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Are you sure where you'll spend eternity?
Be sure.
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
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The Daily Brief:
Legislative Snapshot
Saturday, March 3, 2018
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
(Psalm 34:3)
"Standing United Together . . . Under the Cross of Christ"
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In Memoriam: Billy Graham
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Billy Graham's Memorial in Nation's Capital
Just after 11 a.m. Wednesday, Mr. Graham's casket was carried into the Capitol Rotunda and placed on the catafalque (wooden platform) built in a hurry more than 150 years ago to support President Abraham Lincoln's casket. At that moment, Mr. Graham became the fourth citizen in U.S. history to lie in honor inside the Capitol, in the same place where 11 presidents and a small number of exceptional Americans have lain in state.
. . . "It was never about Billy Graham" . . . That's what the farmer's son from North Carolina was always careful to emphasize as presidents, statesmen and regular American citizens sought his counsel decade after decade.
On Wednesday morning beneath the storied dome of the U.S. Capitol, it was clear his message had been understood. Yes, the crowds were there to honor Billy Graham. But it had always been about God. Mr. Graham was, as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell put it, "just a happy instrument in the hands of his Creator."
As thousands of people lined up outside the Capitol building to say goodbye to the evangelist who died peacefully in his sleep after 99 years of life, Mr. Graham's simple pine plywood casket was carried up the steps by a military honor guard.
Inside the Capitol, President Donald Trump waited with first lady Melania Trump, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Sen. McConnell, and a host of diplomats and elected officials from both parties. Just after 11 a.m., Mr. Graham's casket was carried into the Capitol Rotunda and placed on the catafalque (wooden platform) built in a hurry more than 150 years ago to support President Abraham Lincoln's casket.
"Here in this room we are reminded that America is a nation sustained by prayer," President Trump said. "Today we say a prayer for our country, that all across this land the Lord will raise up men and women like Billy Graham to spread a message of love and hope to every precious child of God."
Senate Chaplain Dr. Barry Black closed the short service with a moving prayer of thanks for Billy Graham. "Lord, we're grateful for his scandal-free life of integrity, characterized by conduct that was above reproach," he said.
The entire service embodied a thankful, joyful tone. Mr. Graham's absolute dependence on Christ-and not on his own power or success-reassured many of those in attendance that death does not have the final say when it comes to this servant of God.
"Here lies America's Pastor," House Majority Leader Paul Ryan said. "A man made great not by who he was but by Who he served with all of his heart, and all of his soul, and all of his mind." (Breaking Christian News)
> > > To read more about this service, and to view many beautiful photos of this historic event, please go here.
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Billy Graham's Last Crusade
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Billy Graham's Last Crusade: 'The Greatest Tribute . . . Is to Do What Billy Did'
On the grounds of his library, more than 2,000 guests will honor Graham in a service he helped plan himself, featuring songs from Michael W. Smith and the Gaither Vocal Band, tributes from his family, and a sermon from his son, Franklin.
Often called "counselor to the presidents," Billy Graham was also a simple man with a family left to mourn his death.
Prof. Anne Blue Wills of North Carolina's Davidson College said, "He wasn't in it for himself. He was in it to build Christ's Kingdom." Anne Blue Wills edited the book Billy Graham: American Pilgrim and points to his ministry's constant work with the local Church.
"He did contribute to-and even create-modern evangelical Christianity in the US and contributed to this global Christian movement that we are seeing," she said.
He did it using media to promote the Gospel while he also promoted others, like Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship. "We became friends in the early 90s and I helped him with sermon prep," Laurie said.
Pastor Laurie believes even as people say farewell and celebrate his home going, every Christian Believer can honor the legacy of the greatest evangelist of our time.
"To me, the greatest tribute we could pay to Billy Graham is to do what Billy did. What did Billy do? Billy proclaimed the Gospel," he said. "That's the greatest tribute we could give to a man who dedicated his entire life to doing that." (Breaking Christian News) Read more.
