• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot!
• We'll Support Chick-Fil-A
• The Tragedy Of Abortion
• Today's Legislative Focus
• Updates on SYRIA
• Obama's New Islamic World Order
• 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, July 25, 2012
"And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." (Mark 13:37)
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The Daily Brief
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1. Catholic Priest delivers stirring invocation at Colorado Republican State Assembly - CHPP
Says "Socialism is a foreign threat to our Democracy"
Fr. Andrew was invited to lead the opening prayer at the 2012 Colorado Republican State Assembly and Convention in the Magness Arena at the University of Denver. The moral challenges facing our country are not caused by political affiliation, but rather by attacks on religious freedom. He invites all people of conscience to uphold religious freedom.
"The Church has rejected the totalitarian and atheistic ideologies associated in modem times with 'communism' or 'socialism.'" - Catechism of the Catholic Church 2425
Listen Here
- Heavenly Father, we thank You for the Spirit's power in this man! We are privileged to hear his words. May all who believe in You have the Spirit of the Lord upon us in like boldness, to stand against everything that is operating to squelch our freedom of religion through which we worship You, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen!
- " And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." (Revelation 12:11)
2. CBO to employers: Obamacare has $4B more in taxes than expected - Washington Examiner
Business owners will pay $4 billion more in taxes under President Obama's Affordable Care Act (ACA) than the Congressional Budget Office had previously expected.
CBO couldn't help but bump into Chief Justice John Roberts controversial decision upholding the individual mandate as a constitutional exercise of Congress's taxing power. The report dubs the individual mandate a "penalty tax" - that is, "a penalty paid to the Treasury by taxpayers when they file their tax returns, and enforced by the Internal Revenue Service." CBO revised the Obamacare tax burden upward by $4 billion for businesses and $1 billion to $1.5 billion for individual workers.
- Lord God Almighty, once again we beseech You to raise up righteous, wise leadership in this nation who will not rest until they echo the will of the American people - and defeat efforts to enslave American citizens and businesses through the oppressive "taxes" and anti-religious stipulations of Obamacare. May we soon see Obamacare completely repealed, in Jesus' name!
- " (Jesus) having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the Cross." (Colossians 2:14)
3. U.N. Commission Calls for Legalizing Prostitution Worldwide - CNS News
A report issued by the United Nations-backed Global Commission on HIV and the Law; recommends that nations around the world get rid of "punitive" laws against prostitution -- or what it calls "consensual sex work" -- and decriminalize the voluntary use of illegal injection drugs in order to combat the HIV epidemic. The commission recommends repealing all laws that prohibit "adult consensual sex work, including same-sex sexual acts and voluntary sex work; and work with the guardians of customary and religious law to promote traditions and religious practice that promote rights and acceptance of diversity..."
Dr. Janice Crouse, the director of the Beverly LaHaye Institute at Concerned Women for America in Washington, D.C., says, "They like to legitimize the whole industry that way so that it can be regulated and it can be considered a 'legitimate option' for women and give it more respectability. But, the sad fact is in every instance where prostitution has been legalized, illegal prostitution has flourished," she said. "The pimps all want prostitution legalized; they like that. The sex traffickers want it legalized because they gain far more traction with their own illegal activities anytime that is the case - it's happened in Germany, it happened in Amsterdam, it's been shown over and over again."
Linking the elimination of laws against "sex work" with AIDS is a cop out, according to Crouse, because it ignores the role of behavior change and personal responsibility. "This is an example; they don't want anything that would suggest to anybody that they ought to curb their sexual behavior....all of this is an attempt to mainstream behaviors and then deal with the consequences -- and that plan does not work."
The study received funding from the governments of Canada, Norway, Australia, the U.S. (through USAID) and from billionaire George Soros through his Open Society Foundations.
- How long O Lord, must we endure the United Nation's attempts to usurp our national freedoms, our precious, deeply held religious values, and our nation's wealth? We ask that hard earned tax payer dollars cease to flow into the coffers of the so-called "United" Nations, that it may cease its work against America's sovereignty and Judeo-Christian founding principles. In Jesus' Name we pray.
- " Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us." (Psalm 2: 1-3)
4. Sen. Inhofe Demands Panetta Explain Why He Allowed Military to March in Uniform in Gay Pride Parade - CNS News
Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, demanded that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta explain why the Pentagon allowed uniformed service members to participate in this past weekend's "gay pride" parade in San Diego. In a letter to Panetta sent Tuesday, however, Inhofe said the move was a clear violation of the long-time ban on military personnel marching in a political parade in uniform.
