Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
"A National Prayer Alliance"
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief: Abbreviated Holiday Edition
"Praying for All in Authority"
Monday, December 29, 2014
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love,
and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
Welcome to our abbreviated edition of The Daily Brief. We will publish this alert this week today, tomorrow and Wednesday; then stand down for a four-day New Year's weekend.
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The Daily Brief
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1. Missing plane likely at 'the bottom of the sea,' Indonesian rescue official says - CNN
Indonesia's top rescue official says authorities believe the missing AirAsia jet is likely at the bottom of the sea, based on radar data from the plane's last contact.
"(Because) the coordinate that was given to us and the evolution from the calculation point of the flight track is at sea, our early conjecture is that the plane is in the bottom of the sea," Bambang Sulistyo, head of Indonesia's national search and rescue agency, told reporters Monday.
But searchers still don't know where the plane is, he said, and may need help from other countries for help with an underwater search. (Read more)
- Lord God, once again we cry out to You to know what has happened to another airliner in this same part of the world. Lord God, You have the answers in Your Hand, and we ask that, in Your time, all the facts about what has happened to the AirAsia plane would be revealed, so that this will not happen again. Thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayers, as we ask, too, that You comfort those who have been left behind. In Jesus name, amen and amen.
- "In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me." (Psalm 120:1)
2. De Blasio receives NYPD's turned backs at Rafael Ramos' funeral - Washington Times
Hundreds of officers outside the church where a funeral is being held for a policeman killed along with his partner in an ambush shooting turned their backs on the mayor as he spoke during Saturday's service. The reaction from officers watching Officer Rafael Ramos' funeral on giant TV screens outside the church follows comments from police union officials who said Mayor Bill de Blasio contributed to a climate of mistrust toward police amid anti-police protests.
Inside Christ Tabernacle Church in Queens , however, mourners gave de Blasio polite applause before and after his speech.(Read more)
- Heavenly Father, we ask for You to arise and abide in the midst of the divisions that are being raised up within our nation. We ask that You pour down Your Grace and Your Shalom to drive out these spirits of anger, violence, divisiveness and retaliation. We ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen.
- "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan." (Proverbs 29:2)
3. VP Joe Biden Delivers Remarks at Slain NYPD Officer's Funeral (VIDEO)- ABC News
To listen to the Vice President's remarks at the funeral for Officer Ramos, go here.
- Father, we thank You that this administration has stepped forth to give honor to those who have fallen in the line of duty. The assassinations of these two police officers were a horrible stain on our history; we ask that, by Your grace, there would be no more. We ask this in Jesus' name, amen and amen.
- "Give to everyone what you owe them: if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." (Romans 13:7)
4. Obama sides with Islamic group over FBI - WND
Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., had a succinct analysis of the Obama administration's latest diplomatic move and how it appeared to conflict with FBI's own assessment. "The president is going exactly in the opposite direction of trying to stamp out terrorism," she told WND upon hearing why Obama administration officials had huddled earlier in the week with representatives from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, and the Muslim American Society, or MAS.
According to a statement on CAIR's website, representatives from the two U.S.-based Islamic groups met with senior government officials on December 22, and pledged to work together to counter a decision by the United Arab Emirates, or UAE, on November 15, to put CAIR and MAS on its list of foreign terrorist groups. The UAE also outlawed the two organizations and declared CAIR and MAS to be front groups for the terrorist organization the Muslim Brotherhood.
The FBI severed contacts with CAIR in 2009 as "not an appropriate liaison partner" for the bureau because of evidence linking the group and its founders to Hamas, which the U.S. lists as a terrorist organization. Hamas runs Gaza and was founded as an offshoot of the jihadist organization the Muslim Brotherhood, based in Egypt. (Read more)
- Heavenly Father, have mercy on Your remnant and help us, where our president is reported to be supporting groups that the FBI and other sources have clearly declared to be terrorist based. This could allow our nation to be in serious danger from these groups. We ask You to confront and shut down the terrorist related groups reported here. We ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen.
- "But my eyes are upon You, O God the Lord; in You I take refuge; do not leave my soul destitute." (Psalm 141:8)
5. Obamacare Tops Hot-Button Issues Soon Before Supreme Court - Newsmax
The Supreme Court will tackle a laundry list of high-profile cases during the first six months of the new year, including decisions on Obamacare and other hot-button topics that could pose big challenges for both liberal and conservative interests.
