The Daily Brief: Monday, July 31st, 2017

The Daily Brief: Monday, July 31^st, 2017

1. John Kelly replaces Reince Priebus as White House chief of staff - Fox News

President Trump late Friday replaced his embattled chief of staff Reince Priebus with Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, the decorated retired general who had been leading his administration's charge on immigration enforcement.

The seismic shake-up capped another rollercoaster week in the West Wing, rocked by the public clash between Priebus and new White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci. The latter's hiring prompted press secretary Sean Spicer to resign in protest one week ago and immediately touched off speculation that Priebus could be next.

White House sources confirmed to Fox News that Priebus, the former Republican National Committee chairman, resigned secretly on Thursday.

"It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve this president and our country," Priebus said in a statement. "I want to thank the president for giving me this very special opportunity. I will continue to serve as a strong supporter of the president's agenda and policies." (Read more)
- Father, we pray that these staff changes will cause the strife and leaks to end in the White House. We thank You for the good selection of people available to serve our country in this capacity. We ask that You would make this transition smooth and that a new culture of respect and honesty will prevail. We pray for the staff of the White House to seek Your wisdom in all things and that what they do will honor You.

- "An arrogant man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper." (Proverbs 28:25)

2. Elaine Duke to become new acting DHS secretary - Fox News

With the announcement on Friday that Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly would be taking over from Reince Priebus as the White House chief of staff, a vacancy was left at the top of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to the leadership structure of the DHS, the new acting Secretary of Homeland Security is Elaine Duke.

Duke was previously sworn in as the deputy secretary of Homeland Security on April 10 after she was confirmed by the Senate. In her position as deputy secretary, Duke led "all efforts related to the strategic execution of DHS's vital missions," according to her DHS biography.

The Senate approved Duke for confirmation as deputy secretary by a vote of 85 to 14, according to Newsweek. (Read more)
- Dear Lord, we lift up this lady to You in prayer and ask You to assist her in executing the duties of this office in a way that enhances and cooperates with the will and purposes of the people who elected Donald Trump. Lord, may she seek You as to the best way forward to protect America from its many threats.

- "The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute." (Proverbs 12:24)

3. The night John McCain killed the GOP's health-care fight - Washington Post

It was the most dramatic night in the United States Senate in recent history. Just ask the senators who witnessed it.

A seven-year quest to undo the Affordable Care Act collapsed - at least for now - as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) kept his colleagues and the press corps in suspense over a little more than two hours late Thursday into early Friday.

The bold move by the nation's most famous senator stunned his colleagues and possibly put the Senate on the verge of protracted bipartisan talks that McCain is unlikely to witness as he begins treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer.

"I've stated time and time again that one of the major failures of Obamacare was that it was rammed through Congress by Democrats on a strict party-line basis without a single Republican vote," he said in a statement explaining his vote. "We should not make the mistakes of the past." (Read more)
- Father God, now that we know that there has been a medical diagnosis indicating that the disease of cancer is affecting the mind of Senator McCain, we ask that his ability to cast any more votes on the floor of the Senate Chamber now be suspended. Thank You, Lord, that in Your time, You WILL restore what the locust has eaten in this health care proposal, bringing it back to life, in Your name, amen.

- "Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand sound judgment." (Job 32:9)

4. The 7 Republican Obamacare Judases in The Senate- Townhall.com

Seven Republican senators VOTED AGAINST a straight repeal of Obamacare with a two year window to come up with a replacement. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.; Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.; Susan Collins, R-Maine; Dean Heller, R-Nev.; John McCain, R-Ariz.; Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; and Rob Portman, R-Ohio all decided that after years of claiming to oppose Obamacare at every turn, they now want it to stay in place. Why, it's almost as if they've been lying to you for years about their opposition to Obamacare!

There is nothing these senators who voted against the repeal of Obamacare have ever done or will ever do that can make up for their betrayal. None of them should ever represent the Republican Party in a general election again. That shouldn't just be the position of the voters they have lied to; it should be the position of the REPUBLICAN PARTY. (Read more)
- Father in heaven, raise up a banner of truth and justice that will bring in solid representatives who will regard their office as important enough to fight for what is right for the American people and for our country as a whole. God, cleanse the Senate of all Obamacare Judases by Your powerful hand of righteousness. In the Name of Jesus we pray.