"Based on the current standing DOD Directive 1344.10 and separate service department regulations, service members 'shall not march or ride in a partisan political parade,'" Inhofe wrote. "These directives and regulations are unambiguous and straight forward with the intent of preserving the military's apolitical stance," he added.
If the Navy can punish a Chaplain for participating in a pro-life event or a Marine participating in a political rally, it stands to reason that DOD should maintain the same standard and preclude service members in uniform from marching in a gay pride parade," he wrote.
- Lord, we thank You for Senator InHofe's response to this new pro-homosexual DOD directive, and pray that the standard of righteousness and law will be the standard that operates and remains in our nation's military, and the DOD. Prosper Senator InHofe's efforts in this matter, so our nation's soldiers may never, ever again, be seen marching in uniform in a "gay pride parade!" In Jesus' Name we pray!
- " How long, O you sons of men, Will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood? Selah. But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the Lord will hear when I call to Him." (Psalm 4:2,3)
5. Calif. police shootings spark 4th night of protest - USA Today
Riot police fired bean bag rounds and pepper balls into a crowd of protestors late Tuesday outside City Hall as council members inside voted unanimously to ask the U.S. attorney's office to investigate recent officer-involved shootings, including one of an unarmed man.
Family members of a man who died in a weekend police shooting have poured their anger into a civil rights lawsuit against this Southern California city, as public outrage spilled onto the streets. Manuel Diaz's family filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the city of Anaheim and its police department, claiming that he was shot and killed Saturday while running away, lawyer James Rumm said. The family is seeking $50 million in damages.
The police union issued a statement defending the officers involved in the shootings and said both men killed were gang members who had criminal records. The union also said that just before Diaz turned toward officers, he pulled an object from his waistband - a common place where gang members hide guns.The protest Tuesday capped four consecutive days of violence aimed at police officers and unrest. On Saturday, demonstrators hurled rocks and bottles at officers who were securing the scene for investigators, and police responded by firing bean bags and pepper balls.
- Lord we pray over the city of Anaheim, CA, and ask that order be restored immediately. May the truth about what has happened become very clear, and justice prevail. May the police of this city act in accordance with the law, and be protected when the terrors of mayhem break out. Lord, may the churches of Anaheim unite in fasting and prayer until peace prevails in their city, and Your Name is glorified. In Jesus' Name we pray.
- " In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me." (Psalm 86:7)
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The Middle East in Focus
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The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Who is like You, O YHWH, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" (Exodus15:11)
1. Sources: Netanyahu may call elections in just three months - Israel Hayom
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Monday that "now is not the time for elections," and stressed that he would continue in his efforts to expand the coalition. The comments followed a failed attempt, backed by Netanyahu, to get seven MKs from Kadima to split from the party and form an independent faction that would then join the coalition government.
2. Israeli military chief says Syria stepped up chemical weapons security - Fox News
Israel's military chief says the Syrian army has stepped up security around the country's chemical weapons stocks.
3. Attack on Syrian chemical stockpiles could lead to 'broader campaign,' says IDF Chief of Staff - Ha'aretz
IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz said on Tuesday that if Syria's chemical weapons were to get into the wrong hands, such as those of Hezbollah, IDF military action could turn into an unintentionally broad campaign.
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The Daily Jot!
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The Syrian Question and the Day of the Lord
As war drums in Syria become louder and more rapid, many Christians are pointing to the beginning of Isaiah 17, which says, "The Burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap." There seems to be a couple of schools of thought about this prophecy. One is that when you see Damascus no more, it means that the rapture is near because the Tribulation is beginning. The other viewpoint is that the destruction of Damascus is yet another view of the Day of the Lord when Yeshua Ha Mashiach returns, which is at the end of the Tribulation. Time will tell which is correct. Notwithstanding, the current Syrian situation bears prophetic study.
In Isaiah 14, there is a synopsis that parallels Revelation's account of the Day of the Lord. We see the fall of Lucifer from heaven and the Lord's oath in verse 25 to destroy the beast (some call the antichrist), "That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders." Isaiah then begins to prophesy about the destruction of the P'leshet (in Hebrew) translated in the King James as Palestina. It is the Philistines who lived in an ancient region of Syria. Chapters 15 and 16 prophesy the destruction of Moab, which is located in part of modern Jordan.
Chapters 18-24 speaks of Ethiopia, Egypt, Tyre, and finally the earth as in 24:6, "Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left." The Isaiah account is strikingly similar to Ezekiel 38, the Day of the Lord in Revelation, and many other references by the prophets of the Old Testament. The Middle East is the region of the Day of the Lord. The prophets are giving a viewpoint of "that day" from the perspective of many of the specific countries. Ezekiel speaks of Gog coming from the North out of modern Turkey and leading a coalition of nations against Israel. Zechariah focuses on Jerusalem.
