Current Concerns

From time to time, situations that cry out for a prayer for peace arise in countries or communities. While our services are designed several weeks in advance, each service has a place in the Prayers of the People where current concerns can be lifted up. As we become aware of such concerns, we will list them here with the background information available as well as a prayer paragraph that can be included in the Prayers of the People.

August 25

Pakistan

The continuing floods have left approximately 1600 people dead and at least 4 million homeless. 800,000 in desperate need of humanitarian aid can be reached only by air. The forecast is calling for more monsoon rains.

God of nature, we pray for the people of Pakistan as they deal with the continuing floods. So many have lost so much--and so many have not yet begun to receive the help they need. It almost feels hopeless, except that we know that in the middle of hopeless situations you are there. Grant comfort to those in need and strength to those who are helping.
Afghan

Another incident of poison gas at a girls' school--the ninth since girls were allowed to start attending school again--has left dozens of schoolgirls and teachers sick and hospitalized.

God of all knowledge, we would pray especially for the girls and women of Afghan as they face so many dangers in seeking to use the minds you gave them. Bless them with continued courage. Be with those who are seeking to bring healing to bodies as well in the midst of those dangers.
Kyrgyzstan

More than a quarter of the households in Kyrgyzstan are at risk of hunger and malnutrition, with fears about rising food prices, a poor harvest, and the onset of winter after violent ethnic conflict raising concerns about the needs.

Creator and Sustainer, so many people in Kyrgyzstan are at risk! It isn't just one thing that is creating their problems but a combination. We would pray for their needs, but even more, we would pray for a willingness for all of us to recognize our interconnectedness and strength to work together that all may have enough.
Chile

While thirty-three miners trapped 2300 feet below ground are alive, it may take up to three months before they can be brought to the surface, and they will be dependent on food, medicine, and supplies being dropped to them through a 4"-wide tube.

God of light and darkness, we are grateful that the miners in Chile are still alive, but we know that there are many difficult days ahead for them and their families. Give them strength and courage to endure. Be with those who will be working to bring them out that they may not become discouraged.
Democratic Republic of Congo

More than 150 women were raped by two armed groups in a four-day spree in an area that has seen ongoing violence.

Loving parent of all, so often women are seen not as human beings but as weapons in conflict. This has been true again in the Democratic Republic of Congo as rape has again been used as a weapon against them. We know that this affects not only them but also their families, and we would pray for healings for them--healings of body, mind, and spirit. We would pray also for those medical personnel who reach out to them. Give them wisdom and patience, we pray.
Somalia

A suicide bomber killed at least thirty-three people, including six members of the Parliament. This is only the latest violence as battles have continued between government forces and Al Shabaab rebels which leave civilians caught in the middle.

God, sometimes we wonder what we can do to try to bring healing in countries like Somalia, where there has been so much violence for so long. How can the cycle be broken? Be with those who are trying to be peacemakers that they might have wisdom. Be with those innocent people who find themselves caught in the middle, wondering what each day will bring. Give them strength to endure.
Iraq

Bombing strikes hit at least thirteen cities the day after the United States completed withdrawal of its combat brigades. At least forty-eight people were killed and almost 300 others wounded.

O God, Iraq is one of those countries where violence between various groups seems to have no solution. Yet we know that there are also those who yearn for peace and reconciliation. Be with the peacemakers that they might have wisdom and courage. Also be with those who have lost loved ones, who are injured themselves, that they might find the strength to turn away from violence and revenge.

August 1

Peru

Hundreds of children have died from freezing conditions in areas of Peru where the temperatures have plummeted to a 50-year low. In the mountain villages, there is also concern about whether they will be able to keep livestock alive.

Loving parent, we would pray for the people of Peru, especially the weak and the children, who are suffering from the severe cold. Be also with those who are trying to bring help.
Pakistan

Pakistan is struggling with severe floods that have killed over 1000 people.

God of nature, we would hold up the people of Pakistan as they struggle to cope with the floods that have killed so many. Even though the floods are expected, the devastation and loss of life is still hard to deal with, and we would pray both for those who are victims and for those who are bringing help.

June 14

Kyrgyzstan

Ethnic violence is raging in the region. At least 114 people have been killed, approximately 1500 wounded, and an estimated 80,000 ethnic Uzbeks have fled.

Parent of all, we pray for the people of Kyrgyzstan who are dealing with ethnic violence. Many have been caught in the middle, and there are many who do not know where to go or what to do. Be with those who are seeking to bring peace as well as with those who are trying to provide assistance. May people be willing to respond to your spirit of peace.
Afghanistan

About 60 schoolgirls appear to have been poisoned in at least the third suspected attack on girls attending schools this week. Although they required hospitalization, they appear to be recovering well.

Creator of all intelligence, we pray for the people of Afghanistan, particularly the female students and teachers who risk their lives to learn more about the world you have created. Grant them strength as they continue to seek ways of nonviolently breaking the chains of tradition that make one gender "less" than the other.
Gulf of Mexico and southern United States

Oil continues to spill into the Gulf, damaging fragile eco-systems and ruining the livelihoods and many.

O God, we weep as we see the pictures of the devastation caused by the massive oil spill. We find it easy to point fingers at others and difficult to acknowledge the part our own greed played in the disaster. We pray forgiveness--but we also pray for strength to make changes to avoid this ever happening again. And we pray for those who are doing what they can to help the innocent victims, both animal and human.
Nigeria

In remote Nigeria, an extremely toxic village is trying to clean up high levels of lead that are killing the children. At least 163 people (111 of them children) have died, but the true death toll may be much higher.

