Friends Needing Friends: Praying from a Positon of Strength

I hope that all of you have either read or listened to the most recent blog here on Friends Needing Friends. In it you were challenged to fast and pray this weekend, July 24, 25, 26, for God to stay this COVID-19 virus. As I stated in my previous blog, you may totally do without food for a meal each day, but we’re not asking you to fast the entire three days. Just be in prayer as you go about your day and be specific in your prayers for this pandemic to come to an end, always acknowledging that you want God’s will to be done as His timing is perfect.

Let me encourage you by calling

your attention to an incident in the

life of Elisha in which the great prophet faced a major crisis. Elisha’s servant went out one morning, looked up and saw this horde of soldiers, with horses and chariots, surrounding their city. He ran back inside crying, “Oh, master! What shall we do?” (The Message, 2 Kings 6:15). None of us has ever walked out the door in the morning to confront an army just waiting to take us out. But we all know what it’s like to be suddenly confronted with life-threatening problems beyond our control: namely a pandemic relegated to the COVID-19 virus which is on-going, unrest and violence on our streets which also is on-going, political division that boggles the mind and raises our blood pressures to a dangerous levels and personal and family problems – all of these seemingly insurmountable. And we all can relate to the servant’s panic in the crisis for we, too, have asked that question many times in the past few months, “What are we going to do?” Listen to Elisha’s cool, calm response, “Don’t worry about it – there are more on our side than on their side.” (The Message, 2 Kings 2:16). He then prayed that his servant’s eyes would be opened and suddenly the servant saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire.

Ladies, we need to see life from God’s perspective more. Satan wants us to feel alone. He wants us to feel that we are up against insurmountable odds. As you begin praying this weekend, he wants you to feel that COVID-19 is just too hard to conquer. In reality, there is nothing too hard for God. Did you notice that Elisha’s predicament didn’t take God by surprise? It wasn’t that Elisha prayed down the chariots of fire and horses to combat the enemy; they were already there. We need to ask God to take our blinders off and see what is already in place in His kingdom.

Isaiah 65:24 says, “Before they call, I will answer; while they are still

speaking, I will hear…” God knew about this pandemic before it ever occurred and He has an answer for it. His heart is broken over the many families who have lost loved ones, the many elderly in facilities who haven’t seen their children for six or more months, the loss of incomes and bankruptcies, weddings and funerals occurring without the physical presence of family and friends, church services cancelled along with schools and other organizations, and a host of other consequences ranging from the dire to mere inconveniences. Friends Needing Friends is still unable to meet because of the restrictions regarding public meetings. I think of those precious widows in India that this ministry helps support, facing starvation if it weren’t for the generosity of Christians and Kerusomen, a Christian ministry there. I’m sure their plight is multiplied across the globe, many without benefit of a Kerusomen ministry to come to their aid. Yes, this pandemic is much more than just a nuisance to millions and God cares. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that “We don’t have a high priest who is out of touch with our reality…So, let’s walk right up to Him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.” In closing, let me also remind you that, as Christians, we need to make sure that our lives are lived in accordance with God’s Word so that nothing hinders our prayers. II Chronicles 7:13/14 reminds us, “… if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Always keep in mind that you come to God from a position of strength, in the full assurance that He is already on it!