Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
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The Daily Brief
Thursday, January 16, 2014
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases."
(Lamentations 3:22)
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The Daily Brief
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1. Supreme Court questions Massachusetts' abortion clinic buffer zone - Washington Examiner
Several Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical Wednesday about the constitutionality of Massachusetts' 35-foot buffer zone around abortion clinics in a case that has broad First Amendment ramifications.
- Father, we pray that whatever it takes to save the unborn in America, You would accomplish it.
- "that you may take away the innocent blood - from me and from the house of my father" [1 Kings 2:31]
2. Obama to Dems: I'll act with or without Congress - AP
President Barack Obama has told Senate Democrats he plans to use his executive authority to act in 2014 when Congress stands in his way.
- Lord, the dictatorial practices of this president are unconstitutional. We ask that You bring justice and stop the circumvention of Congress.
- "Break the arm of the wicked and evil man: seek out his wickedness till You find none." [Psalm 10:15]
3. Congress Pressures White House to Release Iran Nuke Deal Text -Washington Free Beacon
Lawmakers lashed out at the White House on Tuesday for refusing to publicly release the full text of the recently inked nuclear accord that permits Iran to partially continue its contested nuclear program.
- Father, as Iran claims to be the victor in this, and is more defiant than ever, we pray for Your intervention to prevent them from finishing their nuclear weapon program.
- "His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity." [Psalm 10:7]
4. US Spy Agency Infiltrates Personal Computers Worldwide - VOA news
The U.S. National Security Agency is reported to have implanted malicious software in nearly 100,000 computers worldwide -- allowing the U.S. to conduct surveillance on those machines and create a digital highway for launching cyberattacks.
- Lord, we rebuke that malicious software and declare it null and void. We ask for malfunctions that would destroy their ability to harm Your people.
- "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord." [Proverbs 21:30]
5. Global religious hostilities reach six year high - RT news
Violence and discrimination spurred by rival faiths has reached a six year high, according to a new Pew Research Center report. The sharpest spike was in the Middle East and North Africa. Christians remain the most highly oppressed religious group.
- Father, we ask for You to strengthen Your people, and manifest yourself on their behalf wherever they are.
- "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him." [Psalm 91:15]
6. Iran, 6 world powers OK plan to launch first phase of nuclear deal
- Los Angeles Times
WASHINGTON - Iran and six world powers have agreed on a plan to launch the first phase of their nuclear deal, U.S. and Iranian officials announced Sunday, a sign the fragile international effort to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions remains on track.
The agreement, worked out in a month of talks between technical experts and diplomats, goes into effect Jan. 20, after which Iran will begin to get access to some of its frozen assets - and will have to open more of its facilities to the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency.
Meanwhile, Iran and six world powers led by the United States will try to negotiate a long-term agreement to limit Iran's nuclear development. (Read more)
- Clearly, this march towards a world dominated by Iran and Islam goes forward unhindered . . . for now . . . as prophesied in the Word of God. "Perilous times" are not coming -- they are already here. Cry out to God for mercy for our nation as we align ourselves with the enemies of Christ . . . we know not what we do. Offer praise for the multitudes, now being saved out of Islam, whose reports we are hearing daily, for where sin abounds, grace doth more so abound. Pray . . .
- "Having done all, stand . . ." (Eph. 6:13)
7. Russian security forces battle militants before Olympics - Reuters
Three Russian servicemen and four gunmen were killed in a shootout in southern Russia on Wednesday during a sweep for militants before the Sochi Winter Olympics. Russia's National Anti-terrorism Committee (NAC) said the dead gunmen included a man accused of carrying out a car bomb attack in the city of Pyatigorsk late last year which killed three people. (Read more)
- Continue to lift up in prayer all who will be participating in this year's Winter Olympics, which begin on Friday, Feb. 7 and last until Sunday, Feb. 23. Pray, in particular, for protection for the Israeli delegation, too. May God hear and answer our prayers for all . . . in His name, amen.
