The Effectiveness of Prayer
Scripture tells us that prayer is effective. Prayer has an impact on the person praying and the persons being “prayed for.”
James 5:16–18 … The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.17 Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and there was no rain on the land for three years and six months!18 Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land sprouted with a harvest.
During this time, you and I can exercise our authority as people of prayer, and we should anticipate God moving on our behalf. With so much to pray for during the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s difficult to know where to start. So, I want to encourage you to join me in praying with a laser focus for those impacted by the pandemic. I’m suggesting seven ways to pray during this time.
Here are seven ways to pray:
Pray for Healing
1. Pray for people experiencing health complications due to the virus.
God is known throughout scripture as Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals (Exodus 15:26).
Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise.
Pray that God would heal persons struggling physically for His glory, and that they would learn who He is through their healing.
Pray for Comfort
2. Pray for people who have lost family members and friends.
God is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort4 , who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Pray that God would comfort the hearts of those experiencing loss.
Pray for Provision
3. Pray for those financially impacted due to unemployment.
God is also known as Jehovah Jireh, The Lord who provides (Genesis 22:14).
Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Let’s pray that people will know God as their provider during the times of financial difficulty.
Pray for Support
4. Pray for the homeless population.
The stranger in scripture often refers to the persons who have been driven from their homelands.
Exodus 22:21 You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Pray that God will send people, support, and comfort to the homeless.
Pray for Peace
5. Pray for those living in fear.
God desires that people would trust Him in times of crisis and not be driven by fear (Philippians 4:6-7).
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Let’s pray that God will guide them to His peace.
Pray for Connectedness
6. Pray for pastors that have had to close church doors.
Pastors are God’s under shepherds and need to stay connected to the flock (1 Peter 5:2).
Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Pray that pastors find ways to stay connected to people who depend upon them for spiritual insight and encouragement.
Pray for Wisdom
7. Pray that leaders would use Godly wisdom in decision making.
The decisions our nation’s leaders make directly impact the people of this country.
Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; …
Proverbs 24:3 Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;
Pray that leaders would make decisions that benefit humanity, and that they would exercise godly wisdom.
Jesus said, “Ask and it shall be given you,” (Matthew 7:7). Well, let’s ask together, that God would intervene in the lives of people in these seven ways, praying with anticipation that God will do the very things for which we are asking.
Until next time,
PW