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Dear John,
As I wrote about last week, what happened in Washington, D.C. on January 6 didn't reflect the values of Americans or the spirit of our nation's founding.
Considering violent factions even set up a wooden noose outside the Capitol, it looked a lot more like the French Revolution than anything inspired by American patriotism.
Violence and destruction are wrong and dangerous for our republic, no matter whose "side" is responsible.
Within days of the crisis, I met with about two dozen congressional leaders on Capitol Hill. I won't go into all the details of our conversation but will tell you what I shared.
Among them were some of the young, smart, godly leaders who ran for office and were re-elected this past November. I was reminded that God used President Trump in many ways over the past four years -- but he isn't the last or only person God can work through.
As I delivered a short devotional from Isaiah 55 to start the meeting, I quoted former Senate Chaplain Reverend Peter Marshall.
Growing up in Scotland, he was inspired by stories of missionaries overseas. But God called him to America to reach our nation's leaders, a calling I can relate to.
In addition to his duties as Senate Chaplain, he preached on Sundays to massive crowds. In fact, the church he pastored is located just four blocks from FRC's D.C. headquarters.
His Bible teaching often touched on faith in the public square -- as in 1947, when he said,
"The choice before us is plain: Christ or chaos, conviction or compromise, discipline or disintegration. I am rather tired of hearing about our rights... The time is come to hear about responsibilities... America's future depends upon her accepting and demonstrating God's government."
These words from Rev. Marshall echo clearly today: it is time to turn to the Lord.
This is not just another moment in our country's history; the sobering reality is that this moment may decide how long we have a country.
Today, there are good, God-fearing Americans who may feel frustrated and angry. Yet the rule of law cannot be restored by lawlessness.
We are living in challenging times. What's going to unfold in the weeks and months ahead under President-elect Joe Biden is going to challenge us to our very core -- and fast.
According to every statement and every personnel choice so far, this administration will be coming for religious freedom, for the right to life in the womb, for every principled stance.
This is one reason why the voice and mission of Family Research Council is so important today. FRC exists to voice your values -- at the grassroots level and to our nation's leaders.
Can you help us start 2021 strong with a vital and timely gift of $35, $75, $150, $250, $500, or even more? We need to elevate the voice of truth in this hour!
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On January 3, it seemed like House liberals tipped their hand as to what we can expect.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) invited a fellow liberal member of Congress, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), who is also a clergyman, to open the 117th Congress in prayer.
Standing in the House chamber, Rep. Cleaver prayed "in the name of the monotheistic god, Brahma [a Hindu deity], and god known by many different names by many different faiths."
He ended: "Amen--and awoman." (Apparently, he was oblivious to the fact that amen comes from a Hebrew word meaning "so be it" and has nothing to do with gender.)
Was this only a "lighthearted pun," as Rep. Cleaver later claimed? For people who take the Bible seriously, it revealed the coming agenda may be as nonsensical and profane as that closing.
In the days ahead,we will have to stand for the value of life, foundational liberties, and core biblical convictions... no matter how difficult or demanding it gets.
If you begin to get frazzled or anxious, or feel fear creeping in, take it as a sign to get on your knees and pray. Please don't lose heart, don't step back, and don't disengage.
Because God needs a people who are bold in their faith, regardless of what lies ahead. If we can keep standing, it won't just set the truth free -- it will set America free.
I thank you for joining me in praying for our nation, and for your generosity in supporting FRC so we can begin this year fully resourced to face the challenges ahead.
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