Prayer Targets: SoHLS, Prayer Day, Hostility; Israel, Nominees; Religious Freedom; 'Even One Child'
January 16, 2013
"Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Mt 19:13-14
Dear Praying Friends,
The prayer revival that began in 1857 did not prevent the tragic Civil War. Nor did the National Fast Day proclaimed by President James Buchanan. On January 4, 1861, Rev. Benjamin Dorr warned that America could not escape the judgment of God to come without real repentance (The American Vine). Two months later, Abraham Lincoln gave his First Inaugural Address, and a month after that, war began.
It was devastating, worse than anyone anticipated. Two years later, no end was in sight. Congress and President Lincoln called another National Fast Day for April 30, 1863. His call to repentance eloquently echoed historic biblical warnings and pleas for mercy:
We... have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us... [W]e have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us! ... It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness... that the united cry of the Nation will be heard on high, and answered ... no less than the pardon of our national sins, and the restoration of our now divided and suffering Country...
At his Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865, the war's end was near. War to preserve the Union had become war to end slavery:
Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."
The 1973 Supreme Court abortion ruling, still unrepented of, was not just a license to kill the most innocent among us; it was the opening of a Pandora's Box of evil, the sowing of seed that would grow a culture of once unthinkable immorality, violence and death. Without repentance we will continue to be a nation under God's judgment.
Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SoHLS), A Day to Pray - This Sunday, January 20th, 2013 will be Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. In 1983 Care-Net (then Christian Action Council) launched Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. In January 1984, Ronald Reagan proclaimed Sunday, January 22, Sanctity of Human Life Day. Pro-life pastors and churches have since consecrated the Sunday closest to January 22, to preach and teach about Life, to mourn the tragedy of abortion, and to reaffirm their commitment to ending abortion. Obamacare is the largest expansion of abortion in American history, even while most Americans are now pro-life.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has called for the same Sunday to be observed as a national "Day to Pray," but he calls for a 2Chronicles 7:14-style day of humbling ourselves, repenting for sin, and praying for deliverance from the dread consequences for our nation (see Cold Cash, 40 Years, Reagan, Bulletin Inserts, "I Hate SOHLS,""Choose Life," Top Ten Myths, FRC Resources, CareNet, A Day to Pray, hear Perkins & Huckabee).
- May pastors, churchmen, and believers across America repent and cry out to the Lord our God for mercy for our nation and an end to abortion! (1 Sam 8:18; 9:16; 2 Chr 7:14; Mt 4:17; Acts 2:38; 17:24-31)
White House Hostility toward Christianity - Clearly the new standard for government or military service, even for volunteers, is approval of homosexuality, something Christians are forbidden to do (Rom 1:32). Rev. Lou Giglio, an evangelical pastor from Atlanta, Georgia, is orthodox in his faith, but by no means a political activist. Yet when White House agents learned of a biblical sermon Giglio preached many years ago, in which he addressed homosexuality as sin, his invitation to pray at the Inauguration was summarily withdrawn. Just as we were warned, neither tolerance, nor safety were the aim of activists, but a silenced pulpit and silenced Church (see Assault Continues, New McCarthyism, State Church, Perkins).
- May God's people arise to pray and effectively withstand government persecution over Biblical beliefs about homosexuality! (Mt 5:11-12; Rom 1:32; 2 Tim 3:12-14; 2 Peter 2:1-19; Jude 7)
Turning from Israel - Many have been troubled by President Obama's open hostility toward conservative Christianity and contrasting sympathy for Islam, his harshness toward Israel and cordiality with Israel's enemies in the Mideast, most prominently Iran. Now, the President has nominated former Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) for Secretary of Defense. Hagel does not reflect the unwavering strength of the American people's support for Israel, rather he has made strong statements in favor of the Palestinian's agenda and favors direct negotiations with Hamas, despite its status as a terrorist group. Even Senate Democrats are uncomfortable with Hagel's tepid support for Israel but are lining up behind him. Hagel has favored direct negotiations and opposed sanctions against Iran. A strong critic of Bush foreign policy, Hagel refused to support John McCain's presidential bid. Yet reportedly, he has a close bond with President Obama. Hagel is also known for his opposition to Defense budget increases (see Chuck Hagel, Washington TimesObama: Future does not belong to Christians, Bonded, Israel Stand).
- May God bring every relevant fact to light in the Senate confirmation hearings. May His will be done in the Senate votes for Hagel, John Kerry (Secretary of State), John Brennan (CIA Director) and Jack Lew (Treasury Secretary) (Gen 12:1-3; Pr 18:17; 28:4; 29:6-7; Zech 12:1-3, 9; Eph 5:11-13).
Religious Freedom versus Obamacare - Today, Religious Freedom Day, President Obama issued a proclamation, but he will continue to force Americans to pay for approved insurance exchanges that contain at least one abortion option and free abortifacient drugs for all American women - all at taxpayer expense. Pray for Hobby Lobby and the 110 plaintiffs and 43 lawsuits now in progress against the mandate.
- May Obamacare be overturned and may our government be required to respect religious liberty and all other God-given, constitutionally guaranteed liberties! (Lev 25:10; Dt 26:6-9; Pr 28:4; Is 10:1; Dan 3:14-18; 6:10; Acts 5:29)
Finally, pro-lifers were shocked by President Obama's gun control speech, in which he promised 19 executive orders to control gun use and ownership. He said the ensuing fight would be worth it "if even one child's life can be saved by the actions we take here in Washington." The President's concern for "even one child," stands in stark contrast to his record of hostility toward the innocent unborn. As an Illinois Senator, he voted four times against a bill requiring doctors to try to save the lives of infants who survived abortions. As President, he promised Planned Parenthood he would never allow their taxpayer funding to be withdrawn, even if it meant shutting down the federal government. These, the Obamacare mandates, and a lifetime record of extreme abortion advocacy cannot but raise questions about his sincerity over "even one child." Please pray that that Americans will see this inconsistency and that Congress and the courts will hold President Obama to the standard of the law. As always, thank you for praying!