NOTE: I wrote this post at the beginning of COVID—in March of this year. Few of us thought we’d be dealing with the crisis through the rest of the year. We are, though, so focused, intentional prayer is still important. I invite you to join me in continuing to pray for these needs—needs for which I don’t pray enough:
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- For spouses and children in abusive situations. We don’t know what goes on behind closed doors, but my guess is that the stress of this crisis has led to other crises—even dangerous ones, I’m afraid.
- For marriages that are struggling. If couples were struggling before the virus threat, I pray that those who are forced to be together more would deal with their issues. I’m sure, though, that this situation is only exacerbating the problems in many cases.
- For pastors who are wrestling with their commitment to a difficult church. Those difficulties preceded the crisis, and they’re likely to be broadened during the crisis. Social distancing won’t eliminate the challenges that cause pastors to look elsewhere.
- For pastors and churches in the middle of leadership transition. I know of more than one church who was in the latter stages of calling a new pastor when this crisis unexpectedly hindered all church events. It seems lives remain on hold right now…
- For churches whose existence may not survive this crisis. Some churches were already declining. Now, this additional threat will likely force them to discontinue meeting unless God intervenes.
- For church members and others who’ve lost their jobs. Some have already been let go. Others have been notified. Still others are working a declining number of hours, and they don’t know what the future holds. Seemingly within days—and now, for months—everything has changed.
- For church members and others whose retirement income seems to be disappearing. I’m 59, and I’m wondering if I’ll need to work additional years to make up for losses in these hard days—so I can’t imagine what others slightly older than I are facing. I fear the stress will be too much for some people.
- For local pastors in my community. My own pastor was one of those pastors in the middle of a transition at the beginning of COVID. Others I know are working overtime to figure out how to shepherd and care for their congregations through multiple means. They need our prayers for wisdom.
- For non-believers who have no real direction to turn. I know God is with me, but non-believers have no such peace. Sadly, they have no God to whom they can turn. Multiply that situation by the billions, and you see the needs of the global lost.
- For God to glorify Himself in this crisis. My theology says that He will, but my prayers in that direction help me to rest in His sovereignty. The truth of His sovereignty matters, especially when everything seems out of control.
What prayers would you add?
I would add to the list prayer for faithfulness to the teaching and example of Jesus. With congregations and communities divided over the seriousness of the pandemic , the need for safety measures like face masks, and compliance with state and local guidance affecting religious organizations, the pandemic is proving a test of our faithfulness to our Lord’s teaching and example, I would also add to the list prayer for protection and deliverance from the powers of darkness. Wherever there is human misery and suffering, these spiritual forces are at working, making the situation worse in one way or another. They may egg people on to make bad decisions, blind people to the truth, and that sort of thing.
I pray for those who believe that it is all just a conspiracy (but who are spreading the virus) to be brought to their senses in whatever way God sees fit.
I also pray the old 1662 BCP prayer for any common plague or sickness.
O Almighty God, who in thy wrath didst send a plague upon thine own people in the wilderness for their obstinate rebellion against Moses and Aaron, and also in the time of King David, didst slay with the plague of pestilence threescore and ten thousand, and yet remembering thy mercy didst save the rest: have pity upon us miserable sinners, who now are visited with great sickness and mortality, that like as thou didst then accept of an atonement, and didst command the destroying Angel to cease from punishing: so it may now please thee to withdraw from us this plague and grievous sickness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.