Archives for 2009

radioweek22-28nov09

November 22, 2009 by Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt

The Evening Prayer Weekly National News Alert
We don’t just report the news~ we pray the scriptures~ in Jesus’ name.

Do you have one minute each day to stop and pray for America?
Join us! Read the news~ pray the scriptures~ change history.

ACTION ALERT! DON’T JUST PRAY~ FAX ALL 100 SENATORS!
Please select~ sign~ and WE WILL FAX all 52 "Blue Dog" Democrats and 100 Senators to oppose and filibuster Obamacare and abortion funding

1. Sunday 22 Nov 09 One Minute Prayer:

Anti-Jesus Judge Hamilton confirmed by Senate Democrats 59-39

Let Us Pray. Almighty God~ we grieve that all Democrats in the U.S. Senate voted to confirm the anti-Jesus Judge David Hamilton this week~ but we praise God for the eight Republicans who switched their votes~ partly because we sent nearly 1 million fax petitions. Republicans Graham~ Alexander~ Bond~ Collins~ Snowe~ Martinez~ Gregg~ and Voinovich voted for Sotomayor but against Hamilton. This proves we made a difference~ and we could have stopped Hamilton entirely if these same Senators would have filibustered. From Colossians 3:17~ whatever we do in word or deed~ we do it all in Jesus name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Sunday~ 22 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP112209Sun.mp3)

2. Monday 23 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

ELCA to Split Following Gay Pastor Vote

Let Us Pray. Almighty God~ we thank you for the biblical leadership of those in the CORE group of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America who are now leaving the denomination because evildoers voted to ordain homosexual pastors. Thank God You answered our prayer from 26 August~ from 2 Cor 6:17~ “come out from among them~ and be ye separate~” and we now pray 1 Corinthians 5:11~ do not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but who is sexually immoral~ with such a man~ do not even eat~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Monday~ 23 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP112309Mon.mp3)

SIGN FREE PETITION TO SHELBY OHIO CITY COUNCIL
Ask to override Mayor Freytag’s veto and allow public prayers.

3. Tuesday 24 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Shelby Ohio Council Prayer Issue Still Battling
Let Us Pray. Almighty God~ we thank you for Pastor Steve Schag who is standing for the right to pray~ as the founding fathers did when they practiced legislative prayer~ even though Mayor Bill Freytag and part of the Shelby Ohio Council vetoed prayer at the city council meetings. We pray from 1 Peter 3:12 because your eyes are on the righteous and your ears are attentive to our prayers~ so please change the hearts of the city council members and mayor and cause them to reinstate and defend public prayer~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Tuesday~ 24 Nov 09. Download MP3: ( ChapsEP112409Tue.mp3)

ACTION ALERT! DON’T JUST PRAY~ FAX ALL 435 CONGRESSMEN!

Please select~ sign~ and WE WILL FAX all 435 Congressmen to stop burning the privately-owned Bibles of American troops.

4. Wednesday 25 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Pro-Family Leaders get Death Threats from Homosexual Terrorists

Let Us Pray. Almighty God~ we pray for the protection of Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality~ who received serious
death threats from militant homosexuals saying that “well organized terrorism” against pro-family leaders is “just what we need~” because people are voting to define marriage between one man and one woman. We ask from Proverbs 2:7 that you would be a shield to those who walk in integrity~ and that you would give wisdom to the lawyers and FBI who are investigating these violent threats by homosexuals~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Wednesday~ 25 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP112509Wed.mp3)

5. Thursday 26 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Federal Judge Bans Christian License Plate in South Carolina

Let Us Pray. Almighty God~ we pray You condemn the activist U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie and atheist complainers from Americans United who dictated that an “I Believe” license plate picturing a cross and stained glass window somehow violates the separation of church and state. Redeem the Christians who are discriminated against~ and restore their First Amendment right to free speech equal to all other secular groups. From Luke 18:1-8 we pray like the persistent widow~ “that she gets justice~ so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!” in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Thursday~ 26 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP112609Thu.mp3)

ACTION ALERT: DON’T JUST PRAY~ SIGN FREE PETITION!
Chesapeake Virginia City Attorney bans Jesus from prayers. Select here to sign free petition to city council to reverse their ban.

6. Friday 27 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

NY Senate Delays Vote on Homosexual “Marriage”

Let Us Pray. Almighty God~ we thank you for the delay of the aggressive homosexual agenda of New York Governor David Paterson~ who postponed a “homosexual marriage” vote in the Senate while he tries to get 32 votes needed to force “gay marriage” against the will of the people. Lord~ thank you that 31 out of 31 states voted for Biblical marriage from Genesis 2:24~ between one man and one woman. God give us victory in New Jersey as well~ to stop their attempts to vote for sod omy~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Friday~ 27 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP112709Fri.mp3)

7. Saturday 28 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Graduation Speech Case

Let Us Pray. Almighty God~ we are grieved the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case of valedictorian Brittany McComb who had her first amendment right to free speech violated by school administrators~ who shut off her microphone~ as she was giving her valedictorian speech~ because she gave thanks to Jesus Christ for her success. We believe from Romans 8:28 that you cause all things to work together for good~ so we pray Brittany gets an even bigger platform where no one can turn off her microphone~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Saturday~ 28 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP112809Sat.mp3)

DON’T JUST PRAY~ FAX ALL 235 PENN. LEGISLATORS!
Sign our PETITION TO PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE & SENATE and WE WILL FAX automatically to all 235 members~ to allow Jesus prayers!

radioweek15-21nov09

November 16, 2009 by Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt

ACTION ALERT! DON’T JUST PRAY~ FAX ALL 100 SENATORS!
Please select~ sign~ and WE WILL FAX all 100 Senators to oppose and filibuster Judge Hamilton who ruled it’s illegal to pray "in Jesus name."

1. Sunday 15 Nov 09 One Minute Prayer:

Aborted Babies Used in Beauty Creams

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we are outraged by the Washington Times report that the San Francisco based company~ Neocutis~ Inc.~ who reportedly uses aborted baby cells in their beauty creams~ claiming the donated fetal skin tissue was harvested in a responsible ethical manner! Lord~ thank you for the work of Children of God for Life~ a watchdog group that exposed them. We pray You bless them~ and from 1 Timothy 6:10 we confess the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil~ so God bring Neocutis Inc. to financial ruin~ in Jesus name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Sunday~ 15 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP111509Sun.mp3)

2. Monday 16 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Another Honor Killing in the Name of Allah

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we pray swift justice~ not only for the Muslim Nidal Hasan who killed our troops in Fort Hood Texas~ but also for Arizona Muslim killer Faleh Almaleki~ who admitted running over his twenty year old daughter Noor because she was "too Westernized" and "brought shame on him and his family." God Thank You for the quick capture and trial of both these evildoers~ from Proverbs 21:15~ "When justice is done~ it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers." God stop Sharia law in America~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Monday~ 16 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP111609Mon.mp3)

SIGN FREE PETITION TO CHESAPEAKE VIRGINIA CITY COUNCIL
Ask to override City Attorney who banned Jesus name from prayers.

3. Tuesday 17 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Organization of Islamic Conference targets Christians

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we pray for victory for the American Center for Law & Justice as they work against the Organization of the Islamic Conference~ the largest member nation in the United Nations~ who keeps pushing a bad resolution called Combating Defamation of Religions~ which would criminalize the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Father~ from James 1:5 we pray for wisdom for those who expose this resolution~ and raise up a multitude to stand against the U.N. when they try to silence Christian people~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Tuesday~ 17 Nov 09. Download MP3: ( ChapsEP111709Tue.mp3)

ACTION ALERT! DON’T JUST PRAY~ FAX ALL 435 CONGRESSMEN!

Please select~ sign~ and WE WILL FAX all 435 Congressmen to stop burning the privately-owned Bibles of American troops.

4. Wednesday 18 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Massachusetts Man fired over Christian belief in traditional marriage

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we pray for Peter Vadala wh
o was fired from his job as assistant manager of a Brookstone retail store at Boston’s Logan Airport after a lesbian manager from another store pushed her upcoming lesbian "marriage" on him~ after he naturally asked where her husband was going to take her on her honeymoon. When he expressed opposition to homosexual "marriage~" the lesbian complained to human resources and the Christian was fired. Lord~ from 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 we pray Peter Vadala’s borders would increase and Your hand be with him~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Wednesday~ 18 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP111809Wed.mp3)

5. Thursday 19 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

German Group Tweets the Entire Bible on Twitter

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we rejoice and thank you for Melanie Huber~ from Germany~ and other Christians who are tweeting the entire Bible in 40 days on Twitter. May they inspire us all~ from Matthew 10:27~ "What I say to you in the dark~ tell in the light; and what you hear whispered~ proclaim from the housetops." So we pray You bless Your Word as it goes forth~ from Isaiah 55:11~ "It will not return to me empty~ but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it~" in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Thursday~ 19 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP111909Thu.mp3)

ACTION ALERT: DON’T JUST PRAY~ SIGN FREE PETITION!
Shelby Ohio Mayor vetoes bill that would’ve allowed prayer before meetings. Sign free petition to city council to reverse their ban.

6. Friday 20 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Planned Parenthood Director Gets Saved~ Quits Abortion Business

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we thank you for the sudden conversion of Abbey Johnson~ a Planned Parenthood Director for eight years~ who quit her job after seeing a preborn baby killed on an ultrasound machine~ and came to faith and trust in Jesus Christ. God thank You for hearing the prayers of the ministry 40 Days for Life~ who prayed and fasted for employees and patients who kill children at Planned Parenthood. From Luke 15:7 we thank You for the rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Friday~ 20 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP112009Fri.mp3)

7. Saturday 21 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Maine Counselor’s career threatened for supporting marriage

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we pray Your blessings from Deuteronomy 28 upon Christian licensed social worker Donald Mendell in Maine~ who has been targeted with an ethics complaint by Ann Sullivan~ a pro-homosexual counselor who called for an investigation because Mendell appeared in a television ad supporting traditional marriage. Meanwhile~ Sullivan’s bosses wife~ Sherri Gould appeared in the opposition campaign without any complaints being filed against her. Lord~ stand with your servant Donald Mendell and show the evildoers Your power~ as you remove the power of their evil~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Saturday~ 21 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP112109Sat.mp3)

DON’T JUST PRAY~ FAX ALL 235 PENN. LEGISLATORS!
Sign our PETITION TO PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE & SENATE and WE WILL FAX automatically to all 235 members~ to allow Jesus prayers!

radioweek8-16nov09

November 9, 2009 by Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt

ACTION ALERT! DON’T JUST PRAY~ FAX ALL 100 SENATORS!
Please select~ sign~ and WE WILL FAX all 100 Senators to oppose and filibuster Judge Hamilton who ruled it’s illegal to pray "in Jesus name."

1. Sunday 8 Nov 09 One Minute Prayer:

House Passes Stupak-Pitts Amendment to De-fund Abortion

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we thank you for hearing our prayers~ and moving the hearts of over 230 Congressmen~ who partly responded to our nearly 300~000 fax petitions by voting for the Stupak-Pitts Amendment to remove abortion funding from the “health” care bill HR 3962. God we pray you give them the courage to make laws prosecuting child-killing as a federal crime~ but until then~ we pray the Senate agrees with the House~ and refuses to subsidize murder with federal tax-dollars. From Proverbs 6~ God hates hands that shed innocent blood~ in Jesus name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Sunday~ 8 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP110809Sun.mp3)

2. Monday 9 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Maine Voters Reject Homosexual “Marriage”

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we thank you for the 31st consecutive state in America~ Maine~ who voted to overturn a bogus law by activist legislators~ and rescinded government recognition of homosexual marriage. We thank you for inspiring 53% of voters who defined marriage as Jesus did~ between one man and one woman~ as God did in Genesis 5:2. God open the blind eyes of the 47% who are deceived and voted against Your view of marriage. God stop their evil~ and let people vote on this issue in the other six states~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Monday~ 9 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP110909Mon.mp3)

SIGN FREE PETITION TO CHESAPEAKE VIRGINIA CITY COUNCIL
Ask to override City Attorney who banned Jesus name from prayers.

