What does your life look like right now? Quarantined at home? Trying to keep kids occupied? Canceling travel plans? Me too. As a cross-cultural disciple-maker, I consider spending time with people my vocation. My family moved to Asia to build relationships with people. Now, my hands are tied and I can’t do the very thing I came here to do.

I know you may feel a bit purpose-less right now, too. But ultimately we aren’t. Even while we’re stuck at home, God is very much at work. And the most effective way we can join Him — during the coronavirus or otherwise — is in prayer.

Here are three ways that you can pray for and with cross-cultural workers right now.

1. Pray for the people around us who are without hope.

As they are confronted by unignorable darkness, pray for them to begin a journey of seeking the light of Christ. One day when this is all over, their lives will return to a new normal. Pray they won’t be distracted and abandon their search for hope.

2. Pray for the internal struggles we face.

Like you, your missionary may feel helpless or useless, overwhelmed or anxious. As our home countries post travel advisories and our host countries cancel flights or stop renewing visas, some of us face the difficult decision of where to go. Some of us are stuck in one place, wishing we could be in another. Some of us worry about the danger to our families overseas, and some of us worry about our aging parents back home. Pray for God’s peace to reign daily in our hearts.

3. Pray for us to bear fruit.

God’s light will always shine, even through shelter-in-place orders. Pray for us to find ways to bless our neighbors and bring God’s love to their lives. And when the world begins to lift restrictions, ask that God will show us new doors that He is even now working to open.

How can we pray for you during COVID-19? Share your requests in the comments.

Crossworld worker Chloe Wilson (a pseudonym) and her family make disciples in East Asia.