Today’s News at a Glance:

1. July is breaking heat records!

2. The Countdown to the Olympics has begun, but a few countries have been uninvited.

3. We give a bird’s eye view of the 2024 Presidential Race

Happy Monday! We hope you were able to stay cool this weekend. We are grateful you’ve chosen to join us for the news. We pray that it leaves you informed and transformed.

For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20

Dear Heavenly Father,

We find ourselves filled with hope and anticipation and thank You for the incredible promise that our true home is not of this world but in Heaven with You. We are sojourners on this earth, and our ultimate destination is in Your glorious presence. Please help us to live each day with this heavenly perspective. As we navigate through the joys and challenges of life, remind us that this world is temporary, but our citizenship in Heaven is eternal. May this hope inspire us to live lives that honor You, to spread Your love, and to share the Gospel message with others. Keep our eyes fixed on You and our hearts anchored in the heavenly home You have prepared for us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Smaller Bites

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

1. July is Breaking Records!

July 2023 is predicted to be the hottest month ever, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Association, leading U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to declare the beginning of a "global boiling" era. President Biden has taken measures to protect workers in outdoor industries by asking the Department of Labor to issue a heat hazard alert, as heat causes more deaths in the U.S. annually than any other natural disaster. Economists see a potential boom in the climate industry, expecting a rise in energy, cooling, and water conservation technologies. The church is also urged to play a role in helping those affected by the heat, aligning with teachings in Christian faith to extend aid and support to those in need.

Heavenly Father, in this time of scorching heat, we ask for Your grace and protection over those who suffer and are vulnerable. Inspire us to extend our hands in service, guided by our faith and love for our neighbors. Grant wisdom to our leaders and innovators to find solutions to these challenges, and let us be steadfast in our care for the Earth and each other. In Jesus' name, Amen.

2.Olympic Countdown Begins! But There May Be Some Absences.

The countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympics has begun, with 203 National Olympic Committees invited, but exceptions have been made for Russia, Belarus, and Guatemala due to geopolitical issues and government interference. Thomas Bach, the president of the IOC, praised Paris' readiness and held out a possible pathway for athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as "neutral athletes." Bach emphasized the unifying power of the Olympics, invoking the memory of John Lennon and highlighting the importance of building bridges, not walls. The Olympic preparations include Bach's visit to the Olympic Village, interaction with Usain Bolt, and the unveiling of the sleek silver-colored Olympic torch.

Gracious Lord, as the world anticipates the coming Olympics, may it be a time of unity, friendship, and respect. Grant safety to all the participants, and let the games be a celebration of human spirit and resilience. Inspire us to see beyond our differences and recognize the shared values that connect us. In Your name, we pray for peace, love, and the success of this grand event. Amen.

3. Where Are We with the 2024 Presidential Election?

The 2024 Presidential Campaign is underway, with current polls favoring President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump as the two nominees, despite the potential legal and investigative issues surrounding both. Among the Democrats, Biden is leading, followed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., while Green Party candidate Cornel West is gaining traction among younger voters. On the Republican front, Trump leads, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Entrepreneur/Author Vivek Ramaswamy vying for second place. Both major parties face uncertainty, with whispers that Biden might back out of the race, and Trump's legal allegations could disqualify him, creating a tense and unpredictable political landscape.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in these times of uncertainty and division, we place our trust in You and not in earthly leaders. Guide our nation and its leaders to make wise and just decisions. Help us to remember that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven and to love our neighbors regardless of their political views. May we foster peace and understanding, and may Your will be done in this election. Amen.

July is Breaking Records!

It’s time for fried eggs on the sidewalk. July 2023 is poised to claim the dubious title of the hottest month ever recorded. Scientists have been so convinced about the impending heat record that they've declared it a certainty even before the month’s end. And by "they", we're referring to the high-ranking officials from the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Association. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres boldly announced that the "global boiling" era has begun.

The scorching temperatures have urged President Biden to shield workers in outdoor industries like agriculture and construction. He asked the Department of Labor to issue a heat hazard alert, especially since heat-related death rates are higher than any other natural disaster. As we delve further into the topic, we find that heat, in fact, takes more American lives annually than any other natural disaster. It's just that it tends not to make headlines as hurricanes do. Perhaps because "heat wave" doesn't have the same dramatic ring as "hurricane" or “earthquake.”

Economists claim that the radical shift in how humanity interacts with the weather will provide a new boom in the climate industry. Energy, cooling, and water conservation are on the horizon as the next big money-making boom. We eagerly anticipate the next generation of geniuses rising to help the world with new technologies in climate.

There are also opportunities for the church to rise and help those affected. Perhaps we can all take time this week to consider how to keep people cool, hydrated, and safe. After all, our faith in Christ compels us to care for our communities.

As we’ve said before, the teachings of our faith remind us to care for the least of these in their time of need (Matthew 25:40), encouraging us to extend our hands in support to those struggling in the heat wave. When the heat rises, so should the body of Christ to respond to the needs. Remember to stay safe out there, and keep your eyes open to those suffering and needing aid. Remember the words of James 2:14-18, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you tells them, ‘Go in peace. Be warmed and filled;’ yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. Yes, a man will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” Let us be people mobilized by faith to help those in need during times of crisis.

