• Pastors.   Praise Him for the God-fearing, Christ-exalting, and Word-expounding pastors and lay leaders in Thurston County.   (Other regions of the world would feel blessed to have this same access to spiritual food in their locations.)  Praise Him for the mercy and ever-living hope we have in Christ. Accordingly, pray that pastors and other church leaders will sense God’s grace and peace being showered upon them in increasing abundance.  That they will be free from fear, passions and moral conflicts. Pray for protection for their spouses and families and that they will be filled with the peace and love of Christ.

-“Born anew into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, who are being guarded by God’s power through your faith until you fully inherit that final salvation that is ready to be revealed for you in the last time.  You should be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations . . . .  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  I Peter 1:4-6,13 Amplified

-“. . . see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently . . . “  I Peter 1:22

• Congregations.   Pray that congregations will seek the Lord in increasing measure and unity in response to the distressing and godless activities we see all around us.   Pray that in the midst of trials and temptations, they can rejoice still, as they find their comfort in Christ and their solace in His Word.  Pray for increased understanding of His promises and increased faith to claim them as their own–as their true and lasting inheritance that does not fade away or perish.   Pray for an increase in love and caring for one another as well as for the lost and dying.
• Churches in Transition.   Pray for churches where pastoral leadership is in transition, like New Hope Anglican, that the Lord will guide and direct the decisions being made and changes that impact all ministry areas.  Pray that congregations will be unified in support of the “new” while lovingly releasing the “previous”.  Pray for Faith Assembly which is in a six-month transition with their senior pastor anticipating retirement in June 2012.  Pray also for South Sound Community Church and Pastor Steve Carpenter as they continue to work within a transitional process in finalizing a unifying resting place for their congregation and staff.
• Pray for the following churches invested in Pray Thurston.  May God add many more fervent intercessors and more churches to their numbers:  New Hope Anglican, Chesed v’Shalom, Living Water, Capital Vision Christian, New Life Christian, Westwood Baptist, Flood the Sound, Evergreen Christian Community, Calvary Chapel, Faith Assembly, Emmanuel Bible Fellowship, Oakridge Ministries, First Baptist, Yelm, St James Anglican.  Pray also for those praying – yet not on a specific day or hour:  Mountain View Nazarene, Lion of Judah, City Life, Lacey Church of God, City Gates Ministry, Blessed Ministry.
• Pray for the upcoming training for PT 24/7 Transformation Teams and Prayer Connectors to be held on March 1^st, that it will accomplish the purpose for which it is being held, will inspire, inform, encourage and embolden all for and in the work of prayer for our County.  Also, that the new transformation teams will be fully functional and in spiritual unity in order to target specific items for prayer in their areas of influence.

FAMILIES/SOCIAL SERVICES/HEALTH –

-“Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot . . . .”  I Peter 1:18,19 

• Families/Children.  Pray that families will know they are “precious in His sight” and of great value to Him, since He paid the ultimate price for their salvation.   Praise Him for Christian families who are raising and maintaining a godly standard in their spheres of influence. Pray that families who don’t know the Savior will stop resisting and come to Him as the only source of Hope and Light in this world.  Pray for the children who are in unloving and emotionally detached homes, that they will know Christ’s love and overcome all obstacles.
• Poor/Needy.  Continue to uphold the poor who legitimately need assistance with the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, employment and education. The needs are particularly difficult during the winter months of cold and darkness.  Pray, however, that resources given will be appreciated and used to better the long-term conditions of the recipients, so that their lives will be permanently changed.  
• Food Banks. Praise God for the many families blessed by the diligent work of the volunteers at the food banks in our churches and community.  Continue to pray for them as the needs will continue during these winter months.  Pray the Lord continues to supply the true needs people have. Pray specifically for Salvation Army, City Gates Ministry, Union Gospel Mission and all churches with pantry ministries.    

