In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• Change Is Here!
• Obama's Pre-emptive Surrender
• GOP MOVES TO REPEAL HEALTH CARE LAW
• EGYPT: 23 Killed in Coptic Church Bombing
• PRAY FOR SUDAN
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief - Thursday, January 6, 2011
And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice. (Psalm 50:6)
The Daily Brief
1. A) Officials Probe "Unusual" Deaths of Birds in Two States - CNN
Some of the nation's top experts Tuesday were looking for clues into sudden, mass deaths of birds in two states over New Year's weekend."This one is unusual because of the time period over which so many birds died," said LeAnn White, a field investigator with the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin. The center, part of the U.S. Geological Survey, is receiving samples from Arkansas, where as many as 5,000 red-winged blackbirds and starlings fell from the sky in a square-mile area in less than an hour on New Year's Eve, according to the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission.
B) Authorities in Maryland are investigating the deaths of about 2 million fish in Chesapeake Bay.
"Natural causes appear to be the reason," the Maryland Department of the Environment said in a news release. "Cold water stress exacerbated by a large population of the affected species (juvenile spot fish) appears to be the cause of the kill."
C) A large number of dead birds were found in the city of Falköping, Sweden.
Autopsies were performed on five of the birds. The institute said they died due to "sudden, hard external blows," according to its website. They had no signs of infection or other illnesses, and there were no external signs indicating what killed them.
- Lord, we pray for the land and its creatures throughout the world. As we move rapidly toward fulfillment of Scripture, we ask for Your mercy and a hedge of protection around us. We stand in the gap for the land, and ask You to reveal and stop whatever is causing these mass die-offs of these creatures.
- "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up a hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none." (Ezekiel 22:30)
2. Obama chooses William Daley as White House Chief of Staff - AP
Two administration officials tell The Associated Press that William Daley will be the next White House chief of staff. President Barack Obama has chosen Daley, a former commerce secretary, to replace interim chief of staff Pete Rouse. Rouse, who did not want to stay in the job and recommended Daley for it, will remain at the White House in a senior position as counselor to Obama.
- Father, this WH staff position has been filled by a person from the Chicago political machine. As we continually see the placement of backroom operators by this administration, we pray that You will invade our White House with the Holy Spirit. Father, it is Your joy to save those who are far away from You- so we ask for the souls of these men and women.
- "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
3. Russia: Obama Signed Away Missile Defenses - Newsmax
Russia's legislature says the New START nuclear arms treaty ratified last month by the U.S. Senate restricts the U.S. from building and operating missile defenses against nuclear attacks. President Obama says the opposite: that the treaty "places no limitations on the development or deployment of our missile defense programs." There may never have been such a huge dispute on such a fundamental aspect of a high profile treaty between two major world powers. As reported by the Voice of Russia on Monday, Russia's Duma, the lower house of parliament, "plans to confirm the link between the reduction of the strategic offensive arms and the restriction of antimissile defense systems' deployment in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)," according to the lawmaking body's foreign policy chief.
- Father, as both sides fume over the provisions of this treaty, we pray that somehow it will be stopped from implementation. As our President seems to overlook legal language and repercussions, we pray that You will show him and our Congress the problems, so that this treaty can be reversed and deleted.
- "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." (Romans 1:22)
4. States Facing Showdown With Unions - NewsMax
States are moving to curb public-sector unions at a time of deepening budget deficits and rising public anger at government workers' pay and benefits, The New York Times reports. Republicans, in particular, have stepped up efforts to curtail the ability of state-employee unions to strike, compel payment of union dues, or collectively bargain for wages.
- Lord, if employers and workers alike would have learned to communicate, stop the greed, and work together for common purpose, none of this would have occurred. We ask that wisdom prevail in worker issues, so that legislators can make solid, just decisions that benefit both employer and employee.
- "Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man." (Psalm 43:1)
5. 'Earmarks' to nowhere: States losing billions - USA Today
The problem is so pervasive that almost 1 in 3 highway dollars earmarked since 1991 -- about $13 billion-- remains unspent, federal data show.
- Lord, help the new Congress to work out ways to create jobs, stop government waste, and turn the ship of state around by the working of Your hand.
- "My money is restored and lo it is even in my sack; and their heart failed them, and they were afraid" (Genesis 42:32a,b)
6. Unemployment up in two-thirds of metro areas - MSNBC
Unemployment rates rose in more than two-thirds of the nation's largest metro areas in November, a sharp reversal from the previous month and the most since June.
