Friday, March 30, 2012

CHPP Daily Brief - Friday, March 30, 2012



•  The Daily Brief
•  The Middle East in Focus
•  The Daily Jot!
•  Crucial Supreme Court vote today
•  Barack's Bad Week
•  The Madison Report
•  Are We Still One Nation Under God?
•  An American Minute: Lincoln Calls the Nation to Repentance
•  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 - Friday, March 30, 2012

". . . The court was seated, and the books were opened." (Daniel 7:10c)

The Daily Brief

1a. Bolton accuses administration of leaking story on Israeli planning along Iran border - Fox News

Former U.S. diplomat John Bolton alleged Thursday that the Obama administration leaked a story about covert Israeli activity in order to foil potential plans by the country to attack Iran's nuclear program. The Foreign Policy article did not specify whether any of the information came from the White House and there is no direct evidence that this was a coordinated leak."Clearly, this is an administration-orchestrated leak," Bolton told FoxNews.com. "This is not a rogue CIA guy saying I think I'll leak this out." "It's just unprecedented to reveal this kind of information about one of your own allies," Bolton said. Read more.

1b. Analysis: US thwarting Israeli strike on Iran - Ynet News

The United States is leaking information to the media in order to avert an Israeli strike in Iran: The US Administration recently shifted into high gear in its efforts to avert an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities by the end of the year. The flood of reports in the American media in recent weeks attests not only to the genuine US fear that Israel intends to realize its threats; moreover, it indicates that the Obama Administration has decided to take its gloves off.

- O God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and our God, we thank You for bringing this work of darkness out into the Light. Father, we ask, that according to Your Word, You would bless those who bless Israel, and curse those who curse Israel. Betraying the trust of an ally, who is in mortal danger, certainly seems to qualify as a curse. We thank You that You are the God of Israel, and You watch over Your Word to perform it! It goes forth out of Your mouth, and it does not return to You void, but accomplishes the thing it was sent out to do. We ask, Lord, that the curse would return upon the person or persons who did this; and not our entire nation. You know that the majority of Americans are kindly inclined toward Israel, and we ask that Your judgment would come only upon those responsible for this betrayal. Bless and protect Israel, we pray, and give them Your strategies and favor! In Yeshua's precious Name, Amen!

- "And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves]." (Genesis 12:3 AMP)

2. 69% of Israelis Support US-Israeli Attack on Iran
- Arutz News

Sixty-nine percent of Israelis support a joint U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear installations, according to a poll conducted for the Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace and the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. Forty-two percent of Israelis support a strike if Israel has to act alone. The poll found that 73% of Israelis and 85% of Palestinian Authority Arabs believe that a regional war will break out if Israel attacks Iran.

- Father, we ask that You will give Your wisdom, insight, and understanding to Prime Minister Netanyahu, and his cabinet, as they consider their options regarding the threats of their sworn enemies. We ask that You would make clear to them what You would have them do, whether it be war or not. And, if any action is taken, exactly when, and how it should be done, we pray. Amen!

- " In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you. If anyone does attack you, it will not be My doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you. 'See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from Me,' declares the LORD." (Isaiah 54:17)

3a.On health-care hearing's last day, Supreme Court weighs Medicaid expansion - Washington Post

The Supreme Court closed an extraordinary three-day review of Hussein Obama's health-care law Wednesday, with its conservative majority signaling that it may be on the brink of a redefinition of the federal government's power.

3b. Justices meet Friday to vote on health care case - MyWay News

While the rest of us have to wait until June, the justices of the Supreme Court will know the likely outcome of the historic health care case by the time they go home this weekend. After months of anticipation, thousands of pages of briefs and more than six hours of arguments, the justices will vote on the fate of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul in under an hour Friday morning.

- Abba, we praise You that the Supreme Court has agreed to review this "healthcare package", and we ask for a consensus of opinion to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America regarding it. Our founding fathers set up the Supreme Court as a check on the Executive and Legislative branches, to keep a balance and protect our rights under our Constitution. We pray that You will give them Your mind and understanding, and that they would rule in righteousness and integrity, without any "politics" being involved. May they fulfill their oaths of office, we pray, and protect the people from those who wish to take our freedoms away. We thank You, Abba!

- "Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously." (John 7:24)

4. Read the FBI Memo: Agents Can 'Suspend the Law' - Wired News

The FBI once taught its agents that they can "bend or suspend the law" as they wiretap suspects. But the bureau says it didn't really mean it, and has now removed the document from its counter terrorism training curriculum, calling it an "imprecise" instruction. Which is a good thing, national security attorneys say, because the FBI's contention that it can twist the law in pursuit of suspected terrorists is just wrong.

- Lord, we thank You for the change in wording, and, hopefully in policy, concerning agents "suspending" the law. We ask for protection, Father, from those who would wish us harm, even from within our own nation. Defend us, O Lord!

- "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness--trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]."
(Psalm 91:14)

The Middle East in Focus

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

"The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore." (Psalm 121:7,8)

1. Israel's plan to attack Iran put on hold until next year at the earliest
- Ha'aretz

Damning U.S. war simulation forces Ehud Barak to reconsider attack plans; Americans pledge more money for Iron Dome antimissile system.

2. Analysis: US thwarting Israeli strike on Iran - Ynet News

The US Administration recently shifted into high gear in its efforts to avert an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities by the end of the year. The flood of reports in the American media in recent weeks attests not only to the genuine US fear that Israel intends to realize its threats; moreover, it indicates that the Obama Administration has decided to take its gloves off.

3. Israel's Secret Staging Ground
- Foreign Policy

In 2009, the deputy chief of mission of the U.S. embassy in Baku, Donald Lu, sent a cable to the State Department's headquarters in Foggy Bottom titled "Azerbaijan's discreet symbiosis with Israel." The memo, later released by WikiLeaks, quotes Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev as describing his country's relationship with the Jewish state as an iceberg: "nine-tenths of it is below the surface."

4. Bolton accuses Hussein Obama of leaking story on Israeli planning along Iran border
- Fox News

Israel on Thursday stepped up preparations a day before a series of planned Arab protests, deploying thousands of troops and police across the country and along its borders in anticipation of possible violence.

5. Abbas drops threat to dismantle PA over stalled Israel talks, foreign diplomats say
- Ha'aretz

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has dropped a planned threat to dismantle the Palestinian Authority in protest of the deadlock in peace efforts with Israel, foreign diplomats said on Thursday.

6. Israel Defense Ministry plan earmarks 10 percent of West Bank for settlement expansion - Ha'aretz

For years Israel's Civil Administration has been covertly locating and mapping available land in the West Bank and naming the parcels after existing Jewish settlements, presumably with an eye toward expanding these communities.

7. Report: Israel has access to Azeri airbases - Ynet News

Top American officials believe that Israel has secured access to airbases in Azerbaijan, possibly as part of its preparation for a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, Foreign Policy Magazine reported Thursday.

8. Land Day protests in West Bank, Gaza Strip die down - Jerusalem Post

One Palestinian was killed and dozens of pro-Palestinian activists were injured when protests marking Land Day turned violent in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Friday.

Despite the widespread clashes between Israeli security personnel and pro-Palestinian protesters in the West Bank and Gaza, the IDF expressed satisfaction with the day's occurrences overall and indicated that none of the incidents were out of the ordinary.

The Daily Jot!

Prophetic end times shadow over global march on Jerusalem

The ancient prophet Zechariah wrote a prophecy from the Lord: "I will make Jerusalem a cup that will stagger the surrounding peoples...When that day comes, I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who try to lift it will hurt themselves, and all the earth's nations will be massed against her." This prophecy taken directly from the Hebrew translation speaks of the Day of the Lord, but a type and shadow of this prophecy is playing out before our very eyes in Jerusalem as Islamic forces from the Arab world amass today on Israel's borders in conjunction with "Land Day." Facebook pages of the Global March to Jerusalem are showing minute to minute updates of thousands gathering on Israel's borders.

The organizers of the Global March on Jerusalem said it would be peaceful. They knew full well, however, that Israel would not let them cross the borders. It is reported that tens of thousands of Islamists were flown in from Iran and Indonesia and were trained by Hezbollah and other terrorist groups for this "peaceful" March. Already, the Facebook page for the march shows images of anti-Israel and anti-American protesters throwing and burning things to protest what Islam believes is an occupation of Arab land. One photo caption on Facebook reads "Within the events of the World March towards Jerusalem. Thousands of Indians participated in the walk and burn the Zionist flag."

Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, India, Iran, Indonesia, Egypt, and more are participating in the event that coincides with the annual protest of what the terrorists believe to be Israeli "occupation." Debkafile reports that "special flights carrying thousands of pro-Palestinian activists from Tehran touched down in Damascus Tuesday, March 27 for the international Global March to Jerusalem Friday, March 30. Before taking off, they were split into small groups and tutored by Iranian Al Qods Brigades officers in tactics for breaching Israeli border barriers, bursting through and challenging the Israeli military forces defending the border." Debkafile said that upon arrival Hezbollah officers stood by to lead them to villages close to Israel's border.

