Tuesday, June 24, 2014
To: Friends & Supporters
From: Carol Bauer
Capital Prayer Alert
Gary and I have often shared the thought that we need occasionally to get out of Washington, D.C., because the capital city is not the real America. If you lived here as long as we have, you too would feel that almost imperceptible pull to think that everything that goes on here is of utmost importance to every American and that every breathing citizen shares that view. It is a false premise. When that happens, it is time to leave D.C. for the real world beyond the Beltway for a quick reality check and then use that reality check to spur our efforts to make a difference here.
In the past few weeks we spent Memorial Day Weekend on the Eastern Shore of Maryland — a very red part of a very blue state. We attended a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial, where patriotism runs deep. Veterans were honored with special seating, recognized by the war in which they served and by the playing of the song from each of the service branches. Gold Star mothers were honored with flowers. There was a wreath laying at the Memorial, and a few young people from the local high school ROTC program served as honor guards.
A particularly moving part of the event was the solemn, silent honoring of those men who had been held captive as prisoners of war. There were moving songs, flags everywhere and a spontaneous rendition of “God Bless America” as the event, attended by hundreds of patriotic folks, broke up. We left the event feeling uplifted and comforted by this reintroduction to an America reminiscent of the country in which we were raised.
Soon after, our whole family, our grown children, their spouses and our grandchildren spent a wonderful week together at the beach, crabbing, flying a kite, making homemade ice cream and swapping stories amidst lots of joy. It was a time to relax, reflect and rejuvenate for the bruising days ahead in Washington. And it was a time to remember that the future of these families, the lives of the little ones in our midst, are very much tied to what is and what is not happening in Washington. It was a respite and also a reminder that will serve Gary well in the coming days.
The news screaming from the headlines or on talk radio and television is not good. The Middle East is at a boiling point, hard fought U.S. gains on the world stage are evaporating, religious persecution across the globe is increasing dramatically, our friend and ally Israel is being tested and must now feel more isolated than ever, and China and Russia are on the move on land and sea. The world has sensed a leadership vacuum from the current administration, and forces that do not share our values are taking advantage of the chaos.
To folks like us, the news is jarring and almost overwhelming. The easy, gut response would be to live your life in your little corner of the world with your family and friends and just turn a blind eye to Washington and the litany of what’s wrong with the world. Instead, the serious nature of events and the way they will shape our future and the future of our families demands otherwise. Yes, we can and should catch our breath. But then we must regroup, look at our families, particularly our children and grandchildren, as a source of inspiration and let them remind us why we are in this battle. We should be thanking God for positioning us in a time and place where we can influence others by our actions and words.
As you celebrate the nation’s birthday this Fourth of July, I encourage you to savor the rights and privileges and responsibilities that come with being an American. Steep yourself in the patriotic celebrations, revel in sharing time with the generation that will carry the banner forward and live with the consequences of the choices we make. Let the underlying beliefs of what we stand for fuel you in the days ahead as you pray for our country, its place in the world and the leaders who will be elected in November.
Ask God to offer you time to reflect on the challenges facing our country. Pray that He would open your eyes and your heart to grasp the depth of your love of country and your desire to pass on to the rising generations the same appreciation that is second nature to you. Thank God for opportunities to share with others what this country means to you and to the world in the 21st century. Ask God to make those opportunities fruitful as you share your faith in the Almighty and examples of God’s hand on America through its history.
At the same time, petition God for time to savor our nation’s shared blessings. And seek from the Almighty strength to persevere in the days ahead. Ask Him to guide you as you look for ways to influence your family, friends, neighbors and fellow men and women of faith. Finally, pray that you would feel the presence of the Lord beside you giving you strength as you stand for the persecuted church and encourage others to put feet to their faith through involvement in critical upcoming elections.
Thank you for your continued faithfulness and prayers for Gary’s work in days of great challenge.
If you are interested in receiving Mr. Bauer’s daily report by e-mail, please call 703-671-9700, visit SIGN UP FOR GARY BAUER’S “END OF DAY REPORT” or simply send a reply e-mail titled “Subscribe” and include your name and address.
Visit End of Day archives to share reports on Facebook. Follow Gary On Facebook And Twitter.
To be removed from Gary Bauer’s End of Day distribution list, please reply to this message with “Remove” in the subject line.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donations to American Values are tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. You may donate online by visiting our website or by using the following address in your web browser:https://www.ouramericanvalues.org/american-values-contribution or you may mail contributions to the following address:
American Values
2800 Shirlington Road
Suite 950
Arlington, VA 22206
Phone: 703-671-9700
Fax: 703-671-1680
