Ned Price, State Department Spokesman
Spokesman Ned Price said the State Department made the calculation to prioritize the Iran nuclear deal over human rights issues.
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- Issue 562 – Verse of the Week
September 29th – October 5th, 2022
VERSE OF THE WEEK
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.“ – Matthew 6:34
Goodbye, Fear
In 2020 and 2021, Chapman University conducted a survey of American fears. Among the top ten fears, of which the largest percentage of Americans were “afraid” or “very afraid,” were the fear of corrupt government officials, at nearly 80 percent of respondents. That was followed by the fear of loved ones dying, contracting the coronavirus, or becoming seriously ill. Then came fears of widespread civil unrest, economic or financial collapse, and biological warfare. Listening to news sources only exacerbates those fears. Yet how many times has God told His people not to fear? In fact, “fear not” is in the Bible 365 times—that is one occurrence for every day of the year! Place your fears before the Lord. Let His perfect love for you calm the fears and replace them with joy in knowing and loving Him. Say goodbye to those fears as you meditate on His faithfulness today.
- Issue 562 – Federal Branches
Praying for Our Leaders in Government
Executive Branch: Pray for the President and his Administration
President Joe Biden proposed a new rule requiring airlines and travel search websites to disclose extra fees upfront when passengers purchase air tickets. The proposal would include the costs to change and cancel flights, check baggage, and for parents to sit with their children.
The Energy Department issued a plan detailing a government-wide strategy for increasing the production and use of sustainable aviation fuels. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said the plan will help American companies corner the market on a valuable emerging industry.
Pray for administration members as they address the issues airlines and their passengers have dealt with in recent months.
Legislative Branch: Pray for Senators and Representatives in Congress
Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio is voicing concerns about retaliation by the FBI against a whistleblower who cooperated with Congress. He has alleged that the bureau has been diverting resources to create a false political narrative that America has a violent domestic extremism problem.
Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa has called for transparency from the FBI on the failure of President Biden’s administration to adequately vet Afghan evacuees. He cited an Inspector General’s report that showed the Department of Homeland Security did not properly screen thousands of refugees who fled Afghanistan when the U.S. withdrew last year.
Pray for members of Congress as they conduct oversight over the FBI and Justice Department.
PRAY FOR CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES
At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, chairman Angus King of Maine discussed the need for U.S. leaders to survive a potential strike by a weapon from China or Russia, or other nuclear-capable nations. He suggested the president’s residence be moved to Kansas City to ensure the government could function after such a strike.
The ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Mike McCaul of Texas, is calling on Congress to declare fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction. Doing so would free up additional federal resources to address the distribution of the deadly substance and send a signal to China that the U.S. is serious about the problem.
Pray for the chairpersons and members of both House and Senate committees as they focus on serious issues facing the nation.
Judicial Branch: Pray for Supreme Court Justices and Federal Judges
A federal judge with the U.S. District Court in Louisiana struck down the federal COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates for teachers and students in the Head Start Program. He stated, “Although vaccines arguably serve the public interest, the liberty interests of individuals mandated to take the COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any interest generated by the mandatory administration of vaccines.”
Members of the House of Representatives, led by Representative Hank Johnson of California, introduced legislation to add an additional 51 judges to the nation’s federal appeals courts. They say the move is necessary to address a significant backlog of cases.
Pray for members of the Supreme Court as they begin their 2022-2023 session this week.
Featured Leaders For Prayer
Dick Durbin, U.S. Senator from Illinois
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is calling for more oversight of COVID-19 relief funds, especially the Paycheck Protection Program.
Judge Andrew Oldham, Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has cleared the way for a Texas social media law to take effect, making it possible to sue large social media platforms for removing political viewpoints.
Andrew Hunter, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics
Andrew Hunter, the Air Force’s chief acquisition executive, said the B-21 Raider will roll out of its manufacturing plant in early December.
As we lift up the 117th United States Congress, we will highlight one elected senator or representative each day. Pray with us for each of them as they tackle their unique responsibilities and fulfill their oaths of office.
