Pray that the Church would seek and retain a Godly and Biblically-based hope, set upon the Lord Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 4:1-10; 1 Samuel 30:1-6)

1. Pray for the Church, that in difficult times she would be committed to the promises and mercy of the Lord, remembering His commitment to save and enlarge His people. (Psalm 77:1-10)
2. Pray for the Church, that she would not doubt that the Lord is sovereign and in control over all things. (Isaiah 45:5-13)
3. Pray for the Church, that she might express that hope to the watching world, and her own people, in confident and selfless service to many, not only in earthly things, but with a word in season to him that is weary. (Isaiah 50:1-11)
4. Pray that the people of God would be especially aware in times of temptation not to despair and in expectation of evil, be prepared to take the way of escape, finding hope in the midst of adversity, learning to advance by looking past afflictions and trusting in the Lord’s good work. (1 Corinthians 10:13; Lamentations 3:21-36)
5. Pray that the people of God would rest upon the goodness of the Lord, and remember that He has afflicted in faithfulness, and that His determination is perfect at all times and for the good of His church. (Psalm 94:12-13; 119:175; Nahum 1:7)
6. Pray that the people of God would direct their hope to the Lord, not unto lying vanities, false remedies, empty promises, false traditions, principalities and powers, such that they would find the way of faith and obedience in times such as these, not fearing the plague that draws near their dwellings, but would make the Lord their refuge (Psalm 91:1-10)
7. Pray that the people of God, in these difficult times, would not place their hope in earthly means, earthly comfort, earthly goods, and earthly advancement. But that our hope would be grounded in God’s mercy, the patience and comfort of the Scriptures, and the confidence of a glorious end with Christ.  (Jeremiah 29:8-14, Romans 15:1-4)
8. Pray that the Pastors and Elders in our Churches would set a good example of this kind of faith, hope, and trust. That they would rest upon the Lord and set a good course for the people of God through times of chastisement, as they patiently bear affliction, and lead others to do so as well. (Psalm 77:11-20; Hosea 12:10-14)