CHPP Daily Brief - Tuesday, February 7, 2012

News for Prayer!

•  The Daily Brief
•  The Middle East in Focus
•  Silencing Our Chaplains
•  9th Circuit Decision
•  Is Obama a Christian?
•  Focus on the Air Force
•  U.S. Soldiers Take a Hit
•  Danger in Juarez, Mexico
•  The Good News Corner
•  Worship with Us Today!


Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
"Partners in Prayer for Our Nation"
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net

The Daily Brief - Tuesday, February 7, 2012

"But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him." (Habakkuk 2:20)


TODAY'S ARTICLES


1.    Silencing Our Chaplains
2.    FRC Criticizes Ninth Circuit Ruling to Overthrow Definition of Marriage
3.    Press Release from Congressman Forbes
4.    Obama Pulls Combat Pay for U.S. Troops
5.    Juarez to House Police in Hotels After Cartel Threats


The Daily Brief




1. Federal appeals court panel rules California same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional - Washington Post


A federal appeals panel in San Francisco ruled Tuesday that California's ban on same-sex marriage violates the constitutional right to equal protection.


The panel overturned Proposition 8, which was approved by 52 percent of the state's voters in 2008 and amended the state's constitution to limit marriage to a man and a woman. The U.S. Supreme Court could be the next stop for the measure.


Read more.


NOTE: PLEASE SEE THE COMMENTARY ON THIS RULING, BELOW, RELEASED TODAY BY TONY PERKINS AT THE FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL


- Lord, we lift up prayers of intercession over this ruling. We pray that this ruling would be appealed at the Supreme Court, and hat Proposition 8 which was approved by 52 percent of the voters would be upheld.


- Then the Lord God made the rib He had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man. And the man said: This one, at last, is bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called woman, for she was taken from man. This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh. (Genesis 2:22-24)


2. Unemployment report: January job gains have economists rethinking outlooks - Washington Post


An unexpectedly rosy jobs report set off a chain reaction Friday, upending economists' gloomy predictions for the coming year, leading to a surge on Wall Street and potentially boggling the political calculus of the 2012 presidential campaigns.


- Lord, we acknowledge the economy belongs to You, and that rebellion causes desolation and destruction. We pray that truth be revealed in all reports, and for a turning of this country back to You and Your ways. We pray for Godly leadership to arise and be made clear to voters. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

- And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these You have chosen." (Acts 1:24)


3. 'Occupy' protesters march through Oakland streets - Fox News


Dozens of Occupy Oakland demonstrators burned an American flag and marched through the streets Saturday night, a week after police fired tear gas to quell violent demonstrations and hundreds were arrested following a mass break-in at City Hall.


- Lord, we pray that You raise up more intercession for the occupiers. We pray for peace in our cities. Open people's minds, eyes, and ears to know the truth about this movement. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.


- Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind. (Luke 14:21)


4. Congress Is Demanding That The FAA Make Room For The US Drone Fleet - Business Insider


A House-Senate conference report this week called on the Administration to accelerate the use of civilian unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or "drones," in U.S.


- Lord, we pray wisdom for our government leaders as they make decisions about use of unmanned aerial systems. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.


- Wisdom is better than strength...wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good. (Ecclesiastes 9:16 & 18)


5. NATO: Missile Shield Plans Proceed Despite Russia - ABC News


NATO leaders on Saturday downplayed Moscow's fears that a new Europe-based missile defense system represents a threat to Russia, while vowing to move ahead with it, even if those concerns cannot be fully addressed.


- Lord, we pray for the leaders of NATO to have wisdom as they are planning a missile defense system. We pray especially that leaders in Europe and Russia will come to know You, inquire of You, and trust in You as their shield. In the name of Jesus, our Savior, we pray. Amen


- He is a shield to all who trust in Him. (Psalm 18:30)

6. Iran Warns World of Coming Great Event - WND


Amid crippling sanctions over its nuclear weapons program, Iran is continuing to prepare itself for war against the West, and now is warning of a coming great event.


- Lord, we ask that You give us a President that understands the issues like that of Iran. We submit our requests for protection and deliverance from evil, as in the Lord's prayer. Thank You for teaching us to pray. In the name of Jesus. Amen.


- Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)


The Middle East in Focus


This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:


"The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. " (Psalm 46:11)

1. Stop the 'blabbing' about attacking Iran, Netanyahu tells his government officials - National Post


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned his officials to stop "blabbing" about the possibility of an attack targeting Iran's nuclear program, the newspaper Maariv reported on Monday.


2. Israeli attack will prompt Pakistani response - Ynet News


After US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta estimated that Israel would attack Iran by June, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned government officials against "Iran chatter," A European diplomat based in Pakistan said that if Israel attacks, Islamabad will have no choice but to support any Iranian retaliation.


3. Israel PM: Palestinian reconciliation deal abandons 'way of peace' - MSNBC


Israel's prime minister says it will be impossible to hold peace talks if the Palestinians go through with a new reconciliation deal, The Associated Press is reporting.


