Additional National Prayer Needs
Pray for our Military
A sweeping overhaul of the military justice system has earned bipartisan support in the Senate. This clears a critical threshold needed to advance the legislation after years of resistance from the Pentagon. Among other things, the bill calls for independent military prosecutors to handle issues rather than local commanders.
A bipartisan group in Congress introduced a bill that would significantly expand parental leave for military service members to 12 weeks for both primary and secondary caregivers. Currently, women giving birth are allowed six weeks of convalescent leave and another six weeks of primary caregiver leave. “New parents need time to bond with their children after birth, adoption, or foster placement. Service members are no exception,” said Representative Jackie Spencer of California.
Pray for the relationship between Congress and the Pentagon as legislation moves forward that will affect America’s armed forces.
Pray for AMERICA’S FREEDOMS
In a First Amendment case, a federal judge in Alabama upheld the constitutionality of an anti-riot law, saying the law is constitutionally sound. He determined there was a sufficient connection between disruption of interstate commerce and the “civil disorder,” a prerequisite for the federal felony charge.
Pray that federal jurists rule on the constitutionality of a matter as they balance civil rights against upholding the law.
Pray for AMERICA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
Iran’s top Quds Force commander pledged full support to Hamas in its fight against Israel, as Iran’s hand is increasingly seen in the escalating violence in Gaza. President Biden’s administration is looking to re-establish a relationship with Iran and reenter a nuclear agreement in exchange for clearing sanctions against Tehran.
As part of the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, officials in Kabul now report that the U.S. military has totally pulled out of Kandahar Airfield. The Fairfield, or KAF as it is known to thousands of troops, served as a hub for American forces to push out to more austere forward-operating bases and outposts in Afghanistan’s volatile south.
Pray for wisdom for the administration in dealing with the mullahs of Iran and also in the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
Pray For AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
COVID-19 vaccination rates are lagging among Black and Hispanic Americans, according to the CDC, for reasons that range from access to the vaccine, distances from vaccination sites, hectic schedules, or a lack of knowledge of the vaccine campaign itself. Polls also show that white, rural, political conservatives are among the most hesitant to avail themselves of the shots.
Pray for wisdom for American citizens as they consider whether or not they should receive the inoculations against COVID-19.
Pray for AMERICA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
Israel has called on President Biden’s administration to stay out of the current crisis with Palestine. This comes in response to the U.S. re-engaging with Iran in order to return to the 2015 nuclear deal and considering the lifting of sanctions. Meanwhile, some members of Congress are calling for the U.S. to “take a hard look” at support for Israel. “It is illegal to support human rights violations,” Senator Bernie Sanders stated.
Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. said that Representative Rashida Talib of Michigan was “stoking tensions” with her comments about Israel’s conflict with Hamas. Talib, the first Palestinian-American woman elected to Congress, had criticized Israel after violence ensued between Palestinians and Israeli law enforcement at the al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem.
Pray for the relationship between the U.S. and Israel. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).
Pray for AMERICA’S ECONOMY
While some economic experts are concerned that inflation is rising faster than predicted, the Federal Reserve does not want to move prematurely. “It’s a question of risk management,” Randal Quarles, Fed vice chair for supervision and regulation, said during testimony before the House Financial Services Committee. “History would tell us that the economy is unlikely to undergo these inflationary pressures for a long period of time.”
Most Americans believe local home prices will continue to go up during the next year. A total of 77 percent of American adults predicted the average price of houses will increase. Last year just 40 percent predicted an increase. The survey also found that 43 percent said it is a good time to buy a house. Although home prices have risen, the supply has not kept up with the demand.
Pray for U.S. economic officials and advisors as inflationary pressures are felt during the recovery from the pandemic.
Pray for Justice in America
A decorated U.S. Army chaplain is contesting a reprimand against him that could end his career. He voiced support on his personal social media page for a military policy preventing trans-identified individuals from serving in the military. His attorneys are requesting that the reprimand be withdrawn and have vowed to take the legal steps necessary to defend his rights if the reprimand is not lifted.
Pray for the nation’s military leaders as they evaluate issues related to the free speech of those in the military.
Pray for Goodness in America
The American Bible Society’s 2021 State of the Bible report estimates that 10 million more Americans turned to the Bible in the past year than in prior years. One in four adults reported reading the Bible more frequently during the pandemic compared to the previous year.
Give thanks that more Americans turned to the Word of God during the pandemic and pray that they continue to seek the Lord.
Pray for America’s Education
Parents across the nation are resisting prolonged school coronavirus mandates, speaking out against masks and other policies. Some scenes have prompted a police presence due to their intensity. One mother said, “I was at that meeting because kids really have no voice of their own, and I fear that my and other parents’ legitimate concerns over their kids’ social, learning, and health needs were totally being ignored.” She added, “One size does not fit all, and adults who have higher risks should not project their fears or expect their youth to carry the burden of those fears.”
Pray for federal, state, and local education officials as changes to health mandates and curricula are considered.
Pray for America’s Technology
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is meeting this week with senior auto industry leaders to discuss the global semiconductor chip shortage which has significantly slowed vehicle production. “We need to get back into the business of making more chips in America. And the supply chain issues are very real,” she said.
Jobs in technology are moving to cities such as Miami, Houston, and Dallas and away from traditional tech hubs such as San Francisco, New York, and Seattle, mostly due to lower taxes in more the conservative states and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Pray for American industry leaders and politicians as solutions are sought for supply chain disruptions for microchips.
Pray for Needs Across the States
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy called a special session of the legislature to begin after the current regular session ends to focus on the budget and his proposals for the annual check residents receive from the state’s oil-wealth fund.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is ending the state’s participation in federal coronavirus-related unemployment benefits in a move to encourage people to get back to work. “Georgia is open for business,” he said.
Pray for state governors and the oversight of funding for projects and the wellbeing of their residents.
Pray for America’s Faith Community
“The greatness of God that lies within each one of us, by virtue of our relationship with Jesus Christ, requires a wholehearted commitment. This Greatness merits more than excuses, procrastination, and carelessness. We must be committed to this Greatness. We must consistently pursue the purposes that God drops into our hearts. The difference between a wish and a reality is hard work. We will never accomplish the destiny that God designed for each one of us if we are unwilling to commit to the necessary work to achieve it” – Pastor John Hagee, Cornerstone Church, San Antonio, Texas
