Prayer for the City in Light of COVID-19

prayer-for-the-city-in-light-of-covid-19.jpg

Editor’s note: Over the past years, China Partnership has dedicated itself to intentional prayer for the church in China. As CP increasingly emphasizes prayer as part of our calling, we have worked with John Smed, director of Prayer Current, to hone our prayer muscles. He shares with us here his vision of prayer for the city in light of the global outbreak of COVID-19.

 

If we distill our prayer requests to kingdom essentials, there are two dimensions to our intercession. First, we pray for the city to be healed. Second, we pray for the city to be humbled. The reason that our prayer has two sides to it is that the city has a twofold identity. 

On one hand, the city can be a place where industry, creativity, statecraft, and education coalesces to build a place of refuge, opportunity, and safety – where a multicultural and multifaceted mosaic of humankind can be accepted and even celebrated. On the other hand, the city is characteristically a contagious amalgam of human idolatry, ambition and indulgence – a composite of worldliness that conspires to build a firewall to keep God and the gospel at bay.    

Kingdom prayer for the city has to include both prayer for healing and prayer for humbling. If we only ask for healing, we are mere soothsayers (a name for false prophets). If we ask only for humbling, we are denying our common humanity.


Never miss a story

Sign up to receive our weekly email with our original articles.

The COVID-19 crisis calls forth deeply moved prayers for God to heal the city. Like Jesus, we are to look at crowded cities with shared human kindness: “Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages…when he saw the crowds he had compassion on them, for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” We enact compassion when we pray for the diseased, the vulnerable, and the agents of healing:  

“Lord, grant mercy and healing to those afflicted with the coronavirus in their intense suffering. Father, grant grace and comfort to the most vulnerable, the elderly who are most susceptible and now separated from loved ones; the homeless poor who are scattered by the edict of social distancing; the refugee and immigrant who are already distanced socially; and for the mentally and emotionally ill whose anxiety and isolation is multiplied, sometimes to torment. We pray for all the agents of healing in our city – for hospital workers, doctors, and caregivers who sacrifice their own safety to serve the sick and dying.”  

We also lift our eyes to the higher purpose of God and pray for the redemptive humbling of the city. Indeed, the city with all its pride and self-sufficiency IS being humbled. The firewall has been breached. The body of the city, and all the metabolic processes fueling its chaotic acceleration, has ground to a halt. Willing or not, we all have been brought to our knees. We pray that the city will receive this reality as a warning and invitation from on high:  

“Lord, on behalf of our city, including our churches, we humbly intercede and repent. We have been selfishly and relentlessly cultivating our personal peace and affluence to the exclusion of your righteousness and the gospel of your Son. Grant us, in your mercy, repentance unto life. Grant us grace to attend to the warning and the beckoning of this COVID-19 epidemic, so that we might see what you are doing, and hear what you are saying to our city. Change our hearts to receive and embrace this message, not only in our urgency, but also for all the future. Amen.” 

Both dimensions of kingdom prayer – seeking healing for the afflicted and offering eternal hope – are embodied in the life and ministry of Jesus. He brought the kingdom to the cities of his time by “proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and affliction.”     

How to pray for the city in light of COVID-19? Most importantly, we need to heed this epidemic as a clarion call to prayer. Jesus brings kingdom compassion and proclamation together by telling us to pray: “The fields are white for harvest, but the laborers are few, therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” This day of humbling will only become a day of hope if Christ’s people unite with a common voice to intercede for the church and the city.     

“Our Father in heaven, the clouds of present judgment are silver-framed with the beckoning light of the free offer of the gospel of your only Son. O Harvest Lord, please send workers and fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we will announce to our city the good news with a humble and bold clarity.” 

FOR REFLECTION:

Smed says that we should pray for the city to be both healed and humbled. How can you pray these things for your city?

Share This Story

Further Reading

winter-sun-Op0kemnmDYA-unsplash
The J-Curve: Suffering Because Of Sin
Read More
manoj-kumar-kasirajan-fAZEw6xPhz8-unsplash
Xi'an: Rich Cultural Heritage
Read More
hieu-do-quang-3A5qSh1KOM8-unsplash
The J-Curve: Suffering with Jesus
Read More

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA

With rising pressure and persecution in China, there are two challenges imperative for church leaders. The first challenge is for current leaders to love Christ above all else, and not to stray into legalism or love of the world. The second challenge is to raise up the next generation of leaders, who will humbly model Jesus even if current leaders are arrested.

WILL YOU JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA? PRAY FOR:

  1. Current leaders to grow in their daily walks with Christ
  2. Current leaders to shepherd and raise up new leaders
  3. New leaders who love Christ and will model him to the world
  4. New leaders to love and care for the church

Videos

ABOUT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

About Shenyang

Shenyang is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Liaoning Province. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, including the Shenyang Imperial Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shenyang is also a hub for China’s heavy industry, with companies such as the China First Automobile Group and the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation having their headquarters in the city.

