In This Issue
• On Capitol Hill This Week; Vol. XVI, No. 13a
• This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
On Capitol Hill This Week - Volume XVI, Number 13a
March 30 - April 3, 2009
* * DOMESTIC ISSUES * *
". . . I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth." (Job 19:25)
1. UPDATES: S. 277 AND H.R. 1388 - WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES!
2. H.R. 1444: CONGRESSIONAL COMMISSION ON CIVIC SERVICE ACT
3. THE NEW POLITICAL CLIMATE: "SLEIGHT OF HAND"
4. VITTER AMENDMENT TO "GIVE "ACT KILLED IN SENATE
5. REID MAY ALLOW EXTREME MANEUVER ON HEALTH CARE, ENERGY BILLS
6. BIPARTISAN BILL PUTS PATIENTS FIRST
7. PRO-LIFE SENATORS' OPEN LETTER TO OBAMA
8. BLACK PASTOR JAILED FOR EXERCISING FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS
9. OBAMA BUDGET COULD DOOM NEXT GENERATION
10. SENATE FAILS TO STOP OBAMA TAX HIKE ON CHARITABLE GIVING
11. A BILL TO SHIFT CYBERSECURITY TO WHITE HOUSE
12. OBAMA SEEKS MOSLEMS FOR WHITE HOUSE POSTS
1. UPDATES: S. 277 AND H.R. 1388 - WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES!
[S. 277: Serve America Act; H.R. 1388: The "GIVE" Act]
Thank you all for the tremendous response we have been seeing in the public outcry over these two bills, both of which have been designed to "reform the national service laws." Here is where we are now:
1. The provisions of S. 277 have now been included in H.R. 1388, so no further action will be taken on the Senate bill (S. 277). Meanwhile, last Thursday, Senator Jim DeMint did raise his voice on the floor of the Senate in protest over the intent of this bill, "the National Service Act." You can view his remarks by going here.
2. In its new form, H.R. 1388 has been STRIPPED of all language referring to "mandatory service." This is a great victory for those who have protested this provision! The House still needs to approve the "new" Senate version of H.R. 1388; and THAT VOTE HAS BEEN SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE TONIGHT, BEGINNING AT 6:30 P.M.
3. In a stealth maneuver, the MANDATORY PROVISION of a national service act has now reappeared in a "new bill: H.R. 1444: Congressional Commission on Civic Service Act. Please read below for more details on that bill. (Capitol Hill Prayer Partners)
• Even though H.R. 1388, at face value, now seems to be innocent enough (minus the "mandatory provision" language), the devil may still be in the details. The language of the bill is intentionally vague, which could help radical groups advance their agenda with taxpayer dollars "in the name of community service." Might a member of Congress be poised to reinsert that language as an amendment before the House votes on this bill tonight? Pray that God's perfect will is now done in the final vote on H.R. 1388; and if He directs you to call your congressman to protest this bill (called "The GIVE Act,"), please be obedient In doing so. [Congress switchboard: 202-224-3121]
• "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. . ." (John 10:27)
2. H.R. 1444: CONGRESSIONAL COMMISSION ON CIVIC SERVICE ACT
DON'T COUNT OUT "MANDATORY SERVICE" YET!
Provisions dropped from one bill, but appear in another
A proposal in Congress to study whether "mandatory" service should be required of all young people in the United States has suddenly disappeared from a bill that would reauthorize other national service programs such as AmeriCorps. But the plan has appeared in another bill at just about the same time.
WND reported more than a week ago on a plan in the U.S. House of Representatives to determine whether "a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people" should be developed across the United States. But the language that was included in H.R. 1388 suddenly disappeared.
At about the same time, H.R. 1444 by U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., appeared and was assigned to the House Committee on Labor and Education.
The bill, under Section 4 (b)6, states:
Whether a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people could be developed, and how such a requirement could be implemented in a manner that would strengthen the social fabric of the Nation and overcome civic challenges by bringing together people from diverse economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds. (WorldNetDaily) [Read more]
• In praying through your own response to the introduction of yet another bill to implement a nationwide system of mandatory volunteer service for our youth, please note that Amendment XIII, Section 1 of the United States Constitution reads: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." Therefore, any effort to force anyone in our nation - from the young to the elderly - into "mandatory service" is a violation of our Constitution and is hence illegal.
• We also recommend the following as resource material:
a. "Building a Solid Political Foundation Through Youth Indoctrination," published by the Canada Free Press. Go here.
b. "National Service--Soviet Style."
• Pray that our youth would be delivered into the camp of the LORD.
"Deliver me and rescue me
from the hands of foreigners
whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
Then our sons in their youth
will be like well-nurtured plants,
and our daughters will be like pillars
carved to adorn a palace.
There will be no. . . going into captivity,
no cry of distress in our streets.
Blessed are the people of whom this is true;
blessed are the people whose God is the LORD. (Psalm 114:11-12, 14-15)
3. THE NEW POLITICAL CLIMATE: "SLEIGHT OF HAND"
In the new political climate on Capitol Hill, it is becoming increasingly difficult to "nail down" and to "track" legislation of importance, as bills tend now to disappear and reappear with new names; or to "morph" rather suddenly into a variation of the original. (The "youth camp" bills, above, are excellent examples of these types of legislation.)