- Father, we cry out for Your mercy over America's workforce.
- "O let not the oppressed return ashamed, let the poor and needy praise Thy name." (Psalm 74:21)
7. U.N. group warns of potential 'food price shock' - Washington Post
The Food and Agricultural Organization said Wednesday that the world faces a "food price shock" after the agency's benchmark index of farm commodities prices shot up last month, exceeding the levels of the 2007-08 food crisis.
- Father, we pray for Your mercy over the world's food supply. We repent for not following You, for running to man instead of You. We fall on our faces before you, and ask that You help us return to Your pathways.
- "The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer." (Psalm 6:9)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget it's skill! If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth--if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy. (Psalm 137:5-6)
1. Jordan: Swift action needed for peace - Ynet News
Jordan's King Abdullah II on Wednesday urged "swift action" to help push forward the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, warning against wasting more time, a palace statement said.
2. Israel to Palestinians: How can we make peace if you won't talk to us? - Ha'aretz
Israel urged the Palestinian leadership on Wednesday to set aside a diplomatic campaign that was keeping the Middle East peace process at an impasse and get back instead to direct talks.
3. Netanyahu heckled by angry mourners at Carmel fire memorial, Yishai hounded out - Ha'aretz
Relatives and friends of those killed in the devastating Carmel fire last month refused to let Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak on Wednesday as he stood at the podium of the official state memorial ceremony to deliver a eulogy to the victims.
4. WikiLeaks: Israel aimed to keep Gaza economy on brink of collapse - Ha'aretz
Israel told U.S. officials in 2008 it would keep Gaza's economy "on the brink of collapse" while avoiding a humanitarian crisis, according to U.S. diplomatic cables published by a Norwegian daily on Wednesday.
5. Swine flu hits Israel, hospitals swamped - Ynet News
Hospitals were swamped Wednesday morning with patients seeking treatment for the swine flu, which hit Israel for the second sequential winter.
The Daily Jot
Islamic Pirates behind record food cost jump
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization says in its monthly report that world food prices jumped to record levels in December, largely because of higher costs for grain, oilseed and sugar. The Financial Times reports that oil prices for importing nations have increased by a collective $200 billion by the end of 2010. So much so that the International Energy Agency predicts that "Oil prices are entering a dangerous zone for the global economy" and prices reaching a $100 a barrel are becoming a threat to the economic recovery. Oil also impacts the price of food production and transportation. A perfect storm is brewing where millions could starve to death in the not so distant future.
At the center of the crisis, which seems to occur whenever there is breathing room in the economy to cleave off extra money, are the Islamic-controlled Oil and Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC. This monopoly of oil producers seems to tightly ease and expand oil production just enough to sap an extra couple of hundred billion dollars from Western nations whenever industry gets rolling. The net effect is that the world economy slows a bit, and inflation jumps as prices for all commodities, all utilities, all transportation serve as the Islamic highwaymen in robbing the world of its wealth. In 2010, the European Union, for example, has seen oil import costs rise $70 billion, as many countries face insolvency.
The United States, however, leads western nations in the Islamic shakedown, having oil import prices jump by some $72 billion in 2010. At this point, the economists are saying that oil cost ratio to the Gross Domestic Product rivals the financial crisis of two years ago. Making matters worse is the soaring debt run up by government leaders who mistakenly believe they can steal from citizens and incur record debt to buy the way out of debt to prosperity. There is no logic whatsoever in this approach. But what does it mean for the common man? It means that food prices and the cost of everything it takes to survive in society may go beyond levels of survival. Nations could collapse. People could starve. Survival is key.
Survival is the will to survive and having faith in Christ when he said in Matthew 28:20, "And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." He spoke similar encouragement to the Apostle Paul in Acts 18:10, "For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee." Throughout history, man has survived far worse than OPEC and government crooks. Christians survived the Roman era persecution in the early days of the church by banding together and relying on God. Jesus, speaking of food and clothing, told us in Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." We have Christ and each other. We can survive.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
Change Is Here!
Yesterday, conservative change came to Washington. The four-year nightmare of Democrat dominance of Congress came to an end when the House voted 241-to-173 to elect John Boehner of Ohio as the new Speaker of the House. Nineteen Democrats cast their ballots for someone other than Nancy Pelosi. Given that her leadership drove Congress' approval ratings to record lows and a shellacking at the ballot box, it is amazing that so many Democrats continue to march lock-step behind her failed leadership.
That said, it was very gratifying watching the opening ceremonies and seeing so many of our endorsed candidates taking the oath of office on the House floor: Rep. Dan Webster (R-FL) who defeated liberal Alan Grayson; Rep. Allen West (R-FL); Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), who defeated a 34-year incumbent Democrat; and Rep. Daniel Benishek (R-MI), who took pro-life turncoat Bart Stupak's seat. These were just a few of the dozens of candidates who we were able to help elect thanks to your support, which made today's historic change on Capitol Hill possible.
Speaker Boehner began the day at church, with friends and family praying for him and our country. His life is an inspirational example of the American dream, as you can read in this Reuters article.
As tradition dictates, the official first meeting of the new Congress began with a prayer. Pelosi, as outgoing Speaker, then spoke and once again demonstrated that she hadn't learned anything from her November "shellacking" at the polls. Unbelievably, she went through the litany of legislation forced on the American people over the last two years by her, Harry Reid and Barack Obama, and she defended it all! Nothing was left out -- from ObamaCare to allowing open homosexuality in the military.
Just after 2:00 PM, an emotional John Boehner addressed the House for the first time as Speaker.
Here is an excerpt of his remarks:
"Hard work and tough decisions will be required of the 112th Congress. No longer can we fall short. No longer can we kick the can down the road. The people voted to end business as usual, and today we begin carrying out their instructions. . .
The American people have humbled us. They have refreshed our memories as to just how temporary the privilege to serve is. They have reminded us that everything here is on loan from them. That includes this gavel, which I accept cheerfully and gratefully, knowing I am but its caretaker. After all, this is the people's House.
"This is their Congress. It's about them, not us. What they want is a government that is honest, accountable and responsive to their needs. A government that respects individual liberty, honors our heritage, and bows before the public it serves. . . Our aim will be to give government back to the people."
Of course, no politician is perfect, but Boehner stands out in Washington for having never requested an earmark. So in this age of spending restraint, Speaker Boehner speaks with authority. Today, he led by example by pushing a bill through the House to cut Congress' budget by five percent.
That was an easy vote, but far more difficult tasks lie ahead. We look forward to working with Speaker Boehner and the House Republican majority to stop Obama's socialism and to promote pro-family, pro-life, pro-free enterprise policies. (Gary Bauer)
Obama's Pre-emptive Surrender
The new House majority hadn't even been sworn it yet when it already scored its first victory. Yesterday morning the New York Times reported that the Obama Administration has reversed course and rescinded its controversial regulations on end-of-life planning for Medicare. Don't be confused -- this is not a change of heart. Rather, the move is a pre-emptive surrender -- a recognition of the new dynamics on Capitol Hill.
With a repeal vote scheduled next week, Obama and the liberal Democrats didn't want another debate on "death panels." Moreover, the end-of-life regulation would have been a prime target for the GOP's effort to defund ObamaCare. It was a good political move on Obama's part to get the issue off the table, for now at least.
But it should also be a reminder to every conservative that the Left doesn't give up. Just as we are fighting with the EPA over cap and trade regulations, we had won the debate over end-of-life planning in the last Congress only to see the bureaucrats resurrect it. We must remain vigilant on every front. The battle with the bureaucracy is one fight conservatives must win. (Gary Bauer)
GOP MOVES TO REPEAL HEALTH CARE LAW
House GOP sources told CNN that they plan to hold a critical procedural vote this Friday to repeal the health care law. As they claim the majority today, Republicans vow to waste no time in their intentions to unveil repeal legislation and appease voters' frustration with the new law. The final House vote may take place as early as next Wednesday, but CNN predicts that the repeal is unlikely to pass the Senate.
The fact that this will be taken up by the full House so soon without committee hearings will likely draw scorn from Democrats, since Republicans have pledged to make the House more open and transparent.
But, GOP sources insist the health care law has been litigated for two years, and say that they do intend to conduct health care hearings. Along with legislation for repeal will be instructions for key House committees to hold hearings on what new health care law should replace it. (CNN)
From Family Research Council:
Speaker of the House, Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), has made repealing Obamacare Congress' first priority this year. The House Rules Committee will meet this Thursday to begin a process leading to a January 12th vote on repeal. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has written Boehner promising to block any repeal effort. Boehner, who has said ObamaCare will kill businesses "by a thousand cuts," hopes to kill the law outright, but if not, by a thousand legislative cuts, chipping away undesirable measures one at a time. Pro-lifers want to repeal measures in the law providing for abortion and its funding, but abortion advocates are already gearing up to stop them.
