CHPP Daily Brief Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013

Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net

The Daily Brief Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013

Praying the Word of God . . .
in the Will of God . . .
over the Issues of the Day
(Isaiah 55:11)

Thursday, Sept. 18, 2013

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 3:2)

 

	The Daily Brief

1. Rules that could 'kill'? Safety, cost concerns over EPA's new coal regs- Fox News

New clean-energy rules pushed through by the Obama administration are raising concerns that they could cripple the coal industry -- and may require power plants to use technology so risky that even the president's former top energy official once warned it could "kill."

Read more:

- Father, we pray that You will stop any plans that will cause a technology that could kill people or the environment. We bind up the plans of this administration and place them before You for judgment.

-". . .let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions, for they have rebelled against You." [Psalm 5:10b,c]


2. Destroying chemical stockpile to cost $1 billion, says Assad - Times of Israel

Syrian President Bashar Assad said a United Nations report finding "clear and convincing evidence" that sarin nerve gas was used in Syria painted an "unrealistic" account, and he denied his government orchestrated the attack.

- Lord, whatever the cost of this destruction of chemical weapons, we are all fully aware that they can still be reproduced even after the stockpiles are destroyed. We pray that You will move on the hearts of the people in this region, to transform the evil intent into Your peace and love.

- "Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered." [Proverbs 11:21]


3. Russia says it will present UN with evidence of Syrian rebel chemical arms use - Jerusalem Post

Russia will show the UN Security Council evidence it has received from Syria's government pointing to the use of chemical weapons by rebels in the Damascus suburbs, Russian news agencies quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying on Wednesday.

- Lord, we are well aware that both sides of this civil war are equally murderous. We pray that truth will be revealed. We also ask that You move in the hearts of UN member nations and their leaders to bow their knee to the Name of Jesus.

-"Yes, all the kings shall fall down before Him: all nations shall serve Him." [Psalm 72:11]


4. Republicans Put Forward Obamacare Replacement - Washington Free Beacon

Republicans put forward a new alternative to Obamacare on Wednesday that seeks to expand coverage, increase the options for buying insurance, and equalize the tax treatment of insurance bought on the individual market.

- Thank You, Lord that finally the Republican leadership has produced a plan. We ask that this plan be filtered through Your fingers to provide a better healthcare option for Americans.

- "And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck. . ." [Isaiah 10:27a]


5. IRS continued to target Tea Party groups after granting them tax status, lawmaker says - Fox News

The Internal Revenue Service continued to target conservative political groups even after approving their applications for tax exempt status, a key Republican lawmaker said Wednesday.

- Lord, we ask that the IRS be stopped from these intrusions into the lives of Conservative Americans. We ask for Your protection against the political rousting, and pray that all actions against Your people be dispelled.

- "He keeps the path of judgment and preserves the way of His saints. . ." [Proverbs 2:8]


6. House GOP Ties Government Funding to Health Law - Wall Street Journal

House Republicans said Wednesday that stripping funding from the health-care law championed by President Barack Obama would be their price for keeping federal agencies open after the end of this month, a move that sharply increases the risk of a partial government shutdown in two weeks.

- Father, we hold Your hand in this political battle, and pray for protection for all those who depend upon things like Social Security. We ask for a true solution to this budget battle, and an end to the gridlock that has plagued Congress for years.

- "My times are in Your hand: deliver me from the hand of my enemies. . ." [Psalm 31:15a]


7. Obama waives ban on arming terrorists to allow aid to Syrian opposition -Washington Examiner

President Obama waived a provision of federal law designed to prevent the supply of arms to terrorist groups to clear the way for the U.S. to provide military assistance to "vetted" opposition groups fighting Syrian dictator Bashar Assad.

- Lord, we see this act by Obama as a way to send aid and comfort to al-Qaeda, the very group that killed nearly 3,000 citizens on American soil, and have continued to murder our troops and civilians abroad. We pray that You will pull down this stronghold of jihadist power in our government.

-"The merciful man does good to his own soul; but he that is cruel troubles his own flesh." [Proverbs 11:17]


8. BREAKING: House passes bill to slash $40B for food stamps - Fox News

The House voted Thursday evening to cut nearly $40 billion a year from the country's food stamp assistance program.

