December 16, 2020 | by Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner | NCNW National Chaplain and President of Skinner Leadership Institute
Loving and compassionate God, who alone is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise, we come boldly to your throne of grace to find help and mercy in this time of need. Lord God, we appeal to you on behalf of over 16 million Americans afflicted with coronavirus, desperate to experience your healing power. We believe that Jesus is healing today, just as he did when he walked the earth. So, we apply your word to the COVID-stricken, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
We believe that the prayer of faith will raise the sick, so we apply our faith to those suffering from this deadly virus. You are the same God whose miraculous healing power has restored most of those infected with COVID-19 since the first known case in January 2020. For all those in need of healing, we cry out in the word of the prophet Jeremiah, "Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise” (Jeremiah 17.14). For Black and Brown people disproportionately affected, and families of over 300,000 Americans who have died, we pray for your loving presence and power.
God, we thank you for answering our prayers for the vaccine now being administered to prevent the virus from taking more lives. We ask you to put a hedge of protection over the lives of every health care and other essential worker unable to shelter in safety in this season. Then Lord, as we face a Christmas and New Year without the unspeakable healing power of hugs and presence of loved ones, we ask you to be with us and grant us all the peace that comes only from you. In your mighty and matchless name above all names, we pray, Lord God, AMEN.