October 15th – October 21st, 2020
PRAY FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS ADMINISTRATION
President Trump and Russian President Putin have agreed in principle to continue freezing their nuclear warhead stockpiles in a bid to salvage their last remaining arms control pact before it expires next year.
Larry Kudlow, the president’s economic adviser, said the economy remains in “a strong rebound” even as Americans learn to “deal with” the coronavirus. He continues to argue in favor of a new stimulus with “focused protections.”
Pray for President Trump, his Cabinet, and team as they continue pursuing peaceful global relationships.
PRAY FOR OUR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS
Senator Rick Scott of Florida urged the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to pass a resolution calling on the International Olympic Committee to remove the 2022 games from China, citing “gross human rights violations” against Uyghur Muslims.
A bill that has received widespread support in both the House and Senate, that awaits a Senate floor vote, would allow airport construction projects funded by the Federal Airport Improvement Program to use incentive payments to ensure timely completion of construction jobs.
Pray for members of the Senate as they complete committee hearings on the Supreme Court nominee and then take a floor vote.
PRAY FOR OUR JUDICIARY
The Supreme Court declined to act on a Trump Administration request to reinstate a rule mandating that abortion-inducing drugs be taken in the presence of a doctor, which continues to allow pills to be ordered online and received in the mail.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the president’s administration can end the 2020 census on October 15, two weeks earlier than the October 31 date announced in the spring.
Pray for courts across the nation who continue dealing with matters centered on the 2020 election.
CURRENT EVENTS
WARS AND TERRORISM
U.S. troops should withdraw from Afghanistan by Christmas, President Trump stated recently. His national security adviser added, “The Afghans themselves are going to have to work out an accord, a peace agreement… We think Americans need to come home.”
Iran-backed Iraqi militia groups have suspended rocket attacks on U.S. forces on condition that Iraq’s government presents a timetable for the withdrawal of American troops, according to a spokesman for Kataib Hezbollah.
Pray for U.S. troops remaining in Afghanistan, Africa, and the Middle East to be kept safe and healthy.
FOREIGN INTERESTS AND CONFLICTS
A Chinese military spokesperson demanded the U.S. halt naval actions deemed to be provocative after the U.S. destroyer John McCain entered waters around the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea without China’s permission.
Turkey has “activated” a Russian-made S-400 anti-aircraft defense system to track F-16 fighter jets flown by several other NATO members. Some U.S. lawmakers say that in doing so, some of the codes and NATO technology have been betrayed into the hands of the Russians.
Pray for government officials dealings with new aggressions and expansive actions undertaken by China, including those against India.
ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST
Saudi Arabia is showing signs of edging towards a historic peace deal with Israel, similar to the ones signed with the UAE and Bahrain with “low level” discussions being carried on with Washington.
Multiple fires broke out in numerous areas across Israel, with thousands of residents forced to evacuate their homes. Israeli security officials raised concerns that some located in the West Bank were the result of deliberate arson by Palestinian individuals.
Pray for Israel’s security. Pray for those continuing to broker peace deals between Israel and additional Arab nations.
THE ECONOMY
America has seen a surge in startup businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 97,190 business applications for the week ending September 19, a 41.5 percent increase over a year ago, as people look for new ways to stay economically sound.
Commercial property foreclosures are poised to increase as coronavirus lingers and more lenders go after malls, hotels, and apartment buildings while forbearance periods expire.
Pray for individual citizens as the U.S. economy continues its rebound from the pandemic, and for successes for new startup businesses.
ACROSS THE STATES
An appeals court issued a temporary stay on a ruling by a federal judge who blocked Texas from limiting voters to one ballot drop-off site per county which would force people to travel long distances to cast ballots.
A Delaware judge rejected a request to override state election law and allow absentee and mail-in ballots received after the state-mandated deadline in November’s election to be counted.
Pray for the security and integrity of all state elections, and for state election boards administering them.
VERSE OF THE WEEK
I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. – Isaiah 43:11
