Additional National Prayer Needs
Pray for our Military
Top military commanders are encouraging administration intelligence leaders to expose the depth of China and Russia’s “pernicious conduct,” calling for a declassification of intelligence. The group of 4-star generals made the request as America’s allies are allegedly being fed disinformation by the top rivals of the U.S. Officials are concerned that the U.S. is falling behind in a veritable public relations “world war.“
If confirmed, the president’s nominee for Air Force Secretary, Frank Kendall, the Pentagon’s former top military purchasing officer, would inherit overbudget and behind-schedule weapons programs that he said are in “dire shape despite years of big spending.” His first mission would be convincing Congress that the Air Force needs a larger share of the defense budget in order to bring it more up to date.
Pray for members of the Pentagon appearing before Appropriations Committees and for Congress as they consider budget increases.
Pray for AMERICA’S FREEDOMS
The publication of books has become a battleground for free speech. Some publishers have canceled the publishing of books on topics or by authors that are considered controversial. Employees at Simon & Schuster filed a petition demanding that the publisher cut ties with authors associated with President Trump’s administration. Former Vice President Mike Pence has been named in the petition as someone the signatories believe the publisher should not work with. Some major publishers suggest self-publishing as an alternative.
Pray for God to be at work in the decisions of publishers as they try to determine which authors and which books to publish going forward.
Pray for AMERICA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
The United Nations humanitarian office said that about 56,000 ethnic Karen villagers in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) have been displaced by conflict this year, while thousands of others are poised to cross into Thailand. Karen rebels and the Myanmar army have battled near the Thai border in the most intense fighting in the area in 25 years following a military coup that ousted an elected government. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Myanmar enterprises that support the army of that Southeast Asian country.
Iranian warships have been menacing American vessels in the Persian Gulf recently. According to the U.S. Navy, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard ships spent hours performing “unsafe and unprofessional” maneuvers around U.S. vessels… the first such incidents in about a year. Both the USCGC Monomoy and the USFCGC Wrangell have been targeted.
Pray for U.S. officials in the State and Treasury Departments as the use or cancellation of sanctions is considered in diplomatic relationships.
Pray For AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
A study from Rice University’s Baker Institute states that imposed strict lockdowns in response to COVID-19 may have done more harm than good. “By shutting down large portions of the economy, lockdowns were accompanied by the failure of many businesses and a massive increase in unemployment. While the entire country has been affected by the pandemic, low-income and middle-income workers have been disproportionately impacted,” the study claimed. In addition to economic damage, there have been increases in both mental and physical health issues.
Public health officials report that vaccines appear to be slowing new COVID-19 infections in the U.S. This may indicate a breakthrough that could help people return to more normal activities as infection worries fade.
Pray for wisdom for U.S. researchers and health officials as recommendations and evaluations about the waning pandemic are made.
Pray for AMERICA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
At least four U.S. citizens were among those killed at a religious festival at Mount Meron in a stampede that killed 45 people and injured more than 140. Israeli officials have opened a special investigation into the incident that the Israeli state comptroller said could have been prevented. Part of the review will be aimed at preventing similar disasters in the future, he said.
Israel is bracing for potential violence as Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to postpone the Palestinian elections. The elections, scheduled for May 22, would be the first Palestinian vote in 15 years. Israel has told European ambassadors it will not prevent Palestinian elections.
Pray for Israeli leaders as they continue to face uncertainty in forming their new government. Pray for peace surrounding the possible postponement of the Palestinian elections.
Pray for AMERICA’S ECONOMY
Household income rose at a record pace of 21.1 percent at the end of the first quarter as federal stimulus checks helped fuel the economy. Many expect economic conditions to continue to improve with an easing pandemic. The income surge was the largest increase per government records tracing back to 1959. Consumer spending, likewise, was sharply up.
Consumer confidence jumped to a 14-month high in April as increased vaccination against COVID-19 and additional fiscal stimulus allowed for more service businesses to open, boosting demand, and hiring by companies. There was also an uptick in vacation plans, suggesting the economy is heading toward robust growth in the summer.
Pray for employers who need workers in certain sectors, such as truck drivers and restaurant staff.
Pray for Justice in America
According to a poll conducted by CBS News/YouGov, an overwhelming percentage of African American citizens believe that their local police departments are doing a good job. Seventy percent of African Americans voiced their opinions that law enforcement officers are doing a “very good” or “somewhat good” job, while 30 percent responded that local police are doing a “somewhat very bad job.” Police departments also received a high rating among Latinos who were polled.
Pray for law enforcement across America and they work with the public and as many police departments look for areas that they need to reform.
Pray for Goodness in America
A 71-year-old retired grocery manager in San Francisco has fostered 80 babies on her own over the last 34 years. Her attention is devoted to the littlest lives who desperately need her help, an act she sees as her divine calling. “This is what God’s handed me a gift to do,” she said. She is the longest-serving foster parent of the 500 registered throughout the country.
Pray with gratitude for those across the U.S. who provide foster care. Pray that more Christians would be willing to join in the foster care system.
Pray for America’s Education
Parents of children attending school in a district in Texas are organizing a response after they became concerned about what their schools have been teaching, specifically on the topics of “racial justice.” They have brought lawsuits and are supporting challengers for two school board seats in an election this week.
Pray for school administrators and parents of students around the nation to come to an understanding about healthy, unifying curricula regarding matters of race and culture.
Pray for America’s Technology
The global shortage of microchips is set to worsen for automakers. The industry had expected the semiconductor supply crisis to subside in the spring, but the supply of microchips is now expected to continue to remain low for several months. A second-half recovery is now uncertain. Carmakers need chips for onboard electronics, safety systems such as automatic braking, and infotainment consoles. Their normal production lines have been stalled and chips are being rationed for the best-earning models. The impact of the shortage is expected to get worse before it gets better, according to the chief executive of Ford.
Pray for America’s tech sector as they look for ways to increase the production of microchips and for vehicle manufacturers who may have to lay off employees due to the shortage of microchips.
Pray for Needs Across the States
The Alabama House of Representatives approved an Education Trust Fund budget with pay increases for teachers and additional funding for pre-kindergarten, special education, and classroom supplies. It now goes to the Senate for concurrence or a conference committee.
The Nevada legislature is considering three different proposals about changing liability laws and helping fire-fighting agencies coordinate their responses in an attempt to prevent loss of property, lives, infrastructure, and ecosystems resulting from wildfires.
Pray for state legislatures seeking to do what is best for the health, safety and welfare of their citizens.
Pray for America’s Faith Community
“God doesn’t want us to run from our giants. He wants us to attack them. … Call on God and pray for His power. But don’t just face your giants; defeat them. Don’t have any backup plan to go back and do that thing again. Deal with your giants. Don’t let them conquer you. … Someone has wisely pointed out that when you trust, you don’t worry, and when you worry, you don’t trust. So we want faith in our lives, not worry.
Every Christian will face difficulty. The Christian life is not a cakewalk; it’s a conflict. The Christian life is not a playground; it’s a battleground. So let’s face the obstacles that are before us with great faith.” – Pastor Greg Laurie, Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside, California
