Additional National Prayer Needs
Pray for America’s Military
The U.S. Navy is testing High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) systems to combat drones. Officials reported a successful test of a laser in the “development and evaluation of directed energy weapons.” The lasers would spare the military use of munitions against unmanned aircraft.
Pray for the defense secretary and heads of the military branches as they explore technological options to combat drones.
PRAY FOR AN END TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE
President Trump welcomed President Macron of France on Monday and UK Prime Minister Starmer on Thursday to discuss peace between Ukraine and Russia. He also highlighted the need for European nations to honor their commitments to NATO.
Pray for President Trump and officials in his administration as they negotiate peace in Ukraine.
Pray for AMERICA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
President Trump has highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and proposed relocating civilians from the devastated area to other Arab nations where they may live in peace. A media outlet reported that some residents are in favor of the plan, stating that they are not part of Hamas, that Gaza has become uninhabitable, and they do not want to die.
Pray for U.S. and Israeli officials as they seek long-term peace in Gaza and the potential relocation of civilians.
Pray for AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Upon the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, some food companies have announced changes to the ingredients they will use in formulating products. One parent company stated they will remove artificial flavors and food dyes, using the European formulation for their snack items, and some restaurants are committing to use beef tallow instead of seed oils.
Pray for Secretary Kennedy and HHS officials as they seek to ensure American food options are healthier.
Pray for Needs Across the States
Maine Governor Janet Mills told President Trump the state would take his administration to court over federal funding that is being withheld after her state’s Department of Education refused to comply with the president’s “Keeping Men Out Of Women’s Sports” executive order. The Maine Principals’ Association announced they would continue to allow biological males to compete in women’s and girls’ sports.
The Montana Senate passed a bill that bans a loophole in assisted suicide. The state’s supreme court had ruled there was no right to suicide but that physicians could assist if they could provide evidence of consent. The legislation would remove any legal protections from doctors who assist people in committing suicide.
Pray for state governors and legislators as they make decisions and take action regarding the policies and issues in their states.
Pray for America’s Faith Community
“When Benjamin Franklin was visiting England, he received a letter that two of his friends had died. As Franklin pondered the news, he thought about their differences. One was always fretting even in the midst of prosperity, whereas the other was always laughing even in the midst of poverty. ‘It seems,‘ Franklin observed, ‘that happiness in this life rather depends on internals than externals; and that, besides the natural effects of wisdom and virtue, vice and folly, there is such a thing as being of a happy or an unhappy constitution.‘
Franklin was right. Some do have a happier constitution than others, and having a glad spirit depends more on internals than externals. It’s not based on our fortunes but on our faith. I’ve been thinking about that word, glad. In my favorite translation of the Bible, the word glad occurs nearly 150 times. I feel we have an obligation to serve the Lord gladly and to do so today. Psalm 100 tells us, ‘Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing‘ (verse 2). The apostle Paul said, ‘I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls‘ (2 Corinthians 12:15).
We can make a difference today when we serve the Lord with joy. – Dr. David Jeremiah, “Today Is the Day to Serve With Gladness,“ Turning Point
