Greetings,
Our world convulses in the grip of political, social and economic turmoil. Some people are fearful, hoarding, seeing others as competitors. People are also compassionate, giving, open to helping their neighbours. As followers of Jesus we strive to trust God at all times, but especially when the future is uncertain.
Our Lord Jesus Christ created and sustains this world. We hear his words of comfort and challenge, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid” (Jn. 14:27).
And again, “I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn. 16:33).
Jesus doesn’t say he’ll insulate us from the suffering of the world, but rather that, like him, we conquer the world by walking through all of life’s experiences in selfless devotion to God, finding our peace and identity in our Lord.
The Apostle Paul writes to his friend Timothy, saying, “God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline” (2 Tim. 1:7).
Be confident in the power of the Holy Spirit at work in you and in the circumstances around you. Express God’s love by communicating with others during this time and seeking to assist them appropriately. Exercise self-disciple in respecting the social-distancing our health authorities and governments are urging us to do.
Join me in praying for our town, province, nation and world.
Our Father in Heaven,
We pray for those who make decisions on public policy in this time, we ask for wisdom to find the right path in the midst of tremendous pressure. We pray for those who are sick with Covid-19, we ask they would recover and that you will slow the spread of the illness. We pray for those who are already isolated in care facilities, hospitals, or who live alone, we ask that you impress upon them your presence and the thoughts and care of those who love them. We pray for those who are bearing the great economic cost of the fear and uncertainty of this time, would you provide for all those in need of food, shelter, and care.
We ask all these things in the strong name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, our Lord and the Saviour of the world. Amen.