Announcing a National Conference Call
for the March of Remembrance:
Next Monday, February 16th at 9:00 p.m. EST
For details, please go here.
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
"A National Prayer Alliance"
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief:
"Praying for All in Authority"
Monday, February 9, 2015
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The Daily Brief
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1. Ukraine crisis: Do not try to scare Putin, warns Merkel - Telegraph UK
Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, championed last chance efforts to end the Ukraine conflict while warning success was far from certain as Kiev said rebels were massing for a new offensive.
As fresh fighting in eastern Ukraine saw five civilians and five government soldiers reported killed in 24 hours Merkel insisted that sending more weapons would not resolve the conflict. "I can't conceive of a situation where better armaments for the Ukrainian army would so impress President Putin that he believes he will militarily lose," Merkel told the Munich Security Conference. The German leader came to Munich from overnight Moscow talks she and French President Francois Hollande held with Russian President Vladimir Putin to thrash out new peace proposals. "It is uncertain whether it will lead to success, but from my point of view and that of the French president it is definitely worth trying," she said of the Franco-German initiative.
Hollande for his part said the stakes could not be higher and the new peace plan was "one of the last chances" to halt the 10-month-old conflict. "If we fail to find a lasting peace agreement, we know the scenario perfectly well - it has a name, it is called war," he said. (Read more)
- Heavenly Father, may the warnings given here by Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, and French President Francois Hollande, be heard. War, especially nuclear, should never be an answer. Help us, Father, as so much of the world seems to be bent on self-destructive actions. We pray this in the Name of Jesus and under His Shed Blood, Amen and Amen.
- "It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear." (Isaiah 65:24 NKJV)
2. Biden says Ukrainians 'have a right to defend themselves,' mum on US sending weapons - Fox News
Vice President Joe Biden, in Germany this weekend to help reach a diplomatic solution to Russian aggression in Ukraine, said Ukrainians "have a right to defend themselves" but did not address the possibility of the United States sending weapons to them.
Biden is in Munich with Secretary of State John Kerry to back the German-French diplomatic effort, which he says is "very much worth the attempt."
Biden said he and other U.S. leaders think they should "attempt an honorable peace" but that they also believe the Ukrainian people "have a right to defend themselves."
He suggested that the impact of economic sanctions imposed on Russia for its actions will get worse if leaders refuse to accept a peaceful resolution and continue to escalate the conflict, the White House said Saturday. (Read more)
- Heavenly Father, please awaken Vice President Joe Biden as to what he may be evoking for a large part of the world, by declaring that Ukrainians 'have a right to defend themselves' as if it is just a minimum thing. It seems that so many people do not want to face the full destructiveness of what a world war would be like at this point in history. Lord, have mercy on us! We ask that You rise up and confront these leaders so that this conflict may be resolved without the use of dangerous weapons that result in catastrophic damage. We pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen.
- "My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish." (Psalm 73:26-27a)
3. Obama administration issues 5.5M work permits to non-citizens; critics call it 'shadow' immigration system - Fox News
Since 2009, the Obama administration issued roughly 5.5 million work permits to non-citizens beyond what Congress has authorized, according to recently-released documents that critics of U.S. policy say reveals a "shadow" or "parallel" immigration system stifling wages and taking jobs from Americans. The information was obtained by the conservative-leaning Center for Immigration Studies through a Freedom of Information Act request and has prompted Alabama GOP Sen. Jeff Sessions to call for an investigation.
"This request has unearthed the operation of a shadow immigration system previously unknown to the American public," said Sessions, one of Capitol Hill's most outspoken critics of President Obama's immigration policy. "A full investigation is warranted." Congress authorized an estimated 5 million green cards and 3.5 million guest worker permits during the 2009-2014 period, in additional to the 5.5 million issued additionally by administration action, a Senate staffer said Wednesday. (Read more)
- Abba Father, it appears that massive illegal immigration has been occurring since 2009 as evidenced by the 5.5 million work permits issued to non-citizens, that are way beyond what was authorized by the U.S. Congress. We lift up praise that Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions has called for an investigation into all of these actions. We ask You to direct this investigation, surrounding Sen. Sessions with Your special angels, so that the truth may be exposed. We pray this in the Name of Jesus, Amen and Amen.
