Additional National Prayer Needs
Pray for our Military
The Pentagon recently released its report on China Military Power Report which shows the concerning extent of the growth of the CCP’s nuclear arsenal. The report states that China could gain 1,500 nuclear weapons by 2035, equal to the nuclear arsenal of the U.S.
The Defense Ministry of Estonia stated that the U.S. will deploy additional infantry troops to their countries “in the coming weeks” to boost NATO defenses there. The troops will bring high-mobility artillery rocket systems with them, as well as associated command control systems. The American embassy in that country said U.S. troops are part of NATO’s enhanced deployment.
Pray for the leadership of America’s military serving in the Pentagon.
Pray for AMERICA’S FREEDOMS
Actor Kirk Cameron has published a new children’s book, “As You Grow,” which he says teaches about the fruits of the Holy Spirit in a maturing child. Public libraries, which have programs like the Drag Queen story hour, will not permit him to read it to children in a similar story hour. At least 50 public libraries so far have denied him the opportunity.
Pray for U.S. officials in positions of authority to protect free speech in public spaces, such as libraries.
Pray for AMERICA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
President Vladimir Putin told Russia’s Human Rights Council the risk of a nuclear exchange is rising. “Such a threat is growing; it would be wrong to hide it,” he stated. “We have not gone mad, we are aware of what nuclear weapons are. We aren’t about to run around the world brandishing this weapon like a razor,” he said. However, he did not rule out Russia possibly using nuclear weapons in a first strike.
Japan has explored collaboration with NATO for more than a decade, with regard to promoting security and defense. Recently, Japan participated with NATO at the summit in Madrid. “As the international community stands at a crossroads in history, the participation of NATO’s Asia-Pacific partners, including Japan, in the NATO Summit expresses the realization that the security of Europe and of the Indo-Pacific is inseparable,” Japan’s prime minister said.
Pray for leaders in NATO regarding the possible expansions of the organization and whether a broader alliance including Asia-Pacific nations is generally beneficial.
Pray for AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
As digital healthcare continues to advance in the wake of the expansion of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, some in the field of medical technology are considering blockchain as a method of medical record management.
A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Food and Drug Administration by a coalition of physicians and organizations, including the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The health professionals allege the agency illegally approved chemical abortion drugs, stating such pills should be removed from the market.
Pray for public officials in all branches of government as they impact America’s health care.
Pray for AMERICA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
As the deadline nears for the formation of Israel’s government, outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid has voiced criticism of Benjamin Netanyahu. An important vote for the new Knesset speaker has been pushed back a day due to the threat of a filibuster.
The governments of Israel and the United Arab Emirates have signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement. The agreement will reportedly accelerate a tariff reduction program to enhance renewable energy, food security, and advanced technology.
Pray for unity among Israel’s incoming and outgoing governing officials.
Pray for AMERICA’S ECONOMY
A recent survey shows that almost 70 percent of consumers are having difficulty affording groceries. The CEO of the retail industry technology group, Swiftly, said, “The grocery sector is at a turning point. After massive e-commerce growth throughout the pandemic, we are beginning to see a transition as consumer spending is tested by inflation and a looming recession.”
The rise in wholesale prices was higher than expected in November, up 7.4 percent from 2021. An increase of 37 percent in vegetable wholesale prices has contributed to the food index rising by 3.3 percent, although there was a 3.3 percent decline in energy costs. The numbers have reduced hopes that inflation could be slowing.
Pray for federal, state, and local officials as they try to support Americans’ food security.
Pray for America’s Media
Elon Musk recently released documentation showing the prior Twitter management had blacklisted or shadow-banned some political candidates who did not conform to their preferred ideology. The previous owner had denied this in sworn testimony before Congress.
Pray for U.S. officials as more Twitter files are released about the censorship collaboration between government officials and media heads.
Pray for America’s Education
The staff of the San Francisco Unified School District has received training for at least four years from the University of California, San Francisco’s Benioff Children’s Hospital, on how to respond to transgender students and their parents.
More states are considering legislation that provides families with greater freedom in selecting where and how their children will be educated.
Pray for officials who direct education in each state, and for legislators who are looking to make school choice a reality for parents.
Pray for America’s Technology
Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland recently joined other governors in declaring an emergency cybersecurity directive to ban Tik Tok from state-owned and state-related devices. His directive also included the removal of other Chinese and Russian-influenced products and platforms.
The State of Indiana announced it has filed two lawsuits against Tik Tok. The state claims that the Chinese-owned social media platform is promoting harmful content inappropriate for the ages of users and that it is deceiving consumers about user data security.
Pray for governing officials as they take steps to address security issues surrounding Chinese-owned and influenced technological products in use across America.
Pray for Needs Across the States
Some of the members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas are spearheading a legislative framework to deal with the crisis at the southern border. The policies include addressing illegal immigration by completing the physical border infrastructure and breaking the control over the border that cartels and criminal organizations currently hold.
The Department of Education for the State of Alaska is focusing on career and technical education, called CTE, as a means to help with education losses that their school children experienced during the COVID lockdowns. Officials said that CTE “gives students hands-on opportunities to apply knowledge and skills they learned in a classroom setting, while at the same time addressing labor market needs.”
Pray for officials in state governments as they deal with immigration issues, whether from direct border crossings or through the arrival of migrants in local communities.
Pray for America’s Faith Community
“We are created in the divine image, and thus, God accompanies us throughout all the vicissitudes of life. Our triumphs he participates in, but also our battles are his battles, as well as our difficulties, our fears, and our darkness. … When a person realizes that God is with him, he realizes that he has the most precious and valuable gift imaginable, and thus, as the verse [Psalm 23:4] says, nothing troubles or worries him.” – Rabbi Pinchas Taylor, Founder of the Ark Torah Study and Coaching Program, Plantation, Florida, December 2022
