United States Park Police
[Editor's note: as we lay siege to the enemy that wants to bring chaos into our city, we continue to lift up all "those in authority," that they might be strengthened in this time.]
A Scripture to Decree
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory." (Isaiah 6:3)
Our Prayer Focus: Entering In
Preparing our Hearts to Enter into Prayer for the United States Park Police
HISTORY
The Park Watchmen were first recruited in 1791 by George Washington to protect federal property in the District of Columbia. The police functioned as an independent agency of the federal government until 1849, when it was placed under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior. In 1867, Congress transferred the police to the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds, under the supervision of the Chief of Engineers of the Army Corps of Engineers. The Watchmen were given the same powers and duties as the Metropolitan Police of Washington in 1882. Their name was officially changed to the present United States Park Police in 1919.
Their authority first began to expand outside D.C. in 1929, and today they are primarily responsible for the Gateway National Recreation Area units in New York City-New Jersey and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco, as well as the many designated areas in Washington D.C. and the neighboring counties in Maryland and Virginia. These sites include the National Mall, the C&O Canal towpath in the region, and the parallel roadways of the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia and Clara Barton Parkway in Maryland.
AUTHORITY
The Force functions as a unit of the National Park Service with jurisdiction in all Federal parks. U.S. Park Police officers are located in the Washington, DC, New York City, and San Francisco metropolitan areas, and investigate and detain persons suspected of committing offenses against the United States. Officers also carry out services for many notable events conducted in the national parks. (Source: Wikipedia)
Editor's comment:
Over the years, the National Park Service has been very kind to people of faith, so that the leaders various events have been granted permits for the use of the National Mall and other sites in Washington, D.C.
Most notably, several of those events have included:
- Washington for Jesus (twice)
- Promise Keepers Stand in the Gap on October 4, 1997. (Three million men in attendance!)
- The upcoming time of repentance on the National Mall: THE RETURN
We also acknowledge their work this past Friday, August 28, when an estimated 50,000 marchers came to the Mall to honor the 67th anniversary of the historic speech made by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During the march itself, all was kept in good order, and the many families -- of all races -- were able to enjoy the event without harm.
We are grateful to the National Park Service for allowing the use of these public lands to honor our faith, and to the U.S. Park Police for helping to maintain order in these huge events. God bless you!
Today's Prayer:
United States Park Police
"Father God, we thank You for the work of the U.S. Park Police, not only in helping to maintain order here in Washington, D.C. but also in helping to preserve and protect our national treasures across this great nation.
As they continue to carry out their assignments, 24/7, with great diligence, we ask that You grace each member of this police force with health, strength, and wisdom when they are on the job.
Thank you, Lord, for the United States Park Police. In Your Name, amen.
A Hymn for Today
FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory." (Isaiah 6:3)
For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.
Refrain
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the beauty of each hour,
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon, and stars of light.
Refrain
. . . For Thy Church, that evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love.
Refrain
For the martyrs' crown of light,
For Thy prophets' eagle eye,
For Thy bold confessors' might,
For the lips of infancy.
Refrain
(To read all these lyrics and to learn about the history of this ancient hymn, please go here.)
Tomorrow's Prayer Focus:
U.S. Marshals
What is "The Siege?"
Radical activist group plans to "lay siege to" and "occupy" White House in September
The radical activist group that takes credit for the #OccupyWallStreet movement in 2011 has announced plans to occupy the White House next month. Adbusters, a digital publication that describes itself as "a global network" determined to "advance the new social activist movement of the information age," issued a post dubbed "#WhiteHouseSiege - Tactical Briefing #1."
"It's been nine years since we set off the political earthquake of #OccupyWallStreet, laying siege to NYC's Zuccotti Park and inspiring thousands of similar protests around the world," the post reads. "The Occupy anniversary arrives September 17th, 2020. And it may be the perfect day to trigger another global big-bang moment - a massive collective action of the sweetest kind of disobedience."
"It's time again for dramatic, decisive action. Which is why, on September 17th, in the original and enduring spirit of Occupy, we and tens of thousands of our fellow citizens will stream into Lafayette Square, in Washington. D.C," the post continued. "We will lay siege to the White House. And we will sustain it for exactly 50 days. This is the #WhiteHouseSiege."
Our Response:
Our strategy
In confronting this enemy, we will follow Christ's example. Accordingly, every day for the next 40 days, we will join forces with prayer points, Scriptures, and worship to confront the enemy at the gates and to render him null and void.
We will begin now, and end on Sunday, September 20, just after the siege of the enemy has begun. BUT. by the grace of GOD, the enemy will instead find a big surprise at that gate: the LOVE OF JESUS, with His Hands extended towards each one, waiting to welcome them home.
By marshallng our forces in advance, just as was done this month in Austin, Texas, the plans of the enemy will be routed and OUR GOD WILL REIGN on the streets of Washington, D.C.!
Please note . . .
When lifting up prayer about these "enemy troops," our intercession is in fact aimed towards the forces in the heavenlies that are holding them captive!
It is written:
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)
"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13)
Let us now stand together, dressed in the full armor of God in this evil day, at the gate of the highest authority in this land, praying for our nation, our President, and our upcoming elections.
In His Amazing Grace, we invite all of you to join us as we LAY SIEGE TO THE SIEGE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.