Today is Sunday. The day most of us are used to a very different routine–getting up and ready to go to our local church to fellowship with friends, worship God and hear the preached Word. But today most of us will gather our family in our living rooms to watch our local church service on Facebook Live. What a strange shift in our routine, but one I am freshly thanking God we have. If this had happened only ten years ago, this option would have been impossible. It’s healthy to look for the good in difficult situations, and this is very good!

Before the day gets underway, will you take a moment and pray with us? 

Dear Father,

You know all things from the beginning to the end, and we know that Your plans for us are good. But in the waiting, in the struggle, life can seem hard and circumstances difficult to understand, much less endure. We remember the words in Lamentations that say,

But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

This is something we must do–call to mind the truth that Your steadfast love never ceases. It continues through famine, sickness and plagues. Your mercy never comes to an end–in fact it renews every morning. Regardless of the news of the day, or how far the spread of COVID-19 goes…

You are our faithful God, and we choose to praise You.

We don’t know what to do through this unprecedented pandemic, so our eyes look to You. As we wait, would you envelop our marriage, family and home with peace?

We ask that You set a guard at the door of our homes that prevents worry, fear and torment from entering in and causing turmoil.

Help us find resolve to long-standing conflict. Give us patience with our children who are home and unable to play with friends.

Provide for our needs financially and give us our daily bread.

May we be salt and light to our neighbors around us, and be generous with all who are in need that You bring our way.

We pray for those who are on the frontline of this battle. Give them endurance, wisdom and most of all health.

Help us, O Lord, to honor You not only with our lips, but with our whole heart. You are worthy of all praise. You are Lord over all including this virus, and we choose to trust You.

In Jesus’ Holy Name,

Amen

Let this song wash over your troubled soul today. It is our prayer for you.