When Jesus was instructing his disciples, we learn in Matthew’s Gospel that he reminded those with him that the Father knows what are needs are before we even ask (Matthew 6, verse 8). Jesus said “Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil’.”
Our prayer for today:
Our Father in heaven, | We come to you today, Father almighty, Abba father, loving father, and creator of heaven and earth |
hallowed be your name, | You are indeed Holy and deserving of our praise, respect, love and admiration |
your kingdom come, | So we pray today, that your Kingdom come will come, bringing your light, your hope, your guidance to each and every person as we learn to live with current isolation and the challenges that it brings |
your will be done, on earth as in heaven. | Father, we do not believe that there is any sickness nor pain in heaven (Rev 21:4). So we declare and ask in your holy name that the sickness of Coronavirus might quickly be taken from us. Your will be done. |
Give us today our daily bread. | And Father we remember your children worldwide today. Many are indeed going hungry, teach us, and encourage us, as we pray to make a difference. Lord bless the work of ChildAid and our partners as we work to help the vulnerable children of Eastern Europe |
Forgive us our sins | And forgive us Lord when we think of ourselves before others. Help us as we turn to you, that we may be your hands, your voice to others in these challenging times. |
as we forgive those who sin against us | And Lord teach us how not to judge others, to soften our hearts Lord that we might have compassion on all, our neighbours, family, friends; those we work with, those we pass by, and see on the news channels; and the many we will never see and never know, but you do. |
Lead us not into temptation | Father forgive us when we are tempted to focus on the negative and not the positive. I pray for your strength and courage to be the person you would have me be, that I might help those who need your help today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my days here on earth |
but deliver us from evil. | But Lord we do seek your hand of deliverance from Coronavirus, a sickness that is bringing much fear, death, and pain to your children. We know this is not of you, so we ask for your hand deliverance to rest upon this world. |
For the kingdom, the power, | (Psalm 67: 1-5) May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us—so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. |
and the glory are yours now and for ever. | (Psalm 24: 7-10) Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty— he is the King of glory.
His love endures for ever (1 Chron 16:34 + Psalm 118:1) |
Amen. | May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. (Psalm 67:3) “… Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38) Amen |
Whilst we do indeed live in difficult and challenging times, we have promises in scripture. Please feel free to use these, and any you may wish to use, as you rest and wait upon the Lord. Or indeed swap for Psalm 67 in the prayers above:
Psalm 91: 2
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 56:3, 4
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid.
Psalm 23:2
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me besides quiet waters”
Psalm 73:25, 26
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Job 42:2
“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
Psalm 111:1-5
Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.
Mark 10:50-51
Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
2 Corinthians 1:10-11
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favour granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Dan 6:16
“… The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”
2Kings 6:16
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
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Ecclesiastes 3 – A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
a time for covid-19, and a time for recovery and restoration
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“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face towards you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6: 24-27)
That is our prayer for those who ChildAid help and support, for our wonderful supporters and donors, and our colleagues and friends working in UK and overseas.
For those cared through ChildAid
Lord, please bless the children and young people cared for through ChildAid in Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Siberia
Keep them safe from coronavirus,
Thank you for those who care for them,
Help them to support those in their care.
Give wisdom to the authorities to combat this virus
That they would be open and show integrity in their decisions.
Release your blessings, help the therapies and care to continue
Bring comfort and blessing to our supporters
And bring your Peace to all.
