There have been many encouraging messages going around since the start of our country’s response to the current pandemic (sometimes too many to read!), and many of them have been just that – encouraging and much needed. Some people have had some interesting insights and recognised many positive impacts that the lockdown has had in their lives – such as more family time together, more rest and a whole list of others.
While there is nothing wrong with messages like these I have come across some that don’t seem to acknowledge the cost of the pandemic which we are facing. Some messages have even shown a sense of gratitude to Covid-19 itself which is insensitive to the millions of people this disease has affected around the world. While some of us may have experienced only minor inconveniences in this time and may even come out on the other side with some fond memories – there are others who will only remember the pandemic for what it has taken from them.
Some people will only remember losing a loved one to the disease, others will remember the loss of a job or business, while others may only remember the horror of daily fighting for their lives while not having any source of income. In 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Paul writes:
1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
While we are called to offer prayers for everyone in this passage I believe that the global church has a large role to play in this time when it comes to praying for those who have been most negatively affected by the current pandemic. We can intercede for people’s circumstances while also giving thanks for those who are staying strong in their faith and not allowing trying times to lead to doubting God’s goodness. We have the amazing opportunity to pray that our leaders make the best possible decisions and something which I think we can also be praying for are people’s salvation in this trying time since God, “4wants everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Let’s pray that God intervenes as well as saves those who do not yet know Jesus so that some may remember this as the time they met their true Saviour. So the next time we receive an encouraging message why don’t we offer a prayer for those who are currently not in a place to be encouraged and are in need of God’s intervention?
Much Love,
Luke
