While the world turned upside down fighting against COVID-19, how can we be a blessing to our family, church family, friends, and neighbors? As I said yesterday, the horror of seeing the infected and death toll peak, and the extended lock down with stern warning to us on the TV and the internet warning us that more people will be inflicted with the virus. Alarmed.
Where can we find hope and peace?
Yesterday we were inspired about how King Jehoshapat’s faith in the Lord and proclamation of national prayer and fasting in Israel led to supernatural deliverance against their enemies attack. No casualty, so much plunder, and the fear of God was sown to all the kingdoms who heard how the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel. 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 described vividly their victory.
As we celebrate Palm Sunday, and fast approaching Easter Sunday, let us read thoughtfully and prayerfully these Scriptures about Jesus, Christ as our Passover lamb.
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the only One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known” (John 1:17-18 NIV).
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
“Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast–as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:7-8).
“In a loud voice they sang: Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth or on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever” (Revelation 5:12-13).
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)
Jesus died and paid the penalty of our sin as the sinless Lamb of God. He is now gathering us into the kingdom and making us His chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God (see 1 Peter 2:9). In the future we will reign with Him.
Let us worship the Lord and praise Him for what He has done, and what He is doing, and what He will do for us. When we realize the glorious future that awaits us, we will find the courage, peace, and hope by faith in Jesus Christ to face our fears and struggles against COVID-19. Let’s keep our eyes on the future and on God’s promises. Take heart our supernatural healing and deliverance is on the way!
April 6, 2020 Praise and Prayer Points:
Praising our Lord God and Savior Jesus for our respective home Church’s Pastor, ministry leaders and volunteers, para-church group: Impact Ministry, Pinoys4Jesus, Loving Utah, GHSB Group here and overseas, and Project Jericho as they reach out and serve using virtual ministry outreach and being in the front line praying and serving their congregants and others in the community. Praying and declaring in united faith, “..for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13) on them.
Let us declare in united faith, “….for I know that through your prayers and the help given by Jesus Christ , what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance” (Philippians 1:19). Praying in united faith that as we pray and pray and fast (April 4 to 10) that we will seek and trust our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ by faith while expecting deliverance from COVID-19 in His own way and timing for His glory and honor.
We pray in united faith for our President Trump,Vice President Pence, COVID-19 Task Force, government leaders from the Federal to State level, service men and women in the military, medical providers, doctors, scientists and experts who are developing treatment and vaccine, and those involved in the food industry services and delivery here and overseas government leaders (Canada, Philippines, Mexico, Peru, and others) will lean and trust in Jesus Christ alone for wisdom, guidance and courage by faith as they serve in various capacities during this distressful time till victory comes in Your own way and timing.
We pray in united faith for physical, emotional and spiritual wholeness of those inflicted with corona virus (Annie, Nana, missionaries, pastors, and victims here in the USA and other countries) and other diseases as we declare in Jesus’ holy and powerful name their healing according to Your Word, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24 NIV) on them for Your glory and honor.
We praise and pray in united faith for wisdom, provision and courage for our respective Pastor, praise team, Church leaders and volunteers, and Sunday School teachers as they serve unselfishly in this challenging time, and sow His Word through virtual meetings. We declare in united faith His promise, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it’s shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV) on us and them.
We pray in united faith for those families who have family members and friends who died due to corona virus to experience your peace and comfort that passes all understanding by faith in Jesus Christ. That they will call to You for help.
Father have mercy on people who are struggling with depression. Touch them with your healing grace and peace, Empower us to pray and encourage them with the Holy Spirit’s anointing on us and them.
Deliver us from the trap of hopelessness and blame, from the trap of panic, from the trap of hoarding, and from the trap of division among us and our government leaders. Be gone in Jesus’s holy and powerful name.
Create in us a pure heart, O Lord, and renew right spirit within us, help us not to grieve Your Holy Spirit, and restore to us the joy of our salvation. Make us hungry for Your divine presence and crave for Your Holy Word. In Jesus’ holy and powerful name we pray and declare victory in united faith against COVID-19 for Your kingdom’s sake. Amen.
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Lilian Hosfeld 