I regularly ask for your prayers, action, and financial support, particularly during legislative sessions. During sessions, making your voices heard to your legislators is especially powerful. Likewise, without your financial support, we couldn’t be at the Capitol testifying and working with legislators to pass good bills and stop bad ones. However, I want to talk about prayer.
It is not coincidental that when I ask you to help Family Policy Alliance of North Dakota® fight for your values, prayer is first in the list. However, in addition to your prayers for our organization, what would happen if we prayed for our legislators? If we prayed for their health, their families, and for wisdom and strength in standing for scriptural values? The legislative session can be brutal on legislators, given their workloads and time away from their families. Regardless of political party, personal beliefs, or voting record, all 141 legislators need our prayers.
In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, the Apostle Paul says, “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” So, I ask you to pray for our senators and representatives each of the remaining days of this legislative session. Key votes will be taken very soon that will win or defeat important bills. I also ask that you pray for Governor Burgum. He will need to make important decisions as bills make their way to his desk for signature. We ask that God may give him wisdom and strength to make the right decisions for North Dakotans and their values.
Prayer changes things, even in the political arena. Let’s never presume to limit our Father and what He can do for us, His children, if we call upon His name.
Prayerfully,
Mark Jorritsma
President and Executive Director
Dear Friends—
On Saturday, September 26, 2020, churches and faith leaders across the country will gather for a time of national repentance, intercession, and prayer, and I would like to personally invite you to join one of our local New Mexico events!
At 10:00 a.m., prayer and worship services will commence in Alto and Santa Fe, and other locations throughout the state. For a list of all events, please follow New Mexico On Our Knees on Facebook.
Details for the Alto and Santa Fe events are below. Please note, these services are not protest rallies or campaign events. Therefore, the organizers respectfully ask all attendees to refrain from bringing any political signs or distributing any campaign materials.
New Mexico On Our Knees
Saturday, September 26, 2020
10:00 a.m.
Santa Fe Prayer & Worship Service
State Capitol Stairs – West Side
490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Alto Prayer & Worship Service
Cogburn Performance Horse Ranch & Event Center
464 State Hwy. 220, Alto, NM 88312
I hope you can join us at one of these events as we worship our Lord and lift up our state and nation in prayer.
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” -Psalm 95:6
In His Service,
Pastor Vince Torres
President & Executive Director
Friends,
Just like you, I am heartbroken for our country. In so many ways, the image of St. John’s Church burning in Washington, DC – a historic church visited by every president since James Madison – is symbolic of the raging inferno threatening to burn the very foundations of our nation and civil society.
So what can we do? We need to pray to the Father of mercies who providentially “rules over the nations” (Psalm 22:8). Here are four items of prayer:
- Pray that our nation turns back to God. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17, NKJV).
Heavenly Father, so many of us, including many of our representatives in government, have abandoned your ways. We confess that our nation has turned its back on you, sometimes even attempting to banish you and your truth from the public square, schools, courthouses, and legislative halls. We have condoned that which your law-word prohibits, and we have condemned that which you call “good.” Please forgive us and our nation. Send revival and repentance that our people may joyfully walk with you and glorify your name.
- Pray for peace. “And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace” (Jeremiah 29:7, NKJV).
Heavenly Father, we pray for peace in our land. We know our peace and flourishing, and the peace and flourishing of our neighbors, is tied to the peace of our city, state, and nation. May we all find unity as individuals made equal and created in your image. May those who have been saved by your grace walk in the unity we have through Christ. And may the hearts of every American beat with love for their nation and for their countrymen.
- Pray for justice. “Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy” (Psalm 82:3, NKJV).
Heavenly Father, we ask that our hearts not be hardened to injustice. You have called us to “rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Make us advocates of your justice according to your law-word, knowing that your kingdom, which is spreading through the world, will bring the peace and justice we yearn for in our hearts. May your kingdom come, and may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
- Pray for our civil leaders and law enforcement. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, NKJV).
