National Strategic Center 
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For APCN Members 
Read this and other attacks on faith from Weekly Prayer Update 4/2/18 to 4/9/18
Col. Bohannon has flown combat missions in the Middle East and he is the recipient of the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal. His extraordinary leadership put him on the path to promotion to one star general. But, instead of a promotion, he was suspended and his promotion jeopardized because he declined to sign a “certificate of spouse appreciation” for a retiring master sergeant’s same-sex spouse due to his deeply held religious beliefs about marriage, but went out of his way to get a 2 star general to sign in his stead.
His unfair punishment moved Members of Congress to send a strong letter in his defense. Also, the CPCF sent a letter to encourage the Air Force to reconsider their actions.
Recently, the Air Force Secretary announced that the director of the Air Force Review Boards Agency “concluded that Colonel Bohannon had the right to exercise his sincerely held religious beliefs and did not unlawfully discriminate when he declined to sign the certificate of appreciation for the same sex spouse of an Airman in his command.”
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
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
Thanks to those of you who joined us for a 21-day fast for healing of the nation. We have extended it another 10 days for those who wish to continue. The fast will culminate on the 19th. Please use the prayer points provided in the previous Weekly Prayer Updates.
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
Canada: Govt May Nix Tax Exempt Status For Faith-Based Groups
“A study on government dollars pouring into faith-based organizations such as homeless shelters was recently ordered by the very liberal Canadian government, and they appear to be laying the foundation for removing tax-exempt status from all faith-based organizations in the country.”
Indonesia: Life In Prison For ‘Blasphemy’
“According to International Christian Concern, Jakarta’s first Chinese-Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama – also known as ‘Ahok,’ was convicted of blasphemy despite the prosecutor’s recommendation that the blasphemy charges be dropped. More than nine months after his conviction, Ahok officially challenged it through a case review petition to the Supreme Court. But late last month, the court rejected it. ICC’s Gina Goh says Ahok will have to serve his full prison term which runs until next year.”
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: AB 2943 Would Make Biblical Counseling Illegal – Hearing Tomorrow
ADF: “At its core, AB 2943 outlaws speech, whether offered by a licensed counselor, a best-selling author, or even a minister or religious leader. It targets a specific message-that an adult who is experiencing unwanted same-sex attraction or gender identity confusion can find help to address those issues-for censorship. The breadth of this censorship is staggering.”
Use these Talking Points when calling your representative or when testifying at the hearing tomorrow at 9am in the State Capitol, Room 437.
CO: HB 1245 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
PA: Tradition Of Religious Symbolism Isn’t Unconstitutional
“The official seal of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, contains a number of images, one of them being a cross. The Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) believes this violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and obtained a ruling in its favor in November 2017. The issue is now before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, where First Liberty filed a friend-of-the-court brief arguing the symbolism is constitutional.”
PA: Faith-Based Adoption Agencies Denied Contract In Philly
“Last month, the city put out an urgent call for 300 families to provide foster care to help care for the flood of children coming into the system due to the opioid crisis. Just a few days later, right in its moment of need, the city halted the child placements of Catholic Social Services and Bethany Christian Services to investigate whether these agencies had violated the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance, a policy that prohibits ‘discrimination’ on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Some religious adoption agencies opt to place children only with mother-father parents, in accord with their deeply held religious convictions. This includes some of the oldest and highest-performing adoption agencies in the country.”
TN: Freedom From Religion Foundation Ecstatic About Ending Prayer In Tennessee School
From FFRF Site: “It was recently reported by several community members to FFRF that Wayne County High School was broadcasting prayer over its public announcement system to students during the morning announcements. A video posted in the Tennessee River Valley News Facebook page on March 23 shows a student leading a prayer over the P.A. system with the caption, ‘How Fridays begin at Wayne County High School in Tennessee.'”
WI: Ordinance Will Infringe On Religious Freedom Of Churches
“Last fall the De Pere Common Council approved an ordinance that would protect transgender people from being fired or denied access to housing. The ordinance was passed by the council Nov. 21 and took effect March 1. But its future is now in question. On Feb. 22, a coalition of five local churches and a non-profit Christian radio station filed a lawsuit against the city stating the ordinance is ‘devoid of typical safeguards such as religious employment exceptions, or even the ministerial exception unanimously recognized by the Supreme Court.'”
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.
