Prayer for improved sanitation and hygiene practices in areas of need

http://blog.compassion.com/why-clean-water-is-life/

Lord, today we pray for those who need not only access to clean water, but to better sanitation facilities. After all, even clean water is rendered less effective when people are using nearby ground for open “bathrooms.” Lord, please open our eyes to the connection between clean water, sanitation and hygiene. Despite its unglamorous appeal, compel people to provide bathrooms and hygiene education to those who have never understood their significance. May those who receive the hygiene education embrace and apply the teaching, passing it on to following generations. Lord, let’s improve the statistic of 1 in 3 people lacking access to a toilet. Let’s prevent the 600,000 deaths per year that occur in large part due to poor sanitation and hygiene practices. Please bless the efforts of organizations like Compassion International who are actively working to meet this need, and rally many of us to join in their efforts through giving and faithful prayer. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Prayer for those who need clean water

http://www.worldvision.org/our-impact/clean-water

Lord, today our prayers turn toward the 160 million people in the world who drink directly from rivers, lakes, ponds and irrigation canals. For those of us blessed with ready access to clean water, it is nearly unfathomable that about 1.8 million people die every year from easily preventable water-related diarrheal diseases--90% of them being children under 5. In order to avoid dehydration, these people face the risk of waterborne diseases every day. They become trapped in a cycle of dirty water, illness and poverty. Lord, please meet the needs of these people. Nurture gratitude in the hearts of those of us who use clean water every day almost without thought. Compel us to meet the needs of those whose children die for lack of clean water. We thank you that this need is being met for more people each year. May that number continue to climb quickly. May we help everyone access this crucial element. Lord, we want to look out for our brothers and sisters around the world. Show us how. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Prayer in the aftermath of the terror attack in Brussels

Lord, we pray for Belgian police who are, at this moment, tracking down a suspect. We pray for those who lost loved ones in today’s terror attacks, who, at this moment, are watching their lives seemingly fall apart. We pray for those who are injured, who, at this moment, are crying out for the healing of their bodies and hearts. We pray for the people of Belgium, who are reeling as a nation, rallying for justice and peace. And we pray for Europe, that its nations may galvanize their unity and their efforts as they fight terror. Strengthen, encourage and guide all of them. In Jesus’ life-giving name, we pray, amen.

Prayer of thanksgiving that ISIS' evil is officially labeled genocide

http://abcnews.go.com/International/stake-us-isis-committed-genocide/story?id=37723660

Lord, we praise you today for US Secretary of State John Kerry’s putting a name to ISIS’ atrocities: genocide. We pray other nations will continue to join with those making known the truth about ISIS’ destruction. Thank you for the passionate, persistent efforts of those who have been revealing truth, documenting evidence, and working toward this moment. We pray for the United Nations Security Council as its members determine the best way to mete out justice for those being exterminated. We pray for ISIS fighters to fear for their lives and freedom, and to lay down their arms. We pray in Jesus’ name that you would thwart their efforts by any means necessary. Please glorify yourself amidst this tragedy. Amen. 

Prayer for Christians in Iraq

Heavenly Father, today we pray for the Christians remaining in Iraq. With ISIS reducing the Christian population from 1.5 million to 275,000 through forced exodus and slaughter, those who remain are precariously close to destruction. Yet you are known for preserving a remnant of your people. We pray you will preserve a strong and powerful remnant in Iraq. We pray these Christians will find encouragement from your Word, despite ISIS’ efforts to destroy all Christian materials. We pray they will find solidarity with each other, despite their need to keep their activities secret. We pray their fellowship with you will be so sweet that their faith will burn brightly. And we pray that the joy set before them (Hebrews 12:1-3) will be their strength each day they have left on earth. May those days be many and may they bring you glory. In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, amen.

Prayer for Museum of the Bible

Learn more here: https://www.museumofthebible.org/.

