February 1, 2010 Prayer Guide

 

Dear Praying Friend,

 

This month, our children – in addition to exchanging valentines with friends, will learn about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, two of our nation’s presidents who typified the patriotic fervor of our nation, godly men of integrity, valor, and character. But will our children learn the truth – that these men loved God and firmly held to a biblical worldview, and believed it imperative for our nation to maintain its Christian heritage? Or will they learn a revised version of our early history that downplays the Christian foundation of these men and our early founders?

 

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensible supports…in vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens…” (George Washington, Farewell Address, September 17, 1796)

 

“And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion…reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles.” (George Washington, Farewell Address, September 17, 1796)

 

“The only assurance of our nation’s safety is to lay our foundation in morality and religion.” (Abraham Lincoln)

 

“The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.” (George Washington, Inaugural Address, 1789)

 

“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. 

 

“But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.” (Abraham Lincoln, Proclamation Appointing a National Fast Day, March 30, 1863)

 

Our three-branched form of government reflects God as Lawgiver, Judge, and King, and our nation’s historic documents and the inscriptions on our historic buildings depict the truth of our Christian heritage, yet despite these good beginnings, in many ways, America is rejecting its Christian foundations. Not only have we largely forgotten God, but also a battle is – and has been – underway to rid the United States of its religious heritage and the place Christianity plays in our culture.

 

Not surprisingly, the family has been hardest hit in this battle. Marriages are under attack with rampant unfaithfulness, divorce, cohabitation and now a push toward homosexual marriage. Families, with their fabric already weakening, are being impacted by rebelliousness, teen sexuality, promiscuity, gambling, drugs, and alcoholism. Human life, bearing the image of God Almighty and the sacrifice of Christ for salvation, has been cheapened by abortion, physician-assisted suicide, and embryonic stem-cell research. 

 

During the Perry trial in San Francisco last month, promoters of same-sex marriage actually castigated religion. “A Stanford political science professor testified that, in his opinion, organized religion in the United States is such an overwhelming threat to gays and lesbians that they should be declared a vulnerable ‘minority’ entitled to extraordinary legal protections under the US Constitution. In short, he concluded, ‘religion is the problem.’” (“What First Amendment?”, Andy Pugno, ProtectMarriage.com blog, January 22, 2010)

 

Even the approaching Super Bowl 44 (XLIV) is tainted, as detractors pressure CBS not to air a pro-life commercial featuring college football star Tim Tebow and his mother, Pam. Critics say the ad, produced by Focus on the Family, is divisive and should not be shown during the biggest sporting event of the year. The Tebows are unabashedly pro-life. Pam ignored doctors’ advice to abort her fifth child and gave birth to Tim.  

 

What has happened in our nation? We have forsaken God, and our culture continues a downward spiral that can only be reversed by the fervent prayers of a humbled, repentant people who seek the restoration of their nation. This month, dear praying friend, address the Sovereign Lord in humility, and add your voice to faithful prayer warriors praying for the cleansing and returning of our fellow citizens. 

 

California Family Council

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

 

·       With the celebration of Presidents’ Day this month, praise God for the God-honoring men and women who founded our country and the biblical values embedded in our laws and culture. Pray that Judeo-Christian principles in our laws and culture would be protected and strengthened. 

 

·       that God would redeem the people of our state and nation, and raise up praying moms and dads, citizens, businessmen, and politicians to turn to Him in earnest prayer on behalf of California and its people. 

 

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

 

·       for God’s grace and mercy to prevail in the battle to preserve marriage in our state and nation. Indeed, this battle is one between truth and lie, between light and dark – a battle in the heavenlies, where we fight against “the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

 

·       for those blinded by the lies of the world, who are trapped in homosexuality, in promiscuous sexual activity, and in pride and selfishness.

 

·       that a February emphasis on Valentine’s Day – and an initiative to claim the week leading up to Valentine’s Day as National Marriage Week – would remind Californians to treasure the institution of marriage and their own marriages. Pray that efforts by homosexual activists to co-opt Valentine’s Day – and the days following it – to promote same-sex marriage will not succeed.

 

·       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 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.

 

·       and praise God for recent news that the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), California’s massive voter-approved stem-cell research agency, has recognized the folly in using ineffective, morally tinged embryonic stem cells and has shifted its efforts to adult stem cells, which are safer, do not waste preborn lives, and have proven effective in realizing medical breakthroughs. Pray that researchers, policymakers, and the public would recognize the value in using adult stem cells to cure serious disease.

 

·       and praise God that the election of a new senator from Massachusetts has put the brakes on Washington’s march to ram through unpopular health-care legislation that would force taxpayers to fund abortions. 

 

·       that teens would choose abstinence as the only truly safe way to protect themselves from the emotional and physical scars associated with sexual activity outside of marriage. Pray that God would bring voices of truth into the schools, media, and peer groups respected and frequented by teens.

 

·       In light of a recent Kaiser Foundation study showing children 8-18 spend an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes daily using entertainment media, pray that parents will heed the cautionary warning, oversee the usage, and make sure they are spending quality time with their youngsters.

 

·       that legislators will strive to protect parental rights and authority – and not undermine the relationship between parent and child – as they consider legislation this session.

 

·       that Californians of Christian faith would engage in cultural transformation by serving in their churches, communities, and local schools and by participating actively in the political/legislative process.

 

·       for California legislators who returned to the Capitol last month. Pray that they will work with transparency, discernment, and integrity – in a spirit of unity – to solve the daunting issues facing California. 

 

·       for wisdom and discernment for legislators and their staffs who are beginning to examine new bill proposals. (The deadline for introducing new legislation is February 19.) 

 

·       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. 

 

·       that legislators would listen to the people they represent and craft honest, workable solutions to a state deficit estimated to be close to $21 billion. The families of California are making difficult financial 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 – a Spanish-language event February 6 in Santa Maria, and two events on May 1 and 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.

 

United in passionate, effective prayer for California families

www.californiafamily.org