A Call to Repentance: Week Twenty-Eight

2008-08-03T19:34:00.000-07:00

Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net

A Call to Repentance: WEEK TWENTY- EIGHT

July 20, 2008

" In returning and rest will you be saved; In quietness and confidence
will be your strength." (Is 30:15)

INTRODUCTION TO WEEK TWENTY-EIGHT

INTRODUCTION TO WEEK TWENTY-EIGHT

This week, we continue to press in during WEEK TWENTY-EIGHT of our 40 Weeks of Prayer and Fasting, to offer prayers of repentance for the sin in the church, the sin in the nation, and the blessing of Israel.

We now address these areas:

1. SIN IN THE CHURCH: ORDAINING GAYS

2. SIN IN THE NATION: HOMOSEXUAL ISSUES (Part Three)

3. PRAYERS FOR ISRAEL: THE PRISONER EXCHANGE

SIN IN THE CHURCH: ORDAINING GAYS
REPENTANCE FOR SIN IN THE CHURCH:

ORDAINING GAYS

THE ORDINATION OF GAYS IN AMERICAN DENOMINATIONAL CHURCHES

Every major denomination in our nation, in the past decade, has had to face the debate of whether to allow gays to be ordained into the pulpit. Some, like the Presbyterian church reported below, have left the faith and the teaching of sound doctrine, to embrace a more liberal stand:

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA) OPENS DOOR TO GAY ORDINATION AND OTHER WAYS TO SALVATION - The Presbyterian Church (USA) approved two hotly debated and divisive decisions. The first was the General Assembly's decision to lift the ban on ordaining gays and lesbians. In a 317-208 vote, the denominational delegates voted to delete language in the PCUSA "Book of Order" requiring ordained church officers "to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness." The resolution also called a 1978 interpretation of the "Book of Order", which barred homosexuals from ordination, to be of no further force or effect. The proposal must now be approved by a majority of the church's 173 presbyteries. The other intensely debated topic involved the uniqueness of Christ. Following much debate the Assembly passed the following resolution: "Although we do not know the limits of God's grace and pray for the salvation of those who may come to know Christ, for us the assurance of salvation is found only in confessing Christ and trusting Him alone." With this resolution the denomination essentially said Jesus may not be the only way to salvation, but he's the only way we are sure of it. It appeared that several of the delegates are of the opinion that Jesus is not the only way to salvation.

(Source: Intercessors for America, On Watch in Washington, June 20, 2001) XXXXXX

Another denomination, the Episcopal Church USA, has confronted the same issue, and has followed the decisions cited above. In protest, and over many years and with much intensive prayer, fasting, and discussion, a number of Episcopal churches have made the painful decision to leave their home denomination, mvoing instead into a realignment with the global Anglican Communion. Wikipedia describes this movement as follows:

"Anglican realignment" is a term used to describe a movement of dissenters within some Anglican dioceses and parishes, particularly within the American Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada, who oppose their national church's newly adopted views on Scripture, theology, worship, polity, and morality. Regarding morality is that of gays and lesbians, specifically condemned in both the Old and New Testaments. Regarding polity is that of leadership of women in the church, which is likewise prohibited by both Scripture and tradition. All oppose other impositions of liberal theology into the Church's teachings which in their opinion is non-Christian. The two events which contributed to this movement were the 2002 decision of the Canadian Diocese of New Westminster to authorise a rite of blessing same-sex unions; and the ratification by the general convention of the Episcopal Church of the election of Gene Robinson, an openly gay man, as Bishop of New Hampshire the following year. Congregations in the Episcopal Church have been shut out and priests defrocked for resistance to the new doctrines.

A number of parishes that are part of the Anglican realignment have severed ties with the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada and associated themselves with bishops from other national Anglican churches or provinces. Some other American dioceses and parishes (approximately 800 out of some 7,000 Episcopal Church parishes) still officially remain within those two provinces of the Anglican Communion whilst exploring their future options.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Prayer:

Father God, we come before Your mighty Throne of Grace and Mercy, and we cry out on behalf of the denominational churches in our country. We ask You to forgive them for violating the clear teachings on the sin of homosexuality in Scripture (Lev. 18:18), and for seeking instead to please men, rather than You. As we stand in repentance that, for the most part, the "church" in America has compromised with evil, we nevertheless ask You to visit those congregations who are holding TRUE to the Gospel, and that You would grace them with strength as they turn the battle at the gate.

Father, we know that it is written that "Judgement must first begin in the House of God," so we offer this prayer to You, in fear and in trembling. Father, let the cleansing begin with us, and let our nation be delivered from its deception regarding all matters of the homosexual agenda. We ask this in Your Holy, Holy Name, amen.

Verses:

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6)

"For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (I Peter 4:17)

SINS OF THE NATION: HOMOSEXUAL ISSUES (III)
REPENTANCE FOR THE SINS OF THE NATION:

HOMOSEXUAL ISSUES: WEEK THREE --
Focus Point: Children of "Homosexual Parents"

Focus: Impact on Children

Editor's note: The topic of homosexuality is at once painful and difficult to address. Issues related to same-sex attraction are complex, convoluted and confounding. We offer praise to the Lord that He has raised up ministries, like Exodus International, to deal with this issue. This week we wish to offer prayers for the children, often adopted, of those who are caught in the web of lies surrounding homosexuality. Let's also lift up the many fine ministries that are working to offer support to family members as they untangle this web for themselves.

The following thoughts are taken from the website of Exodus International at www.exodus-international.org. We encourage you to explore this topic in detail, both at their website and by way of the links they offer to other fine ministries who are reaching out to bring help and hope to those who are in need.]

A recent report by Paul Cameron and Kirk Cameron, published by the Family Research Institute, brings evidence of the confusion and trauma experienced by children whose "parents" are of the same sex. The summary of their report is cited, below. The entire document may be studied by going here.

Children Of Homosexual Parents Report Childhood Difficulties
Paul Cameron and Kirk Cameron

Summary: Referenced as weakening the case for parenting by homosexuals, 57 life-story narratives of children with homosexual parents published by Rafkin in 1990 and Saffron in 1996 were subjected to content analysis. Children mentioned one or more problems/concerns in 48 (92%) of 52 families. Of the 213 scored problems, 201 (94%) were attributed to the homosexual parent(s). Older daughters in at least 8 (27%) of 30 families and older sons in at least 2 (20%) of 10 families described themselves as homosexual or bisexual. These findings are inconsistent with propositions that children of homosexuals do not differ appreciably from those who live with married parents or that children of homosexuals are not more apt to engage in homosexuality.

Correspondence to Paul Cameron, Family Research Institute, Inc., P.O. Box 62640, Colorado Springs, CO, 303 681-3113.

"Father God, we bring these precious little children before Your Throne of Grace, and we ask You to comfort them, bless them, and surround them with Your love. We ask You to forgive us as a nation for allowing laws to be passed that even permit these unbiblical "marriages" from taking place. We ask You to bring healing to these little ones, and deliverance for the adults that are involved in these "family units," and to restore that which the locust has eaten in all of their lives. In Jesus' Name, amen."

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea." (Mark 9:42)

PRAYERS FOR ISRAEL: THE PRISONER EXCHANGE
PRAYERS FOR ISRAEL:

THE PRISONER EXCHANGE

(Source: Intercessors for Israel)

The prisoner exchange with Hizbullah [two dead IDF soldiers for living terrorists and hundreds of dead terrorists bodies] has made this a very difficult week for all those who love Israel. It revealed a lack of being able to see reality in this nation. Therefore, we prayed for a revelation of godly values - biblical values - to guide Israelis.

- Lord, reveal Yourself! "I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look to Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for his only son, and be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." (Zechariah 12:10)

- "[Peter said], You are the Messiah, Son of the living God. Yeshua answered . . ., 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but My Father who is in heaven'." (Matthew 16:16-17)

- "Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause Your face to shine; and we shall be saved." (Psalms 80:19; see verses 3 and 7)

- Abba, reveal to Israel her specific calling - a nation separated unto You. (Deuteronomy 7:6)

- Shift the foundation of Israel's restoration from wanting to be a nation like all the other nations to an acceptance of being a holy (set apart) nation. ". . . behold, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations." (Numbers 23:9)

- Return us to Your Word.

Intercessors For Israel
Friday Prayer Alert
18 July 2008

A Closing Thought . . .
HOW TO KEEP FROM BEING DECEIVED:

by Derek Prince

Four Safeguards - Protection from Deception

This week: SUMMARIZING THIS SERIES

Let me just recapitulate my four suggested safeguards:

Number 1: Humble ourselves. In that passage Peter says, our adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The devil is very powerful and very active. Any theology that tells you differently is a deception.

I was meditating on this yesterday evening. Suppose an announcement was made that a lion was loose on the ground floor of this hotel, and you needed to get out. I do not believe you would stroll through the lobby, humming a cheerful little chorus. You would be very circumspect in making your exit. And you would be very careful to close the door behind you.

That, I believe, is a picture of how we need to conduct ourselves, because our adversary, the devil, is walking about like a roaring lion. We cannot change that. But do you know why lions roar? It is to terrify their prey, to paralyze them. So, do not be paralyzed by the lion's roar. Be very cautious, but do not give way to fear.

Number 2: Receive the love of the truth.

Number 3: Cultivate the fear of the Lord.

Number 4: Make and keep the cross central.

Finally, let us quote Galatians 6:14 together. I don't expect you all to know it by heart, so I'll say it phrase by phrase, and you say it after me.

God forbid that I should boast / except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ / by whom the world is crucified to me / and I to the world. Amen.

To view this teaching in its entirety, go here.

Hymn of the Week
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

Words: Joseph M. Scriven (1865)
Music:Charles C. Converse (1865)

Scriven wrote this hymn to comfort his mother, who was across the sea from him in Ireland. It was origin ally published anonymously, and Scriven did not re ceive full credit for almost 30 years.

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

(To hear this song, go here.)

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A Call to Repentance - 28

A Call to Repentance: Week Twenty-Eight