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As Christians, we should be saying prayers for the world, so let’s turn to our Heavenly Father.
It’s been a challenging time for so many people around the world. From a global pandemic to political and social unrest to natural disasters, we have seen so much suffering.
It’s precisely in times like these we should lift our eyes to God, for as Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Our God is sovereign and good, powerful and compassionate. He invites us to talk to Him. We are to turn to Him in faith, petition Him with persistence and thanksgiving. There are many beautiful verses where believers in Jesus can turn to pray for mercy for our world in times of need.
Bible Verses For Prayers for the World
Hebrews 4: 16
”Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
John 16:33
”In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Our Father Prayer
This is the Lord’s prayer from Matthew 6:9-13:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
Amen.
Sources: Bible Gateway
Prayers for the world today
Father God, we pray for our world today. We pray for peace and hope to abound. Many have been troubled by natural disasters, conflict, and the results of a global pandemic. In challenging times, help us turn to you as our source of strength and hope. Merciful Lord, we offer a prayer for your peace to be with all those who have suffered and continue to do so. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayers for the Church and our world
We praise you, God, for your Church across the globe. In particular, we lift to You our Compassion church partners who are faithfully serving you and millions of sponsored children. So many have continued to share your love in practical ways throughout the pandemic. Right now, they are supporting vulnerable infants, children, young people and their families in their communities with counselling, food, hygiene and medical assistance.
We pray for this world ministry and ask that you’d work through your people to set people free from the chains of spiritual and material poverty for your glory. Amen.
Prayers for our troubled world
Lord, we lift up our world in prayer. There’s so much pain and suffering. Give us your wisdom and teach us how to pray for the world. May your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
The Church is praying around the world. No problem is too big or small for our sovereign God. If you’re praying with us, here are some things to pray about for the world.
Health and Health Workers
Please protect those vulnerable to the illness around the world. We think especially of those living in extreme poverty, where medical assistance may be more difficult to access. Father, we pray for your protection and healing. We pray for our partner churches in different parts of the world working so hard to look after their community with limited resources. We also lift before you health care workers and medical researchers. Thank you for their tireless and selfless service. Lord, we praise you for the recent medical advances against this disease. We pray resources will be fairly distributed around the world. Amen.
Natural disasters
Lord, we pray for all who are affected by natural disasters, from bush fires and plagues to floods and devastating mudslides that destroy homes and livelihoods, putting lives at risk. Merciful Lord, we pray that people living through these difficult times would find comfort and hope in you. And, please bring them the practical aid that they need. Amen.
Conflict and political instability
Lord, we pray for all the countries that are going through conflict and political instability. We ask for peace, and that their citizens be free from fear and know stability once more. Amen.
Refugees and asylum seekers
Father God, we bring before you all who have fled persecution and conflict searching for safety in different countries. May they find loving communities, be able to settle well and find healing for their experiences. May they find your peace. Lord, may those they meet be kind and compassionate to them. May they be welcoming and understanding. We lift them to you, Father God, and ask for your protection over them. Amen.
Prayers for the world this week
Lord, as we pray for the world this week, help us pray in line with your will. We know that you’re a good and sovereign God. Please help us to trust you as we go out into this broken and imperfect world to be your salt and light. Amen.
Prayer for world peace
Lord, we pray for world peace. We pray that countries find diplomatic solutions. We pray that wars and unrest will cease. We give thanks for your promise that one day there will be no more tears, no more heartbreak. Until that day, we pray for your continued grace and goodness to overflow in this world. Amen.
Prayers for a country in crisis
Lord Jesus, we also offer a prayer for peace on earth, in all places where there is ongoing conflict. We pray for Compassion projects, for the local churches, staff and volunteers ministering in places where there is unrest. Lord, we ask for peace in these nations and throughout the world where there’s unrest. Please protect all those who are vulnerable. Amen.
Prayers for natural disaster victims
We offer a prayer for the nations of the world to you, Lord God. From the locust plagues in Africa to countries buffeted by typhoons and floods in Asia, many countries are crying out for mercy. Lord, we entrust them to your sovereign care, and we too pray for Your compassion and provision. May help get to those affected at just the right time. And may they find their comfort in You. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
“NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD.” – LYNET, 12, UGANDA
“I began hearing people in the community saying that dad would die. I kept telling my sisters that we had to pray because God is able.”
Lynet was 12 years old when she heard the devastating news. Her father was ill and had been rushed to the hospital, leaving Lynet at the compound she shared with relatives.
“Aunt Patricia, the director at my Compassion centre, taught us that when you believe, nothing is impossible for God,” recalls Lynet.
“One day, my uncle came home [from the hospital] very discouraged. He said I needed to go and see my father and that I needed to pray.
“That day, I cried. The thought of losing my father was scary. My stepmother said God would heal him, but everybody had lost hope because Dad was too sick. They said he could not sit, walk, eat, or recognise people anymore.”
That night Lynet didn’t sleep. She prayed and read her Bible.
“I read Psalm 120:1, ‘I call on the Lord in my distress, and He answers me.’ I believed that when I shared my pain with God, He would answer me… I prayed to God that by the time I reached the hospital, Dad would be able to rise from his bed and have the strength to sit.
“As I prayed, the verse that came to me was Isaiah 41:10: ‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’”
“Nothing is impossible for God” Lynet, age 12, Uganda
“I began hearing people in the community saying that dad would die. I kept telling my sisters that we had to pray because God is able.”
Lynet, a sponsored child from Uganda, was 12 years old when she heard the devastating news. Her father was ill and had been rushed to the hospital, leaving Lynet at the compound she shared with relatives.
“Aunt Patricia, the director at my Compassion centre, taught us that when you believe, nothing is impossible for God,” recalls Lynet.
“One day, my uncle came home [from the hospital] very discouraged. He said I needed to go and see my father and that I needed to pray.
“That day, I cried. The thought of losing my father was scary. My stepmother said God would heal him, but everybody had lost hope because Dad was too sick. They said he could not sit, walk, eat, or recognise people anymore.”
That night Lynet didn’t sleep. She prayed and read her Bible.
“I read Psalm 120:1, ‘I call on the Lord in my distress, and He answers me.’ I believed that when I shared my pain with God, He would answer me… I prayed to God that by the time I reached the hospital, Dad would be able to rise from his bed and have the strength to sit.
“As I prayed, the verse that came to me was Isaiah 41:10: ‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’”
When a nervous Lynet and her family visited her father at the hospital, they were greeted with a beautiful sight.
“My dad was seated right there on the bed! I was so happy and praised the Lord in my heart. Dad smiled and reached out his hand to hold me by the shoulders. He said, “Omwishiki wangye wijja kundeba!” which means, “My beloved daughter, you have come to visit me!”
“When he recognised me, I knew that God was healing him. I kept telling him to trust God because nothing is impossible with Him. Dad said he believed because he knows that nothing is impossible with God.”
Lynet’s father was discharged from the hospital three weeks later.
For people who are praying faithfully and waiting for God’s answer, Lynet has this to say:
“God’s answers don’t always come quickly, but they are never late. I want people still waiting on God to continue praying and praising God and serving Him as they wait. He will answer them.”
There are more prayers for the world and vulnerable children around the world. If you want to pray further, here are some more resources to help you.
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