July 30th – August 5th, 2020
PRAY FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS ADMINISTRATION
Larry Kudlow, White House economic adviser, said eviction moratoriums will be extended due to the continued economic circumstances brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, protecting more than 12 million rental units across the country.
America needs to be prepared for the upcoming flu season as the COVID virus continues, and the FDA is evaluating different tests that can test for flu and COVID at the same time, said Dr. Stephen Hahn, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner.
Pray for President Trump and others in the Administration dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the economy.
PRAY FOR OUR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS
Several of the most politically vulnerable majority Senate members are urging Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to include clean energy provisions in the next coronavirus economic recovery package.
Senator Marco Rubio of Florida described the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas, which was forced to close, as the “central node of a massive spy operation,” saying it was “basically a front” for engaging in “commercial espionage, defense espionage, also influence agents to try to influence Congress.”
Pray for Congress as they work to pass the next coronavirus relief package before they take their August recess.
PRAY FOR OUR JUDICIARY
A federal judge in Portland, Oregon, barred federal officers from dispersing, arresting, threatening to arrest, or using force against journalists or legal observers at the “peaceful demonstrations” and demanded they immediately stop detaining protesters without probable cause.
A judge in the King County, Washington, Superior Court ordered Seattle news organizations to turn over unpublished photos and video footage of riots in the city to Seattle police, calling them critical to investigations of arson and theft.
Pray for judges and magistrates across the nation who deal with the fallout from ongoing demonstrations.
CURRENT EVENTS
WARS AND TERRORISM
A U.S. F-15 conducted a “standard visual inspection” of an Iranian passenger jet over Syria, reigniting tensions between the U.S. and Iran that have been simmering since the death of General Solemani in Baghdad in January.
A group of aid workers from two international organizations and a private security guard were killed by terrorists in northeast Nigeria. The aid workers were believed kidnapped by Islamist militants last month.
Pray about the increase in tensions between the United States, Iran, Syria, Lebanon and other Middle East nations.
FOREIGN INTERESTS AND CONFLICTS
More than 40 nations believe North Korea has illicitly breached a United Nations cap on refined petroleum imports and have called for an immediate halt to deliveries until the end of the year.
The U.S. Space Command has evidence that Russia conducted a non-destructive test of a space-based anti-satellite weapon in mid-July in the first evidence of Russia’s continuing efforts to develop and test space-based systems.
Pray for American diplomats as they work to overcome the challenging actions of Russia, China and North Korea.
ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST
Hezbollah carried out an operation against the Israeli military near the Lebanese-Israeli frontier, days after a member of the Iranian-backed Shiite group was killed in an alleged Israeli attack in Syria, Lebanese sources report.
Thousands of protesters gathered outside the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, calling for his resignation, citing corruption and his handling of the coronavirus pandemic as the reasons for their outrage.
Pray for Israel’s political and military leaders to seek God for divine wisdom, courage, and strength.
THE ECONOMY
Filings for weekly unemployment benefits rose last week for the first time in nearly four months, as some states rolled back re-openings because of the coronavirus pandemic, a sign the jobs recovery could be faltering.
In June, home sales increased in the U.S. by the most on record, boosted by historically low mortgage rates, yet the outlook for the housing market is still clouded by low inventory and high unemployment amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pray for economic recovery and stability during the pandemic.
ACROSS THE STATES
A statue of Robert E. Lee was removed from the Virginia statehouse and a school name as courts weigh in on the future of the statue. The school’s new name will be the John Lewis high school, in honor of the recently-deceased civil rights leader.
The Missouri Department of Conservation wants to remind people to “be bear aware” after the number of black bears has increased significantly and they are “on the move” in the Ozark Mountains.
Pray for state governors and legislators dealing with cultural divisions and conflicts.
VERSE OF THE WEEK
The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! – Psalm 113:4
