Prayers for the world today

As Christians, we have the wonderful privilege of joining together in praising God and bringing before Him the needs of the world. 

Around the world, immense challenges afflict people in all sorts of ways. From the aftermath and ongoing issues created by the pandemic, political and social unrest, alongside natural disasters and climate change which are severely affecting people’s everyday lives… we see so much suffering and injustice, it can feel overwhelming.  

At Compassion UK, we believe that it’s precisely in volatile times such as these that we need to lift our eyes to God. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  

Our God is sovereign over all. He is good, He is powerful, and He is filled with compassion. So, let’s turn to God in faith, casting our cares upon Him with persistence and thanksgiving, remembering all the ways He has helped us in the past.   

Bible Verses For Prayers for the World

There are many encouraging Bible verses about how believers can turn to Jesus in prayer, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and receive mercy for our world in times of need. Let’s look at what the Bible says about prayer to encourage us to pray with faith, confident of God’s love and power:  

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.”

Philippians 4:6-7 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

John 16:33

”In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Psalm 34: 17  

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.  

The Lord’s Prayer

In Matthew 6:9-13, Christ Jesus shows us we can pray to the Almighty God who made the whole universe as our loving, perfect ‘Father’.  

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

Like with any relationship, we know that in order to love God and to know Him better, we need to spend time in His presence. It helps boost our joy when we praise God, remembering with thankfulness His faithful provision. Praise and thanksgiving encourage our faith and strengthen our confidence when we face life’s uncertainties. Once we’ve given thanks, we can turn to Him for the needs of the world, for our loved ones, and for ourselves.  

A prayer to God for the world today 

Father God, we pray for our world. We pray for peace and hope to abound. Many people are afflicted by natural disasters – floods, droughts and forest fires – by conflict, poverty, and the aftermath of the global pandemic. In challenging times such as these, help us turn to you as our source of strength and hope. Merciful Lord, we ask for your peace to be with all those who are suffering from griefs and hardships in all kinds of trials. We pray they would come to know your comfort and provision. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

A prayer for the Church and our world

We praise you, Almighty God, for your worldwide Church. In particular, we lift to You our Compassion church partners who are faithfully serving you and millions of sponsored children. We give thanks for their commitment to sharing your love in all sorts of practical ways, despite many challenges being caused by the cost-of-living crisis. Right now, they are supporting vulnerable infants, children, young people and their families in their communities with counselling, food, and hygiene and medical assistance. We thank you that they are committed over the long-term and have such a heart for their communities that they know so well. 

We pray for your blessing upon this worldwide ministry and ask that you’d work through your followers 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 to you in prayer as we see so much pain and suffering. Give us your wisdom and teach us how to pray for the world. May your kingdom come, and your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.  

Health and Health Workers

Please protect those vulnerable to illness around the world. We think especially of those living in extreme poverty, where medical assistance is often 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 communities with limited resources. We also lift before you healthcare workers and medical researchers. Thank you for their tireless service. Lord, we praise you for the recent medical advances against many diseases. We pray resources will be fairly distributed around the world. Amen.  

Natural disasters  

Lord, we pray for all who are affected by natural disasters, such as bush-fires, disease outbreaks, floods and mudslides which destroy homes and livelihoods and put lives at risk. Merciful Lord, we pray that people living through such difficult times would find comfort and hope in you. Please provide the practical aid people need in times of emergency. Help those amongst us who have plentiful material resources to be generous in sharing what we have with others. Amen.  

Conflict and political instability

Lord, we pray for all the countries that are going through conflict and political instability. We ask for peace to be resorted. We pray you would grant wisdom and integrity to world leaders so that they would work for the good of the people they govern and serve. We pray that citizens everywhere would have their rights preserved, would be free from fear, and would know stability once more. Amen.  

Refugees and asylum seekers

Father God, we bring before you all those who have been forced to flee from persecution and conflict, and who are searching for safety in different countries. May they find loving communities where they can settle well and find healing from trauma. May they come to experience your peace. Lord, may the people they meet be kind and compassionate towards them. We lift them to you, Father God, and ask for your protection over them. Amen.

A prayer for world peace  

Lord, we pray for world peace. We pray for countries to find diplomatic solutions that would bring harmony between nations. We pray for wars and unrest to end. We give thanks for your promise that one day there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. Until that day, we pray for your continued grace and goodness to overflow in this world so that humans can live alongside one another respectfully, allowing for mutual flourishing. Amen. 

Prayers for a country in crisis

Lord Jesus, we offer a prayer for you to bring peace in all places where there’s ongoing conflict. We pray for Compassion projects, for the local churches, their staff and volunteers, ministering in places where there is unrest, especially when that conflict hinders their work. Lord, we ask for peace in these nations and throughout the world. Please protect all those who are vulnerable to the effects of war, conflict and displacement from their homes. Please give those in authority the patience, humility, wisdom and endurance to persevere in bringing about positive solutions for their nations. Amen.

“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.”

Be inspired by testimonies by more Compassion graduates on our blog, and see how Compassion is striving to release children from poverty, in Jesus’ name. If you want to pray further, here are some more resources to help you.