4. Eshel will prepare perfect attack plan - Ynet News


Hours after it was announced that Defense Minister Ehud Barak has approved IDF Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Benny Gantz's decision to appoint Major-General Amir Eshel as the next IAF commander, colleagues congratulated the decision, saying he is the right man for the job.

5. Krauthammer: Leak indicates Israeli attack on Iran 'certain' - Daily Caller


Last week in his Washington Post column, David Ignatius wrote that Israel was preparing to attack Iran to prevent it from being able to build a nuclear bomb. According to his Post opinion page colleague Charles Krauthammer, based on the source behind Ignatius' claim it is likely an attack will occur.


6. Hamas, Fatah agree on unity gov't; Abbas to be PM - Jerusalem Post


Fatah and Hamas announced Monday they had reached another reconciliation agreement to end their differences -- this time under the auspices of Qatar.


Silencing Our Chaplains


Now there is news that Pentagon officials attempted to silence Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services. On January 26th, the archbishop issued a blistering letter with instructions for it to be read aloud from the pulpit by all Catholic military chaplains.


Referring to the contraception mandate, the letter read in part, "It is a blow to a freedom that you have fought to defend and for which you have seen your buddies fall in battle. We cannot -- we will not -- comply with this unjust law."


The Army's Office of the Chief of Chaplains essentially declared the letter unauthorized and ordered chaplains not to read it aloud, but said it could be made available in print. A compromise that preserved the archbishop's First Amendment rights was eventually reached after a phone call between Archbishop Broglio and Secretary of the Army John McHugh, who conceded it was wrong to censor the letter. You can read more here. (Gary Bauer)


9th Circuit Decision


Family Research Council Criticizes Ninth Circuit Ruling to Overthrow Definition of Marriage


February 07, 2012


WASHINGTON, D.C. - Family Research Council (FRC) today criticized a decision by the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which overturned California's Proposition 8, which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman. FRC filed an amicus curiae ("friend of the court") brief in the case, now known as Perry v. Brown.


Today's ruling by a three-judge panel upheld a lower court decision by now-retired federal Judge Vaughn Walker in August 2010. Judge Walker later admitted he is himself a homosexual and has had a long-term partner, meaning that he potentially stood to personally benefit from the legalization of same-sex "marriage."


Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement:
"Today's decision was disappointing but not surprising, coming from the most liberal Circuit Court in the country. This Hollywood-funded lawsuit, which seeks to impose San Francisco values on the entire country, may eventually reach the Supreme Court. This is not about constitutional governance but the insistence of a group of activists to force their will on their fellow citizens."


"This ruling substitute's judicial tyranny for the will of the people, who in the majority of states have amended their constitutions, as California did, to preserve marriage as the union of one man and one woman."


"However, we remain confident that in the end, the Supreme Court will reject the absurd argument that the authors of our Constitution created or even implied a 'right' to homosexual 'marriage,' and will instead uphold the right of the people to govern themselves."


"Voters in 31 states have voted to uphold the historic and natural definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Twenty-nine, a majority of American states, have actually inserted such a definition into the text of their state constitutions," concluded Perkins.


Is Obama a Christian?


"Christian" Obama says Jesus is a Marxist


The following article was published today by our very dear friends at Capitol Hill Prayer Alert (not to be confused with Capitol Hill Prayer Partners!). We want to thank the publisher of CHPA, Harry Valentine, for this article and for the research that stands behind it.


Below please find a very brief summary of this hard-hitting, fact-filled essay. We encourage you to study the many items referenced here by visiting their website here.


Brethren,


The days are growing short and the topics are URGENT. As Believers who are very concerned about the future of our Nation and the World (including Israel), and also as WATCHMEN (see Is 62:6), we have a grave responsibility to intercede seeking God's Intervention in these very serious matters.


Below and on the side bar carefully selected Articles and Videos which require your attention prior to PRAYING.


This Nation and the World are becoming increasingly Lawless and Debauched (did you see any of the Super Bowl advertisements?) Remember, we believe the Lord hears our PRAYERS and will answer if we CRY PASSIONATELY for HIS INTERVENTION!


Topics include:


1. ISRAEL
2. Obama Tells Catholics and other Christians "Get Lost"
3. Obama Says he's a "Christian"and Jesus is a Marxist
4. Lawlessness
5. America in Decline
6. Muslim Brotherhood (Islamists) Take Over


Focus on the Air Force


Forbes, 35 Members Ask Air Force to Reverse Decision to Remove "God" from Logo Due to Outside Pressure


Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04), co-Chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, announced today that he has sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz expressing his concern over recent news that the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) changed its logo to remove a Latin reference to "God" after receiving complaints from the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers (MAAF). The bipartisan letter was cosigned by 35 other Members of Congress.


