Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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The Daily Brief
"Praying for All in Authority"
Monday, December 31, 2018
"You crown the year with Your goodness,
And Your paths drip with abundance."
(Psalm 65:11)
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"Standing United Together . . . Under the Cross of Christ"
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Shutdown News
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Shutdown News
1. Trump: 'We Will Be Forced to Close the Southern Border Entirely' - CNSNews.com
In response to the political impasse and partial government shutdown over funding for a border wall, President Donald Trump tweeted on Friday that he may shut down the entire southern border with Mexico if the Democrats do not agree to allocate funds for the wall's construction and help the administration to fix the illegal immigration problem.
The Trump administration and congressional Republicans have sought to allocate $5 billion to pay for more border wall construction, either as tall, steel-slatted fencing, concerte, or a combination thereof. House Republicans passed a bill to appropriate the $5 billion but the legislation did not pass in the Senate, which under current rules would require a 60-vote majority to pass.
Republicans hold 51 seats in the Senate; Democrats (and two Independents) hold 49. The Senate did pass legislation last week to keep the government funded through Feb. 8 but the president rejected the bill because it provided no money for the border wall.
In another tweet this morning, President Trump said, "Either we build (finish) the Wall or we close the Border." He also tweeted, "Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are doing nothing for the United States but taking our money. Word is that a new Caravan is forming in Honduras and they are doing nothing about it. We will be cutting off all aid to these 3 countries -- taking advantage of U.S. for years!" (Read more)
- Father God, thank You Lord that President Trump is making sound, solid and longstanding decisions regarding the issues of a border wall, and the constant conflicts with Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Guide him with the watchful eyes of Almighty God who never makes mistakes and helps those who call out to Him for help. In Jesus' Name we pray.
"The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord was spoken this word." (Isaiah 24:3)
2. Trump Threatens to Shut Down the Southern Border Without Wall Funds, and He Has the Power to Do It - Restoring Liberty
If the partial government shutdown continues without a congressional deal to fund the wall, President Trump says, he'll be forced to shut down the border entirely. And he could do it, with or without Congress' cooperation. "We will be forced to close the Southern Border entirely if the Obstructionist Democrats do not give us the money to finish the Wall & also change the ridiculous immigration laws that our Country is saddled with," the president tweeted Friday, one week after the start of the partial shutdown. And while this claim might send the cadre of Trump's usual critics into a violent fainting spell, closing the border is completely within his power.
As Conservative Review's Daniel Horowitz explained back in October, President Trump not only has the inherent executive authority to close the border, as well as other immigration powers delegated by past Congresses, but he also has the popular mandate that got him elected. Federal law "allows the president, whenever he finds that 'the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States,' to 'suspend' all forms of immigration 'for such period as he shall deem necessary,'" Horowitz explains. It also "grants the president an almost equal level of authority to subject entry of all aliens entering or departing to 'such reasonable rules, regulations, and orders, and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the President may prescribe.'"
"If demanding that all immigrants enter legally or apply for asylum in a safe and controlled environment at a consulate rather than at a border controlled by some of the most dangerous people in the world is not a 'reasonable rule,'" Horowitz concludes, "I'm not sure what is."
President Trump has long made the case that physical border security is critical to America's interests, both for our national security and the preservation of our national sovereignty. Closing the border down until the American people get the security they voted for would be a logical next step. (Read more)
- Oh Father God, bring forth the holy angels to line up all across the border between the United States and Mexico and enforce ultimate protection for America that will bring back the incredible liberty that has singled out the U.S. as the only country of its kind. We pray in the Name of Jesus the Christ, amen.
- "He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth; for the Lord has spoken it." (Isaiah 25:8)
3. 800,000 government workers may need financial assistance as shutdown continues - NBC News
Nonprofit organizations and private companies are working to provide financial assistance to roughly 800,000 people who won't receive regularly scheduled paychecks as Congress failed Thursday to vote on a resolution to end the partial government shutdown. The Office of Personnel Management, which handles human resources for the government's civilian workforce, advised thousands of employees who won't be paid during government shutdown to reach out to creditors to work out alternative payment schedules.
The office released sample letters Thursday on Twitter to show shutdown workers how to ask for help from mortgage companies and landlords. "As we discussed, I am a Federal employee who has recently been furloughed due to a lack of funding of my agency," one sample letter reads. "Because of this, my income has been severely cut and I am unable to pay the entire cost of my mortgage, along with my other expenses."
