How to Pray During the Coronavirus Pandemic By Tré Goins-Phillips for Faith Wire
It’s easy: you turn on CNN or you spend an hour watching Fox News, and before you know it, you’re in one of two places. Panic is setting in or indifference is taking root. The reality, though, is people are hurting and there’s more to come. There’s reason to be concerned and there’s even more reason to pray.
Prayer and wise decision-making is what will carry us through the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic as it begins to spread across our country.
The goal here, as many of you have already learned, is to “flatten the curve” — to spread out the number of likely infections from this novel coronavirus so our hospitals and clinics won’t be overrun, forcing those in need of critical care (for COVID-19 or anything else) from receiving it.
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We love helping others and believe that’s one of the reasons we are chosen as Ambassadors of the Kingdom, to serve God’s children. We look to the Greatest Commandment as our Powering force.
Doing that involves taking seriously the calls for social distancing, which is avoiding any unnecessary travel or gatherings, embracing frequent hand-washing, and, outside of seeking medical care, remaining quarantined if you begin to experience symptoms of any kind.
So how should Christians pray?
President Donald Trump has declared Sunday a National Day of Prayer as we face this pandemic. But it’s important we continue to pray in the days and weeks to come, as we learn more about COVID-19 and its impacts on our society.
Here are five things we can pray for:
Pray for those currently infected with COVID-19
Lord, we pray you will bring healing to those suffering from this virus. We know you value our physical health just as you care for our spiritual health. During his time on earth, Jesus cared about every aspect of our humanity — from our spiritual wellbeing to our physical strength. We pray those who are ill will experience your healing power through the hands of medical personnel and wise decision-making, taking away fear and anxiety from those who are sick. We ask, too, that you guard against loneliness for those who are quarantined as they recover. Protect the families and friends of those who might come into contact with loved ones who have this virus.
Pray for those in high-risk communities
