Capitol Hill Prayer Partners "Daily Brief"

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

A Call to Repentance: WEEK FOUR - February 3, 2008

"I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:32)

This week, we continue to press in during WEEK FOUR of the 40 Weeks of Prayer and Fasting, to offer prayers of repentance for the sin in the church, the sin in the nation, and the blessing of Israel.

We now address these areas:

1. SIN IN THE CHURCH: IDOLATRY
2. SIN IN THE NATION: POST-ABORTION HEALING
3. THE BLESSING OF ISRAEL: THE TWO COVENANTS

SIN IN THE CHURCH: IDOLATRY

REPENTANCE FOR SIN IN THE CHURCH:

IDOLATRY

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? (I Peter 4:17)

"You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments." (Exodus 20:3-6)

God is a jealous God. We are not to have any other gods nor idols before us. Do we have idols of TV, computer or sports before us? Are our jobs, entertainment or ministries number one in our lives? What are our priorities in life? The order in which they should be is:

Our relationship to God, our Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit
Our relationship to our spouse, if married.
Our relationship to our children
Our job (if not a full-time minister)
Our ministry

Concerning the area of putting God first: If Satan can't make us sin, he will keep us busy doing good Christian works to keep us from fellowshipping with Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit. We need to learn to say "no" once in awhile. The Lord shouldn't be on your agenda today -- He should be your agenda. The church has been more captivated by the events surrounding the Lord's return rather than the Lord who is returning.

"Father, we thank You that You are a jealous God, and You command us to have no other gods before You. Help us to see the idols in our own lives that prevent us from enjoying an intimate walk with You throughout our days. Help us to worship You in spirit and in truth -- continuously. Forgive us for the sin of idolatry, in Jesus' Name we ask. Amen."

(Source: Riding with the King in Unity, by Giles F. Mack, P.O. Box 1761, Branson, MO 65615, pp. 1,2)

SIN IN THE CHURCH: IDOLATRY

REPENTANCE FOR SIN IN THE CHURCH:

IDOLATRY

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? (I Peter 4:17)

Our relationship to God, our Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit
Our relationship to our spouse, if married.
Our relationship to our children
Our job (if not a full-time minister)
Our ministry

(Source: Riding with the King in Unity, by Giles F. Mack, P.O. Box 1761, Branson, MO 65615, pp. 1,2)

SINS OF THE NATION: POST- ABORTION HEALING

REPENTANCE FOR THE SINS OF THE NATION:

POST-ABORTION HEALING

Last week, we acknowledged that, as a nation, we have been guilty before our Lord for the sin of the shedding of innocent blood. We cried out for mercy on behalf of the millions of unborn babies who, because their mothers chose to have an abortion, have never seen the light of day. As a nation and as a culture, we have condoned "a woman's right to choose." We all stand guilty, along with those mothers, for having the blood of these unborn souls on our hands.

We thank God for His amazing act of Love on the Cross of Calvary, which washes away all sin, when confessed, obliterating the record of it. We stand on the promise of His Word, because it is written, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:8,9)

This week, we come before our Lord, asking for healing for the mothers who have made this choice. When abortion was legalized in 1973, women were told it was a safe, simple procedure, but 32 years later, another reality is evident: Abortion is devastating and has long-lasting and far-reaching effects that include grief, fear, anxiety, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, suicidal thoughts and attempts, nightmares, intimacy problems with children and spouses, and other self-destructive behaviors. Many women have said, "If I'd only known."

As we continue to stand in the gap before our Lord, asking His mercy in light of the shedding of innocent blood that continues in America, let us remember the mothers who have been wounded in this process. Pray for ministries like Operation Outcry: Silent No More, and others who are reaching out to post- abortive women, bringing healing from the trauma they have each endured. And pray, too, for the many crisis pregnancy centers now in place in every state in the nation. Ask that many women, who may be considering having an abortion, even now, would be drawn to these centers for help and that, through the anointed counseling that is available there, they would change their minds so that both they, and their babies, would be saved.

For more information about how to help post-abortive women, visit Operation Outcry.

THE BLESSING OF ISRAEL: TWO COVENANTS

THE BLESSING OF ISRAEL:

TWO COVENANTS

THE COVENANT OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL VERSUS THE COVENANT OF THE "GOD" OF ISLAM

Psalm 83:1-8 -- God Implored to Confound His Enemies.

