Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
"Partners in Prayer for the Nation"
P.O. Box 5152
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On Capitol Hill This Week - Volume XIX, Number 18a
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
July 16 - 20, 2012
"You, O Lord, remain forever; Your throne from generation to generation. Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored; Renew our days as of old . . ." (Lamentations 5:19,21)
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News from Israel
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News from Israel
- ISRAEL ADVISED TO BRACE FOR SYRIAN MISSILE ATTACK - CONVENTIONAL OR CHEMICAL
- IDF KILLS ARMED TERRORIST NEAR KIBBUTZ EREZ
- ISRAEL AIR FORCE ATTACKS ARMED CELL IN GAZA
- ISRAEL FEARS WINDOW FOR IRAN ATTACK STARTING TO CLOSE, WHILE US URGES MORE PATIENCE
- POLL: OLMERT COULD TAKE ON PM IN ELECTION
- ISRAELI GOVERNMENT CRISIS AVERTED
- ABBAS REJECTS NETANYAHU PROPOSAL
- ISRAEL'S YAD VASHEM HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DEFACED
- REPORT: EU'S BOYCOTT OF SETTLEMENT TRADE LEGAL
- ROMNEY TO BREAK FAST OF TEMPLE MOUNT MOURNING WITH NETANYAHU
1. ISRAEL ADVISED TO BRACE FOR SYRIAN MISSILE ATTACK - CONVENTIONAL OR CHEMICAL
As the already unthinkable pace of slaughter in Syria accelerates further, Western military sources warned Saturday, July 14, that not only Israel, but additional strategic targets in Middle East lands deemed enemies by Bashar Assad should prepare for him to launch surface-to-surface missile attacks. The assaults would start out with conventional warheads, but as the regime continued to be hammered, the beleaguered ruler might well arm the next round of missiles from his huge stockpile of mustard gas - not to mention sarin nerve poison and cyanide.
Western intelligence sources say Assad has a list of targets ready to go. Analyzing the Syrian war game taking place last week, they calculated that Wednesday and Thursday, July 11 and 12, the Syrian army practiced shooting missiles at strategic centers in Israel, Turkey and Jordan.
That is one game-changing predicament facing the West. It would quickly assume a regional dimension if Turkey, Israel and Jordan were to come under Syrian missile assault Even then, their consultations would not necessarily lead to action.
For example, three weeks have gone by since Syria shot down a Turkish Air Force reconnaissance jet and yet after, close consultation with Washington, the Erdogan government was persuaded to leave the incident without response. Administration officials explained to the Turks that covert warfare carried a price in failure and casualties.
This US attitude might well embolden the Syrian ruler to risk his arm with limited missile strikes against Turkey and Israel and bank on the Obama administration twisting their leaders' arms behind their backs to prevent them making any serious response
Read More
- Abba Father, we fall before You seeking protection for Israel, Turkey, Jordan and many of the Syrian people, from the introduction of these highly toxic and deadly weapons into the violent unrest in Syria. As we were taught, we bind and rebuke the spirits of vengeance and hatred being released by these weapons. In Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen.
- "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." (Psalm 50:15)
2. IDF KILLS ARMED TERRORIST NEAR KIBBUTZ EREZ
The Muslim war against Israel never stops: an IDF force shot dead an armed terrorist who tried to cross into Israel from Gaza near Kibbutz Erez Friday afternoon. A security source said that the IDF force identified an infiltration attempt. As soon as the soldiers verified that the infiltrator is an armed terrorist, the soldiers opened fire on him and killed him.
The level of alert in the Jewish communities near Gaza was elevated after the incident, out of concern that additional terrorists were on the loose. Thursday morning, the IDF prevented terrorists from firing an anti-tank missile at an IDF force that was in motion near the security fence. Later in the day the IAF attacked a car carrying a terrorist missile launching squad in the Zeitun neighborhood of Gaza.
Friday morning, Border Police opened fire on two Gaza residents who tried to infiltrate into Israel through the southern part of the Israeli-Egyptian border, where there is no security fence. One of the two was killed and the other was wounded and taken to Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva.
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- Abba Father, we know that Your heart has to be troubled by the spirits of Islamic hatred and destruction which continues and accelerates against Your covenant land Israel and her people. We ask that You raise up Your right hand and extend Your arm against the enemy driven by these spirits, in Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen.
- "Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually. God shall likewise destroy you forever; He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place and uproot you from the land of the living. Selah" (Psalm 52: 1 & 5)
3. ISRAEL AIR FORCE ATTACKS ARMED CELL IN GAZA
The Israeli Air Force [IAF] attacked an armed terror cell in Zeitoun, east of Gaza City, killing one person and wounding others, Palestinian sources reported Thursday [July 12]. The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] confirmed that the IAF struck a target there.
Earlier the army said Armored Corps forces, accompanied by military aircraft, opened fire at a Hamas terror cell that was preparing to launch an antitank missile at Israeli soldiers patrolling the Israel-Gaza border. Palestinian sources reported that an IDF tank fired at the terrorists' vehicle as it was travelling in the Sajaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City. The sources said three terrorists were injured-one of them seriously.
On Monday, bullets that were fired from Gaza hit two vehicles and the wall of a restaurant at a commercial plaza near the Yad Mordechai Junction in south Israel. No one was injured in the incident. IDF forces returned fire. An army investigation found that the bullets were fired from a 0.5-caliber automatic machine gun. Israel retaliated overnight Tuesday with aerial attacks on Hamas terror hubs in south Gaza.
(By Elior Levy, Ynetnews, July 12, 2012)(Reported by BFP: Bridges for Peace)
- Pray that these attacks will end. Pray that the Lord will protect the Israel-Gaza border, preventing any rocket or gunfire from reaching Israeli soil and bringing peace to the beleaguered residents of this part of the nation.
- "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
4. ISRAEL FEARS WINDOW FOR IRAN ATTACK STARTING TO CLOSE, WHILE US URGES MORE PATIENCE
Israeli and American officials met in Jerusalem on Thursday for one of their semi-annual "strategic dialogue" meetings, which concluded with a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry noting that Iran's nuclear program was high on the agenda. Behind the bland public comments, however, one well-placed Israeli source spoke of friction in US-Israeli ties over the struggle to thwart Iran, with the US urging Israel to allow more time for sanctions to bite, and Israel expressing concern that its window of opportunity for military action is starting to close.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak have for months been publicly expressing skepticism about the prospect of sanctions thwarting Iran's nuclear drive, with Netanyahu urging the international community in March to consider the consequences of a failure to act in good time against Iran and Barak stressing how much more complex it would be challenge an Iran that has attained a nuclear capability.
Iran's capacity to withstand sanctions should not be underestimated, the Israeli source noted, saying that Turkey and India were among the countries letting Iran off the hook.
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- Lord Jesus, we repent for the lack of support and understanding from our government for these legitimate Israeli concerns. We know this threat must be stopped. It endangers the entire Middle East region and the entire world to have Iran be fully nuclear, and encourages a violence of unbelievable levels, driven by the blinding spirits of envy, hatred, and false belief of entitlement. Help us, Lord! In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen and Amen.
- "Help me, O Lord my God! Oh save me according to Your mercy, that they may know that this is Your hand - That You, Lord, have done it."(Psalm 109:26-27)
5. POLL: OLMERT COULD TAKE ON PM IN ELECTION
A comeback by former prime minister Ehud Olmert would have a huge impact on the political map, according to a Smith Research poll commissioned by The Jerusalem Post following Olmert's acquittal on the key corruption charges against him on Tuesday. But the former Kadima leader vehemently denied on Thursday he was seeking a return to politics.
Were Olmert to form a new centrist party that included Kadima and Yesh Atid Party leader Yair Lapid, it could win 30 seats, compared to 27 for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's Likud, according to the poll. The new party would take away mandates from Likud and Labor and could potentially form the next government.
But when asked who is most fit to be prime minister, Netanyahu won by a wide margin. Thirty-three percent said Netanyahu, 15% opposition leader Shelly Yechimovich, 12% Olmert, 10% Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman and just three percent Mofaz. 27% said none of the above or that they had no opinion.
"I have no intention of entering political activity," he said. "I am not involved and I do not intend to be involved. I have a party, Kadima, that I am a member of. I won't form a new party. I am busy with other things now. Please don't drag me to places where I don't want to be and things I don't plan to be involved in."
However, sources close to Olmert confirmed earlier this week that he is motivated to return. His associates said he still felt bitter about the way Defense Minister Ehud Barak and other politicians forced him to quit when the corruption allegations first surfaced.
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- Abba Father, we come before You and ask that You be in the midst of these discussions and actions, directing them to be fully in Your will alone! In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen and Amen.
- "Do not keep silent, o God! Do not hold Your peace, and do not be still, O God!" (Psalm 83:1)
6. ISRAELI GOVERNMENT CRISIS AVERTED
The first crisis to challenge Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's eight-week old "super-coalition" appears to have been resolved by Netanyahu's back-pedaling on the heated issue of the decades-old policy of allowing religious seminary students to avoid military service that is supposed to be mandatory for all men and women at the age of 18.
Trouble started when the prime minister disbanded a committee charged with drafting a new law pursuant to a court order that invalidated the existing law. The committee was headed by a member of the Kadima party, the party that Netanyahu threw a lifeline to by bringing it into the coalition in May, as a result building the largest government in the nation's history.
Shaul Mofaz, Kadima's chairman, played hardball with Netanyahu, threatening to bring his party back into opposition if efforts to draft a law that equally distributes the obligation to serve the country, including within the "ultra-Orthodox" (haredi) and Israeli Arab sectors were side railed.
The chairman of the disbanded committee and others appointed by the prime minister are now writing the new legislation that according to the court ruling must be submitted this week. The demand that all sectors of the population share the obligation to serve in the armed forces, which has become a consensus issue, was the focus of a mass rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, July 7th.
(By The Media Line, July 9, 2012)(Reported by BFP: Bridges for Peace)
- Pray that this issue can be resolved in accordance with God's will for the people of Israel without creating instability within the Israeli government at such a critical time for the nation.
- "And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, that I may plant the heavens, lay the foundations of the earth, and say to Zion, 'You are My people." (Isaiah 51:16)
7. ABBAS REJECTS NETANYAHU PROPOSAL
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has rejected a proposal from Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that would have met Abbas' precondition for returning to talks with the Israeli leader. Abbas said recently that if Netanyahu would release prisoners that were jailed prior to the 1993 Oslo Accords, he would meet for talks.
In a proposal first reported by the Israeli daily Haaretz, Netanyahu offered to release 25 prisoners immediately, including some who had killed Israeli citizens-a major concession for an Israeli prime minister-followed by the release of 100 more in groups of 25 at intervals between now and the end of 2012. He is also reported to have offered to approve the PA request that its security force be armed, which was the second precondition Abbas set for talks with Netanyahu.
On Tuesday [July 10], Haaretz quoted Palestinian Authority Minister of Prisoner Affairs Issa Qaraqe as confirming that Abbas rejected the deal, demanding that all prisoners be set free at once. Israel's Channel 2 television reported that Netanyahu was also insisting that the Palestinians pull back from its campaign for UN membership and recognition of statehood.
(By The Media Line, July 10, 2012)(Reported by BFP: Bridges for Peace)
- Pray that this type of incident will help to turn the tide of international public opinion as people recognize that the PA is not in fact a partner for peace.
- "Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it." (Psalm 34:14)
8. ISRAEL'S YAD VASHEM HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DEFACED
Vandals have defaced the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem with graffiti denouncing Zionism. One of the slogans daubed in paint on the walls of the memorial read: "If Hitler had not existed, the Zionists would have invented him."
Suspicion for the attack has fallen on radical ultra-Orthodox Jews who oppose the creation of the state of Israel. Mr Shalev, Yad Vashem chairman, pointed out in comments to local media that one of the slogans was signed "world ultra-Orthodox Jewry". "We are shocked and dazed by this callous expression of burning hatred against the Zionists and Zionism," Mr Shalev said.
Photos of some of the other slogans have been published in the Israeli press, including one reading: "Thanks Hitler for the wonderful Holocaust you organized for us. Only thanks to you we got a state from the UN." Another reads: "Honorable government of Poland, stop allowing the Zionists to hold manipulative 'memorial' ceremonies in Auschwitz."
Education Minister Gideon Saar condemned the graffiti, saying: "Whoever desecrated and soiled Yad Vashem with these disturbed slogans did it with the aim of harming public sensibilities." Some ultra-Orthodox Jews believe that a Jewish state can be established only after the coming of the Messiah, and that the state of Israel is therefore illegitimate. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said an investigation was under way. Yad Vashem was established in 1953 and commemorates the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis during World War II.
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- How sad that these defacers do not understand the Hebrew Scriptures, and cannot follow what the Scriptures point to. The Scriptures have much to say about how one should treat the foreigner and stranger living among the Jews. Pray for the ultra-Orthodox Jews so that they can please God and live in peace with their fellow Israelis. Rebuke any spirit of division and confusion, and especially spirits of violence.
- "And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you, and you shall go in and possess the good land of which the Lord swore to your fathers."(Deuteronomy 6:18)
9. REPORT: EU'S BOYCOTT OF SETTLEMENT TRADE LEGAL
A recent legal brief compiled by James Crawford, professor of international law at Britain's Cambridge University, has ruled that European governments "are fully within their rights to ban trade with Israeli settlements" in the West Bank [Judea and Samaria]. According to a Monday report [July 9] in the Independent, Crawford's brief may fuel the cause of those within the UK and European Union seeking to harden their position on the imports of settlement products. Various boycott campaigns have been staged against settlement products across Europe and in Britain over the past few years.
The brief also states that any EU nation that chooses to impose such a ban "on public policy grounds," will not be in breach of any EU or EC charter articles. Crawford further argues that "by executing such a ban on trade with settlements, the EU would not be in breach of its World Trade Organization obligations since - as a matter of international law, the West Bank and Gaza cannot be considered to be Israel's territory." But Prof. Crawford's opinion rejects arguments suggesting that EU member states are obliged-rather than merely able- to enforce a ban. According to the report, the legalist's brief will be published by the Trades Union Congress [TUC] later this week.
The TUC has mounted a sustained campaign for a ban on settlement trade, but has stressed that its call is distinct from a boycott of Israel itself, which the organization does not support. Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, told the Independent that "the UK had made a real difference by ensuring supermarket goods from settlements were properly labeled." Barber added that the TUC believes that "every settlement weakens the hope of a Palestinian state living peacefully alongside Israel," and that "governments across Europe agree with this, but they need to move beyond words to practical action."
Denmark and Sweden, as well as South Africa, are considering following the UK lead on labeling while the Irish government has suggested the EU should consider an all-out ban on settlement goods, the report said.
(By Ynetnews, July 9, 2012)(Reported by BFP: Bridges for Peace)
- Pray that the Lord will move to protect Israel from this type of internationally sanctioned bullying. Pray that Christians worldwide will make their voices heard, using their voting power to keep their nations from making such a regrettable decision.
- "The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations." (Psalm 33:10-11)
10. ROMNEY TO BREAK FAST OF TEMPLE MOUNT MOURNING WITH NETANYAHU
Mitt Romney's planned visit to Israel on the fast day mourning the destruction of the Holy Temples shows his understanding of threats to Israel, says his campaign adviser."What better way for the Governor to understand the opportunities and the threats to Israel than to be there on a day when the people of Israel and Jews around the world commemorate and mourn the destruction of the Temple and of Jerusalem twice in their history," Dan Senor wrote in an email after the Weekly Standard revealed the date of his planned visit, July 29.
The fast day of the Ninth of Av is observed by Jews around the world, including many of those who are not observant. All public restaurants and places of entertainment are shut down in Israel during the 25-hour fast, from sundown July 28 until after dark the following day. Eyebrows were raised over the timing, particularly since a $50,000-a-plate fundraising dinner has been scheduled, at least for the time being, for one hour after the fast. It usually is broken with a light meal, if not no other reason than proper digestion.
Politico confirmed the Standard's assertion that an advisor to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu actually suggested the date, two days after Romney's scheduled appearance at the Olympic Games in London. "Governor Romney will be in Jerusalem during the Jewish holy day of Tisha B'Av," Senor said in an email. "Indeed, Governor Romney hopes for this visit to be about remembering the past and looking to the future. With that, in addition to the meeting he will hold with Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Governor is honored that the Netanyahus have invited the Romneys to the traditional break-fast meal following sundown after Tisha B'Av."
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- O Abba Father, may this visit be within Your will at this time. May it be used to strengthen ongoing US understanding and support for Israel, in the Name of Jesus, Amen and Amen.
- "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may they prosper who love you."(Psalm 122:6)
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More International News
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More International News
- 'US BELIEVES SYRIA MOVING PART OF CHEMICAL STOCKPILE'
- IRAN TOP LEADER ONE TO DECIDE ON STRAIT OF HORMUZ
- TWO MORE US CARRIERS, DOZENS OF MINI-SUBS RUSHED TO HORMUZ
- US QUIETLY MOVES SIGNIFICANT MILITARY REINFORCEMENTS INTO PERSIAN GULF
- MI6 CHIEF: STRIKE ON IRAN LIKELY BY 2014
- EGYPT'S NEW PRESIDENT VOWS TO WIN RELEASE OF WORLD TRADE CENTER PLOTTER
- RUSSIAN GRAIN HARVEST MAY FALL BY 15% IN 2012
- CHAVEZ: VENEZUELA IS NO THREAT, OBAMA IS A "GOOD GUY"
1. 'US BELIEVES SYRIA MOVING PART OF CHEMICAL STOCKPILE'
US officials said that Syria has started to move part of its chemical weapons arsenal out of storage facilities, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. The country's undeclared stockpiles of sarin nerve agent, mustard gas and cyanide have long worried US officials and their allies in the region, the report said.
Western nations have looked for signs amid the rebellion against President Bashar Assad's government of any change in the location of those weapons, believed to be the world's largest stockpile. American officials are divided on the meaning of the moves of the arsenal. Some fear Assad may want to use the weapons against rebels or civilians, while others said perhaps he is trying to safeguard them from his opponents, the Journal reported.
US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, traveling with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Phnom Penh, said "We repeatedly made it clear that the Syrian government has a responsibility to safeguard its stockpiles of chemical weapons."
Syria is one of eight states - along with Israel and nearby Egypt - that have not joined the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, which means the world's chemical weapons watchdog has no jurisdiction to intervene there.
The Assad government has in the past denied having weapons of mass destruction.
(Reuters from Jerusalem Post)
- Assad's behavior suggests that he has an oppressive lust for power. All of these chemicals are life-threatening to whoever is exposed to them. Some of these chemicals are probably from Saddam Hussein's regime, chemicals which Saddam trucked out of Iraq before the West found them. Pray that the chemicals have decayed to the point of total ineffectiveness. Pray also for the soul of this man, that he can repent, and the Holy Spirit can change his life.
- "Now therefore, be wise , O kings: Be instructed , you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling; kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him." (Psalm 2:10, 11,12)
2. IRAN TOP LEADER ONE TO DECIDE ON STRAIT OF HORMUZ
The chairman of Iran's Joint Chiefs of Staff says the decision over whether Tehran would block the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the passageway through which a fifth of the world's oil flows, rests in the hands of the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Gen. Hasan Firouzabadi says Iran has a contingency plan to close the key route, but Khamenei, as commander in chief of the armed forces, would have to make the final decision.
Firouzabadi's comments come two weeks after the European Union enforced a total oil embargo against Iran for its refusal to halt its uranium enrichment program. His comments were reported by the semi-official Fars news agency Sunday.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard has previously warned that Tehran would order the closure if the country's oil exports were blocked. (YahooNews.com from AP)
- Iran cannot and must not hold the world's oil in captivity to the whims of the Ayatollah Khamenei. This threat is just that: a declaration to bully the world's oil shipping lanes. Declare that the movement of oil bearing tankers will not be impeded. Remember that the Ayatollah and Ahmadinejad have determined that all the world is to become Shiite Moslems!
-"Do not say ,'I will recompense evil. Wait for the Lord, and He will save you." (Proverbs 20:22)
3. TWO MORE US CARRIERS, DOZENS OF MINI-SUBS RUSHED TO HORMUZ
As Russia and NATO continued to boost their military strength in the eastern Mediterranean, debkafile's military sources report substantial US reinforcements, led by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, are being rushed to the Persian Gulf opposite Iran, with dozens of unmanned underwater craft for destroying mines.
The USS John C. Stennis arrives in August, raising the number of American aircraft carriers in waters off Iran to four including the USS Enterprise and the USS Abraham Lincoln, with the French Charles de Gaulle due soon to make up a fifth.
The Eisenhower, which reached its new position in the first week of July, operates under the joint commands of the US Sixth (Mediterranean) and Fifth (Gulf) Fleets. Thursday, July 12, American military officials announced that the US is also dispatching to the Persian Gulf dozens of tiny, unmanned SeaFox submersibles that can detect and destroy mines if strewn by Iran to block the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint for transporting one-fifth of the world's oil.
About 4 feet long, they each carry an underwater television camera, homing sonar and an explosive charge.
There are now additionally eight American minesweepers in the Persian Gulf as well as the USS Ponce, a platform for the special forces, helicopters and warships there to fight off Iranian marine units attempting to plant mines in the vital waterway. debkafile's military sources say that Washington decided to expand its military deployment in the area after concluding, in consultation with French and British naval experts, that Iran is short of the military strength and sophisticated measure for completely sealing off the Strait of Hormuz to all sea traffic, especially oil tankers. All the Iranians can do is plant enough underwater mines to impede traffic and slow it down.
The new, bolstered US deployment in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean is on the ready for immediate action against any Iranian military threat. "If Iran starts spreading underwater mines in international waterways, i.e., the Strait of Hormuz, it will find American forces ready to dismantle them on the spot," said a Western military source.
In any case, said the source, a slowdown of oil traffic through Hormuz won't have an immediate impact on the world oil market or prices. "The world has enough reserve oil in storage to supply its needs for six full months," said the source.
- Father, we pray protection over The Straight of Hormuz. We pray that Iran will be restrained in all efforts to control this passage. In Jesus Name.
- And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hand; for they cried out to God in the battle, and He was entreated for them, because they trusted in Him. (1 Chronicles 5:20)
4. US QUIETLY MOVES SIGNIFICANT MILITARY REINFORCEMENTS INTO PERSIAN GULF
(Second report on this key topic, from Intercessors for America)
The United States has quietly moved significant military reinforcements into the Persian Gulf to deter the Iranian military from any possible attempt to shut the Strait of Hormuz and to increase the number of fighter jets capable of striking deep into Iran if the standoff over its nuclear program escalates. The deployments are part of a long-planned effort to bolster the American military presence in the gulf region, in part to reassure Israel that in dealing with Iran, as one senior administration official put it last week, "When the president says there are other options on the table beyond negotiations, he means it."
But this delicate signaling to both Iran and Israel is a complex dance. Senator John Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat who is chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said that the administration must strike a fine balance between positioning enough forces to deter Iran, but not inadvertently indicate to Iran or Israel that an attack on Iran's nuclear sites is imminent or inevitable. "There are a lot of expectations to manage," Mr. Kerry said in an interview. "People need to know you're serious, but you must also leave room for peaceful resolution. It's very important not to take steps that send the wrong messages here." (NY Times) Read more.
- Pray for those in powerful positions to persist in seeking good on behalf of every nation touched through their decisions, large or small. Pray diligently for these leaders to be protected from unrighteous motives and faulty perceptions (their own, as well as the perceptions of opposing leaders). Intercede for the Lord to equip them with clarity, understanding and patience so that they will be able to take wise action (and refrain from unnecessary action) as needed. Praise God for the way that He restrains evil in the midst of complexity and puts all things in subjection under Him (1 Cor. 15:28).
- "But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism." (Rom. 2:8-11)
5. MI6 CHIEF: STRIKE ON IRAN LIKELY BY 2014
Iran is likely to obtain a nuclear weapon by 2014, making an Israeli or American strike on the Islamic Republic more likely by then, the head of Britain's MI6 foreign intelligence agency said, the Daily Telegraph reported on Friday. "The Iranians are determinedly going down a path to master all aspects of nuclear weapons; all the technologies they need," John Sawers is quoted as saying. "It's equally clear that Israel and the United States would face huge dangers if Iran were to become a nuclear weapon state."
Sawers made his views known at Civil Service Live, a meeting of senior civil servants, a week earlier, during which he credited covert MI6 operations for preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons earlier. Without intervention, Iran may have gone nuclear as early as 2008, he said. At least four scientists associated with Iran's nuclear program have been killed since 2010, most recently in January. Iran has blamed Israel, the UK and the United States for the deaths, and more recently lashed out against France and Germany as well. Washington has denied any role in the killings, while Israel has declined to comment. (Reuters from Jerusalem Post)
- Praise the Lord that countries other than the USA are working to stem the development of Iran's nuclear power! The UK is working very hard, evidently. 2014 is just two years from now, and we must pray that Iran encounters some really difficult obstacles before then. The Lord knows exactly what to do with Iran, but pray for the deposing of the mullahs, and the leader Ahmadinejad, soon. Never cease praying for the divine protection of the Christians and Jews still living in Iran.
- "They have blown the trumpet and made everyone ready, but no one goes to battle. For My wrath is on all their multitude."(Ezekiel 7:14)
6. EGYPT'S NEW PRESIDENT VOWS TO WIN RELEASE OF WORLD TRADE CENTER PLOTTER
Egypt's president-elect has vowed to win the release of an Egyptian cleric jailed by the U.S. for planning the first attack on New York's World Trade Center. Omar Abdel-Rahman, "the blind sheikh," is serving a life sentence in a federal prison for his role in the 1993 bombing that killed six people in lower Manhattan. The attack on the World Trade Center launched by al Qaeda eight years later on Sept. 11, 2001, killed nearly 3,000 people.
""I see banners for Omar Abdel Rahman's family, and for prisoners arrested according to martial rulings and detainees from the beginning of the revolution," said Egyptian president-elect Mohammed Morsi to a buoyant crowd of Islamist supporters in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday. "It is my duty to make every effort, and I will beginning tomorrow, to secure their release, among them Omar Abdel Rahman."
Rahman, 74, a veteran of Egypt's Islamist movement, was jailed in Egypt for allegedly helping to inspire the assassination of President Anwar Sadat. He entered the U.S. in 1990. One of his followers was convicted of gun possession, though acquitted of murder, after the assassination of Jewish leader Rabbi Meir Kahane in New York in 1990.
Using evidence collected by an Egyptian informant, the U.S. government prosecuted Rahman for conspiracy in connection with the February 1993 World Trade Center attack. After the attack, the government recorded Rahman encouraging further violence against targets in New York and New Jersey. Rahman and nine followers were arrested in June 1993, and he was sentenced to life in prison in 1996. He is presently incarcerated at the Butner federal facility in North Carolina, where Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff, also 74, is serving his own effective life sentence.