The 217-210 vote was a major victory for Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia and largely cast along party lines. All House Democrats and 15 Republicans voted against slashing the budget for the program.

Despite its passage in the House, the bill is unlikely to make it through the Democrat-controlled Senate. (Read the details of this bill here.)

- We encourage our readers to study the details of this bill at the link posted, as it allows the states to step in now and help those who need this assistance. As the Congress struggles with our federal budget this month, thank our Lord that He promises to turn the hearts of kings and leaders in the way they should go, thus giving them His wisdom. Praise the Lord for the Word of God -- our sure foundation in this life. Amen.

- "Only may the LORD give you discretion and understanding as he places you in charge over Israel, so you can keep the Law of the LORD your God." (I Chronicles 22:12)

	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:

"Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost those who come unto God by Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them."
(Hebrews 7:25)


1. IDF commander on Syria border: Assad could stay in power for years to come - The Jerusalem Post

JERUSALEM - Syrian President Bashar Assad could cling to power for years despite having lost overall control of his country, according to Israel's top commander on the frontier with Syria.

Major-General Yair Golan's remarks, published on Wednesday in Hebrew daily Yediot Aharonot, reflected debate in Israel over Assad's fate, 2-1/2 years into Syria's civil war, after a US-Russian agreement to force him to give up his chemical weapons.

"He will stay on for years. I don't see any force toppling him tomorrow morning - though he deserves to pass from this world, and the quicker that happens, the better," Golan said.

In separate remarks breaking with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's public fence-straddling about the civil war next door, the Israeli ambassador to Washington told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday that Israel "always wanted Bashar Assad to go", in order to break up Syria's alliance with Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas.

The envoy, Michael Oren, did not say if or how Israel was promoting Assad's ouster.


2. Israeli nuclear chief warns of Iranian 'deception' - Times of Israel

The head of the Israel Atomic Energy Commission accused Iran on Wednesday of "deception and concealment," warning the international community that the Islamic Republic was looking to buy time for its nuclear program.

	The Persecuted Church

Today's Focus: The Persecuted Church

"Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12)


Two Christian Woman Prisoners Released from Evin - Mohabat News

As Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani, prepares to attend UN General Assembly in New York City, two Christian woman prisoners were released from Evin prison, alongside a number of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.

According to the received reports, Mitra Rahmati and Maryam Jalili were released from Evin prison on Wednesday September 17, 2013 at 1:00 AM, with no prior notice.

They were released at a time when they had already served most of their sentence.

Unofficial sources reported that their release has been conditional.

Both Christian ladies had been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for evangelism among Muslims and "being members of a Christian group". They appealed their sentences, but appeal court approved their sentences as well. Taking into account the number of days they spent under custody, their prison term should have been over in a month from the day of their release.

Maryam Jalili, Mitra Rahmati, Farah Vazehan, Zhila Makondi, Kefayat Malek-Mohammad and some others were the prisoners of conscience who were conditionally released from Evin prison.

Nasrin Sotoudeh, Lawyer and Human Rights activist, was among those released as well. Her husband announced on Wednesday, September 18 that she has been released from Evin prison.

Unexpected release of some political prisoners and prisoners of conscience has occurred right before President Rouhani's trip to New York to attend UN General Assembly, where he will meet with leaders of many countries, as well as UN Secretary Genral, Ban Ki Moon.

According to the reports published earlier, numerous Christian converts have been arrested since Persian new year in March, among whom there are some women as well.


For more news about the Persecuted Church, and how you can be more involved in intercession for these precious saints, go here.

	The Daily Jot

Evil: the common thread

Wednesday, September 18, 2013


While all the gun control fanatics and news media are trying to figure out how the stringent gun laws and clearances failed to prevent a killing spree at the Washington, DC Navy Yard, there are even more sinister events hiding in the shadows. It was reported Tuesday that the occupant of the Oval Office used a loophole in the Arms Export Control Act to waive the prohibitions on sending arms to countries or groups that provide support for acts of international terrorism. National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden said, "This action is part of longstanding and onging efforts to provide life-saving chemical weapons-related assistance to people in need in Syria." But its not just about chemical weapons.

