Trump's Inauguration Showcases Power of Prayer - TAYLOR BERGLUND CHARISMA NEWS

President Donald Trump was sworn in at a prayer-filled inauguration ceremony. (Reuters)

Trump's Inauguration Showcases Power of Prayer

 1/20/2017 TAYLOR BERGLUND  CHARISMA NEWS

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President Donald J. Trump's inaugural address was full of many promises for the future. But charismatic believers may have been most delighted by the promise of America united, once again, under God.

The inauguration ceremony featured six prayers by key figures, including Franklin Graham, Paula White and Samuel Rodriguez. The new president referred to God three times in his speech. The ceremony was so Spirit-saturated that an uninformed observer could easily mistake the inauguration ceremony for a church service.

The ceremony's invocation began with Timothy Cardinal Dolan, the Catholic archbishop of New York. "Give us wisdom, for we are your servants weak and short lived, lacking in comprehension of judgment and of laws," he prayed. "Indeed, though one might be perfect among mortals, if wisdom which comes from you be lacking, we account for nothing."

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez spoke next, praying scripture from Matthew 5:3-16: "Blessed are those who are pure at heart, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will called children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. And, God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you, and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers."

Paula White-Cain concluded the invocation, praying: "Gracious God, reveal unto our president the ability to know the will, Your will, the confidence to lead us in justice and righteousness and the compassion to yield to our better angels. While we know there are many challenges before us, in every generation, You have provided the strength and power to become that blessed nation. Guide us in discernment, Lord, and give us that strength to persevere and thrive. Now, bind and heal our wounds and divisions, and join our nation to Your purpose."

During his inaugural address, President Trump quoted Scripture, saying, "When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice. The Bible tells us, 'How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity.' We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity. When America is united, America is totally unstoppable."

Later, Trump acknowledged the power of God. "We are protected, and we will always be protected," he said. "We will be protected by the great men and women of our military and law enforcement and, most importantly, we are protected by God."

He concluded his remarks by publicly thanking God, at which point the benediction began. Rabbi Marvin Hier began, saying, "Eternal God, bless President Donald J. Trump and America, our great nation. Guide us to remember the words of the psalmist: 'Who may dwell on your holy mountain? One who does what is right and speaks the truth.'"

Franklin Graham remarked on the ceremony's rainy conditions, suggesting it could be a sign of God's favor. "Mr. President, in the Bible, rain is a sign of God's blessing," Graham said. "And it started to rain, Mr. President, when you came to the platform. And it's my prayer that God will bless you, your family, your administration, and may He bless America."

Finally, Bishop Wayne T. Jackson concluded: "Today we pray for our 45th president, the vice president and their families. Give them the wisdom to guide this great nation, the strength to protect it and the hands to heal it. We bless President Donald J. Trump. We ask that you give him the wisdom of Solomon, the vision of Joseph and the meekness of Christ—Solomon, who kept peace among many nations; Joseph, who dreamt better for the people; and Christ, who accepted us all."

Believers, let us keep our new president and vice president in prayer as they begin the difficult task of leading this country.

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Greg Laurie Points His Finger at the Devil in #IAmaChristian Massacre - Jennifer Justice

A woman kneels at a memorial to honor the victims of the Umpqua Community College shooting. (Reuters)

Greg Laurie Points His Finger at the Devil in #IAmaChristian Massacre

10/5/2015 JESSILYN JUSTICE  charisma news

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In the wake of the travesty targeting American Christians, evangelist Greg Laurie says now is the time Christians need to stand up for their faith.  

"Should we retreat and try to blend in? Should we no longer speak up for what we know is true? No, we should be even bolder and stand our ground and speak up for our faith," Laurie says. "Events like this can be frightening, I know. But remember this: each of these courageous believers were welcomed into heaven by the Lord." 

Laurie penned the words in response to the Umpqua Community College shooting where Chris Harper-Mercer killed nine, allegedly for their faith.  

Report after report indicates Harper-Mercer asked if the students were Christians before he pulled the trigger.

Laurie isn't the only one identifying persecution against Christians after the atrocious shooting.  

"Persecution and targeting of Christians isn't just in Iran or the Middle East, it's right here in America," Franklin Graham says. "The bold souls at Umpqua Community College who stood up to say they were followers of Jesus Christ were heinously gunned down with no mercy." 

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Coalition, joins both Graham and Laurie in crying out on behalf of believers being slaughtered on their own soil.  

"Accordingly, as a nation, we must repudiate all religious bigotry—without exception. More than ever before, we must stand committed to protecting our God-given and constitutionally protected right of religious liberty," Rodriguez says.  

While some politicians look to gun-control measures to reduce violence, both Rodriguez and Laurie point to the issue of sin as the true root of evil.  

"When an event like this recent shooting takes place the question is always asked, 'Why?' Mental health and gun control solutions are usually brought up, but the one thing you rarely heard said is, 'It happened because people are evil,'" Laurie says. "Yes, just as surely as there is a God in heaven, there is a devil, who I believe is behind this persecution against followers of Jesus." 

To address the atrocity, and to even prevent more, Rodriguez is adamant Christians need to stand up against sin and how its shaped America.  

"The discussion should not be limited to guns, laws, rights, mental illness and prevention," Rodriguez says. "At the end of the day, our conversation must compel us all to address the issue of sin, resulting in hatred, intolerance, animosity, bigotry, apathy, complacency and murder." 

With lives at stake, the issue of faith goes much deeper than embarrassment over potential disagreement, Laurie says. Rather, the threat of death should embolden us to live stronger lives for Christ. 

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Report: Obama Posts Pro-Abortion Nun, Transgender and Gay on Pope's Welcoming Committee

Pope Francis is to arrive in the US later this month. (Reuters)

Report: Obama Posts Pro-Abortion Nun, Transgender and Gay on Pope's Welcoming Committee

 9/17/2015 JESSILYN JUSTICE  charisma news

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When Pope Francis steps foot in the White House, reports say he'll be greeted not only by the president, but by people who live contrary to Catholic teaching.  

"In a time of global upheaval, the Holy Father's message of compassion and human dignity has moved people of all faiths and backgrounds," says Speaker of the House John Boehner. "His teachings, prayers, and very example bring us back to the blessings of simple things and our obligations to one another. We look forward to warmly welcoming Pope Francis to our Capitol and hearing his address on behalf of the American people." 

Breitbart News reports the pope's welcoming reception will include Gene Robinson, Mateo Williamson and Vivian Taylor.  

Robinson was the first openly gay bishop in the U.S. Episcopal church. He divorced his partner of 11 years in 2003. Williamson identifies as transgender and has been part of a documentary called Owning Our Faith about LGBT Catholics. Meanwhile, Taylor is the director of Integrity USA, which promotes the inclusion of LGBTQ lifestyles in the Episcopal church. 

The three are part of a "cross-section of U.S. religious life," which will also include Rev. Samuel Rodriguez and megachurch pastor Joel Hunter, the Associated Press reports.   

"I think it's so important that the pope is visiting because his global message is especially important for the United States," Sister Simone Campbell tells the AP. Campell is part of Nuns on the Bus and a pro-abortion advocate. "His message of changing our throwaway culture and to address the crisis of exploitation is really the key to changing our world to be more inclusive in the economy and more caretaking about the earth — and a lot of this policy starts in the U.S." 

Pope Francis is to arrive on Sept. 22, according to USA Today.

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