TODAY’S CONGRESSIONAL LEADER FOR PRAYER
- Ben Cardin, Senator from Maryland
Ben Cardin, Senator from Maryland
- Born – October 1943 in Baltimore, Maryland
- Education B.A., University of Pittsburgh; J.D., University of Maryland, Baltimore
- Military Service – None
- Profession – Lawyer
- Political Experience – Maryland House of Delegates, U.S. House of Representatives
- In office since – 2007
- Family – Married to Myrna Erdmann, 1 daughter
- Religious Affiliation – Jewish
Our gift to you this holiday as we remember the true reason for the season with sacred and traditional Christmas music. LISTEN NOW!
OUR ELECTIONS: God’s plan for America
Spend just SEVEN minutes a day with us, SEVEN days a week between now and the midterm elections, as we pray over SEVEN key topics that you have said concern you most this year. IT IS ALL ABOUT PRAYING for this nation, for our families and communities, our churches and our government and leaders.
Prayer Team Member Essentials
Tools to help in your daily prayer life with encouragement to lift up America and our leaders in prayer.
Official 2022 Pray the Vote Guide
Improve your prayer life, be reminded why we are called to pray, and find hope through prayer in this 12-page Pray the Vote guide.
Includes a 2022 midterm election checklist inside.
Official 2023 Wall Calendar
NEW for 2023! Travel along scenic American pathways and roads this year as we seek God’s guidance to lead us every day.
Additional Resources
Volume 4 FALL EDITION
Still available! Cover the final quarter of the year in daily prayer.
Get a preview with our DIGITAL SAMPLE directly from Volume 1!
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AMERICA’S HISTORY OF FAITH AND PRAYER
- Issue 562 – Faith and Prayer History
“Let all the world learn to give mortal men no greater power than they are content they shall use, for use it they will; and unless they be better taught of God, they will use it ever and anon…“
“It is therefore most wholesome for magistrates and officers… never to affect more liberty and authority than will do them good, and the People good: for whatever transcendent power is given, will certainly overrun those that give it, and those that receive it.”– John Cotton, Puritan scholar and clergyman, 1636
- Issue 562 – National Prayer Needs
Pray the Vote
Fulton Cunty, Pennsylvania, has filed a lawsuit against Dominion Voting Systems over what it alleges are “severe” issues with voting data discovered after the 2020 election. Among the allegations are that a “python script” had been installed on one of the devices and that the device was “connected to an external device on an external network,” reportedly one linked to Canada.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency turned down a multimillion-dollar proposal by a federally funded nonprofit to protect election officials from harassment ahead of November’s midterms. The agency has, however, published a number of resources on its website to assist states and local election officials in addressing election misinformation.
Pray for election officials and those who are seeking to secure both the ballots and the personnel involved in these midterm elections.
Additional National Prayer Needs
Pray for our Military
The Department of Defense is taking new measures to help service members deal with rising costs as inflation continues to put pressure on Americans. The department is subsidizing grocery bills and creating easier access to the SNAP (food stamp) program.
The Air Force Academy has reportedly told cadets in diversity and inclusion training to use words that “include all genders” and refrain from using terms such as “mom and dad.” The training slide said, “Some families are headed by single parents, grandparents, foster parents, two moms, two dads, etc.: consider ‘parent or caregiver’ instead of ‘mom and dad.‘”
Pray for America’s military members who are struggling to make ends meet on their service salaries.
War in Ukraine
The United Nations’ International Commission of Inquiry reports initial investigations into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have found evidence of war crimes. The commission did not specify who was responsible for allegedly committing the offenses.
North Korea said it has never exported military equipment to Russia nor does it have such plans, after a U.S. intelligence report earlier in September indicated otherwise. The U.S. report indicated that Russia was purchasing millions of artillery shells and rockets from North Korea to use in its war against Ukraine.
Pray for the people of Ukraine as the incursions of Russia continue.
Pray for AMERICA’S FREEDOMS
An FBI whistleblower has reported to the Office of Special Counsel that he believes the bureau and Justice Department are violating the constitutional rights of January 6 defendants, falsifying statistics on domestic extremism, and misusing SWAT teams to make misdemeanor arrests.
Pray for those coming forward to disclose unconstitutional actions being taken by federal agencies.
Pray for AMERICA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
A new report details how China is recruiting scientists from the top government-sponsored research laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The report states the Chinese are trying to bring knowledge to their country on building missiles and drones.
Iran, a member of the prestigious United Nations women’s rights council, has been violently oppressing women who are demanding their rights and protesting mandatory Islamic head coverings and laws allowing for child brides, even without parental consent. According to a UN report, Iran “effectively devalues the worth of a woman’s life to half that of a man, and consequently makes women more vulnerable to crime.” The U.S. Treasury announced sanctions against Iran’s morality police over the death of a woman in custody and violence against protesters.
Pray for wisdom on the part of America’s leaders in dealing with Iran and North Korea.
Pray for AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Many working parents are shifting away from traditional preschool and childcare centers to in-home care. Better paying nanny jobs are also luring workers away from childcare centers. At the same time, the shortage of childcare centers is keeping some parents, especially mothers, out of the workforce at a time when the U.S. is facing a labor shortage.
A decline in cancer deaths has accelerated in recent years, reaching a 2.3 percent annual drop every year between 2016 and 2019, according to the latest American Association for Cancer Research Center Progress report. They said improved treatments, diagnostics, and screening are making a difference.
Give thanks for the recent decline in cancer-related deaths.
Pray for AMERICA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
In an address to the United Nations, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid outlined a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “An agreement with the Palestinians, based on two states for two peoples, is the right thing for Israel’s security, for Israel’s economy, and for the future of our children,” he said. The prime minister did condition the potential existence of a Palestinian state upon it being peaceful and not a threat of terror.
Pray for the leadership of Israel as they head into their elections and for discernment regarding a potential division of the land.
Pray for AMERICA’S ECONOMY
The Leading Economic Index, a gauge of future economic activity in the U.S., declined for a sixth straight month in August. This potentially signals a recession and the possibility of more interest rate increases from the Federal Reserve.
Existing home sales dropped half a percent from July to August as interest rates increased. It was the seventh straight month of declining sales. The median home price also declined from its record high in June, but prices are still up 7.7 percent from the same period last year.
Pray for American families as they face the pressures of inflation and rising interest rates.
Pray for Justice in America
The Labor Department Inspector General identified $45.6 billion in potential unemployment insurance fraud during the pandemic, a figure that far exceeds past estimates. The IG said scammers allegedly filed claims using suspicious email accounts or Social Security numbers of deceased or federal prisoners ineligible for the benefits. Some also filed claims in multiple states.
Pray for federal officials as they seek to identify and hold accountable those who committed such frauds at a time of national crisis.
Pray for Goodness in America
A young Tennessee entrepreneur is making a major difference in his community and the environment through his cardboard box business. The twenty-year-old with autism began recycling cardboard boxes in 2020. To date, he has recycled 40 tons of cardboard. He says it “feels pretty good” to be helping the environment and giving back to his community. Some of the collected cardboard gets donated to community gardens and emergency moving needs.
Give thanks for young men and women who are moving forward and making a difference regardless of the challenges or limitations they may face.
Pray for America’s Media
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to approve a bill that will allow news organizations to band together to negotiate with Alphabet’s Google and Meta’s Facebook to earn more revenue. The bill now goes to the full Senate. A similar bill is before the House of Representatives.
Pray members of both chambers of Congress as they deliberate legislation addressing technology and media platforms.
Pray for America’s Technology
The Federal Communications Commission approved a long-delayed proposal to reduce spam texts. These fraudulent text messages, which can include links or other tricks designed to steal money or personal information, have increased exponentially, with the volume now exceeding that of robocalls.
Pray for federal officials as they seek to eliminate spam, whether in texts, emails, or robocalls.
Pray for Needs Across the States
The Hawaii House of Representatives has the consensus necessary to move forward with a special session of the legislature. The session would be held to address the State Supreme Court ruling that preliminary hearings are not a lawful method for charging major felonies, including murder, but that prosecutors must obtain a grand jury indictment against a suspect to file felony charges.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has asked President Biden to address the Inflation Reduction Act section that gives tax credits to electric vehicle purchases only as long as they are assembled in North America. This proviso would eliminate 70 percent of vehicles on the market, along with plug-in hybrids, that would no longer qualify under the act.
Pray for wisdom for state legislatures and governors.
Pray for America’s Faith Community
“I want to see America return to the days when we were a nation that placed our trust in God. I pray every day that our people be safe and blessed. … I want to help build an America that cherishes life and respects the inherent value in all people—from birth to death, into eternity. There is absolutely nothing extreme about that sentiment, nor has there ever been.” – Dr. Alveda King, evangelist, op-ed, September 20, 2022
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