· The Daily Brief
· The Middle East in Focus
· Iran in the News
· Pray for the Persecuted Church
· California Group Fights Euthanasia Bill
· Christian Leaders "Submit" to Islam
· Steven Curtis Chapman: Hope in the Midst of Tragedy
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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The Daily Brief Wednesday, August 6, 2008
"Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. . . " (Psalm 43:1)
The Daily Brief
1. Bush Urges North Korea to Accept Nuclear Verification - VOA and Wall Street Journal
U.S. President George Bush urged the North Korean government to agree to a strong verification of its nuclear program, at a joint news conference Wednesday in Seoul, South Korea, with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.President Bush and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak discussed their countries' military and economic alliance, and both vowed to press North Korea to give up its nuclear-weapons program. The two leaders said they would push for ratification by their national legislatures of a free-trade agreement, or FTA, that holds economic opportunities for both countries. Both presidents agreed that this is the most significant trade pact for the U.S. in more than a decade and the biggest for South Korea ever.
· Praise You Lord, for increasing the dialogue to end the nuclear standoff between North Korea, America, and South Korea. May You continue to lead these two predominantly Christian nations as they reach out to an atheistic communist country. May those involved in these talks and many others come to know You as their Savior because of the end of nuclear threat in the two Koreas. In Your Name we pray for this to come to pass. Amen.
· "For with God, nothing will be impossible." (Luke 1: 37 NKJV)
2. Dow Surges 331 Points On Fed Day - Fox Business
Wall Street ended its three-day losing streak on Tuesday, by adding more than 300 points on the Dow in a broad rally that only picked up steam after the Federal Reserve decided not to raise interest rates.The triple-digit surge for the blue chips represents the index's best days since April 1 , a serious rebound from three straight days in the red. Well before the Fed decision was announced, the Dow was 230 points in the green thanks to another decline in oil prices and a better-than-expected report on the nation's service sector.
· Thank You Lord, for providing relief to the depressed Stock Market. May the traders know that it is You who are providing this help, may they turn to You for rest from worry, and may they and market investors seek Your eternal help and salvation. For Your glory, we pray. Amen.
· " There remains therefore a rest for the people of God, for he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His." (Hebrews 4: 9-10)
3. US Experts Predict More Active Hurricane Season - AFP
US weather experts raised their predictions for this year's Atlantic hurricane season on Tuesday, warning that warmer waters could whip up 17 tropical storms including nine that will grow into hurricanes.The experts issued their report as the fifth named storm of the season, Tropical Storm Edouard, struck the Texas Coast on Tuesday. The experts had predicted in June that 15 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes would churn up in the Atlantiic. They predict that four tropical storm and three hurricanes, including a major one, will form this month. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.
· Dear Father, we come before You and ask that You will give Your guidance to those who track these storms and to those who live in their paths. Please grant that all will know You as their Savior before they pass into Your presence, and that they will not lean on their own understanding of these things. Amen.
· "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7: 25 NKJV)
4. Tourists Cheer GOP In House Chamber Over Energy Issue - CNSNews.com
"Madam Speaker, what are you afraid of? Give us a vote." said Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO) as visitors to Capitol Hill filed in and out of the house chamber, many of them through the "members only" cloak room. "I find it incredible that the American public can't hear what's going on in the House of Representatives because Nancy Pelosi chose to turn off the lights and microphones rather than have an up-or-down vote on a comprehensive energy plan. Nancy Pelosi is on a book tour. She's jetting around this country. She's on a five-week vacation. The American people can't afford a vacation, many of them. Nancy Pelosi needs to call this house back into session, and we need an up-or-down vote on energy policy," Musgrave continued.
Her words were drowned out as the crowd cheered, repeating the standing ovation given to speakers who came before and after her. The crowd chanted "vote, vote, vote," in response to remarks by members who spoke, including Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Mike Pence (R-IN) and John Shadegg (R-AZ), who spoke in front of a sign that said, "Nancy Pelosi, We're Here, Where are You?"Many tourists did not know of the protest, but were glad to be a part of history. Edward Galgano, a U.S. citizen who lives in England, was with his family on the floor of the House chamber on Tuesday. "It was pretty exciting to get on the floor to see it live," Galgano said. "I like the idea that Republican House members are raising the questions. I think energy is very important to the American people right now. Galgano did not, however, like the fact that the cameras were off in the chamber. "I disagree completely," he said. "I think it's terrible." Mae Milton of Matthews, N.C., said the scene in the House chamber reminded her of her favorite movie. "It's just like 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.'"