3. Tuesday 10 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Victory for GOP Governor Elections~ Defeat in New York

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we thank you for the victory by conservatives in the governor races in Virginia for Bob McDonnell~ and New Jersey for Chris Christie~ but we grieve the election loss in the New York 23rd Congressional race. God expose the immoral leaders in the GOP who endorsed the traitor Dede Scozzafava~ the Republican who endorsed liberal Democrat Bill Owens and helped him win. God bless people who endorsed Doug Hoffman. Despite his loss we know that God’s purposes will be worked out for good~ according to Romans 8:28~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Tuesday~ 10 Nov 09. Download MP3: ( ChapsEP111009Tue.mp3)

ACTION ALERT! DON’T JUST PRAY~ FAX ALL 435 CONGRESSMEN!

Please select~ sign~ and WE WILL FAX all 435 Congressmen to stop burning the privately-owned Bibles of American troops.

4. Wednesday 11 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Ohio Abortionist Endangers Woman and Breaks Law

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we thank you for the great work of Troy Newman and Operation Rescue who exposed how Ohio abortionist Martin Haskell broke the law~ murdering preborn babies without meeting the safety requirements that are prescribed by law. He allegedly works in a clinic that does not have a “transfer agreement” with a local hospital~ endangering wo
men when emergencies arise. From Proverbs 6:17~ God hates hands that shed innocent blood~ so please remove this abortionist from his practice~ and grant favor to Operation Rescue to see him prosecuted~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Wednesday~ 11 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP111109Wed.mp3)

5. Thursday 12 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Home Depot Fires Employee for Wearing “One Nation Under God” Pin

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we rejoice with Trevor Keezor who suffered according to 1 Peter 3:17 for doing good and not evil~ when Home Depot fired him for wearing a pin on his apron that says “One nation under God~” claiming that he violated the company dress code. Even though he’d been wearing his pin for over a year~ nobody complained until he started reading his Bible during his lunch break~ proving it wasn’t about the dress code~ but anti-Christian persecution. God give Trevor victory in court to restore his job~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Thursday~ 12 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP111209Thu.mp3)

ACTION ALERT: DON’T JUST PRAY~ SIGN FREE PETITION!
Shelby Ohio Mayor vetoes bill that would’ve allowed prayer before meetings. Sign free petition to city council to reverse their ban.

6. Friday 13 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

HBO’s Larry David Urinates on Jesus

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we pray every Christian cancels their subscription to HBO~ after comedian Larry David of the HBO show Curb Your Enthusiasm promoted a vile episode in which the main character urinates on a picture of Jesus Christ~ offending millions of Catholics and Christians. We are reminded in 2 Peter 3:3 in the last days mockers will come with their mocking~ following after their own lusts~ and we remind Hollywood producers of Nahum 1:2~ God take vengeance on your foes and maintain your wrath against your enemies~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Friday~ 13 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP111309Fri.mp3)

7. Saturday 14 Nov 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Somali Christian Killed After Refusing to Wear Veil

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we thank you for the life and witness of Amina Muse Ali~ who was martyred in Somalia on October 19th~ by three members of a militant Islamic group~ who shot and killed her because she did not wear a Muslim veil~ the symbol of submission to the false and oppressive God of Islam. Lord thank you for Amina’s faithful witness for Christ and for her faith from Revelation 12:11 because she did not love her life~ even when faced with death. Bring her killers to justice and comfort her family~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Saturday~ 14 Nov 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP111409Sat.mp3)

DON’T JUST PRAY~ FAX ALL 235 PENN. LEGISLATORS!
Sign our PETITION TO PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE & SENATE and WE WILL FAX automatically to all 235 members~ to allow Jesus prayers!

Prayers ‘in Jesus’ name allowed at City Council meetings

November 2, 2009 by Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt

Prayers ‘in Jesus’ name allowed at City Council meetings
November 1, 2009

Christian Examiner Staff Report — Christian Examiner

LODI, Calif. — Pastors offering public prayers to open Lodi City Council meetings will be allowed to use the words “in Jesus’ name,” after the municipal body voted unanimously to cease a previous ban on the language.

An atheist watchdog group from Wisconsin has threatened a lawsuit to block the new policy.

The Sept. 30 vote came after months of lobbying, petitioning, protesting, and pro-Jesus rallies, both in Central Valley’s Lodi and nationwide, organized by The Pray in Jesus Name Project.

Also this month three other California cities—Tehachapi, Tracy and Turlock—voted unanimously to allow the “in Jesus’ name” prayers, despite the threat of lawsuits.

“This victory should inspire legislators across America that 85 percent of polled voters want you to allow public prayers ‘in Jesus’ name,’ even in public venues,” said former U.S. Navy Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, who led a pre-vote rally in Lodi that drew more than 400 people earlier in the month. “Don’t cave in to empty threats of lawsuits by atheist complainers. Christian voters will rally to support you, and Jesus is not an illegal word!”

Klingenschmitt was dismissed from the Navy in 2007 for refusing to omit the phrase “in Jesus’ name” during on-the-job prayers. On his Web site, the chaplain suggests that the unanimous vote came after his Pray in Jesus’ Name Project threatened to run billboard ads naming any council member who voted against the new policy.

[…]

“Although the mayor complained of our plan, and called us unchristian names, we’re grateful for his change of heart. Whatever his reasons, he voted for Jesus and free speech in the end. Perhaps the success of our billboard plan proves Ronald Reagan’s adage: ‘When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat.’”

Can You Help Chaps Defend Prayers “In Jesus Name”? Donate Here.

Original Article

radioweek6-12dec09

November 1, 2009 by Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt

ACTION ALERT! DON’T JUST PRAY~ FAX ALL 100 SENATORS!
Please select~ sign~ and WE WILL FAX all 52 "Blue Dog" Democrats and 100 Senators to oppose and filibuster Obamacare and abortion funding

1. Sunday 6 Dec 09 One Minute Prayer:

Ireland’s Pro-Life Laws Under Threat

Let Us Pray. Almighty God~ we pray You protect the pro-life Constitution of Ireland which outlaws abortion~ but could be overturned across Europe~ in a power-grab lawsuit that could have the same bad impact as Roe v. Wade had in America. Lord~ we pray earnestly from Deuteronomy 30:19~ “I have set before you life and death~ blessings and curses. Now choose life~ so that you and your children may live.” We also pray You would turn the hearts of those filing this lawsuit back to You~ the one and only giver of life~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Sunday~ 6 Dec 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP120609Sun.mp3)

2. Monday 7 Dec 09 One-Minute Prayer:

New York Rejects Gay Marriage~ New Jersey Vote Soon

Let Us Pray. Almighty God~ we thank You for answering our prayer from November 27th when we asked that You would stop homosexual marriage in New York~ where the Senate voted 38-24 to reject sod omite deviancy. God we now pray for another victory in New Jersey~ where they will vote this Thursday in a lame-duck session~ whether to force homosexual marriage on conservative people who just voted against the liberal government agenda. From Genesis 5:2~ “He created them male and female and blessed them.” God defeat the evildoers~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Monday~ 7 Dec 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP120709Mon.mp3)

SIGN FREE PETITION TO SHELBY OHIO CITY COUNCIL
Ask to override Mayor Freytag’s veto and allow public prayers.

3. Tuesday 8 Dec 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Arizona Church Ordered to Stop Feeding Homeless

Let Us Pray. Almighty God~ we pray Matthew 25:35~ “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat~ I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.” God bless the Cross Roads United Methodist Church who has faithfully obeyed Your word for 50 years~ but now has been told by a coldhearted retired Justice Robert Corcoran to stop feeding the homeless due to “zoning violations” and complaints by some residents. The church appealed this ruling~ so we ask that You would rule in favor of the church who feeds the poor~ in Jesus name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Tuesday~ 8 Dec 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP120809Tue.mp3)

ACTION ALERT! DON’T JUST PRAY~ FAX ALL 435 CONGRESSMEN!

Please select~ sign~ and WE WILL FAX all 435 Congressmen to stop burning the privately-owned Bibles of American troops.

4. Wednesday 9 Dec 09 One-Minute Prayer:

NC Lesbian Adoption Case Continues

Let Us Pray. Almighty God~ we pray for a North Carolina child who is the victim of his mother’s deviant lifestyle of lesbianism~ since a court has ruled in favor of the non-biological “parent” State Senator Julia Boseman (D-New Hanover)~ and took the child away from his biological mother~ Melissa Jarrell~ instead of ruling in the best interest of the child. God~ Your will is that every child have a mother and a father~ but for those who don’t~ we pray Psalm 27:10~ though your mother and father forsake you~ the Lord will receive you~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Wednesday~ 9 Dec 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP120909Wed.mp3)

5. Thursday 10 Dec 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Massachusetts Town Outlaws "Merry Christmas" Sign

Let Us Pray. Almighty God~ we pray for the North Andover town counsel to come to their senses~ as not only have they removed a Merry Christmas sign from a fire station where it had stood for 50 years~ but also removed a Jewish menorah during the 8 days of Hanukkah~ which caused the Christmas sign controversy. Lord we pray from Isaiah 9:6~ Unto us a child is born~ a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders. Help the counsel implement this Truth~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Thursday~ 10 Dec 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP121009Thu.mp3)

ACTION ALERT: DON’T JUST PRAY~ SIGN FREE PETITION!
Chesapeake Virginia City Attorney bans Jesus from prayers. Select here to sign free petition to city council to reverse their ban.

6. Friday 11 Dec 09 One-Minute Prayer:

ACLU Continues to Harass Christian Educators

Let Us Pray. Almighty God~ grant victory for Liberty Counsel and the Christian Educators Association International~ who are standing up to anti-Christian bullies at the ACLU~ who are aggressively trying to overturn a recent court order protecting Frank Lay~ Robert Freeman and Michelle Winkler who offered a prayer at a meal. Lord~ from Amos 5:24 we pray that justice would roll on like a river~ and that you would give courage to Judge Rodgers~ who is now in control of this ruling~ even while she is being threatened with impeachment by the enemies of liberty~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Friday~ 11 Dec 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP121109Fri.mp3)

7. Saturday 12 Dec 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Korean Physician Faces Death-Threats after Pro-Life Conversion

Let Us Pray. Almighty God~ we rejoice with You that Korean physician~ Shim Sang-duk~ who provided abortions for twenty years~ has now not only stopped providing abortions~ but is urging other obstetricians to stop killing the preborn children in South Korea~ after admitting that he watched post abortive women cry tears unlike any tears cried by mothers who gave birth. We thank you from Ezekiel 36:26 that Dr. Sang-duk now has a heart of flesh~ and not a heart of stone~ and we pray You protect him~ as he faces death threats for no longer doing abortions~ in Jesus Name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Saturday~ 12 Dec 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP121209Sat.mp3)

DON’T JUST PRAY~ FAX ALL 235 PENN. LEGISLATORS!
Sign our PETITION TO PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE & SENATE and WE WILL FAX automatically to all 235 members~ to allow Jesus prayers!

RadioWeek25-31oct09

October 27, 2009 by Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt

ACTION ALERT: DON’T JUST PRAY~ SIGN FREE PETITION!
Shelby Ohio bans council prayers. Please select and sign our FREE PETITION asking Mayor Bill Freytag to reverse his prayer ban

1. Sunday 25 Oct 09 One Minute Prayer:

Chesapeake City Council Bans Jesus Christ from Prayer

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we grieve the Chesapeake City Attorney’s decision to ban the words “Jesus” or “Christ” or “Savior” as illegal speech during prayers before city council meetings~ caving in to pressure from the atheistic Freedom from Religion Foundation. Lord~ we pray you rise up like you did in Lodi~ and rally Christians to petition Chesapeake Mayor Alan Krasnoff and the council~ to reverse his ban~ from Titus 1:6. Some claim to know God~ but by their actions~ they deny Him. Turn all hearts back to You~ in Jesus name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Sunday~ 25 Oct 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP102509Sun.mp3)

2. Monday 26 Oct 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Hate Crimes and F35 Engine face Obama Veto?

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we pray You cause President Obama to veto the “hate crimes” amendment which the Senate passed in the Defense Budget by a 68-29 vote~ protecting pedophiles and punishing pastors free speech. God~ our troops deserve a bill that funds them~ not homosexuals~ so we pray from Proverbs 21:1~ the heart of the king is like water in Your hand~ and You direct it wherever You wish. God cause President Obama to do Your will~ not his~ and show Your glory to those who stand with You~ in Jesus name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Monday~ 26 Oct 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP102609Mon.mp3)

ACTION ALERT! DON’T JUST PRAY~ FAX ALL 52 "BLUE-DOGS!"
Please select~ sign~ and WE WILL FAX all 52 "Blue-Dog" Democrats

to oppose the socialist Obamacare government takeover of hospitals.

3. Tuesday 27 Oct 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Obama Decriminalizes Marijuana

Let us pray. Almighty God~ this week President Barack Obama decriminalized the use of marijuana in some states~ pressuring federal investigators to “not waste time” pursuing drug lords and violent Mexican drug cartels in the United States~ when marijuana sales are the largest source of money for these criminals. Obama’s “excuse” that some marijuana is used for medical purposes directly violates federal law~ everywhere~ but now won’t be prosecuted. Father from Proverbs 4:6 we ask that you would give wisdom to those in authority~ to prosecute crimes justly~ in Jesus name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Tuesday~ 27 Oct 09. Download MP3: ( ChapsEP102709Tue.mp3)

ACTION ALERT! DON’T JUST PRAY~ FAX ALL 435 CONGRESSMEN!

Please select~ sign~ and WE WILL FAX all 435 Congressmen to stop burning the privately-owned Bibles of American troops.

4. Wednesday 28 Oct 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Maine will Vote November 3rd on Homosexual Marriage

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we pray for the upcoming vote on November 3rd in the state of Maine regarding traditional marriage~ where we can take back our government from the devil~ and define marriage as Jesus did~ between one man and one woman. Polls show voters evenly split on the issue~ but we pray God bring victory to Maine like He did in California~ by raising up an army of people to fast and pray for this vote~ just as in Jonah 3:5 when the Nivevites repented to God and fasted for mercy~ in Jesus name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Wednesday~ 28 Oct 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP102809Wed.mp3)

5. Thursday 29 Oct 09 One-Minute Prayer:

British Town Ends 115 Year Christian Prayer Tradition

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we grieve about the Winscombe and Sandford Parish Council in Somerset United Kingdom~ who ended a 115-year tradition of beginning meetings with a Christian prayer~ after receiving one complaint that prayers were “inappropriate and unacceptable in a multi-ethnic society.” The Council voted 7-3 to ban prayer~ with 3 abstentions~ disregarding their own heritage and people. God bless for Rev. Mike Slade who stood up for prayer saying Christians were “discriminated against~” while Councilor Roy Jones called the prayers “embarrassing”. From Luke 11:23~ whoever is not for You~ is against You~ in Jesus name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Thursday~ 29 Oct 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP102909Thu.mp3)

ACTION ALERT: DON’T JUST PRAY~ SIGN FREE PETITION!
Georgia Cheerleaders banned from Jesus Bible banners. Please select and sign our FREE PETITION asking school Supt. to reverse her ban

6. Friday 30 Oct 09 One-Minute Prayer:

New York State may soon “Legalize” Homosexual Marriage

Let us pray. Almighty God~ we pray for defeat of New York Governor~ David Paterson~ who announced his agenda to persuade the state Senate to vote to legalize homosexual marriage~ which could soon make New York the seventh state to legalize sin that will always remain illegal in God’s law. Lord~ move the hearts of those Senators~ to defend traditional marriage the way You defined it in Genesis 2:22~ taking the rib of one man and creating one woman~ then uniting them in Your first Divine and Holy matrimony~ in Jesus name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Friday~ 30 Oct 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP103009Fri.mp3)

7. Saturday 31 Oct 09 One-Minute Prayer:

Lodi City Council Finalizes Pro-Jesus Prayer Policy

Let us pray. Almighty God~ thank You for the courage of the Lodi City Council who finalized their pro-Jesus prayer policy this week~ after we won the debate last month~ to allow pastors to pray “in Jesus name” at city council meetings. The Council reversed their anti-Jesus ban~ and now protects liberty~ even though Lodi resident Karen Buchanan~ a self proclaimed “former Jesus Freak” and now atheist~ has threatened to sue. Lord~ we pray You save Karen’s soul~ from 2 Peter 3:9~ You desire none to perish and all to come to repentance~ in Jesus name~ Amen.

**Listen below! And call & ask your local Christian radio station to broadcast this 60-second prayer many times throughout the day on Saturday~ 31 Oct 09. Download MP3: (ChapsEP103109Sat.mp3)

DON’T JUST PRAY~ FAX ALL 235 PENN. LEGISLATORS!
Sign our PETITION TO PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE & SENATE and WE WILL FAX automatically to all 235 members~ to allow Jesus prayers!

Petition to Chesapeaker VA to Reverse Ban on Jesus Prayers

October 26, 2009 by Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt

PLEASE ADD YOUR “AMEN” TO THE PETITION BELOW!

PLEASE SIGN PETITION FAR BELOW ~ TO ALL NINE MEMBERS OF CHESAPEAKE VIRGINIA CITY COUNCIL TO OVERRIDE CITY ATTORNEY RON HALLMAN’S CURRENT BAN ON THE WORDS “JESUS” OR “CHRIST” OR “SAVIOR” IN PRAYER BEFORE COUNCIL MEETINGS

Chesapeake Virginia bans Jesus Christ from prayers

City Attorney Ron Hallman of Chesapeake Virginia has modified the city prayer policy in response to demands by atheists to ban Jesus Christ from prayers offered by visiting pastors before city council meetings~ apparently without any vote from the city council.

