Additional National Prayer Needs
Pray for our Military
General Frank McKenzie, Commander of CENTCOM, acknowledged that even though the “vast majority” of Americans in Afghanistan were evacuated, some were in fact left behind. He said the numbers were probably in the low hundreds but could not say with certainty. He stated that staying another 10 days would not have changed anything. “There’s a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure,” he said as reports came from the Pentagon that the last military plane had left Kabul airport.
The Pentagon has completed a significant portion of its review of nearly 40 defense-related advisory committees. The oversight boards had been suspended back in February by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in order to conduct a “zero-based review,” leaving various defense apparatuses without that oversight for more than six months.
Pray for America’s military leadership as they answer many inquiries from Congress and others about the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Pray for AMERICA’S FREEDOMS
Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the CDC is launching an investigation into firearms violence. “This is one of the leading killers of our young people in this country. She said it is a high priority as a public health measure. She added she wants the CDC to find common ground with gun owners. “Let’s agree, we don’t want people to die. Let’s just agree there. … This is not a conversation about having them or not having them. This is a conversation about how we can make them being here safe,” she said, inviting gun owners to be part of the solution.
Pray for U.S. officials as continued infringements to freedom are considered for the causes of health or safety.
Pray for AMERICA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
In a telephone call with Secretary of State Blinken, the Chinese minister of foreign affairs has reportedly called for the world to “positively guide” the Taliban in their newly acquired role leading the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. According to China’s foreign ministry webpage, their minister said, “While respecting the sovereignty of Afghanistan, the U.S. should take concrete action to help Afghanistan fight terrorism and stop violence, rather than playing double standards or fighting terrorism selectively.”
The U.S. Navy issued a statement saying that the USS Kidd, a guided-missile destroyer, accompanied by a Coast Guard cutter Munro, transitted “through international waters in accordance with international law” passing through the Taiwan Strait in a demonstration of U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.” The statement said, “The United States military flies, sails, and operates anywhere international law allows.”
Pray for U.S. diplomatic and military personnel as they maintain America’s foreign relationships in the wake of the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Pray For AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
The Education Department said it launched an investigation into five states that banned mask mandates in schools. In letters to education leaders in Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah, the department’s Office for Civil Rights said the bans could discriminate against students with disabilities or underlying medical conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised universal mask-mandating in classrooms.
A nationwide shortage of nurses and healthcare workers may soon worsen as thousands of medical staff are losing their jobs by refusing to follow COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Resultant terminations and job walk-offs could be devastating to many communities, nurses warn.
Pray for America’s continued recovery from the COVID-19 virus and its variants. Pray for those on either side of the divide between mandates and liberties.
Pray for AMERICA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett that diplomacy was the first option, but that he would consider other options if his effort to revive the Iran nuclear deal fails. He made his comments as the two sat down for their first face-to-face meeting at the White House.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Israel and the U.S. had restored intelligence ties and were working to develop a “Plan B” if the stalled talks between Washington and Tehran regarding a fresh Iran nuclear deal are not renewed.
Pray for leaders in Israel as they take steps to protect their nation from Iran’s intent to destroy them.
Pray for AMERICA’S ECONOMY
The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, called the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, sharply increased in the 12 months through July to levels not seen in 30 years. The Commerce Department said the core PCE price rose 3.6 percent over the year.
The Census Bureau reported that new home sales increased in July while prices climbed to another record high. Sales of new single-family homes had an average sale price of $415,000. Demand continues to be strong.
Pray for federal economists and advisors as inflation continues to rise. Pray for American families feeling the pressure of the cost increases.
Pray for Justice in America
Six of Robert F. Kennedy’s 11 children have vowed “to challenge every step of the way” the California parole board’s vote to release their father’s assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, from prison. “We are devastated that the man who murdered our father has been recommended for parole,” they wrote in a statement. “He took our father from our family and he took him from America… We are in disbelief that this man would be recommended for release.” The parole board will review the recommendation over the next 90 days before it is sent to Governor Gavin Newsom, who then has 30 days to decide whether or not to grant it. Kennedy, a presidential candidate at the time, was killed in June 1968.
Pray for parole boards across the nation who consider the release of convicted killers and for the families who continue to experience their loss.
Pray for Goodness in America
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol conducted and led a large-scale human trafficking operating sting resulting in 102 arrests and the rescue of 47 victims. “Operation United Front” is believed to be the first state attorney general-led multi-state operation of its kind.
Pray with thanksgiving for the government agencies working together to stop criminal activities. Pray for the rescued trafficking survivors and their recovery.
Pray for America’s Education
Thousands of teachers gathered in more than 116 cities across the U.S. as part of a nationwide “teach truth” protest against anti-critical race theory legislation being proposed by state legislators. The “Days of Action” protest ran from August 27 to 29 and is part of the Teach Truth pledge that has been signed by more than 6,000 teachers. In part the pledge states, “We, the undersigned educators, refuse to lie to young people about U.S. history and current events.”
Pray for teachers, educators, parents, and students as the approach to the teaching of the nation’s history is debated.
Pray for America’s Technology
A coalition of tech advocacy and human rights groups is urging TikTok to monitor and prohibit the spread of hate speech and extremism after a recent report detailed the reach of such content on its platform. They have asked the platform to take “substantive action.” They stated that online hate has translated offline violence “often with deadly consequences. … For some populations around the world, this is a matter of life and death.”
In a summit between President Biden and leaders of many in the tech industry, the president urged the private sector to join with the administration in tackling cybersecurity challenges.
Pray for wisdom for officials and leaders in the technology world and their responsibility to society.
Pray for Needs Across the States
The new Texas voting bill is poised to become law. The legislation sets new rules for voting by mail, enhancing the role of poll watchers, and curbing local initiatives to expand voting access in other areas. The law will go into effect three months after the special legislative session, kicking in before the 2022 primaries.
New York’s new governor, Kathy Hochul, made a break with her incoming lieutenant governor, State Senator Brian Benjamin, rejecting the “defund the police” movement he has embraced. “In the Hochul administration, public safety and justice and accountability in policing are not mutually exclusive,” her press secretary said.
Pray for state legislatures and agencies as they face divisions that exist over basic policies.
Pray for America’s Faith Community
“Ultimately, all prayer is for the glory of God. The best answer He can give to any prayer is whatever answer brings Him the most glory. … And when He does [answer], your proper response, like Abraham’s, should be to worship. This is what’s meant by glorifying God—valuing and honoring by your thanks and praise the attribute He’s just shown you and revealed about Himself. … That leads to a second kind of response: telling others what God has done.“ – Stephen and Alex Kendrick, The Battle Plan for Prayer, 2015
