Throughout history—in times of tragedy or crisis, during plagues or looming disaster, when it was time for something horrible to end—the prayers of God’s people went into action.
When Pharaoh cried out for a plague to stop when enough was enough, we read this: “So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to the Lord. And the Lord did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of flies… not one remained” (Exodus 8:30-31).
When King Jehoshaphat was shaken to the core, threatened by opposing armies, and it appeared all hope was gone, he set his face to seek the Lord. He went on to call the nation of Judah to seek the Lord. The threat miraculously and suddenly ended. The King and the people went from shaken to shouting praise to God (2 Chronicles 20:3-4, 12, 22, 27).
When wicked Haman sought to kill the Jews, Queen Esther called for three days of fasting and prayer. The threat of annihilation came to a sudden end (Esther 4:16).
When the disciples were caught in a storm and afraid for their lives, they cried out to Jesus, who suddenly brought the storm to an end (Mark 4:39).
When Herod had killed the Apostle James and then had plans to take Peter out next, the church was earnestly praying to God. Suddenly and miraculously, the threat came to an end (Acts 12:5).
COVID-19 has gone on long enough.
LORD, knowing your great history of responding to the prayers of your people and bringing an end to plagues that threaten your creation, we cry out to you, Great King! We are not confident in the government to fix this. We are not confident in the medical experts to create a medicine that can heal. We thank you for them, but our hearts are confident in you, O God (Psalm 57:7). You are the Creator of Heaven and Earth. You are the Lord, our Healer. You are the King who sits on the throne. You are the Great I AM, not the “Great I Was!” You are eternally kind and gracious in all you do.
Lord, you have seen the suffering of this nation and the world. You have collected the tears of your people. Because you are the God who sees me, you’ve seen this suffering. I’m confident in you! We ask that COVID-19 come to an end suddenly, in the name of Jesus.
Jesus, you taught us to pray as it is in Heaven, let it be on the earth. So, Lord, as it is in Heaven, where there is no virus, let it be on the earth. Let it be in Lansing and all our surrounding communities. In Michigan, this land you made with the shape of a hand, let your hand of healing power touch this state.
I speak to the mountain called COVID-19:
Cease and desist, dry up and die, be gone with you in the name of Jesus (Mark 11:23-24). No more breaking through the walls of our state, no more cries of alarm from this virus. NO MORE! (Psalm 144:14)
Now, Lord, as the eyes of the world have been watching a virus and its effects, I pray for all eyes on Jesus! I pray for a new sound of thanksgiving and praise to rise from the state of Michigan. We humble ourselves, set ourselves to seek your face. We ask that you come suddenly and heal this land of yours, and we thank you for it.