Heavenly Father, we pray for our civil leaders and law enforcement officials as they deal with civil unrest and threats to life and property. Please give them wisdom and prudence. We know that you have delegated them certain and limited powers to promote justice and the common good. Help them to be your ministers of justice for our good (Romans 13:4).
Standing with you and your family during these trying times,
Blaine Conzatti
Advocacy Director
In the Lord’s prayer, words like “comfort” or “ease” are absent. We ask for physical sustenance, to be made right with God, to be made right with others, for the Kingdom, and for His will to be done.
Seeing the Lord’s will requires faithfulness, and it comes with no guarantees. We know the truth, but we don’t know the future. We know what is required of us, but we are not promised an outcome.
As we make decisions this election cycle – regarding who to endorse, where to invest, and what stands to make – I’m reminded of this truth often.
Many of the races we’ve chosen aren’t easy, and we’re ruffling some feathers. In one case, we’ve had a campaign staff member of a powerful incumbent declare that this member would use his power against us. Others have made similar threats. And, as I look at our roster of endorsed candidates, most, if not all, could best be classified as “underdogs” – with less money and institutional support than their opponents.
But, they’re the right candidates. They stand for the right things, and they’re gamechangers in our state. Regardless of the cost, we’ll stand with them. We won’t stick our fingers in the air to see which way the wind is blowing. We won’t live by the polls. We’ll be faithful, do what’s right, and pray that His will be done.
That’s my promise to you as I lead this organization. I can promise we’ll be strategic. I can promise that we’ll put forward the best messages and have the best game plans. But, I cannot promise we’ll win all the time or even most of the time.
Most importantly, however, I promise that our decisions will be based on His word, His truth, and a desire to do His will.
My prayer:
“Lord, I do not know how this election will go. But, I pray for discernment for myself and for all your people around the state. I pray for victory, yes. I pray for a mighty victory across the board for those who seek your glory, who love you supremely, and will do what is right and just in your eyes. I pray that the culture of our state will be transformed into one where your name is honored, where religious freedom flourishes, where families thrive, and where life is cherished. But, most importantly, I pray for us, as Christians, that we will be faithful. That we will be salt and light in how we engage this election cycle. And, I pray that Thy will be done.”
Please be lifting our candidates, our state, and this election cycle up in your prayers.
For His Glory,
Cole Muzio
President and Executive Director
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Today is the National Day of Prayer, and it promises to be unlike any other our nation has seen in recent memory. Though many events will be virtual, National Day of Prayer is shaping up to be the biggest event so far! Today, we come together with united hearts and prayers asking for our nation to be filled with the glory of the knowledge of God—this year’s theme for National Day of Prayer.
As Christians, we have everlasting hope in Christ, even when we are suffering and our nation experiences unique challenges. We have hope because God’s Word assures us all our present suffering is temporary and can’t be compared with the glory that will be revealed to us. God’s Word also charges us to continue to “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
Family Policy Alliance® has leaned into God’s promises and continues to press forward in the mission to which He’s called our ministry. As we all join together in prayer today for our nation and our states, I would like to invite you to join us in praying for these four specific needs:
- Over the past couple months, the abortion industry has ramped up their efforts to push abortion-on-demand—even in the midst of COVID-19. They are also attempting to make “virtual abortions” (those where an abortion drug is prescribed over webcam) widely available. Family Policy Alliance has been on the front lines standing against the abortion lobby. Please join us in praying that life will prevail over death in America.
- We continue to hear from parents experiencing truly harmful (sometimes even pornographic) curriculum in their children’s schools. We work to equip these parents with their rights—and even to help them change the laws and regulations in their states or districts. Will you join us in praying for God’s hand of protection to be on children in America’s schools and strength for their parents to take appropriate action??
- Churches have willingly closed their doors—while still doing Kingdom work in many amazing ways—in order to help with efforts to stop COVID-19. Yet, in many places, churches have also been targets for religious discrimination in the midst of the hodgepodge of regulations surrounding states and cities. We have been informing and equipping churches so they can work with government bodies—and push back when government goes too far. Will you pray for America’s churches as they serve their communities with passion and grace—and as they take a stand for religious freedom when necessary?
