Before the COVID-19 quarantines began in Spain, I had been enjoying going to a high place nearby our house so that I could take in a broad panorama of the world. It gave me a higher perspective. The view was more expansive and helped me to engage my own heart, God’s heart, and to pray in a different way.
It’s easy to lose perspective. Life brings a myriad of personal and family challenges, and the pandemic has ushered in new challenges. In addition to situations we currently face, it’s easy to worry about faraway possible storms—challenges that may come in the future—and start preparing in advance for what’s ahead. These things all threaten our ability to see things as God does.
One answer I’ve found is to follow Jesus to the “high place” by engaging in intercession, or strategic prayer, for the needs of the world. Even in quarantine, I can go to my balcony or prayer room to get that higher perspective.
The list below contains some ways to pray for the world that have been helpful for me, but first I want to address any pressure or guilt you may be feeling. Many times in crisis situations, we have to focus on our own needs in order to heal and grow. It’s OK to let someone else carry the call to pray for others. If you are in a season like that, take the time to attend to your own heart and needs. At other times, even in the midst of our own challenges, praying for and being attentive to the needs of others can help us gain perspective and make a contribution to the movement of God’s Kingdom. Be attentive to what kind of season you are in.
Seeking a higher perspective reminds me of the image of a watchtower, mentioned in a few scripture passages. Here’s one:
“I will climb up to my watchtower
and stand at my guardpost.
There I will wait to see what the Lord says
and how he will answer my complaint.”
–Habakkuk 2:1 (NLT)
This image has given me perspective on how to pray for others in the midst of my own struggles. Perhaps some of these prayer prompts will be helpful to you as well.
1. Take Your Complaint to God
First, I notice that this verse in Habakkuk speaks about “my complaint”—my own struggle—and at the same time invites me to the watchtower, the place of perspective. What is your personal struggle today? Maybe you are anxious or afraid, or maybe you are experiencing a loss of some kind. Consecrate those struggles or pain to God. Ask him to show you how to pray for others who might be experiencing the same emotion or difficulty. Go to “your watchtower" and pray for your friends, city, and nation in these challenging times using your own difficulties or feelings.
2. Be Attentive to God’s Answer
What themes or invitations is God bringing into your life during this season? Use your own invitations from the Lord to bless and pray for others. For example, maybe God is inviting you to rest in him, to trust him, to place your hope in him, to open your heart to him with honesty and vulnerability. Embrace those invitations yourself and then bless others in your neighborhood who are lacking rest, trust, hope.
3. Be Watchful Over the World
We are in a season where we are more attentive to the news. Find themes and stories that you can pray for or bless. Don’t wait until the end of the show; mute your TV and pray for the people in the health system, the frontline responders, or the stories of generosity or loss.
When you go out, bless the workers who are helping you. Bless them with health and peace for themselves and their families. You can do this with those working in the supermarket. If you have a hospital close by, pray for the patients and staff every day.
If you can go for a walk, ask the Spirit of God for discernment in how to pray for your neighborhood. Listen for words, Bible verses, or images that come to your mind. Maybe you can text a word of encouragement to someone who comes to mind during your walk.
4. Take a Stand at Your Own Guardpost
What are some causes or populations for which you carry a burden? Maybe if you are a teacher you are praying for children and other teachers. If you are a businessperson, you can pray for other businesspeople who may be struggling during this season. If you have a heart for the poor, pray for the people suffering right now as well as those serving the poor.
5. Look for Opportunities to Bless
Bless the generosity that is springing up during this time. Ask the Spirit how you can practice generosity. Remember that generosity can come in many different forms. Ask the Spirit for creativity.
Follow your calendar and see if there are historical dates that the Church is celebrating or commemorating and pray accordingly. For example, soon we’ll remember Pentecost, so let’s pray together for an outpouring of God’s Spirit in new ways.
6. Pray as if Life Depends on It
This scripture passage from Isaiah adds new elements to the watchman analogy:
“I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem;
they will never be silent day or night.
You who call on the Lord,
give yourselves no rest,
and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem
and makes her the praise of the earth.”
–Isaiah 62:6–7 (NIV)
This passage highlights the crucial nature of this call to be on watch over the world. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest! This is a critical time to be in prayer. If you sense the invitation to go to the watchtower and pray for others, pray faithfully, with the authority that God has given us as priests, and expect the supernatural hand of God to move!
During this time when many people are dying I am believing and praying that God is sending his angels to minister to people—that they would have dreams about Jesus and that many would remember the faith of their childhood. I am praying for comfort and supernatural consolation for people who are losing loved ones. I believe these prayers are making a Kingdom difference.
7. Remember, God Is Watching With You and Responding
I love the picture of prayer in Revelation 8:
“Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out. Then the angel filled the incense burner with fire from the altar and threw it down upon the earth; and thunder crashed, lightning flashed, and there was a terrible earthquake.”
–Revelation 8:3–5 (NLT)
Let’s embrace hope and remember that our prayers are like incense before the throne of God, creating a powerful “mixture” that releases God’s movement and blessing on earth! Let’s be united in praying for ourselves, for others around us, and for the nations!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Doralicia Gonzales lives in Málaga, Spain with her husband Randy and their two daughters. Her ministry includes strategic prayer, spiritual direction and mentoring, and walking alongside others who are searching for more of what God has for them with the goal of seeing more Kingdom movement in the region.