In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• ONE SOLITARY LIFE
• Publishing Notice
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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Herndon, VA 20172-1970
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The Daily Brief - Wednesday, December 22, 2010
SPECIAL EDITION
"But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:30-33)
The Daily Brief
1. Obama Signs 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal - Fox News
Fulfilling a campaign promise, Obama signed the repeal Wednesday of the longstanding policy banning gays from serving openly in the military, capping off a yearlong legislative push that just weeks ago seemed in danger of collapsing.
- This is one of the saddest and most tragic days in the history of our nation. Let us not be shaken, for our hope lies not in the whims of man, but in the Rock of our salvation. Ask God to remember mercy in the midst of coming judgment. Pray.
- "Indeed their rock is not like our Rock, Even our enemies themselves judge this." (Dt. 32:31)
2. Obama's Changing Position on Gay Marriage - Fox News
On the same day Obama signed legislation repealing "don't ask, don't tell" the law that allowed gays to serve in the military without declaring their sexual preference, the president hinted he may be changing his mind about gay marriage in the United States. . . "This is going to be an issue that is not unique to the military. This is an issue that extends to all of our society and I think we're all going to have to have a conversation about it." Read more.
- Now that the gays have established a beachhead for their agenda inside the military, cry out to the Lord that the movement for "gay rights" not enter into the civil realm, as well. Do not lose hope; God has a plan.
- "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Gal.6:9)
3. Obama Wins Senate Approval of START Nuclear Arms Pact With Russia - Fox News
After wearing down Republican opposition in the last days of the 111th Congress, Obama secured a major victory Wednesday with Senate adoption of a resolution to ratify the nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia.
- When all hope is lost . . . all Hope is not lost.
- "I will say to the Lord, my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." (Psalm 91:2)
4. Obama: Lame-Duck Legislation Marks 'Season of Progress' - Fox News
In year-end news conference, Obama claims the votes taken over the past several days in Congress challenge assumptions that Washington will be halted by partisanship and gridlock in 2011. Read more.
- With all (uhhum) respect to Obama . . . this isn't over yet. Offer praise for the NEW DAY that is coming to Capitol Hill in a mere two weeks from now, when the "tea party Congress" takes control and voices of reason return to the halls of Congress. Lift up the new Speaker of the House, Rep. John Boehner, and his leadership team during the holidays, that they will be granted "wisdom from above" to develop strategies that will lead to legislative "damage control" in the New Year. Help is on the way!
- "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
5. DHS Uncovers Plot to Poison Food in U.S. Hotels and Restaurants - IPT News
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has discovered a plot to poison food in U.S. hotels and restaurants, CBS News reports.
The plot, uncovered earlier this year, involved the simultaneous poisoning of food served in hotels and restaurants across the U.S. over a single weekend. Two different poisons, ricin and cyanide, would be slipped into salad bars and buffets.
Officials believe that those behind the plot may be tied to the Yemeni-based al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
Tuesday, Attorney General Eric Holder told ABC News that he is trying to "make people aware of the fact that the threat is real, the threat is different, the threat is constant."
In the poisoning case, it appears officials stopped it from coming to fruition. Yet, Holder's warning Tuesday rings clear - "The terrorists only have to be successful once."
- Lord, we plead Your Blood over America's Food supplies for all venues; hotels, restaurants, fast food places, grocery stores, water supplies and farms. We bind all attempts to harm the American people by poison, and loose Your Holy Spirit to reveal every hidden plot before it comes to fruition. Secondly, we ask that You grant revelation knowledge to the Department of Homeland Security and all agencies that are charged with our security. We ask for Your angelic Host to assist them wherever necessary to keep our country safe.
- "I will both lay me down in peace and sleep; for You, Lord, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8)
6. White House Admits Intel Chief was not Briefed on Britain Terror Arrests - Fox News
The White House counter terrorism adviser acknowledged Wednesday that the reason the nation's top intelligence official was stumped on an interview question two days ago about a major set of terror arrests in Great Britain was because his staff hadn't told him about it.
- Father, this situation is unacceptable in so many ways. We pray that You would bring cohesion and wisdom to the forces who are supposed to keep us safe, and cause them to work together as a team so that they will be effective.