The president's waiver of the law means that he has determined that such transactions are essential to the national security interests of the United States. The law still requires him to provide Congress with "the name of any country involved in the proposed transaction, the identity of any recipient of the items to be provided pursuant to the proposed transaction, and the anticipated use of those items," along with a list of the weaponry to be provided, when they will be delivered, and why the transfer is key to American security interests." Notwithstanding, the waiver clears the way for the president to provide direct weapons assistance to the Muslim Brotherhood and al Qaeda in Syria.

If there was any doubt as to the connection and close working relationship between the Muslim Brotherhood and al Qaeda, it is virtually removed by the words of al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri. As reported by Reuters on September 13, Zawahri "has described the army-installed government's crackdown against the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt as a "brutal crime" and urged Egyptians to resist what he called a campaign against Islam in their country." Reuters reported the same day that Zawahri urged al Qaeda cells to attack within the United States "by one brother or a few of the brothers" to "bleed America economically."

Thousands of Americans have been killed and maimed by al Qaeda in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places. The Muslim Brotherhood has a plan to take over America and al Qaeda is its partner. Americans must suspend their disbelief that the one they elected as president is in league with these monsters. He is suspending longstanding US laws to come to their aide. Proverbs 24:1,2 says of evil men: "For their heart studies destruction, and their lips talk of mischief." How are we to deal with them? Proverbs 28:4 says, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them." Ephesians 5:11 says, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Romans 12:21 says, "Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good."

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

	Update: Investigating the Shooting

Navy Yard: Swat team 'stood down' at mass shooting scene


One of the first teams of heavily armed police to respond to Monday's shooting in Washington DC was ordered to stand down by superiors, the BBC can reveal.

A tactical response team of the Capitol Police, a force that guards the US Capitol complex, was told to leave the scene by a supervisor instead of aiding municipal officers. The Capitol Police department has launched a review into the matter.

Aaron Alexis, 34, killed 12 people at the Washington Navy Yard. "I don't think it's a far stretch to say that some lives may have been saved if we were allowed to intervene," a Capitol Police source familiar with the incident told the BBC.

. . . Multiple sources in the Capitol Police department have told the BBC that its highly trained and heavily armed four-man Containment and Emergency Response Team (Cert) was near the Navy Yard when the initial report of an active shooter came in about 8:20 local time.

When the Capitol Police team radioed their superiors, they were told by a watch commander to leave the scene, the BBC was told.

Several Capitol Police sources who spoke to the BBC asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal.

Capitol Police Officer Jim Konczos, who leads the officers' union, said the Cert police train for what are known as active shooter situations and are expert marksmen. "Odds are it might have had a different outcome," he said of Monday's shooting and the decision to order the Cert unit to stand down. "It probably could have been neutralised."

Capitol Hill Police chief Kim Dine has ordered "a comprehensive, independent review of the facts surrounding the Capitol Police's response to the Navy Yard shootings".

The Capitol Police Board responded by establishing what it called a "Fact Review Team", led by Michael Stenger, a former assistant director of the US Secret Service. (BBC) Read more.

- This report, if true, is unconscionable. As the Capitol Police Chief has ordered a comprehensive review of these facts, stand in agreement that every hidden thing that may have gone wrong in this tragedy be revealed, and that those responsible be held accountable. We say "never again" to a report like this, in Jesus Name, amen.

- "Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just . . ." (Psalm 7:9)

> > > See also:

Radios failed during Navy Yard attack, first responders say


Radios for federal firefighters and police officers failed during Monday's mass shooting at Washington's Navy Yard, according to union representatives for first responders. Union officials said police and firefighters resorted to using their cell phones and radios from D.C.'s emergency responders to communicate with each other during the attack.

Initially, officers found that their radios were working. But as they ventured deeper into the building where the shooting took place, their equipment stopped functioning. "They had to use their cellphone to just call out and tell them what's going on," said Anthony Meely, chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police Naval District Washington (NDW) Labor Committee. (The Hill) Read more.

	DC Shooter's Mother "heartbroken"

DC Shooter's Mother "heartbroken" and "so very sorry" over Son's Deadly Rampage


"I don't know why he did what he did, and I'll never be able to ask him." -Cathleen Alexis


In her voice you could tell Cathleen Alexis was fighting back tears as she made a statement of apology to the families of those killed and wounded in the horrific shooting by her son, earlier this week in a Naval shipyard in Washington, DC.