At the time of this post, Debkafile is reporting Israel forces opened fire to halt Palestinian demonstrators marching on the Gaza-Israeli border and crossings...There were also violent clashes between Jerusalem security forces and disorderly Palestinian demonstrators in North Jerusalem, after riots were thwarted on the Temple Mount and Damascus Gate. Troops are on orders to block West Bank demonstrators from storming into Israel. Around 20,000 Palestinians are reported marching in Jordan toward the Israel border. In Lebanon, demonstrators clashed with army units." While this is not the fulfillment of the Zechariah prophecy, it is a very real demonstration of how it can quickly play out.

Have A Blessed And Powerful Day,
Bill Wilson


Update for our readers:

Tonight the Jerusalem Post is reporting the following news on the Land Day riots:

One Palestinian was killed and dozens of pro-Palestinian activists were injured when protests marking Land Day turned violent in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Friday.

Despite the widespread clashes between Israeli security personnel and pro-Palestinian protesters in the West Bank and Gaza, the IDF expressed satisfaction with the day's occurrences overall and indicated that none of the incidents were out of the ordinary.
With an eye to the future, IDF Spokesperson Brig.- Gen. Yoav Mordechai said that "the real test will come during the Nakba- and Naksa- Day protests as well as Prisoners' Day, which will be very tense. Read more.

CHPP will publish an alert from Intercessors for Israel on Monday, April 2, providing specific prayer points for all demonstrations that are expected in Jerusalem. In the meantime, we thank you for praying for the safety of the people of Israel at this time.

Crucial Supreme Court vote today

Urgent: Take a moment to pray for the Supreme Court Justices as they meet behind closed doors today to vote on the health insurance mandate case that was heard this week. This is one of the most consequential cases in American history. It will have a huge bearing on every American's freedom of conscience and religious liberty. Should the Court uphold the mandate, religious groups will face a painful decision of complying with or resisting government intrusion on their rights to believe and practice their faith.

We won't know the outcome of this vote for weeks or months. (Today is a confidential conference when only the Justices are present-without staff-and the result is kept completely secret until opinions are announced.) The Court will not announce in advance that it has arrived at a majority opinion, so it will be more or less a surprise when it is released to the public. It will likely be some time in June-and more likely late June, just before the Court recesses for its summer break. If the Justices didn't like how the case was argued, though, they could hold it over as long they like and even order that the lawyers return to the Court at a future date to argue it again, but that is highly unlikely.

Thank you for joining us in prayer today and throughout the period the Justices take to write their opinions.

Your prayerful missionary to the Supreme Court, Congress, and the White House,

Rev. Rob Schenck
Faith and Action
Update:

By now, this vote has come and gone, but the need for continued, intensive prayer covering over the nine justices of the Supreme Court remains. For more information on how the process of "internal voting" and the writing of opinions works, please go here.

Hussein's Bad Week

Yesterday I received a message from a supporter who said she found reading this daily report depressing and discouraging. I understand her frustration. The past three years have been a nightmare for everyone who cherishes faith, family and freedom -- and I'm here in the belly of the beast!

So I want to offer a bit of encouragement to our supporters by pointing out that, by any reasonable standard, Barack Obama had a pretty bad week. For example:

* The United States Supreme Court took up his signature initiative -- ObamaCare. And from the oral arguments it seems likely that four, if not a majority, of the justices are inclined to strike down ObamaCare as unconstitutional.

* Obama was caught on an open mic appearing to tell one of America's adversaries: We can do a deal next year after my election. I remember when Ronald Reagan was caught on an open microphone joking about bombing the Soviet Union. Here Obama got caught perhaps offering to compromise our security. Check out this ad. While it is somewhat humorous, America's national security is no laughing matter. * Obama's budget was humiliated in the House of Representatives on a 0-to-414 vote. Not one Democrat was willing to support his call for higher taxes and more spending. The same thing happened last year in the Senate, where Obama's budget went down 0-to-97.

If we had an unbiased, objective media, more Americans would be aware of these facts and would likely be questioning whether he deserves a second term. But rather than getting frustrated and discouraged, fight back! (Gary Bauer; End-of-Day; March 30, 2012; excerpt)

The Madison Report

Today's Legislative Focus

From The Madison Project

www.madisonproject.com

Bonus Legislation

[Every week, we will try to spotlight some positive legislation that is worthy of conservative support.]

H.R. 2487 Eliminating Agriculture Direct Payment Subsidies:

Later this year, Congress will take up another 5-year authorization of the farm bill. The current reauthorization is set to expire September 30, the end of the fiscal year. The entire premise behind the government's involvement in agriculture; from subsidies to regulations, is an anathema to the free-market.

The most egregious aspect to the farm bill is the direct payment program, which grants corporate welfare to wealthy land owners. Congressman Jeff Flake has introduced a bill to completely abolish direct payment to land owners. A preliminary score from CBO indicates that this bill would save taxpayers $28 billion over the next ten years. Please call your members of Congress and request that they cosponsor this bill.

Are We Still One Nation Under God?

The National Day of Prayer is just around the corner and America needs your prayers now more than ever. We continue to face unabated moral decline, economic turmoil, military conflict in the Middle East, and ever-increasing assaults against our religious liberty. Given these urgent concerns, it's imperative that we remain on our knees in contrite supplication for our great nation.

Throughout the six decades since Congress established an annual National Day of Prayer, untold millions of Americans have come together every year to express humble reliance upon the Almighty. On May 3, 2012, citizens will once again gather stateside, and at points around the globe, to lift our nation and leaders before the Lord. In doing so, we pay tribute to the example set by our Founding Fathers and by presidents down through the years who have exhorted the American people to seek God's help and deliverance during trying times. As Abraham Lincoln presided over a war-torn land, he called on his fellow citizens to take part in a day of fasting and prayer, making this statement:

" . . . it is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history: that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord . . . "

What a powerful reminder of the true source of our well-being.

Because our nation continues to navigate through extremely challenging and pivotal days, the National Day of Prayer Task Force has chosen One Nation Under God as the 2012 theme. The inspiration is found in Psalm 33:12, which offers this important reminder: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord..." In addition, Dr. David Jeremiah, Founder of Turning Point and Senior Pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church, has agreed to serve as this year's Honorary Chairman. Dr. Jeremiah's understanding of Scripture and his ability to articulate those insights will undoubtedly make him an outstanding advocate for the upcoming events.

In light of our theme for 2012, we must ask the question; are we still One Nation Under God?
(To read the full article, go here.)

The mission of the National Day of Prayer (NDP) Task Force is to mobilize prayer in America and to encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture. Our team is made up of extremely dedicated men and women who love Jesus Christ and have a heartfelt belief that prayer is the hope for America. As our Task Force works to achieve the divine purposes to which we are called, we'd be encouraged to have you join us.

To determine your personal and spiritual qualifications for this service, we would ask that you fill out the online Volunteer Coordinator Application. This process will help our leadership team determine if this commitment is right for you. May the Lord lead you as you prayerfully consider this exciting opportunity.

Mrs. Shirley Dobson, Chairman
National Day of Prayer

An American Minute: Lincoln Calls the Nation to Repentance

MARCH 30:

Lincoln's Day of Fasting

A freak accident 2 days later that changed the war

(American Minute with Bill Federer)

On MARCH 30, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer:

"Whereas, the Senate of the United States devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority and just Government of Almighty God in all the affairs of men and of nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for national prayer and humiliation; and

Whereas, it is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history: that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord;

And, insomuch as we know that, by His divine law, nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisement in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.

But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious Hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.

Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!

It behooves us then to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.

Now, therefore, in compliance with the request and fully concurring in the view of the Senate, I do, by this my proclamation, designate and set apart Thursday, the 30th day of April, 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer.

And I do hereby request all the people to abstain on that day from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite, at their several places of public worship and their respective homes, in keeping the day holy to the Lord and devoted to the humble discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion.

All this being done, in sincerity and truth, let us then rest humbly in the hope authorized by the Divine teachings, that the united cry of the nation will be heard on high and answered with blessing no less than the pardon of our national sins and the restoration of our now divided and suffering country to its former happy condition of unity and peace.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this 30th day of March, A.D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-seventh. Abraham Lincoln. By the President: William H. Seward, Secretary of State."

Lincoln's National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer was observed April 30, 1863. Two days later, a freak accident occurred which changed the course of the war.

To read what happened next, go here.


The Good News Corner:

"Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover!"

Shy Boy and his Friend Shock the Audience with The Prayer - Unbelievable

In a recent episode of "Britain's Got Talent," Simon, the other judges, and the entire audience laughed as this boy and his friend came on stage. But then those laughs quickly turned to applause and tears when Jonathan and Charlotte started to sing. WOW.
To hear Charlotte and Jonathan sing their opera duo, go here.

Worship with Us Today!

