We Pray For America!
QUICK NAVIGATION
- Issue 747 – Verse of the Week
April 16th – April 22nd, 2026
VERSE OF THE WEEK
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – 1 Timothy 1:7
Power
In his first inaugural address on March 4, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” At the time, the nation was deep in depression. The rise of the Nazi party was impacting nations in Europe. People were afraid. In the first century, the apostle Paul was imprisoned and facing his own death. He had endured much during his lifetime and understood what fear felt like. But he told his protégé that fear is not from God—that power is, that love is, and that self-control is. He knew God’s faithfulness and His forever presence. Are you experiencing fear today—of unknown medical issues, of a family conflict, of the war with Iran, of what inflation has done to your budget? God is still with you. He is ready to provide His power to banish your sense of fear. “I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you’ I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). Remember who the Lord is and receive His power!
First Ministry Letter of 2026!
For 25 years, The Presidential Prayer Team has united millions in sharing their prayers for America on the National Day of Prayer. We offer real-time, coast-to-coast prayer activities for those who might be unable to attend local events.
This year is especially meaningful as our nation joyfully celebrates its 250th birthday! What an extraordinary milestone marking God’s faithfulness across generations. Wherever you are, join believers nationwide as we give thanks for our nation’s history, celebrate the freedoms we enjoy, and boldly lift America and its leaders to the Lord in prayer.
Record Your Prayer Today
Call in and RECORD a prayer to be aired on May 7, 2026, the National Day of Prayer! You can be a blessing and encouragement to others, simply by adding your voice in lifting up our nation and leaders in prayer.
Call Now: 1-844-829-2022
Suggested Prayer Topics
• God’s faithfulness
• A specific federal or local government official
• U.S. military, veterans and first responders
(Prayer example from Dan in Georgia)
The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. – James 5:16
PRAYER GUIDE
Signup now to receive a digital or special printer-friendly version of the official prayer guide!
Our gift to you this holiday as we remember the true reason for the season with sacred and traditional Christmas music.- Issue 747 – Federal Branches
Praying for Our Leaders in Government
Executive Branch: Pray for the President and his Administration
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the U.S. is now giving foreign aid directly to countries that need assistance, rather than to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to administer the funding. “Oftentimes what would happen is we would go to a country and say, ‘We’re going to help you,’ and then we’d… find an NGO, give them all the money, and tell them to run that country’s healthcare program,” Secretary Rubio said. “That NGO would then take some percentage of that money for overhead and administrative costs. By the time it got down to it, only a percentage of the overall money ever actually reached the people we were trying to help. This makes no sense. This is the model we are breaking. We are not doing this anymore.”
Pray for Secretary Rubio and U.S. officials to be discerning as they oversee the distribution of foreign assistance.
Legislative Branch: Pray for Senators and Representatives in Congress
Senator Rick Scott of Florida recently said that NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) would have to change. “Either they’re gonna step up and be a partner and be an ally, or why are we even involved in it?” he stated. “It doesn’t make any sense… them not supporting what we’re doing in Iran, not letting us use military bases. I mean, we built probably most of that stuff, and clearly American dollars went into all the defense of Europe over the years. So something’s gonna change.”
Pray for senators and representatives as they assess the United States’ membership in foreign organizations and alliances.
PRAY FOR CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES
House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio, and Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer of Kentucky sent a joint letter to Act Blue, a political fundraising platform, regarding documentation that the organization withheld from a subpoena request. Their letter addresses the possibility that the fundraiser illegally accepted donations from foreign citizens for federal campaigns and has misled Congress, as well as not complying with subpoenaed information.
Pray for chairs and members of congressional committees as they seek to ensure the integrity of federal elections.
Judicial Branch: Pray for Supreme Court Justices and Federal Judges
The U.S. Supreme Court allowed lower court rulings to stand that permit an energy company to sue the state of Michigan for attempts to shut down an oil and gas pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac. The company operates two parallel pipelines along the bottom of the strait that connects Lake Michigan with Lake Huron. The company is suing to be able to complete a tunnel in the strait to encase and further secure the lines.
Pray for justices of the Supreme Court as they consider which cases to hear and which lower court decisions to let stand.
Featured Leaders For Prayer
-
Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy
Energy Secretary Wright said that the peak price for oil will probably be reached in the next few weeks.
-
Tim Scott, U.S. Senator from South Carolina
Senator Tim Scott reintroduced a bill that would redirect funding from providing abortions to support pregnancy centers.
-
Judge Neomi Rao, D.C. Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
Judge Rao authored the ruling determining the D.C. District Court must abandon contempt proceedings for administration officials.
-
General Dale White, USAF, Director, Critical Major Weapon Systems
General White discussed the production goals for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone program for the coming fiscal year.
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
-
- General Joshua Rudd, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command
General Joshua Rudd, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command
- Born – 1971 in California
- Education – B.A., Furman University; M.A., Naval War College
- Military Service – U.S. Army
- Profession – Military officer
- Political Experience – Deputy Commander U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
- In office since – 2026
- Family – Undisclosed
- Religious Affiliation – Undisclosed
- General Joshua Rudd, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command
Take the survey at www.PraytheVote.orgQUICK NAVIGATION
AMERICA’S HISTORY OF FAITH AND PRAYER
- Issue 747 – Faith and Prayer History
“Religion and liberty are the meat and the drink of the body politic. Withdraw one of them and it languishes, consumes, and dies. … Without religion, we may possibly retain the freedom of savages, bears, and wolves, but not the freedom of New England. If our religion were gone, our state of society would perish with it, and nothing would be left.“
– Timothy Dwight, president of Yale University, July 4, 1798
- Issue 747 – National Prayer Needs
Additional National Prayer Needs
Pray for America’s Military
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memo this month that allows service members who are trained to carry personal firearms on military bases. “Our military installations have been turned into gun-free zones—leaving our service members vulnerable and exposed,” Secretary Hegseth stated. “Our great republic was founded on a simple, yet bold idea. Our rights as citizens are not granted to us by government but instead by God. … The Second Amendment to our Constitution enshrines the right of all citizens to carry weapons to protect themselves, their families, and their fellow citizens. Uniformed service members are trained at the highest and unwavering standards. These warfighters, entrusted with the safety of our nation, are no less entitled to exercise their God-given right to keep and bear arms than any other American.”
Pray for Secretary Hegseth and U.S. military leadership to be discerning as they implement updates to military base security.
Pray for America’s Foreign Relations
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has joined Spain and France in refusing to support the U.S. military in Operation Epic Fury. She recently prohibited the United States from using the military airbase in Sicily for operations connected with the Iran war. She also suspended a long-term defense agreement Italy had with Israel.
The Iranian regime has increased the execution of prisoners, including protestors, as dozens are reportedly being hanged each week. A video recording of Iran’s chief justice calling for the executions of “enemy agents” to be expedited was released the same day that the U.S. announced a two-week ceasefire. Hundreds of prisoners, who have been charged with “waging war against God” and “corruption on Earth,” are at risk of being put to death by Iranian authorities.
Pray for U.S. officials as they engage in peace negotiations and assess the threats to the homeland posed by other nations.
Pray for AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that researchers have identified a novel, potent opioid that may provide pain relief as well as function as a treatment for addiction. “Opioid pain medications are essential for medical purposes, but can lead to addiction and overdose,” said NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Director Nora Volkow. “Developing a highly effective pain medication without these drawbacks would have enormous public health benefits.”
Pray for Administrator Jay Bhattacharya and NIH officials and researchers as they seek alternate pain relief applications and therapies to prevent opioid addiction.
Pray for Needs Across the States
The Maryland State Senate passed a bill late last week that prohibits state and local law enforcement from communicating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement regarding dangerous, violent criminals. The legislation only allows police to inform the federal agency if someone is convicted of a felony. The bill will now go to the state’s House for consideration.
The Maine Supreme Court released the unanimous advisory opinion that the expansion of Ranked Choice Voting to general elections would violate the state’s constitution, which does not allow for additional tabulations required in the ranked choice method. State legislators have proposed the expansion of ranked choice to races for governor and the state legislature. The justices wrote that the legislation’s “conception of a vote as being a series of instructions or rankings that when tabulated pursuant to a ranked-choice process leads to an eventual final vote is inconsistent with the constitutional concept of a ‘vote.'”
Pray for state officials in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to be discerning in their actions and decisions.
Pray for America’s Faith Community
“Have you ever been rejected by family, a friend, maybe a mate even? Do you hate walking on eggshells or finding yourself always trying to please people all the time? … How would you describe yourself? What are the three or four words that depict you, that you think are accurate? Is it loving, caring, warm, approachable, smart? Or is it lonely, inadequate, angry? Are there old labels of too tall, too skinny, too fat, loser, never mount to anything? As honest as you can, how do you actually see yourself?
[You can replace] a misbelief like, ‘I need other people’s approval in order to be happy,’ [with] the truth: ‘I want people’s approval of me, but I don’t need it. With God’s approval, I’m no longer compelled to earn love and acceptance. I’m free to be me.’ …
You will gravitate towards your image of God. And that’s why getting a high, holy, clear, loving, accurate picture of him is the greatest thing you can do for every area of your life.“ – Chip Ingram, Living on the Edge, “You are Wanted” Pt. 1
QUICK NAVIGATION
RECENT PRAYER UPDATES
