National Strategic Center 
Join the movement in your state 
For APCN Members 
Read this and other attacks on faith from Weekly Prayer Update 3/26/18 to 4/2/18
President Trump gave a warm holiday greeting that acknowledges the reason that people all over the world look forward to this time of year. Watch the video here.
Freedom of Religion means Americans shouldn’t be forced to worship God, but those who wish to can do so freely. As Americans, individuals are allowed to have a faith and to live out that faith in every area of their lives according to the dictates of conscience. Likewise, people are free to have no faith at all if they so choose. The “Free Exercise Clause” of the First Amendment only prohibits laws that restrict the free exercise of religion; it does not, and never has, prohibited laws that favor religion and its exercise.
Prayer and Action
Living our faith means it impacts everything we do. Paul encourages unceasing prayer, and James makes a strong point that faith without works is dead. Have you considered how to positively impact your sphere of influence with the values and care that are derived from faith?
National Prayer Points
Catholic Charities Battles to Serve Children and Adoptive Parents
“Across the country, local offices of Catholic Charities are similarly fighting in the courts, legislatures and public arena to preserve their adoption services against new legal pressures to close their doors because they abide by Catholic doctrine, which teaches marriage is the permanent, loving union of a man and a woman open to raising children.”
Bills That Make Biblical Counseling Illegal Springing Up Across The Nation
Click here for talking points to use at hearing, or for advocating for Biblical counseling in the public square.
21-Day Fast For Healing Of Our Nation
You are invited to join at 21-day Daniel fast for healing of our nation, legislative breakthroughs, a reformation of the judicial and education systems, and much more.
This is our final week. We encourage you to add your own prayer points, and journal the requests and answers.
1. Victory for religious freedom in all relevant court cases.
2. For every (legislative, judicial, or other) strategy to undermine our Constitutional Republic and First Amendment Rights to be unsuccessful.
3. People of faith across America to unite around a national strategy to ensure that Faith, God, Prayer, the Bible and its teachings, continue to have a place in shaping America’s future, to promote freedom and increase civility.
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
Turkey: Pastor Could Be Jailed For Life For Evangelism
“After holding American pastor Andrew Brunson in jail for nearly a year and a half without charges, the Turkish court is now looking to keep him in prison for what could be the rest of his life, equating his evangelism to terrorism.”
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.
The CPCF legal team has researched best practices legislation and provided talking points on various religious freedom topics to assist legislators. Download their Report here. View a model school policy on invocations before games here.
CA: Bill Would Make Biblical Counseling Illegal – Hearing Tomorrow
“Also called ‘reparative therapy’ or ‘SOCE therapy,’ conversion therapy seeks to help an individual change their sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual.
Matt Sharp, attorney with the Alliance Defending Freedom, told the Baptist Press in a statement published Monday that AB 2943 could be used to go after pastors who oppose homosexuality. ‘It could be a violation if a pastor encourages a congregant to visit the church bookstore to purchase books that help people address sexual issues, perhaps including the Bible itself, which teaches about the importance of sexual purity within the confines of marriage between a man and woman,’ stated Sharp.” Talking Points
CO: Bill Seeks To Outlaw Biblical Counseling
“The bill prohibits a licensed physician specializing in psychiatry or a licensed or registered mental health care provider from engaging in conversion therapy with a patient under 18 years of age. A licensee who engages in these efforts is subject to disciplinary action by the appropriate licensing board. ‘Conversion therapy’ means efforts that seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attraction or feelings toward individuals of the same sex.” Talking Points
IA: Church Affected By Government Overreach
“In 2016, the Iowa Civil Rights Commission proclaimed that this state law applied to churches. That meant that churches could be forced to open their showers and restrooms to members of the opposite biological sex, and even censor their speech about human sexuality. As you can imagine, this didn’t sit right with Fort Des Moines Church of Christ.
Fort Des Moines’ motto is to love God, love people, and serve everyone. Because of this motto, the congregation is active in the community and welcomes anyone to come to their church services to hear the good news of the Gospel.
But because the church welcomes nonmembers to attend its worship services and other activities, this state law could be used against it. Based on the Iowa Civil Rights Commission’s interpretation of state law, if the pastor spoke on what the Bible says about human sexuality, or if the church required people at the church to use the private facilities that line up with their biological sex, the church could be punished under the law.”
National Prayer Opportunities
Prayer for the American Prayer Caucus Network, 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.
The American Prayer Caucus Network is a nationwide network of nearly 1,000 federal and state elected leaders who are standing for faith and impacting the culture. Please join us in 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.
The Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation
The Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation, a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization created to support government leaders who wish to partner prayer with legislative and citizen action to protect our Judeo-Christian heritage and religious freedom. Please pray for the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation team, our State Directors, legal team, Board of Directors, web developers, technical team, production team, design and graphics team, CPCF intercessors and donors.
Join the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation Prayer Team!
Email me to join the CPCF Prayer Team! Commit to praying for the Members and families of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, The American Prayer Caucus Network, and the CPCFoundation.
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
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.