"I am concerned that the RCO capitulated to pressure from an outside group that consistently seeks to remove references to God and faith in our military. The RCO's action to modify the logo sets a dangerous precedent that all references to God, regardless of context, must be removed from the military. In reality, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution does not prohibit the mention of 'God.' Moreover, courts have consistently upheld the constitutionality of the national motto 'In God We Trust,'" said Forbes.


The RCO patch, like many unit patches, included a line in Latin meant to be a clever pun understood by members of the unit. The RCO logo previously displayed the motto "Opus Dei Cum Pecunia Alienum Efficemus" (Doing God's Work with Other People's Money), but was altered to now read "Miraculi Cum Pecunia Alienum Efficemus" (Doing Miracles with Other People's Money).


A copy of the letter is available here.


- Pray that this decision is reversed!


- "Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us." (Isaiah 8:10)


U.S. Soldiers Take a Hit


Obama Pulls Combat Pay for U.S. Troops


Obama's latest policy outrage makes no attempt to hide his contempt for our military, as he is ordering that our troops serving overseas in war zones overseas are not to receive combat pay unless they are being shot at, or at risk of being injured by hostile aggression. A Marine who lives in Florida(also currently serving in Afghanistan) has just posted a note on Facebook which stated that he received a letter from his MyPay account that he would only be receiving his Hazard pay (Imminent Danger Pay) if he is actually in a hostile area and at risk of being shot at.
According to Military.com, and the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (H.R. 1540-7 Sec 616) as of February 1, 2012, this new measure went into effect, and soldiers who are to receive the additional $225/mo. combat pay 'must' be in immediate risk of harm. The measure is very specific in its criteria for receiving the additonal pay. (Conservative Action Alerts) Read more.


- Ask our Lord to strengthen and encourage the hearts of our men and women on the frontlines, even as our government seems to be doing the opposite. May they fix their hope upon Him, and may we all pray Psalm 91 daily over all troops on any battlefield . . . anywhere. Our omniscient God knows who and where they are!


- "But David found strength in the LORD his God." (I Samuel 30:6)


Danger in Juarez, Mexico

Juarez to House Police in Hotels After Cartel Threats


Last week banners known as "narcomantas" began appearing throughout Ciudad Juarez, signed by a group calling itself the New Juarez Cartel, thought to be a faction of the Aztecas street gang operating under a new name. The banners accused Police Chief Julian Leyzaola of colluding with the New Juarez Cartel's rivals and vowed to kill one policeman per day until he either steps down or stops targeting the group. Eight Juarez policemen have been killed this month in increasingly brazen attacks, including one shoot-out which left three suspected hitmen dead.


Juarez Mayor Hector Murguia came out in support of Leyzaola, claiming that he will leave office before he allows Leyzaola to step down. For his part, Leyzaola blamed Johnny Morales Gonzales, alias "El Tin Tan," for the violence, urging citizens to turn the alleged New Juarez Cartel leader in. Leyzaola mistakenly distributed a photo of Morales, which later turned out to a potrait of a resident in El Paso, El Diario de Juarez reports.


The city treasurer said they have set aside a 25 million peso budget (about $2 million) to house off-duty police in two hotels over the next 90 days, according to El Diario. The police are receiving a discounted rate on the rooms. (Insight) Read more.


- Justice House Of Prayer in El Paso has requested prayer due to the critical situation in Juarez. Reports are that the mayor of Juarez has also been threatened with assassination. They also confirmed that many churches across the city of all denominations have united in 21 days of prayer to counter this.


Let's join our prayers with the saints who are south of the border in decreeing an END to the violence in Juarez. The Greater One lives within us; we command this evil plot to be null and void under the shed Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we ask our Lord to forgive all who are behind these threats, for they know not what they do. Pray for those who must come to salvation in the city of Juarez. Nothing is too difficult for Him!


- For the violence to STOP: "This far and no further, and here shall your proud waves be stopped." (Job 38:10,11)


For salvation for the members of this drug cartel: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)


- For God's remnant Bride in this region: "O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure." (Psalm 7:9)


The Good News Corner:


From a Baptist Missionary in Papua New Guinea:


The Story of the Mouk People


You will have to see this to believe it . . . the way a gentle man slowly shared the Word of God with a whole village in this nation, one step at a time, through stories and pictures.


In time the entire village came to Christ with tears of repentance . . . followed by tears of JOY!
Please watch this video to see the whole story.


- Father God, we ask You to visit each one of us with the grace and the wisdom to impart Your Glorious Message to a lost and dying world . . . wherever we are today.


In Jesus' Name we ask this prayer, amen!


"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under. heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)


Worship with Us Today!


Hear Us from Heaven


Lord, hear our cry
Come heal our land
Breath life into these dry and thirsty souls
Lord, hear our prayer
Forgive our sin
And as we call on your name
Would you make this a place
For your glory to dwell
Chorus:


Open the blind eyes
Unlock the deaf ears
Come to your people
As we draw near
Hear us from heaven
Touch our generation
We are your people
Crying out in desperation