#prayeralert: Ebola Continues to SpreadNick Beasley - 7 Jan 2015

Almost one year ago, Ebola broke out in West Africa.

Today nearly 8,000 people have lost their lives from this deadly virus (according to the World Health Organization). At least 20,000 people have caught the virus since its initial outbreak. 

In the past week alone, 337 new cases were reported in Sierra Leone. This is the highest number in four weeks. The total rose to 346 in Guinea, showing significant growth of the epidemic.

Liberia, the nation that has experienced the hardest and longest effect from the epidemic, has seen a decrease in the spread of Ebola. They have put restrictions on curfews and implanted procedural practices for community and religious gatherings. A medical charity in Liberia has been working hard to battle against the spread of the virus, but the workers fear that complacency is rising. Caitlin Ryan, a communications coordination with the charity, states that “…the population is now much less vigilant about Ebola, and health promotion messages are being pushed aside.”

Please, don’t grow weary in praying for this situation. Keep interceding!

• Pray for the health officials in these three nations to keep persevering in their efforts to educate the nationals about the virus. Ask God to grant them wisdom on the best restrictions to set in place.
• Intercede for the people in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. Pray they would be wise with their interactions and make choices for the betterment of their lives and others. 
• Ask for a decrease in the number of transmissions and healing for those who have contracted Ebola. 
• Pray for doctors, nurses, aid workers, and volunteers. Pray that God would bless the work of their hands and give them rest and peace. Pray that many would turn to the Lord in this time of need.
   

All images are used by permission in accordance with commons copyright license terms: Feature image is a derivative of the images 'West Africa' by NJB!  and 'Construcción del Centro de tratamiento de Ébola en Sierra Leona' by Cruz Roja Española