About the recent federal court order declaring the National Day of Prayer supremely illegal (well, that’s what “unconstitutional” really means): The President has filed a formal “intent to appeal.” This means he has notified Federal District Judge Barbara Crabb that her decision striking down the National Day of Prayer will be challenged. At the same time, the President’s lawyers at the Department of Justice have not indicated what they will say in their defense.

Now, here’s how these things work: When the President or his actions are “enjoined” (or prohibited) by a court, as in this case, he orders the Department of Justice to assign one or more of its many lawyers to legally defend his position. Inside the Department of Justice a decision is then made whether this matter is important, or really important. Really important means the best and most experienced lawyers are tapped and the most prominent personalities–like the Solicitor General (the nation’s top civil attorney) herself–or at least her deputies–are visible and vocal on the matter.

So far, I haven’t seen or heard from the Solicitor General or one of her deputies. (I may have missed it. If so, please bring my attention to it.) This could mean the matter is only in its preliminary stages, or . . . it’s just important, but not really important. Please pardon my cynicism, but after 16 years in Washington, I always give the benefit of the doubt–both ways. During the three presidential administrations I’ve observed up close (two Democrat and one Republican), I’ve seen an awful lot of horse and pony shows. In other words, legal window dressing. I’ve also seen presidents “throw the fight,” so-to-speak. It can be very convenient for an administration to blame-shift to the courts. On the campaign trail it sounds something like this, “Well, we tried to do the right thing, but the courts wouldn’t let us.”

Time will tell what President Obama plans to do with this legal contest. I hope and pray he’ll mount a vigorous defense of the constitutionality of the National Day of Prayer. Even more so, I hope and pray he’ll remind the court why prayer is so important to our nation and its well-being.

Regardless of how the President and his lawyers approach this, Faith and Action will mount its own vigorous effort. It’s why we’ve launched a new facebook page, “Defend the National Day of Prayer.” I hope you’ll sign on to it to show your support. By doing so, you’ll also be included in our own Faith and Action legal brief to be filed with the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals–and maybe even with the United States Supreme Court, should it get that far. You can also sign up to be listed on the legal defense at our website: www.faithandaction.org. (Use the National Day of Prayer Amicus Brief tab at upper left.)

It’s important for the courts to know what American citizens think about the National Day of Prayer. While it’s true the federal courts are to be free and independent of political pressure, they also want to contemplate the sentiments of the American people when deliberating their decisions. Let’s show them strong sentiments for the National Day of Prayer!

If you haven’t done it already, please go to our new facebook page now: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Defend-the-National-Day-of-Prayer/113264075374172?ref=ts and press the “Like” button at the top right-hand side of the page. Then, pass along the link and information to all your facebook friends. Thanks for helping us send a strong message to the courts: Americans want and need the National Day of Prayer!

Rob +

Here’s an exhortation for the members of Congress that I will stand with today when they defend the National Day of Prayer:

“. . . they shall not profane the holy things . . .” Leviticus 22:15.

This is a reminder to me and to everyone involved that prayer is a holy thing and should not be exploited for political advantage. I’ve been around Capitol Hill long enough to know there are probably some who are already thinking, “Gee, this is a wedge issue we can use in the upcoming elections.” Republicans will be tempted to paint Democrats as ungodly and the GOP as sacred because it supports the National Day of Prayer legislation. Democrats will be tempted to say, “We’re not jumping on board with this because it’s going to be used against us at election time.”

Either position is wrong-headed and wrong-hearted.

Prayer is sacred and transcends every political consideration. Both parties have historically violated this holy trust. God reminds us through the prophet Isaiah:

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

When we profane the things of God by dragging them into the rough and tumble of our earthly politics, we only remind ourselves how far we are from the Holy.

Rob +

If the current health care reform bill passes in the House of Representatives on Sunday, the US Government will officially enter into the business of abortion.

Let me explain how:

The bill creates a separate fund into which citizens will pay private monies if they elect an insurance plan that offers abortion coverage. That fund will be set up, managed, monitored and dispersed by federal government employees. Voila! Your tax dollars used to administer money for abortion businesses.

And there’s more: The pressure is on now–the US Government will be fully engaged in all aspects of health care. Insurers will comply with strong-arm tactics because they won’t want any more of the camel in their tent. All the US Government needs to say, with a wink and a nod, is, “You don’t have to offer abortion coverage, but, you better!” Voila! Abortion coverage.

No matter how you cut it, the new health care scheme will provide millions and millions of dollars to abortionists, compliments of the US Government. I’m sure Planned Parenthood, the world’s biggest abortion business, is licking its chops, working feverishly to exploit the new arrangement and open lots of “community health centers.” Voila! More abortions.

It’s amazing how much can get done very fast when billions of dollars are flowing.

Watching and praying . . .

Rob +

After 15 years on Capitol Hill, my greatest challenge is guarding my heart against cynicism. Political machinations wear on me like nothing else. During my years of front line ministry, I’ve been cursed at, spit on, punched, slapped, put in handcuffs, had my life threatened, been repeatedly insulted, even been urinated on, but by the grace of God, I’ve kept my joy and even–sometimes beyond my own belief–maintained a love and even compassion for my tormentors. However, when it comes to cynical, power-grubbing, vulgar, bald-faced, self-aggrandizing and self-serving politics, I start to lose my “fruits.” (That is, the Galatians 5:22-23 “Fruit of the Spirit” kind, i.e., “love, joy, peace,” etc.)

And so, yesterday, when I got an early morning report that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid may be offering hundreds of millions of your hard-earned tax dollars as bribes to his fellow Democrats that are holding off on voting for a tax-payer funded abortion health care reform bill, it put me over the edge. I hope you saw my video on this. If you didn’t, please take a moment and view it here, then pass it along to your family, friends and fellow church members.

Today I’m seeking clarification from Senator Reid on exactly what he has offered and to whom. I also want to know whether he will unequivocally repudiate the threat against pro-life Democrat senators to close Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, which would result in hundreds of job losses for hard-working families there. Apparently it was an idea hatched at the White House as a way to teach a lesson to Nebraska senator Ben Nelson, the leading pro-life Democrat.

This is all so ugly I hate even dealing with it, but it’s reality. A few people think my “30 Pieces of Silver Disgrace” presentation to Senator Reid is over-the-top, but most applauded it. What do you think? The Bible says there’s safety in the multitude of counselors. I haven’t succeeded in getting an appointment with the Senator to make the presentation yet, so there’s still time to withdraw it. What do you think I should do? Please let me know in your comments on this blog.

I’ll keep you informed.

Rob +

PS The Los Angeles Times has a nice summation of the stages left for ratification of the heath care bill: http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-health-box17-2009dec17,0,1786799.story