This next week, the United States Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on two of the most significant legal challenges to marriage in our nation’s history.
Hollingsworth v. Perry will be heard on March 26 and centers around California’s Proposition 8, a statewide marriage amendment – much like Arizona’s – which passed in 2008 to constitutionally define marriage as only the union of one man and one woman.
United States v. Windsor will be heard the following day and concerns the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). This law defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman for purposes of federal law and says no state can be forced to recognize a same-sex union from another state.
If there’s anything we’ve learned from the Supreme Court in recent years, it’s that it is impossible to speculate what the court will do in either of these cases. Yet there is no denying that the decisions from these two cases – which typically are announced by June 30 – will have serious impact on the battle to protect marriage and therefore our country’s future.
The fundamental question that the court will be considering in both cases is this: does marriage, defined as the union of one man and one woman, serve a compelling governmental interest? Or to put it another way, does marriage benefit society?
The most important thing we can do now is pray. Pray for our friends and allies defending these laws in court and pray for wisdom and courage for the nine justices to do what is right.
http://www.azpolicy.org/_blog/5_Minutes_for_Families/post/Before_the_High_Court_/
We are in the midst of a fierce battle for marriage. The Supreme Court will be hearing testimony next week on March 26 and 27 concerning whether the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Proposition 8 in California (overturning homosexual marriage) should stand. The Court will render a decision probably in late June. There is MUCH political pressure on the Court to capitulate on these and cave in to the homosexual agenda. Even the president is pushing this.
Men and women, this is our generation’s Roe v. Wade fight! We must make a stand upon our knees for marriage.
From 7:00 PM, Monday, March 25, through 9:00 PM, Wednesday, March 27, intercessors around the nation from countless ministries will intercede as arguments are being heard at our Supreme Court.
Be encouraged by a word from a key leader in this initiative:
Since we have been obedient to pursue this course of action, to build a FIREWALL OF PRAYER around the Supreme Court during those two key hearings next week (DOMA/Proposition 8), the Lord has shown me a “new thing” that is on His heart! He has shown me that, while in days past, many of us have labored faithfully and fervently, fasting and praying and offering deep travail over issues that will impact us all, we were actually fighting inside our own fox holes!
On national issues like the Election last November and the Supreme Court hearings on “Obamacare” last spring, we each marshaled our own forces, pouring our hearts out to the Lord for help. We all know the rest of the story…could our Lord be ready to reveal a new strategy for a new season, and could the battleground at the Supreme Court be the launching pad to release this hidden work across the nation?
YES—today is a NEW DAY!
We now realize that, as ministry teams, we can no longer afford to fight these national battles “alone”, but that, instead, the LORD is requiring us to come up on the wall together in perfect alignment and in perfect unity as we face the forces that would seek to undermine our people and our nation. As we stand TOGETHER, we form a “seamless garment” before Him, and the enemy will find no breaches in the wall through which to attack!
We are now aligned in:
• His Will
• His Word: “What GOD hath put together, let no man rend asunder.”
• His Way
• His Love
We praise our God for the revelation of this winning strategy as we work together to find our won place on the wall and to defer to the others in their own positions, even honoring others as better than ourselves.
To GOD be the GLORY, for He is teaching all of us how to walk (or march) in this season, in His way!
(From an article Intercessors for America sent by Dave Butts, Chair of America’s National Prayer Committee)
Syrian Christians continue to request our prayers for their country. They note that, in recent months, there have been increasing numbers of attacks on Christians that seem to be religiously motivated.
There has been a spate of reported incidents involving the kidnapping of Christians. One example occurred on 9th February when two priests, Michel Kayyal (Armenian Catholic) and Maher Mahfouz (Greek Orthodox), were kidnapped when travelling by public bus between Damascus and Aleppo. The bus was stopped by armed men belonging to one of the groups fighting the government. The gunmen checked the identity documents of all passengers and only the two priests were taken. A Salesian priest travelling with them was not kidnapped. Negotiations for their release are on-going. Other kidnappings have been reported, especially in al-Hasakah Province where some Christians have demonstrated publicly to protest against this alarming new trend.
