Weekly Prayer Update
House Tradition Of Opening With Legislative Prayer Upheld 
October 17, 2017

Read this and other attacks on faith from Weekly Prayer Update 10/10 to 10/16

“House Chaplain Patrick Conroy and Paul D. Ryan got a win on Wednesday when the U.S. District Court upheld Congress’ right to open with a prayer. In the case of Barker v. Conroy, the plaintiff, Daniel Barker, an atheist and the founder of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, filed a federal discrimination and free speech lawsuit against Conroy and Ryan in June 2016 after his request to offer a secular invocation on the floor was declined.” Read more here.

National Prayer Points  

Sessions: Respect Christian Business Owners’ Right

“While people debate whether a religious business owner should be forced to conduct business in a way he or she does not agree with, the attorney general of the United States believes that Americans too often ignore what the United States Constitution actually says about the issue.”

Federal Judge Strikes Down Minister’s Housing Allowance

“Since 1954, churches have been allowed to assist their pastors and ministers with housing costs by providing a tax-exempt housing allowance. A recent ruling in a Wisconsin lawsuit is doing its best to reverse this 60-year precedent, subjecting America’s religious leaders to an increase of $800 million in taxes a year.”

‘Undeniable’ – Updated Religious Liberty Report

First Liberty created a cumulative compilation of recent documented instances of hostility toward free religious exercise. It is often cited by lawmakers, educators, opinion leaders, and the media. 


International Prayer Points

Canada: Future Law School Already Being Challenged

“Canada’s Supreme Court is looking to make a decision on whether graduates from a proposed Christian law school be recognized as lawyers.”


State Prayer Points

Religious Liberty Legislation

Continue praying consistently and fervently for the successful passage of legislation that effectively protects our Judeo-Christian heritage and religious liberty. Also, pray that bills and resolutions that undermine our First Amendment Rights will be unsuccessful.

CO: Now Baker Receives This Strange Request 

“The Christian baker in Colorado who was sued for declining to make a cake for a same-sex couple’s wedding reception received a strange request last month: Design and bake a cake celebrating Satan’s birthday….The incident exemplifies the complexity of government laws mandating that those in creative occupations violate their religious beliefs in serving clients or customers.”

MN: Law Forces Couple To Violate Conscience 

“The law states that it’s ‘an unfair discriminatory practice for a person engaged in a trade or business or in the provision of a service … to intentionally refuse to do business with, to refuse to contract with, or to discriminate in the basic terms, conditions, or performance of the contract because of a person’s … sexual orientation,’ among other factors.”

NC: Legislative Prayer Could Be Going To The Supreme Court – Again

“DEVELOPING: Rowan County in North Carolina asks the Supreme Court to uphold its policy pertaining to praying before public meetings and to clear up conflicting rulings on legislator-led prayer in lower courts. ADF attorneys are co-counsel in this case.”


National Prayer Opportunities

Prayer for the Congressional Prayer Caucus, Their Families, and Staff

Congressional Prayer: Each week Congress is in session, members of Congressional Prayer Caucus meet before votes to pray in Room 219 of the U.S. Capitol. Learn more.

There are nearly 100 Members of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, a bipartisan and bicameral caucus, that is spearheading a strategic movement of national, state and local leaders and citizens who are working together to promote prayer, protect religious freedom and restore, upgrade and popularize America’s founding spirit and the principles related to faith and morality that shaped this Great Republic. Please commit to praying daily for them, their families, and staff.

Pray for our President and all Those in Authority 

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Tim. 2, Psalm 91 

Include: Judicial Branch, Legislative Branch, Executive Branch, Military, Faith Leaders, First Responders, Etc.

PrayUSA – Government Leaders Calling The Nation to Prayer

In 2015, government leaders spearheaded an effort to call America back to God and prayer. Be part of the Movement — If you are a government leader, church or organization, you can add your name to the list of leaders who are committed to this Call to Prayer for America. Churches and Organizations can contact CPCF to be added to the list. Government Leaders will be automatically added when you sign the Proclamation (document or online). Sign the Proclamation or host a PrayUSA Sunday

Join the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation Prayer Team! 

Sign up here to join the CPCF Prayer Team! Upon joining you will receive insider prayer requests about once a month, and invitations to weekly prayer calls.


Prayer for Anti-Faith Groups

Freedom From Religion Foundation
ACLU
AHA
Secular Coalition for America
Military Religious Freedom Foundation


 For more information about this prayer initiative, contact Summer Ingram, National Director of Prayer and Mobilization for the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation. 

www.CPCFoundation.com