Saturday 23rd May - Let us pray

Patience and perseverance

Pray that as lockdown restrictions continue to curtail normal life, God would give patience and perseverance in family and church life, local communities and society at large.

Pray especially for those who live alone in lockdown experiencing long days with little opportunity for contact with others, asking God to help them grapple with changeable mood and maintain good mental health.   

Friday 22nd May - Let us pray

Exam grades and school leavers 

Pray for teachers providing grades for pupils who were due to sit GSCE, AS and A Level exams, asking God to equip them for this task and to help them be fair and objective.

Pray for school-leavers facing uncertainty about the future, asking that they would continue to know God’s guidance, direction and peace even in this uncertain season. 

Thursday 21st May - Let us pray

Gradual return to work

Pray for those who are gradually returning to their workplaces, asking that God would give them confidence to step out again into their world of work and keep them safe.

Pray for those who oversee workplace safety, asking that God would help them to find flexible and creative ways of ensuring staff are kept safe on return to their places of employment.

Wednesday 20th - Let us Pray

Leadership in unprecedented times

Pray for leaders in government charged with taking massive decisions while facing many unknowns, asking that God would lead, guide, reassure, rule and overrule for the good of those under their care. 

Pray for those offering leadership in church life, whether in congregations or at denominational level, asking that God would give clarity of mind, peace of heart and wisely chosen words.

Tuesday 19th - Let us pray

Testing, tracking, tracing

Pray for continued progress in expanding processes of testing, tracking and tracing the spread of coronavirus, asking that God would enable the development of systems that help combat pandemic and permit greater relaxation of lockdown restrictions.

Pray for those involved in delivering these services, asking that God would help them quickly get to grips with what is required and deliver an efficient and reliable service.     

A 3rd Kind of Son

May 18, 2020 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH A 3rd Kind of Son SCOTTY SMITH And he arose and came to his father.  But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:20 Heavenly Father, most of us aren’t beginning this week in a faraway country—bankrupt and feeding somebody’s swine. Neither are we filled with the soul-sapping venom of self-righteousness. We’re a 3rd kind of “son”—a hybrid. We’re comfortable, well fed, and “nice”—yet just as much in need of fellowship with you as your two sons profiled in Luke 15. Father, we take great comfort in knowing that we’ll always find you filled with compassion for us, even when our feelings for you are fickle and chilled. As we saunter toward you, you’re always running toward us in Jesus. As glad as we are to see you with the eye of faith, you are thrilled as you gaze upon us—from afar and up close. When we’re not as inclined to lift our arms in praise to you, your embrace is the most dependable element in our day. Your welcome is constant and life-giving. Indeed, you don’t extend your hand to shake ours; you throw your arms around us in the Gospel. And though our affection for you wavers, yours for us is non-stop, full-bore, and unfiltered. You shower us with multiple “kisses” all day long. Hallelujah, you love your children with an everlasting, unwavering, non-contingent love. Because the Gospel is true, we’ll seek to live and love to your glory today. It’s not our grasp, but your grasp of us in the Gospel that matters the most. It’s not our wavering experience of peace, but the assurance that you are at peace with us that is bodaciously awesome. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ treasured and triumphant name.   Wish you had roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! About Us    |     Council    |     Donate ©2020 The Gospel Coalition, All Rights Reserved. P.O. Box 170346 — Austin, TX 78717 Update Email  |  Unsubscribe

Monday 18th May - Let us Pray

First Magherafelt

Pray for those who are struggling to afford food at this time and those who are finding it difficult to get food delivered in lockdown. Give thanks for the work of foodbanks and for those who deliver food to the doors of our family and friends.

The farming and food industry  

The cancellation of the Balmoral Show, usually held in the month of May and which showcases and celebrates the local food industry across Ireland, highlights the interruption to rural life and livelihoods.

Pray for the farming industry, asking God to protect and provide for farmers experiencing the financial strain of cash flow issues, diminishing returns and rising costs.

Pray that those involved in the food supply chain from farm gate to supermarket shelves, asking that God would keep them safe and continue to smooth this vital aspect of keeping the country fed at this time.  

Sunday 17th May - Let us Pray

Worshipping at home

Pray for families as they continue to mark Sunday as God’s special day of worship and rest without the normal routines of church and Sunday school, asking that God would help them find creative ways to centre their life together on him. 

Pray for those who watch the many digital aids to worship provided during lockdown, asking that God will continue to speak into their situations through his Word and encourage them through the sharing of items of praise and in prayer.