- "For I, the Lord, your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'" (Isaiah 41:13)
4. AG nominee eyed in massive Obama cover-up - WND
Attorney general nominee Loretta Lynch could be facing new confirmation problems in the U.S. Senate after being tied to the world's biggest banking scandal, involving HSBC, which used its power to temporarily shut down WND.com as the news site was breaking a series of stories on the mega-bank's money-laundering practices - practices that resulted in more than $1.2 billion in fines
According to court papers filed Wednesday, Eric Holder's Department of Justice appears to be stonewalling the release of documents that could implicate Lynch in a massive cover-up of Obama administration involvement in international money-laundering of Mexican cartel drug money.
In 2012, Lynch, as the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, oversaw the investigation of drug-related international money laundering allegations against London-based HSBC Holdings LLC. WND published a series articles documenting charges HSBC laundered billions of dollars that traced back to the Mexican drug cartels, culminating with a $1,256 billion fine paid to the U.S. government to end the investigation and avoid the filing of criminal charges.
The federal government's unwillingness to prosecute HSBC was exposed by a former HSBC vice president and relationship manager in New York, John Cruz, who called the bank a "criminal enterprise." Cruz was ignored by law enforcement authorities until he brought to WND 1,000 pages of customer account records that document his claims. (Read more)
- Heavenly Father, may the truth of attorney general nominee Loretta Lynch's involvement in this illegal cover-up be fully exposed and any needed criminal charges be brought forth. Protect us, Father, and block this person if she truly has committed these crimes. We pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen.
- "'Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,' says the Lord." (Jeremiah 1:8)
5. FCC Chairman Bows to White House Pressure, Backs Regulation of Internet - CNSNews.com
Bowing to pressure from the White House, Tom Wheeler, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), said he will support a controversial proposal to reclassify wired and wireless broadband service as a public utility when the FCC votes on the matter February 26. In an oped published in Wired on Wednesday, Wheeler said that he was proposing new "net neutrality" rules governing Internet Service Providers (ISP) under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, which he said would "preserve the internet as an open platform for innovation and free expression."
Wheeler, one of three Democrats on the five-member commission, added that the reclassification "assures the rights of internet users to go where they want, when they want, and the rights of innovators to introduce new products without asking anyone's permission."
The new regulations could cost customers as much as $15 billion in new federal and state taxes and fees, according to the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI). But proponents argue that federal regulation is needed to prevent large phone and cable companies from running roughshod over consumers. (Read more)
SEE ALSO: Republican FCC Commissioner Slams 'Obama's 332-Page Plan To Regulate The Internet' - Daily Caller
Republican FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai on Friday raised the first of many criticisms to come about FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's aggressive net neutrality plan distributed to commissioners Thursday, which Pai described as "President Obama's 332-page plan to regulate the Internet." (Read more)
- Heavenly Father, have mercy on us! This suggests another massive takeover by the government to control what is reported as news and information. This is not 'net neutrality' but further control and most probably censorship. Help us, Father, in Jesus' Name we pray, Amen and Amen.
- "Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked; for there will be no prospect for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out." (Proverbs 24:19-20)
6. Susan Rice defends Obama's foreign policy: U.S. not facing 'existential' threats - Washington Times
Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said Friday that President Obama's Washington critics often lack "perspective" and that the U.S. no longer faces threats akin to World War II. "Too often, what's missing here in Washington is a sense of perspective. Yes, there is a lot going on. Still, while the dangers we face may be more numerous and varied, they are not of the existential nature we confronted during World War II or during the Cold War," Ms. Rice said at the Brookings Institution in Washington, The Hill reported.
The Obama administration released its new national security strategy Friday, which in part shifted the focus from destroying the Islamic State group to "a comprehensive effort to degrade and ultimately defeat" it. Ms. Rice said the White House would pursue a "comprehensive approach" to its counterterrorism efforts, with a caveat that "there will be setbacks," The Hill reported. (Read more)
- Heavenly Father, we ask You to confront this woman in her spirit about the seriousness of the hour we are in and how the ramifications of a massive war using nuclear weapons would be far deadlier than any previous war in human history. We thank You in advance and pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen.