"O God, do not remain quiet; Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still. For behold, Your enemies make an uproar, And those who hate You have exalted themselves. They make shrewd plans against Your people, And conspire together against Your treasured ones. They have said, 'Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no more.' For they have conspired together with one mind; Against You they make a covenant: The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites; Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assyria also has joined with them; They have become a help to the children of Lot."

These enemies are clearly defined in this Psalm as they are the Islamic nations that surround Israel. Indeed, this prophetic Psalm is being fulfilled right before our eyes today, as the President of Iran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has boldy stated these words: "'Israel' must be wiped out from the map of the world. God willing, with the force of God behind it, we shall soon experience a world without the United States and Zionism."

His words are almost a direct quote from Psalm 83. "Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more."

This Psalm declares that the enemies of the God of Israel -- now the nations of Islam -- have "conspired together with one mind and have made a covenant" against the God of Israel and the Jewish nation that the name of Israel will be remembered no more. So the issue is not about peace, nor about a Palestinian State, rather is it about "Covenant." The heart and soul of covenant is "Who is God?" Is Allah god, or is Yeshua God? Only one covenant will prevail. The issue in the Middle East is not about peace, rather it's about "Covenant!"

We have the Abrahamic covenant written in Genesis 17:7-8 in direct conflict with the Islamic covenant described in Psalm 83: "I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you."

Note, this prophetic Psalm applies specifically to today. The Romans destroyed Jerusalem and dispersed the Jewish people in 70 A.D. From 70 A.D. until May 1948 there was no nation of Israel, as it had been destroyed. Yet, from the very day in 1948 when the Lord resurrected the nation of Israel, the Moslem nations listed in this very Psalm have tried through 6 wars to destroy the nation of Israel.
(Source: Voice from Zion; written specifically for 40 Weeks of Prayer and Fasting.)

Prayer:

Father God, we repent that, by promoting the Road Map to Peace, our nation has honored the enemies of Israel -- those who serve a false covenant. We thank You, Lord, that Your Word is true and does not change, and that You have given this land to Abraham and to his descendants as a covenant forever. Help us now to find the grace to realign ourselves back to the center of Your will for Israel, by abandoning the false covenant -- the Road Map to Peace -- and by embracing the TRUE Covenant for Zion -- the boundaries of her land that You established in Your Word. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Decree:

"Come now, let us reason together. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow." (Isaiah 1:18)

Recommended Reading:
Israel, God and America, by David Stein, Destiny Image Europe, 2006. ISBN 88-89127-27-9

HE THAT FOLLOWETH ME

By A. W. Tozer

. . .He that followeth me. . .shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)

Too many people consider Jesus Christ a 'convenience.' We make Him a lifeboat to get us to shore, a guide to find us when we are lost. We reduce Him simply to a Big Friend to help us when we are in trouble. That is not Biblical Christianity!

Jesus Christ is Lord, and when a man is willing to do His will, he is repenting and the truth flashes in. For the first time in his life, he finds himself willing to say, "I will do the will of the Lord, even if I die for it!"

Illumination will begin in his heart. That is repentance, for he has been following his own will --- and now decides to do the will of God.

Before the Word of God can mean anything inside of me, there must be obedience to the Word. Truth will not give itself to a rebel. Truth will not impart life to a man who will not obey the light. If you are disobeying Jesus Christ --- you cannot expect to be enlightened spiritually.

No man can know the Son except the Father tell him. No man can know the Father except the Son reveal Him. I can know about God: that is the body of truth. But I cannot know God, the soul of truth --- unless I am ready to be obedient.

True discipleship is obeying Jesus Christ and learning of Him and following Him and doing what He tells you to do, keeping His commandments and carrying out His will.

That kind of a person is a Christian - and no other kind is!