- As the dust settles on COVID-19, America will head into a monumental event—Election 2020. Will you pray for God to call men and women who seek to serve Him first in their roles as lawmakers to run for office at the local, state and national levels? And will you pray that this election will make it possible for our laws to better protect life, help families thrive, and honor our God?
As you join millions of others tomorrow in prayer, know that Family Policy Alliance is joining in to pray for this nation—and for you.
For His glory,
Stephanie Curry
Policy Manager
P.S. For National Day of Prayer events, resources, prayer guides and more visit https://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/
Some of our followers have asked whether Family Policy Alliance is still open and operating during the COVID-19 crisis. The answer is absolutely yes, and I’d love to share with you the reasons why.
1. The vision still matters.
Our vision at Family Policy Alliance is to see a nation where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive and life is cherished. We don’t need that less in light of COVID-19—we need it more.
It is our daily prayer that God would be honored in all that we do, in our nation, and certainly in the work of His people during a time of crisis.
COVID-19 and the amazing response of the faith community is a perfect of example of why we fight for religious freedom for all. It is because of this freedom that so many ministries throughout our country are serving families and communities in need right now. Religious freedom founded America and is what keeps it strong today.
Families are working and schooling at home, and in many cases, finances are strained. More than ever, families need policies that support them and leaders who advocate for them.
And more than ever we need to cherish life. While Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry exploit a crisis, and while discussions about “rationing medical care” raise concerns about how the lives of the elderly and those with disabilities will be treated, we must be a nation known for how it cherishes life.
2. The work serving families & advancing the vision continues.
Right now, we’re actively working in states, calling on elected leaders to stop abortion facilities from operating (and using medical equipment) while nearly everything else remains shut down.
We’ve been busy getting wins for the family in Idaho, where the Governor signed three major pro-family bills this week! Thanks to your action and support, Idaho women can play sports without competition from biological men, Idaho parents will be informed – and have the chance to act – if a hospital wishes to remove life-sustaining support from their child, and Idaho birth certificates and vital records will accurately reflect a person’s sex.
And we’ve been calling on Congress and the Trump Administration to do everything it can to protect the lives of preborn babies in all its efforts to combat the coronavirus. For example, when Nancy Pelosi’s COVID-19 plan included a billion-dollar funding stream that did NOT include longstanding protections for taxpayers so they don’t have to fund abortions, we asked all of you to contact Congress. And you did! We now have a bipartisan COVID-19 relief package with strong prolife protections, and Congress knows it must retain those protections for future legislation.
And, after the coronavirus crisis is over, America will face a monumental election this fall. Our passion and calling in the election are to ensure that families know which candidates in the race are most pro-family and will best represent their values at the state and national levels.
Because so many state legislatures adjourned early this year as a result of COVID-19, that means many pro-life, pro-family pieces of legislation weren’t able to move forward. That means, in many states, double the work needs to be done in state capitols next year! We’re already preparing for that.
3. Our team is always “remote.”
We are grateful that our team has been largely working remotely long before COVID-19. Family Policy Alliance’s headquarters is in Colorado Springs, but our team works from states scattered across the country. So, we are used to connecting on video meetings and setting up “offices” wherever the need is!
The picture at the top of this email is of our regular Friday-morning prayer call with some of our team. Coworkers called in from Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, New Jersey, New Mexico, Virginia, Washington DC, and Wyoming.
And that brings me to my final point. We’d like to pray for you. As our team gathers on Monday and Friday mornings for prayer-by-video, we’d be honored to pray for you and your family. We know that these are challenging times. One friend of our ministry shared he was forced to lay off thousands of employees. Our team members and their families are learning to work and conduct school from home.
As we gather together to lift up the needs of our nation and our own team, we would be honored to bring your prayer requests before our Heavenly Father as well.
Simply click here to share your prayer request.
