Presidential Prayer Team Update

The Prayer Team was established in 2001 • 1.48 Million Households Served • Largest Prayer Movement for Our Country

July 29, 2010

Dear Prayer Member,

Coming Soon ... A great new exciting prayer tool!

Imagine a great number of Christians -- like yourself -- being able to receive daily news and informational briefings as they occur within our nation. Now imagine that same group bringing those concerns before the Throne of Heaven!

Introducing ... PRAYER BRIEFINGS ... "Prayer resources at the speed of a click" 

Since our inception in 2001, PPT has led the nation in utilizing email to mobilize Christians to pray. Now, and in response to suggestions from some of our Prayer Team members, we are embarking on a 24/7 news watch with reporting directly to you.

News sources will include our own Prayer Team's connections with more than 40 national and worldwide news services, and a direct feed from The White House and other Washington D.C. newsmakers.

James 5:16b reminds us, "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." And we know that change happens when people pray!

Our anticipated start is mid-August. The PRAYER BRIEFINGS will be added to our popular Vantage Point daily devotional and automatically delivered early each morning. So, if you not already a Vantage Point subscriber and you'd like the PRAYER BRIEFINGS - sign up today - It's FREE.

SIGN UP FOR Vantage Point and PRAYER BRIEFINGS HERE

Please tell your friends, prayer circles and church leadership that 24/7 PRAYER BRIEFINGS is coming soon!

America stands tallest -- when it is on its knees!

The Presidential Prayer Team 

Opinion

Failure of the Will

Low evangelical voter turnout helps to undermine traditional values

by Jim Ray

Americans have never voted in favor of gay marriage. Whenever the issue has been placed in the hands of voters -- as it has in no less than 30 different states -- it has been rejected by the American people.

How is it, then, that gay marriage is legal in five states and now also in the District of Columbia? The answer is a study in chicanery, political manipulation and, most significantly, a failure of the will of evangelical Christians who subscribe to the biblical model of marriage consisting of one man and one woman.

Politicians on both sides of the aisle have long recognized there is more than one way to effect change. Take the recent health care overhaul ... 

Armed Forces Prayer Focus

Thomas A. Ferguson, Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence.

Ferguson is responsible for exercise planning policy and strategic oversight over the Department of Defense intelligence and counterintelligence and security policy.

Executive Prayer Focus

Mary L. Schapiro, Chairperson of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Schapiro has instituted rulemakings aimed at reforming the structure of the markets for securities trading.


Legislative Prayer Focus

Zoe Lofgren, U. S. House of Representatives, California

Rep. Lofgren is currently the chair of her party's Congressional Delegation. She serves on the Judiciary Committee, and is the chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law.

Judicial Prayer Focus

Judge John G. Heyburn, II, Chairman, U.S. Judicial Panel for Multidistrict Litigation

A panel of seven federal judges, chaired by Judge John Heyburn II, will decide who will oversee lawsuits against BP, Transocean and others, related to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico . 

 

Issues

Public Notice?

Exploring the question of public vs. private prayer

by Travis Koop

A group of Arizona high school students from Wickenberg Christian Academy were touring the nation's capital in May when they stopped to pray on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court building.

It was there that they, along with their teacher, were confronted by a Court police officer who told them to move off of the steps to continue their prayers. He cited statute 40 U.S.C. §6135 which reads: It is unlawful to parade, stand, or move in processions or assemblages in the Supreme Court Building or grounds, or to display in the Building and grounds a flag, banner, or device designed or adapted to bring into public notice a party, organization, or movement. The group then moved to the sidewalk to continue their intercessions.

 

Our Godly Heritage

“ ... By Means of the Bible”
What you don't know about Dr. Benjamin Rush

by Adam Colwell

When he died at his home in Philadelphia at the age of 68, Dr. Benjamin Rush was the most celebrated physician in America. He was also remembered as a social activist, a champion of public medical clinics to treat the poor, and a fierce advocate for the abolition of slavery.

