Coronavirus and Prayer

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

In past pandemics in America there was an emphasis on our need for God’s intervention in our lives personally and in our nation. Today, our society is saying over and over again, “We need each other,” or “We’re in this thing together!”

After the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York, the members of Congress came together on the steps of the U. S. Capitol, prayed for our nation and sang “God Bless America.” Today, there are those threatening to sue key leaders because they either have prayed in public or called on others to pray. They claim that they have been offended and making it sound like it is a capital offense. Their stupidity and blindness by the enemy of our souls is causing them to bring our whole nation to self-destruct.

We have drifted so far from our founding principles in America. People are declaring that they would like to see America great again, however, they do not want to even acknowledge God Who established the principles by which America first became great. Our very constitution was bathed in prayer and the principles in it were based on God’s Word. Liberal and atheistic Americans have been trying to change and even get rid of our constitution ever since.

General George Washington prayed the following and wrote it down as a circular letter to the states on June 8, 1783. The states at that time, dependent upon our Blessed Creator, gladly received the prayer.

I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation. Amen.

I am reminded of the note on the school bulletin board years ago. “In case of nuclear attack, the ban on praying in school is lifted.” It is urgent that we follow God’s instructions written in His Holy Word.

The righteous cry and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles (Psalm 34:17. AND CALL UPON ME IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE: I WILL DELIVER THEE, AND THOU SHALT GLORIFY ME (Psalm 50:15). For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him (II Chronicles 16:9). Even in the midst of the coronavirus, the Lord is willing to show Himself strong towards those who will put their trust in Him. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO HIM THAT BELIEVETH (Mark 9:23).

During His ministry on the earth, Jesus not only healed the sick, He raised the dead. It should make sense that as a nation, we should call upon God to heal all our diseases (Psalm 100:3; Matthew 4:24; Luke 4:40).

Blind and bedridden for years with crippling arthritis, Eugene Clark never allowed his handicaps to hinder his service for God. He wrote what our whole nation needs to understand just now.

Nothing is impossible when you put your trust in God;
Nothing is impossible when you’re trusting in His Word.
Hearken to the voice of God to thee:
‘Is there anything to hard for Me?’
Then put your trust in God alone and rest upon His Word;
For ev’rything, O ev’rything,
Yes, ev’rything is possible with God.

Jesus said: Therefore I say unto you, With things soever ye desire WHEN YE PRAY, BELIEVE THAT YE RECEIVE THEM, and ye shall have them (Mark 11:24).

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George Stiekes held successful pastorates in churches in Michigan and Washington among other places. He currently resides in North Carolina and blogs at Reverent Reflections. We recommend his ministry and republish his material by permission.