But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother,
co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger,
whom you sent to take care of my needs. ²⁶
For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷
Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him,
and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
~ Phil. 2:25

This is how Christian fellowship works. We take care of one another – we long for one another – we are distressed when we hear of a brother or sister who is ill. We are thankful to the Lord when we hear of someone recovering. And we express all of this in prayer. This is the great joy of belonging to Christ and His Church.

Petition: Please join with us in praying for:

1. Singapore –The number of confirmed cases is 12,075, with 12 deaths of those with Covid-19.
   Singapore was taken as an early model of dealing with Covid, but in recent days the numbers have greatly increased because of immigrant workers being crowded together. However, the number of deaths is so far very low.
2. Western Australia – now has 548 cases (up 7 from a week ago) with 7 deaths (up 0).
   Australia has a whole has gone up to 6,687 (up 20 in a day). There have been 78 deaths (up 3). 5,136 people have recovered (up 41) 138 are in hospital (42 in ICU).
3. Bankers and Financiers – that they would be given wisdom in managing the finances of the nation and that they would be honest and seek the good of others.
4. Small churches that do not have all the technological resources that many of the larger ones have. May they be assisted in their attempts to have public worship services and in their pastoral care and outreach.
5. For those unable to be physically present with friends, comrades and relatives as we remember those on ANZAC day who served our nation and defended our freedom.

A Prayer of Repentance: Our Father in Heaven, forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. We owe You and one another a debt of compassion and love, and yet we confess that we far too often look only at ourselves and our needs. We think that what matters about others is what they mean or do to us. Help us to value, love, rejoice and mourn with others for what they are in You. Grant us true empathy and compassion – in Christ’s name, Amen.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving: Father in Heaven – we thank You that You have called a great multitude which no-one can number. We bless You that we belong to Your Church in its glorious form as the one Bride of Christ throughout all ages and in all areas, and also in local expressions in the here and now. Help us to have such a love for one another that even non-believers will see and know that we are Your disciples… for Christ’s glory. Amen.

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