Additional National Prayer Needs
Pray for America’s Military
The U.S. Coast Guard Icebreaker Healy experienced an engine fire last month, which has taken it out of Arctic service. The vessel made its way back to Seattle on a single engine to undergo repair. The other Coast Guard cutter is docked in California for life extension service. Construction has not yet begun on three additional cutters that were contracted in 2019.
Pray for U.S. Naval and Coast Guard officials as they seek to maintain their fleets and obtain new vessels.
PRAY FOR AN END TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE
Ukraine has continued its attacks on Russian territory. The latest drone attack struck an airfield in Russia’s western Lipetsk region where glide bombs have been stored. Ukrainian troops also engaged in a surprise attack on the Kursk region after an earlier drone attack. Russia’s Belgorod region has declared a state of emergency after a Ukrainian attack. The Pentagon stated the U.S. supports defensive attacks along the Ukraine border, but not longer-range into Russia.
For U.S. and allied leaders to be prudent as they continue support to Ukraine in the war with Russia.
Pray for AMERICA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
Israel has carried out additional strikes against Hamas’ infrastructure in Gaza, Judea, and Samaria. Negotiators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar are renewing discussions around hostage-release and ceasefire proposals and Israel will send a delegation to the talks. Diplomatic efforts are being made to de-escalate the situation with Iran after leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas were assassinated.
Pray for the leaders and people of the Middle East and for the mediators as they seek a resolution to the conflicts.
Pray for AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declined to approve the psychedelic drug MDMA as a therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. An advisory panel voted against approval of the hallucinogenic in May. The FDA said that the application had limitations that “prevent the agency from concluding that the drug is safe and effective for the proposed indication.”
Pray for FDA officials and panel advisors as they evaluate and assess medications and therapies to treat various conditions, illnesses, and disorders.
Pray for Needs Across the States
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham called a special legislative session this summer for public safety proposals. However, state legislators did not take action on any of the governor’s bills, stating that the complex legislation requires more time to deliberate.
An Ohio county judge upheld a state law that prohibits transgender surgeries and cross-hormone treatments for minors. The state’s legislature overrode Governor DeWine’s veto of the law in January.
Pray for state executives, legislators, and judges as they consider the concerns and issues that are important to their residents.
Pray for America’s Faith Community
“We are using noise as an insulation against loneliness and, in some cases, meaningful relationships. … We’re missing something, too. Something creative and meaningful. It is stillness. Absolute quiet, which gives time to think, to listen, to ponder, and to plan. I’m thinking of the powerful words found in Psalm 46, where God said, not the psalmist, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.‘ I like the way a modern paraphrase put it, ‘Step out of the traffic, take a long loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.‘ For a few moments, ponder those words. Be still. This means you turn off your engine. Don’t just turn down the volume, shut it off entirely. … Solitude is not easily bought. It’s amazing how difficult it is to find a quiet place. …But being still isn’t all that God wants you to learn. He says, ‘Know that I am God.‘ Frankly, the voice of God is a quiet one. We hear His voice most clearly when we silence our hearts before Him. … You will never learn the benefits of being still without reprogramming yourself. Try turning off your [devices] for an entire evening. See how difficult it is, at least for most of us, to maintain an hour of silence.“ – Harold Sala, Guidelines for Living, August 2024
