Mar 15th 20 Posted by Natalie Nichols in Prayer

A Prayer Guide: National Day of Prayer for the Coronavirus Pandemic

In light of the Coronavirus global pandemic, President Trump has declared today a National Day of Prayer. He stated in a tweet,

“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….”

As he said, we are a country that as a people have looked to God in times of crisis. And we have had presidents and leaders who have led us to seek God in prayer in such times.

Our National Heritage: Leaders Who Call for Days of Prayer

Since our founding, we have had local, state, and national leaders who have called us to seek God in prayer, especially in times of crisis.

In the crisis of our nation’s war for independence, the Continental Congress proclaimed a day of fasting and prayer.

John Adams, our second president, proclaimed a day of solemn fasting and prayer when the United States was on the verge of war with France….

During the crisis of the War of 1812, James Madison, our fourth president, proclaimed a day of fasting and prayer.

Among the most memorable occasions are President Lincoln’s proclamations calling for fasting and prayer during the Civil War … and President Roosevelt’s prayer on D-Day during his radio address.

For Such a Time As This

The book of Esther tells about a time when the Jews were on the verge of annihilation. (You can read about it here and here). Queen Esther is told by Mordecai,

“If you keep silent at this time, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s house will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14, HCSB).

The rest of the story proves Mordecai correct. God had indeed brought Esther to her position for that moment. He used her and her call to fasting and prayer in order to save the Jewish people.

As I watched the federal Coronavirus Task Force updates on television yesterday, and saw Vice-President Pence, a man known (and hated by many) for his godly, Christian walk and for being a man of prayer, one thought came to mind — perhaps God entrusted him and the president with their positions in leadership for such a time as this.

We are blessed to have been given leaders who are not ashamed to call on God in a time of crisis. 

Vice-President Pence has been ridiculed for praying with the COVID-19 Task Force. He has been accused of not being a man of science by those who do not believe in God or the power of prayer. But praying does not mean we do not believe in science.

Science tells us that COVID-19 is dangerous to the elderly and those with chronic, underlying medical conditions. God created us with a brain for a reason. Thus we heed the wise recommendations resulting from science—social distancing, hand washing, avoiding exposing those at risk, avoiding large groups, etc.

And while we do this, our faith offers to put us in touch with the One who is more powerful than the Coronavirus. We can exercise wise recommendations from science, knowing that we are still utterly dependent on God. He is sovereign. He is all-powerful. He is mighty to save. He loves. He intervenes. He answers the prayers of His people.

We can pray to the God who has shut lions’ mouths, stopped the sun in its course, and parted the sea. We can appeal to the God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever—the God Who, in response to the prayers of His people, turned back disaster for nations time and again in the Bible.

We are fortunate to have a man leading the task force who is a man of prayer and who will look to God in times of crisis—who will seek His wisdom (which includes “science”) and respond accordingly. What a gift from God to have a man leading the task force who prays for wisdom and for God to intervene and save lives. And who no doubt, prays daily for us as a nation, prays for the president, and prays for all the challenges they face each day in this administration.

No Panic Necessary

According to the information from countries already affected by the pandemic, COVID-19 does not seem to be deadly, on average, for otherwise healthy people. Statistics from those countries show that the majority of people recover from it. Yet there are many reasons to have a national day of prayer.

The disease does pose significant danger for those in the population who are at risk—the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions. Compacting the matter, millions of Americans’ lives have been turned upside down by all the steps taken to blunt a sudden, massive spread of the disease that would exceed our nation’s hospitals’ capacity to treat.

I am a person with a chronic medical condition. My parents are both at risk, with multiple serious, chronic conditions, including lung illness. And on top of that, my Dad is in a nursing facility, an environment where infection control is virtually impossible.

But I am not panicked. I’m not worried. God governs every second of our lives. Not a moment is outside of His control. He is powerful and mighty to save! We are exercising wisdom and caution and taking all the necessary steps while trusting God, knowing nothing will take us home to heaven a moment earlier than the set time God has ordained. All the days of your life and my life, from the first to the last, were written in His book when as yet there were none of them. (Psalm 139:16)

So when we pray, let’s pray out of firm trust in God, not fear or worry.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God” (Philippians 4:6, CEV).

