A year ago, on March 20th I sent out the very first prayer points for a National Day of Prayer regarding covid-19 – I was asked by someone on Facebook if I would organise this as they felt lots of people wanted to pray. I felt very unsure about doing this for who am I to organise a National Day of Prayer – it should be our government or our Queen, but I decided because of the nudges I was getting to do it anyhow. Once that first week was over, two friends asked if I would do it every week and now, here we are 12 months later having now done this every week for a year! Who would ever have thought? So much has been accomplished during this year – the Lord has moved in people’s lives and hearts not only in the UK but right across the world. I have received so many emails and messages telling me what God has done as people have prayed. It has been incredible. Many have been encouraging me to keep on going as they love the blogs and also find that the prayer points help them to focus their prayers.
I believe it’s important to keep going in prayer until we see an answer. I remember many years ago before my husband and I came into full time Christian work, my husband was going through a crisis of faith. I knew I had to pray for him. My heart was broken as I realised without God’s help our lives could be so different. I prayed and prayed but the heavens seemed like brass. Have you ever experienced that? But I would not give up! One day as I cried and poured out my heart to God, God answered me. If he had spoken audibly, he could not have spoken any louder. He told me that he had heard my prayers and had seen my tears and if I could see what he was going to do in my husband, I would not believe it. He told me not to pray anymore, but instead to praise him for what he was going to do. I did what the Lord told me to do, even though there was no change in Ray’s life. I was, at times, discouraged because I could not see what God was doing, but I asked God to forgive me for not trusting him, and then continued to praise him as he had instructed me to do. After seven months, I began to see a glimmer of hope. Was God working in Ray’s life? I kept going and then a breakthrough happened. God revealed himself to Ray in a way that completely changed him. I looked in my diary to see how long it took for my prayer to be answered and was so surprised to see it was exactly a year to the day that I had prayed and sought God. God had turned my husband’s life around completely. It was as though I had a new husband! God was right I could never have believed what God did in my husband then and also during the next 36 years before his death in 2016. (If you want to know more of the story – then you can find it in my book Who Would Ever Have Thought which is an autobiography of the last 40 years of our lives.) Can I encourage you – whatever you are praying for – keep praying until you get an answer from God. Don’t give up. Keep on going. When you do get a promise from God – follow his instructions and know in your heart that even if it takes a while – he is faithful and he will do what he has promised. On this anniversary of us starting these National Days of Prayer – let’s trust God more and more for what we want to see. We can certainly see light at the end of the tunnel, so let’s keep praying and let’s trust God to bring us right the way through this pandemic.
There is also a National Day of Reflection (as they have called it – organised by the charity Marie Curie) on 23rd March to remember the many thousands who have died during this last year from Covid-19. We have all been encouraged to observe a minute’s silence at 12.00 on that day – and also light up our doorsteps that night. Prominent buildings and landmarks will also be illuminated across the UK. It was on that day in 2020 that the Prime Minister warned that many families would lose their loved ones before their time. On that date last year there were 335 who had died and now a year later there are over 146,000 who have Covid-19 on their death certificate according to government figures.
PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 19th March 2021
- Praise God the statistics are still coming down – let’s keep praying for them to fall despite that the schools are back and lockdown is beginning to happen. Pray that lockdown will soon be a thing of the past and that we can begin to look towards the future. Many are weary of lockdown and it is awful to see so many suffering from mental health problems. Praise God for the vaccine and that we now have well over 25 million vaccinated in the UK. Pray for other nations that they too will get the vaccines out there and available for their citizens. There is a lot of news reports about the Oxford vaccination, do pray that these questions will be answered thoroughly and honestly. Do continue to pray for those who have the virus right now – many of them are still in hospital. Pray that they will recover swiftly. Pray too for those who have lost a loved one to this virus; pray the comfort of the Holy Spirit upon all.
- We continue as the Bible tells us to do and pray for our National Leaders – let’s pray for our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and also for all MP’s whatever party they belong to. There are so many petty arguments and often comments are made to score political points. Pray for each MP that they would work for the greater good of the country and not aim to score political points each time they speak. Pray for those who give wisdom to the government – pray for good godly wisdom and good decisions to be made for our country and for our world. Praise God that Prince Philip is out of hospital and is recovering at Windsor Castle with the Queen. Do pray that his recovery is swift and good. It’s great that he and the Queen are back together again. It can’t have been easy for them to be separated. Pray for all the Royal Family – pray for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who are expecting another child. Pray for a good and easy pregnancy. Do pray against the media storm there has been over the interview given recently. Whatever you think about what was said – let’s pray for reconciliation and great relationships between every member of the Royal Family.
- Praise God for the NHS and for all the staff that work within its walls. Pray for cleaners to surgeons. Pray for health and strength. Pray for good mental health as well as physical health. They put themselves on the front line every day and they have to deal with very difficult situations. There is still a huge amount of people in hospital suffering with covid so pray for each one. Pray that they will recover and soon be able to go home. Let’s pray too for those who are carers in homes. Pray for them physically and mentally too. Praise God for wonderful carers who love to help others in need. Pray for those in care homes and who have not been able to see their relatives. Praise God that they can see one relative or friend now and pray that it will soon be that they can see all their loved ones soon.
