Honoring Marriage for the Good of All

"For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth." Isaiah 62:1,6,7.

As the battle for marriage intensifies, we continue to cry out for marriage as one man for one woman. Earlier this week the most overturned appellate judge was part of a 2-1 decision declaring Prop 8 unconstitutional. And the Washington legislature approved a 'gay marriage' bill. Next week the New Jersey legislature will vote on a 'gay marriage' bill .
In the face of the forces moving against God's design for marriage, intercession remains our best and most effective weapon.

New Jersey
A 'gay marriage' bill is a priority for the Democrats, who have the majority in the legislature. The Senate is scheduled to vote on Monday, February 13th; the Assembly plans to vote later that week.

     • Please pray the Senate and Assembly are unable to gather the votes needed to pass the bill, and the vote falls short of the two-third majority necessary to override the governor's veto.

California
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Prop 8 unconstitutional. The Ninth Circuit is considered one of the most liberal in the country.

     • Please pray for Andy Pugno and the Prop 8 legal defense team as they prepare to take the decision before the US Supreme Court.
     • Pray for the Protect Marriage organization to receive the funds to continue this fight, an estimated two million dollars.

US Supreme Court
Please continue to pray for the Federal Supreme court who will eventually hear and rule on either the prop 8 case or one of those against DOMA.

     • Pray the justices will rule for the constitutionality of marriage as one man for one woman.
     • Pray especially for Justices Anthony Kennedy and Stephen Breyer, who are considered to be the swing votes on the issue of same-sex marriage.

Washington
Sadly, the legislators have approved a 'gay marriage' bill. Although the governor will quickly sign the bill, it will remain on hold until the end of the legislative session, June 7th. If a referendum is approved for the November ballot, 'gay marriage' will not be legal until after the people vote.

     • Please pray for the 120,000 votes needed for a referendum to repeal the bill. The deadline for gathering the signatures is June.

Maryland
Governor Martin O'Malley has made passing the same-sex marriage bill he introduced a priority. During last year's legislative session he failed to achieve this goal.

     • Please pray marriage as one man for one woman will again be upheld in Maryland.
     • Pray for religious leaders to continue to stand for God's plan for marriage, and rally legislators and the people of Maryland to do the same.

New Hampshire
Legislators in New Hampshire are seeking to repeal 'gay marriage' in their state. They have the necessary majority in the Senate and the House, Governor John Lynch has said he will veto a repeal. A vote is expected to take place near the end of February.

     • Please pray the repeal effort will gain support and momentum; for enough votes to override the governor's veto.

New York
A lawsuit alleging the 'gay marriage' bill was passed illegally has been allowed to proceed. New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedom claim a private meeting between the governor, senators and mayor of New York City may have violated the state’s open meetings law. This meeting took place prior to the vote for 'gay marriage' in 2011.

     • Please pray for the case; for marriage as one man for one woman to be restored in this powerful and influential state.
     • Pray for Archbishop Timothy Dolan and other religious leaders as they speak out in favor of God’s plan for marriage.

Iowa
Same-sex marriage is currently legal in Iowa. A vote to challenge the 'gay marriage' law during 2012 appears unlikely. Such a vote passed in the House of Representatives, but the Majority leader has vowed to block a vote in the Senate.
A bill to restore the definition of marriage to one man for one woman needs to be approved by 2 separately elected legislatures and the people of Iowa, before the law can change.

     • Since changing the law is a long, complicated process, prayer and perseverance are needed to see victory for God's definition of marriage.
     • Please pray for those fighting for marriage as one man for one woman, for vision, strength and protection.

Federal Defense of Marriage Act
Last year President Obama stated the Federal government will no longer defend DOMA. Members of Congress responded and hired Paul Clement to defend the law. Several cases against DOMA are pending in different states.
The Senate Judiciary Committee recently held hearings on a bill to repeal DOMA, the Respect for Marriage Act; the president also supports this bill. The bill passed out of committee, but no date has been set for a vote in the Senate.

     • Please pray the bill will not pass in the Senate or House of Representatives.
     • Pray for Paul Clement and his team as they fight to defend the federal law, and marriage as one man for one woman in the US.

Australia
Members of the ruling Labor Party are divided on the issue of gay marriage. The Prime Minister has stated she will uphold a campaign promise to not change the Marriage Act; however, some elected officials favor amending the law defining marriage as one man for one woman.

     • Please pray for Ron Brookman, Director of LW Australia, and other leaders as they pray and address politicians on this issue. Pray for same-sex marriage to not become a bargaining tool to win more support for the Labor party.
     • Please pray for the protection of marriage and the Marriage Act in Australia.

England
'Gay marriage ' is not legal in England and the UK. The prime minister has stated he supports same-sex marriage; the government stated they intend to begin consultation to allow same-sex couples religious ceremonies and civil marriage.

     • Please pray for marriage to be upheld as one man for one woman in the UK and throughout Europe.

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In addition to prayer, we believe our most effective weapon to uphold and strengthen marriage is Living Waters and the healing groups our leaders run throughout the world. Many will be starting groups in the next few months. Thank you for your prayers for them, their teams and families, and the participants seeking healing and freedom.

Thank you for standing with the Lord and us at Desert Stream as we continue to wage this battle.

"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations...he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." (Romans 4:18a, 20,21)

May God give us all the faith and perseverance of Abraham, to hope against hope, continuing to stand in prayer for His full intent for marriage.

To listen to Andy's Honoring Marriage podcast episodes

just click on this link.

You may also download them free from ITUNES by searching for Desert Stream Ministries.

Honoring Marriage for the Good of All is a prayer guide for preserving marriage, one man for one woman, in our country utilizing our most effective weapon - intercessory prayer. This 40-day intercessory prayer guide will help all those concerned with preserving marriage.

To order Andy's book on honoring marriage click here.