- "Know you not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?" (Job 20:4-5)

5. Trump Picks Sam Brownback as Religious Freedom Ambassador - Christianity Today

Today the White House announced that Sam Brownback will be President Donald Trump's nominee for America's next ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. "Religious freedom is the first freedom. The choice of what you do with your own soul," the current Republican governor of Kansas tweeted. "I am honored to serve such an important cause."

Frank Wolf, a longtime Virginia politician who retired in 2013 as one of Congress' leading advocates of religious freedom, told the Kansas City Star that "this job is really made for Sam. On all these issues he's been there before almost anybody else." "All during his career in Congress, Sam was a leader on religious freedom," Wolf, now a senior fellow for the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative, told CT. "He was the first senator to go to Darfur during the genocide, and came back and spoke out to help the people of Sudan. He was also very active in working on issues of religious freedom in Egypt, China, and many other countries. At a time when, according to the Pew Research Center, we see growing religious persecution, I believe Sam Brownback is an outstanding appointment." (Read more)
- Father, as You know, we too have had the privilege of being seated in prayer with "Senator Sam" when he was serving here in Congress several years ago; and we, too, can attest to the fact that this is a brother in Christ who has a deep compassion for the persecuted. We ask for quick approval of his nomination before the U.S. Senate, Lord. We need Sam Brownback to fill this key role, in Your name, amen.

- "For You, oh Lord will bless the righteous. With favor, You will surround him as with a shield." (Psalm 5:12)

6. Russia Seizes 2 U.S. Properties and Orders Embassy to Cut Staff - NY Times

MOSCOW - Russia took its first steps on Friday to retaliate against proposed American sanctions for Moscow's suspected meddling in the 2016 election, seizing two American diplomatic properties in Russia and ordering the United States Embassy to reduce staff by September.

The moves, which had been threatened for weeks, came a day after the United States Senate approved a measure to expand economic sanctions against Russia, as well as against Iran and North Korea. The bill, mirroring one passed by the House on Tuesday, now goes to President Trump for his signature.

The latest move by the Kremlin strikes another blow against the already dismal diplomatic relations between the two sides, with each new step moving Moscow and Washington further from the rapprochement anticipated a few months ago. (Read more)
- Father, Russia has not played by the rules of agreements made with the U.S. They speak but their words fall short of truth. Only You can keep peace between Moscow and Washington. Russia's seizing of two U.S. diplomatic properties are another threat by them toward America. They don't seem to know the definition of diplomatic. Father God, we ask You to keep the staff safe who are working at these properties as they transition into other areas. Give President Trump and Congress guidance through the Holy Spirit for all decisions regarding Russia, Iran and North Korea. Thank You, Father, in Your Name, amen.

- "Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God!" (Psalm 3:1)

7. Breaking! US, allies prepared to use 'overwhelming force' in North Korea, general says - Fox News

The U.S. and its allies are prepared to use "rapid, lethal and overwhelming force," if necessary, against North Korea, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces warned Saturday night.

The statement from Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, U.S. Pacific Air Forces commander, came after the militaries of the U.S., South Korea and Japan spent 10 hours conducting bomber-jet drills over the Korean Peninsula.

The training mission was a response to North Korea's recent ballistic missile launches and nuclear program, and part of the U.S. regular commitment to defending its allies in the Asia-Pacific region, the general's statement said.

"North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," O'Shaughnessy said. (Read more)
- Father God, we pray that You will send myriads of angels to surround the United States with a ring of angels who will protect America from any missile coming into our country. God, we pray that any further missiles will misfire and be destroyed by the mighty forces of heaven. Lord God, these preemptive actions made by a prideful, wicked dictator will send him right into the gripping hands of darkness and defeat. In the mighty Name of Jesus we pray.