A fact sheet compiled by Senate Democrat staffers estimated roughly 420,000 federal employees would still be required to work without pay, while an additional 380,000 would be sent home, or furloughed, without pay. In the past, government employees have usually received back pay at the end of shutdowns.
Lawmakers met for a session on Capitol Hill on Thursday, the sixth day of the shutdown, but offered no resolution to the impasse over President Donald Trump's demand for a border wall. With no votes scheduled in either chamber and no sign of serious negotiations between the parties, the shutdown is now widely expected to continue into the new year.
Approximately 42,000 active-duty military members of the Coast Guard remain on duty, providing essential services such as search and rescue operations, during the partial government shutdown that began Saturday, but they will work without pay until further notice. The Coast Guard is the only branch of the military under the Department of Homeland Security, rather than the Department of Defense, which continues to be funded during the shutdown. (Read more)
- Father God, we lift up these 800,000 government workers to You and pray You will assist them in a most overwhelming way so their needs will be met and they are taken care of by miraculous provision from Almighty God. We pray in the Name of Jesus and thank you for Your love and kindness.
- "Because God has been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wing will I rejoice. My soul follows hard after God: Your right hand upholds me." (Psalm 63:7-8)
4. Democrats Take Over the House Next Week. What Happens to the Partial Shutdown? - Restoring Liberty
It looks like the federal government will remain partially shut down until 2019 and the 116th Congress. So what happens when Democrats take over the House on Jan 3 and when Rep. Nancy Pelosi takes the speaker's gavel as expected? That remains to be seen. Like the Pentagon, Veteran's Affairs, and some other federal agencies, appropriations for the legislative branch were covered in the pair of "minibus" spending packages passed and signed in September. So members of Congress don't have to worry about showing up to negotiate short-staffed, as with other funding lapses. The 116th Congress will be sworn in Wednesday, and a new speaker will be chosen by members of the House.
Then, members of the Democrat-run House and the Republican-led Senate will have to get to work on figuring out how to fund the remaining portions of the federal government that weren't covered by those bills. They'll have a week to deal with it before any federal paychecks are actually impacted. Thanks to a last-minute call made by the Trump administration, federal employees will still get their next paycheck and won't miss one unless the partial shutdown lasts through January 11.
The next step could play out a few different ways. Republican leadership could play a game of "pin the deal on the donkey" and use the new House speaker as an out to strike an agreement that would have been politically untenable under Republican control - like settling for less money - all the while blaming it on Pelosi.
Then there's the possibility that the partial shutdown continues until Democratic leadership decides, if ever, to go ahead and cut a deal for the $5 billion in requested wall funding. But that probably would require a very long shutdown first, which is where House Freedom Caucus chair Mark Meadows, R-N.C., said he sees things headed on Thursday.
There's also the option that many fiscal hawks and small-government advocates wouldn't be the least bit heartbroken to see: Keeping the government partially shut down, as Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, says, "till hell freezes over."
This funding lapse has already defied the standard script for Washington brinksmanship theater by happening in the first place and by lasting longer than a few hours; what happens next is anybody's guess. (Read more)
- Father in heaven, we trust that the evil and the good be separated and there be an honest effort to make this transition as smooth as possible. We ask for the peace that passes all understanding to take over the minds and hearts of all members of the House. We pray in the Name of Jesus, amen.
- "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves: if God peradventure will give them repentance the acknowledging of the truth." (2 Timothy 2:25)
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Focus on Israel
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1. IDF strikes Hamas post following rocket fire - Jerusalem Post
An IDF combat helicopter struck a Hamas position in the southern Gaza Strip after a mortar was launched from the coastal enclave toward the South late Friday night, the military said.
The Red Alert incoming rocket system was not activated as the projectile landed in an open area, causing no damage or injuries.
The mortar round was the first since the first to be launched from the Strip since intense fighting in November which saw hundreds of rockets fired toward southern Israel, killing one man and causing damage to property in several communities.
The launch came several hours after Karam Fayyad, 26, from Khan Younis was killed by IDF fire during the 40th week of border protests.
(Read more)
2. Netanyahu: If Hezbollah provokes us - it will get hit hard - Israel National News
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday gave an interview to the Russian-language Channel 9 on the occasion of the Novy God holiday, the Russian New Year's Eve and New Year's Day celebration.
