Pray now for NorwayRachel Wegner - 29 Jul 2011

The world is watching as the nation of Norway grieves two shocking terrorist attacks on July 22. After a massive bomb tore through the government district of nation’s capital of Oslo, a man opened fire at a political youth summit on the nearby island of Utoeya. Anders Behring Breivik, the 32-year-old gunman, confessed responsibility for the bombing after being apprehended by police.

Breivik claims he is a Christian and abides by extreme right-wing views. He also disclosed that his attacks were based upon a chilling anti-Islamic sentiment and had been in the works for years. At last count, 76 people were killed, marking the event as the worst peacetime massacre in the nation’s modern history. Despite Breivik’s intentions to divide Norwegian society and start a war that would last for decades, tens of thousands of people have lined the nation’s streets with flowers, gathered for vigils and comforted one another as they mourn together.

As many events surrounding this tragic and jarring situation continue to unfold, we urge you to pray for the people of Norway. Below are a few focused points of how to pray.

• Pray for the families and friends of those who were killed in the attacks.
• Pray for the well-being of the people and the families of those who survived the bombings and the attack on Utoeya.
  
• Pray for wisdom for the authorities over the Norwegian criminal justice system, which is being tested severely in response to Breivik’s attacks. 
• Pray for the many Muslims and Christians alike affected by Breivik’s hateful and violent sentiments.
• Pray that men and women of peace will be raised up in Norway as carriers of God’s love and the good news of the Gospel.
  
• Pray that the name of Jesus will be honored and made known in this situation.