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14-year-old Sarah appeared before Maryland’s legislature last month urging lawmakers not to redefine marriage, asking a committee to vote 'no' on gay marriage. After her testimony appeared online she was subjected to attacks, threats of violence and death wishes. Sarah said, ‘I really feel bad for the kids who have two parents of the same gender. Even though some kids think it’s fine they have no idea of the wonderful experiences they miss out on. I don’t want more kids confused about what’s right and okay. I don’t want to grow up in a world where marriage isn’t such a special thing anymore.’ In Britain Conservative MP David Burrowes revealed he had received a death threat because of his support for the traditional definition of marriage. He made the revelation at the launch last week of Coalition for Marriage, a new grassroots campaign group dedicated to preserving the traditional definition of marriage.
Pray: for God to protect and encourage all who take a public stand in the support of traditional Christian values in the USA and elsewhere. (Ps.32:8)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/girl-14-gets-death-threats-for-defending-marriage/
Chuck and Stephanie Fromm have been fined for holding Bible studies in their home in Southern California. According to City officials they are in violation of a municipal code prohibiting ‘religious, fraternal or non-profit’ organisations in residential neighbourhoods without a permit. Without warning they were fined in May, then again in June, for $300 dollars and appeals were denied because they need a ‘Conditional Use Permit.’ Without the permit they face $500 for each additional gathering. A conditional use permit is costly and difficult to obtain as it requires traffic and environmental impact reports and making the home accessible to wheelchairs. The President of the Pacific Justice Institute said, ‘Informal gathering in a home cannot be treated with suspicion by the government just because it is religious. We cannot allow this to happen in America, and we will fight as long and as hard as it takes to restore this group’s religious freedom.’
Pray: for common sense to prevail and for God to use this situation positively for the community. (Ps.11:7)
Author Peter Schweizer has researched financial and political records of deals and stock trades, done by US politicians including the timing of briefings, votes on bills, and every other point of leverage in Washington to produce a book described as 'a manifesto for revolution'. It reveals how politicians get rich at the expense of ordinary Americans. Insider trading is illegal on Wall Street, but American politicians are exempt from that law and it is routinely practiced among members of Congress. Normal individuals cannot get in on IPOs at the asking price, but politicians can and have been funnelling hundreds of millions of dollars to their supporters, ensuring more campaign donations. An entire class of investors now make all their profits based on influence and access in Washington. Schweizer's research shows top politicians exit office with millions more than credible based on their salaries and perhaps some patient investing.
Pray: that the partnership between congress and Wall Street would be fully explored, with the research honestly investigated and questions answered clearly. (Mt.23:23)
More: http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message1707199/pg1
On 28 June 2010 the Supreme Court issued a majority decision that a California Law School can require a Christian group to open its leadership positions to all students, including those who disagree with the group's statement of faith. This decision affirms the ‘all comers’ policy of Hastings College of the Law (Hastings), which requires all groups to open all positions to all students, regardless of beliefs. The case parallels events in 2007 at Exeter University, England, where the Christian Union (CU) had to resist an attempt by the Students’ Guild to remove a number of its long standing rights and privileges, the Guild claiming that the CU constitution did not conform to its Equal Opportunities standards. Andrea Minichiello Williams, Director of the Christian Legal Centre, commented: ‘It is vital that in a free and democratic society people should be able to organise themselves around core beliefs without interference’. Pray: that the rights of Christians will be upheld by the courts. (Ps.94:8)
Chinese officials denied a visa to a top US State Department envoy and refused to meet with her to discuss issues of religious freedom days before this week’s high-profile visit to Washington by China’s vice president. The U. ambassador for international religious freedom (who previously was a New York Police Department chaplain) was scheduled to travel to China on Feb 8th but as the date drew near Chinese leaders refused to grant her meetings with government officials. The disclosure comes one day into the diplomatically sensitive visit by Xi Jinping (China’s presumptive next president) to the United States. During the visit the Obama administration hopes to ease tense in US-China relations.