There have been a number of assaults on Church buildings and other Christian property. Such attacks are often interpreted as warnings or threats to the Christian communities. One example occurred on 10th February when gunmen vandalised the historic church of Saint Maroun in Barad village, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Aleppo.
Syrian Christian leaders continue to note that there are political and economic motivations in many of these attacks. However, they identify a rising tendency for religiously motivated attack, linking this to the increasing prevalence and influence of religiously extremist groups amidst the opposition movement.
Syrian Church leaders also note the severe economic challenges faced by Syrians, with ever-rising numbers of internally displaced persons and Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries. Churches and Christian ministries remain active in helping to meet some of the overwhelming needs.
Syrian Christians request our prayers that:
a. The violence in Syria would cease, and peace and justice would be established for all Syrians.
b. Those that have been kidnapped would be released unharmed, and no further kidnapping incidents would occur.
c. There would be no further acts of vandalism against Church property.
d. Those engaging in programmes to meet the needs of their communities, and of refugees and the displaced, would know the Lord's provision and enabling.
e. Syrian Christians, and especially church leaders, will know the Spirit's wisdom and guidance each day.
f. All those using violence, including against Christians and Church property, would know the Spirit's conviction and seek the forgiveness of the Father through the life, death and resurrection of the Son.
Open sources used: FIDES Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding
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Website: www.meconcern.org
Let us keep our brothers and sisters in Christ in this war-torn land in our hearts, agreeing together for the binding of the forces of darkness, violence and death that want to destroy this land. Pray for His peace and shalom to cover everything and everyone there and for a swift end to the fighting.
Dear Brother John,
I am sorry for being delayed in my response. Actually it is due to lack of electricity and net off-ness. Daily we do receive light and net about 3-4 hours. Most the time spending in darkness and under the candles. Just back to early 18-19th centuries. PTL.
Many thanks for your kind words and supporting prayers.
The situation here in Aleppo Syria is getting worse more and more. Yesterday, as all churches decided to have a united prayer day, the rebels sent three rockets - mortars- and been exploded just couple of hours before the gathering few meters from the main gate of the church. No injuries; just few damages here and there with some affected cars.
But, with all this, just to let you know that in spite all the rockets and explosions, more than 300 members and worshipers attended the prayer service meeting on that Friday. PTL…
Lord protected all of us - near and far. He is good. He is in control. His presence is our protection. Still in Aleppo, serving the One who deserves to be served.
Keep us lifted up
Right now, the situation in Nigeria is incredibly tense and urgently needs your prayers. AT least 60 people are thought to have been killed yesterday in a car bomb attack in Kano City. Most of the victims are likely to have been from the predominantly Christian Igbo tribe, who are constantly targets of religion-related violence.
Victims Burned Beyond Recognition
The busy motor park in the Sabon Gari area was a prime target for a suicide bomber. Suspected to be a member of the militant Islamist sect Boko Haram, the attacker, reportedly rammed his car into a bus full of passengers as it was moving off. The victims were heading for southern Nigeria. The death toll is likely to increase since the explosion caused four other buses to catch fire. This vicious attack was clearly meant to stoke tribal divisions in Nigeria. Tensions are now rising in the south with reports of northerners either fleeing or taking refuge in military barracks. Lift up prayers ¬¬for peace right now. Please pray:
• For comfort for the families of the victims.
• That reprisal attacks will not take place.
• For wisdom for the authorities in Nigeria as they handle this situation.
• For God to stop the devastating violence and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
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Chinese state media recently reported that the government is looking to consolidate several ministries in order to streamline processes and reduce bureaucracy. One proposal that appears to be on the table is the potential folding of the Family Planning Commission, which enforces the One-Child Policy, into the Ministry of Health.
