The President has declared today a National Day of Prayer amid the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic. If you’re a Christian, this proclamation should go beyond politics or opinion. Whether you support President Trump or not, whether you believe the pandemic is a true threat or not, Christians should be a people that respond in prayer. We must pray today and every day in the weeks to come.
When a president from either party declares a National Day of Prayer, it’s a powerful opportunity to see God move in America. In a nation overrun with division and secularism, the leaders of our country are asking for prayer.
They are asking for prayer.
Think about that for a moment. Have you ever had an unbelieving friend or loved one ask for prayer amid a crisis? Do we not pray in the hope of Christ that the Holy Spirit might use that situation to reach them? Do we not pray for God to reveal His power in their lives? That’s happening on a national level right now.
Some may believe the request is insincere or politically motivated, but none of that matters. When an unbelieving nation asks people of faith to pray, they’ve opened the door for the Holy Spirit to work in their lives.
What if our sincere prayers allow our president, legislators, and federal judges to see God’s grace and strength in our nation? What if believers in our government are drawn closer to Christ? What if the Holy Spirit awakens those who don’t know Him? Isn’t that worth putting aside your politics?
Revival doesn’t come from praying for the people you agree with.
Revival comes from praying for those you don’t.
When the President declares a National Day of Prayer, we should take it seriously.
“It is my great honor to declare Sunday, March 15th as a National Day of Prayer. We are a Country that, throughout our history, has looked to God for protection and strength in times like these … No matter where you may be, I encourage you to turn towards prayer in an act of faith…”
–President Donald J. Trump
God commands us to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2), and when those He’s placed in leadership (Romans 13:1) come to us asking for prayer, we should become warriors of intercession.
A PRAYER AMID THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
by Joshua J Masters
Maker of Heaven and Earth,[i]
We live in a broken world, and creation itself groans, as if in childbirth, awaiting your return.[ii]
That fractured world has produced a pandemic around the globe.
People are sick and some are dying.
But we know you are a God who sees our suffering.[iii]
You are a God of hope and strength.
Our hearts are broken for those who have lost loved ones.
Give us Your heart of compassion and send the Holy Spirit to comfort them.[iv]
Panic rules in the hearts of men, they’re filled with anxiety.
But you bring a peace beyond understanding.[v]
Reveal your strength, for you are our refuge. You remove fear when the mountains fall into the sea.[vi]
Our leaders have asked us to pray.
Show them Your glory.
Convict them, and leaders around the world, of their need for You.[vii]
Bring healing and restoration to the sick.[viii]
Draw close to the brokenhearted.[ix]
Let our hope be in Your promise:
Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.[x]
Above all, mobilize the body of Christ[xi] to do Your work; reveal what You would have each of us do in this crisis. May we not be passive observers, but instruments of your grace and mercy to those in need.
AMEN.
How will you pray on this National Day of Prayer? Encourage others with your prayer or thoughts in the comments below?
A Prayer Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic (And Why Christians Must Participate in the #NationalDayofPrayer Regardless of their Politics) // TODAY: #coronavirus #ndp declared by @realdonaldtrump // Click To Tweet
To learn more about how to pray for our nation without the politics, check out our book, American Psalms: Prayers for the Christian Patriot.
[i] Psalm 146:6
[ii] Romans 8:22
[iii] Genesis 16:13
[iv] 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
[v] Philippians 4:7
[vi] Psalm 46:1-3
[vii] John 16:8
[viii] Jeremiah 30:1
[ix] Psalm 34:18
[x] Isaiah 54:10 NIV
[xi] 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
Trials can open hearts and minds to hear. Praying for that in the midst of this crisis, Joshua. Thanks for your post.
Yes, May the Lord make us willing to hear what He wants to say to us.
Hi Josh.
Continuing to pray and grateful for these words you’ve written that we might share them with others. May God move mightily in response to the prayers of His people and because of His great mercy.
