In recent days, as COVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic and countries have taken urgent measures to stem the spread of infection, I wish I could say that my first impulse has been to pray. It’s probably more honest to say that I’ve obsessively refreshed my feeds.
The crisis is urgent, and I feel powerless. But perhaps feeling small is the best reminder to pray. Prayer is how we actively practice believing, so simply, so confidently, that God has the whole world in his hands. It’s where we “let petitions and praises shape our worries into prayers, letting God know our concerns” (Phil. 4:6–7, The Message). Prayer is never the last resort of God’s people. It is our first point of action.
With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of 20 prayers to pray during this pandemic. Each one addresses the specific needs of a specific community. I’m fortunate to be a part of a church with many medical professionals, some of whom gave me advice on how best to pray for them at this time. I’ve included their responses here. I’ve also tried to think broadly about how the rest of us are impacted by the current crisis.
This list isn’t comprehensive, of course, but it’s a good place to start. My hope is that it can provide words for us as we pray collectively (if also virtually!) as a church body. We believe there is a God who bends his ear to listen, and so we pray:
1. For the sick and infected: God, heal and help. Sustain bodies and spirits. Contain the spread of infection.
2. For our vulnerable populations: God, protect our elderly and those suffering from chronic disease. Provide for the poor, especially the uninsured.
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.
4. For our local, state, and federal governments: God, help our elected officials as they allocate the necessary resources for combatting this pandemic. Help them to provide more tests.
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.
6. For the media, committed to providing up-to-date information: God, help them to communicate with appropriate seriousness without causing panic.
"Hallelujah! Thank you, Father!!!” Praises, Praises, to You the only wise God, Father of all. All Glory belongs to You!!! Praising gives me strength, and it leads me to You, Lord. Jesus goes before me as I lift my hands, my mind, my heart to You. With Your divine connection, the Holy Spirit who causes me to learn, teaches me how to greet others with love, testimonies of goodness and peace that at times I cannot understand. Because of You, I continue to praise and say “Holy, Holy, Holy, how wonderful You are.” Please allow me to be used by Thee, we love you Father God and I will forever adore, follow, and trust You. In Your Son Jesus' name Amen.
Father, I know it is You and only You who possesses the power to direct my steps. I pray that my plans would align with Your plans for my life. I know and trust that the plans You have for me are good. I pray that You will direct each and every one of my steps, allowing me to be influenced by the Spirit and Your grace. May all my steps glorify You, and may I never doubt the plans You have for me. In Jesus Name, Amen
(Lettinghislightshine.com)
N – Need a new beginning in Christ.
E – Enter into His gates with Praise.
W – We welcome Christ into our lives.
Y- Yes God is real, yield to the Word of God.
E – Every praise is to our God.
A – Adjust, apply the scripture to our daily lives.
R – Remember, rejoice, repent and reclaim our salvation.
It’s a New Year, so let’s be a better people in 2022.
Amen, and Happy New Year!
Black History
B - Black Lives Matter.
I am black and I am proud let's say it out loud.
L - Let Freedom Ring from every hill and mountain side.
I am black and I am proud let's say it out loud.
A - African American's have risen and will continue.
I am black and I am proud let's say it out loud.
C - Collaborate the Freedom Dream.
I am black and I am proud let's say it out loud.
K - Keep Hope Alive.
I am black and I am proud let's say it out loud.
H - The History of the Black People Must be Taught.
I am black and I am proud let's say it out loud.
I - Inventions of Many Things have been Overlooked.
I am black and I am proud let's say it out loud.
S - Sing a Song Full of The Faith.
I am black and I am proud let's say it out loud.
T - Time Has Made the Way for each of Us.
Trust God whether you are Black or White.
O - Oppression is Slowly creeping back in.
I am black and I am proud let's say it out loud.
R - Remember Where We Came From.
I am black and I am proud let's say it out loud.
Y - Yes we have come a long way and we have a long way to go.
You and I can help make a difference.
I am black and I am proud let's say it out loud.
