This year has been a very, very interesting year. Some will say it has been a difficult year. Others will say that it’s been a frustrating year. But all would agree that it’s been an unforgettable year.  My last message to my Church before the “shutdown” was a prophetic one, without even knowing it.  It was one that God knew that I and our Church family needed to hear.

It was from James 4:13-15, which says,

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.

In 1899, Charles H. Duell, Commissioner in the U.S. Office of Patents said, “Everything that can be invented has been invented.”  Yet, since then, the world has witnessed the advent of airplanes, automobiles, manned space travel, computers, cell phones, and literally countless of other devices and products that we use and take for granted every day.

Our view of the future is so limited.  We are able to look backward fairly clearly on the past, but we cannot fully see into the future. People spend millions of dollars per year calling psychics and visiting palm readers to no avail. Our view and understanding is limited.

With the upcoming elections, civil unrest in our streets, and the brokenness in our communities, we have no idea what the upcoming days will hold.  We don’t know what tomorrow will hold… but we can know and fully trust Who holds tomorrow.

Now, more than ever, we need to seek the face of God.

Here are some things to petition the “Holder of our tomorrow” in the days ahead:

Please Pray:

• FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS: To be clear – our hope does not reside in Washington, but in the Lord. But what takes place in Washington does affect us as believers.  Let’s pray for God’s will to take place in the November 3rd General Election – which is 82 days away. Pray for the General Election and for godly candidates who must find ways to get their campaign messages out during this time of social distancing. Pray that a large wave of pro-life/pro-family candidates would be triumphant in their race for local, state and federal offices.

• FOR UNREST ON OUR STREETS: Behind every riot and act of looting, there is a deeper need.  As you watch the news and see the headlines, let us pray for each and every lost soul who desperately needs to experience the healing power of Jesus Christ.  True healing is ultimately in Him.

• FOR THE CHURCH: Pray that we seek God’s face on a daily basis and that we be serious about His call to be salt and light to a lost world, powerfully sharing and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As the early Church “turned the world upside down,” let’s get back to the mission. Please pray that God will draw more and more people to Himself during this time of fear and uncertainty.

• FOR JUDGES AND THE COURTS: Let’s pray that they will seek the wisdom that comes from above rather than any personal or political agendas.

Pray for Families:

• FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS: One silver lining of the COVID-19 lock-down has given us the opportunity to grow closer together as families. Pray that Christian fathers seriously take responsibility to be spiritual leaders of their own home, teaching their children about God and His Word every day, so they will know God’s perfect love and His standards.

• EDUCATION CHOICES: Various news reports tell us that many parents are leaving government schools and instead choosing home schooling and private school options. Please pray for those moms and dads (grandmothers and grandfathers) who are embarking on home education. May God pour out His wisdom, discernment and patience to them. Pray also for our friends at Illinois Christian Home Educators as they assist the influx of new families who are exploring home education to instruct, equip and train their children to thrive as independent and productive adults. Pray that IFI’s homeschooling webinars will reach the right people at the right time.

  Pray for Christian schools across the country who are navigating an influx of new students and how to welcome families new to Christian schooling. Pray for God to protect these schools and families from arbitrary government regulations that are still a risk and for God to prevent obstacles that hamper the growth of school choice for families. Pray also for government leaders to recognize the benefits of educational choice and the constitutional limits of government.

• GRANDPARENTS: That God would inspire and encourage grandparents to be the mortar in the bricks of their children’s families, filling in gaps and helping to cement bricks together. Pray that God would give them a vision for their role in the training of their grandchildren and wisdom on how to instill a Biblical worldview.

• FAMILIES AS SALT AND LIGHT: Pray that God would use your family to spread the truth and light of the Gospel.

Pray for the Sanctity of Life:

• ABORTION: That God would have mercy on those who are considering abortion. Pray that He would convict the hearts of mothers to choose life for their babies. Pray that God would provide a strong and visible support system for these women.

• EVILDOERS: Pray that Planned Parenthood and other abortion organizations would financially fail and be deprived of achieving their objectives to terminate the lives of OUR innocent pre-born neighbors. Pray specifically for the closures of the newest abortion mills in Flossmoor, Fairview Heights and Waukegan. Pray Psalm 34:16, which says “The face of the Lord is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth.” 

• U-TURN: Pray that employees at your local abortion mills would see their work for what it is, have a change of heart and mind, and be converted by faith to God Almighty, the Author of life and Perfecter of faith. Pray that abortion mills cannot fill positions and are forced to shut down.

• PROTECTION: Please pray for protection for Christian medical professionals who are facing conscience challenges in the workplace. Pray for courage for those who find themselves called to take a stand for the sanctity of life. We pray for pro-life and Christian healthcare professionals to be empowered to unite their voices together and effectively stand for religious freedoms across the nation. We also pray for nonprofit, faith-based hospitals that find themselves pressured to provide medical procedures that destroy life and conflict with their faith.

Pray for the Government:

• CORRUPTION: Pray that the federal government’s investigation into political corruption at various levels of government in Illinois would root out self-serving wicked incumbents and government employees.

• LIBERTY: Pray that government officials in every branch of government will not only recognize the God-given liberties identified in the Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence, but that they would work diligently to uphold and protect religious liberty, conscience rights and parental rights.

• FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY: Pray for the political leaders listed below as they continue to make important decisions about how to respond to the COVID-19 health crisis, the lock-down and the resulting economic downturn:
  • U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield)
  • U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro)
  • State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago)
  • State Senator John Curran (R-Lemont)
  • State Senator Kimberly Lightford (D-Chicago)
  • State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris)
  • State Senator Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo)
  • State Representative Keith Wheeler (R-North Aurora)
  • State Representative Tom Demmer (R-Dixon)
  • State Representative Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island)
  • State Representative Fran Hurley (D-Chicago)
  • State Representative Steven Reick (R-Woodstock)
  • State Representative Andre Thapedi (D-Chicago)

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
And He brought them out of their distresses.
He caused the storm to be still,
So that the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad because they were quiet,
So He guided them to their desired haven.
(Psalm 107:28-30)

We take very seriously the trust you place in Illinois Family Institute when you send a gift.
We understand that we are accountable before you and God to honor your trust. 

IFI is supported by voluntary donations from good people like you.

This National Day of Prayer, May 7, 2020, will be like no other. Since its inception in May 1952, under President Harry S. Truman, the day has been observed with large public events. While the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the shutdown of all public events, prayer has never been more essential and this important event will still take place – online.

Pastors from across the state told the Illinois Family Institute how important they feel it is to pray not only on the National Day of Prayer, but every day. Joey Krol, pastor of Galilee Baptist Church in Decatur shared, “One of the effective ways of measuring your spiritual walk is by examining how connected you are in prayer. Jesus said in John 15:5, ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.’”

Krol urged during this pandemic, “Now is the time to be the Church. Now is the time to be on our knees. Now is the time to be a people of prayer. In this time of uncertainty, confusion and fear, let us be so connected to the Vine that when others see us, they will give their hearts to the Prince of Peace.”

Calvin Lindstrom, pastor of Church of Christian Liberty in Arlington Heights, pointed to the power of God. “So often we focus more on how feeble and inarticulate our words are rather than focusing on God’s mighty power,” Lindstrom said. “It is good that we know we have no power in our ourselves. It is good that we are humbled in the face of the problems we are facing. The power of prayer is that God has commanded His people to pray, and that nothing He determines to do can be frustrated.”

This National Day of Prayer comes at a perfect time as our nation faces a crisis like one not seen in generations. Sensing the urgency, Pastor Richard Giovannetti of Standing in the Word Ministries in Morris, told IFI, “With a desperate and hurting nation rapidly bleeding out her freedom, the words, ‘The Effectual Fervent Prayer of the Righteous Man Avails Much’ shout at us with critical urgency… ‘Is There Not A Cause?'”

Further calls for serious prayer came from Myles Holmes, pastor of REVIVE Church in Collinsville. “Seasons of national crisis call for Prophetic Prayer,” Holmes said. “Prophetic Prayer is intercession that calls for the purposes of God to be revealed so that His Kingdom will come and His Will is done. This includes help for His people, but is even more intent for His Glory to be revealed.”

David E. Smith, executive director of IFI, summed up why it is important we pray during this time. “We have a loving and merciful God of compassion who invites our prayers,” said Smith. “His Word tells us repeatedly to turn to Him in the midst of challenges and trials. We are encouraged to take shelter in Him as our refuge and our strength. He is our sure rock in the midst of any storm, the Light that pierces every darkness, and an anchor of hope for those who contend with despair. We should embrace every opportunity to bring our appeals before Him.”

Will Graham, an evangelist for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the grandson of the late Billy Graham, will co-host the live-stream along with the National Day of Prayer Task Force President Kathy Branzell from 7-9 p.m. central time. Guests include Harry Jackson, Nick Hall, Gabrielle Odom, Luis Palau, Michael W. Smith, Rick Warren, and others.

Watch the event online at NationalDayOfPrayer.org or at facebook.com/natlprayer. It will also be broadcast on television via GodTV and DayStar, in addition to radio over the Moody and Bott networks.

NOTE: The Illinois National Day of Prayer and Illinois Prayer Caucus Network have organized a conference call for Thursday at 11 AM – 12:15 PM. The call in number is (978) 990-5001 and the access code is 601577#. (They will be recording the call.)

