Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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The Daily Brief Friday, August 16, 2013
" . . . and, lo, I am with you always,
even unto the end of the world."
(Matthew 28:20)
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The Daily Brief
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1. Egypt fears fresh confrontation as West deplores bloodshed - Reuters
Deeply polarized Egypt braced for renewed confrontation on Friday, with sympathizers of the Muslim Brotherhood expected to stage protests to denounce a ferocious security crackdown on Islamists that killed hundreds.
- Father, we pray that the Muslim Brotherhoods call for a "Friday of Anger" will be stopped! Let these plans boomerang back on them. Bring stability to Egypt, In Jesus Name.
- The wicked plot against the godly; they snarl at them in defiance. 13 But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming. 14 The wicked draw their swords and string their bows to kill the poor and the oppressed, to slaughter those who do right. 15 But they will be stabbed through the heart with their own swords, and their bows will be broken. (Psalm 37:12-15)
2. Egypt Mobs Destroy Dozens Of Churches and Bible Shops; Obama Concerned - BosNewsLife
Two Christians were killed while scores of churches and two Bible Society shops were reportedly destroyed in revenge attacks by Islamic mobs in Egypt, after security services massacred supporters of ex-President Mohamed Morsi.
- Father, we join with the prayers of the Egyptian Bible Society in their requests:
The Egyptian Bible Society said it had joined Christians urging prayers for a wounded nation so "that the government may manage to disperse the remaining sit-in with as few injuries and loss of life as possible."
The group also asked its supporters to pray that "these sad incidents would not increase the alienation of the Muslim Brotherhood, but that they would somehow be re-integrated into Egyptian society."
It also asked prayers "For protection for all Christian properties across the nation" and "for Christians to have a spirit of forgiveness and love towards those who are perceived as being our enemies."
- my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. 4) I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. (2 Samuel 22:3-4)
3. Obama Policies Turning Egypt Against U.S. - Washington Free Beacon
The Obama administration support for Muslim Brotherhood Islamists in Egypt is driving the powerful military there against the United States and toward Moscow, according to U.S. officials and reports from the region.
- Lord, we pray for reconciliation between these various groups in Egypt. May the violence come to an end, and peace and order prevail. We ask Your council on Russia's motives for trying to gain a foothold in the area.
- To shine upon and give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct and guide our feet in a straight line into the way of peace. (Luke 1: 79)
4. Arms Shipments Seen From Sudan to Syria Rebels - NY Times
Syrian rebels, frustrated by the West's reluctance to provide arms, have found a supplier in an unlikely source: Sudan, a country that has been under international arms embargoes and maintains close ties with a stalwart backer of the Syrian government, Iran.
- Father, we continue to intercede over this situation in Syria, and speak peace to the upheaval in this country. Sudan denies its involvement in providing weapons to the rebels. Give wisdom and knowledge for a solution to this bloody civil war. In Jesus Name.
- "Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?" (2 Chronicles 1:10-12)
5. Benghazi Was About 400 Surface-to-Air-Missiles Stolen by 'Some Very Ugly People,' DiGenova Says - CNS News
Former U.S. Attorney Joe DiGenova, who now represents one of the Benghazi whistleblowers, told a Washington radio station Monday that the real scandal in Benghazi is the theft of 400 surface-to-air missiles by some "very ugly people." The Obama administration fears those missiles will be used to shoot down an airplane or blow up one of our embassies, he said.
- Father God, we cry out to You for full revelation of what really happened in Benghazi and pray that the American people and the justice system in our country will handle the information properly. We ask that You would protect those who have come forward with information and that they would have a proper chance to testify in public about what they know. We ask for protection for our country and our ally Israel in the Middle East against these weapons being used to harm us or them. Praise You, Father, for your protection.
- "And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith." (2 Thessalonians 3:2)
6. Al Qaeda vows: 'Islam is coming' to the U.S - Washington Times
A representative of al Qaeda in the Gaza Strip sent a stark warning to Americans during a Sunday interview on WABC Radio in New York: Get ready for Islam.
- Forgive us, Lord for the sins of our country! We declare that we belong to You and You alone! We honor You and worship You as the Lord of our country and the Lord of our lives. We decree and declare in the strong name of Jesus that no foreign gods shall rule over us. We push back at the thrust of the enemy to overtake our country.
- "Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the Lord thy God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets." (Micah 7:10)
7. Armed Services Subcommittee Chair: Missile Defense Modernization Needed - Washington Free Beacon
The Obama administration has cut $6 billion from U.S. missile defense programs at a time when missile threats are growing, chairman of the House Armed Services subcommittee on strategic forces said Tuesday.
