A Prayer Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic

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Joshua J. Masters | March 18, 2020

The President has declared today a National Day of Prayer amid the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic. If you're a Christian, this proclamation should go beyond politics or opinion. Whether you support President Trump or not, whether you believe the pandemic is a true threat or not, Christians should be a people that respond in prayer. We must pray today and every day in the weeks to come.

When a president from either party declares a National Day of Prayer, it's a powerful opportunity to see God move in America. In a nation overrun with division and secularism, the leaders of our country are asking for prayer.

They are asking for prayer.

Think about that for a moment. Have you ever had an unbelieving friend or loved one ask for prayer amid a crisis? Do we not pray in the hope of Christ that the Holy Spirit might use that situation to reach them? Do we not pray for God to reveal His power in their lives? That's happening on a national level right now.

Some may believe the request is insincere or politically motivated, but none of that matters. When an unbelieving nation asks people of faith to pray, they've opened the door for the Holy Spirit to work in their lives.

What if our sincere prayers allow our president, legislators, and federal judges to see God's grace and strength in our nation? What if believers in our government are drawn closer to Christ? What if the Holy Spirit awakens those who don't know Him? Isn't that worth putting aside your politics?

Revival doesn't come from praying for the people you agree with.

Revival comes from praying for those you don't.

When the President declares a National Day of Prayer, we should take it seriously.

"It is my great honor to declare Sunday, March 15th as a National Day of Prayer. We are a Country that, throughout our history, has looked to God for protection and strength in times like these … No matter where you may be, I encourage you to turn towards prayer in an act of faith..."

President Donald J. Trump

God commands us to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2), and when those He's placed in leadership (Romans 13:1) come to us asking for prayer, we should become warriors of intercession.

A PRAYER AMID THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Maker of Heaven and Earth,1
We live in a broken world, and creation itself groans, as if in childbirth, awaiting your return.2

That fractured world has produced a pandemic around the globe.
People are sick and some are dying.
But we know you are a God who sees our suffering.3
You are a God of hope and strength.

Our hearts are broken for those who have lost loved ones.
Give us Your heart of compassion and send the Holy Spirit to comfort them.4

Panic rules in the hearts of men, they're filled with anxiety.
But you bring a peace beyond understanding.5
Reveal your strength, for you are our refuge. You remove fear when the mountains fall into the sea.6

Our leaders have asked us to pray.
Show them Your glory.
Convict them, and leaders around the world, of their need for You.7

Bring healing and restoration to the sick.8
Draw close to the brokenhearted.9

Let our hope be in Your promise:

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you. 10

Above all, mobilize the body of Christ11 to do Your work; reveal what You would have each of us do in this crisis. May we not be passive observers, but instruments of your grace and mercy to those in need.
AMEN.

Footnotes

[1] Psalm 146:6
[2] Romans 8:22
[3] Genesis 16:13
[4] 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
[5] Philippians 4:7
[6] Psalm 46:1-3
[7] John 16:8
[8] Jeremiah 30
[9] Psalm 34:18
[10] Isaiah 54:10
[11] 1 Corinthians 12:12-14