Monday, December 31, 2018

Prayer for Bangladesh in the midst of election concerns

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/30/asia/bangladesh-election-sheikh-hasina-intl/index.html

Lord, we bring to you our concerns about Bangladesh’s political and human rights climate. With Sheikh Hasina winning a third consecutive term as prime minister Monday, we are thankful the election is over, but we do ask for truth to come out about whether the election was fair and unrigged. Particularly with the delay of visas for election observer groups despite the government’s promises of openness, as well as Human Rights Watch’s statement that a "repressive political environment in Bangladesh is undermining the credibility of the process," we are concerned that something may be hidden. The majority of election-related deaths being on the side of the opposition and the sharp increase in unexplained arrests also do not bode well for Bangladesh. So, Lord, we commit the situation to you. We look to Hebrews 4:13: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” May the truth be uncovered in Bangladesh whether it is for or against the current government, and may Bangladesh’s leaders guide the nation in a healthy, God-honoring direction. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Saturday, December 29, 2018

Prayer about tour bus bombing in Egypt

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-blast/bomb-kills-three-vietnamese-tourists-egyptian-guide-near-pyramids-officials-idUSKCN1OR1DK
Father, today we pray about Friday’s bombing in Cairo, Egypt, that claimed the lives of four people and injured several others. At this time, we do not know the source of the attack. We pray that this is an isolated incident, that the perpetrators are apprehended quickly, and that you will guide authorities in protecting tourists and Egyptian citizens from future threats. We pray for the families of the victims and for the surviving tourists as they process through their grief and shock. Help them to embrace your peace and drive out fear. We ask for cooperation between Egypt’s interior ministry and the Vietnamese embassy and for a prolonged positive relationship between these two countries. Father, we know this type of incident can impact those whose livelihood relies on the tourism industry. Please continue to meet the needs of the workers despite any potential decline in revenue. Sin has far reaching impact, but we pray fervently against it and continue to trust in your provision and unwavering love for us. 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.

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Prayer for migrant shelter in La Don Juana, Colombia


https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/venezuelan-migrants-welcomed-at-samaritans-purse-shelter-in-colombia/

Heavenly Father, today we rejoice in the vision of Pastor Jesus Paez, who felt led to help Venezuelan migrants passing through his community of La Don Juana, Colombia. We are delighted that he had a desire to provide some relief along the journey and that his own community rallied around him to meet the needs. With tens of thousands of Venezuelans arriving in Colombia each day, the vision had to grow even larger and bolder, and your people responded. We are thankful that Samaritan’s Purse came alongside the ministry run by Paez and his daughter Viviana by vastly improving the facility, underwriting the rent, purchasing groceries, and providing an electro-chlorinator to clean the water. Lord, please continue to use this place as a light and refuge for the Venezuelan people desperately seeking better lives for their families as their home nation implodes. Continue to generously provide food and supplies. We celebrate those who have heard and responded to the Gospel through the shelter. May more be blessed for eternity in La Don Juana. And we continue to pray for the nation of Venezuela as it suffers through this terrible time in its history. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.


Monday, December 24, 2018

Prayer for Glasgow City Mission's Christmas Outreach

https://www.glasgowcitymission.com/christmas

Heavenly Father, today we are thankful for those ministries and organizations that reach out to the needy on Christmas. Whether the needs are social, relational, financial, emotional, or spiritual, we celebrate those who remember to be generous and inclusive of others during this most festive time of year. Today we want to specifically pray for Glasgow City Mission, which is providing a Christmas feast on December 25 for those in need. We pray that each person who steps into the building, whether volunteer or guest, will sense your presence and experience true joy. May all the volunteers be empowered by your Spirit to wholeheartedly serve with excellence. May the satisfaction of putting others before themselves for your glory be the greatest gift they receive this year. May each homeless person who seeks warmth of both heart and body find it at the Glasgow City Mission this Christmas Day and holiday season. We pray that this organization will continue to effectively and generously provide food, shelter, warmth, and more to those who seek their assistance year-round. In name of the Christ Child we pray, amen.