Yet what you perhaps don't know about Dr. Benjamin Rush is that he was not only one of the nation's greatest patriots ... but a Christian who was bold about expressing his faith in God -- and his belief about the Bible's needed place in America.  

 

Pray for President Obama and Administration

President Obama acknowledged that he is concerned about the "substantial" leak of more than 91,000 sensitive documents, and gave reassurance that "the information doesn't reveal any issues" that aren't already available.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced that eighteen states and the District of Columbia are in the second round of the "Race to the Top" competition for federal stimulus funds to help schools overhaul their systems.
Pray for President Obama and Secretary Duncan this week

Pray for Congressional Leaders

Rep. Linda Sanchez (California) has introduced legislation to expand the wage protections of home care workers, previously exempted from the minimum wage and overtime protections granted to the rest of the nation's work force.

Both Congressional bodies have passed the nearly $59 billion emergency war funding bill, the bulk of which will go toward the U.S. troop buildup in Afghanistan.

Pray as our Representatives and Senators draft, discuss and deliberate over legislation.

Pray for Judicial Needs

U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton (Arizona) granted an injunction preventing Arizona from enforcing key provisions of a controversial immigration law, stating "the law should be put on hold until the courts study and rule on the law."

A federal judge has ruled that Augusta State University, Georgia, may remove a Christian student from its graduate counseling program for her belief that homosexuality is morally wrong.
Pray for our judges across this nation to seek wisdom from the Lord.

Pray for Current Events

THE WAR

Following the leak of the thousands of documents on the Afghan war, analysts in the region are debating whether the U.S.-Pakistani relationship will suffer a setback, particularly with the Pakistani's spy services.

Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met in Baghdad with Iraq's leaders to press for a resolution to their political impasse; the Iraqi Parliament having already postponed or cancelled sessions.

Pray about the war and peace efforts in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

TERRORISM

Sen. Robert Menendez (New Jersey) has postponed a hearing on the release of the Lockerbie bomber because of what he described as stonewalling by the British and Scottish governments.

A blue-ribbon coalition of European Union lawyers and human rights activists have demanded that Iranian leaders be brought before the International Court of Justice for incitement to genocide and brutal repression of its own citizens.

Pray against the evil source of terrorism in all its forms and wherever it exists.

THE ECONOMY

The outlook for the U.S. economy remains mixed, according to the Federal Reserve's most recent survey. Overall U.S. economic activity is increasing but not robustly and in a few districts has lost steam over the past several weeks.

American's confidence in the economy eroded further in July amid worries about a job market that has proven stubbornly stagnant. The report raised concerns about the economy not improving during the back-to-school season.

Pray about the state of the national economy and all who are suffering under the prolonged recession.

ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST

A top security official in Gaza is considering setting up a bigger military force, first with volunteers and eventually with a mandatory draft, aimed at further tightening Hamas' control of Gaza.

Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu met with Jordan's King Abdullah to try to encourage his efforts to persuade the Palestinians to resume direct peace talks, although the Palestine's chief negotiator and U.S. envoy reject the idea.

Pray for peace in Israel.

HEALTHCARE

A growing body of scientific evidence points to the long-lasting effects of maternal nurturing while children are young, finding that "warmth and closeness" fend off alcoholism, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

A gel being developed in France can help decayed teeth grow back in just weeks -- possibly putting an end to fillings. The gel works by prompting healthy tooth tissue cells to multiply, gradually replacing what has been lost to decay.

Pray for those chemists, scientists and psychologists who strive to improve the health of all.

Presidential Quote of the Week

Warren G. Harding (1865-1923), 29th President of the United States

"I accept my part with single-mindedness of purpose and humility of spirit, and implore the favor and guidance of God in His Heaven. With these I am unafraid, and confidently face the future. I have taken the solemn oath of office on that passage of Holy Writ wherein it is asked: "What doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." 

