Weekly Prayer Update

As our nation’s Founders designed their plan for a more perfect union, they understood that the success of a modern republic would require more than a political document like the Constitution. From their study of history, the Founders had learned of the pitfalls of republics before this one. They concluded that even the Constitution alone could not curb individual selfishness. They believed that virtues were necessary for sustaining the American experiment. Their fervent prayers were an integral part of the birth of our nation.

 

 

America Under Judgment?

Evangelical pastor says America is being judged for sin

by Dave Ficere Is the United States being judged for sin? Are the current woes facing the nation a result of America mimicking Israel and turning away from God? One leading evangelical leader says the answer to both questions is a resounding “yes.”

Pastor John MacArthur made the comparison at the recent 2011 Resolved Conference in Palm Springs, California. He identified six sins committed by Israel that led to six curses being visited upon them. The U.S., MacArthur contends, is guilty of the same sins and, therefore, is also under God’s judgment.

 

Executive Prayer Focus

Steven Chu, Secretary of Energy

Despite the anti-spending climate, the Department of Energy has given $4.5 billion in taxpayer-backed guarantees to a solar manufacturer. 

 

Legislative Prayer Focus

Harry Reid, United States Senator from Nevada

Senate leaders abandoned plans for a test vote on authorizing the U.S. military operation against Libya.

 

 

Armed Forces Prayer Focus

Captain Christopher Ferguson, USN, Commander Space Shuttle Atlantis

The historic final space shuttle mission is set for Friday, July 8, 2011. The crew has completed their preflight training and dress rehearsal and are in Houston awaiting their final trip to the launch pad. 

 

Judicial Prayer Focus

Judge R. Guy Cole Jr., Federal Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, which banned the use of race and gender preferences in college admissions and government hiring and contracting. 

 

 

 

Inside Washington   

Your Mileage May Vary

 Can GOP presidential candidates perform as advertised?

by Jim Ray If you’ve ever perused the lot of an automobile dealer, you know there are certain inalienable realities about the window sticker on a new car.

First, the true value of the vehicle will be thousands less than posted the moment you drive it away. Second, the mileage projections which appear so authoritatively on the sticker are probably not what you are going to actually get.

Mileage projections often don’t reflect real world conditions – like wind, hills and your personal driving style. When the magazine Car and Driver studied how the Environmental Protection Agency measures fuel economy, it found that “the imperfection of human drivers is a big problem” in testing.

As the Republican candidates for the 2012 presidential election make their pitches, voters are trying to determine if the prospects’ “window stickers” accurately reflect how they would govern in the White House.

Here’s a caution: Your mileage may vary.

 

Viewpoint  

Faith Declaration

It’s not something to neglect in America

by Adam Colwell Coming off the celebration of the 235-year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the precious religious freedoms still enjoyed in America, it’s easy to forget there are Christians elsewhere whose simple declaration of their faith in Jesus Christ could mean their swift death.

Which makes the update about Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani in Iran – first reported to you on these pages last November – that much more joyous…at least for the moment. 

 

Pray For President Obama & Administration

President Obama rejected calls for a short-term hike to the debt ceiling, saying Congress should not give up on a deal to make significant cuts to the country’s budget deficits, urging them to “do something big…seize the day.” President Obama is attempting to block the Texas execution Thursday of a Mexican man charged with rape and murder because it would breach an international convention and do “irreparable harm” to U.S. interests. Pray for President Obama as he deals with issues both foreign and domestic of many natures.

 

Pray For Congressional Leaders

Representative Elijah Cummings (Maryland) is pushing lawmakers to strengthen the nation’s gun laws and regulations to better equip law enforcement agents in their fight against illegal weapons trafficking. Senator John McCain (Arizona) said the Obama administration is taking an unnecessary risk in drawing down the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, saying none of the military commanders has recommended the drawdown. Pray for wisdom for our Congressmen and Senators as they seek to best represent their constituencies.

 

Pray For Judicial Needs

The U.S. Supreme Court ended its term this week, and now begins a three-month vacation. Many of the Justices will have speaking schedules, some will relax with families, and others will enjoy sporting events. A federal appeals court has temporarily stopped forcing anti-psychotic drugs on the man accused of the attempted assassination of Representative Gabrielle Giffords, while arguments on his competency are continued. Pray for the nine Justices of the Supreme Court to have a beneficial, relaxed and healthy summer.

 

Pray for Current Events

THE WARS

The White House is prepared to keep as many as 10,000 U.S. troops in Iraq after the end of the year, amid growing concern that the planned-for pullout of virtually all remaining forces would lead to intensified militant attacks. Iran’s elite military unit, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, has transferred lethal new munitions to Afghanistan and Iraq in recent months, including smuggled-in rocket-assisted exploding projectiles, U.S. officials reported. Pray for the safety of our military personnel of every rank, and for their families who await their safe return.

TERRORISM

Militants from al-Qaeda’s branch in Yemen are mulling plans to surgically implant explosive devices in would-be suicide bombers, possibly targeting airlines with undetectable explosives concealed in their bodies. At least 40 militants linked to al-Qaeda in Yemen have been killed in two days of airstrikes and ground clashes with government forces, after militants stormed a military camp near where Islamic forces have seized several towns. Pray that the terrorists, and suicide bombers, would not find success in their threats against airlines.

THE ECONOMY

Federal regulators will be able to take back two years of pay from executives deemed responsible for a large bank’s failure, according to a newly approved rule from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Commerce Department reports that businesses requested more airplanes, autos, and oil drilling equipment in May, with factory orders rising 8/10ths of a percent, suggesting disruptions from the Japan crisis are fading. Pray that businesses and consumers in the U.S. will begin to show more confidence in the economy.

ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST

Hundreds of foreign pro-Palestinian activists taking part in an “aerial flotilla” to the West Bank are expected to begin arriving on Thursday, according to Israeli police assessments. Some have already been denied entry. Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood has expelled five of its youth members in a purge designed to signal it is unwilling to tolerate dissent within its ranks, as it heads toward a parliamentary election in September. Pray against the eruption of violence in Israel with the arrival of the activists by air or by sea.

HEALTH CARE

Under so-called accountable care organizations, medical providers are slowly moving toward a new model of delivering care designed to hold doctors and hospitals more accountable for performance. Spending on healthcare in the U.S. far outpaces other industrialized countries, according to a recent report, accounting for 17.4% of the nations total economic output, or approximately $7,960 per capita, mostly privately financed. Pray about the containment of costs for health care in the U.S., and the accountability of providers.

 

Presidential Quote of the Week

William Howard Taft (1857-1930), 27th President of the United States

“No man can study the movement of modern civilization from an impartial standpoint, and not realize that Christianity and the spread of Christianity are the basis of hope of modern civilization in the growth of popular self-government. The spirit of Christianity is pure democracy. It is equality of man before God the equality of man before the law, which is, as I understand it, the most God-like manifestation that man has been able to make.”