prayers for Kenya

Please pray for Kenya right now and all who are there...the injured, the loved ones who have lost, the hurting, and the perpetrators of this cowardly attack. Like many of you in the States, we've been glued to the TV and computer here, eagerly and anxiously waiting to hear from other missionaries and people we know who live in Nairobi. It's surreal to picture the mall, to know the place, to have eaten there, shopped there, and know friends who live in the largely ex-patriate area of Westlands. The world is small. We are all connected, and it hurts when something like this happens. We cried and prayed with Kenyan friends who live here in Kigali. We mourn, we worship, we pray, we all hope together.

It's so easy to read the news and get bogged down and lost in the darkness. 75 killed in Pakistan, attacks in Kenya, floods in Colorado, Boston Marathon bombing, a civil war in beautiful Egypt. It can seem overwhelming. super overwhelming. and you feel small and helpless. And think, oh God, do you hear us? Often times I don't even know how to pray, what to pray for...it's too overwhelming. In this dark world, are my prayers for Kenya or for any other situation going to make a difference?

But I hear Him calling me to come to Him, to give Him all the burdens. And I know that when I pray to my Father in Heaven, He listens and He does hear! I pray for peace today. For peace for all. Surely the chaos would stop if the world knew Your peace Lord.

I pray for His kingdom to come, and His will to be done. Protect us Lord from the evil that surrounds us, from the darkness and confusion. Give us a quiet, safe dwelling place, a place to hide in your Kerith Ravine, and know You are Sovereign amidst all the chaos. Help us to pray for the hurting, to pray the enemies. And to love them as you do Lord. Help us pray for Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda. It's so hard, Lord, but I know it's what You desire from us. Help us. Teach us.

Remind us of the cross. Your story of redemption for the whole world. You have redeemed us. Given us grace in a fallen, sinful world. You have already paid the price. Help us to hold on and cling to your cross and know You are coming again. You never meant for this Earth to be our home; we are only passing through as weary travelers.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." ~John 16:33

Give us this day your daily bread. Feed us your manna, Lord, that we may be nourished from You and drink from your Living Water. Forgive us our sins and heal us and the brokenness in our hearts and in this world.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from all evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. And ever. And ever.

Amen