10 PRAYERS TO PRAY DURING THIS COVID-19 CRISIS

My dad asked me to create a prayer guide for his church through this difficult time and I realized so many of us are unsure what or how to pray. Below you will find ten prayers with Scriptures you can use. If you are a pastor or other ministry leader — or just someone who wants to encourage others to pray — feel free to download this file and share!

Prayer Guide COVID-19Download

10 PRAYERS TO PRAY DURING THIS COVID-19 CRISIS || PRINTABLE PRAYER GUIDE FOR INDIVIDUALS, SMALL GROUPS, AND CHURCHES

Sometimes we just aren’t sure what or how to pray. We need someone to help us begin. That’s what these prayers are—a starting point. We hope they help you and inspire you to continue to pray for all who of us who are impacted in so many ways by this pandemic. With each prayer, you’ll find a verse you can also pray and at the end are several additional passages we encourage you to look up later as you continue to pray for this situation.

As we navigate the unknowns and uncertainties of this time in our city, nation, and world, let us not lose sight of the One who hold it all together. Spend some time thanking God for the assurance that He is sovereign over all things, even when we can’t see or understand.

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17

As our health care professionals and government leaders continue to assess the available information and provide us with recommendations and guidelines, let’s pray for them to have wisdom and understanding far beyond their experience and education.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

As businesses and industries find themselves making difficult decisions about continued operations, let’s remember those who are being financially impacted by COVID. Pray for those whose hours are being cut, whose are experiencing lay-offs or furloughs, and all who are experiencing the financial impact already due to this pandemic.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

One of the groups most directly and immediately impacted by COVID is the first responders — nurses, emergency room personnel, EMTs, fire fighters, paramedics, and police officers. Let’s not forget the way these people serve every day in our community and the weight and responsibility they carry. Pray for them to have strength as the serve and protect in our communities.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

Pray that we will promote of peace not panic in our communities. Pray that God will continue to give you the assurance He is not caught off guard and that we can trust His care for us in all things.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

Pray for pastors and ministry leaders who are faced with impossible choices that are far beyond their personal ability to understand. Pray for them to seek the Lord and to exercise wisdom that reflects both their faith in God and their desire to protect and preserve those God has put under their care.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5

As we continue to learn more about COVID-19, we need to be aware of those who are most vulnerable. Let’s pray for those who at high risk, those who are making difficult choices to isolate themselves from the people they love the most. Pray for protection and peace to be over them

You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Psalm 32:7

Pray for families who are spending a lot more time together. Because we’ve lived so long in an overscheduled, extremely hurried world, we have forgotten the gift of unstructured, unrushed time together. Let’s pray that we will all remember the gift we’re receiving in the middle of this chaotic time and find deep joy in the moments we are spending together.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-14

Every day the number of those diagnosed with COVID-19 increases. Let’s be faithful to pray for healing for those who are ill. And as we pray, let’s also remember to be available to those who are sick and to their families. While we cannot be the “hands and feet” of Jesus in ways we are accustomed to, we can still be the heart and hope for those who are sick.

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. Jeremiah 17:14

We don’t know how to feel, what to do, or what to expect. We are all living in a situation none of us has ever experienced before, none of us has been prepared for. Everything we’ve ever known has shifted. And that feels heavy and maybe even a little scary. And, friends, that is okay! But here’s what else is true — God is still sovereign, still on the throne, and still active in every moment of this crisis. And we can trust Him. Let’s pray for grace for ourselves and each other that we will trust Him even when it’s scary, even when we’re not sure, even when it all feels too heavy. Because He is near, and He is good.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29

Passages to Read and Pray Though