- "The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him. This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God." (Job 20:27, 29)

8. DOJ - Title VII Does Not Include LGBT - Liberty Counsel

The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) filed an amicus brief in Zarda v. Altitude Express yesterday at the U.S. Federal Court of Appeals, which contends that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bans gender discrimination, but does not include sexual orientation or gender identity, in the workplace.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a largely autonomous federal agency that handles civil rights disputes in the workplace, supported Zarda last month in its own court filing. The EEOC has previously argued in federal court that Title VII's ban on sex discrimination also included gender identity - thereby barring discrimination against so-called LGBT employees. (Read more)
- Father, we rejoice at the news of this new ruling from the Department of Justice, and we ask that it be carried out to the fullest extent of the law. We thank You that light is now breaking forth into the murky darkness of the world of "gay rights," which violates Your Word, in Your name, amen.

- "He created them male and female, and He blessed them . . ." (Genesis 5:2)

9. Charlie Gard dies in hospice, parents say - Fox News

Charlie Gard, the critically ill British baby whose parents fought a highly publicized court battle to treat him with an experimental approach in the U.S., died on Friday in a hospice, his parent said.

Gard, who was 11 months old at the time of his death, suffered from a rare genetic disorder called mitochondrial depletion syndrome. Due to the illness, the baby had brain damage and was unable to breathe or move his limbs unaided.

Gard would have turned 1 next week. (Read more)
- Father God, infant Charlie Gard is now resting in Your arms. You created Charlie for a special reason. We don't understand why he was only on the earth for 11 months, but we know he was always Yours. Bless his parents as they grieve the loss of their son. As they seek answers let them turn to You and find peace that can only be found in You. We pray that they will grow strong in their relationship with You. In the name above all names, we ask this prayer. God bless Charlie's family.

- "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' Hear now O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair.?" (Ezekiel 18:25)

'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord." (Isaiah 55:8)

10. Breaking! US, allies prepared to use 'overwhelming force' in North Korea, general says - Fox News

The U.S. and its allies are prepared to use "rapid, lethal and overwhelming force," if necessary, against North Korea, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces warned Saturday night.

The statement from Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, U.S. Pacific Air Forces commander, came after the militaries of the U.S., South Korea and Japan spent 10 hours conducting bomber-jet drills over the Korean Peninsula.

The training mission was a response to North Korea's recent ballistic missile launches and nuclear program, and part of the U.S. regular commitment to defending its allies in the Asia-Pacific region, the general's statement said.

"North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," O'Shaughnessy said. (Read more)
- Father God, we pray that You will send myriads of angels to surround the United States with a ring of angels who will protect America from any missile coming into our country. God, we pray that any further missiles will misfire and be destroyed by the mighty forces of heaven. Lord God, these preemptive actions made by a prideful, wicked dictator will send him right into the gripping hands of darkness and defeat. In the mighty Name of Jesus we pray.

- "The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him. This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God." (Job 20:27, 29)

	More News from the Hill

More News from the Hill

1. House passes bill to boost defense, fund border wall - Washington Post

The House passed a $790 billion spending bill Thursday that would increase military funding and pave the way for construction of a wall along 72 miles of the Mexican border. It has, however, virtually no chance of becoming law.

The bill blasts through the defense spending cap enacted under the 2011 Budget Control Act by $72 billion. If enacted, the bill would result in an across-the-board 13 percent cut in Pentagon spending absent an agreement with Democrats to lift the caps.

But House Republican leaders on Thursday praised the bill - which combined fiscal 2018 appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Energy Department and the legislative branch in addition to the Defense Department - as a muscular statement of Republican policy priorities that will set the stage for later talks with Democrats. The $1.6 billion in border wall funding was pulled from a separate homeland security bill. (Read more)
- Dear Lord, instead of this bill producing the usual partisan standoff in Congress, we pray that You would devise a way for our military to be well funded, our troops well paid, and a wall of safety to be built on our Southern border. We pray that the rules of both houses that are hindering progress and that are not necessary would be eliminated. We pray that all involved in Congress would know that they will stand before You to account for their votes and activities.

