DAY 11 STOP CORRUPTION - CORRUPTION IN POLITICS

Day 11 - Corruption in Politics

“I urge, then, 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.” -1 Timothy 2: 1-2

OVERVIEW

The government sphere of society is massive and far reaching in its influence, as well as being complex in its structure on many levels. Issues pertaining to government corruption can arise anywhere on the spectrum from local to national, even beyond as one considers foreign alliances and affiliates, such as the United Nations.

The clearest pitfall is when the opportunity for power, wealth and influence distracts leaders from their real calling to serve the people who have put them in office and entrusted them with authority.

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AREAS TO CONSIDER

• Lobbying
  There is nothing inherently wrong with lobbying when it is used to provide information and expertise on key issues under consideration by legislative bodies. Problems arise though when political favors, roundabout financial incentives and voters are exchanged for laws favoring a specific agenda.
   
• Bribery 
  In spite of strict laws prohibiting political bribery, there have been many cases recently of racketeering, fraud, extortion and money laundering particularly, though not exclusively, among big city mayors (for example: former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin). (1)
   
• Voter fraud
  A Pew Foundation study reports “approximately 24 million one of every eight voter registrations in the United States are no longer valid or are significantly inaccurate. More than 1.8 million deceased individuals are listed as voters. Approximately 2.75 million people have registrations in more than one state”. (2)

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PERSONAL REPENTANCE

Father God, I repent if I have not been aware of corruption in the political system. I also ask that You would forgive me if I have not performed my civic duty of voting for righteous politicians.

CORPORATE REPENTANCE

Oh Lord, we know that you see everything that happens behind closed doors. We stand in the gap now on behalf of the United States’ government and repent for corruption in our political system. Forgive us for cases where pride, selfishness and greed have been the motivators for evil behavior. We seek Your face today, believing that You will heal our political system and expose any corrupt practices taking place.

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PRAY

1. Pray for every hidden thing every deal behind closed doors, every fraudulent action, every lie spoken to the American public to be fully exposed. (1 Corinthians 4:5)
    
2. Pray for leaders to be set in place who despise dishonest gain, whose hearts and motives are pure. (Proverbs 16:2)
    
3. Pray for wisdom to be released to those who have the power to implement for more efficient and legitimate voter systems. (Proverbs 3:13)
    
4. As the 2014 midterm elections are approaching and will be held in November, pray for the Church to vote for righteous candidates. (Deuteronomy 1:13)

ACT

1. The biggest way you can act is to vote! Click here to see a list of USRPN voter guides for the 2014 midterm elections (one for each state). This will allow you to know who the candidates are and their beliefs, as well as what steps you need to take to vote.
    
2. Consider running for a political office in your municipality so that you can be a positive, Christ-like influence in your area’s political system.

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SOURCES

1. Bacon, John. “Ex-New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin sentenced to 10 years.” USA Today. 9 July 2014. Web. 11 August 2014. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/07/09/ray-nagin-new-orleans-mayor-sentencing/12397415/
    
2. “Inaccurate, Costly, and Inefficient: Evidence that America’s Voter Registration System Needs an Upgrade.” The Pew Charitable Trusts. 14 February 2012. http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2012/02/14/inaccurate-costly-and-inefficient-evidence-that-americas-voter-registration-system-needs-an-upgrade

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DAY 10 STOP CORRUPTION - TAX STRUCTURE/IRS

Day 10 - Tax Structure and the IRS

“The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with Him.” -Proverbs 11:1

AREAS TO CONSIDER

• Income tax law is filled with special provisions favoring particular industries or interest groups; additionally, the system employs a graduated tax rate, increasing the amount of taxes paid in proportion to the amount earned, rather than treating everyone equally. (1)
   
• Inheritance tax inappropriately taxes what should pass from one generation to another, violating the biblical principle that parents should leave an inheritance for their children (not the federal government). (2)
   
• The corporate tax rate in the U.S. is the highest in the world, resulting in higher prices, lower employment, and businesses relocating overseas. (3)
   
• The IRS was meant to enforce tax law for all U.S. citizens equally and not single out taxpayers with opposing views. (4)
   
• The targeting of Christian and conservative groups by the IRS: the IRS and other government agencies don’t have the authority to administer regulations with unequal standards. In additional insult to our constitutional government and principles of checks and balances, no one has been brought to justice over this yet. (4)
   
• The IRS recently settled a lawsuit with the Freedom from Religion Foundation by agreeing to new procedures and protocols for monitoring churches, including sermon content. (5)

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PERSONAL REPENTANCE

Father God, first and foremost I ask that You would forgive me if I, in any way, have not been honest in obeying my government by not paying my taxes in full. I also repent for any ways that I have targeted people because their beliefs conflict with mine. Help me to maintain my integrity and love for others.
 