• PRAISE from City Gates Ministries for 2011: Food boxes: 340 delivered.  Average cost per delivery is $125.  That’s $42,500.00.  Thanksgiving meals: 167 delivered.  Average cost $50.00. Total of $8,350.00.  Christmas meals: 130 delivered. Average cost $50.00. Total of $6,500.00.  In food alone, total donations were a generous $57,350.00!   When you add all the church food bank donations, there is a lot of food being distributed in this county!  In addition from City Gates:  A  total of 85 families were adopted this Christmas with the help of business and individual donations.  Our sponsors supplied gifts and food for adults and children who otherwise would have had a bleak Christmas.  This year City Gates Ministries advocated for 226 families who received some kind of financial or tangible assistance including PSE bills, rent, food, furniture, up-graded resumes, referrals and above all prayer and an invitation to know Jesus Christ and get plugged into a church body.
• ONGOING:  Dementia/ Alzheimer’s – - Praise the Lord for all caregivers who tend to those who suffer from Dementia/Alzheimer’s and other debilitating, long-term illnesses, injuries and diseases. Pray for group homes and other facilities that serve the needs of those who are difficult to care for.  Praise God for family members who are proactive and continue to provide hope and care for those fighting degenerative diseases – and also for those involved in caring for those who are infirm due to old age – whether in care facilities, or in their homes.  Pray churches will find openings into nursing homes to minister to these often-forgotten ones.  Praise God for those who do minister; who visit, help, encourage, provide, pray for and bless those struggling in these situations.
• ONGOING Health – Praise: God is in control – pray the budget cuts for health care will not leave the most vulnerable without any resources – especially the poor and children.

   GOVERNMENT  -

        STATE GOVERNMENT –

-“The burden of the valley of vision.  What ails thee now . . . ?  For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity . . . breaking down the walls and of crying to the mountains.”  Isaiah 22:1a,5

2012 Legislature–

ESSB 6239 – Same Sex Marriage.   This wicked legislation passed and will be sent to the Governor for her to sign into law.  Citizens can still demand a referendum by submitting petitions to the Secretary of State’s office with sufficient signatures.  The House rejected all proposed amendments, including an amendment which would have required that the measure be sent to the people as a referendum. The House rejected seven amendments in all. It is a day of trouble in our state when the Legislature, and our culture, pulls down God’s basic and sacred institution of marriage, while the galleries are filled with mockers and scoffers rejoicing.  The righteous grieve that such an abomination has occurred.  Lord, have mercy.  Thank Him, however, for those who stood faithful in the Senate and House of Representatives, voting against this legislation, and holding their ground against the pressure to change their minds.  Thank Him for every legislator who has worked overtime to oppose the bill.  Pray for divine strategies to overturn what the enemy of our souls has meant for destruction for our state.  Pray for unity in the church to rise against this action.

“The condition of society is the report card of the church.”- Jackson Senyonga, Uganda Revival.

From the Government Transformation Team:  Please pray for both humility and ultimate victory for the legislative members dealing with this issue/bill. 

From Family Policy Institute–The Orthodox Christian Churches of Washington State released this statement on the Sanctity of Marriage and Same-Sex Unions:   “The Orthodox Christian teaching on marriage and sexuality, firmly grounded in Holy Scripture, 2000 years of church tradition, and canon law, holds that marriage consists in the conjugal union of a man and a woman, and that authentic marriage is blessed by God as a sacrament of the Church. Neither Scripture nor Holy Tradition blesses or sanctions such a union between persons of the same sex . . . .  The Orthodox Church cannot and will not bless same-sex unions. Whereas marriage between a man and a woman is a sacred institution ordained by God, homosexual union is not. Like adultery and fornication, homosexual acts are condemned by Scripture (Rom 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Tim 1:10). This being said, however, we must stress that persons with a homosexual orientation are to be cared for with the same mercy and love that is bestowed by our Lord Jesus Christ upon all of humanity. All persons are called by God to grow spiritually and morally toward holiness.  As Orthodox Christian clergy in Washington State we speak with one voice in expressing our deep concern over recent developments. And we pray fervently that the traditional form of marriage, as an enduring and committed union only between a man and a woman, will be honored.

