The coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly disrupted our lives, leaving many feeling disoriented and uncertain. Just as an inner ear infection can throw off your balance, the temporary pause of familiar routines like Bible studies, small groups, and in-person events can create a sense of unease. But amidst the uncertainty, one path remains clear: this interruption is an invitation to accelerated prayer.
What if these disruptions are God’s way of calling us to a more earnest and fervent prayer life? What if this period of pause is actually a trumpet call to fasting and seeking His face? We often say that prayer is the work of ministry, and now we have a unique opportunity to demonstrate our belief in that truth. God works through our prayers to bring His plans to fruition. Imagine the impact we can have when countless individuals unite in prayer, fervently seeking healing and restoration for our world.
This interruption in our normal routines presents a precious gift – the opportunity to intentionally seek God’s presence. We need God for far more than just the end of COVID-19.
- We pray because we yearn for His presence.
- We pray because we long for the Church to be filled with His glory (2 Chron. 7:1-3, 14)!
Alt text: A diverse group of people are kneeling and praying together in a church setting, their heads bowed and hands clasped, symbolizing unity and supplication during a time of need.
- We pray because we hunger for God’s glory to fill the earth (Hab. 3:2).
Use this 7-Day Coronavirus Prayer Guide as a tool to become a faithful watchman and to encourage others to join in prayer (Isa. 62:6–7; Ezek. 22:30). Consider forming online prayer groups or using text messages to connect with others and lift up our world in prayer. Let’s diligently seek God until He pours out salvation and righteousness (Isa. 45:8). Now, more than ever, may we “continue steadfastly in prayer”—together.
A 7-Day Steadfast Prayer Guide: Praying Through the Pandemic
Continue steadfastly in prayer. (Col. 4:2)
Begin each prayer time with praise. Reflect on the words of Psalm 96.
MONDAY: Families
“As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Josh. 24:15)
PRAY FOR:
- Families experiencing separation to remain united in heart and spirit.
- Reconciliation and healing in broken relationships within families.
- Prodigals to feel a strong conviction to return home to their families and to God.
- Marriages to be strengthened and fortified against the pressures of this time.
- Children to be nurtured and shaped in Christ-like ways, influencing their future.
- Physical protection and healing for those who are sick and vulnerable to the virus.
- Provision for those facing reduced income or unemployment during this crisis.
Alt text: A family of four is gathered around a table, holding hands and bowing their heads in prayer before a meal, signifying the importance of family unity and seeking God’s blessings during challenging times.
TUESDAY: Churches and Pastors
“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Eph. 5:14)
PRAY FOR:
- Christ to purify His Bride, the Church, so that it shines brightly with the gospel message.
- Unity within the Spirit, even amidst the absence of corporate worship gatherings.
- Churches to become vibrant and fervent houses of prayer.
- Pastors to receive grace and wisdom from God to shepherd their flocks effectively and proclaim the Word with power.
- Wayward believers to return to the Lord and experience His forgiveness and restoration.
- Churches to repent from self-sufficiency and any tolerance of sin.
- A spirit of humility to sweep through churches and humble us before God.
WEDNESDAY: God’s People
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (Col. 3:12–15)
PRAY FOR:
- Christians to be firmly rooted in the Word of God, not swayed by fear or anxiety.
- Radical peace and hope that displays the gospel’s power in the midst of a global crisis.
- Believers to be quick to minister to others practically and sacrificially, meeting their needs.
- Believers to give generously in our weakness, trusting God to provide.
- Believers to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, showing compassion and kindness.
- Lukewarm hearts to be rekindled and return to Jesus, their first love.
- God to expose idols and sin hindering personal revival and spiritual growth.
- People to respond with a resounding “Yes, Lord!” in obedience to Scripture.
Alt text: Two individuals are extending a helping hand to one another, symbolizing the importance of mutual support, compassion, and practical assistance during a crisis.
THURSDAY: Lost World
He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Heb. 7:25)
PRAY FOR:
- God to give Christians hearts that break for those who are lost and without hope.
- God to send us as laborers into the harvest field to share the gospel.
- Divine opportunities to share the hope of Christ with those who need it most.
- Hearts of stone to be transformed into hearts of flesh, receptive to God’s love.
- Scales to fall from blinded eyes, allowing people to see the truth of the gospel.
- Those who are perishing and separated from God to find salvation in Jesus Christ.
FRIDAY: Government Officials and Healthcare Providers
The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! (Ps. 33:10–12)
PRAY FOR:
- God to turn the hearts of our leaders back to Him, so our nation can declare in unity that we are “one nation under God.”
- Leaders to seek and receive wise counsel from godly advisors.
- Elected officials to act with integrity and honesty in their decision-making.
- Godly men and women to understand and interpret these challenging times through a biblical lens.
- Healthcare workers to have stamina and strength to continue serving on the front lines.
- Doctors and nurses to be physically protected from the virus as they care for the sick.
- Provision of adequate medical supplies to meet the needs of those affected by the pandemic.
Alt text: A healthcare worker in full personal protective equipment, including a face mask and gown, symbolizes the dedication and sacrifice of medical professionals on the front lines of the pandemic.
SATURDAY: Movement of Prayer
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him. (Joel 2:12–14)
PRAY FOR:
- God to raise up dedicated individuals who will commit to faithful, focused prayer.
- A spirit of prayer to spread rapidly across the nation and the world, uniting believers in supplication.
- Earnest prayer to become more contagious than the coronavirus, igniting a passion for seeking God’s face.
- Prayer to be our first response in every situation, trusting God to guide and provide.
- United voices to declare, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
- Christians to daily seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, prioritizing His will above all else.
SUNDAY: Revival and Spiritual Awakening
“Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.” (Hos. 6:1)
PRAY FOR:
- The Lord to revive us again, that His people may rejoice in Him and experience His presence.
- God to display His fame and renew His mighty deeds in our day, showing His power and glory.
- God to fulfill His promise to restore the years that the locusts have eaten, bringing healing and restoration.
- Jesus to be exalted over all the earth, recognized as Lord and Savior by all people.
- God’s Spirit to rapidly advance the gospel, revive the Church, transform culture, and reverse the course of history.
Thank Him for how He will answer your prayers in His perfect timing and way!
Close with Psalm 72:17–18,
May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed! Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
This time of disruption can be a powerful opportunity to draw closer to God through prayer. Let us commit to seeking His face and trusting in His faithfulness during this challenging season.
