Prayer for severely burned Steven from Ecuador

Lord, every day vulnerable children around the world are horrifically abused. You see them in their suffering. You desire to hide them under the shelter of your wing. Lord, today we pray for one boy in particular: 11-year-old Steven in Ecuador. Heavenly Father, hearing about Steven’s tragedy evokes a strong physical and emotional response. To know this 11-year-old boy was captured, bound, covered in gasoline and set on fire by teenaged boys is absolutely mortifying. The evil in the world is truly sickening. Lord, we are thankful Steven was eventually transported to a state-of-the-art medical facility in the United States to receive care, though the damage from not only the burns but also the delayed medical treatment is incredibly severe. Lord, we pray for Steven to receive loving, world-class care. We pray for the needed funds to provide for his long-term treatment. We pray for peace for him and his family as they face this tremendous trial. We pray for them to somehow find forgiveness in their hearts for the teens who committed this atrocious act, so that bitterness will not be part of their struggle in months and years to come. And, Lord, we pray that you will reach those boys--that they will receive appropriate consequences for their actions, and, in the process, meet you. Change their lives completely so they will never again hurt another human being. In the merciful name of Jesus we pray, amen.

To follow Steven’s recovery and/or to contribute to his medical care, visit here: https://blog.compassion.com/11-year-old-Steven-needs-your-help-after-violent-attack/?referer=566198&utm_source=xmpie&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Pray_For_Steven_Prayer

Prayer about the sinking of El Almirante in Colombia

http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/25/world/tourist-boat-sinks-colombia/index.html

Lord, today we pray for those touched by the sinking of El Almirante near the town of Guatape, Colombia. What a tragedy—to be out on a tourist boat ride on a lovely day and then to find oneself in great peril! Lord, we pray for those who have lost loved ones. And, Heavenly Father, we pray for those whose loved ones are still missing after a night in the water, especially knowing that survivors claimed life vests were not available. Lord, we are so touched to see video footage of people rushing in all kinds of vessels to rescue the endangered passengers. We are thankful for this show of the good side of humanity in the midst of danger. Bless those who immediately responded to the emergency. And please bless the searchers with great effectiveness and energy as they seek the lost. Comfort those who grieve and wonder. Bring peace to those who are recovering from this shocking experience. Bring truth to light about the cause of this accident in your perfect timing. Please draw people closer to you through this tragedy. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Prayer for Saudi Arabia - #14 on the World Watch List for persecution

https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/saudi-arabia/

Lord, today our thoughts and prayers turn toward Saudi Arabia, the only nation in the world without any church buildings. Lord, we know the pressure to follow Islam in this nation is overwhelming. We pray for those who are considering following you to be strong, despite the fierce pressure from family and society to NOT pursue Christ. May your love and truth compel them; woo them! Lord, we pray for those who are already following you in this land. Please protect and comfort them as they live under the shadow of persecution every day. We particularly pray for the low-income migrant workers who deal with the worst of the persecution, due to their status. Strengthen their souls. Give them a vision for heaven, where their true citizenship lies. Finally, we rejoice, Lord, that Christianity is growing in this nation, despite the persecution. May your disciples be bold when they are to be bold and quiet when it is best they remain silent. May they walk very closely with you so they can clearly hear your Spirit's guidance moment by moment, day by day. In Jesus' life-giving name we pray, amen. 

Prayer about hostage situation in Pigcawayan

Lord, we pray for the hostage situation that is happening right now in Pigcawayan town in North Cotabato, Philippines. Lord, we pray for the military to have success in shutting down the terrorists who have taken over this school and captured these hostages. Please be with the hostages, granting them great ingenuity and courage if there is an opportunity for escape. Give them peace and hope as they are in a terrifying situation. We pray for military leadership as they have to make strategic decisions, while these terrorists are attacking two different parts of their country simultaneously. Help them know just what to do in both locations. Lord, we pray against any of the hostages being harmed. We pray that the terrorists would recognize that killing more people will not help them, particularly if they harm innocent students and/or school staff purely as a diversionary tactic. Even terrorists are people, Lord; you know that better than anyone. Please sear their consciences so they will do the right thing. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