The looming decision on Obamacare tops the list of controversial agenda items, reports the National Journal, but justices are also considering decisions on matters, including political fundraising limits, free speech, and religious freedom that will all have a high impact this coming year.
The Obamacare oral arguments will begin March 4 in a lawsuit that could cripple the healthcare law and its subsidies.
Challengers hope the court will outlaw premium subsidies for states that did not set up their own insurance exchanges. As most states use the federal exchange, rather than their own, that means 80 percent of the people who have enrolled in lower-cost health insurance plans and receive subsidies to help pay for their policies could lose those payments. Obamacare supporters are worried about the case as justices took it up earlier than expected, rather than waiting for a lower court to make a decision on the matter. (Read more)
- Heavenly Father, this so called 'healthcare' law appears to be an expanding nightmare of problems. This court decision could leave a large number of people in a financial position where they could not afford the cost for minimum coverage. Help us, Father, by causing this nightmarish law to be shut down and replaced. We ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen.
- "Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause." (Psalm 25:3)
6. N. Korea calls Obama 'monkey' in hacking row - AP
North Korea called President Barack Obama "a monkey" and blamed the U.S. on Saturday for shutting down its Internet amid the hacking row over the comedy "The Interview."
North Korea has denied involvement in a crippling cyberattack on Sony Pictures but has expressed fury over the comedy depicting an assassination of its leader Kim Jong Un. Sony Pictures initially called off the release citing threats of terror attacks against U.S. movie theaters. Obama criticized Sony's decision, and the movie has opened this week.
The defense commission also accused Washington for intermittent outages of North Korea websites this week, which happened after the U.S. had promised to respond to the Sony hack. The U.S. government has declined to say if it was behind the shutdown. (Read more)
- Heavenly Father, we bring before Your throne this ongoing confrontation between our nation and the nation of North Korea. We ask that You rise up and extend Your right hand to defuse this escalating exchange of accusations and insults, praying this in the Name of Jesus, Amen and Amen.
- "He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered." (Proverbs 28:25)
8. Lindsey Graham to Netanyahu: GOP-Controlled Congress 'Has Your Back' - Newsmax
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham Saturday pledged unwavering support to Israel in its conflicts with Hamas and Iran and vowed that the new Republican-controlled Congress would approve legislation to re-impose sanctions on Tehran should it not agree to limitations on its nuclear arsenal.
"The United States Congress, above all entities in America, has your back in a very bipartisan way," Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint news conference in Jerusalem. "The Congress clearly sees the difference between the tactics of Hamas and the democracy called Israel, and the international community seems to be a bit confused."
Graham said he agreed with Netanyahu that "the Hamas regime does everything they can to kill children," while the Israeli Defense Forces "does everything they can to avoid killing Palestinian children. "They fire rockets and hope they land in schools; you attack the enemy trying to avoid collateral damage to civilians," the senator said.
He also praised the prime minister for his warning about Iran and its quest to obtain nuclear weapons: "Beware of the Iranians. They lie, they cheat. This regime for years has been deceiving the international community - and has been trying to pursue, in my view, a nuclear weapon." (Read more)
- Abba Father, we lift up praise for what South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham is saying in support of Your special land and people. Sen. Graham also stated that funds for the UN could be cut or withheld based on the UN's action as to this Palestinian state decision. Sen. Graham thanked PM Netanyahu for his warnings concerning the Iranian nuclear threat. May the US Congress act upon this senator's words, praying this in the Name of Jesus, Amen and Amen.
"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)
9. ISIS hacks U.S. news site: 'We are already here' - WND
"You'll see no mercy, infidels. We are already here, we are in your PCs, in each house, in each office. With Allah's permission we begin with Albuquerque."
That was the ominous message posted by someone purporting to be affiliated with the Islamic State who apparently hacked the app of New Mexico's largest newspaper, the Albuquerque Journal, and threatened Albuquerque residents on Wednesday morning.
The posting was accompanied by the headline, "Christmas will never be merry any longer" and a dark photo of a figure wearing a black-and-white checkered head scarf. Text in the middle of the photo read "CyberCaliphate" and "I love you isis" [sic]. The post also stated, "While the us [sic] and its satellites are bombing the Islamic State, we broke into your home networks and personal devices and know everything about you."
The hacker told Albuquerque residents, "You will look around more often, will call up your children more often, think of your security more often, but that won't help you."
Also in September, National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers said he has been observing the cyber capabilities of the media-savvy terrorist group. Rogers told a cybersecurity conference in Washington, D.C., "We need to assume that there will be a cyber dimension increasingly in almost any scenario that we're dealing with. Counterterrorism is no different. Clearly, [ISIS] has been very aggressive in the use of media, in the use of technology, in the use of the Internet." (Read more)
- Heavenly Father, may the leadership in our nation take this event seriously and acknowledge the dangerous threats that ISIS poses to our nation. We ask for mercy, Father! This group is very violent and acts in vicious, depraved ways, so we ask You, Father, to crush them with Your mighty right hand. Cause each one to be humbled by that Mighty Hand, unto salvation. We pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen.
- "Let not a slanderer be established in the earth; let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him." (Psalm 140:11)
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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)
(Please note the DOUBLE RAINBOW in this photo. Thank You, Yahweh, for Your promise to Your people!)
1. Erekat: UN vote on Palestinian statehood by Monday - Times Of Israel
Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said Friday that the Palestinian Authority will push the United Nations Security Council for a vote on the Palestinians' statehood bid by Monday next week at the latest. (Read more)
2. Netanyahu hits back at Palestinians for ISIS comparison, warns of Iran - Ynet News
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hit back at the Palestinian Authority's cheif negotatior Saeb Erekat Saturday, slamming him for comparing Israel to the Islamic State group.
"This is the same PA that joins hands with Hamas, incites constantly against Israel, the kind of incitement that has led to an attack that we witnessed just two days ago of a Molotov cocktail thrown at a little girl... the same PA is going to try to bring to the UN Security Council a resolution that seeks to impose on us conditions that will undermine our security," Netanyahu said after meeting with US Senator Lindsey Graham. (Read more)
3. Lapid plays down prime ministerial ambitions - Times of Israel
Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid played down his prime ministerial ambitions on Saturday, in sharp contrast to a widely publicized statement he made after the January 2013 elections in which he boasted that he would be the next premier. He also said that his party will do everything it can so that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not win another term. (Read more)
4. Mashaal in Turkey: We hope to liberate Palestine with you- Times of Israel
On a surprise visit to Turkey Saturday, Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal hailed the country's leaders and said he hoped to "liberate Palestine and Jerusalem" with them. (Read more)
5. Iran: Hamas leader Mashaal set to visit Tehran - Jerusalem Post
Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal is reportedly set to visit Iran, according to the Islamic Republic's semi-official Fars news agency Saturday.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian told Fars of the impending trip by the Qatar-based Hamas leader, but refrained from announcing a set date. (Read more)
6. Two Officers Stabbed in Jerusalem's Old City - Israel National News
Video has emerged showing the shocking stabbing of two Border Patrol officers, who were attacked by an Arab terrorist on Friday morning at a police security point near the Lion's Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem. The attack occurred right after Muslim morning prayers concluded on the Temple Mount with Muslims leaving the site in large numbers.
While there was initial doubt as to whether the attacker came from the Temple Mount or from alleyways in the Old City, the video would seem to support the latter assessment as the attacker is seen coming from the opposite direction as the throngs of Muslim worshippers.
One of the policemen, 19, was wounded in his neck. Then the second one, 35, was wounded in his hand while trying to defend himself from the attacker. The two were evacuated to the Shaarei Tzedek Hospital in the city. (Read more and view video here)
7. Synagogue Where Jesus Preached Uncovered - Israel Today
A synagogue where Jesus likely preached has been uncovered on the western shores of the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel. The 1st century Jewish house of prayer was discovered amidst the ruins of the ancient town of Magdala, home to the most well known female disciple of Jesus, Mary Magdalene.
"This is the first synagogue ever excavated where Jesus walked and preached," said Father Eamon Kelly of the Catholic organization developing the property. "This is hugely important for both Jews and Christians," he added. The synagogue is one of only seven dating back to the time of Jesus uncovered anywhere in the world. (Read more)
8. Hebrew Nation News
To read this week's report from HNN, go here.
9. BREAKING! Ancient Laws of Ritual Purity Resurrected in Holy Oil for Menorah Ceremony During Hanukkah in Jewish Quarter - The Jerusalem Channel
As far as Bible prophecy and the Temple Mount are concerned, a very prophetic event took place this evening in Jerusalem that has gone unnoticed by much of the world. The Temple Institute has come one step closer to realising the dream of restoring Temple worship in the future in Jerusalem-and it's a miracle story involving Hanukkah and holy oil. (Read more)
10. BREAKING! Likud comptroller disqualifies Netanyahu from party primaries - Ynet News
The Likud comptroller has disqualified Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from running in the party's internal primaries ahead of the general election, citing illegal use of party resources.
