Additional National Prayer Needs
Pray for our Military
A Pentagon report focused on reversing the consolidation demand states that decades of mergers in the American defense sector have left the U.S. military less well-equipped and needlessly overburdened taxpayers.
The Department of Defense is beginning to emphasize the importance of developing the capability to defend against hypersonic missiles as opposed to the U.S. developing such missiles. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks met with more than a dozen industry leaders to promote the development of hypersonic weaponry and defense systems.
Pray for the military’s leadership and those responsible for making acquisitions of defense materials on behalf of U.S. Armed Forces.
Pray for AMERICA’S FREEDOMS
Some Americans watching the Canadian truckers protest pandemic mandates have decided to follow suit. A nationwide convoy, starting in California before heading toward Washington, is expected to get underway on March 4 amid the growing sentiment that government COVID-19 restrictions threaten individual freedom.
Pray for U.S. governing officials as protests to COVID-19 mandates occur. Pray for safety for the truckers’ convoy, if it takes place.
Pray for AMERICA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
As U.S. and Iran resumed indirect talks intended to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran unveiled a new domestically-made ballistic missile with a 900-mile range, enough to strike Israel and an American base in the region. Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby said, “Frankly, we see their malign activities as much more than messaging… They are destabilizing the region.”
Taliban authorities have detained at least nine foreigners in Kabul, including one American and several British citizens, according to relatives and other people familiar with their situations. This action has increased tensions with the West even as Afghanistan desperately needs international aid. Two British journalists were released last week.
Pray for U.S. and Israeli leaders as they address the growing threats of Iran and its new-found ability to follow through on them.
Pray for AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released draft updated guidelines for prescribing opioids that would give doctors more flexibility as the medical community seeks to find a balance between treating pain and fighting addiction.
A new report from the bipartisan congressional Commission on Combating Systemic Opioid Trafficking said opioid-related drug overdoses are costing the United States $1 trillion every year. “These drugs are destroying lives and harming communities at historic levels,” the report said.
Pray for health officials and physicians as they assess the over-prescription of drugs and the gateway it provides to illicit drug use in the U.S. Pray for families who are dealing with or have lost loved ones to addiction.
Pray for AMERICA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett landed in the Gulf State of Bahrain this week, strengthening ties between the new allies in a clear message of cooperation to counter regional archrival Iran. His meeting comes less than two weeks after the countries signed a defense agreement, and as nuclear talks between world powers and Iran are dragging on in Vienna.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that she is leading a congressional delegation to travel to Israel, Germany, and the United Kingdom this week. The trip will largely focus on “security, economy and governance,” even as troubles expand in Iran, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
Pray for the safety of the American delegation as they travel to the Middle East and Europe.
Pray for AMERICA’S ECONOMY
U.S. inflation accelerated in January as prices across a wide range of goods and services rose further amid lingering shortages and supply chain disruptions. The annualized 7.5 percent increase reported by the Consumer Price Index is the highest growth rate in 40 years, and wage growth is not keeping up.
Consumer debt in the U.S. grew in 2021 by the largest amount in 14 years as people increased borrowing to purchase homes, cars, and other goods that are becoming more expensive. Higher borrowing was also fueled in part by rising prices.
Pray for economic and commerce officials as they evaluate inflation with an eye toward stabilizing or reducing it.
Pray for Justice in America
The Alabama legislature is considering a new bill that would require drunk drivers to pay child support if they cause an accident killing someone who is a parent or legal guardian. The DUI and Child Compensation and Recovery Act would require convicted DUI drivers to pay support until the child is 19, which is the state’s age of majority. If the driver is incarcerated, support would be required to begin within a year of that person’s release, and support amounts would be determined by the child’s financial situation. Alabama is the seventh-worst state for drunk driving deaths.
Pray for the Alabama legislators as they consider this legislation. Pray for families who have lost wage-earners and caregivers to drunk or impaired drivers.
Pray for Goodness in America
A Virginia-based nonprofit known as Mercy Chefs delivered over 43,000 chef-created meals to shelters in Kentucky after tornadoes ripped through that state in December. Across the years nearly 20 million such meals have been delivered to communities affected by natural disasters.
Give thanks for professionals who commit to using their talents to give aid to those in need.
Pray for America’s Media
Members of the Pentagon press corps have written Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and national security adviser Jake Sullivan to request that journalists be embedded with U.S. troops deploying to Eastern Europe. “The public in a democratic society deserves independent media coverage of their sons and daughters in uniform, and that cannot be provided today without first-hand, on-the-ground reporting of troop activities in Europe,” The Pentagon Press Association board of directors wrote.
Former Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard stated via social media, “The Durham investigation has shown that the biggest threat to our democracy is not some foreign country, but rather the Power Elite led by the likes of Hillary Clinton and their co-conspirators in the mainstream media and security state who work to undermine our democracy from within.”
Pray for greater integrity in the media. Pray for the Pentagon chiefs as they determine whether to embed reporters with troops in Eastern Europe.
Pray for America’s Education
Enrollment in Catholic schools in the U.S. rose from the previous academic year, rebounding from the decrease caused by the coronavirus pandemic. It is the first increase in two decades and the largest jump recorded in at least five decades—totaling about 1.68 million students, the Catholic education report said.
The Oregon Department of Education’s state board hosted a working group that declared standardized testing is rooted in white supremacy and has been “weaponized” against students of color. “We need a standardization in order for test results to be comparable, but I do think it’s a question worthy of interrogation,” the director of education said.
Pray for parents who are considering alternative means of education for their children.
Pray for America’s Technology
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is rolling out a new texting feature to allow people to find shelter in weather-related emergencies. People can text the word “shelter” and their zip code to 43362 to obtain a list of nearby shelters during a natural disaster as part of a collaboration with the American Red Cross.
As telecom companies implement the newest generation of mobile service, called 5G, they are shutting down old networks. This costly years-in-the-works process could affect some cellphones and burglar alarms, they warn.
Pray for technology providers and tech security professionals as protections from hacking and malware are developed.
Pray for Needs Across the States
The West Virginia Senate passed legislation that would add restrictions on unemployment benefits, changing the length of time in which a person can collect unemployment. The matter now goes to the House.
A proposed constitutional amendment, known as Proposition 5, is under consideration by the State of Vermont legislature that would guarantee the right to abortion and contraception. If passed, the proposed amendment will go to Governor Phil Scott, who is required to give public notice of the measure before it appears on the ballot in November for a public vote.
Pray for state legislators looking after public health, safety and welfare while balancing their budgets.