Don Moen - "I Offer My Life"
All that I am, all that I have
I lay them down before You, oh Lord
All my regrets, all my acclaims
The joy and the pain, I'm making them Yours

Listen here:

Thursday, March 29, 2012

CHPP Daily Brief - Thursday, March 29, 2012

•  The Daily Brief
•  The Middle East in Focus
•  The Daily Jot!
•  Tomorrow: Global March to Jerusalem
•  Supreme Court: The Aftermath
•  Urgent! Continued Prayer Required Over Obamacare Decsion(s)
•  The Madison Report
•  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 - Thursday, March 29, 2012

". . . The court was seated, and the books were opened." (Daniel 7:10c)

The Daily Brief


1. Saudi Arabia will act to lower soaring oil prices - Financial Times

High international oil prices are bad news. Bad for Europe, bad for the US, bad for emerging economies and bad for the world's poorest nations. A period of prolonged high prices is bad for all oil producing nations, including Saudi Arabia, and they are bad news for the energy industry more widely.

- Lord, we hear about these efforts from Saudi Arabia to reduce the price of oil, and we are cautiously grateful. We still have yet to be released from dependence on the oil that comes from hostile nations, and the headline from today which talks about Saudi clerics trying to destroy Christian churches is evidence of that hostility. We pray, Lord, that You will have mercy over Your people, and mercy over the price of oil, that we not continue to compromise America's people in favor of the price of that commodity.

- "There are many devices in a man's heart, nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand."
[Proverbs 19:21]

2. Christian Workers in Gulf Countries Warned About Saudi Cleric's Call to 'Destroy Churches' - CNS News

A call by Saudi Arabia's top religious authority for a demolition of all churches in the Arabian Peninsula has prompted an organization representing Filipino workers in the region to advise caution and discretion.

- Father, we call forth Your Heavenly Host to stand guard against this wave of violence against Your people. As hostility against both Jews and Christians increases, we pray for Your Mighty hand of protection for all.

- "For behold the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon you and His Glory shall be seen upon you." [Isaiah 60:2]

3. US acted to conceal evidence of intelligence failure before 9/11 - UK Guardian

The US government shut down a series of court cases arising from a multimillion pound business dispute in order to conceal evidence of a damning intelligence failure shortly before the 9/11 attacks, MPs were told.

- Father, we pray for truth to be revealed in all areas of our government. Where corruption exists, we ask that it be excised. Where lies live under the surface, we pray for them to be exposed.

- "In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing away from our god, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood" [Isaiah 59:13]

4. WSJ: Fed Buying 61 Percent of US Debt - NewsMax

The Federal Reserve is propping up the entire U.S. economy by buying 61 percent of the government debt issued by the Treasury Department, a trend that cannot last, Lawrence Goodman, a former Treasury official and current president of the Center for Financial Stability, writes in a Wall Street Journal opinion article published Wednesday.

- Lord, we know this practice of buying US Debt cannot be a stable platform for the American Economy. We ask for a solution from the Throne Room of Heaven.

- "And everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, shall be likened to a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand" [Matthew 7:26]

5. State Dept. Spokesman Refuses to Say Whether Jerusalem Is the Capital of Israel  - The Weekly Standard

There was an amazing exchange today at the State Department press briefing when the press secretary refused to say that Jerusalem is the capital of the state of Israel. "We are not going to prejudge the outcome of those negotiations, including the final status of Jerusalem," State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland said in response the question.

- Lord, we pray that You would forgive our nation for its foolish policies toward Israel. We call on Your Name and Your mercy to change the hearts of our leaders with regard to Your people. Lord, if they will not change, we pray that You will block any attempts to divide Jerusalem by any means necessary.

- "And I will set My Glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see My judgment that I have executed, and My hand that I have laid upon them." [Ezekiel 39:21]

6. Taking Liberties: Arrested for reading the Bible? - Fox News

The video begins with Mark Mackey opening his Bible.

"Good morning, everyone," he says to a crowd of 15 onlookers waiting outside the Hemet, California Division of Motor Vehicles. "I would like to read a little bit of the word of God this morning."

The video, shot in February of last year, ends with Mackey's arrest.

"You can preach on your own property," an officer from the California state patrol tells Mackey as he leads him away in handcuffs. "Folks, this is what the United States is coming to," Mackey says to the crowd, who were standing outside waiting for the DMV to open. "You can talk about anything you want, but you can't talk about the Bible."

Read more:

- Father, we know that as the final days approach, we will be hated by all who are perishing. We pray for the souls of those who arrested Mr. Mackey, and for wisdom for him in the midst of this situation.

- "And they shall deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and you shall be hated of all nations for My Name's sake."
[Matthew 24:9]

The Middle East in Focus

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

"The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore." (Psalm 121:7,8)

1. Army chief cancels IDF-wide Passover vacation - Ynet News

Chief of Staff Benny Gantz has ordered all IDF units to cancel their traditional Passover breaks so that they can operate in full capacity over the upcoming holdiay, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Wednesday.

2. Organizers fear Palestinian Land Day protests could turn violent - Ha'aretz

Organizers of international protest marches scheduled for Friday to mark Land Day have expressed concern that the demonstrations could get out of control due to the involvement of outside activists, some from as far away as East Asia. Land Day marks the anniversary of protests in the Israeli Arab community in 1976 over government land policy in which security forces killed six demonstrators.

3. Arabs prepare for 'Jerusalem March' - Ynet News

International supporters and hundreds of thousands of participants are expected to take part in the Global March on Jerusalem Friday, as Israel braces for potential attempts to breach the Jewish state's borders.

4. Netanyahu congratulates Mofaz on Kadima win - Ynet News

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated newly elected Kadima chairman Shaul Mofaz on winning the party's primaries on Wednesday morning. The two agreed to meet as part of the regular meetings between the prime minister and the opposition head.

5. Pentagon wants more money for Israel's Iron Dome - Ynet News

The US Defense Department will ask Congress for additional funding for Israel's Iron Dome defense system, Ynet learned Tuesday.

6. Exchange of fire along Israel-Egypt border: army - AFP

Israeli troops opened fire at a group of suspects along the Egyptian border on Tuesday, two of whom had crossed from Egypt, a military spokesman said, indicating that several of them were wounded.

The Daily Jot!

Don't like high gas prices?

Ancient prophecies may predict even higher

Destabilizing the Middle East by supporting the overthrow of governments for Sharia Law "democracies" and rumors of war with Israel and Iran have the White House and European leaders facing some extremely high gas prices and resulting inflation for their citizens. No doubt the cause and effect of American involvement in last year's "Arab spring" impacted the prices at the pump, but ancient prophecies of the Bible point toward even higher prices for food essentials and oil in the latter days. The wars and rumors of wars, the political unrest seen around the world, the debt of the nations, the deception on the world stage, and the high prices of goods and services are likely a type and shadow of the end times.

In Matthew 24:3, disciples of Yeshua Ha Mashiac ask him, "Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" Yeshua outlines a very succinct chronology of what to expect before His return. This account tracks with Revelation, Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah and many other books of the Bible. These books hold more specific accounts of what Yeshua teaches in Matthew 24. One thing for certain, wars and rumors of wars historically produces times of high inflation. When the latter day judgments begin on the earth, there is conquering, killing, war and inflation. We have seen types and shadows of them throughout history. We are now in another such cycle.

The wars and rumors of wars have placed military assets in the path of oil rich trade routes. Many rumors abound that oil shipping lanes will be closed as violence, even war, in the Middle East becomes closer to reality. Revelation 6 speaks of a time when a measure of wheat will cost a day's wages. And there is a curious ending to verse 6, saying "and see thou hurt not the oil ad the wine." Some translations say "save" the oil and the wine. Notwithstanding, the intent of this verse is to demonstrate that prices for food, oil and wine will be extremely high. Oil could be olive oil or it could be other types of oils. In today's market, the Middle East controls the oil supply, especially Saudi Arabia, the largest producer of oil.

The minister of petroleum for Saudi Arabia Ali Naimi wrote in the Financial Times that oil prices are artificially high because of "irrational fear." He said Saudi Arabia would like to correct this "myth." This plays into prophecy because Saudi Arabia is establishing itself as the main broker for the world's most needed commodity. Revelation 17:2 speaks of the "great whore" "With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication." Think about all the leaders that bow to the king of Saudi Arabia, and all the people who are addicted to oil so much so that they tolerate the evils of Saudi Arabia to get it. Could this be a type and shadow of what is to come?
Have A Blessed And Powerful Day,

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

Tomorrow: Global March to Jerusalem

Mass Arab protest hopes to overrun Israel's borders

Israel is gearing up to confront attempts by thousands of Palestinian and Arab demonstrators to breach its borders to protest land policies, officials said.

Thousands are expected to participate in the Global March to Jerusalem organized by pro-Palestinian organizations abroad that have called on protesters to march on Israel's borders with Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Gaza and the West Bank Friday as part of Land Day demonstrations opposing Israeli policies . . .

Israel has warned it will treat anyone who attempts to approach its borders as an infiltrator and will act decisively and determinedly, Israel Radio said Thursday.

In recent days Israeli Army and security officials have met with their Palestinian counterparts to coordinate the West Bank protests and ensure they remain within Palestinian-controlled areas, the report said.

Palestinians have called a protest at the Kalandia checkpoint north of Jerusalem and at Rachel's Tomb outside the entrance to Bethlehem, the report said.

The army and police have also beefed up their presence along Israel's northern and southern borders, the report said.

