Hartford Police Chief doesn't have the luxury of ignoring reality

Peter Wolfgang of the Family Institute of Connecticut gives us the scoop on last week's National Day of Prayer gathering in Hartford and the hypocrisy of the Left. Kudos for Police Chief Roberts for his courage. It's about time we heard this kind of talk from a high public official.

Speaking to a group that at one point reached standing-room-only size, Chief Roberts’ talk made a tremendous impact on the crowd. He called himself “a praying chief” and noted that he was a deacon in his church (his pastor was present). He asked us to work and pray that kids will be brought to God. He said he deals with the kids who are not coming to God, the ones who will kill you over a minor disagreement.

Read all of it and be encouraged.

National Day of Prayer 2008

On this National Day of Prayer, let's continue to ask God's mercies on America:

2008 Prayer for Our Nation, by Dr. Ravi Zacharias, Honorary Chairman, National Day of Prayer Task Force:

Holy Father, in a world where so many are hungry,
You have given us food in abundance
In a world where so many are hurting, You offer to bind up our wounds;
In a world where so many are lonely,
You offer friendship to every heart;
In a world longing for peace, You offer hope.

Yet, we are so stubborn and resistant.
Have mercy upon us, Lord
Our nation is at a crossroads this year;
We look to you to be our strength and shield.
Please give us the guidance to elect one who will honor You
And to respond to the wisdom from above
So that our hope may be renewed and our blessings be treasured.

In God’s holy Name!

National Day of Prayer this Thursday

This Thursday, May 1st, is the National Day of Prayer. This year there are many events taking place all across the State - find one near you by clicking here and searching Connecticut.

President Bush's Official Proclamation for the day states:

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

America trusts in the abiding power of prayer and asks for the wisdom to discern God's will in times of joy and of trial. As we observe this National Day of Prayer, we recognize our dependence on the Almighty, we thank Him for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us, and we put our country's future in His hands.

From our Nation's humble beginnings, prayer has guided our leaders and played a vital role in the life and history of the United States. Americans of many different faiths share the profound conviction that God listens to the voice of His children and pours His grace upon those who seek Him in prayer. By surrendering our lives to our loving Father, we learn to serve His eternal purposes, and we are strengthened, refreshed, and ready for all that may come.

On this National Day of Prayer, we ask God's continued blessings on our country. This year's theme, "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield," is taken from Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped." On this day, we pray for the safety of our brave men and women in uniform, for their families, and for the comfort and recovery of those who have been wounded.

The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has called on our Nation to reaffirm the role of prayer in our society by recognizing each year a "National Day of Prayer."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2008, as a National Day of Prayer. I ask the citizens of our Nation to give thanks, each according to his or her own faith, for the freedoms and blessings we have received and for God's continued guidance, comfort, and protection. I invite all Americans to join in observing this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH

National Day of Prayer a great success

Although one town which I won't mention by name reportedly refused to let attendees use any municipal electricity, on the whole it seemed that public officials were glad to join Connecticut residents in asking God's blessing on our State and nation yesterday during the National Day of Prayer.

I heard Danbury's Mayor Boughton on the radio this morning speaking of the virtues of the NDOP. This was a blessing.

Literally scores of Connecticut towns and cities held observances:

This report from todays' Norwich Bulletin:

Tom Girard, 44, of Voluntown attended for the first time.

"We desperately need prayer. Without prayer, we cannot create a relationship with our lord, Jesus Christ," said Girard, a computer technician at Connecticut College.

Barb Young, 57, Les Young's wife, said she comes every year.

"It's important to gather publicly and pray for our nation's leaders and for all our governments," Young said.

In the city of Groton, Mayor Dennis Popp said the lawn of the City Municipal Building is made available to churches on National Day of Prayer.

"They have used our front lawn for many years. If needed, we have a small tent they can use," Popp said. "This year, six churches were represented. It began at noon and lasted an hour. I was able to attend for 20 minutes or so."

The Plainfield Area Churches' Ecumenical Ministry put on its sixth annual National Day of Prayer breakfast at Plainfield Congregational Church.

About 35 to 40 people attended, according to First Selectman Kevin Cunningham.

"Different ministers from the Plainfield area were there. The people gathered and talked on this day of reflection," Cunningham said. "This was a nice way to communicate with the community."

And in Middletown, the Press reported:

Mayor Sebastian N. Giuliano declared Thursday Day of Prayer in the city of Middletown. A ceremony, titled "America, Unite in Prayer," was held in front of City Hall around the flagpole that afternoon.

"In the city of Middletown and that this day signifies that prayer is as important to our nation today as it was in the beginning," the proclamation read.

Let's work together to make NDOP grow year by year!

Prayer for our Nation, 2007

This is the 2007 Prayer for our Nation, written by Dr. Charles Swindoll, the 2007 National Day of Prayer Honorary Chairman:

Almighty God, we pause to reflect on Your character as we seek wisdom for such a time as this.

In these unsafe days, You remain all-powerful and able to protect;

In these uncertain times, You remain all-knowing, leading us aright;

In the unprecedented events we're facing, You remain absolutely sovereign.

Our times are in Your hands.

Therefore, our dependence on You, is total, not partial . . .

our need for Your forgiveness is constant . . .

our gratitude for Your grace is profound. . . our love for You is deep.

We ask that You guard and guide our President and all who serve the people of these United States. May uncompromising integrity mark their lives.

We also ask that You unite us as truly "one nation, under God." May genuine humility return to our ranks.

And may that blend of integrity and humility heal our land.

In our Lord's name we pray, Amen.

Photo by JimmyOK

Find a National Day of Prayer event near you!

Here's a commercial from Coach Tony Dungy about prayer and the National Day of Prayer which is coming up tomorrow.

Find Connecticut events here!

Governor Rell's National Day of Prayer Proclamation

I haven't been able to find the Governor's proclamation on the State website, but here it is from the National Day of Prayer site. It reads:

By Her Excellency M. Jodi Rell, Governor: an Official Statement

Whereas, May 3, 2007 marks the 56th annual observance of the National Day of Prayer, and the theme of this year's nationwide celebration is "America, Unite in Prayer;" and,

Whereas, in 1988 legislation was unanimously ratified by both houses of Congress, and signed by President Ronald Reagan, stating that the National Day of Prayer was to be observed on the first Thursday of every May; and,

Whereas, it is fitting that we should give thanks for the freedom and prosperity enjoyed by this State and our Nation and to pray for continued guidance and comfort, which has graciously been bestowed upon this Nation since its inception; and,

Whereas, as caring citizens of this great State, we recognize prayer to be both powerful and peaceful; now

Therefore, I, M. Jodi Rell, Governor of the State of Connecticut, do hereby proclaim May 3, 2007 as the

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

in the State of Connecticut, and urge all citizens to observe this day in ways appropriate to its importance and significance.

s/s M. Jodi Rell
Governor

We thank the Governor for issuing this proclamation and may God bless our State tomorrow and always.

Christian Events in Connecticut This Week

The following events are coming up this week... for more details please visit the Connecticut Christian Events Calendar!

Wednesday, May 2:
Intercessory Prayer (Colchester)

Thursday, May 3:
The National Day of Prayer - visit the Events page here for a full listing!

Saturday, May 5:
Meme Stephens in concert (Windsor)

Sunday, May 6:
Arise Spring 2007 Regional Gathering (Waterbury)

Connecticut needs to repent

One famous Connecticut preacher, Jonathan Edwards, is definitely spinning in his grave tonight.

A Courant poll finds that Connecticut residents are of two minds on same-sex marriage, and also that we are fairly evenly split about whether marriage is something religious or secular. Polls ae funny things, but it certainly seems that same-sex marriage is becoming more acceptable. The incessant drumbeat of the political Left and their use of guilt-inducing rhetoric is paying off. The Courant article even admits that Connecticut is more liberal than most other places on this issue, which I find interesting.

