Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
"A National Prayer Alliance"
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp1994@gmail.com
The Daily Brief:
"Praying for All in Authority"
Thursday, June 23, 2016
"Standing Together in the Kingdom of God . . .
Under the Cross of Christ"
" . . . if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Please note:
This week, we will publish three special editions of the Daily Brief. These will be "streamlined" editions and will include these sections:
1. The Daily Brief
2. The Middle East in Focus
3. Ramadan Prayers
4. Today's Worship
Today's edition also focuses on recent rulings by the Supreme Court.
Next week, we expect to be back to our regular format. Thank you!
"See, the LORD rides on a swift cloud . . ." (Isaiah 19:1)
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Supreme Court News
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Supreme Court News
Prayer Request:
The Supreme Court will end its judicial year next week, so many decisions are now being rendered and made public. For all the headlines listed below, please agree with us in prayer that, as we ask the Lord, He will perform His Word over this Court:
"I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city." (Isaiah 1:26)
"For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them." (Isaiah 61:8)
"I will make justice the measuring line And righteousness the level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies And the waters will overflow the secret place." (Isaiah 28:17)
1. Deadlocked Supreme Court blocks Obama on immigration - The Hill
The Supreme Court dealt a critical blow to President Obama's immigration policies on Thursday, deadlocking in a 4-4 decision over two controversial programs the White House wants to implement.
The tied vote leaves in place a lower court ruling that blocks a program allowing undocumented immigrants who are parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to remain in the United States for three years and apply for work permits.
It also prevents the administration from otherwise expanding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program issued by Obama in 2012. (Read more)
2. Obama uses immigration ruling to blame GOP - PBS
President Barack Obama is using the deadlocked Supreme Court opinion on his immigration actions to hammer Republicans for refusing to confirm his nominee to the Supreme Court.
Obama says Republicans are allowing partisan politics to jeopardize critical issues. He says, "America should not let it stand."
The president says his immigration actions can't go forward until the court has a ninth justice to break the tie. (Read more)
3. Supreme Court upholds affirmative action program at Texas college - The Hill
The Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a 4-3 decision that it is lawful for the University of Texas at Austin to consider race when determining student admissions.
While the ruling is a win for supporters of affirmative action, the court did express some reservations about race-based admissions.
The court said the university's plan is lawful under the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution, but cautioned that the school should continue "to scrutinize the fairness of its admissions program, to assess whether changing demographics have undermined the need for race-conscious policy, and to identify the effects, both positive and negative, of the affirmative-action measures it deems necessary." (Read more)
[Please note: this ruling was decided in a lower court]
4. Police driver acquitted in Freddie Gray case - POLITICO
A judge acquitted a police van driver of all charges including "depraved-heart" murder on Thursday in the death of 25-year-old arrestee Freddie Gray, whose broken neck on the way to the station set off Baltimore's worst riots in decades.
Six officers were charged in Gray's death, but only Officer Caesar Goodson was accused of murder. Gray was fatally injured after officers bound his hands and feet and Goodson left him unprotected by a seat belt that prosecutors say would have kept him from slamming into the van's metal walls.
Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams delivered his verdict after hearing five days of testimony in the non-jury trial. He also found Goodson not guilty of manslaughter, assault, misconduct in office, and reckless endangerment. (Read more)
5. ALERT! "Texas Abortion Case" to Be Announced on Monday - Allan Parker; the Justice Foundation
Mr. Parker asked we please be in concentrated prayer concerning the Texas HB 2 case. The Supreme Court decision is said to come out on Monday. Three days of concentrated prayer is requested, through Monday, June 27th.
> > > "Pray without ceasing" using the verses above. Thank you! (- the editor)
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The Middle East in Focus
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"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10)
1. Israel seeks to postpone publication of Quartet report - YNET News
Israel has launched diplomatic efforts aimed at halting the publication of a report by the Quartet (an international diplomatic body comprised of the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, and Russia. Its purpose is to oversee the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and attempt to end the conflict), which is expected to blame Israel for the current impasse in the peace process with the Palestinians.
The report is set to be published on Thursday or Friday, but diplomats in Israel estimate that it will only be published after Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with US Secretary of State John Kerry. The two are set to meet in Rome early next week.
Read More
2. NATO chief says upping cooperation with Israel 'essential' - Times of Israel
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The head of NATO called for ramped up ties with Israel Tuesday, as President Rueven Rivlin visited the alliance's headquarters ahead of the creation of a mission for the Jewish state there.
The new mission had been discussed for several years but was held up by opposition from Turkey, a key NATO member which is reportedly on the verge of normalizing ties with Israel, once its close regional ally, top officials said Tuesday.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Israel had been an active alliance partner for 20 years and now it was "essential" to step up cooperation and go a step further.
Read More
3. Abbas: Israel must end its regional hegemony if its serious about peace - Jerusalem Post
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called on Israel to end its regional dominance in advance of his address before the European Parliament on Thursday.
"If Israel seeks peace with its Arab neighbors it has to start by ending its hegemony on the region and to stop violating the rights of our people," Abbas said.
"Then we will be able to implement the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002," Abbas added. He spoke in Arabic and his words were translated into English by the EU.
Read More
4. Israel to install its own cyber defenses on F-35 jets - Jerusalem Post
FORT WORTH, TEXAS - Israel will install its own cyber defenses on the F-35 jets it will receive this year, the air force's Chief of Staff, Brig.-Gen. Tal Kelman, said on Tuesday.
Kelman praised the jet across the board, saying it would significantly upgrade Israel's ability to defend itself, but added that he had been greatly disturbed by the issue of cyber defense for the stealth aircraft.
After negotiations with the US and the plane's manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, an agreement was reached enabling the Israel Air Force (IAF) to create Israeli cyber defense solutions.
Read More
5. New red alert for tunnel digging into Israel - YNET News
Israel is taking an additional precautionary step against Hamas tunnels which is intended to draw the attention of southern residents surrounding the Gaza region to incidents of Hamas tunnel digging.
From now on, a red alert will be sounded not only when rockets are launched but also when information is received about the digging into Israeli territory from tunnels.
The alarm will sound identical to that when rockets are falling into Israeli territory. However, in order to distinguish between rocket warnings and tunnel digging, the southern residents will receive, in addition to the alarm, an SMS message instructing, "Due to terrorist digging, residents are requested to go into their homes and switch off the lights until further notice."
Read More
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The Daily Brief
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Please note:
Every prayer below is presented to our Lord in the Name of Jesus Christ, amen.
1. Democrats end sit-in on gun control - The Hill
Democrats ended their sit-in on the House floor shortly after 1 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, after more than 24 hours of stalling proceedings to call for action on gun-control legislation. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) spoke while surrounded by his Democratic colleagues to close the protest, which lasted through the night after beginning shortly before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. "We must come back on July 5 more determined than ever before," Lewis declared in anticipation of the House's return date after the Independence Day recess.
Democrats rallied on the Capitol steps after ending the sit-in, but their next move remains unclear. Party leaders are framing the sit-in - and the attention it attracted - as a turning point, both in the gun debate and in the manner that House business is conducted.
"There is a breaking point, and I think that this - Orlando - was a breaking point," said Rep. Sandy Levin (D-Mich.), referring to the mass shooting at an Orlando gay nightclub last week that left 49 dead and 53 wounded. Rep. Joe Crowley (N.Y.), vice chairman of the Democratic Caucus, echoed that message and warned of similar tactics to come. "A fire's been lit across our nation," Crowley said. "It's a new day in Washington, it's a new way to fight, as well. We're not going to sit back and do nothing anymore."
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Thursday dismissed the sit-in as "a political stunt" and "a fundraising scheme" designed to churn up campaign cash for Democrats during a high-stakes election year. (Read more)
- Father God, we are not deceived. We see clearly that this "New Day" is the old lie . . . the one that was birthed at the beginning of time in the pit of hell. Guns do not kill people; people kill people. The actions of these Democrats in the House Chamber last night were simply anarchy: the spirit of lawlessness temporarily took over in this fight . . . one that simply said "I rule, my way."
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. We ask that the water of the Holy Spirit would wash over that Chamber, bringing cleansing and healing and putting out the flames of anarchy that burst forth. In Your Name, amen.
- 'This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt." (Job 38:11)
> > > To read Speaker Ryan's remarks on this episode, please go here.
2. McConnell quashes Senate effort on guns - The Hill
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Thursday cut the legs out from a bipartisan effort to keep suspected terrorists from buying guns. In doing so, McConnell, a master of the Senate's arcane rules, provided cover for vulnerable Republicans who wanted to be seen as supporting the effort, but did not want to cross the National Rifle Association.
