Though President and Mrs. Bush are enjoying time at their Crawford, TX ranch this week the President is monitoring the violence in the Gaza Strip, working with other leaders to stop the attacks. Here, he is seen speaking on the phone with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. Pray for success in these efforts, and for meaningful times of rest and refreshment for the President and First Lady. Photo courtesy of the White House. | As violence between Hamas and Israel has recently escalated, pray for an end to the attacks, for a cease-fire and for innocent civilians to be protected. Pray also for President Bush, Secretary of State Rice, President Elect Obama and Secretary of State Designee Hillary Clinton as they work together to monitor the situation and to share information. Pray also that food and medical supplies will reach those in need in the region.
Pray for President Bush as on January 7 he hosts a luncheon for President-elect Barack Obama and all living former American presidents including George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Pray for the fulfillment of President Bush’s priority that there be a smooth transition to the next administration, a top priority as his presidency winds down. Pray for God’s presence and blessing on this extraordinary gathering and for President Elect Obama as he meets with these men, that he may gain wisdom and help as he steps up to lead our nation.
Pray for President and Mrs. Bush as they prepare to leave Washington and return to private life in Dallas, TX. Pray for their transition, giving thanks for their tremendous sacrifice and dedication, and pray for great new challenges, friendships and opportunities for them in the next stage of their lives. Pray for health and strength as well.
Pray for President Elect Obama and his family as they begin the home stretch of the transition before the Inauguration on January 20. Pray for each of them to meet God in an intimate and personal way, receiving strength to help them in the days and weeks to come. Pray that the Scriptures will guide the President Elect as he continues to work on his policies, appointments and procedures.
Rep. Rahm Emanuel as he has announced he will step down from his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 2. Pray for him as he steps up to serve President Elect Obama as his Chief of Staff, asking God to powerfully guide him with His wisdom and will. Emanuel’s seat will be filled by a special election in the State of Illinois that will be scheduled by Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Pray for Governors Ritter (CO), Paterson (NJ) and Pataki (NY) and others who will now appoint persons to fill congressional seats vacated by those who have been called to cabinet posts in the Obama administration. Pray for godly wisdom and insight as they seek the best suited individuals for each post. Pray that these appointments will be free of corruption.
Pray for our troops, asking God to fortify each one as they serve. Pray for their safety and protection, for endurance as many are experiencing multiple deployments, and for grace for family members who sacrifice without their loved ones. Pray also for those who have lost loved ones to have God’s holy comfort as the holiday season concludes.
Pray for the success of the financial rescue of the troubled automobile industry, asking for speedy recovery and for help for those families most impacted by recent setbacks.
Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. The LORD has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations.
—The Bible, Psalm 98:1-2 (NIV)
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
—The Bible, Ezekiel 11:19-20 (NIV)
Just days remain until President Elect Obama places his hand on the Bible and vows to uphold and defend the Constitution. This is a crucial time to support him, Vice President Elect Biden and all who are involved in forming the new administration, in prayer. That’s the goal of our unique 77 Days of Prayer initiative.
If you have not yet signed up to receive 77 Days of Prayer for Our New Presdient emails, we urge you to do so now. We also invite you to make the numbers grow by telling a friend about 77 Days of Prayer.
Disney Pulls Out of Narnia Film, Citing Costs
Courtesy of ChurchReport.com
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader could be postponed now that the Disney studio has decided not to help produce or finance the third film in The Chronicles of Narnia series.
With expected costs around $200 million, a Disney spokeswoman cited budgetary considerations.
Ted Baehr, publisher of the Christian Web site Movieguide.org and member of The Presidential Prayer Team Honorary Committee, says there also have been creative differences over the inclusion of faith elements that were prominent in the children's novel. Read more.
Forsyth County, North Carolina, is defending specifically Christian prayer at its board meetings
Courtesy of OneNewsNow.com
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed suit against the county because some of the prayers end with references to Jesus. Mike Johnson of the Alliance Defense Fund tells OneNewsNow the ACLU recently offered to settle the lawsuit, but county officials declined.
Read more.
 Photo courtesy of Cayusa at Flickr. |
Pacem in Terris (Peace On Earth)
--Pope John XXIII, April 11, 1963
"May He banish from the hearts of all men and women whatever might endanger peace.
May He transform them into witnesses of truth, justice and love.
May He enkindle the rulers of peoples so that in addition to their solicitude for the proper welfare of their citizens, they may guarantee and defend the great gift of peace.
May He enkindle the wills of all so that they may overcome the barriers that divide, cherish the bonds of mutual charity, understand others, and pardon those who have done them wrong.
May all peoples of the earth become as brothers and sisters, and may the most longed-for peace blossom forth and reign always among men and women."
Amen.
Prayer is the preface to real purpose, the prologue to God’s power, the prelude to personal peace and the precursor to world evangelism. When the ministry of prayer is elevated, so is every other ministry. Preaching becomes better with prayer. Witnessing becomes more effective with prayer. Government becomes more just with prayer.
—Woodrow Kroll, author and President of Back to the Bible
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The issue of religious freedom was of great interest to Thomas Jefferson. His own deep faith was characterized by inquiry, curiosity and devotion. As the new government was founded, he saw the need to make provision for the diversity of religious expression in the colonies, even as new versions of Christianity were springing up throughout the New World.
Jefferson’s great contribution to our nation’s characteristic freedom of religion was developed initially, not in the First Amendment, but in his Act for Establishing Religious Freedom in the State of Virginia, written in 1779 and passed in 1785.
Here are some excerpts: Read more.
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Encourage your church to pray!
Provide your church with the most current prayer information for the President and our nation.
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See the PPT Church Bulletin insert HERE.
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Pray for President Bush today as he hosts President Elect Obama and former Presidents George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton in an historic gathering at the White House. Pray for President Bush and President Elect Obama as they meet privately before the formal gathering, asking God's guidance for both men in this important conversation. Pray for grace and blessing throughout the luncheon, that each man will both give and recieve what is needed...
Pray also for President Bush as he continues to monitor the conflict in Gaza, asking God for His wisdom and grace as he continues to deal with deals with other leaders, including the King of Saudi Arabia, the King of Jordan, the President of Egypt, the President and Prime Minister of the Palestinian Territories, and the Prime Minister of Israel, seeking to bring an end to the fighting...
Pray for the members of the 111th Congress as they have been sworn in and begin their work, asking God to inspire and move each one to selfless and strong service to those they represent...
Pray for President Elect Obama and his transition team as they partner with President Bush and his team, receiving information on the situation in Gaza. Pray for his preparation to step into leadership in this and countless other situations...
Pray for the situation in the Middle East, where ongoing rocket fire and air strikes between Hamas and Israel have entered their second week. Hundreds there are dead or wounded...
Pray for Malia and Sasha Obama today as they return for their second day at their new school, Sidwell Friends School in Washington--for a positive experience, for good friendships and for grace during this tremendous period of adjustment...
Pray for President Elect Obama as he must now select a new candidate for Secretary of Commerce following Bill Richardson's withdrawal from the nominiation due to a pending legal inquiry...
Pray for the Bush family as they mourn the loss of India, their 18-year-old cat who died Sunday at the White House...
Pray for our troops as they work to safeguard our freedom, giving thanks for their sacrifices on our behalf. A suicide bomber sneaked into a gathering Friday called by the leader of a local tribe in Youssifiyah, Iraq, killing 30 people and wounding 110... | | |
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Don't Miss Out!
Millions plan to be in Washington on January 20 for the Inauguration of President Elect Barack Obama. We invite you to cover this historic event with prayer by participating in PPT's unique Online Prayer Rally on Inauguration Eve. Unite with thousands of dedicated Americans as you bring our new president and his administration before God. Sign up ore learn more HERE.
We have much to rejoice in and much for which to give thanks to God! We invite you to join us in thanking God for His many kindnesses to us in the past year. Thank God that our nation has remained free from attack on our own soil for another year. We thank God for His protection and care over America and her people. Though there is always intelligence indicating possible attacks, we are grateful to God for those who work to uphold our security and safety.
