This discussion will continue the posts from the Presidential Prayer Team website.
It's tempting when praying for our country to focus our prayers more on politics and people than on God and His purposes. Whether we're praying for a reversal of the moral decline at all levels of our society, or for wisdom and integrity for our leaders, or for America's place in the world, there are spiritual realities that underlie all that we see (and pray for) on the surface.
If we really believe that God answers prayer, then praying for our country and for our leaders has far more impact than lobbying for bills, boycotting organizations, or campaigning for candidates. God will call some of us to activities like that. But he calls us all to pray. Who knows but that God might be in a similar place with America that he was with Israel in Ezekiel's day:
"I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one." -- Ezekiel 22:30
We pray to a God who longs to bring healing to our wounds and unity to our division. Many believe this promise made to Israel still applies today (though America is not "my people" to God in the same way that Israel was):
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." -- 2 Chronicles 7:14
It is up to the Church today to take the lead in opening the door for God's healing through prayer. Please join in! Feel free to post responses or simply to pray along the lines of the PPT's prayer items.
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Sunday, June 02, 2019
During much of the day, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump do not have any public events on their schedule. They will be resting at the White House in advance of the upcoming busy week of travel.
In the evening, the president and first lady will attend a gala performance at Ford’s Theatre and give remarks as part of the event. After the gala, they will stop at the White House briefly before boarding Air Force one en route to London, United Kingdom. They will arrive Monday morning to take part in a state visit with Queen Elizabeth, tea with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and other national officials.
The President's Schedule
Contract Awarded to Build Wall in Rio Grande Valley
Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. to build 3 new miles of wall in Texas
In addition to the border wall, the contract also allows for road construction, detection technology, and lighting installation at the border. Construction is expected to begin in August of this year. An additional 50 miles of barrier are anticipated to be built in Starr County, Texas in the coming months.
Saturday, June 01, 2019
President Donald Trump does not have any public events scheduled for today. He and First Lady Melania Trump will spend their day at the White House. They are likely preparing for their upcoming state visit to the UK next week.
Vice president Mike Pence also does not have any public events scheduled for today. He will likely spend his day at home, following a trip to Canada he made earlier this week.
Pentagon Diverts Additional $1.5 Billion for Border Wall
78.25 miles of fencing to be replaced
Some of the diverted money will be taken from "money we are underrrunning or saving...from Afghanistan" according to Secretary Shanahan. There is also money that was diverted from personnel accounts due to a lack of service members entering into a voluntary "blended retirement program." The money will pay for fence replacement on four projects in and around Tucson, Arizona, and El Centro, Texa, totaling 78.25 miles.
President Delays Auto Tariffs
Gives a timeline for trade agreements
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders illuminated the reasoning for the delay saying that “United States defense and military superiority depend on the competitiveness of our automobile industry and the research and development that industry generates. The negotiation process will be led by United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and, if agreements are not reached within 180 days, the President will determine whether and what further action needs to be taken.”
Sunday, May 19, 2019
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are in residence in the White House and have no public events on their schedule at this time. They are planning to spend time resting ahead of the busy week. The president will be preparing for the second round of meetings with Congressional leaders on national infrastructure and the federal funding required for upgrades and construction.
Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence are at their residence in Washington, D.C. today. They also have no public events on their schedule at this time. The vice president will be traveling this week to take part in campaign events and to meet with national leaders.
President Signs Executive Order on Technology
Effectively blocks Chinese technical equipment
On Wednesday, President Trump signed the Executive Order on Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain. Within his order, the president made it clear that foreign adversary threats to the American communication network, technology, and services are a national emergency. The order gives broad powers to the Department of Commerce to determine if an international technology company is a threat, and block their products.
The Department of Commerce issued a statement clarifying the purpose of the order saying, “the executive order prohibits transactions that involve information and communications technology or services [associated with] a foreign adversary whenever the secretary of commerce determines that a transaction would pose a threat to national security.” This order paves the way for the United States to block the use of equipment from companies like Huawei.
President to Visit Republic of Korea
President Trump to meet with President Moon Jae-in
President Trump previously met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in February, where they discussed North Korea's denuclearization and the lifting of sanctions the U.S. placed on North Korea. The president expressed optimism about his relationship with President Kim, stating that, "the relationship continues, but we'll see what happens."
Second Round of Aid to U.S. Farmers Coming
As much as $20 billion, Agriculture Secretary says
This second round of aid is modeled after last year’s. Perdue said the assistance would likely include more direct payments and commodity purchases.
Our calculations initially probably range between $15-and-$20 billion,” he said of the estimated economic damage to farmers and the scope of the potential aid package, but he reiterated that many details are still being decided.
The secretary did not say when the aid would be forthcoming but the work is being expedited at President Trump’s request.
For the farm families whose livelihood has been interrupted by the tariffs imposed on soybeans, meat and other farm items exported to China.
White House, Congressional Leaders to Talk Budget
Looking for a two-year budget deal
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are expected to meet with White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and others. Their mutual goal is to avoid another government shutdown and increase the debt ceiling.
The Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Richard Shelby of Alabama, said yesterday that leadership was trying to set up a meeting with the White House to discuss a budget cap deal. “What could come out of it is an agreement where we can move our [appropriations] to a number,” he said. “Or nothing could come out of it. If you’ve been there, you’ve seen.”
About the need for a sense of continuity that removes chances of government shutdowns.