Issue # 51

December 20 26, 2012

PRAY FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HIS ADMINISTRATION

An independent review of the deadly attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi faults systemic failures and deficiencies in leadership and management in senior levels of management of the State Department. With thousands and thousands of people touring the White House each day, First Lady Michelle Obama explained her role during the holidays as Hostess-in-Chief, saying she; Sasha and Malia love all the festivities of Christmas. Pray for President and Mrs. Obama and their family to enjoy the holidays and find renewed faith in Christ.

PRAY FOR OUR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS

The $60 billion Hurricane Sandy disaster relief bill has become a Christmas tree laden with attachments for everything from aid to salmon fisheries in Alaska to new roofs for the Smithsonian museums. Arizona Representative Ron Barber, who survived the Tucson shooting that targeted former Representative Gabrielle Giffords, has called for limits on assault weapons and better services for those with mental illnesses. Pray about the many issues Congress must deal with before the end of the year, including the fiscal cliff.

PRAY FOR OUR JUDICIARY

A federal appeals court has placed in abeyance challenges to the Obama Administrations birth control coverage mandate pending a new rule that will affect how religious organizations must comply. The next big issue in the national debate over guns whether people have a right to be armed in public is moving closer to the Supreme Court after a judiciary panel in Chicago struck down a ban on concealed-carry. Pray for wisdom for our judges as they rule on matters of public health and safety and the rights of individuals.

PRAY FOR THESE NATIONAL LEADERS IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK:

Joe Biden, Vice President of the United States. Bob Corker, United States Senator from Tennessee. Justice John G. Roberts, Chief Justice, United States Supreme Court. Lieutenant General Stanley E. Clarke III, Nominee, Director of the U.S. Air National Guard.
For more information on these prayer requests and Daily Member Updates please visit presidentialprayerteam.org.

OTHER PRAYER CONCERNS:

WARS AND TERRORISM
A year after the last American troops left Iraq, the two countries are still trying to get comfortable with a looser, more nuanced relationship with the young democracy. Iraqs president suffered a stroke this week and is recovering. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Congress that the budget stalemate and lawmakers spending choices are among the greatest threats to the U.S. military, increasing the stress on the forces and impacting troop readiness. Pray for the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of our military spending time away from families at Christmas.

FOREIGN INTERESTS AND CONFLICTS

U.S. Marine John Hammar has been in a Mexican prison for months over a bogus gun charge made against him by Mexican officials. He has been tortured, starved and chained to a bed. The State Department efforts are minimal. Russia sent warships to the Mediterranean to prepare a potential evacuation of citizens from Syria, a sign that President Assad is worried that the rebels are succeeding as they advance toward Damascus. Pray for Americans detained on trumped-up charges or for use as hostages in Mexico, Syria and elsewhere.

THE ECONOMY
General Motors will repurchase 200 million shares of its own company currently owned by the U.S. Treasury, but at a discounted rate, which means that American taxpayers will lose billions in the deal. Housing prices have risen for six months in a row, signaling a recovery beginning since the bubble burst six years ago. Analysts are closely watching the costs of building materials, including lumber, expecting increases. Pray about the real costs of the automotive company and bank bail-outs to the overall American economy.

ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST

Israels government will press ahead with expanding Jewish settlements around Jerusalem despite Western criticism of the plan to build 6,000 more homes in territory Palestinians seek for a state. President Obamas potential nominee for Secretary of State, former Senator Chuck Hagel (Nebraska) is receiving some alarming reaction from the American Jewish community for prior alleged anti-Israel stands. Pray about the relationships between the United States, Israel and the Palestinians.

HEALTH CARE
The Food and Drug Administration is is recommending new ways to regulate so-called compounding pharmacies after the outbreak of fungal meningitis that affected 620 people, killing 39 of them, earlier this year. Canadian researchers have enumerated some 85 drugs whose potency is negatively affected by eating grapefruit, including cholesterol-lowering drugs, anticancer agents, synthetic opiates and some psychiatric drugs. Pray for pharmaceutical companies and drug researchers to be alert to dangers and contra-indications. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5

For more information on these prayer requests and Daily Member Updates please visit presidentialprayerteam.org.