 A National Day of Reconciliation Dec 4 Subscribe   
  From:  David (DavidABrown)    11/28/2001 1:08 pm  
To:  ALL   (1 of 2)  
 
  279.1  
 
30 Min Audio Link: http://play.oneplace.com/Stream/ministries/ffd/LiveStream.asp?url=http://play.rbn.com/?url=oneplace/oneplace/g2demand/media1/programs/rm/ffd/ffd20011127.rm&proto=rtsp 

Source: www.CitizenLink.org/
Congress Prepares for Day of Reconciliation 
By Ben Taylor, CitizenLink editor 
 
Christian members of Congress hoping to lead America to its knees before God recently succeeded in getting a resolution through the Senate and House of Representatives that calls for the nation's leaders to gather for prayer in the nation's Capitol. 

The resolution establishes a National Day of Reconciliation, on which members of both the House and Senate can "humbly seek the blessings of Providence for forgiveness, reconciliation, unity, and charity for all people of the United States." President Bush and the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court are also invited. 

House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, the House champion of the idea, noted that "the prayer event which will be held from 5-7 p.m. EST on Dec. 4. is serious business. "

"This isn't about (Sept. 11), although that has a major part to play," DeLay said on the Nov. 27 Focus on the Family radio broadcast. "This is about the nation that has pushed God out of its institutions and out of its homes and out of its communities, coming back to God and showing God that we are a nation that honors and reveres Him." 

The event, which will be voluntary, will be held in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. No cameras, members of the press or the public will be allowed to attend. 

"We felt very strongly that this could not be a political event, not even a ceremonial event, because this has to be real. For it to be real, members need to feel comfortable that no one's watching, there's no television cameras, so the Rotunda will be sealed off." 

Focus on the Family President Dr. James Dobson commended DeLay and Kansas Republican Sen. Sam Brownback, the Senate sponsor, for taking the initiative. 

"This is a genuine petition to the Lord, asking Him to bless our land and to forgive us for our sins and to bring a national reconciliation with Him and with each other  a national revival, if you will, as a result of these concerted prayers," Dobson said. 

All agreed that to be effective, the event has to do more than just ask God to bless America. 

"As the people of the United States pray . . . my great desire is that we not only say 'God save us,' but that we pray 'God forgive us,' " Dobson said. "That there be a time for repentance and drawing close to the Lord. We've strayed from the moral principles that He's given us." 

Though the event is closed, the lawmakers asked that citizens and churches in the District of Columbia and across the country join in prayer with them. 

Said Rep. Joe Pitts, R-Pa., an original cosponsor of the resolution: "We're hoping that thousands will come . . . as we're inside from five to seven o'clock in the Rotunda . . . just voluntarily lifting up their prayers on behalf of the nation and our leaders." 

Thank God that the House and Senate have agreed to open the Capitol Rotunda for this time of prayer, repentance and reconciliation. Also, pray that God would move on the hearts of the president, members of Congress and justices of the Supreme Court to attend this crucial prayer event, and that He would prepare their hearts as the day approaches. 

Contact your congressman and two senators and urge them to participate in this historic Dec. 4 event in the Rotunda. Thank them for supporting Senate Concurrent Resolution 83, the resolution making this event possible, and tell them you are praying for them. To contact them, you can call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, or see our Legislative Action Center for more contact information. 
Urge your pastor/priest to open the doors of your church from 5-7 p.m. EST on Dec. 4 for anyone in the community or congregation who wishes to join their government leaders in prayer, repentance and reconciliation. 
If you live in the D.C. area or can travel to the nation's capital on Dec. 4, please consider attending a prayer event on the west steps of the Capitol that will coincide with the event inside the Rotunda. If you can come to Washington, D.C., a permit has been secured for up to 15,000 people to assemble on the lawn between First Street and the foot of the west steps of the Capitol. Currently, there is no formal program planned; this will be simply a time of prayer. Space at the west front of the Capitol is limited, so please notify the Christian Embassy (a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ) at 703-525-1770, or by e-mail at ce@cembassy.org, if you plan to be there. You will need to indicate the number in your group, means of transportation, and a phone contact. 

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David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
 
  
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   From:  David (DavidABrown)    11/28/2001 1:11 pm  
To:  ALL   (2 of 2)  
 
  279.2 in reply to 279.1  
 
Source: http://family.org/welcome/press/a0018648.html
Dobson Celebrates "National Day of Reconciliation"
Pro-Family Leader Applauds Congressional Day of Prayer

Colorado Springs-On November 16, Congress passed a resolution permitting a national day of reconciliation that will include a two-hour period of prayer, forgiveness, and reconciliation in the Capitol Rotunda on December 4. Members of both Houses of Congress will gather for prayer on a voluntary basis. Today, Dr. James C. Dobson, heard by 7.5 million listeners each week, was joined on his national daily broadcast by House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, Senator Sam Brownback, and Representative Joseph Pitts to applaud this "historic" event. 
"We need to recognize that the source of our blessing is not our superior wisdom, our superior resources, or our superior form of government," said Congressman Pitts. "The source of our blessings is God. As we recognize His sovereignty, His blessing on the country, and our lack of appreciation for that, hopefully it will help us humble ourselves and turn to Him." 

Congressman DeLay defined the event's intent, "This is about the nation that has pushed God out of its institutions, homes, and communities, coming back to God and showing God that we are a nation that honors and reveres Him. This is the first time, I think, that the leaders of the country have come together like this in the last 40 or 50 years." 

Dr. Dobson praised the "National Day of Reconciliation" saying, "Our only hope is for a national revival, and perhaps this event will be the beginning of it. As the people of the United States pray . . . my great desire is that we not only say 'God save us,' but that we pray 'God forgive us.' We've strayed from the moral principles that He's given us." 

Dobson encourages churches in Washington, D.C. and all across America to open their doors during the event and gather for prayer. 

"This is not a ceremony," said Dr. Dobson. "It's not done for political purposes. It's not done for the cameras. This is a genuine petition to the Lord, asking Him to bless our land, to forgive us for our sins, and to bring national reconciliation with Him and with each other." 

Dr. Dobson also thanked the Salvation Army for their recent decision to rescind their policy on domestic (same-sex) partnerships, "I am thankful that they had the courage to do what was right." He also encouraged listeners to support the Salvation Army during this holiday time. "The money that's given to them goes to help needy people, and there are a lot of folks out of work today. It's my understanding that there are greater demands on the Salvation Army for assistance now than there have been in many, many years," said Dr. Dobson. 


To hear today's broadcast, please log on to our website: www.family.org 
For more information, contact Paul Hetrick at (719) 531-3336 or hetricpl@fotf.org, or Julie Neils at (719) 548-4634 or neilsja@fotf.org.

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David A. Brown
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