Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013
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The Daily Brief
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1. Pro-lifers hail shift in stem cell funding as embryonic research falls out of favor - Washington Times
Pro-life groups, which are eager to end research that destroys human embryos, are taking heart that funding decisions in two of the nation's most socially liberal states are going their way.
"Money talks," said Gene Tarne, author of papers for the Charlotte Lozier Institute that find that the bulk of stem cell funding grants in California and Maryland are moving toward "ethical" research that doesn't use human embryos. (Read more)
- Lord God, we thank You for cutting off the resources and bringing a halt to stem cell funding in these two states. We pray that funding for this research will continue to dry up in all 50 States and that these children be saved from destruction. In the powerful Name of Jesus we pray, amen.
- "For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth."
(Psalm 74:12)
2. Insurers warn of problems with Obamacare enrollment surge - Reuters
U.S. insurers fear that a surge in enrollments on the revamped government-run healthcare website could create more problems for insurance companies already struggling with error-filled applications for coverage three weeks before a sign-up deadline.
- Mighty God, because You destroyed Obamacare and turned it into sawdust, we therefore lean upon the power of our God to steer all people in America away from any insurance coverage that would not be sound and solid. Provide the policies that many have depended upon for years not to be annulled, but to stay intact for their safe and equitable coverage. Protect all of us, Lord, from becoming victims of inadequate insurance. In the Name of Jesus we pray, amen.
- "And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." (Isaiah 25:9)
3. White House: Final deal with Iran could include uranium enrichment - Jerusalem Post
A final deal with Iran could include a capacity for uranium enrichment, a White House spokesman said on Tuesday, seeking to clarify some of the terms of the interim deal signed between Tehran and world powers.
- Father, we ask that all world powers come under the hand of the Lord and that none act independently of God's eternal Word regarding the events of the end-times before Jesus, the Son of God, returns to the earth. Hold Iran back from overstepping its prophetic intended place in their advancement of nuclear capabilities. We look to You, Lord, to protect the earth from many strange happenings that are threatening the world today. In Jesus' Name.
- "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." (Jude 14-15)
4. GOP member: Iran deal like Chamberlain's appeasement of Nazi Germany - The Hill
Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) on Monday compared the Obama administration's short-term deal on Iran's nuclear capability with former British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's attempt to appease Nazi Germany. "Prime Minister Chamberlain would have been proud after the West gave the snake oil salesman of the desert, Mr. Rouhani, exactly what he wanted: time and money to pursue his quest for nuclear intimidation," Poe said on the House floor, referring to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. (Read more) http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/foreign-policy/191761-gop-member-iran-deal-like-chamberlains-appeasement-of
- Lord God, we ask you to call a halt to the agreement that was signed allowing Iran to continue with their nuclear activities. We call upon You to pull down the plans to destroy Israel with these capabilities and to hold back worldwide destruction from taking place until the end-time hour that has been prophetically written in the Word of God. Nothing in the world powers can hasten or preempt God's Word of prophecy that stands sure and unchangeable. In Jesus' Name we ask this prayer, amen.
- "For the Word of God is quick, living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
5. Rush: Pope Francis' Words Are 'Pure Marxism' - Newsmax
Rush Limbaugh says he admired Pope Francis just fine - until he made "unbelievable" comments castigating elements of modern capitalism. Now he calls the pontiff's 50,000-word statement calling for church reforms "pure Marxism," and said he thinks it's "sad how wrong" Pope Francis is, reports CNN. Limbaugh took to the airwaves last week, the day after Francis released the "Evangelii Gaudium" ("The Joy of the Gospel"), to take aim at the Pope's economic views and to chastise him as being "dramatically, embarrassingly, puzzlingly wrong."
- Father, we thank You that the truth is surfacing all around major events on the world's scene and that no hierarchy can hide from the absolute truth that God requires. Outward appearances matter not to the Lord but what is in the heart does. So Lord, we ask that You will pull away all the deception from the hearts of those who have listened to the Pope's message, and save their souls. In Jesus' Name we ask, amen.
- "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." (Matthew 23:25, 27)
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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:
"Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25b)
1. Israel says returns fire into Syria on occupied Golan Heights - Reuters
The Israeli army fired into Syria on Monday after its troops were shot at on the occupied Golan Heights, the military said.
2. Chief Rabbis reimpose ban on Jews visiting Temple Mount - Jerusalem Post
Chief rabbis David Lau and Yitzhak Yosef have signed a declaration reiterating the Chief Rabbinate's opposition to Jews visiting the Temple Mount.
3. Israel seen ready to formally reestablish ties with UN rights body
- Jerusalem Post
Israel is expected to formally re-establish full ties with the UN Human Rights Council now that it received, on Monday, an invitation to the Western Eastern and Others Group in Geneva -- a move that grants it national rights at the UNHRC.
4. Violence from Syria spills over into Israel - Times of Israel
The Syrian civil war was felt in Israel on Monday as, in two separate incidents, a mortar shell hit the town of Majdal Shams and an IDF unit came under fire in the southern Golan Heights, according to the army.
5. Report: Israel clears West Bank land for future settler homes - Ynet News
Israel has bulldozed land slated for settler homes in the West Bank, a local Palestinian official said Tuesday, ahead of a visit by the top US diplomat to boost peace talks.
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The Persecuted Church
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Today's Focus: The Persecuted Church
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
British Prime Minister Asked to Push for Religious Freedom in China - CSW
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has written to British Prime Minister David Cameron, urging him to ensure that freedom of religion or belief is a specific feature of his visit to China, which starts today and concludes on 4 December.
In the letter, CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas expresses CSW's concerns about reports that Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region are experiencing significant restrictions on the freedom to practice their religion. The letter also draws attention to the treatment of Protestant Christian house church leaders accused of belonging to "cults", the plight of long-term Catholic prisoners, and the harassment, imprisonment and even torture of lawyers and activists who try to defend religious believers.
Although the right to freedom of religious belief is guaranteed by Article 36 of the Chinese Constitution, protection is limited to believers who worship under the state-sanctioned religious bodies. Those who choose to practice their religion outside the state-sanctioned bodies, or whose religion or belief is not officially recognised, can be accused of participating in illegal activities.
In recent months, CSW has reported on the various restrictions on Muslims, Catholics and Protestants in Xinjiang, and has highlighted the cases of Pastor Zhang Shaojie, a Protestant pastor detained without any formal documentation, and house church leader Li Shuangping, who was beaten and threatened by unknown assailants.
CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, "We believe that freedom of religion or belief is a touchstone for human rights standards in a nation. On the occasion of this visit to China, CSW calls on the Prime Minister to encourage the Chinese authorities to treat all religious believers with equal respect in line with their commitments under domestic and international law."
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:
"The Madisonian"
The Week of December 2nd-6th, 2013
Water Bill
As part of the continued failed transportation and infrastructure policy, the federal government continues to collect the taxes and spend money we don't have on projects that should be directed largely at a state and local level. One of the bills that may come out of conference committee before the end of the year is the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2013. In May, the Senate passed its version (S. 601), which would appropriate over $12 billion for Army Corp. projects over the next 10 years. The bill contains no reforms that seriously work to prioritize investments and weed our failed projects like the "Kentucky Kickback" Olmsted Dam project or any other projects that should be funded by local governments. The Army corp. already has a $60 billion backlog in projects and the Senate bill does nothing to address the waste and inefficiencies.
Tax Extenders
Every year, Congress scrambles in December to renew temporary components of the tax code, which include special interest credits and deductions. Some of these tax extenders are important means of tax relief that should be made permanent. Others, such as the refundable tax credit for wind production, are nothing but parochial handouts. In last year's "fiscal cliff" tax deal, roughly $18 billion in handouts for green energy pork were inserted during the 11th hour. Conservatives should watch for last-minute lobbying from the green energy lobby to tack on these extenders to any conference deal on the budget, water bill, or farm bill.
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The Daily Jot
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Self Indulgence vs Christ Centered
Have you seen the headlines? An 11 year old girl trying to help pay for her braces by selling mistletoe was run out of an Oregon park by the police; the IRS chief refuses to answer Congressional questions on targeting of conservative (also Christian) groups; the White House refuses to brief Congress on the security holes in the socialist healthcare sign up; the TSA is expanding its searches of parked cars at airports; the occupant of the Oval Office held a staff gathering where he led cheers for--himself; more Knockout game assaults on women and Jews; and the list goes on. People, we are in bad shape as a nation, and the politicians we elect are going to allow more criminals into the country through amnesty.
The hits on the American way of life and what it is to be American just keep coming. No longer do we appear to be a nation based on Christian values, hard work and common sense. Since when would anyone kick out a girl trying to sell mistletoe to pay for her braces? The excuse was that there are rules, permits, and regulations and she should have to follow them like everybody else. OK, fine. But what does this say about our nation as a whole? The government and the self indulgent are against anyone exercising their right of assembly and free speech if it doesn't adhere to certain channels. We have become a nation seemingly devoid of love for one another and accountability to good sense.
The politicians lie and they get reelected. They cheat and steal your hard earned money in the name of good government and compassion, and we just let them do it. Yes, we get angry and talk about it among ourselves, but by and large we accept the candidates of the political parties and the system just gets worse and worse. At what point does the titration of lack of common sense, lack of accountability, dishonesty, and lack of character turn the American way of life completely dark? When will we stand? I believe the entire problem here is a lack of true Christian values being taught in our country and held accountable in the pulpit. Self indulgence has overcome Christ centeredness.
The result is what we see in our headlines. We as a nation are so busy surviving and pursuing our wants that we have missed what it is to be a citizen in the kingdom of God. Jesus said in Matthew 28:19, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." He said in Mark 16:15, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." He said in Acts 1:8, "...and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." At one time, being American included acting on these instructions and our nation was strong. Psalm 33:12 says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." I can't exhort you enough.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
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The (IRS) Abuses Continue
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The (IRS) Abuses Continue
Something is terribly wrong at the IRS. Under Obama, Tea Party groups have been unfairly targeted for extra scrutiny and harassment. So too were pro-life organizations and Christian ministries like Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Dr. Ben Carson, who had never before had an issue with the IRS, got audited after his address at the National Prayer Breakfast made headlines.
