Prayers: Matt. 6:9

“This, then, is how you should pray:
“ ‘Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your name,
Your Kingdom Come,
Your Will be Done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us today our daily bread…”

This is a beautiful and necessary part of the Lord’s Prayer for us to remember. It is tempting to paraphrase it to ‘give us today our daily toilet roll’. But there is no need to hoard or stock up. The Christian attitude is always to pray for what we need for the coming day. Who knows what tomorrow may bring?

Far too many of us worry about a future we do not, and cannot know. But we know Who holds the future… we know that He is good… and therefore we ask with confidence that He will provide our daily needs. If fewer people were anxious about a future they cannot know, then we would not have panic buying and food shortages. Christians can demonstrate our faith in this way at this time in history.

Petition: Please join with us in praying for:

1. Australia – Today is a national day of prayer for Australia. As of 6 a.m. this morning, we have 3,809 confirmed Covid-19 cases, of which two-thirds are from overseas travel and the majority of the rest from contact with these people. Despite the virus being here since the 25^th of January, the good news is that only 30 people have been admitted to the ICU and 14 died from the coronavirus. Australia also has the second highest level of testing in the world, after South Korea. Pray that this containment will continue to work.
2. The World Health Organisation – The United Nations group that co-ordinates healthcare internationally. Their mission is “to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable (sounds like the Church!). Pray for those who lead that organisation, that they will be able to resist the politicisation that some political leaders demand.
3. Churches – as we get used to a second Lord’s Day with ‘virtual’ Church. May these online services be used not only to bless the Lord’s people, but also reach those who as yet do not know Him.
4. For those of us who suffer with mental illness and anxiety disorders. That the peace of the Lord and the help of others may be with us.

A Prayer of Repentance: O Lord, how far this nation of Australia has wandered from You. Enable us as a people to remember that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Turn us again to You.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving: Thank You Father, that the number of serious infections and deaths has been contained in this land. We pray that You will continue to have mercy upon us, and that those who are ill will recover. We bless You for the level of healthcare and support we enjoy here. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Daily devotions by David Robertson via Christians United — COVID19 Call to Prayer.