In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Obama Sells Reform
• "Morning After Pill" and the DOD
• 'Til Debt Do Us Part . . .
• URGENT PRAYER ALERT!
• Netanyahu to Fly to Moscow
• The Good News Corner
• Worship With Us
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
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chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief - Tuesday, February 9, 2010
"Have you entered the treasury of snow, or have you seen the treasury of hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?" (Job 38: 22-23 NKJV)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Mid-Atlantic Braces for Second Snowstorm - USA Today
Starting Tuesday evening, snow forecast to hit Eastern cities still digging out from a weekend wallop could keep some people stuck at home for a week and cause a second round of disruptions to air travel. Southwest Airlines, which canceled 500 flights when its busy hub in Baltimore shut down for nearly three days, began a new round of cancellations of flights to and from Chicago's Midway Airport on Monday, spokeswoman Marilee McInnis said.
Safeway, which has 176 supermarkets from New Jersey to Virginia, is having a hard time keeping shelves stocked with milk, eggs and bread, spokesman Craig Muckle said. "There may be challenges there," he said.
• Heavenly Father, we pray that just as in the past You have stayed the hand of bad weather and calamities, we pray for these storms to cease and lose intensity in Jesus Name.
• Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39) (Matthew 8:26)
2. Republicans May Opt Out of Obama's Health-Care Summit - Washington Post
Leading House Republicans raised the prospect Monday night that they may decline to participate in President Obama's proposed health-care summit if the White House chooses not to scrap the existing reform bills and start over. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs responded by saying that the president is open to including any good ideas that stand up to objective scrutiny. What he will not do, however, is walk away from reform and the millions of American families and small businesses counting on it."
• Heavenly Father, we pray for no cooperation except only in the laws that will be good for our nation. Let no agreements be made in laws that would burden our citizens.
• For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; (Proverbs 2:6-7)
3. Will Baby Boomers Bankrupt Social Security? - CNBC
By 2017, Social Security is expected to start paying out more than it collects in payroll taxes, according to the 2009 Annual Report from the Social Security and Medicare Board of Trustees. There is currently a large surplus, but it will be drained by the year 2037. At that point, Social Security will only be able to pay out 75 percent of its benefits.
Rudolph Penner, head of the CBO from 1983 to 1987 and co-chairman of the report said, Given that no one in power is serious about restraining the deficit, we are rapidly heading toward a crisis, Penner said. If we should ever become rational, I think that the only solution involves a combination of tax increases and spending restraint.
• Lord, we pray for people who have Your wisdom to devise solid plans for this dilemma. You have the perfect plan for each of our lives, so we pray that there will be enough money for the retirees and yet not unduly burden people.
• The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice. The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide. (Psalms 37:30, 31)
4. Palin to Tea Party: It's Revolution Time - Washington Times
Sarah Palin declared "America is ready for another revolution" and repeatedly assailed President Barack Obama on Saturday before adoring "tea party" activists, a seemingly natural constituency should she run for president. Catering to her crowd, Palin talked of limited government, strict adherence to the Constitution, and the "God-given right" of freedom. She said the "fresh, young and fragile" movement is the future of American politics because it's "a ground-up call to action" to both major political parties to change how they do business. "You've got both party machines running scared," she said.
• Thank you, Lord for this new movement to change the direction of our nation. We pray no leaders will take over the party who will proceed into the wrong direction; but let Your spirit be strong upon all its participants and this movement to guide them.
• And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. (Exodus 13:21)
5. US Treasury Secretary: Economy on the Mend - VOA
The U.S. economy is healing from a deep and prolonged recession, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Geithner struck an upbeat note on America's economic prospects, but also stressed the need to confront pressing risks to the nation's long term financial health. But those gains resulted from seasonal adjustments to the data. Without those adjustments, the data show fewer people had jobs last month.
• Lord, we pray there will be no deception in the true numbers and that new leaders will take their place to devise workable plans for restoring every part of our economy. Let them be righteous! Thank you for people who have found employment.
• But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:24)
6. Geithner Says US Credit Rating Safe Despite Debt - ABC News
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner (GYT'-nur) says the U.S. government "will never" lose its sterling credit rating despite big budget deficits and a newly increased debt limit that now tops $14 trillion. Investors Service recently issued a warning that the government's credit rating could eventually be in jeopardy if nation's finances don't improve. The cost of borrowing would increase significantly if the ratings service lowered the credit rating, also known as a bond rating, for U.S. Treasuries.
• Lord, we pray for our credit rating to remain "sterling". We pray our leaders will take our deficit seriously and stop the overspending immediately. Remove those who hinder temperance and give us solid conservatives.
• But the wicked shall perish; and the enemies of the Lord, like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away. (Psalms 37:20, 21)
7. Internet Gambling Again in Play - Washington Post
Rep. Barney Frank's proposed bill, which is set for committee markup in coming weeks, would establish federal oversight of online gambling firms in exchange for five-year licenses and would include protections aimed at weeding out underage players, compulsive gamblers, and criminal activity. Online sports betting would remain illegal.
Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), the ranking member on Frank's committee, vowed in a statement to oppose the efforts, saying, "Internet gambling is a threat to the youth of our country . . . Young people are particularly at risk because if you put a computer in their bedroom or dorm room, it's a temptation that many cannot resist."
• Heavenly Father, we pray that no bills will go forward in these gambling laws. We pray that our government will restrain instead of promote gambling. Protect those that are weak and vulnerable.
• A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well . . . Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. (Proverbs 25:26, 28)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:20-21)
1. US intelligence finds 5,000 Hizballah training to seize Galilee towns - Debka
Jones was not talking out of the top of his head, but on the strength of solid US intelligence gathered over months on detailed war plans Iran, Syria, Hizballah and Hamas have drawn up to send five Hizballah brigades sweeping across the border to seize five sectors of Galilee, while also organizing a massive Israeli-Arab uprising against the Jewish state.
2. Egyptian sources: Israel prepares to strike Iran from Gulf and N. Iraq - Debka
Arab voices were fanning Middle East war fever Wednesday night, Feb. 3. DEBKAfile's military sources report that not only are Syrian leaders beating war drums - Syrian foreign minister Walid Muallem said in Damascus: "Israelis, do not test the power of Syria since you know the war will move into your cities" - but Egyptian military sources have put out information purporting to outline Israel's preparations to strike Iran.
3. Israelis abroad should vote - Jerusalem Post
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu expressed his support on Monday afternoon for a bill which would allow Israeli citizens to vote even if they live abroad.
4. Hamas sees 'no prospects' for Mideast peace - Ynet News
The leader of Hamas said Monday he sees "no prospects" for a Mideast peace settlement, a stand that could reduce Russia's chances of holding a Middle East peace conference that includes the Palestinian militant group.
Obama Sells Reform
Obama Sells Reform "As Seen on TV"
By February 25, the District's ice may have thawed--but the same can't be said of tensions over health care reform. In a pre-game interview during yesterday's Super Bowl, the President told a captive audience that he was setting aside that Thursday for a "large meeting" with both parties to overcome what he called a "blizzard" of political opposition. "What I have been doing," the President told Katie Couric, "is consulting closely with the leaders in the House, the leaders in the Senate on the Democratic side, and I want to consult closely with our Republican colleagues... What I want to do is to ask them to put their ideas on the table."
Funny, the President didn't seem this eager to "consult" with Republicans last year. Instead, he blocked them from health care meetings, ignored their suggestions, and then painted them as obstructionists. Now that the President's plan is in jeopardy, the White House has no choice but to include the GOP. And, unlike the actual negotiations that took place in December behind closed doors, this event will be televised live. Naturally, the Republicans' biggest concern is the President will use the opportunity to say he listened to the other side--only to ignore their ideas once the cameras stop rolling. In the meantime, Republicans should follow Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) lead in saying they need to scrap the unpopular bills passed by both chambers and start afresh. "There are a number of issues with bipartisan support that we can start with when the 2,700-page bill is put on the shelf."
Fortunately, leaders won't have to look far for common ground. No other amendment had as much bipartisan support as Rep. Bart Stupak's (D-Mich.) amendment to ban taxpayer-funded abortion from government health care. By overwhelming margins, both Democrats and Republicans went to the mat to defend taxpayers from being forced into the bloody business of abortion. If leaders don't agree to take abortion off the table, there can be no bipartisanship--not on February 25's telecast and certainly not in a final bill. (Family Research Council)
"Morning After Pill" and the DOD
Obama administration just gets more pro-abortion
The Obama administration, which already was the most pro-abortion one in history, just got more pro-abortion this week. And, incredibly, they are using their favorite government agency, the Department of Defense, to ram down their radical social policies upon the American people. Previously, the Obama Democrats used a must-pass defense bill to attach a so-called "hate crimes" provision, which the majority of the American people overwhelmingly oppose.
Last week, the Obama administration announced that the Defense Department will be making the morning-after pill Plan B -- which many pro-lifers (who correctly believe that life begins at conception) call the "abortion pill -- available at all military hospitals and health clinics around the world.
Barack Obama has reversed many of the sensible, and life-giving, policies of the Bush administration since he was inaugurated this past year. Indeed, on Obama's very first day in office, he signed an Executive Order abolishing President Ronald Reagan's "Mexico City Policy" prohibiting international groups -- such as the abominable Planned Parenthood pro-abortion group founded by racist and eugenics supporter Margaret Sanger -- which do abortions or promote abortions, from receiving any American taxpayers' dollars. [Christian Coalition of America] Read more.
'Til Debt Do Us Part . . .
