Additional National Prayer Needs
Pray for America’s Military
The Defense Department has announced it will support increasing diversity, merger oversight, and support for small businesses among their industrial base after the release of its Defense Industrial Base report.
Rear Admiral Jeffrey Jablon said the Navy has a reduced submarine force due to maintenance backlogs, decommissioning, and delays in construction. While adequate to cover operational commitments, he said they are less able “to do tactical development at sea.”
Pray for Pentagon officials as they deal with the constraints that result from Congressional continuing resolutions for the federal budget.
Pray for AMERICA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
Senators Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Chris Coons of Delaware, and Dick Durbin of Illinois went to Poland to meet with President Andrzej Duda, as well as Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak. Their discussions centered on Russia’s aggressive actions and the collaborative efforts of the U.S. with Eastern European nations.
The office of the U.S. Trade Representative published an annual report that shows China has not been complying with the World Trade Organization agreement it accepted when the nation joined in 2001. Trade Representative Katherine Tai stated, “China’s policies and practices challenge the premise of the WTO’s rules and cause serious harm to workers and businesses around the world.’’
Pray for U.S. officials as they address global unrest and trade issues.
Pray for AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
The National Institutes of Health has released a study showing that women who have experienced sexual harassment or assault are more likely to develop high blood pressure and have a negative impact on their cardiovascular health.
President Biden issued a proclamation on National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, highlighting the surge in the disorder across many demographics. The president stated, “National eating disorder hotlines have seen a more than 70 percent spike in the volume of calls and chats since the pandemic started.”
Pray for U.S. health officials as they look for ways to improve awareness and address various disorders.
Pray for AMERICA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
Israel’s loosening of vaccine requirements has led to a rise in U.S. tourist interest. After the government’s official announcement to drop the most restrictive requirement for tourists, tourism agencies reported an immediate increase in inquiries for travel to Israel this spring.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett recently thanked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for initiating a visit to that nation and the ongoing support of the United States for Israel. As part of the U.S. delegation meeting with high-level officials, Speaker Pelosi and other members of Congress met with the Israeli prime minister at his Jerusalem office.
Pray for officials of the U.S. and Israel to continue to strengthen the allied relationship between the two nations.
Pray for AMERICA’S ECONOMY
According to RAND Corp. research, 6% of males in their 30s are unemployed. Over half of these jobless men have an arrest record, just under half have been convicted of a crime, and nearly a third have been incarcerated, making it difficult to gain employment.
This month U.S. Department of Commerce announced a new partnership with Goldman Sachs called 10,000 Small Businesses. Small businesses employ more than 50% of the U.S. private sector workforce, and this educational program seeks to equip U.S. small businesses with the tools to begin exporting their products.
Pray for commerce and economic officials as they seek strategies to support the U.S. marketplace and workforce.
Pray for Goodness in America
An Amazon delivery driver discovered a 92-year-old grandmother who had wandered from her home. After encountering her on the street, he called the relative’s number on the woman’s medical alert bracelet and drove her back home.
Give thanks to God for the goodwill of strangers to be of assistance.
Pray for America’s Education
The U.S. Department of Education is forgiving more student loan debt under borrower defense discharges. $415 million in repayment discharges will be made after the approval of findings against four institutions, including DeVry University and ITT Technical Institute. The government intends to recoup the cost of the discharged loans from these institutions.
Ideological divides surrounding diversity and equity are causing some educators to reconsider their agendas as parents voice their concerns on the approaches that have been proposed and even in the process of being implemented. These goals can have a widespread impact on school systems, from recruitment, equipment, and services to hiring and spending.
Pray for U.S. education officials and school boards as they navigate the deep divisions surrounding curriculum and issues of diversity and equity.
Pray for America’s Technology
USDA’s Rural Development has extended the application deadline for the ReConnect Program to March 9. The program provides loans and grants for the development of high-speed internet service in eligible rural areas.
Pray for U.S. officials in Rural Development as they work to expand high-speed internet access.
Pray for Needs Across the States
The Michigan state senate has passed a measure to reduce the state income tax rate, effective the 1st of January 2022. The rate would drop from 4.25% to 3.9%, authorize tax credits for dependents, and lower the corporate income tax from 6.0% to 3.9%.
The Florida state senate passed a bipartisan measure on legislative and congressional redistricting in a nearly unanimous fashion. The state house of representatives must now take up the measure and vote on the maps.
Pray for state officials as they collaborate and determine what is best for their states..
