A Nation Under Siege

Scripture Prayers for Uncertain Times

By Tiece King

Our nation has experienced stay-at-home orders, lockdowns of businesses, ministry pauses in churches, economic decline, and an enormous strain on our medical community. We have also witnessed cities explode with racial tension, destruction, and cries for justice. We can resonate with how the Lord instructed the Israelites before they crossed the Jordan River:

“When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before” (Josh. 3:3–4).

Most of us have not experienced this level of pandemic and unrest before. We need to keep our eyes on the Lord as we navigate the unknown!

Push Back the Fear and Anxiety

Heavenly Father, I come before You as Your child, lifting my heart before You with gratitude that You know me completely and are near to those who call on You. You are near to me. I acknowledge and take to heart this day, Father, that You are God in heaven above and on earth. There is no other.

And yet I confess that I have lived with other gods before me, independent of You. My eyes have not been fixed on Jesus.

  • I’ve sought out worldly wisdom and have neglected Your Word.
  • I’ve boasted in—put confidence in—my own personal strength and abilities without thought of You as the Source of all that I am and all that I have.
  • I’ve trusted in relationships for emotional security and bank accounts for financial security. My heart has not been steadfast because I have not trusted in You.
  • I’ve been more concerned with personal comfort than the heart-condition of those around me.

From these things and all else that does not bring glory to Your Name, deliver me, I pray. (Pause and pray further as led by the Holy Spirit.)

According to Your never-failing love and immeasurable compassion expressed through Jesus Christ, wash me and make me clean. Renew in my heart this day a steadfast spirit, a fresh determination fueled by the Holy Spirit to live for the glory of Your Name!

In the midst of global uncertainty, fear, and panic, I ask, Father, for fresh faith to rise up in my heart, for You to rule and reign over all! I choose to turn from fear and unbelief and to put my hope in You.

  • You who created all things out of nothing;
  • You who parts seas and quiets storms;
  • You who provides food in the wilderness;
  • You who will never leave me or forsake me;
  • You who surrounds me with favor like a shield;
  • You who are my helper, I will not be afraid!

This day, Father, I ask that disease and unrest be pushed back in the nations of the earth and Your healing power revealed in those who suffer, making Jesus known.

I ask that You awaken the hearts of Your people from the smallest village to largest city to be salt and light and the very aroma of Christ!

I ask that You strengthen Your Church in my city. Strengthen us with faith and joy in the Holy Spirit! May all fear and anxiety be banished and acts of grace, mercy, and kindness released.

Revive Your Church, I pray—and begin with me. (Pause and pray further as led by the Holy Spirit.)

May Your purposes alone be accomplished on earth, in my nation, Lord—for the world and all who live in it belong to You. I make this declaration, Father, in agreement with Your Word, that Yours is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor. You are exalted as head over all! May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done this day, on earth as it is in heaven.

By faith in the Mighty Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Psalm 145:18; Deuteronomy 4:39; Hebrews 12:2; Psalm 51:1-2, 10; Philippians 2:3; Genesis 1; Psalm 78:13; Matthew 8:26; Exodus 16:4; Hebrews 13:5; Psalm 5:12; Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 24:1; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Matthew 6:10

Amid COVID, Break Down Walls of Gospel-Resistance

You have my attention, Lord, and I thank You for the decluttering of my heart that is taking place as I wait on You. Thank You for the shaking of my soul and the change that I sense emerging because of this COVID-19 event.

As all things around me shift, how grateful I am that You never change. You are the same yesterday, today, forever! You have not been taken by surprise; You haven’t cloistered Yourself away. You are my ever-present help in this troubled time! My hope is in You—the Maker of heaven and earth! (Pause and continue to thank God for who He is. Reaffirm your trust in Him.)

Today, Lord, through prayer, it is my desire to participate with Your Kingdom purposes at work in the world. I ask that in the midst of uncertainty and fear in the nations of the earth, You cause people everywhere to hear Your majestic voice. May the hearts of men and women look to You at this time. May Jesus be revealed and made known and COVID-19 used to break down walls of gospel-resistance!

Strengthen Your Church around the globe to walk by faith in such a way that the world cannot deny the love of Christ. Awaken the hearts of Your people to pray for friends, family, and neighborhoods, and to cry out for our cities and nations. Take us into wrestling prayer until we see Your Church revived and a great harvest come in!

Revive us, Lord! Revive me! Give me, I pray, and give Your Church, a hunger for souls—a desire for spiritual harvest in the nations of the earth that compels us to pray and not give up.

O, God, remember mercy this day, for many are without hope and without any knowledge of You. I ask for the pushing back of COVID-19 on the face of the earth in such a way that it is evident to all that You, the One True God, have intervened and Your Name alone glorified! (Pause and continue to pray further as led by the Holy Spirit.)

I ask this all in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Isaiah 30:15; Psalm 55:19; Hebrews 13:8; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 124:8; Isaiah 30:30; Isaiah 57:14; Matthew 5:16; Habakkuk 3:1-2; Luke 18:1; Psalm 25:6; Ephesians 2:12

TIECE KING is author of the Pray the Word series, available at prayershop.org or anywhere you purchase Christian books. These prayers are provided by the Church Prayer Leaders Network.

This article appeared in Prayer Connect magazine. To see more than 500 prayer guides and articles on prayer like this, subscribe now.