Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief Wednesday, June 12, 2013
"I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your marvelous works." (Psalm 9:1)
Guidelines for today's American Prayer Initiative can be found by going here.
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The Daily Brief
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1. IRS Agent: Keep Faith to Yourself - Fox News
An Internal Revenue Service agent was recorded on audiotape telling a pro-life organization that they had to remain neutral on the issue of abortion and lectured the group's president about forcing its religious beliefs on others. "You have to know your boundaries," IRS agent Sherry Wan can be heard telling Ania Joseph, president of the Pro-Life Revolution. "You have to know your limits. You have to respect other people's beliefs." (Read more)
- Dear Lord, we come before you with grave concerns over the government-wide attempts to stifle our freedom of speech and to peacefully assemble. Lord, these have been recognized as the bedrock of our God-given liberties and these are under assault now in so many government organizations. We decree and declare, in the name of Jesus, that all wicked attempts to silence the righteous will fail and that You, God, will expose those whose plan is against Your people. In Jesus' name, amen.
- "Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous." (Psalms 31:18)
2. AP Turns On Obama: 2nd Term On Verge Of Imploding - Before Its News
Liz Sidoti, the national politics editor for The Associated Press, takes a look at the Obama Administration's mounting scandals, the president's promises, and the polls. Her conclusion is that Obama's second term is on the verge of imploding. Oh, and on top of the scandals, Obama has one more problem - ObamaCare. (Read more)
- Father God, we thank You that even persons in the mainstream media have had their eyes opened to some of the wicked things going on in this administration. We pray for the scales to fall off of many more eyes concerning these violations of the Constitution and of our freedom of speech. Lord, bring our country to repentance and a full scale seeking of You and Your face as we hear more and more what has been happening. Please protect those who are coming forth to tell the truth, such as this woman. In Jesus' Name, we ask this prayer, amen.
- "For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be." (Psalms 37:10)
3. Immigration reform bill clears significant hurdle in the Senate - The Hill
Immigration reform legislation passed a significant hurdle Tuesday when the Senate voted overwhelmingly to begin consideration of the lightning-rod bill.
> > > To learn more about the problems with this bill, please see the Madison Report on today's Daily Brief.
- Father God, we ask You to put the brakes on the passage of this bill, until all the problems with it have been resolved. We ask this in Your Name, amen.
- "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matthew 21:22)
4. Chairman Issa: Release of full IRS transcripts would be 'reckless' - The Hill
House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) on Tuesday said it would be "reckless" to release full transcripts of interviews with IRS staffers, after the panel's top Democrat threatened to do so this week.
- Over the past few months, as we have witnessed the integrity of the Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, we have learned to trust the judgment of Rep. Darrell Issa. Ask our Lord to move the hearts of all others on this House committee to do the same, and to yield to his authority when making decisions like this one. In His Name, amen.
- "When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Proverbs 16:7)
5. Cruz: Obama, Dems designed immigration bill to 'crash and burn' in the House - The Hill
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) accused President Obama and Senate Democrats of being more interested in creating a "partisan issue to campaign on" than fixing the broken immigration system.
- As above, pray that many members in Congress will heed the words of Senator Ted Cruz.
- "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)
6. Pope admits 'gay lobby' in Vatican administration: report - UKNews.com
Pope Francis has admitted the existence of a "gay lobby" inside the Vatican's secretive administration, the Roman Curia, allegedly exposed during a leaks scandal, according to a Latin American Catholic website. Back in February Italian media claimed that a secret report by cardinals investigating the leaks included allegations of corruption and blackmail attempts against gay Vatican clergymen, and on the other hand, favouritism based on gay relationships. (Read more)
- Our Precious Lord, we are distressed at the reports of such unclean activity in this worldwide denomination. We bind up the Canaanite spirit in the name of Jesus and pray for healing and deliverance for all involved in actions and alliances unpleasing to You. Please give this Pope wisdom from above to deal with these matters in a Godly way. Father, cleanse us all to be of better service to You and a better witness to the lost in this world. Thank You for hearing our prayer. In Your Name, Amen.
-"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
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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:
"As in the days when you came out from the land of Egypt, I will show you miracles." (Micah 7:15)
1. IDF: 20% more West Bank terror act charges in 2012 - Ynet News
The Military Advocate General (MAG) reported that the number of indictments filed against West Bank Palestinians on charges of terror acts has risen by 20% in 2012, compared to 2011.