On 19 Oct 09 the atheist Freedom From Religion Foundation declared victory over Jesus Christ and the City of Chesapeake~ stating the city had granted their request to ban “sectarian” words like Jesus~ Christ~ or Savior as illegal speech~ which may no longer be uttered during public prayers.

Mr. Hallman admits re-writing the new prayer policy to mollify atheist complainers from Wisconsin~ without any vote from the Chesapeake Virginia City Council~ and apparently against the wishes of Mayor Alan Krasnoff~ with whom I just spoke on the phone~ who said he would support freedom to pray in Jesus’ name. “I would never tell people they can’t pray from their heart~” the mayor said~ sounding surprised by Mr. Hallman’s latest draft of an apparently anti-Jesus policy.

The new policy not only bans references to Jesus Christ~ it also instructs pastors to pray to the false and neutered god of a new “civil religion.” The new policy directly requires pastors invocations “should be non-sectarian with elements of the American civil religion” and pastors should “refrain from making references that are specific to any particular religion~ denomination or sect or that promote particular religious figures~ deities~ images or symbols.” I spoke with Mr. Hallman on the phone~ who admitted writing the policy without city council vote (stating he made them aware)~ and defended how references to Jesus should be banned~ and elements of “civil religion” should be required in prayer speech. Pastors violating the restrictions would presumably not be allowed to participate in the future.

Mr. Hallman said he believed that a case from Chesterfield required non-sectarian prayers~ but seemed unaware of a more recent Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision (Turner v. Fredericksburg) which actually gave cities three options: 1) allow non-sectarian prayers~ 2) allow diverse prayers from many traditions~ or 3) appoint a chaplain to pray however he or she wishes. Writing for the court~ former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor legislated from the bench to allow the unpopular anti-Jesus option 1~ but also left the door open allowing cities to choose more popular pro-liberty options 2 or 3:

“We need not decide whether the Establishment Clause compelled the [Fredericksburg] Council to adopt their [non-sectarian] legislative prayer policy~ because the Establishment Clause does not absolutely dictate the form of legislative prayer. In Marsh~ the legislature employed a single chaplain and printed the prayers he offered in prayerbooks at public expense. By contrast~ the legislature in Simpson allowed a diverse group of church leaders from around the community to give prayers at open meetings. Simpson~ 404 F.3d at 279. Both varieties of legislative prayer were found constitutional~” O’Connor ruled in 2008.

In other words~ the Chesapeake City Council had three options~ but Mr. Hallman’s current draft mandates option 1 (non-sectarian prayers)~ rather than allowing Chesapeake councilors to vote for option 2 (diverse prayers with liberty) or option 3 (chaplain with liberty). In his phone conversation with me~ Mr. Hallman agreed that all three options were legally available~ but defended the anti-Jesus version requiring non-sectarian prayers only~ and banning references to religious figures.

But Mr. Hallman also agreed~ the city council could easily over-ride his anti-Jesus ban~ if they were persuaded by public outry or petitions from those desiring freedom to pray “in Jesus name.”

Please sign our petition far below ~ asking the Chesapeake City Council to reverse Mr. Hallman’s draft policy~ and allow Jesus prayers among others~ encouraging the city council that 76% to 94% of polled voters will stand with them if they allow freedom to pray according to conscience~ and that courts will protect them if they allow rotating prayer diversity (including Jesus)~ but vote against them if they allow Mr. Hallman’s current draft policy ban on Jesus prayers to stand.

——–

TAKE ACTION FIVE WAYS:
1) Sign the petition far below and write your comment which we’ll post now.
2) Please politely email AND telephone each of the seven city council members below and politely ask them to override the City Attorney’s Prayer Ban.
3) Phone the City Attorney Ron Hallman at at 757-382-6586~ with your own polite opinion of his anti-Jesus ban.
4) Please prayerfully consider donating so we can purchase billboards announcing their vote if they don’t reverse this ban~ and
5) Pray God will bless the voters of Chesapeake Virginia with wisdom before the next election.

Individual Contact Information

Mayor Alan P. Krasnoff Mayor 1006 Cuervo Court Chesapeake~ VA 23322 Contact Numbers: Business: (757) 547-9266 Home: (757) 547-8446 Fax: (757) 547-9268 Ph. Mail: (757) 382-6974 E-mail: akrasnoff@cityofchesapeake.net	Dr. John M. de Triquet Vice Mayor 3020 Princess Anne Crescent Chesapeake~ VA 23321 Contact Numbers: Business: (757) 312-9220 Home: (757) 484-0542 Fax: (757) 484-0014 Ph. Mail: (757) 382-6951 E-mail: johndetriquet@aol.com
S.Z. “Debbie” Ritter Council Member 732 Schoolhouse Road Chesapeake~ VA 23322 Contact Numbers: Home: (757) 482-4242 Fax: (757) 482-6356 Ph. Mail: (757) 382-6948 E-mail: dritter@cityofchesapeake.net	Bryan L. Collins Council Member 2601 Twin Cedar Trail Chesapeake~ VA 23323 Contact Numbers: Home: (757) 485-3474 Fax: (757) 485-3352 Ph. Mail: (757) 382-6946 E-mail: bcollins@cityofchesapeake.net
C. E. “Cliff” Hayes~ Jr. Council Member 632 Blossom Arch Chesapeake~ VA 23320 Contact Numbers: Home: (757) 436-0956 Fax: (757) 299-8410 Ph. Mail: (757) 299-8410 E-mail: chayes@cityofchesapeake.net	Dwight M. Parker Council Member 4904 Clifton Street Chesapeake~ Virginia 23321 Contact Numbers: Home: (757) 484-4452 Fax: (757) 484-5186 Ph. Mail: (757) 382-6949 E-mail: dparker@cityofchesapeake.net
Dr. Ella P. Ward Council Member 1517 Pine Grove Lane Chesapeake~ VA 23321 Contact Numbers: Home: (757) 488-6843 Fax: (757) 488-4713 Ph. Mail: (757) 382-6950 E-mail: eward@cityofchesapeake.net	Dr. Richard W. “Rick” West Council Member 1144 Fairway Drive Chesapeake~ Va 23320 Contact Numbers: Home: (757) 436-1915 Fax: (757) 390-3598 Ph. Mail: (757) 382-6952 E-mail: rwest@cityofchesapeake.net

