Prayer about food poisoning during religious ceremony in southern India

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/15/asia/india-religious-food-deaths-intl/index.html

Heavenly Father, today we grieve about the 11 people who died (including two children) during a religious ceremony in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. With the suspicion of the shared food being poisoned, we pray for answers. Please be with the investigators as they test the food, examine the kitchen, and search for any signs of foul play. If someone willfully committed this crime, may s/he be discovered. Lord, we ask that you be with the 90 people who were also hospitalized, giving particular assistance to the 29 people in critical condition. May their constitutions stay strong so they can fight off this poison. May they receive excellent medical care. Finally, Lord, we know you comfort those who mourn. Please send your children alongside those who grieve to show love and support. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Praise for survival of young man in submerged vehicle for five hours

https://news.sky.com/story/man-found-alive-in-car-five-hours-after-crashing-into-river-11580127 PC: ABC News

Lord, today we marvel over and celebrate the survival of 28-year-old Michael Finn after being submerged underwater in his vehicle for five hours. We are stunned he survived those hours in an icy California river, having found a pocket of air in his car. We are thankful emergency workers were able to pull out his car in a somewhat prompt fashion, discovering the survivor inside. Lord, we now pray for Finn as he receives medical treatment for his unstable condition. May the “Christmas miracle” continue through a full recovery. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about prisoner-swap agreement between Yemeni government and Houthi rebels

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2018/12/11/Yemeni-government-rebels-agree-to-terms-on-prisoner-swap/7441544562241/   Photo by Claudio Bresciani/EPA

Heavenly Father, today we rejoice in Tuesday’s prisoner-swap agreement between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels. We are specifically delighted to hear of the hundreds of children, women and school teachers who are among those to be released by the rebels. We know there is much work to be done for this dreadful conflict between the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels to be resolved, but we do pray today for a successful transfer of these prisoners. We pray for the transaction to happen smoothly, safely and with much goodwill. We pray for all necessary medical care to be administered promptly and effectively. We rejoice with those who have been so anxiously awaiting news of their missing loved ones—that they can now look forward to their return. Give them patience and hope as they continue to wait, because we know this process will not be complete for a couple months. And we pray for those whose loved ones will not return, that you would grant them comfort during this bittersweet time. Finally, Lord, we pray for continued progress between the government and the rebels. May their conflict cease. We pray for peace in Yemen, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer about missing British backpacker Grace Millane

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-46492477

Heavenly Father, today we pray about the case of missing, 22-year-old, British backpacker Grace Millane. With a 26-year-old man being arrested for her murder today, it seems her family will be able to move toward closure. Yet without her body being found, so many questions still remain. We do pray for your continued blessing on investigators as they seek to put together all the missing pieces in this mystery. We pray for truth and justice to prevail, and we would like Grace’s body to be recovered. Lord, we pray for Grace’s family as they process this devastating news in the midst of the holiday season. Rally their friends and loved ones around them to provide comfort, hope and peace. Grant special measures of your grace and love to this family and Grace’s friends as they move forward without this special person in their lives. We ask for your mercy throughout this entire situation. In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, amen.

Prayer about unsanitary migrant shelter situation in Tijuana

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/04/americas/migrant-shelter-tijuana/index.html

Heavenly Father, you know so much more than we do about the complications surrounding the United States-Mexico border issues. You have infinite wisdom and know exactly what is best. We, frail humans who tend to focus on our own needs before others' needs, do not know what is best. We seek answers, we make attempts, we formulate opinions, we pray for the best. There are so many things to pray about, but today we focus on the migrant shelter declared unsanitary in Tijuana. First, we thank you that the shelter has been closed and that the unhealthy conditions were acknowledged. Second, we are grateful there is another place for people to go–a place with a roof and a dry floor. We pray for the relocation of migrants depending on this shelter to go smoothly. We pray for conditions to remain safe and healthy within the new building. And, Lord, we do pray for the needs of those who have sought shelter in Tijuana and who hope for asylum in the US. You see their hearts and know their situations. Please meet with them, grant them hope, guide them to what is best for their futures. We also ask for grace and wisdom for all leaders involved in this situation—on both sides of the border. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about yellow jacket protests in France

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2018/12/03/Ambulance-drivers-students-join-French-protests/6371543834887/

Heavenly Father, today we pray for France, as the nation continues to deal with the unrest and violence associated with the “yellow jacket” protests. We grieve the three people killed, hundreds injured, businesses destroyed, and historic monuments—such as the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile—defaced. We pray for peace to descend upon France and specifically upon Paris. Lord, we pray for the young people, ambulance drivers, and others who are protesting the nation’s leadership. In the midst of their frustration, grant them wisdom and generosity of spirit. May they express their opinions in constructive ways that will be effective. May protests remain nonviolent. We pray against counterfeits “joining the movement” with the intent to steal, wreak havoc or cause damage. May those who legitimately need to be arrested be safely apprehended. Lord, we pray for President Emmanuel Macron and other influential French leaders during this crisis. We also ask for wisdom and generosity of spirit for them. May they hear and process the message sent by protesters so they can initiate helpful dialogue. May they know when to be firm and when to grant grace. Give them wisdom as they attempt to solve this crisis and move France in a healthy direction. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about earthquakes in Anchorage, Alaska

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/back-to-back-earthquakes-shatter-roads-and-windows-in-alaska/ar-BBQjfcl?ocid=spartanntp#image=BBQjAg9|2

Lord, today we pray for the thousands impacted by the earthquakes in Anchorage, Alaska. These events caused fear and panic in the moment, but we are thankful to learn that there have been no casualties or severe injuries reported. We are also grateful that the earthquakes did not trigger a tsunami. Thank you for your protection. With Alaska’s geographic location, we know that earthquakes are common and there is potential for other events. We pray that any additional earthquakes are minimal in scale and non-destructive. Father, we ask that you provide the resources necessary to repair the infrastructure quickly. There was substantial damage to roadways, buildings, utilities, and personal property. We pray that there are no gas leaks in buildings and that there is no damage to the Alaska oil pipeline that would result in an oil spill. We pray in the name of Jesus, amen.

Prayer contributed by guest prayer blogger Brandi South:

Brandi South resides in Chambersburg, PA, with her husband, their daughter, and their two rescue cats. She is employed at Shippensburg University of PA and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree starting in the fall. Brandi is a member of Grand Point Church in Chambersburg where she enjoys serving on the First Impressions Team as a greeter. Some of her favorite scripture passages are Psalm 25 and Ephesians 2.