This year’s theme is “Pray God’s Glory Across the Earth,” which is based on Habakkuk 2:14, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

Subscribe to the IFI YouTube channel
and never miss a video report or special program!

In good news for church going families, a recent study by Harvard University’s School of Public Health found kids raised going to church are happier adults. The study explored the association of the religious involvement of children and teens with their mental health and physical well-being as young adults. The study was published by the American Journal of Epidemiology in December 2018.

Dr. Joey Krol, a Decatur, Ill. pastor and radio host, called the study, “Encouraging, but certainly not surprising. When we gather weekly as the people of God, we hear the truth of His Word. We hear reminders to persevere in our marriage. We hear reminders of how God is still a God of the impossible. We hear reminders that we have a living hope. Naturally, we will have a joy-filled hope that will transform the way we live.”

Among the study’s findings: those who reported attending religious services at least once a week in their youth were 18 percent more likely to say they were happier in their 20s than those who did not attend services. The now-adults were 33 percent were less likely to use drugs and less likely to smoke tobacco or use marijuana. The church goers were also more civic minded with 30 percent more likely to do volunteer work and they showed an increased likelihood of voting.

A Pew Research study published in February 2019 backs up Harvard’s findings about churchgoers. It also found people who regularly attend church services were 36 percent happier than those who don’t.  They smoke less and were more likely to volunteer and be active in community groups.

But it’s not the community activity that brings happiness. Krol stressed the importance of putting Christ at the center of the family. He noted, “You can go to all the ballgames, have the finest cars and live the biggest home and all be well on the outside, but inwardly there is no purpose and there is no genuine joy outside of Jesus Christ.”

Still the community is important and Christian influence is badly needed there. Krol believes it is the Gospel that will bring transformation to the community. “There is no government program that will fix the brokenness in the family and within the community,” he said. “If it could, it would have worked by now. The biblical church has the greatest story ever told. When those who attend church and follow the teachings of Christ go out and serve their community, they do so with having Gospel-centered conversations with those they are serving.”

A Night With Rev. Franklin Graham!
At this year’s annual IFI banquet, our keynote speaker will be none other than Rev. Franklin Graham, President & CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Christian evangelist & missionary. This year’s event will be at the Tinley Park Convention Center on Nov. 1st. You don’t want to miss this special evening!

Learn more HERE.

Written by Dr. Joey Krol

Ever have a conversation with someone about God’s view on a matter, such as homosexuality, abortion or sme-sex “marriage,” and they bring up some wild response from the Old Testament law as a defense?  They say, “What about not eating shellfish?”  Or, “what about wearing mixed fabrics?” They dig up certain passages on restrictions on beard trimming, or keeping your hair at a certain length.  They do this to downgrade the validity of the Scriptures, but also to create doubt on the Word of God.  However, by people making these statements from the Old Testament law within that context actually shows their lack of understanding of the Holy Scriptures.

First, we need to understand the different types of law in the Old Testament.

Ceremonial Law

There were some ceremonial laws that had specific instructions meant to distinguish the Israelites from pagans, to have right-standing with God and to remember His faithfulness to their ancestors.  These instructions included sacrifices of animals, circumcision, honoring the feasts and many others.  These do not apply to the church today because Christ made us in right standing with God. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Civil Law

Second, civil law in the Old Testament dealt with disputes and conflicts between individuals.  It focused on the day-to-day activities of the Jews.  It focused on restitution for crimes committed, practices for justice, how to handle family inheritances and a bunch of other civil matters.  While the culture back then and the culture today are radically different, the principles behind the commands should guide the way we treat one another.  When it comes to civil matters today, Jesus said in Mark 12:30-31, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Moral Law

There is an aspect of Old Testament law that still exists today, the moral law.  The moral law is based on God’s holy nature, which does not change.  It includes Idolatry, human sexuality, loving God, loving your neighbor, sexual sins, etc. The moral law has no expiration because it is based on God’s holiness and character.  Malachi 3:6 says, “For I the Lord do not change.” As believers in Christ, we are not saved by the moral law but by the finished work of the cross. Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  While we’re not saved by keeping the moral law, when we fully follow Christ, we should naturally bear godly fruit.  When we bear godly fruit, we will naturally uphold the moral law.

So go ahead, trim your beard, get a haircut, and enjoy a nice platter of shrimp—and celebrate your freedom in Jesus Christ.

Dr. Joey Krol is the Senior Pastor of Galilee Baptist Church in Decatur, IL and is the author of “Common Misunderstandings about God, Jesus and The Bible.”  Pastor Joey is married to Aubrey and they have two children, Timothy and Hannah.