July 23rd – July 29th, 2020
PRAY FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS ADMINISTRATION
President Donald Trump has resumed the White House coronavirus briefings following widespread surges of the virus across the American South and West. He had discontinued the public briefings two months ago.
Attorney General William Barr accused Hollywood of working to serve China, highlighting the film industry’s hypocrisy over ideals of social justice and noting that Hollywood censors its own movies to appease the Chinese Communist Party.
Pray for President Trump to have wisdom in dealing with domestic issues while also working on relationships with other nations.
PRAY FOR OUR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS
Representative Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and other lawmakers are calling for international support of the pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, saying it is time to designate Hong Kong as a free, “separate nation.”
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California introduced legislation to prevent state and local entities that do not protect monuments from receiving certain federal grants. He was joined by Representatives Jim Jordan of Ohio and Sam Graves of Missouri.
Pray that our legislators would find consensus on important issues even during this challenging election year.
PRAY FOR OUR JUDICIARY
The federal appeals court in Washington overturned a policy that made it harder for people fleeing persecution to receive asylum, saying the government could not make it a requirement for them to demonstrate they are fleeing harmful circumstances.
The Supreme Court left in place a lower court’s order that effectively halts voter registration of former felons in Florida who cannot afford to pay fines or fees mandated by state law, leaving their voting rights in legal limbo.
Pray for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as she continues to receive treatments for liver cancer.
CURRENT EVENTS
WARS AND TERRORISM
In a move meant to tighten control over its military and political arms, the Taliban put a fiercely uncompromising person as head of its military and added members of the insurgent group to its negotiating team, all ahead of talks with the Afghan government.
The Pentagon accused Russian mercenaries in Libya of planting land mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in and around Tripoli, the war-torn nation’s capital, saying it is verified by photographic evidence.
Pray for the protection of American troops who remain in Afghanistan following the closures of five bases there.
FOREIGN INTERESTS AND CONFLICTS
The CIA, using new powers and authorization from the president, carried out aggressive covert cyber operations against nations including Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia, a newly-released report says.
China vowed retaliatory action against the U.S. after President Trump ordered an end to Hong Kong’s special status under U.S. law in response to what he called “oppressive actions” by China against the former British colony with the institution of its new “security” law.
Pray about the increase in tensions between the United States and China, and for a return of denuclearization talks with North Korea.
ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST
A ban on foreign visitors entering Israel has been extended to September 1 due to the recent surge in virus infections in Israel, and almost all travel out of the country has been shut down also.
In an effort to contain the coronavirus, Israeli officials announced sweeping new restrictions, including who can use gyms and which businesses can stay open on weekends. Beaches will also be closed on weekends.
Pray for Israel’s political and public health leaders as they work to combat the coronavirus there.
THE ECONOMY
Retail sales increased 7.5 percent in June, coming on the heels of sales skyrocketing by 18 percent in May when states began reopening their economies. Economists had projected a 5.2 percent increase for June.
Manufacturing in America increased in June by 5.4 percent for the second straight month, a sign of economic recovery in the weeks before the recent surge in coronavirus cases.
Pray about the impact of the coronavirus on the America economic strength and individual budgets.
ACROSS THE STATES
A pro-police rally in Omaha, Nebraska, found themselves flanked by members of the “Proud Boys,” a group of protesters which a civil rights organization has labeled as a hate group. “The less we pay attention to them, the better,” said Omaha’s Mayor Hal Daub.
All South Carolina public schools must be open five days a week, Governor Henry McMaster said. Districts could delay the start of the year until early September to make that happen, he said.
Pray for city mayors and state governors dealing with extended protests and the activities of anarchists.
VERSE OF THE WEEK
Put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. – James 1:21
