Thursday, May 7th is the 2020 National Day of Prayer in the United States. Here at Minno, we believe that prayer is an essential practice in the life of a believer, especially in the midst of the current pandemic that is affecting people all over the world. Because we believe prayer helps us stay connected to God, allows the Holy Spirit to calm our fears and quiet our anxiety, and is a way to knit us together during this time of separation, we want to invite you to join with us and other Minno families Thursday, May 7 between 5-8 pm CST to pray.

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20 NIV

We invite you to pause during your evening family time to lift up prayers for your loved ones, community, nation, and the world. Even though we cannot be “together” we can be knit together with hearts that long to see the hope of Jesus reflected during this time. We are inviting Minno families to share personal prayer requests on our Facebook page and we encourage you to read them and ask God to put a few on your heart to lift up specifically during your prayer time. We’re creating a virtual prayer chain of sorts to cover each other as the Body of Christ—the Church. We’ve also provided a few prayer prompts and sample prayers below to get you started.

This is a great opportunity to teach your kids about prayer—why we pray, how we pray, and why it’s so important. If you need help getting the conversation started, check out our post, How to Talk to Your Kids About Prayer.

National Day of Prayer Family Prayer Topics

• Your country and its leaders, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pray for peace and wisdom to make the right decisions regarding all that is happening right now.
• Our healthcare heroes and other essential workers that put themselves in harm’s way every day to help others and to keep life as normal as possible during this time.
• Those that are sick—from Covid-19 or any other illness. Pray for healing and safety for the most vulnerable.
• Those that have lost jobs or are struggling financially. Pray for Jesus to encourage their hearts and meet their needs.
• Our friends and neighbors in our community and around the world, especially those who are lonely in insolation or in unsafe situations. Pray for safety and comfort.
• Your family—pray that God would show you how to live and grow together during this time.

National Day of Prayer Sample Family Prayers

A Prayer for Our Country

Dear God, we ask You to guide our leaders and give them wisdom to lead well. We ask You to bring truth to light and people of integrity to the forefront to the benefit of every person and so that “all peoples of the earth may know that You alone, are God.” (1 Kings 8:60)

A Prayer for Our Healthcare Heroes

Dear God, please protect and strengthen those on the front lines as they work tirelessly to help others. We thank You for their bravery and their selfless love as they “consider others more significant than themselves.” (Philippians 2:3)

A Prayer for the Sick

Dear God, we lift up those that are sick and ask You for comfort and healing. We trust Your sovereignty and pray in faith because Your Word says, “the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick.” (James 5:15)

A Prayer for Those in Need

Dear God, please meet the needs of those who find themselves without right now. We trust You to provide and we stand on the promise of Jesus, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full!” (John 10:10)

A Prayer for Those Around the World

Dear God, we ask You to be with our friends and neighbors all around the world. Though we may be far apart, we are all in this together. Father, may this difficult time unite us in “being of the same mind, having the same love.” (Philippians 2:2)

A Prayer for the Lonely

Dear God, we lift up the lonely to You today. Lord, may they feel Your presence like never before, even if they do not yet know You personally. We pray that You would place the men, women, and children who feel alone on the hearts of those who will reach out to them with Your love. May each one of your children remember that Your word says, “Do not fear, for I am with you . . . I will strengthen you and help you.” (Isaiah 41:10)

A Prayer for the Hurting

Dear God, we ask You to be near to the brokenhearted; to those who have experienced loss or pain. Oh, “Father of compassion and God of all comfort, comfort Your children in all their troubles.” (2 Corinthians 1:3)

A Prayer for Our Family

Dear God, thank You for the gift of family. Please meet us in the midst of our current situation and show us all that You desire to do and grow in us and through us during this season. We thank You that “Your steadfast love is with us from generation to generation.” (Pslams 103:17)

For ongoing prayer prompts, follow Liturgies for Parents on Instagram for beautiful prayers like these.