American Pastor Saeed Abedini
Suffering In Iranian Prison. See
"The Persecuted Church," below.
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief Thursday, August 15, 2013
" . . . and, lo, I am with you always,
even unto the end of the world."
(Matthew 28:20)
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners welcomes all who wish to pray for our leaders to join us in prayer for our nation. You may sign up to receive our alerts by sending an email to us at chpp@patriot.net, requesting that your name be added to our list of subscribers.
WELCOME!
|
The Daily Brief
|
|||
 |
||||
1. Million Muslim March Planned in DC on Anniversary of 9-11 - Breitbart
A group called The American Muslim Political Action Committee (AMPAC) is planning a one million Muslims march to Washington D.C. on September 11th. The timing of the group's march is seen by many as tasteless (to say the least) considering it is scheduled for the anniversary of the worst domestic massacre in American history perpetrated in the name of Islam. AMPAC ups the tasteless quotient by issuing "demands" for the American government: We are demanding that laws be enacted protecting our 1st amendment . We are asking President Obama to fulfill his promise from his first campaign for Presidency of a transparent government. Lastly we are asking for the release of the 9/11 commission report to the American people.
The group seems to rationalize the date chosen for their march by claiming that the media has been lying to the American people with regard to the role Islam played in the 9/11 attacks:
On 9.11.01 our country was forever changed by the horrific events in New York. The entire country was victimized by the acts done on that day. Muslim and Non Muslim alike were traumatized but we as Muslims continue 12 years later to be victimized by being made the villains. To this day every media outlet and anti Islamic organization has committed slanderous and libel statements against us as Muslims and our religion of Islam.
- Father, we commit this march into Your hands. We intercede over these events. The timing of this march is sensitive due to the horrific events on that day of 9-11!
- "And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace" (Acts 20:32)
2. DC Obamacare exchange awards $375k grant to Planned Parenthood - Washington Examiner
Washington, D.C.'s health insurance exchange has awarded a $375,000 grant to abortion provider Planned Parenthood to help enroll participants in Obamacare, the exchange announced on Tuesday. As part of its effort to boost enrollment in the exchange created by President Obama's health care law, the D.C. Health Benefit Exchange doled out $6.4 million to 35 DC-based groups.
- Father, we intercede over these actions by our government. You are the Way, the Truth and the Life, and we thank You for guiding our officials in Your truth. You turn their hearts to the way they should go.
- Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. (John 14:6)
3. More 'Fast and Furious' weapons appear at Mexico crime scenes - Fox News
First reported earlier this week that the guns had been tracked down. According to Justice Department documents, all three are described as WASR-10 .762-caliber Romanian rifles and all three were traced to a gun shop in Glendale, Arizona. The exact locations where the guns were recovered, and what crimes the guns may have been used in, was not immediately clear.
- Father, reveal the secrets that have been hidden regarding these guns and what crimes may have been committed.
- For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither [any thing] hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. (Luke 8:17)
4. Christians Who Were Arrested for Reading Their Bible In Front of Calif. DMV Found 'Not Guilty' - The Blaze
Two Christians who were arrested and charged after reading the Bible outside of a DMV location in Hemet, Calif., have been found not guilty. As TheBlaze previously reported, Mark Mackey, 60, a member of Reconciled Christian Fellowship and Pastor Bret Coronado, 44, were facing misdemeanor charges after reading the gospel outside of the public building back in 2011.
- Father, thank You for this verdict of "Not Guilty". We pray protection over Christians everywhere who may be experiencing similar circumstances. Give them favor, O Lord.
- And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52)
|
The Middle East in Focus
|
|||
|
||||
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. Peace talks resume against backdrop of prisoner release - Jerusalem Post
Israel and the Palestinians began substantive talks in Jerusalem on Wednesday, amid extremely low expectations on the Israeli side and Palestinian threats that Israeli announcements of settlement plans could torpedo the talks.
2. IAF launches early morning attack in response to Gaza rockets - Jerusalem Post
The IDF launched an airstrike over the northern area of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday morning, targeting concealed rocket launching sites in the enclave, the IDF said in a statement.