CORPORATE REPENTANCE

Lord God, as citizens of this nation we repent for allowing corruption to exist in our tax structure and ask that You would expose it. We ask for your forgiveness for allowing innocent people to be targeted financially due to differing political or religious views. We also repent for any way that our nation has not honored the law of land in not paying taxes.

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PRAY

1. Pray for truth about motives and actions within our tax systems to be fully revealed. (2 Corinthians 13:8)
    
2. Pray that our tax system would not ever favor one class over another; ask the Lord to raise up leaders with wisdom for implementing biblical principles into the taxation system. (Ecclesiastes 7:12)
    
3. Pray that the corporate tax structure would be overhauled to a system less complicated and not graduated, allowing our goods and services to be more competitive with other nations. (Jeremiah 7:57)
    
4. Pray that those who have misused their power and authority in our business/economy systems to be brought to justice. (Proverbs 21:15)

ACT

1. The Bible is clear that we are to obey authority and the law of the land. Evaluate your finances when it comes to paying your taxes. Have you been honest in paying your taxes fully? Before we can do our part to end any corruption in the tax structure, we need to make sure we are righteously obeying the law of the land in paying taxes.

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SOURCES

1. “Income tax in the United States.” Wikipedia. Web. 7 August 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_tax_in_the_United_States
    
2. “Inheritance tax.” Wikipedia. Web. 11 August 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inheritance_tax
    
3. Moore, Stephen. “Seeking Lower Taxes, Companies Flee the U.S.” The Patriot Post. 11 August 2014. Web. 11 August 2014. http://patriotpost.us/opinion/28090
    
4. “2013 IRS controversy.” Wikipedia. Web. 11 August 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_IRS_controversy
    
5. Alliance Defending Freedom. “IRS Strikes Deal with Atheist Group to Monitor Content of Sermons. LifeSiteNews. 25 July 2014. http://www.lifenews.com/2014/07/25/irs-strikes-deal-with-atheist-group-to-monitor-content-of-sermons/

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DAY 9 STOP CORRUPTION - BANKING SYSTEM & STOCK MARKET

 

Day 9 - Banking Systems and the Stock Market

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” -1 Timothy 6:10

OVERVIEW

While there are not many documented cases of corruption in the banking systems and stock market, there are some areas at risk. In almost every type of financial corruption, the primary motivator is greed.

Due to technological advances used in both banking and trading, corruption can easily fly under the radar; this, mixed with emerging markets in foreign nations and enormous piles of personal and national debt, makes the current financial world an unstable place.

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AREAS TO CONSIDER

• Insider trading 
  When people with inside knowledge of a company’s quarterly stock files illegally leak information to others, influencing their decision to invest in that company or not. Essentially, it creates an unbalanced playing field for those investing in the stock market. Insider trading is hard to prove, but it must be policed well or it will grow.
   
• High frequency trading
  More and more market activity is being done by computer based programs that can make extremely large trades in a split second. This creates the potential for illegal trading to be committed without being noticed.
   
• Front running
  This occurs when a stock broker executes a trade while having the knowledge that, subsequently, there will be more trades made on that particular stock. Again, this disrupts what is supposed to be a balanced playing field for companies.
   
• Greed
  As mentioned before, greed drives people to ungodly practices. Speculation, get-rich-quick schemes and debt binges (especially margin debt) create massive problems for future generations who have to deal with the aftermath of market crashes.
   
• Emerging markets
  Developing economies and financial systems in second and third-world nations are very susceptible to corruption due to their markets lacking the structure and accountability needed in order to keep officials from taking advantage of them.

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PERSONAL REPENTANCE

Father God, forgive me for any way that I may have taken advantage of others for financial gain. Help me to value people over money at all times.

