Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief Tuesday, July 9, 2013
"Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield
to those who take refuge in Him." (Proverbs 30:5)
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The Daily Brief
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1. Congress Is on Pace to Do Less Than Record-Breaking Low - Bloomberg
The current U.S. Congress, facing a backlog of unfinished business and sliding approval ratings, is on pace to clear fewer bills than its predecessor -- which had the least number of measures signed into the law since modern record keeping began in the 1940s. (Read more)
- Lord God, we lift up this Congress before Your Throne of Grace, and we ask You to give its leaders Your wisdom that they might push their agendas forward. We bless the work of the hands of those who seek to do Your will in the Halls of Congress; and we ask You to cause the work of the wicked to be of no effect. We ask You to forgive them, for they know not what they do. We ask this in Your name, amen.
- "In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate."
(Isaiah 28:5,6)
2. IRS Exposes Thousands of Social Security Numbers - Fox News
The IRS mistakenly posted the Social Security numbers of tens of thousands of Americans on a government website, the agency confirmed Monday night. One estimate put the figure as high as 100,000 names.
The numbers were posted to an IRS database for tax-exempt political groups known as 527s and first discovered by the group Public.Resource.org. (read more)
- Lord, we admit . . . sometimes we do not know how to pray. It will take a miracle for all whose identities are now public record to be kept safe from criminal activity. We ask for divine intervention, and we ask You to grant Your wisdom to those who can yet "fix" this problem and help our citizens to be safe. We ask for Your help in this matter, amen and amen.
- "I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4)
3. Report: Social Security Bankruptcy Coming Faster Than Expected - Townhall.com
A new report from the Heritage Foundation finds that, historically, estimates of the solvency of Social Security have been overly optimistic. This year's Social Security trustees report was released with little fanfare, as the projected date of Social Security's financial insolvency held steady at 2033. Many analysts and lawmakers have pointed to 20 years of alleged solvency as an excuse to delay meaningful Social Security reform. However, if history is any guide to future solvency, the Social Security program could become insolvent much sooner than 2033. [Note: chart says insolvent by 2024.] Read more.
- Heavenly Father, per this chart, Social Security will be insolvent in 10 years, not 20 years. Awaken the conscience and minds of these analysts, confronting them to bring forth the truth about this and to be motivated to present constructive reforms. According to this report, many citizens who have worked long years to contribute to this pension system have seen their funds withdrawn and never replaced. We are asking You to rise up, Father, and bring us help! In Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen.
- "Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good." (Proverbs 14:22)
4. Justice Dept.: Anti-Homeschool Law Aids Tolerance- CBN News
The Obama administration has filed another brief against the Romeike family, German homeschoolers seeking asylum in the U.S. The brief argues that Germany's laws forbidding homeschooling actually promote tolerance. The U.S. Justice Department defends Germany's opposition to religious "parallel societies." The government's pleading read, "The goal in Germany is for an 'open, pluralistic society.'" At the same time, the brief contends the Romeike family cannot claim religious persecution.
(Read more)
- Lord, these laws against home schooling -- therefore demanding that all children must go to public schools -- are not designed to promote "tolerance" but rather the "brainwashing" of children to become citizens of the New World Order rather than citizens who can think for themselves. Father God, we thank You for the thousands of parents who now homeschool their children in our nation, training their young according to their own system of beliefs. We ask You to cause many other adults -- homeschoolers or not -- to see the writing on the wall with this Justice Department ruling, and to rise up and contact Congress to oppose this agenda, and to support the Romeike family in their desire to remain in the United States. Father God, we ask You to protect our own homeschoolers from persecution, in Jesus' Name, amen and amen.
- "But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men."
(Acts 5:29)
5. Charles Krauthammer: Obama's global-warming folly - Washington Post
The economy stagnates. Syria burns . Scandals lap at his feet. China and Russia mock him , even as a "29-year-old hacker" revealed his nation's spy secrets to the world. How does President Obama respond? With a grandiloquent speech on climate change. (Read more)
- Heavenly Father, with all the scandals and issues swirling around our national leaders, why is the 'global warming' folly still being pursued? Forgive us Lord for this lack of perception and truth. We pray that each and every issue and scandal be confronted, the truth exposed and resolutions be forth coming. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen and Amen.
