‘March for Marriage’ opens week of prayer, protest over gay marriage

Thousands were gathering on the Mall and plan to march to the Supreme Court, which will hear oral arguments on the case Thursday.

“The gathering has begun,” tweeted the National Organization for Marriage which organized the march.

Meanwhile, a line outside the court has already formed for those interested in observing the arguments.

The march comes as at least 145,000 pastors, many with enormous followings, several Evangelical and pro-marriage groups and Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz kick of a week of prayer on the issue.

From yesterday’s story on the effort:

While an easy decision for groups opposed to gay marriage, the issue is potentially divisive for politicians but Cruz has gone all in encouraging the 100,000-pastor network formed by evangelical political activist David Lane to lead the nation in prayer. This week he also introduced legislation to protect states that ban gay marriage. Cruz also used a mini-controversy over saying he would love his daughters if one was gay to explain what unconditional love means to him.

“Sen. Cruz has been the most forward leaning in defense of marriage,” said his presidential campaign spokesman Rick Tyler. “He has not shied away from social issues and despite conventional wisdom, it will help him in his campaign not hurt him,” he added.

In his letter to the 100,000 pastors, Cruz wrote, “Will we be on the right side of history, the side occupied by the Author of history? Will we discard an institution, ordained by God, which has brought so much stability and happiness to the human family?”

He added: “Rightly or wrongly, the Supreme Court will take a stand on marriage this summer. Let’s take ours now.” Other potential candidates including former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal are also strong supporters of traditional marriage.

Sen. Ted Cruz. AP Photo

For many Christians, the court case is critical to protecting traditional marriage.

“Scripture teaches us that if God’s people turn from sin, humble themselves, and pray that the Lord would heal their land, He will hear their prayer,” said Mike Bickle, who heads the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Mo.

“Many churches across America will be praying on April 28 asking the Lord to inspire and direct the Supreme Court in a way that is faithful to what the Scriptures teach on this very important subject,” he told Secrets.

Brad Sherman, who runs Iowa’s popular Solid Rock Church and Getpurpose.org, said gay marriage is “a cultural redefining of marriage is a cultural attack on the identity of the church.” He also told Secrets, “From a societal perspective, homosexual marriage is an attack on the foundations of our freedom. The redefinition of marriage, from what it has been for 5,000 years, is not about hate or denying rights to anyone… We hope our prayers will move heavenly powers, which in turn will have influence on the reasoning processes at the Supreme Court.”

Groups like the American Family Association and the Family Research Council are also calling for prayer and fasting to influence the court.

The Family Research Council has activated its “Watchmen on the Wall” network of more than 45,000 pastors to join “Stand for Marriage Sunday.” FRC President Tony Perkins said, “The consequences this decision could have on our religious freedom, the freedom to believe and live according to those beliefs, are staggering. Should the court redefine marriage, our religious liberty — the foundation for all of our freedoms — will be at risk.”

Lane’s American Renewal Project is urging that Americans pray as the oral arguments take place.

In a message to supporters, he said, “We are asking the 100K American Renewal Project pastors to lead prayer services on Tuesday, April 28th, 11:30AM–1:30PM, in your sanctuaries. This two-hour window is not sermonizing, but prayer, led by God’s shepherds; Jehovah is not interested in numbers, if it’s you and two others, then God will be honored. We intend to cry for mercy for what we, believers, have allowed to happen to our nation established by our Founders on a spiritual mission, ‘For the Glory of God and the advancements of the Christian faith,'” he said in quoting the Mayflower Compact.

The justices will hear arguments over an extended 150-minute session next Tuesday as they begin deciding on the legality of same sex marriage bans in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee. A ruling is expected in June.

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].