COVID-19 Call to Prayer: An Upright Heart
Psalm 119: Please read vv. 1-8
“I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees, do not utterly forsake me.”
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. Each stanza begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is a profound meditation on the Word of God — which at various times is described as law, decrees, statues, word, and commands. Perhaps each time we look at this we should stop, think and meditate. How wonderful that we have a God who communicates with us!
“By sin we depart from God, and as a due punishment of it, God departs from us”
― John Flavel
Petition: Please join with us in praying for:
1. The World – There have been 234,888,941 cases (+3,080,278 – a 10% decline from last week). There are now 4,801,149 deaths of people with covid (+ 53,423 a 5 decrease). Russia, the US, the Philippines and the UK have seen the biggest increases in cases. Japan, India and Indonesia have all seen significant decreases in cases again. New Zealand continues in lockdown because of increased numbers in Auckland.
2. Australia – There have been 111,392 cases in total. (Up 13,852 – a 20% increase)
| State | Total Cases | Weekly Change TW/LW | Total Deaths | Change in Deaths TW/LW |
| ACT | 1,031 | +157 (+132) | 6 | +3 (+0) |
| NSW | 64,668 | + 5,737 (+6,945) | 426 | +75 (+56) |
| NT | 212 | +3 (+5) | 0 | 0 |
| QLD | 2,043 | +21 (+7) | 7 | 0 |
| SA | 905 | +4 (+3) | 4 | 0 |
| TAS | 236 | + 1 (+ 0) | 13 | 0 |
| VIC | 41,128 | +7,855 (+4,817) | 869 | +25 (+13) |
| WA | 1,099 | +4 (+2) | 9 | 0 |
The situation in NSW is improving both in terms of case numbers and people in hospitals. The regional areas are now more affected. Victoria is now the state causing the most concern. There have been 1,391,355 tests in the past week. There are 1,496 people in hospital (+3) with 299 in ICU (+0). There are 21,386 active cases (+1,442).
3. Vaccine and Cures – 3.59 billion people in the world have received at least one dose. 46.8% of the population. Australia now has 267% one dose, 47% fully vaccinated. NSW will now reach 70% fully vaccinated this week and 80% in a couple of weeks. Restrictions will begin to ease.
4. Church – Pray for those who are involved in work with students — especially as the Universities plan to welcome back overseas students.
5. Personal and Family – Remember those in our families who are suffering from stress, mental illness and depression. May the Lord grant healing for the broken minds.
A Prayer of Repentance: Our Father, we confess that we too often neglect your Word. What a great gift it is – and yet how lightly we treat it. Help us to remember, meditate, hear, think and do. That we may live lives worthy of Jesus, Amen.
Song: Worthy is the Lamb
Hallelujah!
A Prayer of Thanksgiving:
O Lord we bless you for your law, We seek you with all our heart. O that our ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees. We praise you with an upright heart, As we trust in you, Jesus.
Amen.
___
Originally published on ChristiansUnited.online. Image by Lukas Hartmann on Pexels.
Recent Articles:
3 October 2026
3.7 MINS
The Church is called to be counter-cultural not to be merely contrarian, but because we love God and people. In this world, that will mean going against culture that is contrary to God.
2 October 2026
2.6 MINS
NSW Libertarian Gemma Noiosi is challenging taxpayer-funded activist events, arguing government grants should not bankroll controversial projects or private cultural ventures.
2 October 2026
11.6 MINS
New evidence challenges prevailing assumptions about adolescent sexuality and gender medicine, urging parents, clinicians and Christian leaders to prioritise honest inquiry, careful care and scientific integrity.
2 October 2026
4.3 MINS
John Cleese’s views on multiculturalism, Christianity and criticism are resurfacing, offering a provocative challenge to assumptions about immigration, cultural identity and the West’s Christian foundations.
2 October 2026
5.2 MINS
Rising male unemployment, loneliness, pornography use and fatherlessness are compounding one another, raising serious questions about men’s wellbeing, family stability and the future of Western society.
2 October 2026
3.3 MINS
The Lord wants us to pray from a place of faith and resting in him. We can't awaken the Church, but he can — and he wants to do just that.
1 October 2026
3.1 MINS
Christian schools in Western Australia can currently hire staff who share their faith. Under reforms flagged by the Cook Government, they may lose that protection wherever faith is not deemed an “inherent requirement” of the role.
