Monday, October 30, 2017

Praise for rescue at sea

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/30/world/sailors-rescued-japan/index.html
Lord, today we rejoice in hearing good news! In the midst of political unrest, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and more, we are delighted to hear of the rescue of Honolulu residents Jennifer Appel and Tasha Fuiava. How wonderful that they survived five months of being lost at sea, including typhoons, shark attacks, and more! We are thankful they had enough food and that the USS Ashland was able to successfully rescue them. Please bless the Japanese fishermen who took the initiative to send rescue their way, and bless the troops who put in the effort to save Appel and Fuiava. Lord, now we pray for these women to physically, emotionally, spiritually and materially recover from their adventure-turned-disaster. We also pray for anyone else who may be lost at sea today, that they might have the resourcefulness to survive, and that rescuers may come their way. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Friday, October 27, 2017

Prayer about Catalonia's vote for independence

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/10/europe/catalonia-how-we-got-here/index.html
Lord, you know more than all of us how complicated life is. Sin entered this world and marred all relationships, along with the rest of creation. This brokenness has complicated everything from sibling relationships to churches to marriages to nations. Lord, today we pray for Spain, including Catalonia. This very day Catalonia voted for independence, which came about after a long history of dissatisfaction. With a desire to nurture and develop their culture--different from the majority of Spain--Catalans have resented their wealth being used disproportionately for the rest of the nation. Many have not felt solidarity with their fellow Spanish citizens. We know this is merely the tip of the proverbial iceberg. And we have seen the tensions rise, boiling over in the violence surrounding the October 1 referendum. And now the vote for independence... And the declaration of the national government that the vote is unconstitutional. We wait, Lord, to see what will happen next. Even more, we pray for your will to unfold. Glorify yourself in the midst of this seemingly unbearable tension. Help leaders from both "sides" stand by their pledges for peaceful resolution. May the results of this standoff lead to what is best for as many people as possible. May the citizens who voted and those who didn't, and may those who rule from Barcelona and those who rule from Madrid all seek your wisdom and guidance in this situation. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Prayer about new Kenyan presidential election


http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/25/africa/kenya-election-rerun-court/index.html
Lord, today we pray again for Kenya, in the midst of its presidential election. Lord, you have seen the turmoil this country has so often experienced surrounding presidential elections. You saw the hundreds of deaths resulting from post-election violence between 2007 and 2008. You have watched as August’s presidential election was annulled and protests took place around the nation. Lord, we are thankful that the candidates speak for peace. May their supporters follow their guidance and remain peaceful throughout the entire process, despite frustrations. May they find creative ways to share their views and express their concerns without harming their neighbors and their nation. Lord, we ask your blessing on Kenya. We want to see good, wise, honest leadership. We want people to go to the polls without fear of harm. We ask your protection over those managing the election on every level. Bring about justice and righteousness in Kenya today. In Jesus’ name, amen.



Monday, October 23, 2017

Prayer for Central African Republic - #34 on the World Watch List for persecution

https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/central-african-republic/
Lord, today we pray for Central African Republic (CAR), where Fulani herdsmen and Muslim extremists significantly persecute Christians. Lord, we grieve those who have been killed for their faith in this land. We are distraught that your children need to flee their villages and are denied access to farming fields. We pray for CAR's leaders to correct these problems. We pray for the Fulani herdsmen and Islamic terrorists to be moved by the testimony of your children, seeing you in their countenances even as they suffer. Reach the persecutors' hearts. We do pray for your children to have courage as they deal with these trials. Give them wisdom about when to flee and when to take a stand. Help them recognize opportunities to share you with others, and strengthen them to make the most of those opportunities. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Friday, October 20, 2017

Prayer for Tanzania - #33 on the World Watch List for persecution

https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/tanzania/
Lord, today we pray for Tanzania, which is being greatly impacted by neighboring countries' militant movements. First, we pray for Uamsho, the source of Tanzania's church attacks. Lord, we loathe their work. Thwart them on every side. We also pray for the individuals in this group, that they would recognize the futility in their efforts. May they long for Truth and find it in You. May they use their energy and resources for rebuilding their communities rather than bringing destruction. We also pray specifically for Christians on the island of Zanzibar, as they find themselves at odds with their majority-Muslim neighbors. May Christians and Muslims (and anyone else on Zanzibar) work together to make their island a place of peace and reconciliation, rather than another place of hatred and tension. We also pray for the general well-being of Tanzania today. Longing for peace and prosperity we pray, amen.


Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Prayer for Puerto Rico as it struggles to recover post-Maria

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/13/americas/medical-volunteers-in-puerto-rico/index.html
Lord, today we continue to pray for Puerto Rico, which is still in the early stages of recovery three weeks after Hurricane Maria ravaged the island. First, Lord, we pray about the missing. It is hard to imagine that over 100 people could still be unaccounted for, but most of us do not know what it’s like to function with a decimated infrastructure. We pray for these people to be located. We also pray for those who are grieving. First, we pray for those who lost loved ones in the storm. Second, we pray for all Puerto Ricans, even those who no longer live in their place of origin. Father, we know how deeply they suffer as they see their homeland labor to recover, and its citizens struggling to even find clean water. Bring relief from the emotional anguish. Draw each person closer to you through this journey. Grant divine hope. God, we pray for the practical aspects of recovery: restored communication, transportation, medical care, etc. Please help leaders in all fields to tap into their most creative, effective and tenacious resources to lead well and accomplish what needs to be accomplished. Help them find the material resources required for this, including through a generous state and private outpouring that we ask you to motivate. Finally, we pray for volunteer groups like "Puerto Rico Stands on its Feet" and "Wings of Hope" that are meeting medical needs around the island. Lord, please bless their kindness and efforts. May they be as efficient as possible. Give them strength and clarity. May they also bring light as they deliver supplies and medical care. May they reach the people who most desperately need their help. And may their supporters be generous in providing for the material aspects of their ministry to others. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.



Monday, October 16, 2017

Prayer about Mogadishu car bombing

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/16/africa/somalia-attack-deaths/index.html
Heavenly Father, today we mourn with those who mourn in Somalia. We come face to face, yet again, with another stunning case of human destroying human, hate leading to death. Three hundred precious souls torn from this world by terrorists… We weep. And we know you grieve to see your sons and daughters behaving so. Lord, we pray for the 30 injured people flown to Turkey today to receive more advanced medical care. Please help them reach the best possible care so they can recover from this terrible attack. And, Lord, we pray for all who mourn: bereaved spouses, parents, children, friends… the entire city of Mogadishu and nation of Somalia. Meet with them in this dark valley. Give them enough light to carry on for the next day, and then the next. May they experience your sweet comfort. And, Lord, we pray for the perpetrators of this terrible crime to be found and brought to justice. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.



Friday, October 13, 2017

Prayer for Mali - #32 on the World Watch List for persecution

https://www.opendoorsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2017-World-Watch-List.pdf
Lord, today we pray for Mali, which went from being #44 on the World Watch List for persecution last year to being #32 in 2017. We pray against the Islamic militancy behind this rapid rise! Lord, we pray for the government to exercise wisdom and strength in keeping these Islamic militants at bay, particularly considering the peace treaty signed just two years ago. We pray for Christians in particularly vulnerable areas, who fear for their safety each day. Please protect them. Give them wisdom in how to go about their daily lives. Make it clear if they are to move to a different location. We also pray for those Christians who have already been displaced from their homes by terrorists. Provide for their daily needs, as well as their emotional and spiritual health. Lord, our desire is to see the nation of Mali much lower on the persecution list next year. In fact, we desire for it to not be on there at all. Bring actual freedom of religion in Mali. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Prayer about California wildfires

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/11/us/california-wildfire-victims/index.html
Jesus, you walked on water. Even the wind and waves obey you. Knowing this, it is hard to watch so much destruction occurring around our broken, fallen world. These recent months have had overwhelming numbers of both natural and human-created disasters. People want to hide from the world, while others cry out, “Come, Lord Jesus!” So today we acknowledge our pain and frustration to you. We acknowledge that we are incredibly dissatisfied with the condition of our world. And we ask for the courage to carry on, the fortitude to keep being the best people we can be in our own corners of the world. May we bring light and hope and practical assistance to those around us. And, Lord, we ask you to send rain to California. We want the wildfires to stop. We grieve the loss of more than 20 people and wonder what we will hear about the 500 who are still unlocated. We know hundreds of families have lost all earthly possessions. Businesses will find themselves unable to carry on. Hearts will require healing for years to come. We ask for minimal loss from this point forward. And we ask for generosity of both spirit and material possessions when people finally have the chance to start again. Finally, we pray for the firefighters, who are being taxed beyond all their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual resources. Hedge them in. Strengthen their souls. Give them unusual effectiveness as they sacrificially fight these fires, even as they process their own losses. We humbly plead; amen. 

