Additional National Prayer Needs
Pray for America’s Elections
Election officials and politicians across the spectrum are largely positioning themselves against rank-based choice voting (RCV), an election system that multiple states are planning to consider for next year and beyond. The RCV process ranks multiple candidates on votes received, regardless of political party, with the individual receiving the majority of votes declared the winner of an election.
Pray for state officials who are considering the ranked system of voting for future elections.
Pray for America’s Military
The Defense Department’s Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is working with four companies on the design of a new vertical take-off and landing aircraft that can fly at speeds faster than the V-22 Osprey. They expect to have a prototype built and have its first flight by the spring of 2027.
Pray for military leaders as they oversee the development of advancing weapons and delivery systems and technology.
PRAY FOR AN END TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE
President Zelensky of Ukraine is dismissing the prospect of peace talks with Russian President Putin, even as Russia has stepped up its offensive. Zelensky said the Russian leader smells “blood” and is sensing a weakness in Ukrainian resolve.
Pray for governing officials on all sides of the conflict as the option of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia could put a negotiated end to the war.
Pray for AMERICA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
More than half of the world’s population lives in nations that will hold elections in 2024. The first one is on January 13 in Taiwan. The outcome could bring a response from China which has insisted that Taiwan would reunify with China. Elections this year will also be held in the United States, European Union, India, Iran, Mexico, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and possibly Ukraine.
Pray for the independence-minded people of Taiwan as they head to the polls on the 13th.
Pray for AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Hospitals in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, and elsewhere are reinstating mask requirements as they experience a rise in COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. Most hospitals had eased or eliminated requirements for mask-wearing last spring.
Pray for U.S. medical experts and professionals as they address the resurgence of COVID and other illnesses and about the overall effectiveness of wearing masks.
Pray for AMERICA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
The Israeli Defense Forces said it killed the commander of Hamas who participated in the October 7 terrorist group’s massacre that killed 1,200 people in Israel. A large cache of weapons was also located.
Pray for the people of Israel who have been traumatized by the Hamas terror attacks and kidnappings.
Pray for AMERICA’S ECONOMY
A report from Mastercard showed slow growth for retail sales during the just-passed holiday season, as customers continue feeling the effects of inflation and uncertain economic conditions. In 2023, Credit card debt exceeded $1 trillion for the first time ever, and delinquencies on all forms of loans have increased.
Pray for Americans whose credit card debt and the heavy interest it carries is forcing many into bankruptcy.
Pray for Goodness in America
American missionaries serving in the Middle East are sharing accounts of Muslims meeting Jesus in dreams at “levels we have never seen in 1,400 years.” Dreams and visions are often experienced among Muslims, who frequently respond favorably to them. The mission’s report said, “Dreams are contributing to revelation (as in assurance), the process of evangelism and conversion.”
Pray for Muslims who are encountering the Risen Christ in dreams to come to Him for the salvation of their souls.
Pray for Needs Across the States
Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio vetoed a two-part measure passed by the legislature, one banning gender-affirming care for minors, and the other banning trans youth from participating in school sports, saying his vetoes were about “protecting human life.”
Governor Spencer Cox of Utah said anxiety, loneliness, and depression are “absolutely” being caused by the increase in the use of social media, particularly among the youth.
Pray for the nation’s governors to promote the well-being of the young people in their states.
Pray for America’s Faith Community
“God is love: Do you realize how amazing that is? … This I know: If you really pay attention to the love of God and it doesn’t leave you starstruck, then you’re either reading it with too much of a secular understanding or you’re simply serving the wrong god.” – Sarah Holliday, The Washington Stand, December 2023