Blessings,
Tammy
Thank you, Tammy. I pray they are an encouragement to those who come across these words. I think it’s so important to pray the promises of Scripture.
“Revival doesn’t come from praying for the people you agree with. Revival comes from praying for those you don’t.” — Great reminder, Pastor.
It seems sometimes people forget the answer is not to argue with those we disagree with, but to pray and share The Answer to all with them – Jesus. Thank you for another great article and the prayer. God bless you and your preaching and writing, your family, and Church.
Thank you, Rachael. I think you’re exactly right! If we were more willing to share the answer than feed into anxious questions, the body of Christ could make a much bigger impact. Blessings to you.
Josh, a wonderful prayer. Thanks for sharing. I do think that while we need a collective day of prayer, because it is a powerful thing, I also think we all need to be praying every day and calling on, and leaning into God’s provision and protection and steadfast love.
That is an excellent point, Anne. Yes, we should be in prayer for God’s wiil, provision, and direction every day–for our families and for our nation.
Father first I want to thank you for the freedom to pray. Thank you that you love us and welcome us into your throne room with our requests. I ask that you comfort us. Remind us that you are in control. I pray against fear and anxiety as this situation keeps moving through the world. I ask for protection against this virus. Comfort for those it is affecting. I pray that more of your children would seek you on behalf of our scared and worried neighbors. I pray for the economy impact this is having. Lord may your spirit move in our hearts to serve each other as one nation again. In Jesus name amen.
Amen. That’s a beautiful prayer, Jason. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Praying and standing on God’s Word is how we defeat fear. Psalm 91 declares that no plague shall come near my dwelling. The Lord is always with us. His Word is mightier than whatever comes against us. I am so thankful we have a President who will turn to God and ask for prayer.
Thank you, Barbara. God did not give us a spirit of fear! He’s given us a peace that should lead us through any trial. I appreciate your encouraging thoughts.
I’ve been praying for our country, our leaders, and our world during this crisis (and before). Your statement that revival comes from praying for those who don’t agree with us is quite thought provoking. It should make us all more aware of the vital importance of praying for those that we might traditionally consider to be our enemies. But we also need to pray for those who are like us, who might even agree with us, that they also will become involved as prayer warriors. Thank you for encouraging us to be engaged.
What a fantastic point, Katherine. We should be praying for the body of Christ to be shaken by the Holy Spirit during this time, that we would be given a burden to do God’s work of compassion and grace as the nation struggles. Thank you for adding that component to this group and to our prayer.
Thanks Josh
You’re welcome. Blessings to you and your family,
Excellent and so important, Joshua. My prayers join yours. John 14:27 CEB, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid.”
What a wonderful verse, Jessica. I’m so grateful you posted that here because it’s a perfect verse to meditate on as we pray for the nation. God offers a greater peace than anything this world can provide.
Well said Pastor Joshua. More than Sunday, March 15th, I pray this and other prayers for our nation and world must be sent fervently upwards each day. God’s blessings sir. Stay safe, and stay sane during this time of great anxiety. Satan is working overtime to foster fear, doubt, discouragement, and division in this world today. Prayer can stop him in his tracks.
Praise God for that, J.D.
The enemy has no authority over us except that which we surrender to him. May we all rely of the peace, authority, and strength of Christ to move forward with courage and hope. Unity in the body of Christ can overcome division in the nation. Let’s keep praying together.
Joshua J. Masters, thanks for sharing this thought-provoking post. We’re praying and believing the Holy Spirit will work in mighty ways.
Thank you, Joann. I join you in praying for the Holy Spirit to work through this pandemic. May the Father be glorified and people be drawn to the hope of Christ.
Josh, your questions cause us to think and focus on the critical need for prayer in our country. “When an unbelieving nation asks people of faith to pray, they’ve opened the door for the Holy Spirit to work in their lives” is a powerful quote. Thank you.
Jeannie, you’re welcome. I’m so grateful to hear you found the post encouraging. May we all be in prayer for our nation.