UNITED WE STAND
Insight for Intercessors: Special Edition
Praying during Tisha B'av, the 9th of Av
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The Daily Brief
"Praying for All in Authority"
Thursday, July 30, 2020
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the Lord.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."(Isaiah 55:8,9)
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“Standing United Together . . . Under the Cross of Christ
Focus on Israel
1. Large 6th century church compound uncovered near site of Jesus' transfiguration - Times of Israel Remains of a 6th century church compound - possibly a monastery - were uncovered during an Israel Antiquities Authority salvage excavation in the Galilee town of Kfar Kama. The location, adjacent to Mount Tabor, is sacred to Christians, who since the early Byzantine era have identified the area as the site of the New Testament account of the transfiguration of Jesus.
Mount Tabor is noted in the books of Mark, Matthew and Luke as the site where Jesus took his disciples Peter, James, and John when they witnessed the face and clothing of their teacher glow with dazzlingly bright light. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Feast of the Transfiguration "celebrates the revelation of the eternal glory of the Second Person of the Trinity, which was normally veiled during Christ's life on earth."
2. Netanyahu, Pompeo put Trump peace plan back on the table - Jerusalem Post
However, they notably did not mention any timeline for Israel to apply sovereignty to parts of Judea and Samaria as the plan allows.
After weeks of silence on US President Donald Trump's peace plan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo put it back on the agenda in their remarks at an event on Tuesday.
However, they notably did not mention any timeline for Israel to apply sovereignty to parts of Judea and Samaria as the plan allows.
Listing the Trump administration's accomplishments in the US-Israel relationship, Pompeo said: "We championed the President's vision for peace. It's the best and most realistic path forward to end the bloodshed between Israel and the Palestinian people and achieve enduring security, freedom and prosperity for both sides.
"Other Trump policies Pompeo listed were moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and telling "the truth that Israeli civilian settlements in the West Bank are not per se inconsistent with international law."
3. Elections loom as Gantz insists on 2-year budget, Likud to present 1-year plan - Times of Israel
The fight between Likud and Blue and White over the national budget heated up Wednesday, as both sides stuck to their guns, heading toward a face-off that could send the country careening to new elections.
Amid deep distrust between the two parties, Blue and White chief Benny Gantz vowed not to back down from his demand for a two-year budget, as stipulated by the coalition agreement, while Finance Minister Israel Katz of Likud said he would move to present a proposal for 2020 only.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to renege on his coalition deal with Gantz and to pass only a budget for the remainder of the current year, citing the uncertainty created by the coronavirus crisis, while Gantz is insisting on sticking to the two-year model.
(Read more)
4. Netanyahu tells world leaders Israel aiming to mass test for coronavirus - Jerusalem Post
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participated in a conference call with world leaders on Wednesday to discuss their responses to the novel coronavirus.
The call was hosted by Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and included the participation of Australian Prime minister Scott Morrison, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis.
Netanyahu shared that Israel is testing as many as 30,000 people a day for SARS- CoV -2 and that "we will still be able to increase the quantity." He said that Israel is working on an industrial-sized system that can mass test, and on a new method for rapid detection and isolation. "It is essential for us to contain the pandemic long-term."
(Read more)
5. Gantz: Violence against demonstrators could lead to civil war - Jerusalem Post
Alternate Prime Minister and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz decried the assault of protesters at an anti-government rally Tuesday night, and said such incidents could lead to civil war.
In an interview with Channel 13 News broadcast on Wednesday night, Gantz also dug in on his insistence that only a two year state budget be passed and not a one year budget as demanded by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, heightening the possibility of new elections if no budget is passed by August 25.
"Violence against protesters could lead to civil war, we must stop this hate and incitement, neither side can engage in this hatred of the other," said Gantz in the interview.
He mentioned that "Rabin was not murdered because of hatred on the left," but said that circumstances have changed since those times and that neither "anarchists" on the left or "extremists" on the right should be allowed to spread hate and incitement.
(Read more)
6. Israelis protest in front of PM's house by reading Tisha B'Av prayers - YNET News
Hundreds of Israelis on Wednesday once again protested in front of prime minister's home in Jerusalem by reading the prayer of Tisha B'Av, an annual fast day on which a number of disasters in Jewish history occurred, including the distruction of the biblical temples.
