Weekly Prayer Requests

This week's requests come after the President's address last week and the continued discussions regarding the state of fiscal affairs for our country, particularly as Congress begins studying the President's budget proposal for the next fiscal year.

U.S. Executive Branch Officials

•  For great wisdom for President Obama as he continues to deal with the challenges created by dealing with international entities. The President visited with the prime minister of Japan last week and already faces threats from North Korea and other rogue regimes.
  
• For the First Lady, as she continues to be put in the spotlight.
  
• Cabinet Spotlight: The Department of Commerce promotes economic development and innovation, along with overseeing the Census.  Pray for the more than 38,000 employees of the Department and its Secretary-designate, Gary Locke.
  

U.S. Legislative Branch Officials

• For members of the Senate, as they consider the omnibus spending legislation which includes large amounts of spending for the remainder of this fiscal year.
  
• For members of the House, as they consider the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act and legislation to give a voting Member of Congress to the District of Columbia.
  
• For members of the House and Senate as they begin consideration of the President’s budget for the next fiscal year, including projected cuts.
  
• For the relationship between Speaker Pelosi and the President, which appears to be strained already.
  

 State Government Officials

• For members of the state House and Senate as the session continues. Tuesday is day 25 of the 40-day legislative session.
  
• For continued work on the state budget for the current fiscal year, which should move through the House this week, and the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 as both Houses prepare.
  
• For the House’s consideration of the transportation governance overhaul this week, along with the changes at the Department of Transportation due to the firing of the Commissioner on Thursday.
  

National Requests

• For the continued economic challenges, and tough balancing of spending priorities for families and government entities
  

Thought for the Week

“To devote all, or even most, of our time, energy, money, and strategy to putting a facade of morality on the world of the appearance of ‘rightness’ over our governmental and political institutions is to badly misunderstand our roles as Christians in a spiritually lost world.” - A prominent evangelical leader.

 

 

Weekly Prayer Requests

This past week saw a number of new initiatives by our nation's leadership to address the continuing financial crisis, including new efforts at solving the house problems facting our country. The President also made his first foreign visit to Canada. Secretary of State Clinton embarked on an Asian trip, and Congress was in its week-long President's Day recess.

This coming week will involve a number of issues as Congress returns, and as the President gives an address to Congress on Tuesday evening.

U.S. Executive Branch Officials

• For President Obama, his staff, and family as they work to prepare the President’s address to Congress for Tuesday night.
• For the executive branch agencies, their directors, and staff as many agencies begin the difficult process of implementing the stimulus bill according to the terms passed by Congress.
• Cabinet Spotlight: The Department of Agriculture oversees the nation’s policy on farming, agriculture and food, and plays a vital role in fostering trade and ensuring food safety. Pray for the more than 100,000 employees of the Department and its Secretary, Tom Vilsack

U.S. Legislative Branch Officials

• For members of the Senate, as they consider legislation this week to grant a voting Member of Congress to the District of Columbia and continue to work through confirmation of the President’s appointees.
• For members of the House, as they consider an omnibus appropriations bill to fund the government through September 30 of this year and possibly the President’s home mortgage plan.
• For Senator Ted Kennedy, his family, and his staff as his brain tumor appears to be worsening. Pray for healing, grace, and strength for everyone involved in this extremely difficult and challenging time.

 State Government Officials

• For members of the state House and Senate as the session continues. Tuesday is day 24 of the 40-day legislative session.
• For resolution to the state’s budget challenges as the Governor and others work to determine the amount of federal funding coming to Georgia as a result of the federal stimulus legislation.
• For committees and staff as they analyze and amend the blizzard of bills including tax incentives, changes to power regulation, school vouchers, and transportation governance.

National Requests

• For wise leadership in the banking system of the U.S. as challenges continue and nationalization is discussed.
  

Thought for the Week

 “Thou, O Lord and Master, hast given [our earthly rulers] the power of sovereignty . . . that we, knowing the glory and honour which Thou hast given them, may submit ourselves to them, in nothing resisting Thy will. Grant them therefore, O Lord, health, peace, concord, and stability, that they may without failure administer the government which Thou hast committed to them.” - Clement of Rome, in the wake of the persecutions ordered by Nero.

 

 

Weekly Prayer Requests

This has been a momentous week in the U.S. Congress, as the President's stimulus package was approved by both Houses of Congress and sent to the President for signature.  This also marks the first week of the paper distribution of prayer requests for government leaders.  Here are this week's prayer requests:

U.S. Executive Branch Officials

• That the President and Vice President would have the wisdom they need to govern the country.
• That staff members in key positions in the Administration would give wise counsel to their superiors.
• That the President and his family would be able to find a solid church in the DC area.
• For the President’s daughters, Malia and Sasha, as they adjust to new surroundings and a new school.
• For the First Lady, as she fills her role in addition to being a mom and supporting her husband.

 U.S. Legislative Branch Officials

•  For members of the House and Senate as they travel back to their districts and states for the President’s Day Recess this week.
• For Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as they work to set the agenda for the remainder of the month of February.
• For physical strength and recovery for members of Congress and staff members who are exhausted after a week of negotiations over the stimulus bill that often resulted in extremely long work hours.
• For Senators as they prepare to continue the confirmation process for many of the President’s appointees.

 State Government Officials

•  That the chairmen of the Appropriations Committees, Sen. Jack Hill and Rep. Ben Harbin, would be able to locate the funds necessary to balance the state’s budget.
• For endurance and wisdom for state legislators during the 2009 session, which now could stretch into June.  There are 40 working days in a legislative session.
• For the transportation funding issue in the state of Georgia, as Governor Perdue, Lt. Governor Cagle, and Speaker Richardson work to craft a compromise.

 National Requests

•  That the national economic picture would improve.
• For those who lost loved ones in the plane crash in New York on Thursday night.

Thought for the Week

 “Without ceasing, for all our emperors we offer prayer. We pray for life prolonged; for security to the empire; for protection to the imperial house; for brave armies, a faithful senate, a virtuous people, the world at rest, whatever, as man or Caesar, an emperor would wish.” - Early Church Father Tertullian (regarding an Emperor that was killing Christians).

  

Prayer for Justice Ginsburg

According to news reports, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg underwent surgery today for pancreatic cancer.  Although the cancer was caught early, pancreatic cancer is a challenging disease.  Justice Ginsburg will remain in the hospital for 7-10 days while she recovers.

During her recovery, being praying for:

• A quick and full recovery so she can return to the Court, which is on winter break, but resumes conferences on February 20.
• For her husband, family, law clerks, and staff during her recovery.
• That the doctors would wisely guide future treatment as she continues to address possible future cancers.
• For the opinions she is currently assigned to write and the workload associated with her service to our nation on the Court.
• For minimal pain as she recovers from what is very extensive surgery.