Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Day 3: Election Prayer Focus Vermont


Vermont - The Green Mountain State
Vermont has a population of 608,827, ranking 49th of all fifty states (surpassing only Wyoming). The only New England state with no coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, Vermont is notable for the Green Mountains running north to south and Lake Champlain which makes up 50% of Vermont's western border. For many years, the surrounding colonies disputed control of Vermont, especially New Hampshire and New York. Settlers who held land titles granted by these colonies were opposed by the Green Mountain Boys militia, which eventually prevailed in creating an independent state, the Vermont Republic, which was founded during the Revolutionary War and lasted for 14 years. In 1791, Vermont joined the United States as the fourteenth state.
The state is noted for its scenery and dairy products. It is the leading producer of maple syrup in the United States. The state capital is Montpelier, and the largest city and metropolitan area is Burlington. No other state has a largest city as small as Burlington. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermont)


Religion
In colonial times, like many of its neighboring states, Vermont's largest religious affiliation was Congregationalism. In 1776, 63% of affiliated church members in Vermont were Congregationalists. At that time, however, only 9% of people belonged to a specific church due to the remoteness of population centers. The Congregational United Church of Christ remains the largest Protestant denomination and Vermont has the largest percentage of this denomination of any state.
Today more than two-thirds of Vermont residents identify themselves as Christians. This number includes a body of Christian Lebanese stoneworkers. The largest single religious body in the state is the Roman Catholic Church. A Catholic Church survey in 1990 reported that 25% of Vermonters were members of the Catholic Church, although more than that self-identify as Catholics.
Twenty-four percent of Vermonters attend church regularly. This low is matched only by New Hampshire.
Over one-fifth of Vermonters identify themselves as non-religious, tying Vermont with Oregon as having the second-highest percentage of non-religious people in the United States. Only Washington State has a higher percentage. A survey suggests that people in Vermont and New Hampshire are less likely to attend weekly services and are less likely to believe in God (54%) than people in the rest of the nation (71%). The two states are at the lowest levels among states in religious commitment. About 23% percent of the respondents attend religious service at least once a week (39% nationally). Thirty-six percent said religion is very important to them (56% nationally).
Almost one-third of Vermonters are self-identified Protestants. Only 1% of the population of Vermont is evangelical Christian.
Vermont may have the highest concentration of western-convert Buddhists in the country. It is home to several Buddhist retreat centers. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermont)


Vermont Leaders

Governor Jim Douglas (R)

Senator Patrick J. Leahy (D)

Senator Bernard Sanders (I)

Representative Peter Welch (D)


Prayer Points

* Leaders of Vermont

* For the people of Vermont to vote, especially Christians

* For an accurate counting of the vote

* For the protection and safety of the people of Vermont

* For the protection and safety of the Vermont National Guard and military personnel

* For revival in the state of Vermont

* For strategies for those in ministry to reach the lost

* For Christian media to expand in the state

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