QUICK NAVIGATION
- Tuesday, August 18
Vice President JD Vance, as head of the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, is seeking to hold pediatric physicians and hospitals criminally responsible for recommending and performing sex-rejecting procedures on vulnerable minors. The vice president and Heath and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. Jr., have sent criminal referrals to the Department of Justice.
Assistant Secretary of State Cartwright Weiland is in Argentina this week. The assistant secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs is meeting with Argentinian officials regarding regional security efforts and cooperation between the United States and President Javier Milei’s government.
Primary elections are being held today in Alaska, Florida, and Wyoming.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For discernment for Vice President Vance as he heads the task force and oversees efforts to hold pediatric health professionals accountable.
- For President Trump to seek God’s guidance as he makes decisions and takes action of various foreign and domestic affairs.
- For the Lord’s purposes and plans to be accomplished in and through the United States and its elected and appointed officials.
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 18, 2026
- 8:00 AM ET: The President participates in Executive Time
- 11:00 AM ET: The President participates in a Policy Meeting
- 12:00 PM ET: The President participates in a Policy Meeting
- 2:30 PM ET: The President participates in a Policy Meeting
- 4:00 PM ET: The President participates in a Policy Meeting
- 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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- Terry Cole, Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration
Terry Cole, Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration
- Born – August 1969
- Education – B.A., Rochester Institute of Technology; University of Virginia; University of Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business
- Military Service – None
- Profession – Law Enforcement
- Political Experience – Virginia Secretary of Public Safety, DEA Special Agent
- In office since – 2025
- Family – Married, 4 children
- Religious Affiliation – Undisclosed
- Terry Cole, Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration
- A New Identity
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. – Matthew 16:24
When Peter denied Christ, he disassociated himself from Him. He was separated from Jesus, sitting with the guards and warming himself by the fire, trying to blend in with others. Three times, Peter would not acknowledge that he even knew the Lord. When Jesus said to deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Him, that means, as a believer, you identify with Him. You join with Him and His people. You are not to blend in with the world. You are in the world but not of it (John 17:14-18).
How do you identify with Jesus? He prayed. He taught about the Kingdom of God. He healed the sick and raised the dead. He lived a life free from sin. He said He did only what the Father bid Him. When believers identify with Christ, they care about the things He cares about. People! The lost, the dying, the hurting, the poor.
Jesus poured Himself into His disciples, offering what He had, training them to do the work of ministry. He poured Himself into humanity by offering Himself on the cross. After His resurrection, Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to affirm his love for Him three times, and gave Peter his repeated call to ministry (John 21:15-19). Peter later wrote, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).
Identifying with Christ means using your gifts, talents, and resources to help other people as the Lord leads. As Jesus interceded for Peter, and Paul interceded for the churches he planted, intercede for the people God has placed in your path. Pray for the United States and ask for God’s perfect will to be done in the nation, its citizens and governing officials, and in all of its issues.
Today’s Verse: Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
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: Luke 22:24-34
24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”
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.
