Prayer against civil war in South Sudan

https://www.worldvision.org/disaster-response-news-stories/south-sudan-conflict-hunger-threats-children
(©2015 Jon Warren/World Vision)

Lord, today we pray against the conflict in South Sudan. We are sad that this young nation has known almost nothing but conflict. We are shocked by the millions of people who have fled to neighboring countries, or who are displaced within their own. We are dismayed that this displacement prevents farming, and thus causes high food prices and huge obstacles in delivering food to remote areas… which leads to famine and disease, as well as children being recruited as soldiers in the conflict simply to survive. The list of troubles goes on… Lord, please intervene in South Sudan. We pray for the government and rebel forces to come to a peace agreement that will last. We pray for creative access to the malnourished and afraid, so they can be cared-for. We pray for hope for the hopeless, safety for those in flight. We pray for the root issues to be addressed to prevent the loss of further life. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for peace between immigrants and South Africans

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/24/world/south-africa-anti-immigrant-protests/index.html  Photo credit: Kim Ludbrook

Lord, today we pray about the tension in Pretoria and throughout South Africa. Lord, so many nations are struggling with how to handle immigrants right now. So many devastating situations around the world are compelling people to flee their homes for better lives elsewhere. South Africa has been far from immune from this situation. You know all of this. You see the pain. You see the problems that arise when a nation has a 26% unemployment rate. So we first pray about the most recent riots in Pretoria, where businesses were looted, rubber bullets were fired into communities, hateful words were shouted, and havoc was wrought in homes and hearts. Bring peace to Pretoria. We also pray for the greater issue of rising xenophobia in South Africa. We pray for the migrants who grieve because what they thought would be a better life turned out to be intimidating and precarious. We pray for the citizens of South Africa as they deal with the major frustration of high unemployment, rising crime, and a sense of helplessness. We pray for South African leaders to create workable, effective solutions to these societal ills. We pray for police to not turn a blind eye to crimes, regardless of the victims' nationalities. Most of all, we pray for your enduring, heavenly peace to spread in South Africa. We pray for repentance, declared dependence on you, and revival. We plead in Jesus' name, amen.

Prayer for God to work on college campuses (for the Collegiate Day of Prayer)

http://www.collegiatedayofprayer.org/

Lord, today we join the Collegiate Day of Prayer by praying for college campuses across the Unites States and the world. Lord, first, we thank you that the students pursuing their education at the post-high school level even have this opportunity. With the cost and commitment involved, we know it is a privilege. Lord, we pray for each student to make the most of the opportunity, committing to learn and grow academically, professionally, socially, emotionally and spiritually. We pray for resourcefulness and fortitude in funding their education, so they will not be bogged down by tremendous debt upon graduation. We pray for this time when students are deciding how they want to live as adults, that they would make wise choices, rather than ones with long-term negative consequences. We pray for godly influences to be readily available through your people, churches, campus ministries and more. We pray for your Gospel to be accessible, and for students to seriously consider the claims of Christ. We pray for your children to experience sweet years of meaningful fellowship and tremendous growth while on campus, and that they would both savor and make the most of those years, sharing your love and hope with those around them each day. Lord, may your Holy Spirit move powerfully across college campuses today. We pray in faith, amen.

Prayer against famine in Somalia

Photo credit: FEISAL OMAR/REUTERS  https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/somalia-on-brink-of-another-famine-united-nations-warns/article33904646/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&

Lord, today we pray for Somalia, on the brink of severe famine. We pray for intervention of two kinds: directly from you, and through your children. Lord, please send rain to Somalia. We pray for farmers to find success. We pray for special strength and support for, first, the children of Somalia, who are suffering malnutrition on a massive scale. Next, we pray for the animals of Somalia, three-quarters of which have already perished. Give them extra strength and resourcefulness in surviving. This is very related to the second kind of intervention we request: Lord, move in the hearts of your people--and even those who do not follow you--to intervene in this situation. We pray for governments, NGOs and individuals to do their part to prevent catastrophe. May Somalia's new president have great effectiveness in building an infrastructure and leading his nation through crisis. May others send the type of aid most needed, and may they send it with the most effective timing and means. May we band together to prevent a repeat of the devastating famine Somalia experienced in 2011. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.



One way to get involved: https://donate.worldconcern.org/44cents-christianfm?utm_medium=radio&utm_campaign=fy17_feb_radio_christianfm&utm_source=christianfm#amount=44.00

Prayer for Asia Bibi, imprisoned in Pakistan

https://etools.vomusa.org/a/vombm/viewasweb/vom_bulk_email_201702_05_web.html

Lord, today we pray for Asia Bibi in Pakistan, imprisoned for over seven years and wondering whether life or death lay before her in the near future. We pray about her appeal to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, that her conviction and death sentence would be overturned. We pray for her safety and testimony in prison. Please protect her from other prisoners and, in fact, use her to reach those around her with the Good News about Jesus Christ. Lord, we also pray for her husband and children, who have been separated from her for so long. Strengthen their faith, hope and love for each other and you. Sustain them during this long trial. Finally, we pray for true freedom of religion in Pakistan. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for Pastor Haile Nayzgi, imprisoned in Eritrea

