Like many of you, I have been grieved and at times afraid as I’ve watched events unfold in our world in recent weeks. In light of what is happening because of COVID-19, we at TGC invite you to join us for a day to fast and pray this Saturday, April 4.

We want to pray to the Lord in faith, trusting in the words of Psalm 10:17: “O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear.”

Why a Day of Prayer and Fasting?

Billions across the world have watched with dread as COVID-19 continues to spread—infecting hundreds of thousands and greatly disrupting the lives of most of the world’s population. Much has already been lost, and the uncertainty of what more can be lost—and when it will stop—leaves people deeply anxious. For many, the scariest feeling of all is helplessness.

But we worship a mighty and sovereign God who is not helpless. We cry out to him in our distress because he is steadfast and unchanging—a mighty refuge in a world of storms. We pray because, as the apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:6, we ought not be anxious about anything, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

And why fast as well? As David Kakish writes, “It acknowledges our weakness and reliance on God’s strength as we wait for him to intervene.” So, we fast because it clarifies our pleas as we desperately seek God’s help.

Finally, I believe a day to fast and pray can provide a unifying opportunity for Christians around the world—especially in these days of “distancing” and heightened scattering. On the eve of Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week, we hope this gathering will encourage and bolster the faith of believers everywhere.

What Are We Going to Do?

Our day to fast and pray will have three primary prayer times, with guided prayers for each segment. Our team created a prayer companion booklet (view online or download PDF) to help guide you through the day.

Morning Prayer: Personal Prayer

We encourage you to spend Saturday morning in personal prayer, focused around Psalm 27.

Midday Prayer: Community Prayer

We hope you will spend this time praying with others in your community—perhaps your family around the kitchen table, or maybe your church small group or friends on a video call.

Evening Prayer: Online Prayer and Worship

During this one-hour prayer time on Facebook, YouTube, and the TGC website various brothers and sisters, pastors and ministry leaders, as well as special musicians, will help guide us through a unifying moment of corporate prayer and worship. You can pray with us, share your own prayer requests, and pray for others’ requests in the comments section.

The details of the fast are up to you. Perhaps you choose to go without one or two meals on Saturday, breaking the fast at dinner. Maybe you fast from something other than food. Choose something that works for you and your family. If you’re new to fasting, this resource can help you begin.

When Will It Take Place?

This Saturday, April 4. The evening prayer time will be broadcast on TGC’s website, Facebook Live and YouTube page from 7 to 8 p.m. ET (4 to 5 p.m. PT).

Who Will Be Involved?

We hope Christians from all over the world join us for this day of fasting and prayer. The topics of prayer and confirmed participants for the evening prayer time online include:

Prayers for the sick and suffering (Ligon Duncan, Jen Wilkin)

Prayers for medical workers (Joni Eareckson Tada, Stephen Um)

Prayers for provision/economy (Nancy Guthrie, John Onwuchekwa)

Prayers for local, national, and global government officials (Kevin DeYoung, Jeany Jun)

Prayers for church leaders and missionaries (Darryl Williamson, Quina Aragon)

Prayers for families (John Piper, Melissa Kruger)

Prayers for the lost (David Platt, Jeremy Treat)

Musicians who will lead us in singing hymns:

Keith & Kristyn Getty

Shane & Shane

Austin Stone Worship

Download the song sheet.

How Can I Help Share About This Event?

If you would like to share about this event on social media or in communication to your church this week, please feel free to download and use any of the promotional images here and link to this page (TGC.org/pray) in your posts.