Today’s News at a Glance:

1. Proud Boys leader and chairman Enrique Tarrio is sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in the January 6th insurrection.

2. An 81-year-old Vietnam veteran is awarded the Medal of Honor for defying orders.

3. The island nation of Tuvalu is losing its coast, forced to become a digital country.

Character is often tested and revealed under intense circumstances. Today’s stories show a range of ways people respond to adversity, power, and loss. Being faced with adversity and loss can cause us to become self-focused and bitter. But our God calls us to something higher. He calls us to respond to trouble and loss with dignity, selflessness, and perseverance. If you are struggling today, and those struggles have caused you to look inward, let this remind you to look upward. Upward toward the call of Christ, who carried His cross for You and I. Take heart, my friends, for hope is alive in anyone who calls upon the name of Jesus.

We’re glad you’re here. We pray this take on the news leaves you informed and transformed.

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Dear Lord,
We are humbled and moved by the ultimate sacrifice of love You made for us. Through Your willingness to lay down Your life, we have come to know the height and depth of true love. May this transformative love inspire us to also love selflessly, to put others' needs before our own, and to walk in daily sacrifice. Help us to recognize the opportunities You give us to show love in both big and small ways, and grant us the courage to act upon them. Thank you for the gift of love, the example of selflessness, and the calling to live out this love in our own lives. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Smaller Bites:

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

1. Enrique Tarrio, Former Proud Boys Leader, Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison

Enrique Tarrio, the former chairman of the far-right group Proud Boys, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, marking the longest sentence in over a thousand related criminal cases. Convicted earlier this year on charges of seditious conspiracy, Tarrio received a sentence considerably below the federal guidelines but notably stiff due to his leadership role. The case sets a legal precedent for politically motivated acts of violence, raising questions about how the law categorizes and handles such actions that fall short of traditional terrorism.

Lord, we pray for wisdom and meekness in our leaders and ourselves. May we strive for restraint and ethical conduct, particularly when we are in positions of influence. We ask for healing for a society fractured by division, that we may find ways to restore democratic norms and mutual respect. Amen.

2. Vietnam pilot who disregarded direct order gets Medal of Honor

In an emotional ceremony, President Joe Biden awarded the Medal of Honor to 81-year-old Retired Army Captain Larry Taylor for his unprecedented act of bravery during the Vietnam War. On June 18, 1968, Captain Taylor defied a direct order and performed a perilous helicopter extraction to rescue U.S. troops trapped by enemy forces outside Ho Chi Minh City. President Biden emphasized the far-reaching impact of Taylor's valor, noting that he joins an elite group of American heroes who have received the Medal of Honor, and praised him for embodying the highest form of love—sacrifice.

Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the courage and sacrifice displayed by Captain Larry Taylor. May his actions serve as a timeless example of love, duty, and bravery to us all. We pray for all those who put themselves in harm's way to protect others, and ask for Your grace and guidance in these troubled times. Amen.

3. Facing Extinction: Tuvalu Considers Digital Clone Country

The residents of Tuvalu, a small Pacific island nation, are grappling with the reality that their homeland is expected to vanish due to climate change. Significant parts of the island have already eroded, and about a fifth of Tuvalu’s 12,000 residents have relocated, primarily to New Zealand. In an innovative approach to preserve their culture and governance structure, Tuvalu has embarked on a digital project aimed at creating a digital clone of the nation, offering a framework for a displaced government and a way for the dispersed population to maintain their communal identity.

Dear Lord, we lift up the people of Tuvalu as they face the devastating reality of losing their homeland. Grant them courage, wisdom, and the collective will to preserve their unique culture and community in these trying times. May their struggle awaken the conscience of the world to take immediate and meaningful action to combat climate change and to protect the beauty and sanctity of Your creation. Amen.

Enrique Tarrio, Former Proud Boys Leader, Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison

WASHINGTON DC - In a landmark decision, Enrique Tarrio, the former chairman of the far-right group Proud Boys, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison. This is the longest sentence in over one thousand criminal cases from the January 6, 2021, breech of the U.S. Capitol. Tarrio was convicted earlier this year on charges of seditious conspiracy, a significant step taken by the Justice Department to delineate the Proud Boys' influence on the events leading up to the Capitol riot.

The Sentence and Its Context
Prosecutors had initially asked for a 33-year sentence for Tarrio and substantial prison time for other co-defendants. A rarely-used terrorism enhancement, applicable to all Proud Boys defendants, would accompany this. While other Proud Boys leaders received significant prison terms—ranging from 10 to 18 years—U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Kelly gave Tarrio a sentence considerably below the federal guidelines.

