Prayer & Worship

Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Monday after delivering an Easter blessing from St. Peter’s Basilica, is being honored by world leaders who reflect on his legacy. President Trump announced that he had ordered the U.S. flag to fly at half-staff. This directive extends to “all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government.

Alabama lawmakers have passed a series of bills aimed at shaping the educational environment in public schools, requiring the display of the Ten Commandments, banning LGBT pride flags, and prohibiting school employees from using pronouns that do not align with students’ biological sex. The Alabama House of Representatives endorsed these measures on Thursday, with House Bill 178 receiving an 88-11 vote in favor.

China has announced a ban on foreign missionaries from preaching and establishing religious organizations within its borders. The newly revised restrictions, slated to take effect on May 1, signify an escalated crackdown on Christianity across the country. Under the updated guidelines, non-Chinese citizens residing in China are explicitly prohibited from preaching without proper authorization, founding religious schools, producing or distributing religious literature.

Evangelist Franklin Graham delivered a powerful Gospel message during an Easter ceremony at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Thursday. He emphasized the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice, stating, “When Jesus was nailed to the cross, God poured upon his Son all the sins past, all the sins present, all the sins future, and then Jesus shed His blood.”

Belief in the afterlife is experiencing a notable rise among Americans, including individuals who identify as religious “nones,” meaning they have no formal religious affiliation. An analysis conducted by Ryan Burge, an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, reveals that belief in an afterlife among non-religious Americans has increased from approximately 50% in the 1970s to around 60% today.