Read this and other attacks on faith from Weekly Prayer Update 2/26/18 to 3/5/18
“Within a 24-hour period, Nashville’s music industry honored former Republican presidential candidate and TV host Mike Huckabee and then quickly bumped him from the board of the Country Music Association Foundation. Just hours after the Wednesday announcement of Huckabee’s election to the board of the foundation, several Nashville heavyweights protested the move, citing his political opinions and associations.”
Read more here.
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
Big Cases To Watch At The Supreme Court In 2018
1. Decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop
“The justices heard oral arguments in Jack Phillips’ right-of-conscience case on December 5. The day after oral arguments, the justices met in their closed session, voted on the case, and assigned an author to write a majority decision. We don’t know how the justices voted or who is writing the majority decision. The justices will announce their decision sometime before the end of the term in late June. This will be one of the most-watched cases of the term.
2. Will the Supreme Court grant review in the Rowan County legislative prayer case?
The county board of Rowan County, North Carolina varied the practice of prayer by rotating through the members of the board. The American Civil Liberties Union challenged this practice, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit initially upheld the practice, but on further review agreed with the ACLU that the practice violated the Establishment Clause. All 15 judges on the Fourth Circuit heard the case and ruled against it 10-5.
But in a second case, the federal appeals court for Michigan, the Sixth Circuit, also heard a case raising the same issue and upheld the practice of county board members praying to open a meeting, by a 9-6 vote last September. Although only two federal appeals courts have heard this issue about prayer by the members of a county board since Town of Greece was decided, it is extremely rare for two full courts sitting en banc to rule opposite ways on the same legal issue, and by nearly identical votes.
If the Court grants review, oral arguments will likely be in April, with a decision in late June.
‘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
North Korea: The World’s Worst Religious Persecutor
“The DPRK ostentatiously treats anyone of faith, but especially Christians, as hostile. Believers place loyalty to God before that of the North Korean state. Churches allow people to act and organize outside of state entities. Christianity also has ties to a world seen as almost uniformly threatening by Pyongyang.”
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.
AZ: Satanic Temple Sues City To Lead City Council Prayer
“A group that invokes the name Satan as a metaphor for opposing religious tyranny has sued the well-off Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale, accusing officials of discrimination after being denied an opportunity to give the opening prayer at a City Council meeting. Michelle Shortt of the Satanic Temple of Tucson was scheduled to preside over the council’s invocation in July 2016. But the city canceled it, saying it would keep with tradition in allowing prayer only from groups with substantial ties to Scottsdale.”
IL: Many Taypayers Forced To Pay For Services That Violate Their Conscience
“The controversial bill, HB 40, essentially expands Medicaid, which means that the state of Illinois will be financing elective abortions and abortions for state employees.” This decision violates the conscience of a majority of taxpayers in Illinois.
MD: Fourth Circuit: Bladensburg Cross Memorial Won’t Be Saved
“A legal organization dedicated to defending religious liberty is hoping the U.S. Supreme Court will take up its case involving a veterans memorial. Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied an en banc rehearing in the Bladensburg World War I Veterans Memorial case. The American Humanist Association (AHA) says the Christian cross on government property in Bladensburg violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, and a three-judge Fourth Circuit panel agreed last October — a decision that led to First Liberty Institute and Jones Day asking for the en banc rehearing.”
MI: Bill Seeks To Tell Churches What They Can Teach On Sexuality
“A Michigan church under fire for teaching its young girls the principles of biblical sexuality is getting some support from a prominent pro-family group.”
OR: Kleins Still Seeking America’s Promise Of Protection
“Attorneys with First Liberty Institute and Boyden Gray & Associates have filed an appeal at the Oregon Supreme Court in the case of Aaron and Melissa Klein, former owners of the family bakery ‘Sweet Cakes by Melissa’…The Oregon Court of Appeals late last year ruled against the Kleins, upholding a decision by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) that resulted in a $135,000 penalty – all for adhering to their deeply held beliefs.
WA: Governor Ready To Sign Bill That Violates First Amendment Rights
“Recently, legislators in Washington passed a bill that essentially won’t allow healthcare professionals (or now pastors, members of religious institutions, etc.) to counsel according to a biblical worldview. Contact your Governor today and encourage him to support this bill. Call him at 360-902-4111 or click here to email him.
“Governor, please do not sign SB5722 into law. Please protect the First Amendment Rights of healthcare professionals and the religious community. Thank you.
National Prayer Opportunities
Prayer for the American Prayer Caucus Network, Their Families, and Staff
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 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.
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
National Strategic Center 
Join the movement in your state 
For APCN Members 