In 2005, lawyer Lynne Stewart was convicted of serving as a messenger between Rahman and Islamists in Egypt. She was sentenced to 28 months in federal prison, and then re-sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2010 because of alleged perjury. (ABC News)
- Pray that no promise of Egyptian president Morsi will be met and acceded to, by the American judicial system. Whatever would cause Morsi to make such a promise to the Islamists? We do not need these people loose on the streets of America, nor on the squares of Egypt. Pray that any collusion - if there is any - will be exposed to Americans. The sheikh may be blind, but he can hear and speak, plotting anew whatever he wishes for Islam in the USA. Pray against any release of the sheikh from our prisons.
- "Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy."(Proverbs 12:20)
7. RUSSIAN GRAIN HARVEST MAY FALL BY 15% IN 2012
Russia may harvest less than 80 million tons of grain in 2012, compared to the 94.2 million tons brought in last year, Russia's National Union of Grain Producers head Pavel Skurikhin said on Thursday.
In late June, the Agriculture Ministry forecast the 2012 harvest at 85 million tons, with exports at 20 million tons. Russia downgraded its grain harvest forecast from 94 million tons to 85 million tons in June, owing to continued rains in the south of the country.
"The harvest seems to be less than 80 million tons but anyway it is enough to meet internal demand [at 73 million tons]. We do not expect any deficit," Skurikhin told reporters, adding the amount of exports for this year was still unknown. The lower harvest has also been attributed to the farming sector's huge debts, including outstanding loans of 1.7 trillion rubles ($51.8 billion), higher than the industry's overall revenue. "The core problem is a high loan burden on farms which causes problems with access to working capital and hence a fall in technical capability," Skurikhin added.
Grain production costs grew at least four-fold from 2002 to 2009, while wheat prices only grew from 2,000 rubles to 4,300 rubles per ton in the same period, he said. Lack of fertilizer is also sapping output, with farmers using only 2.2 million tons of fertilizers per year in the past decade, down from 11 million tons a year at the end of the Soviet period. (RIA Novosti14)
- It used to be that American silos were over brimming with bountiful grain, and the USA sold much to Russia to tide its people over the bitter cold winters there. Now, America can no longer feed the world. What has happened to our grain harvests? Obviously, repentance before God must take place, so that the balance between sun and rain occurs. Pray that Christians in Russia will call upon the Lord for His help, and repent for the leadership of such men as Putin. Pray also for our harvests: that they may be abundant.
- "Every good and perfect gift is from above ,and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." (James 1:17)
8. CHAVEZ: VENEZUELA IS NO THREAT, OBAMA IS A "GOOD GUY"
President Hugo Chavez denied on Friday that Venezuela was a threat to anyone, after U.S. presidential hopeful Mitt Romney criticized Barack Obama for playing down the risk posed by the socialist leader. Obama told a Spanish-language television station in an interview screened this week that Chavez's actions over recent years had not had a serious impact on the national security of the United States.
Romney said Obama's comments were "stunning and shocking" and showed a pattern of weakness in the Democratic president's foreign policy.
In an interview with a local Venezuelan television station on Friday, Chavez dismissed the allegations he posed any danger. "It has all been a hoax by the imperialists and global far right: that uranium is being enriched in Venezuela, that we're setting up missiles here, that we're supporting terrorism." Whenever there were efforts to improve relations between Washington and Caracas, Chavez said, they were criticized by powerful "snipers" who issued threats in the U.S. media.
Chavez, whose stridently anti-Washington politics are highly popular in his OPEC nation, has expanded ties with Iran while the United States and other nations have increased their pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program. When Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Caracas in January, he and Chavez lavished praise on each other, mocked U.S. disapproval and joked about having an atomic bomb.
Late last year Obama told a Venezuelan newspaper the United States had no intention of intervening in Venezuela's foreign relations - but he believed the government's ties with Iran and Cuba had not benefited the Venezuelan people.
Chavez frequently lauds Fidel Castro's communist-led revolution in Cuba, and Romney's comments could cheer Cuban-American voters in Florida, where many oppose Castro and Chavez.
There was a window to improve ties between Caracas and Washington after Obama took office in 2009 and promised more engagement with foes. Chavez toned down his tirades against the "Yankee empire" and shook hands with Obama at a summit. But within months, Chavez said the U.S. leader was disillusioning the world by following his predecessor George W. Bush's foreign policies, and he cranked up his rhetoric again.
On Friday, Chavez said Obama's troubles began with that handshake. "They fell on him: saying he's a socialist, a communist. The personal war against Obama started, including looking for a way to get him out of office by any means." (Reuters)
- After Chavez mocked President Bush, the Venezuelan president has not been welcomed in the USA. Chavez has oppressed his people, and now he seeks a second six-year term. He does appear to be a person whom one would not call a friend. What does each man expect from each other? Their motives have not been exposed. Please pray for the protection of the church in Venezuela. Pray also for our president that he will meet Chavez only on an official level.
- "The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord." (Proverbs 16:1)
Volume XIX, Number 18b
July 16 - 20, 2012
FOCUS ON THE HEALTH CARE ACT
"You, O Lord, remain forever; Your throne from generation to generation. Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored; Renew our days as of old . . ." (Lamentations 5:19,21)
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Focus on the Health Care Act
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Focus on the Health Care Act
- A LONGER VIEW OF THE HEALTH CARE COURT OPINION
- HOUSE PASSES 'REPEAL OF OBAMACARE ACT'
- DASCHLE: DEFUNDING IS BIGGEST THREAT
- COST OF PRESIDENT'S HEALTH LAW RISES WITH EACH NEW ESTIMATE
- REACTION IN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY
- CONSCIENCE RIGHTS (BACKGROUND)
- HHS MANDATE LAWSUITS
- RELIGIOUS FREEDOM TAX REPEAL ACT
- REACTION IN THE STATES
- EFFECTS ON PREVIOUS HEALTH CARE POLICIES
- SIDE EFFECTS OF THE HEALTH CARE LAW
1. A LONGER VIEW OF THE HEALTH CARE COURT OPINION
Rep. McClintock explained on the floor of the House, "There is a second even more chilling difference between a penalty and a tax. Under our Constitution, no penalty can be assessed without due process. You cannot be punished until you have had your day in court. But to challenge a tax, you must first pay that tax before you can seek redress through the court. You are punished first and then tried." (Congressional Record)
Finding silver linings in the ruling about the health care law is like finding silver linings in the health care law itself: it's fundamentally unhealthy for America in the long term.
Thomas Sowell asked, "How far do you bend over backwards to avoid the obvious, that ObamaCare was an unprecedented extension of federal power over the lives of 300 million Americans today and of generations yet unborn?" (Townhall.com)
That "generations yet unborn" part that is especially noteworthy here.
"This decision, if not reversed, will result in the greatest expansion of abortion since Roe, and a dark night of the soul from which our nation may never emerge." (FRC)
- Father, we pray for our nation. We lift her up before you this day. We ask you to teach us what it means to humble ourselves. We pray for our churches. We ask for humility in our teachers and those taught. We ask for people to read your Word and understand how we should apply all of our lives to it, from the most private aspects to the most public aspects.
- "David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped." (2 Samuel 12:20)
2. HOUSE PASSES 'REPEAL OF OBAMACARE ACT'
The House voted again Wednesday to repeal President Obama's healthcare law, a largely symbolic gesture that gave Republicans some revenge against the Supreme Court ruling that declared the law constitutional.
Republicans also see it as a way to motivate their base this fall as they fight to keep control of the lower chamber, win the Senate and take the White House.
Members approved the repeal legislation on a 244-185 vote, after five hours of debate that stretched over two days. (Healthwatch)
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday he wants the Senate to vote again "in the near future" on repealing President Obama's healthcare law.
McConnell had held off on forcing a repeal vote while he waited for the Supreme Court to rule on the healthcare law. Now that the court has upheld it, he said the Senate should follow the House's lead and hold another symbolic vote on repeal. (Healthwatch)
Legislation to repeal Obamacare under consideration in the House makes clear in two significant findings the massive health care law's threat to religious liberty, conscience rights, and the protection of human life.
To protect religious liberty specifically and individual freedom generally, Obamacare must be repealed. Centralized health care policy that defines what individuals must buy, what employers must cover, and what insurers must offer puts the moral compass in the hands of bureaucrats and will continue to trample on conscience as implementation continues. (Heritage Foundation)
- Father, we ask for truth in the headlines, the soundbytes and the tweets. May the full truth about this health care law be known. May no agenda contained in this law be hidden. May your people speak freely about what is happening in America.
- "The Lord gave the word; Great was the company of those who proclaimed it." (Psalm 68:11)
3. DASCHLE: DEFUNDING IS BIGGEST THREAT
Even if Republicans can't repeal President Obama's healthcare law, they could do significant damage by cutting off its funding, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) said Wednesday.
Dashle - who was Obama's first pick to lead the Health and Human Services Department and help shepherd healthcare reform through Congress - said the Supreme Court's healthcare decision provided certainty to states and business interests, who can now move forward relatively sure that healthcare reform will remain the law of the land. (Healthwatch)
Conservatives in the House are pushing GOP leaders to continue the campaign against President Obama's healthcare law even after Wednesday's vote to repeal the law.
Defunding poses a serious challenge to the Affordable Care Act. Former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) said Wednesday that it's one of the most potent weapons Republicans would have against the law if they win the White House or a majority in the Senate.
Republicans pledged to defund the health law after winning the House majority in 2010, but those efforts have produced only relatively minor cuts. (Healthwatch)
Previously reported in April:
The Obama administration is quietly diverting roughly $500 million to the IRS to help implement the president's healthcare law.
The money is only part of the IRS's total implementation spending, and it is being provided outside the normal appropriations process. The tax agency is responsible for several key provisions of the new law, including the unpopular individual mandate. (Healthwatch)
- Father, we ask you to fully cut off all funding for the health care law. May there be no funds to implement this law. May the rule of law stand. May no funds from any source be used at any level of government to implement this health care law anywhere.
- "And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, 'Let no fruit grow on you ever again.' Immediately the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, 'How did the fig tree wither away so soon?' So Jesus answered and said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, "Be removed and be cast into the sea," it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.'" (Matthew 21:18-22)
4. COST OF PRESIDENT'S HEALTH LAW RISES WITH EACH NEW ESTIMATE
The Republican side of the Senate Budget Committee released a chart showing how the cost of the Affordable Care Act is consistently rising.
This is a function of limits Congress has placed on how the Congressional Budget Office estimates the cost of pending legislation. By law, CBO must look at exactly the next 10 years of the law at the time it is doing the calculations, no matter when various provisions in the law are scheduled to go into effect.
Knowing how this process works, legislators and their staff front load the more revenue-positive provisions to take effect early in the first decade, and the less revenue-positive provisions to take effect later in the law.
That's exactly how the Affordable Care Act was written, and that is exactly why we've seen successive increases in the annual estimates from CBO of the cost of this law.
Incidentally, as Rep. Fleming, MD, noted on the House floor, at the time of enactment, CGO predicted Medicare to be "a program that would be maybe $3 billion annually would maybe top out at $12 billion. Of course we know now that it's in the hundreds of billions of dollars many times over what it was initially promised to be." Our challenge in 2012 is not new.
For the 2010 health care law, current linear extrapolations of the obviously upward trend (meaning add $0.3 trillion each year) put the 2012 estimate for FY2014-2023 to be $2.6 trillion, as the chart shows. 2014 is when many of the more significant components of the law go into effect. The law does not go fully into effect until near the end of its first decade.
All this is to say nothing yet of the market effect of the law on what is left of the health care marketplace which is already driving up costs. The astute reader will remember the promises and claims of the law to reduce costs.
Before the House voted on the repeal last week, it was noted the vote would be happening before the CBO could provide an official 10-year cost estimate of the repeal.
This estimate will be helpful for two reasons.
First, it will show a change from the previous estimate. Healthwatch said, "The delay could deny Democrats a useful talking point: When CBO scored House Republicans' first bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act, it estimated that repeal would probably increase the federal deficit by roughly $145 billion over 10 years." Or it could start showing, as it will in a year or two if not already, that it will stop the deficit-increasing effect of the health care law.
Second, an estimate of the repeal will be very straight-forward because the repeal is very straight-forward. That is, there are no stages over 10 years for the repeal to take effect. It simply wipes out the law all at once.
Healthwatch reported CBO expects a final score the week of July 23. (CHPP/Tim McGhee)
- Father, we ask for clear voices to explain and for clear understanding among the nation at large of exactly how Washington has been working. We ask that both sides would take a step back, be honest with themselves and be honest with the American people about what exactly they are doing and where we are headed. We ask for a clear message this year and in the years to come of the effect repealing this law would have on our dire fiscal situation. We ask for your enduring mercy to turn us back from our wicked fiscal ways.
- "Honest weights and scales are the LORD's; All the weights in the bag are His work." (Proverbs 16:11)
5. REACTION IN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY
83 percent of American physicians have considered leaving their practices over President Barack Obama's health care reform law, according to a survey released by the Doctor Patient Medical Association.
The DPMA, a non-partisan association of doctors and patients, surveyed a random selection of 699 doctors nationwide. The survey found that the majority have thought about bailing out of their careers over the legislation, which was upheld last month by the Supreme Court.
Even if doctors do not quit their jobs over the ruling, America will face a shortage of at least 90,000 doctors by 2020. The new health care law increases demand for physicians by expanding insurance coverage. This change will exacerbate the current shortage as more Americans live past 65. (Daily Caller)
On the House floor, Rep. Burgess cited reports that "only 31 percent of Texas doctors are accepting new patients who rely on Medicaid. In 2010, the last time the survey was taken, it was 42 percent. In the year 2000, it was 67 percent." (Congressional Record)
Also on the floor, Rep. Fleming, MD, gave a thorough discourse on the last 50 years of health care in America and why the approach to the 2010 health care is to "pull it out by its roots and start over again with step-by-step reform in health care with patient choices."
- Father, we indeed ask that the 2010 health care law would be pulled out by its roots before it uproots health care in America. We ask for freedom and responsibility for all Americans in their health care.
- "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted." (Matthew 15:13)
6. CONSCIENCE RIGHTS (BACKGROUND)
When the health care was passed in 2010, nowhere in the bill was the mandate written that people had to pay for coverage of contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs—everything covered under the "full range of FDA-approved contraception." We had to pass the bill in order to see that was in it, too.
Now the bill is passed, signed into law, upheld by the Supreme Court, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is moving full speed ahead on implementation. With the full authority of the law behind them for providing "preventive" services, HHS has written regulations requiring nearly all employers to cover abortion-inducing drugs.
The law has teeth, too. For those employers exercising their conscience in not providing this coverage, they face fines of $100 per day per employee starting August 1, 2012.
To put that in perspective, the national average hourly wage is $16.57. Multiply that by eight hours in a day and you have a daily wage for the employee of $132.56, before taxes for the employee and after taxes for the employer. For any employer that exercises their conscience about paying for abortion this rule adds $100 per day to that total—per employee.
"That equals an astounding $36,500 per employee, per year. If a religiously affiliated grade school has 50 employees, they would be taxed $1,825,000 per year, every year, just for exercising their constitutionally protected rights. With taxes so severe and burdensome, it's hard to imagine that any institution could keep its doors open," reports Rep. Sensenbrenner.
And yes, this is in addition to the requirement for employers with 50 or more employees to buy health insurance for their employees. If employers exercising their conscience decide they cannot afford insurance and the $1.825 million fine, they can, as The New American reports, "pay an annual penalty of $2,000 per full-time employee if even one of their full-time employees receives a taxpayer subsidy for purchasing health insurance through a state exchange" or "an even steeper $3,000 per employee" for offering "unaffordable" coverage for those employees in the exchanges. And all the plans in the exchanges would offer the full range of FDA-approved contraception including abortion-inducing drugs.
Under these rules, there are no other options for employers offering health insurance. As HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius indicated at a House hearing, other than those grandfathered from before the law passed, no other health insurance plans will be authorized for the market.
In China, you are not required to comply with the one-child policy as long as you pay the $6,350 fine to have another child. It is only on not paying that fine that the forced abortion happens. (CHPP/Tim McGhee)
- Pray for Secretary Sebelius and President Obama. This oppression is not necessary. This policy does not need to exist. It wasn't written anywhere in the law as passed. Pray for their hearts to turn away from these wicked ways.
- "Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God." (Acts 9:20)
Addressing the problems with the contraception/abortion mandate is happening on two fronts: judicial and legislative.
7. HHS MANDATE LAWSUITS
As National Review columns indicate, the HHS mandate violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), and imposes a substantial burden on employers.
The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty announced that its lawsuits challenging the controversial HHS mandate will continue in light of the Supreme Court decision. In its opinion, the Supreme Court rejected claims challenging the individual mandate, leaving the Affordable Care Act intact and allowing religious-liberty lawsuits against the HHS Mandate to proceed.
"The court's opinion today did not decide the issues in our cases," said Hannah Smith, Senior Counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. "We are challenging the Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate on religious liberty grounds which are not part of today's decision. We will move forward seeking vindication of our client's First Amendment rights."
The Court's decision leaves untouched the controversial HHS mandate, a regulation based on other provisions of the Affordable Care Act that the Court was not asked to review in this case. The mandate compels employers to provide drugs and services in their employee health care plans regardless of religious objections to those services. Employers who fail to comply face staggering financial penalties. (The Becket Fund)
With one recent addition, there are currently 24 lawsuits pending against the HHS mandate.
- Pray for these lawsuits to expeditiously and effectively move forward. May the words of Justice Ginsburg take effect soon: "A mandate to purchase a particular product would be unconstitutional if, for example, the edict impermissibly abridged the freedom of speech, interfered with the free exercise of religion, or infringed on a liberty interest protected by the Due Process Clause."
- "We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29)
8. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM TAX REPEAL ACT
An attempt earlier this year to restore conscience rights to all Americans already failed in the Senate. (CHPP)
On July 10th, in the House of Representatives, Tennessee congresswoman Diane Black and Wisconsin congressman James Sensenbrenner, two Protestant lawmakers, introduced the Religious Freedom Tax Repeal Act (H.R. 6097), seeking to repeal the fine on faith the Obama administration's abortion-inducing drug, contraception, and sterilization mandate imposes.
"The Religious Freedom Tax Repeal Act would stop the Obama administration from levying this huge tax on religious employers," Representative Black said.
"With the HHS mandate, the administration has set up an impossible choice for many religious affiliated institutions: either violate the law and pay a tax, or violate your conscience," Black says. "This means some of the most respected parochial schools, hospitals, soup kitchens, and universities across our country will have to choose between violating their faith to keep their doors open or paying a potentially devastating tax." (Examiner)
A new Republican bill would remove the teeth from a contentious Obama administration health mandate by barring the federal government from penalizing employers that do not comply. (Healthwatch)
- Pray that this bill gets a vote and that every American knows where their Representative stands on protecting religious liberty in America today.
- "Let each be fully convinced in his own mind." (Romans 14:5)
9. REACTION IN THE STATES
Governor Perry wrote a letter to Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with a message for the President. "I oppose both the expansion of Medicaid as provided in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the creation of a so-called 'state' insurance exchange, because both represent brazen intrusions into the sovereignty of our state.
"I stand proudly with the growing chorus of governors who reject the PPACA power grab. Thank God and our nation's founders that we have the right to do so." (Congressional Record)
The governor extended his remarks to the American people in an editorial published in USATODAY: "As a general rule, the more a salesman offers you to sign a long-term contract, the closer you should scrutinize the deal. That's the situation we're facing in Texas, as the Obama administration extends a handful of cash with one hand while keeping a sledgehammer behind its back."
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday highlighted Democratic governors' commitment to implementing President Obama's healthcare reform law - a contrast to Republican governors who remain staunchly opposed to the law.
HHS released letters from 12 governors reiterating their plans to move forward with state-based insurance exchanges. The letters are essentially a round-up of every Democratic governor whose state has already established an exchange. (Healthwatch)
Texas Gov. Rick Perry declared Monday his state would not participate in the health law's Medicaid expansion, becoming the sixth Republican governor to make such a promise. Taken together, those governors opting-out would single-handedly shrink the Medicaid expansion by nearly 4 million people.
While the stakes are high for the White House, the territory is by no means uncharted. Washington has twice faced off with states over federal health care expansions, when Medicaid initially launched in 1965 and with the Children's Health Insurance Program in 1997. In both cases, all 50 states ultimately signed up - but not without some wrangling. (Washington Post)
A House Democrat warned Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) that refusing the healthcare reform law's Medicaid expansion will be a "costly and historic mistake."
The Supreme Court's decision to uphold the law has touched off a fiercely partisan debate over whether to expand Medicaid. Many GOP governors have said they will refuse federal funds to expand the program because they worry that financial obligations to future beneficiaries will be too great. (Healthwatch)
Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) on Thursday waded back into the controversy over his remarks comparing implementation of the administration's healthcare law to Nazi Germany.
He said the government will end up rationing healthcare under the Affordable Care Act, a charge that congressional Republicans have made before (without Nazi comparisons).
Pressed further by the Seven Days reporter, LePage said "the Holocaust is probably a bad example," but that "they're going to be rationing health care, as they do in Canada." (Healthwatch)
The now-optional Medicaid expansion, which puts many governors in a tricky spot. Supporters say state leaders would be foolish to turn down enormous federal grants to expand their Medicaid rolls. Opponents say state leaders would be foolish to grow the program, putting themselves on the hook for future costs amid a wave of budget crises. (Healthwatch)
- Pray for wisdom for each state governor. The United States fiscal situation today is much different than it was in 1965, and these policies stand to make them much worse.
- "Owe no one anything except to love one another." (Romans 13:8)
10. EFFECTS ON PREVIOUS HEALTH CARE POLICIES
What are the implications of the recent Supreme Court decision for Health Savings Accounts? Not good, if the Obama Administration continues its undeclared war on HSAs.
The American Bankers Association noted in their HSA update last week that "While the political impact of the Supreme Court decision will be debated, the real-world effect on Health Savings Accounts is certain. Individuals and small businesses will discover that obtaining HSA-qualified health plans - the one thing you must have to open a health savings account - will become increasingly more difficult, a negative result for these consumers.
"Individuals and small businesses have more difficulty finding affordable coverage than any other market segment. The Affordable Care Act's many regulations make obtaining coverage harder for these consumers, not easier."
Regulations are slowly strangling HSAs. Under Obamacare, "fully insured" policies must spend at least 80 percent (small group and individual market) or 85 percent (large group market) of every premium dollar on health care related expenses (called the medical loss ratio or MLR). The remainder can be spent on administrative costs (improving health care delivery or combating fraud) and profits.
The problem is that HSAs have an MLR that is significantly lower (around 60-70 percent) by design because policyholders are paying out-of-pocket for claims before the deductible is met. (Manhattan Institute)
- Father, from the prescription drug program to health savings accounts, this law is eviscerating everything we've had in place to encourage citizens and patients to keep their own health care costs lower.
- "The LORD is in His holy temple, The LORD's throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men." (Psalm 11:4)
11. SIDE EFFECTS OF THE HEALTH CARE LAW
Federal trade regulators warned Friday that scam artists are using the healthcare law to ask for consumers' personal information over the phone.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said that the illegal activity began after the Supreme Court ruled on June 28 to uphold the vast majority of the law.
Scam artists "say they're from the government" and use the Affordable Care Act as a hook to verify information, according to an FTC alert. (Healthwatch)
- Father, as if the law as written and implemented did not provide enough trouble and confusion as it is, we still seek the rule of law in America and ask that you silence those who would add to and multiply the confusion from this law. Keep us from being distracted from seeking you. We love You.
- "He that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile." (1 Peter 3:10)
IN MEMORIAM:
A DEDICATION
Today we are dedicating this issue of On Capitol Hill This Week to the memory of one whom very few of you knew, but whom we want to honor: Virginia (Poppy) Clayborne.
Why has Poppy earned this honor? Let me explain . . .
BACKGROUND
In February, 1994, a piece of legislation was introduced that, if passed as written, would have effectively shut down the majority of home schools in the nation. This bill was numbered H.R. 6.
In an attempt to rescue the homeschoolers from the "jaws" of this bill (which would have placed undue restrictions on the right to teach our children in our homes through needless "certification" requirements), Rep. Dick Armey (R-TX) introduced an amendment to strip that language from this bill. At the time, thousands of homeschoolers (including me!) were alerted to the dangers of the passage of H.R.6, as written, and were asked to pray and take action so that the Armey Amendment would pass, thereby sparing each of us of these needless regulations.
The week that this vote was scheduled, as I prayed over this situation on the Hill, the Spirit of the Lord nudged me to go up to Congress to intercede directly over the debate and the vote on the Armey Amendment, which took place on February 24, 1994.
I immediately called several ministries in our area to see who else was going up there, but there was no one! And yet, each ministry I contacted had the same word for me: "We believe you are hearing God, and that you should be present for this vote."
And so, I was.
For one hour, I was seated in the Visitor's Gallery of the House of Representatives, praying. The debate lasted 45 minutes; and the actual vote took 15 minutes more. At that time (I later learned), no one of the experts on the Hill had expected the Armey Amendment to pass, and had assumed that the homeschoolers that day would suffer a horrible defeat.
Instead, when the final vote was tallied, 374 votes had been cast FOR passage, and only 53 voted against!
The Armey Amendment -- and the homeschoolers -- had won!
I knew in an instant that it was not "my" prayers that had made this difference, but that something bigger was going on here. It was later explained to me that when the Lord appoints a "watchman" to go forth on the field of battle, ALL THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS that had been stored up in vials in heaven (Revelation 5:8) come pouring forth THROUGH that watchman, and the victory is the Lord's!!
So, it was not "my prayers," but YOUR prayers, that won the victory that day!! I was merely a vesel in place through whom the energy of your intercession might pour forth!
So, what does all of this have to to with Poppy Clayborne?? Read on . . .
WHAT HAPPENED LATER THAT DAY
After the vote was taken, I made my way out of the Visitor's Gallery, feeling totally satisfied and comforted that the will of God had been fulfilled, and that our children might yet be "trained in the way they should go," according to Proverbs 22:6.
My husband (who had dropped me off at the Metro that morning) then picked me up that afternoon, and life went on. I had no idea that God was about to birth a vision in my heart that would change the course of my life. Instead, I made dinner for my husband and two sons, and then went off to teach a private student in her home that evening (English as a Second Language).
