What can we pray for? What will happen on Sunday?

In a time of panic, fear, uncertainty and anxiety it is a wonderful privilege to be able to pray. I hope and pray that we will be able to meet at church this Sunday, it will be an encouragement to be able to meet together when so many other events have been cancelled. We will of course keep our distance and not shake hands, but we will encourage one other to trust in our loving Lord and give him all our burdens. I’ve copied below the prayers that I have written for Sunday and some Bible verses to encourage us at this time. Feel free to use the prayers at home, and I will aim to record the sermon and get it posted online so that if you’re unwell or would prefer not to come to church at this time you can listen online here.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

“Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28)

“Cast All your Anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7)

Heavenly Father, you know what a week we have had and what lies ahead. We thank-you that we can cast all our anxiety on your because you care for us. Help us to do that now.  In a moment of quiet we give you all of our anxieties and concerns.

Thank-you that you are good, loving and in control, please help us to trust you with these concerns and burdens so that we might have your peace that passes understanding and be calm and ready to help others. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Sovereign Lord, we pray for governments and all who have to make decisions at this time. We thank-you that you rule over all and give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.  Please would you give wisdom to those making important decisions at this time. May they act calmly, decisively and for the
good of all people to prevent the spread of this virus and to ensure everyone is cared for.  Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving Lord Jesus Christ, we thank-you that when you walked this earth you didn’t stay away from the diseased and the unclean, but that you went about doing good and healing all manner of sickness.  Please give power, wisdom and gentleness to all health care workers, please keep them vigilant, free from
infection and may they not only heal, but bless, and shine as lamps of hope in the darkest hours of distress and fear. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those in care homes, and for the vulnerable in their own homes. We pray that you would protect them from infection, and also from isolation and loneliness, please help us to be wise in who we visit and to remember the infection can’t spread over the phone!  Please help those of us who have loved ones in care homes that we can’t visit, please help them to understand and to know we still love them even though we can’t see them, and help us to trust them into your hands. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ, you always thought perfectly about the interests of others even to the point of giving your life for us.  Help us to think of others sacrificially in the way that we travel, shop, and use time and the resources you have given to us.  We pray if we find ourselves with more time on our hands, that we would use it wisely for the good of others and for growth in our knowledge and love of you.  We pray that if we are feeling the pressure of loss of income that we will trust you and that you will provide for all our needs.  Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Finally we pray that you may use this virus for good, please show us how fragile life is, teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  Please keep us from fear and grow our faith. Please cause us to lift our eyes not only to the scientists and the doctors but to you.  We pray that you will forgive our world for
ignoring you in so many ways and pushing you to one side and we ask that the sense of weakness may lead to strengthening of faith in your Son and seriousness to our repentance.  Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer