In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• Obama Celebrates, America Mourns
• More About Governor Perry
• House Hearing: Another Threat
• House Panel: al-Shabab a "Direct Threat"
• A Letter from a Reader
• 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, August 5, 2011
" . . . "Be still, and know that I am God . . ." (Psalm 46:10)
The Daily Brief
1. Dow Sinks 500, Worst Day Since Dec. 2008 - CNBC (8/4/11)
Stocks plunged sharply Thursday, with the Dow down more than 500 points, in its worst one-day drop since December 2008.
U.S. eats up most of debt limit in one day - Washington Times
U.S. debt shot up $239 billion on Tuesday -- the largest one-day bump in history -- as the government flexed the new borrowing room it earned in this week's debt-limit increase deal.
- Lord, this is a very hard time for so many, financially. It seems that you are shaking all that can be shaken. We thank you that you are our Rock, and Stability in the midst of chaos and instability. We pray, Lord, that this situation would cause many to realize that they cannot depend on their own resources, or the government, and would call out to you. We pray that many will call upon you, and receive you as Savior and Lord, and walk in the wisdom that you provide. Amen.
- " . . . neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee." (2 Chron. 20:12)
2. World equities reel towards 8th day of losses - Reuters
World stock markets fell for the eighth straight session on Friday to the lowest since late 2010, with more losses feared if policymakers do not come to the rescue soon to stabilize the euro zone's debt crisis and prevent the U.S. economy from sliding back into recession.
- Father, as the whole world seems to be reeling, financially, we thank you that you have promised to meet all of our needs. We pray for that "peace that passes all understanding" for those whose hearts are failing them with fear. May all come to realize that You, our Creator, are the Answer, and may they humble themselves and call upon you, in their day of trouble. Amen.
- "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." (Psalm 20:7)
3. Groups gather opposition to Perry prayer meeting - Houston Chronicle
Civil liberties groups are gathering together in opposition to Texas Gov. Rick Perry's day of prayer and fasting this weekend.
- Abba, we thank you that Gov. Perry has called for a national day of prayer and fasting for tomorrow. We ask for a hedge of protection around Reliant Stadium in Houston, and around each and every attendee! We pray that many will come and call upon you in repentance for our national sins, as well as individual sins. We ask that your warring angels will stand guard in, over, under, and around that stadium and your people inside.
May this event shake the gates of hell, so that those gates cannot prevail against the kingdom of God! May all those who attend and cry out to you be blessed and endued with wisdom and answers for our nation. We do ask that if there are any terrorists plans, that they will be revealed and thwarted. Amen.
- "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chron. 7:14)
4. Texas, plains may languish in drought until 2012 - CBS-AP
SAN ANTONIO - The drought that has turned Texas and parts of the central U.S. into a parched moonscape of cracked earth could persist into next year, prolonging the misery of farmers and ranchers who have endured a dry spell that is now expected to be the southern state's worst since the 1950s.
The U.S. Climate Prediction Center said Thursday that the La Nina weather phenomenon blamed for the crippling lack of rain might be back soon, just two months after the last La Nina ended. If that happens, the drought would almost certainly extend into 2012.
- Lord, those of us who live in the plains, where the drought is severe, ask that in your judgment, you will remember mercy! Many lives are being lost, both human and livestock, from the heat and the parched land. We repent for our personal sins, and those of our nation, and we ask you to send the "rains of refreshing" and, again, heal our land! As your people gather tomorrow in prayer and fasting in the stadium in Houston, we pray for true repentance of heart, and for the abundance of life-giving rain...and, we thank you for it now!
- "And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not." (Isa. 58:11)
5. Nebraska mine find to challenge China's dominance of vital rare minerals - Washington Times
Elk Creek, Neb. (population 112), may not be so tiny much longer. Reports suggest that the southeastern Nebraska hamlet may be sitting on the world's largest untapped deposit of "rare earth" minerals, which have proved to be indispensable to a slew of high-tech and military applications such as laser pointers, stadium lighting, electric car batteries and sophisticated missile-guidance systems.
