TV
WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY - NOVEMBER 20, 2024
Because of the prayers, support and votes from people of faith, America now has leaders who have vowed to protect religious freedom, secure our borders, and support families across our nation.
And My Faith Votes played a critical role in this victory. But our work didn’t end on Election Day.
Today the work begins to motivate Christians in communities across the nation to engage in the civic sphere, and to hold lawmakers accountable to their campaign promises ensuring they vote and advocate for the issues that will bring Christ’s kingdom to earth.
I hope you will join the My Faith Votes community in continuing to pray for our elected officials, asking God to give them wisdom, strength, and humility as they serve.
United. We Stand.
In this week's Intersect, read about:
Democratic Voters Oust Soft-on-Crime Prosecutors
“It appears that even in Democratic strongholds, voters have had enough with soft-on-crime policies that have been implemented by left-wing prosecutors in recent years. In California and Illinois, three district attorneys who enacted lenient criminal policies were ousted during Tuesday’s election. In addition, a ballot measure to toughen criminal penalties in California was passed overwhelmingly.” read more at the Daily Signal
THINK.
- This November, 25 district attorneys on the ballot were supported by billionaire George Soros. Twelve of them were defeated or recalled by voters. “Because progressivism denies the doctrine of sin, they assume the only reason people do bad things is because something bad was done to them,” Joseph Backholm pointed out. This ideology led to Soros-backed prosecutors’ soft-on crime policies, which many voters have now rejected.
- Encouraging election results also came in the form of state constitutional amendments. In a win for the sanctity of life, West Virginia became the first state to approve an amendment banning assisted suicide—which is legal in nine states. And voters in Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Massachusetts rejected legalization of recreational marijuana or other harmful drugs.
- Christian voters turned out to be a decisive factor when it came to the presidential election. Post-election research by George Barna revealed that as predicted, Christian turnout was lower than in 2020. However, Christians turned out in higher numbers than non-Christian voters. Now, Barna said, “Parents, pastors, and other people of influence must intentionally and strategically commit to shaping the worldview and values of the nation—especially among children—to coincide with the beliefs and values they just voted to protect.”
PRAY.
Thank the Lord for His mercy on our nation, and for all the outcomes that favored life, justice, liberty, and other biblical values. Pray that Christians will not slip into apathy, but engage in spiritual battles with the Lord’s strength, applying His precepts in every area of our lives for His glory and the good of others.
ACT.
As we head into Thanksgiving and Christmas, are you equipped to answer family members who ask about your convictions on hot-button issues? Our Think Biblically video series addresses six topics from a biblical worldview. This free resource can equip you to convey your beliefs with “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Start watching today!
Florida, South Dakota, Nebraska Reject Abortion Ballot Issues
“Voters in Florida, South Dakota and Nebraska rejected efforts to expand abortion access in their state constitutions — breaking a streak of ballot wins for abortion rights following the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. But voters in seven other states — Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, New York and Nevada — opted to codify protections for abortion.” read more at Roll Call
THINK.
- The good: These are the first pro-life victories for ballot measures since Roe v. Wade was overturned, proving that life can be a winning issue if enough voters show up at the polls. Mary Szoch, director of Family Research Council’s Center for Human Dignity, noted, “Strong leadership from governors in these states leaned into the pro-life message and pointed out that these ballot initiatives were an effort to enshrine abortion until birth in the state constitution.”
- The bad: With the victory of seven pro-abortion measures this year, eleven states now have a so-called right to abortion enshrined in their constitutions. Most of those states already had pro-abortion laws. However, a few, like Arizona and Missouri, had laws protecting unborn babies that will tragically be ruled unconstitutional.
- What now? Next year, we will have opportunities to advocate for several pro-life policies at the federal level. And beyond legal protections, there are many ways to stand up for the unborn. Whether you live in a state that protects life or not, Christ’s love should compel you to create a culture of life in your family, your church, and among your friends. Part of this means arming yourself with facts to combat pro-abortion lies. More ways are included in the ACT section below!
PRAY.
Heavenly Father, thank You for all the voters who stood up for the unborn at the ballot box. In every state, light a fire under Your church to bring the hope of the gospel and care and compassion to mothers in crisis. Convict and encourage our newly elected officials to advocate for the unborn in the coming year. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
ACT.
My Faith Votes has compiled five powerful ways you can advance a culture of life in America. Check them out here
and ask the Lord what He would have you do.
