Prayer Targets: Pray & Vote; iPledge Appeal; White House Iftar; Shooting & Hate, 600 Violations
August 22, 2012
Dear Praying Friends,
Founding Father John Jay (1745-1829), best known as the nation's first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, wrote of our religious duty to vote:
Almost all nations have peace or war at the will and pleasure of rulers whom they do not elect, and who are not always wise or virtuous. Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers... (The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Vol. 4 (1794-1826), Letter to John Murray).
Whether our religion permits Christians to vote for infidel rulers, is a question which merits more consideration than it seems yet to have generally received, either from the clergy or the laity. It appears to me, that what the prophet said to Jehoshaphat about his attachment to Ahab, affords a salutary lesson...
Although the mere expediency of public measures may not be a proper subject for the pulpit, yet, in my opinion, it is the right and the duty of our pastors to press the observance of all moral and religious duties, and to [denounce] every course of conduct which may be repugnant to them (ibid. Letter to Rev. Dr. Morse).
Many experts believe the upcoming election will decide whether we will remain a free people. Every Christian who loves our nation should be engaged: studying the candidates, urging family members, friends and fellow church members to register, be prepared to vote on November 6th. Christians must pray fervently for the election of candidates who come closest to meeting God's qualifications (Ex 18:21).
iPledge Special Appeal - Please help FRC recruit churches to host iPledge Sunday simulcasts Sunday evening, September 9th. FRC, AFA, and cooperating churches will host a live 90-minute "Simulcast" to inform, inspire and guide Christians to make a maximum difference in November. Christian apathy has contributed to our national distress. Yet, if believers pray and act, God may restore "what the locust has eaten." Participants will be urged to take the "iPledge" to: 1) Pray for the nation and the Elections; 2) Prepare by registering and encouraging two others to register and vote; and 3) Participate by voting for candidates who will uphold the Constitution and Biblical values. I am asking Prayer Targets prayer warriors to consider recruiting one pastor/church. Also, we are considering opening the simulcast to home prayer and Bible study groups (Keep an eye on the website - iPledge Sunday).
- May God use the pastors and "prayer warriors" by prayer and a phone call or two, to make a huge difference in iPledge Sunday and the upcoming election! (1 Chr 12:32-33; Ps 37:8-9; 119:126; Is 28:21-26; Jer 4:2-4; 32:39; 35:15)
White House Iftar - Earlier this month, President Obama hosted his 4th annual White House Iftar dinner, the religious meal Muslims celebrate to end the Ramadan fast. The Iftar event stood in bold contrast to the National Day of Prayer. In four years, President Obama has neither hosted a White House NDP event nor sent a representative to the national event on Capitol Hill, as previous presidents have done. In his remarks, the President suggested that Thomas Jefferson may have hosted the first White House Iftar Dinner and he showcased the Koran from Jefferson's library (Fact: Thomas Jefferson long advocated using military force to deal with hostile Muslims in the Mediterranean and ordered the Marines to Tripoli among his first acts as President and had a Koran primarily to study the fanatical religion of his adversaries). President Obama's Iftar remarks are amazing reading. While he said great things about religious freedom, his tribute to Islam stands in shocking contrast to his dealings with Christians and the National Day of Prayer. He praised Muslims in positions throughout his administration. (WH Video, WH Report, Transcript of Remarks, Jefferson, Cozy).
- May Americans realize that God, alone, is our defense and obedience to Him our safety. May God elevate men and women in November who will be diligent in fulfilling government's primary responsibility - national security. May Revival restore obedience to Almighty God in our land! (Ex 20:3; Dt 113:6 ff; 28:1-2, 7, 10; 1 Chr 12: Jdg 4-5; all; Ps 20:7; 1 Tim 2:5-6)
Shooting at FRC: Stop Hating - Last Wednesday, a lone intruder entered the lobby of the Family Research Council's Washington, DC headquarters, made a comment about FRC's "politics," pulled a 9 millimeter handgun from his backpack and began shooting. FRC's building operations manager, Leo Johnson, was struck, shattering the bones in his forearm; yet he managed take the gunman's weapon and wrestle him to the floor. Leo says God told him not to shoot the alleged assailant, Floyd Corkins, II. Others helped subdue Corkins until the DC Police and FBI arrived. Leo endured hours of surgery and will require more, but is doing well, everywhere hailed a hero. FRC staff, locked in Wednesday by authorities, gathered to pray for Leo. One staff member asked that we pray for Corkins, and Tony responded with one of the most beautiful prayers I have ever heard. Those who were here on August 15, 2012 will never be the same.
This tragic scene was predictable! In October 2010, Joe Solmonese, then President of the Human Rights Campaign (largest homosexual rights lobby in Washington), wrote an emotionally charged guest editorial in the Washington Post entitled "Enough of Tony Perkins." He sharply denounced Tony, charging him with "spewing anti-gay hate on our school yards, in our churches, at our community centers, and at our family dinner tables," calling him a "typical abuser." Solmonese wrote, "Same-sex attraction is completely natural. It is not wrong. It is not unhealthy and it is certainly not "sinful." A month later the Southern Poverty Law Center, a controversial far-left group, took up the cause against FRC, assuming to "certify" us and other Christian organizations "hate groups." Since then, homosexual activists have worked in concert to smear Tony and FRC. The "hate" mantra has been repeated and repeated by many media outlets. Posts by pro-homosexual activists on FRC's Facebook page and elsewhere have applauded Wednesday's shooting and suggest more to come. HRC and SPLC are unrepentant (see Perkins, Video, Solmonese, HRC, SPLC, Agreement, Start Debating-Stop Hating, Sprigg, Brown).
- God, You love all men. Only You can bring peace and civility between those who believe in the absolute truth of Scripture and hard science regarding marriage and human sexuality and those who hold disparate views. Intervene to prevent all hatred and to stop the dangerous behavior it can spawn. Protect FRC, our allies and adversaries, alike, our churches, our families and individuals from becoming victims of hate. Please intervene to bring moderation and civility in the public debate over these important issues. And may you win the hearts of all men! (Neh 6:9; Ps 23: all; 90:16-17Mt 5:9-26; Phil 4:6-7; James 3:13-18; 1 Pet 3:11-17)
Finally, a joint study released Monday by FRC and Liberty Institute catalogues over 600 major violations of or assaults on religious liberty by private groups and/or public agencies over the past 10 years. This Report will help you to pray and inform your friends, neighbors and fellow church members (see 600 Incidents, Press Release, Report). Thank you for praying!