October 1, 2009 Prayer Guide
October 1, 2009
Dear Praying Friend,
Christians unanimously agree that prayer is a key ingredient to living victoriously in a sin-tainted world; yet how often do we follow Christ’s example of “withdrawing to a quiet place to pray”? We rush from an appointment to a pressing errand while shooting “arrow prayers” into the air, but how often do we pull away from the hubbub of daily life to quiet our thoughts and commune in private with our Lord? It’s often a question of priorities, and often our lack of prayer is a sad reflection of what we really think is important.
Prayer is both a challenge and a privilege, and yet all too often we forget the power that is available to us through prayer. James reminds us that often we “have not” because we do not ask (4:2) and that “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Psalm 34:8a says, “O taste and see that the Lord is good.”
CFC prioritizes prayer, and our staff joins in corporate prayer on a regular weekly basis. However, this summer – due to busyness and staff vacations – the bimonthly prayer communication was put on hiatus. To those of you who missed our prayer points in your inboxes, we apologize and thank you for your faithfulness to pray with us and use our publications in your private and corporate periods of prayer. As we resume our bimonthly prayer communications this fall, please continue to pray with us for the issues facing California.
God has done great things in answer to the prayers of His people, and, as witnesses and participants in the miracle known as Proposition 8, we ask you to join with us in praising Him for his goodness and mercy and in faithfully lifting up the families of California in prayer. Surely more things than we realize are impacted and changed by the prayers of God’s people. In the words of 20th-century evangelist and author Paul Billheimer, “When the books are opened and the spiritual history of the nations of the world is unfolded, it will be written for all to read that the prayers, not the mayors, kings, prime ministers, presidents or president’s men, are the real molders of events.”
California Family Council
P.S. CFC’s bimonthly prayer guides can also be found online at www.californiafamily.org.
Please Pray…
…for the sanctity of marriage
· that efforts underway to overturn Proposition 8 – both in federal court and on a future California ballot – would not come to fruition. Pray God would give wisdom and discernment to the people of California – and the nation – to recognize the true value of tradition al marriage to families and society, and to refuse to accept the lies and myths espoused by supporters of same-gender marriage.
· that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger would side with the expressed will of the people in passing Proposition 8 and not flaunt their intentions by signing SB 54, which would require California to recognize same-sex marriages performed outside the state prior to the November 5, 2008 passage of Proposition 8.
…for the protection of life
· pray that the culture of abortion and euthanasia, markedly present in our government officials, media outlets, and public schools, would be reversed and replaced with ideals that value life at both ends of the spectrum. As current public debate swirls around health care, pray that all life would be valued and that any solution will protect the preborn and the inherent value of human life.
· and thank God for legislative strides made to remove barriers on husbands and wives who want to adopt. Pray the governor would agree with such sound principle and sign the handful of bills on his desk that accomplish that legislative goal.
· Pray that the pro-life community will step up to the plate and actively provide financial, emotional, and adoptive help to women who make a difficult decision to give an unplanned, preborn child the gift of life.
…for parental authority
· and praise God that Senate Bill (SB) 543 (Leno), legislation to circumvent parental authority and allow children as young as 12 access to mental health treatment without parental knowledge, failed to make it out of the Legislature. Pray that legislators would consider the authority of parents – and not arguments of homosexual activists – and refuse to pass SB 543 in 2010.
· as children have recently returned to classrooms across the state, pray that moms and dads would remain involved in their classrooms and would cover their children, their teachers, and their schools in prayer.
· that teachers would respect parental beliefs and authority. Pray that God would strengthen Christian teachers on the mission field of public schools.
…for California families
· for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger who has until October 11 to sign, veto, or allow legislation to pass into law without his signature. Pray that he would listen to voices of truth and act with wisdom in considering the bills he signs into law.
· Pray for young people confused by the prevalence of positive homosexual messages in the media, their schools, and among their peers. October is LGBT History Month, during which many schools study and honor homosexual icons. With recent emphasis on Harvey Milk and Senate Bill (SB) 572, this month ma y take on added emphasis this year.
· October is Clergy Appreciation Month, a time set aside by churches to honor their pastors, church leaders, and their families for their dedication and sacrificial giving to enrich the lives of churches and communities. This month, pray not only for your own pastor, but for pastors statewide – for blessing, wisdom, and the ability to rouse their people to live godly lives.
· that God will enlighten legislators and policy makers with truly family-friendly solutions to California’s looming problems – the budget, water supply, prisons, and economic uncertainty. Pray that our elected representatives will be fair to families and not heed special-interest demands. Pray, too, that legislators will not fall to the lure of temptations that seem to follow with the tr appings of elected office.
· for the many families, impacted by recent fires, plus the downturn in the economy, who are struggling due to a loss of job or home, debt, or rising costs.
…for California Family Council
· that California citizens will increasingly be exposed to a biblical worldview. Pray for the expansion of the message and lessons in the Truth Project, Focus on the Family’s DVD-based curriculum designed to impart a biblical worldview. Pray that men and women will come to future CFC-hosted Tru th Project events with receptive spirits, ready to learn what God has for them. Pray, too, for the roll-out of True University, a program aimed specifically at teens entering college, expected later this month.
· for rest and rejuvenation for CFC staff following the hectic, close-of-session legislative period.
“But I will sing of thy might; I will sing aloud of thy steadfast love in the morning. For thou hast been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to thee, for thou, O God, art my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love. ” – Psalms 59:16-17
United in passionate, effective prayer for California families
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