A House of Prayer

April 2001

Dear Friends,

In October of last year, my monthly letter focused on the importance of the November elections and the need for Christians to both make their voices heard at the polls and to pray fervently about the future of our country. At that time, Focus on the Family and the National Day of Prayer issued a call for Christians across the land to set aside Sunday, November 5—two days before the election—as a day of fasting and prayer for our nation.

Our earnest hope was simply that, somehow, through the earnest prayers of God’s people, biblical principles would be upheld and godly leaders would emerge. After eight years of incredible immorality and debauchery in the White House, the prospect of a return to moral, sensible leadership seemed almost too much to wish for.

And yet, if George W. Bush’s first few weeks in office are any indication, the new administration seems to be off to a good start—especially when it comes to respecting traditional values and people of faith. On his first day in office, the president reinstated the controversial "Mexico City Policy," a measure that prohibits U.S. funding of abortion providers in foreign countries.1 (Bill Clinton had rescinded this Reagan-era policy on his third day as president.)2 Also, on January 22, Bush issued a powerful statement at the March for Life rally in Washington, D.C., as they observed the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision and called for an end to abortion. The statement, which was presented by Representative Chris Smith, read in part, "We share a great goal: to work toward a day when every child is welcomed in life and protected in law."3 Bush also made several bold statements in opposition to the Roe vs. Wade decision, most notably in interviews with Jamie Gangel of NBC News4 and Brit Hume of Fox News.5

The president has also made a great effort to build bridges to those in the Christian community without alienating other faiths. Several members of the Bush Cabinet are professing Christians, including Mel Martinez, secretary of housing and urban development; Elaine Chao, secretary of labor; Condoleezza Rice, national security advisor; Donald Evans, secretary of commerce; and, most notably, John Ashcroft, attorney general. Bush also created the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives6 and, at the National Prayer Breakfast, highlighted a series of programs that would allow religious organizations to receive a share of social services money distributed by the government and to encourage charitable giving through tax cuts.7

I’m not assuming that George W. Bush’s support for traditional values will always be as consistent as it appears to be now. I do believe, however, that he is sincere about his Christian commitment and that he intends to govern according to a deeply held set of values. That is good news for people of faith. Already there has been a dramatic difference in the "tone" in Washington, D.C., with greater support promised for the institution of the family and for the moral principles on which it is based. Some Christian commentators have told us repeatedly that "the kingdom of God will not arrive on Air Force One." They are right, of course. Righteousness bubbles up from the hearts of the people. The implication of that statement, however, is that a leader can do nothing to influence the nation for good and to promote legislation that is consistent with scriptural principles. They are wrong. The "bully pulpit" can make a difference. And for the unborn child, "salvation" might well depend on the man who flies on Air Force One!

Here’s another example of how presidents can make a difference. When the Columbine shooting occurred in Littleton, Colorado, President Clinton called for more gun control.8 But when the shooting took place at Santana High School in Santee, California, President Bush emphasized the need to teach values to kids.9 It represents a radically different perspective from then to now.

Given the 180-degree turn that has occurred in the White House, one might ask, "Could it have occurred by chance?" I think NOT. These developments are a powerful testimony to the fact that our heavenly Father hears and responds when we pray. The Scripture tells us we have "divine power to demolish strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4b, NIV).

Shirley and I have always believed in the power of prayer, and the ministry of Focus on the Family has been characterized by a heart for prayer through what has been almost a quarter-century of existence. I have shared on various occasions in the past—on our radio broadcast, during speaking engagements and in the pages of my monthly letter—stories of how the Lord has sustained and protected us during times of great need.

In 1986, during my final week of service on the Attorney General’s Commission on Pornography, I advocated issuing a 2,000 page report that would classify pornography as being harmful and destructive to both individuals and society. Unfortunately, my colleagues were opposed to that more complete statement, and prepared instead a watered-down report offering virtually no substance. The vote against me was 10-1. I called from Washington and shared that discouraging development with the Focus staff (then located in California). In response, 300 people gave up their lunches and stood out in the Focus parking lot to pray for me and the work of the commissioners. The next morning, one of the more liberal members came in and said that he had changed his mind. He indicated that he had previously considered pornography to be a legal issue, but that he had wrestled with that perspective all night, and decided it was more a matter of morality. His persuasive comments led other members of the Commission to change their votes, and the entire course of the proceedings was altered. The subsequent vote was 11-0 in favor of the substantive report. Because 300 people were fasting and praying for me and for the outcome of the Commission, we were able to issue an unanimous statement that accurately and persuasively outlined the dangers of pornography.

