A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.
1 LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”
3 But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
6 I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.
7 Arise, LORD! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.
8 From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.
Psalm 3 (NIV)
Heavenly Father,
We feel that we are surrounded on all sides by coronavirus. Many around the world are coming together to protect and help those around them: through social distancing, self-quarantines, running errands for others, and lovingly checking on one another in this time of distress. This love, care, and empathy is truly a sign of Your Kingdom here on earth.
But there is still fear, Lord. Many lives have been lost due to our own poor planning and human limits. Our actions are motivated by fear and anxiety.
Lord, Your Word says to be happy when times are good. And when times are bad, You say to consider this: that You have made one as well as the other (Ecclesiastes 7:14a-b). “Whatever is has already been named, and what humanity is has already been known” (Ecclesiastes 6:10a).
You, Lord, know all that has been, all that is, and all that will be. You knew of this virus long before any of us did. And you know what our future holds for us. Truly, You have known about all the trials and sufferings of this world. You were there when Your creation suffered through all the natural disasters, pandemics, and wars from all of history. And You’ve known the outcomes—the victories—that You’ve given humanity over all these trials.
We don’t know our future, Lord, but You do. Our foe right now is not humanity, but a virus. But you triumph over all evil. You are our shield when we call to You. You hear our cries, and You listen. You even answer us.
We wake up every day because You sustain our very bodies and spirits. Lord Jesus, I lift up this world to You, because it truly belongs to You. We rule this earth, but we continue to fill it with mistakes and poor leadership. But You, Jesus, will rule this world the way we were meant to.
Deliver us, O Lord. Show us healing and correction through this pandemic. Show us how we are meant to live through this situation—how we are to bring Your Kingdom into this world. Stave off our fears and fill us with Your wisdom, guidance, and peace. Your reign will not falter, nor will Your faithfulness and care towards us.
We may not see the future, but help us to lay all our trust in You, Lord, for You heal and restore all things.
May Your mercy and healing be swift, bringing glory to Your name.
In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.