U.S. Executive Branch Officials
- For the President and his staff as the debate over health care reform moves forward. During the August recess, much work remains to be done to figure out details and determine the best course of action.
- For the President to spend quality time with his wife and daughters during the slower month of August in Washington. Sasha and Malia return to school on Sept. 8.
- Cabinet Spotlight: The Department of Commerce, which among other tasks, administers the Census, which is already well underway. Pray for the 38,000 employees of the Department and its Secretary, Gary Locke.
U.S. Legislative Branch Officials
- For members of the House and Senate as they have begun their traditional August recess. Although usually termed “vacation,” the month means lots of town hall meetings, time with constituents, and attending events. Pray for rest after the stress of a DC summer.
- For calm, thoughtful discussion at town hall meetings throughout this month. Several have already become raucous and at least one has turned violent.
- For newly-sworn in Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Pray as she hires law clerks, establishes her chambers, and prepares for her first argument on September 8.
State Government Officials
- For the Governor as he prepares to make his selection for the new Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. Interviews should be complete and an announcement should come soon.
- For the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, which distributes grant funds and economic development funds to local government. Pray for its employees, particularly those administering the economic stimulus programs, and the Commissioner, Mike Beatty.
National Requests
- For the families of those killed in the mid-air collision in New York.
- For those in Iran being paraded in show trials after the unrest following the election. Efforts continue to suppress protests.
- Praise that two American journalists held in North Korea were freed.
Thought for the Week
"Politics, noun. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage." - Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary
