Monday, October 31, 2016

Prayer for Boko Haram survivors who have been mistreated by their "protectors"

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/10/31/report-women-girls-saved-from-boko-haram-later-abused-by-police-military.html  Photo: Reuters. 
Lord, we are sick to our stomachs today to learn that young women and girls who escaped Boko Haram are now being raped and abused by those who are supposedly protecting them: the police and military at their refugee camps. Lord, words fail us. We are absolutely outraged that these “protectors” would instead take advantage of these young survivors. Thank you that the truth has come to light about this. We pray for effective measures to be taken that will prevent this abuse from continuing. We pray for justice for these young women. We pray for those who have harmed these young women or who are considering it to feel absolutely deeply convicted to such a degree that they will make right choices in the future. Lord, please bring healing and hope to these young women. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.



Friday, October 28, 2016

Prayer about food crisis in Yemen

http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/27/middleeast/yemen-world-food-program/index.html
Lord, today we pray about the food crisis in Yemen. Seeing the photos of malnourished young people is heartbreaking. A couple years of war have caused this already struggling nation to deal with even more malnutrition. Lord, thank you for how many people the UN World Food Programme has been able to feed each month. We pray for other organizations to be able to effectively help as well. Most of all, we pray against the root cause of the food shortage: the war that is ravaging the country. May people be able to return to work and to their fields. We pray against any corruption that is preventing people from receiving the help that is available. May the donated food get directly into the hands of those who need it. May those who need medical care have the opportunity to receive it. May people treat each other with generosity and kindness even during these dark times. May people recognize you at work. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Prayer for children in Iraqi refugee camp

  Pictured above: children in another World Vision refugee camp.  https://www.worldvision.org/disaster-response-news-stories/children-fleeing-mosul-offensive. Photo: ©2016 Chris Weeks/World Vision
Lord, today we pray for the children in the Zelican refugee camp outside of Mosul, Iraq. Thank you that so many people have been able to flee Mosul before and during the military operation to retake the city. We are so thankful for everyone involved in providing places of refuge. Today we specifically pray for the child-friendly “safe places” aid agencies like World Vision are providing in Iraq. These children have experienced true terrors beyond their years, yet they are still youths. They need to feel safe; they need to play; they need their basic needs met. Please bless World Vision and other organizations meeting these needs. We pray for the adults supervising and ministering to these children, that they would have great endurance, grace, wisdom and inspiration as they seek to meet these deep needs, while helping the children process their experiences and pointing these young ones to the ultimate comfort in you. May people give generously so that these children may have clean water, food, shelter and even fun as they experience their new lives in the Zelican camp. In Jesus’ merciful name we pray, amen.



Monday, October 24, 2016

Prayer for greater depth within the Nigerian church

Photo copyright: Nigerian Pentecostal Church
Lord, today we pray for Africa’s most populous and Christian nation: Nigeria. Thank you for the wide and diverse growth within the churches of Nigeria. Thank you for the influence the greater church has had on its nation. But, Lord, as you know, growth can be a mile wide, yet an inch deep. You see the significant need for greater depth and discipleship within Nigeria. We beseech you to send laborers and resources to the churches within Nigeria so that greater maturity can come about. We pray against a church culture that promotes status, power, celebrity and prosperity over the life of following Christ whatever the cost. We pray for disciples to care about strengthening their own character, and to work on keeping Christ at the center of their marriages and other relationships. We pray for leadership development not only for pastors, but for others within the church, so that disciplemaking efforts can be multiplied. We pray for unity, victory over sin, a spirit of prayer, and effective evangelism. May Nigerian Christians be lights within their land. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.



Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Prayer for cease-fire in Yemen

  http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/10/19/yemen-72-un-mediated-ceasefire-starts.html  Photo: REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi
Lord, today we pray about the cease-fire in Yemen. Thank you for the UN envoy’s success in brokering this agreement between the warring parties. We also thank you for both sides’ willingness to attempt peace. We pray that everyone would heed the agreement for the full 72 hours, and that both sides would ultimately decide to extend the cease-fire. Lord, two years of war involving civil unrest within Yemen and then Saudi Arabia’s involvement is tiring and harmful to so many. We grieve the lives lost, as well as the people and the nation scarred. Please help the leaders get to the root of the issues and find a resolution that will last. May people turn to you in the midst of both the conflict and the resolution. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.



Monday, October 17, 2016

Prayer for Colombia as it seeks an end to its guerrilla warfare

http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/10/16/497980907/after-voters-reject-colombia-peace-deal-guerrillas-are-left-in-limbo  Photo credit: Luis Acosta/AFP/Getty Images.
Lord, today we pray for Colombia as the nation continues to seek peace. Lord, we understand people’s frustration at the peace accord being rejected by voters earlier this month. We understand that guerrillas want to go back to normal life after decades of fighting, and that civilians do not want them unpunished for their crimes. Lord, peace is a hard state to broker apart from you. Please be with the leaders who are refining this agreement. May they humble themselves before you and find wisdom from you. Please be with the citizens of Colombia as they watch the process and have their say through their votes. May they too seek you, and may they discern what cost is worth paying to have guerrilla warfare end within their nation. We pray for the cease-fire to effectively continue while leaders go back to the drawing board with their attempts to agree on conditions. May no chance encounters between the army and the guerrillas occur that would inflame the situation. May people be selfless as they seek what is best for their nation and as they seek to honor you. May people find healing from the damage done during this long war, and may people find forgiveness in their hearts to extend as needed. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.