If the move stands, Netanyahu will not be able to contend for the premiership. In response, the party's election committee said the comptroller overstepped his mandate and is not authorized to make such a decision. It is unclear if the comptroller can indeed bar Netanyahu from running pending a legal investigation. (Read more)
- Father God, we ask for justice to be meted out quickly in this critical matter. In the name of Yeshua, we offer this prayer, amen and amen.
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The Daily Jot
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Friday, December 26, 2014
Fired up for Christmas
Note: this is a repeat of a Jot from previous years, but it is oft requested . . .
As many of you know, I grew up on our family farm in Northeastern Ohio. It was part of a land grant in payment to my grandfather seven generations back for fighting in the Revolutionary War. At the time my grandfather sent two of his sons to claim the land, it was wilderness, the most western part of the new America, and most certainly Indian country. They had to carve out their inheritance while defending themselves and learning how to farm fertile, but rather low land. The house they built was a sturdy two room structure with a loft above, with two inch planks pegged together as walls and large beams, also pegged together, held the house up over the crude cellar. The house was added on to in 1840.
The entire farm was handed down from Wilson to Wilson from around 1800 till even today, when my son will take over the property. We all were raised on this farm since then. When my father went on to be with the Lord in 1989, my mother continued living at the farm until she was unable to do so and moved in to our Maryland home. During those times before, we would pack up the family and "go home" for Christmas. Sometimes, my mother didn't make the best decisions at Christmas time, especially since it was my dad's birthday, and the anniversary of his death was just a few days after my mother's birthday, also in December. Mother, however, never wanted to admit that her decisions might not be the best.
We were finished opening presents and all the paper from the gifts was stuffed into a couple of trash bags. There was no garbage pick up at the farm. We burned everything in an old sawed-off 50 gallon drum out about 30 feet from the milk house. Now this drum was old and had charred and rusted down to about half its height. On this Christmas morning, the wind was blowing pretty hard and there was no snow on the ground. I protested that it was not a good idea to burn these wrappings, but mom insisted--she was a neat-kin to the max and didn't want the trash in her house another second. So I reluctantly complied. I set the wrappings on fire and soon they blew all over the pasture, setting tiny fires as they landed.
These tiny fires grew into bigger fires and soon about half an acre of pasture was on fire with the wind shifting toward the barns. I was fighting the fire with a shovel and an old gunny sack while everyone else was in the house enjoying the morning, unaware of the fiasco outside. I finally prevailed over the fire. I came in the house with smokey clothes, smudges on my face, arms and hands, and my eyebrows were singed. My mother calmly sat across the kitchen table and without any hesitation said, "You shouldn't have burned that trash with that wind blowing like it was." Ephesians 6:2,3 says, "Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." That is, if you survive the fires .
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
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A Christmas Message
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A Christmas Message:
(Good all year round, too!)
Do not "X" Me out.
Consider My name at Christmas,
Hold it near and dear to your heart.
Remember The Father sent Me,
I have loved you never to part.
Share Me in your holidays,
To keep the true meaning clear.
My Love for you is endless,
And will last year after year.
Seek My Name in greetings,
Do not "X" Me out.
All of you are My loved ones,
You are what I'm all about.
(Submitted by: Nancy K. Stanchina; Saint Michael, MN)
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The Fearless Sword
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THE FEARLESS SWORD
WHEN OUR SWORD BECOMES OUR CROSS
Or Our Cross Becomes Our Sword
A message preached by:
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Eastgate Church; Katy, TX
Ezekiel 21
October 29, 2006; December 28, 2014
Ezekiel 21 speaks more prominently and fully of the Sword of the Lord than any other chapter of the Bible. The Sword is mentioned 79 times in the Book of Ezekiel and 14 times in this chapter. Fourteen is the Bible number of salvation and deliverance."
"The Sword is The Word. The Word is a Person"
[To study Pastor Sissom's teaching on the Fearless Sword, please go here.]
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A Testimony of God's Keeping Power
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A Testimony of God's Keeping Power:
Missionary Shot at Point-Blank Range and Survives!
(Submitted by: John Bazinet in Maine)
"No weapon formed against me can prosper."