In 1979, when Focus on the Family was still in its infancy, we found ourselves to be "in the hole" to the tune of $30,000. We never missed any of our payments, but if all of our bills had been received at the same time, we would have come up short. Shirley and I were at home, along with my mother (my father had already passed away). My friend Jim Davis (who is now on the Focus staff) stopped by, and I explained to him that we were faced with a critical decision about the future of the ministry. The four of us went into the bedroom, and we knelt down and prayed. We told the Lord that while we believed it was His will for us to reach out to hurting families through the ministry of Focus on the Family, we were willing to shut down the organization and follow wherever else He might lead. Less than a month after we prayed that prayer, more than $60,000 in donations were received, and income literally doubled every year for the next several years. To be candid, we prayed a similar prayer this past Christmas when donations to the ministry were sluggish and slow in coming. We are still $1.5 million behind projected income for this year, and the matter is still in the Lord’s hands.

There was another occasion, also during Focus on the Family’s early days, when the Lord was clearly leading me to spend some time in earnest prayer for the ministry. I set aside three days to fast, pray and seek God’s guidance. Several days later, my good friend David "Mac" McQuiston walked into my office for a chat. During the course of our conversation, we discovered by accident that both of us had been fasting those same three days at the Lord’s direction. We knew that He was leading us to pray together, so we went to my car (in the midst of a Southern California downpour) and prayed together. Our desire was to relinquish control of the ministry into God’s hands. The Lord answered by bringing to mind the verse in 2 Chronicles that reads, ". . . the people rejoiced at what God had brought about for his people, because it was done so quickly" (2 Chronicles 29:36b, NIV). That same passage of Scripture still adorns the hallways in our current headquarters, continually reminding us that this ministry belongs to God.

On May 2, 1996, a gunman entered the lobby of our headquarters and held several employees hostage. It was later revealed that this individual had been injured during the construction of our facility, and was upset about an insurance claim that was unrelated to the ministry. As it happened, the hostage crisis took place on the National Day of Prayer while Shirley and I were in Washington, D.C., for the official ceremony and related activities. Word of the situation soon reached us, and, indeed, the news traveled rapidly around the world through phone calls, faxes, e-mails and radio announcements. Friends and supporters everywhere were soon lifting the ministry before the Lord, asking for safety and for a nonviolent resolution. A busload of women attending a Navigators conference here in Colorado Springs were coming to visit our campus. When they heard what was happening, they sat in their bus a block away and extended their hands to us in prayer.

The police warned our staff that they didn’t expect the outcome to be peaceful. But that evening, just as the SWAT Team was about to storm the lobby where the gunman was sitting, he surrendered quietly and was taken into custody. No shots were fired, save for one moment earlier in the day when the gunman’s weapon discharged accidentally, leaving a bullet hole in the wall of our lobby. It remains there to this day, a physical reminder of how the Lord protected us on the National Day of Prayer.

In a few days, people of faith will celebrate yet another National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 3. For those of you who don’t know, the NDP is an annual event established by an act of Congress that encourages all Americans to pray for the nation, its people and its leaders.10 The National Day of Prayer Task Force is an unofficial ministry of Focus on the Family (it is technically a separate 501(c)3 organization responsible for its own budget and funding). It’s an honor to be associated with the NDP Task Force, and I am especially proud of its absolutely charming chairlady as she and her staff work to call the nation to prayer.

In light of the recent election and the important issues being addressed by the new administration, this year’s National Day of Prayer is particularly important. In fact, 2001 marks the 50th annual observance since President Truman signed a joint resolution with Congress in 195211 (President Reagan amended the resolution in 1988, designating the first Thursday of every May as the National Day of Prayer).12 The theme for 2001 is "One Nation Under God," and is based on Psalm 33:12, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD."