Pray: for a new positive relationship between USA and China, allowing religious freedom issues to be positively discussed and implemented. (Pr.2:6-8)
Open Doors USA is working with candidates from both parties seeking the position of President of the United States to craft a religious freedom pledge. The pledge has now been presented to all of the presidential candidates to sign. A candidate’s signature indicates they commit to upholding religious freedom for people of all faiths in America, and prioritizing religious freedom concerns in foreign policy. So far, Rick Santorum is the only presidential candidate who has signed it. Meanwhile, a coalition of Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders are asking candidates not to lose sight of Middle East peace. Their statement reads, ‘While majorities of Israelis and Palestinians continue to long for peace, political problems on both sides inhibit leaders from moving forward. The months leading up to US national elections present a special challenge, we urge candidates not to use any rhetoric that could make prospects for peace more problematic.’ See:
Pray: that the next US President will uphold religious freedom and cultural justice into the national spotlight and preserve these most valued freedoms for future generations. (Ps.45:4)
More: http://www.pledgeforreligiousfreedom.com/pledge-for-religious-freedom
Proposition 8, which sought to maintain the traditional definition of marriage in California, was struck down by a 2-1 vote at the Circuit Court in San Francisco on Tuesday, with the measure being deemed unconstitutional. Pro-family groups will appeal the court's ruling, and the case will most likely go to the US Supreme Court provided the court decides to hear it. No same-sex marriages are likely to be solemnized before the case is resolved.
Pray: that a court of law will not be allowed to redefine marriage. (Gen.1:27,28a)
More: http://global.christianpost.com/news/californias-proposition-8-ruled-unconstitutional-68906/
A grieving Boston community filled a park late Tuesday where 8 year old Martin Ruchard, a local boy and the youngest victim killed in the Boston Marathon bombings, once played. They prayed for the family and neighborhood as they held candles and sang ‘God Bless America.’ Martin was by the finish line when the explosion killed him and two others and injured 176. Richard's mother Denise suffered brain injury and his 6-year-old sister Jane lost a leg. We are asked to pray for Bill the family’s father. President Barack Obama vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Christians have taken to Twitter to express their sympathies and ask for prayers with the hashtags #prayforboston and #BostonMarathon Mars Hill Church Pastor said, ‘The most powerful weapon at our disposal against evil is the hope-filled prayer of God's people.’ See also: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/prayers.after.boston.marathon.explosions/32145.htm
Pray: for medical personnel and counselors treating the victims. May God give these men and women helpful words for hurting people. (Ps.40:17)
A group of atheists has filed a lawsuit to stop the display of the World Trade Centre cross at a memorial of the 9/11 terror attacks. The ‘government enshrinement of the cross was an impermissible mingling of church and state,’ the American Atheists said in a press statement. The group filed the lawsuit this week in New York and posted a copy of the lawsuit on its website naming many defendants, including the state of New Jersey, the city of New York, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. The World Trade Centre cross, two intersecting steel beams that held up when the twin towers collapsed, was moved Saturday from near a church to its new home at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. There was ceremonial blessing of the cross in a service led by Father Brian Jordan, a Franciscan monk who ministered to workers clearing the area after the 9/11 attacks.
Pray: against religiosity and agnostic aggression that could smear an important part of commemorating 9/11 (Ps.36:9-11)
Anti-bullying campaigns have been grabbing headlines for months, mainly fighting bigotry against homosexuals. Now Dan Savage, a top anti-bullying advocate, has been caught up in an incident that some say is hypocritical at best. Savage is a gay man who founded one of the most popular anti-bullying websites, ItGetsBetter.com. But he was recently captured on tape doing some bullying of his own, attacking the Bible and targeting Christian students at a high school event. ‘We can learn to ignore the bull---- in the Bible about gay people, the same way we have learned to ignore the bull---- in the Bible about slavery, about shellfish, about dinner, about farming, about menstruation, about virginity, about masturbation, we ignore bull---- in the Bible about all sorts of things,’ he says in the tape. Many students walked out in protest of Savage's diatribe against the Word of God, sacred to both Jews and Christians.
Pray: that those who object to Dan Savage’s ideas will overrule and promote Christian Biblical ideals. (Col.2:20)
More: http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=39610&PN=1&TPN=1