Prayer about cease-fire between India and Pakistan

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pakistan-india-agree-stop-exchanging-fire-kashmir-n878476 
Photo credit: Danish Ismail / Reuters

Lord, today we rejoice that India and Pakistan have agreed to stop trading artillery fire in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. We are thankful both nations have also agreed to reinstate a 2003 cease-fire. Heavenly Father, we pray for your peace to descend upon those involved in making these decisions. Reassure them of their wise choice. Give them inner resolve to follow through with this agreement, in order to save lives and bring harmony to lands that have long craved it. We pray these governments will be able to resolve their disagreement about control of this disputed region while in this season of calm. We desire lasting peace between these lands. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about dramatic rescue of four-year-old by Malian "Spider-Man" immigrant

Links to footage of the incident found here: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/world/europe/paris-migrant-hero-spiderman.html   Pool photo by Thibault Camus

Heavenly Father, our hearts are warmed and we rejoice over good news today as we consider Mamoudou Gassama’s dramatic rescue of a four-year-old in Paris this weekend. In a world fraught with tension about immigration issues, we are delighted to witness a story with a happy ending for so many people. Lord, we are thankful for Gassama’s courage and the physical prowess that enabled him to scale four balconies to save this dangling child. We are so grateful that timing worked out perfectly to prevent a catastrophe for the family of this little boy. We are warmed by Gassama’s meeting with the president of France, his promised citizenship, the offer of a job with local firefighters. There is so much good news in this situation! And now we pray for this little boy. May he bounce back from this terrifying experience. We request wisdom for the law enforcement officials determining what to do about the fact that this child was left alone while his father distractedly prolonged his grocery outing. We pray for both parents to navigate this terrible situation well, as the mother was not even in the country and is not only deeply affected by her child’s near-death experience, but also has to deal with the press surrounding it and with her husband’s investigation. Lord, draw this family close to you during this time, and may they grow in all ways needed. Finally, Lord, we pray briefly for a situation that requires long-term prayer: the immigration situation in France. Be with those migrants without home and country; be with the government as it seeks to do what is best and right for its citizens. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about Harvey Weinstein's arrest

https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/25/entertainment/harvey-weinstein-to-surrender/index.html

Heavenly Father, today we pray about Harvey Weinstein’s arrest. First, we thank you that truth is coming out about possibly decades of sexually abusing women. Second, we thank you that Weinstein turned himself in. Now we pause to reflect on all that has happened in this absolutely overwhelming situation. Thank you that we can trust you in the midst of all of this. We rejoice that victims can continue to heal. We do pray they will find healing, ultimately in you. As the wheels of justice begin to turn for Harvey Weinstein, we pray for truth to shine, and for people to operate with both grace and justice. We pray for Weinstein, that he would be compelled to face the ugliness within himself. May he humble himself before you and before his victims. May he seek his own healing and salvation after facing his own sin. And, again, Lord, we pray for Weinstein’s victims. Bring them peace, hope, celebration and light. Comfort and sustain them. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for 13-year-old boy held hostage in South Africa

https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/23/africa/south-africa-bitcoin-ransom/index.html

Heavenly Father, today we fervently pray for 13-year-old Katlego Marite, who has been held captive by kidnappers since Sunday. Lord, we pray for your peace that transcends understanding to descend on the boy known as Nkandla as he endures this harrowing situation. We pray for his parents, who do not have enough money to pay the 15-bitcoin ransom. Give them peace, wisdom, courage, and support from their loved ones. We pray for law enforcement officials as they seek to solve this case and bring this boy home. Lord, we pray for the kidnappers right now. We pray they will recognize the foolishness and wickedness of what they have done. May they realize that this situation cannot end well. Ideally, we would like to see them surrender themselves and safely return this young man to his family. If they are not ready to do that, give them the resourcefulness and creativity to return Nkandla without anyone coming to harm. Jesus, we are asking for a happy ending to this story. Please glorify yourself in this sad situation. Amen.

Prayer about world-class athletes seeking asylum in Australia

Cameroon's Olivier Heracles Matam Matam is among those who "disappeared" in Australia. Photo: AFP
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2018/05/21/More-than-200-athletes-seek-asylum-after-Australia-games/2371526915440/?utm_source=fp&utm_campaign=mp&utm_medium=2

Lord, today we pray for the 250 athletes and sporting members seeking asylum in Australia after April’s Commonwealth Games. First, we pray for the best situation for everyone involved. We pray for the Australian government as they sift through the hundreds of new cases, seeking the truth about these asylum-seekers’ needs. We pray for urgent cases to be very clear, and for those who most need it to find safe refuge and new opportunities in Australia as quickly as possible. We pray for those who have simply “disappeared” after the Games. We know that living illegally in a country is very controversial and difficult. We do not know these people’s circumstances, but pray that they would also end up in the healthiest and most appropriate situations possible. We pray for Refugee Advice and Casework service and other non-profits working with refugees, that they would have great wisdom in placing and assisting these refugees. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about plane crash in Havana, Cuba

https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/18/americas/cuba-airliner-crash/index.html

Lord, we are heartbroken over today’s plane crash in Havana, Cuba, that appears to have claimed the lives of 100 people. We pray for those families who have lost their loved ones so suddenly and unexpectedly. Comfort them in this time of great uncertainty and fear. So many questions remain unanswered about the circumstances surrounding this crash. We ask you to guide the authorities throughout their investigation. Give them clear direction and answers about how this occurred. May they take that knowledge and use it when considering the safety of future flights. We pray for the few known survivors who are in critical condition. We are praying in faith that they will survive, and we are asking that they make a complete recovery from all injuries they’ve sustained. Lord, we never know what challenges each day will bring us. Help us to continue to put our trust in you and to find joy, even in the most tragic circumstances. We need you every day and we are so grateful for your love. 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 10 children removed from abusive home in Fairfield, CA, USA

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/05/16/ten-children-removed-from-filthy-california-home-were-waterboarded-hit-with-crossbows-and-bbs-prosecutors-say.html

Heavenly Father, we pray for the children of Ina Rogers and Jonathan Allen. We are saddened as we learn about the long-term abuse that these 10 young children have experienced. We are thankful for the discovery of their living situation and the relocation of these children to a safe environment. Father, these children have endured physical mistreatment from people they should have been able to trust. We ask that you help each child to process through this situation and to heal. Fill each of their hearts with hope and the knowledge that their Heavenly Father will never forsake them. Lord, we ask that you impact the hearts of Ina Rogers and Jonathan Allen. They are in denial over what has occurred. Father, we want their hearts to yearn for you. Help them to realize that you are the only one who can heal them. Bring them to the point of confession and repentance. Forgiveness is theirs for the taking. Lord, we remember a very similar situation from January with the Turpin family. We continue to pray for that family as well.


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.