Prayer amidst America's Supreme Court nomination turmoil

https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/28/politics/kavanaugh-senate-judiciary-vote/index.html

Lord, today Americans are anguished. The process of confirming Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has brought out the ugliest in partisan politics. Two individuals and two families who are on the brink of public destruction have become pawns in a political game. We lament this sinful behavior. We grieve. Lord, this nation is far from you, yet there are those who would still seek you above all else. We remember your Word, including specifically what you did for your people in the time of Ezra. Despite every obstacle and every discouragement, you stirred up even pagan kings to do your will. Your people’s enemies went from bitterly opposing to not only supporting, but funding and assisting. So we know there is always hope. Today, Lord, as the vote is scheduled to occur at 9:30 AM ET, we choose hope. We choose prayer. We ask you to stir up the people’s representatives to vote in whatever way is best. May they set aside all partisan politics, political maneuvering, and self-interest in order to vote according to what is right and true. And we humbly ask two more things: that the nation would move toward healing and reconciliation, and that you would draw people closer to you and further from selfishness in this process. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Praise for terror plot foiled in the Netherlands

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2018/09/27/Dutch-police-arrest-7-foil-twin-terror-plot/3861538085047/
Photo by Piroschka van de Wouw/EPA-EFE

Heavenly Father, as we deal with excessive amounts of turmoil within the world, we are excited when we hear good news! Today we laud Dutch police for their success in foiling a large-scale terror attack in their nation. We celebrate the arrest of those who would kill and destroy. We give thanks for lives saved. Lord, we pray for investigators as they continue to unravel this plot and move these seven men through the justice system, that you would you would grant great wisdom and insight, and that truth would come to light. And, Lord, as we celebrate this good news, may we also celebrate the ultimate Good News: that there is hope for all humankind through Jesus Christ. Amen.  

Prayer about medical technology helping the paralyzed walk

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-45628498  Photo credit: Mayo Clinic

Lord, today we pray about the new medical technology that is showing great promise in helping paralyzed people walk. We rejoice that Kelly Thomas, Jeff Marquis and Jered Chinnock have all had some success walking since being fitted with electrical patches on their spinal cords and receiving extensive rehabilitation therapy. We pray for their continued success. Lord, we also pray for the further research necessary in developing this technology for broader use. May all those involved in this process persevere and find success with this technology. We desire to see this option ultimately available for patients around the globe. Thank you for granting us creative minds to explore the options provided in this vast world. May we continue to be resourceful in meeting the needs of the suffering. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer during aftermath of Tanzanian ferry accident

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2018/09/22/Tanzania-ferry-Captain-arrested-over-200-now-dead/6511537629260/ Photo credit: Photo by EPA-EFE/Tanzania Red Cross

Heavenly Father, today we pray for salvage efforts in Tanzania, as rescuers are no longer searching for survivors, but are now searching for bodies after an overcrowded ferry overturned Thursday. We pray for perseverance and courage for these rescuers as they face the grim task of pulling bodies from underwater in the midst of all the grief caused by this tragic boat accident. We pray for the loved ones awaiting word--that they would have patience and grace as they seek closure. We pray for all the grieving, that you would meet with them in their pain, drawing them close to you and meeting their needs. And, Lord, we pray for the ongoing investigation about this calamity. May the truth come out about who and what were involved with this terrible loss of hundreds of lives. And may water transportation improve in Tanzania, where too many similar accidents have occurred through the years. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for French police as they track down perpetrators of this weekend's gang rape

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45574431

Lord, today we pray for the French police officers who are investigating a gang rape that was recorded and shared via social media. We are thankful social media users were horrified and promptly reported the video to the police. We are thankful the police blocked the continued airing of this footage. We are exceedingly grateful that police have identified the victim and reached out to her. Lord, next we ask your blessing on the identification of everyone involved with the perpetration of this crime, including the filming and publicizing of it. May the criminals be apprehended, prosecuted and convicted. And, Lord, please be with the survivor. May she receive all the medical, emotional, spiritual, etc., care she needs. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for rescue efforts in Itogon, Philippines, after the typhoon-induced landslide

https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/18/asia/philippines-landslide-mangkhut-ompong-intl/index.html

Heavenly Father, today we pray for the rescue efforts happening in the town of Itogon on Luzon Island of the Philippines. Lord, we grieve with the people as they continue to dig days after Super Typhoon Mangkhut devastated their community. We pray for perseverance. We pray for effectiveness. We pray for help to descend upon this community so that any survivors may be retrieved from the under the landslide before it is too late. We rejoice over the three people who were rescued from beneath the mud and pray that there will be more. Give rescuers keen insight into exactly where they should focus their efforts. And grant survivors the strength to continue doing what they can to draw attention to themselves. Gentle Father, we also ask for peace for all those who wait, longing even to simply see a body, so they can have closure. Grant that peace that passes understanding—which reigns even in the midst of the darkest tragedy. Lord, we are looking for some good news from Luzon Island today. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about Tropical Storm Florence rescue efforts

5 dead in NC as Florence, an ‘uninvited brute,’ brings heavy flooding and power outages - News & Observer https://apple.news/AL4ofrOzzQAqnkKR2kEQ6Hw

