Today’s News at a Glance:

• Hunter Biden pleads guilty but remains unpunished.
  

• A sub goes missing near the Titanic.
  

• Trump’s trial is scheduled a week before the Republican debate.

Are we able to report on controversial news while remaining unbiased and hopeful? We will, or we’ll die trying!

“To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” (Proverbs 21:3).

Dear Lord,

No leader, politician, or celebrity compares to You. We take great comfort in knowing that while others may fail and disappoint us, You remain steadfast and unchanging. We look to You for guidance when the tides of culture shift and change. We pray that You will anchor us in truth and keep us steady when the world is chaotic. Empower us to do what is right, even when it’s hard. Keep us focussed on righteousness over political affiliation. Keep us focussed on Your will over the agendas of parties and programs. Keep us upright, and never let us go.

“Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.”
In Jesus’ name, Amen

Smaller Bites

Here’s today’s news: cut short and sweet with a prayer…

1. Addiction & Accountability: Hunter Biden Pleads Guilty to Three Offenses

Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, pleaded guilty to three federal charges, including two counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax and one count of firearm possession by an unlawful drug user. These charges highlight his struggle with substance abuse and alleged dishonesty on a firearm purchase form. Despite the severity of these charges, Biden was allowed a pre-trial diversion for the firearm charge, sparking criticism of perceived justice system disparities. His unpaid tax amounting to $2 million was settled by a supporter of President Biden, bringing forth ethical concerns.

Prayer Request: We pray for Hunter Biden as he navigates his path towards sobriety and accountability and for our justice system so that it may reflect fairness and integrity. May we respond with compassion and empathy towards his struggle with addiction and remember to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

2. A Titanic Tragedy: Missing Submarine in the Atlantic

A tourist submarine named “Titan,” owned by OceanGate Expeditions, disappeared during an expedition to the Titanic wreck site in the North Atlantic. The submarine had five crew members, including British billionaire Hamish Harding, British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, his son, and French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Authorities have launched a wide-scale search with sonar buoys capable of listening to a depth of 13,000 feet. This incident underscores the inherent dangers of deep-sea exploration.

3. Candidate or Criminal: Judge Schedules Trump’s Case to August 14th

Former President Donald Trump faces a trial date for a Florida documents case accusing him of willful retention of classified government records and obstruction of justice. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon scheduled the trial nine days before the first Republican presidential debate, promising a speedy trial that might face complexities related to classified evidence. Trump, who pleaded not guilty, faces stringent conditions for accessing case materials, and his defense lawyers must seek security clearances to review evidence.

Prayer Request: We pray for Hunter Biden as he navigates his path towards sobriety and accountability and for our justice system so that it may reflect fairness and integrity. May we respond with compassion and empathy towards his struggle with addiction and remember to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

Addiction & Accountability: Hunter Biden Pleads Guilty to Three Offenses

In a significant development that has sent shockwaves nationwide, Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, has pled guilty to three federal charges. The charges are as follows:
Two counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax.
One count of possession of a firearm by an individual who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.
According to the charges, Hunter Biden, known to have struggled with substance abuse, allegedly lied on a firearm purchase form by stating he was not a drug user. This lie, subsequently deemed a felony, led to the firearm offense. However, he has been allowed to enter a pre-trial diversion, essentially a program offering him a second chance. Completing a series of tasks like sobriety checks and attending Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, could result in the firearm charge not being filed.
On the tax front, Biden is accused of willful failure to pay substantial federal income taxes over two years. Given that the unpaid amount amounted to $2 million, this suggests a considerable amount of income during that period, bringing into focus possible nefarious business dealings. Hollywood attorney Kevin Morris, a supporter of President Biden, paid the delinquent tax debt, further clouding the situation with ethical concerns.
Many Americans are already expressing concerns that Biden was offered a plea deal, saying that if an average American had been charged with the same crimes, they would face a significant amount of time in prison. The situation with Hunter Biden is an unfortunate showcase of a disparity in the justice system in America and worldwide. This case is a stark reminder of the need for fairness, integrity, and justice in all walks of life. The Bible speaks of unbalanced scales being an abomination to the Lord. (Proverbs 11:1). People in authority are supposed to be kept to higher standards of accountability, not lower. This news also offers an opportunity to re-emphasize the importance of personal accountability, another principle championed in the Bible. Being accountable for one's actions, whether submitting to legal authority or managing personal issues such as substance abuse, is a necessary component of faith and character. As this case progresses, it will be crucial to keep these principles at the forefront of the discussion. The focus should be on the legal implications for Hunter Biden and the broader conversation about justice, accountability, and compassion in our society.
However, we must not allow this story to breed more contempt in us. Compassion is necessary since it’s clear Hunter Bidan has struggled with severe addiction, leading him to make irrational and immoral decisions. We should not revel in his failures, just as the Lord never rubs our sins in our faces. Instead, may we approach this story with empathy, recognizing that people can be easily caught up in sin due to addiction.
In closing, let us recall Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” As we reflect on these developments, may this verse guide our thoughts and prayers.