With U.S. debt mounting faster than the snow from this weekend's Nor'easter, the House of Representatives moved last Thursday to extend its "credit limit." By just five votes, 217-212, members made some wiggle room for President Obama's massive 2011 budget and raised the debt ceiling to the highest level in American history--$14.3 trillion. To put the increase in perspective, the $1.9 trillion boost calculates out to roughly $6,000 per person. For some practical examples of exactly how much that is, check out the Washington Post's blurb, "How big is a $1.9 trillion? Very." Thirty Democrats seemed to agree and voted against the hike.
Believe it or not, the new debt threshold is almost triple what it was in 2001. Unfortunately, the September 11 attacks--combined with the attacks on our wallets under Presidents Bush and Obama--have made basic cost containment seem like the impossible dream. To be fair, this spending freefall is just the continuation of a long era of irresponsibility set in motion by the last administration. But at some point, this President has to take ownership of his own decisions--decisions that, as the Wall Street Journal points out, have grown the public debt more in 20 months than President Bush ran up in eight years.
While Republicans paved the way for this fiscal fiasco, President Obama would be wise to borrow a page from their leader's tax policy. Instead of encouraging more debt, why not help families out of theirs? By extending President Bush's tax cuts, the White House would not only stabilize more households, but also empower parents to make the best decisions for their kids. If this administration insists on pulling that relief out from under families, taxes could increase $1,800 per person--with 48 million married couples facing an average burden of $3,007. Instead of addressing the problem, President Obama's budget encourages homes with two working parents to shuttle their kids off to daycare, subsidized by a generous IRS tax break. It leaves families where one parent stays at home (or where other family members care for the kids) out in the cold. Join us in urging the President to make the Child Tax Credit that FRC helped create permanent for all families--and then take it a step farther by raising it to $5,000 for every household. To add your voice to ours, stop by our new website to sign FRC's petition before it's too late!
URGENT PRAYER ALERT!
Iran's Khamenei Threatens a "punch" that will "stun" the West
by Aimee Herd, Breaking Christian News
". . . pray for God's intervention into the situation to stop an attack, for His hand of protection, and to change the hearts of those who wish to do harm."
According to news reports, Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made some extremely disturbing comments regarding "the west" on Monday, in his speech to a gathering of Iranian Air Force personnel.
"The Iranian nation," said Khamenei, "will punch the arrogance (western powers) on the 22nd of Bahman (February 11th) in a way that will leave them stunned."
February 11th is the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution.
The country also announced this week that they would begin to produce higher enriched uranium in defiance of the sanctions and attempts by western powers to reign in Iran's nuclear activity.
In light of this week's threat from Iran, we at BCN are calling Christians to pray for God's intervention into the situation to stop an attack, for His hand of protection, and to change the hearts of those who wish to do harm.
-- To read the full article on the Khamenei's remarks, go here.
[Continuing prayer from CHPP]
- Using the Word of God, declare and decree that these plans of destruction would be dismantled and come to naught. In Jesus' Name, amen.
- "When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him." (Col. 2:15)
MORE VERSES TO DECREE (from Carol in Rhode Island)
Concerning the threat to our nation from Islamic leader for February 11, pray!!!!!!!!!
Isaiah 54:17
Psalm 138:7,8
Pray in The Spirit
Jeremiah 48:30.
Jeremiah 49:10
add yours and keep at it!!!!!!
Netanyahu to Fly to Moscow as Russia - Iran Alliance Grows Closer
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will travel to Moscow next Sunday for three days, his office announced on Sunday, for talks expected to focus on getting Russia to back stepped-up sanctions against Iran.
The visit, planned weeks ago, comes as the West is showing signs of growing impatience with what is starting to be seen throughout the US and Europe as little more than Iranian stalling tactics.
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates called on Sunday for the international community to pressure Teheran into abandoning its nuclear program.
Iran s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday ordered his atomic agency to significantly enrich the country s stockpile of uranium, maintaining, however, that his country was also still willing to follow a UN plan to export its uranium for further enrichment.
Refining uranium produces nuclear fuel for a power plant but if carried out far enough can create material for a weapon. (Jerusalem Post) Read more. [Reported by: Joel Rosenberg]
The Good News Corner
Boy Scouts of America Celebrate 100th Anniversary This Week
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has certainly mastered its survival skills. Today, the entire country celebrates with BSA as it commemorates 100 years of molding boys into men worthy of respect. Despite being under relentless pressure to make their message more politically correct, the Boy Scouts have never wavered from instilling traditional values into generations of young leaders. Although the Scouts have been under fire from the Left, they continue to show the same character that the organization has developed in millions of American boys. We applaud the Boy Scouts for its commitment to faith and for serving as an example to other groups of what it means to continue stand up for the truth after years of dedicated service. (Family Research Council)
Worship With Us
"Carried to the Table" by Leeland
In the midst of all of our trials and afflictions, let's LOOK UP, for our redemption draweth nigh . . .
HALLELUJAH!!
Worship with us now by going here. Amen!!