There are references in Joel, Jeremiah, Daniel, Micah and more. These accounts are confirmed in Revelation as part of the very end times and are actually called the Day of the Lord or "that day." The Day of the Lord is likely a period of time representing events when Yeshua returns to set things right on earth, defeats the beast, the beast empire, the false prophet and binds satan. Yeshua "treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty YHVH (Rev 19:15)." When we see the Middle East heating up, with Iran's (Persia) vassal Syria threatening use of chemical weapons, we are watching the end time clock move closer to "that day." But remember, there is a supernatural element to these events. Key to understanding all this is that we will unmistakably know that YHVH is God when these things occur.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
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We'll Support Chick-Fil-A
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We'll Support Chick-Fil-A . . .
Boston may be where America fought for its freedoms--but now, it's a city where businesses can't even exercise them! That's all thanks to city Mayor Tom Menino, who is making it known that private companies aren't welcome inside the city limits unless they share his politically narrow views. Last week, after Chick-Fil-A's CEO Dan Cathy affirmed his belief in man-woman marriage, Menino promised to single-handedly block the chain from Boston.
Despite the fact that Cathy's views are his own--and ignoring the company's pledge to "treat every person with honor, dignity, and respect"--the Mayor insists, "You can't have a business in the city of Boston that discriminates against a population." (Apparently, you can have a mayor that does). "We're an open city," Menino told the Boston Herald, "We're a city that's at the forefront of inclusion." (Until, of course, that "inclusion" applies to people who support traditional marriage.) Surprising even the Herald staff, Mayor Menino threatened to use his political power for his personal vendetta against the Cathys, vowing to play hardball with Chick-Fil-A's permits if it ever decided to open a restaurant in the area. "If they need licenses in the city, it will be very difficult--unless they open up their policies."
For the government to engage in viewpoint discrimination is not only bad politics--it's unconstitutional. Chick-fil-A may be a private company, but that doesn't mean it has to surrender its beliefs at the dining room door. Under the First Amendment, executives at Chick-Fil-A are just as entitled as any American to speak publicly about their views. The editors at the Boston Herald agree. In a joint column, they write that the condemnation of "such an abuse of government power" should be "swift" and "overwhelming." "In Menino's city, the punishment for failing to toe the progressive line is banishment." Ironically, that's exactly the kind of despotism that Boston 's patriots were fighting more than 230 years ago. Increasingly, though, it is becoming apparent that this kind of ideological totalitarianism is the train that follows same-sex "marriage."
Even academia, which prided itself on intellectual freedom, is showing no tolerance for truth--even when that truth is empirically established. Mark Regnerus, the sociologist behind a sweeping study on same-sex parenting, is learning the hard way what it means to cross the liberal elite. His research, which outlines some negative outcomes of growing up in a homosexual household, has been annihilated by the Left--despite being the only gold-standard study of its kind.
Anyone who thinks that redefining marriage will satisfy homosexual activists hasn't been paying attention. There is no appeasing this minority until the only freedom that exists in America is the freedom to agree with the radical Left. In the meantime, show your support for a company that insists on operating by its principles. Join Gov. Mike Huckabee next Wednesday, August 1, for Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day. Stop by your local chain and show Mayor Menino that America is hungry for more corporate leadership like Dan Cathy's! (Family Research Council)
UPDATE: Now you can eat at Chick-Fil-A both TODAY and on August 1st!
"In response to the boycott threats against Chick-fil-A, Mike
Huckabee, who was a 2008 presidential candidate, last week called on his radio
show listeners to support the Cathy family by making July 25th National Eat
at Chick-fil-A Day." Read
more
Because
word also went out that TODAY, July 25th, was the day to support Chick-Fil-A,
here's what is happening NOW in Henrico, Virginia!(An on-site report submitted by Karen in Henrico, VA)
"The local one near me has been doing a booming business all day!! Hallelujah!
The line was long at almost 2 PM when I stopped to pick up a chicken salad sandwich to take home. Yes!!
Maybe on some things folks are now listening. SMILE!
[Thanks, Karen!]
OK, CHPP Prayer Warriors, how is Chick-Fil-A doing in YOUR neighborhood today? Send us your report to: chpp@patriot.net and let's do a survey! THANK YOU!
