April 9th – April 15th, 2020
PRAY FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS ADMINISTRATION
The State Department is no longer issuing passports because of the coronavirus outbreak, unless a person has a “qualified life-or-death emergency,” as they take additional steps to limit travel abroad.
Larry Kudlow, the president’s chief economic adviser, said the U.S. losing more than 700,000 jobs in March is “an interruption of what was a very prosperous economy; it’s an interruption from the virus and the necessary mitigation efforts to deal with the virus.”
Pray for President Trump, Vice President Pence, and the coronavirus Task Force, dealing with all levels of containing the spread of COVID-19.
PRAY FOR OUR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said there will be a fourth coronavirus bill and that health care should be a top priority as lawmakers draft the legislation. “It should be a more targeted response,” he said.
Representative Adam Schiff of California, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, proposed the establishment of a commission with subpoena power to investigate the response to the coronavirus pandemic by the president’s admistration and others in the federal government.
Pray for members of both chambers of Congress and across party lines to take a bipartisan approach to all matters involving the virus outbreak and the government’s response.
PRAY FOR OUR JUDICIARY
A federal judge refused to postpone the presidential primary in Wisconsin but did extend the time for absentee voting amid widespread worries about health risks from the pandemic and need for social distancing. He also ordered that results not be disclosed until April 13.
A federal judge in California took issue with the “tone” of a request by an attorney to let them and their client violate the shelter-in-place orders to prepare for an upcoming trial, saying it wasn’t necessary and they should have had a “rational discussion” instead of filing a proposed order.
Pray for the courts as they are finding themselves also under pressure because of coronavirus issues.
CURRENT EVENTS
WARS AND TERRORISM
The Taliban claims the U.S. has failed to comply with the terms of a confidence-building agreement that included releasing thousands of militants and suspending attacks on military targets.
The leader of the Islamic State’s affiliate in Afghanistan has been arrested along with 19 other militants by forces of the National Directorate of Security, the nation’s main intelligence agency.
Pray for the diplomatic efforts on numerous levels working to achieve a lasting peace agreement in Afghanistan.
FOREIGN INTERESTS AND CONFLICTS
As decision makers around the world look at how the coronavirus contagion unfolded, the nations who were hit early are making their own policy decisions. Watchdog groups state that China, Iran, Russia, Belarus, Venezuela, and other countries are limiting the free flow of information by cracking down on freedom of the press.
China is providing equipment and advice to nations hard-hit by the coronavirus like Italy and Spain, drawing contrast with the U.S. and making sure everyone knows about it as they lay claim to being top in global leadership in a new propaganda battle.
Pray about the international political ramifications of disinformation campaigns from many sources.
ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced new restrictions on public movement, prohibiting all travel between cities from Passover Eve until Thursday morning, with citizens required to remain in their homes amid concerns over a virus spread at Seders.
Less than 24 hours after he exited days of self-quarantine, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu re-entered self-quarantine after his health minister tested positive for the coronavirus. Other senior government officials were also in close contact with him and face self-isolation.
Pray for calm across Jerusalem during all of the events of Holy Week.
THE ECONOMY
A coronavirus-related “war bond” is being considered by White House advisers, where long-term investments can be made into the future of American health, safety and the economy, Larry Kudlow said.
Federal Reserve leader Robert Kaplan of Dallas said more fiscal stimulus for the economy appears necessary, and that easing regulatory burdens on banks is a correct path to follow.
Pray for President Trump, his economic advisers and all who are looking ahead at ways to return a prospering economy to America.
ACROSS THE STATES
The legislature in Oklahoma granted sweeping new powers to the governor to respond to the coronavirus, including authority to temporarily suspend laws and regulations that interfere with the state’s ability to respond to the outbreak.
Despite challenges brought by the coronavirus pandemic, the statewide vote-by-mail presidential primary will go on in Oregon as scheduled on May 19. The mail-in vote system had been implemented ahead of the virus outbreak.
Pray for state election officials and others dealing with postponements or changes in election law as a result of the COVID-19 virus.
VERSE OF THE WEEK
For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. – 1 John 3:11