2. Israel faces growing isolation if US peace push fails - Times of Israel
Israel will face unprecedented isolation if the current attempts at restarting the peace process fail, British Under Secretary of State Alistair Burt warned on Wednesday.
3. Putin defends Iran nuke program but pans anti-Israel rhetoric - Times of Israel
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Iran's nuclear program is peaceful, but that its threats against Israel are "unacceptable."
4. Assad warns of 'strategic' response to IDF strikes - Jerusalem Post
Syrian President Bashar Assad has issued a strong warning to Israel, saying that he is completely serious in opening up the Golan front against Israel, Lebanese paper Al-Akhbar reported on Monday.
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The Persecuted Church
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Today's Focus: The Persecuted Church
" . . . when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10b)
1. Police in Vietnam Claim Hmong Christian Committed Suicide Despite Strong Evidence of Murder - Christian Solidarity Worldwide
The family of Hoang Van Ngai, the Hmong Christian who died in police custody on 17 March, was notified in mid-May that the Vietnamese authorities' investigation confirmed his death was caused by "suicide by self-electrocution." However, the family believes that he was killed extra-judicially because of his defence of his church and determination to stand up to corrupt local officials.
Hoang Van Ngai was an elder of Bui Tre Church, which belongs to the legally recognised Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South). Ngai's older brother believes he made enemies amongst government officials because he stood up against abuses of power and refused to pay bribes. He also defended the church when the authorities tried to force them to close.
Ngai was arrested on 15 March with his elder brother, Hoang Van Pa. His wife and sister-in-law were forcibly detained the day before. The police did not present or refer to any arrest warrant or temporary detention order. On 17 March, Ngai's brother heard the sound of violent beating coming from his brother's cell. When the police took Ngai out of his cell, his brother saw that he was "completely limp as if he was dead, gone, purple marks on his throat." Photographs of Ngai's corpse show severe bruising which were not there before he was detained.
2. Religious Freedom and Reform in Turkey - National Catholic Reporter
In the spotlight this week is Turkey, where burgeoning protests represent the strongest challenge to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan since his rise to power a decade ago. The opposition charges Erdogan with authoritarianism, demanding greater democracy, and there's also fear that his Islamic-inspired regime is eroding the country's secular identity.
From the outside, it's tough to know whether the cure may be worse than the disease. Do the protestors represent the promise of positive change or something potentially more worrisome?
Here's one acid test: whether they commit themselves to religious freedom, especially protection of Turkey's tiny Christian community. Experts say a society's treatment of religious minorities is a reliable bellwether for its human rights record across the board, and the situation facing Christians in Turkey offers a compelling case in point.
In the early 20th century, the Anatolia region, traditionally one of the epicenters of Eastern Christianity, still had a Christian population of almost one and a half million. Today, there are just an estimated 150,000 Christians left in Turkey amid a population of 75 million that's 97 percent Muslim.
Those Christians live with the daily burden of de jure and de facto discrimination. Emblematic is the Halki Seminary, once a premier Orthodox center of learning, which has been closed by state edict for more than 40 years. In 2009, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople told "60 Minutes" that Turkey's Christians are second-class citizens "crucified" by a state that wants to see them die out.
3. Egyptian Christian Teacher Convicted of Blasphemy - AP
An Egyptian court has convicted a Coptic Christian teacher of blasphemy but didn't hand down a prison sentence and only imposed a fine on her.
The court on Tuesday ruled that elementary schoolteacher Dimyana Abdel-Nour had insulted Islam. It ordered that she pay a fine of 100,000 Egyptian pounds ($14,000). Abdel-Nour was not in the courtroom for the verdict.
The case in the ancient southern city of Luxor began when three parents said their 10-year-olds complained at home, saying their teacher showed disgust when she spoke of Islam in class.
Angry Islamists protested the verdict outside the courthouse.
Egypt has witnessed a surge in blasphemy charges in recent months, widely seen as a reflection of the growing power of Islamists.
Blasphemy became a criminal offense under Egypt's new, Islamist-backed constitution.
For more news about the Persecuted Church, and how you can be more involved in intercession for these precious saints, go here.