A Titanic Tragedy: Missing Submarine in the Atlantic

In a tragic twist of fate reminiscent of the RMS Titanic’s infamous sinking over a century ago, a tourist submarine dubbed the "Titan" has disappeared in the North Atlantic during an expedition to the Titanic wreck site. The submersible craft, owned by OceanGate Expeditions, lost contact with the Polar Prince research ship approximately an hour and 45 minutes after its descent, roughly 900 miles east of Cape Cod on Monday. The U.S. Coast Guard has since launched a wide-scale search for the vessel and its five-person crew.

OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owns the missing submarine, offers tourists the chance to descend to the Titanic wreck for a hefty fee of $250,000 per seat. The Titanic, which sank in April 1912, remains on the ocean floor about 400 miles southeast of the Newfoundland coast. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the perils of deep-sea exploration, even with modern technology.

The crew comprises an operator and four mission specialists, with British billionaire and adventure traveler Hamish Harding reportedly among the group. The remaining passengers' identities have yet to be confirmed by the Coast Guard. However, the Dawood family from Pakistan have confirmed their son, British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his son, Suleman, were on the expedition. Prominent French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, who was part of the first expedition to visit the Titanic wreck in 1987, is also reported to be aboard the vessel.

Authorities have deployed sonar buoys capable of listening to a depth of 13,000 feet and are working to develop a rescue plan in the event the vessel is located underwater. Rear Admiral John Mauger of the U.S. Coast Guard reiterated their commitment to finding the submersible, stating, "We are doing everything that we can to make sure that we can locate and rescue those on board."

As we report on this concerning incident, we do so with a profound sense of the fragility of human life and the awe-inspiring power of the natural world. As followers of Christ, we extend our prayers to those aboard the submarine and their families during this time of uncertainty and fear. Psalm 107:28-30 comes to mind: "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven."

We will follow up each day as we discover more about the missing submarine. Come back tomorrow to hear any updates, and continue to pray for the rescue team during their search.

Candidate or Criminal: Judge Schedules Trump’s Case to August 14th

In a recent development, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has set an initial trial date for the controversial Florida documents case involving former President Donald Trump. The criminal case accuses Trump of willful retention of classified government records and obstruction of justice. In an intriguing collision of calendars, the trial is slated to commence just nine days before the first Republican presidential debate on Aug. 23.

The 37-count indictment promises a speedy trial, but legal experts anticipate potential complexities due to the nature of the evidence involved. Specifically, classified evidence and the degree to which Trump's legal team challenges the government’s pretrial motions could potentially stall proceedings.

In keeping with legal precautions, a U.S. judge has instructed Trump's defense lawyers to avoid releasing evidence related to the case to the media or the public. Former President Trump, who pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Miami last week, also faces stringent conditions for accessing the case materials.

The case will adhere to the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA) stipulations, a law designed to protect classified evidence and manage how such records are disclosed. While Judge Cannon has directed Trump's defense attorneys to seek security clearances to review the evidence, the procedural motion to discuss the pretrial schedule, a usual step under CIPA, has yet to occur.

David Aaron, a former federal prosecutor with Perkins Coie, said, "It seems like a tight schedule to me, and courts are sometimes surprised at the ways in which classified information can slow a case down because of both the procedural law and the security measures involved."

Many people have been rooting for the indictment of Trump, waiting for more justification to dislike him. Others decry the case as a witch-hunt and political move to remove him from another presidential bid. Here at Pray.com, we are on the side of justice, truth, love, and transformation. Whatever the outcome of the case, we pray it is that direction. Let’s collectively pray for wisdom and truth to prevail over political agendas.

We will keep a watchful eye over this case. Continue to come back to Pray News to receive updates. As the case unfolds, our prayers are with all involved. We are reminded of Proverbs 21:3, "To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." We hope that whatever the outcome, it will contribute to preserving justice and upholding the core values of our faith and nation.

Disclaimer: This article is based on available information as of the publication date. Please follow our publication for future updates and developments regarding this ongoing story.

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