Prayer Team: Prayer Targets January 4, 2008

[Tony Perkins]

Prayer Targets: Presidential Primaries, The Homosexual Agenda in CA, FL & NJ, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Dear Praying Friends,

The political horserace for President began with much fanfare in Iowa Thursday, but serious students of the Bible are gripped, not by the excitement of the political process, but the reality that America is in a very serious "Valley of Decision" (Joel 3:14). Those we elect in 2008 will lead our nation closer or farther from God, His eternal moral laws and His Divine blessing, which is the hope for America's future (Dt 28: all; 30:19; 1 Sam 2:30). "We the People" must decide our nation's direction, keeping in mind that the "fear of the Lord" is the essential requirement for any leader (Ex 18:21; Pr 1:7; 9:10; Ec 12:13). Even until the late 1800's some states required candidates for office both to profess faith in God and His system of future rewards and punishments. Sir William Blackstone, whose commentaries provided the foundation of the Founders' legal education, taught that without faith in God public oaths are meaningless. Our Forefathers believed that only the genuine fear of God would keep a politician honest. They knew the election of profane men would bring God's wrath upon the nation. The clergy took every election seriously and vigorously preached "Election Sermons" to prepare the people to elect godly leaders. We are called to pray for those who's leadership will result in peace, tranquility, righteousness, goodness and honesty and a legal atmosphere that is friendly, not hostile to the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ (see 1 Tim 2:1).

Primaries and Caucuses: Here is the schedule for the next month:

Jan. 5 - Wyoming GOP Caucus
Jan. 8 - New Hampshire Primary
Jan. 15 - Michigan Primary
Jan. 19 - Nevada Caucus / South Carolina GOP Primary
Jan. 26 - South Carolina Dem. Primary
Jan. 29 - Florida Primary
Feb. 2―Maine Caucus
February 5 -- "Super Duper Tuesday," will take place. In that one day, 24 states will conduct elections or caucuses. By the middle of March, 40 of 50 states will have had their primaries (See Candidate Profiles). Remember, primary voters will decide upon the candidates they prefer, not only for President, but for the U.S. Congress and for state and local offices.

• May Americans in every state be given discernment! May Christians and pro-life, pro-family and pro-religious liberty Conservatives, come out in force powerfully to influence each election and caucus, just as they did in Iowa! Pray for the candidates for office at all levels, that God will exalt those who will advance righteousness and diminish those who will not (see Pr 14:34). May God expose the true thoughts and plans of each candidate such that God fearing Americans will know whom to support! May those of God's choosing be elected in every state! (Dt 17:14-20; 1 Sam 8:18; 12:13; 1 Kg 3:9; Eze 44:23; 2 Tim 4:2).

California Parents Seek to Reverse Pro-Homosexual Education Bill - Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ® signed 11 pro-homosexual measures into law. SB 777 makes it illegal in California's public and private schools to in any way disparage or discourage homosexuality. The law requires all school curricula to treat homosexuality and heterosexuality "equally." Teaching the benefits of traditional families is prohibited - to be considered discrimination. Schools must not only tolerate but advocate the homosexual lifestyle. History books must be rewritten to include stories of "famous gays." Literature assignments must require writings of influential homosexuals, and sex education must include "safe sex" and "alternative" lifestyles. Parent activists are taking the only action they can to stop the law. A new group, Save Our Kids, is collecting signatures (434,000 needed by January 10) to put the measure on the November ballot, giving CA voters a chance to reject it (see www.saveourkids.net).

• May God stir the pastors and churches of California to do what they must to stop the homosexual indoctrination of their children! May pastors who are leading an effort to pass a Marriage Amendment also have great success! (Is 1:18; Eze 3:17-19; 33:3-6; Jude 3, 7)

Homosexual Parents - In December, two homosexual California men became "fathers" to a baby boy born via in vitro fertilization involving both of their sperm, three egg retrievals, 65 eggs, seven fertilization attempts, three surrogate mothers and more than $200,000 in expenses. If the march toward homosexual civil unions and marriages continues, such abuses of women, boys, girls and the sacred tools of human reproduction will become commonplace. With many scientists seeking the removal of all moral restraints upon social behavior and scientific research, only God knows what perversions we will be debating in the future. Some state managed health care plans already cover sex change operations. Will taxpayers be required to fund even more procedures to accommodate homosexual couples' imaginations? (see Dads?, Last Year in WA).