While researching last week's OCAP, we came across a term that seemed to identify the "new ways" on Capitol Hill: "sleight of hand." Further research on Wikipedia has revealed that practitioners of "sleight of hand" use seven principles when wielding their craft.
The Seven Principles are:
1. Palm - To hold an object in an apparently empty hand.
2. Ditch - To secretly dispose of an unneeded object.
3. Steal - To secretly obtain a needed object.
4. Load - To secretly move an object to where it is needed.
5. Simulation - To give the impression that something that has not happened, has.
6. Misdirection - To lead attention away from a secret move.
7. Switch - To secretly exchange one object for another.
• Pray that all trickery, forgery, sleights of hand, and distortions of truth will be revealed to those who are engaged in "turning the battle at the gate" of our land. Pray that the watchmen will be especially alert to these ploys, and sound the alarm accordingly. Just tonight, one of our intercessors in Illinois sent in this word:
"In the past it was necessary to have watchmen on the wall to guard against evil that was approaching but now it will be all around us. Evil is here! God will give us eyes to see, spiritual eyes. We will know the evil that is around us. Stay close to God. A paradigm shift is coming. He will give us the unction to pray and how to pray. Evil will be in our face, do not fear, God is showing it to us so we can deal with it."
Thank the Lord that His Grace IS sufficient, and that He WILL provide the unction needed to go through these times in the center of His will . . . and in the love of His heart. Amen.
• -- For wicked decrees: "Can a throne of destruction be allied with You, One which devises mischief by decree?" (Psalm 94:20 NAS)
-- For God's people on the front lines: In Congress and as Watchmen on the Wall:
"No weapon forged against thee will prosper . . ." (Isaiah 54:17)
4. VITTER AMENDMENT TO "GIVE "ACT KILLED IN SENATE
MOVE WOULD HAVE EXEMPTED ACORN
The U.S. Senate killed an amendment Thursday offered by Sen. David Vitter, R-La., that would have prohibited federal volunteer funds from going to the community group ACORN and its affiliates. Vitter singled out the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, a nationwide community organization of low- and moderate-income people. He laid emphasis on the fact that group members have been arrested for fraudulent voter registration.
Vitter contended that no charitable group with a political arm should receive the volunteer funding. "At the heart of this debate is whether this new federal bureaucracy would, in effect, politicize charitable activity around the country, which we certainly do not want," Vitter said.
The amendment was offered to the National Service Act being considered by the chamber. The bill is aimed at providing $5.7 billion to aid 250,000 volunteers across the country in the arenas of health care, energy, environment and education. (WBRZ News; Baton Rouge, LA) [Read more]
• Offer praise for the boldness of Senator Vitter in offering this amendment, and lift up a prayer of repentance that this did not go through. May our Lord raise up more men and women of courage on both sides of the Hill, who will discern and vote in truth for all bills in Congress, and not be deceived by the wiles of the enemy.
• "Ask, and ye shall receive . . ." (Matthew 21:22)
5. REID MAY ALLOW EXTREME MANEUVER ON HEALTH CARE, ENERGY BILLS
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is holding the option of using a legislative maneuver to create not only a sweeping overhaul of the nation's health care system but also a controversial cap and trade energy program, a move that could torpedo bipartisanship. The maneuver, known as "reconciliation," protects legislation to which it's attached from a Senate filibuster. Republicans, in their deep minority status, are in an uproar over the possibility that they will be all but eliminated from the legislative process. But Republicans are not alone in their opposition. A sizable number of Democrats have protested the move; first and foremost, Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., who excluded it from his committee's budget passed Thursday. (Fox News)
- Lord, we call to You for justice so that there will not be a power grab on Capitol Hill. May the legislators work together to solve problems and not seize control by means that undermine our system of checks and balances.
• "Who can make the clean out of the unclean? No one!" (Job 14:4)
6. BIPARTISAN BILL PUTS PATIENTS FIRST
Virginia Republican Congressman J. Randy Forbes and Illinois Democratic Congressman Daniel Lipinski, have joined together in an increasingly partisan Washington D.C. to sponsor "The Patients First Act," H.R. 877. Their bill will prioritize stem cell research toward treating and curing patients. The Forbes/Lipinski bill promotes research and human clinical trials using stem cells that show the most potential of providing clinical benefit and are ethically obtained.
Congressman Forbes referred to a chart showing the difference in benefits from adult stem cells in human patients versus the so-called benefits in embryonic stem cells from peer-reviewed studies. There have been ZERO benefits from the politically-correct human embryonic stem cell destruction research. On the other hand, there have been cures and successful treatments of an astounding 73 diseases using adult stem cells. (Read more) (Christian Coalition)
• Jehovah Rapha, our Lord Who Heals, we come before You and ask that You will make the scales fall away from the eyes of those who believe that killing embryos for "healing parts" is acceptable. You have said since before time that senseless killing, or murder, is unacceptable in Your sight. Please encourage Congressmen Forbes and Lipinski to continue Your good fight to save the unborn and their stem cells by promoting the usage of adult stem cells for proven and safe medical research. May many be healed and saved because of "The Patients First Act," and, may You receive all the glory! In Your Son's Name we pray. Amen.
