Prayer for Bangladesh in the midst of election concerns

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/30/asia/bangladesh-election-sheikh-hasina-intl/index.html

Lord, we bring to you our concerns about Bangladesh’s political and human rights climate. With Sheikh Hasina winning a third consecutive term as prime minister Monday, we are thankful the election is over, but we do ask for truth to come out about whether the election was fair and unrigged. Particularly with the delay of visas for election observer groups despite the government’s promises of openness, as well as Human Rights Watch’s statement that a "repressive political environment in Bangladesh is undermining the credibility of the process," we are concerned that something may be hidden. The majority of election-related deaths being on the side of the opposition and the sharp increase in unexplained arrests also do not bode well for Bangladesh. So, Lord, we commit the situation to you. We look to Hebrews 4:13: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” May the truth be uncovered in Bangladesh whether it is for or against the current government, and may Bangladesh’s leaders guide the nation in a healthy, God-honoring direction. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about tour bus bombing in Egypt

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-blast/bomb-kills-three-vietnamese-tourists-egyptian-guide-near-pyramids-officials-idUSKCN1OR1DK

Father, today we pray about Friday’s bombing in Cairo, Egypt, that claimed the lives of four people and injured several others. At this time, we do not know the source of the attack. We pray that this is an isolated incident, that the perpetrators are apprehended quickly, and that you will guide authorities in protecting tourists and Egyptian citizens from future threats. We pray for the families of the victims and for the surviving tourists as they process through their grief and shock. Help them to embrace your peace and drive out fear. We ask for cooperation between Egypt’s interior ministry and the Vietnamese embassy and for a prolonged positive relationship between these two countries. Father, we know this type of incident can impact those whose livelihood relies on the tourism industry. Please continue to meet the needs of the workers despite any potential decline in revenue. Sin has far reaching impact, but we pray fervently against it and continue to trust in your provision and unwavering love for us. In Jesus’ name, 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.

Prayer for migrant shelter in La Don Juana, Colombia

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/venezuelan-migrants-welcomed-at-samaritans-purse-shelter-in-colombia/

Heavenly Father, today we rejoice in the vision of Pastor Jesus Paez, who felt led to help Venezuelan migrants passing through his community of La Don Juana, Colombia. We are delighted that he had a desire to provide some relief along the journey and that his own community rallied around him to meet the needs. With tens of thousands of Venezuelans arriving in Colombia each day, the vision had to grow even larger and bolder, and your people responded. We are thankful that Samaritan’s Purse came alongside the ministry run by Paez and his daughter Viviana by vastly improving the facility, underwriting the rent, purchasing groceries, and providing an electro-chlorinator to clean the water. Lord, please continue to use this place as a light and refuge for the Venezuelan people desperately seeking better lives for their families as their home nation implodes. Continue to generously provide food and supplies. We celebrate those who have heard and responded to the Gospel through the shelter. May more be blessed for eternity in La Don Juana. And we continue to pray for the nation of Venezuela as it suffers through this terrible time in its history. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for Glasgow City Mission's Christmas Outreach

https://www.glasgowcitymission.com/christmas

Heavenly Father, today we are thankful for those ministries and organizations that reach out to the needy on Christmas. Whether the needs are social, relational, financial, emotional, or spiritual, we celebrate those who remember to be generous and inclusive of others during this most festive time of year. Today we want to specifically pray for Glasgow City Mission, which is providing a Christmas feast on December 25 for those in need. We pray that each person who steps into the building, whether volunteer or guest, will sense your presence and experience true joy. May all the volunteers be empowered by your Spirit to wholeheartedly serve with excellence. May the satisfaction of putting others before themselves for your glory be the greatest gift they receive this year. May each homeless person who seeks warmth of both heart and body find it at the Glasgow City Mission this Christmas Day and holiday season. We pray that this organization will continue to effectively and generously provide food, shelter, warmth, and more to those who seek their assistance year-round. In name of the Christ Child we pray, amen.

Prayer about killing of Scandinavian tourists by terrorists in Morocco

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-morocco-crime/nine-more-arrested-in-morocco-over-murder-of-scandinavian-tourists-idUSKCN1OK14G

Heavenly Father, today we grieve over the killing of Scandinavian tourists Louisa Vesterager Jespersen and Maren Ueland in Morocco. We are thankful Morocco’s Central Bureau for Judicial Investigations has announced that 14 suspected Islamic State militants have been arrested related to the murders. We pray for the investigators in Denmark, Norway and Morocco who are working to solve this crime, that they would have diligence, efficiency, and ultimately success. We are thankful for those rallying around the families and communities that have been impacted by these murders. We are touched by the candlelight march that happened Friday in Ueland’s hometown. We pray for Saturday’s gathering outside the Norwegian Embassy in the Moroccan capital that is intended to show support of the families of the victims and to condemn terrorism. May this gathering be powerful and uplifting, and may it send a message to the Islamic State: we will never accept your heinous work. Please grant Ueland and Jespersen’s loved ones extra measures of grace and peace this holiday season, Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about Brazilian faith healer accused of sexually abusing hundreds of women

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/17/americas/brazilian-healer-sexual-abuse-accusations/index.html

Lord God, we ask for your guidance and justice in the situation surrounding Brazilian faith healer João Teixeira de Faria. With thousands of people visiting this medically untrained man for spiritual healing each week, we are disgusted and devastated to learn that now at least 300 women have come forward to accuse Teixeira of sexual abuse. We pray for the truth to come out, whether Teixeira is guilty or innocent. With accusations, interviews and details seeming quite feasible to investigators, we anticipate hearing sad tales of abuse of power in this situation. We anticipate the need for thousands of lives to get back on track after putting their faith in someone untrustworthy. Lord, may all these people put their faith in Someone Trustworthy: YOU. And may they find professional, emotional, spiritual, medical or any kind of help they need within their communities. We pray for Teixeira to confess anything that needs to be confessed. We pray for justice to move forward correctly and swiftly. And we thank you that Teixeira’s abominable practice of calling on the spirits of dead doctors to perform so-called spiritual surgeries—sometimes even cutting patients without anesthesia—has ceased while he is in prison awaiting next steps. Please bring resolution in this situation. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about explosion in Sapporo, Japan

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/16/world/japan-explosion-sapporo/index.html  PC: KYODO

Heavenly Father, today we pray about the explosion that happened in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo on Sunday night. First, we rejoice that there were no fatalities! With dozens of injured people and the related collapse of a neighboring building, the situation could have been much worse. Second, we pray for the 42 (or more) people who were injured in this incident. We pray that they will receive prompt, efficient and excellent medical care. May they not only recover from their physical injuries, but may they also recover from any emotional harm that may have resulted from this traumatic experience. Lord, we also pray against any additional explosions, which fire officials consider possible. We pray that the source of the explosion can be found quickly so any necessary preventative measures can be put into place. Finally, we pray for the cleanup process, and that those businesses that sustained damages will be able to recover from this incident. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.