# Pro-Israel Rally, Tipping Confusion, & Biden Meets with Xi Jinping

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 16 Nov 2023, 16 min.

Audio: https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/ce9a673d-e313-4c0a-9df4-b4d6010c32c6/b3caff8b-0652-40b6-854c-b4d60161f574/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

This is Pray News: Daily News, Faith Hope. A daily news podcast with a biblical perspective. Listen to today's news episode and beacon of hope in the stormy seas of current news events. Sign up for the Pray News newsletter, and start your day closer to God. Go to Pray News and sign up today. Today’s Good News at a Glance: • Tens of thousands of people marched in Washington to show support for Israel. • Americans have a growing headache for tipping culture. • Biden sat in San Francisco for a critical meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping. Pray News is your number 1 source for the top conservative news given to you daily. 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

[0:06] Speaker 1: Dear Lord, we praise you for being a God who
[0:09] Speaker 1: is near to the broken and needy. Whenever we stumble
[0:12] Speaker 1: or whenever we suffer, you bring us comfort. You meet
[0:15] Speaker 1: us exactly where we are. And so we pray that
[0:18] Speaker 1: as people moved by your spirit, we would be there
[0:21] Speaker 1: for others in their moments of need, in their moments
[0:24] Speaker 1: of despair. We pray against the temptation to fix everything immediately. Rather,
[0:29] Speaker 1: would you give us the empathy, discernment, and compassion to
[0:32] Speaker 1: sit with people in their sadness, weep with those who weep,
[0:36] Speaker 1: and be a listening ear. We thank you for always
[0:38] Speaker 1: listening to us when we are in need of you.
[0:41] Speaker 1: Open up our hearts and ears to be there for others,
[0:44] Speaker 1: just as you have been there for us. In Jesus'
[0:46] Speaker 1: name we pray, amen. Welcome to Pray News, where hope
[0:50] Speaker 1: is our only bias. Today's news at a glance, tens
[0:53] Speaker 1: of thousands of people marched in Washington to show support
[0:56] Speaker 1: for Israel. Americans have a growing headache for tipping culture,
[1:00] Speaker 1: and Biden sat in San Francisco for a critical meeting
[1:03] Speaker 1: with China's president, Xi Jinping. Today, we reflect on the
[1:06] Speaker 1: ideas of compassion and empathy, recognizing that sometimes we are
[1:10] Speaker 1: called to move and act out of compassion. When we
[1:12] Speaker 1: see other suffering or injustice occurring, the Lord calls us
[1:15] Speaker 1: to stand as agents of change and advocates for people
[1:18] Speaker 1: in need. However, there are also times when we are
[1:21] Speaker 1: called to sit with individuals, listen, and let them process. Today,
[1:25] Speaker 1: we are praying for empathy and discernment to know when
[1:28] Speaker 1: to act and when to sit in silence and weep.
[1:30] Speaker 1: We're glad you're here. We pray today's take on the
[1:33] Speaker 1: news leaves you informed and transformed. If Pray News has
[1:36] Speaker 1: blessed you, we would love it if you left a review.
[1:38] Speaker 1: We want to hear from you and know how it's
[1:40] Speaker 1: impacted you so far. Before we get to today's first story,
[1:44] Speaker 1: here's some Bible trivia for you. The Apostle Paul is
[1:47] Speaker 1: known for his epistles in the New Testament. However, there
[1:50] Speaker 1: are references to at least one of his letters that
[1:52] Speaker 1: is not included in the Bible. Can you identify the
[1:54] Speaker 1: group of people this missing letter was supposedly addressed to?
[1:57] Speaker 1: Was it A, the Persians, B, the Laodiceans, C, the Bereans,
[2:03] Speaker 1: or D, the Philadelphians? Listen to the end for the answer.
[2:07] Speaker 1: Before we get to today's first story, let's hear a
[2:09] Speaker 1: word from these sponsors. In a remarkable demonstration of support
[2:14] Speaker 1: for Israel, tens of thousands of people gathered in Washington, D.C.,
[2:18] Speaker 1: bringing a powerful message of unity and resilience in the
[2:21] Speaker 1: face of adversity. This gathering, under the banner of March
[2:24] Speaker 1: for Israel, transcended mere political alignment, drawing a diverse crowd
[2:28] Speaker 1: unified in their stance against the recent atrocities committed by Hamas.
