In This Issue• On Capitol Hill This Week; Vol. XVIII, No. 1
• 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 XVIII, Number 1
January 3 - 7, 2011
January 3 - 7, 2011
SPECIAL EDITION: WELCOMING THE 112TH SESSION OF CONGRESS
"And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice." (Psalm 50:6)
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Thank you all, God bless you, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Sara C. Ballenger, Founder and President
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
On Capitol Hill This Week; Vol. XVIII, No. 1
1. 112th SESSION OF CONGRESS TO BE SWORN IN AT NOON ON WEDNESDAY
2. PRAYER REQUEST FOR THE 112TH CONGRESS
3. GOP INTRODUCES REVAMPED RULES FOR CONGRESS
4. HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER ERIC CANTOR PROMISES STABILITY
5. WILL OBAMACARE BE REPEALED?
6. OBAMA BYPASSES SENATE TO NAME NEW ENVOYS
7. GOP FUMING OVER OBAMA APPOINTMENT OF HOLDER FRIEND
8. NEW ELIGIBILITY CHALLENGE REACHES SUPREME COURT
9. OBAMA SIGNS REPEAL OF "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL"
10. START TREATY STALLS IN RUSSIA
11. "THE U.S. WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO AN ISLAMIC REPUBLIC"
12. LARGEST NATURAL GAS RESERVE DISCOVERED IN ISRAEL
1. 112th SESSION OF CONGRESS TO BE SWORN IN AT NOON ON JAN. 5, 2010
New GOP Majority Will Open Congress by Reading the U.S. Constitution
A lot of politicians talk about the Constitution, but in January, the new House Republican majority will do more than just reference the nation's cornerstone document. According to the Washington Times, the new incoming majority has called for a full reading of the U.S. Constitution on the floor of the House of Representatives on Jan. 6.
The goal, backers said, is to underscore the limited-government rules the Founders imposed on Congress - and to try to bring some of those principles back into everyday legislating.
"It stems from the debate that we've had for the last two years about things like the exercise of authority in a whole host of different areas by the EPA, we've had this debate in relation to the health care bill, the cap-and-trade legislation," said Rep. Robert W. Goodlatte, Virginia Republican, who proposed the reading. "This Congress has been very aggressive in expanding the power of the federal government, and there's been a big backlash to that." (The Blaze)
- Praise God from Whom all blessings flow . . . .praise Him all creatures here below . . . praise Him above ye heavenly host . . . praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Offer a great chorus of PRAISE that the American people have voted in a Congress that will serve under the law, and that the spirit of lawlessness is now bound out of the land.
The number TWELVE refers to governmental authority, stemming from the 12 tribes of Israel. Praise God that the disintegrating destruction of the 111th Session of Congress has now come to an end, and ask that the Lord would move upon the hearts of our new members of Congress to work to restore what the locust has eaten in our nation. Again, praise God!
- " So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame." (Joel 2:25,26)
2. PRAYER REQUEST FOR THE 112TH CONGRESS
A New Day on Capitol Hill: Republicans Take Over House; Gain Seats in Senate
When the new Congress is installed on Wednesday, a very different atmosphere will cover Capitol Hill. Republicans have come back strong, taking over the House (where they have gained 66 seats) and increasing their strength substantially in the Senate. The current total membership in the House of Representatives is: 242 Republicans and 193 Democrats
The new Speaker of the House will be John Boehner from Cincinatti, Ohio. Nancy Pelosi, who has moved out of the House Speaker's suite of offices in the Capitol, now moves to a position as the Minority Leader for the Democrats that remain.
In the U.S. Senate, Harry Reid still serves as the Majority Leader. Democrats still control this chamber, but Republicans have gained six seats in the election. The current total membership is: 51 Democrats, 47 Republicans, and 2 Independents. (Wikipedia)
- We are ask you to join us in prayer for all named above, as well as the Republican leaders that follow. (We will post the leaders of the Democratic Party in the Senate next week.)
Scripture commands us to "First . . . pray for all in authority . . " and so we are obedient to do so. Pray that each one be led by the fruit of the Spirit in all their ways; and that this will indeed be a new day on Capitol Hill. [Intercessors for America has released an excellent guide for this purpose, called "30 Ways to Pray for Those in Authority." We commend this prayer guide to you as you enter into this New Year with our leaders on Capitol Hill, in prayer.]
- "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (I Timothy 2:1-4)
Please pray for the Senate Republican Leadership:
-- Senator Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Senate Republican Leader
-- Senator Jon Kyl (Ariz.), Senate Republican Whip
-- Senator Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), Senate Republican Conference Chairman
-- Senator John Thune (S.D.), Senate Republican Policy Committee Chairman
-- Senator John Barrasso (Wyo.), Senate Republican Conference Vice Chairman
-- Senator John Cornyn (Texas), National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman
3. GOP INTRODUCES REVAMPED RULES FOR CONGRESS
Incoming House Speaker John Boehner and his Republican colleagues are acutely aware of public anger over how Congress operates. . . and plan to do something about it. "They see a government in Washington that isn't listening, doesn't get it, and frankly the American people think that Washington doesn't really care," Boehner recently said. And Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) says, "I was elected with a mandate to change the status quo. We have to change the way we do business in Washington." So when Republicans take control of the House, they want to implement some new rules.
"They're going to put everything up on the web and they're gonna give people three days to actually scour through bills, to check all the titles and the sections to see if what the legislators say is in the bill is actually in the bill," says Matt Schlapp, a former political director in the Bush Administration. Tom Schatz of Citizens Against Government Waste says, "It's about time that Congress enters the digital age. Everyone else has their information online. It's accessible, it's easy to understand, and yet Congress for years has refused to let people see what they're doing." And some Democrats agree, including Congressman Rob Andrews of New Jersey. "The public certainly should have a minimum of three days to read a bill whether it's in committee or on the floor. . . so I embrace the idea in the Republican proposal," he said.
Republicans will also require lawmakers to take another step, says Jason Chaffetz. "When you submit your piece of legislation, you're gonna actually have to cite constitutional authority for that bill." In fact, Republicans plan to read the constitution on the floor when they return next week. And that's only the beginning. They also want hearings to expose the details of any regulations proposed by the administration that are not specified in legislation approved by Congress. (Fox News)
• Pray that the Republicans will be able to follow through on these proposed plans, neither forgetting them nor ignoring them. Pray that the GOP can fulfill promises that our president made as part of his campaign pledges - like transparency. Help the GOP with your prayers so that their feet are always toward the fire. When you see your Congressman deviating from these promises, call his local office or the one in Washington, D.C., to report your observations. How much of this material will reach the public through the media is not known, but we can pray if we follow the internet news.
• "Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way." (Psalm 119: 37)
4. HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER ERIC CANTOR PROMISES STABILITY
Under House Speaker Nancy Pelosi it was risky for a congressman to buy an airline ticket home more than a few hours in advance. House calendars that were posted were ignored, and bills that no one had a chance to read were passed in the middle of the night. The new Majority Leader, Eric Cantor (R-VA) has promised to change all that. He has posted a House calendar for the year that promises fewer trips back and forth for congressmen and fewer work days, but with more working hours. He also has promised "dedicated committee time" so Members will not have to walk out of hearings to cast votes. (Religious Freedom Coalition)
- Again, offer praise for the mood of sanity that will now prevail over Capitol Hill, and that chaos has been voted out of office. Ask that continued wisdom be granted to the leaders of both parties in both Houses, so that the work of Congress can be streamlined, and members will be able to spend more time with families, and with friends. Amen.
- "I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths." (Prov. 4:11)
5. WILL OBAMACARE BE REPEALED?
Top House Republican Predicts Bipartisan Support for Health Care Law Repeal
A top House Republican said Sunday that he expects "significant" bipartisan support for a proposed repeal of the health care overhaul -- a vote he said would be held before President Obama's State of the Union address. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., who will take the helm of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, would not go so far as to say Congress can muster enough votes to override a presidential veto. But he predicted Republican leaders would not "be that far off" from the two-thirds majority necessary to do so. "Watch what happens," Upton said on "Fox News Sunday." "There will be a significant number of Democrats, I think, that will join us."
The Republicans' pledge to hold an early vote to repeal the health care law is widely seen as symbolic. Republicans reason that the voters who gave them the House majority in November expect them to at least go on record against the health law in the next session, though congressional rules make it highly unlikely that they'll be able to overturn it while a Democratic president is in office. (Fox News)
- Although there are numerous concerns about the omnibus health care bill that Congress passed last year, the key problem is that it requires that our taxes be used to fund abortions on demand. The shedding of innocent blood defies the law of God and brings a curse upon the land. Pray STRENGTH into this move to repeal parts or all of "Obamacare," for it surely brings shame to our nation. Pray!
- "He will be a spirit of justice to the one who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate." (Isaiah 28:6)
6. OBAMA BYPASSES SENATE TO NAME NEW ENVOYS
President Obama has bypassed the U.S. Senate and directly appointed four new U.S. ambassadors whose nominations had been stalled or blocked by lawmakers for months. The White House announced Wednesday that Obama would use his power to make recess appointments to fill envoy posts to Azerbaijan, Syria and NATO allies Turkey and the Czech Republic. Recess appointments are made when the Senate is not in session and last only until the end of the next session of Congress. They are frequently used when Senate confirmation is not possible.
Specific senators had blocked or refused to consider the confirmations of the nominees for various reasons, including questions about their qualifications. But in the most high-profile case, that of the new envoy to Syria, Robert Ford, a number of senators objected because they believed sending an ambassador to the country would reward it for bad behavior. "Making underserved concessions to Syria tells the regime in Damascus that it can continue to pursue its dangerous agenda and not face any consequences from the U.S.," Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the incoming chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement. "That is the wrong message to be sending to a regime which continues to harm and threaten U.S. interests and those of such critical allies as Israel." (AP)
• Primarily, Republican Senators have objected to the nominees now appointed by President Obama, not for political reasons but for inappropriate behaviors on the parts of the nominees. Lift these new ambassadors to the Lord's throne of grace so that their behavior will be held in check, that they will not compromise US policy in order to gain favor with the country's rulers, and that they will not be able to use their new positions to further their political ambitions. Pray for the salvation of each of the ambassadors in Jesus Christ. Pray also for our president that he will make sound selections of future envoys.
• "A wicked messenger falls into mischief but a faithful ambassador is health." (Proverbs 13: 17)
7. GOP FUMING OVER OBAMA APPOINTMENT OF HOLDER FRIEND
Obama has outraged Republicans by directly appointing six officials this week without the consent of Congress, including his pick for deputy attorney general, who once compared the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks to the drug trade. The president announced the so-called recess appointments Wednesday, using his power to install sidelined nominees while Congress is on break. They will still need to be confirmed by the Senate before the end of the next session, but the recess appointments allow Obama to break a series of logjams and fill positions that have been vacant for months. Obama appointed four new U.S. ambassadors, along with the U.S. public printer and the deputy attorney general.
The latter, James Cole, had been in limbo since he was nominated in May, though his name did clear the Senate Judiciary Committee over the summer. Republicans had questioned his past consulting work with bailed-out insurance giant AIG but had been particularly critical of his stance on prosecuting terror suspects. That concern flared up again after Obama installed Cole on Wednesday. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., incoming chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, accused Cole of wanting to pursue terror suspects as a criminal matter in civilian courts. He cited a 2002 Legal Times column in which Cole called the Sept. 11 attacks "criminal acts of terrorism against a civilian population" - like the Oklahoma City bombing. Cole went on to write that the United States has faced "many forms of devastating crime," from the drug trade to organized crime to rape and child abuse. "The acts of Sept. 11 were horrible, but so are these other things," he wrote.
King said Cole's appointment indicates the administration wants to continue to implement "dangerous policies" of treating terrorism as a criminal issue. Attorney General Eric Holder, Cole's new boss, has pushed for criminal trials but has struggled to bring mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed stateside for prosecution. "I find it absolutely shocking that Obama would appoint someone who has diminished the 9/11 terrorist attacks by comparing them to the drug trade and who believes that a civilian courtroom is the appropriate venue for 9/11 trials," King said in a written statement. "I strongly oppose the recess appointment of James Cole to lead the national security team at the Department of Justice." (AP)
• Something, possibly sinister, lurks behind this continued nomination of James Cole, something which we know that the Lord will reveal. Why would Cole, an American citizen, want to grant terrorists the privileges of citizenship in a criminal court rather than in a military court? And why would the president and Attorney General want to listen to Cole? What is to be accomplished by Cole's assuming the office of deputy attorney-general? Pray mightily over this matter, this appointment, and the president's choices for people who could do much harm to the judicial system of our nation. Again, pray for the salvation of James Cole in Jesus Christ.
• "The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit." (Proverbs 14: 8)
8. NEW ELIGIBILITY CHALLENGE REACHES SUPREME COURT
Attorney calls for recusal of Obama judicial appointees
Another legal challenge to Obama's eligibility to occupy the White House has been docketed for consideration before the U.S. Supreme Court, and the plaintiff this time formally is asking that the justices appointed by Obama, the "respondent" in the case, be excluded. The motion cites Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, both of whom were awarded the lifetime tenure positions on probably the most influential court in the world by Obama. "What is very much at issue here is the question of public perception. Will this court be bound by the Constitution and the law that it sets out under the Constitution? It is important that this court, above all institutions, preserves and protects the Constitution and a rule of law based upon it," the motion states. (World Net Daily) Read more.
- In addition to the report, above, we have learned that the Supreme Court justices will review the information about Obama's eligibility to serve as President, behind closed doors, this Friday, January 7, 2011. Pray that, as the nine justices take the time to view the evidence regarding thee lack of a valid birth certificate for Barack Hussein Obama, all information needed to judge this case will be revealed and will come to light. Pray, too, for the safety of each judge and of his or her own family. For verification of this docket on the calendar of the United States Supreme Court, go here.
- "The Lord will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts." (I Corinthians 4:5)
9. OBAMA SIGNS REPEAL OF "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL"
Certification Required Before Law Can Take Effect
The debate over gays in the military has been settled with a historic decision to allow them to serve openly, but big questions lie ahead about how and when the change will take place, how troops will accept it and whether it will hamper the U.S. military effort in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Obama has signed into law the legislation that passed the Senate on Saturday, Dec. 18 -- an act some believe will carry social implications as profound as President Truman's 1948 executive order on racial equality in the military. However, the new law probably won't go into practice for months. Obama and his top advisers must first certify that repealing the 1993 ban on gays serving openly will not damage U.S. troops' ability to fight. That ban, known as "don't ask, don't tell," has allowed gays to serve, but only if they kept quiet about their sexual orientation. In the meantime, the restrictions will remain on the books, although it's unclear how fully they will be enforced. (AP)
- Clearly, this pro-gay policy has yet to take effect inside the Pentagon, and on the field of battle. Pray for a miracle of divine intervention, as there is yet another step required before this law can be implemented: the certification that this policy will not hamper our troops' ability to fight. Continue to "fight the good fight of faith" using the weapons of OUR warfare, for the Word of God does not return void!
- " . . . thus says the Lord GOD: 'It shall not stand nor shall it come to pass.'" (Isaiah 7:7)
10. START TREATY STALLS IN RUSSIA
Russian lawmakers say 'not so fast' on START Treaty ratification
Russia's lower house of parliament - State Duma - gave tentative approval to the nuclear arms treaty that Obama worked so hard to push through the lame-duck session, but it signaled that full ratification wouldn't be until January "at the earliest." Russian lawmakers signaled apprehension at two amendments to the New START Treaty passed this week by the Senate in its final ratification of the arms pact. One amendment stresses the U.S. will advance its missile defense, and the other requires the president to modernize the nuclear arsenal. Republicans had withheld support for the treaty out of fears that the preamble left the door open for Russia to veto a fourth stage of missile defense.
But now Russian lawmakers want their own amendments. "We don't have the right to leave their interpretations unanswered," Konstantin Kosachev, the head of the State Duma's foreign affairs committee, told reporters Friday, according to The Associated Press. "Otherwise, it may give additional advantages to our American partners - or, possibly, opponents. We need to balance those advantages." Russian lawmakers will return Jan. 11 from the holiday recess. The treaty will need approval from the Federation Council, which is the upper house of parliament. (The Hill) Read more
- Like the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, this effort may not prove to be a "done deal," after all. Continue to stand in agreement that the START Treaty, with all its flaws, will fail. Offer praise that the Russians are free to think for themselves, and are not "puppets on a string." Pray!
- "He frustrates the plotting of the shrewd, so that their hands cannot attain success." (Job 5:12)
11. EGYPTIAN TV INTERVIEW: "THE U.S. WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO AN ISLAMIC REPUBLIC"
In a recent TV interview, Egyptian journalist Ata Abd Al-Aal, said that ultimately "the U.S. [will] be transformed into an Islamic republic." Abd Al-Aal, an award winning journalist for the Al-Ahram government daily, speaking to the Egyptian Al-Rahma/Al-Rawdha TV, in an interview which aired on December 12, 2010, said that "the rate of converts to Islam in the U.S. is very high. This is of great alarm to the Zionist circles in the U.S., because this rate is rising on a daily basis. These converts adhere to Islam with total conviction. They become preachers themselves, and convince others to convert to Islam. You are more knowledgeable than me in this issue, and you know that many Americans convert to Islam every day."
Interviewer: "To conclude this show, let me ask: Even though Islam has a strong presence and deep roots among the Islamic communities in the U.S. and Europe, what is required of the dawa institutions in our countries?"
Ata Abd Al-Aal: "They should send religious guides, as the Americans call them, or preachers, who should put an end to the calls not to participate in the elections. Some of the sheiks who go to the U.S. during the month of Ramadan or on other religious occasions incite the Moslems living there not to take part in the elections, because they are living among infidels. This is very troubling, and runs counter to the rights of the Moslems in the U.S. "The Islamic institutions in the Islamic world should send preachers who are well versed in Islam, who know how to preach to the American mentality, and who are proficient in English and can communicate with the Americans. Over there, they must forsake their own material and personal interests, and must act for the sake of Allah."
"[Ultimately,] the U.S. will be transformed into an Islamic republic, as a sheik in the U.S. told me. He said that the most important place for the future of Islam, after Mecca and Medina, was the U.S."
(MEMRI special bulletin, December 29, 2010, www.memri.org) [Reported by Bridges for Peace]
- Pray that the west will wake up and understand the strategies of the Islamic world.
- "Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; for their heart devises violence, and their lips talk of troublemaking. Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established." (Proverbs 24:1-3)
12. LARGEST NATURAL GAS RESERVE DISCOVERED IN ISRAEL
A natural gas reserve worth an estimated US $95 billion has been discovered off the coast of Israel, it was announced yesterday by US company Noble Energy. The discovery, based on preliminary results of production tests received in the last few days, is the largest natural gas find ever made in Israel, and the largest made in the world in the last decade. According to the 3D seismic survey, over 16 trillion cubic feet of gas was discovered about 130 kilometers offshore of Haifa, and 29 kilometers from the earlier Tamar discovery. The results match estimates first announced in June, also based on a 3D seismic survey.
Noble Energy owns 39.66 % of the prospective discovery. Other partners include Israels Delek Group, Avner Oil and Gas, Delek Drilling (22.67% each) and Ration Oil Exploration (15%).
Last year, Israeli company Isramco announced that it had discovered reserves of natural gas worth US $15 billion at the Tamar 1 offshore drill site, 90 kilometers from Haifa. "Leviathan is the latest major discovery for Noble Energy and is easily the largest exploration discovery in our history," said Charles Davidson, CEO of Noble Energy. Yoram Turbowitz, CEO of Delek Group, warned that the find would require a huge investment in infrastructure, with state aid.
Noble Energy president and COO David L. Stover said: "This discovery has the potential to position Israel as a natural gas exporting nation. For nearly a year now, we have had a team evaluating market possibilities, which includes various pipeline and LNG options. Its our belief that the natural gas resources at Leviathan are sufficient to support one or more of the options being studied." (Bridges for Peace)
• Have you invested in Israel's natural resources? The Lord loves to bless those who bless Israel. More than 10 Scripture verses mention oil and gas in Israel. Now the matter is the Lord's releasing the whereabouts and providing the availability to the world market. Praise the Lord! Pray that Israel will be able to both use and export its oil. Praise God!
• "I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel." (Isaiah 45: 3)
This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
HOLY (Kadosh)
For this is what the high and lofty One says- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." (Isaiah 57:15)
Holy is Your Name; Holiness befits You. Thank You that it is not on my merit that I can approach You, but it is because of the shed Blood of Yeshua, Jesus, that I can approach Your throne of grace, and have the privilege to call You Holy -- Kadosh.
"All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name." (Psalm 66:4)
(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)
