So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no fault in this Man." Luke 23:4

Dear Praying Friends,

Christians throughout the world are observing Passion Week, remembering Christ in His trial, crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection. These facts are the "crux" of our faith. The American Heritage Dictionary defines "crux" (meaning "cross" in Latin) as "1. The basic, central, or critical point or feature. 2. A puzzling or apparently insoluble problem."

For some, Christ is all. Others, like Pilate, are puzzled about what to do with Jesus. Still others, like the Jewish religious leaders, make a career of defaming Him, doing all they can to prevent His public influence. Others profess faith, yet their works deny Him. How blessed we are that our Forefathers believed in Him and worked diligently to infuse His values into the foundation of our nation.

Yet today, we must individually and collectively decide who Jesus will be in our society. Our choices will bring blessings or curses. At the Roman judgment seat, Pilate found Jesus blameless, but yielded to political pressure and the mob who cried: "Crucify Him, Crucify Him!" America must never wash our hands of Jesus. Each of us will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, but nations experience His judgments in the here and now!

The sinless Son of God subjected himself to death for our redemption. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Cor 5:21).

The Apostle Peter writes of this glorious gospel:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you...

Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ... as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy... ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold...but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God (1 Pet 1:3-21).

National Day of Prayer Ruling -- Last Thursday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit dismissed a lawsuit (3-0) against the National Day of Prayer, overturning U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Crabb's ruling it was "unconstitutional."

An amicus brief submitted by Family Research Council and Liberty Institute argued that the plaintiff, the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF), had no legal standing. Lead counsel and FRC Senior Fellow Ken Klukowski, praised the court, adding this "is a reminder of the paramount importance of good judges on the federal bench." The group may now appeal to the full seven judge panel, but Ken says, the result will be the same! (See Story, Amicus, National Day of Prayer Task Force, Ruling, FFRF).

• Praise God for vindicating the National Day of Prayer! May NDP's impact this year be greater than ever! May Christians make every day a national day of prayer. May God hear our repentant prayers and intervene to save our nation. May He bless those who have worked tirelessly to promote and defend this important Day: Dr. James and Shirley Dobson, Mrs. Bill (Vonette) Bright, their staffs and thousands of volunteer team members. And may God give us judges who fear Him! (1 Sam 7:5-12; 2 Chr 7:14; Is 62:6; Joel 1:14; 2:15-19; Lk 11:1 ff; 1 Tim 2:1-8; Rev 8:3-5)

President Obama's Economic Speech -- Last Wednesday, the President delivered a speech at George Washington University, billed as his spending and deficit reduction plan, which are the very themes that led to the Republican takeover of the House in November 2010. Instead, the speech was an attack on Republican plans, adjudged by many as a harsh, political salvo that suggests the tone of the President's re-election campaign. Experts saw few clear promises except that Americans who receive government assistance will continue to do so (43% of Americans), and that the rest will pay for it (57% of Americans). Obama also promised that America's wealthiest citizens will be taxed. What is the definition of "wealthiest?" Analysts say Obama means individuals earning over $200,000 and couples earning over $250,000 per year -- the businesspeople whose investments are needed to grow the economy and create jobs.

Moreover, some saw the President's speech as an open vision for American socialism and a rallying cry to class warfare. Standard & Poor's, the 150+ year old investment research firm has downgraded the U.S. credit rating from "stable" to "negative," warning that the next two years will tell. The Wall Street Journal blamed President Obama's speech, which signaled little hope for improved cooperation between the White House and Congress. Recent budget negotiations demonstrated that the President and Senate leaders would rather shut down government than defund Planned Parenthood. How government confiscates from those who will work and redistributes to those who wont work, uses our tax dollars for morally reprehensible purposes, and passes on debt to future generations are moral issues (see S&P Rating, Speech Transcript, Video).

• Pray God will intervene to save us from economic self-destruction. May He raise up men who fear Him, love truth and hate covetousness to shape our budget debate! May our nation turn to Him in repentance, so that He can send His blessing again! (Gen 3:16; Ex 18:2; Dt 15:6; 28:all, esp. v. 12; 1 Sam 8:6-22; 1 Ki 12:6-15b; Ps 37:21; Is 3:4; Joel 2:17-19; Lk 16:1 ff, esp. 10-12; Rom 13:8; 1 Cor 4; 2 Th 3:10-12)

White House Easter Prayer Breakfast -- Yesterday, President Obama hosted an Easter Prayer Breakfast for 130 clergymen and women in the East Room of the White House. Invited were clergy from Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox traditions, as well as non-traditional groups, among them clergy from homosexual and pro-homosexual denominations, one considered a forerunner in shaping homosexual theology. (CNN Report, WH Transcript).

• Pray that God will give to us leaders with a Christian worldview, people who know and keep God's eternal laws in public, in private, and in the way they influence public policy (Dt 17:15-20; Ps 1: all; Jas 1:21-25; 1 Jn 2:28-29; 3:7; 2 Tim 3:16-4:5).

Finally, as you and your family meditate upon our faultless Savior this week, and what He has done for us, may His presence grace your home and your place of worship. Please take time to pray for our nation -- that our fellow countrymen -- high, low, rich and poor, will wholly embrace Jesus, Who is the Hope of our nation!