- "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." (Galatians 6:7)
7. US to appoint gay rights envoy - Times of Israel
The United States will appoint an openly gay official as a special envoy to promote the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people overseas, the US State Department said Friday.
State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said US Secretary of State John Kerry would "soon" make the appointment. "It will be an openly gay foreign service officer. We don't have a finalized name yet. But we will announce soon," Harf said.
Harf said the appointment reflected Kerry's "commitment and the administration's commitment to advancing the human rights of LGBT persons globally."
President Barack Obama's administration has repeatedly pressed foreign governments on the human rights of gays and lesbians, systematically drawing attention to rights abuses or repression in several African countries. (Read more) - Lord God, we are stricken with grief at this report. Having conquered America for the LGBT movement, Obama and company have now set their sights globally. We rend our garments in fear before You, our Most Holy God. Have mercy . . . have mercy, we pray, in Jesus' name, amen and amen and amen.
- "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all." (Luke 17:28,29)
8. Homeland Security Chief Johnson: Terrorist Sleeper Cells in U.S. Now - Newsmax
There are individuals living in the United States today who have contact with the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) and other terrorist groups who have "a desire to conduct an attack" on U.S. soil, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."
Johnson would not say how many such individuals the government is aware of, but did say the number is dwarfed by the number of people in Europe intent on carrying out out acts of terror there.
And the ability to recruit and communicate through social media has only strengthened the ability to inspire lone wolves since the days just after 9/11, he said.
"The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security do a pretty good job of tracking the travel of individuals of suspicion, of investigating potential acts of terror or material support for terrorism," Johnson said. "Just this past Friday there were arrests of five individuals who were providing material support, allegedly, to ISIL."
He said the government does a lot to keep track of suspected individuals, but added that the public should continue to be vigilant and report anything suspicious. (Read more)
- Lord God, without You, we are now without hope in our land to live lives in peace and in safety. We repent and repent and repent before Your Throne of Grace for our countless sins as a nation, and for the fact that in this time, many hearts have grown cold before You. Revive us again, we pray, and help us find our way back to You, for in You only is our safety. We ask this in Jesus' name, amen and amen.
- "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." (Psalm 28:7)
9. Texas Islamic Tribunal Dispenses Shariah Law - Breitbart
A form of Islamic law has taken force in Texas, right next door to Louisiana where Gov. Bobby Jindal has warned of Muslim immigrants who refuse to adopt Western culture.
An Islamic Tribunal of four attorneys is operating in Dallas where it issues voluntary rulings on civil disputes, Breitbart Texas reported Tuesday. Taher El-badawi, one of the lawyers who call themselves "judges," told the conservative website that the tribunal applies Shariah law to litigants who voluntarily accept their rulings on disputes involving family and business issues.
He cited divorce as an example of the need for a ruling by Shariah jurists. "While participation in the tribunal is voluntary, a married couple cannot be considered divorced by the Islamic community unless it is granted by the tribunal," El-badawi told Breitbart Texas. (Read more)
SEE ALSO: To read statements by Frank Gaffney and other critics about this stealth move by the Muslims in Texas, please go here. (Source: Charisma News)
- Father God, in these latter days, we as a people are now beset with enemies, both foreign and domestic. We ask You to draw a line around these "Islamic tribunals" and cause them to go no further, and to "wither and die" on the vine. We speak an end to these kangaroo sharia courts in Jesus' mighty name, amen and amen.
- 'Thus far you shall come, but no farther; And here shall your proud waves stop'? (Job 38:11)
10. BREAKING! President Obama to Ask Congress to Authorize Military Force Against ISIS as Jordan Launches New Airstrikes - The Gospel Herald World
U.S. President Barack Obama will ask Congress for authority to use military force against Islamic State fighters next week as Jordan launches new airstrikes against the terrorist group in retaliation for the brutal murder of a Jordanian pilot.