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The Madison Report
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The Madison Report
www.MadisonProject.com
THE MADISONIAN
The Farm Bill
This week, the Senate voted to pass the 5-year farm bill, S. 954. The 1150-page Senate bill costs $955 billion over 10 years and creates a new shallow loss program covering up to 90% of a farmer's income - on the taxpayer dime. Roughly 80% of the cost is related to food stamps. For good measure, this bill contains sugar subsidies, biofuels subsidies, and conservation programs.
This mega-bill was rushed through the committee process and has only been subject to four amendments on the floor. Majority Leader Harry Reid is so eager to proceed with the amnesty bill that he violated his commitment to an open amendment process on the Farm Bill. The bill is expected to pass with overwhelming bipartisan support, including roughly half the GOP conference.
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The Daily Jot
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You Know It's Bad When . . .
The American Civil Liberties Union, the bane of the US Constitution, has filed a lawsuit in the US District Court against James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, National Security Agency Director Keith Alexander, Defense Secretary Charles Hagel, Attorney General Eric Holder, and FBI Director Robert Mueller III for spying on Americans. The suit claims these agencies "practice is akin to snatching every American's address book," giving "the government a comprehensive record of our associations and public movements, revealing a wealth of detail about our familial, political, professional, religious, and intimate associations." The ACLU says they are violating its Constitutional rights.
The ACLU suit claims, "The government has confirmed the authenticity of an order issued six weeks ago by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court ("FISC") requiring Verizon Business Network Services Inc. ("VBNS") to turn over, every day, metadata about the calls made by each of its subscribers over the three-month period ending on July 19, 2013. Government officials have indicated that the VBNS order is part of a program that has been in place for seven years and that collects records of all telephone communications of every customer of a major phone company, including Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint."
To my thought, it is all well and good until the fascists turn on the communists and then there must be a court battle or worse. In my opinion, the ACLU is a constant enemy of religious freedom and often freedom of speech and the pursuit of life as guaranteed by the Constitution. The ACLU has been a champion of the burgeoning Federal government with all of its trimmings, but when it comes down to spying on members of the ACLU, its time to roll up their sleeves and fight. It may, however, be the one fight that makes strange bedfellows which is often the case in politics. The ACLU claims that the government surveillance allows the government to learn "sensitive and privileged information about their work and clients."
While it may be for different reasons that freedom loving, God fearing Americans and the ACLU want to shut down government spying -- for example, one has to wonder what mischief the ACLU is planning that it doesn't want the government to know about -- this is clearly a lawsuit where the enemy of my enemy may be my ally. The ACLU says this abuse of power violates the First and Fourth Amendments to the Constitution. You know it's bad when the ACLU bites the hand that feeds it. Proverbs 26:26 says, "[He] Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shown before the whole congregation." The way things are lining up, it may be the wicked that brings down the wicked. I pray so.
Have A Blessed And Powerful Day,
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
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FRC Statement
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Obama Administration's Opposition to Religious Freedom Amendment Demonstrates Complicity in Pentagon's Religious Speech Scandal
Family Research Council (FRC)
June 12, 2013
Earlier today, the Obama administration issued a statement of administration policy saying it "strongly objects" to Rep. John Fleming's religious freedom amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. Fleming's (R-La.) amendment was approved last week by the House Armed Services Committee in response to the growing and open hostility toward religious expression by service members.
Service members, particularly those within the Air Force, are reporting an escalation of religious liberty violations following an April 23 Pentagon meeting between anti-Christian activist Mikey Weinstein and senior Air Force officials.
Family Research Council President (FRC) Tony Perkins released the following statement:
The Obama administration has joined forces with those who are attacking the religious freedoms of those who serve in our Armed Services. The administration's opposition to Rep. Fleming's religious freedom amendment reveals that this administration has gone beyond accommodating the anti-Christian activists who want to remove any vestige of Christianity from the military, to aiding them by blocking this bipartisan measure.
"The Fleming amendment protects the right of service members to not only hold religious beliefs but to act on them and freely practice those beliefs as long as they pose no threat to U.S. Constitutional liberties.
"This chilling suppression of religious freedom is driving faith underground in our military and will eventually drive it out. This not only deprives those who serve of the benefits that flow from religious participation, but it undermines the moral foundation of the world's most powerful military and the country they serve. This should concern everyone.
"We commend Rep. Fleming and the House Armed Services Committee for taking action to protect the rights of service members to freely practice and express their faith. More than 167,000 Americans have signed our petitions in the wake of religious liberty violations that are becoming more and more frequent."