Patricia Pritchard Willis
Council Member
1029 Windswept Circle
Chesapeake~ VA 23320
Contact Numbers:
Home: (757) 547-0237
Fax: (757) 548-6674
Ph. Mail: (757) 382-6947
E-mail: pwillis@cityofchesapeake.net

Corroborating Proof Articles:
Copy of the Actual New Policy written by city attorney Ron Hallman
Freedom From Religion Foundation Declares victory over Jesus and Chesapeake
The Examiner~ 19 Oct 09~ Chesapeake Insists on Non-Sectarian Prayers Only

——
A PRAYER TO ALMIGHTY GOD~
and
A PETITION TO MAYOR OF CHESAPEAKE~ VIRGINIA ALAN KRASNOFF~
and COUNCIL MEMBERS TRIQUET~ RITTER~ COLLINS~ HAYES~ PARKER~ WARD~ WEST~ AND WILLIS:

Dear Mayor and Councilmembers:

We the undersigned~ respectfully petition you to defend religious freedom by allowing visiting pastors

of all diverse faiths and denominations~ to pray aloud publicly according to the dictates of their own conscience~

at or before city council meetings~ even if they dare to pray aloud publicly “in Jesus name” or invoke their own specific deity.

Please do not cave-in to atheist intimidation by the enemies of religious liberty~ or your own ill-informed legal advisors.

Please conform your decision to First Amendment precedent which allows Jesus prayers among other rotating diverse prayers~

as already decided in the 7th Circuit (Hinrichs v. Bosma) and 11th Circuit (Pelphrey v. Cobb County)

and by the Supreme Court of the United States in two decisions: Marsh v. Chambers and especially Lee v. Weisman.

Even the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals (Turner v. Fredericksburg) allows Virginia cities to choose among three options~ whether

1) non-sectarian~ 2) rotating diversity including Jesus~ or 3) appoint a chaplain~ so we request you choose 2 or 3~ not 1.

Jesus is not an illegal word~ the Bible is not a banned book~ and prayer speech is not a crime.

Please simply adopt a policy similar to Tulsa City Council~ and declare the prayers are private speech~ not government speech~

or allow the prayers to be said aloud during optionally attended time~ just before the first government business is gaveled to order.

Please allow pro-bono Christian lawyers~ from the Alliance Defense Fund or others~ to defend your pro-Jesus prayer policy in court.

We pray to God you will stand with us by taking a courageous stand for liberty~ in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Add your “Amen” by signing below~ and WE WILL POST YOUR COMMENTS to the
Mayor and Councilmembers of Chesapeake~ Virginia immediately.

Rutherford Institute Defends Right of Chaplains to Offer Imprecatory Prayers, Opposes Efforts to Restrict Religious Speech

October 20, 2009 by Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt

Rutherford Institute Defends Right of Chaplains to Offer Imprecatory Prayers, Opposes Efforts to Restrict Religious Speech
October 15, 2009

Nisha Mohammed — Rutherford Institute

DALLAS, Texas–The Rutherford Institute has come to the defense of the head of a chaplaincy endorsing organization who is being sued over allegations that a chaplain affiliated with his group solicited imprecatory prayers which the plaintiffs consider to be “terroristic threats.”

The lawsuit, which defines imprecatory prayer as “prayers for the Lord to protect the weak and faithful from the strong and wicked,” seeks to limit the content of prayers offered by chaplains who are approved by the Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches (CFGC). For more than 25 years, CFGC has carried out a service to the nation by endorsing military and civilian chaplains.

“If people are forced to stop offering imprecatory prayers, half the churches, synagogues and mosques in this country will have to be shut down,” stated John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. “When Martin Luther King spoke, violence erupted in many places. He wasn’t inciting violence. Free speech is the last bastion we have in this country. You can’t shut down speech based on speculation.”

In 1984, the Department of Defense approved the Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches (CFGC) as an endorsing agency for military chaplains. CFGC is also recognized by the Veterans Administration, the Federal Bureau of Prisons and many other federal, state, municipal, and private institutions.

[…]

CFGC presently endorses more than 270 military chaplains/chaplain candidates and more than 180 civilian chaplains/seminarians.

The lawsuit against CFGC and its founder, Jim Ammerman, was filed by Mikey Weinstein, the founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF). The lawsuit seeks to penalize CFGC for imprecatory prayers offered by one of its chaplains, Gordon Klingenschmitt. According to the lawsuit, Klingenschmitt posted a prayer on his website urging followers to pray for divine protection for CFGC and for the downfall of MRFF, which has been actively seeking to have CFGC removed as an approved chaplain endorsing agency. Weinstein has accused CFGC of conspiring to threaten him through the prayers of its supporters.

In coming to the defense of the Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches, Rutherford Institute attorneys dismiss the conspiracy charge, noting that neither Ammerman nor CFGC have any control over the content of prayers offered by its chaplains. Furthermore, Institute attorneys point out that the content of one’s prayers is protected under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Can You Help Chaps Defend Prayers “In Jesus Name”? Donate Here.

Original Article

Suit by Ex-White House Lawyer Says Prayers Incite Violence Against Him

October 20, 2009 by Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt

Suit by Ex-White House Lawyer Says Prayers Incite Violence Against Him
October 15, 2009

Debra Cassens Weiss — ABA Journal

A lawyer who challenged a foundation’s right to endorse military chaplains claims in a lawsuit that representatives of the organization are inciting violence against him through their prayers.

Lawyer Michael Weinstein and his wife, Bonnie, claim in the suit that they want Gordon Klingenschmitt to “stop asking Jesus to plunder my fields … seize my assets, kill me and my family then wipe away our descendants for 10 generations,” according to the Dallas Morning News.

The suit (PDF posted by Texas Lawyer) also says Klingenschmitt and Jim Ammerman are encouraging others to engage in similar conduct. Ammerman is founder of the Dallas-based Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches, the group Weinstein opposed.

Weinstein is a former military lawyer who served in the Reagan White House and was general counsel for Ross Perot.

[…]

Klingenschmitt denied praying for violence in interviews with both publications. He told Texas Lawyer he merely quoted scripture that said “Let his days be few” and “Let his posterity be cut off.”

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Original Article

Lawyer Alleges Prayers Incite Followers to Commit Violence Against Him

October 20, 2009 by Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt

Lawyer Alleges Prayers Incite Followers to Commit Violence Against Him
October 14, 2009

Mary Alice Robbins — Law.com

In a test of the free-speech limits on prayer, a lawyer who has challenged the right of a Dallas-based organization to endorse military chaplains alleges in a recently filed suit that the organization incites its followers in prayers to commit violence against him.

Michael Weinstein, a former lawyer in the Reagan Administration and former general counsel for Ross Perot, alleges in the original petition in Weinstein v. Ammerman, et al. that defendant Gordon Klingenschmitt, on behalf of The Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches and its founder, Elmer Harmon “Jim” Ammerman, also defendants in the suit, issued a “fatwah” against Weinstein in April.

“In other words, Klingenschmitt called upon his followers to commit violence against, or even kill, Michael Weinstein, and even his family,” Weinstein alleges in the petition, filed Sept. 23 in Dallas’ 68th District Court. Weinstein’s wife, Bonnie, joined her husband in filing the suit.

The defendants’ answer is due Oct. 19.

As alleged in the petition, retaliatory actions against the Weinsteins increased after Michael Weinstein founded the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) in 2005 and began questioning and ultimately challenging The Chaplaincy’s right to be an official endorser, or approver, of chaplains. [See the plaintiff’s original petition.]

According to The Chaplaincy’s Web site, the U.S. Department of Defense approved the organization to endorse military chaplains in 1984 and other federal, state and local agencies recognize the organization.

The Weinsteins, who are Jewish, allege in their petition that the MRFF, a nonprofit charitable organization, is devoted to protecting and preserving constitutional religious freedom for the nation’s fighting men and women. According to the petition, the majority of the MRFF’s work deals with the problems of individual members of the armed forces and their families who have been discriminated against in the military.

Dallas attorney Randal Mathis, who represents the couple, says the Weinsteins’ suit tests whether threats made in prayer are constitutionally protected.

“Of course, we think the answer to that is ‘no,’ ” says Mathis, a shareholder in Mathis & Donheiser. “We think these things called prayers cause violence.”

[…]

Klingenschmitt, who served as a U.S. Navy chaplain from 2002 until 2007, says, “My prayers never use the words ‘death’ or ‘violence.’ Those are his [Michael Weinstein’s] embellishments of my words. My words were simply to quote Psalm 109 verbatim.” Klingenschmitt says specifically he quoted from the psalm: “Let his days be few” and “Let his posterity be cut off.”

“My prayer to God is a prayer to God — nothing more,” says Klingenschmitt. who declines further comment. Klingenschmitt refers other questions to his attorney, Austin solo Stephen Casey.

Casey says, “I’m very, very certain the courts are going to recognize the protected nature of Mr. Klingenschmitt’s speech.”

In their petition, the Weinsteins recognize that imprecatory prayers are recognized as part of Judeo-Christian tradition, Casey says. The petition describes imprecatory prayers as “prayers for the Lord to protect the weak and faithful from the strong and wicked.” Courts do not intervene in an area of private communication with God, Casey says.

The Chaplaincy issued a written statement that reads: “Rev. Dr. Jim Ammerman and CFCG, upon advice of counsel, cannot comment on specific allegations raised in the suit against him filed by Mr. Michael Weinstein. Dr. Ammerman believes the allegations are unfounded.”

John Whitehead, president and founder of The Rutherford Institute, says his Virginia-based civil liberties organization is representing The Chaplaincy and Ammerman but plans to use Texas lawyers for the case. Whitehead says Weinstein involves an important free-speech issue.

“If you can stop people quoting Bible verses, you’re going to shut down half the churches, synagogues and mosques in this country,” Whitehead says.

Whitehead also says, “When Martin Luther King spoke, violence erupted in many places. He wasn’t inciting violence. Free speech is the last bastion we have in this country. You can’t shut down speech based on speculation.”

Mathis says his goal is to take Weinstein to the U.S. Supreme Court to find out whether a person enjoys First Amendment protection if he cloaks threats in a prayer.

Mathis says the Weinsteins filed their suit in state court because he thinks they will get to trial quicker there. “I think we’ll have a quicker route to discovery,” he says.

In their petition, the Weinsteins allege that the defendants have made terroristic threats against the Weinsteins and their family in violation of Texas Penal Code §22.07. “These threats were made with the intent to and did cause Plaintiffs to be in fear of imminent physical violence,” the Weinsteins allege.

Also in the petition, the Weinsteins allege causes of action for intentional infliction of emotional distress and conspiracy. The Weinsteins are asking the court to enjoin the defendants from making “further terroristic threats” or from encouraging others to harm the Weinsteins. The petition includes an application for a temporary restraining order to prevent the defendants and others acting with them from “destroying, secreting, altering, amending or deleting documents, either in hard copy form or stored electronically, that would harm the Weinsteins’ ability to prove their case.

Doug Laycock, a religious liberty scholar the University of Michigan Law School and a former professor at the University of Texas School of Law, says he believes the Weinsteins will have difficulty proving their case.

“If the claim is they [the defendants] are praying for God to punish these people, that’s not a cause of action. They can pray for whatever they want,” Laycock says.

He cites the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1969 decision in Brandenburg v. Ohio, a case involving a Ku Klux Klan leader who was convicted under an Ohio criminal syndicalism law for a speech he made at a Klan rally. In its per curiam opinion, the high court held that the Ohio law violated Brandenburg’s right to free speech. Using a two-pronged test, the Supreme Court determined that speech is prohibited if it is directed at inciting imminent lawless action and it is likely to incite such action.

Laycock says a court is going to be skeptical that someone will act on a prayer. “I think it’s going to be hard to prove,” he says.

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