Editor’s Note: President and founder of Cornerstone Financial Services, Jerry Tuma, shares his expertise on the current economic situation. Read and pray through the prayer points below.

Prayer Points:

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1. Pray for the future of small businesses. There are an estimated 30.7 million small businesses in America, employing 59.9 million employees. This represents 47.3% of all U.S. employees, but more importantly, typically about 60% of all new jobs are created by small businesses.
   There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment^[a] in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God . . . (Eccl 2:24)
2. Pray for creative ingenuity to come to the forefront of small business owners and workers to reformat themselves. Some businesses will undoubtedly fail and will be replaced by new businesses, which may be better suited to the economy of the future than that of the past. Old models die, new ones will be born.
   For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:10)
3. Pray for the small business loan applications to be processed. Reports are that the SBA loan program is going to be over-subscribed. Congress approved $350 billion, and apparently over $1 trillion of applications have been submitted, just in the few days it’s been open. Congress will have to appropriate significantly more money for this project to keep the small businesses of America running with the quarantines.
   Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Phil 4:6)
4. Pray for the oil and gas producers of America. A combination of the drop in demand, Saudi Arabia and Russia fighting over market share, and Saudi Arabia over-producing has put the oil and gas producers of America in great jeopardy. Currently oil is around $26 a barrel, which is BELOW break even for 99.99% of US producers. This has huge implications for our nation’s long-term national security. We need strong U.S. oil producers.
   And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (2 Cor 9:8)
5. Pray for the healing and repair of the U.S. economy. Especially vulnerable to the economic crisis are the 109 million service workers, 17 million or so work in hotel and restaurant businesses, some of which are often among the lowest paid workers.
   For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” (1 Tm 5:18)

This type of crisis typically exposes weak areas of the economy or financial system that are vulnerable to “attack” and will ultimately result in a stronger economy and economic system than before.

Jerry Tuma is the President of Cornerstone Financial Services. Find more information at cornerstonereport.com.