In the interview, Netanyahu discussed the transferring of Qatari money to Hamas in Gaza and said, "The money is exactly the same money that went through when [Palestinian Authority chairman] Abu Mazen transferred money to Hamas with only one difference, because today only the clerks receive the money and not any of the terrorists."
"There is a fingerprint taken, a photograph and a signature. Hamas is complaining and saying that under this system it is impossible to divert money," Netanyahu continued.
On the issue of Hezbollah and its relations with Iran, Netanyahu said, "Iran is the biggest problem, Hezbollah is the second biggest problem. Iran wanted to arm itself with nuclear weapons, and I fought against them all over the world. We are conducting the campaign against Hezbollah so that when we are tested, we will not only have the upper hand, but we will be able to respond with a crushing response."
(Read more)
3. Iranian cargo plane suspected of bringing arms to Hezbollah departs Tehran - Jerusalem Post
A Fars Air Qeshm cargo 747 airliner left Tehran at 8 a.m. on Sunday and landed in Damascus at 10:30 a.m., returning to Tehran at 5 p.m. The 747 allegedly transported weapons to Hezbollah in September, according to a report from Fox News that was based on Western intelligence assessments. The aircraft also made suspicious flights in July and August to Damascus and Beirut.
"The Iranians are trying to come up with new ways and routes to smuggle weapons from Iran to its allies in the Middle East," a source told Fox News in September. Israel has warned about Hezbollah using areas in Beirut to store weapons. This same cargo plane made another suspicious trip on November 29 to Beirut. On December 25, it flew into Damascus and left by the evening, in a pattern that matches the one it flew on Sunday. Air strikes on December 25, which Russia and Syria blamed on Israel, struck west of Damascus soon after.
According to observers online who track suspicious flights and military activity, the arrival of the flight coincided with activity by at least two other flights off the coast of Lebanon that were collecting intelligence. "If I had to guess I would say they were targeting Iranian facilities in Syria and possible weapons transfers to Hezbollah in Lebanon," Rick Francona, a retired US Air Force intelligence officer and former CNN military analyst tweeted Sunday morning.
(Read more)
4. Bennett, Shaked quit Jewish Home, announce formation of 'The New Right' - Times of Israel
In a shock announcement, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the Jewish Home, and his colleague Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked on Saturday evening said they were quitting the party and instead setting up HaYamin HeHadash ("The New Right"), a party based on "full partnership" between Orthodox and secular Israelis, to run in April's elections.
The two made the announcement at a press conference in Tel Aviv, saying that the Orthodox Bennett and the secular Shaked would serve as the co-leaders of the new party.
One of their abandoned Jewish Home MKs, Bezalel Smotrich, said the move was the beginning of a bid by the two to succeed Benjamin Netanyahu at the very top of the Israeli government. The pair do not believe they can ever win the leadership of Israel so long as they are associated with a religious party, said Smotrich, and the split was therefore "inevitable."
(Read more)
5. Rabbinic Expert: First Super Blood Moon of the Year Sign of Earthquakes, Governments Will Fall - Breaking Israel News
On the evening of January 21, as the holiday of Tu B'shvat begins, a lunar eclipse will pass over Washington D.C., just as the President will reach the halfway point of his term in office. The eclipse will be a super blood moon, described in Jewish sources as having powerful significance.
On the Gregorian Calendar:
The lunar eclipse will be visible in its entirety from North and South America, as well as portions of western Europe and northwest Africa, on the evening of Sunday, January 20 and in the early morning hours of Monday, January 21. The evening of the eclipse will be a supermoon when the moon is at its perigee, the point in its month-long elliptical orbit that brings it closest to Earth. At that time, the moon appears up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than at its apogee, its furthest point from Earth.
This will not only be the first lunar eclipse of 2019 but also the year's first supermoon. At that time, the proper conditions will exist to create a blood moon in which the moon has a distinctly reddish tint. This will be the last total lunar eclipse until May 26, 2021.
(Read more)
6. 'Ancient Prophesies Are Being Realized': Netanyahu's Holiday Message to Christians Worldwide - CBN
In a heartfelt Christmas Day address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his gratitude to Christians around the world, and in the US in particular, for their strong support of the Jewish state.
"We're united in a shared destiny. I want to thank you for all your support," he said in the pre-recorded video message.
The Israeli leader went on to point out that believers are living in a time when biblical prophecies are unfolding at lightning speed.
