Wednesday, April 10, 2013

CHPP Daily Brief Tuesday, April 9, 2013





Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net


The Daily Brief Tuesday, April 9, 2013


"And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence . . ." (Acts 4:29)


Guidelines for today's American Prayer Initiative can be found by going here.


Today's Daily Jot can be found by going to: www.dailyjot.com or by using
this link.




The Daily Brief

1. North Korea shows signs of preparing for nuclear test, South says - CNN

North Korea is showing signs it could be preparing to carry out a new nuclear test, South Korea's Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae said Monday, according to the semi-official South Korean news agency Yonhap.

- We cry out to our King of Kings to be a strong defense for the nation of South Korea, and we join our prayers with those of the saints on the land, who have travailed long to see peace come to their land and salvation to their loved ones. We stand with you, South Korea!

- "May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you . . ." (Psalm 20:1)


2. Russia Bombers Conduct Practice Strikes on U.S. Missile Defense
- Washington Free Beacon

A Russian bomber recently carried out simulated cruise missile attacks on U.S. missile defenses in Asia, raising new questions about Moscow's goal in future U.S.-Russian defense talks.

- As we stand in the gap for our nation, in acts of repentance, let us thank Him for His word, which is true and does note lie. God, and only God, is our true defense!

- "But the LORD is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge." (Psalm 94:22)


3. US delays intercontinental ballistic missile test to calm North Korea
- UK Telegraph

America has delayed an intercontinental ballistic missile test to avoid stoking tensions with North Korea, as fears escalated that weeks of angry rhetoric could erupt into conflict on the Korean peninsula.

- We offer praise for this report. Thank You, Lord, that our government is moving to defuse the tension on the Korean Peninsula by this action. May North Korea now take note, and follow suit. We ask this prayer in Jesus' Name, amen.

- "there is . . . a time for peace." (Eccl. 3:8)


4. Congress returns to try to reach final deals on major issues of immigration, gun control - Fox News

Congress returns Monday for a pivotal week in which lawmakers will attempt to reach agreements on proposals for gun-control and immigration-reform -- perhaps the two biggest issues in Washington this year.

- Father God, we lift up Congress as they return to work this week. Lord, may they know the Spirit of truth and the Spirit of error in all decisions they make for the rest of this year, and especially regarding the issues of gun control and of immigration, cited above. In Jesus' Name, amen.

- "We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." (I John 4:6)


5. OFA launching online ads against 11 senators on gun control - The Hill

The pro-Obama group Organizing for Action said Monday it is launching online ads targeting 10 Republican senators and one Democrat for their opposition to expanded gun-control measures - the group's second such campaign on the issue.

Republican Sens. Jeff Flake (Ariz.), Saxby Chambliss (Ga.), Johnny Isakson (Ga.), Dan Coats (Ind.), Chuck Grassley (Iowa), Susan Collins (Maine), Dean Heller (Nev.), Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), Rob Portman (Ohio) and Ted Cruz (Texas), as well as Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich (N.M.), are being targeted in the effort.

The ads, which will run on Facebook and on search engines, ask supporters to call the individual senators and express support for expanded gun-control measures. Read more.

- Organizing for Action (OFA) is funded by George Soros and will be the political activist arm of the Obama agenda for the next four years. Men are judged by their deeds, and neither Soros nor Obama move in a manner that lines up with the Word of God -- neither its precepts nor its truths. Stand in the gap for the work of these two men, and for all who might become entangled in the web of deception called OFA. Their power is nothing compared to that of the Lord's, and He is able to bring each one to salvation, if we interceded. Pray!

- "The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish." (Psalm 1:4-6)


6. Kansas set to enact life-starts-"at fertilization" abortion law - Reuters

Kansas is set to enact one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation which defines life as beginning "at fertilization" and imposes a host of new regulations.

- Lord, we praise You for this breakthrough for LIFE in the State of Kansas. May this state serve as a model and a light for all other states in our nation, until every new life, "from fertilization" on, be protected by law. Praise God!