CORPORATE REPENTANCE

Father God, we repent on behalf of the United States for allowing this kind of corruption to take place in our nation’s financial systems and ask that You would expose it. Forgive us for not being ethical and honest in our business practices. Help us to maintain strong financial standards in our banks and stock markets.

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PRAY

1. Pray for men and women in the economic systems of the United States and worldwide to resist the spirit of greed that opens the door to corruption. (Proverbs 28:25)
    
2. Pray for American citizens to not get caught up in speculation or get-rich-quick schemes; pray that our nation’s people would be financially wise. (1 Timothy 6:10)
    
3. Pray for the debt bubble in the United States to deflate. (Proverbs 22:7)
    
4. Pray for emerging markets to not be taken advantage of by corrupt leaders; pray for more structure and accountability to be put in place that would decrease the risk of corruption. (Proverbs 16:12)
    
5. Pray for believers in the United States to be at peace where they are financially and not be fearful or panic when economic shakings come to the nation. Remember, God always provides for His people! (Philippians 4:19)

ACT

1. Evaluate your own life, and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal any way that you have been greedy or idolized money in your life.
    
2. Get out of debt! Choose to spend wisely and pay off debts so that you may be financially free.
    
3. If you own stock in the stock market, do research into companies you’ve invested into and stock brokers you may be affiliated with. Is there any proven corruption within them? Are they at high risk for corruption? If so, it may be your conviction to discontinue your investments and business dealings with them.

DAY 8 STOP CORRUPTION

Day 8 - Organized Crime

“For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” -Ecclesiastes 12:14

OVERVIEW

Upon hearing the term organized crime, many may think of a distant period in American history where bootleggers in Tennessee and Italian mob bosses in Chicago controlled a sinister, underground world full of violence, corruption and illegal activities. As interesting as it may seem to those who only know organized crime by The Godfather series, the reality is that organized crime exists and thrives in the United States today.

There are many organized crime groups operating in the United States, including Mexican cartels and European and Asian mafias.

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AREAS TO CONSIDER

• Money laundering
  The concealment of the origins of illegally obtained money, typically by means of transfers involving foreign banks or legitimate businesses. Examples of such businesses are small restaurants, real estate properties or strip malls. And while it may come as a surprise to some, U.S. banks have been complicit in the laundering of billions of dollars for drug cartels. (1)
   
• Bribery
  Paying off local judges, bank officials, city council members, politicians and/or law enforcement in order for a blind eye to be turned to illegal operations.
   
• Crime-insurance fraud
  Any act committed with the intent to fraudulently obtain some benefit or advantage to which they are not otherwise entitled. (2) An example would be making an insurance claim on a falsely reportedly ‘stolen’ vehicle with the purpose of making a financial profit.
   
• Financially supporting campaigns in order to gain influence with politicians. This will pay off in the future when organized crime leaders ask for certain favors from those politicians.

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PERSONAL REPENTANCE

Father God, I ask that You would forgive me if I, in any way, have been corrupt with my money in my personal life. I also repent if I have been unaware of organized crime occurring in my area. Open my eyes to see corruption in my own city that I may be a part of ending it. 

CORPORATE REPENTANCE

Lord God, we stand in the gap for the United States and repent for the evil of organized crime. Forgive us for allowing this to exist and affect our nation on many levels, from the political sphere to human trafficking to financial impropriety. We also ask that you would forgive our nation for causing organized crime to grow through unbridled appetites. Expose and eliminate all corruption in our nation due to organized crime!

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PRAY

1. Pray, first and foremost, for the hearts of those involved with organized crime operations to be transformed by the power of Christ. Pray they would heed the call of the Lord to salvation and live lives of righteousness. (Ezekiel 36:26)
    
2. Pray for all illegal organized crime activity to be exposed and shut down in our nation, particularly that of mafias, cartels and trafficking networks. (Ephesians 5:11)
    
3. Pray for funds that are fueling these organizations to be cut off so that they can no longer operate. (Psalm 7:9)
    
4. Pray for the strongholds of greed and mammon to be broken within these organizations, and declare that the wealth of the wicked is being released to the Body of Christ! (2 Corinthians 10:4)

ACT

1. Become a watchman for your community by reporting suspicious activity.
    
2. Develop a prayer team that will commit to interceding daily or weekly against organized crime in your city, neighborhood or community. Believe for God to expose it and then watch Him do it!
    
3. If your heart is for the abolition of human trafficking, download the FREEDOM! mobile app, created by Orphan Secure, and report any activity that would signal the possibility of human trafficking wherever you are.

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SOURCES

1. Murphy, Dylan. “Money Laundering and the Drug Trade: The Role of the Banks.” Global Research. 13 May 2013. Web. 7 August 2014 http://www.globalresearch.ca/moneylaunderingandthedrugtradetheroleofthebanks/5334205
    
2. “Insurance Fraud.” Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insurance_fraud. 30 April 2014.

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To download the entire Stop Corruption Now Prayer Guide, please click here.

DAY 7 STOP CORRUPTIOIN

Day 7 - Charter Schools

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” -1 Corinthians 4:2

AREAS TO CONSIDER

• While there has not yet been overwhelming evidence of corruption with charter schools, several recent cases involving fraud and mishandling of taxpayer funds have made headlines. (1)
   
• The same lack of government oversight that makes them appealing and increasingly popular holds the potential for enormous corruption. (2)
   
• There is a lack of accountability regarding how funds are raised or spent. (1)
   
• It remains uncertain at this point if choices are being made and carried out in the best interest of students or in the interest of those who stand to gain financially. (3)

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PERSONAL REPENTANCE

Lord, I ask that You would forgive me for not being aware of this corruption that is taking place in charter schools. For the future of my children and the children of this nation, help me to obey You in any way that You would have me get involved in the education system.
 

CORPORATE REPENTANCE

Father God, we repent on behalf of our nation for allowing corruption to take place in our charter schools. We ask Your forgiveness for not even being aware of this occurring, and ask You to expose corruption in our nation’s charter schools.

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PRAY

1. Pray for educators who truly love and desire to invest in the next generation. (Psalm 145:4)
    
2. Pray for all greed, corruption and impure motives to be exposed in the nation’s charter schools. (Philippians 2:3)
    
3. Pray for political leaders, education professionals and parents to come together in unity and wisdom for the educational future of children. (Ephesians 4:3)

ACT

1. Whether or not you have a student in your home, you can be a part of encouraging teachers in your community.
    
2. Consider approaching your local school and find out what their needs are. Write some encouraging notes. Commit to praying for one or several teachers by name.
    
3. Know your rights as a parent. For example, did you know you can opt out of standardized testing for your student most years? If parents would mobilize to do this, it would go a long way towards changing the “teaching to the test” system currently in place. 

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SOURCES 

1. Bryant, Jeff. “Will Anyone Stop Charter School Corruption?” Education Opportunity Network. 25 June 2014. Web. 7 August 2014 http://educationopportunitynetwork.org/will-anyone-stop-charter-school-corruption/
    
2. NPR Staff. “Investigating Charter Schools Fraud in Philadelphia.” NPR. 27 June 2011. Web. 7 August 2014. http://www.npr.org/2011/06/27/137444337/what-happens-when-charter-schools-fail
    
3. Rawls, Kristin. “Who is Profiting from Charters? The Big Bucks Behind Charter School Secrecy, Financial Scandal and Corruption.”  AlterNet. 8 May 2013. Web. 7 August 2014. http://www.alternet.org/education/who-profiting-charters-big-bucks-behind-charter-school-secrecy-financial-scandal-and

DAY 6 STOP CORRUPTION

Day 6 - Racism in Education

“Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” -Proverbs 22:6
 

AREAS TO CONSIDER

• A 2012 study found schools to be more segregated than they were before the Supreme Court required racial integration in Brown vs. Board of Education. (1)
   
• Segregation is more likely to occur between districts than within a single district. (2)
   
• Lines are regularly redrawn by some (but not all) elected officials in order to keep poor and minority children in separate districts from white and upper/middle class students; research indicates this division is actually hurting students as the most effective environment for children to flourish in is one where a wide diversity of race, economic status and ethnic background is present. (3)

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PERSONAL REPENTANCE

Father God, forgive me if I, in any way, have held racist or prejudiced feelings towards anybody. Help me to see and love every person as You do.
 

CORPORATE REPENTANCE

Lord, we stand in the gap for the United States and humbly repent for racism in our nation. We repent for our prejudices and segregation just because of the color or culture of others. Expose racism in the education system, and eliminate racism in our nation by Your loving power.

