Japan–Fukushima nuclear reactors

September 2, 2013

From the BBC–Dangerous leaks at the water tanks.
At the time of the tsunami, we posted a series of prayers for the reactors. They are still appropriate, though you may want to add the words ‘water tanks’.

Creation groaning
Bitter water
Representative confession


September 2, 2013

Modern Syria was created as a French mandate and attained independence in April 1946, as a parliamentary republic. Syria has been under Emergency Law since 1962, effectively suspending most constitutional protections for citizens, and its system of government is considered non-democratic.
The country has been governed by the Baath Party since 1963, although actual power is concentrated to the presidency and a narrow grouping of military and political strongmen. Syria’s current president is Bashar al-Assad, who is the son of Hafez al-Assad, who held office from 1970 until his death in 2000. Syria has played a major regional role, particularly through its central role in the Arab conflict with Israel, which since 1967 has occupied the Golan Heights, and by active involvement in Lebanese and Palestinian affairs.
The Syrian civil war is an ongoing armed conflict in Syria between forces loyal to the Ba’ath government and those seeking to oust it. The conflict began on 15 March 2011, as part of the wider Middle Eastern protest movement known as the Arab Spring. Protesters demanded the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad as well as the end of Ba’ath Party rule.
It is essentially a Shi’ite-Sunni struggle–Assad and the majority of his security forces being Alawite Shi’ite, while the majority of the citizens are Sunni. In June 2013, the death toll surpassed 100,000 according to the United Nations.
The recent use of sarin gas has precipitated a crisis that may involve the U.S. government. Russia has allied with the Shi’ite al-Assad government and the U.S. with the Sunni rebels.

Psalm 89:11-12 (NIV)
The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;
The nation of Syria is Yours, Lord.
you founded the world and all that is in it.
You founded the fertile plains of northeast Syria; the central plains, desert, and steppe region; and the coastal and mountain areas of the west. You created the Euphrates River.
You created the north and the south;
You created the Tigris River at the northern border and the desert villages of the south.
Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name.

The four living creatures, the twenty-four elders, thousands upon thousands of angels, ten thousand time ten thousand, also sing for joy to Your Son

You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
and they will reign on the earth.

But Hermon straddles the border of Israel, Syria, and Lebanon.
Does she not weep because your name is not exalted in Syria and Lebanon?
Does she not weep over the corpses, the hungry desolate children, the mass of humanity fleeing in fear in Syria?
Does she not weep for the blood shed in hate and envy and vengeance?

May Your name be exalted in Syria.
May Your way be exalted in Syria.
May Your love be exalted in Syria.
May Your Son be exalted in Syria

Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!
To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!

Grant supernatural wisdom to the governments of the United States and Russia. May Your name be exalted in these lands, too.
Please, dear Lord, guard us from a world war. Amen.

Karen put together a great prayer post for Syria in July. Although there have been many political changes since then, it is still useful.

Mark 14:53-54

September 2, 2013

And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. But Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. (Mark 14:53-54)
      Lord Jesus, so many of your disciples are like Peter here — they follow you at a distance and then like Peter deny any knowledge of your (see verses 66-72).

      Holy Spirit, fill your people with your power to follow close behind Jesus and acknowledge him as Lord and Savior.

      Father, restore to the chief priests and the House of Bishops a desire to know and follow where Jesus leads and to obey the words you have spoken through your prophets.

A word received: Look to me for help in spreading my kingdom.

Monday: 25 * 9, 15; 2 Chron. 6:32-7:7; James 2:1-13; Mark 14:53-65
Tuesday: 26, 28 * 36, 39; 1 Kings 8:65-9:9; James 2:14-26; Mark 14:66-72

Albany Intercessor


September 2, 2013

El susurro es un largo grito sin ruido.
–A whisper is a long scream without a sound.

This line is from a poem entitled Sketch #1 by Honduran poet Claudia Torres. It focused my attention on how much fear is bred by the predatory practices and poverty in Honduras.–JW

Our Lord and King,
Only You are God. We have no one to turn to but You. Help the people of Honduras. Many lives are at stake.
You keep Your promises to Your people. You have taught us that righteousness exalts a nation, but there are many predators in Honduras.
Your enemies wish to do away with Your holy laws, to remove the glory of Your holy name from this nation, and to stifle the people who praise You. They want the whole world to honor false gods and stand in awe of worldly power. They seek the praise of men rather than the praise of You.
Lord, these vain idols are nothing; do not surrender Your power to them or give Your enemies the chance to laugh at the downfall of Your people. Instead, turn their evil plans against them.
Remember Your children in Honduras, O Lord. Make Yourself known in this time of their afflictions. Give them courage, King of all gods and Ruler over all dominions. Give Your people the right words to say when they face ungodly leaders; change the hearts of the ungodly to hate evil. Come to the rescue of Honduras, O Lord.
You are our joy. Almighty God, listen to the prayer of Your people. Rescue them from evildoers and take away their fears. Amen.
Adapted from a prayer in the Apocrypha, Esther (Greek) 4:12-30

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