On Tuesday, Congressional Republicans and Democrats refused to compromise. Not even a meeting with the President could change the minds of both parties’ leaders. And so, when the clock struck midnight, the government shut down once again.

Pray for your fellow intercessor.

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As of the time of this article’s writing, the shutdown is still going strong. Lawmakers sought to bring an end to the chaos Wednesday, though Senate Democrats once again refused to compromise.

From Fox News:

Neither Republicans nor Democrats blinked less than 24 hours into a government shutdown as an attempt to pass a government funding extension failed again Wednesday.

Despite Republican leaders signaling confidence that more Democrats would cross the aisle, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his caucus blocked the GOP’s continuing resolution (CR) for the third time with a 53-45 vote.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., plans to bring the same bill to the floor again and again in a bid to crank up pressure on Senate Democrats. The Senate is expected to leave town on Thursday to observe Yom Kippur but will return Friday to continue voting. In order to advance the bill, Thune needs at least 60 votes to smash through the Senate filibuster.

Earlier this months, the House passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through late November. It is this same CR that Fox refers to in its article. Despite pleading, negotiating, and some bipartisan efforts, Democrats have now kept this CR from passing three times, leaving the shutdown with no end in sight.

Democrats are reportedly seeking an extension to Obamacare tax credits. Republicans, including the President, have accused them of seeking healthcare for illegal immigrants, a characterization that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has vehemently rejected.

Meanwhile, while lawmakers duke it out on the Hill, the shutdown is harming average, everyday Americans. In a separate article, Fox breaks down how the shutdown will impact some key areas:

• Social Security: Americans will continue to receive social security checks, although thousands of Social Security Administration employees are expected to be furloughed.
• Air travel: Like the SSA, the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to furlough over 10,000 employees. Air traffic controllers will continue to come in to work, but they won’t receive payment until the government opens again. Fox notes this could lead to flight disruptions.
• Military and veterans: Roughly 45% of the military’s civilian personnel will be furloughed. Active duty servicemembers will be required to report to work without pay. VA benefits, such as healthcare, pensions, and housing benefits, will continue to be delivered.
• Infrastructure projects: Fox notes that about $18 billion in infrastructure projects in New York City will be paused for the duration of the shutdown.
• Healthcare: Americans will continue to benefit from Medicare and Medicaid throughout the shutdown, though Fox notes it may be harder for Americans to resolve billing disputes or take advantage of telehealth services.
• Food stamps and nutritional benefits: The Department of Agriculture confirmed that food stamps will continue to be available for the most needy, at least for the time being. The majority of the Department’s employees could be furloughed, however, which would likely lead to disruptions and delays for Americans.

As many federal employees go without work, the Trump administration will be working hard in the midst of the shutdown. As revealed in a recent Daily Signal article shared by IFA, the White House’s budget office told federal agencies prior to the shutdown to “aggressively slash jobs and programs.”

As the shutdown continues, let’s pray for wisdom for our leaders, and for God’s will to be done.

How are you praying in the midst of the shutdown? Share your thoughts and prayers below.

(Excerpt from Fox News. Photo Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)