News on Knees | The Prayer Podcast

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Summarized Transcript: 

Grant us, Lord, to hope on your name,

which is the primal source of all creation,

and open the eyes of our hearts

that we may know you,

who alone are highest among the high;

you are holy, abiding among the holy. 

You humble the pride of the proud;

you destroy the plans of nations;

you exalt the humble and humble the exalted;

you make rich and make poor;

you kill and make alive. 

You alone are the benefactor of spirits and the God of all flesh,

looking into the depths,

scanning the works of humans;

the helper of those who are in peril,

the savior of those in despair;

the creator and guardian of every spirit. 

You multiply the nations upon the earth,

and from among all of them you have chosen those

who love you through Jesus Christ,

your beloved servant,

through whom you instructed us,

sanctified us, honored us. 

We ask you, Master, to be our helper and protector. 

Save those among us who are in distress;

have mercy on the humble;

raise up the fallen;

show yourself to those in need;

heal the sick;

turn back those of your people who wander;

feed the hungry;

ransom our prisoners;

raise up the weak;

comfort the discouraged. 

Let all the nations know that you are the only God,

that Jesus Christ is your servant,

and that we are your people and the sheep of your pasture.

For you through your works have revealed

the everlasting structure of the world. 

You, Lord, created the earth. 

You are faithful throughout all generations,

righteous in your judgments,

marvelous in strength and majesty,

wise in creating

and prudent in establishing what exists,

good in all that is observed

and faithful to those who trust in you,

merciful and compassionate:

forgive us our sins and our injustices,

our transgressions and our shortcomings. 

Do not take into account every sin of your servants and slaves,

but cleanse us with the cleansing of your truth,

and direct our steps to walk in holiness and righteousness and purity of heart,

and to do what is good and pleasing in your sight and in the sight of our rulers. 

Yes, Lord, let your face shine upon us in peace for our good,

so that we may be sheltered by your mighty hand

and delivered from every sin by your uplifted arm;

deliver us as well from those who hate us unjustly. 

Give harmony and peace to us and to all who dwell on the earth,

just as you did to our ancestors

when they reverently called upon you in faith and  truth,

that we may be saved,

while we render obedience to your almighty and most excellent name,

and to our rulers and governors on earth.

You, Master, have given them the power of sovereignty

through your majestic and inexpressible might,

so that we, acknowledging the glory and honor that you have given them,

may be subject to them,

resisting your will in nothing. 

Grant to them, Lord, health, peace, harmony, and stability,

so that they may blamelessly administer

the government that you have given them. 

For you, heavenly Master, King of the ages,

give to human beings glory and honor and authority

over the creatures upon the earth. 

Lord, direct their plans

according to what is good and pleasing in your sight,

so that by devoutly administering

in peace and gentleness the authority that you have given them

they may experience your mercy. 

You, who alone are able to do these

and even greater good things for us,

we praise through the high priest and benefactor of our souls, Jesus Christ,

through whom be the glory and the majesty

to you both now and for all generations

and for ever and ever.  

Amen.

If you want to join the movement, I’m calling all believers, anyone who wants to pray for the world, their country, their region, a specific societal issue. Using something as simple as the voice memo app on your phone, record a 1–2 minute prayer and email it to: 

[email protected], 

Simply write the word ‘PRAYER’ in the subject line of the email. 

Sources: 

A Prayer from St. Clement of Rome

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Summarized Transcript: 

Good afternoon, everyone. It is Friday, December 5, 2025. Here are the stories we’re praying about today:

Netflix Acquires Warner Bros. Discovery in $82.7 Billion Deal

Netflix announced on December 5, 2025, its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's studios and streaming business, including HBO Max and HBO, for an enterprise value of $82.7 billion ($72 billion equity), marking one of Hollywood's largest mergers. The cash-and-stock deal, valued at $27.75 per share, follows a bidding war with Paramount Skydance and Comcast, and is expected to close after WBD spins off its cable networks (CNN, TNT) in Q3 2026. Netflix, with 300 million subscribers, gains iconic franchises like DC Comics, "Game of Thrones," and "Harry Potter," enhancing its content library and global dominance. The move aims to boost innovation and production, though theater owners warn of threats to exhibition.