The Daily Brief - Friday, February 1, 2008

"Blessed is the Nation Whose God is the Lord." (Psalm 33:12)

Today's Daily Brief

1. President Bush: "Government Can Take Decisive Action To Help Us Deal With This Period Of Uncertainty"

President Bush: "The fundamentals are strong, we're just in a rough patch, as witnessed by the employment figures today. . . . After 52 consecutive months of job creation, we lost 17,000 jobs. The unemployment rate went down, but nevertheless, a serious matter is that for the first time in 52 months that we didn't create jobs. . . . One way to address [economic concerns] is to have a temporary, robust tax rebate. . . And the House of Representatives passed a good package. . . And now the Senate is debating the bill, and it's very important for the Senate to finish their work quickly because the sooner we can get money into our consumers' hands, the more likely it is, is that this economy will get back - recover from this period of uncertainty." (President George W. Bush, Remarks On The Economy, Kansas City, MO, 2/1/08)

· Keep praying for repentance for this nation and our sins against God, for how can He bless our nation otherwise? Financial prosperity is a condition that Americans pridefully expect to continue at all times. Is every Christian bringing his tithes and offerings into God's house? And, are we asking God to bless Israel? · "Bring ye all the tithes into Mine warehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now here; saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven , and pour you out a blessing, that there shalt not be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3: 10)

2. No Tax Rebates for Illegal Immigrants, House Leaders Say - CNSNews.com

House leaders want to set the record straight on the economic stimulus package the House passed on Tuesday: It "would not allow any taxpayer funds to be distributed to illegal immigrants," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Republican Leader John Boehner said on Thursday.

· Lord, thank You for setting a watch over our economy. We pray for illegal immigrants to develope a heart toward You. Give them revelation of the biblical principles that bring blessings.

· But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. (James 1:25, Rom.2:13)

3. Tighter U.S. border ID rules begin - AP

New rules for the types of identification U.S. or Canadian citizens must present to cross into the country shouldn't cause significant delays and won't be strictly enforced at first, a senior federal official said. Under the rules going into effect Thursday, people will no longer be allowed to simply declare to immigration officers at border crossings that they are citizens, Jayson Ahern, deputy commissioner with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said Tuesday. Instead, those 19 and older will have to show proof of citizenship - a passport, trusted traveler card or a birth certificate and government-issued ID such as a driver's license.

· Thank You, Lord for the restrictions being put in place for our borders to become more secure. We ask You to alert immigration officials of any terrorists who are trying to enter our land.

· Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you. And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablilsh you, and keep you from evil. (II Thes.3:1-3)

4. Terror Coming to Town Near You - AP

15 more cities considered at high risk for terror attack, according to new Homeland Security funding priority list. Last year the department made 45 cities or regions eligible for a competitive counterterrorism grant program. This year, the list has been expanded to 60 areas that can apply for the nearly $782 million available, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

· Lord, we thank you for the programs being put in place to counter terrorist attacks. Bless those who work in Homeland Security with wisdom and strength as they faithfully serve our country in the most urgent of times. We continue to ask You to expose the enemies and to give us protection. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

· Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help the; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Is.41:9,10)

5. Hindu chants invocation in Colorado Senate - WorldNetDaily

A Nevada Hindu who has opened the U.S. Senate with a faith-specific chant now has provided the invocation to open the state senate in Colorado, and a senator is suggesting since "om" has been cited, perhaps prayers "in Jesus name" again should be allowed. The comments came after Rajan Zed, a Hindu from Reno who is making a series of appearances at state legislatures to promote Hinduism, was allowed to open the Colorado Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Peter Groff, with a Hindu chant of the "om" syllable that, according to his belief system, contains the universe.

Sen. David Schultheis, however, told WND he was shocked by the appearance of the Hindu, since rules ban faith-specific references, such as the words "in Jesus name," that many Christian leaders have used in prayers. "Actually, I was shocked when I walked in there," he said. "I don't know of any Hindus or individuals from India actually in the legislature." The appearance by Zed was disturbing, he added.

· Lord Jesus, the One True God, we lift Your name high above our nation in all high places of government. We refuse the bondage of idols and tear down the lifting up of idols. Please forgive us, Lord, for even giving place of prayer through idol worship. May this sound an alarm to identify Jesus Christ as the one true and only foundation of this great nation.

· Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? ( Gal. 4:8,9)

6. U.N. chief warns of Kenya catastrophe - Reuters; BBC

A police officer in Kenya shot dead an opposition legislator on Thursday, the second killed in a week, sparking fresh protests and interrupting talks to try to end more than a month of violence. Warning of catastrophe, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said he would travel to Nairobi on Friday from an African Union summit in neighboring Ethiopia to help his predecessor Kofi Annan, who has been trying to mediate an end to the crisis.