Thank God for the success of the troop surge in Iraq and the drastic reduction of casualties there. While much remains to be accomplished in Iraq, great progress has been made and preparations are in place for the withdrawal of a large number of US troops in the New Year.
Give thanks to God for the tremendous dedication and service of President and Mrs. Bush as they prepare to leave the White House and their highly visible roles of public service. We rejoice in the excellent health they have both enjoyed this year and we give thanks to God for His sustaining and protecting presence with them and members of their family this year.
We thank God for President Bush’s excellent support of the brave men and women of our military throughout his tenure.
We rejoice in the success of the U.S. national elections earlier this year, thanking God for the blessings of democracy.
We praise God for the extraordinary peaceful transfer of power that characterizes our democracy, and we give thanks for the great cooperation by the transition teams of both the Bush and Obama teams.
We praise God for the massive outpouring of prayer during the primaries and general election in November via our Pray the Vote initiative, making the 2008 elections possibly the most prayed-for election in the history of our nation.
We rejoice in the success of Pray the Vote, 40 Days to Pray the Vote and the outpouring support for and involvement in the 77 Days of Prayer for the Next President campaign. We pray for those involved in these vital efforts to remain engaged in daily prayer for the President Elect and members of his administration.
We thank God for the success of President Bush’s PEPFAR initiative that brought unprecedented millions of dollars of help, prevention and relief to those impacted by HIV/AIDS in Africa.
This Emanuel Leutze painting depicts General George Washington crossing the Delaware River in advance of his Christmas night attack on Trenton, NJ. Revolutionary soldiers won the battle and the victory provided a meaningful boost to beleaguered troops. |
This year, as you spend time with those you love, I hope you'll also take time to remember the men and women of our Armed Forces. Every one of them has volunteered to serve our nation. And with their incredible sacrifices, they preserve the peace and freedom that we celebrate during this season.
This tradition of service is as old as our nation itself. In 1776, it looked as if America's first Christmas as an independent nation might also be its last. Read more.
Michelle Obama’s birthday is January 17! We’d like to offer her a wonderful collection of birthday greetings, including words of blessing, Scripture and good wishes from you, the prayer team that has been praying for her and her family for months! Click HERE to record your birthday greeting for Mrs. Obama.
Photo courtesy of the George H. W. Bush Library and Museum. |
Heavenly father, we bow our heads and thank You for Your love. Accept our thanks for the peace that yields this day and the shared faith that makes its continuance likely. Make us strong to do Your work, willing to heed and hear Your will, and write on our hearts these words: 'Use power to help people.' For we are given power not to advance our own purposes, nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power and it is to serve people. Help us to remember it, Lord. Amen.
—George Herbert Walker Bush, January 20, 1989
I am the New Year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time. I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months. All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination. All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.
All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose. I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."
Download your free January 2009 PPT Prayer Calendar. Use this helpful resource to remember to pray for the Inauguration and the Obama family as they move in to the White House. Click HERE to download the calendar now.
This U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class gets an enthusiastic greeting from his young son during homecoming celebrations for the amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver to Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan. Pray for all families that are experiencing separation or hardship this Christmas due to the military service of a loved one. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy. |
Tyler signed up to be a Marine, leaving August ‘09 for boot camp. He finishes high school this spring. Please pray that this upcoming year will be one in which God prepares him physically, emotionally and, most importantly, spiritually, for what awaits him in his life. Please pray for some great Christian Marines to enter his life. Thank you.
Thomas has been discharged and has been home from missions for three months. He is getting married in a few days. He met a young woman from California while in Ireland. They still plan to continue in missions in the future. I ask God to be with them as a couple and in their plans for the future. Thank you for your years of prayer for my son. May God bless you and your families.
Tom is currently home on leave and it is bitter-sweet having him home, knowing that he will be deployed again. Please continue to pray for his immediate salvation. GOD BLESS all our military and keep them safe.
JP will be going to Iraq--third time--and last, God willing. Please bring him back safe. He has two small children and a loving wife, my daughter Angela.
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