The Judge's Perspective
Judge Kelly explicitly emphasized that the Capitol breach should not be considered on par with acts of lethal terrorism, such as bombings. Nonetheless, the judge imposed a stiff penalty on Tarrio due to his leadership role and the number of Proud Boys members involved on that day. "Mr. Tarrio was the ultimate leader," said Judge Kelly. "That conspiracy ended up with about 200 men amped up for battle encircling the Capitol."

Tarrio’s Defense and Apology
In his defense, Tarrio’s attorney argued that his client was a "misguided patriot," not a terrorist. Tarrio himself issued a public apology to law enforcement, D.C. residents, and Congress members.

The Impact of Leadership
Prosecutors highlighted that Tarrio's leadership style was "about violence and manipulation." His actions contributed to a more polarized public environment and had a corrosive effect on democratic norms and institutions.

During the trial, Tarrio's fiancée, mother, and younger sister tearfully requested leniency from the court. The family portrayed him as a man led astray rather than a calculated orchestrator of violence.

This case sets a precedent in the legal consequences of orchestrating violence with political aims. It also raises questions about how the law categorizes and handles politically motivated acts that fall short of traditionally defined terrorism.

Reflection
We want to take this moment to reflect on the importance of a word called meekness. Jesus said blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Meekness is not weakness but rather strength under control. Meekness is not an admission of frailty or letting people walk all over you. Meekness is the ability to wield power and influence with wisdom, restraint, and tact. It is a virtue that could have altered the course of events that led to the Capitol attack and could inform our understanding of leadership in complex times.

All too many people perceive life as one gigantic struggle for dominance. Yet Jesus, being God, forgoed his ability to dominate and instead served the people around Him. Meekness is a form of humility and gentleness that stands in contrast to pride or arrogance. Leaders are called upon to exercise their authority wisely and humbly. The tragedy of this case and others like it lies in the failure to act meekly—using one's strengths in a way that is tempered, controlled, and ethical.

In a society fraught with divisions and rising tensions, the virtue of meekness is more relevant than ever. It serves as a reminder that leadership is not just about exerting power but using it wisely and ethically. Responsible conduct and restraint, especially when in positions of power and influence, are among the highest values we can aspire to in our democratic society.

Vietnam pilot who disregarded direct order gets Medal of Honor

In a solemn and emotion-charged ceremony at the White House, President Joe Biden presented the Medal of Honor to Retired Army Captain Larry Taylor, 81, recognizing his act of unprecedented courage during the Vietnam War. The tale of Captain Taylor’s audacity and bravery takes us back to June 18, 1968, a night of desperate calls for help and a daring rescue that forever etched his name into the annals of American heroism.

A Perilous Night Outside Ho Chi Minh City
On that fateful night, a long-range reconnaissance patrol team of U.S. troops found themselves enveloped by enemy forces outside Ho Chi Minh City. The situation was grim, with their escape route becoming a death trap. As the team took heavy fire, Captain Taylor, then a 1st Lieutenant, took to the sky in his Cobra attack chopper. Though running perilously low on fuel and ammunition, he made multiple low-level attack runs, keeping enemy forces at bay.

A Direct Order Disregarded for a Higher Calling
As if pulled by a force more powerful than his commanding officers, Captain Taylor radioed the trapped soldiers with a new extraction point. When his helicopter touched down, he did so "with complete disregard for his personal safety," according to the White House. The chopper, a two-seater, had no room for extra passengers. Undeterred, the rescued men clung to the outside of the aircraft. Meanwhile, orders from above were clear: return to base. Captain Taylor’s retort was as immediate as it was momentous: "I'm getting my men out."

An Unprecedented Feat of Valor
President Biden, visibly moved during the ceremony, emphasized the significance of Captain Taylor's disobedience of a direct order. He highlighted how the rescue was not coming, yet Taylor chose to perform the extraction himself—an act never before executed in a Cobra. In the face of peril, with his aircraft hit multiple times during the rescue mission, Captain Taylor’s indomitable spirit prevailed. "He refused to give up. He refused to leave a fellow American behind," President Biden noted.

"By his actions, Lieutenant Taylor rewrote the fate of four families for generations to come," the President added, encapsulating the far-reaching impact of a single act of heroism. Out of the 40 million U.S. military personnel who have served since the Civil War, only 3,515 have received the Medal of Honor. Today, Captain Larry Taylor joins this elite group of American heroes.

