In an era in which the principles of the Christian church are being demeaned, pray that those in the arts and entertainment community will become more tolerant of those with differing personal preferences. Praise God for where that is occurring! Super Bowl player Chris Culliver of the San Francisco 49ers is required to take “Sensitivity Training” after objecting to having homosexuals in the locker room. The Gay, Bi-Sexual, Lesbian, Transgender community will provide Mr. Culliver with the “training.” On the flip side, Ray Lewis of the Indianapolis Colts wore a T-shirt with “Psalms 91″ printed on it in January that resulted in that entire chapter of the Bible being discussed and printed in this LA Times article. Praise God for the Word going out!
Business:
Pray for an end to the abortion mill in New Mexico. Abortion is big business in New Mexico. Because of an absence of laws governing abortions in our state, Albuquerque has become the late-term abortion magnet for the southwest. Dr. Shelly Sella from Oakland, California, commutes to Southwest Women’s Options clinic in Albuquerque to perform late term abortions. Dr. Sella is being investigated for performing an abortion on a 35-week-old fetus. The complications resulted in the hospitalization of the mother, who survived.
Education:
Pray that moral principles will again return to the classroom. Teenage girls 14 to 17 in New York City are being given abortive contraceptives and condoms by school nurses. Parental consent is not required. In New Mexico a legislative committee rejected a bill requiring parental notification for any girl under 16 having an abortion. The vote was taken after a 13-year-old girl testified she was in charge of her own health decisions and implied she had had an abortion without her parents’ consent.
Family:
Pray that families as constituted by natural law will remain the law of the land. A bill to redefine marriage in New Mexico has passed its initial hurdle. House Joint Resolution 3 “PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 20 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO PROVIDE THAT THE ISSUANCE OF A MARRIAGE LICENSE SHALL NOT BE DENIED ON THE BASIS THAT THE SEX OF BOTH APPLICANTS IS THE SAME…” passed the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee (HCPAC) and has moved on to the House Voters & Elections Committee. This constitutional amendment does not face the Governor’s veto but would require a vote in a general election.
There is another bill proposing a Biblical definition of marriage, but House Joint Resolution 4 “PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 20 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO DEFINE MARRIAGE AS THE UNION OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN” is still in the HCPAC and was effectively tabled.
Government:
Pray for our elected officials in the New Mexico Legislature. This year’s legislative session continues through March 16th. Pray for righteousness to reign in our state and for Godly laws to be established.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (ESV) “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.”
Religion:
Pray that the Boy Scouts of America, Christian colleges, and other organizations of moral character will remain faithful to their principles. Although not a religious organization per se, since their founding in 1906 the Boy Scouts of America have always stood for Christian principles. Scouting’s oath teaches the virtue of being “morally straight.” Today the Boy Scouts of American are considering allowing homosexuals into their leadership. If this occurs yet another standard-bearer of moral principles will have fallen to the homosexual agenda. The decision was postponed until May. See this Christian Post article for more info.
Pray for the InverVarsity Christian Fellowship chapters around New Mexico. We praise God for the wonderful work being done through this Christian ministry on multiple college campuses around our state! The Rio Grande Area Director shared the following requests:
1. We are attempting to plant a chapter at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas. We currently have 5 students meeting for Bible Study every other week. Please be praying for the InterVarsity ministry to really take root. Also be praying for a couple good students to be our leaders for the fellowship for the coming year.
2. The chapter at UNM has really taken off this year. There are about 55 students attending. We also have a new staff woman named Rachel. Please pray for God’s continued favor at UNM, as well as an outpouring of His Spirit on that campus to break spiritual apathy.
3. The NM Tech chapter in Socorro finally has a new full-time staff (Michael). He is attempting to rebuild the chapter. Many of the students are extremely busy with their studies. Please be praying for Michael as he works with the students, and that the student leaders would really take the time to build the chapter and influence their campus.