(Read more from BBC, including maps showing the areas of Kenya now affected by this violence.)

· Father, arise over Kenya with Your mercy and peace. Empower our brothers and sisters in Kenya to do spiritual battle to take their land in Your name. We pray for reconciliation over the historical wrongs that have caused many Kenyans to act with hatred. We pray for the hatred, killing and violence to stop. Give plans to authorities to gain control of the violence and to protect all innocent civilians -- from all tribes -- of Kenya.

· Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee, because the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will aboundantly pardon. (Is. 55:5,7)

The Middle East in Focus

This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:

"Who is like unto You, O LORD, among the gods? who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" (Exodus 15:11)

1. What Winograd Means for Olmert - CBN News

Retired Judge Eliyahu Winograd first delivered his report personally to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Then Winograd and his panel released it to the press. With the release of the report, many analysts believe Olmert dodged a political bullet. It did not hold him personally responsible and exonerated his decision to undertake a major ground offensive during the final hours of the war where more than 30 Israeli soldiers died.

2. Olmert: My name has been cleared - Ha'aretz

Feeling exonerated over his decision to order a major ground operation during the final 60 hours of the Second Lebanon War, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert characterized the Winograd Committee's report as "lifting the moral stigma off of me."

3. Opposition leader Netanyahu: Olmert is incompetent, unfit to lead - Ha'aretz

Israel is being led by an unfit and incompetent prime minister, opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday, one day after the release of the Winograd report on the failures of the government and the military during the Second Lebanon War.

4. Shekel hits 10-year high against dollar as U.S. interest rates cut - Ha'aretz

The dollar on Wednesday hit a 10-year low against the shekel, following the U.S. Federal Reserve's second reduction of interest rates within a week.

5. Egypt issues ultimatum to PA, Hamas - Jerusalem Post

Egypt has threatened to close its border with the Gaza Strip indefinitely unless the Palestinian Authority and Hamas reach an agreement on controlling the Rafah border crossing, Palestinian sources in Ramallah said Wednesday.

Prayers for the Persecuted Church

This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Mt. 5:44)

1. Jordan: Authorities Expel Foreign Christians - Worthy News

Jordan has increased pressure on foreign Christians living in the kingdom, expelling many long-time residents over the past 13 months in what local churches see as an attack on their legitimacy.

2. China Police "Burning" Bibles and "Beating" Christians in Yunan Province - Worthy News

Members of a house church in China's Yunan Province were "severely beaten" by police officials, who earlier "burned" the church's Bibles, a Christian rights group said Wednesday, January 30.

3. Pakistan Evangelical Pastor Killed Amid Growing Religious Tensions - Worthy News

Christians in Pakistan's volatile North West Frontier Province (NWFP) faced new tensions Wednesday, January 30, amid reports that a Pakistani pastor has been shot and killed because of his involvement in evangelistic work.

4. LETTERS FROM KENYA:

Dear Rev Priscilla,

The situation in Kenya is becoming worse daily. There is still killings and chaos all over. Moving from one place to the other is still a problem. The biggest burden is how to help the displaced women and children who ran to our church and homes daily. The 90 families we had accepted to help are still staying in our church building and homes. The 10 bags of corn and beans we had is getting finished. We are just believing God for what we will feed them with as from next week onwards. We have only raised 15 blankets but they are 90. Only 15 families use the blankets during night time while 75 sleep in cold. I know God is using you powerfully to get us a support, we are praying that many will be touched to help as you share this to them. We need 75 blankets, 10 sacks of both corns and beans, cooking fats , sugar and medicines.

God bless you,

Pastor Lucas

Keep Values the Front-Runner

To read the media's account of the final moments leading up to Super Tuesday, one would think the victors had already been declared. Of course, this is what Americans have come to expect from a press that has proven to be more interested in influencing the public than informing it. Since Day 1, when the media anointed Rudy Giuliani as the GOP's nominee, we've watched the press continue to substitute its own agenda for the political reality. And that reality--as we've seen in the collapse of New York's former mayor--is that nothing is certain in this race but the resolve of values voters to be seen and heard in the process.

