Prayer Requests

I would like to ask you all to pray for the following groups of people. This list is certainly not exhaustive, but these folks have been on my mind and in my prayers frequently in these days, and I’d love for you all to join me in praying.

For students and parents in the midst of hearing that schools will be closed for the rest of the school year. I have been particularly praying for kids who were looking forward to graduation celebrations. In our church, we have students who were looking forward to high school graduations, junior high graduations, elementary school graduations, Kindergarten graduations, and Pre-K graduations. Please pray for them during what should be such a joyful time.

For healthcare workers of all kinds. Nurses, doctors, janitors, first responders, hospital administrators, nursing home staff, etc. While I have the luxury of working from home, many of these folks are not only going in to work, but they are also in direct contact with covid patients. This includes many members of our congregation. Pray for them: that God would strengthen them in the midst of sacrificial service. Pray for protection over them and their families, as the fear of bringing home the virus is very real. In my prayers, I’ve been overwhelmed by my thankfulness for these servants.

For government leaders at all levels to make wise decisions. It has been clear that these leaders have very big, unprecedented decisions to make on a seemingly daily basis. I have been praying for clarity, grace, love, and mercy in their decision making. I also pray that they follow the guide Jesus left us in Matthew 25, that their decisions would not leave behind the least of these but would place them in the center of their decision-making. I cannot imagine the stress on our civic leaders and I pray that God would bless them with health, faith, and wisdom.

For those suffering from loneliness to know God’s presence. While we are all more isolated than normal, there are many of us for whom social isolation is more painful than for others. Isolation can bring on anxiety and grief, among many other emotions. I pray for God’s presence to be made especially clear and tangible in these situations.

For our church, whom I miss. The church, of course, is the group of people, not the building. Because our staff is small, I still get to visit the building and work from my office if desired. So, I don’t miss the building. I miss the building filled with the church. I miss you all. Join me in praying for our church body, our family of faith, that we would continue to find ways to bind closer to one another and to God in the midst of physical separation.

Thank you for joining me in prayer.