- "And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things I will do unto them and not forsake them." (Isaiah 42:16)

2. House Judiciary Republicans Call For Second Special Counsel To Investigate Clinton, Comey, Lynch - Daily Caller

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee are asking the Justice Department to appoint a second special counsel, this one to investigate Hillary Clinton, former FBI Director James Comey and former Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

In a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, the Judiciary Republicans say they want a second investigator to match Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is conducting a sprawling investigation of the Trump campaign and various Trump associates.

"The unbalanced, uncertain, and seemingly unlimited focus of the special counsel's investigation has led many of our constituents to see a dual standard of justice that benefits only the powerful and politically well-connected," the Republicans say. In their letter, the Republicans list 14 separate categories they say should be investigated by the additional special counsel. They are calling for a deeper investigation of Hillary Clinton and her potential mishandling of classified information. (Read more)
- Father in heaven, we ask that You expose all the wickedness of Clinton, Comey, and Lynch by withstanding any and all man-made roadblocks that would prevent the truth from being made public. Lord God, reveal completely all the history of what they did for so many years. We proclaim that the power of God will remove the vail and all things be exposed. We pray in the Name of Jesus.

- "Is not God's Word like as a fire? says the Lord; and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29)

3. Intelligence chairman accuses Obama aides of hundreds of unmasking requests - The Hill

The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee is accusing top political aides of President Obama of making hundreds of requests during the 2016 presidential race to unmask the names of Americans in intelligence reports, including Trump transition officials. Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), in a letter to Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said the requests were made without specific justifications on why the information was needed.

"We have found evidence that current and former government officials had easy access to U.S. person information and that it is possible that they used this information to achieve partisan political purposes, including the selective, anonymous leaking of such information," Nunes wrote in the letter to Coats. The letter was provided to The Hill from a source in the intelligence community.

Nunes said he intends to introduce legislation to address concerns about the unmasking process impacting Americans' privacy. Ordinarily, Americans whose email or phone data or conversations are intercepted by the National Security Agency without a warrant overseas are legally required to have their names redacted or masked with descriptions like "U.S. person 1" to protect their identities in intelligence reports.

But beginning in 2011, Obama loosened the rules to make it easier for intelligence officials and his own political aides to request that the names be unmasked so they could better understand raw intelligence being gathered overseas.

The change has been criticized by liberal groups like the ACLU and conservatives like Nunes because of the privacy implications. (Read more)
- Lord God, we pray that all the practices that were done under the Obama administration be punishable by law and stopped. God, remove the Obama employees still employed under President Trump. Cover President Trump with Your protection and guard him with Your mighty hand of power from everything of the past. In the Name of Jesus we pray.

- "Show Your marvelous lovingkindness, O God that saves by Your right hand them which put their trust in You from those that rise up against them." (Psalm 17:7)

	The Transgender Debate

The Transgender Debate

1. President Trump bans transgender people from serving in U.S. military - USA Today

President Trump said Wednesday that the U.S. military will not accept transgender troops into its ranks or allow them to serve in any capacity, reversing a policy that began under the Obama administration - and triggering intense criticism from lawmakers and civil libertarians.

In a series of morning tweets, Trump said that, after consulting "with my generals and military experts," the U.S. government "will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military."

The U.S. military, he said, "must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail." (Read more)
- Father, we thank You for this ruling, amen.

- "See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice."
(Isaiah 32:1)

2. Mattis appalled by Trump tweets announcing transgender ban: report - The Hill

Defense Secretary James Mattis was caught off guard by President Trump's announcement that he was banning transgender people from serving in the military, according to a New York Times report.

Mattis, who was on vacation at the time of Trump's decision, only had one day's worth of notice before Trump tweeted his announcement of the policy, the paper reported.

The report described him as "appalled." (Read more)
- Father God, we repent for the confusion over this proposed ruling, and we ask for peace to rule in the camp. We do take note that General Mattis was appointed by the former president; if this is a factor in the move You will make next, we leave this decision in Your hands, amen.

