May 17, 2010 Prayer Guide
May 17, 2010
Dear Praying Friend,
Earlier this month, our nation celebrated the National Day of Prayer. From its infancy, American presidents and statesmen have called the country to special times of prayer and fasting – and celebration – to thank God for his bountiful blessings. In 1952, federal legislation required the president annually to issue a proclamation designating a national day of prayer. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation amending the law to permanently celebrate the National Day of Prayer on the first Thursday in May.
Throughout our national history, presidents and Congress alike have initiated proclamations of prayer. Since 1952, 164 presidential prayer proclamations have been issued, and all 50 governors have issued proclamations honoring the National Day of Prayer. (President Barack Obama’s 2010 proclamation; Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2010 proclamation)
President Abraham Lincoln believed, “It is the duty of nations as well as men, to owe their dependence upon the overruling power of God.” Putting this belief into practice, prior to the battle at Gettysburg, Lincoln turned to God in prayer. “I went to my room one day and I locked the door and got down on my knees before Almighty God and prayed to him mightily for victory at Gettysburg,” the turning point of the Civil War.
Many have opined that Lincoln, just as Esther in the Old Testament, was divinely placed for a particular time and place. The theme for this year’s National Day of Prayer was “For Such a Time as This,” based on Nahum 1:7 – “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”
Generations have sung, “God shed his grace on thee,” and indeed He has blessed our nation. But our nation has grown complacent and neglected the Christian heritage of our forefathers. Perhaps, though, as we fall from past greatness, we are ripe for repentance. Pray for the turning of our nation and our state – from selfish pride to the redemption of Jesus Christ. Perhaps we, too, have been perfectly placed “for such a time as this.”
California Family Council
Please Pray…
…for the sanctity of marriage
· for the approaching end of the federal trial in San Francisco challenging the constitutionality of Prop 8. Closing arguments are scheduled for June 16. Pray that attorneys defending Prop 8 would clearly summarize their arguments and make a strong closing statement; pray, too, that Judge Walker would competently fulfill his duty to evaluate the arguments presented, without bias.
· for those couples planning spring and summer weddings. Pray they will enter marriage with a strong commitment to their vows to each other, before God. Pray, too, for couples whose marriages have now become battlegrounds, instead of true partnerships and oases of mutual care, respect, and support.
· 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.
…for the protection of life
· that Christians would embrace the sanctity of life as their own personal mission and minister to their local communities by helping with crisis pregnancy centers and adoption ministries.
· that women would think twice – and consider the financial, moral, and social implications – about unmarried motherhood. While headlines recently touted falling birthrates, blamed on the recession, the rest of the story was that 40.6 percent of the births in 2008 were to unmarried mothers, a factor which yields adverse circumstances for both child and mother – and devastating taxpayer and societal costs.
…for parental authority
· that Truth would overcome the humanist deception prevalent in our public schools. Pray for the many children who are exposed daily to misleading curricula. With pro-homosexual activists planning to capitalize on Harvey Milk Day on May 22 in the public schools, pray that teachers and schools would choose to protect the hearts and minds of children rather than promote politically charged issues.
· that legislators would exercise caution in order to protect children, family privacy, and parental rights in legislation before them.
…for California families
· that Californians of faith would rise to the challenge to show God’s love to orphans, those waiting for adoption, and those in the foster-care system. As May represents foster-care adoption month, pray these children will discover the love of the Father through the involvement of Californians who care deeply for God and for them.
· for current armed forces and veterans who have sacrificed much to preserve the freedom of California families.
· for the outcomes of the June 8 primary election – that candidates of character and principle will be elected. Pray that voters will choose men and women “…who fear God, trustworthy men [and women] who hate dishonest gain….” Pray, too, that voters examine the issues on the ballot and speak clearly with their votes.
· that legislators will commit themselves to give ample time and attention to California’s budget deficit. Pray they will give serious attention to our economic uncertainties – not cobble together a budget of smoke and mirrors that lacks any depth or merit under fiscal scrutiny.
· for families celebrating the joys of graduation in the upcoming weeks. Pray for those students who will be moving on to universities and the workforce.
…for California Family Council
· 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.
· that our upcoming Truth Project leaders’ training session on June 5 in Modesto would transform people into influencers, equipped to articulate a biblical worldview. Pray that God would draw attendees with open hearts, who are ready to be prepared to challenge hostile voices in today’s culture.
“I will sing of thy steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim thy faithfulness to all generations. For thy steadfast love was established forever, thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens.” – Psalms 89:1-2
United in passionate, effective prayer for California families
