Pray for America and Congress

Members of Congress have issued a bipartisan appeal for non-stop prayer. The Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation – a group of lawmakers who meet weekly for prayer – held a news conference last week and urged Americans to commit to pray for the nation and its leaders for five minutes a week.

Founded in 2005, the Prayer Caucus meets every week that Congress is in session. Members of the caucus gather together and “lay aside party affiliations, political agendas, and individual schedules” to pray together, focusing on God’s promise found in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

With its membership now nearing 10 percent of the House, the caucus recently announced plans to spread “219 Prayer Groups” across the country, the objective being to establish “spiritual blocks” that will comprise a “wall of prayer” around America. A page on the Prayer Caucus Web site promotes the effort and permits individuals to commit to pray five minutes a week for the nation and its leaders.

During a news conference on Capitol Hill, congressmen issued the bipartisan appeal for non-stop prayer.

“Every one of us who stands here today is here by the grace of God,” said Rep. Al Green, D-Texas. “Not one of us had earned the right to be where we are. So we should give God not only the prayers to deliver us, but also the glory once we are delivered.”

The Center for Moral Clarity wholeheartedly agrees.

Source:  www.centerformoralclarity.net

It’s Never too Late

Last week, President George W. Bush bestowed honors upon a group of Americans who earned their 15 minutes of fame nearly 60 years ago. Presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen is an appropriate tribute for this outstanding collection of pioneers. Equally important is the good faith effort toward improving race relations in America.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the nation’s highest civilian commendation. Since it was first awarded in 1776 only 130 men and women have received it. That august group includes George Washington, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks.

Before 1940, African Americans were barred from flying for the U.S. They were denied military leadership roles and skilled training because of a mistaken belief that black men lacked the qualifications for combat duty. Civil rights organizations and the black press exerted pressure that in 1941 resulted in the formation of an all black squadron based at the prestigious Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

Participants in the program training African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft became known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The squadron included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support staff, instructors, as well as all the personnel who kept the planes in the air. Through this program, 450 black pilots served overseas, escorting bomber planes in North Africa and Europe during World War II.

The program left an indelible mark on American history, despite resistance and controversy. The courageous President Franklin Roosevelt disregarded contemporary politics and authorized the controversial program, which allowed men of color to serve their country at its most critical hour. President Bush and the U.S. Congress should be commended for doing the right thing, too.

In the decades that have come and gone since the Tuskegee Airmen broke an important racial barrier setting the groundwork for eventual integration of the U. S. military, 10 presidents have occupied the White House. Congress has convened and recessed dozens of times without doing right by men who pioneered positive change in America.

It’s never too late to do the right thing. This is a well-deserved honor, and the Center for Moral Clarity applauds the recipients.

Source:  www.centerformoralclarity.net

Induced Abortion is Murder

Prosecutors in Boston are ignoring the rights of a 1-pound girl whose death will go unpunished. Last week, state attorneys said they will not charge an 18-year-old Dominican immigrant with homicide even though she induced an abortion by taking anti-ulcer pills.

Prosecutors had been considering the more serious charge after Amber Abreu prematurely delivered a 1-pound girl named Ashley at Lawrence General Hospital on Jan. 6. The baby died four days later. According to authorities, Abreu, admitted that she had taken three Cytotec pills before giving birth. Cytotec is the brand name for misoprostol, which forms part of a government-approved abortion method. It is typically prescribed for ulcers.

This method of abortion is common in some Latin American communities. However, abortion is illegal in Massachusetts after 24 weeks of pregnancy, and any action to cause a miscarriage after that threshold could lead to homicide charges. This is such a case.

“Proponents of ‘choice’ have tried to make this issue about ‘women’s rights,’ ‘freedom of choice’ and ‘reproductive rights,’ said Pastor Rod Parsley. “But clearly, the murdering of an innocent child is far more than a health issue or a civil right. No amount of spin can outweigh the fact that abortion ends the life of a baby growing inside its mother’s womb.”

The state medical examiner determined that Abreu’s baby had been 25 weeks old at death. Prosecutors, however, decided that they would probably not be able to convince a jury that Ashley was a viable human being who had been killed. This was the wrong decision. It implies the state isn’t serious about the protecting innocent lives, and ignoring murder will only encourage other women to disobey the law.

Source:  www.centerformoralclarity.net

More Church Regulation Considered

How much should local governments regulate social service activities conducted by churches? Some municipalities are talking about implementing rules to restrict distribution of food by charitable groups, including churches.

According to a recent article in USA Today (Cities set limits on serving food to homeless people), officials in Orlando, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Wilmington, N.C., began enforcing such ordinances last year.

City government has a legitimate responsibility to set standards that ensure safe food handling practices. No one would want a homeless family’s situation to worsen because of illness contracted from eating a contaminated meal. However, requiring volunteers to take a food-handling course – or face a $2,000 fine – may have unintended consequences, such as a dramatic drop in the number for people willing to give their time to help their less fortunate neighbors.

The restrictions under consideration also include limiting where food give-away distribution events can be held, and in some jurisdictions, a permit may be required.

Homelessness isn’t a crime, so those who are enduring hard times shouldn’t be treated like criminals. Public display of compassion ought to be a characteristic that cities promote and publicize rather than shamefully secreted on a quiet street.

Source:  www.centerformoralclarity.net