- "Through indolence the rafters [of state affairs] decay and the roof sinks in, and through idleness of hands the house leaks." (Ecclesiastes 10:18) Amplified
7. Senate Passes Defense Authorization Bill that Limits Gitmo Detainee Trials - Fox News
The Senate passed legislation Wednesday that authorizes the Pentagon to spend nearly $160 billion on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan this budget year and includes a ban on the transfer of any detainees in Guantanamo Bay for trial and incarceration.
- Father, we thank you for military funding, and that this bill restricts Gitmo terrorists from coming to the mainland US for trial. We pray that You will bring justice to those who are incarcerated at Guantanamo, and redeem their souls from the enemy.
- "Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man;" (Psalm 10:15a)
8. Strongest storm yet could bring flooding, tornadoes, hail and high winds to L.A. area - LA Times
The National Weather Service warned Southern California that the most intense in a series of storms will slam into the region before dawn Wednesday.
- Lord, we call for Your mercy over Southern California, and that You will use this natural disaster as an opportunity to bring souls into Your Kingdom.
- "Help me, O Lord my God: O save me according to Your mercy: that they may know that this is Your hand; that You, Lord have done it." (Psalm 109:26, 27)
9. Study: Nearly 1 in 4 Students Fail Military Entrance Exam - AP
Nearly one-fourth of the students who try to join the U.S. Army fail its entrance exam, painting a grim picture of an education system that produces graduates who can't answer basic math, science and reading questions, according to a new study released Tuesday.
- Lord, we are appalled that such basic questions as 2+2=4 cannot be answered by high school graduates. We pray that You will touch the hearts and minds of children of every age all across the spectrum. We ask for a mighty infusion of wisdom and knowledge into our younger generation, no matter what ungodly situations may be in their schools.
- "To receive instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity, to give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels." (Proverbs 1:3-5)
10. Powerful earthquake hits south-east Iran - BBC
A powerful earthquake has hit south-eastern Iran, killing at least seven people and destroying several villages in Kerman province.
- Lord, we ask that You will use this time to draw the people of Iran to Yourself, comforting those who are suffering and grieving. We pray that in their sorrow, You will show Your love.
- "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
You, God, sent plentiful rain, whereby You did confirm Your inheritance, when it was weary. (Psa. 68:9)
1. Israel fights recognition of Palestinian state - Ynet News
An increasing number of ambassadors and representatives of Latin American states have been walking the corridors of the Foreign Ministry in recent weeks. One after the other, like a red wave, they have come to meet with senior figures and diplomats.
2. Ashkenazi: IDF tank hit by Kornet missile - Ynet News
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi admitted Tuesday that a Kornet missile had been fired at an Israeli tank earlier this month.
3. Israel submits complaint to UN on continued Gaza attacks - Jerusalem Post
Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Meron Reuben filed a complaint with the Security Council, following a series of Kassam rocket attacks on Ashkelon on Tuesday.
ONE SOLITARY LIFE
Our Annual Christmas Greeting to You . . .
For sixteen years, at this time of year, we have been pleased to publish this stirring message from an author whose name is unknown. When all is said and done, the greatest governing power of earth came to mankind in the form of a precious babe, in a manger.
As our staff prepares now to stand down for the remainder of this season, let us each take a moment, bow our heads, and offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the one gift that was given, two thousand years ago, bringing to earth "Emmanuel - God With Us." Amen.
ONE SOLITARY LIFE
He was born in an obscure village, the son of a peasant woman.
He grew up in another village, where he worked in a carpenter's shop until he was thirty. Then for three years he became a wandering preacher.
He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family or owned a house. He didn't go to college. He never visited a big city. He never travelled two hundred miles from the place where he was born. He did none of those things one usually associates with greatness.
He had no credentials but himself.
He was only thirty-three when the tide of public opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. He was turned over to his enemies and went through a mockery of a trial. He was executed by the state. While he was dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing, the only property he had on earth. When he was dead he was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.
Twenty centuries have come and gone, and today he is the central figure of the human race and the leader of mankind's progress. All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that One Solitary Life.
Publishing Notice
CHPP's Revised Holiday Schedule
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners will be on vacation from now through Monday, January 3, 2011.
On that date (and every Monday following) we will resume publication of "On Capitol Hill This Week," as we welcome the new 112th Session of Congress to Washington, D.C.
The Daily Brief will be published all other weekdays from then on.
And now, may our Lord grant each one of you a wonderful holiday, filled with the intmate knowledge of His presence in your lives.
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM CAPITOL HILL PRAYER PARTNERS!
