Prayers of the People Liturgy
These prayers of the people were put together for the National Day of Prayer on March 15, 2020. But could be used for personal prayers at any time, especially during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope they are an encouragement to you.
Prayers of the People
Heavenly Father, we pray for you to intervene to stop the spread of the coronavirus. We pray in Jesus’ name that the virus would recede and diminish from this day forward, and that the numbers of those infected would decline rapidly. We trust you, Lord, to intervene today with your loving care. Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our Prayer
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. – 1 John 5:14
We pray for those who are sick, that they will have access to the care and treatment they need. We pray peace and perseverance for them amidst suffering. We pray for those in isolation who are cut off from their normal routines and support systems, that they would seek their strength from you, Lord. We pray encouragement over the thousands in quarantine, waiting to find out if they have the virus or not. Lord, in your mercy.
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God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1
We pray for the health workers who are caring for those with COVID-19. We pray for their protection from the virus, for stamina during long or intense work hours, and for safe protocols to be observed in healthcare institutions in order to keep them protected. We pray for health workers to seek you during this crisis. Lord, in your mercy.
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Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. – Psalm 107:28
Pray for grieving families who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus. Even as their hearts are breaking, we pray they would know your nearness and comfort. We pray that your compassion, Lord, would be felt through the Holy Spirit’s ministry and through the ministry of friends and neighbors who come around them. We pray against despair; we pray new mercies every morning. Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our Prayer
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, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
Pray for pastors serving their churches and communities affected and infected by COVID-19. We pray that the Holy Spirit would give these shepherd leaders the right words for the right time and the right actions for the right situation. We pray they would speak your gospel in heart, word and deed to each person they are called to minister to. We pray especially for Archbishop Foley, Archbishop Emeritus Robert and all other bishops, priests and deacons. Lord, in your mercy.
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Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. … The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. – James 5:14,
Pray for the body of Christ worldwide, that they would rise up to pray and to support the sick and their caregivers in practical and sacrificial ways. We pray for your church to be a light on a hill in the neighborhoods, hospitals, communities, and cities where you have placed them. We pray for an outpouring of love, compassion and service, in your name. Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our Prayer
But God has composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it. –
1 Corinthians 12:24-27
We pray for government officials and decision makers who are leading countries and organizations through the crisis. We acknowledge you have allowed each on to be in a place of influence during this time. We pray they would mobilize resources quickly and effectively to where they are most urgently needed. We pray for all those working behind the scenes; we pray the good administration and execution of response efforts worldwide. Lord, in your mercy.
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Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. – Jeremiah 29:7
Pray for those waking up each day to fallout caused by COVID-19, that they would reach out to you, Lord. We pray for people look earnestly for you, because we know their desire to seek you will have come from you, and we know you will meet them. We pray for those whose businesses and livelihoods are ruined by the halt in many sectors of the economy. We pray for those who may lose jobs and salaries. For each one, we pray new beginnings with you walking by their side. Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our Prayer
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” – Jeremiah 29:11, 12
We pray for our mission co-workers worldwide today, especially those serving in areas acutely impacted by COVID-19. We pray for wisdom for each ministry team to know how to carry out their responsibilities. We pray that ministries would not have to shut down, but that you would see fit that they are carried on through this difficult time, for your glory. Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our Prayer
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. – 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
We pray for all those who live and die without the knowledge of Jesus to hear about you through this crisis and respond to your love. We pray the gift of salvation for every man, woman and child around the world today, so that they will become our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are asking in your name for this gift to come out of this crisis. Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our Prayer
The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some understand slowness but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9