[2:32] Speaker 1: This march was largely led by Christians, with large coalitions
[2:35] Speaker 1: of churches and religious organizations traveling hundreds of miles to
[2:39] Speaker 1: march in Washington. This showcases the deep Christian ties to
[2:43] Speaker 1: Israel and the show of support that transcends geopolitics and
[2:46] Speaker 1: party loyalty. The National Mall, often a stage for pivotal
[2:50] Speaker 1: moments in American history, witnessed an extraordinary scene. Leaders from
[2:54] Speaker 1: both major political parties, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer
[2:57] Speaker 1: and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, alongside Republicans like Mike
[3:01] Speaker 1: Johnson and Joni Ernst, symbolized a bipartisan stance. Their collective chants,
[3:07] Speaker 1: We Stand for Israel, echoed a sentiment that transcended political differences. However,
[3:12] Speaker 1: beneath this display of unity, there lay an undercurrent of
[3:16] Speaker 1: division within the Democratic Party, concerning Israel's actions in the
[3:19] Speaker 1: treatment of Palestinians. This complexity reflects the nuanced and even
[3:24] Speaker 1: contentious nature of international relations, where alliances and moral judgments
[3:29] Speaker 1: are continually tested. More than 500 U.S. officials have expressed
[3:33] Speaker 1: their dissent over President Biden's policy towards Israel. The letter,
[3:38] Speaker 1: undersigned by officials from around 40 government agencies, represented a
[3:42] Speaker 1: remarkable instance of internal disagreement within the U.S. administration. This group,
[3:47] Speaker 1: which includes political appointees and staff members, has called on
[3:51] Speaker 1: Biden to seek an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and to
[3:54] Speaker 1: pressure Israel to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into
[3:58] Speaker 1: the region. Yet the march continued. Speakers at the rally
[4:01] Speaker 1: passionately denounced the Hamas attack and the rising tide of anti-Semitism.
[4:06] Speaker 1: Israeli President Isaac Herzog, through a video address to the crowd,
[4:10] Speaker 1: emphasized the gravity of the situation in the historical echoes
[4:14] Speaker 1: of the Holocaust. His words never again resonated deeply, signifying
[4:18] Speaker 1: a collective vow against repeating the horrors of the past
[4:21] Speaker 1: against Jews. Amidst the speeches, personal stories brought a human
[4:25] Speaker 1: face to the conflict. Rachel Goldberg, the mother of a hostage,
[4:28] Speaker 1: voiced the pain and uncertainty faced by families of the victims.
[4:32] Speaker 1: Her words vividly depict the anguish endured by those of
[4:36] Speaker 1: diverse faiths and ages trapped in a situation beyond their control.
[4:40] Speaker 1: The Homeland Security Department designated the march as a Level
[4:43] Speaker 1: 1 security event, underscoring the seriousness and potential risks associated
[4:48] Speaker 1: with the rally. This level of security, usually reserved for
[4:51] Speaker 1: events like the Super Bowl, highlighted the volatile nature of
[4:54] Speaker 1: the conflict and its implications far beyond the borders of
[4:57] Speaker 1: combatant nations. Participants draped in Israeli flags and holding place
[5:01] Speaker 1: cards with names and photos of hostages symbolized both pride
[5:04] Speaker 1: and concern, Their calls of bring them home were not
[5:07] Speaker 1: just cries for action, but also an expression of deep
[5:10] Speaker 1: empathy and solidarity with those suffering in the conflict. The
[5:14] Speaker 1: rally also sought to shed light on how the Israeli-Hamas
[5:17] Speaker 1: conflict is affecting communities worldwide, specifically on college campuses. The
[5:22] Speaker 1: accounts of students facing anti-Semitism highlight the far-reaching impact of
[5:26] Speaker 1: the conflict, extending into the educational institutions and shaping the
[5:30] Speaker 1: experiences of young people worldwide. You can listen to our
[5:33] Speaker 1: report on that subject on PreNews.com. This rally reflects deep
[5:38] Speaker 1: biblical themes of seeking justice, praying for peace, and standing
[5:41] Speaker 1: with those facing oppression. Psalm 122.6 exhorts us to pray
[5:45] Speaker 1: for the peace of Jerusalem, and whoever does will prosper.
[5:49] Speaker 1: This event stands as a testament to the power of
[5:51] Speaker 1: collective prayer and action in the face of adversity. Christians
[5:54] Speaker 1: from diverse backgrounds all rallied together, showing their support for Israel.
[5:58] Speaker 1: Our faith calls us for a compassionate response to all
[6:01] Speaker 1: that are suffering, regardless of political, geopolitical, religious affiliations. As believers,
[6:06] Speaker 1: we are reminded to mourn with those who mourn and
[6:09] Speaker 1: to be peacemakers as Jesus taught us. In these challenging times,
[6:12] Speaker 1: the rally in Washington not only reflects a political stance,
[6:16] Speaker 1: but also invites deeper reflection on our role as Christians
[6:19] Speaker 1: in advocating for peace and justice in a broken world.
[6:23] Speaker 1: With all this in mind, let's say a prayer. Dear Lord,
[6:25] Speaker 1: in these turbulent times, we pray for peace in the
[6:28] Speaker 1: land of Israel and for all its people. Regardless of
[6:30] Speaker 1: faith or nationality, would you protect people in this conflict?
[6:34] Speaker 1: Guide the leaders and citizens towards paths of reconciliation, understanding,
[6:38] Speaker 1: and victory. And may your love and wisdom prevail over
[6:41] Speaker 1: all conflict and strife. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
[6:45] Speaker 1: We've all had this experience at some point. You go
[6:48] Speaker 1: to buy a coffee, a sandwich, or a small item
[6:51] Speaker 1: at a local shop. You swipe your card and then
[6:53] Speaker 1: face the dreaded leave a tip button on the screen.
[6:56] Speaker 1: Nobody serves you necessarily, but the cashier is right in
[6:59] Speaker 1: front of you, waiting for you to leave that 5, 10,
[7:01] Speaker 1: or 15% tip for a bottle of orange juice they
[7:04] Speaker 1: didn't even pour for you. Do you tip, or do
[7:07] Speaker 1: you just press skip? A recent Pew Research Center study
[7:10] Speaker 1: reveals a significant shift in America's tipping habits. With 72%
[7:15] Speaker 1: of Americans acknowledging an increase in tipping expectations across various
[7:19] Speaker 1: service sectors, a cloud of confusion looms over the once
[7:22] Speaker 1: straightforward custom of tipping. The concept of tipping, deeply ingrained
[7:27] Speaker 1: in American society and very unique to American society if
[7:30] Speaker 1: you ask Europeans, has traditionally been a token of gratitude
[7:33] Speaker 1: for exceptional service. It's been for services like dining in, haircuts,
[7:37] Speaker 1: and Uber drivers. However, the landscape is beginning to change. Now,
[7:42] Speaker 1: more Americans encounter tipping in places unheard of a decade ago.
[7:45] Speaker 1: The proverbial tipping jar follows you from your morning coffee
[7:48] Speaker 1: to a quick lunch at the fast casual restaurant. But
[7:51] Speaker 1: with these expanding boundaries, only about one-third of Americans feel
[7:55] Speaker 1: confident about when and how much to tip. This ambiguity
[7:59] Speaker 1: reflects a deeper societal change. While 21% view tipping as
[8:03] Speaker 1: a choice, a nearly equal proportion of 29% see it
[8:06] Speaker 1: as an obligation. Such conflicting perspectives underscore a lack of
[8:10] Speaker 1: consensus on what tipping really represents today. The study provides
[8:14] Speaker 1: a window into current tipping behaviors and what percentage of
[8:17] Speaker 1: people feel comfortable tipping at what kind of environment. 92%
[8:21] Speaker 1: of people tip while dining at a sit-down restaurant. This
[8:24] Speaker 1: is a stronghold of the tipping culture, yet most people
[8:27] Speaker 1: prefer tipping 15% or less at such places. 78% of
[8:31] Speaker 1: people tip with haircuts, and food delivery is around 76%.
[8:35] Speaker 1: These services continue to see consistent tipping and always will.
[8:39] Speaker 1: Taxi and rideshare services are around 61%. Tipping remains common,
[8:43] Speaker 1: though not universal. Some people don't think that you should
[8:46] Speaker 1: tip your taxi. Coffee shops are at 25% and fast
[8:50] Speaker 1: casual restaurants at 12%. Here lies the new frontier of tipping,
[8:54] Speaker 1: with a significant rise in tipping prompts. This trend, labeled tipflation,
[8:58] Speaker 1: reflects an increase in digital prompts for tips, even in
[9:01] Speaker 1: traditionally non-tipping contexts like self-service kiosks. Many people have actually
[9:06] Speaker 1: reported seeing a tipping option appear on a screen or
[9:09] Speaker 1: at self-checkout. So who are you tipping exactly in that environment? Robots?
