Praying Against the coronavirus from Psalm 91

I was driving home from work yesterday talking to my mom about recent events surrounding the coronavirus and how it feels like we’re watching some crazy movie, yet we’re starring in yet. Then I said, “All of a sudden, it’s not funny anymore.” I use humor just as much as anyone else, if not more, to make serious situations a little lighter, but as I continue to watch communities shut down, single moms run out baby formula, and friends lose their jobs, the toilet paper memes all of a sudden become less funny. 

But the Lord whispers to my heart, “Pray.” Yes. The most simple, yet powerful answer to such a confusing, crazy event in history. 

You can feel the fear in the atmosphere. Conversations surround us full of scared people wondering what’s coming next. But if we’re quiet enough to listen, we’ll hear, “Do not fear, Beloved. I am with you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Yes, my friends. Let’s not get so caught up in the panic that we forget who is still in control. Instead, let’s pray together, in unity, “for where two or three gather together as His followers, He is there among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Here are some specific prayers for those being affected by this pandemic…

For the Healthcare Workers who are tirelessly going on the front lines to face this virus, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, and anyone else. Protect their bodies from their head to their toes. Send your angels to go before and after them. No weapon formed agains them will prosper. (Isaiah 54:17) Protect their immune systems. Renew their strength and energy. Give them appropriate wisdom to handle each case that comes their way. Thank you for science and medicine, Lord, but may they never forget to ultimately call on Your name for wisdom in all circumstances. 

For the elderly and sick to be protected in the name of Jesus. Strengthen their immune systems. Send your angels to take charge over them. Protect disease from coming in and protect disease from going out. They will not die; instead, they will live to tell what the Lord has done, in the mighty name of Jesus! (Psalm 118:17)

For the economy to be protected in Jesus’ name. Put a seal of protection over it, Lord. Protect our finances in Jesus’ name. Protect the stock market in Jesus’ name. I pray against a spirit of fear that tells us to hoard our money and not give to others. Bless those who continue to give, supplying the needs of others just as you have called us to do. Bless them beyond measure, Father. Protect our gas prices and our food prices. Send your angels to go before and behind us, making a way as we hold tightly to your promises during this time – Your promises that You are Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. 

For the unemployed who have been forced out of work during this time. May they call upon Your name, knowing you will never leave them. Help them to be strong and courageous. (Deuteronomy 31:6) May they trust You to provide their every need according to Your glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19) Fill them with your peace as you show them the next right step to take. 

For the small businesses having to temporary close and lay off employees. May they call upon your name for wisdom and direction. Fill them with your peace that surpasses all understanding and guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

For the entertainment and restaurant industry who have so many staff members who live paycheck to paycheck. May they call upon Your name to be their provider. May they surrender all fear to You and choose peace. Make a way for the musicians who survive gig to gig to stay afloat. Strengthen the restaurant managers who lead their teams daily to lead with boldness and courage, not fear and doubt. Raise up leaders in this time who cling to Your word, not their own ways. For it’s then that the atmosphere will truly change. 

For the single moms fighting worry, doubt and fear. May they place those things in Your righteous right hand, trusting You each step of the way. May they cling to Your promises that You are always faithful. Bless the church body so we can continue meeting their physical and spiritual needs. Hold them tighter tonight as they go to sleep, with the assurance that as they cling to You, hope is not lost, but peace is present. 

For the leaders and bosses trying to lead their staff with wisdom. May they come to your Word for knowledge more than they do polices and procedures. May they come before You prayerfully more than they come before their Board of Directors for wisdom. Call them to their knees in humility to seek guidance first before seeking guidance from the world. Give them strength and courage to walk boldly and upright and trust that You are with them wherever they go. (Joshua 1:9)

For our government leaders who make daily decisions. Father, some of them are genuinely for us and some of them are for their own agendas. Bring the darkness to light in this time. You are the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The government rests on your shoulders. (Isaiah 9:6) Remind those who are walking in darkness and standing against your name just who you are. 

For our president as he continues to lead in such a tumultuous time.Strengthen him moment by moment. May he cling to Your promises as he strives to lead this country. Continue to stir revival in his heart, bringing him to his knees both praising You and crying out to You. Guard his heart (Proverbs 4:23) and his mouth (Psalm 141:3) as he comes against attacks in these tumultuous times. Send your angels to take charge over every place he sets his feet. Protect his marriage, his family, his home, his vehicles. No weapon formed against him will prosper. (Isaiah 54:17) As for he and his household, they will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15) Continue to bring him to repentance as he leads. Stir in his heart humility and peace. 

For unbelievers who have not called on the name of Jesus. I pray they call on Your name for salvation right now. I pray for them to realize that You are the only way to peace because You are the Prince of peace. 

For revival in our nation during this time of crisis.Do a new thing in our hearts so that we proclaim Your name like never before. Make a way in the wilderness. (Isaiah 43:19) Bring liberty and freedom to the captives. (Isaiah 61:1) Free our hardened hearts and let us rejoice once again in unity as a country. 

And a prayer for you… I love to personalize Scripture. I heard these words recently and they’re rocking my world… “The Word is not a sword until you speak it.” Boom!  We don’t just need to read the Word of God, we need to proclaim it over our lives out loud. Below, I’ve shared Psalm 91 with you, but I’ve personalized it for you to pray over yourself. I pray it blesses you. 

I live in the shelter of the Most High and find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he rescues me from every trap and protects me from deadly disease. He covers me with his feathers. He shelters me with his wings. His faithful promises are my armor and protection. I am not afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. I do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at my side, though ten thousand are dying around me, these evils will not touch me. I just open my eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. I make the Lord my refuge, I make the Most High my shelter, no evil will conquer me; no plague will come near my home. For he orders his angels to protect me wherever I go. They hold me up with their hands so I won’t even hurt my foot on a stone. I trample upon lions and cobras; I crush fierce lions and serpents under my feet! The Lord says, “I will rescue you because I love you. I will protect you because you trust in my name. When I call on him, he will answer; he will be with me in trouble. He will rescue me and honor me. He will reward me with a long life and give me my salvation.” 

Remember who is still in control, my friend. Not us, but God. He can handle this way better than we can. May we trust in Him with all of our hearts and not lean on our own understanding. He’s got this.