- (Psalm 91)
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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:
"Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion; for I will make your horn iron, and I will make your hoofs bronze; and you shall crush many peoples."(Micah 4:12)
1. Israel's intel succeeded where US failed on Syria nukes, Gates reveals - Times of Israel
The US prepared plans to attack Syria in 2007 after receiving evidence from Israel that the Syrian regime was en route to building a nuclear weapon, former secretary of defense Robert Gates revealed in his memoir, which was released Tuesday.
2. Iron Dome downs five rockets headed for Ashkelon - Times of Israel
The Iron Dome missile defense system shot down five rockets that were fired from the Gaza Strip in the direction of Ashkelon overnight Wednesday.
3. 13,000 teens complete Hamas training camps to emulate 'suicide martyrs' - Times of Israel
The Hamas government in Gaza celebrated the graduation on Monday of paramilitary camps geared at training high-school children to follow in the footsteps of the suicide martyrs.
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The Persecuted Church
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Today's Focus: The Persecuted Church
"For the Lord will not abandon His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance." (Psalm 94:14)
Young Christian Killed and Beheaded by Jihadists in Syria - Fides
Homs (Agenzia Fides) - Islamist groups have killed and beheaded a young Christian man, seriously wounding another. The incident, which occurred on 8 January, was reported to Fides only now by a priest in the diocese of Homs. The two, Firas Nader (29), and Fadi Matanius Mattah (34), were traveling by car from Homs to the Christian village of Marmarita. A group of five armed jihadists intercepted the vehicle and opened fire on the car. Upon reaching the car, militiamen, noting that Fadi was wearing a cross around his neck, beheaded him. They then took money and documents, leaving Firas on the ground wounded, believing he was already dead. Firas instead managed to escape, reaching the town of Almshtaeih on foot and was then transferred to the hospital in Tartou. Some of the faithful were able to recover the body of Mattah, bringing him to Marmarita, where the local Christian community expressed strong indignation for the horrible act carried out.
According to a statement sent to Fides by Aid to the Church in Need" (ACN), violence against Christians in Syria, is becoming "one of the worst persecutions endured by Christians in this part of the third millennium". According to the latest reports, more than 600,000 Christians - a third of the total Syrian faithful - are internally displaced or living as refugees in neighboring countries. Christian leaders confirm the massive exodus of Christians from Syria, which could seriously jeopardize the future of Christians in the nation.
As ACN in Homs highlights, Marmarita and Hamat, the Syrian population, which includes many Christians, live in severe discomfort and without food, heating, shelter and medicine because of the bitter cold weather that has worsened the humanitarian crisis which exists due to the conflict.
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
www.MadisonProject.com
THE MADISONIAN
Week of January 13 - 17, 2014
Unemployment Benefits
The agenda: For the first time since 2008, Congress adjourned in December without extending unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed. Typically, the UI program lasts for 26 weeks of unemployment with an additional 13 weeks during recessions. Since 2008, however, Congress has funded UI benefits for up to 99 weeks of unemployment. As part of the fiscal cliff deal, they extended benefits for up to 73 weeks. In total, extended unemployment benefits have been renewed 11 times since 2008.
In an effort to distract from the job losses due to Obamacare, Senate Democrats plan to vote on a bill to retroactively extend the unpaid-for 73 weeks of UI benefits until March 31. The Senate will vote for cloture on S. 1845, which is sponsored by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), on Tuesday morning. As is often the case with the current membership of the Senate, every Democrat is likely to stick with their leadership on this vote. There is already one Republican co-sponsor of the bill, Senator Dean Heller (R-NV). Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) is also likely to support the measure.
Conservative outlook:
If GOP leadership blithely watches Democrats pick off members of their conference, Harry Reid will easily win 60 votes for cloture. Instead, they should aggressively counterpunch by whipping against cloture unless Democrats agree to add some form of Obamacare repeal to the bill. Especially after Democrats abolished the filibuster on judicial nominees last year, no Republican should be eager to surrender the filibuster on legislative matters.
