No One To Defend The Helpless

I don't know if you heard about the Muslim girl who converted to Christianity who has been (somewhat) in the news lately. She ran away from home because she feared that her family would kill her. Today I was saddened to read the following headline:

Judge Orders Christian Convert Runaway to Return to Ohio

My sister in the Lord is being forced back into a situation where she had reason to believe that she would be murdered by her own family. Perhaps the judge is grossly ignorant of the practices of Islam. After all we've been told that Islam is a "peaceful religion." But I've heard too many stories of Muslim converts to Christianity who find themselves "resting in peace" at the hands of those who should have undying love for them.

I am curious what grounds the judge had for forcing this young woman to go back. She is 17 years old - only months from her 18th birthday. Hopefully, those few months will not be her last. I will have to do more research.

The law is to protect the helpless, but in this country it never seems to. Where is justice? Where is the protection for the widow and the orphan? I am convinced that the state of our justice system makes God want to vomit.

I will be praying for this sister. I have been praying - but perhaps not diligently enough. But one thing is sure: God - the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Great I Am, The Sinner's Hope - will be glorified by this young woman's life.

Lord God,

I ask you to protect my sister's life. I ask you to give her courage and strength to face this unjust decision and to trust Your sovereignty and Your goodness. Defend her life, Lord, and soften the hearts of every lost soul that she knows to come to the knowledge of you.

Father, I know that this outcome does not surprise You, and I know that You have prepared her for this moment from before the foundation of time. Let Your Spirit hover close to her. Let her sense Your closeness and Your love. May Your angels encamp around her to keep her from even dashing her foot against a stone.

Fill her with Your word and help her to not worry about what to say or what to do, but to trust that You will give her the words to say and the courage to face whatever comes. Lord God, I place her into Your hands.

Amen.

God be with you, sister. I will be praying for you.

UPDATE:

In another article I read, the father says he loves his daughter and has no plans to harm her. I hope he is telling the truth.

But according to another article the young lady sure seems to think something else:

"If I had stayed in Ohio, I wouldn't be alive," she said. "In 150 generations in family, no one has known Jesus. I am the first — imagine the honor in killing me."

"There is great honor in that, because if they love Allah more than me, they have to do it. It's in the Koran,"

So who do you believe? I think you probably ought to err on the side of life. If it is possible that they may want to kill her then I think she should be allowed to protect her life. We'll see how it plays.

Hunger And Thirst For God In The Capital

For the spiritual climate in Washington, D.C. to be characterized by a hunger and thirst for God and His ways

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
—Matthew 5:6

Righteous God, only You are deserving of our fear and our awe. All our yearnings are fulfilled in You, for You are faithful and true. There is no God like You, for You can do all things, even that which seems impossible to the human eye.

Knowing Your capabilities are limitless, Lord, we ask boldly and with confidence for You to nurture a spiritual climate in our nation’s capital, inside the beltway and out, in which our leaders desire You and Your ways. God, create in them a longing to know You, and a realization that without You they are incapable of making the decisions that are best for our nation. Make Yourself real to them, Lord, in uniquely personal and undeniable ways, we ask, by the power of Your Son Jesus, amen.

That Those Serving The Obama Administration Would Be Guided By God's Word

For the members of the new administration from the President and Vice President to the West Wing to clerical workers at every level to be guided by the Holy Scriptures as they serve

How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
—Psalm 119:103-105

O Lord God, how I praise You for the love You showed us in giving Your Son Jesus Christ, the Living Word who was, who is, and who is to come. Thank You for providing Your holy Word to guide our path as we seek and serve You. May Your Word be lifted up, honored and obeyed by all Americans in the days and weeks to come.

As the members of the new administration are identified, appointed and hired to serve in specific positions of service to our government, I pray that they will be guided by Your Word. Shine the light of Your truth on their paths, Lord, so they may experience the sweetness of walking in Your truth. Do this, O Lord, for Your Name’s sake. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Holiness In The US House Of Representatives

For the members of the U.S. House of Representatives to seek God with their whole hearts, desiring righteousness and holiness as they serve

Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
—Isaiah 11:5

Sovereign God, Your plans are perfect and Your ways are right and just. We look to You and see the beauty of all You have designed. We trust in Your perfect will and Your way, particularly when it comes to the selection and cooperation of our national leaders.

Lord, assist those in the U.S. House of Representatives to desire what others, particularly their constituents, want and need instead of what will bring them individual gain or glory. Show them the value of asking You for insight and of obeying Your direction, in humble recognition of Your presence and love. Let them pursue righteousness and holiness as they serve on Capitol Hill, in the name of Christ our Lord, amen.

