How to pray specifically for drought

The headings of articles that filled page eight of last Saturday’s Daily Nation (1/24/09) could keep one praying for quiet awhile and the facts included in the article would suffice for a whole prayer retreat. As you read these specifics of Kenya, pray also for other places in our world facing drought:

“TO THE RESUCE: UN agency to feed 3.2 million” – “The 3.2 million excludes the 1.2 million people in arid and semi-arid areas currently dependent on food aid from the UN agency …carrying out an assessment in the affected areas to determine the extent of the drought, which has left more than 10 million people starving … They intend to being distributing the food in the coastal region, one of the areas worst hit by the crop failure.” Pray for this assessment and others being done by government and aid organizations. Pray that the assessments will be speedy and reveal the greatest needs and the best ways to respond.

“Koreans donate Sh120m for water supply project” – “The project will ensure provision of safe water to the people of Awendo and surrounding communities … will improve the livelihoods of residents by reducing poverty levels and waterborne diseases.” Pray that during this time of drought that people will have the means to clean water or be able to purify available water and take the time to do so in order to reduce illnesses caused by “bad” water.

“Act on law to protect us, plead potato farmers” – Pray that farmers, including these in the North Rift, will not be exploited by others who are seeking to benefit from the drought situation.

“Farmers reduce herds as animal feed prices rise” – Pray for the economic situation and the increased higher prices that results from drought, especially the “higher prices” that are caused by greedy individuals.

“Hungry villagers hurt in scramble for bull’s meat” – “Scores of people were … injured after a fight ensued over meat from a bull killed by lightening.” Pray for peace in areas where drought is leading to starvation. Pray that additional deaths and hurt will not occur due to the resulting tensions. Like many areas suffering drought, there are many people unreached by the knowledge of the Good News of our Saviour in the Teso (western Kenya) where this happened, so pray for an end to their spiritual “drought” as you pray for an end to the physical drought they are facing.

“Team pleads for relief food as 63,000 starve” – This article is from one small area, Narok District (southern Kenya), so the number is low, yet it is a good reminder that a starving person is in need whether he/she is included in a group of 10 million or ten. Remember to pray for the individual persons facing starvation, especially that each one will come to know and depend upon our Saviour, the Bread of Life (John 6:35).

“Quelea birds destroy wheat” – Pray that additional problems such as this bird invasion in Meru (central part of Kenya in the Eastern Province) will not lead to “worsening an already fragile food security” in areas facing drought.

“Animals face death as drought persists” – “More than 13 million animals are facing death due to the persisting drought…” Many Kenyans are totally dependent upon their animals for their livelihoods. Pray for recovery programmes that the Kenyan “emergency interventions to mitigate the effects of the drought … and salvage loss of livestock” planned by the Kenyan government.

Yes, all of this was on just one page of last Saturday’s Daily Nation! Thank you for praying for Kenya and other places in our world facing drought, Bert Yates