Share this prayer guide with the teenagers you parent and lead.
As the world seemingly spins into chaos, we want to invite you to remember that you have been united with Christ. Because of that glorious truth, you rest within the very heart of God. The love and compassion that God the Father gives to the Son is yours. Your life is very precious to him. Do not allow the constantly-changing updates on Covid-19 and the empty grocery store shelves to cause panic within your heart.
There are good reasons to freak out right now. Let’s acknowledge that. Church and school and so much of our lives has been disrupted because the threat of this virus is real. But in the midst of fear, we lean into the character of God and remember his promises. WE see throughout Scripture that God’s sovereignty and gracious provision for his children is steady and unchanging, even in the darkest of days.
Life has slowed down for us. In some ways, it’s a chance to slow down to a simpler pace than we’re used to. Take advantage of that to be still and quiet, and to rest. Resist the urge to fill your days with noise and social media. Read. Pray. Meditate on the character of God and on his gracious promises to us in Christ. Instead of chaos, may your heart be filled by the peace and joy of the Lord. We hope this prayer guide will help you focus your extra time in a positive direction.
Scripture for Reflection
- On the Character of God
- Job 38-41 – God’s response after Job questions why God allowed him to suffer
- James 1:17 – God is the giver of every good gift and he does not change
- Psalm 100 – prayer of thanks to God for his goodness and provision
- On the trials of this world
- Psalm 18 – A prayer of deliverance
- Romans 8:18-30 – Suffering and glory in the life of the believer
- James 1:2-4 – How the Lord uses trials to grow us in godliness
- On faith and the promises of God
- Psalm 23 – God’s tender love and care for his sheep
- Matthew 6:25-34 – trusting God rather than living in anxiety
- Hebrews 11-12:2 – Living by faith
- On loving one another
- Matthew 22:36-40 – Love God and love your neighbor as yourself
- 1 John 4:7-20 – You cannot love God if you do not love your neighbor
- Philippians 2:1-4 – Consider the needs of others as greater than your own
How to pray for our world
- For government officials to make wise decisions that benefit the people.
- For medical workers: For their personal protection, for the life-preserving care they provide to many, for their families as they likely work extra hours, and for their own minds and hearts as they witness a new type of stress/trauma at work.
- Global economies: On one hand, money is earthly treasure; on the other, it’s a means to provide for our daily bread. Ask God’s provision for people to live “peaceful and quiet lives in all holiness and godliness” (1 Timothy 2:2).
How to pray for one another
- That the Lord would protect us (especially the physically vulnerable) from contracting Covid-19, and that the infected would make a full recovery.
- Quarantine could have significant impact on the mental health and financial stability of many in our communities. Some have warned that domestic abuse may also increase with quarantine. Ask God to protect, and strengthen those who are vulnerable.
- That the physical danger would peel back the scales from the eyes of nonchristians to behold their mortality and the façade of safety in order that the message of the gospel would find fertile soil in their souls. May the Lord grow and reap a harvest of revival through the scorched earth of the Coronavirus.
How to pray for yourself
- Ask the Lord to show you ways in which you have treasured things on this earth more than you have stored up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).
- Give thanks to the Lord for the many blessings he has given. (suggestion: make a list)
- Guard your own heart from being overly concerned about your own well-being at the expense of loving your neighbor.