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PRAY

1. Pray for the continued healing of race wounds in our nation. (Psalm 147:3)
    
2. Pray for the emergence of leaders from all ethnic backgrounds who can pave the way for healthy dialogue and new strategies in a way that will not segregate students. (Proverbs 15:22)
    
3. Pray for the hearts and motives of elected officials to be laid bare. (Proverbs 16:2)
    

ACT

1. Develop friendships with people of races other than your own. Relationships are a potent force against racism!
    
2. Stay out of the gossip. Communities love to buzz about “good schools” and “bad schools”, but people rarely know what is actually going on. Unless you are involved, connected and knowledgeable, don’t be part of the gossip chain.

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SOURCES

1. Mullins, Dexter. “Six decades after Brown ruling, US schools still segregated.” Aljazeera America. 25 September 2013. Web. 16 June 2014. http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/9/25/56-years-after-littlerockusschoolssegregatedbyraceandclass.html
    
2. Barkhorn, Eleanor. “Why Are American Schools Still Segregated?” The Atlantic. 5 November 2013. Web. 16 June 2014. http://www.theatlantic.com /education/archive/2013/11/whyareamericanschoolsstillsegregated/281126/
    
3. NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Asian American Justice Center, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. The Impact of Redistricting in Your Community. https://maldef.org/assets/pdf/Redistricting.pdf

DAY 5 STOP CORRUPTION

Day 5 - Money in the Education System

“Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave.” -Exodus 18:20

OVERVIEW

Corruption is one of many factors contributing to the brokenness of the American education system, although not one of the more widely discussed.

Over the past decades, many nationwide policies, initiatives and standards have been set in place, but still the system continues to struggle. Perhaps there are issues below the surface that need to be addressed before effective change can really take place.

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AREAS TO CONSIDER

• Testing
  In spite of overwhelming evidence suggesting the emphasis on standardized testing has driven down the quality of education, there are individuals and companies making billions off of the testing system. Companies who produce the tests gain from the sales of curriculum, study materials and grading services. (1)
   
• Property values
  Wealthy stakeholders within school districts seek to protect their property values from being driven down by racial and economic integration; redistricting is a measure frequently implemented to appease this concern. (2)
   
• Embezzlement/Fraud
  There have been many cases in recent years of school district officials mishandling funds, pocketing even millions of dollars. Districts have worked to put better systems in place, but it is not always enough. (3)

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PERSONAL REPENTANCE

Father God, I repent if I have not been aware of what is happening in my own school district. Forgive me if I, in any way, have not cared enough about the education of children in this nation to ensure that corruption in my city’s education system does not exist.

CORPORATE REPENTANCE

Lord, on behalf of our nation, we repent for allowing corruption in our schools. Forgive us for not rising up to combat it and for not even being aware that this is happening oftentimes. Expose all corruption in the education system! As we seek Your face, help us as a nation to value students instead of impacting them negatively due to corrupt practices.

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PRAY

1. Pray for all corrupt activities, systems, motivations, and individuals to be fully exposed. (Ephesians 5:11)
    
2. Pray for education professionals to have a renewed resolve and commitment to integrity; pray for the pressure they are facing to be alleviated by an awareness of the bigger issues. (Proverbs 11:3)
    
3. Pray for the exposure and removal of those who are abusing their positions of trust as a result of greed. (Luke 12:15)

ACT

1. Find out who the stakeholders are in your neighborhood. Pray over them and make an effort to get to know them.
    
2. Vote! School board members are the first line of potential change. In your community, who are they? What are their interests? (Maybe even consider running for office yourself!)

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SOURCES

1. Figueroa, Alyssa. “8 Things You Should Know About Corporations Like Pearson that Make Huge Profits from Standardized Tests.” AlterNet. 6 August 2013. Web. 7 August 2014. http://www.alternet.org/education/corporations-profit-standardized-tests
    
2. Interview. Abby Norman, Education Professional and Reform Researcher.
    
3. Dessoff, Alan. “Fighting Fraud in Schools.” District Administration. August 2009. Web. 11 August 2014. http://www.districtadministration.com/article/fighting-fraud-schools-0

DAY 4 STOP CORRUPTION

Day 4 - Abuse of Power in the Church

“Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.” -Psalm 10:12

AREAS TO CONSIDER

• Abuse in the Church has come to be dominantly associated with the Catholic church, due to a series of cover ups and accusations of church leaders molesting children; however, recent cases and accusations suggest that the problem may actually be even worse in the Evangelical church. (1)
   
