Three Places That Need Your Prayers This Weekend

Each week we report on places across the world. Here's a guide to help you pray for various parts of the world that need God's presence this weekend.

1) Yemen

Smoke rises from a snack food factory after a Saudi-led air strike hit it in Sanaa, Yemen, August 9.Reuters

The crisis in Yemen has been brewing since the start of the Arab Spring in 2011. Food shortages began to hit the country – which was already one of the poorest in the Arab world.

Things became much worse in Yemen following the outbreak of war. Saudi Arabia is at the head of a coalition of forces seeking to return deposed President Hadi. He is a Sunni and has the backing of the Saudi coalition against the Shia forces – known as the Houthis – who have a level of support from Iran.

Over the last three years, atrocities have been attributed to both sides. However, the coalition led by the Saudis – who are British and American allies – has massive firepower and has been accused of carrying out horrific attacks on civilians.

Now, up to 14 million people are thought to be at risk of starvation. Harrowing pictures released this week showed the true scale of the suffering. The people of Yemen need your prayers.

2) Calais

Smoke rises from burning makeshift shelters and tents as the Calais Jungle is destroyed and the inhabitants removed.Reuters

This week saw the demolition of the Jungle refugee camp in the northern French port town of Calais. Although there has been good news to come out of this – the safe, if belated, arrival of child refugees in the UK – the scenes this week were distressing. Over 8,000 refugees were in the camp at the time the decision was made to clear it.

Fires raged in parts of the camp. When the demolition was virtually completed, it was reported that many refugees who'd been made homeless, including children, were now without anywhere to go. Processing by the authorities was either slow or nonexistent. Dozens of unaccompanied migrants were still nearby to the site.

As ever, there are churches and Christian groups who are in the thick of helping – both those refugees still near the camp and in the UK – receiving child refugees.

Pray for them, for the refugees themselves, for the countries they're coming from and for wisdom and mercy for French authorities – and for other countries in Europe deciding how to treat displaced people.

3) The United States

Donald Trump listens as Hillary Clinton answers a question from the audience.Reuters / Rick Wilking

The penultimate week of the Presidential election has been in full swing. With the last TV debate happening this week, both campaigns have been on the road, crossing the country to sweep up last minute votes.

Swing states have been receiving extra attention with large rallies taking place in various locations, local media flooded with advertising and a last-minute push taking place on behalf of both parties. States where early voting is allowed have seen streams of voters turning out.

The polls also continued to fluctuate with Donald Trump rising earlier this week and then falling back, meaning that Hillary Clinton remains the favourite to take the White House when polling finally comes to an end on November 8.

The divisive rhetoric of the campaign has continued on TV and radio as polling day draws close.

Pray for people on the other side of the aisle. Pray for peace and unity in the aftermath of the election. Pray for justice and mercy to be increasing themes of the electoral process.