Two weeks of prayer for parliament

11 September 2006

CALL TO PRAY URGENTLY FOR PARLIAMENT OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS

WHY MUST WE PRAY NOW?

Right now, we are at a critical cross roads in South African history that we have never before experienced. Parliament decisions taken on same-sex marriage during the next two weeks will influence determine the spiritual direction of our country for the long-term future. A few unelected judges are attempting to destroy respect for the sanctity of marriage by pretending their perverted interpretation of marriage is found in the Constitution. The government initially opposed them in the courts, but currently is unwillingly capitulating to their demands. But now thank God, the majority of parliamentarians are opposing the attempt to recognise ‘same-sex marriage’. Never since the birth of our present democracy in 1994, has there ever been such division in parliament. We have a real chance to win, but only if pro-marriage parliamentarians act with courage – at the risk of their political careers – and don’t simply capitulate to the demands of the court and government leaders trying to implement their agenda.

In 1996 and 2004, in the abortion debate, parliamentarians were forced to vote in favour of abortion or abstain. Same-sex marriage advocates hope to bulldoze the issue like this again. What we are seeing is not just a test of ‘same-sex marriage’. It is a test of our democracy and a test of whether our leaders fear God or man. At the same time, private members bill is being introduced to parliament to change the constitution. Nothing like this has ever been attempted before.

Please join us in prayer in the period 11 September to 24 September 2006 to pray for parliament.

Commit to whatever amount of time you feel the Lord is calling you. Whatever you decide, please write it down. Some can commit more time, some less. I would also encourage you to include some form of self-humbling as we seek God together. There are a variety different ways of self-humbling mentioned in scripture, such as praying face-down on the floor (Deuteronomy 9:27); fasting (all food or certain meals or types of food); denying yourself luxuries you enjoy (Daniel 10:2-3); and confession of sin (Nehemiah 9:2). I will not be prescriptive about what you need to do, but I would encourage you to chose some way to humble yourself before God.

14 PEOPLE AND ISSUES TO PRAY FOR OVER 14 DAYS

1. Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to abandon plans to legalise ‘same-sex marriage’.
2. Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla to support a Constitutional Amendment.
3. President Thabo Mbeki, who influences government policy and would need to sign any bill into law.
4. Steve Swart, MP who is introducing a private members bill to amend the Constitution.
5. The African Traditionalist lobby in government for strength to oppose ‘same-sex marriage’.
6. Members of parliament in all political parties – particularly Christians. Pray for the ACDP, ANC, APO, DA, FF+, ID, IFP, MF, PAC and UCDP. Praise God for those who have spoken up already.
7. Pro-marriage lobbyists including myself for unity, strength and Gods help to influence the process.
8. For the resources needed to fight and win this battle.
9. For God to forgive our nation and church for its wickedness in tolerating and not fighting the homosexual agenda.
10. For no-compromise on ‘same-sex marriage’ and the homosexual agenda by Christian ministries.
11. For confusion, problems and discord within the sexual revolutionaries proposing same-sex marriage.
12. The Constitutional Court – for an extension of time and a reversal of their decision.
13. For the Media for positive coverage of the pro-marriage position.
14. For a Constitutional Amendment to protect the definition of marriage.

If you wish, you could chose to focus on one of the above 14 points on each day in the following two weeks. I suggest print out this email to help you remember what to pray for.

It would also be helpful for churches to include prayer on Sunday’s during this period for our parliamentarians to have courage.

If you are joining me in prayer, please send me an email so that we can encourage each other and I can send you more updates on what to pray for info@DefendMarriage.co.za

Philip Rosenthal