Today’s News at a Glance:

1. New testimonies about UFOs have Congress shaken.

2. Interest rates are rising, but we’re being told it’s fine.

3. Religion is taking a dive in people’s interests, but interest in community is skyrocketing. Is this a bad thing for the church or an opportunity?

Today’s stories remind us that life can often be confusing and mysterious. Some things seem one way but turn out to be wildly different than we anticipated. That’s why we try to approach the news with some humility, knowing that things are continually changing around us, but the Love and truth of the gospel remains steady.

“God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can’t comprehend.” Job 37:5

Dear Lord,
We stand in awe of Your mighty power and limitless wisdom. We marvel at the way Your voice thunders through the universe, commanding the stars, directing the winds, and bringing life into being. Yet, it also whispers gently in our hearts, guiding, comforting, and leading us closer to You. We acknowledge, Lord, that Your ways are far beyond our understanding. Like Job, we often find ourselves puzzled by the complexities of life and the vastness of Your creation. Yet, we trust in Your wisdom, goodness, and perfect plan. Help us to see the great things You do in our lives and around us. Open our hearts to Your guiding voice and strengthen our faith when our understanding falls short. Thank you for the wonder and mystery of Your creation and the privilege of being part of Your grand design. May we continually marvel at Your works and seek Your wisdom in all we do. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Smaller Bites

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

1. UFOs, Congress, & The Mysteries of the Universe

In a recent congressional committee hearing, former military intelligence officer David Grusch claimed the executive branch had withheld information about Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), commonly known as UFOs, for many years. He alleged a "multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse-engineering program" and said officials he interviewed had direct knowledge of aircraft with "non-human" origins. Meanwhile, the Pentagon's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office denies knowledge of extraterrestrial materials or reverse-engineering programs, despite probing about 800 UAP reports, which has led to frustration in Congress and increasing demands for transparency.

Dear Lord, as we further understand Your infinite creation, keep us humble and guided by Your love and truth. As mysteries unravel, may we remember that You are the source of all wisdom and knowledge. Whether life exists elsewhere or not, help us to never lose sight of Your glory displayed throughout the universe and our duty to spread Your love on Earth. In Jesus' name, Amen.

2.For Heaven’s Sake, Let’s Talk Interest Rates!

Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell, has once again raised interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, making it the 11th hike in the last 12 meetings, which aims to bring inflation back around the 2% target. The overnight interest rate has reached a range of 5.25%-5.50%, a level not seen since the 2007 housing market crash, yet Powell assures this is part of a larger economic strategy. While another rate increase in September has been hinted at, Powell has also noted that any expectations of lowering rates this year are unfounded, promising to only cut rates when he deems it's the right time.

Dear Heavenly Father, in the face of economic changes and uncertainties, we are reminded of Your unchanging nature and Your provision. Grant wisdom to those making decisions that impact many lives and guide us to be good stewards of our resources. Help us to trust in You above all, knowing that our ultimate security lies in Your love and faithfulness. In Jesus' name, Amen.

3. Interest in ‘Religion’ Low. Interest in ‘Community’ High

A recent Gallup survey shows a significant shift in Americans' priorities, with more individuals valuing community activities, hobbies, money, friends, and health over religion. However, the importance of family continues to rank highest. The study also points to an increase in digital religious engagement, particularly among millennials, suggesting that while in-person worship may be declining, interest in faith remains strong in online spaces. This trend presents an opportunity for the church to leverage digital platforms to engage the younger generation while building strong communities in-person that meet their growing desire for connection.

Heavenly Father, we see a world changing rapidly, seeking connection and community more than ever before. Help us, the Church, to be a beacon of Your love and community in these challenging times. Guide us in reaching out to those who are seeking, even if they're doing so in new digital spaces. May we utilize these tools to communicate Your truth effectively and lovingly. As we adapt to these changes, let us always keep sight of Your unchanging Word and the timeless message of Your love and salvation. In Jesus' name, Amen.

UFOs, Congress, & The Mysteries of the Universe

On Wednesday, a congressional committee gathered to discuss everyone’s new favorite acronym: UAP: Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena. We laymen traditionally know them as… UFOs. Congress held a hearing where David Grusch, a former military intelligence officer-turned-whistleblower, spilled some cosmic beans.

Grusch, a decorated and credible Air Force and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency veteran, claimed that the executive branch has been pulling the alien wool over Congress' eyes, keeping them in the dark about these mysterious objects for years. The internet is flooding with "Men in Black" references as new reports compile.

During his tenure investigating UAP, Grusch said he got wind of a "multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse-engineering program." Unfortunately, he got a resounding 'access denied' when he tried to dig deeper. Then things got even more sci-fi. Grusch claimed to have interviewed officials with direct knowledge of aircraft with "nonhuman" origins. When pressed further about the pilots of said aircraft, Grusch clarified that there were non-human biologics found in the recovered craft. To be fair, “nonhuman biologics” could mean any animal, such as a rat or bird. But the testimony’s tone suggested it was some sort of extraterrestrial biologic.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office has been busy probing about 800 UAP reports. The office denies any knowledge of extraterrestrial materials or reverse-engineering programs. But some lawmakers are not buying it, suspecting the military knows more than it's letting on.

The panel also heard from former Navy pilots Ryan Graves and David Fravor. They echoed Grusch's concern about inadequate reporting systems for UAP encounters. Graves shared some close encounters of his own, describing unknown objects as "dark grey or black cubes … inside of a clear sphere." These types of sightings have been typically dismissed when reported by civilians, but these are decorated naval pilots and intelligence officers.

