In a short span of time, COVID-19 has viciously spread across the world and together we find ourselves navigating through new experiences of difficulty and loss. Wherever you find yourself, we can be united together in prayer, asking God to meet the needs of our brothers and sisters around the world.

In case you’re looking for a creative way to pray (either alone or with your family), this prayer activity uses five simple items from your home, leading you through Scripture and reflective prayers. Simply gather all five items in one place, and follow the prompts outlined below. Allow God to lead you as you intercede for others.

1. Wallet

Holding a wallet in hand, consider people around the world whose resources are limited: the poor, the unemployed, those who are house-bound with no means of reaching a store. Are there specific people whom God is leading you to pray for now?

Pray for provision

Ask Jehovah Jireh (“The Lord Will Provide”) to meet the needs of those struggling.

“His love has no limit, His grace has no measure, His pow’r has no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.”

Don Moen, He Giveth More Grace (chorus)

Pray for prompting

What is God prompting you to do? Is there a creative way God can use you to provide?

“If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and He will repay you!”

Proverbs 19:17, NLT

“The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”

Proverbs 19:7, NIV

2. Cell Phone

Holding a cellphone, consider the lonely, the disconnected, the isolated. People are hurting, longing to be shown that they are loved. Ask God to place the names and faces of lonely people in your mind’s eye.

Pray for the company of Christ

Ask the presence of God to meet the lonely. Read Psalm 91:4 out loud and picture God covering them under His wings, providing protection, encouragement, hope and comfort.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1, NIV

“Come near to God and He will come near to you.”

James 4:8, NIV

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9, NIV

Pray for compassion

God can give you compassion for those you have not even met. Ask God to pour His compassion over you. Allow your heart to empathize with those who are hurting.

“The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.”

Psalm 116:5, NIV

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”

Isaiah 54:10, NIV

3. Medicine

Holding a bottle of medicine, think of those who are sick and wrestling with COVID-19 symptoms. Also, think of medical personnel who are selflessly serving those in need.

Pray for healing

Think of the sick who are distanced from their loved ones—ask God to minister His healing over their lives and protection over their families.

“Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise.”

Jeremiah 17:14, NIV

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Psalm 17:3, NIV

Pray for hope

Think of those sick in bed, or those serving the sick—ask God to flood their hearts and minds with His hope.

“But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.”

Psalm 9:18, NIV

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”

Hebrews 10:23, NIV

Pray for health

Pray for medical professionals to be armed with health, protection, strength and endurance during these trying times. Pray too for their families.

“Keep me safe, my God, for in You I take refuge.”

Psalm 16:1, NIV

“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

Psalm 16:8, NIV

4. Shoe

Holding a shoe, read aloud Isaiah 52:7 (NCV). Feet that bring good news and share the goodness of Jesus are described as beautiful! Ask God in what ways He can help you have beautiful feet.

Pray for communities

Pray for your own community—the people who live on your street and in your neighborhood. Have they experienced your beautiful feet? If not, why?

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.”

John 13:35, NLT

“’You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Luke 10:27, NLT

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8, NLT

Pray for creativity

Ask God for creative ideas to share the goodness of Jesus—not only with your neighbors (while maintaining social distancing), but even to those around the world. What is God stirring your heart to do?

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”

Proverbs 3:5, NLT

5. Bible

Holding a Bible, think of people who need Jesus. Look at a world map. Place your finger on one continent at a time and pray for the following:

Pray for salvation

Think of the thousands of people on each continent who do not know Jesus. Ask God through His Sovereign power to reach people of all ages, all religions, all races, all languages and all nationalities! Pray for people to know Jesus.

“God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.”

John 3:17, NLT

“For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

Romans 10:13, NLT

Pray for steadfastness

Consider how fear, worry or doubt have impacted your own life. Ask God to help your faith in Him be steadfast (meaning: unwavering, steady and firm). Despite every trial our world currently faces, ask God to help you stand firm in believing that God is greater and is in control!

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Psalm 51:10, NIV

“Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”

Psalm 112:6-7, NIV