Pastor who spent a week in ICU with coronavirus praying for Boris Johnson to pull through

Pastor Mark McClurg (Photo: Facebook/Mark McClurg)

A pastor who survived coronavirus after fighting for his life in intensive care has said he is "praying that God would breathe the breath of life" into Boris Johnson after his condition deteriorated on Monday night. 

Pastor Mark McClurg, 40, came close to death during his own battle with coronavirus and spent a week in the ICU at Ulster Hospital before finally being given the all clear and allowed to return home to his wife and three children. 

He shared a message that went viral on Facebook pleading with people to obey the social distancing measures by staying at home. 

Now he's praying that Mr Johnson will pull through like he did after the Prime Minister was moved to intensive care last night. 

"It is time for everyone to pray for our Prime Minister as he has been taken into ICU," said Mr McClurg on Twitter.

"I know what it is like to go into ICU battling this coronavirus. Praying for the NHS staff at his bed side. Praying that God would breathe the breath of life into his lungs."

He accompanied his tweet with the hashtag #prayforBoris. 

Mr Johnson is being treated at St Thomas' hospital in central London.  His move to the ICU came a day after he was hospitalised on Sunday because of "persistent" coronavirus symptoms.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is deputising in his place while he continues to undergo treatment. 

News
Traitors’ winner Harry Clark heads to Rome in new BBC documentary exploring faith in modern Britain
Traitors’ winner Harry Clark heads to Rome in new BBC documentary exploring faith in modern Britain

BBC Two and iPlayer are set to air a new one-hour documentary this Easter charting The Traitors’ winner Harry Clark’s personal pilgrimage from Slough to the Vatican

Christians welcome NI decision to pull out of puberty blocker trial
Christians welcome NI decision to pull out of puberty blocker trial

Nesbitt initially indicated that the province would join the trial.

EU Parliament condemns expulsion of foreign Christians in Turkey
EU Parliament condemns expulsion of foreign Christians in Turkey

Turkey has said the EU is interfering in its internal affairs.

Fewer Britons giving something up for Lent as cathedrals invite deeper reflection
Fewer Britons giving something up for Lent as cathedrals invite deeper reflection

The number of Britons giving something up for Lent has fallen sharply over the past decade, according to new research highlighting a significant shift in how the season is observed.