Pennsylvania Election Prayer Guide

Feb 24   -   Abby Abildness

Introduction

As the political landscape of the nation intensifies, it is not a season for the Body of Christ to be passive.  In the coming year the United States Reformation Prayer Network is coordinating another Rt. 52 prayer initiative. Pennsylvanians will lead the nation in this important initiative beginning October 8, 2012.  It is also important for Pennsylvanians to be in prayer for the Pennsylvania Primary on April 24, 2012.

Pennsylvania is a swing state with numerous independent voters as well as conservative democrats.  Many political experts are indicating that Pennsylvania’s political landscape in 2012 will be critical for our current President to retain the White House. 

 

Top State Issues

It is righteousness that exalts a nation.  As you join others around the nation in this critical season to shift the spiritual atmosphere of our nation and urge political leaders to align with righteousness, we invite you to consider how you may take an active part in encouraging others to get out the vote.  While the Presidential and Congressional elections dominate the political horizon, we must remain vigilant on the local level so that we will not lose the battle in our own backyard.

A Pennsylvania State Prayer Guide has been prepared with important information concerning the governmental elections in 2012.  This information will help you know how you can stay informed on the position and voting record of your local, state, and national political candidates, as well as how you can position yourself in prayer and sounding your voice for righteousness.  Psalms 81:10 says, I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.  The Lord is watching over His word to perform it.

Named in honor of the state’s founder William Penn and the Latin word “sylvania” meaning woods, Pennsylvania means “Penn’s woods”. Pennsylvania is frequently referenced as The Keystone State because of the state’s central geographic location within the original 13 colonies.  The state has historically held a key position in the
economic, social, and political development of our country.  Pennsylvania’s state anthem references the state as being the “Birthplace of a mighty nation, Keystone of the land.”  The connotation of the word keystone is derived from architecture, describing the central wedge shaped stone in an arch which holds all the other stones in place.

William Penn’s dream and vision was that our state would be the seed of holiness in a nation that would also establish and demonstrate covenant with God and one another.  While significant broken covenants took place in Pennsylvania, we believe that the prophetic destiny of our state is to prepare the way for the Father God to
revive and reveal His heart toward man and restore covenant with Him.  Pennsylvania is a birthing state and we carry a mantle to establish righteous government and set a holy example for the nation.

American history reflects that God moved through colleges and universities in the northeastern corridor of the United States to influence the heart of America. Pennsylvania cities such as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia had significant impact on the spiritual atmosphere of our nation.  Spiritual revival dotted the landscape in the Northeastern US several times in history impacting the moral and social compass of the political arena.

The University of Pennsylvania located in the Philadelphia, the womb of liberty proliferated through the ministry of George Whitfield in the First Great Awakening, it is a key to unlocking awakening across our land.  America for Jesus 2012 will take place in Philadelphia.  Plan to join Pennsylvanians in calling forth the manifestation Third Great Awakening across the land.  A focus on God was an integral part of developing education and government in Pennsylvania.  He honors His covenant.  Let us return honor and covenant with Him in calling forth His glory to cover the earth.

As you share and promote this important initiative, we encourage you to continue pursuing the Father’s heart in your own life. Know that as you pray with us we will also be praying with, and for you.  In the coming year as we journey together in advancing the kingdom of God, may you and your household experience a fresh revelation of the Father’s love.

Key State Issues in 2012:

With 20 electoral votes, Pennsylvania will be the last of the “big three” presidential battleground states to hold its Presidential primary. During the tour, journalists will cover energy, environment, manufacturing and job creation issues in addition to covering the April 24 presidential primary.

In the story of Esther we find that the enemy had entered in the gates and was planning to overthrow the covenant blessings that God had for His people. In the book of Esther, Mordecai had exposed the enemy’s plan and taken his authority to the gate of the city. The Lord says in Matthew 16: 18,  “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” We can not allow evil to prevail at our gates. Esther is a book about seeing the destiny of God’s covenant manifest by legislating authority at the gates. The gate of a city was where all business transactions and legal matters occurred.

Listed below are some of the relevant state issues you can expect to be hearing more about in 2012.

The state has been a focal point in national news with the recent Penn State University scandal.  Pennsylvania’s justice is fledgling as University leaders scramble to restore their campus image. The best hope for change is to agree with God by declaring His word. The Nittany lion has fallen, it is time for the Lion of Judah to arise in Lion country.  State College is located in The Seven Mountains region, in Center County.  This is a prophetic picture of the significant role Center County will play in transforming the nation. 