Congress has become increasingly frustrated at the stonewalling it has received from parts of the executive branch and intelligence agencies, leading to some intense moments during the committee gathering. This situation seems like the beginning of a sci-fi comedy movie, but the tone of Wednesday’s hearing was far from comedy. As Congress pushes for UAP transparency, the hearing has set the stage for increased scrutiny. There's even an amendment in the works, calling for executive branch agencies to cough up UAP records.

Here are a few details to keep in mind. No direct eyewitnesses of biologics gave testimony on Wednesday. Grusch is giving second-hand testimonies of people he has spoken to. Why aren’t the direct eyewitnesses giving testimony? There’s speculation of a coverup. Grusch cannot give the exact names of his sources to the public by law. However, he can give exact names, dates, locations, and details in an official classified setting. Members of Congress have requested access to interview Grusch in a classified setting but have been denied.

Turning to a Christian perspective, the existence of UFOs or extraterrestrial life can be challenging for some to reconcile with their beliefs. However, as Christians, we should remember that our understanding of God's creation is continually growing as we discover more about the universe. With each new discovery, we become more in awe of God’s power. Job 37:5 reminds us, "God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding." Whether we find life in outer space or not, it doesn't diminish the glory of God's creation but rather adds to its wonder and mystery. As we explore the vastness of the universe, we should do so with humility, seeking knowledge with a spirit of curiosity, not fear. As Psalm 19:1 states, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Truthfully, the Bible doesn’t speak about life on other planets. Rather, the story of God seems much more concerned with how we glorify and worship God where we are. The world beyond earth we are most concerned with is heaven. Stories like these are intriguing and worth our attention because they showcase government transparency, national security, and scientific discoveries. However, may stories like these never distract us from our mission to make disciples of every nation and bring the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth with Christ’s love.

For Heaven’s Sake, Let’s Talk Interest Rates!

In what feels like a political performance of Hamlet, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has once again raised interest rates, leaving the audience—oops, the market—on edge about whether another act will follow in September. Think of it as Hamlet's "To be or not to be" monologue, but with a lot less existential dread and a lot more numbers.

The Federal Reserve, or as we call it here at PrayNews, "America's National Bank Account," lifted interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point as an apparent tactic to return inflation to the cozy neighborhood of the 2% target. It's the 11th hike in the last 12 meetings.

The overnight interest rate is now in the 5.25%-5.50% range, a level we haven't seen since the housing market crash in 2007. Don't let that scare you, though. Powell assures us that there's a method in this economic madness.

Mr. Powell is staying mum on whether another rate hike is coming. He's promised to keep an eye on the economic horizon for signs of "below-trend" growth, a necessary condition, according to him, for inflation to fall.

Now, let's take a look at this through the eyes of an economist. Economists argue that inflation and the labor market are like two kids on a seesaw; when one goes up, the other goes down. Key price measures are increasing at more than double the Fed's target, despite a low unemployment rate of 3.6%. So, despite all the 'lifts' and 'hikes,' our seesaw is more like a teetering balance beam.

But, the Fed's steady hand has seen some success. Inflation has fallen from last year's highs without causing any major economic shakeups. Powell even hinted at the possibility of another rate increase in September, which is pretty much the equivalent of your fitness trainer saying, "We might, just might, have another set of burpees."

Yet, the ever-cautious Powell also cautioned against any expectations of easing rates, saying, "We'll be comfortable cutting rates when we're comfortable cutting rates, and that won't be this year." So, keep those sweatbands on, folks!

From a Christian perspective, we are reminded of the need to trust in God's provision and plan in the face of life's uncertainties, including fluctuating interest rates. Just as the Psalmist says in Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Similarly, while some may put their trust in the economic ebbs and flows, we find comfort in the constancy of our faith and the wisdom it provides.

So, while the world of finance continues to sway with the shifting sands of economic trends, we remain anchored in our faith, mindful of our responsibility to steward our resources wisely, and prayerful for those making decisions that impact millions of lives. The Fed might have the power to adjust the interest rates, but we know who has the power to adjust our hearts. And that, my friends, is priceless.

Interest in ‘Religion’ Low. Interest in ‘Community’ High

A recent Gallup survey indicates that more Americans value community activities, hobbies, money, friends, and health over religion. While family remains the top priority, the importance of religion has dipped by 7 percent over the last two decades. The focus on community activities has notably risen, with 55 percent of respondents in the recent survey marking it as important, compared to only 32 percent in 2002. This data reinforces the findings of several studies highlighting the decline in religion as a priority among Americans.

The shifting of priorities among Americans could be considered a cause for concern, especially considering that our Christian faith is designed to inform every aspect of our lives, from our relationships to occupations. The decline in the importance of religion doesn’t necessarily mean they are abandoning faith, though. While church attendance seems to be declining, reports of people interested in faith and Jesus have increased.

The increased interest in community activities and friendships over religion ought to excite the church rather than discourage it. The body of Christ is meant to be, first and foremost, a community. People’s disinterest in religion could mean disinterest in worship spaces, but as we all know, the church isn’t a place - it’s a people. Culture is craving community, and the church has a lot to offer when it comes to community.

Studies have shown that millennials — a generation with one of the lowest rates of in-person worship— report engagement with digital religion, making their faith experience richer. At the same time, some who don't go to church have found religion in digital spaces.

What does this all mean? Churches have seen increasing fruit from diving into the digital world to engage the next generation. Millions of compelling sermons, commentaries, journals, and devotionals are available online to help people learn about the character of God and apply the Bible to their lives. And the wealth of information is only increasing. The future of teaching and learning is digital, but people still crave community. The church has an excellent opportunity to teach people the good news of Jesus online while fostering a deep and loving community in their cities. Sharing good meals, deep conversations, charitable services, and life-giving connections.

Let’s remember the words of Hebrews 10:24-25, “Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

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

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