Prayer for Colombia - #50 on the World Watch List for persecution

https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/colombia/ 
Photo credit: Reuters/National Police/Handout

Lord, today we pray for Colombia, which is #50 on the World Watch List for persecution. We grieve about the decades of conflict raging in Colombia, and about the criminal organizations, drug cartels, revolutionaries and paramilitary groups who control large portions of the nation. We pray for your peace to reign in Colombia. Please protect your followers, who are particularly vulnerable to these groups’ attacks. Heavenly Father, we also pray for the children of Colombia. Please protect them from recruitment as soldiers into rebel groups, such as Farc (Revolutionary Armed Focrces of Colombia). May they resist empty offers of money and shelter from these groups and choose to stay with their families. May the root issues of poverty that make these children vulnerable be effectively addressed. We pray for the Colombian government to seek you and walk with integrity. Give leaders divine wisdom in how to address the multiple, deep-seated issues plaguing this nation. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

10 most-prayed prayers from 2017

Below are the 10 most-prayed posts from 2017. I thought you might be interested, and, more significant, I thought you would like to continue praying.

In the comment section below each post (after you go directly to the blog post--I apologize that you will have to copy and paste the links, since hyperlinks are not working), I have pasted the most recent news article pertaining to each topic.

Thank you for praying to change the world.

Lord, accept our prayer as incense offered to you, and our upraised hands as an evening offering (Psalm 141:2).

10: Prayer for missing Argentine submarine

http://www.prayingtochangetheworld.com/2017/11/prayer-for-missing-argentine-submarine.html

9. Prayer for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria

http://www.prayingtochangetheworld.com/2017/09/prayer-for-puerto-rico-after-hurricane.html

8. Prayer about Mogadishu car bombing

http://www.prayingtochangetheworld.com/2017/10/prayer-about-mogadishu-car-bombing.html

7. Prayer about California wildfires

http://www.prayingtochangetheworld.com/2017/10/prayer-about-california-wildfires.html

6. Prayer for Museum of the Bible as it opens

http://www.prayingtochangetheworld.com/2017/11/prayer-for-museum-of-bible-as-it-opens.html

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

http://www.prayingtochangetheworld.com/2017/06/prayer-for-otto-warmbiers-family-after.html

4. Prayer against corruption in Romania

http://www.prayingtochangetheworld.com/2017/12/prayer-against-corruption-in-romania.html

3. Prayer about new Kenyan presidential election

http://www.prayingtochangetheworld.com/2017/10/prayer-about-new-kenyan-presidential.html

2. Prayer about 26 teen girls found dead in the Mediterranean

http://www.prayingtochangetheworld.com/2017/11/prayer-about-26-teen-girls-found-dead.html

1. Prayer about mass shooting in Las Vegas

http://www.prayingtochangetheworld.com/2017/10/prayer-about-mass-shooting-in-las-vegas.html

Prayer about explosion in St. Petersburg shopping center

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2017/12/27/St-Petersburg-Russia-shop-explosion-injures-several/7431514400672/ph2/   Photo by Anatoly Maltsev/EPA-EFE

Lord, we pray for officials in St. Petersburg as they investigate today’s explosion at a shopping and entertainment center. May investigators swiftly discover all facts needed to determine who left an improvised explosive device in this heavily trafficked area. May the perpetrator(s) be quickly apprehended. We thank you, Heavenly Father, that no one was killed. We do pray for the 10 injured individuals. May they receive prompt and quality medical care, and may people rally around them to cover for any needs that may arise due to their injuries, and to provide comfort and reassurance during this time. We do not know what motivated this attack, but we do pray for whatever root issue drove this person to this crime. Help him/her turn to you for fulfillment and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Prayer for Mauritania - #47 on the World Watch List for persecution

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

Lord, today we pray for Mauritania, which is #47 on the World Watch List for persecution. Heavenly Father, first we pray about Mauritania’s very high level of poverty. We know poverty can lead to numerous issues, including the appeal of terrorist or extremist groups. Please grant Mauritania’s leaders divine wisdom in addressing the nation’s needs, so the welfare of the country can improve and people will no longer find themselves in consistently desperate situations. We do pray specifically against the Islamic extremist groups operating in Mauritania. Frustrate their efforts and diminish their appeal. Help people see that they are actually sources of destruction, rather than opportunities for improvement. Finally, we pray for your followers in Mauritania, who often feel alone. Help them to find fellowship as needed so they can thrive and move forward with courage and hope. May their testimony be the light that their impoverished neighbors see and recognize as a source of true life and peace. May Mauritanians come to know you during this Christmas season and in the months and years to come. In the name of the Messiah we pray, amen.

