Friday, August 30, 2019

Prayer about deadly attack at a bar in Mexico


https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-49494019
Heavenly Father, we are saddened by the violent attack at White Horse bar in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, that killed 25 people and severely injured a dozen more. We join the families in grieving the loss of loved ones. We ask that you comfort them and give them peace as they await the outcome of this investigation. Father, we pray for the culture to change in Coatzacoalcos and the surrounding region. We pray against the criminal activity of gangs. We pray that you soften the hearts of gang members and draw them to you. Guide them to authentic community in your church and transform their lives by your grace. Lord, we pray against police corruption and any chance that it may threaten this investigation. We pray that the officers involved in this case are trustworthy and persistent in pursuing the attackers until they are brought to justice. Father, we look forward to the day when we are united with you and free from the pain of this world. Until then we ask that you strengthen us and encourage us as we help one another. We praise you for your goodness and mercy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer contributed by regular 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, August 28, 2019

Prayer for baby born to brain-dead mother in Czechia

http://www.startribune.com/czech-hospital-says-baby-girl-born-to-brain-dead-mother/558438212/

Heavenly Father, we celebrate the safe arrival of the baby born to her brain-dead mother in the Czech city of Brno. How tragic that this baby’s mother had a brain hemorrhage early in her pregnancy! We are thankful the mother was able to get medical attention quickly enough that she could be put on life support long enough for the baby to develop. We celebrate the good work of the University Hospital that sustained the mother’s life and delivered her daughter! Now, Lord, we pray for this baby--born prematurely--to continue to develop well. We pray for her father, that he would have all the strength, grace, resources and support needed as he raises this girl alone—all while grieving the loss of his wife. As described in Deuteronomy, Lord, be the eagle that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, bearing its young on its pinions. Care for this father and daughter in ways that they will sense every day. May father and daughter both thrive. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Monday, August 26, 2019

Prayer about high school burned in Dunfermline, Scotland

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/fife/965195/woodmill-high-school-fire-homes-left-without-water-as-a-result-of-ongoing-blaze/
PC: DC Thomson

Lord, we pray for Woodmill High School in Dunfermline, Scotland, which was gutted by arson Sunday night. First, we give thanks that none of the 80 firefighters on the scene were injured, and that these brave emergency responders were able to largely meet their goal of containing the fire to one portion of the building. Now we think of the 14-year-old who was brought into custody for starting this terrible fire. Please be with him, Lord. Somehow draw him close to you in the midst of this chaos. Surround him with the right people. We pray for Tuesday’s legal proceedings to be fair and effective, so this teen can get the help he needs, and so the community can move forward in recovering from this incident. Lord God, we pray for the school administrators as they solve the problem of temporarily relocating 1400 pupils and staff in a district where most schools are already operating beyond capacity. Grant them great resourcefulness, creativity, and perseverance as they work to solve this problem, while also helping the student body process this event. We pray for the teachers and other staff members who lost valuable supplies in this fire. Give them the courage to press on and start again. We pray for the investigators of this arson attack. May they uncover all that needs to be uncovered. We pray for the families in the school's vicinity who are operating without water. May this vital resource be quickly restored, and may this time of going without be very eye-opening about how much we should treasure our access to water. Finally, Lord, we pray for the family of the young man who acted out in such a destructive way. Give them divine wisdom as they figure out how to best help their son/brother/loved one. Comfort and guide them. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Prayer for Indonesian child jockeys

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/24/world/asia/indonesia-sumbawa-child-jockeys-horse-racing.html
PC: Adam Dean for The New York Times

Heavenly Father, please watch over the child jockeys in the city of Bima on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa. For people outside of this culture, it is shocking to learn of 5- to 10-year-olds participating in professional horseracing. We are saddened to learn of the injuries, missed school, and deception many of these young boys deal with on a regular basis. We are dismayed that poverty would compel families to risk their children for such seemingly small amounts of money. We pray about the debate over this practice, with child advocacy groups insisting this practice must stop, while others, such as Retno Listyarti, a commissioner at the Indonesian Child Protection Commission, claim this practice is not child exploitation, because the children enjoy what they do. Please bring truth to light to all involved. Lord, we know children are a heritage from you. Please enable these Biman families to raise their children however is best, and help them find healthy means of provision. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Friday, August 23, 2019

Prayer surrounding Google's shutdown of Chinese government YouTube channels

https://www.jpost.com/International/YouTube-shuts-down-210-accounts-with-alleged-ties-to-Chinese-government-599462
photo credit: DADO RUVIC/REUTERS

Heavenly Father, today we bring before you the responsibilities and complications that are part of Google’s existence. We are thankful that Google is growing ever-diligent in making sure its users are not creating harm through its platforms. We also know that shutting down users and blocking content are gray areas. We pray for wisdom for those who make these decisions at Google, as well as for other massive social media influencers. Today we are thankful that Google was able to prevent the Chinese government from spreading propaganda about the Hong King protests through YouTube. We are also thankful Google is taking action to protect users in Kazakhstan, where the government made attempts to spy on every citizen through a required a government-issued certificate. We are thankful for these positive steps taken, but always wary about privacy, censorship and the other significant issues associated with social media usage. Grant wisdom to us as individuals and to those who exert influence through social media companies. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Prayer about bus hijacking in Rio de Janeiro

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-49406032 Photo: EPA

Lord, today we are thankful for the resolution of a bus hijacking in in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. After three hours of terror at the hands of their armed captor, we are thankful that all commuters on this bus have been released and that none are physically injured. But, Lord, we know that there is healing that needs to happen. We pray for the dozens of passengers who now have to process this experience and move on with their lives. We pray that their loved ones and coworkers will be understanding, patient, and helpful. We pray that those who need to do so will find professional assistance to guide them through the recovery process. We pray that all of these individuals will eventually be able to make use of public transportation and trust military officers again (after the hostage-taker pretended to be one). We pray that they will quickly return to work and normal activities. Lord, we are thankful for the Rio military police who quickly remedied the situation. We are thankful for the skills of the sniper who “neutralized” the situation. We pray for this officer to also recover if needed. We pray for those who investigate this situation to discern what drove this man to such violent behavior, and we pray for the family of the hostage-taker to find peace and healing as they try to understand and move forward from what happened. Please send extra grace and peace to the city of Rio de Janeiro today. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Prayer about sexual misconduct by former music producer in Mexico


https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/16/americas/miranda-campos-mexico-sexual-abuse-case-intl/index.html
Father, today we pray for Luis Armando Campos, a young singer who was sexually abused and trafficked for four years by his former music producer and mentor, Mario Enrique Miranda Palacios. We are saddened by the deception that led Luis into a harmful situation. We thank you that Luis had the courage to leave and to confide in a fellow singer who influenced him to come forward. We thank you for the organization, United vs Human Trafficking, for offering counseling and legal services for Luis. Lord, we pray for all victims of sexual abuse and trafficking. We pray that those still in dangerous situations are able to escape and get the help they need from trustworthy sources. We ask for healing for those who are now free yet still carry the emotional weight of their former situations. Lord, we desire to see mentoring relationships grow between adults and teenagers. We know that there are great benefits that come from healthy partnerships. We pray that you will protect our youth and give them discernment in knowing where they can place their trust. We praise you, Lord, that even in our sin you desire to have a relationship with us. We have confidence in knowing that you will not abandon us. You are our protector and the source of all hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer contributed by regular 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.

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Prayer about murder of Natalie Crichlow in Barbados

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-49347946
Father, we are at a loss for words as we read about the horrific details surrounding the death of Natalie Crichlow. We mourn for the sin in our world and the acts of hatred that bring such devastation and hurt. Lord, we pray that Natalie is with you and that her suffering is no more. We pray for her three children as they are left to deal with their shock and their grief and a future without their mother. Please be with them in their pain. Wrap your arms around them and give them the strength and peace that only you can provide. Father, we pray for the assailant who is still at large. May this person be found and brought to justice for what they have done. In doing so, Lord, we do pray that they seek your forgiveness and accept you as their Savior. We ask that you provide direction to the police in Barbados who are handling this investigation. We pray that they quickly identify and reprimand the attacker. Father, we seek you in all things and pray that you will sustain us every day. We love you and we pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer contributed by regular 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.

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Praise for advances in treating Ebola virus

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2019/08/12/new-drugs-could-cure-ebola-clinical-trial-suggests/1989355001/
Heavenly Father, today we are once again reminded that you are our living hope. We are overjoyed by the success of two Ebola treatments that may bring us one step closer to a cure. We thank you for the scientists at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and the National Institute of Health who have been working diligently to develop these drugs. Continue to impart your wisdom on them as they fulfill your good work. Father, we pray for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country that has been deeply impacted by this virus. Encourage those in need of medical attention to seek it. We pray for every infected person to be cured and for the disease to be eradicated worldwide. We pray that you remove any barriers that would prevent health care workers from reaching those who need this medication. We thank you for their willingness to go where needed and we ask that you protect them from violence as they enter areas of conflict. Lord, we praise you as you reveal your glory to us, and we pray in faith knowing that you are good. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer contributed by regular 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.

