Thursday, October 29, 2020

Prayer for couple on trial for their Christian faith in Somaliland

 

https://news.barnabasfund.org/Christian-couple-to-face-trial-as--apostates-and-evangelists--in-Muslim-majority-Somaliland/

Heavenly Father, we pray for the unnamed couple in Somaliland that has been arrested and will soon be tried for their Christian faith. Please protect them and give them a strong sense of your presence as they undergo this adversity. May your Light shine through them as they choose persecution over denouncing their faith, and, in fact, may they continue to choose you, regardless of what the justice system throws at them. Lord, we pray for other believers in this nation, including those who have already fled. Please give them courage, tenacity and faith. We know that suffering is a gift (see James 1:2-3). May they be able to recognize the fruit of their suffering very clearly so they know it is worthwhile. Indeed, may others come to you as a result of this couple’s testimony and example. We pray that officials in Somaliland would recognize the value of religious freedom in their nation. We humbly pray, amen.

 

 

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Prayer for the starving children of Yemen

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-malnutrition/child-malnutrition-at-record-highs-in-parts-of-yemen-u-n-survey-idUSKBN27C0Q9 Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua

Heavenly Father, we pray for the children of Yemen, who are facing acute malnutrition and possible starvation as a result of their nation’s six-year civil war. What a year 2020 has been in Yemen, with the coronavirus pandemic, economic decline, floods, escalating armed conflict and underfunding of this year’s global appeal for aid all leading to 100,000 children now at risk of dying of starvation. Lord God, we pray for the United Nations as leaders attempt to revive stalled peace talks so this nation can begin to recover. We pray for humanitarian aid to arrive and be effectively used—without corruption—for the most urgent needs. We pray for good natural conditions to allow for bountiful crops. And, Lord, we pray for your Holy Spirit to move through Yemen, drawing people to you and compelling your followers to make a great difference during these desperate days. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

 

 

Friday, October 23, 2020

Prayer amid protests and rioting in Lagos, Nigeria

 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-protests/burned-out-buildings-and-armed-gangs-in-lagos-despite-presidents-plea-idUSKBN2781I9 PC: Getty

Almighty God, we pray for peace in Lagos, Nigeria, as violent protests escalate. What a mess we make, Lord! Protests about police brutality allegedly led to the killing of protesters by soldiers, which then led to violent reprisals and destruction. Only you see the full truth of this situation, but we ask that the truth be revealed and that justice be done. We pray that President Muhammadu Buhari would exercise great wisdom and integrity as he leads during this time. We pray for the protection of innocent bystanders and their property. We pray against people making choices that will ruin their futures. Lord, please do a great work in Lagos. Glorify yourself. Work through your people to bring both calm and solutions. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.  

Thursday, October 22, 2020

Prayer for Greece as battle against Covid-19 intensifies

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-greece/greece-orders-night-curfew-for-worst-hit-covid-19-areas-idUSKBN2772OA        AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis

Lord God, we pray for Greece, which was initially less impacted by Covid-19, but now is seeing numbers rise at a concerning rate. We pray for wisdom and protection for all involved as night curfews are imposed and enforced. We pray for the businesses that will feel the loss of income, that they would find ways to survive this time. We pray that the curfews will not have to be long, because people will quickly adopt helpful practices on their own. We pray for peace and order, and for a commitment to navigating this pandemic well as an island nation. We pray for excellent medical care for those who struggle against this virus. We continue to ask two big things: 1) that we will learn what you want us to learn as we battle this global threat, thereby glorifying you, and 2) that we continue to come up with more effective ways of treating and ultimately eradicating this virus. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Prayer about visa chaos and stampedes in Afghanistan

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54627270 PC: Reuters

Lord God, today we pray for Afghanistan, where tens of thousands of citizens are seeking visas to visit neighboring Pakistan after that service was disrupted for seven months. We grieve about the eleven or more women who were trampled to death as they sought their visas. May this not happen again! We pray for local authorities as they seek to facilitate this massive number of requests. We pray for wisdom in setting up an orderly, fair, safe process. Motivate genuine concern in leaders as they seek the best for their citizens amid this chaotic time. We pray for those who most urgently need the visas to acquire them as quickly as possible. Finally, we pray against the transmission of Covid-19 in these massive crowds. We humbly entreat you, Lord God. Amen.

 

 

Saturday, October 17, 2020

Prayer about sexual abuse revealed during Chicago e-learning livestream

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-online-sex-abuse-caught-charged-20201017-fepiggml2bcopkduhoaqmpcofi-story.html
 

Lord God, we are sickened and also thankful when we learn of what happened during a Chicago e-learning situation. Now the truth is out about the sexual abuse one 7-year-old had been experiencing for the past year. We are thankful the perpetrator has been arrested and is facing both justice and help. We are thankful for the teacher’s quick and sound response when the sexual abuse began to happen during an online learning session. We are thankful both police and school officials responded promptly. Now, Lord, we pray for the healing to begin. We pray first and foremost for the victim, that she would find the help she needs to recover from this extended abuse that has now been vividly revealed to her peers. Next, we pray for her classmates who witnessed this event. May they be able to safely ask questions and find adequate answers as they process this confusing and frightening experience. We pray for the teacher as she, too, processes this incident. Bless her for her quick thinking and grant her a quick recovery. Bless her career as an educator. Finally, Lord, we thank you that, amid all its challenges, e-learning has provided a glimpse into situations such as this that need to be brought to light. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

