As the date for this blog post was approaching, I struggled to know what to write. Our world has changed so much in the last week, and even I, who am not an anxious person by nature, can feel the tension in the air. I keep reminding myself that we have the most powerful weapon at our disposal: Prayer.

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16b)

I have been using the prayer journal from Val Marie Paper this year, so I’ve used it to make a plan of prayer during these uncertain times. If you’ve struggled to know how and what to pray, use this guide to get started. You don’t have to stick with it verbatim as the Holy Spirit will prompt you and bring things to mind throughout your prayer journey, but it is a starting point for your prayers.

The Challenge:

God is still on the throne! He knew this was coming and was not caught by surprise.

Our World & Nation: 

• The lost would turn to God
• Wisdom for our president and world leaders
• Healing of the infected
• Special grace for caregivers (both professional & family members)
• The economic stability of the country
• Military men and women who are in active service

My Community:

• My pastor and church leaders—wisdom, grace, patience, peace
• Schools and homeschool co-ops
• Parents who are unexpectedly home with their kids
• My neighbors
• My online community

My Loves (I use this category for my immediate family):

• My husband leading our family toward trusting in God; with wisdom; with compassion
• My children seeing us depend on God and not making decisions out of fear
• We would draw closer as a family during this time
• We would draw closer to God individually during this time

My Family (outside of my home):

• Health
• Safety at home, abroad, and during travel
• Draw closer to God
• Make decisions out of faith and not fear

Sweet Friends:

• Health
• Safety
• Wisdom

Personal (This list would be specific to you and your struggles):

• Surrender to God wholly
• Live in faith, not fear
• Encouraging and supportive wife
• Loving and compassionate mom

Other:

• Foster children who are in precarious situations
• Those who are quarantined in abusive homes
• Missionaries who are overseas
• Missionaries who are separated from children and family

I would like to close this blog post with a prayer and would be honored if you would join me.

Lord, these are unsettled times, and we are afraid. But You have told us that fear comes from the enemy because You gave us a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind. Give us the wisdom to lean into You instead of leaning into the things we are hearing all around us. Direct us to Your Word where we find Truth instead of to the news stations or social media where we find confusion. Give us that peace that confounds the world because they can’t understand it. And, Lord, above all, be glorified in what is happening and draw the lost that their lives may be changed forever as they surrender to Your authority. In Jesus’ name, Amen.