March, 2007 Newsletter
Matthew November 13th, 2007
March, 2007 Newsletter
Third Annual Statehouse Prayer Service
We wanted to get out a note for every one as it has been a couple of months since our last letter. During session at the Statehouse things get to be very busy! Our Statehouse Prayer Service at the beginning of January was a great success. We had a tremendous increase in the number of legislators in attendance! The Lord has increased this ministry greatly within their ranks. I am evermore amazed at the doors He opens.
Legislators’ Bible Study
Many of you know by now that I was asked to teach the Legislators’ Bible Study. It is quite an honor, and reminds me of when I first started this ministry and was invited to attend this intimate Bible study group. The senator who had invited me was not there when I arrived, and no one else knew who I was. I was promptly asked to leave, which was not a problem as I understood the need for confidentiality. Within the next week I had met many of them. They indicated how grateful they were that I was there and invited me to attend the Bible study once again. I have enjoyed being a part of it over the last couple of years. When I was asked to teach the study this year I was quite humbled and awed at the responsibility. Those feelings were magnified when we were informed the Governor was going to reinstate a long tradition of hosting the study in his office! I have relied heavily on the prayers of God’s people and the strength of the Holy Spirit to teach it. Currently, we are going through the book of II Timothy verse by verse. At this point we are not quite through verse twelve of chapter one. There seems to be much interest and attendance is steady at about 20 each week. If you are interested in seeing what we are studying, I am posting the Bible studies I have prepared on my website.
Statehouse Chapel Services
Chapel services are continuing to go well. We are seeing a packed chapel room almost every week. I am thrilled to be a small part of what the Lord is doing in the lives of the staff and people who attend. I have continued to assist Senator Kruse in scheduling speakers. We try to get a different Christian legislator to share each week. Chapel services are open to the public and we’d love to have you attend! The service starts at
Lobbyist Bible Study
The Lord has laid it on my heart to start a Lobbyist Bible Study as well. I am using the same material as I do for the legislators. Please pray for the attendance of that study and for creative ways to inform them about it. Through that initiative I have met many more lobbyists this year.
One aspect of lobbying includes bringing people into the Statehouse to speak with specific legislators on different issues. While talking with one lobbyist about that, I realized that would be great for ministry opportunities as well. He has two people come in each session day. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if pastors and Christians from around the state came in to the Statehouse and let their leaders know they are praying for them and thanking God for them? (I Timothy 2:1-2) The key to making it work would be to not mention issues, so there would be no “catch” as to why you were praying for and thanking them. (There are more than 900 registered lobbyists in the Statehouse who do that regularly!) Session ends on April 29th this year, so if you are interested please let me know soon.
Suffering
This past month I was preparing for the lesson for II Tim. 1:12 which speaks of suffering. The Lord chose to use that time to remind me how to have an appropriate response during suffering. Practice what you preach! =) So, after vehicle trouble that has continued to plague us, my wife going through a very difficult illness, and various other physical and spiritual trials, I was ready to teach on suffering with real life examples!
I Peter
Prayer Focus - Speaker of the House - B. Patrick Bauer
The 7th circuit court of appeals has yet to rule on the ruling by Judge David Hamilton against the use of the name Jesus Christ in the official prayer of the Indiana House. The lawsuit was filed against the official capacity of Speaker (his position), and therefore it follows that office. As the House changed majority leadership in last year’s election, so did the Speaker of the House. Previously Rep. Brian Bosma was the Speaker. He has been replaced by Rep. Pat Bauer. Consequently, Speaker Bauer will determine the course of action after the ruling from the 7th circuit court is handed down, whether to appeal and continue to defend the lawsuit or not. Rep. Bauer has indicated he intends to defend it.
I know when the previous Speaker was defending the lawsuit he received many letters, phone calls, and e-mails of support. Now that it has been almost a year and a half, I doubt if the current Speaker has had the same level of encouragement. We must take this opportunity to lift him up in our prayers and let him know we are praying for him. Here is his contact information:
Speaker of the House
B. Patrick Bauer c/o Statehouse
Statehouse Phone # 317.232.9628
E-mail - h6@in.gov
Also, Senator Anita Bowser passed away this week. She was a representative/senator since 1980, so she was well-known by many of the legislators and staff, and they are grieving her passing. Please pray that God will use this time for cause for reflection on the meaning of life and the need for Jesus Christ.
Sincerely,
I want to please the Lord in all that I do, whether it is in the Statehouse, at home with my family, preaching at churches, ministering to youth, or just spending time in His Word and prayer. Thank you for praying for my family and me as we continue to fight the good fight, run the course, and keep the faith. II Timothy 4:7.
Rev. Matthew Barnes