And finally, as I was driving home late that night, the Spirit of the Lord once again visited me. I was back up in my seat in the Visitor's Gallery, with my hands stretched out over the members, in prayer. I knew then that God desired this presence to be in place every time Congress was in session, and I also knew that He was about to raise up a team to do this -- not just me -- five days a week!
I almost drove off the road . . .
But Abba did not stop there . . .
He next showed me a vision:
I saw the Capitol Building in front of me, two hands shaking under the Capitol, and the Word of God opened up, underneath those hands.
The Lord spoke to me: "You will call this work 'Capitol Hill Prayer Partners', Partners in Prayer for the Nation." I understood then that we would be carrying your prayers into the Halls of Congress, daily.
Then I REALLY almost went off the road!
When I returned home, my family had retired, so I was free to enter into my prayer closet to seek the Word for confirmation. It came quickly:
"When the earth experiences Your judgments, The inhabitants of the world learn righteousness." (Isaiah 26:9)
"Go through, go through the gates, Clear the way for the people; Build up, build up the highway, Remove the stones, lift up a standard over the peoples." (Isaiah 62:10)
"Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle." (Psalm 24:7,8)
And so, it was finished.
But of course, I immediately doubted that I had been called to begin this great work!
ENTER POPPY
One of the very first people I called the next day to share this vision was Poppy Clayborne, my dear friend and sister in Christ for many, many years. I really needed someone to confirm this vision and to give me the courage to go forward.
That "someone" was Poppy.
We sat together that night at a Roy Rogers restaurant, and I remember weeping with her as I shared with her the burden of my heart, and told her my story.
"Poppy," I said, with tears streaming down my face, "there is no one praying in Congress! The walls are down. What should I do?"
It was Poppy Clayborne who told me that this WAS the voice of God, and that I WAS to pursue this vision and to trust Him as I began to build that wall of intercession in the Capitol!
I did not know how to run a ministry; I did not know how to even manage a "formal" organization; I just knew that I had heard God, and that there was Poppy, telling me to fully surrender to this call and to TRUST HIM to make it happen.
And so I did . . .
WHERE WE ARE NOW
Today, I am writing this message to almost 4,000 of you out there, an astounding network that Abba has built, from the ground up! The work of Capitol Hill Prayer Partners has always been "hidden in Christ on Capitol Hill," so you never see us "advertised" or "promoted" by any method of "marketing." [For this reason, we also avoid the social networking opportunities -- using Facebook, etc. -- to get the word out. We do, however, maintain a blog for public viewing.]
Instead, from that very first day, we have trusted our Lord with this work, knowing that, if He desires to make it grow, He will!! And so He has done, by working quietly through each one of you, telling others that we are in place, and inviting them to join us in prayers of agreement as, together, we pray for "all in authority" on Capitol Hill and in the nation.
Oh, and what about me not knowing how to run a ministry -- not being qualified? [That part hasn't changed, either!]
I have learned that God does not call the equipped; rather He equips the called. And so, Abba has lovingly and graciously raised up many others, each with various technical skills, to stand alongside me and to create a ministry of excellence that honors Him and carries out His will.
Thank you, team! You know who you are!!
IN CLOSING
And so, my dear Poppy, you are now dancing on streets of gold in Heaven, but back down here on earth, I simply want to say "thank you."
"Thank you for being there when I needed you, Poppy. In my heart, you represent the multitude of saints whose names will never be known on earth, but whose deeds are recorded in heaven, for the tremendous impact they have made to advance the Kingdom of God."
"Thank you, Poppy, mighty woman of God and amazing prayer warrior that you were. Soon, we will all be dancing on those streets of gold, with you in His glorious Kingdom! Amen and amen!"
Shalom, shalom, and love,
Sara
DOMESTIC ISSUES
1. TWO MORE U.S. CARRIERS, DOZENS OF MINI-SUBS RUSHED TO HORMUZ
[Ed. note: please keep praying over this topic. Thank you.]
As Russia and NATO continued to boost their military strength in the eastern Mediterranean, debkafile's military sources report substantial US reinforcements, led by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, are being rushed to the Persian Gulf opposite Iran, with dozens of unmanned underwater craft for destroying mines.
The USS John C. Stennis arrives in August, raising the number of American aircraft carriers in waters off Iran to four including the USS Enterprise and the USS Abraham Lincoln, with the French Charles de Gaulle due soon to make up a fifth.
The Eisenhower, which reached its new position in the first week of July, operates under the joint commands of the US Sixth (Mediterranean) and Fifth (Gulf) Fleets. Thursday, July 12, American military officials announced that the US is also dispatching to the Persian Gulf dozens of tiny, unmanned SeaFox submersibles that can detect and destroy mines if strewn by Iran to block the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint for transporting one-fifth of the world's oil. About 4 feet long, they each carry an underwater television camera, homing sonar and an explosive charge.
There are now additionally eight American minesweepers in the Persian Gulf as well as the USS Ponce, a platform for the special forces, helicopters and warships there to fight off Iranian marine units attempting to plant mines in the vital waterway. debkafile's military sources say that Washington decided to expand its military deployment in the area after concluding, in consultation with French and British naval experts, that Iran is short of the military strength and sophisticated measure for completely sealing off the Strait of Hormuz to all sea traffic, especially oil tankers.
All the Iranians can do is plant enough underwater mines to impede traffic and slow it down. The new, bolstered US deployment in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean is on the ready for immediate action against any Iranian military threat. "If Iran starts spreading underwater mines in international waterways, i.e., the Strait of Hormuz, it will find American forces ready to dismantle them on the spot," said a Western military source.
In any case, said the source, a slowdown of oil traffic through Hormuz won't have an immediate impact on the world oil market or prices. "The world has enough reserve oil in storage to supply its needs for six full months," said the source. (debkafile)
- Father God, we thank You for the powerful force and presence of this fully armed and ready fleet of ships that You have blessed America with. May the God of heaven be the overwhelming strength and power that will stand with America's fleet and give us the victory through our Lord and mighty God. We ask for full protection for every ship, vessel and man. 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. Lord, by Your favor You have made our people to stand strong: (Psalm 29:10-11, 30:7)
2. SUPPORT IS DECLINING FOR PASSAGE OF LOST TREATY IN THE SENATE
Law of the Sea Treaty Sinks in the Senate
Congratulations! Because of grassroots activists like you, reports are now indicating that chances are low that liberals in the Senate will have enough votes to pass the Law of the Sea treaty (LOST). This article lists 30 Senators who signed onto Senator Jim DeMint's letter declaring they will oppose the Treaty, and since the article was published Senator Mike Johanns of Nebraska and Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia announced their opposition, and just today Senators Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire and Rob Portman of Ohio issued a press release announcing their opposition. (Eagle Forum; Fox News)
- Offer praise to the Lord for this news, and continue to press in, in prayer, until LOST is totally lost. Amen.
- "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
3. U.N. CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (CRPD)
As a first step toward ratifying CRPD - a controversial United Nations resolution - the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing last week on how to care for disabled people. If two-thirds of the senators choose to ratify it, the treaty would become binding, and supersede all existing federal and state laws concerning parental rights, said Michael Farris, chairman of the Home School Legal Defense Association, who testified at the hearing.
The changes to American law that will be required to comply with the provisions of this treaty are profound and utterly unacceptable," he said. "Specifically, the changes regarding the rights of parents who have children with disabilities - which includes thousands of homeschooling families - are absolutely inconsistent with the basic constitutional principles of parental rights. "The ratification of this treaty would constitute the most dangerous departure from the principles of American sovereignty and personal liberty in the history of the United States Senate."
President Obama signed the CRPD in 2009, and sent it to the Senate in mid-May for ratification.
Last week Senator John Kerry announced that he will hold a Committee vote on CRPD this Thursday, July 19, 2012, and declared that the Senate will pass the Treaty by July 26th. This is an unprecedented attempt to jam a binding international treaty through the Senate without proper time for debate or consideration. We must not let it happen! We need you to call both of your Senators and tell them to vote NO on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities or any other Treaty that comes to the Senate floor this year. Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 (Eagle Forum)
- Father God, this treaty would constitute the most dangerous departure from the principles of American sovereignty and personal liberty in the history of the United States Senate. We ask that You would call forth Your warrior angels to be dispatched and come to the earth and deal with every individual that would favor this treaty, rendering them totally powerless to act. This is sealed by the Name and Blood of Jesus.
- "Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob (America); Is it not for you to know judgment? Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones. Thus says the Lord concerning the leaders that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that puts not into their mouths, they even prepare war against us. Therefore night shall be unto you, that you shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that you shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the leaders, and the day shall be dark over them." (Micah 3:1-6)
4. MORE REPUBLICANS GO ON RECORD TO OPPOSE UN SMALL ARMS TREATY
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been pushing hard for the small arms treaty at the United Nations, which critics say would impose international gun control measures on U.S. citizens. The treaty would also hamper efforts by the United States to help arm its allies who face growing dangers from oppressive governments around the world.
Fifty-eight senators, including 11 Democrats, have signed a letter opposing the treaty.
The press secretary for Senate Minority Leader McConnell told this reporter that the senator does not expect the small arms treaty to gain sufficient traction to pass.
But Obama made headlines recently when he told a group of reporters that he is working behind the scenes to implement gun control "under the radar." (The Examiner) Read more.
- Continue to press in, in prayer, until this treaty, like LOST, disappears.
- "Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; Speak the word, but it will not stand, For God is with us." (Isaiah 8:10)
5. U.N. ARMS TREATY COULD PUT U.S. GUNOWNERS IN FOREIGN SIGHTS, SAY CRITICS
A treaty being hammered out this month at the United Nations -- with Iran playing a key role -- could expose the records of America's gun owners to foreign governments -- and, critics warn, eventually put the Second Amendment on global trial.
International talks in New York are going on throughout July on the final wording of the so-called Arms Trade Treaty, which supporters such as Amnesty International USA say would rein in unregulated weapons that kill an estimated 1,500 people daily around the world. But critics, including the National Rifle Association's Wayne LaPierre, warn the treaty would mark a major step toward the eventual erosion of the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment gun-ownership rights.
Americans "just don't want the UN to be acting as a global nanny with a global permission slip stating whether they can own a gun or not," LaPierre said. "It cheapens our rights as American citizens, and weakens our sovereignty," he warned in an exclusive interview with FoxNews.com from the halls of the UN negotiating chambers. (Fox News) Read more.
- Using the "weapons of our warfare," ask our Lord to forgive Barack Hussein Obama for pursuing this course of action, and continue to decree that this treaty, now scheduled for a vote in the Senate on July 27, would come to naught. In Jesus' name, amen.
- "We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments." (2 Corinthians 10:4 NLT)
6. SENATE DEMOCRATS SHOOT DOWN OBAMA TAX PLAN
Wednesday saw Senate Democrats block a vote on Barack Obama's proposal to raise taxes on those earning more than $250,000. The move by the senators came as Senate Republicans put forth, not one but, two votes: one was to extend the Bush tax cuts and the other was to raise taxes per the words of Barack Obama.
"My recommendation is we give the president what he asked for," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The Republicans finally put Democrats in a position where they demonstrated that even Democrats realize that the tax cuts are good and should be extended to all Americans. The senators were caught between a rock and a hard place but not because it was a difficult choice. Rather it is because of political pandering in an election year.
While Senator Harry Reid pointed the finger at Republicans trying to obstruct Obama's tax plan, the Republicans were calling for the vote! Reid said, "The program of the Republicans in the Senate has been to divert and deny and obstruct. I asked the presiding officer when we started what are we doing here today? We're on a small business jobs bill. A pretty simple piece of legislation but extremely important."
. . . The Republicans were not going to let Senate Democrats get away with this. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) said, "It's mind-boggling to me, Senate democratic leadership turned down an opportunity to vote on President Obama's tax increase bill . . . it tells us that the president's tax increase plan is not just an economic disaster, it's a political loser. And they know it. It tells us in spite of the big talking from the president's Chicago reelection campaign about evil Republicans who want to extend all of the 2001 and 2003 tax relief, vulnerable members of the Senate's Democratic conference do not want to be anywhere near the president's tax increase alternative."
So what we have here is that the party seems to be in a conflict with their leader. Obama can't seem to get a vote out of them for what they want to do about taxes and tax cuts. I could give them some advice and just tell Barack Obama to take a flying leap, but I doubt it would do any good as too many Democrats have already hitched their horse to Obama's cart. Now they can just be seen for what they truly are: They are those that put a worthless jobs bill, bigger government and their own political careers before letting the American people keep more of their hard earned dollars. (Freedom Outpost) Read more.
- Father, we thank You for moving among the Democrats and Republicans by bringing them to the Lord's table to vote according to the will of God. We trust You Lord to step in the middle of all the bills that will come forth, from now until the election, and take the blinders off the Republicans, Democrats, Congress, Senate and let them see the heinous hidden aspects of it all. Open eyes to see, ears to hear, mouths to speak the truth and not back down. Disassociate them from this administration and all the lies and fraudulent claims and keep them in the perfect will of the Lord. Thank you, Father. In Jesus' Name.
- "In all things showing yourself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, soundness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." (Titus 2:7-8)
7. FOREIGN SPYING AGAINST U.S. COMPANIES ON THE RISE: FBI REPORT
Driven in part by the global financial crisis, foreign intelligence services, corporations and computer hackers have stepped up efforts to steal technology and trade secrets from American companies, the FBI's top spy hunter told Congress on Thursday. A related threat - illegal sales of U.S. technology - was highlighted when a major military contractor, United Technologies Corp., and two subsidiary units agreed in federal court to pay a $75-million fine for illegally selling embargoed software and components to China that the country used to build a sophisticated attack helicopter called the Z-10. U.S. officials said Thursday that the fine and other penalties would settle criminal and administrative charges against United Technologies, which is based in Hartford, Conn., and its subsidiaries, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Hamilton Sundstrand. The U.S. prohibits the exporting to China ofU.S. military equipment and technology. Foreign efforts to obtain U.S. technology in violation of U.S. law are not new, but the cost is rising and is a threat to national security, said C. Frank Figliuzzi, who heads the FBI's counterintelligence division. He said U.S. companies have suffered more than $13 billion in losses from economic espionage in the current fiscal year. "What we're seeing is that foreign nations and their intelligence services are understanding more than ever before that it's cheaper to steal our technology than to use their budget resources in this time of economic crisis to develop it themselves," Figliuzzi told the intelligence subcommittee of the House homeland security committee.
Computer hackers operating from abroad use increasingly sophisticated attacks to infiltrate corporate networks and siphon out intellectual property secrets. But so-called insiders - employees or contractors who steal documents, or download files onto portable media - are responsible for a growing percentage of cases. In February, for example, a federal grand jury indicted a San Francisco couple and others suspected of conspiring to steal trade secrets from DuPont for a Chinese state-owned company. Figliuzzi said it was the first U.S. criminal case alleging state-sponsored economic spying. (Los Angeles Times) Read more.
- Father God, we ask You to give Americans a witty invention that will protect us from any and all hackers who attempt to access our technology and trade secrets. Give our people the intelligence from the mind of God that no evil minds can grasp and give us a true-heart to not sell our material to our enemy nations. God, we bind lawlessness in the United States under the blood of Jesus Christ and economic espionage from being a threat. Cut this into shreds. Protect unwitting companies in the U.S. by alerting them to the deceitfulness of major playing thieves in this corrupted market. God, send angels into all the associated companies to be extremely alert when they are hiring people so they not fall victim to so-called insiders - employees or contractors who steal documents, or download files onto portable media. God, impart a special intelligence that will give the American companies the knowledge of how to pursue the people behind cyber spying from abroad. Catch the thief and make him pay that justice may prevail. We ask protection by the blood of Jesus and in His Name we pray.
- "There shall you be delivered: there the Lord shall redeem you from the hand of your enemies. Now also many nations are gathered against you, but they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they His counsel: for He shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor. You shall beat in pieces many people: and God will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth." (Micah 4:10-13)
8. TREASURY PROBE: OFFICIALS SOLICITED PROSTITUTES, ACCEPTED INDUSTRY GIFTS
Treasury Department officials have been cited for soliciting prostitutes, breaking conflict-of-interest rules and accepting gifts from corporate executives, according to the findings of official government investigations.
The revelations of unethical behavior at Treasury are detailed in little-noticed documents posted this month on governmentattic.org, which publishes agency responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
While it is not uncommon for departments within the executive branch to have personnel issues, it is unusual for these types of documents to become public. They provide a rare glimpse of internal probes within the Treasury Department, exposing different episodes of misconduct.
Investigators at the Treasury's Office of Inspector General (OIG), which responds to tips and official referrals from within the department, found that employees had engaged in unethical, and perhaps criminal, conduct. (The Hill) Read more.
- Here we go again. In this hour, when God is clearly judging the nations, every hidden thing is being revealed and all is being exposed. Clearly, Abba is answering our prayers that we, as a people, would "clean house" before Him. Pray for those who are guilty of these acts, and ask our Lord to bring them to repentance. This is not the time to be found in sin before our Holy God. Amen.
- "Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off." (Psalm 37:37,38)
9. VOTER PURGE EFFORTS LIKELY TO SPREAD AFTER FLORIDA VICTORY
Florida election officials will have access to a federal database to help purge its voter rolls of non-citizens under an agreement reached between state and federal officials and welcomed on Saturday by Florida's Republican governor.
Florida and federal officials have been battling over access to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database for several weeks. Florida filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security to gain access to the database. The state was hit by a lawsuit from the U.S. Justice Department seeking to stop the purge.
Now other states are expected to ask for access to the database so they too can check their rolls. Some state governments have sought access to the federal database for years. Federal officials told Washington state back in 2005 they saw no way to compare voters and the Homeland Security information. (Newsmax) Read more.
- Praise You Heavenly Father, for this favorable ruling allowing a national database to be used to make sure those who vote are citizens in good standing. We declare in the name of Jesus that this will allow other states to do the same thing and we call down all attempts to characterize Voter ID as a ruse to hinder minorities from voting. Lord, we pray wise men will prevail in this issue in Texas and other states.
- "Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men." (2 Corinthians 8:21)
10. TEXAS, JUSTICE SQUARE OFF OVER VOTER ID LAW
The state of Texas and the Justice Department gave opening statements Monday in a trial over Texas' new voter ID law, setting the stage for a legal battle over the federal Voting Rights Act. At issue is a 2011 law that requires voters to show photo identification when they head to the polls. The state argued Monday that the law represents the will of the people and does not run afoul of the Voting Rights Act, passed in 1965 to ensure minorities' right to vote. (Washington Times) Read more. [Reported by Intercessors for America]
- Pray for the individuals involved in this legal battle over the Texas voter ID law. Ask God to grant decisions that would reflect an appreciation for the privilege of voting in the United States. Intercede for fairness, honesty and discernment, and for conscientious witnesses and legislators to speak with insight and aspire to accuracy.
- "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." (Luke 16:10)
11. NDAA 2013 MOVING THROUGH CONGRESS; MORE DANGEROUS THAN NDAA 2012
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 (NDAA) is making its way through Congress, and if it is in any way different from last year's unconstitutional onslaught against the American public, it is only for the worse.
Last year, Congress overwhelmingly passed and Barack Hussein Obama signed into law the most egregious assault on due process rights in the nation's history. The NDAA of 2012 gave Obama unlimited authority to have members of the U.S. military detain any American citizen he suspected of posing a potential threat to the United States. According to the Act, such citizens face an indefinite period of imprisonment with no right of habeas corpus, no right to trial, no right to present proof of innocence, and no method of appeal.
- "And when we cried unto the Lord God of our fathers, the Lord heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression. And the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand , and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:" (Deuteronomy 26:7-8)
12. PROOF THAT TERRORISTS ARE ENTERING U.S. FROM MEXICAN BORDER
Evidence has been discovered that terrorists are crossing into the U.S. from the Mexican border. The Federal Government is trying to to keep this alarming discovery secret. To view the video, showing this evidence, go here. (The Center for Western Journalism)
- Our Heavenly Father, we pray for an outcry from citizens about the porous border and the people sneaking across that have destructive plans for America. Please station angels along our border to turn back those who would harm us. We ask that our government officials would heed the warnings of various agencies and put in place Border Patrol agents to catch those who should not be here.
- "Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within they borders: but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise." (Isaiah 60:18) " . . . thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders." (Micah 5:6b)
Special report from Mike Evans
Jerusalem Prayer Team
This morning I was led to share an update on the likelihood of war in the Middle East with you. From my contacts in Washington, Jerusalem and around the world, and interviews with more than fifty military, economic and political leaders, I believe that war is very close. Let me show you the meaning of current events that you won't hear from the liberal media.
Iran's atomic program has reached critical status. A report published in the Washington Post last November stated unequivocally that Iranian scientists have grasped the essential steps required to produce a nuclear weapon. Assistance from other countries has made it possible for them to surmount the fundamental technical issues that would allow the production of an atomic device.
Israel has an open window for an attack on Iran's nuclear production facilities, but that window will rapidly close. I believe the most likely time for such an attack is sometime between September 15th and October 15th. There are a number of reasons why this could happen. The presidential election in America is one factor that plays heavily in the timing of any attack. Another indicator is the massive buildup of US forces in the region.
In recent days, a third aircraft carrier battle group has been assigned to join the two already operating in the Middle East. The Navy has sent advanced submersible anti-mine vehicles and drones to the region. An F-22 Air Force squadron has been positioned in the Gulf, and two Army brigades are stationed in Kuwait. None of these moves guarantees a war, but these are the steps that would be taken to prepare for one.
Israel required only six days in 1967 to repel an attack by Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. With Russian warships currently off the coast of Syria and Iran's capability to launch missiles that can reach inside Israel, an extra day may be needed for the Israeli Defense Forces to subdue her enemies this time-a Seven-Day War. And don't discount a repeat of the miraculous events which transpired during the Six-Day War-an armed force of 100,000 men supplied with the very best Russian tanks, cannons, rockets, and fighter jets was destroyed in just two days. Israeli soldiers could only respond to those happenings by saying it was, "The finger of God."
War could be prevented by strong US action against Iran, but at this point, that will only come as God changes the hearts of our leaders. And we must be faithful and diligent in our prayers to that end. . .
PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MARY MURPHY
THE SIGNS OF WAR ARE IN THE AIR IN THE MIDDLE EAST. WE WILL NOT ESCAPE THIS WHEN IT HAPPENS.
- WE MUST CONTINUE TO PRAY THAT GOD WILL INTERVENE FOR ISRAEL AS HE HAS DONE SO MANY TIMES BEFORE. - PRAY FOR WISDOM FOR THE ISRAELI AND AMERICAN LEADERSHIP.
- PRAY FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TO BE PROTECTED DURING THIS TIME AS WAR MAY BEGIN SOON. - MORE THAN ANYTIME IN THE RECENT HISTORY---PRAY FOR THE LOST TO COME TO KNOW THEIR SAVIOR.
Blessings, Mary
Amen, Mary! WE AGREE!!
Do You Like Our New Look?
You may have noticed by now that, each week, we are adding a new section to our "OCAP" -- a special issue to focus on one issue only: The Health Care Act.
We feel that, for the remainder of this election year, this one issue will supercede most others, so we desire to give the Health Care Act the full, detailed attention it deserves.
And so, for the rest of this year (at least), you will see three issues of the OCAP each week:
a. ISRAEL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS
b. THE HEALTH CARE ACT (Obamacare)
c. DOMESTIC ISSUES
We thank you for your continued support of our faith-based ministry. Without your prayers, and your gifts, we would not be here!!
In His Grace,
Sara C. Ballenger, Founder and President
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
GOD OF OUR COMFORT
(Eh-lo-hay Khawl Na-kha-mah)
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort . . ." (2 Corinthians 1:3)
What a comfort to know You, the God of all comfort. No matter what my afflictions, Your comfort is greater. Thank You that, in the midst of a storm, You are my peace, my Shalom, oh God of all comfort, amen.
"I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High." (Psalm 7:17)
(Taken from: Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God, by Barri Cae Malin and Shmuel Wolkenfeld; Bridge-Logos Publishers; Gainesville, FL, 32614. ISBN: 0-88270-801-5)
A DEDICATION
Today we are dedicating this issue of On Capitol Hill This Week to the memory of one whom very few of you knew, but whom we want to honor: Virginia (Poppy) Clayborne.
Why has Poppy earned this honor? Let me explain . . .
BACKGROUND
In February, 1994, a piece of legislation was introduced that, if passed as written, would have effectively shut down the majority of home schools in the nation. This bill was numbered H.R. 6.
In an attempt to rescue the homeschoolers from the "jaws" of this bill (which would have placed undue restrictions on the right to teach our children in our homes through needless "certification" requirements), Rep. Dick Armey (R-TX) introduced an amendment to strip that language from this bill. At the time, thousands of homeschoolers (including me!) were alerted to the dangers of the passage of H.R.6, as written, and were asked to pray and take action so that the Armey Amendment would pass, thereby sparing each of us of these needless regulations.
The week that this vote was scheduled, as I prayed over this situation on the Hill, the Spirit of the Lord nudged me to go up to Congress to intercede directly over the debate and the vote on the Armey Amendment, which took place on February 24, 1994.
I immediately called several ministries in our area to see who else was going up there, but there was no one! And yet, each ministry I contacted had the same word for me: "We believe you are hearing God, and that you should be present for this vote."
And so, I was.
For one hour, I was seated in the Visitor's Gallery of the House of Representatives, praying. The debate lasted 45 minutes; and the actual vote took 15 minutes more. At that time (I later learned), no one of the experts on the Hill had expected the Armey Amendment to pass, and had assumed that the homeschoolers that day would suffer a horrible defeat.
Instead, when the final vote was tallied, 374 votes had been cast FOR passage, and only 53 voted against!
The Armey Amendment -- and the homeschoolers -- had won!
I knew in an instant that it was not "my" prayers that had made this difference, but that something bigger was going on here. It was later explained to me that when the Lord appoints a "watchman" to go forth on the field of battle, ALL THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS that had been stored up in vials in heaven (Revelation 5:8) come pouring forth THROUGH that watchman, and the victory is the Lord's!!
So, it was not "my prayers," but YOUR prayers, that won the victory that day!! I was merely a vesel in place through whom the energy of your intercession might pour forth!
So, what does all of this have to to with Poppy Clayborne?? Read on . . .
WHAT HAPPENED LATER THAT DAY
After the vote was taken, I made my way out of the Visitor's Gallery, feeling totally satisfied and comforted that the will of God had been fulfilled, and that our children might yet be "trained in the way they should go," according to Proverbs 22:6.
My husband (who had dropped me off at the Metro that morning) then picked me up that afternoon, and life went on. I had no idea that God was about to birth a vision in my heart that would change the course of my life. Instead, I made dinner for my husband and two sons, and then went off to teach a private student in her home that evening (English as a Second Language).