Friday, August 9, 2019

Prayer to eradicate brutal police practices in Bangladesh




Heavenly Father, we are grateful for our law enforcement officials who work to bring peace and protection for all people. We respect their authority and we pray that you protect them as they encounter dangerous situations and risk their lives for the good of the many. However, we ask that you intervene in cases where some abuse their authority and act irresponsibly. Such is the case in Bangladesh where allegations of widespread police brutality have been uncovered by the United Nations. Lord, we pray for the work of the U.N.’s Committee Against Torture as they investigate these claims and work toward changing the culture in Bangladesh. We pray that the authorities in Bangladesh are cooperative and that moving forward they will prove to abide by their zero-tolerance policy on torture. Father, we recognize the importance of law enforcement and pray for success in diminishing crime. We pray that the police in Bangladesh are successful in their work while using methods that are effective yet humane. We praise you as our Creator and we pray that everyone will come to acknowledge the value of every human life. Lord, we have all fallen short and we lean on you heavily. Thank you for your unwavering faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer contributed by regular 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.

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Prayer for Kyrgyzstan as forces attempt to bring in the former president

https://www.npr.org/2019/08/08/749283781/kyrgyzstans-former-president-arrested-after-deadly-encounter
PC: Anadolu Agency/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Lord God, we pray for Kyrgyzstan as the nation deals with the chaos surrounding the arrest of its former president. We are grieved and disgusted that at least one of the soldiers was killed, six taken hostage, and dozens wounded as these security officers attempted to simply do their job and arrest former President Almazbek Atambayev at his home Thursday. This terrible behavior does nothing to proclaim innocence as he faces charges now that his immunity has been revoked. We pray that Atambayev will fully cooperate with investigators. If he should be vindicated, let it be so. If he should face consequences for crimes, let that be so. We pray for new President Sooronbai Jeenbekov as he leads this nation. May he move Kyrgyzstan toward stability, peace and hope. Finally, we pray for the families of the soldiers who were killed in action, as well as for the wounded. Bring peace, support, and quality medical care as needed. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Prayer for missing Nora Anne Quoirin

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-ireland-girl/malaysian-police-question-20-in-search-for-irish-teen-idUSKCN1UX162

Heavenly Father, please bless the efforts of Malaysian police and others who are searching for missing Irish teenager Nora Anne Quoirin. If there is anything Nora can be doing to survive or escape, please give her the opening, ability, ingenuity, resources and courage to do so. Bless her attempts. Lord, we cannot imagine the fear the parents of this learning-disabled, 15-year-old girl are facing. In the midst of their terrible situation, please grant them your peace that passes understanding. May they draw near to you to survive this ordeal; and please send loving, wise people to support and encourage them during this time. Lord, we pray for the canine units assisting with this investigation. We pray that conditions would suit their work and that they would be able to catch Nora’s scent. Lord, if this is actually a kidnapping and police are on the wrong track, please thwart the travels and efforts of the kidnappers on every side. We pray that someone would see them and recognize that Nora should not be with them. If there are any other missing factors in this mystery, may they come to light as soon as possible. Lord, we long for this daughter to be reunited with her family. Please bring this about. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Friday, August 2, 2019

Prayer for Old Home Week in Greencastle, Pennsylvania

https://oldhomeweek.org/

Heavenly Father, we pray for Old Home Week, being held in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, August 3-10. We celebrate when small communities band together to strengthen relationships, honor their heritage, invest in civic affairs, and seek you together. We pray that this 40th triennial celebration will accomplish just those things. We take a moment to specifically lift up the community worship services happening at 4 and 6:45 PM EST on Sunday. May these services point the Greencastle-Antrim community and its guests directly to you, inspiring hearts and renewing faith. We also express gratitude for the many churches participating in the festivities throughout the week, asking your blessing on them as they welcome people into their circles of fellowship and celebration. We pray that the overall Old Home Week atmosphere would be wholesome and helpful, and that Greencastle-Antrim will be a better place as a result of this special time. We pray for selflessness, safety and hospitality to reign. Bless the seemingly countless people who are leading, serving, hosting and attending these events. May they build each other up and find strength in you. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.