Pray the Vote
The FBI has warned that, since October 2021, election officials in at least nine states have received invoice-themed phishing emails containing links to websites that could be used to steal login credentials. “If successful, this activity may provide cyber actors with sustained, undetected access to a victim’s systems,” the FBI said. They indicated this activity will continue or increase in the lead-up to the 2022 U.S. midterm elections.
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed a bill requiring people to show proof of citizenship in order to vote in presidential elections. The bill, which requires county recorders to reject voter registration applications that do not include proof of citizenship, is expected to trigger a lawsuit.
Pray for the integrity of the November mid-term elections, the state primaries that occur ahead of the general election, and for those who are administering the voting process.
Additional National Prayer Needs
Pray for our Military
General Tod Wolters, head of the U.S. European Command, acknowledged that President Biden’s strategy to deter Russia from invading Ukraine was not successful in testimony before the House Armed Services Committee. He later told senators he anticipates more American troops will be needed long-term on the European continent.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the thousands of service members deployed to Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will stay in place “for a while longer.” He said temporary deployments have been extended as he wants to keep his options open and avoid hard end dates so U.S. officials are able to monitor the situation on the ground and make the best and most flexible decisions in real time.
Pray for American troops stationed in the eastern flank of NATO allies and other partners in the region.
Pray for AMERICA’S Freedoms
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, in its latest annual update on the status of the industry, said that it has increased in the past 14 years, creating thousands of jobs and generating billions in revenue. “The firearm industry is committed to the safe, legal, and responsible ownership and use of firearms, and works on a daily basis to stop their criminal misuse,” the NSSF wrote in its report.
Pray for officials in federal, state, and local governments to respect and protect the Constitution’s Second Amendment, part of the Bill of Rights.
Pray for AMERICA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
The U.S. imposed sanctions on an Iran-based man and his network of companies believerd to help Tehran obtain materials for its ballistic missile program. The U.S. action comes after missile attacks by suspected Iranian-backed proxies on countries in the region.
In an attempt to hinder Moscow’s tax collections to reduce funds available for its invasion of Ukraine, the Internal Revenue Service has suspended a 30-year-old tax treaty that provides for information exchanges with Russian tax authorities. The agency said it has not shared any tax information with Russian authorities since the invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, but the action disclosed this week formalizes the suspension.
Pray for U.S. officials as they place sanctions and enact measures on Russia, Iran, China and North Korea.
Pray for AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Positive marijuana tests have increased in the past year amongst working Americans as businesses may have boosted screening policies in the midst of nationwide labor shortages. Of the more than 6 million workers tested, 3.9% came back positive. The figures are up 50% since 2017 as the number of states that legalized marijuana for recreational use grew.
A newly published long-term study conducted by the Center for the Study of Drugs Alcohol, Smoking and Health at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, found that “most U.S. adolescents with severe substance use disorder symptoms persisted with multiple symptoms in middle adulthood, with more than 60 percent having a continuing addiction problem.“ The misuse of prescription medications was also included in the study.
Pray for health and drug officials as usage of both legal and illegal substances rises across the U.S.
Pray for AMERICA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
A bipartisan group of 68 congressional legislators are urging the Justice Department to lead an international effort against the United Nations’ decision to establish a permanent Commission of Inquiry into Israel’s treatment of Palestine adopted by the Human Rights Council of the UN and confirmed by the General Assembly. They point out, “The COI is the latest endeavor by UNHRC to discredit the only Jewish state and is likely to further fuel antisemitism worldwide.”
After several of terrorist attacks over the past two weeks killed at least 11 people, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said citizens should carry guns to protect themselves. “Open your eyes,” he said. “Whoever has a license to carry a weapon, this is the time to carry it.” He added, “We cannot be broken.”
Pray for U.S. governing officials as stand against the anti-Semitism that has begun to increase in this nation as well as globally.
Pray for AMERICA’S ECONOMY
A new Gallup poll shows that Americans are more worried about inflation than at any point since 1985. Rising consumer prices are the top economic concern for Americans, with 17 percent of respondents calling the recent inflation spike the “nation’s most important problem.” That’s up from 8 percent in January and 10 percent in February.
When comparing the cost of goods and services in 2021 to expected costs this year, Bloomberg economists say the average U.S. household will spend $5,200 more, or $433 more each month due to inflation. Increases in wages could cushion some of the blow, but the state of the American economy is taking a toll on the public’s economic confidence.
Pray for the president and members of Congerss as they asses the rising inflationary pressures on Americans.
Pray for Justice in America
A former hospital employee in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, will receive $10,000 and an apology letter from the union in a legal settlement over her religious discrimination case. She says her union’s stance on abortion was contrary to her Catholic faith, so she did not want to pay dues to support the practice. She said she was discriminated against on account of her religious beliefs. And she filed a complaint with the EEOC. She is pleased with the settlement, saying “I knew in my heart and in my soul that I was right. This is one of the greatest things that I’ve ever done in my life. It was hard; it was so hard.”
Pray for people of faith to have the courage and capable legal advice to stand for their religious principles.
Pray for America’s Media
Senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota introduced a resolution expressing the United States’ gratitude for journalists who are risking their lives to report on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “We are thankful for those in the free press who risk their lives to show the world the truth of what is happening in Ukraine,” Senator Cassidy said.
Pray for safety of the American press corps members who are serving in Ukraine, often in dangerous zones.
Pray for America’s Education
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona stated that his office will begin “monitoring” Florida’s new Parental Rights in Education Bill. “We will be monitoring this law upon implementation to evaluate whether it violates federal civil rights law,” he said. The law prohibits teachers from instructing on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade in a manner that is not considered “age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate” for children.
According to a new report released by legislators on the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, teachers’ unions and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) coordinated closely on policies to keep schools closed longer during the pandemic. The CDC earlier claimed that such coordination was routine and nonpolitical.
Pray executive and legislative officials as they address concerns surrounding education as the pandemic recedes.
Pray for America’s Technology
An updated list of technology priorities recently released by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, reasserted the importance of emerging technologies and said the U.S. needs to refocus on energetic materials—a broad category of explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics, all essential to the performance of weapons systems. They said there is an urgent need for more advanced and energetic materials to enhance the performance and lethality of modern weapon systems.
Pray for U.S. scientists and technology researchers as they develop technologies the military needs and the the U.S. would be able to source minerals and rare earths from areas other than China.
Pray for Needs Across the States
The Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Medical Board agreed to stop enforcing the residency requirement in a settlement filed in the U.S. District Court in Portland, now allowing people from outside the state to receive an assisted suicide. The residency requirement was deemed by the court to be unconstitutional.
Legislators in Kentucky passed a bill that would ban abortion after 15 weeks and thoes who oppose it say that it contains several provisions that would severely restrict or end access to the procedure in the state. The bill now goes to the governor for signature, who has indicated it may be vetoed. However, there is a supermajority in favor of the legislation that could override a veto and make the law effective immediately.
Pray for state legislatures as they address the sanctity of life, from conception to natural death. Give thanks for the many answers to prayer in states where abortion restrictions have already been passed.