And the abuses continue. Bill Elliott is a stage four cancer survivor. His health insurance was cancelled because of Obamacare. On November 4th, he told his story on Fox News. Guess what? He's now being audited by the IRS.
But it doesn't end there. According to this report, Elliott's insurance agent claims he is being audited too! (Gary Bauer)
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Saeed robbed, life threatened
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Pastor Saeed robbed, life threatened
Pastor Saeed's life is under constant threat in a deadly Iranian prison.
He has awakened at night to dangerous prisoners standing over him with knives. He has been robbed at knifepoint.
He is now suffering from increased stomach pain as Iran refuses to give him his medication. Pastor Saeed's health is deteriorating from deplorable prison conditions leading to lice, malnourishment, and weight loss.
Iran sent him to disappear. The Obama Administration has abandoned this U.S. citizen. Pastor Saeed has been left for dead.
But we will not let that happen. I am in Europe with an ACLJ legal team meeting with key international leaders urging increased pressure on Iran. Our efforts for increased sanctions continue in Congress. Stand with us.
Sign the Petition to Stand with Pastor Saeed Today.
Jay Sekulow
ACLJ Chief Counsel
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The Good News Corner
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The Good News Corner:
An irresistible Gospel message on Capitol Hill!
(Published on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013)
Today your missionary team at Faith and Action stages our annual Live Nativity on Capitol Hill! Sometimes called "Bethlehem in Motion" and "The Cruising Creche," this live dramatic portrayal of the Christmas story commands attention here in Washington! Right in the midst of busy and bustling government offices, an apparition interrupts business as usual: A young man and woman, draped in 2000-year-old garb, cradling a squirming and cooing baby swathed in a sort of papoose, solemnly trek along Constitution Avenue toward the U.S. Capitol Building. A train of other colorful characters follow in their wake: A shepherd boy in tattered rags, townsfolk chattering and pointing toward the trio, three tall men in royal regalia, bearing gifts in their outstretched hands, and, stealing the show, a real live camel, a donkey, and a sheep, guided along by herders! The group is literally irresistible. Jet-black executive limos slow so occupants can gawk out lowering windows...tourists grab for their phones and cameras...traffic cops practically pirouette...and reporters, camera operators, and photojournalists spring ahead of the parade, precariously marching backward through ever-increasing crowds of onlookers. It's always a memorable scene!
For all of us here at Faith and Action, however, the Live Nativity on Capitol Hill is much more than an entertaining holiday event. It is a visual portrayal of the most important event in all of human history: the revelation of God's salvation for humankind. The Live Nativity is a compelling way to communicate the Gospel of CHRIST-mas first announced by the angelic host:
"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom is pleased!'" (Luke 2:10-14)
. . . So, today, this impossible-to-ignore CHRIST-mas extravaganza-complete with bicycling police escort-will make its way out of our ministry center, west on Constitution Avenue, past the three imposing office buildings housing all 100 United States senators, turn south along First Street and make a slow pass in front of the soaring steps to the U.S. Supreme Court, tack west again crossing over into the East Plaza of the Capitol, in the shadow of its iconic dome, before returning to rest in our ministry center front garden immediately opposite the private entrance to the High Court used by the Supreme Court justices daily.
The trio of Madonna, Child, and Staff-bearing Joseph, the robes, the crowns, the gifts, and the animals transmit within seconds the timeless and eternal announcement of the only Savior and Lord. On this day we do no preaching because the message needs no assistance. At each stop along our Christmas pilgrimage, I'll read portions of the Scriptural record, but otherwise the imagery says it all. This is a day my team anticipates and prays for all year round-and I invite you to pray with us as we dramatically portray the prophetic promise to all our top political leaders:
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
A blessed Advent to you and all yours!
Your always thankful missionary to Washington, DC,
Rev. Rob Schenck, President
Faith and Action Ministries
109 Second St. NE
Washington, D.C. 20002
www.faithandaction.org
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Worship With Us Today!
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SONGS OF THE SEASON
"O Come O Come Emmanuel"
The favourite O Come, O Come Emmanuel carol was originally written in Latin text in the 12th Century. The author of the words and composer to the music of O Come, O Come Emmanuel is unknown. It is, however believed that the melody was of French origin and added to the text a hundred years later. The Latin was translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1851.
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
> > > To enjoy this hymn, go here.
> > > To read the lyrics, go here.
A Song for Hanukkah:
(The lighting of the eighth and the last candle for this Hanukkah season!)
"Daddy Come Home"
Sung by The Yeshiva Boys Choir
To listen to this moving and powerful song, go here.
BONUS!
In honor of the song above (telling the story of a young boy who misses his own father at Hanukkah, because his father is serving in the IDF), we honor all who are serving tonight with this song:
ISRAEL:
WE STAND WITH YOU TONIGHT, NO MATTER WHAT.
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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!
