COVID-19:: our response

During this global pandemic, amidst all the doubts, in all the unknown, I am sure of one thing:: VICTORY BELONGS TO JESUS.

It doesn’t belong to sickness. When our time comes, it will be JESUS who has the final say.

Pain, fear, and sickness have a voice, but they DO NOT get the final say.

The world around us is searching for hope and stability right now. People around you are likely living in fear; have you noticed? When we, as believers, exercise God’s peace “which surpasses all understanding” (in other words:: when it makes absolutely no sense), the world WILL notice. Stay safe, but use this as an opportunity to SPEAK OUT. The worst thing we could do right now is stay silent. There are listening ears, searching minds, and empty hearts. In a time where everything looks hopeless, extend hope, peace, and joy!

My senior year, I had the opportunity to lead the prayer on Cancer Awareness Night at a football game. I couldn’t think of a more appropriate prayer for this very time. My pastor at my home church reminds us that prayer is not PART of our strategy, it IS our strategy. Now is the time to make use of our most powerful weapon. Tonight I am not offering a devotion, but extending a call to action. Here is my prayer. I would encourage you to leave a prayer in the comments below, call and pray with a friend, pray with your family, or keep it between you and the Lord, whatever you feel led to do… but don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

Lord, You are the one who created the heavens and the earth. You created the stars in the sky and the fish in the depths of the sea. You numbered the grains of sand on the beach and the number of hairs on our head. You created each of us, you know us intimately, and you love us unconditionally.

Tonight I lift up the people who have been impacted by COVID-19 whether it’s someone diagnosed or someone with a suffering friend or family member. You know the needs of your people, and You are faithful to provide. You are the Creator of these bodies, and only you have the power to grant us the healing we so diligently and desperately pray for. We are so thankful that sickness is not a battle to fight singlehandedly. In your word, you tell us to be still and leave the battles of this life in your hands because you are omniscient and good.

You have the ability to deliver our friends and family members from this sickness, but we will maintain an even if perspective, Lord. Even if you choose not to deliver them during this life, we will continue to praise you because to live is Christ, but to die is only gain for those who trust in you.

We pray that the doctors & nurses would surrender the reigns of their career and allow you to provide wisdom & govern their every thought & action. Please keep them safe. We pray that these doctors would offer more than physical and medical solutions- we pray that they would bring hope into many patient’s lives. Transform their job into an opportunity to become an ambassador of hope to hurting people.

Lord, we acknowledge that your timing is far greater than ours. Thank you for the confidence we have in knowing that you walk alongside us through this life. Because NONE of us are promised tomorrow, I ask that you would help each of us live intentionally.

Father, all praise be unto your great name because you always were, always are, & will always remain greater than every sickness.