breath

“Pray the News” – April 25th, 2021

As I noticed news stories this week in preparation for this Pray the News segment of our service, what stood out to me is the devastation of the COVID pandemic in India, where many people are unable to receive treatment due to a lack of medical oxygen supplies. Because of this illness, countless thousands of people literally cannot breathe, and as a result of many hospitals being at breaking point, many are dying, many are despairing, many are grieving.

I looked up passages about “breath” – I apologize if I’ve taken any of these out of context. My heart is to focus on praying big – this is an overwhelming situation, but our God is big, far bigger than any challenge! Will you please join me in praying these over the precious people of India:

Genesis 2:7 – “then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature”

Lord, we ask you to breathe the breath of life into each person struggling to catch their breath.

1 Kings 17:22 – “God listened to Elijah’s prayer and put breath back into his body—he was alive!”

We cry out to you, God, to put breath back into the bodies of each one who needs it, so that they can live.

Psalm 23:3 – “True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.”

Father, we ask you, because you are always true to who you are, and because you are the giver of life, that you would let each one catch their breath and send them in the right direction!

Psalm 33:6 – “The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.”

God, we worship you as creator of the heavens and the earth and each living thing. Would you breathe on and give breath to each person who needs it?

Psalm 34:18 – “If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.”

Lord, we plead with you to be merciful on all who lack oxygen and help them catch their breath.

Psalm 80:18 – “breathe life into our lungs so we can shout your name!”

Father God, bring revival to the people of India, physically and spiritually – breathe life so that they can live and shout your name!

Lamentations 4:19-20a – “Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky; they chased us over the mountains and lay in wait for us in the desert. The Lord’s anointed, our very life breath, was caught in their traps.”

Oh God, this pandemic has chased people and laid in wait for them and caused much suffering, pain, and grief. Please release people from the grip of this virus and pour your life breath into them.

Ezekiel 37:5 – “Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.”

Lord God, we worship you because you are all-powerful, all-loving, all-kind. Please cause your breath to enter each one, turn this situation around, and pour out life in every sense of the word, on the people of India.

Acts 17:24-25 – “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.”

God, thank you that you give to all people life and breath and everything. We humbly ask you to breathe again on those who need oxygen and give them everything they need, because you are good and do good.

Psalm 150:6 – “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!”

We praise you Lord! Praise the Lord!

In Jesus’ name, Amen.