Pray, Pray, Pray!
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As you can imagine, I am concerned for Floyd with the COVID-19 situation. Floyd's condition has been a bit up and down the last few days. I am in discussion with the hospital as to how best to care for him during this tumultuous time.
I also have a number of family members that have been impacted in various ways by the outbreak. It's really a surreal, crazy world at the moment. Truly our only security is in our Rock, the Lord!! We must take precautions and do all the things they are advising us to do. But our best "line of defence" is prayer! If ever there was a time to pray, this is it.
I have been advised to "isolate" for the time being because of my high vulnerability to the virus, so I won't be going to Floyd for a while. That's hard for me, but it does seem wise.
As I lift up my family, especially Floyd, my friends, the All Nations ministry, and my own needs - the Lord has put several guidelines on my heart:
· Don't become fearful. Yes, I know that's hard when the whole world seems to be turned upside down! We're understandably nervous. But we can't allow our hearts to become fearful. Fear paralyzes us.
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
"I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4
There are dozens and dozens of scripture verses about fear. When my heart is feeling fearful, I go to the Word and meditate on these verses of counsel for how to deal with fear.
· Keep my eyes, my focus, on the Lord.....not on all the unsettling and scary news. My heart, my trust has to stay firmly rooted in Him. I remind myself of how He has carried me through sooo many difficult, hard, uncertain, troubling, frightening times. He hasn't changed! He'll be with me now as I keep my gaze on Him. The world around us may feel like it's falling apart, but God is with us and He will carry us through. "What consumes your mind controls your life." We must stay "consumed" with God's faithfulness and goodnes.
"They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord." Psalm 112:7
"You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You." Isaiah 26:3
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." Psalm 46:1-3
· Pray! Pray continually, without ceasing. Lift up our hearts in prayer to Him as we go about our day. Pray for the virus to be killed off. Pray for protection for our vulnerable family members and friends. Pray for peace in people's hearts. Pray for wisdom, strength, and grace in this uncertain situation. Pray for comfort for all the disappointments people are facing as plans are changing. Pray for our children who can become very frightened. Pray for opportunities to love people, to share the Lord, to comfort hearts. The list is endless. Pray, pray, pray!!
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10
"The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise Him." Exodus 15:2
"When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles." Psalm 34:17
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
Louie Giglio says "If we could see what happens when we pray, we would never cease to pray."
If we refuse to let fear enter into our hearts.....if we keep our hearts focused on trust in our wonderful Lord.......and if we pray - it will help and protect us in this unusual time. I'm sure there are other important things to do - this isn't a comprehensive list. But this is what God has put on my heart.
We serve an awesome, powerful, faithful God. In this present crisis, He hasn't thrown His hands up in despair! I believe He's at work - and He wants us to participate with Him.
Continuing with how important prayer is, a friend from Calif sent me a wonderful scripture of how prayer (symbolized by the incense) stopped the plague. Numbers 16:46-48
"Then Moses said to Aaron, "Take your censer and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the Lord; the plague has started." So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague was stopped."
Social media is full of things we should do/not do in response to the virus. Some are helpful - many are not. But the single most important thing we can do is PRAY!! A Christian leader called for 3 days of prayer and fasting since Wednesday. Thousands around the world joined in this time asking God to stop this virus pandemic. There is power in our combined prayers. I trust God will answer our prayers to "stop the plague" just as Aaron prayed long ago.
We should also be looking for opportunities to love, help, and serve those around us. Many are frightened - we can minister peace and comfort to them. Some lack financial resources to buy supplies they need - we can share in whatever way we can with them. Some feel lonely and isolated - we can provide a listening ear and an encouraging word. There are a myriad of ways to love and help others during this time. Let's have our spiritual "antennae" up in sensitivity to extend God's grace in this challenging time.
It can be as simple as speaking calming words to someone having a panic attack - giving a smile or a loving word to someone who seems distressed - asking someone if you can help if they seem confused - letting someone take an item off a shelf before you - sharing some supplies with a neighbour who doesn't have any - calling someone who is lonely......small, simple acts of love during this uncertain time can have a BIG effect.
May God help us and use us as we face this unprecedented time!
"In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ears." Psalm 18:6
"We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy." Daniel 9:18
"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." Jeremiah 29:12
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Hebrews 13:16 (This verse is often applied to finances.....but "what we have" may be loving words, a prayer, a simple kindness.)
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12
We have been SO loved - and we have so much to give! I have been worshipping God for His goodness and faithfulness. I am trusting that, in ways only He can do - He will break into this global situation with good things!