"The scenario that Sen. McConnell set up was textbook McConnell," said Brian Darling, a former Senate Republican aide.
McConnell had promised a vote this week to Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) on her bipartisan measure barring people on two key terrorist watch lists from buying guns or explosives. But what he scheduled was not what she had in mind.
Instead of setting up a vote to add the Collins legislation to the pending appropriations bill on the Senate floor, McConnell scheduled a vote to discard it. The Collins bill survived that test in a 46-52 vote, but it fell far short of winning 60 votes, the threshold necessary to overcome procedural hurdles. (Read more)
- Father, we thank You for the wisdom shown by the Senate Majority Leader in blocking this vote. We know that there are so many loopholes in the "terrorist screening" process that no law can truly protect us from those who wish to harm us. Instead, there is much danger when our Second Amendment rights are taken away, judging solely by what history teaches us: Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, and Mao Tse Tung, to name only a few, have shown us what will happen when a government seizes the guns of its citizens. Thank You, O Lord, for this move in the Senate, amen.
- "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." (Proverbs 29:2)
3. Convicted House Democrat resigns - The Hill
Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.) is resigning effective immediately, he announced Thursday, after initially seeking to remain in Congress despite his conviction on corruption charges.
"In my previous letter I indicated a later resignation date in order to provide for an orderly transition of my office after 21 years in the House," he wrote in a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan. "However, out of respect for the entire House Leadership, and so as not to cause a distraction from the House's work for the people, I have changed my effective date."
A Philadelphia jury on Tuesday convicted Fattah on 29 counts of bribery, racketeering, money laundering and fraud. Each conviction carries a possible sentence of 20 years in prison. (Read more)
- Father, thank You that this unfortunate episode has now come to a close. We ask that You grace this congressman with a spirit of repentance, leading to a deeper relationship with you. Congressman Fattah lists his religion as Baptist; may He come to know You in full measure, in Your name, amen.
- "For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us." (Isaiah 59:12)
4. FBI 'revolt of Watergate proportions' if Hillary skates - WND
NEW YORK - A former U.S. attorney says there is no doubt that, before the November election, the FBI will recommend to Attorney General Loretta Lynch that she prosecute Hillary Clinton for mishandling of classified information, warning that intervention by the White House would provoke a revolt of Watergate proportions.
In an interview with WND, Joseph diGenova said that based "on all the available evidence, including what is publicly known and what is known in the law enforcement community, there is sufficient, credible evidence needed to meet the predicate to begin a grand jury - sufficient evidence for probable cause to believe various crimes have been committed. There is simply no doubt that the FBI is going to recommend a series of charges to Attorney General Lynch," he insisted.
DiGenova said he has been speaking with former FBI, Secret Service and intelligence people about the case. "Based on the information they have secured from their brothers and sisters in the law enforcement community, there is unanimity on the fact that charges are going to be recommended by the FBI," he said. "It is impossible for them not to, under the circumstances," he stressed. (Read more)
- Father, we commit this situation into Your hands. Your word says that everything hidden will be exposed. If actions have been hidden and crimes committed, we pray all truth be revealed and all parties be held accountable, no matter what positions they may hold. No one is above the law. We reap what we sow.
- "People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy." (Proverbs 28:13)
5. Anatomy of the terror threat: Files show hundreds of US plots, refugee connection - Fox News
Newly obtained congressional data shows hundreds of terror plots have been stopped in the U.S. since 9/11 - mostly involving foreign-born suspects, including dozens of refugees.
The files are sure to inflame the debate over the Obama administration's push to admit thousands more refugees from Syria and elsewhere, a proposal Donald Trump has vehemently opposed on the 2016 campaign trail.
"[T]hese data make clear that the United States not only lacks the ability to properly screen individuals prior to their arrival, but also that our nation has an unprecedented assimilation problem," Sens. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told President Obama in a June 14 letter, obtained by FoxNews.com. (Read more)
- Father, we thank You that this information has now come to light, and we ask that You move upon the hearts of Congress to do all it can to curtail this influx of illegal refugees from entering our land. Keep us safe, O Lord, we pray, amen.
- "Deliver us from evil." (Matthew 6:12)
6. Heroin use at 20-year high in U.S. drug 'epidemic', U.N. says - Reuters
A heroin "epidemic" is gripping the United States, where cheap supply has helped push the number of users to a 20-year high, increasing drug-related deaths, the United Nations said on Thursday. According to the U.N.'s World Drug Report 2016, the number of heroin users in the United States reached around one million in 2014, almost three times as many as in 2003.