And finally, as I was driving home late that night, the Spirit of the Lord once again visited me. I was back up in my seat in the Visitor's Gallery, with my hands stretched out over the members, in prayer. I knew then that God desired this presence to be in place every time Congress was in session, and I also knew that He was about to raise up a team to do this -- not just me -- five days a week!
I almost drove off the road . . .
But Abba did not stop there . . .
He next showed me a vision:
I saw the Capitol Building in front of me, two hands shaking under the Capitol, and the Word of God opened up, underneath those hands.
The Lord spoke to me: "You will call this work 'Capitol Hill Prayer Partners', Partners in Prayer for the Nation." I understood then that we would be carrying your prayers into the Halls of Congress, daily.
Then I REALLY almost went off the road!
When I returned home, my family had retired, so I was free to enter into my prayer closet to seek the Word for confirmation. It came quickly:
"When the earth experiences Your judgments, The inhabitants of the world learn righteousness." (Isaiah 26:9)
"Go through, go through the gates, Clear the way for the people; Build up, build up the highway, Remove the stones, lift up a standard over the peoples." (Isaiah 62:10)
"Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle." (Psalm 24:7,8)
And so, it was finished.
But of course, I immediately doubted that I had been called to begin this great work!
ENTER POPPY
One of the very first people I called the next day to share this vision was Poppy Clayborne, my dear friend and sister in Christ for many, many years. I really needed someone to confirm this vision and to give me the courage to go forward.
That "someone" was Poppy.
We sat together that night at a Roy Rogers restaurant, and I remember weeping with her as I shared with her the burden of my heart, and told her my story.
"Poppy," I said, with tears streaming down my face, "there is no one praying in Congress! The walls are down. What should I do?"
It was Poppy Clayborne who told me that this WAS the voice of God, and that I WAS to pursue this vision and to trust Him as I began to build that wall of intercession in the Capitol!
I did not know how to run a ministry; I did not know how to even manage a "formal" organization; I just knew that I had heard God, and that there was Poppy, telling me to fully surrender to this call and to TRUST HIM to make it happen.
And so I did . . .
WHERE WE ARE NOW
Today, I am writing this message to almost 4,000 of you out there, an astounding network that Abba has built, from the ground up! The work of Capitol Hill Prayer Partners has always been "hidden in Christ on Capitol Hill," so you never see us "advertised" or "promoted" by any method of "marketing." [For this reason, we also avoid the social networking opportunities -- using Facebook, etc. -- to get the word out. We do, however, maintain a blog for public viewing.]
Instead, from that very first day, we have trusted our Lord with this work, knowing that, if He desires to make it grow, He will!! And so He has done, by working quietly through each one of you, telling others that we are in place, and inviting them to join us in prayers of agreement as, together, we pray for "all in authority" on Capitol Hill and in the nation.
Oh, and what about me not knowing how to run a ministry -- not being qualified? [That part hasn't changed, either!]
I have learned that God does not call the equipped; rather He equips the called. And so, Abba has lovingly and graciously raised up many others, each with various technical skills, to stand alongside me and to create a ministry of excellence that honors Him and carries out His will.
Thank you, team! You know who you are!!
IN CLOSING
And so, my dear Poppy, you are now dancing on streets of gold in Heaven, but back down here on earth, I simply want to say "thank you."
"Thank you for being there when I needed you, Poppy. In my heart, you represent the multitude of saints whose names will never be known on earth, but whose deeds are recorded in heaven, for the tremendous impact they have made to advance the Kingdom of God."
"Thank you, Poppy, mighty woman of God and amazing prayer warrior that you were. Soon, we will all be dancing on those streets of gold, with you in His glorious Kingdom! Amen and amen!"
Shalom, shalom, and love,
Sara
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On Capitol Hill This Week: Vol. XIX, No. 18c
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DOMESTIC ISSUES
- TWO MORE U.S. CARRIERS, DOZENS OF MINI-SUBS RUSHED TO HORMUZ
- SUPPORT IS DECLINING FOR PASSAGE OF LOST TREATY IN THE SENATE
- U.N. CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (CRPD)
- MORE REPUBLICANS GO ON THE RECORD TO OPPOSE UN SMALL ARMS TREATY
- U.N. ARMS TREATY COULD PUT U.S. GUNOWNERS IN FOREIGN SIGHTS, SAY CRITICS
- SENATE DEMOCRATS SHOOT DOWN OBAMA TAX PLAN
- FOREIGN SPYING AGAINST U.S. COMPANIES ON THE RISE: FBI REPORT
- TREASURY PROBE: OFFICIALS SOLICITED PROSTITUTES, ACCEPTED INDUSTRY GIFTS
- VOTER PURGE EFFORTS LIKELY TO SPREAD AFTER FLORIDA VICTORY
- TEXAS, JUSTICE SQUARE OFF OVER VOTER ID LAW
- NDAA 2013 MOVING THROUGH CONGRESS; MORE DANGEROUS THAN NDAA 2012
- PROOF THAT TERRORISTS ARE ENTERING U.S. FROM MEXICAN BORDER
1. TWO MORE U.S. CARRIERS, DOZENS OF MINI-SUBS RUSHED TO HORMUZ
[Ed. note: please keep praying over this topic. Thank you.]
As Russia and NATO continued to boost their military strength in the eastern Mediterranean, debkafile's military sources report substantial US reinforcements, led by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, are being rushed to the Persian Gulf opposite Iran, with dozens of unmanned underwater craft for destroying mines.
The USS John C. Stennis arrives in August, raising the number of American aircraft carriers in waters off Iran to four including the USS Enterprise and the USS Abraham Lincoln, with the French Charles de Gaulle due soon to make up a fifth.
The Eisenhower, which reached its new position in the first week of July, operates under the joint commands of the US Sixth (Mediterranean) and Fifth (Gulf) Fleets. Thursday, July 12, American military officials announced that the US is also dispatching to the Persian Gulf dozens of tiny, unmanned SeaFox submersibles that can detect and destroy mines if strewn by Iran to block the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint for transporting one-fifth of the world's oil. About 4 feet long, they each carry an underwater television camera, homing sonar and an explosive charge.
There are now additionally eight American minesweepers in the Persian Gulf as well as the USS Ponce, a platform for the special forces, helicopters and warships there to fight off Iranian marine units attempting to plant mines in the vital waterway. debkafile's military sources say that Washington decided to expand its military deployment in the area after concluding, in consultation with French and British naval experts, that Iran is short of the military strength and sophisticated measure for completely sealing off the Strait of Hormuz to all sea traffic, especially oil tankers.
All the Iranians can do is plant enough underwater mines to impede traffic and slow it down. The new, bolstered US deployment in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean is on the ready for immediate action against any Iranian military threat. "If Iran starts spreading underwater mines in international waterways, i.e., the Strait of Hormuz, it will find American forces ready to dismantle them on the spot," said a Western military source.
In any case, said the source, a slowdown of oil traffic through Hormuz won't have an immediate impact on the world oil market or prices. "The world has enough reserve oil in storage to supply its needs for six full months," said the source. (debkafile)
- Father God, we thank You for the powerful force and presence of this fully armed and ready fleet of ships that You have blessed America with. May the God of heaven be the overwhelming strength and power that will stand with America's fleet and give us the victory through our Lord and mighty God. We ask for full protection for every ship, vessel and man. 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. Lord, by Your favor You have made our people to stand strong: (Psalm 29:10-11, 30:7)
2. SUPPORT IS DECLINING FOR PASSAGE OF LOST TREATY IN THE SENATE
Law of the Sea Treaty Sinks in the Senate
Congratulations! Because of grassroots activists like you, reports are now indicating that chances are low that liberals in the Senate will have enough votes to pass the Law of the Sea treaty (LOST). This article lists 30 Senators who signed onto Senator Jim DeMint's letter declaring they will oppose the Treaty, and since the article was published Senator Mike Johanns of Nebraska and Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia announced their opposition, and just today Senators Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire and Rob Portman of Ohio issued a press release announcing their opposition. (Eagle Forum; Fox News)
- Offer praise to the Lord for this news, and continue to press in, in prayer, until LOST is totally lost. Amen.
- "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
3. U.N. CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (CRPD)
As a first step toward ratifying CRPD - a controversial United Nations resolution - the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing last week on how to care for disabled people. If two-thirds of the senators choose to ratify it, the treaty would become binding, and supersede all existing federal and state laws concerning parental rights, said Michael Farris, chairman of the Home School Legal Defense Association, who testified at the hearing.
The changes to American law that will be required to comply with the provisions of this treaty are profound and utterly unacceptable," he said. "Specifically, the changes regarding the rights of parents who have children with disabilities - which includes thousands of homeschooling families - are absolutely inconsistent with the basic constitutional principles of parental rights. "The ratification of this treaty would constitute the most dangerous departure from the principles of American sovereignty and personal liberty in the history of the United States Senate."
President Obama signed the CRPD in 2009, and sent it to the Senate in mid-May for ratification.
Last week Senator John Kerry announced that he will hold a Committee vote on CRPD this Thursday, July 19, 2012, and declared that the Senate will pass the Treaty by July 26th. This is an unprecedented attempt to jam a binding international treaty through the Senate without proper time for debate or consideration. We must not let it happen! We need you to call both of your Senators and tell them to vote NO on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities or any other Treaty that comes to the Senate floor this year. Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 (Eagle Forum)
- Father God, this treaty would constitute the most dangerous departure from the principles of American sovereignty and personal liberty in the history of the United States Senate. We ask that You would call forth Your warrior angels to be dispatched and come to the earth and deal with every individual that would favor this treaty, rendering them totally powerless to act. This is sealed by the Name and Blood of Jesus.
- "Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob (America); Is it not for you to know judgment? Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones. Thus says the Lord concerning the leaders that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that puts not into their mouths, they even prepare war against us. Therefore night shall be unto you, that you shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that you shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the leaders, and the day shall be dark over them." (Micah 3:1-6)
4. MORE REPUBLICANS GO ON RECORD TO OPPOSE UN SMALL ARMS TREATY
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been pushing hard for the small arms treaty at the United Nations, which critics say would impose international gun control measures on U.S. citizens. The treaty would also hamper efforts by the United States to help arm its allies who face growing dangers from oppressive governments around the world.
Fifty-eight senators, including 11 Democrats, have signed a letter opposing the treaty.
The press secretary for Senate Minority Leader McConnell told this reporter that the senator does not expect the small arms treaty to gain sufficient traction to pass.
But Obama made headlines recently when he told a group of reporters that he is working behind the scenes to implement gun control "under the radar." (The Examiner) Read more.
- Continue to press in, in prayer, until this treaty, like LOST, disappears.
- "Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; Speak the word, but it will not stand, For God is with us." (Isaiah 8:10)
5. U.N. ARMS TREATY COULD PUT U.S. GUNOWNERS IN FOREIGN SIGHTS, SAY CRITICS
A treaty being hammered out this month at the United Nations -- with Iran playing a key role -- could expose the records of America's gun owners to foreign governments -- and, critics warn, eventually put the Second Amendment on global trial.
International talks in New York are going on throughout July on the final wording of the so-called Arms Trade Treaty, which supporters such as Amnesty International USA say would rein in unregulated weapons that kill an estimated 1,500 people daily around the world. But critics, including the National Rifle Association's Wayne LaPierre, warn the treaty would mark a major step toward the eventual erosion of the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment gun-ownership rights.
Americans "just don't want the UN to be acting as a global nanny with a global permission slip stating whether they can own a gun or not," LaPierre said. "It cheapens our rights as American citizens, and weakens our sovereignty," he warned in an exclusive interview with FoxNews.com from the halls of the UN negotiating chambers. (Fox News) Read more.
- Using the "weapons of our warfare," ask our Lord to forgive Barack Hussein Obama for pursuing this course of action, and continue to decree that this treaty, now scheduled for a vote in the Senate on July 27, would come to naught. In Jesus' name, amen.
- "We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments." (2 Corinthians 10:4 NLT)
6. SENATE DEMOCRATS SHOOT DOWN OBAMA TAX PLAN
Wednesday saw Senate Democrats block a vote on Barack Obama's proposal to raise taxes on those earning more than $250,000. The move by the senators came as Senate Republicans put forth, not one but, two votes: one was to extend the Bush tax cuts and the other was to raise taxes per the words of Barack Obama.
"My recommendation is we give the president what he asked for," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The Republicans finally put Democrats in a position where they demonstrated that even Democrats realize that the tax cuts are good and should be extended to all Americans. The senators were caught between a rock and a hard place but not because it was a difficult choice. Rather it is because of political pandering in an election year.
While Senator Harry Reid pointed the finger at Republicans trying to obstruct Obama's tax plan, the Republicans were calling for the vote! Reid said, "The program of the Republicans in the Senate has been to divert and deny and obstruct. I asked the presiding officer when we started what are we doing here today? We're on a small business jobs bill. A pretty simple piece of legislation but extremely important."
. . . The Republicans were not going to let Senate Democrats get away with this. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) said, "It's mind-boggling to me, Senate democratic leadership turned down an opportunity to vote on President Obama's tax increase bill . . . it tells us that the president's tax increase plan is not just an economic disaster, it's a political loser. And they know it. It tells us in spite of the big talking from the president's Chicago reelection campaign about evil Republicans who want to extend all of the 2001 and 2003 tax relief, vulnerable members of the Senate's Democratic conference do not want to be anywhere near the president's tax increase alternative."
So what we have here is that the party seems to be in a conflict with their leader. Obama can't seem to get a vote out of them for what they want to do about taxes and tax cuts. I could give them some advice and just tell Barack Obama to take a flying leap, but I doubt it would do any good as too many Democrats have already hitched their horse to Obama's cart. Now they can just be seen for what they truly are: They are those that put a worthless jobs bill, bigger government and their own political careers before letting the American people keep more of their hard earned dollars. (Freedom Outpost) Read more.
- Father, we thank You for moving among the Democrats and Republicans by bringing them to the Lord's table to vote according to the will of God. We trust You Lord to step in the middle of all the bills that will come forth, from now until the election, and take the blinders off the Republicans, Democrats, Congress, Senate and let them see the heinous hidden aspects of it all. Open eyes to see, ears to hear, mouths to speak the truth and not back down. Disassociate them from this administration and all the lies and fraudulent claims and keep them in the perfect will of the Lord. Thank you, Father. In Jesus' Name.
- "In all things showing yourself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, soundness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." (Titus 2:7-8)
7. FOREIGN SPYING AGAINST U.S. COMPANIES ON THE RISE: FBI REPORT
Driven in part by the global financial crisis, foreign intelligence services, corporations and computer hackers have stepped up efforts to steal technology and trade secrets from American companies, the FBI's top spy hunter told Congress on Thursday. A related threat - illegal sales of U.S. technology - was highlighted when a major military contractor, United Technologies Corp., and two subsidiary units agreed in federal court to pay a $75-million fine for illegally selling embargoed software and components to China that the country used to build a sophisticated attack helicopter called the Z-10. U.S. officials said Thursday that the fine and other penalties would settle criminal and administrative charges against United Technologies, which is based in Hartford, Conn., and its subsidiaries, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Hamilton Sundstrand. The U.S. prohibits the exporting to China ofU.S. military equipment and technology. Foreign efforts to obtain U.S. technology in violation of U.S. law are not new, but the cost is rising and is a threat to national security, said C. Frank Figliuzzi, who heads the FBI's counterintelligence division. He said U.S. companies have suffered more than $13 billion in losses from economic espionage in the current fiscal year. "What we're seeing is that foreign nations and their intelligence services are understanding more than ever before that it's cheaper to steal our technology than to use their budget resources in this time of economic crisis to develop it themselves," Figliuzzi told the intelligence subcommittee of the House homeland security committee.
Computer hackers operating from abroad use increasingly sophisticated attacks to infiltrate corporate networks and siphon out intellectual property secrets. But so-called insiders - employees or contractors who steal documents, or download files onto portable media - are responsible for a growing percentage of cases. In February, for example, a federal grand jury indicted a San Francisco couple and others suspected of conspiring to steal trade secrets from DuPont for a Chinese state-owned company. Figliuzzi said it was the first U.S. criminal case alleging state-sponsored economic spying. (Los Angeles Times) Read more.
- Father God, we ask You to give Americans a witty invention that will protect us from any and all hackers who attempt to access our technology and trade secrets. Give our people the intelligence from the mind of God that no evil minds can grasp and give us a true-heart to not sell our material to our enemy nations. God, we bind lawlessness in the United States under the blood of Jesus Christ and economic espionage from being a threat. Cut this into shreds. Protect unwitting companies in the U.S. by alerting them to the deceitfulness of major playing thieves in this corrupted market. God, send angels into all the associated companies to be extremely alert when they are hiring people so they not fall victim to so-called insiders - employees or contractors who steal documents, or download files onto portable media. God, impart a special intelligence that will give the American companies the knowledge of how to pursue the people behind cyber spying from abroad. Catch the thief and make him pay that justice may prevail. We ask protection by the blood of Jesus and in His Name we pray.
- "There shall you be delivered: there the Lord shall redeem you from the hand of your enemies. Now also many nations are gathered against you, but they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they His counsel: for He shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor. You shall beat in pieces many people: and God will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth." (Micah 4:10-13)
8. TREASURY PROBE: OFFICIALS SOLICITED PROSTITUTES, ACCEPTED INDUSTRY GIFTS
Treasury Department officials have been cited for soliciting prostitutes, breaking conflict-of-interest rules and accepting gifts from corporate executives, according to the findings of official government investigations.
The revelations of unethical behavior at Treasury are detailed in little-noticed documents posted this month on governmentattic.org, which publishes agency responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
While it is not uncommon for departments within the executive branch to have personnel issues, it is unusual for these types of documents to become public. They provide a rare glimpse of internal probes within the Treasury Department, exposing different episodes of misconduct.
Investigators at the Treasury's Office of Inspector General (OIG), which responds to tips and official referrals from within the department, found that employees had engaged in unethical, and perhaps criminal, conduct. (The Hill) Read more.
- Here we go again. In this hour, when God is clearly judging the nations, every hidden thing is being revealed and all is being exposed. Clearly, Abba is answering our prayers that we, as a people, would "clean house" before Him. Pray for those who are guilty of these acts, and ask our Lord to bring them to repentance. This is not the time to be found in sin before our Holy God. Amen.
- "Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off." (Psalm 37:37,38)
9. VOTER PURGE EFFORTS LIKELY TO SPREAD AFTER FLORIDA VICTORY
Florida election officials will have access to a federal database to help purge its voter rolls of non-citizens under an agreement reached between state and federal officials and welcomed on Saturday by Florida's Republican governor.
Florida and federal officials have been battling over access to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database for several weeks. Florida filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security to gain access to the database. The state was hit by a lawsuit from the U.S. Justice Department seeking to stop the purge.
Now other states are expected to ask for access to the database so they too can check their rolls. Some state governments have sought access to the federal database for years. Federal officials told Washington state back in 2005 they saw no way to compare voters and the Homeland Security information. (Newsmax) Read more.
- Praise You Heavenly Father, for this favorable ruling allowing a national database to be used to make sure those who vote are citizens in good standing. We declare in the name of Jesus that this will allow other states to do the same thing and we call down all attempts to characterize Voter ID as a ruse to hinder minorities from voting. Lord, we pray wise men will prevail in this issue in Texas and other states.
- "Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men." (2 Corinthians 8:21)
10. TEXAS, JUSTICE SQUARE OFF OVER VOTER ID LAW
The state of Texas and the Justice Department gave opening statements Monday in a trial over Texas' new voter ID law, setting the stage for a legal battle over the federal Voting Rights Act. At issue is a 2011 law that requires voters to show photo identification when they head to the polls. The state argued Monday that the law represents the will of the people and does not run afoul of the Voting Rights Act, passed in 1965 to ensure minorities' right to vote. (Washington Times) Read more. [Reported by Intercessors for America]
- Pray for the individuals involved in this legal battle over the Texas voter ID law. Ask God to grant decisions that would reflect an appreciation for the privilege of voting in the United States. Intercede for fairness, honesty and discernment, and for conscientious witnesses and legislators to speak with insight and aspire to accuracy.
- "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." (Luke 16:10)
11. NDAA 2013 MOVING THROUGH CONGRESS; MORE DANGEROUS THAN NDAA 2012
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 (NDAA) is making its way through Congress, and if it is in any way different from last year's unconstitutional onslaught against the American public, it is only for the worse.
Last year, Congress overwhelmingly passed and Barack Hussein Obama signed into law the most egregious assault on due process rights in the nation's history. The NDAA of 2012 gave Obama unlimited authority to have members of the U.S. military detain any American citizen he suspected of posing a potential threat to the United States. According to the Act, such citizens face an indefinite period of imprisonment with no right of habeas corpus, no right to trial, no right to present proof of innocence, and no method of appeal.
In mid-May, Obama issued an 8 page Statement of Administration
Policy expressing his views on the existing 2013 version of the NDAA. . . In
it, Obama has decided that the only unacceptable, constitutional abuse of
federal power contained in the Act involves an assault on HIS "exclusive
authority." And Obama repeats this concern throughout the Statement,
chiding Congress for its obvious lack of respect for what he apparently
believes an unlimited power to make treaties or "retire, dismantle or
eliminate" the nation's nuclear and conventional arsenals, indeed for
". . . the Executive branch's ability to carry out its military, national
security and foreign relations activities. . ." More than once, the
petulant President threatens a veto of the Act should Congress not come to its
collective senses and allow him full exercise of the dictatorial authority that
he apparently believes to have come with the job. (The Western Center for
Journalism) Read more.
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Oh, Father God, we humble ourselves before You to ask You to remove this
hindrance to our liberties on which our country was founded. Lord, act in Your
divine ways to intervene in these affairs and relieve us of this threat of
oppression. Father, we ask forgiveness of our personal and national sins and
ask that You would make a way of escape from the tyranny that would put us into
bondage. In the name of Jesus we decree and declare that this wicked law is
null and void. - "And when we cried unto the Lord God of our fathers, the Lord heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression. And the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand , and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:" (Deuteronomy 26:7-8)
12. PROOF THAT TERRORISTS ARE ENTERING U.S. FROM MEXICAN BORDER
Evidence has been discovered that terrorists are crossing into the U.S. from the Mexican border. The Federal Government is trying to to keep this alarming discovery secret. To view the video, showing this evidence, go here. (The Center for Western Journalism)
- Our Heavenly Father, we pray for an outcry from citizens about the porous border and the people sneaking across that have destructive plans for America. Please station angels along our border to turn back those who would harm us. We ask that our government officials would heed the warnings of various agencies and put in place Border Patrol agents to catch those who should not be here.
- "Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within they borders: but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise." (Isaiah 60:18) " . . . thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders." (Micah 5:6b)
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Special: Is War on the Horizon??
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Special report from Mike Evans
Jerusalem Prayer Team
This morning I was led to share an update on the likelihood of war in the Middle East with you. From my contacts in Washington, Jerusalem and around the world, and interviews with more than fifty military, economic and political leaders, I believe that war is very close. Let me show you the meaning of current events that you won't hear from the liberal media.
Iran's atomic program has reached critical status. A report published in the Washington Post last November stated unequivocally that Iranian scientists have grasped the essential steps required to produce a nuclear weapon. Assistance from other countries has made it possible for them to surmount the fundamental technical issues that would allow the production of an atomic device.
Israel has an open window for an attack on Iran's nuclear production facilities, but that window will rapidly close. I believe the most likely time for such an attack is sometime between September 15th and October 15th. There are a number of reasons why this could happen. The presidential election in America is one factor that plays heavily in the timing of any attack. Another indicator is the massive buildup of US forces in the region.
In recent days, a third aircraft carrier battle group has been assigned to join the two already operating in the Middle East. The Navy has sent advanced submersible anti-mine vehicles and drones to the region. An F-22 Air Force squadron has been positioned in the Gulf, and two Army brigades are stationed in Kuwait. None of these moves guarantees a war, but these are the steps that would be taken to prepare for one.
Israel required only six days in 1967 to repel an attack by Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. With Russian warships currently off the coast of Syria and Iran's capability to launch missiles that can reach inside Israel, an extra day may be needed for the Israeli Defense Forces to subdue her enemies this time-a Seven-Day War. And don't discount a repeat of the miraculous events which transpired during the Six-Day War-an armed force of 100,000 men supplied with the very best Russian tanks, cannons, rockets, and fighter jets was destroyed in just two days. Israeli soldiers could only respond to those happenings by saying it was, "The finger of God."
War could be prevented by strong US action against Iran, but at this point, that will only come as God changes the hearts of our leaders. And we must be faithful and diligent in our prayers to that end. . .
PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MARY MURPHY
THE SIGNS OF WAR ARE IN THE AIR IN THE MIDDLE EAST. WE WILL NOT ESCAPE THIS WHEN IT HAPPENS.
- WE MUST CONTINUE TO PRAY THAT GOD WILL INTERVENE FOR ISRAEL AS HE HAS DONE SO MANY TIMES BEFORE. - PRAY FOR WISDOM FOR THE ISRAELI AND AMERICAN LEADERSHIP.
- PRAY FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TO BE PROTECTED DURING THIS TIME AS WAR MAY BEGIN SOON. - MORE THAN ANYTIME IN THE RECENT HISTORY---PRAY FOR THE LOST TO COME TO KNOW THEIR SAVIOR.
Blessings, Mary
Amen, Mary! WE AGREE!!
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Do You Like Our New Look?
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Do You Like Our New Look?
You may have noticed by now that, each week, we are adding a new section to our "OCAP" -- a special issue to focus on one issue only: The Health Care Act.
We feel that, for the remainder of this election year, this one issue will supercede most others, so we desire to give the Health Care Act the full, detailed attention it deserves.
And so, for the rest of this year (at least), you will see three issues of the OCAP each week:
a. ISRAEL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS
b. THE HEALTH CARE ACT (Obamacare)
c. DOMESTIC ISSUES
We thank you for your continued support of our faith-based ministry. Without your prayers, and your gifts, we would not be here!!
In His Grace,
Sara C. Ballenger, Founder and President
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
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This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
GOD OF OUR COMFORT
(Eh-lo-hay Khawl Na-kha-mah)
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort . . ." (2 Corinthians 1:3)
What a comfort to know You, the God of all comfort. No matter what my afflictions, Your comfort is greater. Thank You that, in the midst of a storm, You are my peace, my Shalom, oh God of all comfort, amen.
"I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High." (Psalm 7:17)
(Taken from: Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God, by Barri Cae Malin and Shmuel Wolkenfeld; Bridge-Logos Publishers; Gainesville, FL, 32614. ISBN: 0-88270-801-5)
