Praying for the Church in Wuhan and China
In the midst of difficult and uncertain times, the Church and Christ's love shines all the brighter. One Church In Wuhan, Hubei Province, shared how to pray during the recent coronavirus outbreak:
“Greetings to church members, brothers and sisters who are concerned about the epidemic in Wuhan. In the face of the current epidemic, you all and the people of Wuhan are "united and share the same fate". We thank our brothers and sisters at home and abroad for their attention, greetings and prayers. As the church established by God in this city, not only do we need to protect ourselves and take care of our families, we also need to care for our neighbors with the love of Christ, and do our best to help. Let us live a life of love and hope, and glorify our God! We call on you to pray together:
First facing the great epidemic, we should confess our sins and that of the people, may all people repent and return to God. We pray for comfort from God, our heavenly Father, so that the brothers and sisters of various churches will experience God's faithfulness, and truly understand that God is the ruler and the "King above the waters". The plans God has for us are to prosper us and not to harm us, and to give us hope and a future. Jesus Christ is our peace.
Second, we pray for those in power and ask God to help them get wisdom, honesty and love from God when they issue relevant policies and make emergency plans, including timely epidemic reports and related reassuring efforts.
Third, we pray for the safety and health of frontline medical staff and their families; we pray for the supply of medicine and relevant medical equipment; we pray for the health of patients and their families, and we pray that the epidemic would not continue to get worse.
Fourth, disasters make people who do not know God see their own vulnerability. It is time for us to introduce Jesus to those in need, so that they can turn to God. We pray that all the people of the earth may know the name of God and fear him. Fifth, we pray for ourselves and our families. May the Lord give us courage and strength, so that we can put our trust in him. When people face difficulties and uncertainties, hope and love are the most powerful forces that make them feel strong and calm.” [1]
[1] Wang, Ruth, “Wuhan Church: ‘Take Care of Yourself, Your Family, and Neighbors with Christ's Love’”, ChinaChristianDaily.com [home page on-line]; available from: http://www.chinachristiandaily.com/news/category/2020-02-03/wuhan-church---take-care-of-yourself--your-family--and-neighbors-with-christ-s-love-_8810?fbclid=IwAR3zBR064GvPgPOBLJsQcEKcQG1PXUlAWVlf9Z5MsIYsJutIhbSu2YQNLrU accessed 22 February 2020.