National Strategic Center 
Join the movement in your state 
For APCN Members 
Read this and other attacks on faith from Weekly Prayer Update 12/26-1/2/17
“Religious freedom for America’s military men and women is at stake, and could be strengthened or further restricted depending on whether the Supreme Court decides to hear United States v. Sterling. Read more here
In the Rose Garden, President Clinton offered remarks praising RFRA. He said:
“What this law basically says is that the Government should be held to a very high level of proof before it interferes with someone’s free exercise of religion. This judgment is shared by the people of the United States as well as by the Congress. We believe strongly that we can never, we can never be too vigilant in this work.”
For anyone who thinks religious discrimination is non-existent in America, the attorneys at First Liberty Institute have a different story.
First Liberty announced the release of Undeniable: The Survey of Hostility to Religion in America (2016). It is available online here, free of charge.
Religious Liberty Legislation
Continue praying consistently and fervently for the successful passage of legislation that effectively protects our Judeo-Christian heritage and religious liberty.
CA: County Ended Church Services, Now Allows Them
“Just outside Oroville, California, Christians have been holding meetings in a barn so that a diverse congregation could come together and worship under one roof…However, county representatives told the owners that they could not meet any longer in the barn. They vetoed the gatherings again when they took place in an open pasture…After reviewing the legal information, the county quickly reversed its policy and has issued a lawful conditional use permit to the church.”
IN: Schools Can Push Back Atheist Threats
“A public school district in Indiana has agreed to stop student invocations at school events after repeated threats from an atheist organization.”
MI: Atheists Lost Battle Over Manger Scene
“A Michigan town has demonstrated that government bodies should not surrender because of threats from atheist activist organizations…According to federal court rulings, the nativity scene – if combined with secular items such as a Christmas tree and Santa Claus – is legal and constitutional, so Menominee corrected its display to conform to the court’s opinions.”
“The Fourth Circuit issued an order granting a rehearing en banc in Lund v. Rowan County. In September, a three-judge panel issued a decision upholding the county’s prayer practice, but plaintiffs filed a petition for rehearing, which was granted. The case is tentatively scheduled for oral argument during January 24-26. As amici, the brief filed on behalf of the Members of Congress will be refiled with the court at this stage.”
PA: Legal Fights Unfold Over Penn Quote
“The bench is inscribed with a quote from William Penn, the famous 16th century Quaker and founder of present-day Pennsylvania. ‘Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants,’ reads the bench, which was donated by the VFW to the city in 2003 for use in its Justus Park…the city government, fearing a lawsuit, seems to have caved. TV news station KDKA reported Dec. 2 that the city agreed to remove the bench at the request of the atheist group, which stated it will suggest an appropriate quote for the VFW that meets its non-Establishment-Clause-violating standards…The head of the VFW vowed in November to fight the atheist group, calling its written demand to remove the bench ‘insane.'”
TX: Judge Orders School To Restore Charlie Brown Christmas Decorations
“Judge Jack Jones issued a temporary restraining order against the Killeen Independent School District. The district had backed a principal’s decision to remove a Christmas poster that referenced a poignant scene in the beloved holiday cartoon, ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’…Attorney General Paxton said the school district’s decision to affirm the banning of the poster violated the Merry Christmas law. That law, passed in 2013, stipulates that no school official in Texas can silence a Biblical reference to Christmas.”
“Shepherd’s Heart Anglican Church was planning on serving free hot dogs and drinks at a public park while playing some music. Everything was fine until the city found out the church was going to play contemporary Christian music.”
Congressional Prayer Caucus
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.
There are over 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 for them regularly.
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.
Join people from across the nation for 24/7 Worship in Washington DC. They welcome worship teams from every tribe, tongue, nation, denomination, and all 50 U.S. states. Learn more here
Half Billion Christians Can’t Express Faith, 90K Killed In 2016
“Even though United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May declared to the island nation’s Parliament that Christians should be able to discuss their faith while at work, a veteran intensive care nurse at Darent Valley Hospital was fired for doing exactly what the British leader said was well within her rights.”
Turkey: Imprisonment – The Cost Of Faith
“An American Christian who has been a pastor of a church in Turkey and ministering to the Turkish people for more than two decades has been imprisoned for his faith.”
Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation
American Prayer Caucus Network
PrayUSA: Government Leaders Calling The Nation To Prayer
There are many organizations on the front lines that need our prayers.
Alliance Defending Freedom, ACLJ, Becket Fund, Liberty Counsel, Liberty Institute, Family Research Council, The Heritage Foundation, Chaplain Alliance For Religious Liberty and any others that come to mind.
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
Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. Contributions are tax-deductible in accordance with IRS rules and regulations. No funds are used for political or campaign activities.
