Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee recently announced plans to proclaim Oct. 10 as an “official day of prayer and fasting for our state,” saying his inspiration comes from “countless” Tennesseans telling him they have offered prayers on behalf of him and his family, according to the Times Free Press.
The Tennessee Pastors Network (TNPN, www.tnpastors.net) commends the decision and thanks Gov. Lee for the bold and much-needed call for prayer.
“As Christians across the state pray, we should ask God to remind the elected leaders of their vow of ‘so help me God’ and their commitment to God and serve the voters of Tennessee,” said TNPN President Dale Walker. “We must pray that Tennessee elected leaders will sincerely listen to the voters across the state. Christians in Tennessee have long been concerned about abortion, traditional marriage, transgender policies, Islamic indoctrination in schools, the opioid crisis and protecting faith-based adoption services. The effects of these prayers will be very noticeable in the way elected servants vote and represent their constituents in the 2020 session.
“Tennessee Christians should pray for our personal State Reps and State Senators and let them know we are praying for them that day and thank them for serving,” he continued. “We should pray specifically for men like Sen. Mark Pody, who has carried SB 1236, the heartbeat bill, and endured much persecution for boldly standing for life. Many Tennessee Christians desire a strong bill against abortion and want to see Roe v. Wade overturned. If Tennessee cannot pass a strong bill protecting the unborn in 2020 with a Republican super-majority, we need to also call for a day of sitting in sackcloths and ashes and repenting before God on the steps of the Tennessee State Capitol.
“May God hear the prayers of his people Oct. 10 in Tennessee and awaken the hearts of the elected to the paths of righteousness,” Walker added. “May God help each of those elected officials to always keep the values of the people in Tennessee at the forefront in their minds rather than the greedy values of many corporate lobbyists who seek only profit. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, ‘If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.’ May God help us all stand for a biblical worldview in the great Volunteer State of Tennessee.”