Prayer about Canadian junior hockey team crash

https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/07/americas/canada-bus-crash/index.html  Photo credit: @rjpatter, Twitter

Heavenly Father, today we pray for all connected to the Humboldt Broncos hockey team: surviving members, surviving leaders, parents, siblings, friends, community members, fans, and more. We know that the town of Humboldt, the province of Saskatchewan, and the nation of Canada are reeling from the terrible bus accident that claimed 14 lives and injured 15 others--some critically. Lord, we pray for the injured, that they would recover! We pray for excellent care, strong spirits, and great shows of support. May these survivors not only achieve physical healing, but mental, spiritual and emotional healing, having suffered such great trauma. Now, we pray for the grieving, especially the immediate families of those who have passed from this earth into eternity. You see their unbearable grief. Sustain them with the peace that passes understanding. Surround them with people who understand and serve them. May friends and neighbors be creative in supporting those who grieve. We pray for the community--locally and nationally--to continue to show the best side of humanity during this tragedy. May people demonstrate great love, compassion and humanity during this dark hour. May excellent events, memorials, etc., be created to honor these young men. And, Lord, we do ask for investigators to determine the cause of the crash as a step toward closure and peace for those who grieve. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for Christian community in Pakistan's Balochistan province after shooting of four Christians

https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/03/asia/pakistan-isis-christian-family-killed-intl/index.html

Heavenly Father, today we pray for the Christian community in Pakistan's Balochistan province as they grieve the loss of four community members and fear for their own safety. Lord, first we pray for the loved ones of the family and rickshaw driver who were killed on their way back from a bazaar outing. Bring them comfort. Allow them to honor the memories of these loved ones through inspiring services or whatever best suits their situation. May their friends and relatives support them during this difficult time. Lord, we also pray for the rest of the Christian community in this region of Pakistan. Gird up their faith and courage as they face the reality that there are people who would like to kill them simply because they follow you. Give them extra sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's guidance as they live their lives, heeding your guidance of when to share and when not to share, and how to go about their days. May they thrive and grow as a community, and may nonbelievers around them be attracted to the peace and hope they have in you. We pray for the government of Pakistan to look out for its Christian citizens along with the rest of its citizens. We pray against the terrible work of ISIS. Thwart their efforts, sear their consciences, open their eyes. Lord, we would like to see you honored in Balochistan province in the coming days, months and years. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Good Friday prayer

On a very personal note, today we bury my sister, who died suddenly and unexpectedly one week ago today. It brings me great comfort to mark her passing on Good Friday, the day we remember our Savior's sacrifice for us. Please join me in thanking Jesus for the price He paid: 

Jesus, today the skies are gray in our hearts as we consider the sacrifice you made. If we take even a moment to ponder your horrific death at our hands, we must acknowledge the wickedness of our hearts and flesh. Yet you submitted to our demands. You received the punishment intended for us. You experienced your first-ever separation from your Heavenly Father. And you died. We thank you with all our hearts. We thank you by offering our lives to your service in response. And we say on this "Good" Friday that you are the One who is good. You are the One who let your goodness overflow into our lives, paying for our sins, changing our hearts. And we say with resounding jubilation that we celebrate the victory that is to come! Your death took the bite out of sin, the power from the enemy. Now we can all have HOPE! Thank you for the cross. Amen.

Prayer for the loved ones of heroic Lt. Col. Arnaud Beltrame after the terror attack in Trebes, France

https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/28/europe/france-funeral-officer-arnaud-beltrame-intl/index.html

Lord, today we take a moment to celebrate the life of Lt. Col. Arnaud Beltrame, who gave his life in exchange for a stranger during a terrorist attack in France Friday. As Beltrame's wife, his loved ones, and the nation of France honor him through his commemoration service in Paris today, we pray for comfort, peace, and courage. We pray for citizens to be inspired by Beltrame's bravery and his heroic willingness to give his life in place of a woman he did not know. Lord, we pray for this woman who had been taken hostage and then witnessed this man laying down his life for her. Please grant her full healing in your perfect timing. And may she move forward in the confidence that you have great plans for her life, and that she is of great worth. Heavenly Father, we also pray for those wounded by the attacker. Bring healing to both their physical and their psychological wounds. We pray for the others who lost loved ones, that they move forward step by step, day by day, as they experience life with this gaping wound of losing a loved one in such an unjust and despicable way. Bring them great comfort through your Spirit. May we each be inspired by Beltrame to live with courage, integrity and honor. May we bring light to those around us. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Prayer about shopping mall fire in Siberia

https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/26/europe/russia-kemerovo-shopping-center-fire-intl/index.html

Lord, today we pray about the tragic shopping mall fire that claimed over 60 lives in the Siberian city of Kemerovo. First, Lord, we pray for the firefighters as they continue to search the complex, still limited by the high temperatures. We pray for their safety and effectiveness as they search for both survivors and remains. Heavenly Father, we also pray for the loved ones of the missing, as they await word of whether their precious friend or family member has survived. Give them comfort and strength as they wait. Lord, we pray for all who grieve. Words fail in the face of such pain. Be near these hurting hearts. Give them strength to move forward moment by moment, day by day. Finally, we pray that the source of the inferno be uncovered. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.

Praise for return of Dapchi girls and prayer for Leah Sharibu

https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/22/africa/nigeria-missing-girls-father/index.html

Heavenly Father, today we absolutely celebrate the return of all but one of the kidnapped Dapchi girls! We are so thankful that they are on their way to being returned to their families! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Bring healing on every level, not only for these young women, but for their families. Now, Lord, we pray for 15-year-old Leah Sharibu, who remains with Boko Haram, allegedly because she refused to renounce her Christian faith. We are absolutely moved and amazed that this young lady is taking such a strong stand for you. We rejoice in her courage. Almighty God, we ask you to sustain that courage and uphold this young lady as she now goes on without the support of her friends. Please protect her. We pray that the government will be successful in negotiating her return. Bless Leah for her tremendous testimony. Grant her family the peace that passes understanding. And may the world know that the only true freedom is found in relationship with you. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about package bombs in Austin, Texas

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2018/03/20/FBI-probing-link-between-Austin-bombs-mail-delivery-service/8221521544233/?utm_source=fp&utm_campaign=ls&utm_medium=1

Lord, today we pray about the package bombs that are killing and injuring people in Austin, Texas, and the surrounding area. Not only are they causing great physical harm, but they are also instilling fear in this community. Heavenly Father, we ask for the truth to come out about these terroristic actions. We pray that the source of these bombs can be tracked down and the perpetrator(s) captured. Lord, we also ask for protection—that no more explosives may be successful. We pray for the person(s) behind this madness, that s/he would be convicted of his/her depravity and cease this violence. We pray for those close to this person (geographically and/or relationally) to observe suspicious behavior and immediately report it to authorities. Finally, Lord we pray for the wounded and grieving. May they sense your presence and comfort in a very real way as they recover from these sad crimes. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Update several hours after posting prayer: Austin bombing suspect kills self with explosive as police close in: report - Fox News https://apple.news/AH-rOSwNzSiua9KlHFppuWA