Prayers with young NI pastor battling coronavirus

Mark McClurg, a 40-year-old father of three, is in the Ulster Hospital where his church - Ards Elim - say he is “making progress”.

In an update yesterday via its Facebook page the church said: “He has been able to sit up this morning and though exhausted he and the Doctor believes he is making progress however slow and small it may be.

“Any improvement is a blessing, and a result of prayer. He appreciates the prayers of the family of God, both local and world wide. He is humbled and confident that prayer will prevail and bring him through.

“Please continue to uphold him and his precious wife and family. Pray without ceasing.

“Also pray for the medical staff who are looking after him.”

Prayers have flooded in for the 40-year-old pastor as the church posts updates on his condition.

The previous evening the church had said “Pastor Mark continues to fight for his life in intensive care.”

The church said people’s prayers were helping: “Prayer is a vital component to him successfully coming through this and we humbly ask for your continued prayers at this time for Pastor Mark and his wife Claire and their three children.”

Mark’s brother Sam, himself a pastor at Rathfriland Elim, posted: “On behalf of Mark and Claire and his family we want to thank everyone who has been praying for him.”

He added: “Continue to pray for his lungs and breathing and for time for his body to beat this virus. God is in control.”