Prayer of the Faithful-1
During Corona Virus Pandemic
Leader:
Merciful God, we entrust to your tender care those who are
ill or in pain, particularly those who are affected by the corona virus knowing
that whenever danger threatens, your everlasting arms are there to
hold them safe.
Our response:
R/-: Lord, bring your healing and comfort to your people
2. For our vulnerable populations: God, protect our elderly
and those suffering from chronic disease. Provide for the poor, especially the
uninsured. We pray to the Lord.
3. For the young and the strong: God, give them the
necessary caution to keep them from unwittingly spreading this disease. Inspire
them to help. We pray to the Lord.
4. For our local, state, and federal governments: God, help
our elected officials as they allocate the necessary resources for combating
this pandemic. Help them to provide more tests. We pray to the Lord.
5. For our scientific community, leading the charge to
understand the disease and communicate its gravity: God, give them knowledge,
wisdom, and a persuasive voice. We pray to the Lord.
6. For the media, committed to providing up-to-date
information: God, help them to communicate with appropriate seriousness without
causing panic. We pray to the Lord.
7. For consumers of media, looking to be well-informed: God,
help us find the most helpful local information to equip us to be good neighbors.
Keep us from anxiety and panic, and enable us to implement the recommended
strategies, even at a cost to ourselves. We pray to the Lord.
8. For those with mental health challenges who feel
isolated, anxious, and helpless: God, provide them every necessary support. We
pray to the Lord.
9. For the homeless, unable to practice the protocols of
social distancing in the shelter system: Protect them from disease, and provide
isolation shelters in every city. We pray to the Lord.
10. For international travelers stuck in foreign countries:
God, help them return home safely and quickly. We pray to the Lord.
11. For Christian missionaries throughout the world,
especially in areas with high rates of infection: God, provide them with words
of hope, and equip them to love and serve those around them. We pray to the
Lord.
12. For workers in a variety of industries facing layoffs
and financial hardship: God, keep them from panic, and inspire your church to
generously support them. We pray to the Lord.
13. For families with young children at home for the
foreseeable future: God, help mothers and fathers to partner together
creatively for the care and flourishing of their children. For single mothers
and fathers, grow their networks of support. We pray to the Lord.
14. For parents who cannot stay home from work but must find
care for their children: God, present them with creative solutions. We pray to
the Lord.
15. For those in need of regular therapies and treatments
that must now be postponed: God, help them to stay patient and positive. We
pray to the Lord.
16. For business leaders making difficult decisions that
affect the lives of their employees: God, give these women and men wisdom, and
help them to lead self-sacrificially. We pray to the Lord.
17. For pastors and church leaders faced with the challenges
of social distancing: God, help them to creatively imagine how to pastor their people
and love their cities well. We pray to the Lord.
18. For college and university students, whose courses of
study are changing, whose placements are cancelled, whose graduation is
uncertain: God, show them that while life is uncertain, their trust is in you.
We pray to the Lord.
19. For Christians in every neighborhood, community, and
city: May your Holy Spirit inspire us to pray, to give, to love, to serve, and
to proclaim the gospel, that the name of Jesus Christ might be glorified around
the world. We pray to the Lord.
20. For front line health care workers, we thank you for
their vocational call to serve us. We also pray:
- God,
keep them safe and healthy. Keep their families safe and healthy.
- God,
help them to be knowledgeable about the diagnosis and treatment of this
disease, as well as the changing protocols.
- God,
help them to stay clear-minded in the midst of the surrounding panic.
- God,
deliver them from anxiety for their own loved ones (aging parents,
children, spouses, roommates).
- God,
give them compassion for every patient in their care.
- God,
provide for them financially, especially if they fall ill and are unable
to work.
- God,
help Christians in health care to exhibit extraordinary peace, so that
many would ask about the reason for their hope. Give them opportunities to
proclaim the gospel. We pray to the Lord.
Leader: God, we
trust that you are good and do good. Teach us to be your faithful people in
this time of global crisis. Help us to follow in the footsteps of our faithful
shepherd, Jesus, who laid down his life for the sake of love. Glorify his name
as you equip us with everything needed for doing your will. Amen.