Israelis have been demonstrating in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official residence for weeks, calling on the leader to resign over the handling of the coronavirus outbreak and the ongoing corruption trial.
The protest was organized by "Darkenu," Israel's largest non-partisan civil society movement. The group's CEO, Yair Fink, said the protest symbolizes how today's Israel is being destroyed just like the two temples.
"We came here tonight to make sure our beloved home is not destroyed again," he said. "Our previous home was destroyed because of corruption, extremism and violence and we, the moderate majority, must stand up, take to the streets and defend our home."
(Read more)
7. Jordan moves to resolve 'West Bank' sovereignty problem it created - Israel National News
Jordan's Prime Minister Omar Razzaz has made a welcome intervention to resolve the issue of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria (aka 'West Bank').
Razzaz's offer comes as Israel readies - hopefully - to restore Jewish sovereignty in 30% of Judea and Samaria after an absence of 3000 years - as promulgated by the 1922 League of Nations Mandate for Palestine and article 80 of the UN Charter - and detailed in President Trump's deal of the century.
Razzaz has raised the possibility of a "one-state solution" to replace the "two-state solution":
"We are against unilateral actions. We are against annexation. We are against any steps that are not within an overall scheme that leads to a two-state solution. Short of that, if we're not going towards a two-state solution, let us know what we're going towards, what kind of one-state solution we're going towards."
(Read more)
The Daily Brief
1. Federal judge orders secret Ghislaine Maxwell documents to begin being unsealed - New York Post
A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the unsealing of previously unseen documents in a civil case against Ghislaine Maxwell, according to court papers. Judge Loretta Preska ordered the release of five collections of documents that relate to a seven-hour, 418-page deposition Maxwell gave as part of a now-settled defamation lawsuit filed against her in 2015 by Virginia Giuffre.
The papers are among a trove of secret filings that were ordered unsealed by Preska in a court hearing last week. They'll be posted to a public docket by Thursday, according to Tuesday's court filing.
Preska granted Maxwell's legal team a one-week stay on the release so they can file an appeal at the hearing last Thursday.
Giuffre sued the British socialite for defamation after Maxwell claimed that Giuffre had made up the sexual abuse allegations against her and multi-millionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Read more
-Lord God, we pray Your will would be done in this situation. We pray that Your justice and righteousness will prevail holding those accountable for their wicked actions.
- "Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account?" (Psalm 10:13)
2. Colin Kaepernick, Dr. Anthony Fauci set to receive Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award for being 'human rights defenders' - The Blaze
Former NFL player-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick and infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci are set to receive 2020's Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award. On Monday, the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization issued a statement about the honors.
"At a time when the courageous pursuit of equality and justice has become political and riddled with adversity, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights stands with these modern-day human rights defenders in their inspirational fight for progress," the org announced.
Kerry Kennedy, president of the organization, said that in 2020, the country is "yearning for leadership, for moral fortitude, for common decency and kindness, and this year's Ripple of Hope laureates give us great hope for the future."
She added, "Their work for equal justice touches every corner of society, sometimes at a great personal cost. We are deeply honored to celebrate these changemakers, who have set forth countless ripples of hope at a time when our world is in such need of inspiration."
Read more
-Father God, we pray that the evil agendas going on in the world, and in America would be exposed, and exposed fast. We ask that the individuals that are being used as puppets to influence the masses would also come to nothing. Let your truth and light be elevated instead, Lord God. Amen.
- "Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation,But sin is a disgrace to any people."(Proverbs 14:34)
3. 2020 Democratic Platform Continues Anti-Israel Themes First Pushed By Obama in 2012 - The Lid
The Democrats are bragging that their 2020 platform is a pro-Israel one. That's not true. The 2012 Democratic platform removed four crucial pro-Israel planks from its platform. During the 2012 Democratic party convention, one was put back (Jerusalem is Israel's capital), over the objection of the delegates. These four planks were not added back to the platform in 2016 or 2020. Despite the bragging, the 2020 DNC platform is Anti-Israel.
The Israel part of the 2020 DNC platform reads; "Democrats believe a strong, secure, and democratic Israel is vital to the interests of the United States. Our commitment to Israel's security, its qualitative military edge, its right to defend itself, and the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding is ironclad.
Democrats recognize the worth of every Israeli and every Palestinian. That's why we will work to help bring to an end a conflict that has brought so much pain to so many. We support a negotiated two-state solution that ensures Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state with recognized borders and upholds the right of Palestinians to live in freedom and security in a viable state of their own.
Democrats oppose any unilateral steps by either side-including annexation-that undermine prospects for two states. Democrats will continue to stand against incitement and terror. We oppose settlement expansion.
We believe that while Jerusalem is a matter for final status negotiations, it should remain the capital of Israel, an undivided city accessible to people of all faiths. Democrats will restore U.S.-Palestinian diplomatic ties and critical assistance to the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza, consistent with U.S. law. We oppose any effort unfairly to single out and delegitimize Israel, including at the United Nations or through the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement while protecting the Constitutional right of our citizens to free speech."
Notice it says that the future of Jerusalem is a matter for negotiation, although the U.S. has recognized it as Israel's Capital and moved our embassy to Jerusalem.
Read more
-Father God, we pray that You would reveal agendas and platforms on both sides of the aisle, and speak to Your people about who to vote for, and empower this election cycle in Jesus name amen.
-"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."(Romans 12:2)
4. Pence rips House Judiciary Dems over Barr hearing: They 'wanted to be heard more than they wanted to listen' - Fox News
Vice President Mike Pence strongly criticized Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday after they engaged in often heated questioning and commentary directed at Attorney General William Barr.
Pence told "The Story" host Martha MacCallum that the panel's majority, led by Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., "wanted to be heard more than they wanted to listen." "Bill Barr is leading the Justice Department in this country with great integrity and brings a lifetime commitment to the rule of law," the vice president said. "But to see it today, in the little bit that I was able to watch, it was clear that the Democrats wanted to hear themselves talk more than they wanted to hear from the attorney general of the United States."
Pence specifically called out Nadler's claim during the hearing that the Federal Protective Service dispatched agents to Portland, Ore., to quell violent rioting because "the president wants footage for his campaign ads."
Read more
-Father God, we pray a special blessing over Att. General Barr that Your favor and blessings would follow him wherever he goes. We pray that he would make righteous and just decisions, and we bind whatever may be hindering him from delivering indictments and holding evil people accountable in Jesus name. Amen.
-"For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;" (Proverbs 2:6, 12)
5. Biggest COVID-19 Vaccine Study Ever Gets Underway in United States - Western Journalism
The world's biggest COVID-19 vaccine study got underway Monday with the first of 30,000 planned volunteers helping to test shots created by the U.S. government - one of several candidates in the final stretch of the global vaccine race.
There's still no guarantee that the experimental vaccine, developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., will really protect. The needed proof: Volunteers won't know if they're getting the real shot or a dummy version.
After two doses, scientists will closely track which group experiences more infections as they go about their daily routines, especially in areas where the virus still is spreading unchecked. "Unfortunately for the United States of America, we have plenty of infections right now" to get that answer, NIH's Dr. Anthony Fauci recently told The Associated Press.
Read more
-Lord, please grant President Trump the knowledge of truth regarding any vaccines. We ask that no vaccine that would harm any American be created. We pray that freedom would prevail against this agenda.
-"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)
6. Supreme Court rejects Nev. church's appeal to lift state's limits on worship gatherings - Christian Post
The Supreme Court has rejected the plea of a Nevada congregation to suspend state-imposed restrictions on in-person gatherings that only apply to faith communities and not secular entities. In a 5-4 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts joined liberal justices to deny an appeal of Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley in Lyon County, whose plea had been rejected by lower courts, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The church argued that Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak's public-health orders gave casinos and other secular businesses greater leeway than houses of worship, which are prohibited from conducting in-person worship services with more than 50 people.
Calvary Chapel wanted to hold services for up to 90 members, 50% capacity, while fully complying with social-distancing rules and other required measures.
The judges made no comment while rejecting the appeal. This is the second time that Chief Justice Roberts has joined liberal justices to uphold restrictions on churches during the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more
-Lord God, we pray over the Supreme Court and ask that Your Spirit would lead and guide them to rule for justice and righteousness. We ask that You give Your church even more courage and boldness to keep preaching the gospel and proclaiming the truth no matter the persecution.
