Additional National Prayer Needs
Pray for our Military
The Pentagon has been working on plans to expand American military training for Ukrainian troops in Germany. This intent has resulted in Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov claiming the United States is getting directly involved in the Ukraine war.
The Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld a pause on COVID vaccine mandates from the U.S. Air Force in response to a suit filed by 18 active duty and reserve members who were denied religious exemptions. The Air Force acknowledged they had “granted zero religious exemptions to anyone who does not plan to leave the service within a year.”
Pray for U.S. defense officials as the continuing vaccine mandate for the military is resulting in recruitment shortfalls.
Pray for AMERICA’S FREEDOMS
A new measure in Oregon requires people to pay for gun permits and complete safety training in order to purchase a firearm. Police are also called to create and maintain a searchable database of gun ownership. Now, gun rights groups are looking to challenge the Oregon law to keep it from being enforced. Oregonians passed the measure by fewer than 27,000 votes. The measure is set to take effect December 8.
Pray for legislators and jurists as they review the freedoms granted to Americans under the Constitution’s Second Amendment.
Pray for AMERICA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
A new report from the Pentagon says China could have 1,500 nuclear warheads within the next dozen years, which would be a quadrupling of its current numbers.
Congress has sent letters to officials of President Biden’s administration seeking records of communications and documents relative to any pre-election “secret deal” with Saudi Arabia that lowered gas prices before the midterms.
Pray U.S. leaders as they work to strengthen the relationships the United States maintains with allies.
Pray for AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
A Harvard Medical school study shows that fatalities related to gun violence have hit their highest number in decades, particularly among Black women. The CDC released gun death data in October, counting more than 47,000—the highest in over 40 years.
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists reports shortages in key antiviral and antibiotic drugs as the nation has experienced an early surge in cold and flu cases. They say the low supplies are being driven by the high demand, and not from manufacturing issues.
Pray for fellow citizens as so many experience respiratory infections, ongoing COVID strains, or the flu heading into the winter months.
Pray for AMERICA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
Ninety member nations of the UN General Assembly voted in favor of holding an annual event called “Nakba” that would commemorate the establishment of the nation of Israel as a “catastrophe” (the meaning of the Arabic word). Thirty nations, including the U.S. and most of the European Union, voted against the proposal and another 47 abstained. Currently, Palestinians observe Nakba annually on May 15, the date of Israel’s establishment in 1948.
Pray for U.S. officials to continue to stand against the global growth of anti-Semitism and that Christians would lead the way in supporting the people of Israel.
Pray for AMERICA’S ECONOMY
The Commerce Department reported that, during the month of October, consumer spending increased 0.8 percent as shoppers head toward the holiday season. Officials said it is the strongest gain since June, and interpret these numbers as a renewal of confidence in the economy on the part of consumers.
Pray for workers across America as many major corporations are implementing layoffs.
Pray for Justice in America
Even though Seattle has been struggling with crime which continues to increase, the City Council, in approving their 2023-24 budget, permanently removed 80 Seattle Police Department positions, many of which are presently unfilled.
Pray for members of law enforcement across the nation as they endeavor to improve relationships with the communities they serve.
Pray for Goodness in America
A woman in Philadelphia collects gently used stuffed animals, not for children but for seniors. She delivers them to senior living facilities and homes for veterans and retired nuns. The stuffed toys bring comfort to lonely people and are also conversation starters. While she will hand out over 250 during the holidays this year, she distributes them year-round.
Pray for, and offer encouragement to, those who engage in random acts of kindness that go unreported.
Pray for America’s Education
An investigation has been launched by the U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Division to determine if an elementary school in Atlanta was assigning students to specific classrooms based on race. The greater school district will also be investigated to determine if a whistleblowing parent was fired from her role as an after-school care provider.
At a school district in Pennsylvania, a proposal to add a personal finance requirement spread into discussions over high school social studies requirements. The discussions came after more than 800 people signed a petition that opposed cutting social studies requirements for graduation.
Pray for parents who continue to be involved in discussions with school boards and promoting a return to the basics of education.
Pray for Needs Across the States
The Kansas state banking commissioner has urged legislators to pass bills that create a path for criminal background checks and fingerprinting of officers, directors, and organizers of new online trust companies to protect consumers.
A Family Engagement Council has been established by the Vermont Agency of Education to advise the education secretary on policy, topics, and education matters of interest to parents in Vermont. Among other things, the Council will focus on revisioning the state’s 21st-century education system.
Pray for officials in state agencies and the work they do to both engage with and protect their communities.
Pray for America’s Faith Community
“The most important… is the principle that Christians cannot grow as followers of Jesus without sacrifice. Sacrifice is the tool God uses most to mature in love. The only way to grow in love as a Christian is to be willing to practice sacrifice. ” – Pastor Justin Kendrick, Vox Church, Massachusetts and Connecticut, December 2022
