the two nations.
- God, we as a nation have always stood for righteousness and we ask that You plead our cause and hold America solid in our God and not allow Russia or any other nation to have the power to dictate the value of the dollar or have any control over our economic stability. In Jesus Name.
- "Shall not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart" (Psalm 44:21)
8. 'N. Korea operating 4-5 uranium sites' - Ynet News
North Korea has been secretly enriching uranium that could be used to build nuclear weapons at three or four undisclosed locations, a South Korean intelligence official was quoted as saying on Tuesday.
- God, bring to light all things that are hidden, and disclose the very heart and center of these issues that are so important. Expose the location of these four or five uranium sites. You know every detail of what is going on and the names of those who work in secret. Bring deliverance from all evil by the blood of Jesus and let the secret counsel of the wicked be turned into foolishness. In Jesus Name.
- "Hide us from the secret counsel of the wicked from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity." (Psalm 54:2)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass. . ." (Micah 4:13)
1. Netanyahu: Both Israel and the Palestinians need peace - Jerusalem Post
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that his meeting with US Mideast envoy George Mitchell had been "very good."
2. Palestinians to Mitchell: U.S. must demand talks based on 1967 borders - Ha'aretz
In a meeting with U.S. envoy George Mitchell in Ramallah on Tuesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed his disappointment with the United States for failing to declare that talks on borders with Israel will be based on 1967 lines.
3. EU threat to recognize Palestine as a nation - Sydney Morning Herald
Europe's foreign ministers have threatened to recognise an independent Palestinian state if Israel continues to refuse to halt the building of Jewish settlements on Palestinian territories.
4. Peres: Time running out on peace - Ynet News
The European Union expressed its faith in peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians on Monday, but President Shimon Peres believes there is not much time left. "We are starting the countdown for peace, and time is running out," he said Tuesday at a Galilee convention in the northern city of Beit Shean.
The Daily Jot
Judges Ruling Reveals The Trojan Horse of Tyranny
Congressional approval of nationalized health care is the "Trojan Horse" of tyranny in a carefully orchestrated scheme to secretly "legalize" socialism. From the time reporters were questioning Congressional leaders about the Constitutionality and contents of socialized health care until the current decision by a District Court judge, the plan of bringing about a legalized police state has been carried out without hardly a whimper of resistance from elected officials. The government has taken control of the housing, auto and financial industries through bailouts and equity positions, but there is much more coming--and its found in the legality of socialized health care.
Connecting the dots between a 2,700-plus page health care bill and the other actions by the government provides undeniable evidence that the White House and certain members of Congress were complicit in the artful craft of deception and malfeasance in violating both the intent and the spirit of the Constitution and the best interests of every American citizen. On March 9, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke about the health care bill at the National Association of Counties, "But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy." She said it was about America's future, nutrition and diet.
Obama's wife December 14th attended the signing into law of the $4.5 billion "Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act." She said the nation has a responsibility to make sure America's children receive the right nutrition. "We can't just leave it up to the parents," she says. Indeed the government is not leaving any foodstuffs up to private citizens. Congress has passed legislation that puts the federal government in control of the nation's food supply. This IRS of farming, soon to be signed into law, establishes a "Surveillance System" that can spy on farmers, provides government authority to collect fees and mandates reports from those growing food, even in their own back yards. The health care bill, however, is the enabler.
In ruling the health care law unconstitutional, District Court Judge Henry Hudson revealed a more sinister motive. He said, "This broad definition of the economic activity subject to congressional regulation lacks logical limitation and is unsupported by Commerce Clause jurisprudence." He said the government's assumption of powers "could apply to transportation, housing, or nutritional decisions," and that "The unchecked expansion of congressional power to the limits suggested by the Minimum Essential Coverage Provision would invite unbridled exercise of federal police powers." 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour." Our nation is in satan's snare unless the vigilant stand in the gap.
Read the decision:
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
DADT Ambush on the Hill
Sometime today, the Hill is expecting a full-scale assault on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the military policy that bans open homosexuality. According to insiders, liberals are making the final preparations on--not one, but two bills--they plan to move simultaneously through the House and Senate. Unlike the past attempts, this would be a vote on repeal--and repeal alone. With a freestanding bill, the Left can liberate the debate of all the issues that complicated the Defense Authorization legislation, like taxpayer-funded abortion. Although neither leadership office is confirming the timetable, Politico talked to one source that hinted the attack is well underway. Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) have already finalized some language that the House could rush through "as a privileged resolution." Meanwhile, Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is paving the wa y in the Senate by filing a motion today that would bypass the typical committee process. This means the Democrats are prioritizing the issue over raises for the military, funding for counter terrorism programs, and the tax hikes looming for every American.
That's even more stunning considering General James Amos's latest warning. The head of the Marine Corps told reporters today that a change in the policy could result in casualties. "When your life hangs on the line, you don't want anything distracting... Mistakes and inattention or distractions cost Marines' lives." Still, when pressed about the agenda, Pelosi's office played dumb. "As we come to the end of the session, all options to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' are now on the table." This is an all hands on deck moment. It's absolutely critical that you take a few minutes on Wednesday morning to call your congressman and both senators--particularly if your leader is on this list: Sens. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Ben Nelson (D-Nebr.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), George Voinovich (R-Ohio), and Jim Webb (D-Va.). Do it for our troops. And, more importantly, do it for America. (Family Research Council)
FROM CAPITOL HILL PRAYER PARTNERS:
"This far you shall come, but NO FURTHER, and HERE SHALL YOUR PROUD WAVES STOP!" (Job 38:11)
"All unrighteousness SHUTS ITS MOUTH." (Psalm 107:42)
"Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever." (Rev. 11:15)
"So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)
Is This Raw Deal the Real Deal?