From Intercessors for America:
- Pray for the lawmakers to proceed with integrity and wisdom as they challenge the health care law. Intercede for the Lord to guide their decisions.
- "Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. ...the Lord will give you insight into all this." (2 Tim. 2:5-7)
EGYPT: 23 Killed in Coptic Church Bombing
The number of people killed in a New Year's Eve suicide bombing at a Coptic church in northern Egypt rose to 23 on Tuesday after two more people wounded in the blast succumbed to their injuries, Egyptian state news agency Mean reported, citing unnamed government sources. Almost half of the 80 people injured in blast in the city of Alexandria in the early hours of Saturday have now been discharged from hospital, Mean said. Several suspects were reportedly arrested and were being questioned over the bombing, which the Egyptian authorities have blamed on foreigners. No group has so far claimed the attack. But analysts say suspicion is likely to fall on Islamist radicals inspired by Al-Qaeda. (AKI) Read more.
PRAY FOR SUDAN
"Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?" ( Isaiah 58:6)
Sudan is at a crossroads. On January 9, 2011, the people will vote on a referendum to decide the future of the nation. As the vote approaches, many questions remain: Will it be fair? Will the results be just? Will the South secede from the North? Will the North use its military might to stop the South from becoming an independent nation? Will there be a civil war?
Though we cannot know what will happen, we can, in fact, influence the outcome. How? By rising up in our God-given spiritual authority as the Body of Christ and influencing the outcome by prayer and fasting.
WINDOW INTERNATIONAL NETWORK is calling our army of prayer partners to pray and fast on 7, 8, 9 and 10 January to prevent a blood bath or civil war in Sudan. We'll be praying for:
• an enormous voter turnout
• fair voting with no corruption
• a peaceful transition if the South decides to secede
• the Christians to be protected
• Muslims to hear the Gospel and know the love of Jesus Christ
We need YOU to pray and help us rally a huge army of intercessors to be part of this tremendous mobilization of prayer. First complete the survey below to let us know you're praying. Then tell your friends, family, small group, pastor, church. Enlist others to participate in this critically important prayer initiative.
Important note: Sudan is Eastern Standard Time + 8 hours. Please pray accordingly.
Now is the time to pray and fast for Sudan. We were born for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14)
Released by: WIN Prayer Network
CONFRONT THE FORCES OF DARKNESS AND PREVENT A MASSACRE IN SUDAN - FAST AND PRAY 7 to 10 JANUARY, 2011!
The Good News Corner
Indian Rescue Mission's Recent Rescue of a Minor Girl, Helps Indian Police Uncover an International Trafficking Racket
Efforts made by Indian Rescue Mission (IRM), a Christian organization, helped Indian police track an International Sex Racket being run by Indian pimps with tentacles in major Indian metros and with audacious plans to expand it internationally.
This comes within a week of police action upon the tip off received by IRM in rescuing a minor girl forced into prostitution in a red light area in Sangli district, Karnataka State on December 11, 2010.
The Police, in their enquiry, found out that the rescued girl was sold for 90,000 Rupees (approx 2000 US $) to a lady pimp and sold again to a brothel keeper in the red light area.
Police Investigations revealed that, the lady Pimp approached the parents of the rescued girl and made a false promise saying that the girl will be offered a good job in a city. Then purchased the girl for 2000 US dollars and finally sold her off to a brothel keeper.
Acting on the information gathered by the lady pimp, the Maharastra State Police conducted a series of raids in Karnataka State, and arrested Pimps which gave a way for the Police to track an International Sex Racket which was hiding behind this.
More raids and arrests are expected in connection with this case.
Speaking on the recent developments, James Varghese, Founder President of Indian Rescue Mission said, "We had been constantly watching and investigating on this lady pimp and then found that the girl was forced into prostitution. And that's how we planned for the rescue operation."
"I am happy that this case gave clues to the Police regarding the network of the International Sex Racket," added Varghese. "Thanks to Maharastra Police."
(Source; Breaking Christian News)
Worship with Us Today!
"Love Has Come" by Mark Schultz
Worship the LORD with the Word of His Testimony. Yes, LORD!
