Concentrate on Prayer

What do we do during this uncertain time? I do not need to give you statistics because most of us know them and it changes every day-how many deaths, and how many are affected. We pray that it may reduce and totally wipe out. I am indebted to D. Jeremiah for the ideas on this ‘Blessings.’ It has blessed me and my wife, I’m sharing it to you as an encouragement. What shall we do as Christians?

First, let us Concentrate on Prayer. This may sound easy to say, but prayer is work too and it involves our whole being. In 2 Chronicles 20 we have a case where Jehoshaphat and his people were surrounded by their enemies. They became hopeless, they could not do anything. Jehoshaphat was so afraid, but “set himself to seek the Lord” v.3. Then in verse 9 it says “If disaster comes upon us-sword, judgement, pestilence, or famine-we will stand before this temple and in your presence (for your name is in this temple), and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save us.”

Further in verse 12 as the prayer continues, “O God, will you not judge them (the enemies)? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are focused upon you.”

At this moment, as though we are in a similar situation, “we have no power” to solve this virus afflicting us, but our eyes should be focused upon God. Let us concentrate in our prayer. Paul said in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

All we can do during this challenging time is to seek the Lord. Therefore, let us pray for those in the front line of the battles-the medical people who care for the sick etc, and medical scientists who by God’s wisdom may be able to ‘invent’ or ‘discover’ a cure. Pray for our governments for wisdom that they may be able to make wise political and economic decisions for the benefits of all. Of course, pray for ourselves and our families. But do not forget to pray for the Church of Jesus Christ. During this time of “social distancing” we may be physically apart, but it can draw us closer spiritually because we are meeting at the Throne of Grace.

Is it not true that when you pray for someone in another State or in another part of the world, you are drawn together, you feel closer to that person because you prayed for that person? This is the kind of mystery that the unbeliever will never understand. But we do because the Spirit of Christ is in us as believers. To be a Christian is a wonderful thing, a beautiful life, full of hope, peace and joy that the world can never offer. All of these blessings are because of God’s grace. (To be continued)