"We live in historic times. The ancient prophecies are being realized," he said. "The people of Israel have ingathered their exiles, come back to the Promised Land, built Zion, reunited our eternal capital, Jerusalem."
"And in fact, the American Embassy was just recently moved there in a historic move by President Trump," he added. "This is all important. What we're witnessing is the dream of centuries, the dreams of millennium being realized. And we're doing it with your tremendous support."
Netanyahu noted that the shared religious heritage of Christians and Jews was not lost on the state of Israel.
"Only in Israel has Christianity blossomed in the Middle East," he said. "We understand our heritage, we understand our common heritage and we understand our commitment to a common future. We're united in a shared destiny."
"I know what tremendous friends you are, and I want to wish you a Merry Christmas from the Holy Land," he concluded. (Read more)
To view the video of the Prime Minister's Christmas greeting, please go here.
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The Daily Brief
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1. Trump and First Lady Pay Surprise Christmas Visit to U.S. Troops in Iraq - CNSNews.com
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have paid a surprise visit to Iraq, meeting with U.S. troops at an airbase in Anbar province "to thank them for their service, their success, and their sacrifice and to wish them a Merry Christmas," the White House said. According to press secretary Sarah Sanders, the Trumps traveled "late on Christmas night" for the visit. "Melania and I were honored to visit our incredible troops at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq," Trump tweeted afterwards. "GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.!" The visit came amid criticism at home over Trump's announcement last week that he was withdrawing the 2,000 U.S. troops who have been supporting local allies in the fight against ISIS in Syria. Addressing military personnel at the airbase he defended that decision, but said he has "no plans" to pull U.S. troops from Iraq. "I made it clear from the beginning that our mission in Syria was to strip ISIS of its military strongholds," he said. "Eight years ago, we went there for three months - and we never left. Now, we're doing it right and we're going to finish it off." (Read more)
- Father, we thank You once again for President Trump, and for his lovely wife, Melania. We ask that the blessing they brought to these troops in Iraq would be sent by Your spirit to visit every member of our armed forces, that they, too, be encouraged in this Christmas season. Amen.
- "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)
2. Obama's Syria Ambassador Has a Surprising Response to Trump's Decision - Restoring Liberty
U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to begin pulling American troops from Syria was met with criticism and outcry from pundits and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, but former Ambassador to Syria Robert S. Ford called the move "essentially correct." Critics of Trump's decision announced on Dec. 19 by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, are calling it a "huge Obama-like mistake," win for America's enemies and betrayal of our allies.
But Ford, who served as U.S. ambassador to Syria under President Barack Obama from 2011-2014, debunked the reasons for critique and added that the president needs to develop a national security team that can better relay and implement his foreign policy objectives.
"[T]he president should view the hullabaloo that erupted after he announced the Syrian pullout as an opportunity to take a number of steps to make the most of his essentially correct, but widely unpopular, move," Ford wrote Thursday in The Washington Post.
Ford pointed out that many opponents fear the pullout will lend a victory to Russia, Iran and Syria, but the former ambassador called this fear "absurd," noting that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime already controls roughly two-thirds of Syria. The regions that the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) control are largely deserts and drought-prone oil fields with low-value crude. (Read more)
- Father God, we ask that the final word regarding this decision to begin pulling out American troops from Syria will be overshadowed by the perfect will of God. Fight for the right decision and let no adverse circumstances follow this decision. We pray in the Name of Jesus.
- "He shall deliver you in six troubles: yea, in seven shall no evil touch you."
(Job 5:19)
3. Trump Signs Bill Aimed at Assisting ISIS Genocide Victims in Iraq and Syria - Washington Free Beacon
President Donald Trump signed a bill into law Tuesday that will help channel U.S. humanitarian and rebuilding assistance to Christians, Yazidis, and other religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria who were the victims of ISIS genocide. The measure, which comes after nearly a year and a half of lobbying from various humanitarian groups, ensures that the U.S. aid may come through the federal government or other entities, including faith-based groups.
It also enables the State Department, in collaboration with other federal agencies, to conduct criminal investigations and apprehend individuals identified as alleged ISIS members, and to identify warning signs of genocide and threats of persecution. Additionally, it encourages foreign governments to identify suspected Islamic State perpetrators in security databases and security screenings to assist with their capture and prosecution. (Read more)
- Father, we rejoice at this news, and we ask that all the provisions included in this bill be released to these ISIS victims in the fullest measure possible. We ask You, too, O Lord, to show President Trump the most astounding plan to strip ISIS of its military strongholds in Iraq. Father, strip them of their insidious schemes and lay them bare before the world so that they cannot maintain their former position of power. We pray in the Name of Jesus.