Almighty God, we take a moment now to pray for the ongoing rescue and emergency efforts happening in North Carolina, USA, as Tropical Storm Florence continues to devastate the area. There is so much to pray about regarding this storm. Keep these prayer needs near our minds as hearts as we go about our lives in coming days and weeks, as the prayer support will need to endure as the storm continues to rage, as well as in the aftermath of it. At this moment, we pray for rescue efforts. We know there have been hundreds upon hundreds of people already rescued within the last 24 hours. We are so thankful for the emergency shelters that have been set up and for the supplies that people and organizations are generously providing. We also know that at least 150 more people in Craven County alone are hunkered down in dangerous situations, awaiting help. Please give them sound minds as they anticipate rescue. We pray for the emergency crews and swift water rescue teams that are on their way. Please protect these teams, help them think clearly, and grant them great effectiveness. May they rescue each and every imperiled person. We pray for the others around the region who are in danger. May they have resourcefulness, wisdom and clarity as they seek escape, even if that means waiting in one place while rescue teams search for the endangered. Lord, we know this is just one tiny slice of the prayer needs surrounding this storm, but we do pray fervently for these needs, knowing lives are in danger. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Prayer about new Moroccan law barring violence against women

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2018/09/12/New-law-that-bars-violence-against-women-takes-effect-in-Morocco/9221536770359/ Photo credit: Abdelhak Senna/AFP/Getty Images

Lord, today we celebrate the implementation of Morocco’s new law barring violence against women. We are absolutely delighted that forced marriages, sexual harassment and other forms of violence against women are now illegal in this nation. We are especially relieved that the terrible practice of forced marriage, including the despicable practice of allowing child rapists to avoid charges by marrying their victims, has been eliminated. While rejoicing that stiff penalties will begin to decrease discrimination against women within Morocco, we are also thankful the government made sure to address the problem of false accusations by detailing consequences for that crime as well. We pray that no false allegations will destroy innocent lives as the new law is implemented from this day forward. We know, Lord, that much more work needs to be done for women in Morocco, as well as simply ironing out the kinks in the new law. We pray for wisdom as this nation moves forward, and that those in power will be able to determine how to best implement and refine the new law. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about knife attack in Paris, France

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45468082  Photo credit: Reuters

Heavenly Father, we pray for the knife attack that occurred Sunday evening in Paris. We are grateful that the suspect has already been apprehended. We pray for the police as they begin their investigation to determine if this was an isolated incident or if there is any connection to a bigger threat. Father, we pray for the seven people who were injured during this attack. We ask that you heal them completely. We are thankful that the attack took place in public where witnesses were able to intervene and deter the attacker. Lord, we remain vulnerable to violence as we live in a world tarnished by sin. We continue to pray strongly against it. Help us to influence people to choose love over hate, and by doing so that people will come to know you, the ultimate source of all love. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer contributed by guest prayer blogger Brandi South:

Brandi South resides in Chambersburg, PA, with her husband, their daughter, and their two rescue cats. She is employed at Shippensburg University of PA and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree starting in the fall. Brandi is a member of Grand Point Church in Chambersburg where she enjoys serving on the First Impressions Team as a greeter. Some of her favorite scripture passages are Psalm 25 and Ephesians 2.

Prayer for Burundi as UN releases information about crimes against humanity

http://www.africanews.com/2018/09/05/burundi-still-committing-crimes-against-humanity-un-report/

Lord, today we pray for Burundi in the wake of the U.N. Commission of Inquiry’s report that the nation has continued to commit numerous crimes against humanity. It is disheartening to read that the crimes include murder, imprisonment, rape, torture, persecution on political grounds, etc.,—and that the motivation for these crimes came from the top of the government. We are dismayed to hear that the youth wing of Burundi’s ruling party, Imbonerakure, is also committing crimes against humanity. Lord, please help these young people see the error of their ways, even if it involves reaping consequences, in order to prevent them from developing a lifestyle of hatred and violence toward those who disagree with them. We also pray for the rulers of this land, including President Pierre Nkurunziza, to clearly see the difference between right and wrong and to begin leading with wisdom, justice and generosity. We pray for the 3.6 million citizens who have been identified as “in need” in this land, that solutions can be found to meet these needs. We pray for truth to come out, and for your children in that nation to shine as lights and bring value during this dark season. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo and their families in Myanmar

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/03/myanmar-reuters-journalists-sentenced-to-seven-years-in-prison-rohingya

Heavenly Father, today we pray for the families of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo in Myanmar, as they deal with Monday’s bad news that these men are to spend seven years in jail for doing their journalistic work. Lord, you see what is happening in Myanmar, and the world is watching Myanmar too--especially what is happening with the Rohinga people. We continue to pray that truth will come out, and we thank you that people like Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are working toward that end. We pray for these men, who have been jailed since December, to persevere. Keep them from lasting harm. May they survive this ordeal in order to be able to tell their stories someday. And may the government of Myanmar see that truth will always come out—whether about these journalists or about the Rohingya. Lord, please comfort the wives and children of these journalists, who went from expecting their husbands and fathers to return home, to now looking at seven long years without them. Provide for their needs, including their emotional and spiritual ones, each day. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.