CHPP Daily Brief Friday, January 24, 2014

Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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The Daily Brief

Friday, January 24, 2014

"The Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than a two-edged sword." (Hebrews 4:12)

	The Daily Brief

1. Mideast Turmoil Dominates Davos - WSJ Mideast

Iranian, Israeli and American Leaders Strategize on Multiplying Crises, Lay Out Competing Visions for Region

The turmoil of the Middle East descended on Davos, where Iranian, Israeli and American leaders laid out often competing visions of the region's future during a conference for the world's business elite. (Read more)
- O Lord God, Creator of all the Earth, we come to You humbly asking that You will be present at each meeting, and privvy to every conversation; that the nations will see that Your Word is true, and You protect and prosper Your children. We thank You, that the "counsel of nations" is not the end of the story! You alone are God, and, there is none other! Thank You for Your Covenant and promises, and purposes! We are in agreement with You, that Your will happens! Amen.

- "The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing, He makes the thoughts and plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart through all generations." (Psalm 33:10,11)

2. Emerging market sell-off raises specter of contagion - Reuters

A global flight from emerging market assets gathered pace on Friday, sending the Turkish lira to a record low and setting global shares on course for their worst week this year. The emerging market rout spread to developed countries in Europe as investors worried about the impact of slower growth in China, U.S. monetary policy and mounting political problems in Turkey, Argentina and Ukraine. (Read more)
- Lord, we see how those who trust in earthly riches could be very disturbed by this news. We pray that You would be lifted up among the peoples of the Earth, and that You would draw all men to Yourself. We pray for wisdom economically, and in every realm, to invade this situation, and turn it for good. We thank You that You are our Rock of stability in an unstable world! We pray for fiscal responsibility and truth to prevail. Amen.

- "As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God, Who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." (I Timothy 6:17)

3. Holder: Feds to set rules for banks and pot money - Politico

The Obama administration will soon announce regulations to make it easier for banks to do business with legal marijuana sellers, Attorney General Eric Holder said Thursday. While Holder spoke twice of new "regulations" that were being prepared, a Justice Department spokesman said later that the attorney general was referring to legal "guidance" for prosecutors and federal law enforcement. (Read more)
- Father, this seems so bizarre, almost like funding "criminals"; surely our world is changing . . . calling good evil, and evil good. We ask, Lord, for Your forgiveness for those in authority who will allow and fund an addiction that is potentially very dangerous and may well lead to further destructive behavior. We understand, that even though there may be a few who can be helped by this drug in dealing with pain, this new policy will not open a "Pandora's Box" to something more evil, and less controllable. In Your Name we pray, Amen.

- "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who change darkness into light and light into darkness, who change bitter into sweet and sweet into bitter." (Isaiah 5:20)

4. De Blasio Backs Cuomo: Wants Conservatives to Get Out - Breitbart

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio emphatically backed New Governor Andrew Cuomo's controversial remarks that "extreme" conservatives - which he defined as being pro-life, second amendment advocates, or supporters of traditional marriage - "have no place in the state of New York."

"I stand by that 100 percent," de Blasio told reporters at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C. on Thursday."I agree with Governor Cuomo's remarks. I interpret his remarks to say that an extremist attitude that continues the reality of violence in our communities or an extremist attitude that denies the rights of women does not represent the views of New York State," he added.

Governor Cuomo riled up conservatives in New York state as well as all over the country when he told a local New York State radio program last Friday "extreme conservatives who are right-to-life, pro-assault-weapon, anti-gay . . . have no place in the state of New York, because that's not who New Yorkers are."

The remarks have snowballed into a major controversy, with Fox News host Sean Hannity vowing to leave New York City, prompting a bidding war between Republican governors to persuade him to move to their states. Hannity is reportedly eyeing a political bid in Texas. At the March for Life yesterday, one participant pushed back at Cuomo, telling Breitbart News, "We're here, we're pro-life, get used to it." (Read more)
- Lord, we are troubled that Mayors and Governors are so irresponsible, as to come against the rights of the people to hold different viewpoints, and our freedom to speak them out. What happened to our Constitutional right to "free speech"? What happened to the right to disagree with our leaders? We do not wish to live in a dictatorship, where others tell us what to believe. The issues they mention that they disagree with us on, are the same issues that You speak against in Your Word. How sad!! We declare that we will follow You, regardless of the opinions of others. We love You, and serve You with all our hearts, and we pray for our Leaders, as You instructed us to do. May they gain wisdom, and a relationship with You. Amen.

- "But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father, Who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her motherin-law...and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household'. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 10:33-40)

5. Ted Cruz: Obama's 'Consistent Pattern of Lawlessness' Is Extraordinarily Dangerous' - Breitbart

the most dangerous is this consistent pattern of lawlessness. We have never had a president who over and over again openly aggressively defies the law. If he doesn't like the law, he refuses to enforce it or he simply proclaims it changed and this is something that ought to bother everyone. (Read more)
- Father, we too, are concerned about this President's patten of "being a law unto himself", and by-passing the normal channel's to bring about legislative change. We humbly ask for Your intervention, and that our Supreme Court would back our Constitution, in thwarting the will of one man against the will of the populous. We ask for Godly government officials who will have a holy fear of You, and the principles which are the foundation of our nation, and will abide by those principles and laws.

- "When a country is lawless, it has one ruler after another; but when it is led by a leader with understanding and knowledge, it continues strong." (Proverbs 21:2)

6. Congress grants Obama 'free rein for martial law' - World Net Daily

Several of the nation's most-respected legal teams are asking the Supreme Court to take up the Hedges case challenging the indefinite detention provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act because without review, the framework is in place for a police state. Sections of the bill are written so broadly that critics say they could encompass. (Read more)
- Abba, we are appalled that Congress would give one man the power to enact martial law, affecting the entire nation. We know that the nature of all men is against You, unless we submit to You as our Savior and Lord. Your Word says the "arm of flesh will fail you", and so we are troubled by this development. We, the people, do not want a 'police state', and we ask that You would raise up Godly men and women, who would be a standard against this lawlessness. Save us, O Lord, and return sanity to our Congress, President, and Supreme Court, we pray. In Jesus' Name, amen.

- "At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified Him, Who lives forever." (Daniel 4:34)

7. Study: New Madrid fault zone alive and active - AP

"Our new results tell us that something is going on there, and therefore a repeat of the 1811-1812 sequence is possible," Hough said. The USGS estimates there's a 7 to 10 percent chance of that happening in the next 50 years. Arthur Frankel, a seismologist with the USGS in Seattle who had no role in the study, said the latest results seem plausible. His recent field work using GPS shows significant movement of land along the fault in the past decade, indicating a buildup of strain that could lead to potentially dangerous quakes.

Others said this won't end the debate about the hazards on the New Madrid seismic zone. Andrew Newman, a geophysicist at the Georgia Institute of Technology, said the method used in the study works well for faults along plate boundaries, but he's unsure if it applies to enigmatic faults like New Madrid. (Read more)
- Abba, we come to You, asking for Your mercy upon Your people. "Our times are in Your Hands", and we trust You. We ask that this warning will cause people who reside in these states that would "bear the brunt" of this disaster, if, and when it occurs, would turn to You now and receive You as Savior. We ask for Your protection and preservation. We come against a spirit of fear, and ask that this warning be heeded in getting our lives and priorities lined up with You and Your will.

- "God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of troubl. So we will not be afraid even if te earth shakes, or the mountains fall into the sea, even if the oceans roar and foam, or the mountains shake at the raging sea. Selah" (Psalm 46:1-3)

8. Dow Plunges 318 Points, Worst Drop Since June - AP

NEW YORK (AP) - The U.S. stock market is swooning as investors fear slower global economic growth.The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 318 points, nearly 2 percent, to close at 15,879 Friday, its worst drop since last June.The Dow is down almost 500 points over the past two days as investors pull out of stocks and emerging markets and stash money in safer assets like bonds.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 38 points, or 2.1 percent, to 1,790. The Nasdaq composite fell 90 points, or 2.2 percent, to 4,128.Small-company stocks fell even more than the rest of the market as investors shunned risk. The Russell 2000 plunged 28 points, or 2.4 percent, to 1,144.Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.73 percent.
- Father, we bring this situation to You. Ironically, the "economic summit" of nations, meeting in Davos, Switzerland, may be dealing with this very problem. Again, we thank You that You frustrate the plans of nations, and move "players" into positions to bring about Your purposes. We praise You that nothing takes You by surprise, and we ask that You will give wisdom to those who need it, and bring glory to Yourself, we pray, Amen.

- "He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot carry out their plans. He catches the wise in their own craftiness, And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them." (Job 5:12,13)

	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:

"Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25b)

1. Netanyahu: We can't have a 'Palestine' run by Iran - Times of Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday laid out the dilemma facing his administration when it comes to the Palestinian conflict -- the imperative to avoid a binational state encompassing Israel and the Palestinians, but also to prevent a future Palestinian state from becoming an Iranian proxy.

