As the world goes into extreme protection mode to stop the coronavirus, an atmosphere of fear is being released. I started writing this article a week ago and everyday the news gets worse and the government announces more drastic measures. Last week, our church’s lease contract with Long Beach Unified School District was cancelled and we had to quickly set up an online worship service.
Fear is a natural human response. Fear can protect us from danger but fear can also protect us from good. Last week, I heard people in the stores asking if the world was coming to an end and they are panic shopping like the world was coming to an end.
Over a month ago and when the coronavirus was still mainly an overseas problem, I had a vision while I was meditating on Psalm 91 and Psalm 46 and the word “fear” jumped out at me. (Psalm 46:2; 91:5) In my vision, I saw “fear” like an energy force, a demonic being rising up throughout the world and affecting our ability to trust God. Over the last month, I have read and lived in Psalm 46 and Psalm 91.
Three weeks ago, on a webcast I listened to a Christian sister in Wuhan, China who had been infected with the coronavirus. I personally know this person and she has a strong faith in God but when the virus touched everybody in her family including herself and she felt much fear and panic. For two days, she was very sick and thought she was going to die. Unable to trust in any help from doctors or the government, she overcame her fears including the fear of death as outlined in Revelation 12:11. Ultimately, the only thing she could trust was God. She grateful to have found a new level of intimacy with God.
In the past, the world has had other pandemics where millions have died. The Book of Revelation predicts future pandemics. I have no idea if Bible prophecy is being fulfilled today, but we are living in a historic moment. Psalm 91 is filled with God’s promises and hope to live through a pandemic.
Three weeks ago, I composed the Prayer of Protection based on Psalm 91 to help our church pray during this difficult time. The prayer was originally written to be prayed at our Sunday service. The prayer has gone through a number of revisions. If you are feeling fearful, pray Psalm 91 until the truths that God is our refuge and fortress become more fully realized. Pray with your family and over your home. Write your own prayer.
Praying is not the goal. Trusting in prayer is not the goal. God’s goal is that we know and trust Him. Trusting in God is the key to help break the spirit of fear.
Psalm 91
Prayer of Protection
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2)
Most High God, we bow down to you and unite our hearts as we pray for your protection. Lord Jesus, we ask that you stand before the Father’s throne and intercede on our behalf.
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (Psalm 91:3-4)
We come under your covering, God, and ask that your heavenly shield of protection be raised up to stop all ungodly attacks and deadly pestilence.
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. (Psalm 91:5-6)
We confess and release our fears to You. Fears of the unknown. Fears of disease. Fears of ________. We break off any spirit of fear in corporate and public meetings.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. (Psalm 91:7-10)
We declare our trust in You, O God. We declare that You are our refuge and dwelling place despite negative circumstances and news.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. (Psalm 91:11-13)
We ask you to command your angels and the sword of the Spirit to cleanse this place from any ungodly curses and spiritual entities. In the name of Jesus Christ, we bind and break all connections, communications, and influences from Lucifer and his powers as we gather today. We declare this land to be holy ground before God.
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:14-16)
Lord, You are unconditional in your love toward us but You are conditional in your response toward us. As we declare our love to You, You declare your commitment to us. As we call out to You, You call out to us. As we honor You, You bless us with life and salvation.
God, You are our refuge, fortress, covering, dwelling place, commander, faithful one, rescuer, protector, and deliverer. Thank you Jesus Christ, for your sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary that makes this possible. We pray all of this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
P.S. A link to a powerful prayer, “Pray Against Coronavirus” by Aslan’s Place
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