The Lebanese paper The Daily Star said scores of international protesters arrived in Lebanon Wednesday to participate in Friday's march. The report said the Lebanese Army has coordinated the route with the protesters, who plan to rally in a compound near Israel's border.

Jordan has also set up a site for the protests that overlooks Jerusalem and is where Jesus is believed to have been baptized, Ynetnews.com said.

Earlier this week Haaretz reported major disagreements have developed between the organizers of Friday's protests due to Iran's involvement. The paper said the dispute erupted after a group of pro-Palestinian activists from East Asia and some Arab countries visited Tehran and met with a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who promised his country's support.

The Jerusalem Post said thousands of pro-Palestinian activists plan to fly into Israel at staggered times April 15 and 16 to protest Israeli policies. (UPI) Read more.

For a detailed analysis of this planned mass protest,' including its background and its organization, please read an article published by The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, titled: "The Global March to Jerusalem: Part of the International Campaign to Delegitimize Israel."

Prayer Requests:

1. Speak forgiveness over Jerualem's enemies; they know not what they do. "Father, forgive them, for THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO." (Luke 23:34)

2. Ask God to intervene, to divide the sponsoring groups asunder; and to cause a spirit of confusion to enter their camp so that their plans will come to nothing.

"I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save." (Isaiah 49:25)

3. Ask the Lord God of Jacob to show Himself mighty on behalf of Israel, demonstrating once again that the land belongs to the Jew. "In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land." (Joel 3:2)

Supreme Court: The Aftermath

Severability Remains the Key Issue

(Following is an article pubilshed today by the Family Rsearch Council, titled, "Happily Sever After?")

Less than a mile separates the Supreme Court from America's founding documents at the National Archives. But when the ObamaCare case is decided, the country will see how far the Justices really are from the U.S. Constitution. From what people inside the courtroom have observed, the two may be closer than liberals originally thought. Yesterday's arguments--the last before June's historic ruling--focused on severability. The Justices must decide that if one part of the law is found unconstitutional, should they save the rest? Unlike other cases, this one is decidedly messy. If the Court voids the individual mandate, then the burden of paying for the law would fall to the states--many of which cannot afford it.

Even the bench's liberal newcomers, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, talked about how unworkable that solution would be. "So they leave the market," Kagan said, "the rates go up further, more people leave the market, and the whole system crashes and burns." Sotomayor agreed. Hollowing out the law would be, in her words, "a death spiral." The President and his party designed the mandate as the engine that drives the bill. Without it, the law is almost unsustainable. If the Justices tear down the order to buy insurance without hitching the entire policy to it, then Americans would be left with a massive Medicaid expansion, taxpayer-funded abortion, a conscience-violating mandate, and the $1.76 trillion tab.

The results would still be catastrophic--though not, as the Wall Street Journal describes the whole law, a "bunker buster into the original idea of America." It would also put the burden on the Court, a non-legislative body, to decide which parts of the policy stay and which go. That, insisted Justice Anthony Kennedy, is a more activist solution than taking a wrecking ball to the entire law. If the Court strikes down the individual mandate but leaves the rest of the law untouched, "We would have [created] a new [law] that Congress did not provide for, did not consider. That, it seems to be can be argued at least to be a more extreme exercise of judicial power than... striking the whole." Almost on cue, Justice Antonin Scalia joked, "What happened to the Eighth Amendment? You really want us to go through these 2,700 pages?" (The Eighth Amendment, as FRC's Ken Klukowski points out, is the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.) Essentially, both men were arguing that it's Congress's place--not the judiciary's--to rework the law.

not the judiciary's--to rework the law. In the end, this case is--and always was--about the fundamental principle of freedom. And while the Solicitor General did his best to argue that the law was nothing short of patriotic, attorney Paul Clement views it differently. "I certainly appreciate what the solicitor general says, that when you support a policy, you think that the policy spreads the blessings of liberty. But I would respectfully suggest that it's a very funny concept of liberty that forces somebody to purchase an insurance policy whether they want to or not." Ultimately, the Court will have to decide who enjoys the vastest expanse of power: the people or the President? We'll have to wait until June to find out.

Urgent! Continued Prayer Required Over Obamacare Decsion(s)

Now that the Supreme Court justices have completed their hearings over four issues related to the legality of The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), some might assume that our job in prayer is now complete.

Indeed, the exact opposite is now true . . . WE HAVE ONLY BEGUN TO FIGHT!

Capitol Hill Prayer Partners wishes to encourage each one of our prayer partners to NOT LET UP THE PRESSURE IN INTERCESSION UNTIL THE FINAL DECISION ON THIS CASE IS RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC AT THE END OF JUNE.

For the next three months, the justices -- behind closed doors -- will begin deliberating the merits of this case on their own, often in times of private study, while at other times in debating certain points among themselves.

Given these facts, it is imperative that we continue to cover the minds of each of the nine justices on the Supreme Court in prayer, asking that "wisdom from above" be granted unto each one . . . even as, in the end, they write their own opinions.

May justice be served in our nation, and may we be a people who are free of tyranny in our land. Amen.

"But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! " (Amos 5:24)

Today's Legislative Focus

From The Madison Project

www.madisonproject.com

Export-Import Bank:

Last week, we defeated an effort on the part of Senate Democrats to reauthorize the corporate welfare Export-Import Bank and raise its lending cap. Now conservatives want to go on offense and terminate the bank altogether ahead of the May 31 expiration deadline. To that end, Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) is sponsoring the Ex-Im Termination Act, which would put an end to this federal agency that subsidizes exports of politically connected firms through below-market interest rates on trade financing. Senator Lee is cosponsoring a companion bill in the Senate.

Postal Bailout:

It's no secret that the United States Postal Service is on its way out. The transition to electronic communication, in conjunction with the success of private mail carriers, has dramatically reduced the demand for their service. If the USPS were a private entity, it would trim its workforce and operations to the amount of revenue they can produce until they are eventually forced to go out of business. That's how creative destruction, supply, and demand work in the real world. That's not how it works in Washington.

In order to continue operating at a limited capacity, which is what the current market demands of the USPS, there was a plan to end Saturday delivery, cut the workforce by about 220,000 employees, and close 3,700 local post offices and 252 processing centers. Once again, a bipartisan group of senators plan to bail out a failing government entity with taxpayer dollars, allowing them to operate, more or less, at current capacity for much longer. S. 1789, which has 2 Republican cosponsors, will grant a $41 billion bailout to the postal service for the purpose of managing the payments of healthcare benefits for its retirees. The House GOP bill, which is only slightly better, was scheduled to get a Rules Committee hearing on Monday, but is still waiting to hit the floor. Please call your senators and tell them to oppose the postal bailout!

The Good News Corner:

God's "Miraculous Movement":

Amazing Accounts of Scores of Moslems coming to Christ

"The irony is that Moslems in scores of different people groups are submitting their lives to Jesus at rates that are much faster than most church growth in North America. And it is happening, not by making the Gospel journey somehow easier to traverse, but by focusing from the first day on making obedient disciples who are daily seeking to follow Jesus and obey His will. That is the pathway over which hundreds of thousands of Moslems have come to Jesus." -Jerry Trousdale

What's even better than one Moslem coming to the Lord Jesus and being saved? A whole mosque-full of people receiving Christ!

As astonishing as it sounds, that is the report from a former church planter who worked among Muslims in West Africa.

Jerry Trousdale, now the director of International ministries for City Team International, has written a book, Miraculous Movements, that details some of the "unprecedented" events taking place currently among the Moslem population there.

Trousdale notes that there have been "multiple cases of entire mosques coming to faith" in Christ; "tens of thousands" of Christians with Moslem background who are now dedicated to fasting and praying as intercessors for the Muslim people; seemingly impossible achievements being done through ordinary people allowing God to use them, along with many other extraordinary happenings.

Trousdale told the Christian Post (CP), "This is just good news that God is in the same business as He was in the book of Acts. Disciples are multiplying greatly and even priests, imams and sheikhs are becoming obedience to the faith. So I no longer doubt that we can finish the task in this generation."

The CP article recounts one of the remarkable stories from Trousdale's book in which a man who'd been a respectable Muslim businessman had a dream that Jesus appeared to him telling him that He [Jesus] was the Light of the world-when he woke up he could no longer see. The dream and his loss of sight impacted him so much, he converted to Christianity, and-after attending Bible studies at a prayer camp-he became an effective witness and church-planter for the Lord among Muslim groups.

Trousdale cautions against "marketing" the Gospel, and instead cites some important factors of disciple-making as part of the reason for the incredible movement.

"The irony is that Moslems in scores of different people groups are submitting their lives to Jesus at rates that are much faster than most church growth in North America," Trousdale told the CP in an interview, "And it is happening, not by making the Gospel journey somehow easier to traverse, but by focusing from the first day on making obedient disciples who are daily seeking to follow Jesus and obey His will. That is the pathway over which hundreds of thousands of Muslims have come to Jesus." (Christian Post) Read more.

Reported by: Breaking Christian News
 
Worship with Us Today!