 

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Prayer about new test that may predict severity of Covid-19 cases

 

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/new-blood-test-predicts-which-covid-19-patients-will-develop-severe-infection-1.4380968 Photograph: NIAID

Almighty God, we pray about “the Dublin-Boston score,” which is the recently developed scoring system that can predict which coronavirus patients will advance into severe cases. We celebrate this breakthrough developed by researchers at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dublin and in the United States. We are thankful that doctors can now determine a prognostic score for Covid-19 patients. Lord, may this tool be used far and wide in ways that will save lives. May further benefits of the test be quickly discerned, including learning which Covid-19 treatments are helpful and which are not. Lord, we continue to pray for researchers around the world—for continued strength, creativity, resources, and additional breakthroughs. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

 

Monday, October 12, 2020

Prayer about wildfire battle on Mount Kilimanjaro

 

              https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/12/africa/kilimanjaro-tanzanians-fight-fire/index.html

Lord God, we pray for the firefight happening on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania right now. We thank you for stopping the winds that spread the fire Sunday, and we pray that the fire is contained before any winds pick up again. We also celebrate that there are no known injuries or deaths at this point. We are asking for this to be case throughout the entire firefight. Specifically, we ask protection for the Tanzanian residents, students and firefighters battling this fire. We also pray for protection of property. We ask for effectiveness in delivering food and water to those who need it, and we pray for protection against Covid-19 as precautions are likely set aside in this state of emergency. Lord, glorify yourself amid this challenge. We acknowledge that the mountain peaks belong to you (Psalm 95:4). In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

 

 

Thursday, October 8, 2020

Prayer about rape and murder of Chaïma and violence against women in Algeria

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54465180 PC: Chaïma

Heavenly Father, we pray for Algeria, where people are highly disturbed about a terrible rape and murder that happened earlier this month, which has highlighted failings in the justice system. Lord, we grieve the rape of 19-year-old Chaïma, who was burned alive after her assult. We grieve even more when we learn that the suspect, who has confessed to the crime, had already been charged with attempting to rape this same young woman years ago and yet the case was dropped and he went free. Lord, we pray for those handling the case this time to have great wisdom in each aspect of the process. May justice be served and larger questions asked about how the legal system handles violence against women in this culture. We pray about the additional woman whose charred body was found last night. May her identity be quickly discerned and her killer apprehended and charged. Finally, Lord, we pray for the loved ones of these two women, that you would give them supernatural peace amid this heartbreaking time. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.  

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Prayer for Covid-19 vaccine after WHO suggests it could come by the end of 2020

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-board/covid-19-vaccine-may-be-ready-by-year-end-says-whos-tedros-idUSKBN26R2BZ

Lord God, we find encouragement in WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’ words about a potential Covid-19 vaccine being available by the end of this year. We know that a huge variety of organizations and individuals are working to find a vaccine around the world, evidenced in part by nine experimental vaccines in the pipeline of the WHO’s COVAX global vaccine facility. Lord, we ask that you grant success and that a breakthrough comes soon. We pray in advance that the vaccine will be distributed fairly and wisely, with minimal to no corruption in the process. Lord, Ghebreyesus promised hope. We know you are the true source of HOPE. May researchers humble themselves before you, seeking your help as they apply their best knowledge, experience and resources to this effort. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Sunday, October 4, 2020

Prayer for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan/azerbaijans-leader-says-no-end-to-fighting-until-armenia-sets-pullout-timetable-idUSKBN26P08I?il=0  PC: EPA

Almighty God, we pray for peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We know the ethnic Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh has been in dispute since the 1990s, but we are alarmed by the military escalation happening now. We grieve over both the soldiers and civilians lost in this conflict, and we pray for resolution before more lives are lost. We pray against full-out war between nation and nation, and we pray against other countries being drawn into the conflict. May Azeri and Armenian leaders choose peace, resourcefulness, perseverance and creativity as they solve this conflict as quickly as possible. We pray against greed and pride. Lord, we want to see peace in the South Caucasus region. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, amen.

Saturday, October 3, 2020

Prayer about alleged gang-rape and murder of Dalit teen in India

 

https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/01/asia/dalit-woman-killed-india-rape-ruling-intl/index.html

Lord God, we are sickened to learn of more Dalit women being raped and murdered by men of higher castes in India. We are particularly concerned about the current case involving four high-caste men who allegedly gang-raped and murdered a 19-year-old woman. Lord, the fact that her body was cremated around the time rape charges were removed from the case (possibly) without her family’s consent does seem suspicious. Now we cannot find that evidence, but you know the truth. These men will stand before you someday for whatever they may or may not have done. Lord, if anyone witnessed this crime or overheard talk about it, compel that person to step forward to the right authorities. Even better, Lord, we would love to see at least one of these men fully confess to what happened, choosing justice and truth over deceit and guilt. We pray for this young woman’s family, for healing and protection. Give them supernatural strength to survive their grief and the painful legal process. Lord, we want truth to come out in this situation. Please magnify yourself and draw people to you in the midst of this tragedy. In Jesus’ name, amen.