Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
Heavenly Father,
It’s the most common command in Scripture. Do not be afraid. Perhaps we need the reminder so often because we’re so often prone to it. If it’s not one thing, it could be another. It’s a world of unknowns, and this week, we’re reminded of that. Yet, despite all that might threaten, You promise Your good presence with us. You, the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, the One who does not grow weary, who knows all things. You, who are greater than our fears, greater than the coronavirus, You who have defeated sin and death and promise life. Even if You don’t take away the hard circumstances or deal with them in the way we might like, we have something far better: Your presence, so come what may, we are your children in Christ, with You, our perfect, might, loving Father.
So we need not fear.
Help us not to fear.
But see You with us.
In our weakness, strengthen us; strengthen our hearts, strengthen our immune systems, strengthen our love for one another. Help us; give us Your wisdom, give us your peace, give us your courage; help us depend on You and look to You and walk with You ever closer as we face these uncertain days, so that in our weakness and need, we are driven ever more to You.
As we face the need for social-distancing or even social-isolation in the face of coronavirus, Lord, help us to remember that we are not truly alone; You are indeed with us. Help us remember and know Your presence more deeply, and help us to find ways to love one another well in this time.
You are faithful and good.
In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray,
Amen
The ever-changing situation regarding COVID-19 is an opportunity for us as a church family here at Kingsboro Baptist and South Lake Christian Churches to pray for our community, our province, and our world. I would ask that you commit to do so every day.
Suggestions of what to pray for:
-That God would stop the spread of COVID-19.
-For those who feel scared or nervous.
-For those who experience loneliness in isolation, especially singles and shut-ins.
-For those who are afraid to leave their homes.
-For those who are returning or who have yet to return home from abroad.
-For those who have contracted COVID-19 or suffer from other serious illness.
-For the loved ones of those affected.
-For those with sick and weakened immune systems who live in fear of contracting COVID-19
-For families at home with young children.
-For foster parents who have taken in at-risk kids and resources are now more limited.
-For kids for whom school is the refuge from abuse at home.
-For university and college students who face uncertainties in their studies.
-For those who are experiencing a loss of wage(s).
-For people who fear losing or who have already lost their jobs.
-For those who are in need of supplies.
-For addicts who depend on meetings for recovery.
-For those who experience homesickness and cannot travel.
-For those who are afraid to leave their homes.
-For the health, rest, and wisdom of health care workers.
-For janitorial staff who are working to keep our hospitals and public places clean and safe.
-For our leaders in government and health departments as they seek to wisely handle the COVID-19 situation.
-That we would have wisdom about how best to handle all things related to COVID-19.