• Boz Tchividijian, executive director of GRACE, an organization that investigates abuse allegations, says the Protestant culture has been one of independence; there is a willingness to sacrifice souls in order to protect institutions. (1)
   
• Aside from sexual abuse, church leaders can become guilty of spiritual abuse - wielding their authority and manipulating Scripture as a means to control and influence people towards certain actions or decisions. (2)

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PERSONAL REPENTANCE

Lord, in understanding that You have commanded me to love and honor others, I ask that You would forgive me for any way I have abused or manipulated people for my own gain. Help me to walk in love and humility towards others and treat them how I would want to be treated.

CORPORATE REPENTANCE

Father God, we repent on behalf of our nation’s churches for any way we have abused individuals and families. Forgive us for even doing these things in Your Name at times. We ask that You would expose any kind of abuse in our churches and strengthen our church leaders to love as You love and treat people with the utmost care and respect.
 

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PRAY

1. Pray for new depths of humility and repentance in the body of Christ; pray especially that leaders would deal with areas of sin rather than covering them up. (Proverbs 11:2)
    
2. Pray for church leaders to implement effective systems of accountability and not exempt themselves because of their positions. (Psalm 119:26)
    
3. Pray for victims of all kinds of abuse to have courage to speak up and begin the process of healing (Psalm 147:3)
    
4. Pray for the Church to rebuild a reputation in our culture for protecting and fighting for those who are vulnerable, rather than manipulating or controlling them. (Matthew 9:36)
    

ACT

1. Evaluate your own life and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you have mistreated others. If there are any individuals you need to ask forgiveness from, it is important to take the steps to repair those relational rifts in your life.
    
2. Commit to praying daily or weekly for leadership in your church.

 

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SOURCES

1. Bailey, Sarah Pulliam. “Evangelical Sex Abuse Record ‘Worse’ Than Catholic, Says Billy Graham’s Grandson Boz Tchividijian.” Huffington Post. 1 October 2013. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/01/protestantsexabuseboztchividijian_n_4019347.html
    
2. Von Buseck, Craig. “Beware of ‘Spiritual Abuse’.” Christian Broadcasting Network. http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/BibleStudyAndTheology/Discipleship/vonBuseck_SpiritualAbuse.aspx

DAY 3 STOP CORRUPTION - MISUSE OF FINANCES IN THE CHURCH

 

Day 3 - Misuse of Finances in the Church

“Then He said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed;
life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” -Luke 12:15

OVERVIEW

It can be difficult sometimes to address systems of corruption within the body of Christ at large. Each branch or denomination has its own procedures and systems, its own strengths and weaknesses. Our culture also tends to be harder and more vocal about any problems that arise concerning religious leaders or institutions. Some might bemoan this as unfair, but it is important to remember that the world is watching and holding us to a high standard when we bear the Name of Christ.

There are many stories that can be found, some individual cases and some recurring problems. The following information is fairly broad and generalized, but it serves a reminder for all of us as believers to walk in transparency and integrity.
 

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AREAS TO CONSIDER

• 20 percent of American congregations lose money to people entrusted with church finances, according to a 2005 Newsday article.(1)
   
• Experts say instances of misappropriation of church funds are not always the result of theft and deception; instead they are often due to laziness or a lack of understanding about tax laws. There is a need for more financial education for pastors and church treasurers/accountants. (1)
   
• There have been instances of greed and financial scandal as different spiritual leaders achieve celebrity like status. While not particularly widespread, the high-profile nature of these leaders makes the accounts of their financial corruption more widely discussed. (2)
   
• Whether it is the result of greed or merely a preoccupation with personal finances, the body of Christ at large has been ineffective in carrying out the Biblical mandate to care for the poor. The burden is often left to churches who are in poor areas where the needs can be overwhelming. If we were unified in efforts and resources, the Church could have a tremendous role in the elimination of systemic poverty.

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PERSONAL REPENTANCE

Father God, I ask that You would forgive me if I have, in any way, misused my finances or have idolized money. Forgive me if I have been greedy and unwilling to see and meet the needs of others. Help me to become a better steward of my resources and bless others who have less than I do.
 

