In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• Today's Prayer from the Senate Chaplain
• 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 - Friday, April 8, 2011
"I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work." (John 9:4)
The Daily Brief
1. BUDGET DEAL . . . Or SHUTDOWN? - Fox News
With Clock Ticking Toward Shutdown, Congress Moves Closer to a Deal
- Offer praise that talks ARE continuing, and take up the Word of God -- His Hammer -- and decree that every blockade to the resolution of this impasse is shattered and destroyed, so that a final decsion can be reached on the budget of our country.
- "Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?" (Jer. 23:29)
2. A Special Prayer for the Budget Negotations from CHPP
- Father, just as the health care bill last year came down to abortion at the last minute, so the spending plan for the last half of this fiscal year is coming down to abortion. Father, our hearts break for the thousands of lives lost to convenience at Planned Parenthood each year, each week, each day. May our leaders on both sides in all branches with whatever has been said even already this week in press releases be broken for these lives lost, and end giving a million dollars a day to an abortion provider.
- "What do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.'He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went." (Matthew 21:28-29)
3. Unemployment fell to 2-year low after hiring surge (AP)
The nation's unemployment rate dropped to its lowest level in two years in March, and the outlook is brightening as major companies plan to add more jobs. Increased hiring cut the unemployment rate to 8.8 percent -- an encouraging sign for the unemployed and for President Barack Obama's re-election prospects.
Underemployment Rises to 20.3% in March (Gallup).
These results are based on March interviews with more than 20,000 adults in the U.S. workforce, aged 18 and older. Gallup classifies respondents as underemployed if they are unemployed or working part-time but wanting full-time work. Gallup employment data are not seasonally adjusted.
- Father, we thank you that employment rates have increased. We ask that the underemployment rate would ecrease and there would be more fulltime work for the underemployed and that the entire truth would be reported in the numbers. Father, we also ask that Americans would not vote for a leader based on employment rates or the state of the economy, but rather on the character and Godly values of the candidate.
- Wherefore, bretheren, look ye out among youseven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business (Acts. 6:3)
But select capable men from all the people - men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain - and appoint them as officials. " (Ex. 18:21).
4. Rising oil prices beginning to hurt US economy - AP
Some economists are scaling back their estimates for growth this year, in part because flat wages have left households struggling to pay higher gasoline prices. Unlike other kinds of consumer spending, gasoline purchases provide less benefit for the U.S. economy. About half the revenue flows to oil exporting countries like Saudi Arabia and Canada, though U.S. oil companies and gasoline retailers also benefit.
- Father, we pray that the results of this would force the leaders and legislators to consider reasonable and rational ways to utilize the natural resources that You graciously placed in this country. We forbid exploitation of the situation by those who would try to use it for personal profit, and we pray that their motives would be exposed.
-"'And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good."
(Gen. 1:31)
5. More state bills are targeting abortion - AP
Legislatures in more than 30 states are weighing - and in some cases passing - many fast-moving bills to restrict abortion rights in a blitz that could prompt the Supreme Court to revisit the issue. Ian Bartrum, a constitutional law professor at Drake University Law School in Iowa, says the number of bills could speed a case to the Supreme Court to challenge Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling making abortion legal. Father, the nation has elected some righteous representatives and we thank you for this momentum which they have begun in the States. We ask that this movement will continue to grow and cover the entire country; that the impetus of it will, indeed, be instrumental in overturning Roe. V. Wade.
- The Lord is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous. (Pr. 15:29)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
In those days - when I gather all nations and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and there will I deal with and execute judgment upon them for (their treatment of) My people and of My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations and have divided My land. (Joel 3:1-2)
1.Terrorist attack on school bus wounds two Israelis - ICEJ News
An anti-tank missile shot from the Gaza Strip hit near a school bus outside Kibbutz Sa'ad in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council on Thursday, injuring two people including the bus driver and a 16 year old passenger.
2. Abbas in Cairo for talks with interim government - ICEJ News
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was in Cairo on Wednesday to meet with the leaders of Egypt's interim government about possible future negotiations with Israel and separate negotiations over forming a unity government with the Iranian backed Islamist terror militia Hamas.
3. Israel confirms it struck Hamas operative in Sudan - ICEJ News
TIME magazine reported on Wednesday that a senior IDF official has confirmed widely held suspicions that an Israeli aircraft fired the missile that destroyed a car carrying senior Hamas weapons smugglers in Port Sudan Tuesday night. "It's not our first time there," the official said, referring to an incident in 2009 when Israeli aircraft destroyed a convoy of weapons smuggling vehicles near Sudan's border with Egypt.