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The Tragedy Of Abortion
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The Tragedy Of Abortion
There is news today that a 24 year-old woman died last week after getting a botched, second trimester abortion at a Chicago Planned Parenthood clinic. We are hearing about this because the young lady had friends and family who loved her, and her life was precious and valuable.
Sadly, every abortion always results in a death -- the aborted child. In addition, every abortion results in the exploitation of a woman deceived by our culture and by the profiteers in the abortion industry.
America was founded on the belief that we are all endowed by our Creator with the inalienable right to life. But the left has confused liberty with licentiousness, and every day in America, thousands of innocent lives are sacrificed on the altar of choice. We are better than this. I will continue to work for the day when every child is welcomed into this world and protected under the law. (Gary Bauer; Tuesday, July 24, 2012)
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Today's Legislative Focus
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Today's Legislative Focus
From The Madison Project
www.madisonproject.com
Fiscal Year 2013 Budget:
Conservative concerns
1. What type of CR? (Continuing Resolution):
While we strongly support the goal of shutting down the lame duck session and preempting any capitulations thereof, we must ensure that this strategy doesn't engender a counterintuitive effect of capitulating now in order to avoid a capitulation later. We all agree that it's better to pass a CR that will expire in 2013 - when we hope to control all branches of government - instead of during the lame duck session. However, what type of CR are we going to pass? In order for Democrats to sign on and avoid a fight now (for the purpose of having a fight later next year), we would have to pass a clean CR. That would mean funding government at $1.043 trillion instead of $15 billion less. Conservatives have fought so hard to keep the House budget along with its policy riders.
2. Obamacare:
By far, the most important policy rider is the defunding of Obamacare. Not only does the current House budget defund Obamacare, but 127 GOP congressmen, more than half the conference, just signed a letter requesting that Speaker Boehner not to bring any budget deal to the floor that doesn't defund Obamacare. If we agree to fund Obamacare for another half year, our conservative pledges in the future will be meaningless. Also, if we lose the sense of urgency and outrage to defund Obamacare immediately following the Supreme Court's ruling, it will be harder to evince that sense of urgency in 6-7 months from now.
3. GOP Moderates:
To be sure, Senator DeMint has personally stated that he will push for a CR that reflects the spending levels of the House budget and that defunds Obamacare. However, many of those who are supporting his efforts to push a CR now do not share his motivation. They simply desire to retreat from any adversity, and view this is a useful outlet. As such, they will never agree to a CR that is offensive to Democrats because that will just impel a budget fight immediately. Yet, once we agree to the idea of passing a CR with some acquiescence on various provisions, the moderates will pocket our CR and join with Democrats to gut those provisions. Moreover, there is no assurance that passage of a CR would necessarily shut down the lame duck session.
Punchline:
Looking broadly and pragmatically at this predicament, we can see utility in giving on the spending figure, and even some of the policy riders for the benefit of kicking the fight into a more opportune Congress. However, we all know that "it's Obamacare, stupid." We cannot shirk from an opportunity to defund Obamacare in this Congress, especially after 127 members already promised to do just that. Any effort to avoid the lame duck session must not come at the expense of our more important policy goals. Most importantly, conservatives can only support an early CR deal if 1) the CR lasts until 2013 and 2) there is a parallel agreement to shut down the lame duck session. Absent those two commitments, no conservative can support this deal.
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Updates on SYRIA
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Article One:
Gantz advises caution on Syrian chemical weapons
Gilad believes regime retains control
IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz briefed the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday, warning that although it might be tempting to attack the chemical weapons arsenal of Syria's Assad regime, such an act would be extremely risky. "They [Syrian military forces ] are guarding it and have even increased security so it will not fall into rogue hands, although this does not mean it will stay that way," Gantz said. "We need to take into consideration what will remain after we act and whose hands it will fall into." He added his assessment that the steady stream of soldiers, including senior officers, deserting the regime will have a serious negative effect on the regime's ability to control the situation. "It is not just that they do not have commanders but it will also impact the soldiers' performance over time," he said.
In related news, assurances by senior Israeli officials that the Assad regime's stockpiles of chemical weapons are in no immediate danger of being either used against Israel or stolen by terrorists, the undeniable fact that the Jewish State is not prepared for a chemical attack is causing great distress. Just under half the population still does not have gas masks, and the IDF program to distribute chemical protection kits to the general public has been delayed by chronic funding and organization problems. Read more
Article Two:
Russia warns Assad regime against using Chemical Weapons
EU strengthens arms embargo
Rebels battling the regime of Syrian president Bashar Assad accused the regime of moving large stocks of chemical weapons to airports near the country's borders on Tuesday, as heavy fighting continued in the commercial capital of Aleppo and regime troops reasserted control over most of the capital city of Damascus. Residents of several cities reported that regime troops have used helicopter gunships, heavy artillery, rockets and tanks against civilian areas suspected of supporting the rebellion, adding a fearsome toll to the already massive number of casualties. Turkish troops trained in responding to chemical weapons attacks have reportedly been moved to the Syrian border, and even Assad's longtime ally Russia issued a stern statement declaring that it "would like to underline that Syria joined" a Geneva protocol on the non-use of chemical weapons and "presumes that the Syrian authorities will continue to rigorously abide by its assumed international obligations."
