Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief Thursday, January 24, 2013
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants." (Dt. 30:19)
Guidelines for today's American Prayer Initiative can be found by going here.
Today's Daily Jot can be found by going to: www.dailyjot.com or by using
this link.
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The Daily Brief
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1. Feinstein introduces sweeping ban on assault weapons - The Hill
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and a group of Senate Democrats on Thursday introduced legislation to ban the sale and manufacture of more than 150 types of semi-automatic weapons with military-style features. The legislation also bans magazines holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition and requires people who already own assault rifles to use secure storage and safety devices and bars them from selling high-capacity clips. "No weapon is taken from anyone," said Feinstein. "The purpose is to dry up the supply of these weapons over time." (Read more)
- Father, the purpose of this bill is to slowly destroy the freedom to keep and bear arms "over time." We pray that You will stand between those who would destroy our bill of rights and those who defend them, using Your Power to defeat the plans of the enemy against the citizens of the United States.
- "I will defend this city and rescue it..." (Isaiah 37:35a)
2. Pro-life groups say Cuomo bill would allow late-term abortions 'on demand' -Fox News
On the heels of passing sweeping gun control legislation, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is pushing the envelope once again -- this time with a call for an abortion bill that opponents say would effectively allow late-term abortion "on demand."
- Father, woe to those who shed innocent blood, and who stand in the places of leadership over that sin.
- ". . . innocent blood shall not be shed . . ."(Deut 19:10a)
3. Tens of Thousands Descend upon Washington to Participate in the 40th annual March for Life - CHPP
Our city is being blessed tonight by the presence of tens of thousands of citizens who stand for LIFE. In the midst of many activities planned tomorrow marking this terrible anniversary, a rally will take place in the center of the Mall at 12:00 p.m., followed by the March for Life from the Mall towards the Supreme Court, beginning at 1:15 p.m. Opening Ceremonies will take place at Constitution Hall at 8:00 a.m. (doors open at 7:00 a.m.)
Note: you can view all events via live streaming throughout the day by going here.
- Offer a chorus of praise for these hardy souls who will brave below-freezing temperatures, and a possible snow storm tomorrow in Washington, D.C. as they stand for LIFE. Pray for their safety and protection; and ask our Abba Father to move the storm away from our city.
- The disciples were amazed. "Who is this man?" they asked. "Even the winds and waves obey him!" (Matthew 8:27)
4. GOP reverses course, kicks debt extension down the road - Washington Times
House Republicans backed away from threats of a government shutdown on Wednesday, passing a bill that pushes a debt crisis off until at least the middle of May to give all sides more space to negotiate broader tax and spending deals.
- Father as our legislators use every attempt to make a compromise on the debt limit, we pray that somehow You will bring wisdom and consensus that helps America move forward toward financial stability.
- "For wisdom is protection as money is protection, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner." [Eccl 7:12]
5. Panetta to lift ban on women in combat- Fox News
Women in all branches of the military soon will have unprecedented opportunities to serve on the front lines of the nation's wars.
Leon Panetta, in one of his last acts as President Obama's defense secretary, is preparing to announce the policy change Thursday, which would open hundreds of thousands of front-line positions and potentially elite commando jobs after more than a decade at war, the Pentagon confirmed. Read more
- Lord we are aware that Israel uses women in combat, though Americans have had a different policy. We also know that many hundreds of thousands of U.S. women have fallen from enemy actions over the course of history. Bring wisdom, strength, faith and Your protection to our female soldiers throughout all military branches as this policy changes.
- "The princes of Issachar were with Deborah . . ." [Judges 5:15a]
6. Clinton warns of growing threat to US in North Africa, says 'we are in for a struggle' - Fox News
But pulsing through the drama on Capitol Hill on Wednesday was a significant message from the outgoing secretary. She warned that the United States will have to contend with Al Qaeda "wanna-bes and affiliates" going forward -- and that the threat is already flaring in places like Mali and Algeria, as well as Libya.
"Make no mistake about it, we've got to have a better strategy," she said. Read more.
- Father as much as we may not agree with Secretary Clinton on many issues, we do see that she is correct on this point. We ask that our leadership heed her warning and do what is necessary to prepare against it.
- "Take positions! Prepare yourself, for the sword devours all around you . . ." [Jeremiah 46:14c]
7. North Korea vows nuclear test, rocket launches after new UN sanctions - Fox News
North Korea warned Thursday it plans to conduct more long-range rocket launches and carry out a "high-level" nuclear test targeted at the United States in response to a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning its December rocket launch and expanding sanctions. Read more.
- Father we call forth Your power against the plans of our enemies, and pray that You block every attempt to cause harm or even disruption to America and her allies.
- "No weapon formed against shall prosper . . ." [Isaiah 54:17]
8. Iranian Guard asserts power over Strait of Hormuz - AP
The top commander of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard insists his force controls shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, gateway for one fifth of the world's oil.
- Lord we take authority over the plan to block this body of water and declare that it will come to nothing and fall to the ground.
- "Scatter the peoples who take pleasure in war." [Psalm 68:30c]
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The Middle East in Focus
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The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, by which You upheld Your inheritance when it was weary." (Psalm 68:9)
1. Lapid nixes blocking move, signals support for Netanyahu - Times of Israel
Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid quashed any talk of forming a blocking majority to keep Benjamin Netanyahu from staying on as prime minister Wednesday night, expressing hope that he would work together with Netanyahu in the future.
2. What are Netanyahu's options after poor election showing? - Israel Today
Israel's election is over, and the final tally is more or less known. Now starts the real struggle over forging a stable governing coalition, and with the relatively poor showing by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu's Likud Party, that's going to be no easy task.
