Prayer Requests

A reader writes:
It occurred to me at Mass today that some people who could definitely use some prayers are Bowe Bergdahl and his parents. Regardless of what he might or might not have done (I think he is entitled to a presumption of innocence at the very least), they are enduring a nation’s and perhaps a whole culture’s hatred, and there is something dreadfully like scapegoating going on here. I would be grateful if you would ask your other readers to pray for him and his parents.
Father, hear our prayer that these people would be seen as persons and not used as soccer balls and punching bags for taking out political rages and ideological hatreds on a scapegoats.  If crimes have been committed then let justice be done impartially.  If not, let them live out their lives in peace.  We ask this through Christ our Lord. Mother Mary, pray for them. Amen.
Another reader writes:
The following is a rough translation of a message received today from a Dominican who in a convent in Mosul:
Bad news.  I write you in a critical and apocalyptic situation of violence in Mosul.  Most of the inhabitants of the city have already abandoned their houses and fled into the villages and are sleeping in the open without anything to eat or drink.  Many thousands of armed men from the Islamic Groups of Da’ash have attacked the city of Mosul for the last two days. They have assassinated adults and children.  The bodies have been left in the streets and in the houses by the hundreds, without pity.  The regular forces and the army have also fled the city, along with the governor.  In the mosques, they cry “Allah Akbar, long live the Islamic State.”  Qaraqosh is overflowing with refugees of all kinds, without food or lodging.