Prayer for reporters who "disappeared" in Myanmar

http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/20/asia/myanmar-grave-journalists-intl/index.html

Lord, today we pray for the truth to come out about what is happening in Myanmar. With hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fleeing the nation and telling tales of rape, murder and destruction, we know conditions are horrific for many. Today, Lord, we pray specifically for the two journalists (and possibly more) who have disappeared while trying to report from Myanmar. We pray for Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo as they deal with their arrest and imprisonment. We ask that truth come out about their location and conditions. We desire that authorities in Myanmar share facts about these journalists’ “crimes,” so justice can be done. Please protect these men and any others who are seeking to bring atrocities to light in Myanmar. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Prayer for the Philippines after Tropical Storm Urduja

http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/17/asia/philippines-tropical-storm-deaths/index.html

Lord, today we pray for the Philippines, where at least 27 people have died due to Tropical Storm Urduja. Heavenly Father, our primary concern at the moment is that the missing be found. And our desire is for as many as possible to be found alive. Give any who are trapped strength and determination to survive, clear thinking, and hope. Show them the way to freedom. Direct rescuers their way. Lord, we pray for those who have lost loved ones in this storm. Give them comfort in this dark hour of deep grief. We pray for those who have lost homes. May they find shelter and have their needs met by generous people around them. We pray for the towns that are isolated due to collapsed bridges. May they function well through the entire process of being reconnected to their neighboring communities and nation. We pray that President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to the damaged areas would lead to wise, effective and prompt assistance. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for Sri Lanka - #45 on the World Watch List for persecution

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

Lord, today we pray for Sri Lanka, which is #45 on the World Watch List for persecution. First, we give thanks that radical Buddhist groups have currently stopped their actions against religious minorities. Despite this, we know mobs persist in stopping church services. We pray against this activity and ask that a spirit of peace and cooperation would reign in Sri Lanka, so that people may worship you freely. Lord, we also pray about the de-militarization of the country. We know this is complicated, and that military officials want to continue their lifestyles and avoid investigation into war crimes. We pray the government would handle this with integrity and efficiency. We pray for the truth to come out about war crimes and for people to receive justice in regard to that sad chapter of Sri Lanka’s recent history. However, we pray for Sri Lankans to receive your generous mercy in terms of their spiritual well-being, and that people would come to know you and experience the abundant life you offer. Particularly during this Christmas season, may Sri Lankans be curious about Jesus and unafraid to ask Christian acquaintances to share the reason for the hope that they have. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Praise for response to the Gospel at the Love Hanoi Festival

https://billygraham.org/gallery/photos-persistent-prayers-pay-off-in-hanoi-vietnam/?utm_source=bgeatoday+email+12.12.2017&utm_medium=bgemail&utm_campaign=bgemailnewsletter&utm_content=
BY17CANL1&SOURCE=BY17CANL1

Lord, today we rejoice in the outpouring of your love and Spirit at the Love Hanoi Festival. We are thankful for all the prayers and work that went into bringing this event to Vietnam. We marvel at the great lengths people went to in order to serve at and attend the event. Thank you for using Franklin Graham and a huge team of ministers to honor you through music, artwork and sharing the Gospel. We are thrilled about the huge response from attendees. It is thrilling to hear about these new brothers and sisters in Vietnam. Lord, now we pray for these new disciples. Please give them easy access to and keen understanding of your Word. Help them nurture these new relationships they have with you. Bring more mature brothers and sisters into their lives to help them grow. Continue wooing them to you so they may stay the course even when inevitable challenges arise. Guide them to others who can welcome them into godly fellowship, so they may find encouragement and support. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer against corruption in Romania

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/12/11/romanian-parliament-passes-law-that-may-dilute-graft-fight.html 
Photo: Reuters

Heavenly Father, we pray for Romania, where laws passed today that some believe will weaken the nation’s efforts to root out high-level corruption. Lord, it has been a stressful year in Romania as citizens have sought to end government corruption. All of us in every land desire leaders who will put our nations’ best interests first and who will govern with integrity. It is frustrating that Romanian officials are no longer obliged to regulate conflicts of interest. We pray that checks will be in place preventing lawmakers from seeking their own interests as they carry out their public service. We also pray about the new law obliging judges and prosecutors to pay financial damages for judicial errors made "in bad faith or grave negligence," that it would not weaken the judicial system, but would prevent future miscarriages of justice. Lord, we pray for Romanian leaders to govern with integrity, selflessness and wisdom. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer for Kazakhstan - #43 on the World Watch List for persecution

https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/kazakhstan/  Photo credit: Reuters