CORPORATE REPENTANCE

Lord, on behalf of our nation and Your Church we ask that You would forgive us for misappropriating and misusing funds. We repent, in any way, if we have not striven to fulfill our biblical mandate of helping those in poverty find financial freedom and ask You to expose any corrupt practices in our churches.
 

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PRAY

1. Pray for a renewed commitment to integrity and honesty in the body of Christ. (1 Chronicles 29:17)
    
2. Pray for pastors and church financial leaders to seek out better understanding and knowledge for handling the finances entrusted to them. (Proverbs 24:3)
    
3. Pray that greed and materialism would be uprooted in the church, that believers would truly be countercultural in these areas. (Colossians 3:5)

ACT

1. Consider how you can come together with other believers to help the poor in your community and city.
    

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SOURCES

1. Kennedy, Matt. “Church corruption, financial scandals live on long past Bakkers.” Cult Awareness and Information Library. http://www.culthelp.info/index.phpid=2964&option=com_content&task=view
    
2. Moll, Rob. “After the Scandals.” Christianity Today Library. 13 December 2006. Web. 6 August 2014. http://www.ctlibrary.com/newsletter/newsletterarchives/2006-12-11.html

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To download the entire Stop Corruption Now Prayer Guide, please click here.

DAY 2 STOP CORRUPTION - THE FAMILY

STOP CORRUPTION DAY 2

PRAYER GUIDE : THE FAMILY

The family unit is one of the key building blocks of a society; however, in the United States the family has been slowly eroding. According to the American Psychological Association, 40-50 percent of marriages end in divorce. 43 percent of US children come from fatherless homes (US Department of Census) which leads to a plethora of other negative behaviors such as drug and alcohol addiction, teen pregnancy and suicide. The definition of marriage between one man and one woman is also being corrupted as more and more states are legalizing homosexual marriage. In addition, pornography and drug addiction are at an all time high. Unfortunately, families in the Church don’t look much better from the world.

AREAS TO CONSIDER

• Divorce rate

Contrary to what we’ve been told over the last several years, the actual divorce rate in the Church is estimated to be around 31 percent according to a very recent study by Harvard trained researcher Shaunti Feldhahn (it was estimated to be around 50 percent before the study). Although this is an encouragement to the Body of Christ, 31 percent is still very high.

•  Infidelity

According to the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 41 percent of marriages are tainted by adultery. This is also common in the Church.

•  Pornography and drug use

The statistics for pornography use are staggering. According to a 2006 study, 50 percent of all Christian men and 20 percent of all Christian women are addicted to pornography. This includes Church leadership. Drug rates are also very high as more states are considering legalizing marijuana.

•  Homosexuality in the church

Many mainline church denominations have begun recognizing homosexuality as not sinful in any way and are even allowing gay and lesbians to be church leaders. This has contributed to the eroding of the biblical definition of marriage in the United States and caused more people to accept homosexuality as something created by God Himself.

•  Perception of children

Whether selfishness or economic status be the cause, there are believers and nonbelievers alike who see having children as an intolerable burden instead of recognizing them as a blessing from the Lord. We have allowed the family unit in the Church and nation to be corrupted by immorality, and moral corruption leads to a lack of moral authority. No wonder we have not seen reformation in our land! It is important to take this seriously in repentance and prayer before the Lord.

PERSONAL REPENTANCE

Father God, I ask that You would forgive me for ways that I have allowed myself, my marriage and/or my family to become morally corrupted. Forgive me for any ways that I have harmed my marriage, participated in pornography or drug use and/or not maintained godly thinking when it comes to the biblical definition of marriage or having children.

CORPORATE REPENTANCE

Father God, we ask for forgiveness on behalf of the United States for allowing our families to become corrupted by immorality. We repent for our divorce and infidelity rates, for our

pornography and drug abuse and for not valuing our nation’s children. Expose any corruption in our nation’s families and help us to raise a godly standard for families in our society that will serve as an example for other nations.

PRAY

1. Pray for the family units in American society and the Church to be strengthened. Declare that the spirit of immorality is broken, and bind the enemy from destroying marriages and familial relationships in the Church. (Matthew 18:18)

2. Pray for the divorce rate, fatherless rate, pornography and drug abuse, and wrong perceptions of marriage and children to decrease in an amazing rate. Ask God to renew the mind of His people.  (Galatians 5:16)

3. Ask God to raise a standard of holiness through His Church that will be a light for the nation. Also, pray for families in the Church to be healed of any immoral practices, so we will regain our moral authority in America. (1 Peter 1:1516)

ACT

Evaluate your marriage and family. Does your relationship with your spouse and children need to be strengthened? Is there any immorality that has been allowed? Take the necessary steps to healing and freedom for your family!

