But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. – Jeremiah 29:7
A rebellious Judah had been taken captive and exiled to Babylon. Despite the hardship, God told them to “settle in,” build houses, plant gardens, get married, and have children. They were also instructed to pray for their captors and work for the peace and prosperity of the city where they were. If the city had peace, the Lord’s message from Jeremiah said, they, too, would have peace. God has you where He wants you, and He has you there for a purpose. “Work” for the benefit of where you are—at the very least, you can vote! Lift up local governing officials in prayer, as well as state and federal leaders, that they would seek the peace of the regions they represent. Above all, be engaged and live as God’s beloved children. You have no idea how effective your prayers will be!
Executive Branch: Pray for the President and his Administration
Assistant Secretary of State James O’Brien, who leads the State Department’s European Bureau, said, “It would be pointless” to have peace talks over the war in Ukraine. He said there is “no indication that Russia is willing to entertain substantive, real peace negotiations.”
Pray for State Department officials as they make attempts to secure an end to the war in Ukraine by diplomatic means.
Legislative Branch: Pray for Senators and Representatives in Congress
Representative Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma said uncontrolled spending is moving the U.S. toward bankruptcy. He said, “Every dollar that’s funding most of these bureaucracies, that most people won’t touch in their lives, is borrowed from our kids and grandkids…100% of everything we’re debating is borrowed money. We are headed towards bankruptcy.”
Pray for members of Congress who are seeking to address the high levels of national spending.
PRAY FOR CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES
The House Education and Workforce Committee is scheduled to hear testimony from the presidents of Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The academic officials will testify about their handling of antisemitic and violent protests following the Hamas October 7 attack on Israel. Committee Chair Virginia Foxx of North Carolina said, “College administrators have largely stood by, allowing horrific rhetoric to foster and grow.”
Pray for committee members as they investigate the ways colleges and universities are dealing with antisemitism.
Judicial Branch: Pray for Supreme Court Justices and Federal Judges
The Supreme Court has agreed to consider the powers of the Securities and Exchange Commission to enforce securities law through its own in-house tribunal system rather than using the nation’s courts. The case could have wide-ranging ramifications for the administrative state.
Pray for wisdom for the Supreme Court justices as they deal with cases this term that could crub the authority of federal agencies.
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.
I had faith in Israel before it was established, I have in it now. I believe it has a glorious future before it – not just another sovereign nation, but as an embodiment of the great ideals of our civilization.
– Harry S. Truman, September 1959
Pray for America’s Military
The Army has not received much of a response to the offer of the opportunity for soldiers who were relieved of duty to return to service. One former Green Beret who had requested an exemption from inoculation on religious grounds called the letter “out-of-touch,“ and said, “It was frustrating. It was insulting.”
Pray for U.S. military branch officials and recruiters as they struggle to staff America’s Armed Forces branches.
PRAY FOR AN END TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has conceded that their counteroffensive has failed, but he insists that it is not a reason to surrender to Russia. “There is not enough power to achieve the desired results faster. But this does not mean that we should give up, that we have to surrender,” he said. “We are confident in our actions. We fight for what is ours.”
Pray for wisdom for U.S. and allied officials involved in diplomatic discussions for a resolution amid deteriorating conditions in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Pray for AMERICA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
Russia wants the “Big Five” nuclear power nations (Russia, U.S., China, France, and the UK) to meet in 2024. Russia previously announced its plans to withdraw its ratification from the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. No agenda for the meeting has been publicly announced.
Pray for the president and his administration as they consider the invitation to nuclear talks.
Pray for AMERICA’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
The CDC released a report on drug overdose deaths in all 50 states and the District of Columbia through June 2023. As the trend of drug use rises, so does the rate of overdose deaths. A licensed actuary and a Ph.D. mathematician calculated that, if drug use continues at its current rate in America, 1 in 39 people will die of an overdose. Studies show that 92 percent of fatal drug overdoses are accidental, and 84 percent involve illicit drugs like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and meth.
Pray for Americans, particularly youth and adolescents, to turn to the Lord for purpose and meaning in their lives.
Pray for AMERICA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
Israel’s military leaders acknowledged it is expanding its activities in the southern portion of the Gaza Strip after negotiations with Hamas for the return of additional hostages failed and Hamas conducted attacks in Jerusalem. Israel said their actions “will be no less powerful” than those they conducted in the northern portion of Gaza.
Pray for the release of those individuals being held hostage by Hamas.
Pray for AMERICA’S ECONOMY
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that fast food prices have increased at least 6.2 percent over the past year, with McDonalds’ pricing reportedly jumping 10 percent. While nearly 50 million Americans eat fast food every day, experts say restaurants, whether fast food or others, will not be able to sustain low prices as labor and food costs continue to rise.
Pray for governing officials and industry heads as they assess increases in minimum wage for fast food workers and the impact it will have on customers.
Pray for Goodness in America
Actor and the author of children’s books, Kirk Cameron, is challenging Scholastic, the largest publisher of children’s textbooks, with his own alternative book fair. He said, “We’ve decided to go after the head of the snake and find out who is filling libraries and schools with sexually explicit and gender-confusing material. The head of the snake, the dealer of all this, is Scholastic Books… we are offering an alternative… and encouraging schools through parents and school boards to get rid of Scholastic Books.”
Pray for Mr. Cameron, his Christian publisher, BRAVE Books, and others looking to protect children from inappropriate materials in their schools.
Pray for Needs Across the States
A Salt Lake City, Utah, justice court filed charges against seven members of a student group, charging them with misdemeanors and infractions for disrupting the operation of a school, disorderly conduct, and interference with a police officer. The group had stormed an event held by a conservative club on campus that was critical of the transgender community.
Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in Wisconsin that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana for adults. The legislation would permit possession of up to 14 grams for adults, making simple possession no longer subject to imprisonment.
Pray for legislators as they consider and pass laws that will have an impact on America’s youth.
Pray for America’s Faith Community
“Living boldly in a secular culture means living out the teachings of Jesus, even when they clash with societal norms. It means showing love and compassion to those around us, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds. It means being unashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).“ – Pastor Greg Laurie, Harvest Church, California, November 2023