# 8-22-23 - Russia Crashes Into the Moon, Tropical Storm Hilary, Spain is Victorious!

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 22 Aug 2023, 12 min.

Audio: https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/ce9a673d-e313-4c0a-9df4-b4d6010c32c6/f91e81d2-64eb-47e4-905e-b4d7001d9ac7/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

This is PrayNews, your beacon of hope in the stormy seas of current events. Sign up to receive PrayNews in your inbox every weekday: https://www.praynews.com/ Today’s Good News at a Glance: • Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft crashes into the moon. • Tropical Storm Hilary begins a devastating tour through Southern California. • Spain has emerged as the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Champions! Download the Pray.com app and make prayer a priority in your life. Watch and listen to inspiring sermons, dramatized Bible stories, and relaxing Bedtime Bible Stories at Pray.com, the digital destination for faith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

## Transcript

[0:00] Speaker 1: Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.
[0:03] Speaker 1: Proverbs 16, 18. Dear Lord, we recognize the tendency within
[0:08] Speaker 1: ourselves to become prideful and to rely on our own
[0:11] Speaker 1: wisdom and to forget our need for you. We confess
[0:14] Speaker 1: that sometimes we elevate ourselves forgetting that all we have
[0:18] Speaker 1: and all we are comes from you. Teach us humility, Lord.
[0:22] Speaker 1: Help us to see ourselves in a proper perspective, knowing
[0:26] Speaker 1: that we are your creation and loved unconditionally, but we
[0:30] Speaker 1: are also dependent on your grace. Guide us to walk
[0:33] Speaker 1: in a way that honors you with a spirit of
[0:35] Speaker 1: humility and gratitude for all you have provided. May we
[0:39] Speaker 1: always seek your wisdom and guidance rather than trusting in
[0:42] Speaker 1: our own understanding and power. Protect us from the pitfalls
[0:45] Speaker 1: of pride and help us to be humble in our thoughts, words,
[0:49] Speaker 1: and deeds. Thank you for your grace that covers us
[0:52] Speaker 1: and your gentle reminders to remain humble and grounded in you.
[0:57] Speaker 1: And it is in the humble and mighty name of
[0:59] Speaker 1: Jesus we lift up these prayers. Amen. Welcome to Prairie News,
[1:05] Speaker 1: where hope is our only bias. Today's news at a glance.
[1:08] Speaker 1: Russia's Luna 25 spacecraft crashes into the moon. Tropical storm
[1:12] Speaker 1: Hillary begins a devastating tour through Southern California. And Spain
[1:16] Speaker 1: has emerged as the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup champions.
[1:21] Speaker 1: Two of today's stories feature teamwork, dedication, and striving toward goals. However,
[1:26] Speaker 1: one story ends with failure while the other ends with success.
[1:29] Speaker 1: In life, hard work and determination don't always equal success.
[1:33] Speaker 1: Sometimes we strive, grind, and pray, but at the end,
[1:36] Speaker 1: we fall short. Our faith is the same way. There
[1:39] Speaker 1: are times when everything seems to fall into place, and
[1:42] Speaker 1: we rejoice in God's generosity. Then, other times, we do
[1:45] Speaker 1: everything right, but it doesn't seem to work out. And
[1:48] Speaker 1: that's why we don't put our faith in a specific outcome. Rather,
[1:52] Speaker 1: We welcome whatever the day brings, knowing there are lessons
[1:55] Speaker 1: to be learned in the successes and failures. The Lord
[1:58] Speaker 1: has us and he's keeping us through every single season.
[2:01] Speaker 1: If you've enjoyed this take on the news, would you
[2:03] Speaker 1: consider writing us a review? Doing so helps others to
[2:06] Speaker 1: find this podcast. And we would love to hear from you.
[2:10] Speaker 1: How have you been transformed? And how has this take
[2:12] Speaker 1: on the news blessed you? Our first story of today
[2:16] Speaker 1: comes out of Moscow. Russia's Luna 25 spacecraft, a highly
[2:20] Speaker 1: anticipated mission in its first attempt to land on the
[2:23] Speaker 1: moon in nearly five decades, met an unfortunate end as
[2:26] Speaker 1: it crashed into the lunar surface. The mishap unfolded on
[2:30] Speaker 1: live channels, and the probe, hoping to explore the uncharted
[2:33] Speaker 1: south pole of the moon, switched to an off-design orbit
[2:36] Speaker 1: and collided with the moon's rugged terrain. The failure allows
[2:40] Speaker 1: India to take the lead in a race to be
[2:42] Speaker 1: the first to land on the moon's south pole. The
[2:44] Speaker 1: space race has actually been ramping up in recent years,
[2:48] Speaker 1: and it's finding its apex right now between India and Russia.