Friday, December 21, 2018

Prayer about killing of Scandinavian tourists by terrorists in Morocco

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-morocco-crime/nine-more-arrested-in-morocco-over-murder-of-scandinavian-tourists-idUSKCN1OK14G

Heavenly Father, today we grieve over the killing of Scandinavian tourists Louisa Vesterager Jespersen and Maren Ueland in Morocco. We are thankful Morocco’s Central Bureau for Judicial Investigations has announced that 14 suspected Islamic State militants have been arrested related to the murders. We pray for the investigators in Denmark, Norway and Morocco who are working to solve this crime, that they would have diligence, efficiency, and ultimately success. We are thankful for those rallying around the families and communities that have been impacted by these murders. We are touched by the candlelight march that happened Friday in Ueland’s hometown. We pray for Saturday’s gathering outside the Norwegian Embassy in the Moroccan capital that is intended to show support of the families of the victims and to condemn terrorism. May this gathering be powerful and uplifting, and may it send a message to the Islamic State: we will never accept your heinous work. Please grant Ueland and Jespersen’s loved ones extra measures of grace and peace this holiday season, Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Prayer about Brazilian faith healer accused of sexually abusing hundreds of women

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/17/americas/brazilian-healer-sexual-abuse-accusations/index.html

Lord God, we ask for your guidance and justice in the situation surrounding Brazilian faith healer João Teixeira de Faria. With thousands of people visiting this medically untrained man for spiritual healing each week, we are disgusted and devastated to learn that now at least 300 women have come forward to accuse Teixeira of sexual abuse. We pray for the truth to come out, whether Teixeira is guilty or innocent. With accusations, interviews and details seeming quite feasible to investigators, we anticipate hearing sad tales of abuse of power in this situation. We anticipate the need for thousands of lives to get back on track after putting their faith in someone untrustworthy. Lord, may all these people put their faith in Someone Trustworthy: YOU. And may they find professional, emotional, spiritual, medical or any kind of help they need within their communities. We pray for Teixeira to confess anything that needs to be confessed. We pray for justice to move forward correctly and swiftly. And we thank you that Teixeira’s abominable practice of calling on the spirits of dead doctors to perform so-called spiritual surgeries—sometimes even cutting patients without anesthesia—has ceased while he is in prison awaiting next steps. Please bring resolution in this situation. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Monday, December 17, 2018

Prayer about explosion in Sapporo, Japan

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/16/world/japan-explosion-sapporo/index.html  PC: KYODO

Heavenly Father, today we pray about the explosion that happened in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo on Sunday night. First, we rejoice that there were no fatalities! With dozens of injured people and the related collapse of a neighboring building, the situation could have been much worse. Second, we pray for the 42 (or more) people who were injured in this incident. We pray that they will receive prompt, efficient and excellent medical care. May they not only recover from their physical injuries, but may they also recover from any emotional harm that may have resulted from this traumatic experience. Lord, we also pray against any additional explosions, which fire officials consider possible. We pray that the source of the explosion can be found quickly so any necessary preventative measures can be put into place. Finally, we pray for the cleanup process, and that those businesses that sustained damages will be able to recover from this incident. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Prayer about food poisoning during religious ceremony in southern India

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/15/asia/india-religious-food-deaths-intl/index.html

Heavenly Father, today we grieve about the 11 people who died (including two children) during a religious ceremony in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. With the suspicion of the shared food being poisoned, we pray for answers. Please be with the investigators as they test the food, examine the kitchen, and search for any signs of foul play. If someone willfully committed this crime, may s/he be discovered. Lord, we ask that you be with the 90 people who were also hospitalized, giving particular assistance to the 29 people in critical condition. May their constitutions stay strong so they can fight off this poison. May they receive excellent medical care. Finally, Lord, we know you comfort those who mourn. Please send your children alongside those who grieve to show love and support. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Praise for survival of young man in submerged vehicle for five hours

https://news.sky.com/story/man-found-alive-in-car-five-hours-after-crashing-into-river-11580127 PC: ABC News

Lord, today we marvel over and celebrate the survival of 28-year-old Michael Finn after being submerged underwater in his vehicle for five hours. We are stunned he survived those hours in an icy California river, having found a pocket of air in his car. We are thankful emergency workers were able to pull out his car in a somewhat prompt fashion, discovering the survivor inside. Lord, we now pray for Finn as he receives medical treatment for his unstable condition. May the “Christmas miracle” continue through a full recovery. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Prayer about prisoner-swap agreement between Yemeni government and Houthi rebels

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2018/12/11/Yemeni-government-rebels-agree-to-terms-on-prisoner-swap/7441544562241/   Photo by Claudio Bresciani/EPA

