Prayer about deadly attack at a bar in Mexico

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-49494019

Heavenly Father, we are saddened by the violent attack at White Horse bar in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, that killed 25 people and severely injured a dozen more. We join the families in grieving the loss of loved ones. We ask that you comfort them and give them peace as they await the outcome of this investigation. Father, we pray for the culture to change in Coatzacoalcos and the surrounding region. We pray against the criminal activity of gangs. We pray that you soften the hearts of gang members and draw them to you. Guide them to authentic community in your church and transform their lives by your grace. Lord, we pray against police corruption and any chance that it may threaten this investigation. We pray that the officers involved in this case are trustworthy and persistent in pursuing the attackers until they are brought to justice. Father, we look forward to the day when we are united with you and free from the pain of this world. Until then we ask that you strengthen us and encourage us as we help one another. We praise you for your goodness and mercy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer contributed by regular 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 baby born to brain-dead mother in Czechia

http://www.startribune.com/czech-hospital-says-baby-girl-born-to-brain-dead-mother/558438212/

Heavenly Father, we celebrate the safe arrival of the baby born to her brain-dead mother in the Czech city of Brno. How tragic that this baby’s mother had a brain hemorrhage early in her pregnancy! We are thankful the mother was able to get medical attention quickly enough that she could be put on life support long enough for the baby to develop. We celebrate the good work of the University Hospital that sustained the mother’s life and delivered her daughter! Now, Lord, we pray for this baby--born prematurely--to continue to develop well. We pray for her father, that he would have all the strength, grace, resources and support needed as he raises this girl alone—all while grieving the loss of his wife. As described in Deuteronomy, Lord, be the eagle that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, bearing its young on its pinions. Care for this father and daughter in ways that they will sense every day. May father and daughter both thrive. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about high school burned in Dunfermline, Scotland

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/fife/965195/woodmill-high-school-fire-homes-left-without-water-as-a-result-of-ongoing-blaze/
PC: DC Thomson

Lord, we pray for Woodmill High School in Dunfermline, Scotland, which was gutted by arson Sunday night. First, we give thanks that none of the 80 firefighters on the scene were injured, and that these brave emergency responders were able to largely meet their goal of containing the fire to one portion of the building. Now we think of the 14-year-old who was brought into custody for starting this terrible fire. Please be with him, Lord. Somehow draw him close to you in the midst of this chaos. Surround him with the right people. We pray for Tuesday’s legal proceedings to be fair and effective, so this teen can get the help he needs, and so the community can move forward in recovering from this incident. Lord God, we pray for the school administrators as they solve the problem of temporarily relocating 1400 pupils and staff in a district where most schools are already operating beyond capacity. Grant them great resourcefulness, creativity, and perseverance as they work to solve this problem, while also helping the student body process this event. We pray for the teachers and other staff members who lost valuable supplies in this fire. Give them the courage to press on and start again. We pray for the investigators of this arson attack. May they uncover all that needs to be uncovered. We pray for the families in the school's vicinity who are operating without water. May this vital resource be quickly restored, and may this time of going without be very eye-opening about how much we should treasure our access to water. Finally, Lord, we pray for the family of the young man who acted out in such a destructive way. Give them divine wisdom as they figure out how to best help their son/brother/loved one. Comfort and guide them. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for Indonesian child jockeys

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/24/world/asia/indonesia-sumbawa-child-jockeys-horse-racing.html
PC: Adam Dean for The New York Times

Heavenly Father, please watch over the child jockeys in the city of Bima on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa. For people outside of this culture, it is shocking to learn of 5- to 10-year-olds participating in professional horseracing. We are saddened to learn of the injuries, missed school, and deception many of these young boys deal with on a regular basis. We are dismayed that poverty would compel families to risk their children for such seemingly small amounts of money. We pray about the debate over this practice, with child advocacy groups insisting this practice must stop, while others, such as Retno Listyarti, a commissioner at the Indonesian Child Protection Commission, claim this practice is not child exploitation, because the children enjoy what they do. Please bring truth to light to all involved. Lord, we know children are a heritage from you. Please enable these Biman families to raise their children however is best, and help them find healthy means of provision. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer surrounding Google's shutdown of Chinese government YouTube channels

https://www.jpost.com/International/YouTube-shuts-down-210-accounts-with-alleged-ties-to-Chinese-government-599462
photo credit: DADO RUVIC/REUTERS

Heavenly Father, today we bring before you the responsibilities and complications that are part of Google’s existence. We are thankful that Google is growing ever-diligent in making sure its users are not creating harm through its platforms. We also know that shutting down users and blocking content are gray areas. We pray for wisdom for those who make these decisions at Google, as well as for other massive social media influencers. Today we are thankful that Google was able to prevent the Chinese government from spreading propaganda about the Hong King protests through YouTube. We are also thankful Google is taking action to protect users in Kazakhstan, where the government made attempts to spy on every citizen through a required a government-issued certificate. We are thankful for these positive steps taken, but always wary about privacy, censorship and the other significant issues associated with social media usage. Grant wisdom to us as individuals and to those who exert influence through social media companies. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about bus hijacking in Rio de Janeiro

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-49406032 Photo: EPA

Lord, today we are thankful for the resolution of a bus hijacking in in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. After three hours of terror at the hands of their armed captor, we are thankful that all commuters on this bus have been released and that none are physically injured. But, Lord, we know that there is healing that needs to happen. We pray for the dozens of passengers who now have to process this experience and move on with their lives. We pray that their loved ones and coworkers will be understanding, patient, and helpful. We pray that those who need to do so will find professional assistance to guide them through the recovery process. We pray that all of these individuals will eventually be able to make use of public transportation and trust military officers again (after the hostage-taker pretended to be one). We pray that they will quickly return to work and normal activities. Lord, we are thankful for the Rio military police who quickly remedied the situation. We are thankful for the skills of the sniper who “neutralized” the situation. We pray for this officer to also recover if needed. We pray for those who investigate this situation to discern what drove this man to such violent behavior, and we pray for the family of the hostage-taker to find peace and healing as they try to understand and move forward from what happened. Please send extra grace and peace to the city of Rio de Janeiro today. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer about sexual misconduct by former music producer in Mexico

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/16/americas/miranda-campos-mexico-sexual-abuse-case-intl/index.html

Father, today we pray for Luis Armando Campos, a young singer who was sexually abused and trafficked for four years by his former music producer and mentor, Mario Enrique Miranda Palacios. We are saddened by the deception that led Luis into a harmful situation. We thank you that Luis had the courage to leave and to confide in a fellow singer who influenced him to come forward. We thank you for the organization, United vs Human Trafficking, for offering counseling and legal services for Luis. Lord, we pray for all victims of sexual abuse and trafficking. We pray that those still in dangerous situations are able to escape and get the help they need from trustworthy sources. We ask for healing for those who are now free yet still carry the emotional weight of their former situations. Lord, we desire to see mentoring relationships grow between adults and teenagers. We know that there are great benefits that come from healthy partnerships. We pray that you will protect our youth and give them discernment in knowing where they can place their trust. We praise you, Lord, that even in our sin you desire to have a relationship with us. We have confidence in knowing that you will not abandon us. You are our protector and the source of all hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer contributed by regular 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.