Prayer Requests for August 21, 2008

Pray for our troops, serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the globe, that they will be encouraged and strengthened for the important work they do.  Pray for the success of each one as they faithfully do their work, and pray for victory in each location where our troops face down enemies of freedom.

As the Summer Olympic Games draw to a close, continue to pray for physical and spiritual protection over the city of Beijing, the athletes, officials, observers and workers, asking God to continue to serve His highest purposes throughout this event. 

As Tropical Storm Fay continues its march across North Florida and Georgia, pray for safety and care in the face of this long-enduring storm.  Pray for those in Florida who were impacted by the storm. 

Pray for President and Mrs. Bush as they continue a working vacation at their Crawford, TX ranch, asking God to meet their needs and to provide meaningful moments of rest and rejoicing. 

Pray for those impacted by the tragic plane crash in Madrid, Spain, asking God to comfort and strengthen those who lost loved ones.  Pray for workers who are tasked with recovery and cleanup efforts, and pray for the safety of air travel in our country and the world. 

Pray for President Bush, Secretary of State Rice and others as they work to persuade Russia to fully withdraw from and cease violent acts in the nation of Georgia.  Pray for God’s protection and grace in this crisis; pray for NATO nation leaders as they join this effort. 

Pray for Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman who was hospitalized Tuesday with an elevated heart rate.  Pray for wisdom for physicians as he undergoes tests.

Pray for Rep. Tubbs Jones of Ohio who suffered the rupture of an aneurysm in her brain on Wednesday.  A prayer vigil was held for her on Capitol Hill on Wednesday evening. 

Give thanks for the Saddleback Civil Forum in which Pastor Rick Warren questioned each of the presidential candidates on topics of great interest to Christians.  Pray that many more citizens will view the forum so they may be well-informed.  Watch the forum HERE. 

The Democratic National Convention begins 8/25 in Denver.  Over 50,000 visitors are anticipated between 8/23 and 8/28 including delegates, guests and 15,000 members of the media.  Pray for God’s protection and presence at the Pepsi Center and throughout the Denver area.  Pray for wisdom for delegates, integrity for members of the media, grace for organizers and workers and for good will and peace to govern the entire week.  Pray for safety for demonstrators who seek to exercise their God-given right to free speech.  Pray for God’s sovereign will to be done as delegates exercise the privileges of democracy. 

Pray for each presumptive candidate in the coming days—for God’s wisdom in the selection of a running mate, for the preparation, plans and mood of each party’s convention and for continued health and strength. 

Pray for those who are completing arrangements for the Republican National Convention, set for 9/1-4 in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, asking for God’s wisdom and help as decisions and preparations are made. 

As a group of college and university presidents are calling for the lowering of the legal age to consume alcohol, pray for God’s wisdom and intervention in this decision.  Pray for those who educate students about the difficulties alcohol can bring to succeed with their message; pray for those who are in the grip of alcohol addiction to be set free and pray for those who are flirting with alcohol abuse to see the destruction and pain that awaits them and then choose to turn away from alcohol abuse.

Pray for the members of President Bush’s Delegation to the Olympic Closing Ceremony on 8/24.  Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao will lead the group, replacing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, whose travel schedule has changed due to developing world events.