Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers… Exodus 18:21
Dear Praying Friends,
Dr. Bill and Vonette Bright founded Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru) in 1951. The world’s largest Christian ministry with operations in 190 countries has led millions to Jesus Christ. Dr. Bright died in 2003. In the early 90s, the Brights were led to focus their energies on America. Dr. Bright spent his last years calling American Christians to prayer, fasting and active citizenship. In Your 5 Duties as a Christian Citizen, he wrote:
Citizenship in a free country is a blessing from God. Our great system…assures every Christian a voice in the affairs of the nation, and enables us to bring a heavenly perspective to the earthly realm. God wants us to do His will in government, just as in the church and in the home.
But too often we have disobeyed our Lord… As a result, the moral fiber of America is rotting away – and our priceless freedom is in grave jeopardy… America is faced with the greatest crisis in its history. We are in danger of losing our nation by default, and with it our individual freedoms and possibly our very lives.
If that should happen, our opportunity to help fulfill the Great Commission throughout… the world will also be lost… America is one of the last strongholds of freedom on earth – and citizens who are dedicated to God are the only resource for the preservation of our freedoms, including the freedom to serve Him… [Even a small percentage of us can be used by God to set this nation on a new course of righteousness for His glory.
Charles Finney, who helped introduce half a million Americans to Christ, wrote in 1835: “Politics are a part of religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to the country as part of their duty to God. God will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics.”
Your Christian Citizen Checklist
With so much at stake in our nation, honestly answer these questions about your role:
1. Do I pray faithfully for a spiritual revival to sweep America?
2. Am I registered to vote? Do I encourage other Christians to register?
3. Am I making a serious effort, along with my Christian friends, to become informed about the candidates and issues?
4. Am I actively involved in helping to select and elect godly candidates to office?
5. Do I vote in every election for the best candidates, regardless of party?…
In 1832, founding father Noah Webster warned young people that the preservation of our government depends on their choosing righteous leaders…
God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God. The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty…If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer laws” (I urge you to download the entire document: Your 5 Duties as a Christian Citizen, 2008; More valuable helps at iVoteValues.org).
With the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate out for Easter recess, returning on Monday April 16th, we will also have time to worship God and celebrate the resurrection. Nevertheless, primaries and caucuses are scheduled and now is a good time to pray for the candidates.
Elections: Most experts believe the Republican nominee will be determined this month. Mitt Romney is the front runner; Rick Santorum is in second place, Newt Gingrich 3rd and Ron Paul 4th. President Obama is the Democratic nominee. Each has indicated his intention to stay in the race until the convention in August. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) says he may not commit his vote to the ultimate GOP candidate and may consider a third-party candidacy.
Moses’ qualifications for civil leaders have no superior today. Exodus 18:21 calls for leaders who demonstrate: 1) ability; 2) genuine fear of God; 3) love for the truth; and 4) a hatred for covetousness. (See News: Obama, Paul, Santorum, Romney, Gingrich, Delegate Count, Barna Poll).
- Please pray daily that the candidate best meeting God’s qualifications will be elected! (Ex 18:21; Dt 17:15; 2 Sam 23:3-4; Ps 75: all, esp. 6-7)
Obama & Medvedev – A private discussion between Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and President Obama overheard at their meeting in Korea shocked America. Obama said to Medvedev: “[A]ll these issues… but particularly missile defense, this can be solved – but it’s important for [Vladimir Putin] to give me space… This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.” Medvedev nodded. “I understand,” he said. “I will transmit this information to Vladimir.” This leads Americans to wonder what other ambitions President Obama feels free to be more flexible about if reelected (see Obama Does some Seoul Searching, Doctrine Revealed).
- Pray that Americans will be astute to consider the matters God exposes around and about the candidates between now and November. May He protect our nation! (Lev 25:18-19; Dt 4:5-6; 8:11-20; 2 Chr 7:14; Pr 14:34; Ps 33:16-22; 1 Cor 2:15)
White House/HHS Health Care Mandate – Obamacare and its attendant rules (inc. abortion, contraceptives, sterilization and abortifacient drugs) represent the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade, and at taxpayer expense. Moreover, their unconstitutional violation of religious conscience and liberty is intolerable. The rules also expose the fundamental dishonesty of President Obama’s two-year-old executive order promising that the law would exclude abortion. There are also new rules requiring secrecy by insurers about the $1 monthly abortion surcharge required of insurance customers. These are not only a violation of religious liberty but of fundamental consumer rights. Whatever the Supreme Court decides, Christians must act to insure that Congress excises abortion and violence against religion from this and all laws (First Priority, Dishonest).
- May the High Court reject Obamacare in its entirety; if not, may the people do so through their elected Congressional Representatives! (Gen 1:22, 28; Ex 3:7-10; Dt 16:18-20; 1 Sam 8:6-22; Jdg 20:7-11; Is 10:1 ff)
Same Sex Marriage – Efforts are underway in Maryland and Washington state to gather signatures on petitions to put same-sex “marriage” on the ballot in November. Legislatures in both states voted to legalize same-sex “marriages” earlier this year. In 2009, Maine’s legislature enacted a law to allow same-sex “marriage” there. Voters vetoed the law via a ballot initiative, and in 2010, voted to give Republicans control of the legislature. Homosexual activists are now trying to use the referendum process to win same-sex “marriage” again! Minnesota and North Carolina will vote in November on marriage amendments to keep marriage between a man and woman. Unfortunately, reports are that Congress is backing away from marriage-preserving measures (Maryland, Congress, States).
- May God move the people to protect marriage as he created it, both by law and by constitutional amendment in these states! (Gen 1:27; 5:2; Is 26:4-8; Mt 19:4-6; Heb 13:4; Jude 3, 7)
My prayer is that you will be filled with the fullness of God as you celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ this Sunday. May each of us realize that we serve a risen Lord who is able to save individual lives, families and nations! May we and our countrymen rush to return wholeheartedly to Him! Thank you for praying!
Sincerely,
Rev. Pierre Bynum
National Prayer Director
Email: pbynum@frc.org
Family Research Council
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Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-2100
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