NATIONAL COALITION CALLS FOR PRAYER ON FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

As you read this E-Brief, senators from across the nation are debating Senate Joint Resolution 40, otherwise known as the Federal Marriage Amendment. The FMA defines marriage in the United States as the union of a man and a woman only.

In a July 12 phone call initiated by the National Coalition and including select friends of the organization, Ohio Senator George Voinovich underscored the need for the work of the Holy Spirit among senators and urged us to pray for him and for others. While we have urged you to call or write your senators over the last several weeks, we now encourage you to go directly to the One who is in control of all things.

There are those who argue that we should wait until the Defense of Marriage Act is overturned before passing a federal amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The DOMA clarifies that marriage is a state issue and it reaffirms the power of the states to make their own decisions about marriage. However, that could be challenged and changed by the federal courts. Considering the language of Lawrence v Texas (the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down Texas' sodomy statute), it could easily be argued that the Supreme Court would favor extending the right of marriage to homosexual couples.

We need a Federal Marriage Amendment NOW to ensure that marriage between one man and one woman remains the cornerstone and most fundamental institution of our society.

The time for prayer is now and the need for prayer is great.