Videos

Stories from Shenyang

About Qingdao

Qingdao is a city located in eastern China and is famous for its beaches, beer, and seafood. The city is home to several landmarks, including the Zhanqiao Pier and the Badaguan Scenic Area. Qingdao is also a major port and has a thriving economy, with industries such as electronics, petrochemicals, and machinery.

Videos

Stories from Qingdao

About Xiamen

Xiamen is a city located in southeastern China and is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful coastal scenery, including Gulangyu Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is also a hub for China’s high-tech industry, with companies such as Huawei and ZTE having research and development centers in Xiamen.

Videos

Stories from Xiamen

About Chongqing

Chongqing is a city located in southwestern China and is a major economic center in the region. The city is known for its spicy cuisine, especially its hot pot dishes, and is also famous for the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. Chongqing is also home to several historic sites, including the Dazu Rock Carvings, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Videos

Stories from Chongqing

About Nanjing

Nanjing is a city located in eastern China and is the capital of Jiangsu Province. It is one of China’s ancient capitals and has a rich cultural history, including the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the Nanjing City Wall, and the Confucius Temple. Nanjing is also a modern city with a thriving economy and is home to several universities, including Nanjing University and Southeast University.

Videos

Stories from Nanjing

About Changchun

Changchun is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Jilin Province. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to several historical landmarks such as the Puppet Emperor’s Palace and the Jingyuetan National Forest Park. Changchun is also a hub for China’s automotive industry, with several major automobile manufacturers having their headquarters in the city.

Videos

Stories from Changchun

About Guangzhou

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is a city located in southern China and is the capital of Guangdong Province. It is one of the country’s largest and most prosperous cities, serving as a major transportation and trading hub for the region. Guangzhou is renowned for its modern architecture, including the Canton Tower and the Guangzhou Opera House, as well as its Cantonese cuisine, which is famous for its variety and bold flavors. The city also has a rich history, with landmarks such as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Additionally, Guangzhou hosts the annual Canton Fair, the largest trade fair in China.

Videos

Stories from Guangzhou

About Kunming

Kunming is a city located in southwest China and is the capital of Yunnan Province. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its mild climate, Kunming is a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty and cultural diversity. The city is home to several scenic spots, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Stone Forest, Dian Lake, and the Western Hills. Kunming is also famous for its unique cuisine, which features a mix of Han, Yi, and Bai ethnic flavors. The city has a rich cultural history, with ancient temples and shrines like the Yuantong Temple and the Golden Temple, and it’s also a hub for Yunnan’s ethnic minority cultures, such as the Yi and Bai peoples.

Videos

Stories from Kunming

About Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a city located in southeastern China and is one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolises. The city is renowned for its thriving tech industry, with companies such as Huawei, Tencent, and DJI having their headquarters in Shenzhen. The city also has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, art galleries, and parks. Shenzhen is also known for its modern architecture, such as the Ping An Finance Center and the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Despite its modernization, Shenzhen also has a rich history and cultural heritage, with landmarks such as the Dapeng Fortress and the Chiwan Tin Hau Temple.

Videos

Stories from Shenzhen

About Chengdu

Chengdu is a city located in the southwestern region of China, and the capital of Sichuan province. It has a population of over 18 million people, and it is famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, laid-back lifestyle, and its cute and cuddly residents – the giant pandas. Chengdu is home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where visitors can observe these adorable creatures in their natural habitat. The city also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous temples, museums, and historical sites scattered throughout its boundaries. Chengdu is a city of contrasts, with ancient traditions coexisting alongside modern developments, making it an intriguing and fascinating destination for visitors to China. 

Videos

Stories from Chengdu

About Beijing

Beijing is the capital city of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 21 million people. The city has a rich history that spans over 3,000 years, and it has served as the capital of various dynasties throughout China’s history. Beijing is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in China, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. The city is also a hub for political, cultural, and educational activities, with numerous universities and research institutions located within its boundaries. Beijing is renowned for its traditional architecture, rich cuisine, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a must-visit destination for travelers to China.

Videos

Stories from Beijing

About Shanghai

Shanghai is a vibrant and dynamic city located on the eastern coast of China. It is the largest city in China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 24 million people. Shanghai is a global financial hub and a major center for international trade, with a rich history and culture that spans over 1,000 years. The city is famous for its iconic skyline, which features towering skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. Shanghai is also home to a diverse culinary scene, world-class museums and art galleries, and numerous shopping districts. It is a city that is constantly evolving and reinventing itself, making it a fascinating destination for visitors from around the world.

Videos

Stories from Shanghai

give

A short message about partnering with us.