April 1, 2010 Prayer Guide

 

Dear Praying Friend,

 

“He is not here; for He is risen as He said.” (Matthew 28:6) These words, spoken by the angel in the empty tomb, are a pivotal point of history. Following God’s carefully scripted plan of redemption, the Lamb of God became the only acceptable sacrifice providing redemption to “all who believe.” The focal point of Christ’s death and resurrection echo throughout history, painting civilization and culture with an imprint of biblical wisdom. 

 

From its earliest beginning, the United States based its laws and culture on the framework of Christianity. Author and French statesman Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859) in Democracy in America, wrote, “In the United States the sovereign authority is religious,… there is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America, and there can be no greater proof of its utility and of its conformity to human nature than that its influence is powerfully felt over the most enlightened and free nation of the earth.” 

 

U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Josiah Brewer, writing for the Court in 1892, penned, “Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian.”

 

Fast-forward to Easter 2010. Our institutions – marriage, family, and parental authority – are on trial. To the peril of the preborn, the disabled, and the aged, life is no longer sacred; and families – tattered by selfishness, divorce, rebellion, addictions, and abuse – are being ripped apart. Marriage itself struggles to remain intact, and children are lost in a humanist jumble. One can no longer say our nation is predominantly Christian. In fact, a recent Barna study looking at our diverse nation found that, while most Americans described Easter as a religious celebration, only 42 percent could identify the underlying meaning linking Easter to faith in Christ’s resurrection. 

 

Three decades ago, President Ronald W. Reagan recognized our need to “turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America…our country is in need of and ready for a spiritual renewal.” Our country is still in need of a return to the God of our forefathers – a return leading to revival. 

 

Spring in Sacramento stirs hope and new life. Winter’s barren trees have budded, scenting the air with fragrant blossoms, and golden California poppies dot the landscape. The beauty of God’s creation, resplendent in its spring coat of bright colors and greenery, reminds us of hope after the darkness of winter. Perhaps it is time, too, for us, as Americans, to throw off sin’s entanglements, rejoice, and move forward with the newness of life that is our gift in Christ. May the songs and sounds of spring remind you to continue to pray for our culture and our state, with a song of joy in your heart and a spring in your step. 

 

“Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for there is faithful love with the Lord, and with Him is redemption in abundance.” (Psalm 130:7)

 

California Family Council

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

 

 

·       for a return to God and revival in our state and nation.

 

·       for the outcome of the federal trial challenging the constitutionality of Prop 8 in San Francisco. Pray that Judge Walker would competently fulfill his duty to evaluate the arguments presented, without bias. 

 

·       for those who have been enticed by an expanding acceptance of homosexuality. Pray that these “lost souls,” drawn into an unhealthy, morally unacceptable lifestyle, will be reached by the piercing love of God and drawn to the truth. Pray for families and loved ones whose relationships are disrupted by disagreements. Pray for healing and unity, and the removal of anger, unbelief, and haunting questions.

 

·       for the reversal of recent trends showing markedly increased cohabitation and out-of-wedlock parenting. Not only does cohabitation undermine the institution of marriage, but it is short-lived and does not yield similar health benefits or child stability as does marriage. 

 

·       that the truth behind SB 906, Sen. Mark Leno’s “civil marriage” proposal, would be clear to legislators, policy makers, media, and citizens. (SB 906 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 3-2 on March 23. Praise God for the two senators who opposed this divisive measure – despite criticism from homosexual activists.) While put forth as 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.

 

·       An impressive body of evidence demonstrates that parental communication, monitoring – and attitudes – impact the sexual activity of teens and adolescents. Pray that parents will heed the warning – despite feelings of inadequacy – and talk to their children about this life-altering subject. 

 

·       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. 

 

·       that Truth would overcome the humanist deception prevalent in our public schools. Pray for the many children who are exposed daily to misleading curricula. As spring ushers in a period of profound homosexual campus activism, pray that parents, peers, and teachers would be able to counter the lies proposed by hollow and unreliable philosophies. On April 16, as activists in schools nationwide sponsor a nationwide “Day of Silence” to promote the homosexual agenda, pray for God’s protection of impressionable children. Pray that the message of God’s Truth, presented on an alternative Day of Truth (April 15) will overcome any confusion. 

 

·       that parents would accept the responsibility they have to raise moral, God-honoring citizens and would not abdicate their rights to the state and public education. 

 

·       that, as legislators return from their Easter break on April 5, they will be refreshed and ready to address the business of their constituents with integrity, insight, and honor. Pray they would wisely and honestly consider options to address California’s massive budget shortfall and consider these fiscal constraints in addressing other legislative proposals. 

 

·       for legislators and their staffs as they examine language in thousands of bills which must clear committees in the next few weeks. 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. 

 

·       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. Please pray for the income necessary to fulfill what God desires of CFC. 

 

 

United in passionate, effective prayer for California families

www.californiafamily.org