Heavenly Father, today we pray for Kazakhstan, #43 on the World Watch List for persecution. We lift up in prayer those Kazakhs who have converted from Islam to Christianity and find themselves persecuted not only by their government, but by neighbors and family members. Lord, please sustain them. Help their faith to grow, despite hostile circumstances. Help them find support from each other, boosting each other’s courage and zeal. Protect them from their enemies, and may they love those same enemies, just as our Lord Jesus did. We pray also for non-traditional Protestant Christian communities in Kazakhstan. Help them to grow and rejoice, despite raids, threats, arrests and fines. May their evangelistic efforts be fruitful. We pray for persecuted believers in Kazakhstan to have very meaningful Christmas celebrations this year, whether they have to worship the Christ-child in secret, under fear of reproach, or in small numbers. Thank you for sending Jesus to save the people of Kazakhstan and the world. With great rejoicing we pray, amen.

Prayer for the loved ones of the ARA San Juan crew

http://www.ibtimes.com/missing-argentine-submarine-ara-san-juan-crew-likely-killed-explosion-2624724

Lord, today we pray for the loved ones of the ARA San Juan crew. It is hard, Heavenly Father, when our prayers are not answered the way we’d like. We wanted these 44 crew members, lost in a malfunctioning submarine, to arrive home safely. Instead, they are now counted as dead. We declare in the midst of our pain that we still trust you. We continue to place our hope in you. We take a moment to give thanks for the thousands of people, dozens of ships, and almost 20 countries that tried to find this missing submarine. We are thankful for those who still search the vast ocean floor for clues. We pray for those who are investigating whether corrupt “repairs” had anything to do with this terrible tragedy. May the truth come out and this type of accident be prevented from happening in the future. Our focus today, Lord, is on those who were left behind. We pray for the parents, spouses, children, friends and others who grieve this terrible loss. We pray for the nation of Argentina as they grieve this loss collectively. During a month when so much of the world is celebrating the Christmas season, these individuals are walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Lord, meet with them in their pain. Let them experience the joy of salvation. Motivate those around them to make time to walk with them in their grief, setting aside their own interests to help another in the midst of grave suffering. Please heal hearts. Provide for financial needs. Give all who mourn the courage to face each new day and to trust in you. And remind us to keep these families and individuals in our prayers as we enjoy time with our own loved ones during this holiday season. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for imprisoned American pastor Andrew Brunson

https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/after-one-year-of-dangerous-imprisonment-american-pastor-andrew-brunson-is-now-a-hostage-in-turkey

Lord, today we pray for American pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been unjustly imprisoned in Turkey since October 2016. We are thankful for Brunson's 23 years of pastoral ministry in Turkey. We are thankful that the Turkish government has finally acknowledged that they are holding him as a political prisoner. We are thankful they offered him in a trade for Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. We know a swap is highly unlikely, but we do thank you that this offer has again brought attention to Brunson’s plight. Lord, we know these trades are much more complicated than one-for-the-other. We pray for wisdom for all involved in negotiations. We pray that Brunson and all other unfairly-imprisoned people in Turkey will be released. Heavenly Father, in this Christmas season when believers around the world are focusing on hope and joy, may we not forget to pray for our brothers and sisters who are imprisoned and oppressed around the world. May Brunson and other persecuted believers also have hope and joy this Christmas season as they celebrate that you sent the Savior of the world! May they hold fast to your promises, focus their vision on what is to come, and celebrate that an eternity of peace and celebration awaits. As we sing tidings of comfort and joy, may our worship combine with entreaties on behalf of our brothers and sisters in dark places. In the name of the Savior we pray, amen.  

Prayer for Mexico - #41 on the World Watch List for persecution

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

Lord, today we pray for Mexico, which is #41 on the World Watch List for persecution. It is hard to fathom that a nation dominated by Christianity would have high persecution, but we know the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10), and thus works hard to disempower Christians in Mexico. Almighty God, we first pray against organized corruption and crime in Mexico, which greatly affects the entire nation, including all Christian groups. We specifically pray for those believers who work toward community transformation and thus pose a threat to criminal groups, including drug cartels. Continue to give these believers courage and effectiveness as they bring freedom, hope and light to their communities. Next, we pray against ethnic antagonism, which affects people who convert from indigenous beliefs or mainline denominations. Help these Christ-followers remain true to what they believe, and to find the support they need from within the body of Christ in order to stand strong. Finally, we pray about the denominational protectionism that keeps Christians from supporting each other in Mexico. May your children in Mexico major on the majors and minor on the minors when it comes to their theological distinctives. May they focus on spurring each other on toward intimacy with you and good deeds. In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, amen.