What do you tell two unhappy parties about the tax bill? "That's the nature of compromise," President Obama said. Not necessarily, say 15 senators. Cooperating is one thing--but compromising, especially when it comes to core beliefs, is something else entirely. The tax plan may have sailed through Congress, but as both parties will tell you, there's a lot less support than the 83-15 vote might suggest. In fact, its easy passage was somewhat of a shock to most observers. "That's the kind of margin you rack up for recognition of National Girl Scout Day," wrote the Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin--not a contentious fiscal issue that's had both sides sniping for the last several weeks. Like the majority of his party, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) grudgingly backed the plan. "I'll vote for it," he told reporters, "but it's not what the people said they wanted done on Nove mber 2. Rather than just extend the tax breaks... we engaged in the continuing practice... of loading up with unwanted, unnecessary sweeteners..." Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) seemed particularly frustrated. "The debt can't just be something we talk about in our campaigns," he told Politico. "These deficits will destroy us." GOP Sens. Tom Coburn (Okla.), George Voinovich (Ohio), Jim DeMint (S.C.), and Jeff Sessions (Ala.) agreed.
On Bill Bennett's "Morning in America," Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) said the plan wasn't ideal. Republicans wanted 10 miles, he admitted, and got a half-mile. But he also explained that the GOP wanted to do something to help the country escape the pain of January 1, when the new taxes would kick in--even if the relief is temporary. According to the latest Pew Research Poll, a majority of Americans are on board. Sixty percent said they favored the compromise--with near-identical support among Republicans and Democrats. But depending on what happens in the House, the deal could easily unravel. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) seems committed to sticking it in the administration's eye by negotiating a higher death tax. If she succeeds, the legislation would be shuttled back to the Senate where debate could take days, if not weeks. Of course, worse things could happen--like passing a bill the new Congress could have improved. (Family Research Council)
A Special Prayer Request from CHPP
Dear Saints of God and Prayer Partners,
May we ask a special prayer request of you?
Late last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that he planned to finish the business of the 111th Session of the United States Senate on Friday, December 17th. Today, according to the reports on the Brief, that plan may be scuttled.
Would you all please pray in agreement that Congress will, indeed, end their session on Friday, after all?? With the wrangling that is going on now -- particularly about the tax bill -- and without prayer, this session of Congress is likely to continue on into Christmas week.
Our Prayer Captains on the Hill (and our backup teams) surely deserve a break before the next session of Congress is sworn in next month. So, knowing that it is written that "nothing is too difficult for God," would you please pray in agreement with us that the Lord would send forth His holy angels to break up the logjams that remain now in Congress, to give the leadership wisdom to know that which can be set aside for later action, and for all to be able to enjoy a wonderful Christmas with family and friends?
Thank you for sharing our burden, and for taking this request to the Lord who is King over all.
Amen!
The Good News Corner
Focus on the Family Airs Exclusive Bush Interview
President George W. Bush acknowledges in an exclusive interview airing today and Wednesday on Focus on the Family that the strident tone of some on the political Right is not conducive to passing pro-family public policy.
Bush discusses his new memoir, Decision Points, with Focus President Jim Daly. He says, "There are people throughout the political spectrum who like to demonize somebody they don't agree with.
"I don't believe you can lead by demonizing somebody. I believe you lead by convincing somebody," he says. "And in my case, I was unable to convince (some people) on different issues. I understood that. And I hope that people who read the book at least come to an understanding as to why I made the decisions that I did."
Daly's interview with Bush -- the first the 43rd president has granted to Christian media -- covers a wide variety of topics, including the death of his sister Robin when he was 7; his love affair with his wife, Laura; his feelings in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks; his relationship with his parents and daughters; the emotion of his meetings with the loved ones of armed forces members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan; and how to return civility to the public square.
Bush also talks in detail about his struggles with alcohol and the growth of his Christian faith, saying it was only through "the intervention of the Almighty" -- prompted by a heart-to-heart with the Rev. Billy Graham -- that he was able to give up drinking. What he discovered, he said, is that "religion is not a course in self-improvement."
"Religion is a surrender," he explains. "You allow the living God into your life by surrendering to the living God. And then you improve to please God, not please yourself.
"The acceptance of Christ is incredibly difficult," he adds, "because you got an ego that gets in the way. The acceptance of Christ is a walk, a journey. And, in my case, it required discipline and focus."
Bush goes on to explain that the best Scripture for a politician to keep in mind is Matthew 7:3 -- "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"
"I worry about people who basically say, 'I'm better than you, because I'm religious.' To me, (that's) not religion," he says. "It's the opposite, frankly, of Christianity, which basically says, 'I'm not better than anybody.' In other words, I'm a sinner, and I accept that and therefore accept Christ to help me grow."
Among the many policies the former president discusses with Daly is his support of the sanctity of human life. On that subject, in particular, he says, conservatives must spend more energy persuading those who disagree that the pro-life position is best for the country.
"I think the role of a leader is to understand there are differences on the issue of promoting a culture of life," he says. "In other words, (we need to) convince people that we're a more noble society if we honor life, without somebody castigating somebody based upon a differing opinion."
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Part One of this interview aired on Tuesday. Tune in Wednesday for Part 2 of the broadcast.
http://clink.convio.net/site/R?i=6BpADvkCDHJ2Qk9oaXv2FQ..
Worship with Us Today!
Vienna Boy Choir : Adeste Fideles
Sing along tonight with the Vienna Boy Choir.
O COME LET US ADORE HIM, CHRIST THE LORD!