-“For He brings down those who dwell on high; the lofty city, He lays low . . . even to the ground; He brings it even to the dust . . . .  Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O Lord, have we waited for You; the desire of our soul is to Your Name, and to the remembrance of You.”  Isaiah 26:5,

Other Proposed Legislation to pray about:

Mandated Abortion Coverage.  Washington legislators have introduced legislation that would require all insurance policies that offer maternity coverage to also cover abortion. This approach is consistent with Washington’s general approach of denying choice to anyone who doesn’t agree with them by taking away options from insurance providers and individuals to provide or purchase insurance plans that do not offer abortion. This is similar to the militantly anti-choice position that the state is currently taking against the Olympia pharmacy that does not want to sell abortion drugs.

Planned Parenthood’s Attack on Pregnancy Centers.  For the past two sessions, Planned Parenthood priority legislation has targeted pro-life pregnancy resource centers with unprecedented legal liabilities associated with handling medical records and administering pregnancy tests that do not apply to abortion providers who provide the same services. This legislation has been defeated two years in a row, but it is expected that another effort will be mounted this year.

Expand Department of Early Learning.  This bill would force church and family preschools to be HIGHLY regulated with mandates on how privately held organizations must operate their business.  One of the requirements is that the program be “free from religious instruction, activities, symbolism, and control or influence.”  Currently churches rent space to Co-ops that operate under state funding that must remove all pictures of Jesus and other religious symbols from the Sunday/Sabbath School classrooms when the preschool or daycare is in session.  The new regulations for preschools could turn them into secular outcome-based education centers. The controlling of “curriculum” could mandate the teaching of non-biblical ideas such as evolution and the teaching of diversity to include the acceptance of same sex relationships as normal.   Pray that we can get an amendment and protection to separate the private preschools and day cares from the government preschools and day cares.  Pray that the private, non-government schools can continue to raise young children in the way of the Lord as required by the Bible.

Legalizing marijuana.

• Praise Him for each and every born-again Christian who is serving in the Legislature and staff members and pray that their voices of wisdom, righteousness and justice will be heard. Come along side them in on-site prayer, intercession at home or in churches, or attending and/or testifying at hearings.   They continue to indicate that they appreciate brief office visits and words of encouragement.   Many people have been responding to this call this session and we praise Him for that!

-“O Lord our God, other lords beside You have had dominion over us:  but by You only will we make mention of Your Name.”  Isaiah 26:12

From Family Policy Institute:  Would you like to be able to tell legislators what you think about legislation? Well, you can. Even if you don’t know who represents you, your message will be delivered as long as you provide your name and address. Call right NOW, and leave a message for your legislators. It takes two minutes. So call today–1-800-562-6000–and make your voice heard. If everyone who gets this information makes the call, truth wins.   

• Godly 2012 Candidates.  The Presidential and state elections are less than 40 weeks away—so we must pray with strong intercessions for our nation to return to God.  Great spiritual warfare is being fought to shatter the very foundations of this nation and turn it away from God.  God’s people must assume their civic responsibilities and participate, as God leads, in this election, praying that the foundations not crumble. Pray for God’s will in selecting candidates who will engage in the many races upcoming in this state—particularly the four statewide positions–the Governor, the Attorney General, the State Auditor, the Secretary of State—which have never been up for re-election at the same time without incumbents.   Significant change for good can occur in this state if God’s candidates are elected in these significant positions!  Pray for courage and strength for those who have decided and/or who are still deciding about being candidates. That Washington state will elect righteous, godly candidates throughout all levels of government. Pray that Christians will be in unity in this election.  Pray for discernment and understanding that we will know who the righteous candidates are.  Pray that Christians will register and vote!!