- From Harding's Inaugural Address

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©2010 Presidential Prayer Team, Inc.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: (Toll Free) 866-433-PRAY or 866-433-7729 (Press 1 for Member Services)   Fax: 480-422-9058
Mail Address: The Presidential Prayer Team, PO Box 15040, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-5040
Email Address: Info@PresidentialPrayerTeam.org

Presidential Prayer Team Update

Issues

An Empty Shell?

NASA's "outreach" to Muslim nations -- and the questions it raises

by Dr. Tom Askew

Behind the recent media flap over whether or not the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) should foster better international relations -- especially to predominately Muslim countries -- there are some questions every thinking American and praying Christian should be asking.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden first mentioned the directives he had been given by President Obama in a February speech, saying: “He charged me with three things. One was he wanted me to help re-inspire children to want to get into science and math; he wanted me to expand our international relationships; and third, and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science ... and math and engineering.”

Pray for President Obama and Administration

President Barack Obama has unveiled the nation's first national oceans policy intended to cut through many competing interests -- from offshore drilling to fishing to shipping -- and established a National Oceans Council.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received a "noticeably less toxic" reception on her visit to Pakistan, possibly because she brought with her more than $500 million in economic aid. "I could feel the change," she said.

Pray that our nation's efforts at home and abroad would bring the desired results.

Pray for Congressional Leaders

The Senate and House are squabbling over $22.8 billion in supplemental funds for U.S. troops in Afghanistan, attempting to offset the expenditure with recession to government programs no longer needing funding.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (Wisconsin) has proposed a 40% cut to the White House's $1.35 billion request for the 2011 "Race to the Top" incentive designed to spur reforms in K-12 education.

Pray that Congress would work to get governmental spending and programs under control.

Pray for Judicial Leaders

(The Supreme Court is in recess.) The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved Elena Kagan to be the fourth female Justice of the Supreme Court, paving the way for full Senate confirmation in a floor vote.

A federal grand jury in New York has subpoenaed Toyota's U.S. subsidiaries for documents related to problems with rods that connect a vehicle's steering to its front wheels. Hundreds of lawsuits against Toyota are pending.

Pray that the Supreme Court Justices will have a restful and restorative summer recess.

Pray for Current Events

THE WAR

The U.S. Navy has used a laser weapon to shoot down four unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in a test off the coast of California. Shooting down the drones over water constitutes an advance over focusing on static targets.

A major conference in Afghanistan has endorsed President Hamid Karzai's goal that Afghan forces should lead security operations across that country by 2014. Insurgents still retain control of parts of Afghanistan.
Pray for our military men and women in every branch of service and whoever operating.

TERRORISM

The U.S. will impose new sanctions on North Korea, following the crisis over the sinking of a South Korean warship. The decision was announced this week as Secretary of State Clinton visited South Korea.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran's enemies are "idiots" employing "cowboy logic" and that UN sanctions will not make this country abandon its nuclear program.

Pray about the world's rogue nations and their desires to accumulate nuclear weapons.

THE ECONOMY

The Senate cleared the way for 2.5 million out-of-work Americans to start receiving unemployment checks again, even as economists disagree on whether extending these benefits discourages the jobless from seeking work.

President Obama's offshore drilling moratorium will cost approximately $2.1 billion in economic loss to the states along the Gulf of Mexico and more than 8,000 jobs in the first six months, according to a recently released study.

Pray for the stability of American families who are dealing with work and job losses.

ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST

Israel's outgoing Ambassador to the UN said that Israel is the "most isolated, lonely country in the world," and that the biggest threats to its existence are the international attempts to delegitimize it.

Israel successfully finished testing its "Iron Dome" missile defense system designed to intercept salvos of rockets from Gaza and Lebanon. "It's a relief, but it isn't a silver bullet," one official said.

Pray for God's protection over Israel on both the physical and diplomatic -- relational levels.

HEALTHCARE

Research suggests the babbling of infants with autism differs from that of children without it. The differences were spotted with 86% accuracy using automated vocal analysis technology, not yet a diagnostic tool.

