Jan. 28 – The All-Important U.S. Supreme Court
It was made known this week that President Trump will decide on his first nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday, February 2. Time is of the essence to pray for President Trump to appoint and for the Senate to confirm the justice who will fill the seat vacated by Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February, 2016. The Republican-led Senate has kept the post open until a new President could be elected and installed. With only eight justices on the court, predictable tie votes cannot resolve cases. When a tie occurs, the ruling of the last court of jurisdiction stands, usually a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. On the eve of his inauguration, President Trump told Washington leaders, “I think in my mind I know who it is. I think you’re going to be very, very excited!” Candidate Trump often promised, that, if elected, he would appoint a jurist in the “mold of Justice Scalia.” Over 30 years on the High Court Scalia became legendary in his role as the Court’s conservative anchor, known for his faith in God, his witty, brilliant legal mind, unbending fidelity and fearless defense of the Constitution and rule of law, and his commitment to family and freedom, especially religious freedom. A conservative Roman Catholic, Scalia was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. Exit polls showed that most Americans saw the economy as their most important concern, but conservatives, especially Christians, said the Supreme Court was their most, or near most important concern that motivated them to vote for Mr. Trump. A Scalia-like Justice will bring the curt into the balance that existed before Scalia’s death. Since 1960, the U. S. Supreme Court has repeatedly overstepped its authority on issues. President Trump could appoint two or more justices in his first term and more in a second. Democrats promise to “fight tooth and nail” to prevent all Trump nominees. But, the GOP could invoke the “nuclear option” threatened by the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid when Democrats were in control.
“The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” (2 Sam 23:3; KJV)
Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:
- Pray daily that President Trump will be led to appoint the justice of God’s choosing for this and all SCOTUS vacancies he is privileged to fill. God’s mercy, grace and guidance are our nation’s hope! (Ps 33:12)
- May the Holy Spirit preside over what could become supra-contentious confirmation hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee! May those who seek to foment discord and division among Americans by hostile performances at the hearings be stilled by the Lord. Rather, may the statesmanlike behavior of our Senators serve to quell national unrest!
- May there be no filibuster on the floor of the Senate, but, if there is, may God move 60 Senators to vote to invoke cloture, then the 51 Senators required to vote to secure final confirmation.
- May the Senate and the American people be stirred by the character and qualifications of the appointee and may he (or she) win speedy confirmation (SCOTUS confirmations often take 3 months or more)
A prayer you can pray:
Father, we know that You have been preparing the perfect Justice for this day in America. We pray that You would make sure Your pick is found and presented. We ask that You would silence the voices of dissension and grant a grace for unity for this decision. May they be a man or woman of such strong character that there is little question that this will be a good Justice for the nation. Lord, we take authority over any filibuster and ask for the right number of Senators to act quickly to confirm Your person. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Today’s decree:
God is going to give us a Justice that will uphold the U. S. Constitution and uphold life!
By, Pierre Bynum. See FRC’s Issue Analysis: “Filling Justice Scalia’s Seat and Beyond.”