• As Moses said: "If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you." (Exodus 15: 26 NKJV)
7. PRO-LIFE SENATORS' OPEN LETTER TO OBAMA
Dr. Coburn and 35 U.S. Senators recently sent the following letter to President Obama expressing "grave concern about the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) recent proposal to rescind the January 2009 rule clarifying conscience protections for Americans serving in the health care field." As many of you know, Dr. Coburn, and many pro-life physicians, will go to jail before complying with these new regulations.
Dear President Obama:
We write with grave concern about the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) recent proposal to rescind the January 2009 rule clarifying conscience protections for Americans serving in the health care field. Let us be clear, this regulation is not about whether or not abortion should or should not be allowed in America. This regulation is about whether we will respect the deeply held moral convictions of those who have dedicated their lives to protecting the life and the health of others.
As you know, physicians and other health care providers are professionals who make judgments based on medical expertise and ethical standards. To compromise their right to practice according to ethical standards and conscience could reduce medical professionals to mere vending machines for medical procedures. Every physician and health care provider has a great responsibility to ensure that individual health care decisions are made in the best interest of their patients. Compromising the right of conscience will ultimately harm the best interest of patients. [Christian Coalition of America]
• Gracious Heavenly Father, we ask for a divine heart change for those who have committed unconscionable acts in the name of government since January 20th. We cry out to You for the protection of those individuals who do not believe in assisting in the killing of the unborn, or the born, for the sake of political correctness. Please champion and guide those like U.S. Senator and medical doctor, Dr. Tom Coburn (R- OK), as he and his fellow 35 U.S. Senators try to present and defend Your Godly principles in an increasingly godless society. May Your teachings overcome secular humanism and its practices. In Jesus' Name we pray this for Your glory. Amen.
• "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed." (1 Peter 4:15-16)
8. BLACK PASTOR JAILED FOR EXERCISING FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS
Americans' religious rights and First Amendment rights continue to be eroded as evidenced by the jailing of a black pastor from a Berkeley, California church last week. He was the first person convicted -- two months ago -- under Oakland's law preventing pro- life protesters from coming within 8 feet of anyone entering an abortion clinic.
The Union City pastor, Walter Hoye, received a $1,000 fine, 30 days in jail (although in the future pro-lifers can be actually be put in jail for up to two years) and 3 years probation. This courageous pastor told the judge: "I believe that an unjust law is no law at all." Pastor Hoye even answered Alameda Superior Court Judge Hing's question of whether or not he would abide by an order to stay 100 yards away from the Oakland abortion clinic with a principled "No" (Read more) [Christian Coalition of America]
• Dear Father , we humbly ask You to comfort, guide and protect Pastor Walter Hoye, as he continues to do what Your Son, Jesus would do, to save as many innocent lives of the unborn and their parents as possible. Please always guide, lead and refresh Your true shepherds "beside the still waters" which You promise them in Psalm 23:2. Thank You for always being with us in any trial that we may endure for Your sake. Please bless Pastor Hoye and his fellow pastors as they complete the assignment You have given them -- to save the unborn --those created in Your image. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
• "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake."
( Philippians 1:27-29 NKJV)
9. SENATOR GRASSLEY: OBAMA BUDGET COULD DOOM NEXT GENERATION
Obama budget could bring $9.3 trillion in deficits
President Barack Obama's budget would produce $9.3 trillion in deficits over the next decade, more than four times the deficits of Republican George W. Bush's presidency, congressional auditors said last Friday. The new Congressional Budget Office figures offered a far more dire outlook for Obama's budget than the new administration predicted just last month - a deficit $2.3 trillion worse. It's a prospect even the president's own budget director called unsustainable. (AP 3/20/09)
U.S. Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) warns that President Obama's budget is a massive transfer of power and economic decision-making from the private to the public sector, all to the detriment of middle-class families and economic growth in the United States. As introduced, "It could doom the next generation," Senator Grassley contends. Senator Grassley (R-IA), the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, says it is the responsibility of free- market conservatives to "wake Americans up to the devastation" the budget will bring to the next generation. "It's going to slow down economic growth, and in fact, slow down money coming into the federal Treasury," he contends. "Because if you want to increase money coming into the federal Treasury, you need to do how we did it in the 2001 and 2003 tax bills. We lowered taxes -- more money came in." The senator contends that people need to be delivered of the notion that raising taxes increases revenue to the federal government, and that lowering taxes decreases money coming into the federal Treasury. (OneNewsNow 3/23/09) [Reported by: Intercessors for America]
• The juggernaut marching ever forward continues to grab power from the freedoms of Americans. Ask the Lord to send legions of His warrior angels to stop this movement by making Americans aware of the dangers being propagated by the White House and Congress. Pray for courage to arise within the hearts of the American people against the continuous encroachment of our freedoms. Cry out for God's mercy.
• "Through God we shall do valiantly; for it is He that shall tread down our enemies." (Psalm 60:12)
10. SENATE FAILS TO STOP OBAMA TAX HIKE ON CHARITABLE GIVING
Senator John Thune's "Sense of the Senate" resolution expressing support for the current federal income tax deduction for charitable giving was defeated in the Senate Thursday by just one vote. President Obama wants Congress to reduce the deduction, which would result in less charitable giving nationwide. Read statement from Senator Thune. (Religious Freedom Coalition)
• Praise the Lord for the discernment of Senator Thune. Ask the Lord to bless the Senator for standing as a watchman in the Senate. Pray for the blinders to be removed from the eyes of the other Senators so that they can understand how they are voting to remove our freedoms. Since when have Americans needed the federal government to tell us where to place our charitable giving? Again we see a grab for power of Americans' ability to think and to act for themselves, without unnecessary federal encroachment.