Loving parent, you weep with the parents in Nigeria who have lost children--and who do not know what the future holds in their villages. Be with those who have come to offer help; give them strength and wisdom as they work with the parents who want to make changes but who find themselves caught between what it takes to make a living in their poverty and the changes that need to be made.

May 20

Gulf of Mexico and southern United States

The recent oil spill has dumped thousands of gallons into the Gulf, killing numerous aquatic animals and creating significant concern for the environment and livelihoods of those who live along the coast.

God of nature, you must weep when you see what our greed has done to your creation. We pray for all affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico--for those whose livelihoods may be lost, for the animals impacted by the spill, and for those who are seeking to contain the damage and bring healing.
Thailand

Protests against the government continue, with many people killed or injured and significant damage.

Creator of all, we would pray for the people and the government of Thailand. May they find ways of peacefully talking with each other to solve their concerns, rather than fighting.
Pakistan

A series of protests have killed a number of people and resulted in the arrests of 200 people in Karachi.

Loving God, the people of Pakistan are dealing with still more political turmoil and unrest. In those situations it sometimes becomes difficult to know how to trust. Be with those who are trying to be peacemakers and reconcilers--and help those in conflict be willing to listen.

April 16

China

The death toll in the earthquake has soared to over 1100 and is expected to go higher, since there are still hundreds missing. Over 11,000 people have been injured, almost 1200 severely.

God of healing, we would continue to hold up the people of China in our prayers as they continue to deal with the earthquake aftermath. Give the rescuers strength--and bring peace to those who have lost loved ones, we pray.

April 14

China

A massive earthquake in a mountainous and impoverished province has left at least 400 dead and 8,000 injured, with many victims (including schoolchildren) buried under debris.

God, today we would hold up the people of China in our prayers. Many have been killed and many others wounded and left homeless as a result of the earthquake this morning. We would pray for peace and healing for the victims--and for strength and wisdom for those involved in the rescue attempts.

April 12

Poland

Poland's prime minister, along with other significant military, political, and religious leaders, died in a plane crash as their flight to Russia crashed on landing. They were on their way to a memorial service in honor of thousands of Poles killed during World War II.

God of grace and healing, we would pray for the people of Poland as they mourn the loss of so many of their leaders. Grant them healing and wisdom as they move into the future.
Brazil

Flooding and mudslides caused by heavy rain in the state of Rio de Janeiro have killed at least 229 people and left thousands homeless. More rain is in the forecast.

God of nature, we would hold up the people of Brazil in our prayers today, as they cope with the death and destruction caused by the recent heavy rains. Be with those who have lost loved ones and all they own, that they may find peace and healing. Be with those who are involved in the rescue work that they may have strength.

April 6

Kyrgyzstan

Initial reports say that at least 40 people have been killed in a wave of protests that appear to have driven President Bakiev from office.

God of peace, we would pray for the people of Kyrgyzstan as they face uncertainty about their government. May there be a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Thailand

The government has declared a state of emergency after anti-government demonstrators stormed the parliament.

God of order, the people of Thailand have been expressing their discontent with their government. Be with the protestors and with the government, that they may find ways of talking with and listening to each other.
Iraq

Baghdad has been rocked by a number of explosions, killing dozens of people and injuring many more.

O God of all, the people of Iraq have spent so many years living with violence and uncertainty, not knowing whether they will come home safely when they leave their homes. Help them have hope for the future! Be with those who are seeking to bring peace.
Brazil

There has been heavy flooding in Brazil, killing over 100.

God of nature, we would pray for the people of Brazil, who are seeking to cope with the results of heavy rains and flooding that have killed many and left many homeless. We would pray for the rescuers as well, that they may have strength to continue their work.

March 4

Uganda

Massive landslides in eastern Uganda have left about 300 people missing and feared dead. Search and rescue is difficult because the terrain is inaccessible by road and because the earth is very delicate, with concerns about additional mudslides.

God of all people, we would pray for our brothers and sisters in Uganda. In many ways they have so little--and now they must struggle with the loss of what they did have, but more importantly, with the loss of loved ones. Be with those who are seeking to bring relief as well.
Chile

The death toll from the earthquake has hit more than 800 people, and many areas still have not received significant aid. Significant aftershocks continue to rock the country.

God of nature, we would continue to hold up the people of Chile as they deal with continuing aftershocks. We would also pray for those who are seeking to bring humanitarian aid--for patience and wisdom.

Ongoing Concerns

Darfur

Sometimes, God, we wonder what we can do to help because the situation seems so far away or so complex. Darfur is one of those situations. There have been so many deaths, so many people displaced, so much distrust between peoples. We would pray for all--those seen as victims as well as those seen as perpetrators, for in their conflict, all become victims. Grant wisdom to those seeking ways of healing for the country's people and its environment.

Iraq

It is easy to sit back and say "We should have done this..." or "We shouldn't have done that," God, but once events have been set in motion, you call us to also accept responsibility for the consequences. Even when we do things with the best of motives, we acknowledge that sometimes the results are less than we desired. While there have been positive situations arising in Iraq, we also know that there are still many people who hurt, who struggle for safety and for life's essentials. We recognize that there are deep areas of mistrust both within Iraq and between Iraq and the rest of the world. We would hold up the people of Iraq--its leaders, its citizens, its children--that they may find ways of coming together that will bring healing and reconciliation.