- "Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty and before honor is humility." (Proverbs 18:12)
6. Egypt fast-tracks timetable for amending constitution - Fox News
Holding new elections by early 2014
CAIRO - Egypt's interim leadership laid out a fast-track timetable to elect a new president and parliament by early next year, in a move that could ease Western concerns about the future of democracy in the Arab nation but is almost certain to deepen the anger of ousted President Mohammed Morsi's supporters. Under the plan put forward by the interim president late Monday, two panels would be appointed to make amendments to the Islamist-backed constitution passed under Morsi's government. (Read more)
- Call forth the spirit and the wisdom that rested upon our own Founding Fathers when they first met in Philadelphia to determine how to write a Constitution for our new nation. Ask our Lord to release that same spirit upon the minds of the leaders of the various factions that now divide Egypt. United they will stand; divided they will fall. We ask this grace to be upon each one, in Jesus' Name, amen.
- "When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, 'Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?' 'Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,' Elisha replied." (2 Kings 2:9)
7. Scoffers Waxing Worse and Worse - Olive Tree Ministries
Scoffing has hit a whole new level but be of good cheer, it means the hour is very late. If you have perused headlines recently, or watched a TV news hour, you are stunned at what's going on. I am every morning as I post headlines here. I let them sink in and I shake my head. When has the world been in this much chaos? When have people been this unhappy, confused, addicted, pagan, angry and tuned out?
. . . The Bible contains detailed prophecies about the end times we are living in, and there is just no way to fully understand much of what is happening today apart from those prophecies. From the meltdown in Egypt to the surveillance of Americans who thought they were safe and secure, only an end-of-days scenario can connect the dots and make things make perfect sense. (Read more)
- Stand in the gap for our nation, while men's hearts wax colder and colder to the Gospel as the days go by. Like Jeremiah in days of old, you might be the ONE who can yet turn a nation back, through a call to repentance, into revival. Trust . . . believe . . . pray . . . keep the faith. If God be with us, who can be against us?
- " Now, gird up your loins and arise, and speak to them all which I command you. Do not be dismayed before them, or I will dismay you before them. Now behold, I have made you today as a fortified city and as a pillar of iron and as walls of bronze against the whole land, to the kings of Judah, to its princes, to its priests and to the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you," declares the Lord." (Jer. 1:17-19)
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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:
""Praise YHWH; for it is good to sing praises to our God; for praise is delightful and becoming. YHWH builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel." (Psalms 147:1-2)
1. Netanyahu said to have met secretly with Palestinian leaders - Times of Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently conducted secret meetings with senior Palestinian leaders in the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem, according to a former Palestinian Authority minister.
2. Fatah: Hamas Stirring Up Trouble in Egypt - Arutz Sheva
Fatah said that Hamas's position in Egypt does not represent the "Palestinian people" and, in fact, causes damage to their interests. As well, he claimed, Hamas hurts the efforts "to end the occupation, establish a Palestinian state whose capital is Jerusalem and the bring about the return of the refugees."
3. On PA TV, child calls Jews 'barbaric monkeys, wretched pigs' - Times of Israel
Palestinian state television aired on a morning show last week a video of two Palestinian girls reciting an anti-Semitic poem. The girls, who look no older that 7 or 8, appear to be reciting the poem from a page overseen by their father. It is not clear who penned the poem.
4. Long-delayed biometric database pilot program gets underway - Times of Israel
Nearly four years after the Knesset passed a law authorizing it, a public "beta test" of Israel's biometric database system was launched on Monday.
5. Leaker Snowden says Israel, US created Stuxnet virus - Times of Israel
Fugitive American whistleblower Edward Snowden has charged that the Stuxnet virus, known for sabotaging Iranian computers linked to the country's nuclear program, was the byproduct of an American and Israeli spy agency project.
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The Persecuted Church
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Today's Focus: The Persecuted Church
"Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:3)
1. Christians in Egypt Fearful after Five Copts Killed - Morning Star News
Following the shooting death of a priest in Northern Sinai, Christians in Upper Egypt and elsewhere are living in fear after four Coptic Christians were killed near Luxor in the wake of the deposing of Mohamed Morsi as president.
"I am too scared to leave - I haven't been able to go outside my house for four days," said Maria, a Coptic woman in her 30s who attends the Church of the Virgin Mary in Luxor, which Salafist mobs have attacked unsuccessfully several times since June 30. She requested her last name be withheld for security reasons.
A funeral service was held Sunday (July 7) for the four Christians killed in a village outside of Luxor. In Al Dabaya on Friday, Islamists attacked Coptic Christian Emil Naseem Saroufeem, 42; for reasons that remain unknown, they blamed Saroufeem for the death of Hassan Sayyed Segdy, a Muslim whose body had been found earlier that day, according to a human rights worker and other sources. Saroufeem was known to be a supporter of the Tamard or "Rebel" movement that began gathering in cities across Egypt on June 30 to demonstrate against Morsi of the Freedom and Justice Party, created by the Muslim Brotherhood.
2. Christian Prisoner Tells Her Story of Persecution in Iran - Mohabat News
Yasaman believed in Jesus 10 years ago. She was among the Christians arrested in Esfahan by Iranian security authorities and spent time in prison for her faith. Now that she has left the country, she is taking the opportunity to share the story of what she went through, with others.
With the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, came harassment and persecution of religious and ethnic minorities. Since 1979, every day reveals a new page in Christian persecution in Iran. Iran's Islamic authorities consider oppression of Christians the best way to stop or at least slow the spread of Christianity in the country.
This has caused numerous Iranians to flee for their lives and settle in other countries.
On December 26, 2010, just one day after Christmas, security authorities identified and arrested a number of Christian converts in Esfahan, Tehran and other cities across Iran. Unofficial sources announced that 60 people were arrested in that attack, some of whom were released later that day. As they attacked the houses of these Christians, security authorities confiscated their belongings, including computers, books, CDs, etc. They also mistreated the Christians' family members.
3. BBC Says Christians Who Oppose Gay Marriage are "Damaging the Church" - Charisma
The BBC thinks Christians who disagree with gay marriage are "throwbacks who are damaging the church," according to one of its presenters.
Roger Bolton also said if the BBC interviews a Christian who objects to abortion on religious grounds, "they are treated as though they are just a bit barmy."
Bolton was taking part in an official BBC Trust review of the breadth of opinion in the broadcaster's output on various issues, including religion.
In an official report published by the Trust, Bolton said BBC journalists tend to see the gay marriage debate "in the context of equal rights."
Bolton and others interviewed for the report "felt that conservatives on these subjects tend to be treated by interviewers as throwbacks who are damaging the Church and dragging it back into the past."
The report stated, "The corporation seems to some to be self-evidently sympathetic to the idea of gay marriage."
It noted that Christians frequently complain the BBC tiptoes around the sensitivities of Islam but happily mocks Christianity.
During Holy Week, the BBC broadcast a show about Christianity and comedy, promoting it with a press release that asked, "Is Christianity a Joke?"
The BBC Trust report asked, "Would a programme entitled 'Is Islam a Joke?' find its way into the schedules?"
And members of all religions complained that BBC journalists had "a disappointingly low level of basic knowledge about their faiths."
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 Week of July 8-July 12, 2013
Fellow conservative patriots,
We are entering the final weeks before the long August congressional recess. This is the time when the political class tries to shove through onerous legislation. Conservatives must not be complacent with the amnesty bill. We need to continue getting House members on record as opposing any amnesty until Obama begins enforcing the laws on the books. We will also have opportunities to roll back government growth in education, agriculture and welfare.
For Liberty,
The Honorable Jim Ryun
Chairman of the Madison Project
Immigration -
There is an enormous bifurcation between the public and the political class over the issue of amnesty. Following passage of the amnesty bill in the Senate, the political class in both parties thinks this is the most pressing issue for the House to consider before the August recess. The public couldn't care less about the issue, and in fact, is against amnesty. Moreover, they are distracted with the scandals, Egypt in turmoil, and summer vacations. As such, there is no reason the House should take up immigration legislation before August.
Nonetheless, the forces at be that have the ear of GOP leadership are working indefatigably to pass some form of amnesty. To that end, conservatives have set up a conference with leadership and all GOP House members on Wednesday.