Holiness In the US Senate

For the members of the U.S. Senate to be cleansed of sin and purified to serve their constituencies with faithfulness and godliness

And since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
—Hebrews 10:21-23

O God of promises, I praise and thank You today for keeping every promise You have made—and for Your ultimate promise of salvation which is in Jesus Christ, Your Son. Thank You for Your untiring faithfulness which secures a place in Heaven for me.

Today, I ask for blessings on the members of the United States Senate—those newly elected and those who have served for years. O God, as these dedicated men and women prepare to serve our nation in the 111th Congress, I ask that You cleanse and purify them so they may serve You and our nation with faithfulness and godliness. In Your holy name, amen.

Oops. Missed One...

For insight and clarity for President Elect Obama’s appointee to the position of Secretary of Treasury, Timothy Geithner

His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!”
—Matthew 25:23

O Exalted Lord, You reign in perfect faithfulness over us—as individuals and as a nation. You have done great and mighty things in this country, and I praise and thank You for Your goodness to us, even in the midst of economic crisis and challenge.

God, we pray that President-Elect Barack Obama’s choice for the Secretary of the Treasury, Timothy Geithner, to have a heart like the good stewards celebrated in Matthew 25. Give him great wisdom, integrity and understanding about how to deal properly with our country’s economic concerns. Give him insight beyond his own experience so our nation will be able to meet the needs of its citizens. We give You praise and honor for hearing and responding. In the name of Christ our Lord, amen.

Revival

For God to revive our nation as we look to the future with hope

Then we will not turn away from You; revive us, and we will call on Your name. Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make Your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
—Psalm 80:18

O Holy God, only You are worthy of the praise of our lips and the songs of our hearts. Only You are worthy of glory and honor and majesty above all rulers, powers and authority! All hope is found in You and there is no hope apart from You. You are the Lord and master of time and I am so grateful that You look on us with love and compassion.

Today, O God, our nation is in need of a fresh wind from You. We are wearied by sin and disobedience to You and Your ways. We fall short of Your standard, and worse, we sometimes deliberately move away from You and toward sin and evil that will steal, kill and destroy. Revive us today, O Lord, revive us. Bring a spirit of repentance as we seek Your face. In Your kindness, renew our passion for holiness and righteousness today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

This is the latest in the series of prayers led by the Presidential Prayer Team for the new President and for our nation. If you are interested in receiving the email with each day's prayer assignment you can click here and sign up.

For Wisdom In Choosing The New Secretary Of Transportation

For God’s choice of Secretary of Transportation to be identified, so our nation’s roads, railways and skies will be safe and free from attack

And it will be said: "Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people."
—Isaiah 57:14

Oh Mighty God, how magnificent and vast is the world You have made! I praise and thank You for its great diversity of places and peoples; I praise and thank You for the privilege of traveling from one place to another and of meeting You and those who love You there. The created world is amazing, God, and I thank You for connecting us in many ways.

Today, I pray for the person of Your choosing to be identified to serve our country as Secretary of Transportation. O God, provide someone who is passionate for excellence in our roadways, railways, ports, rivers and skies! Provide the ideal person who will serve with diligence to keep our nation safe and travel smooth in the new administration. I pray this in Your name, amen.

This is the latest in the series of prayers led by the Presidential Prayer Team for the new President and for our nation. If you are interested in receiving the email with each day's prayer assignment you can click here and sign up.

For Americans To Be Faithful To Pray For The New Administration

For citizens to be faithful in interceding for all leaders of the new administration

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
—I Timothy 2:1-2

Glorious God, You are awesome and mighty, lifting up those who You desire to lift up and putting down those You desire to put down. You love it when Your people come to You with longing for righteousness and godliness. You love it when Your people come to You in prayer.

Lord, we do that now on behalf of all the leaders in the new presidential administration. Regardless of their leanings or alliances, Lord help us to put our political agendas aside to pray fervently for all those in authority, knowing that You have placed them there. They were chosen by You to lead for such as time as this, and they are worthy of our intercessions. Enable us, O precious God, to be faithful in our calling to pray. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

This is the latest in the series of prayers led by the Presidential Prayer Team for the new President and for our nation. If you are interested in receiving the email with each day's prayer assignment you can click here and sign up.

For America's Laborers And The Secretary That Will Represent Them

For wisdom and discernment in the selection of the Secretary of Labor, that those who need jobs will be enabled to get them and that our nation’s workplaces will be kept safe

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
—Colossians 3:23

Oh Holy God, in Your wisdom and kindness, You made us with the need to work! Thank You for the blessing of toil and the fulfillment it brings. Whether we labor with our hands, our hearts or our minds, O Lord, we labor unto You for You are the ultimate One to whom all glory is due.

