The True Source of Power: Legislators Bend the Knee

Breakpoint with Chuck Colson ^ | 8/2/2006 | Mark Earley

[Mr. Silverback]

Note: This commentary was delivered by Prison Fellowship President Mark Earley.

What is the most powerful room in the United States Capitol? Ask some members of Congress and you would probably hear this: Room 219. It’s the room closest to the House Chamber, and its walls have been privy to some of the most pivotal discussions of our history.

Recently, however, Room 219 just got a whole lot more powerful. How so? You see, in Room 219 some of the highest elected officials of our land are bending their knees in weekly prayer gatherings—openly declaring, not their power, but their dependence on the power of God.

It’s not a new idea. Our first president in his inaugural address said, “ . . . it would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations and whose providential aid can supply every human defect.”

President Washington and our founders agreed on the necessity of prayer. And while today there are prayer breakfasts and even a National Day of Prayer, seldom do legislators gather to spend significant time actually praying. That’s what led Congressman Randy Forbes, representative of the Fourth District of Virginia, to help initiate these gatherings in Room 219.

Congressman Forbes has also established the first Congressional Prayer Caucus to protect and promote prayer. Such an effort is so necessary today, not because our forefathers did not find prayer important, but because it was never before under attack as it is today.

Congressmen Forbes takes seriously that before calling others to prayer that he and other congressional leaders must begin by setting the example.

Forbes says that when others began hearing about what he and the other members were doing in Room 219—praying—the phones began ringing. One man called to say that the men in his church are stopping at 2:19 in the afternoon to pray for our nation. Another church said they had begun gathering in their own Room 219 to pray for the nation. And so Forbes realized the need to call the nation to prayer “not for a day, but continually, without ceasing.”

So twenty-two members of Congress (men and women from both sides of the aisle) joined together to sign A Call to Prayer for America, a document resembling the Declaration of Independence. And like Nehemiah who helped rebuild his nation by rebuilding a wall, congressional leaders are hoping Americans will help raise up a wall of continuous prayer to surround America. People across the country are signing up to be a part of this “Prayer Wall,” taking time blocks of five minutes to stop and pray. If you would like to participate, you can visit www.prayercaucus.org to sign up.

If we want to protect faith in the public square, if we hope to create a culture that will uphold what is good and curb what is not, we must begin by bending the knee, acknowledging that true freedom is found in utter dependence upon our Creator.

Congressman Forbes and the Congressional Prayer Caucus have realized precisely that, and you can find them in Room 219.

[Mr. Silverback]

I am proud to report that my rep, Don Manzullo of Illinois, is one of the founders of this caucus.

I took a look at the names, and though some are Dems, none of the names leaped out at me, as in "Who does that person think they're fooling?"

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."--1 Timothy 2:1-4

There are links to further information at the source document.

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[Mr. Silverback]

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