https://etools.vomusa.org/a/vombm/viewasweb/vom_bulk_email_201702_04_web.html

Lord, today we pray for Pastor Haile Nayzgi, languishing in Eritrea’s prison system. Lord, it’s astounding to think that people can be arrested and neither accused nor tried, yet spend a dozen years in prison. We pray for Pastor Nayzgi’s location to come to light, the truth to come out about his circumstances and “crime,” and for him to be freed as soon as possible. We pray that you will bless his ministry in prison, granting him favor with his fellow prisoners and prison workers, that they might be drawn to you through his life and testimony. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Praise for the rescue of boys enslaved on Lake Volta

https://www.ijm.org/rescue-in-ghana

Lord, today we praise you for International Justice Mission’s successful rescue of 24 boys enslaved on Lake Volta. Lord, it breaks our hearts to imagine boys as young as seven being abused and forced to dive into deep waters to untangle fishing nets, receiving little food or medical care. Lord, thank you for IJM and the Ghanaian authorities’ successful efforts to rescue these boys, and for the arrest of the boatmasters who perpetrated these crimes. Lord, we pray for these 24 boys and the long road to recovery ahead of them. Please heal them on every level. Help them be reunited with their families or find new families. Provide for all their needs. And we pray for IJM and the Ghanaian authorities to continue successfully shutting down similar operations on Lake Volta. In the powerful name of Jesus we pray, amen. 

Prayer for terminally ill children within the foster care system

Photo credit: Cori Salchert. http://www.today.com/parents/how-one-mom-s-extraordinary-love-transforms-short-lives-hospice-t67096
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-foster-father-sick-children-2017-story.html

Lord, today we pray for terminally ill children within the foster care system. Lord, the needs within the foster care system seem innumerable. It is overwhelming to consider that thousands of terminally ill children are among those looking for homes. Lord, we pray for families to heed your call to accept these children into their homes. We pray for those who already have this incredible ministry, such as Mohamed Bzeek and Mark and Cori Salchert. Lord, bless these families. Sustain them. May the satisfaction of serving you and loving children whose lives are facing an early end provide them with motivation and hope each day. We pray for these children, that they would absorb and blossom from the love lavished on them by these special foster families, and that they would experience your love to the fullest. And again, Lord, we pray for more people to rise up to this special task. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about Calais refugee crisis

The Calais "jungle camp" developed into a small town before being demolished.
Before: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3348594/Restaurants-theatre-free-wifi-Calais-Jungle-migrant-camp-mini-city.html. After: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38359934. 

Lord, today we pray for the refugee crisis in Calais, France. Lord, what tension—thousands of desperate migrants making illegal homes with the hopes of stowing away to the UK, long-term residents resenting the sea of squatters and the increasing crime. Lord, you know our emotional, volatile hearts. You see our desperation, rage, hope and hopelessness. You care deeply about each and every person involved in this situation—you know the number of hairs on each head. We pray for the migrants to find safe places to stay, where they will be welcome and legal. We pray for the police officers, who deal with the issues stemming from the refugee crisis every day. We ask your blessing on those who are loving their neighbors as themselves in this situation. And we ask for peace for those who want their “normal” lives back. Give the leaders of Calais wisdom as they discern what is best for everyone involved. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Prayer about settlements law passed in Israel

http://nypost.com/2017/02/06/israel-retroactively-passes-bill-legalizing-thousands-of-west-bank-settlements/  

Photo credit: AFP

Lord, today we pray about the law passed in Israel last night--the law legalizing settlements on the West Bank. Lord, many people are thrilled about this opportunity for settlers to finally become legal residents. Others feel strongly that settlements make peace even more elusive. Lord, we pray for Israel's leaders, particularly prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the parliament that passed the law. Lord, we long for peace in this land that is particularly known for unrest. We pray for leaders to act with extreme wisdom. We pray for truth, grace, hope and peace for all involved. We especially feel sorrow for those who live in the midst of the controversy, those who wonder whether their homes are legitimate and perhaps feel they have nowhere to turn. Give them peace. We also pray for justice, without even knowing exactly what that looks like in this situation. We are thankful you see all and know all. In the name of Yeshua we pray, amen.

Praise for release of Odin Sanchez and prayer for Colombian peace talks

Www.bbc.com/news/world-Latin-America-38846925

Lord, today we rejoice that Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) has freed ex-congressman Odin Sanchez. Lord, we are so inspired that Sanchez offered himself to the rebel army in exchange for his ailing brother. Thank you for sustaining him for almost a year, and for enabling his release. Now we pray for soldier Freddy Moreno's release, who has been held for the past couple weeks. Lord, we also pray for the impending peace talks between the Colombian government and the ELN. We are so thrilled that the government was able to come to terms of peace with their largest rebel group last year, so now we pray for peace with this group. May the talks indeed begin on February 7, as planned, and may they be very effective. May you be glorified, and may people draw closer to you as a result of this opportunity. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Prayer about new law in Romania that enables government corruption

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/27/european-commission-criticises-romania-prisoner-pardon-plan
Photo credit: Reuters

Lord, today we express our dismay about the law passed in Romania last night that enables corrupt politicians to leave prison and/or not be prosecuted for their crimes. Lord, we pray against corruption in Romania, which has been such an uphill battle. May the Romanian people not lose hope. May your children there provide encouragement to those around them and point toward you as the ultimate source of hope. Lord, thank you for the European Commission’s work to expose injustice and corruption in Romania and elsewhere. We pray the truth will come out and be addressed. We do pray for prison reform as well. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.