December 15, 2009 Prayer Guide

 

Dear Praying Friend,

One of our most cherished Christmas carols provides a reminder that God is in control and that we can trust Him in things both large and small. One legend says that “Silent Night, Holy Night” was penned by a young priest with a problem – a broken parish organ that would not be fixed until after Christmas. Taking some time away, the priest climbed to a favorite place high in the hills. As he gazed down upon his silent village below, the words he would fashion into “Silent Night, Holy Night, all is calm, all is bright” filled his mind. Showing the poem to church organist Franz Gruber resulted in the memorable melody to a cherished carol. 

 

As we end 2009 and enter 2010, we can rejoice that our God knows our needs and delights in meeting them in surprising, yet blessed, ways. Not only did the small village church have beautiful music for its Christmas Eve service, but the world has been blessed with the words and tune of a beautiful song. So, too, God knows our needs and delights in surprising us with unexpected solutions to our needs. 

 

As we continue to pray for the laws, lawmakers, and culture of California, we continually see the reality that God is sovereign, and, though his ways may not always be our ways, He is faithfully at work bringing about unexpected solutions in our lives, families, churches, and communities. As 2009 comes to an end, we enter a new year with all the hope and anticipation we expect as children of our heavenly Father. 2010 promises to be filled with God’s goodness in often-surprising and unexpected ways.

 

Thank you for joining CFC this year in praying for the families of California. We wish you a blessed Christmas and a joyous 2010. The next prayer communication (January 1, 2010) will reach your inbox the week of January 4. 

 

California Family Council

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

 

·       for the legal team representing Proposition 8 and the will of the people of California in the federal court challenge due to begin January 11, 2010. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the attorneys, and that God would grant them favor and free them from opposition attacks. Pray for the men and women on the front lines, defending marriage from attack.

 

·       and praise God that the appellate court ruled to protect the private, internal communications of the ProtectMarriage.com committee from exposure to those seeking to overturn the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.

 

·       and praise God, too, for the likely failure of efforts to qualify a measure for the 2010 ballot attempting to overturn Prop 8. Pray that God would hinder current media efforts by pro-homosexual activists to deceive Californians that homosexual marriage is no different from traditional marriage.

 

·       and praise God that trends nationwide are moving against the inevitability of same-sex marriage. Last week, a lame-duck legislative session in New Jersey failed to ram homosexual marriage through its legislature before Gov. Chris Christie takes office.

 

·       that God’s truth of marriage as between one man and one woman would remain 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 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 for a continuing decline in support for abortion. A recent CNN poll found 63 percent of Americans oppose all or most abortions, and 61 percent oppose tax-funded abortions. Several recent studies also demonstrate a massive decline in the actual number of abortion facilities. Pray that America’s pro-life beliefs would trump the policies of politicians and policymakers.

 

·       that federal legislators would listen to the voices of their constituents – not powerful special interests – about controversial federal health-care legislation. Praise God for an abysmal showing of pro-abortionists at a Washington, D.C. rally earlier this month.  

 

·       that parents would realize their authority in their child’s education is under attack and take strides to protect it. Earlier this month, parental outcry, followed by months of heated debate, led to a vote by the Alameda Board of Education to phase out the elementary school pro-homosexual curriculum it had adopted, and a Santa Barbara teacher and principal came under sharp public criticism for not adhering to the district screening policy prior to allowing a pro-homosexual group to speak to junior-high students. Pray that parents statewide would be a unified voice to protect their children.

 

·       and praise God that the Sacramento-area San Juan Unified School District retained its parental consent rule – despite a possible loss of state funds – prior to allowing students to leave campus for “confidential medical services,” which may include abortion, birth control, and mental and drug counseling.

·       that parents would use the opportunities presented by the holidays – and time together as families – to teach their children the truths of Christianity. During a time when secular messages – in schools, marketplace, and culture – blast a humanistic message about Christmas – parents must insure that their children are not confused by clashing messages.

 

·       that millions of Americans would embrace their biblical convictions as nearly 300,000 people have done by signing the Manhattan Declaration, a pledge to stand for life, marriage, and religious freedom. Pray that these individuals would boldly speak out on the issues dear to them when they are challenged.

 

·       that California families will remain especially vigilant to anti-family measures now that openly homosexual Assemblyman John A. Pérez has been chosen Speaker-elect of the Assembly. The highest ranking member of the Assembly, the Speaker’s policy proposals are given deferential treatment. Under Pérez, pro-homosexual proposals will undoubtedly increase. Pray, too, that Speaker-elect Pérez will respond with courage to the Truth, not cultural lies that have deceived so many citizens.

 

·       that Californians of faith would confidently express their beliefs about Christmas and Hanukkah in the workplace, in schools, or in the public square. 

 

·       for California families and individuals who find it difficult to rejoice this Christmas season – due to financial hardship, depression, or family illness and death. Pray that they would know and experience love from a Savior who gave his very life for them. 

 

·       that legislators would listen to the people they represent and craft honest, workable solutions to a state deficit now estimated to be close to $21 billion. Pray for those families impacted by the downturn – through the loss of a job or home, debt, or rising, out-of-control costs. The families of California are making difficult choices. Pray that legislators would, likewise, seek wisdom and practice courage to solve California’s budget issues.

 

·       for CFC’s continued efforts to serve God in 2010 by transforming the laws and culture of California. Pray that our upcoming Truth Project leaders’ training sessions would transform people into influencers, equipped to articulate a biblical worldview. 

 

United in passionate, effective prayer for California families

www.californiafamily.org