Prayer Guide

• Ask God, in His mercy, to stop this pandemic and save lives in our communities and around the world. (Isaiah 59:1-2)¹
• Pray for President Trump, Vice-President Pence, the Task Force, and our state and local leaders, that God will give them wisdom as to the best steps to take to combat the disease and to manage the effects in our daily lives. (James 1:5; Romans 13:1–4)²
• Pray for those on the front lines of the response — the medical professionals, public health officials, first responders, National Guard, and people working on every level to ensure our health and safety. Ask God to give them wisdom, protection and strength. (James 1:5. | Protection: Psalm 5:11, 91:2; 121:1-8; 138:7. | Strength: 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 29:11; Psalm 73:26; Isaiah 40:29,31; Isaiah 46:1)
• Pray that people will have a calm assurance in God’s sovereign rule. (Psalm 103:19; Psalm 37:23; Matthew 10:29-31)
• Pray that God will remove worry and fear and replace them with His peace. (1 John 4:18; Philippians 4:6-7; John 14:27; Psalm 27:1; John 16:33)
• Pray for healing for those who are sick with the disease. (Jeremiah 17:14; 3 John 1:2)
• Pray for wisdom for us as a people in the decisions we make, and for a willingness to follow instructions. (James 1:5; Proverbs 4:6)
• Pray for protection for those at risk, and for those in nursing facilities who cannot truly prevent exposure even though the government has limited visitors. (Psalm 5:11; 91:2; 121:1-8; 138:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:3)

(Nursing facility exposure continues because: 1) Staff leave, return, and could return unwittingly carrying the virus, exposing residents. 2) Residents are admitted to the hospital for other issues, could be exposed to COVID-19 and return without proper quarantine. 3) Residents leave for medical appointments and return possibly exposed. All the while, infection control in a community home environment is impossible, which we learned with Dad’s MRSA last year. Residents are at great risk of exposure, in spite of the government’s best efforts.)

Pray also for Jesus to manifest His presence among nursing facility residents and give them His peace. As residents see the news, they are beginning to panic and feel doomed to death. Others do not understand why they are being kept from the dining rooms and asked to stay in their rooms, or being prevented from going outside. It’s very confusing and stressful for them. On top of that, they’re not seeing their family members (and not having church groups come in to sing, pray, and share encouraging sermons). What’s worse, in many facilities, cancelling group dining means their staff routines are up-ended and neglect will be more prevalent, even among those with the best of intentions who ordinarily provide decent care. Family members’ presence is often the only reason residents receive care. (This is the downside of the government restrictions on visitors.) Without family present, it’s horrible to think of the kind of neglect and abuse that might take place, especially in some of the worst facilities.

Pray for God to protect residents from the virus without and from the neglect and inadequate standards within. Ask Him to send His Word to them and comfort them. “This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me and given me life” (Psalm 119:50, AMPC). Ask Him to give the staff compassion and wisdom and help them provide proper care during this time.

• Pray that through this crisis, people will see how fleeting and fragile life is, how lasting and real eternity is, and that they will consequently recognize their need to turn to God. (Psalm 90:12)³
• Pray that this will result in a global advance of the Gospel, leading to the salvation of many! Pray that this will lead to a spiritual awakening in our nation and the world. (Romans 13:11; Psalm 80:18, 85:6; Isaiah 57:15; Habakkuk 3:2; Mark 16:15)

God is shaking our nation and the world in a way He has not done in a generation. May it lead to revival in our nation!

• Pray that God will protect missionaries and their families around the globe, using this global crisis to take the Good News of the Gospel to the whole world. (Mark 16:15. Scriptures about protection: Psalm 5:11; 91:2; 121:1-8; 138:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:3)⁴
• Pray that God will show us how to help our neighbors while practicing social distancing.. (Proverbs 3:27; Philippians 2:4; Hebrews 13:16; John 15:12; Matthew 5:16; Mark 12:31)

 

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Prayer Guide With Full Scriptures

1. Ask God, in His mercy, to stop this pandemic and save lives in our communities and around the world.

“Indeed, the Lord’s hand is not too short to save,
and His ear is not too deaf to hear.
2 But your iniquities have built barriers
between you and your God,
and your sins have made Him hide His face from you
so that He does not listen” (Isaiah 59:1-2, HCSB).

2. Pray for President Trump, Vice-President Pence, the Task Force, and our state and local leaders, that God will give them wisdom as to the best steps to take to combat the disease and to manage the effects in our daily lives.

“Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. ² So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. ⁴ For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong” (Romans 13:1–4, HCSB).

“But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all” (James 1:5, GNT).

3. Pray for those on the front lines of the response — the medical professionals, public health officials, first responders, National Guard, and people working on every level to ensure our health and safety. Ask God to give them wisdom, protection, and strength.

“But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all” (James 1:5, GNT).

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you” (Psalm 5:11, ESV).

“I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!” (Psalm 91:2, AMPC).

“I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?
² My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
³ He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.
⁴ Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.
⁵ The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side.
⁶ The sun will not strike you by day or the moon by night.
⁷ The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life.
⁸ The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever” (Psalm 121:1-8, HCSB).

“If I walk into the thick of danger, You will preserve my life from the anger of my enemies. You will extend Your hand; Your right hand will save me” (Psalm 138:7, HCSB).

“But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3, HCSB).

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, HCSB).

“The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11, HCSB).

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26, HCSB).

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak… Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:29, 31, NIV).

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1, ESV).

4. Pray that people will have a calm assurance in God’s sovereign rule.

“The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
and His kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19, HCSB).

“The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]” (Psalm 37:23, AMPC).

“Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. ³⁰ But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. ³¹ So don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31, HCSB).