New York Times Sues Perplexity AI for Copyright Infringement

The New York Times filed a lawsuit against Perplexity AI, accusing the startup of unlawfully copying and distributing millions of its articles, videos, and podcasts without permission to train and power its generative AI search engine. The suit, filed in federal court in New York, claims Perplexity's model relies on scraping paywalled content, violating copyrights and trademarks by generating "hallucinated" responses attributed to the Times. This is the Times' second AI suit after its 2023 case against OpenAI and Microsoft; Perplexity faces similar claims from Dow Jones and the Chicago Tribune. The lawsuit seeks damages and an injunction, highlighting publishers' battles against AI firms for unauthorized use of journalistic content.

Notable Deaths of 2025: Pope Francis, Charlie Kirk, Virginia Giuffre, Gene Hackman

2025 saw influential figures whose deaths had profound impacts: Pope Francis died in April, leading to the first American pope and reshaping the Catholic Church's 1.4 billion followers; conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in September, sparking debates on political violence; Virginia Giuffre, 41, Epstein trafficking survivor and advocate, died by suicide in April, intensifying scrutiny of Epstein's network; and Oscar-winner Gene Hackman, 95, and wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in February—Hackman from heart disease amid Alzheimer's, Arakawa from hantavirus—prompting mystery and mourning in Hollywood. These losses highlighted global shifts in faith, activism, justice, and culture.

2026 World Cup: 104 Games Across 16 Stadiums, Heat and Weather Challenges

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, will feature an unprecedented 104 games across 16 stadiums in 16 cities spanning four time zones and up to 2,800 miles. Iconic venues include Mexico City's Estadio Azteca (opening match), Los Angeles' $5.5 billion SoFi Stadium, and New York's MetLife Stadium (final); groups are geographically clustered to minimize travel. However, extreme heat poses risks at 10 venues (e.g., Monterrey, Arlington, Houston), with 14 cities exceeding safe thresholds in summer; roofs in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Vancouver will mitigate, but altitude in Mexico City/Guadalajara and rain in others (10+ days/month) could affect play. FIFA plans adaptations like daytime roof use, but experts warn of climate impacts on players and fans.

So let’s pray…

Thank you for listening to News on Knees, a community prayer podcast by Story King Media. 

If you want to join the movement, I’m calling all believers, anyone who wants to pray for the world, their country, their region, a specific societal issue. Using something as simple as the voice memo app on your phone, record a 1–2 minute prayer and email it to: 

[email protected], 

Simply write the word ‘PRAYER’ in the subject line of the email. 

Sources: 

Netflix Warner Bros $83B Deal

NYT Sues Perplexity AI

2025 Notable Deaths

2026 World Cup Challenges

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Summarized Transcript: 

Good morning, everyone. It is Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Here are the stories we’re praying about today:

1. Record-Breaking Thanksgiving Travel Amid Weather Disruptions

The TSA screened over 3.1 million passengers on November 30, 2025, marking the busiest day in its history as travelers returned from Thanksgiving, surpassing the previous record of 3.09 million set in June. Eight of the TSA's top 10 busiest days have now occurred in 2025, with daily volumes averaging 2.48 million. Weather disruptions led to over 1,000 flight cancellations and 13,000 delays on Sunday, with a new winter storm bringing 2-4 inches of snow from Kansas to Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio through Tuesday, causing over 300 cancellations and 3,300 delays by Monday afternoon.

2. Trump Declares Venezuelan Airspace Closed Amid Drug Trafficking Tensions

On November 29, 2025, President Trump ordered the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela "closed in its entirety" via Truth Social, warning airlines, pilots, drug dealers, and human traffickers, as part of escalating U.S. pressure on Nicolás Maduro's government for facilitating drug trafficking. Venezuela denounced the move as a "colonialist threat" violating sovereignty and international law, halting U.S. deportation flights. The declaration follows U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats and Trump's hints at land operations, with the FAA previously warning of hazards in Venezuelan skies. No immediate enforcement details were provided, but it has prompted airlines to reroute flights.

3. Protesters Thwart ICE Raid in NYC Chinatown, Leading to Arrests

On November 29, 2025, hundreds of protesters blocked a federal garage in Manhattan's Chinatown, preventing ICE, CBP, and DHS agents from launching a planned immigration raid on Canal Street vendors, resulting in over a dozen protester arrests during scuffles with NYPD. The confrontation, echoing an October raid that detained nine immigrants, involved protesters throwing debris and chanting "ICE out of New York," forcing agents to abort the operation. DHS blamed "agitators" for violence, while advocates called it resistance to Trump's mass deportation agenda in immigrant-heavy NYC. Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani criticized the raids as "irresponsible."

