A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, October 31st

Good Morning, God,
Lord, it's Halloween time again, the time we decorate ourselves, our children, even our dogs and cats, in some sort of costume and have parties and collect goodies. There is a bit of coercion involved, because we say, "Trick or Treat." Since most of us don't want our mailboxes trashed, our trees teepeed, our houses egged, or our cars soaped, we usually pay the bribe with candy!
Lord, such shenanigans and frivolity can be so much fun...but it can also be dangerous. We will have excited children running around in masks that limit their sight and costumes so dark they limit our seeing them. We may have a few folks who think it funny to booby-trap the loot with dangerous stuff. We may have a few who think up tricks that are permanently injurious to life, limb, and property.
Lord, there may also be folks for whom Halloween is a holiday time for celebrating the real devil.
Whatever, Lord, may this day and night be only fun and protect us from harm from tricks and the evil spirits.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, October 28th

Good Morning, God,
The other night, Lord, almost two hundred men and women and youth met for an exciting dinner and program. The cause for the meeting was the annual Young Life and Wild Life fund raiser. The attendees enjoyed a great catered meal provided by a generous group. The young people took the opportunity to serve the meal and share their testimonies. The leaders were obviously proud of their charges and the influence Young Life and Wild Life has on them, helping them feel like they belong, helping them learn good choices -and make them! - and helping them literally stay alive.
Lord, thank you for blessing adults who have big hearts and gifts for working with Middle School and Senior High youth. Thank you for organizations that encourage healthy behaviors. Thank you for people from all walks of life who give of their monetary, talent and time resources to support such an important ministry.
Lord, bless our future with great young adult men and women, especially because of Young Life and Wild Life.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, October 26th

Good Morning, God,
Lord, do we feel safer now? Another of the world's worst terrorists has been killed and buried. Most of the country of Libya has cheered; Most of the world has breathed a sigh of relief. Now we wait while Libyans decide what to do next and how to do it.
Naturally, we hope that a democratic government will happen that will want its people and thus its country to prosper. If some in our country have their way, we will encourage it by causing the vast natural resource of oil to flow our way. This causes us to wonder what will flow toward Libya in return.
Heavenly Father, Lord of the Nations, send your blessings to the people of Libya that they may experience joy and freedom in their lives. May countries far and wide not seek to exploit any new openness, but seek to befriend folks who haven't had many friends over the years.
Grant, Merciful God, that all tyrannical governments will cease and that governments which serve its people righteously will prosper.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, October 24th

Good Morning, God
Lord, do we remember that today is United Nations Day?  This is the day that we celebrated the founding of the organization whose charter involves bringing disparate nations together in one place to discuss and take action on keeping peace and safety among countries around the world, helping to conquer hunger and disease wherever it is found and to help educate and protect children so that they might have a fair, fighting chance at an abundant life.
Many of us, Lord, grew up when the United Nations was in its infancy and were convinced of its potential and high idealism.  Lord, what has happened to such aspiration?  Is there no more desire for peace through compromise and negotiation?  Is there no longer the commitment to sit at a negotiating session and come to a mutually agreed upon resolution?  Is there no more possibility to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and heal the sick through being united even though nations are different?  Lord, may the high idealism of the United Nations be restored, live on and be effective.
In Jesus name, Amen