"His actions have had a profound and everlasting effect on the families of the victims," Cathleen said. "I don't know why he did what he did, and I'll never be able to ask him why. Aaron is now in a place where he can no longer do harm to anyone, and for that I am glad."

"To the families of the victims," the shooter's mother added, "I am so, so very sorry that this has happened. My heart is broken."

Obviously when someone like Aaron Alexis goes on a killing spree, there are victims beyond those whose lives are tragically cut short and the ones who now have to try to recover from injuries suffered, as well as their families-there are also the parents of the killers.

As a mother, I can say that the memories you hold in your heart of your son or daughter are always present with every thought of them-from the first moments you held them as babies, through all the life-seasons you've walked with them.

I can't imagine how truly heartbreaking-as Cathleen herself conceded-it would be to find out your child has done something so horrific as what Aaron Alexis did on Monday morning of this week. . . or what Adam Lanza did in Newtown; or James Holmes at a theater in Colorado.

It reminds me to continually cover my children and family members with prayer and love, and to keep in close contact with them.

And, as we pray for the families of the DC shooting victims, and healing for those injured, let's also be praying for Cathleen Alexis during this extremely difficult time. (By Aimee Herd, Breaking Christian News) Read more.

- Father God, there has been so much suffering in the aftermath of the shootings at the Naval Shipyard this week. We do ask You to comfort all who mourn, including the mother of the shooter, Aaron Alexis . . . in the way in which only You can touch hearts and make them whole. Thank You, Lord, for this report, and help us to remember these dear mothers in our prayers, too. In Jesus' Name, we offer this prayer, amen.

- "For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; 'he will lead them to springs of living water.' 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'" (Revelation 7:17)

	The Good News Corner

The Good News Corner:

'Strip Church' ministry helps Tennessee exotic dancers shed their pasts

One woman at a time, Erin Stevens is determined to lead every stripper in Nashville to salvation.

The 42-year-old pastor's wife launched Strip Church last October following a 21-day fast during which Stevens claims God spoke to her directly, telling her to reach out to those farthest from a divine lifestyle.

"I just thought that I've got to do something," Stevens told FoxNews.com. "So I felt the Lord say to me, 'Go feed the strippers.'"

Stevens, whose husband is the lead pastor at Friendship Community Church in Mount Juliet, then began taking home-cooked meals to a local strip club in Nashville, Tenn., twice a month. In addition to moral support and general counseling, Stevens provided a nondenominational, judgment-free approach, she said.

"I told these girls they may not need God right now in their lives, but they will at one point," Stevens said. "We never go in with a Bible and we never go in with a prayer sermon. We don't try to change them, we just love them."

Stevens said she's met with roughly 100 exotic dancers among Nashville's 10-15 gentlemen clubs, many of which are dens of debauchery leading to higher rates of drug use, alcohol abuse and potentially prostitution.

"A lot of them have pasts that they can't get over, so I just say Jesus knows all that you've done and still sees you as 100 percent forgivable," Stevens said. "His love is unconditional and that seems to resonate with these girls. I tell them, 'God sees you as valuable and I see you as valuable.'" (Fox News) Read more here.

	U.S. Supreme Court to Consider Public Prayer

US Supreme Court takes on Case Regarding Public Prayer


A crucial case is before the Supreme Court that could strengthen your religious freedom-or discard a tradition that predates America's founding.


Praying is an instinctive, soul-deep reaction to times of great joy, deep distress, and crushing grief. Prayer can also guide and focus us in our daily lives, as we seek direction, comfort and blessing for the challenges that lay before us. Indeed for many, prayer permeates all aspects of life.

In the midst of the ongoing debate over the proper intersection of "church and state," our own government leaders invoke the Almighty before launching a day's legislative work, inaugurating a governor or president, or speaking to families reeling from natural disasters and brutal terrorist attacks.

America's Founding Fathers recognized how crucial religious liberty is to our culture, and wove religious protections into our laws and government. They also took time to pray together publicly as they set about writing our Constitution.

Our legacy of prayer, and the very legal protections the Founding Fathers secured, is at risk. Town of Greece v. Galloway, an Alliance Defending Freedom case currently pending before the Supreme Court of the United States, asks the key question-will our government retain our Founding Fathers' respect for public prayer?

The town council of Greece, New York has long opened its sessions with an invocation. Many volunteers from the community have chosen to pray. The invitation has been opened to everyone.

However Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU), claimed a "religious imbalance" and filed a lawsuit against the town in 2008. The AU's clients took offense at the way people prayed. In an unfortunate opinion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that, because Greece is made up predominantly of Christians, it may need to censor prayers or import others from outside the community

AU and its legal allies want to eliminate public prayer or render those prayers meaningless by requiring the government to censor any language that could "offend someone," including praying in Jesus's name or to the God of David.

Alliance Defending Freedom together with lead counsel Thomas G. Hungar of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP are representing the Town of Greece in this lawsuit. (Breaking Christian News and the Alliance Defense Fund) Read more here.

	Prayers During Sukkot

Jews and Christians Invited to Join International Prayer Initiative


Jews and Christians from the "four corners" of the earth are invited to pray together for eight days this Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) for the final return of the Jewish people from the four corners of the earth to the Land of Israel. The first full day of Sukkot this year is September 19; the last is September 26.

Israel Returns (Shavei Israel) director Michael Freund has invited Ebenezer Emergency Fund to join Israel Returns in praying together daily throughout Sukkot. Both Israel Returns and Ebenezer's Operation Exodus work to "Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth," as God instructs through Isaiah 43:6 and innumerable other Scriptures.

For more than 60 years now Jews from Russia, Ethiopia, the US, and other countries have been brought home to Jerusalem. Intercessory prayer has been vital to accomplishing this commission.

The name "Four Corners Prayer Journey" describes the call to Jews and Christians worldwide to join in interceding for this living prophecy that is being fulfilled before our eyes. Ebenezer's site, ebenezerUSA.org, provides an invitation from Freund to join this prayer mission, together with the daily prayer focus. It speaks of the Bnei Menashe, a Lost Tribe who live in India, for example. In the coming months Israel Returns will bring home some 900 members of this community that has been exiled from the Land for more than 2,700 years. Freund earnestly requests prayer for this mission.

"Sukkot" means "booths," referring to the temporary dwellings that many Jewish people build annually from branches, leaves, and other natural materials to remind themselves of their forefathers' 40 years in the wilderness, when they were entirely dependent on God's provision. Some even eat their meals and sleep in a sukkah throughout the entire period. Tabernacles is the third and final fall feast. These "High Holy Days" are known as God's "Appointed Days."

Sukkot celebrates God's provision and falls during the season of harvest, so is perfectly aligned with both organizations' mission to facilitate God's ingathering of Israel's exiles. During the Feast of Tabernacles when the Temple stood in Jerusalem, Jewish people brought sacrifices on behalf of non-Jewish nations; today many Christian pilgrims from across the world come to Israel annually to join in this celebration. Freund welcomes individuals and congregations to join this prayer initiative. "By standing together, Jews and Christians can fulfill prophecy and bring about great miracles."

Michael Freund,

Director, Israel Returns


1. Pray for Israel at this special time - Sukkot - The Feast of Tabernacles

September 19, 2013 | 15 Tishrei 5774 |First Day of Sukkot

- Our Father in Heaven, Rock of Israel and its Redeemer, bless the people and the Land of Israel, and bring about the promised redemption along with the Ingathering of the Exiles from the four corners of the earth. Thank you for the miracles you are unfolding before our eyes and may we rise up to meet the obligations You are presenting on behalf of the Land of Israel, the People of Israel and the Holy City of Jerusalem.

- "Behold, I will beckon to the Gentiles, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders." (Isaiah 49:2)

[Please note: The prayers for the remaining 7 days of Sukkot will be posted here daily, including those that will fall on this weekend.]

We recommend also: "Sukkot and the secret of happiness," posted by the Battalion of Deborah and found here.

	Worship With Us Today!

Worship With Us Today!

I Surrender
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
I surrender I surrender
Lord I surrender my life
Give it all to You
I surrender I surrender
Lord I surrender my life
Give it all to You