Prayer for post-landslide rescue operation happening in Gjerdrum, Norway

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-norway-landslide/landslide-hits-residential-area-in-norway-10-hurt-11-people-missing-idUSKBN29416M

Lord God, we pray for the rescue operation happening after the huge landslide in Gjerdrum, Norway. First and foremost, we pray for the missing to be found. If they are away on holiday, prompt them to call the authorities to inform them of their whereabouts. If they are trapped in the debris, sustain them with courage and hope, and grant them the resourcefulness to lead rescuers to their location. Please protect the rescuers as they search. Lord, we also pray for the injured. Grant them quick and full recovery. We know many people are afraid right now. Please bring the peace that passes understanding. We pray for those who have lost homes and businesses. May loved ones provide them secure accommodations and encouragement as they process this loss and eventually look toward what lies ahead. Lord, please do a great work in Gjerdum in coming days, weeks and months. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about Honduran activist Felix Vasquez's murder

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-honduras-killing/honduran-environmental-activist-killed-in-front-of-family-idUSKBN2921QK

Lord, we are distraught about the brutal killing of human rights and environmental activist Felix Vasquez before his family’s eyes. We pray that Honduran authorities will have great success and diligence in their investigation, so the killers will be found and brought to justice. Lord, we pray about the questions raised by the Coalition against Impunity—questions about whether the government neglected Vasquez’s previously shared concerns about being persecuted over his activism. If corruption is involved in this scenario, please bring it to light. We also lay before you our concerns about how dangerous Honduras is for activists—listed as among the world’s most dangerous places for activism. We pray for courage and protection over those who stand up against injustice and mistreatment. Above all, Heavenly Father, we pray for supernatural comfort and healing for Vasquez’s family members, who witnessed this horrific act. Please bring them deep peace as they process this tragedy and deal with the terrible imagery of their loved one’s murder. May justice come as part of their healing journey. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for missing climbers and sailors in Iran

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-avalanche/at-least-eight-climbers-killed-in-iran-ship-crew-missing-after-snowfall-and-storms-idUSKBN28Z0RI PC: Reuters file photo

Lord God, we lay before you our concerns over those missing in Iran: up to 12 climbers and seven maritime crew members. With all of these people going missing on Christmas Day due to storms and wind, we are greatly concerned about their safety. We know that you look out from your dwelling place on all the inhabitants of the earth (Psalm 33:14). You see these missing men and women. We pray that survivors will be rescued as quickly as possible. Sustain them until help arrives. We pray for those whose souls have already passed from this earth to also be found, in order to bring closure for their loved ones. We appeal for your protection over rescuers, as they risk their own safety in the search for others. Finally, Lord, we request comfort for those who grieve. We entreat you for mercy in this situation. Amen.

 

 

Prayer for conjoined twins in Yemen who need international intervention to survive

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-55371106 PC: Reuters

Heavenly Father, we pray for the conjoined twins in Sanaa, Yemen, who need medical intervention from outside their war-torn country in order to survive. We are thankful for the care they have received so far in the al-Sabeen maternity hospital, including the discovery that they have separate, functional hearts. We pray that they can quickly be transferred to a hospital with the equipment needed to examine their other organs and assess surgical options. If the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre is the best fit for them, may their intention to help the twins be quickly translated into effective action. If others should be involved, compel them to come forward quickly. We pray for the parents of these twins as they await miraculous intervention. Give them peace and hope. Thank you for watching over these twins, Lord God. We humbly pray for the best possible outcome for these children. Amen.   

Prayer for boys rescued from kidnappers in Nigeria

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-security-kidnappings/freed-nigerian-schoolboys-return-home-tell-of-beatings-and-hunger-idUSKBN28S0UL

Lord God, we pray for the hundreds of Nigerian school boys who were rescued from kidnappers in northwest Nigeria and arrived back home Friday. After experiencing severe beatings, hunger and dehydration all week, we pray they will get the medical, emotional and spiritual help they need as quickly as possible. We also pray for prompt reunions with family members. Lord God, it sounds like not all of them have been rescued. We pray that the final boys will be saved as quickly as possible. We even pray for kidnappers to willingly release them. Lord, we pray that the truth will come out about who is behind this kidnapping and that justice will be served. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

 

 

Pray for Honduras as the nation recovers from back-to-back hurricanes

 

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/12/14/945377248/even-disaster-veterans-are-stunned-by-whats-happening-in-honduras  PC:Jose Cabezas/Reuters

Merciful Heavenly Father, we pray for your help and hope in Honduras, which is still recovering from being slammed by two back-to-back hurricanes. With the storms having destroyed bridges, roads, schools and health clinics, and with families losing their homes, farms and businesses to floodwaters, the impact is staggering. Multiplying the concern is Covid-19 making it harder for emergency relief teams to get to their destinations, as well as the spread of Covid-19 in shelters. Lord, we pray for a beautiful confirmation of Honduran President Juan Orlando’s declaration, “You are not alone.” We pray that people would band together nationwide to recover together, and that the world would come to Honduras’ aid however possible. We pray that people would sense your presence as they navigate this time of tribulation. During this Christmas season, may people witness Christmas miracles of kindness, generosity, healing and hope. May celebrations in shelters be unique in their own way, creating positive memories to last a lifetime. We pray that Honduras will recover from this massive setback as quickly as possible, and with the knowledge that they are not alone. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.  

