I Prayed have prayed
Father, we thank You for granting Judge Mack this win in court. Preserve religious freedom in this country, Lord.
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On Thursday’s Pray with America’s Leaders, we prayed for Judge Wayne Mack’s legal battle. Watch here. Now, out prayers have been answered with victory!

From First Liberty. Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld Texas Judge Wayne Mack’s practice of recognizing volunteer chaplains—including Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Christian religious leaders—who sometimes open court sessions with a brief invocation.  First Liberty Institute and the law firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP represent Mack.

Who is praying on the wall?

 

A copy of the opinion can be read here.

“The Fifth Circuit rightly concluded that Judge Mack’s brief ceremony respects a rich historical tradition of opening judicial proceedings with an invocation,” said Bradley Hubbard, the Gibson Dunn attorney who argued the case in April.  “As the Court explained, the ‘history, character, and context’ of Judge Mack’s ceremony ‘show that it is no establishment at all.’”

 

“I am eternally grateful to the judges on the Fifth Circuit who upheld this historical practice,” said Judge Mack.  “I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Montgomery County.”

“America has a rich tradition of opening public meetings—including judicial proceedings—with an invocation,” Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel for First Liberty, said.  “Welcoming a volunteer chaplain to lead an invocation according to the tradition of his or her faith reflects the very best of our nation’s values.”

In July 2021, the Fifth Circuit issued a stay permitting Judge Mack, a Montgomery County Justice of the Peace, to continue allowing volunteer chaplains to offer invocations at the start of his court sessions while a lawsuit against him is considered.

Mack, whose duties include serving as a coroner for Montgomery County, created a volunteer chaplaincy program, which includes leaders from a diverse array of faith traditions, to aid members of the community while he conducts independent death investigations.  In his role as Justice of the Peace, Judge Mack allows the multi-faith, volunteer chaplains to open his courtroom ceremonies with a brief invocation and the pledge of allegiance in order to honor their service.

Are you encouraged by this victory? If so, share this article with your friends and family to encourage them!

(Press release from First Liberty. Photo Credit: Canva)

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Ann Beauchamp
October 2, 2022

I echo the comment of Jan Teel, I can’t say it better, so copying her prayer here.

Jan Teel
October 1, 2022

I do not believe in representing prayers from Chaplin that are representing prayers from Muslim and Buddhist gods. We are one nation, under God!! The one and only true God. We do not have other gods before us. The Bible makes this clear!! We must take a stand!! We do not worship false gods. Every false religion and their god is deception, and the word declares, deception is demonic.

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Jan Teel
October 1, 2022

I do not believe in representing prayers from Chaplin that are representing prayers from Muslim and Buddhist gods. We are one nation, under God!! The one and only true God. We do not have other gods before us. The Bible makes this clear!! We must take a stand!! We do not worship false gods. Every false religion and their god is deception, and the word declares, deception is demonic.

14
Victoria Z
October 1, 2022

Throughout the history of our nation public prayer was not an issue, until our generation. It makes you wonder, what happened. Father we pray that you deal with this issue at the root cause. Thank you Father for helping preserve religious freedom, please always continue to aid us in this fight. Help the Jews, Muslims, and Christians work together in this fight, perhaps in doing so all will realize we all serve the amazing God of Israel and have more common ground than differences. May the Holy Spirit step in to make Christ known and felt during those encounters. Thank you and praise you for hearing and answering our prayers.

10
Carole Morris
October 1, 2022

I just want to thank the Lord for this decision and pray for the protection and strength for all Judges in this land and those that have turned away to be drawn back to God by the power of His Holy Spirit through Jesus Name.

10
Juris Prudence
October 1, 2022

It is right and just that all who serve the community in official capacity submit their minds and hearts to the higher judge, even the Lord Almighty, in order to invoke his righteous judgements. We thank You Lord, for answering our prayers to preserve this essential precept in the U.S. Constitution.

8
David Coe
October 1, 2022

As a Prison Ministry Volunteer- Certified Chaplain in Training, I Thank God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit for His Grace and Judge Mack’s Courage in pursuing this decision. It is at the very core and center of free speech in our country.
It is time for Christians to stand up and adopt Daniel 3: 16-18,
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the King, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to answer you at this point. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He will rescue us from your hand O King. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image you have set up!”
Please make a copy of this scripture and paste it on your bathroom mirror, pray it every morning to remind yourself of God’s Grace given to His courageous, faithful servants, them and us.

10
    Victoria Z
    October 1, 2022

    yes and Amen…and such a great Bible History example!!!

    3
Naydean williams
October 1, 2022

We all as Christian’s need to stand up and be counted it’s time we are a sleeping Giant. May the Lord guide us and give us wisdom for his glory in Jesus name

11
Linda Telfair
October 1, 2022

Thank you Father that Judge Mack has won this case, it’s a win for all of us. We are finally beginning to see victories from all over the place. I believe that the over turn of Roe V Wade took the curse off our nation by removing this evil law and we will continue to see justice prevail.

13
Susan CC
October 1, 2022

“Father, we thank You for granting Judge Mack this win in court. Preserve religious freedom in this country, Lord.” Amen

“Don’t be afraid, I have redeemed you; I’m calling you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through rivers, they will not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire, you will not be scorched —the flame will not burn you. I regard you as valued and honored and I love you. I have chosen you; know Me, trust Me. Understand that I AM HE, no god was before Me and none will be after Me. I am ADONAI. I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, My blessing on your offspring. I formed you, don’t forget Me. I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more. There is no Savior but Me.”

Dear Heavenly Father, I have personalized Your words from Isaiah 43 and44. I know these words are true, they are my strength and comfort. I pray it pleases You to speak directly to those who are their own gods. Even these, You know and love. Only You can change hearts Lord. In this day, would You brood over their darkness and do what ONLY YOU CAN DO? I love You Father. I love You Jesus. I love You Holy Spirit. Amen

The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples.
The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His inheritance!
https://biblehub.com/psalms/33.htm

17
Bobhuseby
October 1, 2022

Father forgive my piousness which objects to prayers of other religions as heretical. And -that- they may be – but as an American I pray the continued defense of our constitution which you designed! Thank you for this legal victory in Jesus name!

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    Barbara Janicki
    October 1, 2022

    yes – freedom for one is freedom for all. if one can be banned, so can the other. Freedom for all or for none. The problem with those in power now? Rules for thee but not for me – freedom for them to speak but we will be censored if we disagree with their approved narrative – . . . http://www.mtothe5th.wordpress.com

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