2 Chronicles 7.13-14
13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Prayer Points
Gradual return to work
Pray for those who are gradually returning to their workplaces, asking that God would give them confidence to step out again into their world of work and keep them safe.
Pray for those who oversee workplace safety, asking that God would help them to find flexible and creative ways of ensuring staff are kept safe on return to their places of employment.
Leadership in unprecedented times
Pray for leaders in government charged with taking massive decisions while facing many unknowns, asking that God would lead, guide, reassure, rule and overrule for the good of those under their care.
Pray for those offering leadership in church life, whether in congregations or at denominational level, asking that God would give clarity of mind, peace of heart and wisely chosen words.
Testing, tracking, tracing
Pray for continued progress in expanding processes of testing, tracking and tracing the spread of coronavirus, asking that God would enable the development of systems that help combat pandemic and permit greater relaxation of lockdown restrictions.
Pray for those involved in delivering these services, asking that God would help them quickly get to grips with what is required and deliver an efficient and reliable service.
The farming and food industry
The cancellation of the Balmoral Show, usually held in the month of May and which showcases and celebrates the local food industry across Ireland, highlights the interruption to rural life and livelihoods.
Pray for the farming industry, asking God to protect and provide for farmers experiencing the financial strain of cash flow issues, diminishing returns and rising costs.
Pray that those involved in the food supply chain from farm gate to supermarket shelves, asking that God would keep them safe and continue to smooth this vital aspect of keeping the country fed at this time.
Worshipping at home
Pray for families as they continue to mark Sunday as God’s special day of worship and rest without the normal routines of church and Sunday school, asking that God would help them find creative ways to centre their life together on him.
Pray for those who watch the many digital aids to worship provided during lockdown, asking that God will continue to speak into their situations through his Word and encourage them through the sharing of items of praise and in prayer.
Retail and manufacturing
Pray for retailers who provide us with essential items for everyday living, asking that God would help them overcome financial and staffing challenges caused by the pandemic’s interruption of the service they provide and begin to resume trading when the time is right.
Pray for the poor and vulnerable working in garment factories around the world who usually produce many of our clothes and are now being laid off without pay, asking that God would meet their needs and that the industry would find better, more just practices to reward their labour in future.
Emergency services
Pray for first responders to those experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus in the ambulance and paramedic services, asking that God would use them to bring care and comfort to those experiencing illness and distress, while keeping them safe.
Pray for those serving in the PSNI and Garda Siochana, adjusting to new ways of policing, asking that they would continue to be able to help keep our communities safe and that God would protect them from the effects of coronavirus while they are serving the public.
Easing of restrictions of lockdown
Pray that as the focus moves from containment of the coronavirus to responsible lifting of lockdown restrictions, that decision makers will offer good leadership and that society will follow necessary ongoing restrictions with patience and perseverance.
Pray for businesses as they grapple with the need for modifications to working practices and conditions in the workplace, asking that God would give creativity and the ability to safely and flexibly begin to resume their work.
Care homes and hospital patients
Pray that as care homes become the new frontline in the battle against coronavirus, that God’s sheltering hand would be known among residents, his protection experienced by staff and his reassurance granted to family members unable to visit loved ones.
Pray for those in hospital at this time, whether suffering from coronavirus or battling other illnesses, that God’s presence would be very meaningful and real and that loved ones unable to visit would know his comfort, strength and peace.