Moreover, it's time for Republicans to finally stand strong on an issue and put an end to the political game of long-term unemployment benefits. We all know that March 31st will not be the end to the UI subterfuge. Despite the improving economy, Democrats will continue to use the unemployed as a political football every few months leading up to the midterm elections.
Moreover, if we fail to shut off the extra UI payments now, it will soon morph into a permanent entitlement. Since 2008, the federal government has collected roughly $240 billion in federal unemployment payroll taxes, while paying out about $600 billion in benefits. The three-month extension will add another $6.4 billion to the tab.
With unemployment ticking down, yet a near-record number of individuals locked out of the labor force, now is the worst time to offer preserve incentives to join the labor market. People who gave up looking for a job will certainly never be incentivized to re-enter the job market if they have a steady flow of taxpayer benefits coming to them every week.
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The Daily Jot
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Land of the fee; home of the enslaved
The president told his Cabinet and his minions in the Senate that he openly intends to bypass Congress to give the American people what they need. He said he would use executive orders to meet Americans' needs. His words: "We're not just going to be waiting for legislation in order to make sure that we're providing Americans the kind of help they need. I've got a pen and I've got a phone. And I can use that pen to sign executive orders and take executive actions and administrative actions." These words should become etched in the hearts of every Christian American who believes in freedom of religion. These are the words of a dictator, a usurper of what is just and right, a blasphemer.
If ever there was a break in the "democracy" charade being played by recent presidents and most of those elected to uphold the Constitution, these words are true exposure to their collective agenda. That agenda is one that is counter to God and to just and equal treatment under the law. You have it from the mouth of the beast: "One of the things that I'm going to be talking to my Cabinet about is how do we use all the tools available to us, not just legislation, in order to advance a mission that I think unifies all Americans." Unifies all Americans under what? Slavery to the government's overreaching rules, regulations and arbitrary enforcement of the law? The burden of fees and taxes to redistribute wealth?
The Christian people, whose earthly and spiritual freedom is found in bondage to Christ, have before them a quandary: They have been taught for a century separation of church and state. Preachers and teachers drive home the point that Christians must submit to government--good or evil; that Christians serve a greater kingdom and therefore should not involve themselves with politics or government. Let us be clear on this misguided doctrine: God judges individuals and nations. Individuals comprise nations. Our example is the collective wickedness of Israel that led them into captivity and dispersion, although there were many Godly people among them, the prophets being witness.
We have before us a dictatorial government that has been allowed to drift far into the bosom of satan. We will be held accountable to God for ourselves, our families, our communities, our states, and our nation in this time in which we are living. We must purpose ourselves to be an Ephesians 6:18-19 people: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel." Only the gospel has the way, the truth and the life. To turn this nation toward God, we must open our mouths boldly--this is how to preserve our earthly liberty in Christ.
None of us are strong enough to struggle alone to defend our freedom against this present tyranny. It is only by the combination of the forces of God (our unification and God's hand of blessing) that shall prevent our enslavement to evil manifest in the godless acts of this government's power which has been usurped from the Constitution and the people. Arise in Christ or be enslaved to darkness. The night is far spent, the day is at hand, let us put on the armor of light and defeat the works of darkness!
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
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A Sign Of The Times
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A Sign Of The Times
In yesterday's report, we took Barack Obama to task for his "pen and phone" comment, which once again reflected his disdain for the Constitution. To his credit, Speaker John Boehner tried to emphasize the point by posting pictures on his Facebook page with the captions, "President Obama has his pen and his phone." "We have the Constitution."
I'm sure the response was not what he expected. Of course, a handful of leftists chimed in. But the overwhelming majority of comments were from average Americans outraged that Boehner wasn't doing more to stop Obama and to defend the Constitution.
Now there is only so much that House Republican leaders can do on their own against the executive branch and the Senate. But if someone from Boehner's staff is monitoring his Facebook page and reading these responses, I hope they tell Speaker Boehner that the grassroots of the GOP is seething because they just don't see enough being done to stop Obama's power grab.
Insiders say Speaker Boehner is agonizing over how to handle delicate issues like illegal immigration. He would be better off agonizing over how to prevent the GOP's most fervent supporters from "going on strike" out of frustration with the failure to stop Obama's attacks on our most basic freedoms and values. (Gary Bauer)
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Good News Corner (1)
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Good News Corner (1):
Police Chief Defies Atheist Demands to Remove Cross from Department Property
"I don't for one second think a wooden cross staked into the ground is offensive to the majority of the people that we serve." -Police Chief Jeremy Clark
(Searcy, AR)-Police Chief Jeremy Clark is refusing to take down a cross that was planted on the lawn of the police department in Searcy a year before he took office after the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) contacted him with a request to remove it.
"Someone put it there," said Clark. "I didn't put it there-I don't know who did. I wasn't going to remove it just because this organization in another state told us that we should."
"The only person that sees that cross every day is me," he added, "unless someone is purposely trying to look for it. You can see these crosses in yards all over the community we service. I don't for one second think a wooden cross staked into the ground is offensive to the majority of the people that we serve."
area residents are siding with Clark in stating that the cross should not be removed just because FFRF says so.
"I think the Wisconsin folks ought to tend to their business, and we'll tend to ours," one woman told reporters.
"Thank you, Chief Clark. Our community has the right to post the symbol. A great majority of citizens in Searcy and the county are Christian," another stated. "If the person who wrote the 'complaint' is so 'offended,' please print their name. [The] chief and other city leaders are named, why not the complainant? Our community has the right to know who they are. Or even if there really was a complaint." (Christian News) Read more here.
[Reported by: Breaking Christian News]
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Good News Corner (2)
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The Good News Corner (2):
A Call of Hope to a Desperate Mom as She Enters Clinic for Abortion,
and Two Little Lives Are Saved
"I didn't realize how many resources there were to women in my position. There's so many options and resources. When I left Planned Parenthood last May, I was so happy that I didn't have to have an abortion. I knew I needed to remain focused on the positive and became absolutely determined to do what's best for my daughters." -Rebecca Rizzi
(Arizona)-A wonderful story that shows just how important and needed are the pro-life people who stand praying outside abortion mills, ready to help mothers who feel they have nowhere else to turn; was featured recently in The Blaze.
Rebecca Rizzi-twenty-four, single and five weeks pregnant-walked into a Planned Parenthood clinic in Tempe, Arizona, last year, because she felt she "had to do it," since she hadn't spoken to her family or friends in "a long time" and felt completely isolated.
She was personally opposed to abortion, but faced with the reality of having a baby, she was desperate.
Rizzi had noticed the "Refuge In the Desert" pro-life protesters nearby when she entered, and as she waited inside, more and more doubts about going through with abortion began to come to mind.
She decided to get some air outside, and seeing the pro-lifers, she approached one of them to ask if they thought they were really making a difference.
Sherry Pierce spoke with Rebecca, asking her why she thought abortion was her only option.
Pierce told The Blaze, "We were calling out and she came over to us. Truly God brought her to us. . . The Lord caused her to come over."
Sherry's words of hope and other options impacted Rebecca and she eventually changed her mind for adoption instead of abortion; giving her baby life.
Soon after however, she learned that she was actually pregnant with twins and the thought of motherhood began to touch her heart.
"Once I found out they were twins and I thought about our life together and what it could be [I changed my mind]," said Rebecca. (The Blaze)
To see a photo of this glowing new mom and her twins, go here. (Reported by Breaking Christian News)
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Signs and Wonders
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Signs and Wonders:
Numerous Sightings of more "Fireballs" on January 12
Yesterday, we reported sightings of a meteor that was seen streaking down the coast off of Providence, RI on Sunday evening, January 12th.
Today we have learned that there were actually 96 sightings that same night, all across the nation.
To track this information, as well as daily reports of meteor sightings, visit the website of the American Meteor Society by going 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)
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Worship With Us Today!
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Worship With Us Today!
Julie True
Worship You
Worship Here
