Additional National Prayer Needs
Pray for America’s Military
The Army has not received much of a response to the offer of the opportunity for soldiers who were relieved of duty to return to service. One former Green Beret who had requested an exemption from inoculation on religious grounds called the letter “out-of-touch,“ and said, “It was frustrating. It was insulting.”
Pray for U.S. military branch officials and recruiters as they struggle to staff America’s Armed Forces branches.
PRAY FOR AN END TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has conceded that their counteroffensive has failed, but he insists that it is not a reason to surrender to Russia. “There is not enough power to achieve the desired results faster. But this does not mean that we should give up, that we have to surrender,” he said. “We are confident in our actions. We fight for what is ours.”
Pray for wisdom for U.S. and allied officials involved in diplomatic discussions for a resolution amid deteriorating conditions in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Pray for AMERICA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
Russia wants the “Big Five” nuclear power nations (Russia, U.S., China, France, and the UK) to meet in 2024. Russia previously announced its plans to withdraw its ratification from the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. No agenda for the meeting has been publicly announced.
Pray for the president and his administration as they consider the invitation to nuclear talks.
Pray for AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
The CDC released a report on drug overdose deaths in all 50 states and the District of Columbia through June 2023. As the trend of drug use rises, so does the rate of overdose deaths. A licensed actuary and a Ph.D. mathematician calculated that, if drug use continues at its current rate in America, 1 in 39 people will die of an overdose. Studies show that 92 percent of fatal drug overdoses are accidental, and 84 percent involve illicit drugs like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and meth.
Pray for Americans, particularly youth and adolescents, to turn to the Lord for purpose and meaning in their lives.
Pray for AMERICA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
Israel’s military leaders acknowledged it is expanding its activities in the southern portion of the Gaza Strip after negotiations with Hamas for the return of additional hostages failed and Hamas conducted attacks in Jerusalem. Israel said their actions “will be no less powerful” than those they conducted in the northern portion of Gaza.
Pray for the release of those individuals being held hostage by Hamas.
Pray for AMERICA’S ECONOMY
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that fast food prices have increased at least 6.2 percent over the past year, with McDonalds’ pricing reportedly jumping 10 percent. While nearly 50 million Americans eat fast food every day, experts say restaurants, whether fast food or others, will not be able to sustain low prices as labor and food costs continue to rise.
Pray for governing officials and industry heads as they assess increases in minimum wage for fast food workers and the impact it will have on customers.
Pray for Goodness in America
Actor and the author of children’s books, Kirk Cameron, is challenging Scholastic, the largest publisher of children’s textbooks, with his own alternative book fair. He said, “We’ve decided to go after the head of the snake and find out who is filling libraries and schools with sexually explicit and gender-confusing material. The head of the snake, the dealer of all this, is Scholastic Books… we are offering an alternative… and encouraging schools through parents and school boards to get rid of Scholastic Books.”
Pray for Mr. Cameron, his Christian publisher, BRAVE Books, and others looking to protect children from inappropriate materials in their schools.
Pray for Needs Across the States
A Salt Lake City, Utah, justice court filed charges against seven members of a student group, charging them with misdemeanors and infractions for disrupting the operation of a school, disorderly conduct, and interference with a police officer. The group had stormed an event held by a conservative club on campus that was critical of the transgender community.
Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in Wisconsin that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana for adults. The legislation would permit possession of up to 14 grams for adults, making simple possession no longer subject to imprisonment.
Pray for legislators as they consider and pass laws that will have an impact on America’s youth.
Pray for America’s Faith Community
“Living boldly in a secular culture means living out the teachings of Jesus, even when they clash with societal norms. It means showing love and compassion to those around us, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds. It means being unashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).“ – Pastor Greg Laurie, Harvest Church, California, November 2023