3. 19th Knesset to see Right, Left virtually tied - Ynet News
The Central Election Committee released the final results of the 2013 general election in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The joint Likud-Yisrael Beiteinu ticket was able to secure 31 Knesset seats, a significant drop from pre-election polls that predicted the ruling party and its ally would win 42 mandates.
4. Haniyeh: Israel electing even more extreme government - Ynet News
Tuesday's elections in Israel will result in "an even more extreme government," Hamas Prime Minister in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh said. He called on Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims to devise a united strategy to fight "Israeli extremism."
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The Persecuted Church
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Today's Focus: The Persecuted Church
"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corin. 12:10)
1. MALAYSIA: Threat to burn Bibles in wake of Sultan's ban on word 'Allah' - (World Watch Monitor)
A threat this week to burn Bibles in the Malay language is the latest in a series of attacks on the Christian faith in Malaysia. A note sent to a Christian priest in Butterworth on Tuesday, 22nd January 2013 said a Bible-burning pesta or festival would take place in the town's public park on Sunday [27th January]. Butterworth is sited on the mainland across from the tourist island resort of Penang. The note, written in Malay, ends with a sinister warning in English: "Let's teach 'em a lesson." The police have been informed of the threat.
2. IRAN: American barred from Tehran courtroom during his trial - Compass Direct News
In defense, Abedini says he has no political motives
The center said Tuesday that the trial continued in Tehran on Tuesday, but that Abedini and his lawyer were not permitted to attend. Citing "first-hand sources who were present at the hearing," the center said a lay Christian leader testified that he had worked with Abedini, and that he had encouraged the layman to convert to Christianity.
"Iran has no intention whatsoever of releasing Pastor Saeed, allowing to him to return to the U.S., or even issuing a verdict any time soon," center Executive Director Jordan Sekulow wrote in his ACLJ blog. (Read more)
3. UNITED STATES: Africa rises on World Watch List of worst persecutors - World Watch Monitor
Arab Spring empowers militant Islamist movements
Africa, where Christianity spread fastest during the past century, now is the region where oppression of Christians is spreading fastest, a new report says. The two-year-old Arab Spring has toppled autocrats across Northern Africa, but it also has energized militant Islamist movements that have killed hundreds of Christians and endanger thousands more, according to the annual World Watch List, released Tuesday. (Read more)
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The Good News Corner: Part One
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The Good News Corner: Part One
The Lord has covered our sins as the snow covers the ground . . . in your nation's capital . . .
It was another early morning at our house. Our little one has decided that 5:30 is the new 6:30! Dragging my tired body out of bed to get him, I noticed the snow outside. What a beautiful and refreshing sight-it was enough to turn my tired body and ungrateful attitude around. And because I arrived at work early, I took a couple minutes to worship. . .
In the beauty of quietness I rarely receive, the Holy Spirit brought Isaiah 1:18 to mind. "Come now; let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
Feeling full of sin over the past couple of weeks, I was overwhelmed . . . amazed . . . and grateful. The Lord gave me the gift of seeing his beautiful creation through the beauty of the snow and then He tied it to a good word. I believe that all of us need the word from Isaiah 1:18 this morning.
Although we are full of sin, the Lord is full of mercy. When we repent, He remembers our sins no more.
Have we been struggling to forget and forgive ourselves for past sins? If so, we must remember that our Lord takes ALL our scarlet sins and makes them white as snow. Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness, Jesus!
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The Good News Corner: Part Two
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The Good News Corner:
Disabled Baby's Smile on Ultrasound Causes Mom to Choose Life-Even if for Just Hours
"If he could smile and play and feel then despite his disabilities he deserved to enjoy whatever life he had left, no matter how short."
(London, England)-A recent LifeNews article details the story of Katyia Rowe who, excited to be expecting a baby, received the difficult news that her baby's brain was severely abnormal in development and that he would not live long because of it.
She was counseled to terminate her pregnancy.
But as an ultrasound was administered, she saw her baby "blowing bubbles and waving his arms and smiling.
Rowe said, ". . . when I saw him smiling and playing inside me I knew I couldn't end his life.
"If he could smile and play and feel, then despite his disabilities he deserved to enjoy whatever life he had left, no matter how short. Just because his life would be shorter or different, didn't mean he didn't deserve to experience it.
"As long as he was pain free I vowed to let him enjoy his life both while inside me and outside, no matter how long that be."
Although Katyia's baby died 9 hours after birth, she is reportedly very glad she chose to give him life-no matter how short.
(Source: Steven Ertelt - LifeNews) Read more.
Reported by: Breaking Christian News
> > > Thank you, Katyia, for choosing life! (To see a darling photo of this tiny baby, go here.)
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Pray for the Harvest!
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Pray for the Harvest!
"Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." (John 4:35)
Every day, in every nation on earth, tens of thousands of men and women are making decisions for Christ. Now, you can monitor this amazing fact online by literally "watching" as these souls are born again into the Kingdom.
Of course, the identities of those who are coming to the Lord are never revealed, but our God knows who they are!
Join us as we monitor these "names" daily, praying over each one to be mentored and to grow in his or her faith . . . even in these perilous times. You may visit either or both of the sites below, to pray for fields that are ripe for harvest.
> > > OPTION ONE: AboutJesus.net
Go here!
> > > OPTION TWO: The Great Commission Map!
Go here!
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Worship With Us Today!
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Worship With Us Today!
Your Presence is Heaven to Me
Israel Houghton
Worship Here