[2:52] Speaker 1: Some call this an astronomical oops moment or a Houston
[2:55] Speaker 1: we have a problem for the modern era. But as
[2:58] Speaker 1: they say, space exploration is not a walk in the park,
[3:01] Speaker 1: especially when that park is 238,855 miles away and covered
[3:06] Speaker 1: in craters and boulders. The once great Soviet space program,
[3:10] Speaker 1: known for its achievements during the Cold War, has faced
[3:13] Speaker 1: its fair share of challenges in recent years. Corruption, low-quality electronics,
[3:18] Speaker 1: and political tensions have hampered progress. Yet the Soyuz family
[3:22] Speaker 1: of carrier rockets, the workhorse of the Russian space program,
[3:25] Speaker 1: has remained a bright spot, showing that some stars in
[3:28] Speaker 1: the Russia sky still shine. Now, with Luna 25's demise,
[3:32] Speaker 1: a reflective glance at the past glories and current struggles
[3:35] Speaker 1: of the Russian space program seems timely. The director of
[3:39] Speaker 1: Roscosmos put the likelihood of success at 70%, but space,
[3:44] Speaker 1: it appears, had other plans. The Luna 25 probe was
[3:47] Speaker 1: more than just a piece of machinery. It was a
[3:49] Speaker 1: symbol of national pride and an opportunity to show technological prowess,
[3:53] Speaker 1: especially in a time where trust in the Russian government
[3:56] Speaker 1: is at an all-time low. It needed this victory to
[3:59] Speaker 1: win over some of the faith of its citizens that
[4:01] Speaker 1: has been waning since its invasion in Ukraine. Its failure,
[4:05] Speaker 1: while disappointing, serves as a reminder that the cosmos often
[4:08] Speaker 1: has a way of humbling even the most advanced of
[4:11] Speaker 1: our human endeavors. The moon's south pole continues to elude explorers.
[4:15] Speaker 1: Space exploration transcends borders and politics, and so the pursuit
[4:20] Speaker 1: of the south pole ought to excite us at least
[4:22] Speaker 1: a little bit. We'll be keeping a close eye on India,
[4:25] Speaker 1: who are now the favorites to explore the south pole
[4:28] Speaker 1: of the moon. Space exploration transcends borders and politics in
[4:32] Speaker 1: many ways. The pursuit of knowledge, the thrill of discovery,
[4:34] Speaker 1: and the hope for different exploits on other planets ought
[4:38] Speaker 1: to unite us. This incident allows us to reflect in
[4:42] Speaker 1: our aspirations and the humility required in our quest for greatness.
[4:46] Speaker 1: The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 16.18 that pride goes
[4:49] Speaker 1: before destruction and a haughty spirit before the fall. Russia's
[4:53] Speaker 1: failed lunar mission is not a moment for mockery, but
[4:56] Speaker 1: a call for empathy, cooperation, and a shared pursuit of
[4:58] Speaker 1: noble goals. The exploration of the heavens not only brings
[5:02] Speaker 1: us closer to understanding the universe, but also understanding the
[5:05] Speaker 1: creator of the universe, the Lord. As Psalm 19.1 declares,
[5:09] Speaker 1: the heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim
[5:12] Speaker 1: the work of his hands. In the pursuit of the unknown,
[5:15] Speaker 1: may we find wisdom, unity, and humility to recognize that
[5:18] Speaker 1: the cosmos is vast and a beautiful mystery, one that
[5:21] Speaker 1: invites us to explore with awe, wonder, and faith. So
[5:25] Speaker 1: with all this being said, let's lift this story up
[5:27] Speaker 1: in prayer. Lord, we recognize our humble place within the
[5:30] Speaker 1: vast universe. Guide our efforts in exploring the heavens and
[5:34] Speaker 1: grant wisdom and unity to those who seek to understand
[5:37] Speaker 1: your creation. May our endeavors not be a race for pride,
[5:40] Speaker 1: but a journey towards greater cooperation, empathy, and awe of
[5:44] Speaker 1: the wonders you have wrought. In Jesus' name, amen. Tropical
[5:48] Speaker 1: storm Hillary landed in Southern California, followed by a cascade
[5:52] Speaker 1: of crises, including power outages, flooding, and even earthquakes. The storm,
[5:57] Speaker 1: the first tropical one to hit the region in nearly
[5:59] Speaker 1: a century, battered the cities, leaving residents in fear and disarray,
[6:03] Speaker 1: accompanied by a series of earthquakes dubbed as hurraquakes. It
[6:07] Speaker 1: prompted Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to caution residents to
[6:11] Speaker 1: stay safe, stay informed, and stay home. The storm's rapid
[6:15] Speaker 1: movement inland, coupled with substantial rainfall, led to mudslides in
[6:19] Speaker 1: Sherman Oaks and swift water rescue operations. Thousands of people
[6:23] Speaker 1: lost power, and schools were ordered to close on Monday.
