Prayer To Experience Joy and Peace and Meaning While We Stay Home

 Travel restrictions around the world continue to be looked at.  More and more countries are requiring a negative covid-19 test before anyone can board a flight to their country.  Locally our premier was looking at the possibility of limiting travel between provinces.  We just had a wealthy couple take a flight up north to try to jump the queue for getting the vaccine and they’ve been caught and charged under the public health act.  We are being encouraged and even ordered to continue to stay at home in order to slow down the spread of the corona virus.  In the province of Quebec the number of daily cases is dropping since they’ve instituted a curfew every night.  Many voluntarily heed the call.  Others need to do so and do so today.  The lives of so many depend on us doing this. 

We’ve all been at home for some time and it’s easy to not see all we have to be thankful for when it comes to our homes.  It’s still good to remind ourselves and to give God thanks.  Listen to these words

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes,  in undisturbed places of rest. Isaiah 32:18

Thank you Lord for peaceful and secure places where we can stay.  There are many homeless people around the world – whether refugees or those who struggle with addiction or mental health, or even those who’ve lost employment and now find themselves in a hard place.  Be close to those who do not have a home tonight.  Help them to do all they can to be responsible in their personal situations and then help governments to have grace and mercy to come alongside and provide affordable help for those who truly need it.

God’s word says:

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city,  the guards stand watch in vain. Psalm 127:1 NIV

Well Heavenly Father, this seems to me to be more addressed to the work we do individually and together than to the place where we live but still we know that in all we are and all we do, we need You to live and work through us.  We need You to guide and direct us today.  We need You to watch over us and keep us safe from the attacks of the evil one.  We welcome You to build with us today, Lord and watch over us.

And then one of my favorite quotes about our home and God being with us from John 14:23

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.  John 14:23

Lord, wherever we are making our home today we really do want You to come and shelter with us Lord Jesus.  We want to live as obedient followers of Yours so You find a ready welcome in our lives. We know that it is Your love that gives us energy and hope going forward and so we want all that You, and the Father, and the Holy Spirit are willing to pour into our lives.

Somehow when I’m thinking about homes and being at home today I’m also thinking about seniors and elders who live on their own in the community or who reside in care facilities and have been isolated from family and loved ones for so many long months.  We bless them with peace, with security, and with the undisturbed rest that comes from knowing that You are with them, God, watching over them and surrounding them with your tender loving care. 

We also want to pray for those whose homes are places of anger and violence and abuse.  We pray for rescue for those who need to be able to get away from their homes.  In Your mercy, God, show them what they should do today, how to find the help they need, and the courage to take any necessary steps.  We ask for healing and deliverance from the hurt, fear, anger, sin, and brokenness that lies under these destructive and harmful behaviours.  Bring the abusers to their senses and restore them as well giving peace and wholenesss to the victims and the family members who suffer today.

For all of us as we live with the uncertainty of being at home for an unknown period of time, we ask for our hearts to be strengthened with Your love and for these times to be rich as we fellowship with You and our family members.  You promise to be with us and to make Your home with us as we walk with You and do Your will.  Help us today to trust Your promise, do our part, and rely on Your unfailing love to get us through this day.  Amen