As Peter noted the other day, right-wing Christian nationalist and Religious Right power broker David Lane recently sent out an email to thousands of pastors, asking them hold a two-hour prayer service on Tuesday, April 28, the day that the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on the constitutionality of gay marriage bans because “America is on the verge of learning something that can be learned in no other way, rebellion against God brings consequences. There is no safety in distance from God.”

Today, CBN’s David Brody reported that Lane has recruited Sen. Ted Cruz to send out his own email to these same pastors, asking them to preach against gay marriage on the Sunday before the case is heard and then pray for two hours on the day of the oral arguments:

How will the American church respond?

The prophet Daniel described the people who know their God as people who do two things: display strength and take action (Daniel 11:32).

How can the church rise to the occasion in this situation? Along with my friend David Lane of the American Renewal Project, I urge you to consider the following –

1) Preach about biblical marriage on Sunday, April 26.

We know that marriage is intended to be sacred, beautiful, and nourishing. If you do not influence your congregation’s understanding of marriage, who will fill the void? Hollywood? Divorce courts?

2) Lead prayer services on Tuesday, April 28.

Prayer moves our God to intervene in history. Prayer softens our hearts and brings us into alignment with the heart of God. The church has not shared the truth about marriage well: it is time to repent and commit ourselves to courage on this front.

Regardless of what happens in the Supreme Court, or anywhere else, we know that the truth will never be obsolete. The union of man and woman in marriage will always be relevant. People will continue to need marriage, and to desire it – because we are made in the image of God, creatures who value authentic companionship and intimate connection.

That leaves us only one question. Will we be on the right side of history, the side occupied by the Author of history? Otherwise we will fall victim to the fashions of the times.

Will we discard an institution, ordained by God, which has brought so much stability and happiness to the human family? Or will we stand in its support? Rightly or wrongly, the Supreme Court will take a stand on marriage this summer. Let’s take ours now.

God bless America,

Senator Ted Cruz

P.S. Thank you, as the prophet Daniel might have said, for taking action in defense of marriage. Marriage was God’s idea, and He will preserve it, with or without us. But how could we miss a chance to stand with Him on behalf of something so wonderful?