- Poor mental health is a hard issue to deal with. Do pray for those who are suffering from this. Many more are suffering from this because of lockdown. It is often difficult to spot and also to manage, but let’s keep our eyes open to see where a word of wisdom or a kind gesture would be like a lifeline to some. Let’s be generous and let’s not be hard of heart. We may not understand what one person is going through, but let’s give each other the benefit of the doubt. Pray for peace! Pray for joy! Pray for life! All these things come through Jesus. Do pray many will find Jesus at this time. He knows. He understands and he cares. Let’s be his hands and feet to others around us.
- Again, let’s pray for our young people. Praise God that they are all back at school now. Praise God that they are able to see their friends and also receive teaching direct from their teachers. Pray for those who are in colleges and universities. Pray that every young person, teacher and lecturer will feel protected. Pray that all will be safe. Pray for the pupils and students’ mental health in particular. Pray that they will find peace at this time and will have wisdom too on how to act and move into the future.
- Praise God that some of our economy can go back to work soon. It will be so good to see businesses opening up. Pray for the UK’s economy. Pray that it will be bounce back quickly. Pray for those who cannot open up as yet – areas like hospitality can only open partially – we can have a meal outside soon. Pray for those who cannot open at all until June – hospitality, theatres, music venues etc., have been hit the hardest. Pray for each person involved in this struggle. Continue to pray for people who have lost their jobs – pray that they will find suitable jobs very soon. In all of this – do pray that we will all not lose hope but will hang on to God through this time.
- Pray for ourselves. Pray for revival hearts – pray that we will develop a deeper and more vibrant relationship with our Lord. Praise him for keeping us through this last year and praise him that we serve a living God. He is not deaf to our prayers – he hears everyone and he answers us. Let’s keep our eyes and our ears open to the voice and heart of God. Let’s continue to pray for many to find our God – for many to come into a deep relationship with him. Pray for peace and joy for each of us. Pray we will overflow in hope, joy and peace and that others will see a huge difference in our lives – so much so that they ask how we can have such peace in the midst of turmoil. Let’s be ready to give an answer that points them to Jesus. Pray too that when we remember those who have died this last year that we will also remember those who are left behind who are living with huge loss. Pray for many to turn to Christ at this time.
Do you need prayer? What a joy it has been to pray for those who have asked for prayer in recent months. We are seeing many answers to our prayers. Remember if you or others need prayer do drop us an email and we will pray. Don’t forget our prayer line if you or others need prayer – prayer@ngm.org.uk
A testimony is powerful and it often encourages us that if God has done it once then he can do it again. I remember going to a church in The Wirral where I met a woman who, after she heard my testimony about what had happened to Ray, came and asked for prayer. She told me her husband needed God and I encouraged her to pray for him and not to give up until she heard from God. Sometime later a friend of mine went to speak at that church. He did not know about the lady who had prayed for her husband. But during that weekend – he picked out several people and brought them to the front of the church – he then asked the women’s husband to come out and asked him in what way was he connected to all these people that my friend had picked out. He said you have picked out all my family, including my wife’s mother and father and even my son’s girlfriend. My friend then went on to give him a word from God. He told him that God loved him so much and that he wanted to get to know him. He then pointed to his wife and said, “The Lord says it’s over! You don’t need to fight anymore. It’s done!” That night she looked back her diary and she was amazed to discover that it was a year to the day when I told her to pray for her husband. It is interesting to know that my friend’s visit to this church was postponed at one point – he should have been there earlier, but it had to be changed. God’s timing is always perfect! So, let’s keep praying – let’s not lose our hope – He is able, he is faithful and he will deliver what he has promised. With loads of love and encouragement to you all –
NANCY GOUDIE
For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time: do read below:
Setting the scene
On 20th March I called for a National Day of Prayer, not only for the UK, but also for others who live further afield. A few days after it was over two friends contacted me and asked if I would do a National Prayer Day every Friday, and asked if I would continue to give some pointers each week for prayer. After prayer, I took up the challenge of doing just that. Thank you for joining us. To read previous prayer points and encouragements – go to www.nancygoudie.com/blog/
Helpful instructions/suggestions:
- Set your phone, your watch, your alarm clock or whatever to remind you to pray throughout the day. I would suggest praying every hour for a few minutes or for as long as you wish, but make a time that is suitable for yourself.
- Maybe pray for one of the above pointers every hour – or take one for each day of the week.
- Every time you wash your hands, which should be often – then pray a ‘Heal Our Nation’ prayer – sing or speak the lyrics of ‘Heal our Nation’ and ask God to pour out his Spirit on this land. ‘Heal our Nation, Heal our Nation, Heal our Nation, pour out your Spirit on this land.’ Sing or speak that twice. And finish with the first line from the verse ‘Lord we long for you to move in power’ – and ask God to move in the UK but also move in our world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoZwje7Ogkg
- Keep reading Psalm 91, Psalm 121 and Psalm 46 to encourage yourself and your family with the truth of the word of God. Perhaps try meditating on Psalm 62:5-6 – Find rest, O my Soul in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will not be shaken.
- Use the UK Blessing – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUtll3mNj5U Play it in your home – make this as a wonderful blessing on you and your family, your children and their children. When you go a walk pray it over your neighbourhood. The song was written in Elevation church, USA. You can watch here and discover how the song came together in the presence of the Lord – no wonder this song is being used at this time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp6aygmvzM4&feature=emb_rel_end
