Our world is full of hurting families and nations torn apart by war and violence. Nearly 2 billion people — about one-third of the world’s population — live in countries with conflict, violence, or fragile internal systems. These are places with the greatest humanitarian needs, where children, families, and communities struggle to acquire the basic necessities of life.

It can be difficult to know how to help people in need. Through prayer, we can “seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14). Please pray for peace for fragile contexts and conflict zones and for children and families living through difficult times. Pray especially for peace in Yemen where approximately 24 million need aid. Pray for South Sudanese people who have been involved in civil war for many years. 400,000 have been killed, 4 million are displaced including 2·2 million who fled the country as refugees. Pray for Syria where civil war has torn apart the country and sent 12 million people fleeing for safety. These are just some of the world’s population who are desperate for help—and all this mixed in with the Corona Virus pandemic.

Please pray for aid and relief for those suffering and that we ourselves may reach out in generosity and compassion.

Marilyn Appleby