247 Prayer (March 29-April 4)
Prayer for the country
1. Enter into God’s will – Give thanks and sanctification
(1) Give thanks
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
The whole country of New Zealand has entered a level 4 alert at 11:59 on March 25. As the number of confirmed cases continues to increase, the people who isolate at home are grateful for: the presence of the Lord, the peace and joy from the Lord. Gratitude that we can be with family and pray to the Lord. Grateful that we have clothing, food, homes to live in. Grateful that we are able to support each other through the Internet.
(2) Self-cleansing and repentance
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, Mat 6:9-10
Ask the Lord to forgive us that we have not aligned with Him before the epidemic: our fear of viruses, disease and death is greater than seeking for the will of our Father; it’s more than the desire for the kingdom of God; … Pray that our eyes will turn to our Heavenly Father’s love, to focus on the glory of His kingdom, His great will, and our eternal life and the hope of resurrection.
2. For kings and rulers
Under level 4 alert, government decision-making and many basic and key departments continue to work, especially medical, police, military, supermarket, electricity, etc. The New Zealand All-Government Controller John Ombler announced that a four-member outbreak leadership team will be responsible for outbreak-related matters. This group includes New Zealand Health Director-General Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management Sarah Stuart-Black, Chief of Police Mike Bush, and MBIE Specialist Dr Peter Crabtree.
Who is God except Jehovah? Who is the Rock except our God? But He who is the one who binds my waist with strength and completes my actions is God. Psalms 18:31-32
Prayer: In the face of the virus epidemic, human strength and wisdom have reached its limits. Pray for Prime Minister Jacinda, All-Government Controller and the four-member leadership group, asking the Lord to enable them to obtain strength, wisdom, and ability from God in difficult times to lead New Zealand to rapidly and successfully defeat the epidemic.
All-Government Controller
Do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear. Isaiah 8: 12-13
Prayer：For repentance of the rulers and the people of New Zealand because of fearing the virus, of fearing death, not fearing God and sinning recklessly. Ask the Lord to forgive us for the greed brought by materialism and the selfish indulgence brought by liberalism, causing the earth to be full of sin.
Pray for the Churches — With Authority
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16: 18-19
Prayer: pray that the churches will remain built on the rock in the midst of great difficulties. The authority that the churches received is far beyond the power of hades. Pray that with the authority in prayer, the churches will bind the global ravage of the coronavirus through prayer.
Pray for Israel and the nations
1. Pray for the Israeli pandemic
As the Jewish calendar enters Nisan, the Israeli Chief Rabbi David Lau calls the Israeli to fast and pray to the living God for the coronavirus pandemic on the day of new moon. The all-powerful and all-knowing God is a gracious God that listen to our prayers. As we forgive one another just as we did on the day of atonement, God will save us with His mercy.
“Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” Psalms 119: 15-16
Prayer: When the Israelites turn to God, they will experience the salvation of God. May the Lord help Israel to overcome the threat of the virus; make fast breakthroughs in the scientific and medical fields and bless all nations. God’s right hand works miracles and salvation for Israel.
2. Pray for the global coronavirus pandemic
The global pandemic is getting worse in the United States, many European countries, Iran and Australia are in all crisis and even at war; with border closures, flight disruption, confirmed cases, and death counts continue to rise. In some poor and developing countries, the people are not only facing the threat of the diseases but also the survival in famine.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail” Lamentations 3:22
Prayer: Lord, we are sinful and fall short of Your glory. For Your anger lasts only a moment but Your favour lasts a lifetime. We pray to the Lord to show kindness and compassion to the world. Have mercy especially for many poor countries in Africa as well as other developing countries and areas; save them from diseases and famine.