Continued prayers for the situation in Ferguson, MO, where more violence occurred Sunday night. Now the Missouri National Guard has been called in. An autopsy on Michael Brown, the unarmed black teenager who was killed by a police officer on August 9, shows that Brown was shot six times. http://fox2now.com/2014/08/18/michael-brown-death-missouri-national-guard-headed-to-ferguson/
Local people have been traveling to Ferguson to show solidarity to Brown's family and to witness to the need for justice. Earlier I found a site that recommended what items local Jews, Christians, and Muslims could donate to persons in the area who are struggling for basic needs.
Churches are called upon to engage Brown's death with interracial understanding, listening, and prayers for reconciliation and justice. See, for example, this piece: http://eugenecho.com/2014/08/16/please-dont-ignore-it-five-ways-that-christians-and-churches-must-engage-michael-browns-death/ Prayers that we will, indeed, listen to one another in the days ahead, learn things we can do from the many articles and blog posts, and seek the Lord's grace that can do more than we can think or ask.
Prayers for Iraq as the U.S. has expanded its air campaign there. Continued prayers for the situation in Israel and Gaza, as well as Syria, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. Prayers for Pope Francis during his Far Eastern tour, and for positive results from his visits. Also, prayers for those in Africa still suffering from the Ebola outbreak, not to mention the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic in Sub-Sahara Africa.
Prayers for those (including me, writing this amid a sleepless night) who are struggling with distress and sorrow over the events of the past several days, including Robin Williams' death.
Prayers for young people who have already started school in many places, and for college students who will soon be starting classes.
Hear our prayers, O God.
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