Olympic Countdown Begins!
But There May Be Some Absences.

The countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympics has begun! Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), managed to fan the flames of hope for world peace even as he sparked the countdown for the 2024 Olympic Games. As the world gears up for the Olympics, it may have to be done without Russia and Belarus. Formal invites have been dispatched to national Olympic committees and their best athletes in an age-old tradition marking the one-year countdown to the games. 203 NOCs (National Olympic Committees) are on the guest list this time. While the world's nations have been invited to participate, exceptions have been made for Russia, Belarus, and Guatemala due to ongoing geopolitical issues and government interference, respectively. However, Bach held out a possible pathway for athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as "neutral athletes" but mentioned that the final decision will come later.

He showered praises on Paris' preparation for the games, referring to it as perhaps the best-prepared city ever, offering reassurance about the readiness of Olympic venues. Among the more informal activities this week was Bach's visit to the Olympic Village and an encounter with Usain Bolt, the eight-time gold medalist. The organizers also revealed the sleek silver-colored Olympic torch and announced sponsorship deals.

As the world finds itself caught in the whirlwind of conflicts and uncertainty, Paris marks the 1-year countdown to the 2024 Olympics, offering a glimmer of unity and togetherness. Bach, invoking the memory of John Lennon, emphasized the unifying power of the Olympics, saying, "The Olympic Games must always build bridges. The Olympic Games must never erect walls. Imagine. You may say we are dreamers. We are not the only ones."

As Christians, we could see Bach’s plea for unity and peace embodying the message of love and peace Christ has taught us. As the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 4:3, we should all be "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." The Olympics, in essence, expresses the global community's desire for unity, a celebration of human spirit and resilience, reflecting the shared values of peace, friendship, and respect that are fundamental to our faith. Regardless of the hostilities and tensions around the world, the Olympics provide a platform to transcend divisions and connect hearts across nations. Let's say a prayer for peace, for the safety and success of the Olympic Games, and for the world to see the love of Christ through this grand event. Let the games begin!

Where Are We with the 2024 Presidential Election?

The 2024 Presidential Campaign is underway, and we are going to approach reporting it with trepidation. Bias is everywhere and unavoidable. What we aim to do at PrayNews is report objectively and then offer some reflection and commentary based on our faith with a touch of mirth. However, we recognize that no matter how hard we may try to unify, politics is bound to be divisive. So, we will do our best, and trust that the Lord fills in the gaps.

Currently, the 2024 polling seems to favor President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump as the two nominees. Biden - at nearly 82, with a series of investigations surrounding him and his son. And Trump - at 78, with a stack of legal troubles continuing to grow higher. While many candidates have offered themselves as alternatives to Biden and Trump, none seem to have caught steam in the polls.

Polls are showing Biden in the lead for the Democratic party at 65%, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in second at 15%. Robert Kennedy Jr. seems to be resonating more with Libertarian and left-leaning Republicans than the established Democratic base. There have been questions about whether Biden will back out of the race in the coming months, leading Democrats like Dean Phillips and Gavin Newsom potentially throwing their hats in the race. Cornel West, the Green Party candidate, is catching more steam lately among younger voters. His message resonates with many young Democrats upset about their party’s loyalty to the status quo. Democrats seem worried about him siphoning votes from President Biden.

On the Republican front, Former President Donald Trump is still securely in the lead, polling between 45-53% in many polls. The Former President faces several legal allegations, none of which have yet to be proven in a court of law. However, those trials are set to begin right in the middle of the campaign season. The results of those trials could shake up the entire race. Despite these controversies, Trump seems to be doing well with his base.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Entrepreneur/Author Vivek Ramaswamy are currently vying for second place in the polls, oscillating between 10-13%. Both have very different backgrounds but similar platforms they are campaigning on. Nikki Haley, Former Governor of South Carolina, and Senator Tim Scott have seen an uptick in donors but still need to be higher in polling. Every candidate other than Donald Trump seems to be campaigning against one another to secure a group of voters less enthused about Trump.

Both Democrats and Republicans seem to be in a similar space. There are whispers that President Biden could back out of the race, so many people are waiting for that possibility. On the other side of the aisle, Former President Trump faces many legal allegations that could disqualify him from the race. There are two clear frontrunners whose candidacies could be questioned in the coming months. It’s all tense. We will see what happens next.

In this whirlwind of uncertainty and political gamesmanship, let's remember that we are, first and foremost, citizens of heaven. Philippians 3:20 reminds says, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” While the world may put its hope in a certain candidate, anxiously waiting with restless anticipation, we wait on the Lord. We look for where He is moving and how He will call us to bless the people around us.

In the heightened tension of party conflict, we also remember the call to love our neighbors, regardless of their political affiliation. It's important not to get lost in the shuffle of heated debates and divisive rhetoric. Rather, may we be known as people who bravely step over political walls to build relationships and foster peace.

Disclaimer: These articles are based on available information as of the publication date. Please follow our publication for future updates and developments regarding this ongoing stor

All Reporting Fact Checked by:https://editor.factiverse.ai/home

Thank you for joining us today on PrayNews. It is our aim to be informed and transformed. We pray today you will proceed with hope, love, and determination to be a force for good.