Today's news is a horror film- broadcasting scenes of gore, bloodbath, and hopelessness with every minute on air. It is so easy to allow these events to overflow your heart with despair and worry, but it is these times we should seek God and pray when our hearts seem overwhelmed. Here's my prayer for our world in these times of desperation.

Lord, equip Your people to act as images of you.

Allow us to reach and embrace the world, acting as the hands and feet of Christ, to reach a world in complete need for a savior. Let us be prime examples of love, kindness, mercy, and all the goodness which comes from You. Make us bold in our faith, open our eyes to the opportunities you bless us with to share that faith, and speak and act through us.

Calm our fears and worries, God.

In Your Word, we are told 365 times not to be fearful- a reminder for every day of the year. That tells us how important it is that we not be afraid! Let our hearts be not overwhelmed with fear, worry, and trouble; but, let us see a need for change and a motivation to to act as witnesses for You.

Lead us in what we should do.

Guide our steps, God, reveal to us the path we should take. Make us aware when You are blessing us with opportunities to share Your words, Give us words to speak, and let them be Your words rather than ours. Lead us in Your ways and act through us. Let it be not us that is seen, but you, Lord.

Open the world's ears and heart.

Let the world hear what we have to say, open their hearts to receive the news of You and Your words, God.Do not let the word of You be whispers in the wind, but speak to hearts so all the broken, hurting, and despaired may hear of the Healer, and know Your comfort.

Let us not become discouraged if our message is rejected.

In Your Word, You tell us that the world will reject us, just as it rejected Jesus. Let us not to become discouraged by rejection, but rather allow us to become more motivated in our endeavors. Help us to understand the rejection is inevitable, and only Satan's way of attempting to discourage us from carrying out Your will.

Not our will, but Your Will be done, God.

Your Plans are greater than our plans, and Your Ways greater than our ways. You know how everything will turn out, and everything that happens is in Your great Plan. Your Plan is greater than any plan we could ever have God, which is why we trust in You. We have faith that You are doing what is meant to be happen. We also understand that we are a part of Your Plan and are Your tools in this world. Mold us into who we need to be to carry out what You have planned for us, God. It's all for You, not for us. We are Yours,

In a world where evil ravishes, let us be lights of Your goodness. Lead us in all we do, let us not be discouraged, and let Thy will be done.

Amen.