Lord, today we pray for Museum of the Bible, which exists to invite all people to engage with the Bible. We are excited about how the traveling exhibits have been impacting people over the past six years. We eagerly anticipate the completion of the actual museum just blocks from the United States’ Capitol building. Heavenly Father, we pray for the millions of visitors from around the world who visit Washington DC each year to consider visiting this unique museum that will help them engage with your Holy Book. We pray for the necessary funds to be raised, and for efficiency and effectiveness in construction. We ask for exceptional wisdom for all who are designing and leading the various projects. Most of all, we pray for lives to be impacted by You as people interact with your Word while visiting this special museum. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for biblical resources in the Armenian language

To learn more, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHiVfwfZbAc

Lord, we thank you for preserving a remnant of Christians in Armenia even when the Red Army conquered the nation and persecuted Christ-followers for seven decades. Not only did a remnant survive, but you brought revival through them in the early 1990s! Lord, now your followers in Armenia need Christian resources in their own language. We thank you that they have your complete Word in their heart language. There is no better resource than that. However, we do pray that more materials will be translated into Armenian so believers and church leaders can be further equipped in the faith. Bless and empower Walk Thru the Bible as they seek to most effectively strategize which materials they will translate into Armenian and how they can be most effectively used. Bless Asatur Nahapetyan as he coordinates this effort. May Armenian believers be well equipped to broaden and deepen the church within their nation. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Prayer for Armenia

http://www.history.com/topics/armenian-genocide

Lord, today we pray for the nation of Armenia. Just over 100 years ago, almost half of Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Turks. Most of the world quickly forgot this genocide as World War II dominated our consciousness. Lord, we pray for Armenians as they still grieve this oversight. We pray for peace for them with this part of their history. We pray that their identity will be found in greater, more wonderful things. We do also pray that the world will acknowledge this atrocity as we acknowledge our collective history. We also thank you, Lord, that Christianity survived in this nation, despite 70 years of Communist rule. Thank you for preserving a remnant and for the revival that broke out across the land in 1991. We pray that the Armenians who remain in their native land, along with the Armenians who have been scattered across the world, will remember their Christian heritage--that it would not be merely a cultural legacy but a living, thriving, contagious, relational faith. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. 

Prayer about Kim Jong Un and nuclear power

Kim Jong Un. File Photo by Yonhap.

Lord, today our thoughts and prayers turn again toward North Korea. Please keep that despotic nation from nuclear capabilities, Lord. If they already have them, prevent them from using them. Lord, so much is about maneuvering. Like so many other world leaders, Kim Jong Un wants to be in ultimate power within his own nation and beyond. Lord, keep him from vanquishing his enemies. May the truth about his actions—both good and bad—come to light. Give him eyes to see and a desire to meet the needs of his people. Bring influences around him to steer him in the right direction. Draw him to you. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen. 

Prayer about surrendered Boko Haram fighters

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/03/02/76-starving-boko-haram-members-surrender-to-nigerian-military.html?intcmp=hpbt3

Lord, we are thrilled that 76 Boko Haram members have surrendered to Nigerian authorities! These starving terrorists (and their children) did not have the strength to continue the fight. Lord, bless the Nigerian military’s efforts to choke the activities of this wicked terrorist group. The recently surrendered captives tell us there are more terrorists who want to turn themselves in. Lord, compel them to capitulate. Thwart their efforts. Cause any reasonable voices among them to be heard as they urge the group to give up the fight. May their concern for their children and wives impel them to raise their vision toward more important goals in life—efforts toward peace and productivity. But, Lord, we also pray fervently that the Nigerian military’s de-radicalization efforts will be effective. Do whatever it takes to compel true heart-change and mindset renewal for these terrorists. We pray that nothing will move them back toward their old ways. We ask in Jesus’ powerful name, amen. 

Prayer for Iraq's Mosul Dam

    http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/28/middleeast/iraq-mosul-dam/index.html
Photo credit: Khalid Mohammed/AP Photo.

Lord, today we pray for Iraq’s Mosul Dam, which may be at risk of “catastrophic failure,” a breach that would endanger 500,000 to 1.47 million lives. Different experts may make different claims, but, Lord, we pray for the impending rehabilitation operation to be incredibly efficient and effective. We pray for all potential threats to be taken seriously and for workers and leaders to be diligent in giving the dam the best possible repairs. Lord, protect all people living within the dam’s vicinity, and help those responsible for the emergency alarm system to be vigilant in their roles. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.