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- Issue 623 – Verse of the Week
November 30th – December 7th, 2023
VERSE OF THE WEEK
Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. – Luke 21:28
Eyes to the Skies
During the Second Temple Period in Israel, when the people had returned from Babylonian captivity and needed to complete the rebuilding of the Temple, a prophet came on the scene named Haggai. In verses 6 and 7 of the second chapter of his small book, he wrote, “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory.’” Scholars and eschatologists have debated whether that has happened in the past or is yet part of the future for this planet. Some are suggesting that the shaking has begun. If it has, and only the Father knows, then you need to remember one thing and do another: Remember the words of Hebrews 12:28 that there is a kingdom that cannot be shaken, the Kingdom of God. Then, do as today’s verse says, and keep looking up! Keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus is the right thing to do, any time, all the time, shaking or not!
Our gift to you this holiday as we remember the true reason for the season with sacred and traditional Christmas music. LISTEN NOW!
NOVEMBER Ministry Update Letter – BELIEF AND ACTION – Read Now!- Issue 623 – Federal Branches
Praying for Our Leaders in Government
Executive Branch: Pray for the President and his Administration
President Joe Biden is not traveling to Dubai for the COP28 United Nations Climate Change Conference that begins Thursday. Aides suggested he is keeping his focus on the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. John Kerry, the president’s special climate envoy, and his delegation will be in the United Arab Emirates for the two-week conference.
Pray for President Biden and his advisors as they respond to developments in the wars in Ukraine and Israel.
Legislative Branch: Pray for Senators and Representatives in Congress
Representative Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma is introducing two bills that challenge the efforts of President Biden’s administration to support abortions through its use of federal funds. They are known as The No Abortion Coverage for Medicare Act and the No Taxpayer Abortions for Unaccompanied Minors Act.
Pray for Congressman Brecheen and others who seek to prevent the use of and eliminate federal funding for abortions.
PRAY FOR CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES
The Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Representative Mike Turner of Ohio, said more tapes of the J6 incident at the Capitol will be released quickly. He stated, “When you see the footage yourself, it’s going to give you an understanding of what was there and what occurred that day. … It’s important for Americans to know the truth.”
Pray for those in leadership positions in Congress as they seek transparency in the federal government and particularly surrounding the incidents of January 6.
Judicial Branch: Pray for Supreme Court Justices and Federal Judges
Maryland’s handgun license law was struck down by a federal appeals court as a violation of the Second Amendment. Fourth Circuit Judge Julius Richardson wrote, “In Maryland, if you are a law-abiding person who wants a handgun, you must wait up to thirty days for the state to give you its blessing. Until then, there is nothing you can do; the issue is out of your control. Maryland has not shown that this regime is consistent with our Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.”
Pray for judges across the country hearing and deciding First and Second Amendment rights cases.
Featured Leaders For Prayer
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Jennifer Homendy, Chair, National Transportation Safety Board
A new “intelligent speed assistant” would be mandatory in all new cars under a proposed regulation of the National Transportation Safety Board.
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Dean Phillips, U.S. Representative for Minnesota
Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota said the deal negotiated in part by the U.S. to secure a pause in fighting between Hamas and Israel did not go far enough.
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Judge David Stras, Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
Appeals Court Judge David Stras ruled that litigation on the Voting Rights Act is limited to federal authorities.
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General Michael Langley, USMC, Commander, U.S. Africa Command
Special Operations Forces with the U.S. Africa Command have been training alongside partners in Tanzania.
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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- Chief Judge William Pryor, Eleventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
Chief Judge William Pryor, Eleventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
- Born – April 1962 in Mobile, Alabama
- Education – B.A., Northeast Louisiana University; J.D, Tulane University
- Profession – Attorney, Judge
- Political Experience – Attorney General of Alabama, U.S. Sentencing Commission
- In office since – 2020
- Family – Undisclosed
- Religious Affiliation – Undisclosed
- Chief Judge William Pryor, Eleventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
Featuring twelve former U.S. Presidents – Only 1,000 copies available!
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AMERICA’S HISTORY OF FAITH AND PRAYER
- Issue 623 – Faith and Prayer History
“We cannot read the history of our rise and development as a Nation, without reckoning with the place the Bible has occupied in shaping the advances of the Republic. … Its refining and elevating influence is indispensable to our most cherished hopes and ideals.”
– President Franklin D. Roosevelt, October 1935
- Issue 623 – National Prayer Needs
Additional National Prayer Needs
Pray for America’s Military
The U.S. Air Force is testing new eyewear that provides better protection from damage from laser pointers. More than 9,000 incidents of laser pointers that were intentionally aimed at aircraft were reported in 2022 alone, posing severe safety threats to pilots and violating federal law.
Pray for technicians and scientists as they develop protective eyewear for pilots.
PRAY FOR AN END TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE
Russia said it has thwarted more than 20 attacks by Ukrainian drones over Russian territory, including at least one over central Moscow. The attacks followed one of the largest drone attacks by Russia against Ukraine’s capital Kyiv. Ukraine said it intercepted 71 drones across six regions, “a record number.”
Pray for wisdom for military officials as drone military maneuvers are used by both sides in the conflict.
Pray for AMERICA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
China and the United States continue to dispute the use of the South China Sea. The Chinese military said it had used naval and air forces to “attack, monitor and turn away” a U.S. Navy destroyer that was on a routine “freedom of navigation” operation. China claimed the incident “proves that the United States is an out-and-out security risk creator in the South China Sea.”
Pray for U.S. officials and allies as they promote the lawful navigation of the world’s seas by all parties.
Pray for AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
State departments of health are issuing warnings about scams in connection with medical insurance enrollment programs. One reported, “Scammers can be very convincing and creative, so we want residents to know the warning signs and what to do if a call or contact seems suspicious. Insurance companies would never contact you by phone, email or text to ask for personal information like your Social Security number or bank information.”
Pray for Americans to exercise caution and use known agencies or companies through which to enroll in medical insurance programs.
Pray for AMERICA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
Israel and Hamas, as part of their ongoing negotiations, have extended the “humanitarian truce,” for several days, according to Qatar. Approximately 240 hostages have been held in Gaza by Hamas since October 7, and they are releasing ten or so each day during the initial truce in exchange for 150 Palestinians in Israeli jails.
Pray for the health and safety of the hostages and that they will soon be released by Hamas.
Pray for AMERICA’S ECONOMY
Largely due to the high mortgage rates, sales of existing homes once again slowed in October. According to the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales have reached their lowest level in more than a decade and are down 14.6 percent from a year ago.
Pray for families who have been unable to secure housing due to high interest rates that make mortgage payments out of reach.
Pray for Goodness in America
The Department of Veterans Affairs has paused foreclosures on homes with VA-backed loans to allow veterans who are struggling to keep up with mortgage payments time to financially recover by skipping payments.
Give thanks for the VA program designed to help veterans retain their homes and pray for veterans who are struggling to make their mortgage payments.
Pray for Needs Across the States
Governor Janet Mills and members of Maine’s congressional delegation are urging federal regulators not to pursue offshore wind turbine energy projects in fertile fishing grounds off the state’s coastline. The state officials are calling the projects inappropriate.
A bill introduced in the Pennsylvania House would require owners of vacant and neglected properties to pay fees starting at $500 a year and escalating to $4,000 by year nine and beyond. The bill’s sponsor said, “Blight is a problem that affects every community across the Commonwealth, both rural and urban.”
Pray for members of state legislators as they address the needs of their regions and communities.
Pray for America’s Faith Community
“Today’s complacency is tomorrow’s captivity. This world is constantly fighting for our attention and trying to draw us in to what it says is right, but if we walk closely with God, then it cannot have a foothold over us or our children. When our integrity is greater than our influence, nothing can stop us.“ – Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, Higher Ground, November 2023
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