This week, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from 146 countries celebrated World Thinking Day. Lord, we pray that all members of the various uniformed organisations will remember these years as time of enjoyment, friendship and enlightenment. We pray that their leaders will not abuse in any way the power and trust placed in them, but will lead thoughtfully and be worthy of the respect of their positions.
Lord, you taught us to pray;
Teach us to pray thoughtfully.
With the breaking news that famine has been declared in South Sudan, the first such event in 6 years, we ask that aid will arrive quickly. We pray that the governments who rush to promise will deliver on their promises and ensure the aid is distributed thoughtfully, carefully, and freely to those who need it.
Lord, you taught us to pray;
Teach us to pray thoughtfully.
A non-native species of caterpillar called the “fall armyworm” has been spreading rapidly and unchecked across southern Africa, facing no natural predators and destroying maize crops in countries like South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, where communities have already been suffering through two years of record droughts. We pray that scientists who seek ways to control the infestation will work thoughtfully and with consideration for possible effects on the ecosystem.
Lord, you taught us to pray;
Teach us to pray thoughtfully.
Our global climates are becoming more extreme. Australia has suffered abnormally high temperatures, and this week the Gulf of Carpentaria was lashed by Cyclone Alfred. After years of increasingly severe drought, Bolivia has been battered by violent thunderstorms. Likewise, heavy storms and floods have repeatedly hit a drought-plagued California, U.S., forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. We pray that we can thoughtfully study and learn about our environment to repair the damage we have unwittingly done.
Lord, you taught us to pray;
Teach us to pray thoughtfully.
With countries across Europe already preparing for elections this year, we pray for those most directly affected by political action: those affected by demonetisation in India prior to elections, those affected by the delay in announcing poll results in Ecuador, those facing deportation from the United States. We pray that political leaders would thoughtfully consider more than just the immediate results of their actions.
Lord, you taught us to pray;
Teach us to pray thoughtfully.
Our world is filled with suffering and loss. A plane crashed into a shopping centre in Melbourne, Australia, killing the pilot and four tourists. Dozens more migrants have drowned off the coast of Libya this week. At least 19 people were killed in a coach bus accident in Argentina. We pray for those affected by these losses, and for those whose beloved friends and family members have died following trauma or illness. We pray for wisdom so that we can thoughtfully provide comfort and hope.
Lord, you taught us to pray;
Teach us to pray thoughtfully.
In all situations of suffering, loss, or uncertainty, whether caused by natural disasters, accidents, or human malice, there are people – brave people, scared people – who must cope in such times. We pray for all of these people and for all emergency responders who thoughtfully and compassionately provide assistance in whatever situations arise.
Lord, you taught us to pray;
Teach us to pray thoughtfully. Amen.
Thank you for your thoughtful and careful reading of the news and for bringing these prayer concerns to my attention.