May 7th – May 13th, 2020
PRAY FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS ADMINISTRATION
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said bipartisan discussions are underway over whether more government relief funding is needed, amid the coronavirus outbreak, but that President Trump is focused on taxes and travel.
Larry Kudlow, the president’s top economic adviser, said that China would be held accountable for the coronavirus outbreak, and that the U.S. is joined by others in the Group of Seven concerned about the Chinese government’s lack of transparency on the virus.
Pray for President Trump and his economic team as they focus on opening America back up to business
PRAY FOR OUR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS
After acting swiftly to approve $3.5 trillion, lawmakers are now disagreeing on how much more is needed as stimulus spending emerges as the largest friction point in Congress and whether pulling back on funding too soon could stunt a recovery.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California said he disagrees with the decision of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to reject the Trump Administration’s offer to provide rapid coronavirus testing of Congress and staff so they may safely return to work.
Pray for members of the Senate now back in session, and for members of the House still out on recess.
PRAY FOR OUR JUDICIARY
The Supreme Court held arguments in a case by teleconference for the first time, breaking tradition due to the coronavirus pandemic, with everything going smoothly, and even typically-silent Justice Clarence Thomas asking questions as the justices spoke in rotation based on seniority.
A federal district judge is expected to rule soon on whether payday lenders can tap Paycheck Protection Program loans disbursed by the Small Business Administration under the $2.2 trillion pandemic relief bill.
Pray for the nation’s courts, all feeling the impact personally and through caseloads of the coronavirus.
CURRENT EVENTS
WARS AND TERRORISM
The U.S. military in Afghanistan warned the Taliban against continuing violence and to “return to the political path” saying that further attacks would lead to “responses.”
A suicide bomber targeted a base on the outskirts of Kabul that belongs to Afghan special operations forces, killing at least three civilians and wounding 15. The Taliban is thought to be responsible.
Pray that a true sharing in the governance of Afghanistan will be reached and that it will quiet the attacks.
FOREIGN INTERESTS AND CONFLICTS
The satellite launch conducted by Iran within the last weeks reveals gains that nation has made in its military missile fueling development, essential for intercontinental ballistic missiles, U.S. experts say.
Russia’s presence in Libya is now considered more dangerous than ISIS, according to the U.S. Africa Command, where Russia is banking on the rebel leader controlling the nation’s oil output.
Pray about the influence being proffered by both Russia and China toward other nations of the world.
ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST
Israel’s high court has begun hearings on the question of whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can form a new government while still facing criminal indictments. The decision, expected soon, could shape Netanyahu’s future.
Israel has given the green light to a new evangelical television channel that will be broadcasting “the Gospel of Jesus Christ” in Hebrew, although engaging in “missionary activities” is prohibited.
Pray for the impartiality of Israel’s Supreme Court justices and the decisions they must make concerning the Prime Minister.
THE ECONOMY
Economists are already calling into doubt Christmas spending for this year. A downturn in consumer psychology could boost a savings rather than a spending rate, and the risk of a fall virus outbreak hangs over everything.
About 7.3 percent of American mortgages entered forbearance plans in April, providing temporary relief to more than 3.6 million borrowers who have lost income during the coronavirus pandemic and are unable to make mortgage payments.
Pray for Americans out of work and unable to keep up with their mortgage, rent, or other indebtedness.
ACROSS THE STATES
Utah has launched a program called “A Mask for Every Utahan” intended to ensure all residents have facemasks. Two million masks have been provided so far, as part of a program established with funding under the federal stimulus measure enacted last month.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced that all public and private schools in the state will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. He called it a difficult decision, based on science not emotion.
Pray for families being called back to work but who are unable to find childcare because care and school facilities remain closed.
VERSE OF THE WEEK
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. – 1 John 5:4