- "Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching."(2 Timothy 4:2)
7. Initiative seeks to increase evangelical vote in November: 'Churches alone can make all the difference' - Fox News
President Trump may have carried White evangelical voters handily in 2016, but a new initiative aims to urge as many Christians to vote as possible, especially amid worries about voting during the coronavirus pandemic.
Our Church Votes, an outgrowth of My Faith Votes, is a bipartisan nationwide campaign that seeks "to encourage church attendees to register to vote in upcoming national and local elections and to educate themselves on the issues most important to people of faith."
We don't tell people who to vote for, but we do tell them they have a moral obligation to vote," Jason Yates, CEO of My Faith Votes, told Fox News. "For many Christians, 2016 was about the Supreme Court. Well, 2020 is also about the Supreme Court. As we have seen with the court's recent decisions, the bench has not been settled."
Read more
-Lord, we pray that Your people will be awakened. Let them realize that while politics is not their salvation, their response to You requires that they be politically active. Awaken Your people to know that they are not called to be a sect fleeing the world, but rather a community of faith renewing the world. Awaken them that the same hands lifted up to You in prayer are the hands that pull the lever in the voting booth.
-" You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." (Matthew 5:13)
8. US to withdraw 12,000 troops from Germany - ABC News
The United States is removing nearly 12,000 American troops from Germany and will move the headquarters of U.S. European Command from Germany to Belgium in a major repositioning of forces that the Pentagon says is intended to increase the deterrence of Russia but that President Donald Trump said on Wednesday was tied to Germany not spending enough on its defense budget.
Of the U.S. troops stationed in Germany, 6,400 will return to the United States. Another 5,400 will be moved to other locations in Europe that already house American troops, and troops from the U.S. will rotate into locations in southeastern Europe -- strengthening NATO's presence in that part of the region.
"The alliance will be all the better and stronger," Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in announcing the changes at a Pentagon news conference on Wednesday.
Read more
-Lord God, we ask that Your will be done in the situation, and that You would give wisdom to the Trump administration, and those in the pentagon to make the best decisions possible for American troops and American citizens. We pray a special blessing over all our troops that You would protect them and bring them home safely.
-"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (Isaiah 58:11)
9. ISIS releases video calling on supporters to carry out arson attacks in US - Washington Examiner
The Islamic State's media wing has released a video calling for supporters in the United States to commit acts of arson. The 4-minute video, which was released over the weekend, was produced in both Arabic and English and features high-end video editing, according to a report by the Middle East Media Research Center's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor.
The narrator speaks about how ISIS supporters should fight "fire with fire" and includes an image of a military-style rifle while discussing how some would-be terrorists don't have access to certain weapons. Instead, the narrator advocates for arson attacks and highlights the devastating effect that fires have had recently in places such as Australia, Greece, and the U.S.
"To become more convinced of this option, try looking at the fires in the lands of the crusaders every year. Fires in forests and fields, cities and villages completely destroyed, people displaced, armies of firefighters and civil defense personnel working continuously days to no avail," the narrator says. He also instructs terrorists to be careful to dispose of incriminating evidence.
Read more
-In the name of Jesus Christ we strike down these threats, and we call them null and void that they will not come to fruition. We ask Lord God that these plans would be defunded and destroyed, causing no harm or pain to anyone on American soil. Amen.
- But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.(Matthew 15:13)
10. Bill Gates is quietly advocating for the US to lead the global fight against COVID-19 - USA Today
For decades, the United States has been at the forefront of global health initiatives, leading the fight against diseases such as HIV, malaria and Ebola. That changed with COVID-19, with the Trump administration focused on reserving treatments and vaccines for Americans.
But tucked into the latest Republican coronavirus stimulus proposal is $3 billion for coronavirus vaccines for poor countries.
"That's the most impactful money ever" when it comes to bringing the pandemic to an end, Bill Gates told USA TODAY. Since early May, Gates has been quietly advocating for the United States to retake its leadership role in global public health. He said this week's proposal represents a return to that role - though the commitment falls short of what he believes is needed.
Gates said he has pressed the matter with Republicans, Democrats and administration officials including Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Deborah Birx and people at the National Institutes of Health. Other leaders in the global health community are also working to get the United States more involved with the global effort to halt the coronavirus.