· Father of Grace. We need Your divine peace to descend upon the American Government. The viciousness between Democrats and Republicans is unbearable, and there are a number of senior legislators leaving Congress because of it. For those who remained on the House floor on Friday, to "fight the good fight" for the passage of an energy bill, we ask You to encourage and protect them as they are putt their political stakes on the line for a just cause - affordable energy for the American people who elected them. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
· "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5: 6-7 NKJV)
5. CIA Officials Deny Agency Faked Intelligence Document - NY Sun
Two former CIA officers yesterday, denied that they or the CIA spy agency faked an Iraqi intelligence document purporting to link Saddam Hussein with a bomber in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Mohammed Atta, as they are quoted as saying in a new book, "The Way of the World," by Washington-based journalist Ron Suskind.The White House issued the statement on behalf of the former officials after a day of adamant denials from the CIA and Bush administration, including the CIA's former deputy director of clandestine operations, Robert Richer. Mr. Suskind claims the White House concocted the fake letter, meant to come from the director of Iraqi intelligence under Saddam, Tahir Jalil Habbush al-Tikriti, in the fall of 2003 to bolster its case for the invasion earlier that year as it was becoming clear that there were no weapons of mass destruction to be found in Iraq, that were a chief rationale for the war. According to the book, the letter was given to a British journalist by an Iraqi government official.
· Omniscient Father, we humbly ask that You will silence any lies of the media, the left and terrorists concerning the Iraqi War. Please continue to reveal the indisputable truth about the reason for the Iraqi War, and expose the motives for this book. May the global War on Terror be won for Your glory and not for political reasons. May the blood of those who died on September 11th and since then to stop terrorism not be shed in vain. In Your Name we pray. Amen.
· "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth; men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was." (2 Timothy 3: 1-3 and 8-9 NKJV)
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: "May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you." (Psalm 20:1)
1. Israel to release Palestinian prisoners by end of August - Jerusalem Post
Israel will release an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners by the end of August as a "goodwill gesture" to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Palestianian leader Wednesday when the two met in Jerusalem.
2. Israel to boycott al-Jazeera again - Ynet News
The Government Press Office in Jerusalem will not provide services to the al-Jazeera television network in the wake of a festive show organized in honor of terrorist Samir Kuntar upon his return to Lebanon.
3. Last Falash Mura arrive, group slams gov't for leaving behind thousands of Jews - Jerusalem Post
As the last organized flight of Ethiopian Jewry landed in Israel on Tuesday, the government faced harsh criticism from advocates for continued aliya who said Israel was "abandoning" up to 8,700 Jews.
Iran in the News
For all the headlines below, we thank God for the promise of His Word:It is written, "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" (Psalm 118:6)
1. US slams Iranian response on nukes as 'unacceptable' - Ynet News
Iran's response to an incentives package aimed at defusing a dispute over its nuclear program is unacceptable, US officials said Tuesday, making the prospects of new sanctions against the country more likely.
2. IDF trains for simultaneous Hezbollah, Iran, Syria missile strikes - Ha'aretz
The Israel Air Force's anti-aircraft division on Tuesday carried out a large exercise testing its response to simultaneous missile strikes by Syria, Hezbollah and Iran.
Pray for the Persecuted Church
Prayers for the Persecuted Church This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE: "May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you." (Psalm 20:1)
1. Bangladesh Christians Flee After Attack On House Church
Muslim militants raided and destroyed a 'house church' in Bangladesh as part of an operation to expel Christians from the region, a group representing the believers said Tuesday, August 5.
2. China: Authorities Banish Pastor From Beijing Prior to Games
As U.S. President George W. Bush attends Olympic events in Beijing this week and a church service in the capital next Sunday, Chinese authorities have banished house church pastor Zhang Mingxuan from the city for the duration of the Games. Several other Christians remain in detention or face ongoing harassment.
3. Bush: China must end detentions, ensure freedoms - AP
President Bush says he has "deep concerns" about the state of human rights in China, and urges Beijing to end detentions and guarantee freedom of press, assembly and worship for its citizens.
4. Christian Students Attacked and Gospel Literature Burned
In IndiaHindu radicals recently attacked some Christian students in India.