Don't be fooled by the press. This contest is far from over. That said, much depends on you in these next few days. We must go out as we always have--to serve notice that in this contest, values are the front- runner. On Tuesday, social conservatives must send the message that we will not compromise on principle regardless of who the final nominees may be. What the exit polls say will mean as much as who the nominees are. A strong showing next week will go a long way in proving that the value voter bloc is a must- win for any candidate. The Republican establishment may insist on taking social conservatives for granted, but with an energized Left that is doubling the turnout of 2004 the Republican candidates cannot afford to make the same mistake.

Our allegiance is not to a political party but to a cause. We are not bound to vote for a candidate simply because he or she is the choice of a particular party. As you prepare to cast your vote, remember this. We are not involved in this process to win at the expense of our beliefs. We are in this race to advance the humanity of the unborn, the sanctity of marriage, the importance of faith, and the integrity of our culture. Vote your values! For an honest appraisal of where the hopefuls stand on our issues, log on to www.frcaction.org and download the presidential voter guide. Let's keep values at the forefront of this race.

(Tony Perkins' Washington Update; Family Research Council; Feb. 1, 2008)

Leftist News Media Guiding and Influencing Presidential Election

The liberal, if not leftist, mainstream news media is attempting to influence the U.S. presidential election and rig it so that only moderate to liberal candidates survive the primaries. This trickery played upon the American people is a threat to the national security in the sense that leftist candidates and a leftist news media have a vision for the United States that is far away from the precepts of the Constitution and the intention of the Founding Fathers. Free speech is not an exclusive right for the news media, but rather a right for all Americans, yet the news media is the channel through which free speech often travels and if the channel is biased, while deceiving the public into thinking it is unbiased, free speech is maligned.

Case in point is the presidential debates. Of course, the debates appeared to be fair and open, especially to the leftist-how much air time did socialist fruitcake Democrat Dennis Kucinich receive? Here is a guy who got a lot of coverage though nobody in their right mind would support the man who would talk to interplanetary aliens. But on the conservative side, Americans knew little of Republican candidate Duncan Hunter, a true conservative with viable ideas, a man who had serious things to add to the public debate. The media would say that Hunter didn't get any traction as a candidate, but in reality, the media would not carry his news and viewpoints with the same enthusiasm as, say, a John McCain.

The recent Republican debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is another such example. The moderator, leftist CNN reporter Anderson Cooper, virtually ignored candidate Ron Paul, while giving the stage mainly to two candidates McCain and Mitt Romney. Romney has in the past supported abortion and normalization of homosexuality and McCain, himself, is pretty iffy on a lot of conservative issues. These men are more in line with what Cooper would consider mainstream. But Ron Paul, who is a more strict Constitutionalist and has ideas that challenge mainstream liberal thinking, was "often left out," according to observations from another liberal media outlet, the Los Angeles Times.

Americans are being railroaded by an elite, liberal group of people into believing that their only choices are ones conforming to the group think liberalism of the times-even if they are clothed as conservative. These deceptive scoundrels and traitors seek to destroy the United States from within and establish their own socialist utopia. And they have reach critical mass in this day and age to get the job done. The only difference between the media's top four candidates of either political party are degrees of socialism. 2 Timothy 3:13 says, "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." Americans need to think with the Holy Spirit as their guide rather than the liberal media.

Bill Wilson

Word of Life Ministry

www.dailyjot.com

(Source: Anonymous)

NFL Pulls Plug On Big-Screen Church Parties For Super Bowl

For years, as many as 200 members of Immanuel Bible Church and their friends have gathered in the church's fellowship hall to watch the Super Bowl on its six-foot screen. The party featured hard hitting on the TV, plenty of food -- and prayer. But this year, Immanuel's Super Bowl party is no more. After a crackdown by the National Football League on big-screen Super Bowl gatherings by churches, the Springfield church has sacked its event. Instead, church members will host parties in their homes. Immanuel is among a number of churches in the Washington area and elsewhere that have been forced to use a new playbook to satisfy the NFL, which said that airing games at churches on large-screen TV sets violates the NFL copyright.

Ministers are not happy.