A vaccine patch having hundreds of microscopic needles which dissolve into the skin could cut out the need for painful needles and boost the effectiveness of immunization against disease, according to Emory University researchers.

Pray for the researchers who continually investigate and test methods for improving the health of Americans.

Presidential Quote of the Week

Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924), 28th President of the United States
"The Nation has been deeply stirred by a solemn passion, stirred by the knowledge of wrong, of ideals lost, of government too often debauched and made an instrument of evil. The feelings with which we face this new age of right and opportunity sweep across our heartstrings like some air out of God's own presence, where justice and mercy are reconciled and the judge and the brother are one."
-- Woodrow Wilson's First Inaugural Address, March 1913.

Armed Forces Prayer Focus

Robert Scher, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia

Robert Scher serves as the principal advisor to senior leadership within the Department of Defense for all policy matters pertaining to strategies and plans. His responsibility includes bilateral security relations.

Executive Prayer Focus

John Holdren, Director of White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

President Obama has created a National Ocean Council (NOC) - chaired by John Holdren and will include the secretaries of all departments involved with the environment and economics.

Legislative Prayer Focus

Sue Myrick, United States House of Representatives, North Carolina

Rep. Sue Myrick has asked Homeland Security to set up a special task force to investigate reports that Hezbollah is working with the drug cartels along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Judicial Prayer Focus

Tami Cantil Sakauye, Nominee to Chief Justice, Supreme Court of California

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has nominated Appeals Justice Tami Gorre Cantil Sakauye as the next chief justice to the California Supreme Court, which would make her the first Filipina American to lead the state's judiciary .

Opinion

Temptation Trio

Responding to the socialistic wave in this nation


by Marsha Crockett


Is there today a surge of socialism in the United States threatening to quiet the voice of Christianity and diminish our religious freedoms? 


Pastor and author Dr. Charles Stanley cautioned in an Independence Day message that there is reason to be concerned, saying this movement toward a socialistic culture can place the means and methods of production and distribution in the hands of the government.


True, we are hard-pressed to find a socialistic government that has honored Christianity ... or any other religion for that matter. At best, such authority has hassled Christians; at worst, it has attempted to destroy it as seen in Marxist regimes. Many believers in Jesus are quick to rise to this challenge of fighting against the powers that dishonor our God-given free will. Such an economic and political philosophy, in fact, squashes the foundational element of God's image within all human beings -- to be creative as we live our lives. But as we address our concerns over our diminished freedom, let us at the same time prayerfully consider the temptations we face in the midst of the uproar.

    

Our Godly Heritage

“Give ‘em Watts!”
The heroic, bittersweet story of Rev. James Caldwell

by Adam Colwell


America's revolutionary history is filled with ministers of the Gospel who also served as great patriots willing to sacrifice all for the cause of independence.


Known as the "Fighting Parson" of the Revolutionary War, Rev. James Caldwell was one such man. Born in Cub Creek in Charlotte County, VA, the seventh son of Scots-Irish settlers, Caldwell became pastor of the Presbyterian church in then-Elizabethtown, New Jersey in 1762. 

Among his congregation's members was Abraham Clark, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and more than 40 commissioned officers of the Continental Army. In 1776 Caldwell was named chaplain of a regiment that mainly consisted of members of his church, and later served as a commissary for New Jersey militia troops. 

 

©2010 Presidential Prayer Team, Inc.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: (Toll Free) 866-433-PRAY or 866-433-7729 (Press 1 for Member Services)   Fax: 480-422-9058
Mail Address: The Presidential Prayer Team, PO Box 15040, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-5040
Email Address: Info@PresidentialPrayerTeam.org

Patriotic Meditations from Judypie

Our Government

Father, we ask that you compass the president about with men and women who make their hearts and ears attentive to godly counsel and do that which is right in your sight. We pray that the upright shall dwell in our government – men and women blameless and complete in your sight Father. We ask that the wicked be cut off and the treacherous rooted out of our government. In the name of Jesus, we thank you for answering our prayer. Amen

²¹For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the men of integrity, blameless and complete [in God's sight], shall remain in it;
²²But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the treacherous shall be rooted out of it.