Here are the following concerns conservatives must address with leadership:
a. A shell game for conference committee: The biggest concern from conservatives is that leadership will take any bill, even a good enforcement bill, and go to conference with the Senate. We all know that this will not end well. Leadership must commit to not conferencing any enforcement bill with the Senate as a means of dropping in amnesty provisions behind closed doors.
b. Citizenship is a red herring: There is concern that some Republicans will focus too much on citizenship, and ultimately agree to an amnesty bill that either delays or eliminates the path to citizenship. The main concern with the Senate bill is not the path to citizenship; it is the path to any legal status before implementation of enforcement. Once the legal status is granted, there is no way to permanently hold off citizenship. It's just not going to happen. That's why any bill which grants legal status before enforcement is worthless.
c.Incremental amnesty: While it is unlikely that the House will pass comprehensive amnesty, there is a major concern that they will pass incremental amnesty. The two biggest threats are the DREAM Act amnesty and legal status for Agriculture workers. Both of these groups are relatively young and poor, and their legalization would create a profound public charge. Unfortunately, many Republicans have expressed their support for these two ideas, particularly the Dream Act. An agriculture amnesty bill already passed out of committee, with only 6 Republicans voting to strip out the amnesty. Conservatives must remind the conference that even those who are sympathetic to passing these amnesties must not embark on this endeavor before Obama begins implementing the laws on the books and until we eliminate welfare incentives and birthright citizenship.
Punch line
Conservatives need to unite behind one cogent message - no legal status for anyone here illegally unless Obama begins enforcing the laws on the books and until the magnets are eliminated. They must also agree to vote down any immigration bill that is brought to the floor unless there is an iron-clad agreement from leadership not to go to conference with the Senate.
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The Daily Jot
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More on the Russians and FEMA
Yesterday's Daily Jot on FEMA and Russian troops sparked a lot of conversation. Many are angry that the Administration would do such a thing. Many are afraid that their lives and families will be in great danger. Others are concerned that [Obama] will declare Martial Law and use Russian troops to keep the order. I have had phone calls and emails expressing many concerns. I just have to say that this is going on in our government and We the People are going to have to put a stop to it. Some 20 Russian troops were training in Colorado last year at the invitation of FEMA. The agreements signed last month are a continuation of that. It is disturbing that these agreements are not public.
But, in my humble opinion, Russian troops on American soil are down on the list of problems that we as a society need to address. Our Congress, White House and Supreme Court are all causing problems for America that We the People know are unconstitutional and morally wrong, yet we seem unable to muster a unified voice of reason and begin to hold these people accountable. An unjust law is no law at all. An unconstitutional agency is no agency at all. A marriage between members of the same sex is no marriage at all. Killing a human in the womb is no right al all. The list goes on and on. Unless We the People get a grip on these present evils, our nation will continue its free fall.
Everybody wants to pray. I hear it over and over again. We need more prayer. Certainly, the scriptures tell us in James 5:16, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." So we need to pray. But prayer without action may limit the outcome. Gideon, for example, had to act. So did Joshua. Jesus prayed and went to the cross. His prayer and action gave us eternal life. As is written in James 2:18-20, "Yea, a man may say, You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
Jeremiah 6:16-19 describes America and Americans: "Thus says the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the ancient paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it." We don't need to fear FEMA death camps and Russian troops. We need to fear the Lord and act accordingly.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
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Support Military Religious Freedom
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VIDEO: FRC Releases Report on Military Religious Freedom
July 09, 2013
Congressmen, FRC, Allied Groups Hold Press Conference
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Family Research Council (FRC), a coalition of groups concerned about religious liberty, and Members of Congress participated in a Capitol Hill news conference earlier today urging support for Rep. John Fleming's (R-LA) military religious freedom amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. Speakers included Reps. Fleming, Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) and Louie Gohmert (R-TX); FRC President Tony Perkins; and FRC Executive Vice President Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jerry Boykin. FRC released a new report at the press conference documenting incidents of hostility toward religious expression in the military.
Additionally the coalition launched a new website, www.militaryfreedom.org, to support the religious liberties of America's men and women in uniform.
