Happy Friday

The Power Of Prayer  by Max Lucado Let others lose sleep over the election.  Let others grow bitter from party or petty rivalries.  Let others cast their hope with the people of the elephant or the donkey.  Not followers of Jesus.  We place our trust in the work of God. How many kings has he seen come and go?  How many nations has he seen stand and fall?  He is above them all.  And he oversees them all.  So, while others get anxious, we don’t. Here is what we do:  we pray. “First of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”  (1 Tim.2:1-4 NIV). It is time to take this job seriously.  Over the next hours and days ahead, turn your heart toward heaven and ask God to: Unite our country Strengthen us Appoint and anoint our next president God’s promise is clear: “If my people, who are called by my name, will 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.”  (2 Chron. 7:14 NIV). Only God can unite the nations. On this election day, let’s ask him to do just that with ours. Dear Heavenly Father, You have given us this promise: “If my people, who are called by my name, will 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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) So, we pray to you. We turn from evil and look to you, our God. Please:          Unite us                  Strengthen us                          Appoint and anoint our next president In the name of Christ we pray, Amen Daily Smile:  Visiting the modern art museum, a lady turned to an attendant standing nearby. “This,” she said, “I suppose, is one of those hideous representations you call modern art?”  “No, madam,” replied the attendant. “That one’s called a mirror.” In The News: Chick-fil-A Thrives in Third Quarter Despite Marriage Controversy In the months since Chick-fil-A came under fire for its CEO's support of traditional marriage, the fast food chain has thrived, USA TODAY reports. Consumer use, visits and ad awareness were all up measurably in the third quarter despite gay activists calling for boycotts against the restaurant. According to a report by research specialist Sandelman & Associates, customer traffic was up 2.2 percent, market share was up 0.6 percent, and total ad awareness was up 6.5 percent. Additionally, Chick-fil-A broadened its regular customer base in 28 of 35 media markets. "There was a lot of talk that this would hurt Chick-fil-A, but it actually helped the brand," said Jeff Davis, president of Sandelman.  Family Research Council Shooter Faces Terrorism Charges The man accused of shooting a security guard inside the Family Research Council headquarters in Washington, D.C., in August now faces a terrorism charge, CBN News reports. Floyd Lee Corkins, the first person in 10 years to be prosecuted under the District of Columbia's Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002, reportedly announced "I don't like your politics" as he shot security guard Leonardo Johnson in the lobby of the FRC's building. Though wounded, Johnson managed to take down Corkins before anyone else was injured or killed. Investigators say Corkins was carrying a backpack with ammunition and Chick-fil-A sandwiches. The incident happened after Chick-fil-A's president made headlines by voicing his support for traditional marriage; Corkins, a supporter of gay rights, had been volunteering at a community center for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. In a statement Wednesday, FRC president Tony Perkins said, "The terrorism indictment announced today ... makes clear that acts of violence designed to intimidate and silence those who support natural marriage and traditional morality violate the law and undermine the security and stability of our form of government." More Details Emerge of Syrian Pastor, Family Murdered by Muslim Militants The Middle East director of Christian Aid Mission revealed more details about a Syrian Christian pastor shot and killed along with his wife and three children by a band of Sunni Muslim militants who stormed into a house church meeting earlier this month, CBN News reports. The Christian Aid director, whose name cannot be released for security reasons, described the martyred pastor, whose name was Sami: "I know he was a Muslim-background believer. He was not a Bedouin. He had been in training for a while, and he was given help by Christian Aid Mission. He was a very faithful, godly person that the leadership really trusted in, and they really thought a lot of him." Thirty-two Christian families associated with Sami are now seeking help to flee Syria. Various missions groups report Syrian Christians are coming under increased attack by armed militants.