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Special Broadcast: Fox News
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Billy Graham: An Extraordinary Journey' to Air on FOX Broadcasting
Sunday, March 4
Billy Graham's passing last week has caused some to ask, "Who was this man?" while others recognize his familiar voice and message over countless news outlets and through social media posts.
This Sunday, March 4, at 7 p.m. (ET), FOX Broadcasting Company will air a very special film honoring the revered evangelist titled Billy Graham: An Extraordinary Journey.
The one-hour movie will offer an inside look at the life of Billy Graham, whose message of the Gospel of Christ helped change millions of lives over his nearly seven decades of evangelism.
"Billy Graham: An Extraordinary Journey" reveals never-before-seen archive footage and interviews from presidents, celebrities, family and close friends.
The film will cover his entire life and ministry, starting with how God used a farm boy to become a world-renowned evangelist.
Viewers will see historical footage including Billy Graham's 1949 Los Angeles Crusade and the Civil Rights period. It will also share his message of hope behind the Iron Curtain and time spent with presidents.
Additionally, the movie will feature Billy and Ruth Graham, and the love that endured despite the pressure of an ever demanding ministry. It will portray the well-known pastor's humility and heart, and his reflections from later years.
Throughout his life, Billy Graham preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to some 215 million people who attended one of his more than 400 Crusades, simulcasts and evangelistic rallies in over 185 countries and territories. He reached millions more through TV, video, film, the internet and 34 books. He founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in 1950.
To watch "Billy Graham: An Extraordinary Journey," tune in to FOX Broadcasting Company this Sunday, March 4, from 7-8 p.m. ET.
Visit Billy Graham's memorial website . . . to express your memories and condolences.
Are you sure where you'll spend eternity? Be sure.
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A Personal Note
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A Personal Note:
Why I Had to Miss Viewing all the Events this Past Week
Honoring Billy Graham on Capitol Hill and in Charlotte, NC
Dear Friends,
It is written: "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way." (Psalm 37:23)
I would like to share a short note with all of you, explaining why I was "absent" here in Washington this past week:
While all of my own brothers and sisters in Christ were honoring and praying over the life and the legacy of Billy Graham, I had been called to "other duty."
As a member of the National Religious Broadcasters, I drove down to Nashville, Tennessee, to attend their annual NRB Conference. All the time, though, my own heart was very heavy as I had really wanted to be on hand to directly honor the passing of Billy Graham . . .
But our God is so good. As we entered the Convention Center in Nashville, we came across a lounge, where one could "put up your feet and rest awhile" between all of the ongoing conference events.
That room was sponsored by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).
My heart leaped with joy as I entered this quiet room, and then met with a Chaplain who worked with the BGEA and who, too, had been called to (sadly) miss the services on Capitol Hill and in Charlotte, NC, honoring Billy Graham.
I thanked this gentleman and his wife for their own sacrificial presence in Nashville as we joined hands and prayed for a great harvest to follow this great man's life and ministry. There was such a deep sense of the presence of our Lord during those few moments . . . so powerful . . .
I would like to invite all of you now to lift up the BGEA Association, in answer to the two prayer requests that I have been given:
First, that the BGEA would have a clear vision in the days ahead of the missions our Lord would call them to pursue.
Second, that He would provide the funding for the same.
Thank you all . . . amen.
