The high court will take up two separate cases March 26-27 that either will affirm the historical, traditional definition of marriage or redefine it to include same-sex couples. The nine justices will decide the constitutionality of a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act -- a federal law that defines marriage as between a man and a woman -- as well as California Proposition 8, a state constitutional amendment that defined marriage in the traditional sense. If the court strikes down both, then gay marriage likely would be legalized nationwide.
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which has been heavily involved in defending the traditional definition of marriage, is in the midst of a "nine weeks of prayer for marriage" initiative that includes weekly downloadable printouts naming attorneys and Supreme Court justices for whom to pray. Although the initiative was intended for nine weeks, it easily could be turned into a nine-day prayer initiative leading up to oral arguments. A nine-day prayer initiative launched on Sunday, March 17 would end on Monday, March 25, the day before the first case is heard.
"The institution of marriage is the foundation of society, and on March 26-27, the public purpose of marriage will be at stake before the United States Supreme Court in two equally but critical cases to potentially reaffirm or redefine marriage in America," ADF's Alan Sears, president and CEO, says in a video at the website. "We're asking you, your friends, family, neighbors and church community, to join Alliance Defending Freedom and our allies in faithfully praying ... for different people and different things leading up to the Supreme Court arguments."
The prayer list includes attorneys who will be defending traditional marriage.
"They need your prayers like never before," Sears says.
It also includes the attorneys who will be asking the court to overturn the marriage laws.
"The Lord commands us to pray for those who oppose us," Sears says. "We will pray for God's best for them while also praying He reveals the societal harms of their position."
Each printout also lists a Supreme Court justice.
"God's design and purpose for marriage does not change, no matter what today's politicians, activists or courts choose to accept," Sears says.
For information about the prayer initiative, visit http://www.alliancedefendingfreedom.org/issues/marriage-and-family
Compiled by Michael Foust, associate editor of Baptist Press. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress ) and in your email ( baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).
Copyright (c) 2013 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press www.BPNews.net