We’re honored that the Reverend Billy Graham has agreed to serve as honorary chairman for this year’s event. In keeping with the theme of "One Nation Under God," Dr. Graham and the NDP Task Force are calling all Americans to participate in an unprecedented expression of corporate prayer on May 3. He has written "Prayer for the Nation," a copy of which is enclosed with this letter. It is the suggestion of my wife, Shirley, and her staff that people from coast to coast join together to read this prayer at exactly 12:30 p.m. EST on May 3. Maybe you can use the prayer as a centerpiece of your own local observance, and share it with your pastor and friends. What a vivid, tangible example of "One Nation Under God" this will be!

Also participating in the Washington event are keynote speaker Chuck Colson, actor Dean Jones, Chaplain of the House Rev. Daniel Coughlin, Chaplain of the Senate Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie and well-known Christian singer/songwriter Michael W. Smith, among others. We hope some of you can join us in the Cannon House office building on this day, May 3. If not, please be in prayer at a local event or with your church friends or family.

Never has it been more important for Christians to come together and lift our nation and its leaders before the Lord. Although we are encouraged by what is happening in Washington, the battle is far from over. Preborn babies are still dying at a rate of 1.3 million per year, and partial-birth abortion continues to be legal. Likewise, there are many family and moral concerns that remain before us. Prayer is the only answer for the problems we face. Furthermore, our new president’s ability to stick to his convictions and to effectively perform his duties depends directly upon the willingness of God’s people to uphold him in prayer daily. The same is true for all our leaders, from the local to the national level. The apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to Timothy: "I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:1-2, NIV).

It is my understanding that President and Mrs. Bush have made a point of reading a passage regularly out of The One Year Bible.13 Shirley and I are trying to do the same, and are enjoying that time together. It occurs to me that many people might want to read the same passages for each designated day, and then pray that the Lord will speak through those specific Scriptures directly to President and Mrs. Bush. An NIV version of this resource (which the president and Mrs. Bush reportedly read) can be ordered through Focus on the Family by calling 1-800-A-FAMILY. I’m sure the Bush family would appreciate your petitions on their behalf during their time on the national stage.

Our heavenly Father is the same yesterday, today and forever, and He is faithful to answer the prayers of His people. He has promised that "You may ask me for anything in My name, and I will do it" (John 14:14, NIV). As we approach this year’s National Day of Prayer, I hope you’ll make a commitment to joining with your brothers and sisters in Christ and intercede daily on behalf of our nation. And don’t stop there. Pray for the church around the world, asking the Lord to enable Christians everywhere to boldly proclaim His name. Pray for the millions of individuals, both here and abroad, who do not know the Creator personally and who have not experienced the joy of being "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17b, NIV).

May I ask that you also intercede on behalf of the staff here at Focus as we come to mind? We’ve seen the Lord move mightily in the past as a result of the prayers of our friends. The last few months have brought their share of struggles to the ministry—financial and otherwise—and we’re earnestly seeking the Lord’s will for the challenges that lie ahead.

If you have been listening to the broadcast lately, you’ve heard us talking about The Prayer of Jabez and the challenge to take Focus on the Family to every nation on earth. We’re heard in 98 countries at this time, meaning we are only halfway there. Pray with us about this vision, won’t you? The pressures on our staff are enormous, as we seek to defend righteousness in the culture and reach out to millions of families with needs. Nearly 40,000 people visit our Web site every day in search of answers. Would you consider participating with your friends and family members in an ongoing 24-hour prayer vigil for Focus on the Family? Different individuals could dedicate 15 minutes each day to holding up this ministry in prayer. I believe that the time has come for a unified, sustained chorus of prayer to be lifted heavenward for this organization. Only a mighty move of God’s Spirit will give us the guidance and direction we need. Register to pray on our Web site at www.family.org/prayer.

Thanks in advance for interceding on our behalf—your commitment to this ministry means so much to us. Blessings to each one of you!

Sincerely,

James C. Dobson, Ph.D.
President

P.S. For more information about this year’s National Day of Prayer—including details about specific activities taking place in your area—please log on to the NDP Web site at www.nationaldayofprayer.org, or call 719-531-3379.