California Group Fights Euthanasia Bill
CALIFORNIA PRO-LIFE GROUP CONTINUES OPPOSING BILLTHAT PROMOTES EUTHANASIA
A leading California pro-life group is continuing to urge pro-life advocates to contact their state legislators to oppose a bill that would promote euthanasia. The California Pro-Life Council is opposed to AB 2747, a measure sponsored by the lawmaker who has repeatedly tried to legalize assisted suicide. The bill's sponsor is California Assemblymember Patty Berg (D-Eureka) The bill (AB 2747) encourages medically vulnerable individuals to kill themselves through voluntary dehydration," the pro- life group says in a new legislative alert.
The bill would codify palliative sedation and voluntary stopping of eating and drinking as legitimate means of pain control and allow doctors and nurses to suggest death by unconscious dehydration. While proponents of the legislation talk about the bill allowing medical professionals to discuss the legal rights of patients with them, one of the rights that would potentially be promoted is the so-called right to be dehydrated and starved to death. (LifeNews.com 8/6/08) [Reported by: Intercessors for America]
· Pray for prayer support, and action, to build so that this "pro-death" bill is defeated in California.
· "Thy people shall volunteer freely in the day of Thy power." (Psalm 110:3 NAS)
Christian Leaders "Submit" to Islam
Christian Leaders Submit to Quranic Commandment-Leading Many Astray
The Christian, Jewish and Muslim religions have come together, establishing common ground for the common good--certainly a Communitarian one world religion approach to God. The National Association of Evangelicals and the World Evangelical Alliance have committed the Christian community to teaching the good of the Muslim faith tradition at least one week out of every year. The leaders of these two organizations and, quite frankly, many more so-called "Christian" leaders have fallen prey to dhimmitude, or submission to Islam by a conquered foe. At a conference held July 24-31 at Yale University, Christian and Jewish religious leaders bowed to Islam's call for unity.
A joint statement approved unanimously by all 140 participants was based on the Quranic 3:64 commandment: "Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to a common word between us and you: that we shall worship none but God, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him." A more common translation of the Quran for that very same verse reads: "Say: O followers of the Book! Come to an equitable proposition between us and you that we shall not serve any but Allah and that we shall not associate aught with Him, and that some of us shall not take others for lords besides Allah; but if they turn back, then say: Bear witness that we are Muslims." These Christian and Jewish leaders have been duped into a snare of satan.
In the same chapter, Quran 3:85 commands: "And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers." And just prior, Quran 3:28 says, "Let not the believers take the unbelievers for friends rather than believers; and whoever does this, he shall have nothing of (the guardianship of) Allah, but you should guard yourselves against them, guarding carefully." The entire context of Quran 3 upon which the Muslims have called for common ground on a common word is to establish that there is no other god than Allah. These arrogant Christian leaders have come into agreement with Islam and are promoting this drivel to the Body of Christ.
This is reminiscent of God instructing Ezekiel to dig into the walls of the temple where he found the high priests committing abominations and worshiping other gods. In Ezekiel 9:10, the Lord said, "And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head." These spiritual leaders were subject to harsher judgment because they led astray those who would follow God. Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man comes unto the father but by me." If you are a Christian, this is what you believe. It is not about Allah or a common word. Its about Christ and Him crucified.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry www.dailyjot.com
Steven Curtis Chapman: Hope in the Midst of Tragedy
Steven Curtis Chapman says his faith in Christ enabled him to "keep breathing" after losing his 5-year-old adopted daughter, Maria, in a car accident in May.
In their first public interview since the tragedy, Chapman and his family shared their grief - and hope - today on "Good Morning America.""There is a hope that we have, that we're anchored to, in the midst of just what sometimes seems unbearable," Chapman said.
On May 21, Maria was accidentally hit by her 17-year- old brother, Will Franklin, after she ran into the path of his SUV in their driveway. Will Franklin said his faith has sustained him. "It's been really hard," he said. "I've gotten a stronger faith through all of this, but there's those days that just hit you. . . You've got to continue to choose to live. That's the faith that continues to keep me going."
Steven Curtis Chapman said his family still has a lot of questions. "But that's what faith is," he said. "It's living with the questions. "I have to continue these chapters that are still being written. We need to keep living these moments."
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Chapmans request any gifts be directed to Shaohannah's Hope, a nonprofit they started that has provided grants to more than 1,700 adoptive families.
Dr. James Dobson expressed his sympathies to the Chapman family in May. To view his words of condolence, go here.
PLEASE NOTE:
The Chapman family will appear on CNN's "Larry King Live" at 9:00 p.m. EDT / 6:00 p.m. PDT Thursday. They also will be featured in an upcoming issue of People magazine. (Source: CitizenLink)