4. Israel's next war - Ynet News
In all likelihood, the Palestinians are going to unilaterally declare statehood in Judea and Samaria within the coming year. This is not a ploy or a desperate attempt on their part but rather a clear, rational decision. By correctly gauging the stark contrast between the massive international support for their cause as opposed to the steadily increasing de-legitimization of Israel the "apartheid state," the Palestinians have wisely decided to bypass direct negotiations since there is no point in paying for something when you can get if for free.
- Father, we pray that an increasing number of worldwide education programs regarding the truth of the current and Biblical history of Israel would be undertaken and that the international community, and citizens worldwide would raise their voices in support of Israel.
- "For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth." (Ps. 33:4) "I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation." (Ps. 40:10)
The Daily Jot
The prophetic reason America is worth fighting for
In reading the headlines of late--of war, of domestic unrest, of political calamity in America--many emails to The Daily Jot are falling into a couple of categories. First, a lot of people say that they just want the rapture to come and get them out of here so they do not have to deal with the world. Another group would say that God is in control of everything so why worry about America and what she does. God knows the plan, its his plan and he will work it no matter what we do. While these comments are on the hearts and minds of many, and at least some of the doctrine rings true, they are both misguided and wrong minded. I know I will step on a lot of toes here, just know that I do so out of love that you might not be deceived.
As for the rapture. The scriptures over and over tell us that we will not know the time or the season when the Lord will return. Acts 1:7, Jesus says, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:1, "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write to you." Jesus said in Matthew 24:36, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." Yes, we can discern the events of these days and know that we are close to the return of Jesus, but we are told to watch, pray, and be about his business. The rapture will come when God says, not when man wants it.
Yes, God is in control of the plan. But God has always worked through the actions of man. He judges nations. And nations are made up of leaders and followers. And we know that God shall judge the people. In Matthew 25 Jesus continues his discourse on the end times. In verses 31-33, He says, "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand but the goats on the left." He goes on to say how he will judge the nations. This specifically speaks of nations.
America is worth saving because it is still the one place on earth where there is freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Americans are blessed because they traditionally have been purveyors of the Great Commission and have been allies of God's people. There is judgment coming both for the nations and for the people. I for one would not want to stand before the Lord and have to answer to having a choice of leaders, but choosing ungodly leadership; I would not want to stand before the Lord and have to answer for not being about his business because I was waiting on a rapture. I would not want to stand before the Lord and have to answer for having the authority to overcome evil with good and not have used it. But that's just me.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
Today's Prayer from the Senate Chaplain
Senate Chaplain: 'Lord, save us from ourselves'
Roll Call notes that during the Senate Chaplain Barry Black led the opening prayer this morning with these words: "Lord, save us from ourselves." The slogan has been heavily retweeted in the DC area making 'chaplain' a trending topic in the DC area.
- Offer praise that the social networks are quoting the Senate Chapalin! Yes, Lord . . . help us "save us from ourselves" that we might turn to You, Father, for the guidance You have in store for us as we walk through these troubled times together. Amen.
- "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." (Psalm 32:8)
The Good News Corner
Teen Birth Rate Drops to Record Low
The teen birth rate in the U.S. dropped 37 percent over the last two decades to a record low, with the most substantial decrease -- 50 percent -- coming among African-American girls. Overall, approximately 4 percent of girls ages 15 to19 gave birth in 2009.
The report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the best way to drive the numbers even lower is to expand the reach of contraception-based sex education.
Family advocates have a different point of view.
"More teens are choosing not to have sex," said Chad Hills, analyst for sexual health at CitizenLink. "Our teens are moving in the right direction. I only wish our media, schools and government would get behind this movement toward healthy choices -- including abstinence -- and capitalize on the momentum."
Valerie Huber, executive director of the National Abstinence Education Association, said public policy definitely needs to change.
"One-hundred sixty-nine abstinence-education programs (recently) lost (federal) funding, and over 1 million students lost access to the very programs that can support and encourage the positive trends.
"What young people need are the skills and the information to resist the pressures to become sexually active. We have a growing body of research that shows that abstinence education is effective." (Citizen Link)
Worship with Us Today!
"The Mighty One Of Israel" by Randy Rothwell
With doubts and fears trying to enter our hearts and minds, it's time to press in. He IS the Mighty One of Israel!!!