-“Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation:  he that believes shall not make haste.  Judgment also will I lay to the line and righteousness to the plummet . . . and your covenant with death shall be disannulled and your agreement with hell shall not stand . . . .” Isaiah 28:16

STATE LEGISLATORS REPRESENTING THURSTON COUNTY:  Thurston County is comprised of four different legislative districts.  Below for your convenience are the districts, the legislators and their phone numbers:

Pray especially now for the PT 24/7 Transformation Team in the Government Sphere:  Rep. Brad Klippert, Rep. Matt Shea, Senator Val Stevens, Joseph Backholm—Family Policy Institute, Ken and Lynn Stormans—Daniels Prayer Ministry, Bob Higley—Community Family Representative, Rick Forcier—Christian Coalition, and Cathy Colley—Legislative Assistant.

PRAISE from Washington, DC, via a Congressional staff member: “The Congressional Prayer Caucus sponsored the screening of “Courageous,” and it was paid for out of the personal funds of 10 members of Congress (i.e. no tax payer money was involved).  My cynical self was anticipating a handful of folks showing up for the screening and at least one group of protestors. I was STUNNED when I arrived in the Jefferson Auditorium in the Library of Congress to see the place packed. There had to have been 300-350 people there. The Capitol Hill Police Chief was present. I spotted one USCP Officer who brought his wife and all 10 of his children (who were better-behaved than a lot of adults I know). From my spot, I counted about 35-40 members of Congress, including one Senator. I was later told that 90 members of Congress had RSVPd, and many stood in the back but left early for previous commitments.  As we watched the film, I was even more SHOCKED to hear the gospel CLEARLY proclaimed. No one made any apologies. The member sitting in front of me cried throughout the entire movie.  As soon as it was over, there was an immediate standing ovation from the audience. No protesting. Then, to my delight, the writer of “Courageous” and the lead actor were introduced.  (They were in the audience the entire time). Another standing ovation for them… I couldn’t believe it. We had three separate standing ovations. I leaned over to my friend Hannah and said, “I’m sorry, am I in the U.S. Capitol or am I at church?”

The Chief of Staff for Congressman Forbes told me that I wouldn’t believe the hours of prayer soaked into this evening. By the time they had reserved the room, opened up tunnels, and paid the Capitol Police overtime, it cost about $5,000 to present it.  There was no doubt that God was present in that room and that the message in the movie, “Courageous,” resonated with many people. Eternal things took place.”

COUNTY/CITY/TOWN GOVERNMENTS

- “In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; we have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.  Open the gates that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.  You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Trust in the Lord forever; for the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.”  Isaiah 26:1-4

• City/Town Governments in Thurston County:   Bucoda, Lacey, Olympia, Rainier, Tenino, Tumwater and Yelm.   Pray that righteousness leaders will be over our cities and towns and county.  That Truth will penetrate and prevail in the activities of government.   Proclaim:   The Lord is our strength and song in and over our cities/towns and county.

WASHINGTON STATE GOVERNOR’S PRAYER TEAM (WSGPT) – Join the WSGPT on Tuesdays at 10 AM for a telephonic prayer meeting on behalf of our state government.   If interested, contact Susan Johnsen at sejohnsen@comcast.net.   She will provide the phone number to call and the access code.   You can either call in or join the group at Daniels House who participate from there.  All with a heart for prayer are welcome!

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES/MILITARY –

-“This I recall to mind, therefore I have hope.  It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning:  great is Thy faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion, says my soul; therefore, I will hope in Him.  The Lord is good unto them who wait for Him, to that soul that seeks Him.”  Lamentations 3:21-25

• Law Enforcement Officers/State Patrol Troopers and Firefighters.  Pray that all our law enforcement officers will have the most current equipment and training they need to be strong and safe.  Pray also that they will see that it is God who truly protects them and that He is their only hope.  Praise God for each officer who is serving the Lord and continue to pray for supernatural protection and effectiveness in all areas of his/her job.  Pray for favor and promotions for them as they show themselves competent, reliable and courageous.   Praise Him for the Christian officer who participated in breaking up a drinking party of teenagers recently and then spoke to the teens under arrest about living lives of purpose and meaning, rather than of meaningless, self-centered frivolity.

