In this moment

A prayer for our congregation in this time of separation
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you have drawn our congregation together into you as one,
familiar faces, shared stories, different gifts,
gathered to be your family,
together to express your love for others.
But just now we feel scattered, splintered, separated,
our life stifled by continuing lockdown restrictions.
In this time apart –
watch over the lonely, the sick and the anxious,
bless young and old, families and singles,
strengthen our minister, elders and leaders.
Be present in every pastoral telephone call,
each act of kindness for brother or sister.
Engage our hearts as one in digital worship,
expand our faith in online gatherings for Bible study or prayer.
Extend your grace to those who have been bereaved,
encourage us all on this strange journey through wilderness days.
Remind us that, although separated from each other,
nothing can separate us from the love of Christ,
no trouble or hardship,
neither death nor life,
not what is happening at present,
nor what might come in future,
nothing in all creation.
We are victors even over this virus,
more than conquerors through him who loved us.
So, hear us as we pray for one another,
in these days.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Sunday 14 June

Worship and rest

• Pray for everyone who will engage today in digital worship, asking that God will enable them to know his presence, respond with thankful and trusting hearts and receive a word in season for their present circumstances.  
• Pray that today would be a day of rest in the Lord, asking that it would restore and renew body mind, heart and soul and build resilience for the intensity of life in these times.

Monday 15 June

Witness for Christ

• Pray for congregations as they bear witness for Christ through initiatives in their local communities and online, asking that God would speak to many who previously had little or no contact with church.
• Pray for members as opportunities to share faith arise in conversation, asking that God would help us to always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope we have in Christ (1 Peter 3:15).

Tuesday 16 June

Restarting the economy

• Pray for leaders in the business and retail sectors as they navigate a path towards reopening, asking that God would give a necessary mix of restraint and resourcefulness in guiding return to trading.
• Pray for shop owners, managers and staff as they think through practical and financial implications for reopening, asking that God would enable them to arrive at arrangements for safe trading and feasible models for profitability. 

Wednesday 17 June

Spiritual stamina

• Pray for the necessary perseverance to continue on the path set before us by the unexpected and unchosen circumstances of pandemic and lockdown, asking God for strength, patience and resilience.
• Pray for discipline in pursuing God in prayer, reading his Word, loving one another and being kind to those in need, asking him to ground our living in the regular rhythms of receiving and extending his grace.

Thursday 18 June

Church finances

• Pray for congregational committees and their treasurers while the link between going to church and giving remains interrupted, asking that God would give them wisdom and peace in the responsibilities of overseeing finances, prioritising payments and making ends meet.
• Pray for those overseeing denominational finances, asking that God would lead and guide in managing budgets, creatively cutting costs and making maximum use of the government job retention scheme.

Friday 19 June

Global mission

• Pray for PCI global mission workers overseas as they continue to adjust to life and ministry in time of pandemic, asking that God would keep them safe and well and bless their work in every sphere in which they bear influence.
• Pray for PCI’s mission partners around the world as they battle with the effects of the pandemic, asking God to strengthen, lead and guide efforts to share Christ’s love in word and deed.

Saturday 20 June

Pastoral care

• Pray for ministers, elders and members involved in delivering pastoral care from a distance, asking God to help them show his care in prayerful, sensitive and practical ways that express his love and extend his grace.
• Pray for those who are suffering through illness, anxiety, bereavement or loss of employment, asking that God would bring strength, peace, comfort and reassurance of his presence and provision.