- "God cast upon them the fierceness of His anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them."
(Psalm 78:49)
4. Judge Rules Trump Administration Can't Bar Asylum Claims on Basis of Domestic, Gang Violence - CNSNews.com
A federal judge on Wednesday struck down the Trump administration's policy denying asylum claims on the basis of domestic and gang-related violence. U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan, who was appointed by former President Bill Clinton, ruled that former Attorney General Jeff Sessions' asylum policy changes were "arbitrary, capricious and in violation of the immigration laws. It is the will of Congress - not the whims of the Executive-that determines the standard for expedited removal," Sullivan said in his ruling, adding that "the Court finds that those policies are unlawful."
Sullivan permanently blocked the federal government "from continuing to apply those policies and from removing plaintiffs who are currently in the United States without first providing credible fear determinations consistent with the immigration laws." The judge also ordered those who were denied asylum and sent back to their home countries to be returned to the United States. Sullivan said the federal government must "return to the United States the plaintiffs who were unlawfully deported and to provide them with new credible fear determinations consistent with the immigration laws."
Justice Department spokesman Steve Stafford said, however, "Under the laws passed by Congress, asylum is only for those who have a legitimate fear of persecution on the basis of their race, nationality, religion, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. "Attorney General Sessions' ruling in matter of A-B was about following that requirement. We are reviewing our options with regard to this ruling, and we will continue to restore the rule of law in our immigration system," Stafford added.
The White House reacted to the ruling, saying the court "has, once again, overridden and undermined" U.S. immigration law. It also said the ruling will make the existing backlog in immigration courts "even worse" and "encourage more illegal immigration." (Read more)
- Father God, once again we see a rogue judiciary attempt to tie the hands of President Trump who, instead, is working night and day to strengthen and to protect America. We ask that this decision be struck down in a higher court. In Your Name, amen.
- "The Lord is our judge . . . and He will save us." (Isaiah 33:22)
5. Suspected Terrorist Leading Migrant Group Demanding Entry Into US - Daily Caller
A suspect in a 1987 bombing that wounded six American soldiers in Honduras is leading a group of migrants demanding entry into the United States. Alfonso Guerrero Ulloa organized a march of approximately 100 migrants to the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana, Mexico, on Tuesday, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
Ulloa delivered a letter to the consulate on behalf of the migrants, asking for either entry into the U.S. or a payment of $50,000 per person. "It may seem like a lot of money to you," Ulloa told the Union-Tribune. "But it is a small sum compared to everything the United States has stolen from Honduras."
Ulloa has lived in Mexico since 1987 after fleeing Honduras in the wake of a bombing that wounded six soldiers. Ulloa was suspected of planting a bomb in a Chinese restaurant, but received asylum from Mexico, whose government described the suspected terrorist as a "freedom fighter." An appropriations bill passed by Congress in December 1987 included Congress's findings that "the bomb was directed at American soldiers and did in fact wound American soldiers and an American contractor." The report noted that Ulloa was a suspect in the bombing.
Ulloa has posted on Facebook about his role in organizing the migrants in Mexico, which he is open about, and the accusations against him from 1987, which he denies. Ulloa posted a video on Tuesday of the migrants marching to the consulate. He described the group as a "caravan" of Honduran migrants. (Read more)
- Father God, we pray You will encircle this terrorist and the migrant group with the Blood of Jesus and cast down their every attempt to enter the United States. Close the gates, O Lord, that they cannot come in. We pray in the Name of Jesus, amen.
- "For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood." (Proverbs 1:16)
6. Border Patrol chief: Agents 'did everything they could' to prevent 'absolutely devastating' deaths of migrant children - Fox News
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said Sunday that while the recent sudden deaths of two children in the agency's custody were "absolutely devastating for us on every level," federal authorities had consistently followed protocol and were not to blame. McAleenan told ABC's "This Week" that "our agents did everything they could as soon as these children manifested symptoms of illness to save their lives."
