Ezekiel 22:30 — “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.”
Father God,
I praise You that You are immutable. Our lives and circumstances have changed drastically but You never change. Thank You that You have not forgotten us or forsaken us … “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
We don’t understand why You have allowed this virus to spread but Your riches and wisdom and knowledge are great. It’s impossible for us to understand Your decisions and Your ways. (Romans 11:33) We don’t know the path ahead but You call us to live by faith in Your sovereign and loving purposes. We will trust You with what is beyond our ability to understand. We don’t live by explanations. We don’t know what You’re doing but we can be sure that You know what You’re doing.
You have our attention with all the floods our country has experienced recently that take lives, tornadoes in our area that take lives, fires in the western US that take lives and can’t be contained, earthquakes in our country and in our state, and now a world-wide virus with no vaccine and that can’t contained and is taking lives.
Job 10:17 — (Job said) ” … your forces come against me wave upon wave.”
We identify with King Jehoshaphat when he was told a VAST ARMY was marching against Judah and he gathered all the people from all the towns into Jerusalem and prayed, “We don’t know what to do, but we are looking to You for help.” (2 Chronicles 20:9)
Like Jehoshaphat we have a vast army coming against us. We don’t know what to do, but we’re looking to You for help. We don’t know how You’re going to help us, we don’t know when You’re going to help us. ALL WE KNOW IS YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN HELP US. We do not have a Plan B.
We want to glance at this virus and all the changes it has quickly brought to our daily lives and set our gaze on You. And when we do we see You seated on the throne of glory, in control of all things. (Isaiah 6:1). You are a God who delights to show mercy (Micah 7:18), Your grace abounds (2 Corinthians 9:8) and Your love has been poured out (Romans 5:5). You are good, Your unfailing love continues forever, and Your faithfulness continues to each generation (Psalm 100:5).
We reject fear of this virus and its impact on our lives, and instead, we place our faith in You.
Thank You that Your ears are open to our cry (Psalm 4:3), that Your eyes are upon us (Psalm 33:18), and that Your arms are long enough to reach us (Isaiah 59:1) and strong enough to hold us (Psalm 139:7-10).
Help us to relax and rely on You and when we do Your peace that passes all understanding will rise up in us.
Could this virus be the spark You have sent to start a world-wide revival of Your people? The crisis confronting King Jehoshaphat ended in victory and revival as all the man of Judah stood praying before You in faith for their lives and the life of their nation along with their little ones, wives and children (2 Chronicles 20:13). Would You revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? (Psalm 85:6) And through our rejoicing in You would You bring a spiritual awakening to the lost. Would You wake them up to see their true condition before You and draw them to You that they might be saved.
May these words You inspired the psalmist to write be true of Your people: “Happy are those who fear the Lord. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.” (Psalm 112:7-8)
Thank You for Your Word that tells us “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
(Some of this prayer is adapted from a prayer from Anne Graham Lotz.)
0 Comments