- " . . . for God is not a God of confusion but of peace . . . " (I Corinthians 14:33)

The Daily Brief: Wednesday, July 26, 2017

The Daily Brief: Wednesday, July 26, 2017

1. Pence Breaks Tie, Senate Votes to Move Forward on Health Care Bill - NBC News

With Vice President Mike Pence casting a tie-breaking vote, Republicans moved forward on health care reform Tuesday as the Senate successfully passed a key motion to open debate on repealing and possibly replacing Obamacare.

The vote was a major victory for Republicans, who have struggled to find 50 votes to get this far, but the final product is likely to fall far short of the Republicans' seven-year promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. It took the likelihood of a slimmed-down final bill in order to get enough "yes" votes to just open debate.

. . . In a dramatic moment that allowed for the vote's passage, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer, returned to the Senate from Arizona to cast a key vote. Pence broke the tie after two Republicans - Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska - and all the Democrats voted against it. But first more than a dozen protesters in the gallery interrupted the Senate's proceedings, chanting, "Kill the bill; don't kill us."

Speaking at the White House just minutes after the vote, President Donald Trump thanked Senate Republicans, saying, "now we move forward with truly great health care for the American people, we look forward to that. This was a big step." (Read more)
- Father, we pray Congress will find a way to repeal Obamacare and reestablish financial stability in our health care system with the Better Care Reconciliation Act.

- "Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security." (Jeremiah 33:6)

2. State Dept. in 'Open War' With White House - Washington Free Beacon

The State Department under Secretary Rex Tillerson has been locked in a growing power struggle with the White House that has angered officials in the West Wing and sparked claims that the Trump administration's top diplomatic organ is now in "open war" with the White House on a range of critical issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian impasse, Iran, the crisis with Qatar, and other matters, according to multiple sources who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon about the situation.

The State Department is said to be in a state of "massive dysfunction," with top officials working under Tillerson ignoring White House directives on critical staffing issues and key policy matters, according to multiple sources, including administration allies who are said to be increasingly frustrated with what is perceived as the White House's inability to control its own federal agencies.

The tensions have fueled an outstanding power battle between the West Wing and State Department that has handicapped the administration and resulted in scores of open positions failing to be filled with Trump confidantes. This has allowed former Obama administration appointees still at the State Department to continue running the show and formulating policy, where they have increasingly clashed with the White House's own agenda. (Read more)
- Father, we ask You to give President Trump strategies to eliminate insubordination throughout the Executive Branch of our government. We pray for men and women, loyal to our nation and its interests to staff the State Department.

- "Pay close attention to him, and obey his instructions. Do not rebel against him, for he is my representative, and he will not forgive your rebellion." (Exodus 23:21)

3. State Department Lawyers Removing References to ISIS 'Genocide' Against Christians, Other Religious Minorities - Washington Free Beacon

The State Department's top lawyers are systematically removing the word "genocide" to describe the Islamic State's mass slaughter of Christians, Yazidis, and other ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria from speeches before they are delivered and other official documents, according to human rights activists and attorneys familiar with the policies.

Additionally, Democratic senators are delaying confirmation of Mark Green, Trump's pick to head the U.S. Agency for International Development who has broad bipartisan support. These efforts guarantee that Obama-era policies that worked to exclude Iraq's Christian and other minority religious populations from key U.S. aid programs remain in place, the activists said.

Richard Visek, who was appointed by President Obama as head the State Department's Office of Legal Adviser in October 2016, is behind the decision to remove the word "genocide" from official documents, according to Nina Shea, an international human rights lawyer who directs the Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom. (Read more)
- Father, we pray the aid allocated to these vulnerable people will be distributed in a way that truly helps them. We also pray for You to remove all State Department employees who are anti-Christian and anti-Israel.

- "My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of cruel oppressors." (Psalm 71:4)

4. Trump's Attacks On Sessions Continue, As He Claims The AG Is 'Very Weak' On 'Clinton Crime' And 'Intel Leakers' - Daily Caller

President Donald Trump continues to publicly assail Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and claimed Tuesday that the attorney general "has taken a very weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes" and "intel leakers." "Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC server) & Intel leakers!" Trump tweeted. He also wrote: "Ukrainian efforts to sabotage Trump campaign - 'quietly working to boost Clinton.' So where is the investigation A.G."

