Prayer for the New Year

Fireworks to bring in the new year (Sydney, Australia)

Lord, as we embrace the New Year, may we turn our hearts toward you. All around the world, people are considering resolutions, fresh starts, new ideas. Heavenly Father, may your children seek you more intimately this year, more faithfully, more concertedly. May we strive to walk in the abundant life you have for us (John 10:10), embrace the grace you lavish on us (Ephesians 1:4-6, 2 Corinthians 12:9), and both discern and pursue the purposes you intend for us (1 Peter 4:10-11, Jeremiah 29:11). Please humble, forgive, guide, and draw us close to you this year. Teach us to number our days, that we present to you hearts of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen. 

Prayer for Oaxaca

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2015/december/beating-poverty-with-hope.html?start=3

Lord, thank you for the HOPE found in Jesus. Today we pray for the people of Mexico’s poorest state: Oaxaca. Lord, we pray against the plagues that often accompany poverty: violence against women, inequality, mistreatment of children, corruption, unemployment, low literacy. We pray for Oaxacans to find hope in Jesus, and to have hope for their future. May they not be bound by poverty, but find the faith and grit to provide for and love each other, to implement ideas for business and art. May Christians reach out to their neighbors and coworkers. We pray for the work of Fuentes Libres as they not only provide microloans to women beginning businesses, but as they try to create the hopeful environment that motivates and frees those hindered by their circumstances. We pray in Jesus’ powerful name, amen. 

Prayer for miners

Guo Xulei/Xinhua via AP

Lord, thank you that 11 workers have been rescued from the mine that collapsed in the eastern province of Shandong, China. We pray for the 18 workers who remain trapped. Give rescuers efficiency, perseverance and success as they continue their efforts. Hold back the continued hail of rocks in the destroyed mine shaft, so those at risk can be rescued soon and without injury. Lord, we pray for miners around the world. With the ever-present threat of cave-ins, gas explosions, fires, chemical leakage, electrocution and more, miners face danger daily as they seek to provide for their families and bring natural resources to the surface. Regularly convict their employers of the need for safety and conscientiousness. Help the miners to stay alert and exercise diligence. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen. 

Prayer for Anna Erickson

Martha Erickson at her daughter's hospital bedside

Lord, our hearts break as we think of Anna Erickson today. Life can change in a moment. Lord, you saw little Anna fall and hit her head in Nairobi on Christmas Day. You watched her normally healthy body’s reaction to the head trauma. You were with her in that pain. Now beautiful, vibrant, joyful Anna fights for her life. Thank you that the doctors were able to remove the blood clot. Now we pray for a miracle, Lord. We plead with you to restore activity to her brain stem. We ask for total healing. We ask for protection and support for her entire family as they keep vigil. Thank you for those rallying around the Ericksons in prayer and encouragement around the world. We enter that prayer circle, joining our hearts in faith and trust, asking you to restore Anna to her family. And we treasure our loved ones, holding them close, realizing we can never take them for granted. In Jesus’ trustworthy name we pray, amen.

Healthy Anna

Prayer for those affected by the Paraguay River flooding

Photo by Juan Andrés Del Puerto González

Lord, thank you for our homes. They are usually safe, secure places. We pray for the 70,000 Paraguayans who evacuated their homes as the Paraguay River rose to nearly 24 feet today. We pray for those living in the low-lying slums, whose homes may not be there when they return. We pray all evacuees will experience the hospitality of friend and stranger alike as they seek refuge. Please provide peace, provide for their very practical needs, and cause the real meaning of Christmas to shine in the tent communities springing up in this emergency. May we keep our eyes open to those in need as we celebrate this joyous season. In the name of the Christ-child we pray, amen.

Prayer for women suffering from obstetric fistulas

http://worldwidefistulafund.org/stories-of-hope/

Lord, today we pray for the hundreds of thousands of women in developing countries suffering from obstetric fistula [learn more here: http://worldwidefistulafund.org/about-fistula/faqs/]. We ask that you heal them not only from their great physical trauma, but also from the deep emotional trauma stemming from both the injury and the loss of their babies. Lord, help communities stop ostracizing these women and, instead, to reach out with compassion. May someone share with these women their intrinsic value as your precious children. Bless the work of the Worldwide Fistula Fund and others who provide medical care and healing for these women. And may many people learn of these organizations’ work so donors will provide funds for the surgeries that will help these broken women return to a more normal life. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Prayer for the Salvation Army’s efforts

http://cw33.com/2014/12/23/where-does-your-red-kettle-donation-go/

Lord, thank you for the work of the Salvation Army around the world. Before human trafficking became a well-discussed topic, you were already using the Salvation Army to help victims for more than 100 years. Thank you for their work with not only human trafficking victims, but their social work, disaster response, addiction dependency programs, sports ministry and so much more. Please bless these ministry efforts! At this time of year we particularly ask you to bless the bell ringers around the world as they help raise funds for the poor in their communities. Motivate us to give generously to brighten the Christmas season for those in need. And may the Gospel be spread through the Salvation Army’s massive, worldwide ministry. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.