2. Israeli leaders pan Rouhani's 'deceptive' speech - Times of Israel

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's attempts to foster better ties with the West are only a deception, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday, trying to put a damper on a seemingly moderate speech by the Iranian leader at the World Economic Forum earlier in the day.

3. Abbas seeks $1-billion Gaza deal with Russia - AFP

Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas sought on Thursday to secure a billion-dollar Gaza energy deal during talks with Russian leaders aimed at restoring warmer ties between the two Soviet-era allies.

4. Bombings rock Cairo as Islamist clash with opponents - ICEJ News

A suicide car blast hit a compound belonging to the Cairo Security Directorate in central Cairo Friday morning, killing four people and wounding dozens of others. Hours later, an improvised explosive device killed one policeman and wounded nine.

5. Iranian president warns Israel not to stand in his way - ICEJ News

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani gave a fiery interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria on Thursday, declaring that Israel would "rue the day" if it attacks the Islamic Republic's renegade nuclear program.

6. Israeli leaders react to Davos speech by Rouhani - ICEJ News

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani addressed the Davos World Economic Forum in Switzerland on Thursday, declaring that the Islamic Republic seeks cordial relations "with all countries we officialy recognize," pointedly excluding Israel.

7. Netanyahu tells business leaders in Davos 'Israel is open for business' - ICEJ News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a well received speech before the Davos World Economic Forum on Thursday afternoon, telling the assembled business and political leaders that the Jewish State is a hub of hi-tech development and opportunities for investment. He also declared that by helping Israel's economy grow, investors would be promoting peace and development in the entire region, especially for the Palestinians. "Israel is not what's wrong in the Middle East, it is what's right with the Middle East," he said. "Central Arab governments in the Middle East are concerned with the arming of Iran with nuclear weapons and the spread of the Islamic brotherhood. Those governments see Israel as a partner in holding back those threats."

Go here to see Netanyahu's speech at Davos.

8. Israel blesses the world - ICEJ News

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper witnessed the signing of many agreements strengthening the connection between their two countries on Tuesday.

	The Persecuted Church

Today's Focus: The Persecuted Church

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

Memorial Services Held on 20th Anniversary of Iranian Pastors Martyrdom - World Watch Monitor

Memorial services are being held in Tehran, London and California to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of Haik Hovsepian, an Iranian pastor hailed by many Christians as a martyr.

Hovsepian vanished on January 19, 1994, three days after his protests helped to secure the release of fellow Iranian pastor Mehdi Dibaj, who had been imprisoned for 10 years and sentenced to death for apostasy.

Hovsepian, 49, was found with multiple stab wounds to the chest and later buried in an Islamic cemetery after police claimed they had been unable to identify his body.

His death hit global news headlines around the world due to his prominent role in Iran's Church.

The pastor had not only been outspoken in his defence for Dibaj, but also against a perceived lack of religious freedom in Iran in general.

Read More

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

	Supreme Court Update

FRC Statement in Response to Supreme Court Granting Temporary Injunction to Little Sisters of the Poor

January 24, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Family Research Council (FRC) President Tony Perkins released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court issuing a temporary injunction in the case involving the Little Sisters of the Poor against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate.

Of the Supreme Court's action Perkins said:
"We are pleased by the decision of the Supreme Court to protect the Little Sisters of the Poor against the HHS mandate while their case proceeds through the court system. The Little Sisters of the Poor should not be forced to violate their conscience as a condition of continuing their important work with the poor and the elderly. This temporary injunction stops HHS from forcing the Little Sisters of the Poor to violate their religious beliefs, pay massive fines or drop coverage altogether.

"The HHS mandate's safe harbor for religious organizations expired on January 1, and the mandate already applies to businesses run from a faith perspective. These employers must now choose between violating their faith, paying crippling fines of up to $100 per day per employee or dropping healthcare coverage for their employees altogether.

"It is a long-held American tradition that we respect people's freedom of conscience. The HHS mandate threatens charities and non-profit institutions which serve the less fortunate each day. Despite this injunction, the HHS mandate is unfair and should be repealed," concluded Perkins.

	Kudos To Cruz

Kudos To Cruz

Texas Senator Ted Cruz fired off a blistering letter yesterday to Attorney General Eric Holder demanding the appointment of a special prosecutor to thoroughly investigate the IRS/Tea Party scandal. The senator pulled no punches.