Read more
-Father, we know that it is not Your will the Gates be used for this end time scenario. We pray that Your angels would go forth to minister to him, and that he repent and turn to You. We ask that the absolute truth about vaccines be revealed.
-"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." (Acts 3:19)
The Daily Jot
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Your guide to COVID-19 vaccinations
A July 27th post on the White House website cites President Trump as saying "Vaccines are coming along really well. Likewise therapeutics. Moving faster than anticipated." Through Operation Warp Speed, the government has invested in more than five vaccines and teamed up with multiple pharmaceutical companies to safely produce as many effective vaccines as possible, according to the White House. These pharmaceutical companies include AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Pfizer, some of which have the backing of the controversial Gates Foundation. The same day, another group of doctors on Capitol Hill were telling a far different story of how successful COVID 19 treatments were censored for political reasons.
Health Impact News reported the Monday news conference held by a group of doctors calling themselves America's Frontline Doctors. Since the news conference their website has been taken down and video of their statements has been banned by Twitter and other social media outlets. The doctors said that nobody needs to die from COVID because all of them are successfully treating patients with effective cures that are being censored for political reasons. Health Impact News reported, that Dr. Stella Immanuel from Houston, Texas "stated that she studied medicine in Nigeria where she used Hydroxychloroquine for malaria patients, and is therefore very experienced with this medication, and that she has now treated over 350 COVID patients in Texas with Hydroxychloroquine, and none of them have died."
In yet another video, Dr. Carrie Madej, an internal medicine specialist in McDonough, Ga with 19 years experience, raised red flags on the companies, including AstraZeneca and Moderna, developing the COVID vaccines. Skipping animal trials and going straight to human trials, she says, is bad science that may result in permanent DNA alterations, several types of cancer for vaccine users, and other exponentially accumulated and toxic side effects. Questions you should consider before taking ANY vaccine include: Does it include engineered, synthetic, genetically modified cell lines or materials; Does it have DNA nanotechnology; Does it contain immortalized, MRC5 bordered fetal cell lines from aborted fetuses; Does it contain aluminum and/or mercury derivatives? The answer of YES to any of these questions is cause for great concern.
For me, another question is about effectiveness. How effective is the vaccine? A lot will say 50/50..but it does this or that. Not good enough. Big pharma plus big government plus fear equals incalculable disaster. As Christians, we should have healthy discernment about what goes into our bodies and why. Consider 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, which asks: "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." Toxins, aborted baby cells, cancer cells, nanotechnology, DNA alterations in a vaccine for the flu? We are going to have some choices to make. Choose wisely.
Florida on Alert: Tropical Storm Isaias
Florida in cone as hurricane center issues warnings for what could become Tropical Storm Isaias
Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine has yet to become a tropical storm, but Florida still lies in its projected path and it's expected to make landfall by the weekend, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 a.m. Wednesday update. If it develops, it will become Tropical Storm Isaias.
The storm is moving at 23 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and is about 55 miles south of Dominica and 350 miles away from San Juan, Puerto Rico, the NHC said.
The system is still trying to organize as its center is still too poorly defined to be considered a tropical storm causing it to move toward a more westerly track than originally predicted, said FOX 35 meteorologist Jayme King.
"This could eventually cause it to remain weak, whatever it turns into, forcing a more Westerly track longer term," King said.
Florida is in the forecast cone, but the NHC said details of the long-range track remain unclear because of a lack of a defined center. (Orlando Sentinel) Read more.
- Father God, we thank You that we now have advance warning about this storm, and we thank You, too, that its center is not yet clearly defined. We ask that You move by Your mighty hand and cause this storm to dissipate completely, in Your name, amen.
- "They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"" (Mark 4:41)
Prayers for the Persecuted Church
"Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body." (Hebrews 13:3)
Please visit the website for International Christian Concern to lift up prayers for the persecuted around the world, every day. Their link is: www.persecution.org -- or go here to connect. Thank you for interceding for our brothers and sisters who are suffering in Asia, the Islamic World, and the Far East.
A Classic Hymn
Classic Hymns
TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS
Lyrics
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, "Thus says the Lord!"
Refrain
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
'Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Refrain
Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
Refrain
I'm so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Refrain
About the Author:
Words: Louisa M. R. Stead, 1882
Melody: William J. Kirkpatrick, 1882
Melody
Please go here.