The potential outcome of such a merger is unclear, but there are two possible scenarios: (1) the One-Child Policy will be enforced with greater brutality as the Family Planning Commission gains access to hospitals and clinics; or (2) the merger will effectively eliminate the Family Planning Commission and strip all of its workers of their authority to carry out forced and coerced abortions.
All Girls Allowed is urging churches around the world to join in unity with the Chinese church to pray that the Lord would effectively eliminate the Family Planning Commission through this merger, thus beginning the process of ending the One-Child Policy. Should such a historic move occur, it would follow several reports that the Chinese government is contemplating moving to a Two-Child Policy in March, 2013. It would also fulfill what began last summer when provinces representing 87% of China declared bans on late-term forced abortions.
China’s government has come under greater international pressure to end the One-Child Policy following the gruesome image of Feng Jianmei’s forcibly aborted baby that surfaced last June. The pressure continues as Feng recently revealed in a television interview that she has yet to receive the compensation and justice that was promised to her by the government. Another recent tragedy in which an over-quota child was run over and killed by Family Planning Officials has brought further embarrassment to the Chinese government around the One-Child Policy.
Chai Ling, Founder of All Girls Allowed, says: “Come, join us as we take a front-row seat to view God’s deliverance of his people in China! We prayed before the blind attorney Chen Guangcheng escaped, and the Lord delivered him. We prayed for policy change, and the vast majority of Chinese provinces banned late-term forced abortion. Our Lord Jesus clearly hears us, and he so desires for us to come before him in thanksgiving and intercession, that he might send his redemption on China.”
“Our God is an awesome God. Let us ask him to give courage to China’s leaders to do what is right and just. May he continue to part the Red Sea and release his people from the yoke of slavery!”
All Girls Allowed (http://www.allgirlsallowed.org) was founded by Chai Ling in 2010 with a mission to display the love of Jesus by restoring life, value and dignity to girls and mothers in China and revealing the injustice of the One-Child Policy.
“In Jesus’ Name, Simply Love Her.”
Contact:
Kat Lewis
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Brief Report on Launch of WPA East Africa Chapter
The launch of the World Prayer Assembly East Africa Chapter was carried out on Friday 8th February 2013 in response to the request to the Kenyan team to implement the strategies they had received in Indonesia at the WPA 2012 meeting. About 50 people attended this event.
Pastor Mary Aruwa, Pastor Esther Kiarie, and Pastor Stephen Mutua all helped lead the gathering, reviewing the vision of the WPA and its history and hearing the responses of participants. Pastor Mutua, outlined the way forward as Kenyans come together under WPA East Africa chapter to begin to go out to the surrounding nations carrying revival and the new wave of God’s glory. He added that the work would extend to teaching and encouraging brethren to be more effective in prayer. He informed the team that the steering committee would work on the modalities and the planning strategies to ensure that in 2013 at least 6 nations in the region would experience the new wave of glory as the WPA Kenya team began to mobilize teams to go out. They then proceeded to launch the WPA EA chapter as he prayed powerfully and commissioned those present to go out to East Africa and the surrounding regions. Later participants were invited to share their responses to this vision and their responses were in agreement as they expressed their thoughts e.g. “this is a good vision”, they affirmed their commitment to this cause and asked the team to keep them informed as they were willing to participate in the activities that would be put in place by the steering committee.
For more information, please contact Pastor Stephen Mutua
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After just over one year in power, North North Korea’s novice leader, 30-year old Kim Jong Un, has dashed hopes that he will change course from the brinkmanship-style policies pursued by his late father, Kim Jong Il. For the first time in decades, U.S. intelligence and defense analysts believe the threat of an outbreak of significant hostilities on the Korean peninsula is a distinct possibility. How would a potential conflict play out? While there is little doubt that North Korea would lose, the consequences for the region would be dire, with casualties potentially in the hundreds of thousands, if not more.