In Christ's love and grace,
Sara Ballenger, Founder
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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Recent Floor Activity
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Weekly Digest of the Congressional Record
Related Headlines
House pauses for 17 seconds to honor dead in Parkland school massacre
House passes bill to penalize sites that allow online sex trafficking
Bulletproof Vests, Security Guards Approved for House Members
Senate passes Taiwan travel bill that has angered China
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Congress Last Week
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Foreign Policy
Senate Plans to Revive NATO Observer Group
US isn't in Syria to counter Iran, top general says
Top U.S. General: Iranian Regional Meddling Has Increased Since Nuclear Deal
US Senate's Taiwan Bill Angers China Ahead of Trade Meeting
Second Amendment
Congress steps into thorny gun debate
House speaker says focused on gun background checks, not bans
Speaker Paul Ryan says GOP will look at “system failures,” not gun control, in wake of Florida shooting
Senior House member, Alaska's Don Young, suggests more guns might have saved lives in Holocaust
Repealing Gun-Free School Zones Act Would Make Schools Safer, Kentucky Lawmaker Says
Rubio Backs ‘Gun Violence Restraining Orders,’ Other Measures to Boost School Safety
GOP wants to keep Dickey amendment [prohibits CDC from advocating on gun control]
Immigration
US Lawmakers Renew Calls to Protect Young Undocumented Immigrants
Senators offer short-term DACA fix
Faces of DACA
Executive
Mike Pence casts tie-breaking vote for 9th time
Congress
Billy Graham, Counselor to Presidents, Receives Capitol Salute
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Pending Activity
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Committee Activity
House Intelligence Committee releases Dem rebuttal to GOP FISA memo
Russians Meddled in Energy Policy, Science Committee GOP Says
Floor Outlook
Senate Republican says challenging to pass U.S. infrastructure bill this year
Senate to take up bank deregulation bill next week: McConnell
GOP plans to move school safety bill in March
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Senate Floor
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Program for Monday: Senate resumes consideration of the nomination of Karen Gren Scholer, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas.
At 5:30 p.m., Senate votes on confirmation of the nomination of Karen Gren Scholer, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas, the nomination of Tilman Eugene Self III, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia, and the nomination of Terry A. Doughty, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana.
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Senate Committees
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Tuesday,
Mar. 6, 2018
Hearings to examine
worldwide threats; with the possibility of a closed session in SVC-217,
following the open session.
Hearings to examine the nomination
of James
Reilly, of Colorado, to be Director of the United States Geological
Survey, Department of the Interior.
Hearings to examine
protecting e-commerce consumers from counterfeits.
A joint hearing with the
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to examine the legislative presentation of
multiple veterans service organizations.
Hearings to examine Navy
and Marine Corps aviation programs in review of the Defense Authorization
Request for fiscal year 2019 and the Future Years Defense Program.
To receive a closed
briefing regarding certain intelligence matters.
Wednesday,
Mar. 7, 2018
Business meeting to
consider the nominations of
John F. Ring, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board,
Frank T. Brogan, of Pennsylvania, to be Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, and
Mark Schneider, of the District of Columbia, to be Director of the Institute of Education Science, both of the Department of Education,
Marco M. Rajkovich, Jr., of Kentucky, to be a Member of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, and other pending nominations.
John F. Ring, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board,
Frank T. Brogan, of Pennsylvania, to be Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, and
Mark Schneider, of the District of Columbia, to be Director of the Institute of Education Science, both of the Department of Education,
Marco M. Rajkovich, Jr., of Kentucky, to be a Member of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, and other pending nominations.
Hearings to examine
security clearance reform.
A business meeting to
consider H.R. 2825,
to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make certain improvements in the
laws administered by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Hearings to examine the nominations
of
John B. Nalbandian, of Kentucky, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit,
Kari A. Dooley, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut,
Dominic W. Lanza, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona,
Jill Aiko Otake, to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii, and
Joseph H. Hunt, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice.
John B. Nalbandian, of Kentucky, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit,
Kari A. Dooley, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut,
Dominic W. Lanza, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona,
Jill Aiko Otake, to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii, and
Joseph H. Hunt, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice.
Hearings to examine Department
of Defense audit and business operations reform at the Pentagon.
Hearings to examine
stopping senior scams.
Hearings to examine the
Economic Report of the President.
Hearings to examine the nomination
of Joseph
E. Macmanus, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Colombia,
Department
of State.
Hearings to examine
small business bankruptcy, focusing on assessing the system.
Thursday,
Mar. 8, 2018
Hearings to examine
United States European Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request
for fiscal year 2019 and the Future Years Defense Program.
Hearings to examine S. 2421,
to amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act of 1980 to provide an exemption from certain notice requirements and
penalties for releases of hazardous substances from animal waste at farms.
Hearings to examine the
opioid crisis, focusing on leadership and innovation in the states.
To receive a closed
briefing regarding certain intelligence matters.