Thursday, October 13, 2016

Prayer for released Chibok girls

http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/13/africa/nigeria-chibok-girls-released/index.html
Lord, today we praise you for the release of 21 Chibok girls after being held hostage by Boko Haram for two years. We are so thankful they have been released to freedom and that they can be reunited with their families! Lord, you know they have a long road to recovery ahead. Please heal their bodies, minds, souls and spirits. Help them learn to function in a free world again. Please help them reconnect with their families. May their families and loved ones welcome them with open arms and remain steadily beside them no matter how uncomfortable and challenging their healing processes may be. Please draw these young women close to you. Help their faith grow ever-stronger as they move toward wholeness after their harrowing ordeal. In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, amen.



Monday, October 10, 2016

Prayer for the Bahamas after Hurricane Matthew

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article106798497.html   Photo credit: Tim Aylen, AP
Lord, today we pray for the Bahamas as its people continue to recover from Hurricane Matthew. We pray for the thousands without power, that they will be able to creatively meet their needs as they wait for the power to be restored. We pray for those working to repair power and communication lines, etc., to be safe and efficient, despite being short on rest. We pray for the people who need basic emergency assistance – food, shelter, clean water. Help those with enough be generous with those who do not have enough. Help people be willing to go outside of their comfort zones to reach out to those in need. Lord, we pray for those who grieve over the loss of homes, that they will continue to rejoice in spared lives, and that they would be patient as they seek their homes to be repaired or to find new homes. May people show sympathy and also point the way toward hope. We pray for the economy, as the nation will be dealing with loss of tourist income for a long time as they seek to rebuild their communities. In the midst of chaos and destruction, please bring peace and glorify yourself. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Prayer for Haiti in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-37560228  Photo credit: AFP 
This prayer was edited as more information became available.

Lord, today we pray for Haiti in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. Lord, first, we think of the hundreds upon hundreds of lives lost. It is overwhelming: people of all ages, killed in frightening ways by such a powerful storm. Each life lost is a tragedy and leaves families and friends reeling for decades. Please be with those who have lost loved ones. And, Lord, thousands of people have lost their homes and businesses; crops and livestock have been devastated. The rebuilding will take many years. Lord, please comfort the people of Haiti. May your children in Haiti be lights in the midst of this dark time, even though they are hurting and facing loss themselves. Lord, thank you that relief workers were finally able to reach the part of the country that had been cut off. Please continue to give them determination, resourcefulness and strength as they continue to uncover the loss, recover bodies and deal with the most urgent crises. We pray for not only hospitals that are without fresh water, but for the hundreds of family without fresh water. We pray against cholera and other diseases that may increase under these circumstances. Lord, may the best in people come out as people help, serve and show generosity toward one another. May those who are able to help do so quickly, safely and effectively. We pray against the looting and theft. Lord, convict the hearts of those who are tempted to steal from others as they deal with their pain. Help them to recognize that everyone is suffering during this time. Lord, we also pray for the non-governmental organizations that have representatives on the ground in Haiti right now, such as Reciprocal Ministries International. Thank you for their long-term presence in serving and loving and living among—being part of—the people of Haiti. Help them do what they do best in the midst of this devastation: assisting those around them, being present, sharing your love, meeting needs. Show us how we may help. May people around the world rise up to help the people of this small island nation. And may we not forget to pray as we go about our days. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

For updates from Haiti and a chance to help in practical ways, visit https://www.facebook.com/reciprocalministries/?pnref=story.unseen-section. If desired, click on the “donate” link on their Facebook page, or visit here: http://www.rmibridge.org/.

Here is the original version:

Lord, today we pray for Haiti in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. Lord, thank you that loss of life appears to be minimal, despite major devastation. We are especially thankful for this, considering the nation was hit harder than anyone had expected. Lord, even though loss of life was “minimal,” each life lost is a tragedy and leaves families and friends reeling for decades. Please be with those who have lost loved ones. And, Lord, thousands of people have lost their homes and businesses; crops and livestock have been devastated. The rebuilding will take many years. Lord, please comfort the people of Haiti. May your children in Haiti be lights in the midst of this dark time, even though they are hurting and facing loss themselves. Lord, we pray for relief workers and others who are trying to creatively gain access to the part of the country that has been cut off by damage. We pray for people to have peace and ingenuity as they deal with not only lack of access, but lack of phone communication. We pray for those hospitals that are without fresh water. Lord, may the best in people come out as people help, serve and show generosity toward one another. May those who are able to help do so quickly, safely and effectively. Lord, we also pray for the non-governmental organizations that have representatives on the ground in Haiti right now, such as Reciprocal Ministries International. Thank you for their long-term presence in serving and loving and living among—being part of—the people of Haiti. Help them do what they do best in the midst of this devastation: assisting those around them, being present, sharing your love, meeting needs. Show us how we may help. May we not forget to pray as we go about our days. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 


Monday, October 3, 2016

Prayer about Hurricane Matthew

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/03/496383354/caribbean-nations-brace-for-hurricane-matthews-lash
Photo credit: Collin Reid/AP
Lord, today we pray about Hurricane Matthew, which is heading toward multiple Caribbean islands this very moment. Lord, thank you for helping us create technology that provides forewarning as storms approach. Thank you that we have adopted practices to prepare for large storms. We do pray for Jamaica, Haiti, Turks and Caicos, Cuba, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and any others who are preparing for this storm. May people exercise caution and diligence in their preparations. May others show courage when and if needed when the storm actually arrives. Please protect people. Help those who are in danger know when it is time to find shelter elsewhere. We are especially concerned about potential flash flooding and mudslides, when people are caught unaware. Again, we ask for protection from Hurricane Matthew, Lord. Ideally, may the storm not be as strong as anticipated, or may it veer off to a place where it will not cause damage. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.