- "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)


The Middle East in Focus

The Middle East in Focus

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

"Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous." (Proverbs 15:29)


1. Kerry Offers P.A. 'Incentives' to Restart Peace Talks - CBN News

Secretary of State John Kerry began his second visit to Israel Sunday afternoon in Ramallah, where he reportedly offered Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas incentives to restart negotiations with Israel, the P.A.'s official Ma'an News Agency reported Sunday.


2. In Auschwitz, Israeli army chief vows to prevent a 'second Holocaust' - Times of Israel

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz on Monday led the March of the Living at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland and lit a torch in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Gantz, who walked into the death camp alongside his Polish counterpart, vowed that Israel's army would stand ready to protect the Jewish people from future danger and harm.


3. Decade-old Mideast peace plan re-emerges as possible between Israel and Palestinians - Fox News

A dormant, decade-old Mideast peace plan has suddenly emerged as a possible key to breaking years of deadlock between Israel and the Palestinians.


The Persecuted Church

Today's Focus: The Persecuted Church

"And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence . . ." (Acts 4:29)


1. New Al-Qaeda Affiliated Extremist Group Active in Bangladesh - khabar

Only months after law enforcement agencies said they had made considerable inroads in subduing radical Islamist groups Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Hizb-ut-Tahrir, the recent discovery of another extremist group concerns authorities.

The existence of Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) came to light in early March during the interrogations of five students enrolled at a prestigious university in Dhaka - all arrested in the brutal murder of prominent blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider. Rajib played a key role organising the Shahbagh movement demanding execution of Islamists on trial for alleged atrocities committed during the liberation war in 1971.

"We came to know about the group during interrogation. They appear to be more radical than the JMB and Hizb," Monirul Islam, deputy commissioner Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told Khabar South Asia.


2. Christians Killed, Mourners Attacked by Muslim Rioters in Egypt - Morning Star News

Coptic Christians attending a funeral service here today for four Copts killed two days earlier in an anti-Christian rampage were in turn attacked themselves by at least 200 Muslim rioters.

The incident, which started with a few dozen men pelting the mourners with stones, quickly escalated into a massive attack against Christians at St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in the Abbassia area of Cairo involving firearms, flash-bang grenades, tear gas, fire bombs and other improvised weapons, besides cars set ablaze.

A Morning Star News reporter observed that police took more than an hour to respond, and when they arrived, they did nothing to stop the attack. Instead, most stood and watched men throw rocks at the Christians gathered at the gates of the cathedral compound or hurl stones over walls at the Christians trapped inside.


3. North Korea Continues to Make Threats as Christians Suffer - Mission Network News

North Korea is setting a megaphone in front of the saber it's rattling.

On Friday, the North Korean government said it would not be able to guarantee the safety of embassies after April 10, and suggested that Russia, China, and Great Britain consider evacuating their diplomats.

Tensions have been on the rise since the United Nations imposed harsher sanctions following Pyongyang's third nuclear test on Feb. 12. The rogue state expressed fury over ongoing U.S.-South Korean military exercises and threatened a nuclear strike against the U.S. It also scrapped the Korean War armistice, began moving missiles, and restarted a plutonium reactor capable of producing more fuel for nuclear bombs.

One concern is that North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, has something to prove. He's still tightening his grip on power and is something of a military unknown.


For more news about the Persecuted Church, and how you can be more involved in intercession for these precious saints, go here.


The Madison Report (Part One)

The Madison Report (Part One)

www.MadisonProject.com


Team Madison -

I have believed for a long time that one of the bedrocks of our society is the 2nd Amendment.

Outside of freedom of speech and assembly, it was not a random coincidence that the Founders put the right to bear arms as the 2nd Amendment. Think of it as an insurance policy-if the government ever tries to take away these rights, you have a fall back position and it starts with your right to bear arms.
Yet it is this right that the Left is going after at the state and federal level. Sadly enough, they are being aided by Republicans like John McCain of Arizona, who expressed amazement that Senators Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and others would filibuster any gun control legislation.
Yesterday, Organizing for Action (the next iteration of Obama's Organizing for America), sent an email out blasting the Republicans who would dare challenge gun control laws.
Oddly enough, they are up in arms over guns, yet this same outfit worked tirelessly to get ObamaCare passed. A recent stat I saw emphasized the irony of this. Do you know how many people were killed by an assault rifle in 2011? 323. Do you know how many died from medical malpractice? Almost 200,000. And yet OFA is perfectly content to be clown itself with emails like the one it sent out yesterday. Such is the shameless nature of the Left.
You know that I rarely ask you to take action, but this is one of those times.

I want you to call the Senate switchboard. The number is 202-224-3121.

Please let Senators Cruz, Rubio, Rand Paul, Lee, Inhofe, Crapo, Moran, Burr, Johnson of Wisconsin, Enzi, Risch , Crapo, Coats, and Roberts know you stand with them in this fight against gun control. And while you are at it, call Mitch McConnell's office and let him know that as minority leader, you expect him to lead on this issue.
For Liberty.

Drew Ryun

The Madison Project


The Madison Report (Part Two)

The Madison Report

www.MadisonProject.com


This section of The Madison Report covers three debates that are taking place NOW in the House and the Senate:


1. GUN CONTROL


2. IMMIGRATION


3. Obama's FY 2014 Budget

In order to help you stay on top of these critical issues, and to save us space too, we have designed a link to a PDF file that you can access to read this excellent, detailed report.
To view this edition of the Madison Report, please go here.

Catholics = al-Qaeda?

U.S. Army Training Manual: Catholics = al-Qaeda?

Dear Sara,

The inclusion of Evangelical Christianity on a list of Extreme Religions in a U.S. military training brief (as noted in the article below) is further evidence that the culture is becoming increasingly hostile to Christianity and Jesus. The Bible gives guidance about how to bring about real national revival; humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways and He will take action. This is our time to shine by becoming increasingly sensitive to the challenges facing America, the Church, and culture; and becoming the solution through prayer and righteousness. It is our responsibility to be the change the nation and world needs.

Although the information we share is sometimes discouraging, we must keep focused on the hope that comes from knowing the Truth. America has faced tremendous difficulties in the past, and recovered with God's miraculous intervention. We must be alert, be aware, and remain certain that God is at work in the heart of Americans. Keep praying and believing!

In God We Trust,

Lea Carawan
Executive Director
Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation

The Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization that was formed to support the call of America back to prayer and faith in God. The Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation is committed to preserving our Judeo-Christian heritage as a nation and protecting the religious liberty of all Americans.

Go to www.CPCFoundation.com to learn more or get involved.


Military training materials: Catholics, evangelicals are religious 'extremists'

WASHINGTON -- The Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty together with the Archdiocese for the Military Services recently uncovered a U.S. Army Reserve Equal Opportunity training brief that expressly identified "Evangelical Christianity" and "Catholicism" as examples of "religious extremism" like al-Qaida, Hamas, and the Klu Klux Klan.

"Men and women of faith who have served the Army faithfully for centuries shouldn't be likened to those who have regularly threatened the peace and security of the United States," said Col. (Ret.) Ron Crews, executive director of the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty. "It is dishonorable for any U.S. military entity to allow this type of wrongheaded characterization. It also appears that some military entities are using definitions of 'hate' and 'extreme' from the lists of anti-Christian political organizations. That violates the apolitical stance appropriate for the military."

According to an investigation and reply from the Army Chief of Chaplains office, the training in question appears to have been an isolated incident not condoned by the Department of the Army. The Chaplain Alliance and the Archdiocese explained that the Army can and should take steps to prevent such incidents in the future. (Read full article.)

The Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty is an organization of chaplain endorsers, the faith groups that provide chaplains for the U.S. military and other agencies needing chaplains. The endorsers in the Chaplain Alliance speak for more than 2,000 chaplains serving the armed forces.

