Coronavirus causing Americans to pray, says an article in the Christian Post (CP).
“While the new coronavirus pandemic has resulted in many churches closing their doors in the name of social distancing, a new survey of more than 11,000 U.S. adults shows that the disease has also inspired more than half of them to pray.”
There has been a cry, for many years, for America to humble itself and pray. I suppose those cries are a reference to 2 Chronicles 7:14 in which G-D says, “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
“In times of crisis, humans have a tendency to turn to religion for stress relief and explanation. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic is no exception,” wrote Bentzen [quoted in the article on CP]. “I document that Google searches on prayer has skyrocketed during the month of March 2020 when the COVID-19 went global.” [fyi: I disagree on March as SARS-COV-2 going global; it went when it left China in January 2020, maybe earlier.]
Prayer—seems to me Pastor Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who was quite firm in his definition of whom G-D would hear, would point out the part that says “who are called by my Name.” That means that an ecumenical gathering for “prayer” would not be heard. Likewise, calls for “all Americans to pray.” He’d point out that there must be humility involved, that those praying must the face of G-D, and the person praying must “turn for [his or her] wicked ways. Then, and only then, will G-D “hear from Heaven and forgive. . . and heal . . .”
“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,” Asaf cried out to our L-RD (Psalm 80). Asapf knew to who he prayed. He didn’t pray to a higher power. He prayed to the Master of the Universe. He knew the Name of the L-RD. He was known by name, too. “You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth,” he continued. Asapf exalted the King of Glory, and calls to Him to shine forth His Glory.
Restore us, O G-D;
let Your face shine, that we may be saved!
This is the refrain of Asaf’s song to our L-RD. Like so many Psalm, they are model prayers. Yeshua prayed from the Psalms. Of course—He instilled their words into those hearts of the Psalmists, chiefly King David, a man after G-D’s own heart.
Asaph wasn’t afraid to ask the hard questions, either. No, not the “Why me?” question. Asaph prayed on behalf of his people when he cried out: “O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure. You make us an object of contention for our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves.”
In these days of fear and near panic, we should pray. Pray for lost souls throughout the world. For we, the called of G-D know that our G-D can save us from calamity, and even if He were to chose not to for His purpose, we are spiritual, and will eternally, always be in the loving arms of our L-RD Yeshua.
Earlier today I enjoyed reading Paid in Full posted at from a spark to a flame: fan into flame the gift of faith. Check it out, perhaps you will too.
JonahzSong 