Give thanks for the excellence shown by the members of our military as they safeguard our freedom.  Pray for God’s powerful protection, for guidance and help for each one.  Pray for their families, who are sacrificing so much.

Give thanks for a small group of pastors who have repeatedly been called upon by President Obama to provide spiritual support and prayer, asking that God will guide these men with great wisdom as they speak with the President.  Pray for powerful moments of influence that will impact him with sound spiritual truth, biblical guidance and the love and grace of our Holy God. 

Pray for President Obama for his safety and protection as he travels and for godly wisdom for him as he leads our nation. 

Pray also for President and Mrs. Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha as they depart 3/20 for Camp David, MD for the beginning of the girls’ spring break.  Pray for meaningful family moments for them, and for spiritual renewal as they enjoy the gracious mountain setting. 

Pray for President Obama as he meets with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia at the White House 3/24.  The two leaders will discuss ways to address critical global issues and will consult on effective measures to respond to the global financial crisis as well as Afghanistan, climate change, nuclear nonproliferation and more.  Give thanks for this excellent partnership and pray for God’s guidance for these two men as they meet. 

Pray also for President Obama as addresses the nation in a televised news conference on Tuesday, 3/24. Pray for godly wisdom and great guidance for him as he prepares and speaks.

President Obama has announced the appointments of Dr. Margaret Hamburg as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and Dr. Joshua Sharfstein as the Principal Deputy Commissioner, as well as the creation of a new Food Safety Working Group.  Pray for Hamburg and Sharfstein as they step up to serve our country, asking that they will be empowered to protect our nation’s food supply and keep Americans safe. 

Pray for the seven-member crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery which docked Tuesday with the International Space Station and brought supplies needed to increase the facility’s capacity, doubling the number of people who can live there from three to six.  Pray for continued protection and strength for the crew. 

Many school districts have announced deep cutbacks in budgets and staffing in the coming year.  Pray for the teachers and staff of our nation’s schools as they work long hours and in challenging situations, asking for God’s grace for those facing an uncertain future.  Pray for wisdom for each decision made that will impact the employment of a teacher, and pray for encouragement for those who must wait to learn their future. 

Give thanks for mild signs of economic recovery this week asking that our economy will gain strength and those struggling with financial setbacks will have hope and help. Pray for those losing their homes, for those seeking employment and for those struggling to afford basic necessities, and pray for all who are working to help our economy rebound. 

The Pentagon has reported that reports of sexual assault in the military have increased.  Though initially alarming to learn of an 8% increase, officials are encouraged that this is a positive sign indicating that more persons are reporting incidents rather than remaining quiet.  Pray for services and support for victims to be strengthened and increased, and pray for healing for all victims of any form of abuse.