Prayer for President Adama Barrow to lead Gambia into a time of healing

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/26/africa/gambia-president-adama-barrow/index.html

Heavenly Father, today we pray for President Adama Barrow, who was finally able to step into leadership in Gambia Thursday. We are so thankful that Gambia’s former president, Yahya Jammeh, finally stepped down and left the country, narrowly avoiding war in his nation. Lord, as you know more than any of us, Gambia has been through a great deal during Jammeh’s four terms as president. We pray for Barrow as he seeks to lead his nation into a time of healing and growth. May he and his administration uncover what truths need to be uncovered. May anyone who is falsely imprisoned be released. We pray for Jammeh to seek you and use his talents for positive purposes. If justice needs to be served, let it be so. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Prayer for Hungary's office addressing Christian persecution

http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2016/september/first-country-to-officially-defend-christians-persecuted-by.html

Lord, today we pray for the first government office created to address the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and Europe. Lord, we appreciate Hungary's minister for human resources, Zoltan Balog, and the attention he is drawing to the statistics for religious persecution: that four out of five people killed for religious reasons are Christians. Mixing government and religion can be so complex, so we pray for wisdom for those leading this office as they seek to draw international awareness to the persecution of Christians, and as they coordinate humanitarian efforts. We pray for success in being your hand to rescue and aid your children within tumultuous areas of the world. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Prayer about gang rape live-streamed in Sweden

Lord, today we are horrified to learn of another crime live-streamed on Facebook: the gang rape of a Swedish woman. Lord, the depravity of the human race boggles our minds at times. How could anyone think gang rape is OK, and then also think sharing it with the world (or, in this case, a specific group) is a good idea? At the same time, we are thankful their broadcast meant the perpetrators’ crime was interrupted and the men were apprehended. We ask your blessing on Josefine Lundgren, who reported the crime immediately upon viewing it. We pray for justice for this victim--that the men will be prosecuted and punished for their crimes. We also fervently ask for healing for this victim on every level. As we see the world tending toward decay, we also look forward to Christ’s return with joyful expectancy. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.


For news coverage of this incident, visit here: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/01/23/gang-rape-streamed-on-facebook-live-swedish-police-say.html

Praise for discovery of Italian avalanche survivors

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/01/20/rescue-crews-continue-to-scour-italian-hotel-ravaged-by-avalanche.html

Lord, today we rejoice with the Italian rescuers who have discovered survivors after two days of cleaning up after an avalanche. We are thrilled that they have discovered at least 10 survivors, and that five of them have already been safely removed from the rubble. We pray for the rescuers as they continue to dig out the remaining people found, and as they seek the other missing workers and tourists. We pray for quick and quality medical assistance for all pulled from the site. Lord, we know that at least four people have already been found dead. Please bring comfort to those who grieve, and sustain those who wait for news of their loved ones. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer to prevent war in West Africa

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-38669347

Lord, today we pray that Gambian President Yahya Jammeh will accept his defeat and hand over power to the elected successor, Adama Barrow, before war breaks out. Lord, with tens of thousands of Gambians taking refuge in neighboring Senegal, and armed forces from Senegal, Nigeria and Lagos preparing for imminent battle, it is imperative for Jammeh to step down in order to protect his people and nation. Please compel him to do the right thing. Bring about a peaceful resolution. We pray for refugees as they flee and tourists as they evacuate. Protect and guide them. We desire peace in West Africa. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer prior to the US Inauguration

Lord, today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day for Americans. We feel the irony as we wake up to hate spewed from both sides of the aisle. Lord, the USA has an amazing Constitution. We are incredibly blessed with our freedom and our democratic process. Yet this election experience has been the most stressful that many Americans can remember from their entire lifetimes. Donald Trump will become president later this week. The amount of hate and fear and bullying and pain rising up prior to that event is absolutely staggering and unprecedented. Lord, it can be overwhelming. So today we pray for the USA, for peace and hope and light. We pray for each individual American to take responsibility for his or her own actions, attitudes and words (spoken and written). May we each use our platform for good, using respectful, cordial and effective means. We do pray for President Obama and President-Elect Trump. Lord, thank you for these men’s service to our nation. We do not all agree with them; we do not all trust or respect them. Yet we recognize their humanity and desire to treat them as you tell us to: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Lord, may both President Obama and President-Elect Trump use their platforms for hope and to bring about your will. And may we place our trust in you, rather than any individual man or woman, no matter how powerful. We humbly pray, amen.