Proverbs 2:21-22 [AMP]

Prayer for our Country

Heavenly Father, we thank you for our country, the United States of America. We are Your people who are called by Your name. We humble ourselves by praying, seeking Your face and turning from our wicked ways. Thank You for hearing us as we pray with a contrite heart. We ask forgiveness for our sin. Have mercy on us, O Lord, and heal our land in the name of Jesus. Amen.

If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 [AMP]

The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein (Psalm 24:1). God’s world is beautiful and so are all of the tribes, nations and kindred of the earth. As we pray let us offer thanksgiving for our home and offer prayers that those who dwell on this blue orb would acknowledge its Creator as God and His son as our Saviour.

Prayer for the Nations

Father, we are your children, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ who share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. We ask you, Father, to make the nations our inheritance, the ends of the earth our possession for your glory and your purposes. In the name of Jesus, we pray for the healing of the nations. Praise God! It is our Lord Jesus who will bring true justice and peace to all the nations of the world. Amen

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Romans 8:17 [NIV]

⁷ I will proclaim the decree of the LORD :
       He said to me, “You are my Son ;
       today I have become your Father.
 ⁸ Ask of me,
       and I will make the nations your inheritance,
       the ends of the earth your possession.

Psalm 2:7-8 [NIV]

His government and its peace
  will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
  for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
  will make this happen!

Isaiah 9:7 [NLT]

¹Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ²down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Rev. 22:1-2 [NIV]

A Patriotic Word from Judypie

Father, your Word declares that blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. We declare that Jesus is Lord over these United Sates of America. We receive your blessing. You are our Refuge and Stronghold in times of trouble (high cost, destitution and desperation). We pray that we shall dwell safely in this land, in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His heritage.

Psalm 33:12 [AMP]

 

The Lord also will be a refuge and a high tower for the oppressed, a refuge and a stronghold in times of trouble (high cost, destitution, and desperation).

Psalm 9:9 [AMP]

The Godly Heritage of the United States of America

Do you know what’s in your State’s Preamble? 

You may be surprised.

The spiritual legacy of our nation is evident in the preambles—or in some cases the first chapter, part, or article—to each of the 50 U.S. state constitutions:

Alabama, 1865, Preamble: We, the People of the State of Alabama…invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following conclusion…

Alaska, 1959, Preamble: We the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land…do ordain and establish this constitution for the State of Alaska.

Arizona, 1911, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.

Arkansas, 1874, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government, for our civil and religious liberty…do ordain and establish this Constitution.

California, 1849, Preamble: We, the people of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom in order to secure its blessings, do establish this Constitution.

Colorado, 1876, Preamble: We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe…do ordain and establish this constitution for the “State of Colorado”.

Connecticut, 1818, Preamble: The People of Connecticut acknowledging with gratitude, the good providence of God, in having permitted them to enjoy a free government; do…ordain and establish the following constitution and form of civil government.

Delaware, 1897, Preamble: Through Divine goodness, all men have by nature the rights of worshiping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences….

Florida, 1885, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Florida, being grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty…do ordain and establish this constitution.

Georgia, 1777, Preamble: …we the people of Georgia, relying upon the protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

Hawaii, 1959, Preamble: We, the people of Hawaii, grateful for Divine Guidance…do hereby ordain and establish this constitution for the State of Hawaii.

Idaho, 1890, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare do establish this Constitution.

Illinois, 1848 Preamble: We, the People of the State of Illinois-grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He has permitted us to enjoy and seeking His blessing upon our endeavors…do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois.

Indiana, 1851, Preamble: …We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our own form of government, do ordain this Constitution.

Iowa, 1846, Preamble: We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuance of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government….

Kansas, 1859, Preamble: We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges, in order to insure the full enjoyment of our rights as American citizens, do ordain and establish this constitution of the state of Kansas….

Kentucky, 1792, Preamble: We, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy, and invoking the continuance of these blessings, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

Louisiana, 1921, Preamble: We, the people of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political, economic, and religious liberties we enjoy…do ordain and establish this constitution.

Maine, 1819, Preamble: We the people of Maine…acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity, so favorable to the design; and, imploring God’s aid and direction in its accomplishment, do agree to form ourselves into a free and independent State…and do ordain and establish the following Constitution for the government of the same.

Maryland, 1851, Preamble: We, the People of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty…

Massachusetts, 1780, Preamble: …We, therefore, the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe, in affording us, in the course of His providence, an opportunity…of forming a new Constitution of Civil Government, for ourselves and posterity; and devoutly imploring His direction in so interesting a design, DO agree upon, ordain and establish, the following Declaration of Rights, and Frame of Government, as the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Michigan, 1909, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, and earnestly desiring to secure these blessings undiminished to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution.

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble: We, the people of the state of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings and secure the same to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution

Mississippi, 1890, Preamble: We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and involving his blessing on our work, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

Missouri, 1945, Preamble: We the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness, do establish this constitution for the better government of the state.

Montana, 1889, Preamble: We the people of Montana grateful to God for the quiet beauty of our state, the grandeur of our mountains, the vastness of our rolling plains, and desiring to improve the quality of life, equality of opportunity and to secure the blessings of liberty for this and future generations do ordain and establish this constitution.

Nebraska, 1875, Preamble: We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, do ordain and establish the following declaration of rights and frame of government, as the Constitution of the State of Nebraska.

Nevada, 1864, Preamble: We the people of the State of Nevada Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom in order to secure its blessings, insure domestic tranquility, and form a more perfect Government, do establish this Constitution.

New Hampshire, 1784, Part I, Article 5: Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience and reason; and no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; or for his religious profession, sentiments, or persuasion; provided he doth not disturb the public peace or disturb others in their religious worship.

New Jersey, 1844, Preamble: We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

New Mexico, 1911, Preamble: We, the people of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty, in order to secure the advantages of a state government, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

New York, 1846, Preamble: We The People of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our Freedom, in order to secure its blessings, do establish this constitution.

North Carolina, 1868, Preamble: We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for the preservation of the American Union and the existence of our civil, political and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those blessings to us and our posterity, do, for the more certain security thereof and for the better government of this State, ordain and establish this Constitution.

North Dakota, 1889, Preamble: We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain and establish this constitution.

Ohio, 1852, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare, do establish this Constitution.

Oklahoma, 1907, Preamble: Invoking the guidance of Almighty God…we, the people of the State of Oklahoma, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

Oregon, Article I, Section 2: All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.

Pennsylvania, 1776, Preamble: We, the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

Rhode Island, 1842, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and to transmit the same, unimpaired, to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution of government.

South Carolina, 1778, Preamble: We, the people of the State of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the preservation and perpetuation of the same.

South Dakota, 1889, Preamble: We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties…do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of South Dakota.

Tennessee, 1796, Article I, Section 3: That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience; that no man can of right be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship, or to maintain any minister against his consent; that no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience; and that no preference shall ever be given, by law, to any religious establishment or mode of worship.

Texas, 1845, Preamble: Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

Utah, 1896, Preamble: Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we, the people of Utah…do ordain and establish this constitution.

Vermont, 1777, Chapter I, Article 3: That all men have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God, according to the dictates of their own consciences and understanding, regulated by the word of God…

Virginia, 1776, Article I, Section 16: That religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and, therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion…

Washington, 1889, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this constitution.

West Virginia, 1872, Preamble: Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia, in and through the provisions of this Constitution, reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God and seek diligently to promote, preserve and perpetuate good government in the state of West Virginia for the common welfare, freedom and security of ourselves and our posterity.

Wisconsin, 1848, Preamble: We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…do establish this constitution.

Wyoming, 1889, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political and religious liberties…do ordain and establish this Constitution.