Thanksgiving for no fatalities on crashed Aeromexico flight

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/durango-plane-crash-aeromexico-live-updates-today-2018-07-31/?ftag=CNM-00-10aac3a Photo credit: MILENIO

Lord, today we are thankful for good news from Durango state in Mexico! We rejoice that all 103 passengers on the crashed Aeromexico flight have survived! We are deeply grateful. Lord, we do pray for those who are injured, most significantly the pilot, who took the brunt of the crash. We pray for excellent medical care and encouraging support from loved ones along the entire road to recovery. Again, we are thankful for good news in the midst of all the disheartening things happening around our world. May this encouraging news put a spring in our steps today. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for hikers trapped on Mount Rinjani in Indonesia

https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/30/asia/lombok-earthquake-indonesia-emergency-intl/index.html
Photo credit: Anuwat Kongko

Heavenly Father, we pray for the rescue operation happening on Lombok’s Mount Rinjani in Indonesia. We pray for the hundreds of hikers representing at least 26 nations who are trapped on this active volcano after yesterday’s earthquake. We are so thankful for how many have already been rescued. Please be with the rescued hikers as they recover from their trauma and seek medical care as needed. Lord, we pray that those hikers who are still trapped be rescued as quickly and safely as possible. Please protect and guide those who search in the midst of the challenging, post-earthquake conditions. Lord, we pray for those who are trapped in hidden places. Give them the strength and ability to make themselves accessible and/or known. May your Holy Spirit guide rescuers specifically to places where they would not typically search if there is someone there to be found. We pray for those whose injuries make it difficult for them to be removed from the mountain. Give rescuers creativity in getting them to medical care in a timely fashion. We pray for peace among those who wait. May a spirit of generosity and selflessness reign, rather than any sense of competitiveness or conflict. Please glorify yourself in the midst of this difficult situation. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for midwife training center under attack in Afghanistan

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44991470

Heavenly Father, we pray for the midwife training center that is under attack by militants in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, right now. Lord, we are so thankful for those who have escaped, upset about those who have perished, and deeply concerned for those still trapped inside. Lord, please protect those who are hiding. Give them peace of mind and clarity of thought as they watch for a chance to escape. Lord, we pray for Afghan security forces as they seek to stop the terrorist attack. Give them courage, protection and wisdom. With Afghanistan having one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, we are so thankful these courageous women are being trained as midwives. May midwives (both practicing and aspiring) across this nation continue assisting and even saving the lives of women and infants, despite the threat of these terrorists. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about Somalia's first-ever lawsuit against female genital mutilation

https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/26/africa/somali-prosecutes-young-girl-fgm-death/index.html
and https://www.facebook.com/gmcendfgm/

Lord, today we rejoice that the Somali government is taking a stern step toward eliminating female genital mutilation (FGM) within its nation by prosecuting its first-ever FGM case. Lord, we know cultures are worth preserving. We know it is vital to respect people’s religious beliefs. But we also know that FGM is the brutal maiming of young girls, and that it is actually life-threatening, as evidenced by the tragic death of 10-year-old Deeqa Dahir Nuur last week. We are thankful that Somalia's deputy prime minister Mahdi Mohamed Guuled was bold enough to declare that FGM is not a part of the nation’s religion and that it will soon be eliminated from the nation’s culture. We pray that other political, religious and community leaders will courageously speak out against this practice. We pray against the social pressure for parents to force their children into this torture. We pray for eyes to be opened to the brutality and senselessness of this practice. We do pray for this legal action, that it would ultimately lead to the creation of laws against FGM in Somalia. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for southeastern Laos after dam collapse floods region

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/07/24/several-dead-hundreds-missing-after-collapse-hydroelectric-dam-in-laos.html
Photo credit: JohnPaulJose

Lord, we pray on behalf of southeastern Laos after the collapse of a hydroelectric dam released five billion cubic meters of water in the San Sai district. We know only a handful of people are counted as dead, but that hundreds are still missing. Our primary concern right now is the rescue efforts that are underway to snatch people from rooftops and trees, and to discover others who may be trapped anywhere else around the area. We pray for fortitude for those looking into the face of death, that they will hang on until rescuers reach them. We pray for resourcefulness for those who are alive and physically well but have not yet found escape from surrounding floodwaters. We pray for rescuers to be extremely effective in saving as many people as they can as quickly as possible. We pray for an outpouring of generosity toward the thousands who are now homeless. May they find immediate shelter, food, medical assistance, and whatever else is urgently needed. May they find comfort, kindness and hope from those who reach out to them in this time of need. And, Lord, we pray that the truth will come out in your perfect timing about this dam, which was not yet complete. We pray for the resources—both material and human—to rebuild the communities that have been devastated by this unexpected flood. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for life-change at Joy El Camps & Retreats during biggest summer camp week

https://joyelcamps.org/summer-camps/start-here/

Lord, today we pray for Joy El Camps & Retreats in south-central Pennsylvania, USA, as they enter into their busiest week of summer camp ministry. We know this ministry will have hundreds of children, from kindergarten through recent high school graduates, experiencing Jesus through their programs this week. We ask your blessing on Joy El as the organization seeks to ignite a generation to seek you, and as staff and volunteers help people experience life-change through personal encounters with you. First, please prepare the hearts of campers, who will begin their camp experience Sunday or Monday, depending on the program. May their hearts be fertile for whatever you have for them this week. May every camper in every program (from the senior high Leadership Experience to the Adventure Village to the community day camps and beyond) be positively impacted this week. Next, we pray for the staff, ranging from those who serve full-time year-round to those who have selflessly committed their summers to serving you and youth, to those who have stepped in to volunteer for just this week. May these disciples serve well; protect their health and physical well-being; grant them effectiveness and joy. We pray that the facilities that host these programs, including the camp property and those churches that are offering programs, will be safe, joyful places for young people to thrive and grow on every level this week. May the weather forecast of heavy rain not dampen spirits as campers and staff members seek your best plan for them this week. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Prayer about young man who walked 20 miles during the night to get to his new job

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44854370   Photo: Pelham Police Dept.

Lord, today we take a moment to enjoy the heartwarming story that unfolded in Alabama, USA, late last week. We rejoice in the example of perseverance and determination set by the young man, Walter Carr, who walked 20 miles during the night to arrive at his new job on time the following morning. Lord, we thank you for protecting him during that walk, connecting him with a friendly police officer, and blessing him for his efforts. We are delighted that Walter received so much public support for his efforts, including a reliable vehicle, given to him by the CEO at his new place of employment. We pray for Walter, that this affirmation and provision would encourage him for years to come, as he seeks to graduate from college by the end of this year and pursue his goals. We pray he will continue to serve as a stellar employee at Bellhops and in future places of employment. May he become a light for you in this world. And, Lord, we cannot fail today to pray for those around the world who face similar obstacles every day, yet have no one cheering them on or affirming their efforts. Sustain them, provide for them, protect them. Help them continue to overcome obstacles and to trust in you so that they may provide for themselves and their families, while living fulfilling lives that honor you. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.