On Thursday, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the President will send "specific language" of an Authorization for the Use of Military Force to Congress "relatively soon." "The president believes it sends a very powerful signal to the American people, to our allies, and even to our enemies, that the United States of America is united behind this strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL," Earnest said, according to the Washington Times.
Additionally, US House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner told reporters he expects Obama to seek congressional authorization for using military force against Islamic State at any time.
"I'm expecting that there will be an authorization for the use of military force sent up here in the coming days. And we're going to go through a rigorous set of hearings and continue to discuss it," Boehner said. "It is also going to be incumbent upon the president to go out there and make the case to the American people," he added, "This is not going to be an easy lift."
Congressional aides said lawmakers had been told they would receive the White House request next week. (Read more)
(Also reported by Breaking Christian News)
- Father God, we ask that You would move upon the hearts of those who serve in both Congress and the White House to take SWIFT ACTION against this monster, ISIS. Every day we delay means more innocent lives lost to this killing machine, even as Jordan now "goes it alone" in this battle. Thank You, Lord, for this report, in Jesus' name, amen and amen.
- "There is . . . a time for war." (Exodus 3:8)
11. North Korea strikes down U.S. talks, vows 'final doom' - SpaceDaily.com
North Korea on Wednesday appeared to rule out any resumption of dialogue with the United States, threatening to react to any US 'war of aggression' with nuclear strikes and cyber warfare.
The statement from the country's top military body, the National Defence Commission (NDC), came after reported moves by Washington and Pyongyang to revive long-stalled six-nation talks on denuclearisation.
The NDC said recent comments from President Barack Obama had revealed that the United States' goal was to 'bring down' North Korea. The statement was an apparent reaction to an interview Obama gave on January 22 in which he spoke of the eventual collapse of the North Korean regime, calling it 'the most isolated, the most sanctioned, the most cut-off nation on Earth'.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, who is head of the NDC, said on the weekend that Pyongyang refused to sit any longer at the table 'with rabid dogs barking' about toppling its socialist system. 'Since the gangster-like US imperialists are blaring that they will 'bring down' the DPRK (North Korea) . . . the army and people of the DPRK cannot but officially notify the Obama administration . . . that the DPRK has neither need nor willingness to sit at negotiating table with the US any longer,' the NDC said.
If the US ignites 'a war of aggression' and unleashes a nuclear war, North Korea will 'counter it through its own nuclear strikes', it said in a statement carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)." (Read more)
- Lord God Jehovah, we come before You in the face of this potential nuclear threat out of North Korea. Lord, we have known of that nation's nuclear capabilities for several years now, but it seems that, this time, the leadership in Pyongyang is throwing down the gauntlet, abandoning peace talks for threats of war. Lord God, we ask You to intervene in this looming crisis.
We pray that Your Hand of mercy would rest upon Your remnant, Lord. And for those who know You not, may this crisis be the wake up call each one needs that it is time to come to repentance and to receive You as their Savior and their Lord. We pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen.
- "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear." (Isaiah 59:1)
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The Middle East in Focus
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"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10)
1. Hebrew Nation News: Weekly Alert
To read this week's alert from HNN, please go here.
2. Intercessors for Israel: Weekly Prayer Alert
To read this week's alert from IFI, please go here.
3. Netanyahu: US, Iran galloping towards deal which threatens Israel - ynet news
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated once again his promise to stop at nothing to prevent Iran from reaching nuclear capabilities, or maintain the ability to do so quickly through a deal with the west.
His comments came US Secretary of State Kerry met with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif Friday and again Sunday in Munich, where the top US diplomat stressed Washington's commitment to seeing the deadline met.
"The major powers and Iran are galloping toward an agreement that will enable Iran to arm itself with nuclear weapons, which will endanger the existence of the State of Israel," Netanyahu said at Israeli government's weekly cabinet meeting. Netanyahu took aim at Kerry and Zarif, saying that their intention to complete a framework agreement by the end of March, forces Israel to take action. "From this (commitment stems the urgency of our efforts to try and block this bad and dangerous agreement. (Read more)
4. Likud Incensed After Biden Meets Herzog in Munich - Israel National News
Despite essentially boycotting Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress by planning to be abroad when it takes place, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Saturday met with another Israeli official.