"OUR FATHER" - Don Moen

Hear our prayer
we are your children and
we've gathered here today
We've gathered here to pray
Hear our cry, Lord we need your mercy
And we need your grace today
hear us as we pray

Listen here:

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

CHPP Daily Brief - Wednesday, March 28, 2012



•  The Daily Brief
•  The Middle East in Focus
•  The Daily Jot!
•  ObamaCare On Trial: Day Three
•  Calm The Waters
•  Employment Prevention Agency Strikes Again
•  The Madison Project
•  Global Assault on Jerusalem - Act Now
•  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 - Wednesday, March 28, 2012

". . . The court was seated, and the books were opened." (Daniel 7:10c)

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)

The Daily Brief

1. Supreme Court divided over striking down entire healthcare law - The Hill

The nine Supreme Court justices were divided Wednesday over whether to strike down all of Obama's healthcare law if they find that its individual mandate is unconstitutional.

The court's conservative members, including possible swing vote Justice Anthony Kennedy, leaned toward invalidating the whole law, while the liberal justices said the court should leave it to Congress to determine how much of the law depends on the mandate.

Chief Justice John Roberts, another possible swing vote, pressed the attorneys on both sides of the issue about equally.

Arguments about the issue of "severability" come a day after the court engaged in two hours of intense debate Tuesday over whether the insurance mandate violates the constitution. Five justices appeared skeptical that the mandate met constitutional muster on Tuesday, meaning the debate over whether the rest of the law must also be tossed could come into play.

Go Here:

- God, we pray and decree that the decision made in heaven will be the decision that all nine judges will render in total unison; that this healthcare law is unconstitutional, and is thus rendered defeated. Overshadow these judges to come under the mandate from heaven and vote accordingly. This being covered by the blood of Jesus and His powerful Name.

- "These are the things that you shall do; Speak every man the truth to his neighbor: execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, says the Lord." (Zechariah 8:16-17)

2. World leaders warn of 'nuclear terrorism' threat - UK Telegraph

World leaders issued a stark warning on Tuesday about the threat of nuclear terrorism during the final day of a nuclear summit in South Korea.

- God, we call for the headship of Your almighty power to guide the minds of these leaders to come into agreement with what You have purposed to happen, and in its right timing. Only the foreordained purposes of the Lord God of heaven shall stand. We make our appeal to our God who is overseeing all. In the powerful Name of Jesus Christ.

- "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out."
(Romans 11:33)

3. Iran presents battlefield contingencies - Ynet News

The possibility of a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities may evoke images of an air strike, but the Islamic Republic is gearing to counter every scenario and according to Al-Mashreq website, Tehran has prepared a detailed plan of the defense in case of a ground offensive by the West.

- Father, may all Iran's man-made plans to wipe Israel off the map become a trash heap. Save the Iranian people, and protect those who serve the Lord, but the enemies of God will find no peace. In Jesus' Name.

- "For what nation is there so great, who has God so near unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon Him for? And what nation is there so great, that has statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?"
(Deuteronomy 4:7-8)

4. US eyes missile-defense shield for Asia, Middle East
- Jerusalem Post

The United States is seeking to build regional shields against ballistic missiles in both Asia and the Middle East akin to an emerging bulwark in Europe, a senior Pentagon official disclosed Monday.

- God, direct the United States to make haste to build regional shields to protect innocent people in these countries from ballistic missiles. We trust in the great works of the Lord to intervene quickly, so that they can gain victory over their enemies and not become victims. Slow down the production of ballistic missiles that are aimed at the innocent. By the voice of the Lord, we ask that You call forth a wall of angels to be holy shields in these countries, for the voice of the Lord is powerful to perform His purposes. In the Name of Jesus.

- "The Lord sits upon the flood; yea, the Lord sits King forever. The Lord will give strength unto His people: the Lord will bless His people with peace." (Psalm 29:10-11)

5. Budget gridlock imperils national defense - Washington Times

Defense analysts and Capitol Hill insiders are anticipating that automatic federal budget cuts will occur Jan. 1 and force the armed forces to scrap plans for new weapons systems.

- God in heaven, we call for Your holy intervention to block and annul any budget gridlock that endangers our national defense. When our young men are deployed to fight battles around the world without ample weapons are being sent out on a suicide mission. God, destroy all plans to scrap weapons systems that our men in the armed forces need to fight this war. We call upon our God and He will answer us and will fight for us. In Jesus' Name.

- "But the Lord your God you shall fear; and He shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies."
(II Kings 17:39)

The Middle East in Focus

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

"The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore." (Psalm 121:7,8)

1. IDF gears up for Global March to Jerusalem - Ynet News

The IDF is gearing up to a possible storming of Israeli borders as part of the Global March to Jerusalem set for Friday, March 30. Israel has issued a clear warning to Arab states and the Palestinian Authority against allowing the march.

2. Israel says sabotage may stretch Iran atom timeline - Ynet News

Israel on Tuesday played down the prospect of an imminent attack on Iran, saying its arch-foe's controversial nuclear program could still be set back by sanctions and sabotage.

3. Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin to visit Israel in June - Ha'aretz

Senior official says Putin wants to visit Israel after he is inaugurated on May 7; Israel is expected to begin preparing for his visit, the date of which has yet to be formally announced.

4. Report: Hamas, Iran coordinate response to Israel strike - Ynet News

Lebanese newspaper al-Mustaqbal reported Tuesday that the purpose of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Mahmoud al-Zahar's recent visit to Iran was to define Gaza's role in the case Israel attacks Iran's nuclear facilities.

5. State Department Won't Say Jerusalem Is in Israel - Washington Free Beacon

An official State Department communication has labeled Jerusalem and Israel as separate entities. In an official press release yesterday, the State Department announced that "Acting Under Secretary Kathleen Stephens Travels to Algeria, Qatar, Jordan, Jerusalem, and Israel."

The Daily Jot!

The Health of Our Nation and the health care debate

As the Supreme Court debates socialized medicine, the health of our nation is on the front burner of the American mindset. But there is nothing that contributes to the decline of a healthy nation more than the undermining of marriage. There is a petition going around Maryland, for example, to undo what the Governor has signed into law--same sex marriage. Government is intrusively involved in the moral decay of America by promoting the homosexual agenda--whether it is in health benefits for homosexuals, which promotes that sin, or the forcing of Americans to pay for abortions and contraception of others. The government is undermining healthy relationships by promoting unhealthy ones in the name of health.

Marriage is the social contract that is imperative to a healthy society. Family is society's core strength. When marriage, and subsequently family, are preserved, protected, nourished and encouraged, society will be healthy. The strength of America traditionally has been found in its families. But today, this revered institution is faltering. Pew Research recently released poll data reflecting that only 51% of adults 18 years and older are married--a record low for America. The Washington Post reports that "In 1960, for example, when most baby boomers were children, 72 percent of all adults were married. The median age for brides was barely 20, and the grooms were just a couple of years older."

In 1963, Florida Congressman A. S. Herlong, Jr submitted for the Congressional Record the "Current Communist Goals" excerpted from "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen. Goal 40 was: "Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce." Goals 25 and 26 were: "Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy." Goal 27: "Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social"religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity, which does not need a "religious crutch."

The Pew study indicates that Americans are choosing to live together rather than marry; The US State Department is using foreign aid to promote homosexuality. The federal government is no longer defending "The Defense of Marriage Act" in the courts. Divorce is easier than ever. Homosexuality is being promoted in public schools and the military--it is essentially official government policy. The socialists and Marxists in America are succeeding in destroying our society--as planned as early as 1963 by the Communist Party. Ephesians 5:25 instructs: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." This is a sovereign spiritual principle for a healthy and happy society. Our decisions matter, make them well.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

ObamaCare On Trial: Day Three

Can ObamaCare survive without the individual mandate? That was the main point of today's debate before the Supreme Court. Yesterday, a majority of justices appeared highly skeptical of the government's claim that it has the authority to compel individuals to purchase health insurance.

The mandate is the heart of ObamaCare. Without it, much of the law becomes untenable. Interestingly, some reporters noted with concern the degree to which the court's liberal members aggressively defended the notion that parts of the law could survive without the mandate.

Justice Kagan argued that "half a loaf is better than no loaf," while Justice Ginsburg said, "It's a question between a wrecking operation and a salvage job, and it seems to me the more conservative option is the salvage job."

One reporter observed, "The fact that the liberals were very engaged, particularly Justice Kagan, may show that they are very worried that the mandate is going to be held unconstitutional."

Why is that relevant? As is frequently the case, the court's majority is likely to hinge on the decision of one man -- Justice Anthony Kennedy.

For most of yesterday's arguments, Justice Kennedy appeared hostile to the Obama Administration's defense of the individual mandate. But toward the end of the hearing, just as folks might have concluded he had slammed the door shut on the mandate, Kennedy stuck his foot in the door, saying:

"In the insurance and health care world, both markets -- stipulate two markets -- the young person who is uninsured is uniquely proximately very close to affecting the rates of insurance and the costs of providing medical care in a way that is not true in other industries. That's my concern in the case."

Again, making predications based on oral arguments is difficult, and there is conflicting reporting on the issue. But today a majority of the justices appeared to believe that the law should either stand or fall in its entirety.

As Justice Scalia declared, "My approach would be, if you take the heart out of the statute, the statute is gone." Appearing to agree with Scalia, Justice Kennedy said it would be a "more extreme exercise of judicial power" to uphold parts of ObamaCare after striking down the heart of the statute -- the individual mandate.

That being the case, it seems we will have to wait until the summer to find out where Kennedy stands on the mandate and to learn the fate of ObamaCare. (Gary Bauer)

Calm The Waters

Hussein Obama is never at a loss for words and he needs to speak up now.

The shooting death of Trayvon Martin continues to be exploited by a variety of black nationalists, Black Panther demagogues and race baiters like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. Students protesting in Florida yesterday ransacked a store. On websites discussing the issue the rhetoric is red hot, and there are frequent calls for revenge and violence.

An elderly couple -- a 70 year-old school cafeteria worker with a heart condition and her 72 year-old husband -- have temporarily fled their home after their address was mistakenly made public by Spike Lee as the home of George Zimmerman. Obama and Spike Lee are close. In January Lee held a fundraiser for Obama that raised $1.6 million.

On Capitol Hill yesterday, House Democrats held a hearing with the parents of Trayvon Martin. Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL) declared, "Mr. Zimmerman should be arrested immediately for his own safety." Was that a threat? Why should he be afraid, Rep. Wilson, and who should he be afraid of? This morning Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Chicago), and a former Black Panther, was escorted off the floor of the House of Representatives for wearing a hoodie and sunglasses in violation of House rules on decorum. I checked the congressman's website and saw no statement about the 49 people who were shot, 10 fatally, in Chicago this month. I don't recall any theatrics by the congressman to draw attention to those deaths. But the congressman is willing to violate House rules in order to exploit a tragedy that didn't even occur in his own state.
After the assassination attempt on Congresswoman "Gabby" Giffords, ... Obama delivered a passionate plea for civil discourse. As the first man of color to be elected president, he has a special obligation now to "call out" black radicals who are trying to stoke street violence or worse.

What about it, [Obama]?

Do you want your daughters growing up in a country where the rule of law is replaced by mob violence and "high-tech lynchings"? Where is your legendary eloquence? What would Martin Luther King say? (Gary Bauer)

Employment Prevention Agency Strikes Again

Barack Obama's Environmental Protection Agency took a major step toward implementing his cap and trade scheme by regulation yesterday when it announced new regulations purportedly aimed at limiting emissions from new coal plants. Obama's cap and trade scheme was so radical it could not pass the Democrat-dominated Senate in 2009 and 2010 when Harry Reid controlled a super-majority.

But as one Bloomberg report noted: "The rules will permit emissions from new power plants at 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt hour. . . The limit would effectively preclude construction of new coal-fired plants."

Why? Because the only way a new coal plant could possibly meet that limit is through the use of "carbon capture and sequestration" techniques that trap the emissions and pump them underground. But according to industry experts such techniques are "neither economically viable nor commercially available."

Jeff Holmstead, a former assistant administrator of the EPA during the Bush Administration, told the Wall Street Journal, "This really is a ban on new coal-fired [electricity] generation. The EPA knows that." Luke Popovich, a spokesman for the National Mining Association, said, "They are threatening to destroy coal-based generation."

America gets approximately half of its electricity from coal. We are the "Saudi Arabia of coal." There are tens of thousands of jobs involved in coal mining, transportation and electricity generation. But, once again, the EPA is living up to nickname as the "Employment Prevention Agency."

Is destroying the coal industry part of Obama's "all of the above" energy strategy? Of course not. Because Obama doesn't have an "all of the above" energy strategy!

As I have reported many times, Obama's energy strategy relies on making traditional sources of energy more expensive. This is part of Obama's stated goal to bankrupt the coal industry, causing electricity rates to "necessarily skyrocket," as he put it.

And for what? To fight global warming that isn't happening or climate change that we can't control.

Energy is the lifeblood of our economy. It is too important to be held hostage by radical ideologues. It is high time that the American people get control of the EPA and elect politicians who will implement a serious energy strategy. (Gary Bauer)

Today's Legislative Focus

From The Madison Project

www.madisonproject.com

(Letter below was dated on Monday, March 26.)

Fellow conservative patriots,

This week, much of the attention will be focused on the Supreme Court as it conducts three days of opening arguments considering the constitutionality of Obamacare.

Nonetheless, we must remain on top of the legislative issues in Congress and not let our guard down. After this week, Congress will be in recess for 2-weeks. We must remain guarded against any attempt to jam through bad legislation before the Easter break.

For Liberty.

The Honorable Jim Ryun
Chairman of the Madison Project

1. Highway Bill:

The current authorization for transportation spending, along with its accompanying revenue source (the gas tax), will expire at midnight April 1. The Senate passed a terrible 2-year $109 billion reauthorization bill (S. 1813), while the House has yet to finalize the new long-term bill. As a way of buying more time, the House will attempt to pass a 90-day stopgap bill (H.R. 4239) on Monday to continue funding for highway projects at current levels until July 1. This is actually good news because it's better to pass a short-term bill while we fight for real reform than pass a poor long-term bill, either in the form of the Senate bill or the original 5-year House bill.
[Update: 3/27/2012 House floor actions. Status: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed. Source: Library of Congress]

Conservative Concerns:


We must make sure that Republicans don't give into pressure right before the deadline to either pass the Senate bill or the original House bill. We must remind those Democrats who are scoffing at another short-term re-authorization that they had no compunction about short-term bills when the controlled all branches of government.
Strategy:

Instead of proposing yet another "pale-pastel" alternative to the Senate highway bill, let's opt for a bold contrast and rally behind Tom Grave's Transportation Empowerment Act (H.R. 3264). This bill would gradually transition gas tax revenue to the states over a period of four years. By 2017, every state would keep 14.7 cents of the current federal gasoline tax, leaving 3.7 cents in the hands of the DOT for the purpose of national projects. That way, each state can have a fair debate about their transportation needs and fund their priorities accordingly. There are currently 32 cosponsors of this bill. Find out if your member plans to cosponsor the bill.

2. Ryan Budget

Last week, Paul Ryan passed his much-anticipated budget resolution out of committee. The full House is expected to adopt the budget resolution this Thursday and begin working on the individual appropriations bills, which are expected to follow the blueprint, after the Easter recess. Some conservatives are concerned that the budget doesn't go far enough to reform entitlements within the next decade. On the discretionary side, there are concerns that Ryan's use of budget reconciliation doesn't fully enact the sequestration cuts. While we vigorously oppose the sequester cuts to the military, we should still embrace the full $98 billion in FY 2013 discretionary cuts by embedding them into the budget resolution and applying them to non-defense spending.

To that end, the Republican Study Committee, under the leadership of Reps. Garrett and Mulvaney, will unveil their annual budget on Tuesday to address the shortcomings of the Ryan budget. Instead of proposing a $1.028 trillion discretionary budget for this year, this budget will bake in the sequester cuts, shaving the topline figure to $930 billion. The RSC budget is also expected to balance within the next 10 years, unlike the Ryan budget. When the RSC budget comes up for a vote on Thursday, (tomorrow!) we will be able to separate the real conservatives from those who will only vote with leadership. Find out if your Republican House member is supporting the RSC budget.

Global Assault on Jerusalem - Act Now

Jerusalem's history as the capital of the Jewish people and it's security are once again under attack this year.

In the past few months . . :

1. Hussein Obama signed another waiver to postpone moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Dec. 2, 2011

2. In March 2012, an International Conference on Jerusalem took place in Qatar to discuss the "Judaization of Jerusalem and Palestine" - statements and speeches included the following:

a. "The Zionist movement [. . . ] propagated a series of claims that Palestine is the historical homeland of the Jews; that today's Jews are the grandchildren of David & Solomon." - Dr. Abdul-Aziz Awadh

b. According to the Old Testament, Israelite tribes settled in the Canaanite cities and villages in Palestine after they entered it forcibly, i.e. by war. [. . . ] Torah scholars claim that there had been archeological debris that proves Israelite tribes settlement in Palestinian sites in the end of the 11th century BC. The Torah says that during that period, Saul went in a short battle against the Palestinians [. . . ] David, who was a mercenary in the Palestinian lines, took over after him." - Dr. Zaiden Abdel Kafi Kafafi, "House of David, true or false?"

c. "None of you will be able to change the fact that America will always support Israel, but what America can do is help Israel to better get along with other countries in the neighborhood, including a future state of Palestine." - Kenneth Insley, Consultant to the U.S. State Department

3. A Global March on Jerusalem has been planned for March 30th - the goal of the march is for 1 million people to cross into Israel and march to Jerusalem. According to a recent Jerusalem Post report, "organizers hope to see a multi-pronged rush on the Israeli frontiers of Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan as well as marches in the Palestinian Authority, Gaza and east Jerusalem."

This New Year has brought new challenges beyond a nuclear Iran. Now is the time to stand with Israel against this onslaught. Now more than ever we need to recognize Jerusalem as a united city under Israeli sovereignty as its legitimacy continues to be attacked.

We must continue to speak out on Jerusalem's behalf. There are two actions you can take:

1) If you have not already done so, please write your Congressman and Senator and let them know just how important Jerusalem is to the heart of Americans.