[6:26] Speaker 1: The damage extended to Baja California, Mexico, where the storm
[6:29] Speaker 1: left a trail of destruction before being downgraded from hurricane
[6:32] Speaker 1: status to a tropical storm. State and local officials had
[6:36] Speaker 1: prepared residents for the storm's arrival, but its intensity surprised many.
[6:41] Speaker 1: Areas like Riverside reported traffic accidents due to rain, and
[6:44] Speaker 1: Nevada's desert regions were warned of potential flash floods. Along
[6:48] Speaker 1: with the immediate devastation, the storm's impact resonated in places
[6:51] Speaker 1: like Disneyland theme parks, which announced early closings. Many residents,
[6:55] Speaker 1: like Lindsay Carlson, expressed their anxiety, stating, It's hard because
[6:59] Speaker 1: we haven't experienced something like this here, at least in
[7:01] Speaker 1: my lifetime. It's hard to know what to expect. While
[7:05] Speaker 1: the storm caused havoc, it might also relieve wildfire-threatened areas
[7:08] Speaker 1: in states like Idaho. Forecasters predict Hillary's path would lead
[7:12] Speaker 1: to drenching rains beyond California into Nevada and Idaho in
[7:16] Speaker 1: the next two days. This event calls us to reflection
[7:20] Speaker 1: and compassion as we navigate through this earthly life filled
[7:23] Speaker 1: with unexpected challenges. We must lean on faith and community
[7:26] Speaker 1: in these hard times. In the face of natural disasters,
[7:29] Speaker 1: our resilience, love for one another, and trust in God's
[7:32] Speaker 1: providence ought to guide us and spur us on to action.
[7:35] Speaker 1: In times like these, it's essential to extend our hands
[7:38] Speaker 1: in assistance, prayers, and empathy towards those that are affected.
[7:41] Speaker 1: May the body of Christ, the church, rise up to
[7:44] Speaker 1: meet people's needs. Especially in the Los Angeles and Southern
[7:47] Speaker 1: California areas, there are a lot of homeless that are
[7:50] Speaker 1: likely to be extremely threatened during this time. May the
[7:54] Speaker 1: church rise up to help those in need. The scriptures
[7:57] Speaker 1: remind us of God's promise to be our refuge and
[7:59] Speaker 1: strength and a very present help in trouble in Psalm 46.
[8:02] Speaker 1: And may we echo that promise by being a refuge
[8:05] Speaker 1: to others, demonstrating as Christ's body that we can love
[8:09] Speaker 1: one another and we can lift each other up when
[8:11] Speaker 1: we're in turmoil. May we find solace in knowing that
[8:14] Speaker 1: even in the storm's roar, God's voice can be heard
[8:17] Speaker 1: even louder, guiding us to safety. And may we translate
[8:20] Speaker 1: this understanding into tangible acts of compassion in love for
[8:24] Speaker 1: our neighbors. So let's lift this story up in prayer.
[8:27] Speaker 1: Heavenly Father, we lift up those affected by the tropical
[8:29] Speaker 1: storm Hillary, seeking your comfort, protection, and healing in the
[8:32] Speaker 1: midst of chaos and fear. May we find strength in
[8:35] Speaker 1: community and faith, reaching out to those in need with
[8:38] Speaker 1: empathy and assistance. Guide the officials and first responders that
[8:43] Speaker 1: are no doubt going to be overwhelmed during this time.
[8:46] Speaker 1: Guide us to be a refuge for others. and raise
[8:48] Speaker 1: up the church to be pillars of peace in the
[8:51] Speaker 1: midst of chaos, reflecting your love and grace wherever they go.
[8:55] Speaker 1: And it is in your calming and precious name we pray, Lord. Amen.