• "The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness." (Proverbs 15:2)
11. A BILL TO SHIFT CYBERSECURITY TO WHITE HOUSE
Forthcoming legislation would wrest cybersecurity responsibilities from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and transfer them to the White House, a proposed move that likely will draw objections from industry groups and some conservatives. CNET News has obtained a summary of a proposal from Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) that would create an Office of the National Cybersecurity Advisor, part of the Executive Office of the President. That office would receive the power to disconnect, if it believes they're at risk of a cyberattack, "critical" computer networks from the Internet. "I regard this as a profoundly and deeply troubling problem to which we are not paying much attention," Rockefeller said a hearing this week, referring to cybersecurity. (CNET News)
• While we are not thrilled by the Department of Homeland Security's control over the internet, we do understand the necessity of tracking terrorists online. But why does the White House want control and what is its agenda for future use? Ask the Lord to reveal the hidden things and also to block this bill from ever seeing the light of day. Pray for the souls of Senators Rockefeller and Snowe.
• "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Tim. 3:13)
12. OBAMA SEEKS MOSLEMS FOR WHITE HOUSE POSTS
Barack Obama is conducting his own affirmative action program to get more Muslims in the White House. The move began with Rep. Keith Ellison, (D- Minn), who took his oath of office with a hand on the Quran, to solicit the resume of what he considered to be the nation's most qualified adherents of Islam. working with the Muslim American community." Ellison is serious about his faith. He made the pilgrimage to Mecca with the sponsorship of the Muslim American Society, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. According to the Denver Post, when White House officials heard about the program, it was put on overdrive. So far, 45 Ivy League grads, Fortune 500 executives and government officials have been submitted for consideration.
J. Saleh Williams, program coordinator for the Congressional Muslim Staffers Association, sifted through more than 300 names as part of the search. "It was mostly under the radar," Williams said. "We thought it would put (the president) in a precarious position. We didn't know how closely he wanted to appear to be working with the Muslim American community."
In 1991, Mohamed Akram wrote a memo for the leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood that explained its work in America as "a kind of grand jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and 'sabotaging' its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and God's religion is made victorious over all other religions." (WorldNetDaily)
• Does our president not know that to profile persons of particular religions is a violation of the law in the USA? Ideally, talent, knowledge, and ability are to be criteria for the designation of people to be able to hold specific governmental posts. Religion is not allowed to be considered. The Muslim Brotherhood is a dangerous organization to Americans, and Mohamed Akram's statement proves the point. Pray that all of this mess and the ignoring of American law will disappear and crumble to dust. Pray for the humbling of the White House under God.
• "But I will sing of Thy power; yea, I will sing of Thy mercy in the morning, for Thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble." (Psalm 59:16)
This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
LORD MY ROCK (Adoni Tsuree)
"Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war." (Psalm 144:1)
How blessed I am to know that You are my Rock, and my fortress. You are the One who equips me to do Your work. Thank You that You equip the called -- not call the equipped. Today, help me to reallize that You have provided for my every need -- one step at a time. How I thank You, Lord, my Rock!
(Taken from: Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God, by Barri Cae Malin and Shmuel Wolkenfeld; Bridge-Logos Publishers; Gainesville, FL, 32614. ISBN: 0-88270-801-5)
On Capitol Hill This Week - Volume XVI, Number 13a
March 30 - April 3, 2009
• IS AMERICA UNDER JUDGMENT?
• On Capitol Hill This Week; Vol. XVI, No. 13b
• Tuesday is Red Envelope Day!
• This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
* * INTERNATIONAL ISSUES * *
". . . I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth." (Job 19:25)
IS AMERICA UNDER JUDGMENT?
IS AMERICA UNDER JUDGMENT?
MONTANA PLANE CRASH; FLOODS IN FARGO BOTH HAVE DRAMATIC "COINCIDENCES"
JUDGMENT #1: Montana Plane Crash
Family of Irving 'Bud' Feldkamp, Owner of the Nation's Largest Privately Owned Abortion Chain, Dies in Montana Plane Crash -- Christian Newswire
The family who died in the crash near the location of the abortion victim's memorial, is the family of Irving 'Bud' Feldkamp, owner of the largest for-profit abortion chain in the nation; although Feldkamp is not an abortionist, he reaps profits of blood money from the tens of thousands of babies that are killed through abortions performed every year at the clinics he owns. His business in the abortion industry was what enabled him to afford the private plane that was carrying his family to their week-long vacation at The Yellowstone Club, a millionaires-only ski resort.
The plane went down on Sunday, killing two of Feldkamp's daughters, two sons-in-law and five grandchildren along with the pilot and four family friends.
• Lord, in this terribly tragic accident, we pray that Your Holy Spirit will touch the heart of Mr Feldkamp and grant him repentance. We ask for Your comfort and Presence, that You would reveal to the remainder of this family the depths of Your love for them. May they understand the shedding of innocent blood, and the forgiveness made for them by the Blood of Jesus, so that the abortion activities of this company will cease.
