"The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes... The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold." Ps 19:8, 10
Thank God for the strong, decisive vote for marriage in North Carolina! Earlier this week the measure defining marriage as only between a man and a woman passed by 61%.
Sadly, another milestone regarding marriage occurred this week. For the first time in US history both the President and the Vice President announced their support for 'gay marriage'. Their opinions may impact upcoming votes on marriage in several states.
In Maryland and Washington time is running out. Earlier this year the legislatures in both states passed 'gay marriage' laws. The deadline to gather signatures for ballot initiatives to overturn these laws is only weeks away .
Each state has gathered barely half of the necessary signatures: 75,000 of the 150,000 needed in Washington and 30,000 of the 56,000 required in Maryland.
Please pray the people of Maryland and Washington will be able to vote on this issue; in every state where the people have voted, marriage has been upheld and protected.
CaliforniaThe Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled Prop 8 unconstitutional. The Prop 8 defense team has appealed the decision. The appeal will be heard by a panel of Ninth Circuit justices.
• Please pray for the selection of the 11 justices for this panel. The Ninth Circuit Court is considered one of the most liberal in the US, and has the highest number of decisions overturned by the US Supreme Court.
• Pray for Andy Pugno and the Prop 8 legal defense team as they prepare their appeal.
• Pray the Protect Marriage organization will receive the funds to continue this fight, an estimated two million dollars.
US Supreme CourtPlease continue to pray for the Federal Supreme court who will eventually hear and rule on either the prop 8 case or one of those against DOMA.
• Pray the justices will rule for the constitutionality of marriage as only between a man and a woman.
Pray especially for Justices Anthony Kennedy and Stephen Breyer, who are considered to be the swing votes on the issue of same-sex marriage.
Federal Defense of Marriage Act, DOMAMembers of Congress have hired Paul Clement to defend the law. Several cases against DOMA have been brought in different states. The impact of the rulings in these cases is uncertain.
• Pray for Paul Clement and his team as they fight to defend the federal law; for marriage as one man and one woman to remain the law in our nation.
New YorkA lawsuit alleging the 'gay marriage' bill was passed illegally has been allowed to proceed. New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedom claim a private meeting between the governor, senators and mayor of New York City may have violated the state’s open meetings law. This meeting took place prior to the vote for 'gay marriage' in 2011.
• Please pray for the case; for marriage as one man for one woman to be restored in this powerful and influential state.
• Pray for Archbishop Timothy Dolan and other religious leaders as they speak out in favor of God’s plan for marriage.
IowaSame-sex marriage is currently legal in Iowa. A vote to challenge the 'gay marriage' law during 2012 appears unlikely. Such a vote passed in the House of Representatives, but the Senate Majority leader has vowed to block such a vote.
A bill to restore the definition of marriage to a man and a woman needs to be approved by 2 separately elected legislatures and the people of Iowa, before the law can change.
• Since changing the law is a long, complicated process, prayer and perseverance are needed to see victory for God's definition of marriage.
• Please pray for those fighting for marriage, for vision, strength and protection.
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Thank you for standing with the Lord and us at Desert Stream as we continue to wage this battle.
"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations...he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." (Romans 4:18a, 20,21)
May God give us all the faith and perseverance of Abraham, to hope against hope, continuing to stand in prayer for His full intent for marriage.
To listen to Andy's Honoring Marriage podcast episodes
just click on this link.
You may also download them free from ITUNES by searching for Desert Stream Ministries.
Honoring Marriage for the Good of All is a prayer guide for preserving marriage, one man for one woman, in our country utilizing our most effective weapon - intercessory prayer. This 40-day intercessory prayer guide will help all those concerned with preserving marriage.
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