4. Man Pleads Guilty in Murder of Ole Miss Student Jimmie 'Jay' Lee

On December 1, 2025, Sheldon "Timothy" Herrington Jr. pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and evidence tampering in the 2022 killing of University of Mississippi graduate Jimmie "Jay" Lee, a prominent LGBTQ+ activist, avoiding a second capital murder trial. Prosecutors alleged Herrington killed Lee to conceal a romantic relationship, with Lee's remains found in February 2025 via DNA confirmation. The first trial ended in a mistrial; Herrington faces sentencing on December 2 in Oxford, Mississippi. Lee's family and supporters hailed the plea as justice after years of advocacy.

5. Baltimore Jury Awards $21.5M to Tenants Attacked by Convicted Sex Offender

A Baltimore jury awarded $21.5 million on November 25, 2025, to April Hurley and Jonte Gilmore, tenants assaulted and set on fire in 2023 by Jason Billingsley, a convicted sex offender hired as maintenance without background checks by landlords Eden Homes and Property Pals. Billingsley, who pleaded guilty to the attacks and later murdered tech CEO Pava LaPere, gained access by posing as a repairman; the verdict includes $10 million in punitive damages for negligence. The ruling sends a message on tenant safety, with landlords planning an appeal. Survivors expressed relief but noted no amount erases the trauma.

Sources: 

1. Record-Breaking Thanksgiving Travel Amid Weather Disruptions
2. Trump Declares Venezuelan Airspace Closed Amid Drug Trafficking Tensions 
3. Protesters Thwart ICE Raid in NYC Chinatown, Leading to Arrests 
4. Man Pleads Guilty in Murder of Ole Miss Student Jimmie 'Jay' Lee
5. Baltimore Jury Awards $21.5M to Tenants Attacked by Convicted Sex Offender
   

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Psalm 46 (NIV)

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.

2 

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 

though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

4 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 

God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.

6 

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 

The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 

Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 

He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.

10 

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 

The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Thank you for listening to News on Knees, a community prayer podcast by Story King Media. 

If you want to join the movement, I’m calling all believers, anyone who wants to pray for the world, their country, their region, a specific societal issue. Using something as simple as the voice memo app on your phone, record a 1–2 minute prayer and email it to: 

[email protected], 

that’s…

[email protected]

Simply write the word ‘PRAYER’ in the subject line of the email. 

NOTE - Two Rules for Submitted Prayers:

1. Please Keep Obvious Political Bias Out
2. No Personal Requests. Prayers should be about societal issues that are either global, country, state, or region-specific.

And if this show blesses you, if you believe in the work we’re doing, would you consider supporting News on Knees on Patreon? Just a few dollars a month will keep it going and growing, so we can continue flooding the world with prayer instead of panic.

All instructions, links, and news sources will be in the show notes.

I leave you with:

Philippians 4:6-7 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Until next time…

Sources: 

Bible Gateway - Psalm 46 (NIV)

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Good morning, everybody. Happy Thanksgiving to my American listeners. As such, I’ll be reading “A Liturgy for Feasting with Friends,” from Every Moment Holy Volume 1, by Douglas Kaine McKelvey. Read by permission from the publisher, Rabbit Room Press. Here is A Liturgy for “Feasting with Friends.”

1. https://www.rabbitroom.com/rabbit-room-press 

2. Amazon

I hope you all find encouragement in those words as you start your week. God bless. 

Thank you for listening to News on Knees, a community prayer podcast by Story King Media. 

If you want to join the movement, I’m calling all believers, anyone who wants to pray for the world, their country, their region, a specific societal issue. Using something as simple as the voice memo app on your phone, record a 1–2 minute prayer and email it to: 

[email protected], 

Simply write the word ‘PRAYER’ in the subject line of the email. 

NOTE - Two Rules for Submitted Prayers:

1. Please Keep Obvious Political Bias Out
2. No Personal Requests. Prayers should be about societal issues that are either global, country, state, or region-specific.

And if this show blesses you, if you believe in the work we’re doing, would you consider supporting News on Knees on Patreon? Just a few dollars a month will keep it going and growing, so we can continue flooding the world with prayer instead of panic.

All instructions, links, and news sources will be in the show notes.

I leave you with:

Philippians 4:6-7 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Until next time…