(Read more)
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URGENT PRAYER REQUEST RE: COLORADO FIRES
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URGENT PRAYER REQUEST RE: COLORADO FIRES
[Editor's note: As we were preparing to send this to you, friends in the area just called to say that the winds have shifted again in the wrong direction, and are asking for urgent prayer. Thank you.]
EMERGENCY PRAYER REQUEST
FROM PETER & DORIS WAGNER
Black Forest Fire Update Number 1
June 12, 2013, 10:00 A.M. MST
Dear Praying Friends,
We are so very grateful for all of the communication that we have received indicating that you are praying for us.
The winds died down overnight and a great deal of work is being done. However, the fire has many many spots where it is burning in the middle of the woods and it is impossible to hit all of the hot spots. It is estimated this morning that probably a hundred homes have been lost and it is impossible to know with certainty just yet. The fire moved so quickly yesterday that there is still a lot of woods standing.
Dear Praying Friends, We are so very grateful for all of the communication that we have received indicating that you are praying for us. The Greenwoods got home from California shortly after 1 o'clock this morning and have prepared to evacuate. They are not in a mandatory evacuation zone yet, but the fire is moving in their direction. Becca and the girls are coming to our house in about an hour and Greg is staying at their home until and if he is asked to leave.
The winds died down overnight and a great deal of work is being done. However, the fire has many many spots where it is burning in the middle of the woods and it is impossible to hit all of the hot spots. It is estimated this morning that probably a hundred homes have been lost and it is impossible to know with certainty just yet. The fire moved so quickly yesterday that there is still a lot of woods standing.
If any of you wish to get live coverage, you can get it on your computer at www.KKTV.com.
Thank you and please continue praying as we come to mind.
Peter & Doris
- It is written: "The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Matthew 8:27)
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URGENT REQUEST: D.C. WEATHER
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URGENT REQUEST: D.C. WEATHER
Same system threatens Great Lakes and Ohio Valley tonight
> > > Editor's note:
Tonight, many in our area are heading to the stores to prepare for an outbreak of violent weather tomorrow. That weather pattern is now affecting states in the Midwest as we write this . . .
Predictions include high winds, heavy rains, possible tornadoes, and even a "derecho" -- repeating the severe damage our region sustained from another derecho that came through here about one year ago. At that time, the storm knocked out power for tens of thousands for weeks at a time.
Thank you for praying for all in our region tonight, and for safety for all who are in the path of these violent storms.
A dangerous severe weather outbreak is sweeping through the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and East into Thursday.
Through Wednesday night, severe thunderstorms will threaten a large area along a strong warm front and low pressure system from eastern Iowa, northern/central Illinois and southern Wisconsin eastward into Indiana, southern Lower Michigan, Ohio, western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Chicago, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Ind., Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Ohio. and Pittsburgh are just a few of the cities that are potentially in the path of this significant severe weather threat. Damaging straight-line winds, large hail, some tornadoes, and local flash flooding from brief heavy rainfall are all concerns.
It's possible, though by no means certain, that thunderstorms Wednesday night could congeal into a long-lived squall line called a "derecho" with a more widespread damaging wind threat in this region.
Thursday, the threat shifts to the East as the cold front and attendant upper-level dip in the jet stream sweep in. Damaging straight-line winds, large hail and a few tornadoes are possible in the Mid-Atlantic States, including Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. Damaging straight-line winds and heavy rainfall are the main threats farther south Thursday from the southern Appalachians and Tennessee Valley to southern Virginia and the Carolinas.
What is a Derecho?
Derechoes are large clusters of thunderstorms that produce widespread wind damage, usually as a result of one or more curved lines of thunderstorms known as bow echoes. The word in the Spanish language means "straight" and these windstorms leave wide, long swaths of straight-line wind damage. These winds can be as strong as 50 to 100 mph (or higher)!
According to our Severe Weather Expert Dr. Greg Forbes, an ordinary thunderstorm produces a swath of damaging winds usually only a mile or two wide and a few miles long, but derechoes can produce damage swaths tens of miles wide and several hundred miles long. (Source: The Weather Channel)
- It is written: "The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Matthew 8:27)
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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!
Newsong Live Worship
Blessed be your name
Blessed be your name
in the land that is plentiful.
where your streams of abundance flows
blessed be your name.
