QUICK NAVIGATION
- Thursday, August 20
The U.S. Census Bureau has begun to check voter records against citizenship records.
The bureau released a report this week titled “Noncitizen Voting in the 2020 Election, A Beginning Analysis.” The preliminary report stated that, of the almost 160 million voters in the 2020 presidential election, more than 128 million have been determined to be U.S. citizens. The investigation currently shows that over 24,000 votes were cast by noncitizens.
The Department of Homeland Security sent letters to the secretaries of state of California, New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania last month, warning them that tens of thousands of noncitizens are illegally registered to vote in their states.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Acting Director George Cook as he oversees the U.S. Census Bureau and its review of voter and citizenship records.
- For President Trump and officials in his administration as they seek to ensure only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections.
- For federal judges as they hear cases challenging the policies and tactics of federal immigration enforcement agents.
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 20, 2026
- 8:00 AM ET: The President participates in Executive Time
- 9:00 AM ET: The President participates in a Pre-Tape Radio Interview
- 11:00 AM ET: The President participates in a Policy Meeting
- 2:00 PM ET: The President participates in Signing Time
- 4:00 PM ET: The President and The First Lady participate in a Fostering the Future Announcement
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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- Martin Heinrich, Senator from New Mexico
Martin Heinrich, Senator from New Mexico
- Born – October 1971 in Fallon, Nevada
- Education – B.S., University of Missouri
- Military Service – None
- Profession – Non-profit executive director, public affairs consulting
- Political Experience – Albuquerque City Council, U.S. House of Representatives
- In office since – 2013
- Family – Married to Julie, 2 children
- Religious Affiliation – Lutheran
- Martin Heinrich, Senator from New Mexico
- Yieldedness
For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. – Philippians 2:13
Lewis Sperry Chafer was an American theologian who co-founded the Dallas Theological Seminary and served as its first president. Chafer wrote, “A yieldedness to the will of God is not demonstrated by some one particular issue: it is rather having taken the will of God as the rule of one’s life. To be in the will of God is simply being willing to do His will without reference to any particular thing he may choose. It is reflecting His will to be final, even before we know what He may wish to do.“
“It is therefore not a question of being willing to do some one thing; it is a question of being willing to do anything, when, where and how it may seem best in His heart of love. It is taking the normal and natural position of child-like trust which has already consented to the wish of the Father even before anything of the outworking of His wish is revealed.”
Today’s verse speaks of the person who has truly yielded their will to that of the Father. Through your submissive obedience, God can further His work in and through you. St. Alphonsus Ligouri said, “The man who follows his own will independently of God’s is guilty of a kind of idolatry. Instead of adoring God’s will, he, in a certain sense, adores his own.”
Yield to the leading of the Lord and relinquish the idea that you are your own best guide. Pray that the people of the United States would learn to place their confidence in God, the only One who knows and holds the future. Ask that believers serving in Congress also submit to and follow the will of God for the nation.
Today’s Verse: Philippians 2:13
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
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: Philippians 2:12-18
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with 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.
