February 15, 2010 Prayer Guide

 

Dear Praying Friend,

A.W. Tozer once said that were God to remove the Holy Spirit from the world, much of the activity in our churches would go right on – and no one would know that difference. What a sad commentary on our tendency to work for God, run ahead of God, and fail to walk with Him in utter dependence! Zechariah 4:6b says, “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

 

Lord of hosts or Lord Sabaoth reminds us of the unseen spiritual battle that constantly surrounds us and is responsible for much of the unrest in our culture today. Satan prowls about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. (I Peter 5:8) When we fail to walk closely with our Lord, we risk limiting the victory. Indeed, we cannot accomplish what God has for us in our own strength. 

 

The second verse of Martin Luther’s classic hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is our God” expresses this thought well. “Did we in our strength confide, Our striving would be losing, Were not the right man on our side, The man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He – Lord Sabaoth His name, From age to age the same, and He must win the battle.” 

 

The battle isn’t ours, dear praying Friend. It is the Lord’s. When things look dark, and evil appears to be winning, remember that it is not our efforts that count. Call to the Lord for California culture – for the sanctity of marriage, protection of life at all stages, and the authority of parents. 

 

We will be able to say confidently with the psalmist, “With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side to help me; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” (Psalm 118:6-8, emphasis added)

 

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. 

 

·       that the truths presented during the trial would seep into the hearts and minds of those who do not God.  Pray that observers, attorneys, staffs, and court personnel would be reached as a result of Perry v. Schwarzenegger. 

·       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)

 

·       that the truth behind SB 906, Sen. Mark Leno’s “civil marriage” proposal, would be clear to legislators, policy makers, media, and citizens. While ostensibly 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 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 the conversations and discussions that resulted from God’s “marketing” of the Focus on the Family “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life” advertisement that aired during the Super Bowl.  

 

·       and praise God that secular media is beginning to voice the need for more oversight of California’s stem-cell agency. Pray that policy makers would listen and take these concerns seriously.

 

·       and praise God that a recent government-financed study found that a targeted, abstinence-only class had a significant and long-lasting impact on teen sexual activity – and that pro-condom, “safe” sex education failed to improve students’ chances of using contraception when engaged in sexual activity. Pray 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 new Rasmussen poll showing that 80 percent of Americans believe it is a parent’s responsibility to teach their children about sex, pray that policy makers would take heed and allow parents to do that job instead of schools.  

 

·       That same poll determined that the vast majority believe elements of pop culture – movies and television shows, for example – encourage early sexual activity among teens. Pray that parents would rise to the challenge, teach their children about sex, discuss implications of culture with them, and begin to take actions to reverse our promiscuous culture and the “everyone’s doing it” mentality in the schools.

 

·       As pro-homosexual curriculum becomes more prevalent in public schools, pray parents would become aware of what is happening in their neighborhood school, and combat any expansion on their child’s campus.

·       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 legislators and their staffs as they examine language in new bills being introduced. (The deadline for introducing new legislation is February 19.) 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. 

 

·       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 – 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