Saturday, December 31, 2016

Prayer about collapsed mine in Jharkhand

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-38478539. Photo credit: AFP.
Lord, today we pray for the collapsed mine rescue efforts underway in Jharkhand, India. Lord, we grieve with those awaiting signs of their loved ones after Thursday’s mine collapse. We grieve about the 13 bodies that have been recovered, representing 13 families that are changed forever. We pray for closure for the estimated 45 families who still await word. And, of course, we are thankful for the two miners who were pulled alive from the collapsed mine. Lord, it is always particularly disturbing when an accident repeats itself in the same location. People have questions about why this mine was reopened after three people died in a collapse here a few years ago. Please help truth to come out about this mine’s conditions, this company’s practices, and the regulatory systems in India’s coal-mining industry. Be with these families in a special way as they face a New Year with glaring holes in their families and hearts. And please protect the rescuers who continue their efforts in dangerous conditions until the miners are all found. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Prayer of thanksgiving for Chibok girls reunited with their families on Christmas Day

http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/26/africa/chibok-girls-nigeria-journey/index.html  Photo credit: AP
Lord, we are absolutely thrilled to know that 21 of the Chibok girls who had been held captive by Boko Haram for so long were reunited with their families on Christmas Day! Please bless each and every person who played a part in the process of safely reuniting these young women with their families. We pray for continued healing during the months and years to come, as well as acclimation back into “regular life.” Lord, we also pray for those families who expected to be reunited with their daughters, yet learned that their girls are still in captivity. Please sustain these families as they await the return of their daughters. May they be faithful in prayer and joyful in hope. Please protect their daughters and get them home soon. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Monday, December 26, 2016

Prayer of thanksgiving for foiled terrorist plot in Australia

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-23/police-foil-alleged-christmas-day-'terrorist-plot'-in-melbourne/8143762
Lord, today we rejoice that Australian police were able to foil the significant terroristic plot that was to take place Christmas Day. We are thrilled that the terrorists behind the planned violence are now detained and awaiting trial, rather than rejoicing over destroyed lives and property. We thank you that the Australian police have had such success in preventing attacks since they raised their terrorist threat level a couple years ago. Lord, we know that not everyone has had such success in recent days. We continue to pray for those grieving in Berlin after the sad attack that happened there last week. And we continue to pray against radical Islamic terrorism around the world. May those who plot evil be continually foiled and, of course, ultimately come to know you, so they can pursue grace and hope, rather than terror and legalism. In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, amen.



Friday, December 23, 2016

Praise for discovery of effective Ebola vaccine

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/12/23/final-test-results-confirm-experimental-ebola-vaccine-highly-effective.html Photo credit: REUTERS/James Giahyue
Lord, today we praise you for the development of an effective Ebola vaccine, specifically for the Zaire strain. We are so very thankful that this vaccine could save tens of thousands—hundreds of thousands-- of lives in the future. We pray that plans and funds will be in place to effectively transport the vaccine to where it is needed before any dangerous outbreaks happen. We pray for researchers to have success in finding a vaccine for the Sudan strain of the virus. And we pray for those who are still grieving the loss of loved ones from among the thousands of people who died during the 2013 outbreak. In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, amen.

 


Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Prayer for the Boyle-Coleman family, held hostage in Afghanistan

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/12/21/parents-canadian-hostage-first-time-weve-seen-kids.html
Lord, today we pray for Joshua Boyle, Caitlan Coleman and their two young children. Lord, it is so sad that this husband and wife have been held hostage for four years in Afghanistan—and that their children were born in captivity. Lord, please keep them calm, sane, stimulated, gracious, strong, hopeful, resilient, creative, safe. We do not know if they know you, but we pray they will seek you as they seek hope. We pray for their children, that they would be miraculously able to thrive and grow. We pray that the terrorists will have mercy on these children, and even be protective of them. Ultimately, of course, we pray for this family’s release. May people all around the world pray for this family this Christmas season, so they may feel buoyed up by our prayer support. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.




Monday, December 19, 2016

Prayer for the final week of Advent


Lord, in this final week of Advent, may our hearts rest in you. No matter what we think we need to accomplish this week, may we still pause to reflect on the magic of this season. May the true awesomeness of the Christmas story astound us. And may we reflect your generosity in how we share, shop, behave and believe each day this week. In the name of the Greatest Gift, we pray, amen.



Saturday, December 17, 2016

Prayer about Project Wekeza in Tanzania

https://www.worldvision.org/hunger-news-stories/better-cassava-improves-livelihoods
Lord, today we pray for the Wekeza project in Tanzania. Lord, we are thankful for World Vision’s efforts (along with other partners) to help poor farmers of Tanzania improve their techniques, grow a hardier variety of cassava, and diversify their farms. We celebrate the success these farmers are having, knowing that this triumph enables them to provide an education for their children, meet basic needs, and look toward a brighter future for everyone. Please help these farmers continue to improve their livelihoods, and to demonstrate a spirit of generosity as they experience these blessings in their lives. May their Christmas season be joyous, as they celebrate with full hearts and hopefully fuller bellies. May they fix their thoughts and prayers on you. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.



Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Prayer about opioid addiction problem in rural America

http://www.healthline.com/health-news/babies-with-drug-withdrawal-skyrocketing-in-rural-areas#1
Lord, today we pray about the opioid addiction epidemic in rural America. Lord, we are devastated by the rapid growth of the death rate due to opioid addiction. We are also heartbroken about the great increase in babies born addicted to opioids. Lord, this is a huge problem, and the layers of causes can be peeled like an onion: access to drugs, perceived need for drugs, educational factors, economic factors, social factors. But, Lord, we find ourselves facing the fact that people are broken and they turn to the wrong things, hoping temporary fixes will meet their needs. Lord, meet these people in their brokenness. Bring people into their lives who will point them to health, hope, goodness, truth and you. And, Lord, we do pray for practical helps to be implemented in rural areas, such as better education, treatment facilities, etc. Lord, thank you for being the source of hope in our lives, no matter what our situation. In Jesus’ loving name we pray, amen.



Monday, December 12, 2016

Prayer about Nigerian church collapse

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/12/12/505277449/nigeria-investigating-what-caused-church-collapse-that-killed-scores-of-worshipp Photo credit:AFP/Getty Images
Lord, today we pray about the church collapse that took place in southeast Nigeria this weekend. There are so many questions! How many people actually died? Who are they? Why did the building collapse? Was corruption involved? Lord, we are so thankful you see all. You know the answers to these questions. Please bring truth to light about what caused the collapse. Use this incident to compel reform within the construction industry. Help people identify those who died and inform their loved ones. May the injured find healing. May the grieving find comfort. Lord, be with these families as they deal with such major trauma during one of the most joyous seasons of the year. May the supernatural peace of Christ rule in their hearts. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Prayer about yellow fever epidemic

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/05/health/yellow-fever-africa-vaccine.html?ref=world
Photo credit: Jerome Delay/Associated Press

Lord, today we thank you that this year’s yellow fever outbreak did not become more disastrous. It is staggering to consider how bad things could have been, though we know from history how destructive this disease can be to entire cities and nations. Thank you for those who worked hard to get the vaccines where they needed to go. Thank you for the generosity of nations like South Sudan, who, though among the world’s poorest, donated 400,000 doses intended for its own children in order to stop the outbreak elsewhere in Africa. Lord, we also thank you for bringing good out of bad. Thank you that this outbreak revealed the inefficiency in getting vaccines where needed, as well as the need for more vaccinations in nations that are at greater risk of this virus. We do pray for the World Health Organization as its leaders seek solutions to this problem, and we pray for each nation to plan well for the health of its people. In the name of the Great Physician we pray, amen.

 


Friday, December 2, 2016

Prayer about South Korean presidential scandal and possible impeachment

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38170132  Photo credit: Chung Sung-Jun
Lord, today we pray about the controversy surrounding South Korea’s president, Park Geun-hye. Lord, it is so hard to have our leaders disappoint us. It is disheartening when they break our trust. Heavenly Father, we ask you to bring out the truth regarding President Park and her involvement with the corruption scandal currently being investigated in South Korea. Please reveal whether she was complicit or innocent. We pray about the impeachment process that is likely to happen in the very near future. Please help each lawmaker vote his or her conscience, not letting politics or personal gain influence the decision, but truly considering the best for the nation and, of course, the truth. We pray for your hand of direction to be evident in the nation of South Korea. May people seek your leadership. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.