Pandemic Prayers

Are you, like me, eager to pray for, well … everything concerning the COVID-19 crisis assaulting our world at present, but you just can’t fathom how to cover the vast myriad of needs?

Then I have great news for you, my BBFF (Blessed Blog Friend Forever)!

Last week I received this terrific list of Prayer Points specifically regarding the coronavirus from Rene and Lilli Palacio, my longtime dear friends who direct Christian missionaries all over the world through a wonderful organization called SIM (Serving In Mission), which Spouse and I have personally supported for decades.

I’ve found this prayer list so helpful that I asked permission to share it with you. I hope it helps organize and specifize (not a real word but should be) your prayer efforts as much as it has mine. Please feel free to print, post, and pray from this guide daily. And share it with your peeps. Pertinent scriptures are included.

Ten Daily COVID-19 Prayer Points.    Pray for:

1. The Lord to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Ask in Jesus’ name that the virus would recede and that the numbers of those infected would decline rapidly. Trust the Lord to intervene with His loving care. “And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” (1 John 5:14).
2. Those who are sick, that they’ll have access to the care and treatment they need. Pray for peace and perseverance amidst suffering. Include those in isolation who are cut off from their normal routines and support systems, that they would seek their strength in Jesus. Don’t forget to pray encouragement for the thousands in quarantine, waiting fearfully to find out if they have the virus. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1). 
3. Healthcare workers who are caring for those with COVID-19; for wisdom, discretion, and their protection from the virus, stamina during long and intense work hours, and for safe protocols to be observed to protect their own families. Pray for these frontliners to seek the Lord during this crisis. “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.” (Psalm 107:28).
4. Grieving families who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus. Even as their hearts are breaking, pray they would know the nearness and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Ask that they would feel compassion from the Lord and from friends and neighbors. Pray against despair and for new mercies every morning. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7). 
5. Pastors serving their churches and communities affected by COVID-19. Ask the Holy Spirit to give these shepherd-leaders the right words for the right time and the right actions for each situation. Pray they would speak the gospel in heart, word, and deed to each person to whom they minister. “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, annointing him with oil in the name of the Lord … The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:14, 16). 
6. The body of Christ worldwide, that the church would rise up to pray and support the sick and their caregivers in practical and sacrificial ways. Pray for the church to be a light on a hill in hospitals, communities, and cities where God has placed them. Petition for an outpouring of love, compassion, and service in Jesus’ name. And sincerely ask the question: What would You have ME do, Lord? “But God has composed the body and given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you and the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it. ” (1 Corin. 12; 24-27). 
7. Government officials and decision-makers who are leading counties, states, countries and organizations throughout the crisis. We acknowledge that the Lord has allowed each one to be in a place of influence during this time. pray that they would mobilize resources quickly and effectively to where they are most needed. Petition the Almighty that these leaders will put the needs of the people above political or monetary interests. Also pray for all those working behind the scenes and for the good administration and execution of response efforts worldwide. “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:7).
8. Those waking up each day to fallout caused by COVID-19, that they would reach out to the Lord. Pray for people to earnestly seek the Lord. Include those whose businesses and livelihoods are ruined by the halt in many sectors of the economy; those who may lose jobs and salaries. For each one, we pray for new beginnings with the Lord walking by their side. “For  know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” (Jeremiah 29:11,12).
9. All who are ministering sacrificially to others in Christ’s name, especially in areas acutely impacted by COVID-19. Pray that businesses and ministries would not have to stay shut down, but that the Lord would carry them through this difficult time, for His glory. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (2 Corin. 4:8-10). 
10. All those who do not have the saving knowledge of Jesus – to hear about Him and respond to His love. We pray for the salvation of every man, woman, and child, according to God’s will. Through eyes of faith, ask in Jesus’ name for the gift of salvation to come to many out of this crisis. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise, as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).  

So tell me, dearest BBFF, what has been your primary prayer focus during these weeks of social isolation and corona-confusion? How about your personal concerns for the near future? I would be more than happy to pray for you (and I’m sure our awesome community of Too Blessed to be Stressed BBFFs would too!)  if you share your requests (feel free to share publicly below or you can PM me if you’d rather keep your requests confidential).

Lots of love and a BIG cyber hug coming your way!