5. Pray that God will remove worry and fear and replace them with His peace.

“There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror!” (1 John 4:18, AMPC)

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God” (Philippians 4:6, CEV).

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27, ESV).

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1, NKJV).

“The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11, HCSB).

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, ESV).

6. Pray for healing for those who are sick with the disease.

“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise” (Jeremiah 17:14, ESV).

“Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually” (3 John 1:2, HCSB).

7. Pray for wisdom for us as a people in the decisions we make, and for a willingness to follow instructions.

“But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all” (James 1:5, GNT).

“Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you” (Proverbs 4:6, HCSB).

8. Pray for protection for those at risk, and for those in nursing facilities who cannot truly prevent exposure even though the government has limited visitors.

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you” (Psalm 5:11, ESV).

“I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!” (Psalm 91:2, AMPC).

“I lift my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
² My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
³ He will not allow your foot to slip;
your Protector will not slumber.
⁴ Indeed, the Protector of Israel
does not slumber or sleep.
⁵ The Lord protects you;
the Lord is a shelter right by your side.
⁶ The sun will not strike you by day
or the moon by night.
⁷ The Lord will protect you from all harm;
He will protect your life.
⁸ The Lord will protect your coming and going
both now and forever” (Psalm 121:1-8, HCSB).

“If I walk into the thick of danger, You will preserve my life from the anger of my enemies. You will extend Your hand; Your right hand will save me” (Psalm 138:7, HCSB).

“But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3, HCSB).

9. Pray that through this crisis, people will see how fleeting and fragile life is, how lasting and real eternity is, and that they will consequently recognize their need to turn to God.

“Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts” (Psalm 90:12, HCSB).

10. Pray that this will result in a global advance of the Gospel, leading to the salvation of many! Pray that this will lead to a spiritual awakening in our nation and the world.

“Do this, knowing that this is a critical time. It is already the hour for you to awaken from your sleep [of spiritual complacency]; for our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed [in Christ]” (Romans 13:11, AMP).

“Revive us, and we will call on Your name” (Psalm 80:18, HCSB).

“Will You not revive us again so that Your people may rejoice in You? (Psalm 85:6, HCSB)

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite” (Isaiah 57:15, ESV).

“Lord, I have heard the report about You; Lord, I stand in awe of Your deeds. Revive Your work in these years; make it known in these years. In Your wrath remember mercy!” (Habakkuk 3:2, HCSB)

“Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15, HCSB).

God is shaking our nation and the world in a way He has not in a generation. May it lead to revival in our nation!

11. Pray that God will protect missionaries and their families around the globe, using this global crisis to take the Good News of the Gospel to the whole world.

“And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone” (Mark 16:15, NLT)

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you” (Psalm 5:11, ESV).

“I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!” (Psalm 91:2, AMPC).

“I lift my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
² My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
³ He will not allow your foot to slip;
your Protector will not slumber.
⁴ Indeed, the Protector of Israel
does not slumber or sleep.
⁵ The Lord protects you;
the Lord is a shelter right by your side.
⁶ The sun will not strike you by day
or the moon by night.
⁷ The Lord will protect you from all harm;
He will protect your life.
⁸ The Lord will protect your coming and going
both now and forever” (Psalm 121:1-8, HCSB).

“If I walk into the thick of danger, You will preserve my life from the anger of my enemies. You will extend Your hand; Your right hand will save me” (Psalm 138:7, HCSB).

“But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3, HCSB).

12. Pray that God will show us how to help our neighbors while practicing social distancing.

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it” (Proverbs 3:27, ESV).

“Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others (Philippians 2:4, HCSB).

“Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices” (Hebrews 13:16, HCSB).

“This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12, HCSB).

“let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, AMPC).

“Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31, HCSB).

A Closing Passage of Scripture

Isaiah 46

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
⁶ The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Questions:

• Which of these passages of scripture most expressed your own heart’s cry concerning the pandemic?
• Which passage gave you correct perspective and calmed your fears?
• Which verse do you think you’ll find yourself expressing in prayer to God the most?

 

OTHER PRAYER GUIDES

• Praying for Government Leaders (Part 2): A Prayer Guide
• Praying for Government Leaders (3): A Guide to Praying for Your Country

RELATED ARTICLES

• His Throne Rules Over All: Resting in God’s Sovereign Rule, Part One
• Filtered Through His Fingers of Love: Resting in God’s Sovereign Rule, Part Two
• America’s Founders and Presidents: Proclamations for Public Fasting and Prayer
• President Lincoln’s Proclamations of Fasting and Prayer

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1. @ronniefloyd. “How should you pray about the national and global crisis? How can a church pray for this national and global crisis? Consider these things.” Twitter, March 14, 2020, 7:37 pm. https://twitter.com/ronniefloyd/status/1238987565816045569?s=20
2. Ibid. Accessed March 14, 2020.
3. Ibid. Accessed March 14, 2020.
4. Ibid. Accessed March 14, 2020.

 
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