March 1, 2010 Prayer Guide

 

Dear Praying Friend,

Psalm 126:1-3 bubbles over with reminders of God’s goodness. Most scholars agree that the first half of the psalm describes the Israelites when they were released from Babylonian captivity and permitted to return to Jerusalem. 

 

Their joy is palpable, as they rejoice over the restoration of Zion. His goodness was unbelievable, the talk of the nations – almost too good to be true – as they sang, “The Lord had done great things for us.” God is like that – surprising his people with overwhelming, giddy joy and answering prayers with incredible, unexpected responses – more than we could ask or imagine, according to Ephesians 3:20. God’s hand in the passage of Proposition 8 provided some of that same overwhelming joy, a knowledge that only God could’ve orchestrated a miracle of that magnitude. 

 

Many California natives remember a time in California’s not-so-distant past, when the Golden State was full of promise and families delighted in raising their families, while basking in the reality of a state with unrivaled schools and services. 

The second half of Psalm 126 (vs. 4-6) concludes with a plea for God to do it again – surprise them by joy with an unexpected, totally remarkable answer to their current situation – and a promise that tearful sowing will end in joyful reaping. “Restore our fortunes, Lord, like watercourses in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. Though one goes along weeping, carrying a bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.”

 

As Californians search for solutions to their tarnished state – with its rampant unemployment, faltering economy, massive state debt, and deteriorating families and schools – let’s take a lesson from the Jewish pilgrims. Remember God’s abundant past faithfulness to us and humbly petition for God to do it again. 

 

California Family Council

P.S. CFC’s bimonthly prayer guides can also be found online at www.californiafamily.org.

 

 

·       With the conclusion of arguments in the federal challenge to the constitutionality of Proposition 8 in San Francisco, continue to pray for the outcome of the trial. Pray that Judge Walker would competently fulfill his duty to evaluate the arguments presented, without bias. 

 

·       that the truths presented during the trial would seep into the hearts and minds of those who do not know God. Pray that observers, attorneys, staffs, and court personnel would be reached as a result of Perry v. Schwarzenegger. 

·       that the truth behind SB 906, Sen. Mark Leno’s “civil marriage” proposal, would be clear to legislators, policy makers, media, and citizens. While ostensibly a protection of the religious freedoms of clergy, SB 906 changes the term “marriage” in California law to “civil marriage,” laying the foundation for different classifications of marriage – perhaps a forerunner to religious marriage and same-sex marriage. 

 

·       that God’s truth of marriage as between one man and one woman would remain steadfast and victorious in California – despite court challenges, petitions, future initiative drives, media blasts, and pro-homosexual voter-education campaigns. Pray that the people of California – and the nation – would discern the truth that natural marriage, a symbolic picture of the unity of Christ and his church, is the foundation of society and the best place for bringing up children.

 

·       and praise God that a recent government-financed study found that a targeted, abstinence-only class had a significant and long-lasting impact on teen sexual activity – and that pro-condom, “safe” sex education failed to improve students’ chances of using contraception when engaged in sexual activity. Pray that teens would choose abstinence as the only truly safe way to protect themselves from the emotional and physical scars associated with sexual activity outside of marriage. Pray that God would bring voices of truth into the schools, media, and peer groups respected and frequented by teens.

 

·       and praise God that secular media is beginning to voice the need for more oversight of California’s stem-cell agency. Pray for wisdom and discernment for legislators as they examine Sen. Elaine Alquist’s SB 1064 aimed at providing more oversight and transparency for the beleaguered agency. 

 

·       In light of a new Rasmussen poll showing that 80 percent of Americans believe it is a parent’s responsibility to teach their children about sex, pray that policy makers would take heed and allow parents to do that job instead of schools. 

 

·       As pro-homosexual curriculum becomes more prevalent in public schools, pray parents would become aware of what is happening in their neighborhood school, and combat any expansion on their child’s campus.

·       that Californians of Christian faith would engage in cultural transformation by serving in their churches, communities, and local schools and by participating actively in the political/legislative process.

 

·       for legislators and their staffs as they examine language in thousands of new bills introduced prior to last month’s deadline. Pray for wisdom and discernment to understand all the issues and that legislators will protect their constituents’ concerns – not those of special, politically powerful interests. Pray they will protect parental authority and the innocence of children. 

 

·       for California families and individuals who face disappearing jobs and life savings, dissolving marriages, and moral confusion and failings. Pray they would find the answer to their uncertainties and challenges by placing their trust in a loving Savior. 

 

·       for CFC’s continued efforts to serve God in 2010 by transforming the laws and culture of California. 

 

·       for wisdom and discernment as CFC staff sorts through several thousand bills introduced prior to the submission deadline last week.

 

 

United in passionate, effective prayer for California families

www.californiafamily.org