Prayer against bacha bazi

http://www.newsweek.com/sorry-plight-afghanistans-crossdressing-boys-and-girls-356591

Heavenly Father, today we pray for the Afghan boys forced into the horrible practice of bacha bazi. Lord, it breaks our hearts to see children so mistreated! We pray for Afghanistan’s leaders to recognize this atrocity and work to save these boys from their plight. We pray for the demand for these boys to decrease. We pray for parents to find other resources, so they will not have to give their sons away for this practice. Lord, protect the boys who are already embroiled in this. Guard their hearts, bodies and minds. Bring people into their lives who can give them HOPE. And when these unfortunate boys age out of this practice, help them find useful work, so they can begin to rebuild their lives in a healthy way. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for the stranded Aurora Australis

http://news.sky.com/story/1648346/icebreaker-ship-runs-aground-in-antarctica

Lord, today we pray for the crew of the Aurora Australis, stranded in Antarctica. We are thankful no one seems to be in imminent danger, despite the hull of the ship being breached and the surrounding 80-MPH blizzard winds. We pray for weather conditions to ease so the ship’s occupants can be safely transferred to nearby Mawson Station. We ask that the transfer go smoothly, that no one will be injured, that people will stay calm and help each other. We pray for the process of testing the vessel’s seaworthiness to be effective and safe, so no one will be at risk once the vessel is sent to sea again. And we pray for the 30 expeditioners to be safely picked up from the Davis research base, despite their pickup vessel becoming stranded. Help them return to Australia without harm. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Prayer for Christians in North Korean prisons

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/north-korea-political-prison-camp-3175128

Lord, today we pray for our estimated 30,000 brothers and sisters in Christ who are imprisoned in North Korea. Father, most of us praying today have never faced true religious persecution. Those of us who worship you freely are very thankful. May we never lose our gratitude. Lord, even in the midst of horrific circumstances, please give our brothers and sisters in North Korean prisons the grace to be grateful today—grateful for salvation, for opportunities to share you, for opportunities to fellowship with you through their suffering (Philippians 3:10). Please strengthen them deep within their souls. Strengthen their bodies to endure. Strengthen their minds to hold firmly to truth and hope. Provide for their material and physical needs. Help them connect with other believers for encouragement. And may the truth come out about what is happening in North Korean prisons. In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, amen.

   

Prayer for reaching North Koreans using weather balloons

http://hope1032.com.au/stories/faith/2015/sending-love-notes-to-north-korea-by-balloon/

Heavenly Father, today we pray for Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) as they reach out to North Koreans through the use of weather balloons. Lord, with North Koreans strictly forbidden to hear the Gospel, read the Bible, or learn about Jesus, they are so hard to reach with the HOPE of Christ. Thank you for ministries like VOM and their creativity in sharing your Good News with those who are subjugated by their leaders. Help VOM’s software and GPS technology continue to prove reliable. May the tiny New Testaments not only make it into North Korea, but may they make it to people eager for truth, freedom and peace with you. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer for Jane Holl Lute as she helps victims of sexual abuse

Photo: AFP.  http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/02/08/us-peacekeeping-expert-to-coordinate-sexual-abuse-response.html

Lord, we pray for Jane Holl Lute, as she accepted the mantle today of a United Nations special coordinator for improving the UN’s response to allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers. Lord, what a sad irony—for peacekeepers to sexually abuse and exploit those they are appointed to protect! Our hearts are saddened by this tremendous abuse of power and breach of trust. Lord, help Ms. Lute as she seeks to better align the UN’s peacekeeping and human rights systems. We ask for accountability for those who commit these crimes. We ask for swift response on behalf of the victims. We pray for healing for the individuals and people groups who have been damaged in multiple ways through these abuses. We pray also for protection against any false accusations. May truth and justice occur for all involved. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer after Taiwan's earthquake

Photo: Reuters. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/6-4-magnitude-earthquake-hits-taiwan-2-dead-as-17-storey-building-collapses/1/589195.html

Lord, please bless and protect rescuers who are still seeking survivors after Taiwan’s earthquake today. We are so thankful for the hundreds of people who have been rescued already! Please bring physical healing to those who are receiving treatment for their injuries, and emotional and mental healing for all who experienced this trauma. Please comfort those grieving the death of loved ones and sustain those who still wait for word about the missing. May this tragedy just prior to Lunar New Year draw the people of Taiwan together in solidarity, rather than overwhelming sorrow. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about Zika virus

Photo by Felipe Dana. http://globalnews.ca/news/2497368/in-photos-photographer-reflects-on-bucket-baby-brazil-child-born-with-zika-virus-linked-microcephaly/

Lord, today we pray about the Zika virus. Many of us are just learning about this illness, due to it recently being declared a global public health emergency--after being linked to brain deformities in babies in South America. Lord, no parent wants his or her child to suffer. You grieve with these families whose babies are born with microcephaly. Please comfort these parents and give them the strength they need to create loving, healthy environments for these children. Give scientists wisdom and resources to learn more about this virus and its link to these deformities. Help those who contract the virus recover as quickly as possible, accessing medical care when needed. Please slow the spread of this mosquito-borne illness, which has thus far developed a farther reach this year. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.


http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/health/2016/02/03/rising-heat-causing-zika-virus-to-spread-quickly-in-latin-america/

Prayer for refugees crossing the Mediterranean Sea

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/children-die-reaching-europes-shores-empathy-fades-211041243.html?nhp=1

Lord, today we pray for the hundreds of thousands of refugees crossing the Mediterranean Sea by boat. Lord, it is hard to imagine the desperation that would drive families to risk their lives crossing the sea in unworthy vessels. It is distressing to hear how much money the refugees are paying, and how they are mistreated at holding points. Lord, protect them. Help them find another means of transportation. Help them find places where they will be welcome and safe. Give those monitoring the sea efficiency so they can rescue people as quickly as possible, in order that the thousands of deaths per year will diminish drastically and quickly. And, Lord, please bring resolution to the wars and devastation that are driving these people from their homelands in the first place, so these wild risks will not be taken at all. We place our trust and hope in you. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.