See The List of Trump Cabinet Picks and More White House Appointments So Far
“With Republicans taking control of the Senate, many of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees are likely to face an easy path to confirmation, even some who may be controversial. The president-elect is aiming to announce all of his Cabinet-level picks by Thanksgiving — a goal he's on pace to meet, according to a person familiar with the ongoing selection process.” Read more at CBS News.
THINK.
- Of the dozens of appointments the President-elect has made thus far, several are historic. Susie Wiles will be the first woman to serve as White House Chief of Staff and Karoline Leavitt will be the youngest White House Press Secretary in history, at just 27 years of age. Additionally, former Arkansas Governor and longtime My Faith Votes’ spokesperson Mike Huckabee was appointed as the Ambassador to Israel. As of this writing, several key positions remain unfilled, including the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the FBI.
- We have said it before, when you vote for a president, you are also voting for thousands of political appointees who will make decisions about everything from the planes you fly on to the foods you consume. This holds true this election as well. More than 76 million Americans cast their ballot for President-Elect Trump and for the men and women he chooses to appoint to senior level positions in the administration.
- The Senate cannot vote on presidential appointments until after a president is inaugurated and formally submits his nominations. However, presidents often coordinate with the Senate in advance to expedite the confirmation of key appointments, ensuring a smooth transition of power. The question now is whether or not the Senate—under the new leadership of South Dakota’s Senator John Thune—will affirm the desires of more than 76 million Americans or stand as an impediment to the President-elect’s agenda.
PRAY.
Lord, we pray over President-elect Trump and his transition team as they continue to make their selections for senior level positions in the administration. We pray those they select would be ardent followers of You and that they would all work together to advance and defend biblical values in America. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
ACT.
As you have time, look over this list of President-elect’s cabinet selections and pray for each of them by name. Pray for their safety and the safety of their families as they step into their roles during an especially contentious period in history. Pray that God would give them wisdom and discernment as they make decisions that will have both domestic and international consequences.
Ukraine Fires First Barrage Of US-Made Long-Range Missiles into Russia, Kremlin Says
“Moscow says Ukrainian forces have taken advantage of President Biden's green light and launched 6 U.S.-made ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) into Russian territory Tuesday. Russia says it shot down five of the missiles and damaged the sixth. It added that debris landed in the area of a Russian military facility, but that no casualties or damage beyond a small fire.” Read more at Fox News.
THINK.
- President Biden’s decision to authorize the use of American missiles in the Ukrainian war and Ukraine’s swift action upon that authorization inspires a dramatic intensification of the war and could potentially put the United States in the cross-hairs of a nuclear power. But President Biden and his administration have been consistent in their support of Ukraine since the conflict began several years ago. As Biden prepares to leave office, this was likely a final display of that support—albeit a potentially dangerous one for American interests.
- President Trump’s approach to the war in Ukraine will no doubt be drastically different from his predecessor. In fact, several sources close to the Trump-Vance Transition team told Fox News that an announcement about a Ukrainian peace envoy would come “in short order.” That person will likely be responsible for bringing Ukrainian and Russian officials to the negotiating table in hopes of putting an end to this internecine conflict.
- My Faith Votes believes Christians should approach war with a commitment to seeking peace, recognizing that while war may sometimes be necessary in a fallen world, it should never be pursued lightly (Romans 12:18). Our leaders should pursue peace and exercise restraint—only using force only when it is necessary to protect innocent life and ensure justice.
PRAY.
Pray for the protection of innocent Russian and Ukrainian people who are unable to escape this conflict. Pray for a peaceful resolution to this conflict. Ask God to give all our leaders—outgoing and incoming—wisdom as they navigate the complexity of this conflict and other conflicts around the world.
ACT.
In today’s media-saturated world, discerning truth from bias can feel overwhelming and almost impossible, but My Faith Votes’ article “11 Tips for Discerning the News” offers practical steps to navigate it with wisdom. This resource equips Christians to approach news consumption with a biblical lens. Dive into these tips and learn how to discern truth, avoid manipulation, and honor God in how you engage with current events.
My Faith Votes— is a ministry that motivates, equips, and activates Christians in America to vote in every election, transforming our communities and influencing our nation with biblical truth. An estimated 25 million Christians who are registered to vote, fail to vote in presidential elections. My Faith Votes is on a mission to change this statistic by helping Christians act on their faith and vote in every election. When we pray unceasingly for our nation, think biblically about the issues, and vote consistently in every election the impact of Christians taking action from the local to the state and federal level will be unprecedented.
Website | www.myfaithvotes.org Twitter | @MyFaithVotes Facebook | My Faith Votes