Biden and Opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog, head of the Labor party, met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
The meeting, which was described as "informal", was part of a series of meetings that Herzog made with several leaders, including U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the European Union's Foreign Affairs Representative Federica Mogherini, the President of the EU, and British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond.
The meetings came just one day after an official in Washington said that Biden would be "traveling abroad during the joint session of Congress" during which Netanyahu is to speak, a reflection of the White House's anger over the speech. The speech was initiated by House Speaker John Boehner, who invited Netanyahu without the knowledge of either the White House's or Democratic leaders in Congress.
The Likud party was incensed at the meeting between Herzog and Biden, which also came as leaders from the left, including Herzog himself, were busy attacking Netanyahu and blaming him for Biden's boycott of the speech. (Read more)
5. Turkish Foreign Minister pulls out of conference due to Israeli participation - Jerusalem Online
Turkey's Foreign Minister announced today (Fri) that he is cancelling his participation in a security conference in Munich due to the participation of an Israeli delegation in a panel on the Middle East.
"I meant to attend the conference," he stated in a press conference in Berlin, "but the addition of an Israeli delegation to the debate panel in the last minute will not allow me to come."
Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, responded to the Turkish announcement, stating: "The announcement proves once again how big of a mistake it was to apologize to Turkey." Lieberman added: "So long as Turkey is run by the current administration headed by Erdoğan and his friends, there is no chance to restore relations between the two countries, since Erdoğan's Turkey is a state that is only interested in attacking Israel, and one must conduct himself accordingly and stand for Israeli interests." (Read more)
6. Herzog calls for a demilitarized Gaza and ducks settlement freeze issue - Jerusalem Post
Zionist Union Party head Isaac Herzog called for a demilitarized Gaza and ducked the issue of a West Bank settlement freeze when he delivered a short foreign policy address at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday night.
"The powder keg of Gaza can explode at any minute. Gaza desperately requires economic reconstruction," said Herzog, who is Netanyahu's chief rival in the March 17th election.
Should he be elected prime minister of Israel, Herzog told the Munich audience, he would call for a "a binding resolution calling for the demilitarization of the Gaza strip in exchange for very significant reconstruction."
He added that this would be a kind of "a mini-Marshall Plan if you will." Such a plan he said, would bring quiet and tranquility to our border with Gaza for years to come. (Read more)
7. White House Fabricated Spat with Netanyahu, Knew of Congress Invite All Along - Breaking Israel News
After several weeks of complaining and snubbing by the Obama administration over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress, turns out the White House has been lying all along.
Upon the announcement of the prime minister's address to a joint session of Congress at the invitation of House Speaker John Boehner, the White House complained that it was a breach of protocol and diplomatic rules to accept the invitation without first notifying the White House.
Senior Obama officials were so angered by Netanyahu's acceptance to address Congress, they charged that the Israeli leader "spat" in Obama's face and could therefore not be trusted.
In a surprising correction issued by the New York Times, who was one of the first news outlets to break the story, it appears that the administration had been informed well in advance of the invitation before Netanyahu accepted it.
The correction, which was added on January 30 in the online version of the article only, stated:
Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel accepted Speaker John A. Boehner's invitation to address Congress. He accepted after the administration had been informed of the invitation, not before. (Read more)
8. Liberman: We Will Demand the Defense Ministry - Israel National News
The Yisrael Beytenu party will demand to receive the Defense Ministry in the next government, party leader Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman declared on Saturday night. Speaking on Channel 2 News, Liberman said that his party will condition joining a coalition on having one of its members be appointed Defense Minister.
"50 days of war and Hamas remains in power, continues to produce missiles. There cannot be a situation as there was in the north, when two soldiers were killed and Israel did not respond. Look how Jordan responded to the burning alive of the pilot, that's what the reaction should be," he said, in a harsh criticism of Israel's current defense policy. "This is the only approach which is relevant to the Middle East. Therefore, we will demand the defense portfolio and we will receive the defense portfolio," he stressed.