Heavenly Father, today we rejoice in Tuesday’s prisoner-swap agreement between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels. We are specifically delighted to hear of the hundreds of children, women and school teachers who are among those to be released by the rebels. We know there is much work to be done for this dreadful conflict between the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels to be resolved, but we do pray today for a successful transfer of these prisoners. We pray for the transaction to happen smoothly, safely and with much goodwill. We pray for all necessary medical care to be administered promptly and effectively. We rejoice with those who have been so anxiously awaiting news of their missing loved ones—that they can now look forward to their return. Give them patience and hope as they continue to wait, because we know this process will not be complete for a couple months. And we pray for those whose loved ones will not return, that you would grant them comfort during this bittersweet time. Finally, Lord, we pray for continued progress between the government and the rebels. May their conflict cease. We pray for peace in Yemen, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Prayer about missing British backpacker Grace Millane

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-46492477

Heavenly Father, today we pray about the case of missing, 22-year-old, British backpacker Grace Millane. With a 26-year-old man being arrested for her murder today, it seems her family will be able to move toward closure. Yet without her body being found, so many questions still remain. We do pray for your continued blessing on investigators as they seek to put together all the missing pieces in this mystery. We pray for truth and justice to prevail, and we would like Grace’s body to be recovered. Lord, we pray for Grace’s family as they process this devastating news in the midst of the holiday season. Rally their friends and loved ones around them to provide comfort, hope and peace. Grant special measures of your grace and love to this family and Grace’s friends as they move forward without this special person in their lives. We ask for your mercy throughout this entire situation. In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, amen.


Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Prayer about unsanitary migrant shelter situation in Tijuana

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/04/americas/migrant-shelter-tijuana/index.html

Heavenly Father, you know so much more than we do about the complications surrounding the United States-Mexico border issues. You have infinite wisdom and know exactly what is best. We, frail humans who tend to focus on our own needs before others' needs, do not know what is best. We seek answers, we make attempts, we formulate opinions, we pray for the best. There are so many things to pray about, but today we focus on the migrant shelter declared unsanitary in Tijuana. First, we thank you that the shelter has been closed and that the unhealthy conditions were acknowledged. Second, we are grateful there is another place for people to go–a place with a roof and a dry floor. We pray for the relocation of migrants depending on this shelter to go smoothly. We pray for conditions to remain safe and healthy within the new building. And, Lord, we do pray for the needs of those who have sought shelter in Tijuana and who hope for asylum in the US. You see their hearts and know their situations. Please meet with them, grant them hope, guide them to what is best for their futures. We also ask for grace and wisdom for all leaders involved in this situation—on both sides of the border. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Monday, December 3, 2018

Prayer about yellow jacket protests in France

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2018/12/03/Ambulance-drivers-students-join-French-protests/6371543834887/


Heavenly Father, today we pray for France, as the nation continues to deal with the unrest and violence associated with the “yellow jacket” protests. We grieve the three people killed, hundreds injured, businesses destroyed, and historic monuments—such as the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile—defaced. We pray for peace to descend upon France and specifically upon Paris. Lord, we pray for the young people, ambulance drivers, and others who are protesting the nation’s leadership. In the midst of their frustration, grant them wisdom and generosity of spirit. May they express their opinions in constructive ways that will be effective. May protests remain nonviolent. We pray against counterfeits “joining the movement” with the intent to steal, wreak havoc or cause damage. May those who legitimately need to be arrested be safely apprehended. Lord, we pray for President Emmanuel Macron and other influential French leaders during this crisis. We also ask for wisdom and generosity of spirit for them. May they hear and process the message sent by protesters so they can initiate helpful dialogue. May they know when to be firm and when to grant grace. Give them wisdom as they attempt to solve this crisis and move France in a healthy direction. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Prayer about earthquakes in Anchorage, Alaska

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/back-to-back-earthquakes-shatter-roads-and-windows-in-alaska/ar-BBQjfcl?ocid=spartanntp#image=BBQjAg9|2
Lord, today we pray for the thousands impacted by the earthquakes in Anchorage, Alaska. These events caused fear and panic in the moment, but we are thankful to learn that there have been no casualties or severe injuries reported. We are also grateful that the earthquakes did not trigger a tsunami. Thank you for your protection. With Alaska’s geographic location, we know that earthquakes are common and there is potential for other events. We pray that any additional earthquakes are minimal in scale and non-destructive. Father, we ask that you provide the resources necessary to repair the infrastructure quickly. There was substantial damage to roadways, buildings, utilities, and personal property. We pray that there are no gas leaks in buildings and that there is no damage to the Alaska oil pipeline that would result in an oil spill. We pray in the name of Jesus, 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.