• "When they heard these things they held their peace, and glorified God saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." (Acts 11:18)
JUDGMENT #2: Floods in Fargo, ND
Fargo Flees as Flood Waters Top All-Time High - Fox News
Fargo police ordered mandatory evacuations early Friday after a breach in flood protection created a "significant leak" as the Red River topped 40 feet, breaking a record crest set in 1897.
• Lord, protect those in the course of these floods. We pray for power and peace for those servants who will be working to save lives.
• "For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock." (Psalm 27:5)
MORE ABOUT NORTH DAKOTA:
GOOD NEWS . . . VERY BAD NEWS . . . NOW JUDGMENT
The North Dakota House has already made US history by passing the ND Personhood Bill (Feb. 17); becoming the first chamber of a State Legislature to pass a "personhood" bill, with no exceptions.
ND Governor Declared Statewide Flood Emergency on March 16: Same Day ND Senate Judiciary Committee Failed to Pass Personhood Bill
Will the ND Senate Judiciary Committee PASS the ND Personhood Bill (HB 1572) when it is reportedly going to take the bill back up for a vote on Monday, March 30, 2009, two days after the Red River has now crested in the vicinity of Fargo ? One national media outlet reporter said these or similar words Sat. AM, March 28: the "Day of Reckoning is almost upon the City of Fargo, North Dakaota." (Columbia Christians for Life)
Today's Headlines for North Dakota:
'Full-Blown Blizzard' Takes Aim at Fargo
• Pray that the leaders in the North Dakota government will have their hearts pierced by the Holy Spirit unto TRUTH -- we simply MUST honor "LIFE" in all we say and do!
At the same time, pray for MERCY for the citizens of that state. Amen.
• " . . . when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." (Isaiah 26:9)
1. OBAMA ARRIVES FOR G20 WITH AN ENTOURAGE OF 500 STAFF
2. IS A NEW WORLD ORDER THE GOAL OF G20 SUMMIT?
3. CHINA CALLS FOR NEW GLOBAL CURRENCY
4. BACHMANN BILL WOULD BAN GLOBAL CURRENCY
5. THE PRESIDENCY: INTERNATIONAL CRIME TO CRITICIZE ISLAM?
6. U.N. "CLIMATE CHANGE" PLAN SHIFTS TRILLILONS TO NEW WORLD ECONOMY
7. NORTH KOREA MISSILE LAUNCH SET FOR NEXT SATURDAY
8. ISRAEL: LABOR GREEN LIGHTS BARAK'S COALITION BID
9. TOUGH CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR THE NETANYAHU GOVERNMENT
10. EU FOREIGN MINISTERS POSTPONE DECISION ON DURBAN II
11. U.N. ACCUSES ISRAEL, AGAIN!
12. STRIVING FOR INTERNATIONALIZED JERUSALEM (Part One)
13. STRIVING FOR INTERNATIONALIZED JERUSALEM (Part Two)
1. OBAMA ARRIVES IN LONDON WITH AN ENTOURAGE OF 500 STAFF
With an entourage of 500 staff, an armour-plated limousine and a fleet of decoy helicopters, America's new president will arrive for his first visit to Britain amid huge razzmatazz on Tuesday for the G20 summit. But it will be his closed-door meetings with world leaders that are likely to prove the most significant of the trip.
Britain will get its first chance to see Barack Obama this week when a White House cavalcade - complete with armoured limousines, helicopters, 200 US secret service staff and a six-doctor medical team - sweeps into the UK. Obama will fly into London for his first visit to the UK as president of the United States on Tuesday to take part in the G20 summit in the capital's Docklands area. He will not be travelling light.
More than 500 officials and staff will accompany the president on his tour this week - along with a mass of high-tech security equipment, including the $300,000 presidential limousine, known as The Beast. Fitted with night-vision camera, reinforced steel plating, tear- gas cannon and oxygen tanks, the vehicle is the ultimate in heavy armoured transport.
In addition, a team from the White House kitchen will travel with the president to prepare his food. As one official put it: "When the president travels, the White House travels with him, right down to the car he drives, the water he drinks, the gasoline he uses, the food he eats. America is still the sole superpower and the president must have the ability to handle any crisis, anywhere, any time." (The Guardian) Read more.
• Over the past weekend, Reuters also reported that "Tens of thousands of people marched in capital cities across Europe on Saturday to protest about the economic crisis and urge world leaders to act on poverty, jobs and climate change at a G20 summit next week." (Read more.) Given all of this activity, please offer a prayer for the safety not only of Mr. Obama and his 500 staff, but also for all other world leaders that are attending the G20 Summit. Pray especially for their SOULS, that all may come to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. • "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (I Timothy 2:1-4)
2. IS A NEW WORLD ORDER THE GOAL OF G20 SUMMIT?
Will leaders pass a "Global New Deal" in London April 2?
On April 2, 2009, world leaders from the G20 countries - representing 85% of the world's economic output - will meet in London. Will leaders pass a "Global New Deal" in London April 2? They will meet against the backdrop of the worst international banking crisis in generations. Confidence in the international banking system has fallen. Major institutions have failed. Countries around the world have entered recession, with falling trade and rising unemployment. At the Summit, countries will come together to "enhance global coordination in order to help restore global economic growth."
World leaders are told they must make three commitments:
1. to take whatever action is necessary to stabilize financial markets and enable families and businesses to get through the recession.
2. to reform and strengthen the global financial and economic system to restore confidence and trust.
3. to put the global economy on track for sustainable growth.
On his recent visit with President Obama and in his address to Congress, Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown lobbied hard to get the U.S. to commit to initiating a "Global New Deal." (Intercessors for America
• Pray for the Lord to restrain the hand of the Evil One and to thwart any premature establishment of a New World Order. The President will leave shortly for London to attend the G20 Summit. Prepare for the G20 Global Summit by lifting up all of these meetings in prayer, asking only for those plans, approved by the Lord and in agreement and alignment with His will for the peoples of the world to emerge; and that the plans and purposes of man would fail. Stand in agreement that the resources needed to preach the Gospel to all nations would be released.
• "Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said,' Let us go up at once and take possession [in intercession], for we are well able to overcome it." (Num. 13: 30)
3. CHINA CALLS FOR NEW GLOBAL CURRENCY
U.S. backs global alternative to dollar
China is calling for a new global currency controlled by the International Monetary Fund, stepping up pressure ahead of a London summit of global leaders for changes to a financial system dominated by the U.S. dollar and Western governments. Beijing has long been uneasy about relying on the dollar for the bulk of its trade and to store foreign reserves. Premier Wen Jiabao publicly appealed to Washington this month to avoid any steps in response to the crisis that might erode the value of the dollar and Beijing's estimated $1 trillion holdings in Treasuries and other U.S. government debt. (Associated Press)
SEE ALSO: "U.S. backs global alternative to dollar" (WorldNetDaily)
• Heavenly Father, we do not want to lose our sovereignty. Let there be a loud voice from the nation and our leaders to come against these ideas that would change our nation in a grave way!
• "O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me." (Psalms 25:2)
4. BACHMANN BILL WOULD BAN GLOBAL CURRENCY
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has introduced legislation that would "bar the dollar from being replaced by any foreign currency." A statement from Bachmann's website:
"Yesterday (March 25), during a Financial Services Committee hearing, I asked Secretary Geithner if he would denounce efforts to move towards a global currency and he answered unequivocally that he would," said Bachmann. "And President Obama gave the nation the same assurances. But just a day later, Secretary Geithner has left the option on the table. I want to know which it is. The American people deserve to know."
On Monday, Geithner and Bernanke both rejected the idea of a global currency in Congressional testimony. But in remarks to the Council on Foreign Relations yesterday, Geithner indicated he was open to the idea. (The Briefing Room)
• Not all of our Congressmen have caved in to White House pressure; many are fighting quite valiantly, often in an uphill battle. Please email Rep. Bachmann to thank her for her stand against a global currency and for the dollar. She along with other representatives need encouragement to continue in their battle for American freedoms and standards. Pray that her bill will come to the floor of the House for a vote, sustaining the dollar as our currency and that even the most liberal democrats will support her bill. Pray also for the awareness of the American public of this move against our nation.
• "It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect." (Psalm 18: 32)
5. THE PRESIDENCY: INTERNATIONAL CRIME TO CRITICIZE ISLAM?
Obama Administration Silent about UN Resolution; Rep. Trent Franks Objects
This week the 47-member United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a "defamations of religions" resolution by a vote of 23 in favor, with 11 votes against and 13 abstentions. The United States is not currently a member of the Council. This official United Nations body has collectively spit in the face of religious freedom by passing a resolution that literally calls for banning individual religious freedom. This gives cover to Muslim nations to continue to persecute Christians and other non-Muslims. While the Bush Administration criticized such wanton acts by the United Nations, not a word has come out of the Obama White House. Perhaps Mr. Obama agrees that religious freedom should be eliminated.
TRENT FRANK'S LETTER ON "DEFAMATION OF RELIGION"
The day before the United Nations Human Rights Council voted to criminalize individual rights of freedom of religious expression, Congressman Trent Franks wrote a compelling letter spelling out the dangers of their action. Congressman Franks is Co- Chair of the Congressional International Religious Freedom Caucus. Read letter at his Internet site. Go here. (Religious Freedom Coalition)
• Again, praise the Lord for the presence of Rep. Trent Franks in the House. Ask the Lord to make the Congressman's voice so loud and compelling that other House members are given encouragement to stand with him against the tyranny of this UN resolution. Pray that the President is compelled to stand against this resolution also. The forces of Islam have no legal rights to condemn belief in Yahweh, the Father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and our Savior Jesus Christ.
• "Mine eyes shall see my desire on my enemies, and my ears shall hear my desire of the wicked who rise up against me." (Psalm 92:11)
6. U.N. "CLIMATE CHANGE" PLAN SHIFTS TRILLILONS TO NEW WORLD ECONOMY
A United Nations document on "climate change" that will be distributed to a major environmental conclave next week envisions a huge reordering of the world economy, likely involving trillions of dollars in wealth transfer, millions of job losses and gains, new taxes, industrial relocations, new tariffs and subsidies, and complicated payments for greenhouse gas abatement schemes and carbon taxes - all under the supervision of the world body. Those and other results are blandly discussed in a discretely worded United Nations "information note" on potential consequences of the measures that industrialized countries will likely have to take to implement the Copenhagen Accord, the successor to the Kyoto Treaty, after it is negotiated and signed by December 2009. The Obama administration has said it supports the treaty process if, in the words of a U.S. State Department spokesman, it can come up with an "effective framework" for dealing with global warming. (Fox News)
• In this time of fear throughout the world, we pray that the UN will not seek to take resources and redistribute them. May the administration work in the best interests of this nation while, at the same time, do good work throughout the world.
