Pray the Vote
Representative Ted Budd of North Carolina introduced a bill that would nullify an executive order by President Joe Biden that could require federal officials to participate in electioneering activities. The Promoting Free and Fair Elections Act “would prohibit federal agencies from using taxpayer funds to implement or enter into agreements with partisan organizations that conduct voter mobilization activities.”
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court says mail-in voting does not violate the state’s constitution. The state’s new voting law had been challenged because it allows anyone to vote by mail for any reason.
Pray for state election officials already working to assure a safe and fair vote in November’s general election.
Additional National Prayer Needs
Pray for our Military
General Joseph Martin, vice chief of staff for the Army, said the Army cut its force size projections for 2022 and 2023, in the midst of a recruitment struggle, raising questions about its overall readiness. The Center for Military Readiness said investigations into extremism in the ranks, diversity quotas, rigid vaccination mandates, and other policies have undermined military recruitment by alienating families, the military’s largest recruiting market.
Head of the Southern Command General Laura Richardson said the U.S. should be concerned about Chinese influence in Latin America. She pointed out what she calls “South blindness” by the U.S., stating, “There are adversaries that are taking advantage of this region every single day.”
Pray about the readiness of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the need to expand recruitment.
Pray for AMERICA’S FREEDOMS
Some members of Congress are looking into the Department of Homeland Security buying “huge volumes” of U.S. residents’ cellphone data and sidestepping Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable government searches and seizures. The data collection is “plain and simple, warrantless surveillance of everyday Americans, and it may have dire consequences,” Representative Jerry Nadler of New York said. “Recent advances have allowed the data collection to get ahead of the laws protecting our privacy.”
That members of Congress would work with wisdom on investigating the violation of and establishing any needed privacy protection laws regarding data collection.
Pray for AMERICA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley cautioned Iran against helping Russia amid concerns that Tehran would send drones to help Moscow in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. At a joint press conference, Secretary Austin said, “We would advise Iran not to do that. We think that’s a really, really bad idea, and I’ll leave it at that.”
A number of minority members of the House are urging prompt resumption of stalled U.S. weapons deliveries to Taiwan, lest the self-governing island democracy become another Ukraine. “As Russia invades Ukraine, China eyes Taiwan,” stated California Representative Young Kim. “We need to send a strong message that our allies need to trust us. Any delays only help Chinese President Xi Jinping.”
Pray for U.S. military and legislative leaders to have wisdom as they put policies in place to address China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Pray for AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Researchers suggest that the recent increase in cases of acute hepatitis among children is likely linked to a common childhood virus. While the reasons behind the timing of the outbreak remain unclear, two research teams suggested that a peak in adenovirus cases after coronavirus lockdowns lifted could be a factor.
Assistant Health Secretary Rachel Levine opposes laws banning government reassignment surgery for minors. The assistant health secretary claimed such laws embolden the bullying and harassment of America’s trans youth. Assistant Secretary Levine specifically took issue with recent legislation in Florida barring transgender athletes from women’s sports and Medicaid coverage for transition surgeries.
Pray for U.S. federal and state officials as they promote policies addressing transgender reassignment surgeries and treatment for youth.
Pray for AMERICA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he was “surprised” that he was unable to obtain from President Biden a single statement that could be presented as progress in the political process with Israel. He called President Biden’s visit to the region a “big zero” for Palestinians.
The Russian Justice Ministry requested the liquidation of the Jewish Agency which facilitates immigration to Israel. With the closure of the Jewish Agency, remaining Russian Jews will not be permitted to leave the country, effectively making hostages out of Russia’s approximately 500,000 Jewish population.
Pray for Israeli leaders as they address ongoing tensions with the Palestinians.
Pray for AMERICA’S ECONOMY
A newly released small business report shows nearly half of small business owners are not willing to hire because of labor costs and “skyrocketing inflation.” The reports found that 45 percent of small businesses have halted their hiring because they can’t afford to add staff.
Sales of existing homes fell in June for the fifth month in a row as housing becomes less affordable across the country. Mortgage rates have also experienced a quick rise over the past few months as the Federal Reserve increases rates to curb inflation.
Pray for members of the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department as they assess inflation and the likelihood of recession.
Pray for Justice in America
The Eleventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of a Florida city over $30,000 in fines leveled against a homeowner for not cutting his grass. The homeowner called the fines excessive and claimed he was denied due process after a four-year legal battle. The judge disagreed. Attorneys have until August 4 to decide if they will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Pray for state and local governments as they enforce regulations in their locales.
Pray for Goodness in America
A unique collaboration between a trio of organizations in San Diego, California, reached a milestone in providing food and employment to those who need it most. The Salvation Army hires residents of its homeless shelter and trains them to be food rescue route drivers, who then operate routes for Feeding San Diego to pick up tasty food before it’s wasted. The partnership hit a milestone in June, announcing it had saved more than half a million pounds of food so far, and every one of the Salvation Army residents who has participated in the program has secured full-time employment and is still housed.
Give thanks for the positive outcomes of programs like Feeding San Diego are having for so many who are disadvantaged.
Pray for America’s Media
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is promoting a private social media chat platform that enables teens to discuss — without parental oversight — a range of issues. The platform includes LGBTQIA+ challenges, occult topics, dealing with difficult relatives, or even finding an alternative “family.”
Pray for U.S. parents and families as government entities increasingly intervene in the development and formation of children.
Pray for America’s Education
The Miami-Dade School Board in Florida voted to reject two sexual education textbooks for middle and high school students as not being age-appropriate in their content, and for not being in compliance with parental rights law.
Pray for America’s educators and school board members as they struggle with decisions over the appropriate curricula for students.
Pray for America’s Technology
American law enforcement authorities recently disrupted a North Korean state-sponsored hacking campaign that targeted hospitals and other medical facilities in the U.S. A deputy attorney general reported that a Justice Department operation included the cryptocurrency seizure of about a half million dollars in ransom payments.
The Commerce Department has been investigating concerns that the Chinese telecoms company Huawei may be gathering sensitive information on military locations. U.S. officials are looking into whether Huawei’s cell towers have been gathering sensitive information from missile silos or military bases and relaying it to China.
Pray for FBI and other law enforcers to seek out and stop those adversarial nations who are using many different means to surveil and disrupt American businesses and government.
Pray for Needs Across the States
Governor Spencer Cox of Utah conceded that the people of his state have become “lackadaisical” about water. Utah, like many other western states, is experiencing a drought, with the Great Salt Lake being at a record low for the second time in less than a year. He has asked his people to “pray for rain,” while waiting on five landmark reforms to state water laws to come into effect.
A spate of summer shark attacks has prompted New York Governor Kathy Hochul to order state agencies to step up surveillance off Long Island. “We are taking action to expand patrols for sharks and protect beachgoers from potentially dangerous situations,” she stated.
Pray for state officials as they deal with issues of nature as they are administering state laws.
Pray for America’s Faith Community
“I always have faith in Americans to do the right thing. Our friends and neighbors are people of goodwill and profound charitable spirit. At our best, we take it upon ourselves to solve our own problems and the problems of our loved ones and our communities. We do not wait for others to act, and we definitely do not need the government to tell us what to do. I pray that the inexorable expansion of government slows down before that great part of the American ethos is smothered by an all-encompassing bureaucracy.” – Dr. Ben Carson, former HUD secretary and founder of American Cornerstone Institute, October 11, 2021
