We have seen the wire photos: The intensive care specialist, bowed head in his hands in an ICU in Italy, where there has been almost 5,500 COVID-19 deaths so far and 3,000 more in critical condition.

We have heard the local stories: Doctors who postponed weddings, others who moved out of their homes so as not to endanger their newborns. Contact tracers who have worked tirelessly with little rest. Nurses who came out of retirement to return to the frontlines. 

God sees, God cares. (Psalm 34:18)

Salt&Light gathered the prayers of church leaders for each day of this week, so that we can, in unity, pause and pray together.

Day Three: Put eternity in our hearts, O Lord

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, You are the true and living God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. You are awesome in power, majestic in holiness and just in all Your ways.

You are transcendent, yet You chose to come to us in Christ incarnate, to make Yourself known to us. 

We thank You that through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross, He has opened the way for us to come into Your holy presence.

Father, we acknowledge our utter helplessness against the rising tide of the coronavirus pandemic, which has literally brought the world to a standstill. 

Put eternity in our hearts, that we may seek the things that are eternal, not the things that are temporal. 

We pray that this will be a time of deep soul searching and repentance, repentance from the things that we have made our idols, the things that have usurped Your first and rightful place in our lives. 

Forgive us, O Lord, for breaking your commands, for denigrating life, for touching Your glory and for making ourselves gods and masters of our own destinies. 

Help us, O God, to return to You, to rend our hearts and not our garments. In our brokenness and contrition, have mercy upon us. 

You alone are the source of life. You alone are the source of eternal salvation. You are our good shepherd who leads us into green pastures and beside still waters. 

You restore our souls. You lead us in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we will fear no evil for You are with us. Your rod and Your staff they comfort us.  

We pray for all government and spiritual leaders. Guide them by your wisdom and counsel as they keep watch over us.

Grant to our healthcare workers strength, mental and emotional resilience and protect them from infection as they selflessly nurse the sick and the critically ill back to health. 

We pray for the complete recovery of those who are sick. Be so present with them that they will not feel alone in their time of isolation.

Grant peace to their loved ones. Comfort and strengthen those who have lost their family members and friends. 

In the midst of this deepening darkness, let Your light shine. 

Open spiritual eyes to see You for who You are. Bring forth a great spiritual awakening and a global revival for the glory of Your great and mighty Name.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.

– Ti Lian Swan, Prayer coordinator, St Andrew’s Cathedral

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