- Lord, we thank you for this good news. We pray for wisdom and integrity for those who would wish to extract these deposits and use them for good. We ask that this "find" would be a source of blessing to those living in that area, and to our nation, and the world. We come against any terrorism that would try to either destroy or seize these assets . . . that such plans would be revealed and stopped. We thank you! Amen!
- 'Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal." (Matt. 6:19) "You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day." (Psa. 91:5)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness." (Acts 4:29)
1. 930 Har Homa housing units okayed - Ynet News
The Interior Ministry announced on Thursday that the Jerusalem Municipality's Zoning Commission authorized the construction of 930 housing units in the Har Homa neighborhood, which is located beyond the Green Line.
2. IAF hits five Gaza targets in response to rockets - Jerusalem Post
The Air Force struck five targets in the Gaza Strip early Friday morning, following several strikes earlier Thursday, coming in response to increased rocket fire emanating from the Strip in recent days.
3. PA leaders invited to Washington in bid to avoid UN plan - Jerusalem Post
In the context of its efforts to persuade the Palestinian Authority to drop its plan to ask the UN in September to recognize a Palestinian state, the US Administration has invited PA officials to Washington for talks on ways of avoiding the statehood bid.
4. IDF launches strike on Gaza after rocket hits southern Israel - Ha'aretz
The Israeli army shelled the Gaza Strip late Thursday, after militants in the enclave launched at least one rocket against a town in southern Israel.
The Daily Jot
Prepare, Pray, and Act
The headlines in Thursday's evening news pointed to the stock markets, not only in the United States, but also in Europe. All the modest gains in stocks during this year were wiped out in one day. Investors are nervous that record worldwide debt is going to have calamitous impact. It is finally sinking in that governments cannot long exist under the burden of unprecedented debt. This kind of debt will cause great countries to eventually have economic collapse. Some investment advisors are now privately warning their inner circles to do all they can just to hold on to what they currently have. For the first time since World War II, for example, America's debt at least equaled its Gross National Product.
From a prophetic perspective, this kind of debt combined with the longstanding drain of both financial capital and human lives that it takes to fight Islam worldwide, creates a setting for a one world government to be either established or to have its foundation firmly set. Europe, for example, is struggling to prevent Sharia law from taking hold in London. Spain is fighting outside money coming from Islamic nations to fund radical mosques preaching the Caliphate. Italy is on the verge of joining France in banning the burka. All the while, the American government appears to be embracing Islam in both political appointments and policies. Islam is even exempt from the mandatory healthcare laws.
If there ever were a time when our nation needed all of those who are disciples and believers in Jesus Christ to pray for our nation, it is now. It is very simple. Things are so out of control that only God can fix them. We need to pray and act. Our nation needs the earthly action of repentance. We need to turn our hearts, renew our minds, become obedient to the Lord. Our nation needs the miracle of grace. Our nation needs the miracle of peace. Our nation needs the miracle of God's truth. Our nation needs the miracle of love. There are so many winds of doctrines, so many wars, so many lies, so many who are pitted against one another that this house divided is on the verge of not standing.
We need to pray and we need miracles because our trust in horses and chariots has failed us. But there is more to the equation. The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:13, "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." He goes on to tell us in verse 18, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." And he prays that he personally be given utterance that he may open his mouth boldly "to make known the mystery of the gospel." This shows us that we need to get ready for battle, we need to pray, and we need to act.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
[Note from CHPP: We are greatly encouraged this evening with the number of readers who are responding to the call to join in a day of nationwide prayer and fasting tomorrow, with Governor Rick Perry and The RESPONSE. Bill Wilson's words today are even more confirmation that NOW is the time to seek the face of God, in prayer. Thank you.]
Obama Celebrates, America Mourns
Thousands gathered in Chicago Wednesday night to wish Barack Obama a happy 50th birthday a day early. Many of the attendees paid $30,000 a plate for the honor. For that, they were able to rub elbows with Hollywood headliners and popular music stars. The president held a second birthday bash at the White House yesterday. Everyone at the party seemed quite happy.