[9:13] Speaker 1: The manager you don't even see? It's definitely a conundrum,
[9:17] Speaker 1: one that people will continue to wrestle with. In viewing
[9:20] Speaker 1: this shift through a Christian lens, it's important to remember
[9:23] Speaker 1: the biblical principles of generosity and kindness. Proverbs 11.25 reminds us, Tipping,
[9:26] Speaker 1: though often seen as a social obligation, can be a
[9:28] Speaker 1: powerful expression of these virtues. The dilemma faced by many
[9:38] Speaker 1: Americans over tipping mirrors a broader question. How do we
[9:41] Speaker 1: balance societal norms with personal convictions of generosity? In a
[9:45] Speaker 1: world where monetary transactions often affect social relationships, the Christian
[9:49] Speaker 1: approach can offer a refreshing perspective, prioritizing gratitude and kindness
[9:53] Speaker 1: over mere obligation to tip. So in essence, if you're
[9:56] Speaker 1: super grateful for your service and you feel like blessing someone,
[9:58] Speaker 1: go ahead and leave a tip. or you can express
[10:00] Speaker 1: gratitude in other ways. As tipping culture in America navigates
[10:03] Speaker 1: through this transformative phase, it's essential to remember the core
[10:06] Speaker 1: values that underpin this practice. Whether it's a choice or
[10:09] Speaker 1: an obligation, tipping can be an opportunity to reflect Christian
[10:12] Speaker 1: values of generosity and gratitude, making a small but meaningful
[10:15] Speaker 1: difference in the lives of those we interact with. But
[10:18] Speaker 1: if it's not a tip, then a simple smile and
[10:20] Speaker 1: a thank you would suffice. Being personable with the people
[10:22] Speaker 1: that are serving you or giving you food, whether it's
[10:25] Speaker 1: through a tip or a smile, showing gratitude is an
[10:27] Speaker 1: excellent practice that we should all aim for every single day.
[10:31] Speaker 1: But please, feel no need to tip a self-service kiosk.
[10:35] Speaker 1: That's just absurd. Let's pray. Dear Lord, we give thanks
[10:38] Speaker 1: for the abundance in our lives and the opportunities to
[10:40] Speaker 1: express our gratitude through acts of kindness, including tipping. Help
[10:44] Speaker 1: us to navigate the complexities of modern tipping culture with
[10:47] Speaker 1: wisdom and generosity. May our actions reflect our appreciation for
[10:50] Speaker 1: the services provided to us and the hard work of
[10:53] Speaker 1: those who serve. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. Note,
[10:57] Speaker 1: this report was recorded Wednesday, November 15th at 3.52 p.m.
[11:02] Speaker 1: Pacific time. Things may have changed since this recording. President
[11:05] Speaker 1: Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping convened in Woodside,
[11:09] Speaker 1: California near San Francisco, marking a critical juncture in U.S.-China relations.
[11:14] Speaker 1: This summit, the first face-to-face encounter since the surveillance balloon incident,
[11:18] Speaker 1: took place in the Fioli Estate, a sprawling property located
[11:22] Speaker 1: approximately 30 miles outside of San Francisco. Both nations, representing
[11:26] Speaker 1: the world's foremost powers, brought to the table an array
[11:29] Speaker 1: of complex and contentious issues. High on the agenda was
[11:33] Speaker 1: the restoration of military communications and cooperations in combating fentanyl trafficking. Additionally,
[11:38] Speaker 1: discussions around China resuming purchases of Boeing 737 MAX jets
[11:42] Speaker 1: were anticipated, though any agreement seemed precarious. Coming out of
[11:46] Speaker 1: the meeting, Biden's perspective was optimistic. President Biden emphasized his
[11:49] Speaker 1: aim to improve bilateral communication, stating the intention was not
[11:52] Speaker 1: to decouple but to enhance the relationship for mutual benefit.
[11:56] Speaker 1: Xi's stance was similarly optimistic. Xi Jinping highlighted the significance
[12:00] Speaker 1: of the U.S.-China relationship in the global context. stressing the
[12:04] Speaker 1: need for mutual respect and coexistence despite differing systems and histories.
[12:08] Speaker 1: He underscored the importance of collaboration on global challenges such
[12:11] Speaker 1: as climate change and artificial intelligence. These are fine public
[12:14] Speaker 1: statements from both leaders, but we are truly curious about
[12:17] Speaker 1: what the conversation was like behind closed doors. Time and
[12:20] Speaker 1: policy will give us more clarity about what was truly
[12:23] Speaker 1: argued and agreed upon. Significant security measures were in place
[12:27] Speaker 1: around San Francisco during that time, with demonstrations occurring outside
[12:31] Speaker 1: the Chinese consulate. Protesters, including groups supporting Tibetan and Taiwanese independence,
[12:36] Speaker 1: voiced their opposition to Xi Jinping and the Communist Party.
