Prayer Guide

December reminds us of the birth of a Savior, of our homes and families, treasured decorations, and sentimental Christmas carols.

Tragic, yet as Longfellow grappled with his emotions, his poem reflected the ability to overcome, because “"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men." What hope and joy his words bring us at Christmas! 

Often we, too, grapple with life in a fallen world, and the emotions and pain that come from an inability to escape them. The differences between darkness and light, between good and evil, are apparent in our world, our culture, today. Yet time and again, we have witnessed God at work: the baby saved from abortion, the reconciliation of a marriage on the brink of divorce, the return of a prodigal child, the healing of a seriously ill friend, and the salvation of a lost soul who returns to the Savior. 

These acts – and many more – would not happen save for the grace of God, the Son he sent, and a perfect sacrifice alone on a cross. The victory is won – and we especially remember that in this season, while our lost world still needs a Savior. 

Thank you for journeying with us in prayer for the families of California this year, and we look forward to the challenges in 2012. We wish you a blessed Christmas and a joyous 2012!  

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men." 

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

Please Pray…

…for the sanctity of marriage

• that God’s truth of man-woman marriage would remain victorious in California – despite court challenges, future initiative drives, media blasts, and pro-homosexual voter-education drives. 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 situation for bringing up children.  
• for endurance and strength in the continuing battle to protect Proposition 8 and marriage nationwide. Pray that God would shepherd the Prop 8 appeal as it moves forward through the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals – and quite probably the United States Supreme Court.
• that politicians and judges will heed the will of the people and support laws that strengthen marriage as only between a man and a woman. Pray for those elected men and women who choose to identify with a small homosexual minority – distancing themselves from the families of California.   

…for the protection of life

• for the defeat of any 2012 legislation that weakens the sanctity of life. Pray that legislators will vote to protect – not trivialize – life at any and all stages. 
• and praise God that the birthrate among teens aged 15-19 has continued to decline – to the lowest level since the government began tracking the data 70 years ago. 

…for parental authority

• 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 Californians of faith will unite in carefully thought-out and planned efforts to overturn recent homosexual worldview expansions into public school curriculum. Pray that parents and teachers will prayerfully prepare now to protect children from the dangers of SB 48 (homosexual social studies), when it becomes law Jan. 1, 2012. 
• that legislators would strive to protect parental rights and authority – and not undermine the relationship between parent and child – as they consider legislation this year.

…for California families 

• that Californians of faith would confidently express their beliefs about Christmas in the workplace, schools, or in the public square. 
• for those California families and individuals who find it difficult to rejoice in this season – due to financial hardship, depression, family illness and death. Pray they would know and experience love from a Savior who gave his very life for them.
• that California families would remain especially vigilant to anti-family measures. With openly homosexual Assembly Speaker John Perez, a contingent of seven lesbian and homosexual legislators, and a legislative majority sympathetic to homosexual rights and worldview, nearly a dozen supportive bills were signed into law last year alone.
• that Californians would engage with their elected representatives in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Pray that God would open the eyes of the electorate to the character and belief systems of their representatives, and that voters would wisely elect those who share their values – not blindly support a particular candidate or political party. 

…for California Family Council

• for CFC’s continued efforts to serve God in 2012 – by transforming the laws and culture of California. Please pray for the income necessary to fulfill what God desires of CFC. 
• for unity among believers and in citizens’ groups with which CFC is involved. Pray that the witness of Christ in the public square would be pure and untarnished.
• that Californians would increasingly be exposed to a biblical worldview. Pray for additional opportunities for CFC to present the Truth Project, Focus on the Family’s DVD-based curriculum designed to impart a biblical worldview.
  

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ’The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ – which means, ‘God with us.’” 
– Matthew 1:21-23 

United in passionate, effective prayer for California families
 www.californiafamily.org