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- Friday, April 26
Today, Secretary of State Antony Blinken concludes his meetings with officials in the People’s Republic of China.
During the first day of discussions, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “The two sides reaffirmed the importance of ties between the people of the United States and (China), including the expansion of exchanges between students, scholars, and business.”
Secretary Blinken told the Shanghai Party Secretary, regarding trade practices, “We have an obligation for our people — indeed an obligation to the world — to manage the relationship between our two countries responsibly.” Beijing has maintained that its trade policies align with international rules.
Secretary Blinken also said that academic exchanges are “a really important way to make sure that we avoid miscommunications and misperceptions, even where we have profound differences.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Blinken to receive God’s guidance as he discusses mutual concerns with Chinese ministers.
- For wisdom for the president and members of his administration as they determine policies impacting the relationship with China.
- For the Lord to accomplish His purposes through these talks between U.S. and Chinese officials.
RESULTS FROM THE 2024 VITAL SIGNS SURVEY – READ NOW PRESIDENT’S SCHEDULE
- President`s Today Schedule – April 26, 2024
- 9:00 AM ET: The President receives the President`s Daily Brief
- 12:00 PM ET: The President departs New York, New York en route to Queens, New York
- 12:30 PM ET: The President departs Queens, New York en route to Joint Base Andrews
- 1:35 PM ET: The President departs Joint Base Andrews en route to the White House
- 1:45 PM ET: The President arrives at the White House
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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- Sylvia Garcia, Representative for Texas
Sylvia Garcia, Representative for Texas
- Born – September 1950 in San Diego, Texas
- Education – B.A., Texas Women’s University; J.D., Texas Southern University
- Military Service – None
- Profession – Lawyer
- Political Experience – City Controller of Houston, Harris County Commissioner, Texas Senate
- In office since – 2019
- Family – Undisclosed
- Religious Affiliation – Catholic
- Sylvia Garcia, Representative for Texas
- Truth and Action
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. – 1 John 3:18
How often have you heard politicians, leaders, or news media say, when reporting on catastrophic events, “You are in our thoughts and prayers.” They may be referring to the people of a certain place—such as East Palestine, Ohio; Baltimore, Maryland; Haiti, Ukraine, Israel, or Taiwan—or they might be referencing the family of a slain first responder, a jailed journalist, or the victim of a violent crime. People make the statement, but is it true? Do they follow up with deeds of love? Maybe you have told an acquaintance, “I’ll be praying for you,” but only manage to say, “God bless my friend.” How true are you to your words?
The kind of love God calls you to show others is practical. It combines love, compassion, nurture, care, and concern with kind actions that such love empowers. Love is a choice to be a truth-teller and a person of action. When true Christian love is part of your daily lifestyle, God is glorified. The more you exhibit a Christ-like love to others, the greater your own intimacy with Him becomes. Your confidence in God grows as you extend such love.
So, you may say you are praying for the people of Haiti, and when your church announces mission efforts there, contribute to it as you are able. And, yes, pray for the family of a policeman killed in the line of duty, and let others in law enforcement in your own community know you care about them, too. Be truthful. Take action. Intercede for those in media who claim they are praying to truly know the power of prayer and the One to Whom prayer is made.
Today’s Verse: 1 John 3:18
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
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: 1 John 3:16-24
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
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.