Cowering Before North Korea

Cowering Before North Korea


Nobody knows what is going through Kim Jong Un's fevered brain. North Korea's young dictator has been hurling threats and invective for weeks. His regime has warned foreign diplomats that it cannot guarantee their safety after tomorrow. North Korea is warning foreigners to leave South Korea. And Kim has threatened nuclear strikes on specific U.S. cities.

What is our response? Well at the White House they held another party. At the Department of Defense, Secretary Chuck Hagel canceled a scheduled U.S. missile test. According to the Associated Press the launch was canceled due to "concerns the launch could be misinterpreted and exacerbate the Korean crisis."

Nobody wants the U.S. to be involved in another war by accident or otherwise. But this is not the way to avoid it. Kim Jong Un is threatening to nuke specific American cities and the reaction of our Secretary of Defense is to do his best to avoid being provocative. The provocation is all Kim Jong Un's.

It's not clear that Kim has the capability to deliver a nuke. He may or may not. But if we are cowering in the face of such threats now, just imagine the dilemma the next president will face when Iran and North Korea do have the ability to lob nukes at us or transfer those nukes to terrorists.

Today we face two tyrants running Iran and North Korea while threatening us and other democracies with nuclear weapons. The response has been pathetic, as this Wall Street Journal op-ed makes clear.

Instead of peace through strength, Obama is giving us instability through weakness. Obama is working non-stop to limit the rights of law-abiding Americans to obtain firearms while potential mass murderers in Iran and Korea may soon have weapons that can kill millions. (Gary Bauer)


The Good News Corner

The Good News Corner:

State Moves to Protect Religious Freedom on Campus


Christian Student Groups in Idaho Win Protections


Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has signed a bill into law that affirms the rights of religious groups on college campuses. The law passed by overwhelming majorities in the House and Senate, giving faith-based clubs the right to require leadership to agree to its religious beliefs and standards of conduct.

"College students deserve the right to freely organize around shared and sincere religious beliefs," stated Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE). "The freedom to have belief-based requirements for group leaders is a necessary part of ensuring that a pluralistic and diverse culture can exist on campus."

The law was introduced by Republican state Sen. Curt McKenzie to keep schools from adopting policies that single out Christian clubs. Those policies leave open the possibility of students with opposing viewpoints taking over the leadership of a Christian club and changing its course.

Virginia and Ohio already have laws protecting Christian student groups. Tennessee and Kansas are considering similar legislation.

"Unfortunately for the freedom of religion on campus, the Supreme Court in 2010 approved a liberal California university's imposition of a First-Amendment-destroying 'all-comers' policy requiring all clubs to accept all applicants, even for leadership," stated CitizenLink legal analyst Bruce Hausknecht. "Since then, we've seen other public, as well as private colleges, adopt similar policies in order to silence religion on campus. However, state legislatures across the country, like Idaho, are fighting back and guaranteeing young men and women the freedom to join with others of like mind on campus."
(CitizenLink) Read more.

Pray for the Harvest!


Pray for the Harvest!

"Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." (John 4:35)


Every day, in every nation on earth, tens of thousands of men and women are making decisions for Christ. Now, you can monitor this amazing fact online by literally "watching" as these souls are born again into the Kingdom.

Of course, the identities of those who are coming to the Lord are never revealed, but our God knows who they are!

Join us as we monitor these "names" daily, praying over each one to be mentored and to grow in his or her faith . . . even in these perilous times. You may visit either or both of the sites below, to pray for fields that are ripe for harvest.

> > > OPTION ONE: AboutJesus.net

Go here!



> > > OPTION TWO: The Great Commission Map!

Go here!


Worship With Us Today!

Worship With Us Today!

Fall Afresh
Jeremy Riddle

Spirit of the Living God come fall afresh on me
Come wake me from my sleep
Blow through the caverns of my soul
Pour in me to overflow,
to overflow


About CHPP

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]
Friends may participate by receiving our daily prayer alerts. You may contact us at chpp@patriot.net for more information. CHPP is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt ministry. Thank you and God bless you!

Learn more about CHPP by going here.