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- Thursday, January 1
President Donald Trump’s updated restrictions on travel into the United States take effect today. The president added the nations of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria to the existing 12 countries that have been designated “high risk.” Anyone using Palestinian Authority-issued documents is also under full restrictions and entry limitations.
“It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from foreign nationals who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security and public safety, incite hate crimes, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes,” President Trump said. “The United States must exercise extreme vigilance during the visa-issuance and immigration processes to identify, prior to their admission or entry into the United States, foreign nationals who intend to harm Americans or our national interests.”
The president continued, “The United States Government must ensure that admitted aliens do not intend to threaten its citizens; undermine or destabilize its culture, government, institutions, or founding principles; or advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists or other threats to our national security.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as they discuss and implement restrictions on foreign nationals entering the U.S.
- For the president and officials in his Cabinet to seek God’s guidance as they strategize policy in the new year.
- For discernment for governing officials as they serve in the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches.
A Future Filled with Hope!
Enjoy this special video and Christmas message. Watch now.
The 2025 Year-End Matching Challenge has concluded.
Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped us reach 78.9% of our goal! Any remaining phone, mail, and web donations will be counted toward the final match as we process them this coming week. We are exceptionally blessed by everyone who has prayed for us and those who have selflessly been able to contribute. You can still give any time. Your prayers and generosity are appreciated.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. – Ephesians 6:12
This special 2026 wall calendar honors two historic milestones: America’s 250th Anniversary and The Presidential Prayer Team’s 25th Year of Ministry.
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 • January 1, 2026
- ET: The President has no public events scheduled
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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- Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
- Born – May 1971 in Miami, Florida
- Education – B.A., University of Florida; J.D., University of Miami
- Military Service – None
- Profession – Lawyer
- Political Experience – U.S. Senate, Florida House of Representatives, West Miami City Council
- In office since – 2025
- Family – Married to Jeanette Dousdebes, 4 children
- Religious Affiliation – Catholic
- Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
- Why You Pray
God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. – Psalm 47:8
Looking back over 2025, perhaps you view the world as a mess. If God is in control, as today’s verse indicates, why does conflict and division continue to arise or increase? Believers can be assured that God is bringing His plans to pass. Ultimately, Christ will return and take all His followers home with Him, the ones who have died and the ones living (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). However, in the meantime, is God having His way on Earth?
Some may wonder, if God does whatever He wants, why pray? In His sovereignty, He gave people a choice. Indeed, the Lord could force everyone to believe in Him, but that is not love. He loves all people, but they have to decide whether to love Him back or not. Part of any loving relationship is communication. Prayer is communication with God.
Believers pray for a multitude of reasons, as seen in the Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). To know who He is: He is Holy (verse 9). For His will to be done on earth (verse 10): if you want His will to be done in this nation, pray. For daily needs (verse 11). For forgiveness (verse 12). For His guidance to do those things that please Him (verse 13).
The Bible provides multiple promises concerning prayer. While He is ruler over the nations and sits on His holy throne, God’s people pray by faith in order to deepen their relationship with Him. If you have only one New Year’s resolution to make, let it be to increase your time in prayer. And, as you are praying, intercede on behalf of the nation’s governing officials.
Today’s Verse: Psalm 47:8
God reigns over the nations;
God sits on his holy throne.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: James 4:1-10
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
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.