Signs and Wonders
Signs and Wonders
By the rivers of Babylon: Why a 2,500-year-old Hebrew poem still matters
At sundown on July 29, Jews around the world will observe Tisha B'av, the most somber of Jewish holidays. It commemorates the destruction of the two temples in Jerusalem, first by the Babylonians and then, almost seven centuries later, in CE 70, by the Romans.
Jews will remember these two historic calamities along with many others, including their slaughter during the First Crusade; the expulsions from England, France and Spain; and the Holocaust.
The pattern of forced migration was set by the Babylonian conquest of 587-586 BCE, when the elite of Judah were marched to Babylon and the temple destroyed. Like the story of Moses and the Exodus from Egypt, which happened several centuries earlier, the Babylonian exile dwells at the heart of Judaism. The trauma served as a crucible, forcing the Israelites to rethink their relationship to Yahweh, reassess their standing as a chosen people and rewrite their history.
Psalm 137, the subject of my most recent book, "Song of Exile," is a 2,500-year-old Hebrew poem that deals with the exile that will be remembered on Tisha B'av. It has long served as an uplifting historical analogy for a variety of oppressed and subjugated groups, including African-Americans.
Origins of the psalm Psalm 137 is only one out of 150 psalms in the Bible to be set in a particular time and place. Its nine verses paint a scene of captives mourning "by the rivers of Babylon," mocked by their captors. It expresses a vow to remember Jerusalem even in exile, and closes with fantasies of vengeance against the oppressors.
The exile story, which echoes through the Bible, is central to the major prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Lamentations and Isaiah. And the aftermath of exile, when Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon and allowed the Judeans to return to Israel, is narrated in books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Bible scholar Rainer Albertz estimates that "about 70 percent of the Hebrew Bible tackles the questions of how the catastrophe of exile was possible and what Israel can learn from it."
(Times of Israel) Read more here . . .
"I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke." (Acts 2:19)
Good News Corner
The Good News Corner
Barbecue Baptist Church Delivers Meals, a Message and a Little Levity amid Lockdowns
"Anybody who invites us to come, we will come to your house, and we will do a short worship service and give you a free barbecue meal." -Pastor Chad McMillan
Before the barbecue trailer, there was the toilet paper popemobile.
With toilet paper hard to come by as stay-at-home orders took effect in many states earlier this year to flatten the curve of the coronavirus, Chad McMillan put the pastor of First Baptist Church of Navasota, Texas, on a trailer surrounded by plexiglass, "like the popemobile," he said. He handed the pastor a T-shirt gun loaded with toilet paper, each roll wrapped with a Bible verse.
"And I said, 'I want you to shoot toilet paper rolls to bless the community,'" said McMillan, the church's pastor of students, evangelism and missions.
The toilet paper distribution went so well, he added a pulpit, sound system and piano so he could hold pop-up worship services while flinging the TP.
McMillan joked about adding a barbecue pit, too.
Then he did - and Barbecue Baptist Church was born.
Barbecue Baptist Church, an outreach of First Baptist, aims to bring a warm meal, a little levity and a reminder that people care to its community and beyond.
The church borrowed a catering trailer from a member and made an announcement on the local news in April: "Anybody who invites us to come, we will come to your house, and we will do a short worship service and give you a free barbecue meal," McMillan said.
Read more
Worship With Us Today
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]
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 info@capitolhillprayer.org requesting that your name be added to our list of subscribers.
We Welcome Your Gifts
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)
Election 2020
Countdown to the 2020 Election
. . . DID YOU KNOW???
Our CHPP website features an indepth analysis of this year's election, which is updated daily!
You can find the link to that resource by going here.
We do want to recognize the IVOTE ministry for their work, and for allowing us to feature this valuable resource on our own website.
And you can find much, much more to pray over by visiting our own website at;
http://www.capitolhillprayer.org
"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." (Proverbs 29:2)
Reading the Bible Together
Welcome to our Bible Readathon!
Nonstop reading of the Word of God, every night (except on Sunday mornings) from midnight to 6:00 a.m. EDT.
To learn more about the Bible Readathon, please go here.
WELCOME!
Time to Repent
Time to Repent!
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
(2 Peter 3:9)