The attack comes as the president continues to insult his attorney general, who was the first Republican senator to back his campaign. Sessions has worked to implement Trump's agenda while in office, specifically by ordering prosecutors to crack down on immigration offenses. However, this doesn't seem to matter to the president who continues to be upset about Sessions' recusal from the Russia investigation due to his role as an adviser on the Trump campaign. White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci said in a radio interview Tuesday that it's "probably right" that President Trump wants Sessions to step down.

Last week President Trump told The New York Times that he regrets appointing Sessions due to the attorney general's recusal from the investigation into Russian election interference and on Monday Trump described Sessions as "beleaguered." (Read more)
- Father, we know Jeff Sessions is a good man and has used his office to enforce the law. We pray this rift will mend and that he will continue to serve our country well.

- "Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." (Colossians 3:13)

5. Scaramucci: Some in Mainstream Media 'Stretch Stories or Do Fabricate Things' - CNSNews.com

White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci told "Fox News Sunday" that "there is some fake news" and some individuals in the media "stretch stories or do fabricate things."

When asked whether he believes that the mainstream media deliberately puts out fake news about President Donald Trump, Scaramucci said, "There is some fake news, unfortunately. When you see the mainstream media, I think that's a very broad statement, and so, what I would like to say, and what I would like to believe, there's still a level of objectivity in the mainstream media, but unfortunately, there are specific individuals that do stretch stories or do fabricate things." (Read more)
- Father, we pray Anthony Scaramucci will be successful in eliminating leaks from the White House and delivering clear communication to the American people. We also pray for the antagonistic relationship between the press and Trump Administration to diminish.

- "A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak." (Proverbs 21:28)

6. House Easily Passes Sanction Package Against Russia, Iran, North Korea - Washington Free Beacon

The House on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to pass legislation that would impose additional sanctions against Russia for its interference in the 2016 election and ongoing aggression in Ukraine and Syria.

The new bill, passed by a vote of 419 to 3, would significantly limit President Donald Trump's ability to relax or terminate sanctions despite pushback from White House officials who argue the measure impedes the president's executive authority to conduct foreign policy.

The legislation also contains new sanctions against Iran and North Korea, two adversaries the Trump administration has sought to punish for their ballistic missile testing. (Read more)
- Father, we pray these sanctions will truly help our world become more safe and secure. We pray the price nations must pay when they breach our national security will be too high, and we will have peace.

- "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe." (Luke 11:21)

7. Wasserman Schultz's IT Aide Arrested Trying To Flee The Country - Daily Caller

Florida GOP Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz's right-hand information technology (IT) aide was arrested attempting to leave the country just a few hours after The Daily Caller News Foundation's Investigative Group revealed that he is the target of an FBI investigation. Imran Awan, a Pakistani-born IT aide, had access to all emails and files of dozens of members of Congress, as well as the password to the iPad that Wasserman Schultz used for Democratic National Committee business before she resigned as its head in July 2016. He was apprehended while attempting to flee the U.S., according to Fox News.

Soon after Imran began working for Wasserman Schultz in 2005, four of his relatives appeared on the payroll of other Democrats - many from Wasserman Schultz's home state of Florida - at inflated salaries, but Democratic staffers said they were rarely seen at work. They collected $4 million in total. House authorities told members in February that Awan and his relatives were suspects in a criminal investigation into theft and IT abuses, and they were banned from the Capitol network. (Read more)
- Father, we pray this case will get the attention it deserves throughout the media. We pray everything Imran Awan and his family were doing to compromise members of Congress and our national security will come to light.

