OUR NATION AND ITS LEADERS
This week we will be celebrating our nation's Independence Day. As citizens of the kingdom of God, let’s pray earnestly for the nation in which we live on earth as citizens and for our leaders. Our nation is in great need of spiritual awakening. There is an increasing move away from biblical values, division and turmoil on many different fronts, and many other troubling trends. Here are some verses that form the basis of our praying and can give suggestions as to what to pray in regards to our nation, its leaders, and ourselves.
He (the Lord) makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them. -- Job 12:23
A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand: He directs it wherever he chooses. -- Proverbs 21:1
Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord
with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. -- Psalm 2:10-11
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. -- Jeremiah 29:7
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. – 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. -- Titus 3:1-2
WEEKLY PRAYER UPDATE – July 1, 2026
Missions:
Senator Barnes & family – East Asia Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative for World Ventures
Stephen & Sabrina Marshall – church planting in Lyon, France
Capstone Church, Helena, Montana – Caleb Groteluschen, pastor; Ben Quigg, worship leader
Juan Pablo and Sol Herrera – Hispanic ministry in Ponder
Camp Horizon – an effort of our Lyon partners to reach the children of the section of the city known as Bron -- July 5-12
Church:
Preparation on the part of VBS staff; VBS registration
Determination of need for Meals on Wheels program in Ponder
Planning for starting Mother's Day Out in the fall – registration underway
Staff search for worship leader
This week’s worship service, Bible studies, and BodyBuilder groups
Personal Needs:
Spiritual awakening in our community, in our nation
Salvation -- Those on your "Who's Your One?" list
Shelly Pope – recovering at home after hospitalization and insertion of stent in bile duct
Martha Wyatt – in Forest Village for rehab, undergoing treatment for infection
Guy Stagner – doing well in recovery from heart procedures to stabilize heart rhythm
Judy Vaughan – at home now, recovering from surgery to repair broken hip
Carolyn Gillespie – is under hospice care, but has improved slightly
Lincoln (2 yr old son of Brenda Davidson's niece) – hospitalized in recovering from surgery on June 18 to correct brain defect; still has several surgeries ahead
Grief: Eddie & Hunter Ishmael, Janell Wilbanks, Carol Graham – death of their wife, mother,
daughter, granddaughter – Jennifer Ishmael
Randy & Elise Ramey and family – death of his father, Russ
Manda Marquis Campbell – is improving as she deals with recovery from fungal infection and shingles
Paula Haddix (former member) – was to have had kidney removal May 26, but postponed due to diagnosis of husband having cancer on his neck that will require surgery
Blake Crutsinger – Ponder coach with fractured skull -- undergoing rehab
Charlotte Hodges (Darrell Pope's sister) – diagnosed with bone cancer
Kerr Broadstreet (Kim's brother) – undergoing more treatment for tumor in shoulder
Tristen Garza (grandson of longtime PISD administrator, Kent Josselet) – experiencing difficulties with lower extremities, with walking; undergoing testing and physical therapy
Those in assisted living/nursing homes: Barbara Nofziger, Mary Alice Benton
Our government leaders
First responders
He (the Lord) makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them. -- Job 12:23
A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand: He directs it wherever he chooses. -- Proverbs 21:1
Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord
with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. -- Psalm 2:10-11
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. -- Jeremiah 29:7
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. – 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. -- Titus 3:1-2
WEEKLY PRAYER UPDATE – July 1, 2026
Missions:
Senator Barnes & family – East Asia Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative for World Ventures
Stephen & Sabrina Marshall – church planting in Lyon, France
Capstone Church, Helena, Montana – Caleb Groteluschen, pastor; Ben Quigg, worship leader
Juan Pablo and Sol Herrera – Hispanic ministry in Ponder
Camp Horizon – an effort of our Lyon partners to reach the children of the section of the city known as Bron -- July 5-12
Church:
Preparation on the part of VBS staff; VBS registration
Determination of need for Meals on Wheels program in Ponder
Planning for starting Mother's Day Out in the fall – registration underway
Staff search for worship leader
This week’s worship service, Bible studies, and BodyBuilder groups
Personal Needs:
Spiritual awakening in our community, in our nation
Salvation -- Those on your "Who's Your One?" list
Shelly Pope – recovering at home after hospitalization and insertion of stent in bile duct
Martha Wyatt – in Forest Village for rehab, undergoing treatment for infection
Guy Stagner – doing well in recovery from heart procedures to stabilize heart rhythm
Judy Vaughan – at home now, recovering from surgery to repair broken hip
Carolyn Gillespie – is under hospice care, but has improved slightly
Lincoln (2 yr old son of Brenda Davidson's niece) – hospitalized in recovering from surgery on June 18 to correct brain defect; still has several surgeries ahead
Grief: Eddie & Hunter Ishmael, Janell Wilbanks, Carol Graham – death of their wife, mother,
daughter, granddaughter – Jennifer Ishmael
Randy & Elise Ramey and family – death of his father, Russ
Manda Marquis Campbell – is improving as she deals with recovery from fungal infection and shingles
Paula Haddix (former member) – was to have had kidney removal May 26, but postponed due to diagnosis of husband having cancer on his neck that will require surgery
Blake Crutsinger – Ponder coach with fractured skull -- undergoing rehab
Charlotte Hodges (Darrell Pope's sister) – diagnosed with bone cancer
Kerr Broadstreet (Kim's brother) – undergoing more treatment for tumor in shoulder
Tristen Garza (grandson of longtime PISD administrator, Kent Josselet) – experiencing difficulties with lower extremities, with walking; undergoing testing and physical therapy
Those in assisted living/nursing homes: Barbara Nofziger, Mary Alice Benton
Our government leaders
First responders