Ours is a nation of workers, Lord. I ask You today to bless the laborers in our country by raising up a gifted and godly person to serve as Secretary of Labor. May You designate for the new administration the ideal one to give their gifts and talents in this way. In Your powerful name, amen.

This is the latest in the series of prayers led by the Presidential Prayer Team for the new President and for our nation. If you are interested in receiving the email with each day's prayer assignment you can click here and sign up.

For The Protection of Our Parks and Open Spaces

For God’s wisdom and strength to guide President Elect Obama’s choice of a Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, that our nation’s extraordinary national parks, natural resources and open lands may be cared for with excellence

The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
—Genesis 1:12

Creator God, You made the world and everything in it. You blessed it all and said it was good, and You gave to us the powerful gift of creativity. I thank You for that gift and for the way that You continue to be glorified through the creative gifts that You lavish on all You have made.

Lord, we thank You for guiding President-Elect Barack Obama to choose Ken Salazar to lead the Department of the Interior. We ask You to lead him as he makes plans to protect the creativity You, God, have revealed in our nation’s parks and open spaces. Please give Secretary Salazar all the grit and determination he needs so he will be ready and able to tackle the issues that must be faced in the care of our country’s open lands. We thank You for this, in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, amen.

This is the latest in the series of prayers led by the Presidential Prayer Team for the new President and for our nation. If you are interested in receiving the email with each day's prayer assignment you can click here and sign up.

Recognizing Our True Condition

For a passionate desire to walk in God’s love and light to sweep across our nation, resulting in obedience to His commands

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.
—II John 1:6

O Lord God, You are light and there is no darkness anywhere in You. You are love and there is no ... evil anywhere in You. I praise and thank You for the security and hope this brings me today. You are victorious over every form of darkness, and I praise You for this, in Jesus Christ!

Holy God, You know the great darkness that lurks in our country, and You see how innocents and wise ones alike are fooled into thinking that darkness is light and wrong is right. I ask for Your truth to be shown in our country today, that together we may desire to walk in Your love, spurning evil and dark ways. Do this, because of Your kindness and love I pray, O holy God, amen.

***The picture above is really striking. Does anyone know where this is? I think I'd like to visit there sometime.***

This is the latest in the series of prayers led by the Presidential Prayer Team for the new President and for our nation. If you are interested in receiving the email with each day's prayer assignment you can click here and sign up.

Wisdom and Compassion for Shaun Donovan the Future Secretary of HUD

For insight and wisdom for President Elect Obama’s choice for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Shaun Donovan, so the homeless may be helped and those in difficulty with their housing situation may be assisted

The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
—Matthew 25:40

Loving God, in Your goodness and love You have sought us out and offered us the free gift of salvation. We praise and glorify You for such extraordinary love; it is expressed in the love we show for one another, especially those in dire need.

Lord, we thank You for leading President-Elect Barack Obama to choose Shaun Donovan to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. We pray that you will give him great compassion and wisdom, enabling him to see the needs of others above his own at all times. May he be willing to fight for “the least of these” as an advocate for those who otherwise might have none. Heavenly Father, let Your will be done through the work of Shaun Donovan and his team, in the name of Jesus we pray, amen.

This is the latest in the series of prayers led by the Presidential Prayer Team for the new President and for our nation. If you are interested in receiving the email with each day's prayer assignment you can click here and sign up.

For the New Secretary of Homeland Security

For God’s guidance and blessing for President Elect Obama’s selection for Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano

Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.
—Proverbs 20:28

O loving and faithful God, Your power and grace hold all things together, keeping us secure and safe no matter what is happening in the world around us. I praise You for being the ultimate and only true source of security and hope. I praise You for the many ways You offer Yourself as our refuge. Thank You for this truth, O Lord most high!

Today I bring to You the need for Your grace, wisdom and help for President Elect Obama’s choice for Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano. I pray that You will strengthen and guide her as she prepares to lead this important department of our government. Bless her with Your favor, that her skills and abilities may be enhanced by You as she plans and prepares. I pray this in Jesus’ holy name, amen.

This is the latest in the series of prayers led by the Presidential Prayer Team for the new President and for our nation. If you are interested in receiving the email with each day's prayer assignment you can click here and sign up.

For Wisdom for Tom Daschle

For wisdom for Tom Daschle, President Elect Obama’s choice of Secretary of Health and Human Services, that the healthcare needs of citizens will be met

This is what the Lord Almighty says: Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.
—Zechariah 7:9

Mighty God, all praise to You today for Your goodness, Your might and Your supreme wisdom. Thank You for choosing to live in us through Jesus Christ, and thank You for making us one in You, a people capable of showing compassion and mercy to each other.

