A prayer report looking at Covid-19 Hot Spots, Flattening the Curve, and Hopes for a Vaccine with links to resources

As of the May 26, almost 5.6 million people have been infected by the novel coronavirus globally according to ECDC.  Moreover, more than 350,000 have died from the disease based on data from John Hopkins University.

Covid-19 hot spots

The UK has the second highest number of deaths worldwide. And the countries with the most number of confirmed cases are  the US (1.6 million), Brazil (331,22), and Russia (362,342). However, these numbers are inaccurate assessments of the virus' impact on a nation.

For one, US has a population of 330 million people, which is roughly equivalent to that of the five largest Western European countries combined.

If we are to look at a country's case-fatality ratio--the number of deaths per number of confirmed cases--Belgium, France, Italy, the UK, and the Netherlands top the charts among the 10 countries most affected by the Covid-19 worldwide, with death rates ranging from 16.2% (Belgium) to 12.8% (Netherlands).

When it comes to deaths per 100,000 population, Belgium, Spain, UK, Italy, France, and Sweden are leading.

According to a BBC article, we should be careful when making international comparisons. There are differences in how countries record Covid-19 deaths. There are different ways of measuring death rates. Different countries are testing in different ways such that a wider testing program can make death rate look smaller. We are not always sure if we're comparing the same things.

Has the curve flattened?

In the US, 50 states have now at least partially reopened, according to The Washington Post. "But many of them don’t meet federal benchmarks on when it’s safe to reopen, sparking fears of new surges of infection."

Moscow is reportedly about to ease coronavirus restrictions starting Monday, June 1. And there are plans to resume flights between Australia and New Zealand in early June.

Compliance to safety measures are not the same in each nation and we must continue to pray for wisdom and grace as governments try to balance between protecting their economies and supporting their healthcare system.

However, there are countries that are succeeding at flattering the curve

Lessons can be from Taiwan, Canada, South Korea, Georgia, and Iceland, with strategies like early response to the virus and exemplary mass diagnostic testing and contact tracing. Graphs form John Hopkins University seem to show too that the curve is levelling off in some countries.

Vaccine update

"A US company has begun vaccine trials on humans in Australia. The results of the first phase of clinical trials in Melbourne and Brisbane are expected to be known in July." This is just one of several companies racing to find a vaccine against the novel coronavirus.

Let us continue to declare that the novel coronavirus is defeated by the blood of Jesus.

We pray for divine intervention and for God's name to be glorified even as each nation and government tries its best to flatten the curve and finally arrest this epidemic. 

We release wisdom, skill, and integrity upon our leaders. 

We pray for protection, wisdom and strength, for those working to bring treatment and comfort to the sick and their families.

We pray special grace and help for the vulnerable population and nations. We pray for refugees and displaced peoples. We pray against domestic violence and other crimes that have become rampant during lockdowns.

We pray for a safe, effective, and affordable vaccine to be released soonest.

We continue to release faith, hope, and love over the peoples of the world. May the Church seize this opportune time to manifest Jesus our Lord and Savior to those who are seeking answers and peace.

Reporting from John Hopkins University: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/mortality

Further data on Europe and the world: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases

Pray: Lord God, the One who has Almighty power, we agree according to your promise in Matthew 18:18-20 that this virus will be stopped in its tracks. That the medical researchers will get a download from Heaven on how to quickly develop a vaccine to counteract COVID-19 and a cure for those who have become infected.

We also agree in prayer, asking that the Body of Christ worldwide will rise up in love and boldness, trusting in your blood to cover and protect us and throwing off fear, so that we can be available to serve, bless, and bear witness to those around us who are terrified and depressed at being infected.

Let us seize this unprecedented opportunity to make you known to those without hope in Christ!

Thank you for your promise that surely, you will be with us "always, even to the very end of the age”  so that we can carry on with the mission you have given us for our world (Matthew 28:20).

Join in Online Prayers:

World Prayer Centre, Birmingham, UK – Virtual House of Prayer
iHop Kansas Prayer Room
247 Prayer Coronavirus Prayer Room

Additional Prayer Resources for Coronavirus

A coronavirus prayer from Pete Greig
19 Things to Do in response to Coronavirus
Prophecy Today UK’s Responses to Coronavirus
PrayerCast Video and Prayer Briefing
CSM Nigeria Article
Lausanne Resources
Operation World EBook on the impact on Mission
WW11 Veteran Gets 180k Praying