Democrats and Republicans gazed Sunday into starkly different [predictions] ahead of midterm elections a little more than a week away, doubling down on their chances to retain or retake the upper chamber and backing their respective leaders as men of vision.

Republican candidates are polling slightly ahead of Democrats in top Senate races, raising GOP hopes of gaining six seats and full control of Congress.

Pray that God's appointed leaders will be elected in this coming election.

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4) 

POST-ELECTION PLANS FOR A SECRET RADICAL AGENDA 

President Obama has punted almost every hot-button issue past the key midterm elections on Nov. 4.

Obama has postponed decisions on a raft of contentious issues related to ObamaCare, Gitmo, immigration and his Cabinet.

This is partly to protect Democratic candidates and hold onto the Senate. But it's more than that. Obama plans a number of radical moves later this year when the administration believes the media, and the public, are paying less attention.

Finance Minister Yair Lapid warned ... that a crisis exists in Israeli-American relations, after Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon was snubbed by the Obama administration during his trip to Washington last week.

"There is a crisis with the US and we should treat it as a crisis," Lapid said.

"Relations with the US are necessary and important to the State of Israel and we must do everything in the world to get out of the crisis," he said at a cultural event in Tel Aviv on Saturday.

Prayer focus: It does not take a Washington insider to interpret the statements and counter-statements in this article from The Jerusalem Post. We have watched, read about, and listened to the deteriorating bonds between the U.S. and Israel for at least 18 months. In truth, no one can predict what President Obama's position will be if he is forced to choose between ties with Israel and the saber-rattling Iran might do if its nuclear development program succeeds to weapon status. There is no question that the president harbors sympathetic feelings for Islam. Please pray with wisdom and biblical insight. Intercession is a marathon, not a dash. Perspective is vital. Israel must learn some day that its salvation is in God, not in or from the United States. God's promise is that the Jews will believe in and receive Messiah some day.

"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." (Rom 10:1-4)  

NORTH DAKOTA ARGUES 'RIGHT-TO-LIFE' INTENT           

Megan Madden has tried to educate herself about the eight measures facing North Dakota voters on Election Day. But only one - an amendment that would declare in the state constitution that life begins at conception - still has her confused.

"I read the paper and I've read all the brochures about it that are stuck in my door," the 27-year-old Bismarck convenience store manager said. "I understand what the measure says but I still don't know what it really means."

"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live...." (Deut 30:19)