Honoring Marriage for the Good of All

"We will praise you, O Lord with all our hearts;

before the "gods" we will sing your praise.

We will bow down in your holy temple

and will praise your name for your love and faithfulness,

for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

When we called you answered us!" Ps 138:1-4

Having seen Rhode Island, Delaware, Maryland and Minnesota vote to allow 'gay marriage' in the last few months, like Abraham, we were praying, believing and "hoping against hope" (Rom. 4:18) for marriage in Illinois.
We are celebrating the recent victory for marriage in the House of Representatives. A majority vote for the 'gay marriage' bill seemed inevitable in this strongly Democratic state. Yet members of the National Organization for Marriage(NOM), the African American Clergy Organization and others united to stand and speak out for God's intent for marriage. In the end, the vote was delayed until the fall.

"This is a great victory for our allies and supporters, as well as Illinois families who have worked tirelessly with us to preserve marriage in Illinois." — Brian Brown, NOM

We continue to pray for a great victory in the US Supreme Court. In March the justices spent two days hearing arguments about the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California's Prop 8. Their decision is expected any time during the month of June.

After reading several articles and opinions on the hearings, Andrew Comiskey commented:
To be sure 'gay marriage' is not a done deal in America. The Supreme Court has over two months to deliberate on both the challenge to DOMA and Prop 8. Though DOMA appears doomed, the case against Prop 8 is far more complicated and could go in several directions.

Those opposing Prop 8 took the most aggressive stance possible by asking the court to strike down all 'gay marriage' restrictions in the USA on the grounds the measure defies our nation's constitution. The Supreme Court tends to favor state's rights; so striking down the thirty-one states which have already defined marriage as male and female could be asking too much of the Court at this time.

It is possible that the Court took up California's Prop 8 so it could find a way to honor state's rights in defining ways. Time will tell. Many analysts believe the Supreme Court will strike down Prop 8 alone and allow the rest of the state's to decide as they will.

Please pray! Don't give up on marriage, and what you know to be true about homosexuality-an expression of sexual, emotional and moral brokenness that Jesus delights in transforming thru Spirit- filled Christians like yourselves.

Hawaii
Earlier this year the House and Senate have decided there will be no vote on 'gay marriage' in this legislative session.
·         Praise and thank God for upholding and protecting marriage in Hawaii.

England
"Marriage is a gift from God." Church of England, in an official statement issued this week.

A few months ago the English Parliament and Prime Minister approved 'gay marriage.' We are encouraged and thankful to hear the response from the Church of England, the state church. Click the link below to read more:

http://anglicanink.com/article/marriage-god-not-state-church-england-declares#.UWWtINuwTvs.email

France
In spite of great opposition and protest from the French people, 'gay marriage' became legal in May.
·         Pray our LW leaders there will be strengthened, encouraged, and protected as the opposition intensifies.
·         Please ask the Lord to continue to grant favor to the ministry, and give them all they need to offer a place of healing and freedom for all who struggle, especially those with same-sex attraction.

Australia
Thankfully, none of the four bills advocating marriage were approved by the Australian legislature!
·         Please continue to pray marriage will be upheld there.

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In addition to praying for marriage we see Living Waters and our other groups as the most effective action to strengthen and protect marriage.

Please pray for existing LW groups for the perseverance and grace to continue on and finish strong.
Pray please for our Living Waters Trainings in July, one in Kansas City and another near Mexico City: for applicants, leaders and discernment as the coordinators determine whom to accept and put in each small group.

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Thank you for standing with the Lord and us at Desert Stream as we continue to wage this battle.

To listen to Andy's Honoring Marriage podcast episodes

just click on this link.

You may also download them free from ITUNES by searching for Desert Stream Ministries.

Honoring Marriage for the Good of All is a prayer guide for preserving marriage, one man for one woman, in our country utilizing our most effective weapon - intercessory prayer. This 40-day intercessory prayer guide will help all those concerned with preserving marriage.

To order Andy's book on honoring marriage click here.