QUICK NAVIGATION
- Thursday, August 13
The U.S. State Department mobilized aid to assist Colombia after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck parts of that nation earlier this week. At least 188 people were killed by the earthquake, thousands were injured, and hundreds are missing.
Spokesperson Tommy Pigott announced the U.S. commitment of “$15.5 million in funding for emergency shelter, food, protection, and earthquake assessments.”
The spokesperson continued, “The Department also activated a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), which includes humanitarian experts from across the State Department. Members of the DART began arriving in Colombia the day of this devastating earthquake, underscoring the Department’s commitment to immediate, life-saving action in the critical hours following natural disasters in our hemisphere.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Rubio and State Department officials as they approve emergency assistance to foreign neighbors.
- For President Trump and his advisors as they assess the security of the Western Hemisphere.
- For the Lord’s strength for first responders, firefighters, and both foreign and domestic disaster assistance team members who sacrifice to help others each day.
First Ministry Letter of 2026!
Our gift to you this holiday as we remember the true reason for the season with sacred and traditional Christmas music.PRESIDENT’S SCHEDULE
- President’s Today Schedule • August 13, 2026
- 8:00 AM ET: The President participates in Executive Time
- 11:00 AM ET: The President receives his Intelligence Briefing
- 2:00 PM ET: The President participates in Signing Time
- 3:00 PM ET: The President participates in Signing Time
- 5:00 PM ET: The President participates in a Policy Meeting
As we lift up the federal government of United States of America, each day we will highlight one elected or appointed federal official serving in office. Pray with us for each of them as they tackle their unique responsibilities and fulfill their oaths of office.
TODAY’S NATIONAL LEADER FOR PRAYER
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- Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff
Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff
- Born – May 1957 in Lake City, Florida
- Education – B.A., University of Maryland, College Park
- Military Service – None
- Profession – Government official, political consultant
- Political Experience – Campaign manager, Chief of Staff for Jacksonville Mayor, Political advisor
- In office since – 2025
- Family – Divorced from Lanny, 2 children
- Religious Affiliation – Undisclosed
- Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff
- Thoroughly Bound
Present your bodies as living sacrifices… which is your spiritual worship. – Romans 12:1
Binding is necessary at times. Zip ties are a quick and effective way to bind things! In 1958, Maurus C. Logan faced the need to hold wiring in airplanes together, and he found the way to do it through his invention of the zip tie! Today, these little self-locking loops are used to firmly secure things in sectors from surgical procedures to the military.
Living a life of faith is often challenging. You are likely to face systems or institutions that are unreceptive to your Christian beliefs. While you may have to make sacrifices in business and relationships as the current culture drifts further from Godly principles, remember that Jesus also faced great tests to His faith (Luke 4:1-13). After forty days without food, He was at the edge of human endurance. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, He overcame the temptation to fall away from His calling! Christ’s faith and endurance were not tethered to a movement He was creating, or a political philosophy He was advocating – He bound Himself entirely to the character and will of God, His Father. Through the thorough submission to God’s will, Jesus accomplished all the work He was called to do on Earth.
As you endure hardship or face difficult choices in this life, hold tightly to God’s will alone by seeking Him through Jesus, His Son. Christ can guide you because He has walked the ultimate road of sacrifice Himself! Pray for governing officials who walk by faith in the United States, and around the world. Ask that they would bind themselves thoroughly to God’s loving grace, and be motivated by the desire to accomplish the work He has called them to do.
Today’s Verse: Romans 12:1
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: John 5:19-23
19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