[8:59] Speaker 1: In a climactic showdown that will forever be etched in
[9:02] Speaker 1: the annals of soccer history, Spain's women national team has
[9:05] Speaker 1: beaten England 1-0 in a first-ever World Cup victory. A
[9:09] Speaker 1: match filled with breathtaking artistry, relentless determination, and a dash
[9:13] Speaker 1: of drama had fans at the edge of their seats
[9:15] Speaker 1: from start to finish. Spain's journey to the pinnacle of
[9:18] Speaker 1: women's football was nothing short of miraculous, overcoming a tumultuous
[9:23] Speaker 1: year marked by player strikes and internal strife and even
[9:26] Speaker 1: deaths in the family. Their victory is a shining testament
[9:30] Speaker 1: to the enduring truth of sports, that perseverance and teamwork
[9:33] Speaker 1: can conquer even the most daunting odds. The match began
[9:36] Speaker 1: with a painstakingly elegant dance as Spain tried to pry
[9:40] Speaker 1: open England's robust defense. The breakthrough came from England's carelessness,
[9:44] Speaker 1: and Spain capitalized on it with Unerring finesse. Olga Carmona's
[9:48] Speaker 1: crucial goal was the epitome of Spain's brilliance on the field.
[9:52] Speaker 1: As the clock ticked down, England's urgency grew, but Spain's
[9:55] Speaker 1: resilience held firm. The unlikeliest champions would not be denied
[9:59] Speaker 1: their pride. and at the end, Spain's talent, anchored by brilliance,
[10:03] Speaker 1: proved unstoppable. As the clock ticked down, England's urgency grew,
[10:07] Speaker 1: but Spain's resilience held firm. The unlikeliest champions would not
[10:11] Speaker 1: be denied their prize, and at the end, Spain's talent,
[10:13] Speaker 1: anchored by the brilliance of their coaching, proved unstoppable. The
[10:17] Speaker 1: post-match announcement of Carmona's father's death added to the somber
[10:21] Speaker 1: note of the victory. Our prayers and our thoughts are
[10:24] Speaker 1: with Carmona and her family during this time. But Spain's
[10:27] Speaker 1: victory is a celebration, not only of football in general,
[10:30] Speaker 1: but also of the human spirit and unity. In the
[10:33] Speaker 1: face of adversity, Spain's women's national team has delivered a
[10:37] Speaker 1: performance that will inspire future generations. And just like Spain's
[10:40] Speaker 1: unlikely triumph, the path of faith is often fraught with trials, doubts,
[10:44] Speaker 1: and obstacles. But with perseverance, hope, and unity, we can
[10:48] Speaker 1: overcome these hurdles and achieve what may be impossible. Spain's
[10:52] Speaker 1: victory reminds us that true success is not only about
[10:55] Speaker 1: individual brilliance, but also about working together, showing compassion and understanding,
[11:00] Speaker 1: and rising above our circumstances. There's a reason Paul compared
[11:04] Speaker 1: our faith to athletics in his epistles. Every sport is
[11:07] Speaker 1: filled with highs, lows, and requires dedication and teamwork to
[11:10] Speaker 1: finish well. As we rejoice in Spain's remarkable achievement, Let
[11:14] Speaker 1: us also reflect on our own journeys and the strength
[11:16] Speaker 1: we can find in faith, hope, and the love of
[11:19] Speaker 1: the people around us. Spain's triumph is not just a
[11:22] Speaker 1: win for soccer fans out there, but a testament to
[11:24] Speaker 1: the beauty and the power of unity and resilience in
[11:26] Speaker 1: the face of adversity. Values that we can hold dear
[11:30] Speaker 1: and we can apply to our walk with Christ. So
[11:32] Speaker 1: with all these being said, let's close our time together
[11:35] Speaker 1: in prayer. Lord, we thank you for the inspiring display
[11:38] Speaker 1: of talent, perseverance, and teamwork we witnessed in Spain's victories.
[11:42] Speaker 1: May we learn from their resilience, recognizing the strength found
[11:45] Speaker 1: in unity and shared purpose, and apply these principles to
[11:48] Speaker 1: our own lives. Guide us in our journey of faith,
[11:51] Speaker 1: reminding us of the beauty and power of working together,
[11:54] Speaker 1: and grant us the wisdom and courage to overcome obstacles
[11:57] Speaker 1: with grace and compassion. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
[12:02] Speaker 1: Thank you for joining us today on Pray News. It
[12:04] Speaker 1: is our aim to be informed and transformed. We pray
[12:07] Speaker 1: today you would proceed with hope, love, and determination to
[12:10] Speaker 1: be a force for good. If you've enjoyed this take
[12:12] Speaker 1: on the news, consider writing us a review and share
[12:14] Speaker 1: your experience. You can sign up for our newsletter at PrayNews.com.
[12:18] Speaker 1: There you'll find sources to all of our reporting. And
[12:20] Speaker 1: be sure to download the Pray.com app to make prayer
[12:23] Speaker 1: a priority in your life and experience the Bible in
[12:25] Speaker 1: new and cinematic ways.

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