• May God's people, who know God's warnings about societal acceptance of homosexuality - demonstrate how to love the homosexual offender while wholeheartedly and effectively resisting public policy that "affirms" and helps "normalize" this and other aberrant behaviors, which, unrestrained, will only lead to greater, more unthinkable aberrations and evils. May pastors preach boldly and lead the way (Lev 18:22; Pr 28:4; Php 1:9-11; Rom 1:18, 32).

Florida Marriage Petition - The text of the proposed amendment, approved by the Florida Supreme Court, would constitutionally prohibit polygamy, group marriage and same sex marriages. In 26 of 27 states where voters have had a chance, they have voted constitutionally to affirm traditional marriage. Only in Arizona, were homosexual activists able marginally to defeat an amendment through a misinformation campaign. A similar misinformation campaign is already underway in Florida, frightening senior citizens with the idea that the amendment would strip them of old age benefits.

In December, pro-marriage Floridians met and surpassed the state requirement of 611,009 petitions to place the amendment on the 2008 ballot, but leaders are asking volunteers, churches and community leaders to CONTINUE COLLECTING petitions Until Tuesday, January 29, 2008. Each new petition helps promote the amendment among new voters, increases likelihood of victory for marriage in November, and adds protection against legal challenges in the state that where the scrutiny of "hanging chads" dominated the 2000 election. All petitions must be physically in the office of the Florida4Marriage.org (see www.florida4marriage.org/) by Tuesday January 29, 2008. With no Federal Marriage Amendment, praying Christians must give attention to the marriage fights in each state, where "gay" activists are determined to undo traditional, biblical marriage.

• May God move upon God-fearing Floridians, both to overwhelm the state with certifiable petitions and to pass a Florida Marriage Amendment in November! May Florida seniors refuse to be moved by efforts to deceive them! May all Americans become engaged to preserve marriage in our laws! (1 Sam 17:29; 2 Kg 13:17-19; Ps 110:3; 1 Cor 4:5)

'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' - Homosexual activists are engaged in a push to repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. In December, activists set up an exhibit of 12,000 American Flags on the National Mall to commemorate the 12,000 homosexual service members dismissed since "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was instituted. A recent '60 Minutes' TV program featured the effort, saying "more and more [military] commands are appreciating their lesbian and gay service members -- and retaining them despite the ban on their service. That sends a clear signal to Congress...the time has come to repeal the law." Congress rejected the pro-homosexual Hate Crimes bill as a rider to the Defense Authorization Bill, but Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) promises to raise the bill again this year. The pro-homosexual ENDA will also be on the agenda this year (see Military Targeted).

• Continue to pray that the American people will truly understand the consequences of open homosexuality in the military, ENDA and Hate Crimes and that their representatives in Washington will firmly reject all three. May the next president be someone who will veto any and all of these measures! (1 Chr 12:33; Eph 5:11-13; Acts 5: 19, 28-29; Lk 12:3)

New Jersey Hate Crimes Bill - New Jersey has become a major battle state over marriage and the whole homosexual agenda. On Thursday, the NJ Senate swiftly passed a bill (S-2975) which will squelch free speech that criticizes homosexual behavior, transgenderism and transvestism. Len Deo of the NJ Family Policy Council, says teachers, pastors, even ex-gays could be charged with hate crimes if they publicly express an opinion - even a religious opinion - against homosexual behavior. Simply saying that homosexuality is treatable or not in-born could be charged with a hate crime and prosecuted under this new bill! This sweeping measure must first be approved by the NJ General Assembly before heading to the desk of Gov. Jon Corzine (NJ Senate Passes Tougher HC Bill).

• May God strengthen the hearts of pro-family New Jersians! May He move across New Jersey and America to awaken people to the reality that passage of such "hate" laws spells the end of Religious Liberty and Free Speech in America! May the NJ Assembly reject this measure, and if not, may pro-family New Jersians succeed in defeating the measure through the courts (Ps 27:14; 31:24; 94:17-23).

Finally, life, marriage and religious liberty will continue to be major domestic issues this year. The Bible teaches that how we honor God and His moral laws at home, will determine the success or failure of our economy, homeland security and military and diplomatic operations abroad. 2008 will be a pivotal year. Some pastors and leaders are calling for fasting, solemn assemblies, early-morning prayer, the launch of new church and home prayer meetings and 24-7 prayer operations across America. While in God's Providence our Founding Fathers established a system where "We the People" decide how and by whom our nation will be led, God established extraordinary prayer - humility, seeking His face and personal and corporate repentance by His People - to be the factor essential to the healing of America and every nation. Thank you for praying!

For Tony and the FRC Team

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