A worldwide crisis calls for a global response.

Two of the largest missions agencies in the world, Operation Mobilisation International (OM) and Serving In Mission (SIM), have joined forces to rally over 5,000 missionaries and missions staff in their organisations to #PrayToEndCOVID19.

They call for all believers around the world to join them in prayer today (March 26).

OM teams across nations are pausing to spend the next 24 hours interceding for the nations. Over 5,500 missionaries and missions staff from more than 110 countries are involved in this intercession.

SIM held their day of prayer on March 11.

In partnership with SIM, OM has published a holistic prayer guide online. The guide is also available in French, Portuguese and Spanish.

The #PrayToEndCOVID19 prayer guide (below) covers different groups affected by the crisis, from those directly affected by the virus to others in leadership, and mission workers around the world.

Each prayer pointer has an accompanying description and a Bible verse to anchor it.

“It’s time for the body of Christ to come together to pray for our hurting world in such a challenging time,” said OM in their Facebook post leading up to today’s dedicated time of prayer, as they reminded believers everywhere to heed the call of Philippians 4:6:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

#PrayToEndCOVID19

1. Divine intervention

Pray for the Lord to intervene to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Pray in Jesus’ name that the virus would recede from this day forward and that the numbers of those infected would decline rapidly. Pray, trusting the Lord to intervene today with His loving care, out of His heart for His creations.

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15)

2. For the sick

Pray for those who are sick, that they will have access to the care and treatment they need. Pray for peace and perseverance amidst suffering and that they would feel the presence of our God, the comforter. Pray for those in isolation who are cut off from their normal routines and support systems, that they would seek their strength in Jesus. Pray encouragement for the thousands in quarantine, waiting to find out if they have the virus.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

3. Health workers

Pray for healthcare workers who are caring for those with COVID-19. Pray for their protection from the virus, for stamina during long and intense work hours and for safe protocols to be observed in healthcare institutions in order to keep them protected. Pray for healthcare workers to seek the Lord during this crisis and for the Spirit to lead Jesus followers to share Christ’s love with them.

“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.” (Psalm 107: 28)

4. Grieving families

Pray for grieving families who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus. Even as their hearts are breaking, pray they would know the nearness and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Pray that they would feel compassion from the Lord and from friends and neighbours coming around them. Pray against despair and for new mercies every morning.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

5. Pastors and spiritual leaders

Pray for pastors serving their local communities of Jesus followers that have been affected and infected by COVID-19. Pray that the Holy Spirit would give these shepherd-leaders the right words for the right time and the right actions for each situation so that they might live out Jesus’ love to their congregations. Pray they would speak the gospel in heart, word and deed to each person they minister to.

“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14)

6. The body of Christ

Pray for the body of Christ worldwide, that Jesus-followers would rise up to pray and support the sick and their caregivers in practical and sacrificial ways. Pray for the church to be a light on a hill in hospitals, communities and cities where God has placed them. Pray for an outpouring of love, compassion and service, in Jesus’ name, as a result of the love God first gave us.

“But God has put the body together, giving greater honour to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:24-27)

7. Leaders and decision-makers

Pray for government officials and decision-makers who are leading countries and organisations through the crisis. We acknowledge that the Lord has allowed each one to be in a place of influence during this time. Pray they would mobilise resources quickly and effectively to where they are most needed. Pray for all those working behind the scenes and for the good administration and execution of response efforts worldwide.

“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:7)

8. Those affected on other fronts

Pray for those who have been personally affected by COVID-19, that they would earnestly seek the Lord, the giver and sustainer of all life. We know the desire to seek the Lord comes from Him, and we know He will meet them. Pray for those whose businesses and livelihoods are ruined by the halt in many sectors of the economy. Pray for those who may lose jobs and salaries. For each one, we pray new beginnings with the Lord walking by their sides.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.’” (Jeremiah 29:11-12)

9. Mission workers worldwide

Pray for our fellow mission workers worldwide today, especially those serving in areas acutely impacted by COVID-19. Pray for wisdom for each ministry team to know how to live out love in their local communities, especially to neighbours who don’t yet know the truth of Jesus’ life and resurrection. We pray that ministries would not have to shut down but that the Lord would carry them through this difficult time, for His glory.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10)

10. Those who do not know Jesus

Pray for all the least reached—those who do not know Jesus. Pray that they would hear about Him and sense His love and peace during such a difficult time.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

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