QUICK NAVIGATION
- Thursday, December 18
Assistant Secretary of State Michele Exner of the Bureau of Global Public Affairs is on travel to Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. The Southeast Asian Games are currently underway with Bangkok as the host city. Japan has recently joined these and other Asian nations in expanding travel options to promote tourism.
Today, the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, is considering various pieces of legislation to address violent crime, cashless bail, online predators, and protections from coercion and sexual abuse.
The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, chaired by Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi and Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina, will hear testimony on the options to advance the Dayton Peace Accords that ended the war in Bosnia thirty years ago.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Assistant Secretary Exner and all U.S. diplomats to receive God’s wisdom as they engage in discussions with foreign heads of state.
- For the senators and representatives holding hearings to work with honesty and integrity for the benefit of the nation.
- For President Trump, his staff, advisors, and members of his administration to be led by the Lord in their actions and decisions.
Ministry Letter – Read Now!
This special 2026 wall calendar honors two historic milestones: America’s 250th Anniversary and The Presidential Prayer Team’s 25th Year of Ministry.
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 • December 18, 2025
- 11:00 AM ET: The President receives his Intelligence Briefing
- 1:30 PM ET: The President signs an Executive Order
- 4:15 PM ET: The President participates in a Christmas Reception
- 6:00 PM ET: The President signs the National Defense Authorization Act
- 8:15 PM ET: The President and The First Lady participate in a Christmas Reception
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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- Bryan Mercier, Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bryan Mercier, Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Education – B.A., University of Oregon; J.D., University of Frieberg; M.A., Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
- Military Service – None
- Profession – Government official
- Political Experience – Northwest Director Bureau of Indian Affaisr, Forest Service, Department of Treasury, the Bonneville Power Administration
- In office since – 2024
- Family – Undisclosed
- Religious Affiliation – Undisclosed
- Bryan Mercier, Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs
- The Lifted Savior
As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up. – John 3:14
When you see a manger scene, what Bible story immediately comes to mind? Most Christians think of the story of Christmas and Jesus’ birth. The Jews, in Christ’s time on Earth, had similar pictures that reminded them of stories from the Old Testament. Jesus used one of these pictures to teach a religious leader named Nicodemus in John chapter three.
During his clandestine visit with Jesus, Nicodemus spoke with Him about His teachings. Nicodemus was struggling to understand all that Jesus was saying, so Jesus used the image of Moses holding up a bronze serpent from Numbers 21 to help him comprehend. In Ancient Israel, serpents represented sin, and bronze was a metal that represented judgment. The bronze serpent that Moses lifted up was a representation of Israel’s sin being judged, and ultimately forgiven, by God. This is something Nicodemus already recognized. Jesus then explained to him that the bronze serpent was a preview of what was to come as Messiah. He knew that He was to be “lifted up” on the cross in order to satisfy God’s ultimate judgment for the sins of the world.
Christmastime is special because it celebrates the beginning of God’s ultimate promise being fulfilled. Jesus knew what His fate was, but chose to come to Earth to endure torture and death for the sake of all humanity. With His birth, Jesus brought a new hope, unlike anything before. As you find renewed hope in Him this Christmas season, honor, praise, and glorify your Savior! And pray for the nation’s public servants and federal officials to also find their hope in Him.
Today’s Verse: John 3:14
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
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: Numbers 21:4-9
From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” 6 Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 7 And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.
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.