"There is a part of me that says, 'Gee, doesn't the NFL have enough money already?'" said Steve Holley, Immanuel's executive pastor. He pointed out that bars are still allowed to air the game on big-screens TV sets. "It just doesn't make sense."

The Super Bowl, the most secular of American holidays, has long been popular among churches. With parties, prayer and Christian DVDs replacing the occasionally racy halftime shows, churches use the event as a way to reach members, and potential new members, in a non-churchlike atmosphere.

"It takes people who are not coming frequently, or who have fallen away, and shows them that the church can still have some fun," said the Rev. Thomas Omholt, senior pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in the District. Omholt has hosted a Super Bowl party for young adults in his home for 20 years. "We can be a little less formal."

The NFL said, however, that the copyright law on its games is long-standing and the language read at the end of each game is well known: "This telecast is copyrighted by the NFL for the private use of our audience. Any other use of this telecast or any pictures, descriptions, or accounts of the game without the NFL's consent is prohibited." (Washington Post)

· Stand in the gap for the spirit of GREED that has overcome the television and professional sports industries. The value of the saving of souls cannot come with a price, for Jesus already paid for it all at the Cross. Ask the Lord to visit the heads of the NFL (etc.) with a spirit of MERCY. · "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

· PRAY FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL WHO WILL ATTEND THE SUPER BOWL IN PHOENIX, ARZONA, THIS SUNDAY NIGHT. Pray that any plots, plans, schemes, and devices planned by terrorists against this huge event would be STOPPED, in Jesus' Name! · He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. (Job 5:12)

Prayer for the Primaries

Next week is SUPER TUESDAY, when more than 20 states have scheduled their contests for the earliest date allowed by the party without special exception.

· Earnestly intercede against media and special interest manipulation during this primary season. Pray that moral, God-fearing, pro-life, pro-marriage, and pro-family men and women be selected, supported, and find favor in local, state, and national campaigns. Intercede that the Lord reveal His choices, expose corruption, immorality, bribery, the occult, and hidden anti-biblical agendas.

(Source: Intercessors for America)

" . . . if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)

For a complete guide to the Republican primaries, go here:

For a complete guide to the Democratic primaries, go here:

Sunday, February 3, 2008

The Daily Brief - Thursday, January 31, 2008

"Blessed is the Nation Whose God is the Lord." (Psalm 33:12)

1. Total Web Failure Hits 2 Continents- AP

India's lucrative outsourcing industry struggled Thursday to overcome Internet slowdowns and outages after cuts in two undersea cables sliced the country's bandwidth in half. The disruption - which has hit a swath of users from Egypt to Bangladesh - began to affect much of the Middle East on Wednesday, when outages caused a slowdown in traffic on Dubai's stock exchange.

· Father we are so very aware of our dependence upon foreign markets and industries, and how dependent all nations are on the internet. We pray for the security of the internet worldwide to be preserved, and that no plan of the enemy be allowed to succeed. We also ask that no repercussions of this situation hit the United States in any way.

·"No weapon formed against you shall prosper." (Isaiah 54:17)

2. U.S. Military Not Ready for Catastrophic Domestic Attack, Independent Commission Says- AP

The U.S. military isn't ready for a catastrophic attack on the country, and National Guard forces don't have the equipment or training they need for the job, according to a report. Even fewer Army National Guard units are combat-ready today than were nearly a year ago when the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves determined that 88 percent of the units were not prepared for the fight, the panel says in a new report released Thursday.

· Lord, we ask that Your Heavenly Host stand in the gap for us. We put our complete trust in You for preservation.

· I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on HIm I lean and rely, and in Him I (confidently) trust! (Ps 91:2 Amp)

3. Atheists Assail Bill Recognizing America's Religious History- (CNSNews.com)

A resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives that recognizes America's "rich spiritual and religious history" is drawing fire from some of America's most prominent atheists.

· Father, we bind the lies of the antichrist spirit that operates within the halls of Congress. We take authority over the plans of our enemies. Let them fall into their own nets, while we pass by safely. We ask Your Holy Spirit to convict hearts and radically change our course back to You. We declare Your Lordship over our lawmakers and say that this nation was founded on Your words, and Your words will prevail.

· " whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19)

4. Economy Nearly Stalled in 4th Quarter- AP

The economy nearly stalled in the fourth quarter with a growth rate of just 0.6 percent, capping its worst year since 2002. Wednesday's Commerce Department report showed that the economy deteriorated considerably during the October-to-December quarter as worsening problems in the housing market and harder-to-get credit, made individuals and businesses more cautious in their spending. Fears of a recession have grown, even as inflation remained elevated.

· Lord, we ask that Your truth be revealed to our leadership at this campaign season of false promises and deceptions. Let the realities bring Your answers to bear on the issue of the economy, and may leadership operate with wisdom rather than foolishness.

· "By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted." (Proverbs 11:11)

5. Tighter U.S. Border ID Rules Begin- MSNBC

New rules for the types of identification U.S. or Canadian citizens must present to cross into the country shouldn't cause significant delays and won't be strictly enforced at first, a senior federal official said. Under the rules going into effect Thursday, people will no longer be allowed to simply declare to immigration officers at border crossings that they are citizens, said Jayson Ahern, deputy commissioner with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

· Lord, this law was intended to help secure our borders against terrorists and illegals. We pray that its original intent would be accomplished, and its ordinances would be properly administered. May Your truth be established in all actions along our borders.

· "Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth." (Psalm 199:142)

6. ABUSE OF U.S. MUSLIM WOMEN IS GREATER THAN REPORTED, ADVOCACY GROUPS SAY - FOX NEWS

Here in America, advocacy groups say those who turn to their community for help do not always find it, in particular from some religious leaders who, although they are in the United States, still hold to cultural traditions of their homeland and do not clearly reject violence against women.

· Father, we pray for a mighty move of Your Spirit within the American Muslim community. We especially pray for freedom and Your liberty for the women of Islamic background worldwide. May they know the love of Jesus, and the value of their lives to the Only True Living God.

· "He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of prison to those who are bound." (Isaiah 61:1)

7. Weather Issues Across The Globe- AP, MSNBC

a) China Struggles to Cope with Winter Storms as More Snow Forecast

Crowds of frantic Chinese travelers shouted, shoved and climbed over each other as they fought for seats Wednesday on the few trains leaving southern China amid winter storms that have severely crippled the transport system during the nation's busiest travel season.

b) MSNBC- The nation's midsection woke up Thursday to more bad weather, this time a storm that iced over parts of the Southern Plains as it moved northeast to cities like Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis.

The West Coast, meanwhile, was getting its fourth storm in a week. [I90, the main corridor across Washington State, was closed on Wednesday following an avalanche that buried at least one vehicle. It remains closed as of Thursday morning].

· Lord, we seek Your mercy over the people in this winter's icy blast. Wherever the severe weather has hit, it has created serious repercussions in the availability of food, travel, heating, and other safety issues. We ask for Your loving hand to touch all of these people and give them grace and protection in the midst of these storms.

· "Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation." (Psalm 27:9)

The Middle East in Focus

This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:

"[Nebuchadnezzar] was driven from the sons of men . . . till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and He appoints over it whomsoever He will." (Daniel 5:21)

1. Winograd: Political, military leadership failed during war - Ynet News

"Overall, we regard the Second Lebanon War as a serious missed opportunity. Israel initiated a long war, which ended without its clear military victory," the Winograd Commission concluded in its final report on the conduct of Israel's political and military leadership during the 33-day war in southern Lebanon in the summer of 2006.

2. 'Israel, Egypt meet on Gaza status' - Jerusalem Post

An Israeli defense delegation secretly visited Cairo on Monday and discussed the situation in Rafah with top Egyptian officials in a five-hour meeting, the London-based Asharq Alawsat newspaper reported Tuesday.

3. High Court approves limiting Gaza power supply - Ynet News

The High Court of Justice rejected Wednesday the petitions against the limiting of power and fuel supply to the Gaza Strip.

Prayers for the Persecuted Church

This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Mt. 5:44)

The Value of the Values Voter

In the latest round of political musical chairs, when the music stopped last night in Florida Mayor Giuliani was knocked out. What happened to this front runner who just months ago was all but anointed as the GOP candidate, the only one who could beat Hillary Clinton? The pundits have been quick to say that the shift in voter focus over the last few weeks from the war to the economy led to his demise. If that were true, then why did John McCain win Florida? McCain is known for his positions on national defense; it is Mitt Romney, who trailed McCain in Florida, who is most identified with economic conservatism.