For the family,
Autumn Leva
Vice President for Strategy
I’m going to keep this short.
As you may know, today is “Crossover Day,” the last day for a piece of legislation to pass its chamber of origin and move through the process. Today, it’ll be a long day at the Capitol fighting for educational opportunities for all, protections for children, and opposing legislation that would do great harm to our state.
Please pray.
I will update you on the results, but I also ask that you keep the health and safety of our state in your prayers. The Coronavirus certainly has many worried, and we seem to be feeling only the beginning of its effects on Georgia. We are blessed to have a great and godly Governor at the helm, and he has been vigilant in ensuring our security. Please keep him and his team in your prayers.
Our legislators are hard at work. Even many we disagree with care deeply about our state, and many are struggling to make decisions about key issues facing them on this critical day. Please pray for them, their families, and for their wisdom.
While I’m hopeful that I will be sharing some great results soon, I humbly ask you to devote some extra time today – in this critical time for our state – to prayer before the Living God.
In Faith,
Cole Muzio
President and Executive Director
Dear Friends:
Last week, the Legislative Session continued with multiple committee hearing and events. Much is happening—some good, some bad, and some ugly.
The GOOD – Pro Life Legislation Introduced
Although Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has not yet placed abortion legislation on the Session agenda, Representative Rod Montoya (R-San Juan) has introduced pro-life legislation aimed at ending late-term abortion up-to-birth, banning infanticide, and requiring parental notification when a minor obtains an abortion. House Bills 208, 209, and 210 cannot be considered without a message from the Governor. Therefore, we encourage you to call the Governor’s Office today and ask her to, “Please put House Bills 208, 209, and 210 on the Session agenda.” Although you may feel this is a waste of time, we assure you—it is not. Last year, we made our voices heard by the thousands, and the Governor must continue to hear from us. Please call the Governor’s Office at (505) 476-2200 today!
The BAD – Recreational Weed Advances & Speaker Ends Clergy-Led Prayer
On Tuesday, our Executive Director, Vince Torres, partnered with law enforcement, business community leaders, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, and our national ally SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana) at a press conference to express shared and serious concerns about the negative impacts of recreational marijuana. The group then offered testimony in the Senate Public Affairs Committee in opposition to SB115 which would legalize recreational pot in New Mexico. The committee subsequently advanced SB115 on a 4-3 party-line vote with all Republicans voting in opposition to the bill. SB115 now heads to the Senate Judiciary Committee where it faces an uncertain outcome. Please stay tuned for an Action Alert asking you to contact the Judiciary Committee members!
Last week, Speaker of the House Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe) ended the longstanding tradition of having local clergy deliver the daily invocation. For more than a century in New Mexico, local priests, pastors, and other faith leaders have been invited to the Senate and House Chambers to begin each daily session in prayer. In the House, however, this will no longer be the case. Instead, members of the House will now deliver the daily invocation. Representative Gregg Schmedes (R-Bernalillo, Sandoval, & Santa Fe) noted: “Leaders of all faiths should be welcome in the Roundhouse to offer prayer. By closing our doors to priests, pastors, and faith leaders, House leadership is sending the wrong message to the faith community.”
The UGLY – Two House Democrats Table Sex Offender Bill
On Tuesday of last week, another disturbing maneuver took place, as Democrats in a House Committee voted to table a bipartisan bill (HB43) aimed at closing a dangerous loophole in our Sex Offender Registry laws. Representative Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe) and Representative Angelica Rubio (D-Dona Ana) refused to advance HB43 even after hearing compelling testimony regarding the loophole that allowed convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, to avoid registration in New Mexico because he was convicted in another state.
On to Week 3
The Legislative Session continues this week and, as always, we will be working hard to keep you updated on important legislation impacting life, families, and religious freedom. Please stay tuned for Action Alerts and other opportunities for you to engage in the process and make your voice heard.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support!
The Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico Team
The legislative session kicks off next week, and… I never thought I’d say this… that means I’m going to see some dear friends and incredibly godly people. Yes, that’s right folks. I count many of your elected officials to be some of the finest human beings I know, and I’m actually grateful for the time I spend around them.
