"Nepal Earthquake Death Toll Surpasses 7200." "US Supreme Court to Decide Same-sex Marriage." "Mile-wide Tornado Devastates Texas." "ISIS Beheads a Dozen Christians in Libya." "Militant Buddhists Burn Christian Churches in Myanmar."

Every day the news media issues calls to prayer for the needs of the world. The headlines scream for us to intercede concerning the natural disasters and evil in our world.

For example, the news about the earthquake in Nepal should have moved us to have compassion and concern for the thousands left homeless and bereaved. It should have made us immediately cry out for protection and safety, especially for our pastors and saints, including the orphans in the New Beginnings' children's home in Kathmandu. We should pray that God would meet the people's spiritual, emotional, and physical needs. We should pray that such and any devastation would cause men and women to seek refuge in Jesus.

Likewise, news about Christians being persecuted around the world should make us weep and intercede for their protection, asking God to sustain and strengthen their faith. Likewise, the news should make us pray for our own nation and that North American Christians would rise up and join battle against the forces of evil. It should make us realize that our only real hope is in Jesus Christ and therefore pray for His soon return.

The morality of the culture affects the church abroad as well as in the United States and Canada. Things that would have made people blush just a few years ago are accepted and touted as the new norm. Biblical standards and truth that were once the foundation of society have been judged discriminatory and hateful. Is it any wonder that the Bible instructs us to pray for those in authority? The pending decision by the US Supreme Court could change the structure of American society, forcing Christians either to compromise long-held biblical standards of morality or to take a stand against tyranny in the name of tolerance. We need to pray.

You say you don't have anything to pray about. Buy a newspaper, log on to Foxnews or turn the radio on as you drive down the highway and just listen to the headlines. In doing so, you will hear the voice of God calling you to pray.

Dorsey Burk, Guest Writer
Prayer Coordinator/Executive Assistant
Global Missions
United Pentecostal Church International
(wnop Newsletter)