Greater Love
Jesus, in John 15:13, reminds us that “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” The narrative of Captain Taylor's valor aligns almost miraculously with this scripture. His decision to put his life on the line, to act when action seemed almost foolhardy, embodies the highest form of love - sacrifice. This is the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for us, and the love we are called to embody as believers.

His selflessness in saving his comrades set a precedent and served as a living testament to the virtues of courage, duty, and, above all, love. Captain Larry Taylor’s story is a profound reminder that when guided by love and duty, human beings are capable of extraordinary things, even rewriting the fate of families for generations.

In a time when the world often seems fraught with division and despair, the story of Captain Larry Taylor shines as a beacon of what it means to be guided by love, sacrifice, and an unwavering sense of duty. He is a hero in every sense of the word, a man whose actions give credence to the belief that greater love is embodied in sacrifice and selfless service to the people around us.

By courageously defying a direct order for the greater good, Captain Taylor not only earned the Medal of Honor but also gained an eternal place in the hearts of those he saved and, indeed, an entire nation grateful for his service.

Facing Extinction:
Tuvalu Considers Digital Clone Country

The notion of losing one's homeland to encroaching waters is a horrific thought. Yet for the residents of Tuvalu, a tiny Pacific island nation, it’s an imminent reality that has caused them to look toward unprecedented solutions.

Tuvalu, an archipelago of three coral islands and six atolls, is expected to be one of the first nations to vanish entirely due to climate change. Lily Teafa, a 28-year-old Tuvaluan, recalls growing up in a community where her uncles would return from fishing with a hearty catch. Times have changed. Fish are scarce, and significant portions of the island have washed away. "Fear is the predominant emotion. Now we're afraid of the future," said Teafa.

The loss extends beyond just land. The very fabric of daily life is unraveling. Houses, churches, and community halls huddle at the island's center, having been forced inland do to the rising sea. Yet even here, residents stand knee-deep in seawater as it bubbles up through the porous ground. Residents are having to shift tombs next to their homes as cemeteries erode. The culture, identity, and memories rooted in the land face obliteration.

Relocation: A Painful Reality
About a fifth of Tuvalu’s population of 12,000 have already relocated, primarily to New Zealand. Kelesoma Saloa, a Tuvaluan who moved to New Zealand more than a decade ago, expresses the struggle of preserving one's culture in a foreign land.

"Coming from a self-sufficient society to a very commercialized society is so difficult," says Saloa. "If you have no money, you have your family, your small land, your fish."

A Digital Endeavor: Capturing a Country
Losing the island is inevitable. Work is underway to preserve Tuvalu's heritage and history online. The notion is to make Tuvalu the first wholly digitized nation existing in the metaverse, laying a blueprint that could inform future efforts to save other endangered lands and cultures.

This monumental digital endeavor is about far more than just replicating the nation's physical attributes. It aims to embed Tuvalu's societal norms, cultural values, and communal living systems within a digital framework. For a population already dispersed across the globe, digital Tuvalu could serve as a common ground, preserving not just the physical but the spiritual essence of the nation.

Tuvalu has unveiled the 'Future Now Project,' a three-pronged approach to save its identity. This involves international cooperation, the establishment of maritime boundaries under international law, and the development of a digital nation.

This digital clone would offer government services and even allow elections to continue to be held in a displaced setting. Simon Kofe, Tuvalu's minister for justice, communications, and foreign affairs, expresses the importance of the project: "If we have a displaced government or population dispersed across the globe, we would have a framework in place to ensure that we continue to coordinate ourselves."

Reflection
In the Bible, Noah built an ark to preserve life from the impending flood. While the people of Tuvalu can't prevent their country from submerging, their innovative idea of a digital ark is a modern-day means of preserving their culture and history. The story of Tuvalu teaches us that when facing insurmountable challenges, the human spirit, creativity, and the power of community can offer a glimmer of hope. It’s a lesson on the importance of preservation—not just of land but of the spirit and culture that make us who we are. In these dire times, it’s a stark reminder to care for our 'common home,' and ponder upon the calling to be stewards of creation.

At this crossroads, the community of nations has a role to play. Will we pass by on the other side, or will we be a 'good Samaritan,' aiding Tuvalu and collectively seeking sustainable solutions to a warming planet? It’s a challenge that tests our values, faith, and indeed, our humanity.

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