The rise could be linked to U.S. legislation introduced in recent years which makes it harder to abuse prescription opioids such as oxicodone, a powerful painkiller that can have similar effects to heroin, Me said. The law meant the texture of the pills was changed to make it more difficult to crush them and inject them into the blood stream, Me said.
"This has caused a partial shift from the misuse of these prescription opioids to heroin," said Angela Me, the chief researcher for the report which was released on Thursday. (Read more)
- Father, this is such sad news. People need a Savior. Thank You for providing Jesus to take our burdens. We pray for all those addicted to these drugs to be delivered, in Jesus Name. May they turn to Jesus, and be delivered and set free. We bind this "epidemic" in Jesus Name.
- "Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he delivered them out of their distresses." (Psalm 107:6)
7. Russia to reveal location of US military satellites in free space database - report - rt/com
Russia's own data on near-Earth objects - including military satellites not covered by the open catalog of the North-American warning system NORAD - could soon be made publicly available as a comprehensive database, Russian media report.
Russia is planning to set up a free database on thousands of near-Earth objects, including those not publicly listed in open catalogs of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Izvestia newspaper reported on Tuesday.
NORAD doesn't only track Santa at Christmas - its database also provides details on thousands of satellites launched, destroyed or still functioning. While the catalog does not disclose data on America's own military or dual-use satellites (or those of allies - Japan, France, Germany and Israel among them), as Izvestia says, it does feature Russia's defense satellites. (Read more)
- Father, we pray Russia's intentions will be made known for this database. We speak peace over all the military satellites that are launched by all countries.
- "Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these [things], that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that [he is] strong in power; not one faileth." (Isaiah 40:26)
8. Russia to deploy NUCLEAR-capable ballistic missiles in the heart of EUROPE - Express.co.UK
Kremlin insiders say the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad - on the Baltic Sea wedged between Poland and Lithuania - will host the Iskander missile - dubbed the Stone by Nato. Crimea, which was annexed from the Ukraine in 2014, could also host a second Iskander missile base, Russian defence sources claim.
Russia has been accused of blatant acts of aggression in eastern Europe and the Baltics, with land grabs, military exercises and close fly-bys of its fighter jets. The move is in defiance of a US-backed Nato missile shield that was erected in Romania last month, with a second planned for Poland in 2018.
With a range of roughly 300 miles, the Iskander missile could hit targets as far away as eastern Germany, the entire Baltic region and Poland, as well as parts of Sweden. (Read more)
- Father, we pray that the Nations would hold Russia accountable for its actions. We pray our U.S. government will be strong to enforce consequences for the defiance of the U.S.-backed NATO missile shield .
- "Summon many against Babylon, All those who bend the bow: Encamp against her on every side, Let there be no escape. Repay her according to her work; According to all that she has done, so do to her; For she has become arrogant against the LORD, Against the Holy One of Israel." (Jeremiah 50:29)
9. US calls for swift UN condemnation of North Korea launches - Washington Post
The U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting late Wednesday on North Korea's launch of two ballistic missiles and U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power called for "urgent and united condemnation."
The United States and Japan, after consulting South Korea, requested a closed-door briefing from the U.N. Secretariat on the North's reported firing of the two midrange missiles. One flew about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) high after five failed attempts in recent months.
Power told reporters as she headed into the council meeting that North Korea's repeated defiance of international law "underscores how important it is for us to come together to ensure consequences for this inherently destabilizing behavior, and this inherent and consistent and repeated threat to international peace and security." (Read more)
- Father, we continue to ask that You send forth Your word and heal the mind of the president of North Korea. Let this danger pass, we pray, amen.
- "He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions." (Psalm 107:20)
10. UK (Brexit) referendum: Latest updates
The polls in the UK have closed in a once-in-a-generation referendum that will determine if the United Kingdom remains in the European Union.
- Almost 46.5 million people registered in historic vote
- First results: Gibraltar, Newcastle and Orkney vote to remain, Sunderland votes to leave EU. (Read more)
- Father, as these results come in tonight from this historic vote in Britain, we pray in the Spirit. We ask for a true vote to be counted, in Your name, amen.
- "Keep watch and pray . . ." (Matthew 26:41a)
11. Iceland's Hekla volcano eruption could spark 'major disaster' at any moment, experts warn - The Independent UK
Readings from inside the volcano are higher than before its last two eruptions, meaning it could blow at any minute after 16 years of silence. "Hekla is a dangerous volcano," he told Icelandic news website Visit.is. "We could be looking at a major disaster when the next eruption begins if we are not careful. "Hekla is ready - at any moment." (Read more)
- Father, we pray for Iceland. We pray You stop this eruption of the volcano. Hold back this disaster, in Jesus Name.
- "I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart." (Mark 11:23)
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Have you noticed?
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Have you noticed?
. . . as you scan the headlines in today's edition of the Daily Brief, you may note that there have been several victories on the side of Biblical righteousness in the past 24 hours . . .
Could it be that, now that a bill has been set before Congress, calling our nation to REPENTANCE, that the healing is already taking place??
For probably the first time in our history, we see a bill in Congress that includes that one word: REPENTANCE. That bill is H. Res.790: Calling for "A National Day of Personal Reflection and Repentance."
And so . . . the healing has begun . . . praise the Lord.
For more information about H. Res. 790, please see today's bulletin from the National Day of Repentance, by going here -- or see yesterday's Brief.
We wish to thank Congressman Doug Lamborn of Colorado, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler of Missouri, and Congressman Trent Franks of Arizona for their leadership in submitting Resolution 790 to the House of Representatives, and we encourage all of you to please call your own member and ask him or her to support this important piece of legislation. (Call 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to their office.)
Finally, thanks go, too, to our friends in AUSTRALIA who are now praying with us for the passage of H.Res. 790.
AMEN!
> > > To read the language of this bill, please go here. > > > To read the "Dear Colleague" letter that is now circulating Congress, please go here.
Final note: even though Congress is now out of session, you can still call in and register your own support for H. Res. 790. Thank you again.
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Ramadan Prayers
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Prayers During Ramadan:
Thursday, June 23, 2016: SUDAN
Pray with the Christians in Sudan as they strive to be the presence of Jesus in this land:
"Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, Neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; But you shall call your walls Salvation, And your gates Praise." (Isaiah 60:18)
- Since 1989, more than 2 million people have died as a result of the civil war. Sudan separated into two countries, and there is on- going fighting primarily in three areas: the Nuba Mountains, Darfur and the Blue Nile. Pray for the fighting to cease in Sudan and for the government to follow God's will.
- Pray for safety in these war-torn regions and for the salvation of the people of Sudan.
- At the end of the 2012 the government required approximately 200 Christian missionaries to leave the country. The government took their possessions: cars, houses, computers and phones. Local believers continue to meet, but have faced many struggles and church closures. Pray for the local church leaders to be more united and show God's love in this situation.
- Local Christian workers live in five different areas as 'tentmakers' and are focused on church planting. Pray for safety and a fruitful ministry in their country.
- Pray for God to use these local believers to mobilize more individuals for outreach among unreached people groups.
- The government has started arresting the local active Christian workers and has put some of them in prison, with the intent to stop Christianity in Sudan. Please pray for the Christians in prison and for their families.
- Pray God will protect Muslim background believers (MBBs) so they can take the message of the gospel to their people, tribes and families.
- Pray for the Sudanese church to show the love of God to Muslim neighbours in this difficult time.
- Due to the war, there are significant numbers of Sudanese refugees around the world. In Egypt there are approximately 5 million Sudanese. Please pray for God work among these people, for Sudanese to come to know Jesus as Lord, and also for their basic daily needs to be met.
(Source: Sudanese Christians forced to leave Sudan)
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Finally: THANK YOU!
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Finally: THANK YOU!
We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have so graciously responded to the letter of appeal, written late last week, by our dear friend and technical support specialist, Pastor Bill Lee.
Even though our one-week campaign will close tomorrow, PLEASE CONTINUE TO REMEMBER US DURING THESE SUMMER MONTHS!
Our p.o. box in Pennsylvania will be closed soon, so we do ask you to please send your offerings now to our regular address:
CHPP
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172
Thank you again, and God bless you all!
Sara Ballenger, President
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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Today's Worship
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Today's Worship:
Every Praise
Hezekiah Walker
Worship Him together . . . here . . .
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Election 2016: Prayer Resources
"Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you." (Deuteronomy 1:13)
> > > Please find below the Election Prayer Resources that have been recently added to our list. To view the archive section, go here.
To view our recently archived articles, go here.
To view the most recently archived resources, go here.