Beyond
Beyond all the guilt and shame lies the hurt, and pain
Not knowing or understanding the why and the reasons
Beyond the years of tears when there is nothing left, no crying.
Just a broken spirit and heart lays the anger.
The anger manifests into hardness.
Bricks are laid to cover the brokenness.
Pieces of the heart are left in the rubble.
Beyond the anger, resentment awaits. The last tear binds the bricks dry
With an understanding you are left with
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Do not depend on your own understanding.
In all your ways remember him.
Then he will make your paths smooth and straight.”
For beyond every valley there is a hill
After every storm the sun shines
Every winter is followed by spring
And beyond every day is a new day.
“The Sparrow and Me”
by Brother Mike “Angel” Evans
It was one early morning just before the break of dawn. I sat on my patio relaxing and enjoying the start of this new day. I witnessed the upper rim of the sun as it began to break through the horizon. The sky slowly turned to a light baby blue color, then a vivid bright blue. Then the clouds appeared like gigantic cotton balls of all kinds of shapes and sizes against the background of the blue sky. Just as the dawn broke, the sparrow began to sing.
As I listened to the sparrow singing his/her songs, it sounded as if he/she was praising the Lord for all He has done. Joyfully, it hopped from one tree branch to the other, and without missing a beat it excitedly continued singing. I smiled and my heart began to leap as the sparrow continued to give God all the glory and all the praise in his/her song. It was like I could feel it all in my soul. “He/She had to be singing about the Lord”, I said to myself. There was no doubt in my mind that he/she was praising the Lord in its song.
While enjoying all this splendor that was all around me and before me, I thought, this sparrow is singing to the Lord with all its heart. This sparrow in all his/her excitement, bliss, and joyousness he/she sang. Singing to all that was listening near and far, “How Great Is Our God, Oh How Precious Is the Lamb, His Love Is Amazing, The Balm in Gilead, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!”. If God’s eye is on the sparrow, then I know He watches me, so I sing!
There is nothing for me like singing to and for the Lord. Like that sparrow, “It Soothes My Soul”. When I sing it strengthens me; it humbles me. Like the sparrow, I can sing giving the Lord praise, I can sing to tell Him about all my troubles. I sing to tell of the “Good News”, I sing “Oh How I love Jesus”!
Like that sparrow, I sing telling the world my story of how the Lord has brought me from a mighty long way. Standing on the highest mountain I sing, how while in darkness He was a lamp unto my feet. I sing of how He opened my eyes that I may see and “He Walks with Me and Talks with Me and He Tells Me I ‘Am His Own”. I sing because He loved me before the being of time. I sing telling the world how He died to save me from sin. I sing how in three days later His father raised Him from the dead with all power in His hands. I sing of my savior’s departure to be at the right hand of the Father, and He also went to prepare a place in heaven for me. Like that sparrow, I sing of God’s mercies and grace. I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free! His Eye is on the Sparrow, I Know, I Know, and I Know He Watches Me! So, I sing!
Inspirational Wisdom
Lazarus
By Brother Donald Codrington
For four days they wept and thought all hope was gone. The one Jesus loved had died, the stone was moved and with 3 words, “Lazarus come out” all hope is restored.
We all go thru pain, hurt and loss in different ways. Some have physical pain. The struggle of getting out of bed is real for some, they may need a cane or need a helping hand just to eat. Some have deep emotional scars. That pain at many times is debilitating. Some may be dealing with the loss of a loved one and don’t know how they will carry on. My belief is, God pulled me through in each one of these areas; from having a stroke to the loss of my father before I could mend the relationship. It’s God’s will and blessing that I am here today.
Yes!!! I said blessing, for each time God is saying you’re not done here yet. Every time you want to give up, God allows you to go thru to grow thru, “You ain’t done yet”. Every morning you wake up, “You ain’t done yet”. Every ache and pain you may feel, “You ain’t done yet”. Every tear, “You ain’t done yet”.
Jesus loves you! He gave His life for you!! Put your trust in Him and believe that He died, was buried, and rose to save you. He’s coming back!! Let him use you for his will and purpose. Gods got a plan for you! And until then “We ain’t done yet”.