Every opportunity to speak is another opportunity for me to encourage everyone to do what we have been discussing since the beginning of the year—to contact representatives in your state capitol and in Washington as often as possible.

I encourage everyone to study the issues for yourself first, and then communicate your view—thoughtfully, but briefly. To offer spiritual encouragement and prayer is good, but only if the content of your message underscores your grasp of the issue itself.

Your worldview matters! More than any time since our ministry began investing in Washington, the threat to Christian values is greatest, yet those with prayerful insight are most silent—a recipe for catastrophe.

Would you please consider coming out of silence?

Speak directly, clearly and considerately to your representatives. Appoint someone in your weekly group to “stay on top” of the issues and report to the group each week. As a group and individually write and call often. Email and fax are best when writing to Washington—security concerns delay postal mail by weeks, even months.

Lobbying government is the constitutional right of every citizen. Government cannot be faulted in its representation if elected officials do not hear from those they represent. (Every one behaves better when someone is watching!)

• In the United States, we each have three representatives in Washington – two senators and a representative from our district; locally, state representatives are close enough to actually visit—each district has a senator and a representative.
• Establish a relationship if possible, perhaps begin now so that as concerns arise there is a foundation of communication on which to build.
• Make every effort to encourage your representatives in their tasks, including the whole picture in addition to issues that are most important to you.
• When speaking to elected officials I personally do not see that sentiment expressed in spiritual terms is as effective as communicating a sincere grasp of the topic along with a desire to offer well-thought-out and balanced input.
• For example, 1) here’s the issue, 2) this is what I understand about it, 3) this is how MY FAMILY views it, and 4) what is your view and what additional understanding concerning the issue can you offer me?
• If you totally disagree, or if the official is rude of a staff member blocks you, express disagreement firmly and restate your point.
• Always, be gracious, and respectful—in other words, righteous.

Bottom line, prayer with educated action is critical now. Pease do not wait until it is too late. Our nation is changing dramatically—and quickly. Although a U.S. position globally is squandered more each day because “the borrower is SERVANT to the lender,” if, as individuals, we do not change our worldview on the full range of issues, and make it a biblical one, money issues will not matter.

Links to research national issues:
–Family Research Council www.frc.org
–American Family Association www.afa.net
–Wallbuilders www.wallbuilders.com

Link to the President at the White House:
www.whitehouse.gov

Links to House and Senate:
–www.house.gov
–www.senate.gov

Links to determine who your national represnetatives in Washington are, how to contact them, and details concerning legislation currently before the House and Senate and legislation scheduled for consideration in the near future:
–Congress.org www.congress.org