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Let the Holy Spirit guide your prayers for our President and our nation as you intercede for the following concerns.
- National economic recovery. The Commerce Department reports retail sales rose in June by the largest amount in five months, led by an increase in gasoline prices and a slight recovery in the ailing auto sector. Government officials hope the tax cuts included in the $787 billion economic stimulus bill will prompt more consumer spending in coming months and end the longest recession since before World War II.
- The North Korean threat. General Walter “Skip” Sharp, the top U.S. military commander in Korea, says U.S. and South Korean forces are prepared for “anything North Korea can throw at us,” adding that if diplomacy or sanctions fail, any North Korean missiles will be intercepted. The United States, South Korea’s top ally, currently has 28,500 troops stationed in the country. North Korea devotes much of its resources to its 1.2 million-member military. New sanctions, including travel bans and a freeze on financial assets, were imposed Thursday against ten North Korean officials and companies.
- Christians in danger in Iraq. The Iraqi government has increased security for Christian places of worship after the latest string of bombings killed four people and wounded another 35. The Christian Post reports Maj. Gen. Abdul Karim Khalaf, Iraq’s Interior Ministry spokesman, said the ministry issued directives to raise security at churches across the country. Meanwhile, Iraq’s vice president Tariq al-Hashimi, a Sunni Muslim, “strongly condemned” the attacks on churches in a statement posted on his website. The top United Nations envoy to Iraq also called on all parties, including the government, to redouble their efforts to protect the country’s Christians, as well as its other minority communities.
- Christian aid agencies assess G8 progress. International Christian aid agencies say that while there are a few commendable aspects about the recent G8 summit, progress for the climate change issue has been “painfully slow.” According to the Christian Post, G8 leaders meeting in Italy agreed for the first time to “reduce our emissions by 80 percent” by 2050. However, the leaders failed to agree on using the 1990 baseline to determine the exact goal of the emission cuts. Aid agencies say establishing a baseline is critical to making the commitment meaningful.
- Crime against U.S. churches. In its first report on violence against Christian organizations, the Church Security Network found 17 violent crimes were reported by churches so far in 2009. Six of them resulted in homicides. In total, 472 incidents of violence, theft and other criminal acts were tracked in the “Crimes Against Christian Organizations in the United States” report. Burglary was the most frequently reported incident by churches. Such crimes, in addition to vandalism, have added up to more than $6.3 million in church property loss in the past six months.
Scott Fehrenbacher began serving this month as the new President/CEO of The Presidential Prayer Team to seek the Lord’s will and guide the ministry into the next season.
Scott is now working with John Lind in the initial transition process and is enthusiastic about leading new prayer opportunities for our nation at a historic time of great need. Scott has served as President/CEO in the faith-based arena for many years including Crosswalk.com – the world’s largest Christian internet site where he was a pioneer in developing online prayer and e-mail devotionals. He lives in Colorado Springs with his wife Joni and three children.
You’ll hear much more from Scott in the weeks to come. Please be in prayer for Scott and the entire PPT staff as we work to fulfill our crucial mission to mobilize and provide new critical resources for families across America in prayer for our nation, its leaders, and our Troops.
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Even after over 6,300 responses, still more PPT members are letting their voice be heard through our survey sent out over the last two weeks – so we are going to wait for more feedback to come in before we report the results to you. Watch for those results in next week’s Weekly Update.
I would like to have my frequent prayer answered that God let my life be meaningful in the enhancement of His kingdom and that my life might be meaningful in the enhancement of the lives of my fellow human beings.
— President Jimmy Carter
The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
— Psalm 19:1,14 (NIV)
The following songs are the official hymns of their respective branches of the military. The words will stir your heart whether they’re read or sung, and are particularly moving as you consider the great sacrifices being made by our Troops every day. Use these words as a prayer of protection and mercy for the brave men and women who serve in our military. Read more.
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Photo by Nina Subin |
Help Turn the Heart of our Nation Back to God!
Debbie Macomber is a national best-selling author…and also a proud member of The Presidential Prayer Team. A regular on every major bestseller list with more than 100 million copies of her books in print, her Cedar Cove series, 74 SEASIDE AVENUE, scored #1 on most major bestseller lists, making her a major voice in women’s fiction. She has a special message today for you...
I’ve been a member of The Presidential Prayer Team since shortly after 9/11. In the years since the attack on our country I have appreciated the guidance and the information PPT has so willingly shared as a reminder that our country and our leaders are in constant need of prayer.
Just recently I had a reminder of why prayer is so important, not only for our nation and our elected leaders, but also for the young men and women who serve in our military. Read more.
Daniel Burnam said, “Make no little plans.” And that’s the spirit behind his bold and ambitious designs unveiled 100 years ago this month that helped transform Chicago into a world-class city. That’s the same spirit which we have to approach the reinvention of all America's cities and metropolitan areas – a vision of vibrant, sustainable places that provide our children with every chance to learn and to grow, and that allow our businesses and workers the best opportunity to innovate and succeed, and that let our older Americans live out their best years in the midst of all that metropolitan life can offer.
— President Obama, at the Urban and Metropolitan Policy Roundtable, July 13
Praise GOD, my son Jonny is home from Afghanistan. He was an Army medic with 26 Troops that served in a small outpost in brutally rugged mountains in the heart of Taliban country. Prayer works. In the year he was there not one of his Troops was injured by artillery – a specific prayer. He will exit the Army in August. He came home strong emotionally and at peace. Please pray that God leads him as he considers a nursing career. Thank you for your prayers. Read more.
To adopt a troop in prayer, click HERE.
To register a troop for adoption, click HERE.
To sign up for our free eNewsletter, click HERE
Ethel Barrymore, 1896, photograph by Burr McIntosh, N.Y. |
When life knocks you to your knees, and it will, why, get up! If it knocks you to your knees again, as it will, well, isn’t that the best position from which to pray?
— Ethel Barrymore, actress and sister of actors John Barrymore and Lionel Barrymore
Our beautiful July prayer calendar is ready for you to download now. Let it guide your prayers for the safety and security of the men and women of our Armed Forces and their military leaders. Download HERE.
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Encourage your church to pray!
Provide your church with the most current prayer information for the President and our nation.
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See the PPT Church Bulletin insert HERE. |