Praise for surfer rescued off the coast of Sydney

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38621689

Lord, with all the hard things happening in the world, both near and far, it is so encouraging to hear rescue stories. Lord, we are just thrilled that a 37-year-old Japanese surfer was rescued after floating in the ocean for 16 hours. We cannot imagine how that felt to drift through the night on a surfboard, probably not having much hope of survival, and then to be picked up by a boat the next day. We are thankful that temperatures stayed low enough for him to avoid hypothermia, and that the crew members of the MSC Damla were observant and willing to go out of their way. Lord, bless those who rescued him. Bless the recovery process of this surfer. Thank you again that this man is safe, and that there is always hope in you, whether the days seem bright or dark. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about our part in Syria

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/10/opinions/syria-humanity-catanzaro-opinion/index.html.
PHOTO CREDIT: REUTERS/ABDALRHMAN ISMAIL

Lord, today our thoughts and prayers once again turn to Syria. We have this nagging sense that one day we will all chastise ourselves for our apathy to this terrible conflict. One day there will be movies that reveal how truly atrocious this situation is, and our children and grandchildren will ask, "What do you remember? What did you do?" Lord, show us what to do. Show us opportunities to bless our Syrian brothers and sisters who suffer while we live generally comfortable lives. Compel us to pressure our governments, send aid, knit hats, actually go and serve, or however each of us can best help. And, as we have prayed before, Lord, may we not forget to pray. May we sustain those who suffer through heavenly entreaties. And so today, Heavenly Father, we ask again for your intervention in Syria. Bring peace. Bring hope. Bring protection for those who need it. Send help. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Syrian refugee crisis FAQ and a way to donate: https://www.worldvision.org/refugees-news-stories/syria-refugee-crisis-faq-war-affecting-children

15 ways to help with the Syrian crisis: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/how-to-help-syrian-refugees-5th-anniversary-crisis/

Yes, there really are ways for knitters to help refugees. Here is one example: http://www.knitaid.org/howtohelp/

Prayer about ISIS using children for executions

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/01/09/new-cubs-caliphate-isis-video-shows-kids-killing-prisoners-in-amusement-park.html

Lord, once again we are stunned by the depths of ISIS’ evil. Training children as young as toddlers to shoot and behead is beyond despicable. To brag about brainwashing these children and to share their exploits with the world is the epitome of terrorism. Lord, we ask you to stop ISIS by all means. Lord, we know that our freedom to make our own choices unleashes sin of this depth. We are thankful for this freedom. But we know that evil is alive and well around the globe. We ask for your help in eradicating these repulsive methods. Stir up your children to pray and act. Do a great work within the ISIS camps by using prisoners to reach hearts. Lord, show us what we can do. And let those of us who live and work and pray at safe distances from ISIS’ control not forget those who live in their dark shadow. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.  

Prayer for emergency hospital on the plains of Nineveh

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/disaster/middle-east-relief/?&utm_source=SPFacebook&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=m_YENI-17SP_SocialMedia&utm_content=1-6FBAD-WMMLookalike

Lord, today we pray for the emergency field hospital created by Samaritan’s Purse and the Iraqi Ministry of Health on the plains of Nineveh. Lord, we are thankful this desperately needed resource has been provided to those risking their lives in fleeing Mosul. We pray for protection for this hospital, that it may continue its work. And we pray for medical personnel to volunteer from around the world for stints of three or more weeks. Please send trauma/general surgeons, anesthesiologists, emergency medicine physicians, ward physicians, operating room nurses, intensive care unit nurses, laboratory technicians, and scrub technicians to serve these desperate people. Help the volunteers get to the hospital safely, work effectively, minister in more ways than merely physical, and be blessed for their efforts. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer against Boko Haram using girls as suicide bombers

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/01/04/3-girl-suicide-bombers-gunned-down-in-northeast-nigeria.html

Lord, today we pray about Boko Haram’s use of girls as young as age 7 as suicide bombers. Lord, we are so sad to learn of today’s shooting of three girl suicide bombers in Yola, Nigeria. We are so thankful they were stopped, but devastated that this even happened. Lord, we pray for the hearts of those leading Boko Haram. Reach them. Stir up their consciences. May they not be able to live with themselves for even considering sending children into harm’s way. We pray for those children being recruited or forced into these roles of killing others. We pray that, no matter how devastated they are by their circumstances, that they will not allow themselves to harm others. We pray that you guard their hearts and minds, so they will not be brainwashed into adopting their captors’ false teaching and hateful lifestyle. Thank you for those in Nigeria who have prevented many suicide bombings through their diligent efforts. Please give them ever-increasing success as they seek to prevent terrorists from destroying their people. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about prison riot and breakout in Amazonas

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-38492696. Photo credit: AP. 

Lord, today we are sickened and grieved by the violent prison riot in Amazonas, Brazil. Father, the details of this violent uprising are disgusting. We are devastated by the depravity of humankind as evidenced by the outburst in this overcrowded prison. Lord, we know the root of this problem is sin. Sin led these prisoners to the desperation that drove them to their crimes and then drove them to develop these gang and drug networks within the prison. Then sin and greed drove them to rise up against each other and the guards, beheading, killing and intimidating. Lord, please send people with your Light into this prison. Help them share you with both inmate and guard. Help people find the everlasting peace you provide. We also pray for the authorities as they seek the escaped convicts. May they safely and effectively find them and return them to prison. We pray for the prison conditions. Help Brazil determine ways to improve their overpopulated prison system. Finally, we pray for those who are already grieving, and for those who are still waiting to learn whether their loved ones are among the dead. Please give them your peace and send representatives from among your people to show support and encouragement during this time of need. Please do not let any stigma prevent people from sharing your love and grace. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.