Ted Cruz asks pastors to preach and pray
AUSTIN, Texas (Christian Examiner) – Presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz sent a letter to thousands of pastors across the nation Thursday, asking them to preach about biblical marriage on Sunday, April 26, and lead a prayer service on Tuesday, April 28.
"On Tuesday, April 28, the United States Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in favor of 'same-sex marriage,'" Cruz wrote. "How will the American church respond?"
The national letter campaign was sponsored by the American Renewal Project, led by evangelical political activist David Lane.
"We know that marriage is intended to be sacred, beautiful, and nourishing," Cruz shared. "If you do not influence your congregation's understanding of marriage, who will fill the void? Hollywood? Divorce courts? ... The church has not shared the truth about marriage well: It is time to repent and commit ourselves to courage on this front."
Cruz said prayer was needed for God to intervene and to "softens our hearts" and bring Christians "into alignment with the heart of God." He also pointed to the Old Testament prophet Daniel as an example of the kind of strength and action that are needed now to protect biblical marriage.
"The union of man and woman in marriage will always be relevant," Cruz wrote. "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," the senator continued. "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."
Cruz, who announced his candidacy at Liberty University in March, is campaigning in part on the issues of marriage and family. On his website, www.tedcruz.org he cites having "fought for the right of states to define marriage," and "defended Texas' marriage laws" as proof of his commitment to conservative values regarding both.
The letter Cruz sent to thousands of pastors did not mention his political record, personal background or campaign effort. It simply focused on prayer for God's intervention in the decision being made by the Supreme Court.
"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," Cruz wrote. "Let's take ours now. ...
"Marriage was God's idea, and He will preserve it, with or without us," Cruz concluded. "But how could we miss a chance to stand with Him on behalf of something so wonderful?"
Cruz' Facebook page, "Courageous Conservatives: Reigniting the Promise of America," includes an April 17 tally of the money his nascent presidential campaign has raised, indicating more than $4.3 million has been contributed from about 51,000 people living in all 50 states. A map on the social media site shows large amounts were contributed from residents of Washington, Oregon, Northern and Southern California, Utah, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts.