December 2, 1999

A Prayer For Justice

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS REFILED ITS F.A.C.E. SUIT IN DAYTON,OHIO. On February 10, 2000, the United States Justice Department will again take us to court for violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances law (F.A.C.E.). On its face this ludicrous law is an attempt to outlaw the Christian message at local abortion mills. God so confused the Justice Department attorneys in the first go round that they could not even establish who was in Dayton, Ohio during the alleged event that supposedly violated F.A.C.E. Please pray for the department's continued confusion.

For the last ten years, we have had many opportunities to pray for the Lord to send confusion amongst the enemy's camp. Many have beseeched God to set a Heavenly ambush similar to the one experienced by Jehosophat and the children of Israel when they were surrounded by pagan armies. A confusing ambush that caused the three different armies that were arrayed against Israel to turn upon themselves and implode. Thus assuring Israel that the battle is indeed the Lord's. Though most of those prayers were well intended, our usual experience was that our prosecutors had all their ducks in a row and the system hammered us. Not so in Dayton, truly the Lord indeed sent major confusion upon the Justice Department attorneys. They were so inept that the pro-abort judge presiding literally screamed at them a few times in his chambers for their shoddy handling of our case.

In conjuction with the Dayton case, Flip Benham and other good friends from Florida are facing another F.A.C.E. trial in Washington DC on December 9th. In response, a dear pro-life brother from Ft. Worth, Dan LaFreniere, contacted me about speaking at a prayer meeting specifically designed to intercede on the behalf of those who have endangered themselves by standing in the gap and making up the hedge for the most defenseless and helpless amongst us. Brothers and Sisters in Christ who will endure yet another miscarriage of justice as they stare down the barrel of the unjust F.A.C.E. bill. Regretably, I already had a prior commitment, so I decided to send them a written prayer to be read at the meeting. The following prayer is submitted to you in the hopes, you will mix your faith, add your agreement, and declare an amen on the behalf of these brave defenders of life.

Heavenly Father, in the awesome, wonderful, and mighty name of Jesus, we approach your throne of grace to obtain something of heaven here tonight. We come on the behalf of your people who are being unjustly pursued and persecuted by a corrupt system that has abandoned their primary responsibility before you, which is to protect life and stop the shedding of innocent blood. Father, we have gathered together to obtain mercy and help and to stand in the gap for those who have risked their lives, freedoms, and livelihoods to rescue those who are being led to the slaughter with the silent consent of the Church and the blessing of the State.

First of all, we desire to hallow, consecrate, and honor your Holy Name and on that basis declare thy Kingdom come and thy will be done, on earth, especially as it relates to these trials, as it is in heaven. Lord you told us in your word several truths concerning situations just like this. In Hebrews 13:3, You commanded us to, "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being also in the body."

Help us this evening to identify with our brethren that are being targeted and threatened for standing for righteousness in the midst of this crooked and perverse nation. By your good Spirit help us to cry out for them, their families, their persecutors, and on behalf of our beloved land that has lost her way. Oh, Father, hear us, Oh Lord, forgive, Oh Lord, deliver your people from the snare of the fowler. May every weapon that is being formed against them come to naught and may every tongue that rises up to condemn them be silenced in the mighty name of Jesus. For this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their righteousness is a gift from you, Oh God.

Lord, we pray specifically for the trials that are being formed to crush the Gospel witness at the "Gates of Hell." First of all, grant those who suffer for following your example even greater boldness to proclaim the truth of your Word and confirm Thy Word with powerful signs and wonders following. Move Oh God, like the days of old, on the behalf of your people. Set your face against this system that kills your babies and persecutes your people who seek to save them according to your commandment. Use these trials as a witness and testimony against the kings, magistrates, and authorities that have trashed your commandments, defied your authority, and have misused their God-ordained power to punish the good and protect the evil in direct violation of your Holy command. Lord, we pray you would thunder from Heaven and once again demand of this nation that they would "Let the babies go" and "Let your people go" in Jesus name!

Lord, we understand that the US Government would have no power over your people whatsoever if it were not first granted to them by you, our heavenly Father. Lord, you know our fragile frame, it is always our first instinct to recoil and try to flee from hardship and suffering, but we understand through the example of our Lord that if we suffer for being a Christian that this is well pleasing to you and the Spirit of God and your glory rests upon us. If indeed you do allow our Government the mastery over your people then God please receive their suffering as a drink offering and redeem it by your mighty power. For we know that through Christ, the innocent always ends up paying for the sins of the guilty. Please take that sacrifice and use it to crush the "Powers of Darkness" that are lying, killing, stealing, and destroying the mankind for whom Christ died to redeem. Plunder the abortion industry! Use these trials to pluck this foul murderous spirit up, cast it out, and drive it back to hell from whence it came. Father, we plead with you to take what the enemy means for harm and turn it to the good in order to preserve the sacredness of life that you have ordained in Jesus' name.

And finally, Father, grant the families and churches of our brethren who stand in the cross hairs of this ungodly witch hunt your tender mercies and your loving kindness. May your grace be sufficient and may it be more than enough to follow hard after Jesus and fulfill your will and advance your Kingdom in the earth in Jesus' name! Amen!

IN KING JESUS' SERVICE,

Rusty Thomas