As we hunker down in our homes for self-protection, from concern for the more vulnerable, or perhaps simply bowing to social pressures or legal restrictions, many of us feel a need to do something. Yet, we don’t know what we can do to make a difference. We know where the novel coronavirus originated and we are slowly getting a handle on how it is transmitted and who is most affected. But we are still in the dark as to when it will end. Am I alone in wondering if there might also be a why? Could this pandemic be a Divine wake-up call? In many circles, talk of God is considered inappropriate, even offensive, except in times of crisis. If this virus and the resulting economic fallout is not a crisis, what is? 

On March 18, 2020 President Trump declared himself a wartime president. On March 30, 1863, another U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln was in the midst of a different kind of war—one that pitted brother against brother. In response to a Senate resolution, he declared a National Day of Prayer and Fasting. That resolution read, in part, “We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!”

The Judeo-Christian traditions have long practiced prayer and fasting as a means of petitioning for God’s intervention. Ezra (Ezra 8:21-23) prayed and fasted for humility, deliverance and protection. Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:3) for courage and guidance. The Ninevites (Jonah 3:5) as a demonstration of repentance. Israel (Judges 20:26) for victory. Jesus prayed and fasted for strength to persevere through testing (Matthew 4:2 and Luke 4:2) and told his followers that when they fasted (Matthew 6:16) it should be done with pure intentions, not for public acclaim. Finally, the apostle Paul and Barnabas fasted before commissioning others for ministry service (Acts 14:23). 

Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble ourselves in the sight of God. It is a demonstration of our sincerity and an acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty. And we are not alone. Other religions and philosophies including: Buddhism, Islam, Taoism, Jainism, and Hinduism also practice fasting. Please join me on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, in praying and fasting for victory and deliverance from this pandemic, wisdom for the world’s leaders, protection for medical personnel and first responders and finally that we will all persevere through this health and economic crisis. 

Caution: If fasting is medically ill-advised for you, don’t fast, but please consider praying and forwarding this to others.

(Note: If you want to read President Lincoln’s entire proclamation, you can find it at: http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/fast.htm)

“10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91 10-11 | NKJV).

I don’t go in for conspiracy theories, but if I was Satan, this Corona virus pandemic is the way I would mess with the world, especially the church. Furthermore, the actions being taken by the world’s leaders could also be inching us closer to the advent of the Beast. On the other hand, if it is by Satan’s design, it might backfire and give birth to a world-wide religious awakening. It seems that the media is deliberately stoking people’s anxiety. Every time we turn on the news, we see people wearing hazardous materials suits performing routine tasks and ambulances transporting the living to the hospital or removing the dead to make room for the critically ill. Following the September 11th attacks, many people returned to church for comfort and strength. Granted, most of them fell away once the danger had passed. But this time they have no place to turn. Church and other social gathering venues are closed to promote social distancing. 

Instead of looking over our shoulders in fear of the virus, perhaps we should pray “Come quickly, Lord Jesus.” But while we eagerly await his return, we can be the church in our neighborhoods. Many of our neighbors must be feeling isolated and fearful. A simple call to check on them and offer assistance would demonstrate God’s love for them and could help ease their fears. Who knows? They might even allow you to tell them why you are concerned about them. I wonder what it must be like for people who don’t have their trust firmly anchored to Jesus, our rock. What is going on in the minds of those who have heard it many times, but repeatedly rejected the hope of the gospel? What are people thinking that have always thought they had no need for a savior? It would seem that with governments and medicine seemingly flying blind fear is taking over. 

For people who are uncertain about eternity, there might be a sense that they are truly walking in the “valley of the shadow of death.” When King David felt like that, he found the courage to proclaim, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” His trust was in God’s sovereignty. Whatever God sent his way was for his good. Even though his circumstances might not have changed he was comforted knowing that God was with him as he walked through that valley. Similarly, as Joshua contemplated invading the land God had promised, he was strengthened by this promise, “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 | NIV). God’s promise to remain with his people, no matter what they face, is not limited to famous Old Testament heroes. His promise is for you and me today, as we stand in the shadow of Covid-19.

Fear causes worry and anxiety. The apostle Paul encourages us not to surrender to it. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 | NIV). Prayer may not change our circumstances, but prayer and trust in God will certainly calm our fears. God wants us to rely on him one day at a time. Corrie Ten Boom cautioned, “Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength-carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” God will help us through today if we trust him with today and leave tomorrow for tomorrow. He’ll be there tomorrow, too. Jesus said, “Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today” (Matthew 6:34 | CEV).

Worry demonstrates a lack of faith. When we worry we are not trusting God. Worry excludes God. Prayer invites God into our circumstances. Do you know you are saved? Do you know where you will spend eternity? If your answer to both is “Yes” but what you are seeing and hearing on the news is raising your anxiety level, I would only ask one question. How can you trust God for your hereafter if you do not trust him for the here and now? The apostle Peter encourages believers to, “Cast all your anxiety on him (Jesus) because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 | NIV). You can know you are saved and know where you will spend eternity by placing your faith in Jesus. And when this is over, uniting with a church that teaches justification by grace through faith. That just means that you are saved through faith in Jesus plus nothing else. For those without Jesus as both Lord and Savior, the future is uncertain. But for everyone who has placed his or her hope and trust in Jesus, a better world awaits.

It seems fairly obvious many of our friends and neighbors are panicking out of fear. But believers not only have have no reason to fear, we should be shining the light of hope into the surrounding darkness. “Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope” (1 Peter 3:15 | CEV). Jesus is not only death’s victor, but he is death’s loophole as well. He told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die . . . ” (John 11:25-26 | NIV). We cannot add a day to our life. God knows exactly how many we have left. If we have surrendered our life to Jesus, there is no need to worry about anything, including dying. The apostle Paul faced his certain death with these words. “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 | NIV). It doesn’t matter whether we live or die, either way we win. 

Our concern must be for the lost. Instead of worrying about ourselves we need to be praying for those around us who do not know Jesus. More than ever we ought to be sharing the gospel (over the phone or from a healthy distance, of course). We should join together in asking God to provide wisdom and protection for our nation’s leaders, those treating the infected and those searching for an effective vaccine. Don’t panic. God is in control. Our final prayer should be that from this pandemic a flame of revival will be kindled. Pray that America’s hearts and eyes will return to the one in whom we claim to trust and whose blessings we often invoke. Rather than trusting in surgical masks and the government there is no better advice than this from Billy Graham. “Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don’t be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do.”