Jakelin Caal, 7, and 8-year-old Felipe Gomez Alonzo were each detained after entering the U.S. with their undocumented fathers. Jakelin suffered from dehydration and shock, while Felipe died just before 11:50 p.m. on Christmas Eve after falling ill with flu-like symptoms.
"We need a sober-minded, nonpartisan look at our immigration laws to really confront and grapple with the fact that children and families are coming into this cycle, that's first and foremost," McAleenan said Sunday. (Read more)
- Father God, we pray that You will lead the parents of these children to take better care to protect them from all the endless necessities that are present. Save the children from this abuse. We pray in Jesus' Name, amen.
- "Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man." (Psalm 108:12)
7. Sen. Feinstein seeks Judiciary committee hearing on CBP's 'treatment of immigrant children' - Fox News
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein penned a letter on Thursday urging the chamber's Judiciary committee to schedule a hearing about Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and its "treatment of immigrant children." The letter was addressed to incoming Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and said the request came "in light of the deaths of two young children in Border Patrol custody this month."
An 8-year-old boy from Guatemala, who was identified by the country's consul in Phoenix as Felipe Gomez Alonzo, died this week while in U.S. custody, immigrations officials previously said. Customs and Border Protection revealed that the boy died at a medical center in New Mexico. He was taken for care and found to have a "common cold" after an agent on Monday "noticed that the child showed signs of potential illness," immigrations officials said.
Feinstein, in her letter, said the boy, prior to his death, had been "detained for well over the permitted 72-hour period." The 8-year-old and his father entered the U.S. via El Paso, Texas, on Dec. 18, according to Guatemala's foreign ministry. They were then taken to the Border Patrol's Alamogordo station on Sunday. Feinstein also referenced the death of Jakelin Caal, a 7-year-old girl from Guatemala who died while in U.S. Border Patrol custody earlier this month.
"These heartbreaking incidents are sadly consistent with previous reports of widespread abuse of children in immigration custody and the judgement of medical and mental health organizations that Border Patrol facilities are not adequately staffed or equipped to properly care for children," Feinstein wrote. (Read more)
- Father God, we trust that all the immigrant children will be well cared for by their parents and not be exposed to the maltreatment associated with immigrants. Lord, soften the hearts of the parents toward their children. We pray in the Name of Jesus.
- "Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man." (Psalm 60:11)
8. Mike Lee Blocks Senate Confirmation of LGBT Activist to EEOC - Breitbart News
Utah Sen. Mike Lee continues to block the Senate's confirmation of an LGBT activist to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Lee, a Republican, is blocking confirmation of Chai Feldblum, President Donald Trump's nominee to the EEOC. Feldblum - a left-wing Democrat - is known as the architect of former President Barack Obama's LGBT agenda. Feldblum has a history of making controversial statements about religious liberty when it comes in conflict with the "rights" of LGBT activists.
In a 2006 Weekly Standard report, Maggie Gallagher noted that, after news broke that Catholic Charities in Boston would be required to place adoptive children with same-sex couples to keep its license, Feldblum's response did not suggest a respect for religious freedom. "When push comes to shove, when religious liberty and sexual liberty conflict, she admits, 'I'm having a hard time coming up with any case in which religious liberty should win,'" Gallagher reported on Feldblum's reply.
Lee said on the floor of the Senate:
These are not the words of an open-minded jurist.
These are not the words of an open-minded lawyer.
These are the words of an activist intent on stamping out all opposition to her cause. In fact, she has even said as much. She said: "[G]ranting liberty to gay people . . . cannot be adequately advanced if `pockets of resistance' are permitted to flourish." Who is she to decide whether someone should be permitted to persist in their own religious belief simply because those beliefs happen to conflict with a particular political worldview? (Read more)
- Lord God, we pray that You will block this LGBT activist's confirmation. We pray ln the Name of Jesus.
- "The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth."
(Psalm 107:42)
9. Four major First Amendment victories last year - FRC
Thanks to your support, there have been many First Amendment victories in 2018:
- Seven cheerleaders from Kountze, Texas won a recent battle to display Bible verses on high school rally banners.
- Air Force Colonel Leland Bohannon was reinstated to his position after being suspended, punished, and wrongly accused of discrimination against a same-sex couple.
- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of Colorado baker, Jack Phillips that the government cannot discriminate against Jack based on his religious beliefs on same-sex marriage.
- Former Atlanta fire chief, Kelvin Cochran, received a $1.2 million settlement from the Atlanta City Council as the court ruled in favor of Cochran's right to free speech and that the government cannot discriminate based on a person's religious beliefs on sexuality and the sanctity of marriage.