-“For my father fought for you and adventured his life far, and delivered you . . . .”  Judges 9:17 

• From Pastor Terry Sloan, Military Transformation Team: 
• The military is preparing to decrease the number of soldiers in the army by 80,000 troops.  All branches of service are being told to reduce their total numbers.  Please pray for the personnel who find themselves being processed out of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.  Pray for jobs, and smooth transitions to civilian life.  Pray that they would look to God and not drugs, alcohol or other vices.
• Pray for the strength of the military as they are asked to do more with fewer personnel.
• The military has already dropped the ban on gays.  Please pray for divine direction and wisdom for the leaders in the military as they follow the unrighteous guidance given to them by the President.
• Continue to pray for the safety and strength of our troops who are deployed and pending deployments.
• Pray that more churches will be open to provide pastoral care to the many who return from war physically and mentally wounded.  Continue to pray that Thurston County will be a place of “refuge and peace” for the military families who choose to live here and that churches will reach out to them.
• Pray for the military families that they would be strengthened and protected through the after affects of war.
• Pray for the wounded returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and other parts of the world that they will find hope in Christ, and that ministries will be able to connect with them in the hospitals and respite centers.
• Pray about the high suicide rate among them, and for cleansing of the many sins that we hear about–theft and adultery, etc.–that are weakening their moral fiber.
• Thank God for the honorable and the morally strong and pray that they continue on this path.

• Jail Ministries.  Praise God for those who are serving in jail ministries!  Pray that many will be saved as a result of this ministry and that those serving will be greatly encouraged.  Pray for reinforcements to come along side them.

• Public Schools, Teachers, and Administrators.  Declare:   Christ is Lord over our schools!  Pray for the life of Christ to overcome the spiritual “deadness” prevalent in our public schools.  Thank Him for every Christian in the public schools from the janitors and school bus drivers to the office workers, teachers, principals and administrators.  Pray for a supernatural turning back to wholesomeness, integrity, and eagerness to learn what is good and beneficial for our country.  Pray that cheating will not be honored or ignored, but rather confronted and stopped.   Thank Him for His protection over the students, teachers and administrators. 
• Christian Schools.  Praise Him for the option of Christian schools in this county.  Declare among them as well that:  Christ is Lord over the schools!   Pray for them to be stable and strong, offering the best curriculum and the most highly-skilled teachers and that results will be observed by our communities.  Let God be glorified  as His Word is taught and where honor and integrity are valued.   Thank Him for the strong leaders that have come forth from these schools.  Pray for revival to break out among the youth.   

Northwest Christian High School – Praise that many of the graduates from NCHS are flourishing in various ministries around the world after they graduate from college.  Pray for their continued dedication and growth in faith as they walk with the Lord.

Evergreen Christian School – Praise from ECS as they now have a teacher who will help meet the needs of the students with special needs (prayer request in last edition).   Also, they are thankful for the partnership with the public school system that uses proportionate money to help students in private schools on IEPs.

Gospel Outreach School – Join with their students in praying for those in leadership and authority in our county, state and country.

• Home Schools.  Pray that the home school families of Thurston County will be diligent and creative as they continue their mission to educate their children.   Pray that parents will have the resources they need and that the students will be eager to learn and grow.  Pray that the Olympia home school youth will be strongly connected with others and have a variety of outlets to develop their gifts and talents.
• Colleges/Universities.  Pray that churches will reach out to this age group with effective, relevant classes and opportunities for fellowship to bring them to a saving faith in Christ.  Given the hopelessness that underlies the philosophies they are being taught, pray that they will seek the Solid Rock of Christ, the sure foundation, and find Him as the true hope and ultimate solution to their emptiness.

“We are of God:  he that knows God hears us; he that is not of God does not hear us.  Hereby we know the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error.”  I John 4:6