Today we ask You to guide with Your wisdom and strength Tom Daschle, President-Elect Barack Obama’s choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services. The medical needs of our nation are great, Lord. From the young to the old, good health is a precious gift we cannot afford to take for granted. Give to Mr. Daschle, O God, the grace to champion the healthcare needs of all Americans. Do this, Lord, for us, to Your glory, in the name of Christ, amen.

This is the latest in the series of prayers led by the Presidential Prayer Team for the new President and for our nation. If you are interested in receiving the email with each day's prayer assignment you can click here and sign up.

Inspiration To Pray For The President

For citizens to be bold in prayer for the new administration

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.
—I John 5:14-15

Holy God, how I praise and thank You that I can freely bring my requests and concerns to You today and every day! No matter what is going on in the world, You invite me to ask of You with confidence and faith that You hear and You respond in accord with Your sovereign will. I thank You for this profound truth, O mighty God!

As President-Elect Barack Obama makes preparations for the new administration which will begin on January 20, I pray for a quickening in prayer on the part of all Americans. Stir us to intercede for the new President that he will know beyond all doubt that he is being upheld and supported. Thank You, holy God, for the blessings and freedoms we enjoy in this nation to freely pray for our elected officials. May we never abuse or take this privilege for granted. In Your name, amen.

This is the latest in the series of prayers led by the Presidential Prayer Team for the new President and for our nation. If you are interested in receiving the email with each day's prayer assignment you can click here and sign up.

A Good Steward Of American Resources

For discernment in the selection of the Secretary of Energy that our nation may become energy independent, wisely stewarding our resources

My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight.
—Proverbs 3:21

Heavenly Father, You have laid out the oceans and rivers, the mountains and valleys; You set the planets on their paths and You know the name of every star in our universe. You created Earth as the home for Your creation, for man and woman and all the creatures of Your vast imagination.

You’ve made us stewards over this planet and the resources we need to power our civilization. We ask You to place into the position of Secretary of Energy the individual that You know will treat these resources as a sacred trust, one not to be taken lightly. God, give our President-Elect sound judgment and wisdom as he makes this key choice for his administration. In the name of Jesus we pray and are grateful to You, amen.

This is the latest in the series of prayers led by the Presidential Prayer Team for the new President and for our nation. If you are interested in receiving the email with each day's prayer assignment you can click here and sign up.

For Excellence In Education

For God’s choice for the Secretary of Education to be discerned so that our nation’s schools and teachers may be strengthened

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
—James 3:1

O Lord Jesus Christ, You are the great teacher of all persons. You taught with wisdom and truth words that bring meaning to all lives—today and in the past. I praise and thank You for being our Great Teacher and the one in whom all truth holds together.

For the sake of our nation’s students, schools and teachers, Lord, I ask You to identify and bring forth the person best suited to be Secretary of Education in the new administration. Because of Your love and passion for children, O God, help newly-elected Barack Obama as he chooses this vital cabinet member. In Jesus’ name, amen.

This is the latest in the series of prayers led by the Presidential Prayer Team for the new President and for our nation. If you are interested in receiving the email with each day's prayer assignment you can click here and sign up.

Discernment Of And Obedience To God's Will

For the new administration to desire to know and do God’s will in all things

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
—Ephesians 5:17

Awesome God, You see all and You know all! You rule over history and time, yet You are neither bound nor governed by them. I praise You because You are sovereign and You know both the beginning and the end, for Your will shall be accomplished.

The discernment of Your will, Lord, is a challenging thing for the layman as well as the leader. As we seek You in prayer and through Your Word, You make Your will manifest for each and every situation. Do this, O God, for our nation’s new leaders, from President-Elect Barack Obama downward. Give this administration an unquenchable need to discern and carry out what You desire for our nation. We pray this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

This is the latest in the series of prayers led by the Presidential Prayer Team for the new President and for our nation. If you are interested in receiving the email with each day's prayer assignment you can click here and sign up.

For The New Secretary Of Commerce

For great wisdom and discernment for Bill Richardson, President Elect Obama’s choice for Secretary of Commerce

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
—James 4:13-15

Holy Lord God, in Your wisdom You see the nations and their affairs with clarity and power. You are sovereign and in control of all that takes place between nations and economies, commerce and trade. I praise You for the blessing and privilege of trusting in You in all things at all times. You are holy and good, O God!

Today I bring before You Bill Richardson, President Elect Obama’s choice for our nation’s new Secretary of Commerce. I ask You to strengthen and guide him as he prepares to serve, so that commerce in our country may thrive, and so our nation and her citizens—particularly those who live at the margins—may prosper. In Your righteous and powerful name, amen.

This is the latest in the series of prayers led by the Presidential Prayer Team for the new President and for our nation. If you are interested in receiving the email with each day's prayer assignment you can click here and sign up.