
COVID19 Call to Prayer – May 17: A Blameless Heart
3 I will not look with approval on anything that is vile.
I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.
4 The perverse of heart shall be far from me;
I will have nothing to do with what is evil.
~ Psalm 101
This is a psalm of resolution from the King.
He determines to have high personal standards and high standards in the court.
In a society that is racked by corruption, sexual abuse, lies and evil; is this not the answer?
Leaders who hold themselves and their organisations responsible to the standards of God,
and who live consistently what they profess. This is a psalm for our times.
Right is right even if no one is doing it; wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.
~ Augustine
Petition: Please join with us in praying for:
1. The World — The number of confirmed cases is 162,767,496 (+ 4,813,414; -12%).
The number of deaths of people with Covid-19 is 3,374,566, (up 85,574; -5%).
The countries causing most concern at the moment are India, Peru, Nepal and the Philippines.
2. Australia — There have been 29,975 cases in total (up 52 compared with 99 the week before).
1 locally acquired case in Victoria in the past week.
| State | Total Cases | Weekly Change TW/LW | Total Deaths | Change in Deaths TW/LW |
| ACT | 124 | 0 (+0) | 3 | 0 |
| NSW | 5,558 | + 26 (48) | 54 | 0 |
| NT | 169 | +2 (+1) | 0 | 0 |
| QLD | 1,589 | +25 (+16) | 7 | (+1) |
| SA | 742 | +2 (+13) | 4 | 0 |
| TAS | 234 | + 0 (0) | 13 | 0 |
| VIC | 20,544 | +35 (+24) | 820 | 0 |
| WA | 1,015 | +2 (+8) | 9 | 0 |
There are 17 people in hospital (-18), with 3 in ICU (+1).
There were 321,267 tests, with 0.2% positive. There are 154 active cases (-60).
3. Vaccine and Cures — There have been 1.45 billion vaccine doses administered (+180 million).
In Australia 3 million vaccines have been administered — 12% of the population.
The largest effect so far has been seen in the UK.
In India, 13% of people have now been vaccinated.
4. Church — Remember the church in Israel — both Jewish and Arab believers.
Pray for the Jewish people throughout the world —
but especially in the West, where they are encountering increased anti-Semitism.
Some of the chants at demonstrations in European and Australian city protests were chilling.
5. Personal and Family — Pray for those who are struggling with not being able to see or visit family in other countries – or have them visit. Pray for wisdom for the government as they decide when it will be possible to open up Australia again.
A Prayer of Repentance:
O Lord, we confess that too often we tolerate evil.
We do not even seek to live blameless lives, far less have the ability to do it.
We do not conduct our affairs with a blameless heart,
we are proud, and we tolerate those who slander in secret and who practice deceit.
Teach us to be faithful to You and humble in Your service. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Song: Here is a version in Hebrew and Arabic of Psalm 122 praying for the piece of Jerusalem.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving:
2 I will sing of Your love and justice
To You, LORD, I will sing praise.
2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life
— when will You come to me?
~ Psalm 101
Lord, enable us to live a life in the forgiveness and mercy of Christ,
Amen.
___
Weekly devotions by David Robertson via Christians United — COVID19 Call to Prayer.[Photo by Muesli on Unsplash]
Recent Articles:
6 November 2026
9.7 MINS
Australia is confronting something far greater than an economic crisis. We are facing a crisis of national leadership, responsibility and spiritual direction. To the Australian Government, I say: Wake up. To the Australian Church, I say: Rise up.
31 October 2026
3.8 MINS
Awakening begins when we remember the love that awakened our hearts in the first place.
30 October 2026
4.5 MINS
A Tasmanian Christian reflects on 42 years of faith, warning that proposed conversion practices laws could threaten prayer, parenting and religious freedom, while reaffirming his hope in Christ.
30 October 2026
3.5 MINS
Awakening begins when we remember the love that awakened our hearts in the first place.
29 October 2026
3.7 MINS
Are you in a battle, trying to fight in your own strength? Is the Lord asking you to trust in his sovereign rule and to ‘drop your weapon’?
28 October 2026
3 MINS
When we live in God’s presence, anchored in his Word and secure in Christ, we can stand unshakeable amid life’s challenges.
27 October 2026
3.1 MINS
As the disciples discovered through a huge haul of fish, we can trust Jesus for a net-breaking, boat-sinking catch of people.