To download the entire Stop Corruption Now Prayer Guide, please click here.

STOP CORRUPTION PRAYER GUIDE DAY 1 - PERSONAL CORRUPTIOIN

Stop
Corruption!

September 4 - 24, 2014

We are very excited to announce that our Stop Corruption Now Prayer Guide is now available to download! This 21-day guide will be read and prayed through by thousands of people all across the United States on September 4 - 24 during our Stop Corruption Now initiative. 

To download the entire prayer guide for this groundbreaking campaign, please click here! 

Also, to see a special video by Cindy Jacobs giving more details on this initiative, please click here. 

Feel free to share this prayer guide with other prayer warriors you know and let us know where you're praying from! Together, let's topple the stronghold of corruption in the United States, and see breakthrough come to our families, churches and nation. 

We are honored to have you partner with us during this powerful prayer campaign! Thank you for standing in the gap!

For the nation, 

Mike and Cindy Jacobs

____________________________________________________________ 

The Stop Corruption Prayer Initiative has begun.  Here is Day 1 Prayer Guide for Stop Corruption in our state and nation.  Thank you once again as we lock our shields together in intercession.

Many Blessings,
 Betsy

“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy for I am holy.’” -1 Peter 1:15-16 OVERVIEW: PREPARING OUR HEARTS Just as governments, businesses and financial systems can be corrupt, so can the human heart (Jeremiah 17:9). Before identifying and praying over areas of high level corruption in our society, it’s vital that we first look inward at our own hearts. Preparation for this 21-day initiative must begin by evaluating ourselves to identify any sinful or personally corrupt doorways that we’ve opened in our lives. We ask that you take today to spend time in prayer with a humble heart, should there be any areas in your life that need repentance. AREAS TO CONSIDER Integrity issues Proverbs 10:9 tells us that “whoever walks in integrity walks securely.” Have you been honest in all areas of your life? Do you keep your word when you make a promise?   Sexual appetites Maintaining sexual purity is very important. The Word of God is clear that when one commits a sexual Sin, it is a sin against his or her own body. Have you refrained from watching impure movies? Have you been consuming pornographic material? Have you been desensitized to sexual impurity?   Treatment of others Jesus Himself said that one of the greatest commandments is to love your neighbor as yourself. How we treat people is often an indicator of our relationship with God. We can’t love God and not love people! Have you mistreated your spouse, children, family members or friends in any way? Have you manipulated others for your own gain? Are there any roots of unforgiveness in your life?   Finances As a lot of corruption in the United States is rooted in finances, it’s important to make sure you are clean in this area of your life. Are you being responsible with your income and providing for your family? Do you tithe? Do you pay your bills on time and your taxes in full? Have you idolized money in any way? PERSONAL REPENTANCE Father God, I ask that you would reveal to me any areas of my life where I have allowed myself to become morally corrupt. I repent for any unbridled appetites, integrity issues and/or ways that I have mistreated people and finances. Thank You for Your forgiveness! CORPORATE REPENTANCE Father God, we repent on behalf of the United States, for having corrupt and sinful hearts. Have mercy on us, oh God, and renew the bodies, minds and spirits of our people with Your Word! We repent for our wicked ways today, seek Your face according to 2 Chronicles 7:14 and ask that You would expose any corruption in our personal lives. PRAY Pray that the Lord would fully prepare you for this initiative by cleansing and healing your heart of any personal corruption. (1 John 1:9)   Pray that the Holy Spirit would strengthen you to truly be holy as God is holy. (Romans 8:26)   If there are any areas of your life that require special attention (for example, your finances) ask the Lord for the grace to be able to take the necessary steps that would get them in order. (Hebrews 12:11) ACT If you need to forgive or ask forgiveness from someone, go to that person and make amends in humility and love.   If you need to seek help in areas of your life such as financial restoration, counseling, breaking addictions, etc., take the steps that will help you find freedom and peace. To download the entire Stop Corruption Now Prayer Guide, please click here.