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House Floor
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MONDAY, MARCH 5TH
On Monday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.
Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
1) H.R. 1209 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 901 N. Francisco Avenue, Mission, Texas, as the “Mission Veterans Post Office Building” (Sponsored by Rep. Henry Cuellar / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
2) H.R. 2673 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 514 Broadway Street in Pekin, Illinois, as the “Lance Corporal Jordan S. Bastean Post Office” (Sponsored by Rep. Cheri Bustos / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
3) H.R. 3183 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13683 James Madison Highway in Palmyra, Virginia, as the “U.S. Navy Seaman Dakota Kyle Rigsby Post Office” (Sponsored by Rep. Tom Garrett / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
4) H.R. 4406 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 99 Macombs Place in New York, New York, as the “Tuskegee Airman Post Office Building” (Sponsored by Rep. Adriano Espaillat / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
5) H.R. 4646 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1900 Corporate Drive in Birmingham, Alabama, as the “Lance Corporal Thomas E. Rivers, Jr. Post Office Building” (Sponsored by Rep. Gary Palmer / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
6) H.R. 4685 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 515 Hope Street in Bristol, Rhode Island, as the “First Sergeant P. Andrew McKenna Jr. Post Office” (Sponsored by Rep. David Cicilline / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
7) S. 831 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 West Pike Street in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, as the “Police Officer Scott Bashioum Post Office Building” (Sponsored by Sen. Pat Toomey / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
TUESDAY, MARCH 6TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.
H.R. 4607 – Comprehensive Regulatory Review Act, Rules Committee Print (Closed Rule, One Hour of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Barry Loudermilk / Financial Services Committee)
Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
1) H.R. 2226 – Portfolio Lending and Mortgage Access Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Andy Barr / Financial Services Committee)
2) H.R. 4725 – Community Bank Reporting Relief Act (Sponsored by Rep. Randy Hultgren / Financial Services Committee)
3) H.R. 4768 – National Strategy for Combating the Financing of Transnational Criminal Organizations Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. David Kustoff / Financial Services Committee)
4) H.R. 4986 – RAY BAUM’S Act of 2018, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Marsha Blackburn / Energy and Commerce Committee)
5) H.R. 1132 – Political Appointee Burrowing Prevention Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Ken Buck / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
6) H.R. 3737 – Social Media Use in Clearance Investigations Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. Ron DeSantis / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
7) H.R. 4043 – Whistleblower Protection Extension Act of 2017, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Rod Blum / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
8) S. 188 – EGO Act, as amended (Sponsored by Sen. Bill Cassidy / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7TH
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.
H.R. 1917 – Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns Act of 2017, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Bill Johnson / Energy and Commerce Committee)
THURSDAY, MARCH 8TH
On Thursday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m.
H.R. 1119 – Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Keith Rothfus / Energy and Commerce Committee)
FRIDAY, MARCH 9TH
On Friday, no votes are expected in the House.
Text of Bills for the Week of March 5, 2018
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House Committees
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Monday, March 5, 2018
H.R. 1917 — Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns Act of 2017 (Rules Committee Print 115-62 — Showing the text of H.R. 1917 and H.R. 453 as reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce); H.R. 1119 — Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Examining the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Oversight of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Bang for the Border Security Buck: What do we get for $33 billion? (Rescheduled)
Disconnected: Rural Broadband and the Business Case for Small Carriers
National Security Challenges and U.S. Military Activities in Africa
Examining the Administration's Infrastructure Proposal
The Committee on Natural Resources will hold an oversight hearing titled Exploring Innovative Solutions to Reduce the Department of the Interiors Maintenance Backlog.
Examining Class Action Lawsuits Against Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) (Rescheduled)
FY19 Budget Request- Department of Labor
FY19 Budget Hearing - Department of Treasury
The Future of U.S. Fusion Energy Research
Strengthening Welfare to Work With Child Care
Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees to receive the Legislative Presentation of Multiple Veterans Service Organizations (PVA, AMVETS, VVA, AXPOW, IAVA, AUSN, WWP, NGAUS, NCOA)
Department of the Navy FY 2019 Budget Request for Seapower and Projection Forces
Marine Corps Readiness Posture
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
An Overview of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Budget for Fiscal Year 2019
on Lacking Leadership: Challenges Facing the SSA after over 5 Years of Acting Commissioners
Building a 21st Century Infrastructure for America: Long-Term Funding for Highways and Transit Programs
Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees to receive the Legislative Presentation of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
FY19 - Navy and Marine Corps Budget
Assessing Military Service Acquisition Reform
Review of Emerging Techs Impact on Retail Operations and Logistics
FY19 Budget Request - Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Members' Day Hearing on Oversight of the Congressional Budget Office
Full Committee
The Future of Transportation Fuels and Vehicles
Markup of:
- H.R. 4176 (Mr. Thompson of Mississippi), the Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2017.
- H.R. 4227 (Mr. Latta), the Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act of 2017.
- H.R. 4467 (Mr. Jody B. Hice of Georgia), the Strengthening Aviation Security Act of 2017.
- H.R. 4627, the Shielding Public Spaces from Vehicular Terrorism Act.
- H.R. 5074 (Mr. Donovan), the DHS Cyber Incident Response Teams Act.
- H.R. 5079 (Mr. Bacon), the DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act.
- H.R. 5081 (Mr. Katko), the Surface Transportation Security and Technology Accountability Act of 2018.
- H.R. 5089 (Ms. Barragn), the Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2018.
- H.R. 5094 (Mr. King of New York), the Enhancing Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative Act.
- H.R. 5099 (Mr. Estes of Kansas), the Enhancing DHS Fusion Center Technical Assistance Program.
- H.R. 5131 (Mrs. Watson Coleman), the Surface Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2018.
Management of the
Government Publishing Office
Regulatory Reform and Rollback: The Effects on Small Businesses
China in Africa: The New Colonialism?
H.R. 3497, H.R. 4245, a draft bill regarding purchase card misuse, and a draft bill regarding the Medical Surgical Prime Vendor program
Examining DHS Efforts to Strengthen its Cybersecurity Workforce.
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Lightning II Program
Implementation of Coast Guard Programs
Game Changers: Artificial Intelligence Part II, Artificial Intelligence and the Federal Government
U.S. Strategic Forces Posture and the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request
Thursday,
March 8, 2018Regulatory Reform and Rollback: The Effects on Small Businesses
China in Africa: The New Colonialism?
H.R. 3497, H.R. 4245, a draft bill regarding purchase card misuse, and a draft bill regarding the Medical Surgical Prime Vendor program
Examining DHS Efforts to Strengthen its Cybersecurity Workforce.
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Lightning II Program
Implementation of Coast Guard Programs
Game Changers: Artificial Intelligence Part II, Artificial Intelligence and the Federal Government
U.S. Strategic Forces Posture and the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request
Mobility and Transportation Command Posture
Examining U.S. Public Health Preparedness for and Response Efforts to Seasonal Influenza
Arlington National Cemetery - Preserving the Promise
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Reference Links
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Prayer Guide
- Legislative Branch — @PrayforCongress
- Executive Branch — @PrayforPOTUS, @PrayforMedicine
- Judicial Branch — @PrayforSCOTUS
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Prayers and Presidents
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Prayers and Presidents:
Our Tenth President: John Tyler
(1841 - 1845)
[Each week, we will publish one prayer that was spoken by each of our presidents, in chronological order. Today's prayer was written by our tenth president, John Tyler.]
Note: When William Henry Harrison died one month after taking office, John Tyler became the first to attain the presidency due to the death of a sitting president.
Here are his words:
"When a Christian people feel themselves to be overtaken by a great public calamity, it becomes them to humble themselves under the dispensation of Divine Providence to recognize His righteous government over the children of men to acknowledge His goodness in times past as well as their own unworthiness and to supplicate His merciful protection for the future."
-- Proclamation following the death of William Henry Harrison; April 13, 1841.
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About Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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About Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
To learn more about our ministry, and to sign up to begin receiving our daily alerts, please go here.
