As a member of the Presidential Prayer Committee, I’d
like to share our weekly focus of Prayer for our country, our leaders and current topics
that affect our lives in the United States.
This week’s Prayer
Focuses for July 25 – 31 are directly quoted:
President Barack Obama began his series of speeches on economic recovery aiming to gain an upper hand in this fall’s looming budget showdown with Congress, telling Congress to steer away from “phony scandals.”
President Obama is monitoring Detroit’s municipal bankruptcy, but he has not commented on any federal help for the beleaguered city. In the campaign last year, he said he refused to let Detroit go bankrupt.
Pray for President Obama and his advisers as they deal with the economic issues that bog down America.
Pray For Congressional Leaders
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (Virginia) told reporters America’s education system must be reformed, saying, “Children cannot escape poverty if they cannot read or write.” He embraces school choice.
The heads of the Senate Intelligence Committee criticized a House amendment slashing funding for the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs. The NSA is at the center of the Snowden “leaks” matter.
Pray for members of Congress as they travel and listen to their constituents during the August recess
Pray For Judicial Needs
For the second time in a week, the California Supreme Court has refused to halt same-sex marriages across the state while it considers the latest legal showdown over Proposition 8.
A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in Michigan has refused to allow students to discharge student loan debt, saying the petitioner had not shown that carrying the debt forward would create a hardship.
Pray for the members of our judiciary as they decide local cases that have wide national impact.
Pray for Current Events
WARS
AND TERRORISM
Investigators believe a recent mismanaged military program in
Afghanistan may have led to the deaths and injuries of American soldiers by not
installing thick metal grates over drainage culverts where insurgents plant
roadside bombs.A month after suspending security talks, the Afghan president told a top U.S. military commander that he is now ready in principle to let American troops stay in Afghanistan after 2014.
Pray for the men and women serving in the military and as contractors during the Afghan war wind-down
FOREIGN
INTERESTS AND CONFLICTS
The
commander of Egypt’s armed forces has called on Egyptians to hold mass
demonstrations on Friday that he said would give the army a “mandate” to fight
violence and terrorism, fueling fears of a military crackdown on Islamists.
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey outlined five options for military involvement in Syria including limited strikes and establishing a no-fly zone and continuing to deliver humanitarian aid to refugees.
Pray about the levels of conflict in both Egypt and Syria as Islamic radicals struggle for an upper hand.
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey outlined five options for military involvement in Syria including limited strikes and establishing a no-fly zone and continuing to deliver humanitarian aid to refugees.
Pray about the levels of conflict in both Egypt and Syria as Islamic radicals struggle for an upper hand.
THE
ECONOMY
Sales
of new U.S. homes rose more than forecast in June to the highest level in five
years, a sign that builders are benefiting from a diminished supply of existing
properties.
Legislation has been introduced that would eliminate the paper dollar bill in favor of a dollar coin that would save nearly $14 billion over 30 years, because of the increase in lifespan of the coin, over only four years for paper.
Pray about the nation’s economy, and for President Obama who is on an “economic recovery” tour.
Legislation has been introduced that would eliminate the paper dollar bill in favor of a dollar coin that would save nearly $14 billion over 30 years, because of the increase in lifespan of the coin, over only four years for paper.
Pray about the nation’s economy, and for President Obama who is on an “economic recovery” tour.
ISRAEL
AND THE MIDDLE EAST
An
extensive global jihad center is developing on Syria’s border with Israel, an
IDF official said, which can affect not only Israel and Syria, but Jordan,
Lebanon and the Sinai Peninsula as Islamists push for greater regional control.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to rush through the Knesset a new law that would make any peace deal with the Palestinians contingent on the Israeli public’s approval through a national referendum.
Pray about the military and political forces that surround Israel with the intent of destroying that country.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to rush through the Knesset a new law that would make any peace deal with the Palestinians contingent on the Israeli public’s approval through a national referendum.
Pray about the military and political forces that surround Israel with the intent of destroying that country.
HEALTH
CARE
The national health reform law is expected to open the door for identity
theft and insurance scams when it begins in October, experts say, with seniors,
people who speak limited English, and the previously uninsured at highest risk.
The prospect of reversing age-related macular degeneration and other blindness through the use of stem cells has made significant leaps forward in research being conducted in the U.K. as photoreceptors are responding to light
Pray about the numerous issues and those yet to manifest as the Affordable Care Act continues forward.
The prospect of reversing age-related macular degeneration and other blindness through the use of stem cells has made significant leaps forward in research being conducted in the U.K. as photoreceptors are responding to light
Pray about the numerous issues and those yet to manifest as the Affordable Care Act continues forward.
Beyond the BSA
Christian-based
alternative to Boy Scouts being planned
by Gigi Cook
When the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) voted to offer membership to openly homosexual youth earlier this year it embarked on a new path; a path of re-invention for itself and its membership. However, for some in the 101-year-old organization, it was the end of the trail. They have chosen to pull up stakes and take another road. So, what is next for the dedicated but disillusioned in a post-traditional scouting world?
Executive Prayer Focus
Debbie Hersman,
Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board
It could be a year or more before the National Transportation
Safety Board announces what it thinks caused this month’s deadly crash of an
Asiana Airlines jet in San Francisco. But the agency has already doled out an
armload of clues, each of which hints at what safety improvements its eventual
report might recommend. Early indications are that the pilots of the
Korea-to-San Francisco flight just didn’t notice in time that they were flying
too slowly and undershooting the runway — a conclusion reinforced each day that
the NTSB briefed reporters last week.
Legislative Prayer Focus
Tom Harkin, United
States Senator from Iowa
Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, Chairman of the Health, Education,
Labor and Pensions Committee, was an important voter on the bill to roll back
interest rates on student loans.
Armed Forces Prayer Focus
Colonel Denise Lind,
Chief Judge, First Judicial Circuit, U.S. Army Trial Judiciary
Colonel Denise Lind, the military judge overseeing the case against Pfc.
Bradley Manning, refused to allow a defense motion to throw out the charge that
he aided the enemy by leaking classified documents to WikiLeaks
Judicial Prayer Focus
Justice Jean H. Toal,
Chief Justice, Supreme Court of South Carolina
Organizations supported by public funds can’t use the First
Amendment to avoid complying with the state Freedom of Information Act, the
South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled.
"Calm Reflection” Inside Washington
The president and
others react to the Trayvon Martin verdict
by Dr. Tom Askew
From its inception, the Trayvon Martin case has evoked emotion and rhetoric beyond the norm for most incidents of personal violence. Conflicting views and opinions did not cease with the jury’s decision of “not guilty” against George Zimmerman on July 13, 2013. Since the verdict, more than 130,000 individuals have signed an NAACP petition to reinvestigate the case as a civil rights violation, to which Attorney General Eric Holder has responded positively. Many citizens are calling for repeal of “stand your ground laws” which currently are in effect in 30 states.
From its inception, the Trayvon Martin case has evoked emotion and rhetoric beyond the norm for most incidents of personal violence. Conflicting views and opinions did not cease with the jury’s decision of “not guilty” against George Zimmerman on July 13, 2013. Since the verdict, more than 130,000 individuals have signed an NAACP petition to reinvestigate the case as a civil rights violation, to which Attorney General Eric Holder has responded positively. Many citizens are calling for repeal of “stand your ground laws” which currently are in effect in 30 states.
Taking America’s
Attitude Temperature
by Holly L. Meade
Abortion. It’s a topic that often sparks obvious opinions by the media and political leaders when the subject hits the news. July 18 was no exception when Texas Governor Rick Perry signed House Bill 2 into law. Also known as the “Pro-life Omnibus Bill,” House Bill 2 bans abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, mandates that abortion clinics become ambulatory surgical centers and tightens usage guidelines for the drug RU486.
A Note of Thanks for Your Prayers
From The White House
Some weeks ago, your Prayer Team featured Michelle Obama, America’s
First Lady, as the national leader for the Executive Branch. You have received
the following letter from The White House:
Thank you so much for your kind note. It means so much to receive warm wishes like yours, and I hope you know how much I appreciate your thoughtfulness
Thank you so much for your kind note. It means so much to receive warm wishes like yours, and I hope you know how much I appreciate your thoughtfulness
Presidential
Quote of the Week
Calvin
Coolidge (1872-1933), 30th President of the United States
All prayer requests are made
directly from our Presidential Prayer Leader.
We ask you all to pray for our leaders as the scripture says.
1
Timothy 2:1-3
King James Version (KJV)
2 I exhort therefore, that,
first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be
made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may
lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
Saviour;
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