Weekly Prayer Update
Promise Kept: Trump Administration Protects Americans’ Religious Freedom
October 11, 2017

Read this and other attacks on faith from Weekly Prayer Update 10/2 – 10/10

“The Justice Department fulfilled President Donald Trump’s promise to provide clear guidance on the administration’s commitment to restore robust protection of religious freedom across all federal agencies and executive departments Friday.”  Read more here.

National Prayer Points 

The U.S. Government Protects Freedom Of Conscience

“The U.S. government has finally acknowledged that, if people desire access to contraceptives and abortion pills, then they can do so without forcing nuns and faith-based organizations to provide them.”

DOD Drops SPLC From Extremism Training Materials

“The Pentagon has officially severed all ties to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) after previously relying on the group’s training materials on extremism.”

Masterpiece Cakeshop Case Gets A Date

“BREAKING NEWS: The Supreme Court has set oral arguments for Masterpiece Cakeshop for Tuesday, December 5th.”

Schools End Use Of BC And AD

“Schools across the country have stopped using the terms BC and AD in religious education lessons for fear of offending non-Christians.”

FFRF Wins Major Housing Allowance Challenge

From FFRF site: “A federal judge for a second time has ruled in favor of the historic challenge by the Freedom From Religion Foundation of a housing allowance in the tax code that uniquely privileges clergy.”

‘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

PA: ‘Pay To Slay’ Program Motivates Killings 

“In the wake of three Israeli security personnel being murdered by a Palestinian terrorist on Tuesday, the motivation behind the merciless attack has been uncovered – the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) ‘Pay to Slay’ program that glorifies anti-Semitic Islamic terrorists and gives them incentives by offering large monetary rewards for murdering Israeli Jews.”


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.

FL: Atheists Win, For Now

“Americans United for Separation of Church and State, among several other groups, went to court claiming that was unconstitutional and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida agreed.”

FL: More Defenders Of ‘Offensive’ Cross Come Forward

“Five major Jewish groups and 14 states are asking for a cross to remain standing in Florida. The cross is located in a city park in Pensacola, Florida. It was installed in 1941 and received few if any complaints until May 2016 when four people filed a lawsuit to have the cross removed. The four are represented by the American Humanist Association.”

GA: FFRF Upset At Prayer Offerred At School

From FFRF site: “A concerned parent reported to FFRF that at a recent ‘Moms for Muffins’ event, a teacher at Reidsville Elementary in Reidsville, Ga., told all the students present to bow their heads. The teacher then led them in a Christian prayer that included, ‘bless this food’ and ‘In Jesus’ name we pray.’ FFRF understands that ‘Moms for Muffins’ was a school-sponsored event held in conjunction with learning about the letter ‘M.'”

KY: FFRF Outraged By ‘Night Of Prayer’ At Jail

From FFRF site: The FFRF is outraged by “Night of Prayer” at county jail to combat drug use.

MI: FFRF Seeks To End Prayer

From FFRF site: “A concerned citizen informed FFRF that football coaches at Bridgeport High School lead their teams in prayer. The complainant informed the state/church watchdog that at a game on Sept. 7, the Bridgeport Junior Varsity football team coaches and the opposing team prayed together after the game. This prayer circle, which shows coaches participating in the prayer, was photographed and shared on social media and can be seen in the photograph above.”

MN: FFRF Urges Historical Society To End Grants To Houses Of Worship

From FFRF site: The Freedom From Religion Foundation is requesting that the Minnesota Historical Society reconsider its…use of tax dollars to fund religious buildings. 

MS: Court Clears Way For ‘Religious Objections’ Law

“After more than a year of legal battles and national headlines, Mississippi’s controversial House Bill 1523, often referred to as the religious freedom law, will take effect Friday, Oct. 6.”

PA: Judge: Including Cross ‘Endorsing’ Religion

“A federal judge may have sided with atheists over a Pennsylvania’s county’s seal but an attorney insists the county did nothing wrong.”

TX: More Churches Unhappy With FEMA Policy Over Relief Aid

“The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been excluding churches from non-profit relief grants, but in the wake of Hurricane Harvey three small Texas churches are challenging FEMA’s policy. The case is known as Harvest Family Church v. FEMA.”

VA: School Runs From Bible Verse Bench

“The family of late teenager Colton Osborne is reportedly trying to reach a resolution with the Charlotte County School Board after a memorial bench was placed near the ball field.”


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