While Obama was opening presents from his elite admirers, America was opening our "gift" from him. The stock market plunged more than 500 points as fear spread that the U.S. economy might be slipping back into a recession. Many Americans feel we never really got out of the last one!
Traders held their breath this morning waiting for the 8:30 AM jobs report, worried it could be another "unexpectedly" weak figure. You could almost hear the sigh of relief when the jobs figure came in slightly above the consensus and the official unemployment rate dropped one tenth of a percent to 9.1%. Whoopee!!!
Feel better? Of course you don't. The dirty little secret is the number fell a pitiful 1/10th of a percent because tens of thousands of Americans got so discouraged by the state of Obama's economy that they quit looking for work and dropped out of the jobs market entirely. Since they are no longer looking for work, they no longer count. Day by day, millions of other fed up Americans believe they don't count either.
Obama now says he will focus on jobs, but he has no ideas that he hasn't already tried. His mantra remains the same -- more regulations on business, higher taxes on entrepreneurs and small business owners whom he derisively refers to as "millionaires and billionaires" or "fat cats."
He continues to send hundreds of thousands of bureaucrats and regulators to attack and undermine our most successful industries -- energy, healthcare, finance, insurance and others. While we wait for his socialist ideas to work, he continues to wage class warfare and promises the American people not real jobs, but more food stamps, welfare and income redistribution.
Republicans, to their credit, have blocked efforts by Obama, Reid and Pelosi to raise taxes in the middle of an economic decline. But that isn't enough. What we need are TAX CUTS now! Lower tax rates on businesses, entrepreneurs and everyone else. Letting people keep more of their hard-earned money is the only stimulus that works.
We should be the party of lower taxes, smaller government and less bureaucracy. Let Obama run on being the president of more welfare, more food stamps and more government. (Gary Bauer)
More About Governor Perry
Texas Governor Doesn't Just Believe in Adult Stem Cells -- He's a Patient, Too
Summary: "You know, I don't mind being the first. I like it."
Texas Gov. Rick Perry has been the focus of many negative stories lately. The reason? His unapologetic endorsement of socially conservative values and prayer. Yet, the longest-serving Texas governor may have cemented the adoration of many in the pro-life community when news broke Wednesday that he had spinal surgery, using an infusion of his own adult stems.
While the media and critics bewailed the use of adult stem cells as "experimental," "controversial" and not "FDA-approved," David Prentice, said there's nothing controversial about it. Prentice, the senior fellow of Life Sciences for the Family Research Council and expert in stem-cell research and biotechnology, said one only needs to look at the results. More than 50,000 patients are treated annually using adult stem-cell treatments and therapies. "Adult stem cells are improving (the) health and saving lives for thousands of people every year," he said.
According the Prentice, the real controversy should be the push by some in the scientific community -- and now the government -- to use embryonic stem cells, which always requires the destruction of human embryos. Even more noteworthy, not a single person has successfully benefited thus far.
The governor's orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Stanley Jones, Perry thoroughly researched the procedure and had no qualms. Perry even said, "You know, I don't mind being the first. I like it." Perry's confidence was likely bolstered by the fact that Jones was effectively cured of his debilitating arthritis using adult stem cells. Jones' wife, who suffered from a vascular condition, was also cured. (Family Research Council)
House Hearing: Hizballah Threat Looms in U.S. Backyard
Hizballah has established a vast network of operatives throughout Latin America, and even in North America, which could be used to wage terrorist attacks against American interests if the group or its Iranian patrons see fit, witnesses told a House Homeland Security subcommittee on Thursday. (July 7)
The threat is not imminent, panelists said, as the Lebanese-based Shiite group focuses on money-making criminal enterprises like narco-trafficking. (The Investigative Project on Terrorism)
House Panel: al-Shabaab Poses "Direct Threat" to U.S.
More than 40 Somalis living in America and 20 in Canada have traveled to Somalia to join the jihad waged there by the terrorist group al-Shabaab, a House Homeland Security Committee staff report finds. At least 15 of the Americans have died in al-Shabaab violence, but the whereabouts of 21 others remain unknown.
Although that violence has been limited so far to Africa, two witnesses who appeared before the committee Wednesday said the United States should consider them, and al-Shabaab, as "a direct threat to the U.S. homeland." (The Investigative Project on Terrorism)
A Letter from a Reader:
A Response to THE RESPONSE
Thank you Sara,
We are fasting and praying. What a time we are living in and what an opportunity for the world to witness God's grace and mercy on a nation that has ventured so far away from the Lord, His commandments and desire for relationship with us. Prayer is key, repentant hearts and humbled spirits before the Lord is essential and the willingness to follow after the Lord and be willing to serve according to HIS Will, vital for the turning of a nation and restoration and renewal to occur.
One of our friends had a dream of our Statue of Liberty all covered with graffiti. It was awful. In the dream he say a few people gathered in prayer at the foot of the statue. Among those praying was Governor Perry. The Statue was restored and more bright and beautiful that it had been before, but the prayers continued to cover and keep her clean and a strong light before men. I pray that the prayers going forth for our nation and Israel will renew our strength to continue to look to the Lord for our everything.
May God bless our prayers and our nation in Yeshua's name. Praise be to God and thanksgiving for all who will humble themselves and pray and trust in the most High God . . . Jehovah Shalom.
Shabot Shalom . . . with Christ's love, Jeanie in Texas
The Good News Corner:
Rare Ancient Golden Bell Discovered in Jerusalem
A small golden bell-that was apparently originally sown on to the clothing of a high official in Jerusalem roughly 2000-years-ago and bring to mind the Biblical priestly garments-has been discovered in an archaeological excavation. According to an Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) press release, the rare gold bell has a small loop on its end and is presumed to have come from the edge of a garment.
In the Bible, Exodus 28:33 describes the robe of the high priest: "Upon its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, all around its hem, and bells of gold between them all around."
The IAA press release said of the possible connection of the discovered bell to the priesthood, "It is impossible to know for certain if the bell did indeed belong to one of the high priests; however, the possibility should not be entirely discounted."
The bell itself was discovered during an archaeological excavation of a drainage tunnel that runs from the Shiloah Pool (Pool of Siloam beneath the City of David) to near the Western Wall. In the region of the excavation, back during the Second Temple Period (first century AD), there was a main road above the channel, which was linked with a bridge, known today as Robinson's Arch, that led up to the Temple Mount.
The incident appears to be an expensive and long-lasting case of lost and found. The IAA press release said that "apparently, the high official was walking in the Jerusalem street in the vicinity of Robinson's Arch and lost the gold bell that fell from his garment into the drainage channel beneath the road."
According to comments in the press release from the excavation directors, archaeologists Eli Shukron and Professor Ronny Reich of Haifa University, "It seems the bell was sewn on the garment worn by a high official in Jerusalem at the end of the Second Temple period. The bell was exposed inside Jerusalem's main drainage channel at that time, among the layers of earth that had accumulated along the bottom of it.
"This drainage channel was built and hewn the length of the Western Wall of the Temple Mount on the bottom of the slope descending to the Tyropoeon Valley. This drainage channel conveyed rainwater from different parts of the city, by way of the City of David and the Shiloah Pool, to Nahal Kidron [Kidron Valley]." The excavations are being done on behalf of the IAA in cooperation with the Nature and Parks Authority and the Ir David Foundation. (By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, July 25, 2011) [Reported by: Bridges for Peace]
- Once again, rejoice with us as more and more archeological excavations are uncovering scientific evidence that the Bible is true!
- "All Your words are true . . ." (Psalm 119:160)
Worship with Us Today!
On Bended Knee - Hosanna Music
On bended knee I come.
With a humble heart I come.
Bowing down before Your holy throne.
Lifting holy hands to You,
As I pledge my love anew,
I worship You in spirit;
I worship You in truth,
Make my life a holy praise
Unto You.