Rep. Rose Marie Swanger of Lebanon County and other supporting legislators have introduced House Bill 2029, which would mend Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, prohibiting “the application of foreign law which would impair constitutional rights.” Her bill is being supported by more than 40 state reps in order to protect the commonwealth against being controlled by legal codes or systems outside the jurisdiction of state, this includes any international jurisdictions or tribunals. 

Pennsylvania will seek a consensus regarding the natural gas extraction of Marcellus Shale and the Severance tax.  Several Bills are in review pertaining to the sensitive issue.  Taxing the drilling companies is not the only concern.  The impact this issue has on the natural habitat, particularly drinking water and local wells is significant and spills into other neighboring states as well. This overlaps with another issue concerning the Municipal Waste Planning and The Recycling and Waste Reduction Act.  Penn State is reported as being “bullish on Marcellus Shale Drilling”, sighting that Pennsylvania’s natural gas could supply a quarter of the nation’s energy needs.  Production from Pennsylvania wells, which already supply more fuel than is consumed in the state, could multiply eightfold by the end of the decade.  Meanwhile residents wonder about their drinking wells.

Significant funding was made available to Congressional candidates who voted for the Energy Policy Act that exempts fracking from regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act.  According to Common Cause, an independent, non-partisan political watchdog, between 2001 and 2011 the Gas companies have contributed more than 20million dollars to political candidates, increasing in every election year.

While many legislators are eager to vote in favor of Marcellus Shale they are working to act in prohibiting certain antimicrobial agents in agriculture, providing for inspections and testing of operations, enforcement and alternatives.

Legislation concerning Voter id law, if enacted, Pennsylvania House Bill 934 would require all voters to present an approved form of identification in order to vote.  The legislation would prevent voter fraud.  Analysts have expressed concerns that the law purports would disenfranchise certain groups of voters and suppress voter turnout.

A Pennsylvania Marriage Amendment may appear on the November 2013 statewide ballot as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment. The proposed measure would define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. The bill was introduced in the House on May 3, 2011 by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe.  A coalition of non-denominational, non-partisan groups and individuals are working together to advance a Marriage Protection Amendment to build awareness and support across Pennsylvania.  Three Pennsylvania mayors; Michael Nutter of Philadelphia, John Callahan of Bethlehem and Joe Sinnot of Erie have joined about 100 of their fellow anti-family mayors in signing a statement calling for the legalization of counterfeit marriage, also known as same-sex “marriage.”  This statement was in cooperation with the homosexual group Freedom to Marry.

Redistricting the state is an important and ongoing issue in our state.  This issue is hotly debated because of the impact it will have on the elections. An 87 page majority report likened the redistricting to appearing like a wishbone, a crooked finger and an iron cross.

The Pa House is getting ready to vote on legislation that would ensure women seeking abortions would receive a ultrasound image of their baby. House Bill 1077, called The Woman’s Right to Know Act would make sure a woman would get all the facts before they go through having an abortion.  Women deserve to know the truth about abortion.

As reported by the American Family Association, Our children are under attack by an insidious and virulent enemy. On August 17, 2011, more than 50 activists attended a conference for “minor-attracted adults,” i.e., pedophiles, which sought to eliminate the “stigma” attached to pedophilia and to redefine pedophilia as a normal “sexual orientation.”  The United States Department of Justice has determined that 64 percent of forcible sodomy victims are boys under the age of 12 and that 58,200 children were kidnapped by non-family members in 1999.

Obama’s compromise on the Health and Human Services mandate to cover abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraception is not a compromise!  He has stated that women will have access to free preventive care that includes contraceptive services, but if a women’s employer objects to birth control for religious reasons “the insurance company will be required to reach out and offer the woman contraceptive care free of charge.”

Pennsylvanians should Contact US Senators Bob Casey, Jr. and Pat Toomey and ask them to put pressure on Senator Harry Reid to bring the Respect for the Rights of Conscience Amendment up for a vote before the full Senate and encourage them to vote “yea” on Senator Blunt’s amendment number 1520 to S 1813.

As a result of the exposure of Shippensburg University making the so-called morning after pill available to students through a vending machine.  The American Family Association is calling for Pennsylvania State Legislature to investigate the legality of Shippensburg University’s offering of the morning after pill through an unsupervised vending machine.

Electoral Events

2012 Pennsylvania Elections
Voter registration forms must be completed, signed, and submitted 30 days before the election. On or before October 7, 2012

2012 Presidential Preference Primary Election: April 24, 2012
2012 State Primary Election: April 24, 2012
2012 Pennsylvania National Day of Prayer May 3, 2012
2012 General Election: November 6, 2012
America for Jesus -September 28-19-2012
Pennsylvania Route 52 Begins - October 8, 2012