November 26th – December 2nd, 2020
PRAY FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS ADMINISTRATION
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued a proposed new rule that would prohibit big banks from dropping fossil fuel companies, saying they must allow fair access for banking services to all companies.
The State Department will ban funding for any organization it determines participates in the global boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, labeling such activity anti-Semitic.
Pray for administration officials as they work on financial matters on both the national and international scale.
PRAY FOR OUR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are considering an infrastructure bill in 2021 as a way to both stimulate the economy recovering from the coronavirus pandemic and address an infrastructure system that experts say is deficient.
Senator Rand Paul vowed to do everything in his power to fight back against another possible coronavirus lockdown and continued mandated mask-wearing, saying “We can’t go on like this forever.”
Pray about the Senate run-off elections in Georgia which could determine the balance of power in the Senate.
PRAY FOR OUR JUDICIARY
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a bid by Walmart Inc. to start selling liquor at its Texas stores, leaving intact, for now, a state law that bars alcohol sales by publicly-owned companies; 98 percent of alcohol-selling businesses in Texas are wholly owned by Texans.
Bans on controversial gay and transgender conversion therapy treatments on children violate the First Amendment, judges in the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a 2-1 decision, who said that so long as it is only “talk therapy,” it is protected under freedom of speech.
Pray for the Supreme Court Justices as cases regarding the 2020 presidential election make their way to the high bench.
CURRENT EVENTS
WARS AND TERRORISM
America’s NATO allies are expressing dismay at President Trump’s decision to draw down American troops from Afghanistan and undercut the mission goal of preventing a return of al Qaeda, a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander said.
CENTCOM Commander Gen. Frank McKenzie said there is no military means of solving the problem of Mideast refugees and internally displaced persons while ISIS is not fully defeated in Iraq and Syria.
Pray for the president’s move to draw down troops and for the men and women who will remain in the Mideast.
FOREIGN INTERESTS AND CONFLICTS
Trump Administration officials say they are looking to establish an informal alliance of Western nations to jointly retaliate when China uses its trading power to coerce other nations, sparked by China’s economic pressure on Australia.
Religious persecution of Christians in Nigeria is teetering on genocide at the hands of Muslim extremists, religious group leaders and foreign policy analysts caution in a desperate bid for the international community to take urgent action.
Pray for the coalitions of nations required to stand together against corruption and genocide.
ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST
Israel and the Palestinian Authority confirmed they are set to renew their diplomatic relationship after relations were suspended in May when Israel announced a plan to annex portions of the West Bank.
Israeli Defense Forces carried out airstrikes on Iranian and Syrian targets in Syria in response to improvised explosive devices found on the border in the Golan Heights. They hit Iran’s Quds Force and Syria’s army military compounds, warehouses, and missile batteries.
Pray for wisdom for Israel’s leadership in establishing more peace relations with their neighbors.
THE ECONOMY
Polarization in the U.S. is reaching the retail world, with three-quarters of customers now saying they plan to shop at businesses whose values line up with their own, including local businesses owned by minorities and women, a new Mastercard study shows.
Homebuilding in the U.S. increased more than expected in October, with building permits at a 13-1/2 year high. The housing market continues to be driven by record-low mortgage rates, but questions remain as to how long it can continue under the coronavirus conditions.
Pray that the advancements of coronavirus treatments and vaccines will enable the economy to return to a more normal state soon.
ACROSS THE STATES
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has drafted legislation that would make computer science courses a requirement for high school graduation and each high school to employ at least one certified computer science teacher.
The Minnesota state system of public universities and community colleges is asking the legislature for a $120 million increase to its two-year budget to help offset losses they have incurred from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pray for state officials attempting to balance between the need for additional funding and new educational requirements.
VERSE OF THE WEEK
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. – Psalm 119:114