Cruz blasted the appointment of an Obama donor to lead the Justice Department's investigation and slammed Holder for lacking the courage of past attorneys general who appointed special prosecutors to investigate Presidents Nixon and Clinton. Here's an excerpt:

"Two hundred fifty-three days have passed since both you and President Obama professed outrage at the IRS's wrongful conduct. To date, no one has been indicted. And it has been reported that the FBI plans not to file any criminal charges. . . This is a sad state of affairs. The widespread perception of partisan bias, of manifest conflict of interest, besmirches the reputation of the Department of Justice. And it undermines confidence in rule of law.

"I ask you personally to demonstrate the independence that so many of your predecessors have demonstrated, and act to preserve the integrity of the Department of Justice and immediately appoint a special prosecutor, with meaningful independence, to investigate the IRS's illegal targeting of conservative groups."
You can read the entire letter here.
Kudos to Senator Cruz! This is exactly the kind of response that should be coming from every member of Congress who values justice and the rule of law. (Gary Bauer)

	How You Can Help Hobby Lobby

How You Can Help Hobby Lobby:

Using Facebook and Twitter to Defend their Cause

Friends have suggested a way that all of us who use either Facebook and/or Twitter can show our support for Hobby Lobby:
1. For Facebook: You can "like" the Hobby Lobby Case Facebook page by going here.
2. For Twitter: You can follow the Twitter feed by going here.
3. Please encourage all of your friends to do the same.
Thank you!

	Update: Pastor Saeed

Pastor Saeed Abedini Transferred To New Ward; Needs Surgery

John 16:2 Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.
Pastor Saeed Abedini, imprisoned in Iran for his faith in Christ, received a small bit of good news when he was transferred from the murderer's ward of Rajai Shahr Prison to the ward where they hold political prisoners.

However, his attorneys say the move is only a slight step toward justice for Abedini.

The American Center for Law and Justice said in a statement that Pastor Saeed is still in the deadliest prison in Iran and facing a serious medical issue. Members of Abedini's Iranian family was able to see him for the first time in six weeks and said that he is still throwing up and has extreme pain in his abdomen.
A prison doctor actually recommended surgery and told prison officials that it was medically necessary for Abedini's internal injuries. He gave Abedini medication to try and ease the pain. Iranian officials have not responded to the doctor's request for surgery.

"There is a glimmer of comfort to know that my husband has been transferred out of the murderers' ward, but my heart aches to know the pain he continually suffers and that his injuries necessitate surgery," Saeed's wife Naghmeh Abedini said in a statement. "As a family, it is difficult to be so far away and unable to comfort him in his pain." (Morningside News) Read more.
- We continue to stand in faith, believing, both that Pastor Saeed will survive this battle in the grace of God, and that his captors in Iran will soon be moved to free him. Thank you all for joining your faith to ours, in His Name, amen.

- "Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You." (Jer. 32:17)

	The Good News Corner

The Good News Corner:

Oscar Shocker: Underdog Christian Movie
Nominated for Best Original Song

The fictional movie is set in mid-18th century America and tells the story of two sisters captured by a native tribe, who then must struggle to find their way back home. The song that is up for an award is their family hymn.

(Hollywood, CA)-Enthuse Entertainment produces movies that are "God-honoring, faith based, family friendly films that inspire the human spirit to seek and know God."

In light of that, it's significant that the title song for one of the company's most recent movies, "Alone, Yet Not Alone" has just been nominated for an Academy award.
The fictional movie is set in mid-18th century America and tells the story of two sisters captured by a native tribe, who then must struggle to find their way back home. The song that is up for an award is their family hymn.

Click Here to watch a short trailer for the movie and to also see Joni Eareckson Tada perform the song. (Christian Post) Read more.
(Reported by Breaking Christian News)

	Signs and Wonders

Signs and Wonders:

About 25 pilot whales found dead off Florida coast

Boaters discovered 25 dead pilot whales on an island off Florida's southwest coast Thursday, raising the death toll to 33.

The whales were found on Kice Island, south of Naples and near Marco Island, said Blair Mase, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stranding coordinator. They appeared to have been there for about 24 hours, and are part of a pod first seen on Sunday.
The deceased mammals were discovered two days after the deaths of eight pilot whales near Lover's Key, about 40 miles north. They also come about a month after more than 50 whales were found stranded in the Everglades. Their cause of death has still not been determined.

Pilot whales are susceptible to mass strandings because they form close-knit social groups and are often unwilling to leave even one sick whale behind. But Mase said the number of strandings in the last year is higher than what scientists typically see.

"It is unusual and it is something we are looking at," Mase said. (ABC News) Read more here.

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."
(Luke 11:25-28)

	Worship With Us Today!

Worship With Us Today!

Michael W. Smith
Above All
Worship Here