- Dear Lord, we ask that You would move in Your mysterious ways to make available to the military the equipment that is needed for defense of our country. We ask that You would override the decisions and plans that are against the best interests of the US and change the decrees of those with wicked intentions. In the mean time, O Lord, please protect us from the attacks of the enemy.
- ". . . then the Lord will create over the whole area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, even smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night: for over all the glory will be a canopy." (Isaiah 4:5)
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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:
"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)
1. Israel keeps to sidelines as Mideast deteriorates into bloodshed - Ynet News
At the wake of violent days both in Beirut and Cairo, Israel maintains its reserved stance on the unrest at its borders.
2. Mideast peace talks 'long and serious,' Israel says - UPI
The first direct Mideast peace talks in five years were "long and serious," Jerusalem said before U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's follow-up visit Thursday.
3. Israel, Palestinian negotiators meet in Jerusalem in total secrecy - Jerusalem Post
Just hours after Israel released 26 Palestinian terrorists in the middle of the night to crimp "victory" celebrations, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators met in total secrecy Wednesday evening in Jerusalem for talks the US hopes will yield a peace accord in nine months.
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The Persecuted Church
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Today's Focus: The Persecuted Church
"You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side."
(Psalm 71:21)
Christians, Hindus observe Minorities' Day in Pakistan
LAHORE: The two major minorities living in the city of Lahore, Christians and Hindus celebrated the Minorities' Day offering special prayers in churches and mandirs for the betterment of the country and held rallies, seminars and cake-cutting ceremonies on Sunday.
During their speeches on this occasion, the minority leaders urged the federal and provincial governments to make efforts to provide security and equal rights of citizenship to them, saying they are not only true Pakistanis but also "patriotic children of this soil where they have been living for hundreds of years".
In their speeches, the minority leaders also demanded the government to work for removing all such articles in the constitution, especially Article 295-B and 295-C, which are creating a sense of bias towards the minorities.
The Christian community in the ceremony also disclosed that Zafarwala in district Narowal, the village of the first Christian converts in east Punjab, has been flooded. Community Development Initiative (CDI), an NGO working for the Christian community, announced a relief package for the 1,300 affected families of Zafarwala.
According to details, Christian community held special services in churches in connection with the Minorities' Day in Pakistan and offered prayers for the development of the country and their community. Later, the Christian community organisations also held some ceremonies to highlight community issues. (Daily Times) Read more.
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 Daily Jot
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White House: Messiah complex and clown masks
The liberals always have this lofty publicly stated position of "bringing people together." Such was the case when the president campaigned for the presidency. Slogans of "Yes We Can' and "Together We Can" and all sorts of talk show talk about how this person can bring people together and reach across the race aisle and the international aisle and so forth. They made him out to be the messiah of America, even sang worship songs about him. Black leaders were so bold to say that he was the "Messiah." Well, this "messiah complex" gets stronger every day to the point that the American way of life, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, rights of privacy are threatened like never before.
There is a great controversy in the nation right now over a rodeo clown. At the Missouri State Fair, a rodeo clown wore a mask in the likeness of the occupant. The announcer asked the audience if they wanted to see the bull "get" him. He mentioned the occupant several times by name. Of course, the clown escaped the bull and some people got a good laugh out of it. But it has turned into a national race baiting incident. Unless my memory fails me, rodeo clowns often wear masks of celebrities, even presidents, such as Nixon, Bush, and so on. This is the first time I recall that there has been any controversy over such a thing. Obama cannot stand for someone to make fun of him.
There is a great controversy in the nation right now over a rodeo clown. At the Missouri State Fair, a rodeo clown wore a mask in the likeness of the occupant. The announcer asked the audience if they wanted to see the bull "get" him. He mentioned the occupant several times by name. Of course, the clown escaped the bull and some people got a good laugh out of it. But it has turned into a national race baiting incident. Unless my memory fails me, rodeo clowns often wear masks of celebrities, even presidents, such as Nixon, Bush, and so on. This is the first time I recall that there has been any controversy over such a thing. Yet this president cannot stand for someone to make fun of him.
This is just an indicator of what is to come. Already this "president's" policies have caused division here in America--he has authorized spying on Americans, using the IRS to intimidate his religious and political opposition, refused to enforce the laws, and has inflamed racial divide. His foreign policies have left in their wake death, destruction and division. There is nothing funny about this man and how he is using the most powerful position in the world. There is no mask effective enough to hide it. Jesus said . . . in John 10:10, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy." He also said of evil men in Matthew 7:20, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." No mask can hide this.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
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Obamacare Deal Splitting GOP?
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Obamacare Deal Splitting GOP?
When Obamacare was being drafted, Republicans successfully passed an amendment requiring members of Congress and their staffs to obtain health insurance through the Obamacare exchange program. It was a brilliant political move intended to guarantee that our political elites and those they rely on were participating in the exact same program they were creating for the rest of us.