• "But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)-- well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me." (Galatians 2:6)
7. NORTH KOREA MISSILE LAUNCH SET FOR NEXT SATURDAY
a. North Korean Launch Success Would Lead to Missile Sales - Wall Street Journal
The long-range missile North Korea is expected to test as soon as Saturday could reach as far as the U.S. and parts of western Europe. But U.S. military officials and other analysts say the development is dangerous not because North Korea is likely to use such missiles but because it will probably sell them to other countries, such as Iran.
A successful launch of a long-range missile, after two failures, would validate three decades of investment and work by North Korea. It could also boost one of the country's few major sources of income -- selling weapons to other countries. (Read more.)
b. A. US deploys warships as North Korea prepares to launch missile - Telegraph UK
The US has deployed two warships with anti-missile capabilities in the waters off Japan as tensions mount over North Korea's plans to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile capable of striking Alaska.
c. Japan Has Decided to Shoot Down North Korea Missile - Bloomberg
The Japanese government has decided to issue an order to shoot down a missile if fired by North Korea, public broadcaster NHK reported today.
• We pray for protection for those who may be in harm because of this planned launch. Lord, we know You grant wisdom, and we pray for it to be bestowed on those negotiating with North Korea. May our emissaries be alert to any machinations on the part of Kim Jong Il.
• "Say to them, 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?'" (Ezekiel 33:11)
8. ISRAEL: LABOR GREEN LIGHTS BARAK'S COALITION BID
Labor's Central Committee voted in favor of Chairman Ehud Barak's coalition bid March 24, effectively enabling the party to join Prime Minister- designate Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Barak was also granted carte blanche in naming the ministers to the various offices offered to Labor in the new, Likud-led government.
Prior to Barak's address, it was Labor Secretary- General Eitan Cabel who was the first to take the podium: "Yes, I too want to be a minister, but that's not why I went into politics. We have a way. We have faith and the thing that did us in over the past 10 years is the fact that we lost this faith. We've become the seculars' National Religion Party.
"If we had left the government after the Winograd Report came out, everything would be different, Mr. chairman. If we want to survive, we have to vote against those wishing to crush our home."
(Excerpts from Attila Somfalvi, Ynetnews.com, March 24, 2009) [Reported by: Bridges for Peace]
• Pray that the Lord will continue to draw the hearts of Israel's leaders to Him, establishing in them a commitment to lead the nation according to His principles.
• "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them." (Joshua 1:5b-6, NIV)
9. TOUGH CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR THE NETANYAHU GOVERNMENT
Israel's Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu is already facing challenges in the nearly formed cabinet line-up, with disgruntled voices arising in his own Likud party. As part of his efforts to woo the Labor Party into the coalition, Netanyahu promised Labor some major cabinet portfolios, leaving his own party members feeling they have been left out in the cold.
Under the agreement with Labor, they will get five ministries: industry, trade and employment, defense, welfare, agriculture, and minister without portfolio. One solution proposed by Netanyahu to appease his party members is a rotation, where Likud members and Labor members will share time in ministries during the government term, according to Israel's Army Radio.
Netanyahu needs Labor in order to tone down what is emerging as a hawkish government, but the differences of the parties in the government will likely be hard to bridge. Other contenders in the new government, who will likely get significant portfolios, are the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu, headed by Avigdor Lieberman, and the religious Shas party.
With the new line-up taking form, Netanyahu might be able to present a government by Monday.
(Excerpts from Staff Reporters, The Media Line, March 25, 2009) [Reported by Bridges for Peace]
• Pray that the Lord will direct the formation of this coalition, placing those that He desires in places of leadership.
• "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases." (Proverbs 21:1, NIV)
10. EU FOREIGN MINISTERS POSTPONE DECISION ON DURBAN II PARTICIPATION
European Union foreign ministers have put off a decision on whether or not to boycott the so-called Durban II conference in Geneva next month after anti- Israel content in a draft resolution for the conference was toned down. Convening in Brussels on the sidelines of the EU summit of heads of government, the foreign ministers of the 27 member states applauded the removal from the document of references to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
"Israel is again being singled out. The documents that are on the table are very one-sided, very anti-Semitic, although some changes have been made," Aviva Raz- Shechter, director of the ministry's department for combating anti-Semitism told the news service EJP.
(Excerpts from Staff, World Jewish Congress, March 23, 2009) [Reported by: Bridges for Peace]
• Pray that nations will continue to recognize this conference as an anti-Semitic event, with its anti- Israel bias clearly displaying the "new anti-Semitism." Pray that the Lord will silence these voices of hatred masquerading as purveyors of peace.
• "For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is destruction; their throat is an open tomb; they flatter with their tongue. Pronounce them guilty, O God! Let them fall by their own counsels." (Psalm 5:9-10a)
11. U.N. ACCUSES ISRAEL, AGAIN!
The United Nations Human Rights Council leveled a long list of accusations at Israel for its activities in Gaza during Operation Cast Lead. During a press conference question time the UN Associate spokesperson alleged there was a specific incident where an 11 year old boy was used as a human shield by Israeli army soldiers.
That same spokesperson went on to say that the allegations against the terrorist group Hamas by Israel "remain unverified." The UN indicated an investigation is under way.