3. Hamas claims Abbas agreed to security fence border, forfeited right of return - Times of Israel
Hamas on Wednesday claimed it had obtained the contents of meetings held between US Secretary of State John Kerry and PA President Mahmoud Abbas last month, with an outline of proposed agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.
4. Nasrallah: Hezbollah behind last week's blast near border - Ynet News
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah addressed last week's incident, in which four IDF soldiers sustained injuries as a result of a blast near the border fence, during a televised interview on the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Mayadeen channel, and rejected the claim that the blast was a result of a mine left behind from previous wars in the region.
5. Netanyahu: Threat from Iran 'dwarfs' other challenges - Times of Israel
The threat of Iran attaining nuclear weapons "dwarfs" the other security challenges facing Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday night, at the start of talks with the visiting US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey.
|
The Persecuted Church
|
|||
|
||||
Today's Focus: The Persecuted Church
"You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side."
(Psalm 71:21)
Pain Increasing for American Pastor Saeed Abedini
The Iranian family of American Pastor Saeed Abedini was once again able to visit him in Evin prison in Iran. Despite previous threats from Iranian authorities that they would cut off Pastor Saeed's visitation, he was able to spend some brief time with his family in Iran earlier today.
Unfortunately, we have learned that Pastor Saeed's internal injuries are causing him increased pain. Pastor Saeed has been suffering from internal bleeding - the results of intense beatings he has sustained in prison for his faith.
Recently, Iranian authorities allowed him to be treated by a doctor at a local hospital. Since that time, he has continued to take the medication he was prescribed. However, his pain has recently increased, to the point that on one occasion he fainted from the immense anguish.
This is a disturbing turn of events. It serves as a renewed reminder of the dangerous conditions Pastor Saeed faces in one of the world's worst prisons.
Iran must see to it that Pastor Saeed is treated humanely and receives the critical medical attention he so desperately needs. He must be release from this torment for his Christian faith and be allowed to return home to receive medical attention in the United States and more importantly to be reunited with his loving family.
Even as Pastor Saeed suffers, Iran's brutal crackdown on Christians continues. There are reports that three more Christians were just recently arrested without charge in Iran. Reportedly, they have been beaten, one to the point of being hospitalized. Another was recently convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison (by the same notorious judge who convicted and sentenced Saeed) for, among other things, membership in an "anti-security organization," i.e. a Christian church. Court documents obtained by an Iranian Christian media source show that he had previously been found guilty of "apostasy" (converting to Christianity).
It is vitally important that we highlight these situations. Pastor Saeed is the face of Christian persecution in Iran, but he is far from the only one. The ACLJ is preparing to launch new initiatives to highlight the persecuted church around the world and the work to expose their human rights abusers and shine light into the darkest corners of the globe.
We will continue to bring you updates on Pastor Saeed's and these new efforts.
Please continue to pray for Pastor Saeed's freedom, share his story and how your friends can take action at SaveSaeed.org, and learn more about the upcoming prayer vigils being sponsored around the globe on September 26th.
(ACLJ; Reported by International Christian Concern) Read more.
|
Correction: Report on Pastor John Hagee
|
|||
|
||||
Dear Friends,
Yesterday, we posted a report that Pastor John Hagee was supporting the gay rights ordinance in San Antonio. This was based on numerous items we received here . . .
all of them false!
Please find below the correct version of this story.
CHPP apologizes to Pastor Hagee and the members of Cornerstone Church for our erroneous report. Thank you.
Pastor John Hagee Still Opposes Gay Rights Ordinance
Despite revisions to the original document, pastor John Hagee still opposes a proposed city ordinance intended to protect the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in San Antonio, Texas.
The San Antonio Express News wrongly reported that Hagee, founder and senior pastor of Cornerstone Church, would not stand against the new version.
The original proposal sought to prevent candidates who had discriminated against the LGBT community in "word or deed" from running for city boards and commissions. San Antonio Coucilman Diego Bernal, who authored the original document, removed that language from the proposed ordinance in late July. The revised ordinance is expected to be presented to the City Council on Sept. 5.
Hagee had cited the original document as an attack on religious freedom and sent a letter to the council and the mayor requesting a meeting to discuss it. He maligned the original proposed ordinance from his pulpit and on Glenn Beck's nationally syndicated talk show.
"The San Antonio Express News has corrected their misleading headline and the erroneous assertion that I supported this city ordinance. After speaking with San Antonio City Councilman Bernal, it was explained to me that the portions of the proposed ordinance that were most offensive to freedom of speech and freedom of religion, with respect to people of faith being able to serve on the San Antonio City Council, were deleted," Hagee says. "This is a significant victory for people of faith who oppose the ordinance. I understand other concerns remain, and I encourage those who share these concerns to continue their efforts to ensure that this ordinance will in no way discriminate against people of faith."
The revised version still does not sit well with local pastors and Christian business owners because the ordinance could still penalize companies and individuals who act on their religious beliefs.
"[It offers] no protection for people in how they speak and express their religious beliefs," Robert P. Wilson, an attorney for Alliance Defending Freedom, told the San Antonio Express-News. "On one hand, the proposal is promoting equality. On the other hand, it criminalizes religious convictions if a business does not operate according to the way the city says is 'right.'"
(Source: Charisma News) Read more.
|
News from the CPC Foundation
|
|||
|
||||
News from the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation
1. Members of Congress File Amicus Brief Supporting Legislative Prayer
An upcoming Supreme Court case has caught the attention of lawmakers concerned with curbs on public prayer, including their own. In filing an amicus brief, 34 senators ponder the question of whether such a prohibition would apply broadly to legislative bodies including their own.
2. 23 Attorney Generals File Amicus Brief Supporting Legislative Prayer
The Texas Attorney General's Office filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a federal appeals court's ruling that struck down the town of Greece, New York's practice of allowing citizens to offer a prayer to begin monthly town board meetings. Attorney General Abbott and Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller filed the "friend of the court" brief on behalf of the 23-state coalition, arguing that the decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is improper and contrary to the longstanding history and tradition of legislative prayer in this country.
3. CPCF Joins Numerous Organizations In Filing Amicus Brief Supporting Legislative Prayer
The CPCFoundation joined numerous other organizations that are asking the High Court to reevaluate its current framework for deciding cases involving religious speech or symbols in public settings and to return to a historically correct interpretation of the Establishment Clause to prohibit only government policies that coerce citizens to support or practice religion.
4. CPCF Joins Numerous Organizations In Filing Amicus Brief Supporting Legislative Prayer
The CPCFoundation joined numerous other organizations that are asking the High Court to reevaluate its current framework for deciding cases involving religious speech or symbols in public settings and to return to a historically correct interpretation of the Establishment Clause to prohibit only government policies that coerce citizens to support or practice religion.
5. Marines Corps Threatened With Lawsuit For Citing 'Lack Or Loss Of Spiritual Faith' As Suicide Risk
According to reports, an anonymous soldier reported the clause found in a Marines Corps' Force Preservation Program document to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF). In a section outlining "potential risk factors," a number of negative life circumstances are listed, including loss of a loved one, divorce, financial hardship, drug use and "lack or loss of spiritual faith."
6. Freedom From Religion Foundation vs. Intelligent Design
The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has joined Darwinian scientists who objected to Ball State University's hiring of Guillermo Gonzalez, an astronomy professor who advocates Intelligent Design.
|
American Family Flees the U.S.; Rescued
|
|||
|
||||
Family Survives Dramatic Escape of the US Hoping to Find Religious Freedom
PHOENIX (AP) - A northern Arizona family has survived being lost at sea for weeks after an ill-fated attempt to leave the U.S. over what they consider government interference in religion. Hannah Gastonguay and her family will fly back home Sunday after taking their two small children and her father-in-law and setting sail from San Diego for the tiny island nation of Kiribati in May.
Weeks into their journey, the Gastonguays hit a series of storms that damaged their small boat, leaving them adrift for weeks, unable to make progress. They were eventually picked up by a Venezuelan fishing vessel, transferred to a Japanese cargo ship and taken to Chile. Their flights home were arranged by U.S. Embassy officials, Gastonguay said. The U.S. State Department declined to comment on Sunday.
The months-long journey has been "pretty exciting" and "little scary at certain points," Gastonguay told The Associated Press by telephone. The 26-year-old mother said they wanted to go to Kiribati because "we didn't want to go anywhere big." She said they understood the island to be "one of the least developed countries in the world."
Kiribati is a group of islands just off the equator and the international date line about halfway between Hawaii and Australia. The total population is just over 100,000 people of primarily Micronesian descent.
Hannah Gastonguay said her family was fed up with government control in the U.S. As Christians they don't believe in "abortion, homosexuality, in the state-controlled church," she said. (AP) Read more.
|
EGYPT: MB Burns Churches
|
|||
|
||||
Muslim Brotherhood Burns Churches,
Scapegoats Christians Following Crackdown
Egypt's Coptic Christian minority has become a favorite target for Muslim Brotherhood supporters and other radical Islamists across the country in the wake of the military's decision to clear supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi from their Cairo sit-ins this morning.
No sooner did security forces, backed by armored cars and bulldozers, clear encampments in the city's Nadha and Raba'a al Adiwiya squares did the Islamists turn to targeting Christian churches. Approximately 1,000 Muslim Brotherhood supporters set fire to the Churches of Abraham and the Virgin Mary in Menya.
Angry mobs also targeted churches, monasteries and other church properties in Alexandria, Suez and a number of other cities in Upper Egypt, according to Egypt's Al-Ahram.
Muslim Brotherhood members also firebombed Mar Geergiss Church, the main Coptic church in the southern Egyptian city of Sohag, burning it to the ground. Islamists had previously raised an al-Qaida flag over the church. St. Theresa Church in Assiut in Upper Egypt was also burned.
"It is a climate of violence," he added, "and the people are scared," Father Rafic Greiche, a Catholic Church spokesman in Egypt, told Vatican Radio.
Sixteen Coptic churches had been torched by pro-Morsi mobs, including several ancient ones, the Egyptian blogger "Big Pharoah" wrote in a Twitter post. Brotherhood supporters blame the Copts for toppling former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi because Coptic Pope Tawadros II backed the military's July 3 move to oust him. (Investigative Project on Terrorism)
Read more here.
|
The Good News Corner
|
|||
|
||||
The Good News Corner:
Crisis of Conscience: Anti-Semite Learns He's a Jew
By Dale Hurd
CBN News Sr. Reporter
Thursday, August 08, 2013
BUDAPEST, Hungary -- What do you do when you learn you are not the person you thought you were, when you learn you are the very thing you hated? It was a question Csanad Szegedi was confronted with -- one that led to a remarkable transformation. Szegedi was once a rising star in Hungary's third largest and most controversial political parties, Jobbik. Jobbik has been labeled fascist and anti-Semitic. Its leader once asked for a list of all the Jews in Hungarian government. And Szegedi, still in his 20s, was on a trajectory to lead the party someday.
"I joined Jobbik in 2003, when the party foundations were being built," he told CBN News. "I was a member for 9 years. I was vice president for 6 years and I have served in the European parliament since 2009."
Szegedi was also branded an anti-Semite, although he told CBN News that when he joined Jobbik, "I was kind of indifferent toward Jews." "I didn't care about Jews," he said. "I didn't care about the Holocaust. I didn't consider the Holocaust as a tragedy for the Hungarian people."
Szegedi's Damascus Road
But still, Szegedi was a leader in a major anti-Semitic party, and his public statements showed that, at the very least, he didn't like Jews and was suspicious of them.
But that would all change when Szegedi learned something about himself that would turn his world upside down: Szegedi discovered he was a Jew. When rumors of his Jewish ancestry started swirling on the Internet, Szegedi went to talk to his 94-year-old grandmother, who he never knew was Jewish.
"She opened up and she talked about her life and how she was sent to Auschwitz and how our family was annihilated," he recalled. "I was shocked. First of all because I realized the Holocaust really happened."
At first, Szegedi tried to hide his Jewishness and act like nothing had happened. But he realized he couldn't stay in Jobbik. "It started such a crisis in my consciousness," he told CBN News. "I realized I can't take part in any organization that has anything to do with anti-Semitism. And after my Jewish origins were disclosed, they really didn't want to see me in the party anymore."
A Spiritual 'Leper' So what do you do when you discover you are one of the very things you hated? Szegedi decided to change. He contacted local Rabbi Schlomo Koves, who first thought it was a joke.