As time went on, the politicians became increasingly nervous. Capitol Hill Democrats hounded President Obama to intervene to spare them from their own creation. Obama's unilateral and legally suspect Obamacare waiver for members of Congress should have been a huge political gift to the GOP and opponents of Obamacare.
But even if GOP elites are out of touch with the grassroots outrage, some candidates evidently do not want to be associated with this latest example of congressional hypocrisy. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), who is running for the Senate, has introduced legislation to undo the Obamacare waiver for Congress.
"As long as Obamacare remains law, Members of Congress should not receive exchange subsidies that are not provided to other Americans," Capito said. I have no doubt that Capito's legislation will be overwhelmingly popular with voters in West Virginia.
Meanwhile, Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, is using the issue very effectively in her campaign to unseat incumbent Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY). In a press release this week, Cheney challenged Enzi to renounce the waiver, saying:
"The hypocrisy is stunning. But all too typical of how Congress works. Members cut special deals for themselves so they don't feel the pain their laws inflict on the general public. That's one of the reasons I'm running for the Senate -- to end this self-serving, behind the scenes deal-making."
Sen. Enzi is a decent man and a solid conservative who has staunchly opposed Obamacare. It would be ironic if this is the issue that ends his political career. But it could be that politically potent. In fact, the hypocrisy factor, fueling popular resentment against Washington's culture of cronyism, could well be the left's Achilles' heel in 2014 if every conservative who wants to win seizes the issue and runs hard against it! (Gary Bauer)
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Taking A Bullet For Biblical Marriage
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Taking A Bullet For Biblical Marriage
Folks, I'd like to ask each of you, right now as you are finishing this report, to say a brief prayer for our country. A year ago today, Floyd Lee Corkins II, a militant homosexual rights activist, stormed the lobby of the Family Research Council and shot a security guard, Leo Johnson, in the arm.
But Johnson fought back and his heroic actions that day probably saved many lives. Corkins targeted FRC, an organization I was honored to lead for nearly ten years, because it was listed as a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center for believing in traditional marriage. Yes, Leo Johnson literally took a bullet for biblical marriage.
But while Corkins thankfully failed in his attack on FRC, five liberal justices on our Supreme Court committed an act of judicial terrorism that struck at the very foundation of our constitutional republic. The court's liberal majority accepted a radical redefinition of marriage and imposed its morality on the rest of society.
In doing so, five unelected judges rejected thousands of years of Judeo-Christian understanding, as well as congressional statutes, and set the stage for invalidating the will of the people in more than two-dozen states that have voted to maintain the traditional definition of marriage. Does the consent of the governed matter at all anymore?
It seems as though America is on the verge of criminalizing the Book of Genesis. And with Obamacare's assault on conscience, the danger to religious liberty cannot be overstated. (Gary Bauer)
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Egypt: Coptic Christian Girl Shot Dead
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Egypt: Coptic Christian Girl Shot Dead
The murder of innocent Coptic Christian civilians - including children - continues in Egypt since the overthrow of Muslim Brotherhood tyrant Mohamed Morsi. On Tuesday evening, a 10-year-old girl returning from a Bible study was gunned down by an Islamist. The brutality of the Muslim Brotherhood knows no bounds. The article below has been reprinted with permission from Morning Star News.
CAIRO, Egypt (Morning Star News) - A Coptic Christian girl walking home from a Bible class at her church was shot and killed this week in Cairo by an unidentified gunman, human rights activists said today.
Amid a near-constant din of threats and scattered attacks against the Christian population in Egypt by militant political Islamists, the rights representatives said 10-year-old Jessica Boulous of the Ain Shams section of Cairo was killed early Tuesday evening (Aug. 6) while walking from the Ahmed Esmat Street Evangelical Church through a market to her home with her Sunday school teacher.
The teacher turned to buy an item at a market stall only to turn back and find Jessica lying in the dirt in a puddle of blood, rights activists said. A Muslim shopkeeper who knew Jessica saw her fall to the ground and ran to her side. He took off his shirt, wrapped it around her motionless body and rushed her to a hospital, but she was already dead.
A single bullet had passed through her chest and heart, killing her instantly, witnesses said.
Nasr Allah Zakaria, Jessica's uncle, said the killing has devastated the girl's family.
"I just can't believe she is gone," Zakaria said. "She was such a sweet little girl. She was like a daughter to me. I can't believe she is gone."
No one has claimed responsibility for the killing. Zakaria, pastor of an evangelical church in Egypt, said he didn't know for sure if the shooting was religiously motivated but quickly added that violence against Christians "seems to be normal" in Egypt now. (Morning Star News) Reported by the Religious Freedom Coalition. (Read more)
- Abba, it is written that, " . . . If one member suffers, all suffer together . . ." (I Corinthians 12:26) so tonight, we suffer with Jessica's family. We hear the burden of the Lord, and we ask for supernatural intervention in their time of suffering . . . that instead, this family would find the sweet peace of knowing You.