- "For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light." (Luke 8:17)

8. Mueller probe: Meet the lawyers who gave $$ to Hillary, now investigating team Trump - Fox News

President Trump's tough criticism of Special Counsel Robert Mueller signals a renewed effort to challenge his investigators' credibility over their track record of pro-Democratic political donations and other associations. There is no shortage of examples to fuel the president's case. Of the 15 attorneys currently on staff for Mueller, at least seven have donated to Democratic candidates and campaigns, including Trump's 2016 rival Hillary Clinton. The rest have not made political donations, according to federal records; and none of the attorneys on Mueller's roster donated money to Trump.

- Father, we pray that You will put an end to this baseless investigation. Bring those forward who will tell the truth about this lie.

- "An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies." (Proverbs 12:17)

9. Chipping Employees: Wisconsin Company Is First in US to Give it a Go - CBN News

A Wisconsin company is set to become the first in America to give its employees the opportunity to have microchip implants in their hand. Three Square Market is a developer of software used in vending machines and will pay for their employees to get chipped. About 50 employees at the company have volunteered to get the chip injection starting in August. The chips will be implanted in employees' hands to buy things in the break room, log into computers, open doors, and so on.

"It's the next thing that's inevitably gonna happen and we want to be a part of it," said Three Square Market CEO Todd Westby. The chip is about the size of a grain of rice and will be implanted between the thumb and forefinger. The company will pick up the $300 fee.

"Eventually, this technology will become standardized allowing you to use this as your passport, public transit, all purchasing opportunities, etc.," Westby predicts in a blog post. (Read more)
- Father, we pray for great wisdom as this technology ushers us into the reign of the anti-Christ. Help us continue to be Your witnesses and use the time we have left for Your glory.

- "He required everyone-small and great, rich and poor, free and slave-to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name." (Revelation 13:16-17)

10. Voter fraud in Palm Beach County: State attorney finds crimes, but no suspect - Palm Beach Post

Detectives with the State Attorney's Office found clear-cut evidence of voter fraud in last year's August election, with nearly two dozen people's signatures forged on requests for absentee ballots. But prosecutors are dropping the case.

Why? They can't find a suspect.

In a bizarre 24-page memo, detectives described their efforts to get to the bottom of allegations of voter fraud in the primary election. State Sen. Bobby Powell, Palm Beach County Commissioner Mack Bernard and state Rep. Al Jacquet, a tight-knit trio of rising stars in the Democratic Party, won their races by generating extraordinary turnout in absentee ballots, and their opponents and voters cried foul.

Detectives talked to 22 voters - 17 of whom were in all three candidates' districts - who claimed their signatures were forged on request forms. Even a State Attorney's Office employee and her three family members were victims. (Read more)

- Lord, this investigation was not thorough, but You are. We ask for conviction of sin for those who perpetrated this fraud, and ask Your protection over all elections in the United States.

- "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." (John 16:8)

11. US Navy ship fired warning shots at an Iranian boat in the Persian Gulf - CNN

A US Navy ship fired warning shots at an armed Iranian patrol boat Tuesday in the northern end of the Persian Gulf, according to two US defense officials.The Iranian boat is believed to have been operated by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to a defense official familiar with details of the incident. The officials said the Iranian boat approached and came within 150 yards of the USS Thunderbolt, a US Navy patrol ship.

The USS Thunderbolt was accompanied by the USS Vella Gulf, which is a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, and two US Coast Guard vessels at the time.

The Iranians did not respond to any warnings from the US ship, including radio calls, firing of flares and five short blasts from the US Navy ship's whistle, which is the internationally recognized communications signal for danger, the officials said.

The Navy ship then fired warning shots into the water over concerns about the possibility of a collision, one of the officials said.

The Iranian ship then ceased its provocative actions but lingered in the area for some hours, one of the officials said. There were several US Navy ships in the immediate vicinity at the time of the incident conducting routine patrol operations in international waters, according to the defense officials.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard is claiming that it "foiled the US warship's provocative move against an Iranian Navy patrol boat in the Persian Gulf," according to a statement published by Iran's official news agency IRNA. (Read more)

- Father, we thank You that our navy showed great restraint in this incident. We pray that these provocations by the Iranian navy would cease, in Your name. Amen.

- "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in You, than He that is in the world." (I John 4:4)