The comments echo ones he made after the recent clash near the Lebanon border, where Hezbollah terrorists killed two Israeli soldiers. (Read more)
9. Ya'alon backs same-sex marriage in Israel - Times of Israel
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon vowed on Friday to help advance LGBT rights in Israel, saying he supported the establishment of a framework for civil marriage in the country which would enable same-sex couples to be recognized as a family unit by the state.
Speaking at an event in Tel Aviv, Ya'alon said he was "mobilizing to allow members of the [LGBT] community to have a family life, including marriage." The defense minister added that marriage is a basic human right, "and that it is our duty to allow members of the community to build a family, to have and raise children, to live, to work, to create and contribute to Israeli society." (Read more)
10. 24 groups call on California to investigate professor's 'Boycott Israel Resource Page' - JNS.org
Twenty-four pro-Israel organizations have signed a letter to California Attorney General Kamala Harris demanding that she respond to evidence that California State University Northridge (CSUN) mathematics professor David Klein has illegally used taxpayer resources to promote anti-Semitic ideas. (Read more)
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Jordan Vows to 'Wipe out' ISIS
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Jordan Vows to 'Wipe out' ISIS
AMMAN, Jordan - Jordan is going after Islamic State group militants wherever they are and plans to "wipe them out completely," Jordan's interior minister said in comments published Saturday. It was the latest in a series of warnings of harsh retaliation after the militants released a video of them burning a Jordanian pilot to death in a cage. The gruesome images sparked widespread anger in Jordan and the region. Jordanian fighter jets struck ISIS weapons depots and training sites Thursday and Friday. The kingdom joined a U.S.-led military coalition in September, but said after the killing of the pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh, that it would intensify its air attacks.
Interior Minister Hussein al-Majali said al-Kaseasbeh's killing was a turning point for Jordan. He told the state-run al-Rai newspaper in comments published Saturday that Jordan will go after the militants "wherever they are." The most recent airstrikes are "the beginning of a continued process to eliminate them and wipe them out completely," he said of the militants who control about a third of neighboring Syria and Iraq. (Newsmax) Read more
- Abba Father, we lift up praise for the response that Jordan as a nation has made against the unspeakable acts of ISIS against a Jordanian pilot. May the message from Jordan's actions be understood by the global community and may these actions accomplish what needs to be done. We ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen.
- "Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord, You alone." (Isaiah 37:20 NKJV)
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Prayer Breakfast (1)
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Obama Defends Modern Day Islam /
Attacks Christian History
By Gary Bauer
President Barack Obama used the occasion of the National Prayer Breakfast to once again defend Islam. (Talk about chutzpah!)
He did it using a tactic he has used before, but never so boldly.
Speaking before an event sponsored by an organization which professes "that Jesus transcends all forms of government and belief," Obama lectured his audience, saying ". . . people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ," citing "the Crusades and the Inquisition . . . slavery and Jim Crow."
Obama's historical references have absolutely no relevance to today's fight against radical Islam except that the Islamists are still fighting the Crusades!
As usual the president used a few truths to create a distorted narrative . . .
[Excerpt . . . to read the full report, please go here.]
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Prayer Breakfast (2)
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Prayer Breakfast Jam-Packed with Distortions
by Tony Perkins, President
Family Research Council
Plenty of people left the National Prayer Breakfast yesterday with a bad taste in their mouths -- and not from the food. In what must be an encore of his apology tour, President Obama chose yesterday's breakfast to join in the condemnation -- not of Islamist violence, but Christians'.
While the rest of the free world is united in its outrage over ISIS's evil, this President seems all too eager to malign the faith he himself professes. Most Americans are tired of the apologist-in-chief, who takes every opportunity to lecture us about the atrocities of ancient Christians and how their tradition is as evil as Islam's. Are there things that have been done in the past under the mask of religion? Absolutely. But, as I told Fox News's Megyn Kelly last night, almost all Christians universally, denounced that type of behavior -- whether it was the Crusades of a thousand years ago or slavery in this country 150 years ago.
What we have here is the President refusing to acknowledge that Islam and the ideology that's behind it has been radicalized and being used to kill Christians. My good friend Mark Levin pointed out how absolutely offensive this is to the world's Christians who are being slaughtered today across Africa and the Middle East. "They don't need a lecture from Obama about Christianity," Mark said. They need a leader who does something to make the genocide stop.
[Excerpt. To read the entire article, please go here.]
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Good News at the Prayer Breakfast
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GOOD NEWS AT THE PRAYER BREAKFAST
NASCAR Legend Declares to Obama, Dalai Lama at Prayer Breakfast: "Without Christ, You Will Go to Hell"
WASHINGTON - During Thursday's National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, NASCAR great Darrell Waltrip shared his Christian testimony with the thousands gathered, including Barack and Michelle Obama and the Dalai Lama, stating that he thought he was once a pretty good person, but "good people" go to Hell without Christ.
Waltrip, a NASCAR Hall of Fame recipient with 84 wins, spoke about the importance of coming to Christ and becoming a new creature before approximately 4,000 attendees, which hailed from 170 countries worldwide. He spent most of his talk sharing his story of how God changed his life from being a man that struggled with pride and alcoholism, to a person who now is humble and lives for Christ and not himself.
"This is what people said about me: They said I was brash, ruthless, pushy, cocky, conceited, aloof, boastful, arrogant and just downright annoying," Waltrip said, speaking of his life over 30 years ago. "And I've got to tell you, those were people that liked me, so you can imagine what people that didn't like me had to say about me."
He stated that his wife Stevie tried to get him to go to church, but he would tell her that he didn't have the time.
But a serious crash during the 1983 Daytona 500 became the turning point for Waltrip as he realized that he could have died that day-without Christ.
"When I finally came to or woke up, I realized that that wreck had knocked me unconscious," he explained. "It scared the Hell out of me, and I mean that literally. I realized that I could have been killed that day. What if I'd lost my life right there that day at Daytona? What would I have done? Would I have gone to Heaven, or would have I gone to Hell?"
"I thought I was a pretty good guy, but folks, let me tell you something. Good guys go to Hell," he continued. "If you don't know Jesus as your lord and savior, if you don't have a relationship [with Him], if He's not the master of your life, if you've never gotten on your knees and asked Him to forgive you of your sins, [and] you're just a pretty good guy or a pretty good gal, you're going to go to Hell. Think about that. I did."
After the incident, Waltrip began going to church, and the pastor, Cortez Cooper, began ministering to him on a personal level.
"I got down off my high horse [and] got down on my knees. And Dr. Cortez Cooper and Stevie and I prayed that the Lord would come into my life and forgive me of my sins, and be my lord and savior," he recalled. "And that was the greatest day of my life. That changed everything."
Waltrip told his wife that night as they drove home that he felt like a "new man" and that he had been born again.
"When the Lord comes into your life, you're going to be different. You have to be different," he declared to those gathered. "If He comes into your life and you're not different, you better go back and try it again, because the Lord changes you."
The NASCAR champion and regular commentator on SPEED told the thousands listening that while it is hard for him to look back at the way he used to be, he is thankful for how Christ has changed his life.
"The good news is, I'm not that way anymore," Waltrip said, receiving applause. "[And like me], you've got to get off your high horse and get on your knees and ask for forgiveness. He's waiting there for you." (Christian News) Read more.
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Good News Corner (1)
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The Brutality of ISIS is Driving Yazidi Refugees to Jesus
"We prayed with them. We said Jesus can heal, and they immediately give their hearts to the Lord. And Shirkhan was very touched by this ministry, and he said, 'How can I be a missionary like you and go help people? Shirkhan surrendered his life to the Lord and prayed with us."
(Iraq)-[Christian Aid Mission] An ethnoreligious community in Iraq was once inaccessible to native Iraqi missionaries, as members lived reclusively in distant mountains near the border with Turkey. Since Islamic State (ISIS) atrocities drove them from their mountain strongholds last year, however, Yazidis now account for most of the people who have turned to Christ through a local ministry.
While ISIS terror tactics have contributed to many Muslims in Iraq and Syria coming to Christ, in the past six month about 70 percent of those displaced to the northern Iraqi cities of Erbil and Dohuk who have embraced Christ through one ministry's outreach are Yazidis, a native Iraqi ministry director said.