In reality Giuliani's Big Apple values were found to be too liberal for the Republican Party. His pro-abortion rights position and his support of special rights for homosexuals were too much for Republican voters. In an in-depth Washington Post article today, Michael Leahy and Michael Shear provide a revealing chronicle of the Giuliani campaign and his forced retreat from the early states because of his liberalism. The article quotes an evangelical state senator in Iowa who was a Giuliani backer, Jeff Angelo, who says the campaign was shocked at the intensity of the opposition to Giuliani from pro-life voters. They pulled out of Iowa when it was clear that Giuliani's support of abortion rights was a "pro-life deal-breaker." Giuliani's failed candidacy is evidence that values voters can sink a candidate, but can they elect a candidate? (Continue reading at FRCAction.org)

(Tony Perkins' Washington Update; Family ResearchCouncil Jan. 30, 2008)

Dr. Dobson: "A Lot of Things Happen in a Campaign"

Months ago, the mainstream media announced with confidence the presidential race would come down to Sen. Hillary Clinton and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Dr. James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family Action, was pressured to support the pro-abortion Giuliani in order to defeat Clinton.

Not so fast, said Dr. Dobson.

"We have seen elections, that they're very dynamic, they're volatile, they change," he told conservative talk- show host Sean Hannity in October. "We're assuming that Hillary is going to win. A lot of things happen in a campaign. All kinds of changes can occur. Candidates can fall on their faces."

Dr. Dobson was right: By the end of the day today, both Giuliani and former Sen. John Edwards were expected to be out of the running.

Dr. Dobson went on to say his pro-life values come first, not the electability of a candidate. "I evaluate the principles and the values that I care about most, that I've worked for most of my life, and then I have to determine who is most closely aligned with those values," he said.

Gary Schneeberger, vice president of media and public relations at Focus Action, said media consumers have to take what they hear about the election from pundits - even conservative pundits - with a large grain of salt. "We have to remember, especially in this 24-hour- news-cycle culture, that reporters and editors and analysts get paid to fill up airwaves and news pages," he said. "Their job is to have something to say every minute of every day - and that leaves them sometimes with little to do but find different ways to state the same opinion. That's what was happening this fall with the Giuliani candidacy - the conventional wisdom was that he was destined for the GOP nomination. Well, as it turns out, the conventional wisdom wasn't that wise."

"Dr. Dobson has never been someone who takes stands or issues statements based on polls. He just doesn't put a lot of stock in them - particularly when they are trying to predict who is going to win a presidential election that at the time was more than a year away. "Some people scoffed at him when he said, 'Hold on, there's a lot of campaigning still to do.' But time has proven him right."

(Focus on the Family; CitizenLink; Jan. 30, 2008)

Aborting Native American Babies

On January 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) offered an amendment to S.1200, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. It prohibits the use of federal Indian Health Service (IHS) funds for abortions, except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest of a minor. Although the Hyde Amendment has prohibited the use of federal funds to pay for abortions since 1976, IHS funds have continued to be used to pay for abortions due to a loophole - the absence of a "Hyde provision" in the Interior appropriations law.

· May Americans be shocked to know that their tax dollars have been funding abortions among Native Americans all this time! May this injustice be corrected by passage of the Vitter Amendment! If there are any other loopholes through which Americans fund abortion, may they speedily be exposed!

· "Thou shalt not kill." (Exodus 2)

Prayer for the Primaries

Next week is SUPER TUESDAY, when more than 20 states have scheduled their contests for the earliest date allowed by the party without special exception.

" . . . if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)

For a complete guide to the Republican primaries, go here:

For a complete guide to the Democratic primaries, go here:

Friday, February 1, 2008

A Warrior Receives His Crown !

CCNews has received word of the passing into glory of our brother, Ray Bringham. Ray lived a long life. It was a life devoted to the Lord and to mobilizing prayer on behalf of the Kingdom of God . He had a passion to see revival and especially for the latter part of his life, he led the Lord’s people into times of deep repentance. Please keep his family in your prayers as they deal with this loss in their lives.
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