Prayer against human trafficking at the Olympics

http://www.humantraffickingsearch.net/wp1/2016/8/5/human-trafficking-surrounding-the-olympics

Lord, today we pray against human trafficking at the Olympics. It is devastating to read that there are an estimated half million child sex workers in Brazil. We also know that trafficking research only shows an increase in occurrence with top-level sporting events. With so many tourists descending on Brazil, desiring to make lifelong memories and experience this amazing event to the fullest, we know people will make all kinds of bad choices. Lord, today we pray those bad choices will not include taking advantage of other human beings. May the spirit of the Games bring up warm feelings in hearts. May people appreciate each other more deeply, providing encouragement, rather than seeking after their own pleasures. We pray specifically against the assault and exploitation of anyone—male or female, local or visiting. Not only do we pray against sex trafficking, but we also pray for the truth to come out about the workers claiming to have not been paid for their work on the Olympic facilities. We pray against impoverished workers being taken advantage of by being kept in inhumane conditions. Lord, we pray that inspiration found in watching elite athletes use their gifts will motivate people not only athletically, but to be better people. We pray for individuals to be inspired to seek you, and to live as you want us to. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for Ukraine in the midst of the humanitarian crisis

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/08/03/forgotten-crisis-in-ukraine-today-lives-millions-teeter-on-edge.html
Photo: AFP

Lord, today we turn our hearts toward Ukraine, where the people feel forgotten. Lord, we know you see the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. You see the millions of displaced people, including hundreds of thousands of children. You grieved when each of the thousands were killed by shelling or other trappings of war. Lord, you have not forgotten Ukraine. Neither may we not forget our brothers and sisters there. May we continue to pray, as well as look for opportunities to help. Please empower those with access to help refugees, providing safety and basic necessities. Protect innocent civilians from the trappings of war around them every day. Please bring peace between Russia and Ukraine. We want to see Ukrainians free to rebuild their lives and nation. Please give them hope in place of fear, expectancy in place of despair, and the comfort of knowing that you have not abandoned them, no matter how desperate their conditions may seem. Reach and strengthen their hearts, Lord. In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, amen.

To give toward the need, please visit this page: https://www.sga.org/crisisevangelism/.

Prayer for Truth at the Games Olympic outreach

http://www.ligonier.org/blog/truth-at-the-games/

Lord, what a thrill to see millions of people from around the world descending upon Rio de Janeiro! What a joy to see people celebrating a world stage and multiple cultures, even while competition is the focus. There are so many things we can pray for the Olympics, but today we pray for Ligonier Ministry’s Truth at the Games outreach. Lord, thank you for the tremendous effort not only from Ligonier, but from their partner ministries and churches. Thank you for inspiring these believers to make the most of the opportunity they have to reach people from around the world. Thank you for the resources donated so the Gospel resource The Race of Faith could be mass-produced in several languages. We pray for the volunteers to be successful in distributing one million paper and digital copies during these weeks of Olympic games. We pray for people to use times waiting between events, for food, for transportation, in line, etc., to read through the book that was handed to them. May your truth grab their attention, and may they realize there is a much more significant event in their life than the privilege of witnessing the Olympics—and that is choosing you. Please bless this outreach, harvesting many souls and whetting the appetites of thousands to know you more. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

John Piper's prayer for the Pals family

Because you are people of prayer and who have hearts for concerns outside yourselves, I share this beautiful prayer, written and prayed by John Piper for the precious Pals family, taken so early.

http://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/john-piper-s-funeral-prayer-for-a-family-of-five

You will find links below the prayer that will tell you the story, if you have not already heard it.

Prayer for development of effective Zika vaccines

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-36975088

Heavenly Father, today we pray for those scientists working tirelessly to create safe vaccines for combating the Zika virus. We are encouraged by recent reports that up to three solid options for designing Zika vaccines are being pursued, and that all of them are showing great promise. We pray for scientists as they continue the process of determining whether these vaccines are safe in humans, whether they have side effects, etc. We pray the process would be unusually effective, efficient and successful. We pray for wisdom in handling the Zika virus as we await the release of the vaccines, and we ask for wisdom in how to handle vaccines, as these can be so controversial for some. Finally, we pray against the continued spread of the Zika virus, that our unborn children would be protected from the birth defects associated with this virus. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Prayer against the growth of terrorism in Trinidad and Tobago

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/08/03/report-citizens-trinidad-sought-to-join-is-group.html

Lord, today we pray against the growth of terrorism in Trinidad and Tobago. We are thankful that nine of its citizens were deported from Turkey before reaching the ISIS fighters they wanted to join, but now we pray that they will be prevented from causing future trouble. We pray for the government of Trinidad and Tobago as they handle these men, and we also pray for the government to have wisdom in preventing terrorism from growing within its borders. We pray that Trinidadians would recognize that ISIS’ practices are wicked, and that there are other ways to find fulfillment in life—other causes that contribute value, rather than cause destruction. Ultimately, we pray for your love to rapidly spread within Trinidad and Tobago, so that people will seek you, rather than violence. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about Typhoon Nida

http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/01/asia/typhoon-nida-hong-kong-guangzhou/index.html

Lord, today we pray about Typhoon Nida, which visited the Philippines this weekend and is now heading toward Hong Kong. Thank you that the damage in the Philippines is not terrible at this point. Thank you that people are prepared in the Philippines, Hong Kong and China. We pray that neither flash floods nor landslides will result in the Philippines. If they do, we pray against any loss of life. We pray for China as it deals with all the cancelled flights and train routes. May people maintain good attitudes and patience as they await life returning to normal. May they be grateful that their leaders are prepared and avoiding destruction through taking these safety precautions. We do pray that Typhoon Nida would weaken as it approaches the region, so that any damage will be minimal. Thank you for modern tools that allow us to better prepare for dangerous weather. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.