We ask that this one incident would serve as a "line in the sand" on behalf of the Christians in Egypt, and that this harassment would cease. We ask this in the Name of Jesus, amen.
- "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)
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The Good News Corner
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The Good News Corner:
Federal Court Protects Pregnancy Services
"[I]t must be recognized that the City is preventing Life Center from being able to effectively provide pregnant women in the City with needed medical care that could identify issues and save lives of unborn children. Life Center has in fact provided evidence that it has helped a multitude of young women who have used the services at the Mobile Facility." -U.S. District Court Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan
Elgin, IL)-In an opinion which called Elgin's "effort to curtail private entities from providing free and valuable services to its young women ...ill-advised," United States District Court Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan permanently enjoined Elgin's code restrictions which had been used to halt The Life Center's mobile pregnancy services.
In March, the Court had found that the young women of Elgin were likely to suffer irreparable harm if Elgin's zoning restrictions were applied to deny them access to the free services and support TLC's mobile ultrasound facility provides. The City then filed a motion to dismiss the case, but the City's motion was denied in its entirety in today's order.
"TLC is delighted to share this victory with the young women in the Elgin community," said TLC's Executive Director Vivian Maly.
The opinion went on: "[I]t must be recognized that the City is preventing Life Center from being able to effectively provide pregnant women in the City with needed medical care that could identify issues and save lives of unborn children. Life Center has in fact provided evidence that it has helped a multitude of young women who have used the services at the Mobile Facility."
Since the Court's order in March, The Life Center's mobile pregnancy services have operated at the usual locations at the Evangelical Covenant Church of Elgin on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and JB's Pub & Bar on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Now that Elgin's ordinance is found to be unconstitutional, the TLC may expand its mobile pregnancy services to other locations.
TLC's attorney John W. Mauck noted that Judge Der-Yeghiayan's order underscores the paramount interest women have to be fully informed in the context of their pregnancies. "On the heels of the Illinois Supreme Court's unanimous decision in the Hope Clinic case just a few weeks ago affirming the Illinois Parental Notice Act, the law appears to be clarifying that the welfare of young pregnant women and their rights to be fully informed in their pregnancy decisions prevails," said attorney John Mauck. (Breaking Christian News) Read more.
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Billion Souls Revival Prayer Call
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Billion Souls Revival Prayer Call
Devotional for Day 11:
16 August 2013
Isebel Spangenberg, Global Day of Prayer and Global Prayer Resources Network
www.globaldayofprayer.com
www.globalprn.com
(Note: This devotion is taken from the Global Day of Prayer website with Isebel's permission.)
Intention:
Be amazed at how God can grow a mighty prayer movement when one man steps out in obedience to God and calls others to unite in prayer and repentance.
Scripture:
"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14 NIV)
Reflection: Today faithful pray-ers around the world will end a season of 101 days of prayer following the Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) 10-1-90 strategy.
In July 2000, South African business man, Graham Power, had a vision to call Christians from all denominations in Cape Town for a Day of Repentance and Prayer and to challenge others across Southern Africa to do the same. Two years later through another vision, this challenge was to be given to the rest of Africa and around the world. In 2004, 56 nations in Africa participated in the first ever continental Day of Repentance and Prayer for Africa. The flame of prayer was burning in Africa!
Through the International Prayer Council the call went out to the nations of the world to participate in the Global Day of Prayer process. On Pentecost Sunday 2009 a miracle happened when the GDOP expanded to 220 countries in the world. Together with the 10 Days leading up to and the 90 Days of Blessing following the GDOP, there was a sense that the call to unity and repentance was deepening. This lay the foundation for God to fill the nations with His glory as His children from around the world cried out to him in unity.
2010 began a new season focusing on increasing the number of gatherings on Pentecost Sunday in smaller settings, such as local churches, family homes and businesses instead of stadiums and assembly halls. As in the first Pentecost, transformed Christians transform their communities as they offer themselves to God as instruments through which their prayers can be answered. The Global Day of Prayer anticipates the forming or furthering of local alliances among pastors, churches, missions and business leaders, to bring practical, transformational blessing to their communities. This happens when prayer becomes a lifestyle.
Prayer:
(Prayer of blessing from the 90-Day Guide for 17th August.)
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy-to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
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Worship With Us Today!
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Worship With Us Today!
"I Will Rise"
by Chris Tomlin
I will rise when He calls my name, no more sorrow and no more pain. There's an anchor for my soul, I can say, "All is well." Jesus has overcome, and the grave is overwhelmed. Victory is won, He is risen from the dead . . . Worthy is the Lamb!
Praise Him here!