- Father God, we offer You praise for these good reports. We ask continued protection of our First Amendment rights as American citizens, now and always. amen.
- "No weapon forged against you shall prosper . . ." (Isaiah 54:17)
10. Top Supreme Court cases to watch in 2019 - The Hill
The Supreme Court's 2018-2019 term got off to a sleepy start, but there are a number of potential blockbusters on the docket for the new year.
The justices are scheduled to wade into a dispute over a WWI memorial in Maryland that ignited the age-old debate over the separation of church and state, and they'll hear a case involving a controversial citizenship question in the 2020 Census.
Other major cases could also find their way to the Supreme Court before the term ends in late June.
The Trump administration has made a flurry of requests in recent weeks, asking the justices to leapfrog the appeals courts and hear its challenges to district court rulings against the administration's decision to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and its ban on transgender people serving in the military.
Here's a look at the top five cases to watch. (Go here)
- Father, we ask only that each and every case that will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court this year be judged according to Thy will and not by the standard of man. In Your name, amen.
- "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)
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Our Weekly Bible Study
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Our Weekly Bible Study:
Week of Sunday, December 30 - Saturday, January 5, 2019
Torah portion reading for the week of December 30:
Vaera ~ And I appeared
Exodus 6:2-9:35
Ezekiel 28:25-29:21
Romans 9:14-33
Laura Densmore
Program Coordinator
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Intnl
http://hebrootsradio.com
LDensmore21@msn.com
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Our Christmas Blessing!
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"THE MESSIAH"
Enjoy!!
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Our New Year's Blessing!
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"I AM THE LORD OF THE DANCE "
Sung by the Heath Mount Choir
Please go here to listen to these young people sing with such passionate love for our Messiah.
HAPPY
NEW YEAR!
>
> > To read these POWERFUL lyrics, and to sing along with this choir, go
here!
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About CHPP
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About Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
Our Mission Statement
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners (CHPP) is a ministry which is positioned on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., helping members of the Body of Christ to "pray for those in authority over us" in our federal government. Our primary purpose is to offer intercession on site for the members of Congress and their staffs each day that the Senate and the House of Representatives are in session; and our chief prayer focus is that "God's will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." [Matthew 6:10].
Because Jesus Christ has shed His blood for all, we, too, pray for ALL, in a nonpartisan manner. Also, because the scriptures indicate that "the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 4:17), we are confident that fervent prayer, offered in the halls of the highest chambers of government in our land, can avail much for America. Capitol Hill Prayer Partners welcomes those who feel called to join us, engaging in this strategic work of intercession for our nation: "For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God." [Romans 13:1]
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners welcomes all who wish to pray for our leaders to join us in prayer for our nation. You may sign up to receive our alerts by sending an email to us at CHPP1994@gmail.com requesting that your name be added to our list of subscribers.
Note: You may also learn more about CHPP by going here to visit our blog. Thank you!
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We Welcome Your Gifts
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We Welcome Your Gifts
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners (CHPP) is a 501(c)(3), tax- exempt, faith-based, ministry, dedicated to praying for our leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-4). CHPP relies solely on the gifts of our readers to continue this work; thus we greatly appreciate your help in supporting this publication. Offerings may be sent to: Capitol Hill Prayer Partners, P.O. Box 5152, Herndon, VA 20172-1970. Please make checks payable to: CHPP. THANK YOU!
DONATE ONLINE!
Now you can also donate online by going here. Or . . . if you prefer, simply paste this link into your browser to access our secure online donor system:
https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift/gift.php?giftid=3B77E058-983E-4415-AA4E-2F82ED1A4DEA#
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." (Philippians 4:23)
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Join Our Bible Readathon!
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Our Bible Readathon Continues
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)
We are now reading the Word of God every night (except on Sunday mornings) from midnight to 6:00 a.m. EDT. We are reading through the whole Word, from Genesis to Revelation, and beginning again in Genesis when finished.
Our numbers of readers continues to grow over time. All are welcome to join!
Our conference number is: 712-432-0075.
The access code is: 206425#. Please call at any time from midnight to 6:00 a.m. EST. WELCOME!
[Note: we are reading from these versions of the Scripture: King James, New King James, New American Standard, and NIV.]
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God bless you!
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Amen!
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