"When they were kicked out of their area, they all went south to Dohuk and Erbil," he said. "It was very far and very difficult for us to go there to reach these people, so the Lord just brought them to us."
. . . Among all displaced peoples the ministry has reached in the Erbil and Dohuk areas in the past six months, about 80 families have put their trust in Christ, he said. They are large families of seven to 10 people each. While more Muslims than Yazidis are coming to Christ among displaced people reached by other ministries, the director of this ministry (unnamed for security reasons) has seen Yazidis respond most. Among other converts, about 20 percent came from traditional churches where they had grown up with little knowledge of the Bible and had no relationship with Christ, and the remaining 10 percent came from Muslim families.
"Around Kurdistan there are so many churches and so many ministries, and I believe the number [of converts] is huge," the director said, adding that the total likely amounted to several thousand. (Breaking Christian News) Read more here.
- "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14)
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Good News Corner (2)
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This Courageous Iraqi-Christian 'Band of Brothers' is Training to Join the Fight against ISIS, and Take Their Country Back
"The Americans want to stay away from this because their view is, if you train the Christians, you're starting some crazy religious war. Well, ISIS beat you to it."
(Iraq)-While Jordan takes action against ISIS, and the US comes up with a battle strategy, there are already "boots on the ground" in Iraq; they are those who have decided to take back the land that the Islamic terror group has claimed.
They are a brave corps of some 2,000 Iraqi Christians, who-along with their family members and friends-have witnessed unspeakable atrocities by ISIS, and who have made the decision to help fight back.
A piece in the Wall Street Journal points out that about 15,000 Iraqi Christians were forced from their homes by the marauding and murderous Islamic state. "The U.S. National Defense Authorization Act, approved in December, names local security forces in Iraq as potential beneficiaries of as much as $1.6 billion to train and equip fighters against Islamic State," the WSJ article noted, adding that the Christian recruits are being trained by a handful of American military veteran volunteers.
According to the Newsmax report, the Christian fighters were "keeping their identities quiet amid fears of ISIS reprisals.
Those training them have also wanted to stay under the radar about their role, although one spoke to the WSJ noting, "The Americans want to stay away from this because their view is, if you train the Christians, you're starting some crazy religious war. Well, ISIS beat you to it." (Breaking Christian News) Read more
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Signs and Wonders
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Fire Volcano in Guatemala erupts, spewing rock and ash
GUATEMALA CITY - A national disaster preparedness official in Guatemala says the Fire Volcano has exploded, spewing incandescent rock and ash that dusted surrounding communities.
Spokesman David de Leon says authorities put the southern Guatemala area on alert, though no evacuations have been made so far.
Karina Lopez, a resident of nearby Antigua, said Saturday that ash mixed with a drizzle to reduce visibility and that the rumblings continued.
The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction issued instructions urging people to take shelter, wear masks, cover water tanks and be aware of evacuation routes. Firefighters were standing by.
The volcano sits on the border of the Guatemalan states of Escuintla, Sacatepequez and Chimaltenango. It has a height of 3,763 meters (12,346 feet) above sea level. (Washington Post and AP)
Read more here.
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Today's Birthdays
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Today's Birthdays on the Hill
Today we wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to:
Governor Jay Inslee (WA)
Rep. Todd Rokita (IN)
Rep. Renee Elmers (NC)
God bless you!
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Worship With Us Today!
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Worship With Us Today!
One Hour of Instrumental Hymns
They provide the music . . . you provide the words . . . Relax and enjoy a nice, easy start to your work week by going here.
Amen!!
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Two Daily Conference Calls
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Two Daily Conference Calls
TO PRAY IN THE NIGHT:
Please note that the national prayer call continues every night with different leaders from different intercession ministries each night.
These prayer calls will be held nightly at 9PM EST. Please join us by calling 1-857-232-0156; access 377054. Please sign on 15 minutes early so we can be ready to pray at 9PM.
This call sponsored by Breaker of Dawn has been going on since Sept 9, 2014 and every night it is a Psalm 133 call with different ministries joining together and most every night there are intercessors that represent our entire nation.
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!