Brian Brown, the executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut, dismissed the poll results, saying the questions were skewed to draw a favorable response. Brown and other opponents of gay marriage want the issue to be put directly to the state's voters in the form of a referendum.

"Every state that's been able to vote directly on this has been with us," Brown said. Gay marriage isn't a civil rights issue, he said. "This isn't about rights and benefits. It's about redefining marriage...."

Legal and political experts who track national public opinion on same-sex marriage say they are not surprised by the intensity of the support in Connecticut.

The poll found 31 percent of the state's residents strongly support same-sex marriage. In national polls, the percentage of respondents who express strong support generally hovers between 10 percent and 15 percent.

"There is no question that Connecticut is at the liberal end of the spectrum when it comes to attitudes toward homosexuality, same-sex marriage and civil unions," said Nathaniel Persily, a professor of law and political science at the University of Pennsylvania. "Same-sex marriage will come first to the blue states and later to the red states."

Brian Brown is right. This is about redefining marriage and nothing else.

What gives them the right to overturn 4,000 years of human experience? Nothing at all. What society has ever sanctioned homosexual marriage and taught its goodness to elementary school children? None.

But as Dostoevsky said, if there is no God, everything is permitted.

Whether anyone likes it or not, the United States is at present the leading nation in the Western world. Therefore the legitimization of same-sex marriage in the United States will clearly mark the end of the Judeo-Christian worldview as the guiding principle in the Western World. It also marks the rebirth of paganism as the organizing force in Western society - not the paganism of dilettantes dancing in the moonlight, but the intolerant paganism of ancient history, cruel to the unborn, the weak, the poor and the elderly alike. And as in ancient times, it will act on its aggressive intolerance of traditionally minded Christians and Jews, this time using the modern weapons of lawsuits and hate crimes legislation.

The National Day of Prayer is this Thursday, May 3. Please pray that God will grant us repentance.

National Day of Prayer Events in Connecticut

This coming Thursday, May 3, is the National Day of Prayer. Please join Christians around the State in asking the Lord's favor and blessing on our nation and our public officials.

Find Connecticut National Day of Prayer events here.

President Bush's Proclamation of the day is as follows:

A prayerful spirit has always been an important part of our national character, and it is a force that has guided the American people, given us strength, and sustained us in moments of joy and in times of challenge. On this National Day of Prayer, we acknowledge God's grace and ask for His continued guidance in the life of our Nation.

Americans of many faiths and traditions share a common belief that God hears the prayers of His children and shows grace to those who seek Him. Following the tragedy at Virginia Tech, in towns all across America, in houses of worship from every faith, Americans have joined together to pray for the lives that were lost and for their families, friends, and loved ones. We hold the victims in our hearts and pray for those who suffer and grieve. There is a power in these prayers, and we can find comfort in the grace and guidance of a loving God.

At this important time in our history, we also pray for the brave members of our Armed Forces and their families. We pray for their safety, for the recovery of the wounded, and for the peace we all seek.

The Congress, by Public Law 100 307, as amended, has called on our Nation to reaffirm the role of prayer in our society and to respect the freedom of religion by recognizing each year a "National Day of Prayer."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 3, 2007, as a National Day of Prayer. I ask the citizens of our Nation to give thanks, each according to his or her own faith, for the freedoms and blessings we have received and for God's continued guidance, comfort, and protection. I invite all Americans to join in observing this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Christian Events in Connecticut this week

The following events are coming up this week... for more details please visit the Connecticut Christian Events Calendar!



Wednesday, April 25:

School of the Spirit with Pastor Jan Nel (Darien - St. Paul's Church)



Thursday, April 26:

Hopeline Annual Fundraising Banquet, with guest speaker Ryan Dobson and the Warrior Poetes (Trumbull)



Thursday, April 26 - Saturday, April 28:

Ignite 2007 (West Haven)



Saturday, April 28:

Small Group Leadership Seminar (Thomaston)

Key of David Christian Coffeehouse (Ansonia)



Coming up on Thursday, May 3:

The National Day of Prayer - visit the Events page here for a full listing!