"When I first met with Csanad, I had very, very mixed feelings because on one hand I was sitting across from a member of the Jobbik party, which has extreme anti-Semitic views," Rabbi Koves told CBN News.
"But on the other hand, I was sitting across from a broken person who has realized what he has done and has come to a situation where he figured he had to change but he didn't know how to change," he said.
Szegedi started attending synagogue and jokes that he was treated by some members "like a leper." "It was very interesting to see how other people viewed it and some stepped back," Rabbi Koves said. "They were shocked."
But Szegedi started taking classes at the synagogue, learning Hebrew and the meaning of kosher and Shabbat. He said his life has completely changed. "It's changed everything. It's like being re-born, and the changes in my life are still happening," he said. "I had this set value system that I had to change completely. I had had this value system until I was 30 and I had to admit that it was all wrong and to find the will to change."
Visiting Israel He also became a politician without a party and has continued to serve in the European parliament as an independent.
"As a politician, now I want to defend human rights for everyone," Szegedi explained. "I am aware of my responsibility and I know I will have to make it right in the future."
One of the high points of his new life was visiting Israel with his wife and visiting the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and the Western Wall. "When I landed in Israel, airport security asked me a lot of questions, and when the guard asked me, 'Are you a Jew?' Then for the first time in my life, I could say, 'Yes,'" Szegedi recalled.
"Just to feel like you are on the right way spiritually, and you can get closer to God," he continued. "It's a whole new feeling for me, that I am doing the right thing." "Since then, my life has been full of incredible miracles," he said. "But I believe everyone who chooses the way of God sees miracles."
(CBN News) Read more.
|
Billion Souls Revival Prayer Call
|
|||
|
||||
Billion Souls Revival Prayer Call
Devotional for Day 10:
15 August 2013
Carol Stubbs, Tweed Heads, Australia Former children's worker, now married to Australian Aboriginal leader, Greg.
Intention: How can you get God to listen to you? Have you ever thought your prayers didn't make it through the roof, let alone to the throne room of God? Our heavenly Father longs to hear us pour our heart out to him.
Scripture: "We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshipper of God and does his will, God listens to him." (John 9:31 ESV)
Reflection:
How do we worship? Every moment of our life is worship to God; all that we say, all that we do, all that we think. Let our conversations be honouring to God. Serving those in need is worshipping God. Taking control of our thoughts is obeying God. Step up and step out, aware of the Holy Spirit's presence, power and protection. Walk in the confidence of the One who lights our path, who loves us and lives in us.
How do we do His will? Do what is right. Think good thoughts. Love God with all our heart, all our emotions and all our will. Love God by obeying Him. The Bible gives us some simple instructions: respect our parents and elders; live in unity with our brothers; love our neighbours and obey God by sharing the gospel with them. If we are honest, many of us have hurdles to overcome right here. Are all our relationships good with our family, friends and neighbours?
If not, worship God by doing something about it today. Are we looking for opportunities to share the gospel? Is Jesus such a part of our life that we can't stop talking about Him?
Prayer:
Father, forgive me for failing to obey you. Speak to me and show me where I need to change Thank you for my family, my friends and my neighbours. I want to love them as you love them and serve them in an attitude of worship to you.
I present my body as a living sacrifice, aware that it is holy and acceptable to you, because of all that Jesus accomplished on the cross for me. I step up and step out into the world today willing to do your will and know that I am empowered by your Holy Spirit. I give you all praise and honour, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Continue in prayer using the 4 prayer points above as the Lord leads you.
1. Pray for a worldwide outpouring of the Holy Spirit for revival and transformation of the nations of the world.
2. Pray for a billion people to find Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
3. Pray for an end to abortion and for God to turn back the tide of death and immorality that is sweeping the nations of the world.
4. Pray for a multiplication of prayer, praise and worship to God across the world as never before, to bring great glory to God.
To view the Four Daily Prayer Points, as well as the Introduction to this prayer strategy, please visit their website by going here.
|
Worship With Us Today!
|
|||
|
||||
Worship With Us Today!
"Making War in the Heavenlies"
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness. We're making war in the heavenlies; standing firm in Jesus' name.
Worship with us here . . .