Prayer about helicopter crash in NSW, Australia

 

https://7news.com.au/news/disaster-and-emergency/nsw-helicopter-crash-victim-identified-as-victorian-councillor-andrew-goldman-c-1698954?fbclid=IwAR0cr8rEXYzrR7AYHVSDD8xdnX8oxZMZwfwcm1FRaL3nJXg-I696w9OfdOA

Heavenly Father, we ask for your deepest, richest comfort to surround the loved ones of the two men who died in a helicopter crash Wednesday in New South Wales, Australia. May the families and friends of instructor Nicholas Brink and learner pilot Andrew Goldman find hope in you during this dark hour. Lord, as of now, only you know what caused this helicopter to crash in bushland with a highly experienced instructor in charge. We pray for anyone who may have seen the aircraft in any phase of its flight, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage, to make contact with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) as soon as possible. We pray for the investigation being conducted by the ATSB and the NSW Police Force, that it will uncover what it needs to uncover so that everyone involved can have a greater sense of closure and so similar accidents are less likely to happen in the future. Lord God, we declare our trust in you, we pour out our hearts before you, knowing that—even in our darkest hours—you are our refuge (Psalm 62:8). In Jesus’ merciful name we pray, amen.

 

 

Praise for rescue of 30 captives in Houston, Texas

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dozens-rescued-human-smuggling-operation-houston-police-say-n1249970  PC: Mark Mulligan

Lord God, we celebrate that 30 people were rescued from captivity in a Houston, Texas, home. We are thankful this human trafficking operation has been brought to light, and that the 30 rescued people now have their temporary needs met and are cooperating with authorities in order to find out what happened. We rejoice that one man was able to bravely escape and yell for help in the surrounding neighborhood, and that neighbors responded and provided immediate assistance. We do pray that the authorities will uncover what needs to be uncovered, apprehend those who need to face justice, and have wisdom in what to do with the captives. Lord, if home is best, may the newly freed be safely returned home. If they need new homes, may those quickly and safely be found for them. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

 

 

Prayer for Swedish man locked by his mother in apartment for 28 years

 

https://www.foxnews.com/world/sweden-mother-locking-up-son-apartment  

(Claudio Bresciani/TT via AP)

Heavenly Father, we are sickened and saddened to learn of the man who was locked by his over-protective mother in a Stockholm apartment for 28 years. First, Lord, we are thankful a relative went to check on the apartment when learning the mother was hospitalized. We pray your blessing on this relative, and that she would recover from the ordeal of finding this unexpected relative in deplorable conditions. Next, Lord, we pray for the 41-year-old man, that he would get the medical, psychological, spiritual and every other kind of help he needs to move toward as healthy a life as possible. Lord, we also pray for the mother. We know deep grief over the loss of another child contributed to this tragedy. May this Swedish mother get the help she needs, and may she face justice as appropriate. Finally, Lord, we pray for authorities as they investigate, handle and recover from this situation. Bless their efforts; grant them peace and wisdom. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

 

 

Prayer about COVID-related riot at Sri Lanka's Mahara prison

 

https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/30/asia/sri-lanka-covid-19-prison-intl/index.html

Lord God, we pray about Sri Lanka’s COVID-related prison riots, particularly the one that happened Sunday and Monday at Mahara prison. Heavenly Father, we understand the prisoners’ frustration with increasing Covid-19 cases in their crowded conditions, and with more infected prisoners being transferred there. We understand the frustration of officials as they try to solve one very difficult problem on top of another, on top of yet another. But, Lord, we grieve that this situation has become violent and that at least eight prisoners were killed and 50 injured during the rioting. We pray for the many prisoners in critical condition at Ragama Hospital, that they would receive excellent care, that a loved one can visit each one, and that they will recover. We pray for the prison to regain order and to quickly and effectively address the multiple issues in play within this conflict. May both prisoners and those in authority choose wisdom. We pray, Lord, that your peace would descend upon that place. We also ask for your peace upon those who grieve. In Jesus’ name, amen.