Meanwhile Southern Command Chief Major-General Yoav Galant spoke out. "I'm proud that we have such a moral army, which respects international law," he said during an event to honor the Medical Corps.
Galant spoke of the extensive preparations carried out ahead of the operation and of Hamas's attempts to involve civilians in the fighting. "The Palestinian gunman held his arms cache in his home, came out to fight and went back to the house believing that we will not target him there," he said.
"All in all, 800 terrorists and 300 civilians (we did not want to hurt) had been killed in the operation. This ratio, of almost a quarter uninvolved (victims) is an unprecedented accomplishment in the history of campaigns of this nature," General Galant said. (By Ron Ross, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, March 25, 2009)
• Pray for the morale of the Israel military as these false allegations are levelled against them by the world community. Pray that the Lord will move to vindicate these young soldiers, restoring their reputations.
• "Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, and do not be still, O God! For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; and those who hate You have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, and consulted together against Your sheltered ones." (Ps. 83:1-3)
12. STRIVING FOR INTERNATIONALIZED JERUSALEM (Part One)
In February 2000, the Vatican and the Palestinian Authority signed an agreement calling for an internationally guaranteed special status for Jerusalem. During his visit that year, Pope John Paul II announced in Bethlehem that the Vatican had always recognized "Palestinian national rights to a homeland." Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, Dean of Yeshivat Ateret Cohanim, said at the time that the Pope's goal was simply to obtain a foothold in Jerusalem for the Church.
The Sanhedrin, which sees itself as a "vehicle to bring about Jewish unity and civil justice, to help repair some of the deepest rifts in our society, and to provide an active, exemplary and unified Torah leadership," warns President Shimon Peres and incoming Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu against the Church's religious agenda hiding behind diplomatic agreements.
The letter states as follows [subheadings: The State of Israel grants freedom of worship to every religion - except to Jews on their most sacred spot, the Temple Mount. They do not have the right to pray there, nor even minimal religious rights The State thus contravenes the purpose for which it exists and undermines its own foundations.
On the other hand, the State of Israel goes out of its way to transfer diplomatic, religious and spiritual assets to foreigners.
Over the course of many years, contacts have been underway and promises of various agreements have been made regarding what the Catholic Church sees as its property or wishes were its property: in Mt. Zion, the Old City of Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee, and elsewhere. There are those who came up with the idea of the Holy Crescent [an area around the Old City to the north and east, newly known as the Holy Crescent - ed -- the main purpose of which is to rid the Temple Mount and the Old City of exclusive Jewish sovereignty. (Israel National News)
13. STRIVING FOR INTERNATIONALIZED JERUSALEM (Part Two)
The Goal: Sever Jerusalem from Jewish People
Ever since the Israeli army liberated the entire city of Jerusalem in 1967, the members of other faiths and nations have not accepted the Jewish People's sovereignty and return to its eternal capital, the place in which its Temple for the G-d of Israel and G-d's kingdom will be established.
In recent years, the Vatican - acting on behalf of Catholic theology - signed a series of secret agreements, behind the public's back, with various elements in the State of Israel, bereft of respect for the spiritual and political essence of the Jewish Nation. The essence of these agreements is the transfer of ownership over national Jewish property in Jerusalem to the hands of foreigners, and the instigation of processes to destabilize the Jewish People's ownership over its sacred sites - primarily, the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, and the entire Old City of Jerusalem.
Giving these and other sites to the Vatican and international elements will lead to their detachment from the State's territorial area.
The State of Israel is bound to the document of acquisition [known a the Bible, which was the basis for the Jewish People's claim to its Land when it established the State of Israel. The State must therefore actualize Jewish sovereignty in Jerusalem, the City of G-d, the city of kingship, the capital of Israel, the heart of the world. It must guarantee the right of worship for Jews on the Temple Mount. (Israel National News)
• Call forth God's mercy upon Jerusalem - to protect its unity and its sovereignty as capital of Israel and as the city holy to Jews and Christians. Other nations have no business even discussing Jerusalem, except to prevent Jesus returning to Jerusalem to set His millennium kingdom. Ask the Lord to give wisdom to the new Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. When the pressures of the world try to burden Israel, keeping up stamina and determination become difficult to maintain. Pray that none of the Pope's maneuvers come to fruition.
• "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee." (Psalm 122:6)
Tuesday is Red Envelope Day!
Tuesday, March 31st is the day to send your red envelope to the White House. Each envelope is empty . . . representing the life of an unborn infant.
It's not too late to participate!!
To find out how you can still send in an envelope on Tuesday, visit the website for the Red Envelope campaign.
Just follow the directions given to put YOUR envelope on the truck that will go to the WHITE HOUSE on TUESDAY, March 31st.
God bless you!!
This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
LORD MY ROCK (Adoni Tsuree)
"Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war." (Psalm 144:1)
How blessed I am to know that You are my Rock, and my fortress. You are the One who equips me to do Your work. Thank You that You equip the called -- not call the equipped. Today, help me to reallize that You have provided for my every need -- one step at a time. How I thank You, Lord, my Rock!
(Taken from: Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God, by Barri Cae Malin and Shmuel Wolkenfeld; Bridge-Logos Publishers; Gainesville, FL, 32614. ISBN: 0-88270-801-5)
In This Issue
