The War on Christianity Continues With a Landmark Prayer Case to be Heard by US Supreme Court

Dave Kistler is the President of HOPE Ministries International and the President of North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN). He recently sent out this email regarding the attack that continues in our nation on our religious freedoms.

This month we have already seen school choirs forbidden to sing Christmas songs that are “too Christian” at Christmas! During the government shutdown it is only Christian chaplains who are forbidden to serve. Where does it end? I hope this moves you as it does me.

In a little less than four weeks, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a landmark case involving prayer at public town meetings.  The case (Greece vs. Galloway) originated in the small town of Greece, NY, a suburb of Rochester.  Starting in 1999, the town board of Greece began opening their meetings with prayer by a “Chaplain of the Month.”  Though town officials stated that members of all faiths were welcome to open in prayer, the “chaplains” have been almost exclusively Christian.  Two town residents originally filed suit against the township claiming the board’s prayer practice violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.  As a matter of legal precedent, in 1983, in Marsh v. Chambers, the Supreme Court upheld the Nebraska Legislature’s practice of opening its legislative sessions with an invocation from a paid Presbyterian minister, saying that such ceremonies were “deeply embedded in the history and tradition of this country.”

The Greece case, by far the most important that the High Court will hear this session, will have far-reaching implications.  Almost 30 similar cases (called “in Jesus’ name” cases) are included in the Greece, NY case, having been filed as “Amicus Briefs” (friend of the court briefs).  These cases, though not actual parties in the litigation, are similar in nature and will be directly affected by the outcome of the Greece case.  Those cases include the Rowan County (NC) Board of Commissioners, as well as military chaplains who hold the conviction that their prayers must be offered in the name of Jesus.

Should the High Court rule historically and strike down the Greece town board’s right to begin meetings with prayer, every Christian in the nation will be affected.  For the first time in U.S. history, the right of Christians to exercise their religious beliefs will have been dramatically and directly infringed.  The result would include the cessation of prayer prior to House and Senate sessions in the U.S. Capital.  Additionally, no longer would prayer at public functions be allowed (i.e. athletic contests, public gatherings, etc.).  In essence, the twin freedoms of religion and speech will be relegated to/limited to a church building, synagogue, or worship center.  Eventually, distribution of religious literature will not be allowed as it could be interpreted as endorsement of a particular religion.  So, you can see the absolutely vital nature of this case and the nine Supremes’ ruling on it!

I am asking for your earnest, deliberate and concentrated prayer regarding this case!  Please take this matter to your pastor, prayer meetings, prayer chains–any venue where prayer is offered!  We absolutely MUST saturate this situation with passionate intercession!  Pray specifically for the Justices to have clear understanding, historically, constitutionally and Biblically.  Pray for a decisive decision–9 to 0, 8 to 1, not the usual 5 to 4 outcome.  Pray that the ruling that is rendered will be so definitive in favor of religious liberty, that future cases to the contrary will be overwhelmingly discouraged!!!