Prayer For Cities During Times of Violence and Pandemic
Tuesday June 2, 2020
Our television news programs are filled with disturbing images of riots and violence in cities, particularly across the United States in response to the ugly killing of a black man by police in Minneapolis. Many people are crying out for justice and need to be heard and their concerns addressed. Some others are just being opportunistic and using the situation to loot and steal and create havoc. They need to be called out and stopped. Over and over again the cry comes out for leadership to do something to bring justice and mercy to our cities.
Troubles in cities are not a new thing and they come in many forms. We hear the cry for protection from those who live in Hong Kong and see freedoms dramatically eroded. Poverty, addiction, violence, crime, homelessness and lack of services have become hallmarks of life in the city around the world. This COVID-19 pandemic has also had a tremendous impact on cities across Canada and around the world.
God loves the people who live in the cities as well as those who live in suburbs, in rural areas, and in remote places. Today we want to pray for those who live in cities and for God’s peace and grace and healing to be poured out so that many are comforted, supported, and are drawn to the love of Christ. Listen to these comforting words from Psalm 31
Praise the Lord, for he has shown me
the wonders of his unfailing love.
He kept me safe
when my city was under attack.
In panic I cried out,
“I am cut off from the Lord!”
But you heard my cry for mercy
and answered my call for help.
So be strong and courageous,
all you who put your hope in the Lord!
Psalm 31:21-22, 24
Heavenly Father, our hearts cry out to you today on behalf of those who live in cities. There is so much frustration, hurt, and panic in the lives of so many who live in cities. The life of every single person matters to you - from the drug addict in a filthy alley to a CEO of a multi-billion dollar global company. Each person has unique and personal needs that You know and care about. We pray along with the writer of the Psalm that in these troubled times that many would reach out to You and put their hope in You. We pray for individuals and groups to be strong and courageous, and along with making their voices heard to political leaders that they would put their hope in You because You hear cries for mercy and You answer calls for help.
We are particularly concerned these days with those who live in fear and suffer injustice simply because of their race. Forgive all who fail to see Your beauty in the diversity of individuals and races. We pray for hearts to be softened and to come to repentance. We pray for a willingness to recognize the gift that You have given to each of us and to learn from one another’s experience – to lift each other up and in doing so to make the deep love of Jesus clearly visible to others. We pray for communities to come together to listen to one another, for hatred that’s been rooted in groups for generations to be let go, and for reconciliation to grow across racial, economic, and religious lines.
We pray for the citizens of Hong Kong and in so many other cities where their basic rights and freedoms are attacked every day. Lord we ask for protection and for the lifting of unjust laws and practices that threaten the safety and free movement of individuals and families. We bless who suffer under religious persecution in so many cities. We pray for those who live under unjust class systems, who face discrimination because of their gender. Lord have mercy on all of these. We ask for a change in their daily living conditions and also in their souls so they would find the true freedom that You promise for those who live in truth and right relationship with You.
Jesus said: "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 8:32, 14:6
While circumstances might continue to be challenging, You give us a peace of mind and heart that no government or person of prejudice can take away from us.
We pray for those who are sick in cities during this COVID-19 outbreak. Whether it’s Toronto or Montreal or New York or London or other cities across the globe, it seems the spread of the virus has been most concentrated there. We pray for wisdom and self-discipline as people go about their daily tasks. We pray for help for those seeking to make cities safe during this pandemic. We bless frontline and all health care workers to have stamina and grace as the weeks of pressure and long hours drag on and people continue to need their help. We pray for a lifting of this plague from our cities and across our land and around the world. Have mercy on us, most merciful God and send healing, we pray.
We also remember that we are called to listen to Your voice, God and look with confidence to all that you are doing. As Abraham confidently looked to You and was willing to leave his city of birth and travel to an unknown place, would You give us the grace and courage to follow You wherever You lead us, knowing that when You build and design things, they last forever. That’s true for our lives and for the spreading of the gospel in any town or city to which you might call us.
Abraham was confidently looking forward
to a city with eternal foundations,
a city designed and built by God.
Hebrews 11:10
Help us to be shining lights for Your kingdom today, filled with grace and faith that You are good, that You are God, and that You are blessing all those who call out to You for help and blessing today. Amen
You are the light of the world—
like a city on a hilltop
that cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:14
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