[12:39] Speaker 1: The summit came at a time of heightened tension, following
[12:42] Speaker 1: the U.S. downing of a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon, and
[12:46] Speaker 1: economic engagement was also a focal point, with Beijing seeking
[12:49] Speaker 1: to initiate dialogues in various sectors, including AI and cancer research.
[12:54] Speaker 1: The U.S., however, remained cautious, viewing such interactions as potentially unproductive.
[12:59] Speaker 1: Here were some key issues that were on the table
[13:01] Speaker 1: and most likely discussed. One was Taiwan and the South
[13:04] Speaker 1: China Sea. Both regions, where U.S. partners face Chinese military pressure,
[13:08] Speaker 1: were crucial discussion points. Two, global conflicts. Biden and Xi
[13:12] Speaker 1: were expected to address Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas,
[13:16] Speaker 1: with Biden urging Xi to leverage China's influence in the
[13:19] Speaker 1: Middle East. Third, technology transfers. Disagreements over U.S. restrictions on
[13:24] Speaker 1: technology transfers to China were also a central concern going
[13:28] Speaker 1: into the meetings. Both nations are navigating paths that could
[13:31] Speaker 1: lead to bifurcated world order, challenging the cooperative dynamics of
[13:35] Speaker 1: previous decades. China's dwindling economy at the moment gives the U.S.
[13:39] Speaker 1: a little bit of an edge in these talks. The
[13:42] Speaker 1: summit aimed to establish a pragmatic agenda to manage these
[13:45] Speaker 1: divergences responsibly. In a world marked by power struggles and
[13:50] Speaker 1: competing interests, this summit reminded us of the biblical principle
[13:53] Speaker 1: of seeking peace and pursuing it wholeheartedly. The complexities of
[13:57] Speaker 1: international relations echo the need for wisdom, understanding, and the
[14:00] Speaker 1: pursuit of common ground, as advised in Proverbs 3. As Christians,
[14:04] Speaker 1: we pray for our leaders, that they might be guided
[14:06] Speaker 1: by these principles in navigating such challenging diplomatic waters. Let's
[14:10] Speaker 1: end our time together in prayer. Heavenly Father, we pray
[14:14] Speaker 1: for wisdom and discernment for world leaders, especially in high-stakes
[14:17] Speaker 1: meetings like these. May their discussions be guided by a
[14:20] Speaker 1: desire for peace, understanding, and mutual respect. Grant them the
[14:24] Speaker 1: vision to see beyond immediate challenges, to the future where
[14:27] Speaker 1: nations can cooperate for common good of all people. We
[14:30] Speaker 1: pray these things with trust in Jesus' name. Amen. So
[14:34] Speaker 1: here is today's trivia. The Apostle Paul is known for
[14:36] Speaker 1: his epistles in the New Testament. However, there are references
[14:39] Speaker 1: to at least one of his letters that is not
[14:41] Speaker 1: included in the Bible. Can you identify the group of
[14:43] Speaker 1: people this missing letter was supposedly addressed to? Was it A.
[14:47] Speaker 1: The Persians, B. The Laodiceans, C. The Bereans, or D.
[14:50] Speaker 1: The Philadelphians? The answer is B. The Laodiceans. The missing
[14:55] Speaker 1: letter of Paul is commonly referred to as the letter
[14:57] Speaker 1: to the Laodiceans. This is inferred from the reference in
[15:00] Speaker 1: Colossians 4.16, where Paul mentions a letter from Laodicea that
[15:04] Speaker 1: the Colossians are also to read. It begs the question
[15:07] Speaker 1: if there's a missing chapter to the Bible that we're
[15:09] Speaker 1: unaware of. Thank you for joining us today on Pray News.
[15:13] Speaker 1: It is our aim to be informed and transformed. We
[15:15] Speaker 1: pray today you would proceed with hope, love, and determination
[15:18] Speaker 1: to be a force for good. If you've enjoyed this
[15:20] Speaker 1: take on the news, consider writing us a review and
[15:22] Speaker 1: share your experience. You can sign up for our newsletter
[15:24] Speaker 1: at PrayNews.com. There you'll find sources to all of our reporting.
[15:28] Speaker 1: Be sure to download the Pray.com app to make prayer
[15:30] Speaker 1: a priority in your life and experience the Bible in
[15:32] Speaker 1: new and exciting ways. God bless.

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