2) Forward this update on to a friend! Help spread the word about the importance of a united Jerusalem and the challenges that it is currently facing.
Together we can help ensure a united Jerusalem!

Israel Allies Foundation
1901 Pennsylvania Ave NW; Suite 901
Washington, DC 202-280-1178

www.recognizejerusalem.com

The Good News Corner:

Holy Spirit Awakening in Scandinavia

"I witnessed among pastors I have known for many years how their indifferences were disarmed by this message of the Holy Spirit." -Swedish pastor

(Sweden)-Recently Pastor Bent Altschul held six pastoral revival and teaching meetings in Sweden and Denmark. The results were astounding. Gathered from among denominational backgrounds, pastors and ministry leaders united in sharing the awakening by the Holy Spirit.

Throughout the teaching meetings the recurring theme of "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy," emerged and the deeper meaning of many Bible verses and teachings were stirred up among serious leaders. After one of the conferences a local Swedish evangelists testified, "It was wonderful to hear Pastor Altschul speak about God's spirit and His presence among us, and Pastor Bent always points to Jesus. This is really what we want, and it is the awakening to the time we live in, namely close to midnight of the nations."

According to Pastor Altschul, "It has taken many years of my life of daily meditation as small building blocks came together in order to grasp the message God has laid on my heart. Many generations never obtained what now seems to be at the door; both for the world and for the Church. For the Church it is the blessed hope."

According to a well-known local Swedish pastor speaking after one of the Bible conferences, "We are seeing a growing body of leaders interested, focused and occupied with Jesus' soon coming. I was personally encouraged as Pastor Altschul taught the Word. I witnessed among pastors I have known for many years, how their indifferences were disarmed by this message of the Holy Spirit."

According to Altschul, "When we stand in front of a person and minister, we stand in the presence of Jesus who always comforts, heals, and restores."
(Source: Great Among the Nations, Christian Newswire)

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"With Everything" - Hillsong

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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

CHPP Daily Brief - Tuesday, March 27, 2012



•  The Daily Brief
•  The Middle East in Focus
•  The Daily Jot!
•  Today at the Supreme Court (Part One)
•  Today at the Supreme Court (Part Two)
•  IPT Alert #1
•  IPT Alert #2
•  IPT Alert #3
•  The Good News Corner
•  Worship with Us Today!
•  Who We Are

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, March 27, 2012

". . . The court was seated, and the books were opened." (Daniel 7:10c)

 The Daily Brief

1. Obama implores North Korea to 'pursue peace,' urges against nuclear weapons for Iran - Fox News

In a direct challenge to North Korean leaders, Obama implored them "to have the courage to pursue peace" while warning of the wrath of the world if they don't. Failure, he said Monday, would mean a future without dignity, respect or hope for its people.

- Lord, we pray against the deeds of wickedness. Keep us from the snares and traps of the workers of iniquity. In the name of Jesus, our Protector, we pray. Amen.

- For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked. (Psalm 141:5)

2. South Korea prepares to shoot down North Korean rocket - UK Telegraph

South Korea is preparing to shoot down a North Korean rocket if it strays into the South's territory during a launch planned for next month, the defense ministry said on Monday.

- Lord, we pray that Koreans who do not know You will be drawn to You, and saved from their destruction. In the Name of Jesus, our Savior, we pray. Amen.

- You turn man to destruction, and say, "Return, O children of men." (Psalm 90:3)

3. Obama: Still time for diplomacy with Iran - Jerusalem Post

Obama said on Sunday there was still time to resolve the Iranian nuclear standoff through diplomacy but that the window for such a solution was closing.

- Lord, we pray for a peaceful solution with Iran. You are the Prince of Peace. We ask for Your leadership in the problems with Iran. In the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace, we pray.

- For the government will be upon His shoulders. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

4. Officials: Iran helping Assad to put down protests - Jerusalem Post

Iran is providing a broad array of assistance to Syrian President Bashar Assad to help him suppress anti-government protests, from high-tech surveillance technology to guns and ammunition, US and European security officials say.

- Lord, we ask for truth and justice to come forth regarding protests - not only in Syria - but all over the world where protests are taking place. You, Lord, know the truth of this turmoil. We ask for that truth to be revealed in the name of Jesus. Amen.

- For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. (Romans 1:18)

5. Tomorrow at the Supreme Court: Day Three of Arguments about Affordable Care Act - CHPP; Concerned Women for America

On Wednesday, the last two arguments will be heard by the Supreme Court about the legality of the Affordable Care Act: one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
In the morning, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the justices will address the question: "If the mandate is found to be unconstitutional, is it severable, meaning, will the rest of the law survive?"

Saying that it should survive: Deputy Solicitor General Edwin Kneedler (30 min.) and H. Bartow Farr (30 min.)

Arguing that it should be completely struck down: Paul Clement (30 min.)
In the afternoon, the Court will hear arguments about this question: "Whether the expansion of Medicaid is unconstitutional?" -- from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Arguing for constitutionality: SG Verrilli (30 min.)

Arguing against constitutionality: Paul Clement (30 min.)

- Continue to hold this historic case before our Lord in prayer, not only now, but in the days to come. Hearing these arguments is only the first part of this process; the justices will then retire to their private quarters in the weeks ahead to begin writing their opinions on each of the four issues heard this week.

We also ask prayers of AGREEMENT that this entire law be found unconstitutional and therefore struck down. Thank you.

- "For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer."
(I Peter 3:12)
 
The Middle East in Focus


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

"The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore." (Psalm 121:7,8)

1. Israel severs ties with UN Human Rights Council - Jerusalem Post

Following its decision Monday to cut off all ties with the UN Human Rights Council, the Foreign Ministry must now draft guidelines regarding what this entails and how long the ban will be in effect, a diplomatic source said Monday.

2. Israeli flags burnt in Morocco rally - Ynet News

Several days prior to the Global March to Jerusalem, thousands of Moroccans took part in a mass rally in Rabat "in support of Jerusalem." Israeli diplomat David Saranga, who was in the city for a conference, was taken out of the building through a side door as demonstrators protested his presence there, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday. Palestinian flags were flown and Israeli flags were burned during the march.

3. Iron Dome deployed in central Israel - Ynet News

Israel's Air Force has started deploying an Iron Dome battery in several locations in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, including Holon, for training purposes and adjustment to the region.

4. Two million set for 'March on Jerusalem' Friday, organizer claims - Times of Israel

Two million Arab and international protesters will march toward the borders of Israel and take part in activities designed to highlight Jerusalem's Arab character on Friday, the event organizer claims.

The Daily Jot!

How much more flexible can one get?

The man who occupies the Oval Office has told the Russian President that he needs less pressure from the Russia's leader Vladimir Putin on giving up American missile defense systems to the Russians. The US president made the remarks when he thought the microphone was turned off. In a near whisper, He said, "On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it's important for him to give me space." Russian President Dmitri Medvedev: "Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you. The American president: "This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility." Medvedev: "I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir."

This occupier of the Oval Office has created a hostile environment for the United States by reckless policies both domestically and internationally. The facts are--and they are available for anyone to look up on the internet from reliable sources--that his political cronies have benefited from hundreds of millions of tax dollars from failed "green" energy companies to Wall Street bailouts to nationalized health care, weakening the US economy. He has embarked on a strategy to help terrorist organizations such as the Muslim Brotherhood and al Qaeda overthrow governments in the Middle East and establish Islamic laws and constitutions, creating a hostile environment and driving gasoline prices to near record highs.

The loyal opposition called the Republican Party has been inept at stopping any of this. In fact, it has given a new meaning to loyal opposition--that it is loyally opposed to those who elected its members. The GOP leadership has taken the art of compromise to new levels. Even at this latest whisperings by the president that he will give in to the post-communist socialists in Russia on missiles if he is reelected, there is hardly a whimper from the opposition. Republican Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Michael Turner from Ohio demanded an explanation in a letter to the Commander in Chief. He raises a good point that this president is all too eager to share information with Russia, but in a letter, really?

The problem here is that American citizens are in a real fix. We have strayed so far from the principles of good citizenship and good government that there is no longer accountability, either by ethics, morals or the ballot. They have assumed the role of the ruling elite. We need an Exodus 18:21 movement to choose as our leaders "able men, such as fear YHVH, men of truth, hating covetousness." Yeshua said that from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. So it is in this off-the-mic discussion. "On all these issues," our president said. That means everything will accelerate if he is reelected. He has been pretty flexible in his promise of remaking America. Americans will see true flexibility if we do not seek the Lord in choosing our leaders.

Today at the Supreme Court (Part One)

Justice Kennedy among skeptical voices at court's healthcare debate

Supreme Court justices lobbed tough questions at the U.S. solicitor general defending the healthcare law's insurance mandate in the second day of oral arguments in the case.

Several of the court's conservatives appeared skeptical of the government's argument that requiring consumers to purchase health insurance or face a fine is constitutional, including Justice Anthony Kennedy, the possible swing vote on the court.

Solicitor General Donald Verrilli Jr. faced aggressive questions from Kennedy, as well as the court's other conservative justices, in the second of three days of oral arguments in the landmark case.

