Monday, April 27, 2015
From: Carol Bauer
Capital Prayer Alert
As you know, my wife, Carol, prepares a prayer alert about once a month. I hope you will share Carol’s thoughts with your friends and fellow worshippers. Thank you for taking an interest in her monthly devotion. — Gary
A few weeks ago a political firestorm erupted in Indiana and Arkansas when the two state legislatures passed legislation designed to protect religious freedom — the Religious Freedom Restoration Act(s). The bills were not written to permit discrimination against citizens but to protect men and women of faith from being forced to participate in business activities contrary to their religious faith, whether that faith is Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism or another set of religious tenets.
What followed was a thinly veiled attempt by the intolerant left to insist that men and women of faith participate in practices contrary to their faith tradition.
Though freedom to practice one’s religious faith is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, the future of this fundamental right is now under attack, the latest victim of America’s cultural wars. Tolerance and respectful disagreements for opposing beliefs are being replaced with intolerance, accusations of hate and the shutting down of public debate.
The entire exercise was egged on by corporate America, which used the threat of economic boycotts as a bludgeon against people of faith. Little consideration was given to the views of citizens who try to live their lives in line with their religious beliefs.
The next front in this cultural battle opens tomorrow in Washington, D.C. On Tuesday the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on same-sex marriage. Will the court throw aside the wishes of the voters of 31 states who have cast ballots preserving the definition of marriage that has been in place in the West for centuries upon centuries?
Two questions will be reviewed: Does the 14th Amendment require states to allow same-sex couples to marry? And does the same amendment require states to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states?
Though the headline grabbing aspect of the story will be same-sex marriage, the foundational question being reviewed and decided will be the breadth and true meaning of the Constitution’s right to the freedom to practice religion. The right of men and women of faith to practice that faith in all aspects of their lives is under attack.
Please pray for the nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, who will hear oral arguments and be asked to decide whether a right to same-sex marriage exists within the Constitution. Ask God to open their minds to consider the fundamental societal change they are being asked to affirm at the federal level while ignoring the results at the ballot box in 31 states.
Pray for those who will be making the case before them that states have the right to make this decision based on the will of the voters. Ask God to impart to them solid arguments, compelling scientific data and winsome words to make the most effective arguments. Pray that they would effectively illustrate the impact of a decision on the free exercise of religion.
Finally, ask God to grant wisdom to the justices as they seek to balance changing cultural norms and the First Amendment’s guarantee of the right of citizens to live out their religious beliefs in their everyday lives. As Governor Mike Pence (R-IN) said, “Tolerance is a two way street.” Pray that the Supreme Court would find that line down the middle of the street.
Congress continues to wrestle with its proper constitutional role on the Iran nuclear deal being negotiated by the Obama Administration. As it gingerly stakes out its role in this process, Congress needs to act with greater assertiveness, curiosity and a demand for details on the specifics of the deal. News reports on the contents of the deal make it crystal clear that the administration’s understanding of a negotiation framework is very different from what Iran’s leaders are describing.
Pray that the U.S. Congress would continue to be involved in the process so the American people can have a better understanding of the deal in the works. Ask God to prompt those in a position to play a leadership role to be dogged in their desire to move forward with a deal that is truly in the best interests of the United States and our strong ally Israel.
Full, open and detailed debate is needed with Congress having the opportunity to amend a deal that will frame the world’s power structure in future years. Pray that our Heavenly Father would prompt those in leadership to rise to the challenge in a time such as this.
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