World News This Week in Prayer- Thursday, May 4, 2017

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. – John 10:10b

Never-ending God, we long for abundant life. All too often we settle for what our minds believe we deserve. But that isn’t abundance. Or, as we strive to live abundantly, we do so at the expense of others, or the environment, or even ourselves. In our human economy we see all things as finite. We believe there is just enough to go around, maybe not even enough. But in your divine economy there is enough for all to have full cups, overflowing cups…Help us, O God, to see that reality, to live into that truth!

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Forgive us, O God, when our near-sightedness leads to death and destruction. Comfort the family of Abdullahi Sheikh Abas who was mistaken for an Islamic extremist and killed in Somalia. Be with the families of all who are killed because of misunderstanding, prejudice and hate. Surround the families of the miners in Iran who gave their lives trying to save the lives of their trapped coworkers. Jesus said there was no greater gift than to give our lives for our friends. Yet we long for a world where that gift is rendered unnecessary. Be also with the people of the indigenous tribes of the Amazon, as they face attacks from outsiders. Be also with the activists and government officials in Brazil as they seek to find a way to help protect our neighbors.

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Support the community near Madrid, Spain, where there have been explosions at a chemical plant. Injuries to the workers and to the environment demonstrate the frailty of our search for abundance. Help us to turn our focus to you, O God. Be also with the people of Beijing and Northern China as they suffer under a dust storm, and the people in the Midwest United States as they deal with flooding. Help us, Sustaining God, to see how we can support the abundance of life on the Earth, and not diminish it.

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Jesus came that we might have abundant life. Empower us, O God, to work toward co-creating that abundance with you today, and every day.

Amen.