"The ruthless killings committed in panic in recent days show the world that the Syrian regime is on the road to oblivion," declared Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Read more
For a closer look at the conflict in Syria, click HERE
[Reported by ICEJ News]
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Obama's New Islamic World Order
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Obama's New Islamic World Order
By Daniel Greenfield
FrontPage Magazine, July 25, 2012
Three years after Obama appeared in Cairo to praise Islam, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Mohammed Morsi, the country's new Islamist president, and urged the army to turn over power to him.
In three years Egypt had gone from a stabilizing influence and a regional ally to a blossoming Sunni Iran. If Egypt's transformation had been an isolated incident, it would still have been a foreign policy disaster, but it was actually part of a chain of such transformations with Islamists coming to power in Tunisia, Islamist thugs sweeping across Mali to enforce Sharia law and the Muslim Brotherhood emerging as the dominant force in Syria's rebel council and likely transitional government under the auspices of Turkey's AKP Islamist rulers.
Al-Azhar University, whic h Obama described in his Cairo speech as "a beacon of Islamic learning," is part of the mechanism by which Coptic Christian women and girls are kidnapped, raped and forced into Islam. It was also this "beacon of Islamic learning" that Dr. Muhammad, the head of its Department of Islamic Preaching and Culture, declared that Jews are the source of all evil.
This is the beacon of the new Islamic world order that Obama's disastrous pandering enabled. (Reported by Unity Coalition for Israel) Read more.
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The Good News Corner
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The Good News Corner
Bells Ring Out with Olympic Prayers
"This is an opportunity to be part of a prophetic act, a turning point which will shape the future of our nation. Let's make a noise, talk about God, pray for peace, pray for reconciliation and commit to love God's world and His people." - Rev. Ian Bunce
(London, England)-Christians and churches across the UK are being encouraged to pray and make a noise and join in the nationwide mass bell ringing planned for the first day of the 2012 Games.
According to a More Than Gold press release to mark the opening of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the London Organizing Committee is calling for thousands of bells to be rung across our nations. The mass bell ringing on Friday 27th July will begin at 8:12am and will last for 3 minutes.
LOCOG are encouraging the tolling of "any bell, anyone, anytime." It's an opportunity for everyone to get involved in a special commission by the Turner Prize-winning artist and musician Martin Creed. More Than Gold, the agency helping churches make the most of the Games, is calling on Christians and churches everywhere to join in and use this moment to 'Stop and pray at 8:12am on Friday 27th July for God's Kingdom to come and for a turning to come in our nations.'
The press release said the opportunity to get involved in All the Bells comes on the final day of More Than Gold's 70-day Prayer Relay-a cascade of praise and prayer throughout the UK which began on 18th May and has toured the country running alongside the Olympic Torch Relay.
Batons containing prayers have been handed over from community to community and as the torch and the prayer relay have travelled through each area, individuals and churches have taken time to pray for the Games and those involved, and for their own communities.
Church leaders have added their encouragement and are urging everyone to get involved in this unique event:
"This is a fantastic opportunity for churches to make some noise to show that we support the Olympics and the hard work that all of the athletes have put in. I would urge bell ringing teams in our churches to join in this peal and for as many of us as possible to get together to pray for the 2012 Olympics," said the Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt. Rev. Colin Fletcher.
Rev. Ian Bunce, head of Mission for the Baptist Union of Great Britain said: "This is an opportunity to be part of a prophetic act, a turning point which will shape the future of our nation. Let's make a noise, talk about God, pray for peace, pray for reconciliation and commit to love God's world and His people."
"London 2012 has presented the churches and the nation with a wonderful opportunity for positive community engagement. The Salvation Army is delighted to join with this initiative to pray for success and safety for all involved," said Lieut. Colonel Ivor Telfer, The Salvation Army UK and the Republic of Ireland. (Source: Assist News Service)
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Worship with Us Today!
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Worship with Us Today!
O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
to those who fall, how kind thou art!
How good to those who seek!