Now, I’m not going to pretend that they are all wonderful, and there are certainly scoundrels among the ranks of opponents and, sadly, also amidst those who vote with us on the issues. But, I am nevertheless encouraged by the men and women of faith, sincerity, kindness, conviction, and servant-heartedness that I have enjoyed the privilege of getting to know under the Gold Dome.
So, while I certainly don’t look forward to the early morning daily drives to the Capitol this time of year, I am looking forward to 40 legislative days of working alongside brothers and sisters to advance our values. And, as we approach this critical time, I’m asking you to Unleash Biblical Citizenship by connecting with the legislators who represent you.
Most members of the Georgia legislature are married. Most have children. Most have other jobs. All are real people with lives, concerns, and feelings. All are capable of being encouraged and disheartened. And, all need to know you’re watching.
I’m asking you to proactively reach out to your legislator, get to know them as people as best you can, let them know they’re in your prayers (AND ACTUALLY PRAY FOR THEM!), and engage with us to let them know how you feel about particular issues.
Going into the legislative session, I tend to have an idea of how most legislators will vote on a particular issue, but your biblical citizenship is important:
- Because you, as a follower of Jesus, are called to show Christ-like love to all, even politicians
- Because you, as a citizen, are called to know the issues and be engaged
- Because you, as a human being, are called to build relationships – relationships that can change hearts, minds, and the outcomes of particular votes
- Because you, as a voter and community leader, are called to leverage your political power to affect change
Your actions in pointing a legislator to Christ, providing your legislator with crucial information, building a meaningful relationships that changes minds, or by using your power as a voter, could make all the difference on key issues this legislative session: one where casino gambling, parental rights, school choice, and protecting our kids could all be prominent issues.
Please stay tuned for upcoming action alerts on particular legislation, but, as we kick off legislative session, I implore you to reach out to your legislator, add them to your prayer list, and begin developing a routine of contacting them to show you sincerely care.
For His Glory,
Cole Muzio
President and Executive Director
PS. In the coming days, we’ll begin making endorsements for the 2020 elections – a great way to reinforce strong action by our legislators and begin removing those opposed to our values. While what happens at the Capitol is important this session, a big emphasis of this year remains growing our pro-family ranks at the ballot box.
PPS. As the end of year approached, we made it clear that financial support would be imperative to continue growth in 2020. I want to say THANK YOU for how you responded. The close of 2020 doubled the 2018 year-end push, which was a previous record for the organization. Because of you, we are in a STRONG position heading into the New Year! We will accomplish great things together!
In just a few days, gavels will come down all over America, marking the beginning of legislative sessions in most states.
For weeks and often months, legislators will be neck-deep in the chaos of lawmaking. It’s intense, with long hours and pressures that can challenge legislators’ principles and the stability of their families.
Adding to the pressure, they are setting policies that will impact real people for good or for bad. The laws they pass will protect lives or end lives, will mislead children with twisted ideology or will protect them and help them flourish – and so much more.
It’s no wonder that one of the clearest directives we have in Scripture regarding our role in government is to pray for our leaders.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. – I Timothy 2:1-4
Over the next few weeks, 43 legislative sessions will begin, with others following not long after.
In many of those states, Family Policy Alliance® will be involved – working with our state allies and letting you know at key times when you can make your voice heard on important legislation.
But before most of that happens, will you send a quick note to your legislators? You can personalize it if you’d like, or you can use the text that we’ve drafted – thanking them for their service, acknowledging the burden of leadership, and letting them know that you are praying for them.
Thanks for praying for your legislators – and for Family Policy Alliance and our allied state groups as we engage on pivotal legislation in 2020.
Sincerely,
John Paulton
Mobilization Manager
P.S. Even if your state is one of the four without a regularly scheduled session this year, please pray for your legislators and let them know – as the job of a state lawmaker never really ends, with continuing duties even between sessions.