Prayer of lament over 750 unmarked graves found at Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, Canada

 

https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/24/americas/canada-unmarked-graves-discovered/index.html 

PC:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Taylor

Heavenly Father, we lament as we learn of at least 750 unmarked graves discovered on the grounds of the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, Canada. We take a deep breath and pray as we anticipate many similar tragedies being uncovered at other former Indian Residential Schools in months and years to come. How do we process thousands of children dying early deaths--away from their families and confined within toxic situations? These precious human beings--made in your image--faced malnutrition, abuse of every kind, illness and deep, soul-crushing loneliness. Their blood cries out to us from the ground, Lord. Where were you, they ask of us. We grieve deeply, Lord, wondering how you could allow this suffering. We think of Habakkuk crying out: “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save?  Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?” (Hab 1:2-3). We ask for what you promised Habakkuk in response to his cry: that we will look at the nations and be amazed, that you will do something in our day that we would not even believe (v. 5). Reveal yourself as truth is uncovered. Bring peace amid the deep sadness. Bring healing to those who grieve. Grant courage and wisdom to those who can begin to make amends. We lay our requests before you with humility and the necessary mustard seed of faith. Amen.  

Prayer for continued search and rescue efforts after building collapse in Florida, USA

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/rescuers-search-around-clock-survivors-florida-building-collapse-2021-06-26/ PC: REUTERS/Octavio Jones

Lord God, we continue to pray for search-and rescue teams in Miami, Florida, as they work around the clock to find survivors from Thursday’s 12-story building collapse. We cannot imagine the pain felt by those awaiting news of their missing loved ones. Comfort them in supernatural ways as they process this tragic event and helplessly await news of any survivors. Lord, we are encouraged that Mexico and Israel sent teams to help with the effort, relieving local teams. We are encouraged by local officials and others who have provided aid, such as housing and food, for survivors who have been left homeless and for rescue workers. Please bless generosity of resources and generosity of spirit during this time. We do pray for those who search, including the dogs, as they go about their dangerous work. Please protect and guide them. We pray for equipment to work well and to be used well. We pray for any survivors who are hanging onto life amid the rubble to hold onto hope and to persevere. May they continue breathing and doing what they can to attract attention. Direct rescuers to their locations. Lord, there are so many concerns in this situation, including that truth come out about this collapse. Please actively work amid this tragedy in ways that reveal your power and mercy. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

 

 

Prayer about deadly airstrike in Ethiopia

 

https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/23/world/tigray-airstrike-market-ambulances-intl/index.html

Father, we are heartbroken over the loss of life from the recent airstrike at a market in Tigray. We grieve for the 30 people who were killed. We are even more distraught as we learn that help was available to the injured, yet medical personnel were denied access to them. Lord, the people of Tigray are living in a war zone and are in desperate need of your intervention. The violence in this area has been escalating due to conflict between the current and former government – political adversaries who are mercilessly at odds. In addition, neighboring military forces from Eritrea have contributed to attacks in the region. Father, this is a dire situation. Please make your presence known among the Tigrayan people. Provide for their needs and give them refuge. Bring peace and stability to the area. Help them to focus their faith on you and to remain unshakeable in these turbulent times. 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 is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English, Professional and Creative Writing Concentration. Brandi is a member of Grand Point Church in Chambersburg where she enjoys serving on the Connections Team as a greeter. Some of her favorite scripture passages are Psalm 25 and Ephesians 2.

Prayer about deadly gang violence in Mexico

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/06/21/reynosa-mexico-shootings-kill-14/

Heavenly Father, we seek you for comfort and guidance as more innocent lives have been lost due to gang activity along the US and Mexico border. We pray for the families and friends of the 14 victims as they are left behind to grieve. We pray for the town of Reynosa, that you will protect the residents from further violence and help them through this traumatic event. Lord, we understand that this region is a strategic location for both drug and human trafficking. We pray that it will no longer be this way, asking that you eradicate the criminal activity from this area and revive these towns. God, we pray for leaders at all levels of government who will work together to fight against these drug cartels and gangs. We know that nothing is impossible for you, Lord, and we ask for your intervention. 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 is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English, Professional and Creative Writing Concentration. Brandi is a member of Grand Point Church in Chambersburg where she enjoys serving on the Connections Team as a greeter. Some of her favorite scripture passages are Psalm 25 and Ephesians 2.

Prayer about attack against Muslim family in Canada

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57474745

Heavenly Father, we continue to be stunned and saddened by the prevalence of hate crime in our world today. You command us to love one another as you have loved us, and we have fallen short again. Lord, we grieve for the four members of the Afzaal family who were killed earlier this month when they were intentionally run over by a truck. This incident has changed the life of a family forever, and it has also taken us a step further from peace and unity.  We pray for the nine-year-old boy who did survive. Please heal him physically, and beyond that, help him to see that there is hope in this broken world through a relationship with you. We pray also for extended family, friends, neighbors, and the Muslim community. Father, we thank you that Nathaniel Veltman was quickly apprehended. We are troubled by the hate in this young man’s heart. He, too, is in need of healing. Lord, we are glad for the attention that is being drawn to this incident. May it serve as another reminder to all of how desperately we need you in our lives: For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:14). 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 is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English, Professional and Creative Writing Concentration. Brandi is a member of Grand Point Church in Chambersburg where she enjoys serving on the Connections Team as a greeter. Some of her favorite scripture passages are Psalm 25 and Ephesians 2.

Prayer about kidnapping of two sisters in Spain

 

https://news.sky.com/story/body-found-in-bag-in-sea-off-tenerife-confirmed-as-missing-girl-olivia-gimeno-taken-by-her-father-12330293

Heavenly Father, we come to you with great sorrow as we learn about a father – Tomas Gimeno – who has kidnapped his two precious daughters, ages six and one. We are further grieved upon discovering that the oldest, Olivia, has been found dead. Anna is still missing, and the outlook remains grim. We are praying for a miracle that she is found alive. Please lead the authorities to Tomas quickly. Lord, we cannot fathom what would bring a father to do this to his own children. We are deeply concerned for the girls’ mother, Beatriz Zimmerman. Her world has been turned upside down in the most tragic of ways. Father, we ask that you wrap your loving arms around her and keep her close to you. Comfort her through her anger and sorrow and hopelessness. You tell us that those who mourn will be blessed – we cling to this promise. 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 is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English, Professional and Creative Writing Concentration. Brandi is a member of Grand Point Church in Chambersburg where she enjoys serving on the Connections Team as a greeter. Some of her favorite scripture passages are Psalm 25 and Ephesians 2.

Prayer about gang violence in Nigeria

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/12/gunmen-kill-53-villagers-in-restive-northern-nigeria-state

Lord, we are heartbroken as we read about this latest instance of gang violence in Zamfara, Nigeria. We grieve over the 53 villagers who have lost their lives. We pray that there will be a day when the residents of Zamfara can live a more peaceful life without constant fear of attack. Father, we pray against these assailants. Stop them from inflicting further harm and purge the hatred that is within them! Aid the authorities as they work to impede the efforts of these criminals. Lord, we are further dismayed when we learn that children are being targeted; that they are not safe in their homes or in their schools. We grieve deeply for the crisis in Zamfara, yet we know you are good and faithful and just. We seek you and trust you in all things. 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 is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English, Professional and Creative Writing Concentration. Brandi is a member of Grand Point Church in Chambersburg where she enjoys serving on the Connections Team as a greeter. Some of her favorite scripture passages are Psalm 25 and Ephesians 2.