Weekly Prayer Update
Ambassador Brownback Heads To Rome
August 20, 2018


“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” – President Ronald Reagan

National Prayer Points  

Ambassador Brownback Heads To Rome

Please pray for divine appointments and blessed conversations as Ambassador Sam Brownback heads to Rome to talk about international religious freedom to a gathering of Catholic legislators from around the world.  Pleas pray for protection and favor in any opportunities this week to interact with the Pope, Vatican officials, American representatives, and leaders from across the globe.


International Prayer Points

Please pray for wisdom for the U.S. as it considers ways to address persecution around the world, including particularly dangerous situations for Rohingya Muslims in Burma, Uighur Muslims in China, and Christians in Nigeria. 

Canada: University Caves, Drops Moral Code

“A Christian university in Canada caved to the pressure of a number of law societies and removed its pledge committing students to biblical moral conduct – so that its graduating students can be accredited in the nation’s legal system.”

Iran: Couple And Their Church Sentenced To Prison For Their Faith

“Iran’s Islamic regime has sentenced an Iranian couple to prison for practicing Christianity and also sentenced every member of their church to one year in prison.” 

Turkey: Imprisoned Pastor Released On Home Arrest

“The ACLJ represents the family of Pastor Andrew – a U.S. citizen from Black Mountain, North Carolina – who has spent nearly 21 months imprisoned in Turkey because of his Christian faith.  Pastor Andrew has been on trial for the crime of “Christianization,” and the ACLJ has been working in this country and abroad to secure his freedom.

We have confirmed that the Turkish government has issued an order releasing Pastor Andrew from prison and allowing him to be returned to his home in Turkey. This is a critical first step that we believe will result in the freedom of Pastor Andrew so he can return to the United States and be reunited with his family.”


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 First Amendment Rights. Also, pray that bills and resolutions that undermine our 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. View a model school invocation policy.

CA: Charter School Faces Suit For Religious Discrimination

“A new lawsuit has been filed in Riverside Superior Court on behalf of a piano teacher who was rejected by a charter school for religious reasons…Solomos was initially told by the charter school’s management company that her application had been approved.  But when they told her there was a prohibition on teaching religious music, she got curious.  She asked about old spirituals and “Amazing Grace,” which are in many piano method books.  She was told she should tear out such songs or cover them over.  Solomos noted that great composers like J.S. Bach composed religious music and even signed his works to the glory of God.”

CA: Chino Valley School Board Appealing To Supreme Court

“The Chino Valley Unified school board is asking a higher power for help in its ongoing legal battle over prayer at meetings: the U.S. Supreme Court. A week after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the board, a majority of its members voted at a special meeting Wednesday, Aug. 1, to direct legal counsel to file a petition with the Supreme Court for a review of the ruling. The filing may include a petition for the 9th Circuit rehearing the case in an en banc session, in which all of the court’s judges, and not just a three-member panel, reconsider the case.”

CA: AB 2943 – Prayer And Action

Although Californians showed up in mass at the capitol to oppose AB 2943, the bill passed the legislature this week. AB 2943 was changed slightly in the Senate, so the full Assembly must approve those amendments. The next voting opportunity is Monday, August 20th.The bill must be approved by the Assembly by August 31, 2018, or it is dead.

The bill states that licensed counselors, pastors and religious leaders, cannot counsel anyone struggling with their sexuality according to a Biblical worldview.  According to Heritage Foundation, “This law would be triggered when a transaction occurs—a counselor’s payment, an attendance fee, the cost of a book, or a pastor’s speaking fee. Anyone who is offended by a statement, teaching, or practice with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity could then file a lawsuit against a minister, counselor, author, store, or educational institution that offended them.” This is just the beginning. The far reaching consequences are staggering. 

Contact the offices of the Governor and the Assembly members so they know how much we value our First Amendment Rights! Use these Talking Points when calling your senator or the Governor

CO: Baker Back In Court

“Less than three months after winning a Supreme Court case backing his religious freedom of expression, Colorado Christian cake artist Jack Phillips is finding himself at the center of yet another cake and faith-based battle. A new complaint was recently filed against Phillips with the Colorado Civil Rights Division after an attorney approached him and asked him to make a cake celebrating the anniversary of a gender transition. The attorney requested that the cake be pink on the inside and blue on the outside, representing a transition from male to female. Phillips declined to make the cake based on his religious beliefs.”

MD: Fourth Circuit Calling For War Memorial In Shape Of Cross To Be Demolished 

CPCF Legal Team: The case involves the Bladensburg Peace Cross, a memorial to area men who died in the First World War. It has stood since 1925 without bothering anyone until in 2014 the American Humanist Association felt that the monument violates the Constitution’s establishment clause. The district judge tossed the case, holding that the tiny amount of government money that is spent on upkeep does not endorse religion. The Fourth Circuit held 2-1 that this offends the First Amendment. On the petition for rehearing en banc the court declined by 8-6. Pray that the Supreme Court takes this case and reverses the Fourth Circuit ruling.

VA: Bible Studies Banned From Public And Private Areas

“Attorneys representing a pro-religious organization have sent a letter to a Fredericksburg, VA-based senior living operator, alleging that rules against Bible studies in a community room constitute religious discrimination.”

WA: Our Teachers Need Prayer And To Be Allowed To Pray

The Ninth Circuit has upheld the firing of a high school football coach because, after a game, he went to the middle of the field and silently kneeled and thanked God.  He had earlier acquiesced in the school’s request not to invite players to join him, but his kneeling when students could see him was enough for the court to say his private action was not protected.  The logic of this ruling reaches a multitude of actions by teachers, such as having a Bible on the desk, wearing an hijab on the head or a cross on a necklace, and having a bumper sticker showing a church affiliation.  The coach has requested the Supreme Court to review the case, and CPCF is joining a brief asking the Court to do so as well.  Pray that the Court will do so and protect the right of teachers to pray in appropriate circumstances.


Prayer for the American Prayer Caucus Network and CPCFoundation

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.

Each week Congress is in session, members of Congressional Prayer Caucus meet before votes to pray in Room 219 of the U.S. Capitol. Please pray for the CPC to continue to grow and be increasingly effective for generations to come. 

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
American Civil Liberties Union
American Humanists Association
American Atheists
Secular Coalition for America 
Military Religious Freedom Foundation