Tuesday's arguments on the mandate are the pivotal point in this week's debate, and the questions focused on the government's argument that requiring consumers to purchase health insurance or face a fine is constitutional.

The day started off rough for Verrilli, who stumbled over his introductory remarks even before the justices launched into their questioning. At multiple points during his hour-long appearance, the court's liberal justices stopped Verrilli and paraphrased his arguments in their own terms, often more efficiently.

Attorney General Eric Holder was spotted in the audience at Tuesday's hearing, seated next to White House adviser Valerie Jarrett.

If the court's liberal wing is united in support of the mandate, they would only need to peel off one more justice to secure a majority. Kennedy is the court's traditional swing vote, and supporters of the healthcare law have also said they might win over Justice Antonin Scalia or Chief Justice John Roberts.

But all three were skeptical of Verrilli's arguments.

Kennedy, a Reagan appointee, argued the court has a "very heavy burden of justification" for requiring that people purchase insurance. He also identified the insurance mandate as the first time the government has used its regulatory powers to force citizens to buy a product.

"That changes the relationship of the federal government to the individual in a very fundamental way," Kennedy said. . .

The court's conservative justices pressed Verrilli to explain why, if the mandate is constitutional, the government couldn't also mandate a host of other purchases, from vegetables to cars to burial insurance. He again said the mandate is tailored to the unique problem of how healthcare is paid for - an argument that has worked in lower courts but met strong resistance on Tuesday.

"It's good for you in this case to say 'Oh, it's just insurance.' But once we say that there is a market and Congress can require people to participate in it, as 9 some would say - or as you would say, that people are already participating in it - it seems to me that we can't say there are limitations on what Congress can do under its commerce power," Roberts said.

The tough questioning was enough for Jeffrey Toobin, a legal analyst and staff writer for The New Yorker, to predict that the healthcare law appeared likely to be struck down.

"This law looks like it's going to be struck down," Toobin said Tuesday on CNN. "I think this law is in grave, grave trouble." (The Hill) Read more.

Prayer Request:

Even though, according to Jeffrey Tobin, it looks like the court may rule against the Affordable Care Act, now is not the time to let up the pressure in prayer, but rather to increase the impact of our intercession. As the old saying goes: "It's not over 'til it's over."

Be sure to lift up the hearts of all the justices before the Throne of Grace today, for the LORD will turn the hearts of kings (and princes) wheresoever He desires, if we but ask. Continue to petition the High Court of Heaven for mercy for the American people, that this unjust law will indeed be struck down. Amen.

"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes." (Proverbs 21:1 NKJV)

"Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God; he directs it to whatever ends he chooses. " (Proverbs 21:1, The Message)

Today at the Supreme Court (Part Two)


ObamaCare On Trial: Day Two

Today the justices of the United States Supreme Court took on the centerpiece of ObamaCare: the individual mandate. When Judge Roger Vinson struck down ObamaCare in February 2011, he wrote that in defending the law the administration had "asserted again and again that the individual mandate is absolutely 'necessary' and 'essential' for the Act to operate as it was intended by Congress."

Attempting to predict the outcome of a case based upon oral arguments can be dangerous. But if today's questions are any indication of how the justices will decide, the individual mandate appears to be on life support. According to various reports, the court's four liberals predictably defended the law, while the mandate came under intense fire from the court's conservative wing.

But what must have the Obama White House nervous was the line of questioning from Justice Anthony Kennedy. A moderate with no definable ideology, Kennedy is often the deciding vote on the deeply divided court.

The New York Times reports that Kennedy did not wait to criticize the mandate and began questioning the government's attorney, Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli, Jr., "only minutes into the argument." At one point, Justice Kennedy said the government had a "heavy burden of justification." He later added, "Here the government is saying that the Federal Government has a duty to tell the individual citizen that it must act . . . and that changes the relationship of the Federal Government to the individual in the very fundamental way."

Kennedy's line of questioning led one well-known observer of the high court to write, "It is essentially clear that the four more liberal members . . . will vote in favor of the mandate. But there is no fifth vote yet." Liberal legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin, appearing on CNN after today's hearing, was in panic mode. Toobin said:

"This was a train wreck for the Obama Administration. This law looks like it's going to be struck down. I'm telling you, all of the predictions, including mine, that the justices would not have a problem with this law were wrong. I think this law is in grave, grave trouble."

No one should be celebrating yet. A decision isn't expected until the summer, and Kennedy later in today's session seemed to be bending. Nonetheless, today's hearing was encouraging. (Gary Bauer)

 IPT Alert #1

Missing Nukes Fuel Terror Concern as Obama Drawn to Seoul

The second global conference ever on nuclear material that has escaped state control is drawing Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Nuclear violators Iran and North Korea won't be there. The legacy of the Soviet Union's breakup, inadequate atomic stockpile controls and the proliferation of nuclear-fuel technology mean the world may be awash with unaccounted-for weapons ingredients, ripe to be picked up by terrorists. About 50 heads of state will attend the Nuclear Security Summit on March 26-27 in Seoul. Iran and North Korea, which are in violation of United Nations resolutions requiring them to halt their nuclear work, are among countries excluded from the summit because of organizers' desire to reach consensus. So are potential transit countries such as Moldova and Lebanon that smugglers may target to move nuclear material. (The Investigative Terror Project) Read more.

IPT Alert #2

French shooter was on U.S. "no fly" list

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The French Islamist gunman suspected of murdering seven people who was killed in a shootout with police on Thursday was on a "no fly" list maintained by U.S. authorities, two American officials said. The officials would not disclose precisely when the militant, Mohammed Merah, was placed on the U.S. watch list, but they said his name was added some time ago. Merah, suspected of shooting three French paratroopers, three young children and a rabbi, was killed during an exchange of gunfire with police who besieged his apartment in the French city of Toulouse. U.S. and French authorities said Merah, who was of Algerian origin, had traveled to Afghanistan around 2010 to obtain training from Islamic militants. He had spent time with militants along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border before being captured and returned to France. At some point after his capture, two other U.S. officials said, Merah was held in custody by U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Precise details of how and when this occurred and what happened to him next are still unclear. (Read more)

IPT Alert #3

At CIA, a convert to Islam leads the terrorism hunt

For every cloud of smoke that follows a CIA drone strike in Pakistan, dozens of smaller plumes can be traced to a gaunt figure standing in a courtyard near the center of the agency's Langley campus in Virginia. The man with the nicotine habit is in his late 50s, with stubble on his face and the dark-suited wardrobe of an undertaker. As chief of the CIA's Counter terrorism Center for the past six years, he has functioned in a funereal capacity for al-Qaeda. Roger, which is the first name of his cover identity, may be the most consequential but least visible national security official in Washington - the principal architect of the CIA's drone campaign and the leader of the hunt for Osama bin Laden. In many ways, he has also been the driving force of the Obama administration's embrace of targeted killing as a centerpiece of its counter terrorism efforts... He presides over a campaign that has killed thousands of Islamist militants and angered millions of Moslems, but he is himself a convert to Islam. (Washington Post) Read more.  
The Good News Corner:

In Israel: Gilad Shalit is "well on the way to recovery"
The former hostage Gilad Shalit is well on the way to recovery after his ordeal, reveals his friend and adviser, Amos Levitov.

If anyone is able to understand what is going through the head of released hostage Gilad Shilat, that man is Amos Levitov.

He was a prisoner of war in Egypt from 1970 until his release after the 1973 Yom Kippur war. Levitov now lectures about the psychological consequences his own captivity had for him and he is one of the team helping Shalit to re-adjust to life as a free man in Israel. And the good news is that Shalit is doing just fine.

Levitov, who was in the UK this week as a guest of Magen David Adom to give a series of lectures, says that Shalit has adopted a much healthier approach than he himself did when he was released.

"I didn't want to talk about my trauma but from the moment Gilad landed in Israel he hasn't shut up. He speaks and speaks and speaks."

He adds that Shalit, who was held hostage for five years by Hamas in Gaza, has benefited from an agreement with the media not to harass him while he gets used to his freedom.

"The newspapers have agreed not to photograph him, not to interfere with his life and so far they have done this quite nicely. Physically, he is doing well. He has had an operation to remove shrapnel from his elbow and he is beginning to recover sensation in two of his fingers. Apart from that, he has vitamins and he has sunshine. He will be OK."

Levitov is also able to reveal how Shalit survived his five-and-a-half-year ordeal. "Gilad wasn't interrogated severely. It was a very short interrogation, and he wasn't hit or tortured by his captors. After a short time he received a radio and he managed to hear what was going on in Israel. It helped him very much to discover that all of Israel was behind him and doing everything possible to get him released."

He adds that Shalit managed to build a relationship with some of his captors. "After a year he was given a TV. He is a football maniac so most of the day he would watch football on TV. His guards also loved football so that provided a point of contact. At one point they took some wax and managed to make a kind of ball and they played football with it."

Levitov adds that despite his long years of captivity, Shalit's treatment at the hands of was not as brutal as some might have imagined. "I understand that he was able to cook for himself for much of his time in captivity, and that he even sat on the floor playing chess with one of his guards." (The Jewish Chronicle) Read more.

Worship with Us Today!

"Morning Has Broken"
Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the Word

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