“I can assure you, my prayer knees are getting a good work out.”

And he’s not just relying on prayer. Here’s what he said just before: “As the virus spreads, and it will, governments around Australia will not be complacent and may need, and are likely to need, to impose further restrictions on our daily lives. Wherever possible, we will seek to do that to ensure a consistency of approach between all states and territories.”

“It will be absolutely vital that every Australian respects and follows the healthy social distancing measures that all Australian governments have implemented in order to flatten this curve and to save lives. Limits on outdoor and indoor mass gatherings, keeping non-essential indoor gatherings to less than one person per four square metres—wherever possible, keeping 1½ metres between yourself and others—avoiding all non-essential travel and even simply following good hygiene is essential to slowing this virus. Washing your hands thoroughly, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, not touching your face are all practical measures that we can all observe to save lives”

So a call for prayer – and responsible action.

Here’s some prayers we have found:

A prayer for those in quarantine or self isolation (World Vision)

Jesus, during Your ministry on Earth You showed Your power and caring by healing people of all ages and stations of life from physical, mental, and spiritual ailments. Be present now to people who need Your loving touch because of COVID-19. May they feel Your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses.

Take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or under quarantine. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the disease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them.

A prayer to trust God (Dominic Steele, Village Church Annandale)

Father, We pray that through this we might come to depend more deeply on you than ever before and trust in your goodness in a way that we haven’t util now. We pray that we might know how wide and high and deep and long the love of Christ that is in Christ Jesus our Lord is. Help us to navigate this season as a church family well. Help us to lean in to you and to each other.
To give us patience to love those in our community, in Annandale and surrounds.When this is all over, we want to be able to look back and think: when we were under pressure we loved like Christ. Help us to make decisions and do things that we won’t regret. Help us be a people marked by Christ-like love.
We pray that we would love and serve our neighbours and that we would love those in our church family and that we would love the Lord Jesus more.
Amen

A responsive prayer (Church of England) via Uniting Church

Let us pray to God,
who alone makes us dwell in safety:

For all who are affected by coronavirus,
through illness or isolation or anxiety,
that they may find relief and recovery:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.

For those who are guiding our nation at this time,
and shaping national policies,
that they may make wise decisions:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.

For doctors, nurses and medical researchers,
that through their skill and insights
many will be restored to health:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.

For the vulnerable and the fearful,
for the gravely ill and the dying,
that they may know your comfort and peace:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.

We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,
to the mercy and protection of God.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.