Prayer for October

Dear Lord, thank you for another month — for all of the blessings and grace and mercy that you have poured out on us. Help me to continue to be thankful and think on the things that I have gained, rather than lost. I struggle with keeping my thoughts focused on whatever is true, noble, excellent and praiseworthy (Phil 4:8) and instead find my mind wandering to those areas where I see lack.

Thank you for the UAE and the effort they are putting forth to keep its residents and citizens safe. I pray for unity within the country and that each individual government will work with the other emirates to present a united front both within the country and globally. I pray that there wouldn’t be conflict, but that all efforts both in foreign policy and in rule of the nation would be cohesive and effective. (Yes, that’s partially a selfish prayer as I’m tired of living in the emirate that has the most restrictions.)

I pray for Josh’s company and thank you that he is employed and can continue to work. I pray that they would be successful in their efforts here in UAE and that it would be a mutually beneficial relationship between the government and the company. I pray that their success would contribute to UAE’s success and prominence globally and that peace would be brought to the region. That relationships between allied nations would be strengthened. Thank you for the progress that has been made in the past few weeks and for the boom in business for Josh’s company. Thank you for good leadership and for a push to have work/life balance. I pray that these measures would be implemented successfully so that the increase in business doesn’t equal an increase in burnout.

Lord I pray that we would be able to travel without restriction. There are so many here who live apart from their families (90% of the country) and these travel bans and restrictions upon return are keeping people from family connections. I pray that borders would open up, that the travel industry would recover, and that people would once again be able to go home and return, as it’s those visits home that allow people to go on. I pray for economic health to return to the UAE and to the travel and tourism industry. That all those who are on partial salary would be restored to full pay. That demand would increase and jobs would increase and people would once again be on a firm financial foundation. I pray that all those who have been released from their jobs would find employment and that you would sustain them while they wait.

I pray for those here who are alone, who are without connection to others as we are restricted from gathering. I pray that the law would change to allow small gatherings in homes so those without family here can reconnect with others in person. Lord, you made us to love you and to love each other and I pray that we would find ways to do that as we wait for the doors to our homes to be opened again. I pray that you would comfort those who feel alone and give them peace while they wait.

For those that are fearful, I ask that you would cover them with your peace. I pray that the virus would be ended, either by supernatural means or through healing that come from within the medical community. I pray that those who know you would be a light to those who live in fear and that your peace would be something that everyone desires and seeks to have for themselves. Please show the lost that joy can be found in you and that this life is not what we are living for. I thank you that I don’t have anxiety during this time and that I have peace for myself and my family.

Lord I ask that you bring wisdom to the decision makers of UAE. I pray that as they make their next decisions about virus control that you would be in the driver’s seat. Please bring wisdom to those meetings may all measures that are implemented come from you. I pray for a miracle — for logic and order to prevail over fear and disorder. I pray that we would all act in a way that honors your creation and protects it. Show us how to best love one another and to lift each other up.

Finally, I pray for church leaders in UAE. That they would look to you for encouragement and provision and that you would show them how to lead a flock that has been scattered. That this period would be a time of preparation for the coming harvest and that they “would not grow weary in doing good” (Gal 6:9) for while it seems that not much is happening, we know you are at work. Please make visible those who are in need, who are too proud to ask for help. May your spirit be visible among the body and please pour out your gifts on us as we seek to serve those who know you and those who do not know you yet.

And one more — I pray for the coming election in the US. I thank you that no matter who is in the White House that you are on the throne and therefore, I have no reason to fear. I pray against the words that we use to tear each other apart when we encounter someone who disagrees with us. I know it grieves you when you see your creation at odds with itself and I pray that we would see others the way you see them. I pray for a spirit of peace no matter who wins the election and I pray that you would use that person to do your will. Amen.