For more information: Pro-ISIS rebels storm school in Philippines, students held hostage
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/06/21/pro-isis-rebels-storm-school-in-philippines-students-held-hostage.html

Prayer for Otto Warmbier's family after Otto's death

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2017/06/19/otto-warmbier-dies-days-after-release-from-north-korean-detainment/?utm_term=.35f11dbfff06

Lord, today our hearts grieve along with the family of Otto Warmbier. With all this family has endured, now they finally endure the passing of their son. Lord, be with them in their pain; be present as they experience the entire gamut of emotions. Lord, we are thankful Otto was finally released from his detention in North Korea so his family could see him before he departed from this earth. We are thankful truth is finally coming out about how the North Korean regime treated him. We pray for the full story to come out, so the regime’s cruelty (or lack thereof) can be exposed. We desire all those who are unfairly imprisoned to be released, but we know that would take a miracle in that dictatorship. Lord, would you please get the wheels turning toward a miracle in North Korea? We want truth and justice and grace and mercy to reign in North Korea. Glorify yourself in that land, Lord. And, again, we pray for the Warmbiers as they walk through this dark valley. Give them the peace that passes understanding and a host of supportive friends, family and advocates to surround and care for them. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for the Maldives - #13 on the World Watch List for persecution

https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/maldives/

Lord, today our thoughts and prayers turn toward the Maldives, but not as an island paradise. Today we pray about the fact that “protection of religion” in the Maldives actually means protection of Islam. We pray the Maldivian government will recognize the irony of this and become convinced of the value of true freedom of religion in their nation. We pray for Maldivians to be granted the right to become Christians and to be known as such. We pray for expatriate Christians in the Maldives, that you would give them resilience and hope as they function under close government watch. May your Holy Spirit clearly prompt them when it is time to share their faith and when it is time to remain silent. We pray for converted Christians in the Maldives. Give them special courage and protection as they live out their faith under intense persecution and isolation. May the Maldives become known as a place of both spiritual and political freedom. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about Grenfell Tower fire

http://news.sky.com/story/huge-fire-engulfs-west-london-tower-block-10915008

Lord, our hearts lurch in our chests today when we see photos of the 24-story Grenfell Tower engulfed in flames, with only one true exit for the hundreds of residents. What a living hell for those who were or are still trapped. Lord, thank you for those who escaped. Thank you for the valiant firefighters who so quickly arrived at the scene and heroically fought this monstrous fire as it consumed an ill-prepared building. Thank you for the courage and clarity that enabled a stranger to catch a baby thrown from a window many stories up. Lord, in the midst of this tragedy, may we be inspired by the tales of courage that will be told in days to come. May we be warmed by the outpouring of generosity we will see from Londoners and beyond. But, Lord, right now we pray for those rescue workers still exploring the building, searching with small hope for survivors, and accomplishing the grim but important task of finding the missing who have now passed from this life. We pray for safety for all involved in this task. We desire that the structure remain strong so no one is endangered by collapse. We pray for healing, support and care for the injured. We pray for supernatural peace in the hearts of those who experienced this trauma. Help them pass through the shock and grief and arrive at a place of healing and hope. May residents find safe places to stay and the ability to rest, despite the images that may follow them for years. And, Lord, we pray for the truth to come out about the building’s safety in the right timing. May that process occur with integrity and objectivity. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Prayer regarding the measles outbreak in Somalia

http://alphanewsmn.com/world-health-organization-responds-mn-somalia-measles-connection/
Photo credit: CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images

Lord, today we pray for Somalia and the great increase in measles cases within that nation. Lord, you know there is a bigger concern that has led to this increase: drought and food insecurity. These challenges have forced people into more crowded places, where measles has spread much more rapidly. We pray for families in these crowded conditions to do the best they can within their resources to practice excellent hygiene and cleanliness. We pray for success for the vaccination campaigns taking place around the country. We rejoice that 30,000 displaced children have received the measles vaccine and helpful vitamin A supplements. May more children quickly receive the immunizations. We do pray for those who have already contracted the disease. May they receive the care they need, and may they not have any long-term side effects from the illness. Lord, please stop the spread of measles in Somalia. We humbly ask, in Jesus’ name, amen. 

Prayer for Nigeria - #12 on the World Watch List for persecution

http://punchng.com/fulani-herdsmen-kill-20-raze-church-in-enugu-community/
https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/nigeria/

Lord, today our thoughts and prayers turn toward Nigeria, the country where hundreds of Chibok girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram over three years ago. First, Lord, we pray yet again for these missing girls. We are thankful for the almost 100 who have been located, but we pray for the almost 200 who are still missing. We want these girls returned to their families. Please continue to watch over them. But, Lord, these girls are the tip of the iceberg in Nigeria. Boko Haram terrorists have killed and harmed countless more. We are thankful President Muhammadu Buhari has led the military in successful campaigns against Boko Haram. May this continue to be the case. Yet, Lord, we pray for the government to also turn its attention to the persecution coming from Hausa-Fulani Muslim herdsmen in the Middle Belt region. These herdsmen continue to kill and persecute Christians in their region, with little done to stop them. Please bring this wickedness to light and compel influential people to do something to halt the persecution. We are thankful that Christianity does flourish alongside Islam in this nation. May your children in Nigeria reflect you well, growing deep roots in you that will hold them fast when times of persecution come. We pray this in Jesus' powerful name, amen. 

Prayer for Sri Lanka in the midst of flooding and mudslides

http://view.compassion-intl.com/?qs=0afdce221c5279654b0e14b11919fda24e2159d7e796df141b67cd0776544d1494359c39e0a005a697cc9792dd5834eb82e395388321cb2acbf40dc5411408958b45884eb0ec62347eadb0b9dfbb0d7e

Lord, today we pray for Sri Lanka as the island nation faces the worst flooding and mudslides in over 10 years. We pray for the hundreds of thousands of people who have been displaced. Provide them with safety, food, clean water, and peace in their hearts. We pray for the almost 100 people who are missing. Lord, help them be accounted for quickly. If they are in perilous circumstances, send people quickly to their aid, and do miracles to rescue some if needed. We pray for the thousands who are grieving as hundreds of people have died. May people rally together to find peace and comfort in each other and, most of all, in you. We do ask that the weather conditions calm, so that the floodwaters can begin to recede. And, Lord, give the people of Sri Lanka courage and determination as they soon begin the rebuilding process. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about rioting in Kfar Kassem

Update: http://hamodia.com/2017/06/06/kfar-kassem-quiet-tense-long-hot-night-rioting/
Photo credit: Reuters/Tomer Appelbaum

Lord, we pray about the rioting taking place in the Arab-Israeli village of Kfar Kassem right now. With at least one person already killed and several police officers seriously injured, we are anxious for security forces to defuse the situation as soon as possible. May not only the security forces, but also the most influential people among the demonstrators choose to de-escalate the situation, rather than harm more people and destroy more property. Lord, may peace arrive in Kfar Kassem quickly. When the drama deflates, the wounded are tended, and the damage is assessed, may the village leaders address the root problem of escalating violence in the area. May the villagers do their part to contribute positive efforts in solving the community’s problems. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

For more information, visit: http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/1-killed-in-Arab-Israeli-town-during-riots-involving-police-494954 or http://www.timesofisrael.com/protester-killed-police-station-set-alight-amid-anti-police-riot-in-arab-city/

Prayer for Libya - #11 on the World Watch List for persecution

https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/libya/

Lord, we are thankful your eyes are on Libya. We are thankful that you see the extreme persecution faced by both expatriate and national Christians. Lord, our hearts hurt to know what they are experiencing. To be at the mercy of Islamic militias and multiple militant groups controlling different parts of the country… most of us have such easy lives compared to this! Lord, please be near to our suffering brothers and sisters in Libya. Give them endurance, hope, courage and provisions. May their testimony under extreme pressure prove to people how worthy you are. May this country move from anarchy toward peace and order, not only so the nation will begin to thrive again, but so the lack of accountability will not give terrorists free reign. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.