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On Watch in Washington / The Informer

December 30, 2015

 
Ever since the now-infamous U.S. Supreme Court decision on January 22, 1973 legalizing unrestricted abortion on demand in the United States, no other single cause has prompted more consistent prayer across our nation than the issue of life in the womb. Many Christian leaders have called that date a turning point from which our country has never recovered. And yet thousands of intercessors have pressed on patiently, continuing to pray.
 
As a result, God is showing His grace and power, and hearts are being changed. Glimmers of hope are bringing forth increased faith. There is evidence that light is advancing and darkness receding. For the first time in many years, a majority of Americans call themselves pro-life. Overturning Roe v. Wade seems a real possibility in our lifetime. God is at work, answering the prayers of His people.
 
January is National Sanctity of Life month, and IFA encourages you to fast and pray with many likeminded believers for these innocent lives at risk. Beginning January 17, we will share a weeklong series of daily devotions. Invite your family, friends, prayer group, and church leaders to pray with us. Each devotional, including specific prayer points, will be delivered daily to your inbox during this week of prayer. You can sign up here:  https://www.nationalsanctityoflifesunday.com/.
 
In addition, we will have a focused time of prayer during a National Sanctity of Life Prayer Conference Call on Friday, January 22, at 12:15 p.m. (ET). Leaders from the pro-life movement will be sharing their various perspectives and will lead us in prayer during the call. We have found such unity to be powerful. To join the call, dial 712-432-0075 and enter the code as prompted (1412452#). Alternatively, you may participate by watching the live Webcast at http://www.ifapray.org/resources/webcast.
 
Together, with God's help, we can lift the culture of life in our nation to a new height. Please join us. 


 
James Madison once observed that mankind is inclined to disagreement, and even "the most fanciful and frivolous distinctions have been sufficient to kindle their unfriendly passions." Take the perennial conflict over public observances of the Christmas holiday, which pit radical secularists against Christians and those who support religious liberty. According to a recent Rasmussen survey, 68 percent of Americans prefer to hear someone wish them a "Merry Christmas." Yet a war on Christmas still rages, as what Yale law professor Stephen L. Carter once called the "culture of disbelief" seeks to snuff out public expressions of faith in God.

Pray for an increase in the awareness of the importance of national respect for religious expression. This country was founded on this most important issue. Many came from Europe to escape the persecution of various elements of society that did not want to allow expressions of freedom of religion. Pray that America grasps the importance of this most cherished gift from God: the freedom to worship and the freedom to openly express love for God our Creator.

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. (Luke 4:18-19)

 
San Francisco and other cities across the United States have created so-called "sanctuaries" for illegal aliens. These municipalities are defying federal immigration law, just like some Southern jurisdictions that defied federal civil rights laws in the 1960s. But unlike that earlier era, today's sanctuary cities are creating safe havens for known criminals. Their policies have victimized innocent Americans, enabling illegal aliens to commit thousands of crimes that would not otherwise have occurred.
There is no question that sanctuary policies violate federal immigration law. One provision of the law (8 U.S.C. 1373) bans local governments from preventing law enforcement or other government officials from sharing information with the federal government on the "citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual."

Pray that local government officials be made aware of the ramifications of wrong decisions regarding the harboring of illegal immigrants for the sake of the safety of its citizens.

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all." (Psalm 34:19)
 
 
A bionic eye could restore sight to some blind peopleScientists have developed an implant, which delivers long pulses of electrical current in people blinded by a rare condition in which photoreceptor cells gradually cease to work. It brings hope to the 20,000 Britons with incurable retinitis pigmentosa (RP) after a study showed the device improves image sharpness. RP is a rare hereditary condition that causes gradual deterioration of the light-detecting cells in the retina, which can lead to blindness.
The disease affects about one in 4,000 people.

Give thanks to the Lord for His gift of wisdom for advancements that restore sight to many who have been adversely effected by eye diseases that cause sight loss.

 "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." (James 3:17 NIV)
 
 


I have been writing on trends in churches for two decades. I certainly don't have a perfect record with my predictions, but my overall record is pretty good. My methodology is simple: I observe emerging issues in some churches and extrapolate them into major trends. This year I take this approach with a higher level of confidence than previous years. I have seen most of the following issues grow month by month in 2015, so I don't have to be the brightest person in the world to project them as major trends in 2016. Here are eight trends. 


Pray that the Church in the U.S. will reflect the glory of the Lord in all places of worship. Pray that God's Holy Word will be the foundation for all teaching and preaching in pulpits across America.

"Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." (2 Timothy 4:2 NIV)


 

Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen." Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice-cream! Why, I never! "Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?" As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer." "Really?" my son asked.

Pray that this coming year will bring many opportunities for you to bless those around you with the love of Jesus.

"A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."  (Luke 6:45 NIV)

 

 

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