National Strategic Center 
Join the movement in your state 
For APCN Members 
“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
“…the United States Army announced that it has rejected the findings of an investigation, and will abandon charges of ‘dereliction of duty’ against First Liberty Institute clients Chaplain Scott Squires and Chaplain Assistant, SSG Kacie Griffin. An earlier Army report recommended Squires be disciplined for following the rules of the Army and taking three business days to reschedule a marriage retreat he was prohibited by his denomination from facilitating.”
Air Force General Faces Questions Over Prayer Website
“An advocacy group is calling for an investigation into the commander of Edwards Air Force Base in California over allegations that he has violated U.S. Defense Department policies on religious proselytizing.Earlier this week, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, or MRFF, demanded that Defense Secretary James Mattis conduct a “full and vigorous investigation” of Air Force Brig. Gen. E. John Teichert, according to a copy of the letter provided to Air Force Times…The issue in the letter stems from Teichert’s website: Prayer at Lunchtime for the United States.There, Teichert wrote that his website is designed to ‘encourage Bible-believing Americans to take time to specifically pray for our nation at lunchtime every day.'”
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.
Iran: Pastor Remains Behind Bars
“A spokesman for a Christian legal firm says the case of an Iranian pastor imprisoned multiple times demonstrates the crackdown believers are experiencing in the Islamic Republic. American Center for Law and Justice is calling attention to the dire situation of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who has been thrown into prison once again.”
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: 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.
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.
ME: Two New Lawsuits Seek To Stop Discrimination Against Religion
“Dave and Amy Carson live with their 15-year-old daughter, Olivia, in Glenburn, Maine. Like many small towns across the state, Glenburn, population 4,543, is too small to maintain its own public high school. Instead, the local government gives families the money it would otherwise spend on education and lets them choose a public or private school for their children. There’s a catch: Maine won’t allow parents to spend taxpayer money on a religious school. Families like the Carsons, who believe a religious school is the best choice for Olivia, get nothing.”
NC: Town Reverses Course, Eliminating Illegal Zoning Restrictions Against Churches
“Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing a North Carolina church voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit against the city of Monroe Thursday after officials voted Tuesday to amend recent additions to the city’s zoning code. Those additions had prohibited churches from locating in three out of four sub-districts within the city’s newly created Concord Avenue Overlay District. Now the code will permit churches to freely locate and operate throughout the overlay district.”
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
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.