"The climate of intimidation that began in the Air Force is bleeding over into every branch - leading even military chaplains to wonder about their security in referencing the Bible," said FRC President Tony Perkins. "In a Pentagon where evangelical Christians are the 'extremists,' the pressure to impose a secular culture on our nation's military has intensified tremendously during President Obama's time as commander-in-chief. His administration, whose primary goal seems to be opposing Americans' conscience rights, is continuing that attack on a military culture defined by a long tradition of faith," added Perkins.
"FRC's special report documents the wave of hostility toward religious expression in the military. The report represents a small sample of the outrages that have been made public. Based on the calls and confidential information we've received, there's a much deeper threat at work," concluded Perkins.
Coalition members supporting this effort include the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, Center for Security Policy, Media Research Center, Judicial Watch, American Family Association, Liberty Counsel, American Values, Family-Pac Federal, Patriotic Veterans, Center for Military Readiness, American Civil Rights Union and International Conference of Evangelical Chaplain Endorsers.
> > > To read FRC's report, "A Clear and Present Danger: The Threat to Religious Liberty in the Military," click here.
> > > To watch the video of today's press conference, click here.
- Father, we ask Your hand of blessing to rest upon this new coalition and we thank You for the Spirit of unity that is evident in this alliance, for Your Word says that our unity brings a blessing. We ask that their message would be heard loud and clear throughout our great nation, and especially in the corridors of the Pentagon, so that our men and women in uniform will not have their own rights to religious freedom abrogated. Thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayer, in JESUS' Name, amen!
- "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." (Isaiah 59:19)
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Prayers During Ramadan
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Overcoming the Muslim world challenge
For Wednesday July 10, Ramadan 2013 - Day 02.
"Loving Muslims Through Prayer"
Bringing the Good News to a world that doesn't want it, in the face of an enemy who is hostile to it, is a challenge. How can we realistically face up to this challenge?
We must prepare - not for the challenge of making a promise, but for the challenge of keeping it. There are also a couple of practical keys:
-- Be part of a team.
-- Persevere in faith, hope and love.
PRAYER IDEAS
Pray for teams working in the Muslim world to love each other because "by this all men will know that you are my disciples" (John 13:35) and "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18).
Pray for God's grace for us to be humble and flexible in the face of challenge, and for "eyes to see and ears to hear" God's plans (1 Corinthians 2:9-16).
(Read more here.)
> > > Correction!
Yesterday, we reported in error that 7 billion people on our planet follow Islam. Please forgive us! Current data shows about 1.5 billion who follow Islam, with thousands quietly converting to Christianity every day. Thank you.
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The Good News Corner
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The Good News Corner:
Sheriff Chooses God Over Federal Funding
A Louisiana lawman is livid over the federal government's decision to cut off funds for two programs to help troubled young people - all, he says, because he refused to sign a pledge to bar prayer or any mention of God at their meetings.
Julian Whittington, sheriff of Bossier Parish in Louisiana told Fox News that the Department of Justice Office of Civil Rights de-funded $30,000 for their Young Marines chapter as well as a Youth Diversion program. Federal officials objected to a voluntary student-led prayer in the department's youth diversion program and an oath recited by the Young Marines that mentions God, according to Whittington, who blasted what he considers the government's "aggression and infringement of our religious freedoms."
"We were informed that these are unacceptable inherently religious activities and the Department of Justice would not be able to fund the programs if it continued," Whittington told Fox News. "They wanted a letter from me stating that I would no longer have voluntary prayer and I would also have to remove 'God' from the Young Marine's oath." Whittington said, We're not promoting any specific religion, this is just voluntary prayer, mention of God, how offensive and bad can that be?" [Read full article HERE.]
Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington has taken a stand against the federal government for denying the Sheriff's Office federal grant funding for their youth programs, Young Marines and Youth Diversion, because of the mention of God and voluntary prayer in the programs. Sheriff Whittington has made it clear that he will not remove God nor voluntary prayer from either program.
(Reported by the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation)
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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!
Psalm 91
Sonicflood with Lyrics
You are my refuge and strength
You are my hiding place
You hear my voice when I call
Before I say anything at all
In desperate need I cry
Only to realize
The hand that heals the sick
Has my name written on it