Monday, October 9, 2017

Prayer about massive Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/06/asia/bangladesh-rohingya-new-camp/index.html
Lord, today we pray again for the Rohingya, particularly for those seeking refuge in Bangladesh. We are so thankful the government of Bangladesh is making provision for 800,000 refugees. It is hard to imagine this absolutely massive influx of people arriving in one country in such a short period of time, and how much that would tax this nation. So we are grateful for their kindness toward this people group that is counted among the world’s most persecuted. At the same time we are very concerned. As you know more than we do, 800,000 refugees in one place is not a formula for success and prosperity. So, Heavenly Father, we pray that this camp at Kutupalong will defy the odds. We pray that even now you would mobilize organizations, churches and individuals to help the Rohingya at Kutupalong, not only to meet basic needs, but to provide dignity, therapy, activities, stimulation, healing and peace in this place, which is being built right now. And, Lord, do we do continue to pray that the truth will come out about what is happening in Myanmar, and that the barbarism would cease. We want to see resolution at the root. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Friday, October 6, 2017

Prayer for Malaysia - #31 on the World Watch List for persecution

https://rusreality.com/2017/07/14/in-a-malaysian-state-has-introduced-the-punishment-of-flogging-for-violating-sharia-law/
https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/malaysia/
Lord, today we pray for Malaysia, which has been known as a tolerant Muslim nation, but that is quickly changing. First, Lord, we pray against the imposition of sharia law. May its proponents lack success, and may their hearts be softened toward their non-Muslim neighbors. We also pray against the rise of racism in Malaysia, which has been greatly discouraging Chinese, Indian and indigenous Malaysians as they face increasing discrimination. Lord, we pray about the governmental and religious instability that is becoming the norm, rather than the exception. Give the leaders of these institutions great wisdom as they lead their people. Finally, we pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in Malaysia to continue growing closer to you each day. We particularly pray for new believers, that they might find fellowship and solid input sooner than later. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.



Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Prayer about shooting in KwaZulu-Natal province

http://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-40829133
Lord, today we pray about the tragic shooting in the village of Matimatolo in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Heavenly Father, we do not know the details about who was related to whom, but we pray for the families who lost these two women and six children. We also fervently pray for the final child involved in the shooting, who is in critical condition. We pray for doctors to give this child exceptional care, so s/he can survive and thrive after this terrible incident. We also pray for emotional and spiritual healing after so traumatic an event. Lord, we pray for the entire community as it reels from this tragedy, as people worry about their own safety and process this loss. We pray for anyone who has information to promptly share this with authorities so the assailants can be caught. May the local police quickly solve this crime and bring about justice. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.




Monday, October 2, 2017

Prayer about mass shooting in Las Vegas

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/02/us/las-vegas-shooting-live/index.html
Lord, have mercy on us this morning. When a lone gunman shoots hundreds of strangers in cold blood, killing almost 60, we cry out in agony for healing in this land, healing in our hearts. Lord, our world continues to decay. Sin continues to have its day. Heavenly Father, we ask for your presence to be very real and very comforting in Las Vegas today. The grief is overwhelming, the chaos and fear very real. We pray for those fighting for their lives in hospitals at this very moment. Please bring medical caregivers supernatural clarity and efficiency as they handle this massive, human-created emergency. We pray for those frantic about their loved ones’ safety to find answers, to learn about the emergency hotline, and to be surrounded by peace and support. We pray for the loved ones of those who have passed from this earth in this tragic, frustrating way. They have long roads ahead, as do those who have been traumatized in other ways by this incident. Bring alongside loving friends and family members, wise counselors, emotional and spiritual resources—all along the journey, rather than just the immediate aftermath. We also pray for Jason Aldean, his band and his crew, as they now have this very real trauma associated with their livelihood. Bring healing, comfort and courage to them as well. Finally, Lord, we are thankful the gunman was stopped. We pray for answers in the days to come. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.