In 2005 while serving as a missionary in a city in Guatemala, two theives came drove up behind my car as I was about to enter the iron gate of the Youth With a Mission center. I saw in the rear view mirror that they had hand guns and I said a quick prayer of thanks to the Lord for my life and and I am ready if He wanted me home. They came quickly to the driver's side of my car. My window was down and they demanded the bag from me in Spanish. Startled at first I didn't realize what bag he wanted. With his buddy holding a pistol on my right shoulder blade the one speaking said there it is, leaned over my lap and grabbed the money exchange bag I had just come home with from the bank for a missionary team.
When I saw it was the money he was after I grabbed hold of the one end of the bag and played tug of war. I was just reacting, not thinking it through. His buddy pulled the trigger and it went "click". I thought Lord you must have jammed his gun. Looking back at it he more than likely forgot to take off the safety. He pulled the trigger again and it fired. The bullet entered my left shoulder blade and crossed diagonally to my right hip. There was no pain, no bleeding, no damage to any internal organ. I am a slender man and was doing much fasting with prayer at that time. There just isn't any fatty tissue for that bullet to circumvent any vital organs within me.
The next day the doctor found the bullet on my right hip and called me cat-man saying I have nine lives. I told him I have more than that. I have the Holy Spirit, eternal life, and a promise from the Word that no weapon formed against me can prosper.
[And there is yet more to this story!]
That same week another missionary told me that in 2002 he was shot twice in the head. He had I think he said a 4-hour operation to dig one bullet out of his brain. The other bullet was too deep to try to remove. They told him after the operation he would probably be blind and a paraplegic the rest of his life.
Immediately his church began to intercede on his behalf. When he told me his testimony he was not blind and just walked with a cane and a slight limp. He said they will continue to pray until he throws away the cane.
[And there is still more!]
Another report: in Africa a missionary was on top of the hill looking down on the village he was ministering to when he felt what he thought was wasps or hornets stinging his back. Glancing around he saw a man with a sub-machine gun firing on his back, but the bullets were bouncing off his skin. The man was so astounded he threw the gun to the ground, got on his knees, and said, "I want to accept this Jesus of yours".
Praise the Lord for these powerful testimonies! As we continue to see news of shootings in our cities, we can rest assured that God WILL see us through!
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THANK YOU!!!
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Dear friends,
I want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to the many of you who have not only responded to my husband's end-of-year appeal, but have also taken the time to write such wonderful notes of appreciation to our team for all we do.
Each one of your messages has truly touched my heart . . .
. . . and with your help, we will now definitely end this year in the black, and beyond.
Jim and I and our Board of Directors all want to say a BIG THANK YOU for your kindness to us. When you "vote" with an offering, we welcome your gift, and we take it as a sign from our Lord and from you that we are, indeed, called to continue in this work.
In His Amazing Grace, and God bless you,
Sara Ballenger, President
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
"Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom." (Luke 6:38)
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A Reminder for your Year-End Giving
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A Reminder for your Year-End Giving
Please know that offerings postmarked or given online by December 31st (Wednesday) will be recorded as 2014 donations.
An acknowledgment for your total offerings will be sent to you next month.
We thank you again for your gracious support of this work. God bless you.
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Worship With Us Today!
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Worship With Us Today!
Your Love Is Extravagant
by Tribe of Benjamin
Yes, Lord!
Your love IS extravagant!
Amen!
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Two Daily Conference Calls
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The Lord has now provided two opportunities to cry out to Him in corporate prayer, day and night.
I have set watchmen upon your walls, O Jerusalem, who shall never hold their peace day nor night: you that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence. (Isaiah 62:6)
Come join us!
TO PRAY IN THE NIGHT:
Prayer calls are being held nightly at 9PM EST.
857-232-0156; access 377054#
Sponsored by Breaker of Dawn Ministries
FOCUS: PUSHING BACK THE DARKNESS
For details, go here.
TO PRAY IN THE DAY:
A second conference call is now available daily (except on Sundays) at 11:30 a.m. EST. Sponsored by the Salt and Light Council, the focus of the daily "Repentance and Reformation" calls is to pray for all in authority.
You are cordially invited to join these calls by dialing 712-432-1699/ Access code 338083#
To learn more, please visit their website at:
http://randrprayer.org
> > > Day and night, in these perilous times, let's join forces on these calls to cry out unto God for His mercy to be shown to America and to Israel. Thank you!
