Dear God,

I have been reading how the quarantine response is damaging the production of our Idaho farmers and others:

• Covid-19 pandemic could force down Idaho potato acres (April 13, 2020)
• Idaho potato farm gave away potatoes for free so they wouldn’t go to waste (April 15, 2020)
• Russet potato contracts cut, sales of frozen potatoes drop as restaurants close (April 16, 2020)

God, I have some of these hardworking, “salt and light of the earth”, godly farmers in my church family. I am so thankful for them as I lift them by name up to You.  Give them Your hope, Your peace, and Your provision in this pandemic.

Bless, my brothers and sisters, our humble farmers in Idaho.  They fear Your holy name, Mighty God. Bless them, their kids, and their grandkids, the multi-generations of workers on the farms.

I think of the blessing in Psalm 128 for them during this season of great trial:

“Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!”

For those who have seen potato contracts cut by 50%, I asking that in the days ahead, You open up the financial market in miraculous ways.  Give them favor with our Idaho Governor and our federal government.

Also, dear Lord, I want to slip in a prayer for all my rural, beautiful, farming family spread out all over central Oregon.  Watch over them today.  Encourage them.  Prosper them. Draw them all close to You.

Thank You, Lord, for hearing my prayer for my family and friends.  Out in the fields, they worship and love You.  May Your presence and power be poured out upon them.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen