Prayer for rescue efforts in flooded Western Europe

 

https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/15/europe/germany-deaths-severe-flooding-intl/index.html

Lord God, we are appalled by the current flooding in Western Europe. To know that 46 people are already counted among the dead, with many more suspected to be found later, is so grievous! Lord, our immediate concern is for the rescue efforts currently underway in Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium. We pray for protection over the rescuers, both official and unofficial. We pray for them to move as quickly and safely as possible. May they rescue as many people as possible. We pray for those who are trapped, that they would be ingenious, courageous and tenacious as they seek to survive, draw attention to themselves, or find their own way to safety. As needed, grant superhuman strength. Bless those who are undertaking this rescue work, including those coming from unaffected nations to help. Lord, there will be grieving and rebuilding in the days ahead. We ask for your guidance, provision, comfort and blessing for those huge needs as well. However, today we focus on the rescues. Lord, we pray for as many people as possible to be saved. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for Johannesburg amid looting and chaos

 

https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/12/africa/zuma-looting-south-africa-intl/index.html

Almighty God, we pray for South Africa, specifically Johannesburg, as the nation deals with rioting and looting. Lord, you see the grievances of the people as they protest the arrest and imprisonment of former leader Jacob Zuma. You see the concerns they have about their government. However, there is always the line that is crossed from protesting to criminal activity. We are concerned about the businesses that are being sacked, the neighborhoods that are being physically and economically destroyed, and the people who have been killed in the chaos. We pray for peace to descend. We pray for wise government and law enforcement leadership during this time. We pray for enough order to be reestablished that vaccination programs can restart. We pray for the truth to come out about Zuma’s leadership so people can face whatever the facts may be. We pray for safe spaces and healthy outlets for people’s rage and fears. We pray for Johannesburg to quickly recover from this time of destruction before any more lasting damage is done. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

 

 

Prayer for Indonesia as oxygen supplies run low

 

https://apnews.com/article/business-health-indonesia-coronavirus-pandemic-cc5770f40c607bfcd45d4ad8a97d8fcc  AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana

Great Physician, we pray for Indonesia as COVID-19 cases soar and oxygen supplies fall. Please bless the nations that help Indonesia during this trying time—as Indonesia blessed India when India called for help. We pray for enough oxygen cylinders, concentrators and ventilators. We pray for the creation of additional effective healthcare centers to treat the surging cases of severe COVID. We pray that industries will pause in their use of oxygen in order to put people’s lives first, but that they will be able to get back to business soon. Lord, we pray that Indonesian leaders will find workable solutions to minimize the spread of this illness. May Indonesians live in such a way as to think of their neighbors’ well-being in addition to their own. For those hoarding oxygen, Lord, we pray that they will share their supplies and that they will not find themselves in a position of later need. We pray for a turnaround in Indonesia’s battle against COVID-19, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer about fatal plane crash in Orebro, Sweden

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57774490 PC: Reuters

Heavenly Father, what began as a happy adventure in Sweden has ended in tragedy. Please comfort those who grieve the deaths of the eight skydivers and one pilot whose plane crashed at Orebro airport. Lord, those left behind long for answers. In the days and weeks to come, may the cause of the crash come to light. In the meantime, grant supernatural peace to those who await the information. Lord, we do not know the stories or names of those who died, but you know everything about them. May these nine individuals be remembered for the good they brought to the world and may any services held in their memory be times of unity and the beginning of closure. Walk closely along the path toward healing with those who must make that journey. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

 

 

Prayer for Haiti after the assassination of its president

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/haitian-president-shot-dead-home-overnight-pm-2021-07-07/

Almighty God, we pray for Haiti as the nation reels from the assassination of its president. We pray for the manhunt underway for the assassins. Lord, whether the perpetrators are in Haiti or abroad, may they be found and brought to justice. May the truth of what lies behind this plot come to light. Father, we pray for the president's widow, Martine Moise, as she fights for her life in a Florida hospital. May she receive exceptional care. May supportive people gather around her to help her recover physically, emotionally and spiritually. We pray for interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph, who has assumed the leadership of the country. May he lead well in this time of crisis or quickly be replaced. Lord God, Haitians have suffered for a long time. We grieve this new tragedy. May a silver lining be revealed in the dark cloud; may this terrible event ultimately lead to the addressing of big-picture, long-term issues. Make yourself known in Haiti in this dark hour. Draw people to you. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer after mudslide hits Atami, Japan

 

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2021/07/03/japan-2-feared-dead-20-missing-mudslide-strikes-Japanese-coastal-city/1121625314027/  PC: EPA-EFE/JIJI PRESS

Almighty God, we are awed by the footage of the mudslide that hit Atami, Japan, Saturday morning. For a wave of water and earth to slide through town, taking down houses, cars, utility poles… what power! And to think that this is just one little speck of the huge earth you have created! You are mighty indeed. We ask you, Almighty God, to help the community of Atami as they search for the missing and grieve the dead, as they restore power and eventually rebuild. Give them grace, strength and resources. Bless the efforts of rescue workers, guiding, directing and protecting them. May survivors be found as quickly as possible. May people who have lost homes receive warm and generous hospitality. We also pray that necessary evacuations will happen as efficiently as possible in other parts of the region that are still at risk of mudslides. We pray against any further loss of life due to mudslides in this part of Japan. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

 

 

Prayer about mistreatment of migrants in northern Mexico

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/nearly-3300-migrants-stranded-mexico-were-kidnapped-raped-or-assaulted-report-2021-06-22/ PC: Reuters/Jose Luis Gonzalez

Lord God, we pray about the ongoing border crisis between the United States and Mexico, especially as we learn the results of a recent human rights group report. It is staggering to hear that nearly 3,300 migrants stranded in Mexico since January due to a U.S. border policy have been reportedly kidnapped, raped, trafficked or assaulted. We know that not all statistics are accurate and that these were compiled by independent groups, but we also know that they cannot be completely fabricated. Stranded migrants of a significant number are being gravely mistreated at Mexico’s northern border. Lord God, we pray against the drug cartels, street gangs and human trafficking networks that are active in some areas of northern Mexico near the U.S. border. Thwart their activities. Expose their crime. Keep them from the vulnerable. May they be apprehended. Lord, we know that this overall crisis is huge and that there are refugee crises all over the globe. We pray that Northern and Latin American governments will discern realistic solutions to the issues that cause these crises. In Jesus’ name, amen.