Time for Prayer and Meditation
Are you confused? Do you have a feeling of uncertainty about the future with the Coronavirus or, more specifically, COVID -19? That is how I feel, and every person around me. There is a rock, a pillar, a solid foundation that we stand on when there appears to be a cloud of confusion in front of us. When we can’t see anything in front of us because our life has been interrupted, not knowing what we will encounter in the future, this is the time we need the Light of Christ. It is proclaimed in John 8:12 when Jesus says, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the Light of life.” When there is darkness, there is always the need for Light, and that Light will not come from science, medicine, or anything man can produce. It will come from the foundation we are standing on and the hope that we have because it comes from the grace and mercy of our Creator and Savior.
The Light of Christ stands on the faith we have in Him that declares our God will always be there for us, for He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. Should we doubt the One that created us in His image, will suddenly leave us? Never!!! The One who loves us so much that He gave His only Son for each of us to walk in His righteousness as a new creature in Christ. We have an eternal relationship that goes beyond any human bond. God’s Word tells us not to be anxious for anything but put everything in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, and let your request be known. He then will give us peace that surpasses all understanding as it proclaims in Philippians 4:6-7. The inner peace that Christ has given us cannot be explained naturally, only supernaturally. It is only seen and witnessed with the Light of Jesus Christ. We must seek Him out now and let Him work in the very depths of our souls so that His presence will be revealed to us.
During this time of uncertainty and fear, we can depend on God’s Word, as seen in the practical lessons taught from the Sermon of the Mount when Christ tells us not to worry. (Matthew 6:25- 34) He declares in Matthew 6:25, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry…”
Christ teaches us to reflect on the harmonic synchrony of God’s creation. God has a plan of action for things we take for granted, like the birds of the air. In His infinite wisdom, He has provided a method for feeding these amazing creatures that defy gravity. He states, “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26) We have a heavenly Father who not only takes care of these well-designed creatures that bewilder scientists but affirms that we are much more valuable and need not to worry. The message is clear; God is in charge of His Creation, including all the natural processes when he declares in verse 6:27, “Which of you can add one cubit to his stature?” No matter what happens, God almighty will protect us and never leave us. We need to be reminded not to worry and that He is our Lord, who the promise of eternity bonds us.
As Christ continues His lesson teaching us not to worry, Our Lord uses the example of the lilies as he preaches, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,” verse 6:28. Lilies symbolize humility and devotion, and when used in funerals, it represents innocence or life after death, just like the Resurrection of Christ. Many churches use white lilies to celebrate Easter as a religious holiday when Christ defeated death. Just like the birds, there is no earthly caretaker; they grow, live, and die continuously going through their life cycle. Some people say it is a product of natural evolution, distracting and blinding us from the truth of our Creator and Savior that gave us life and saved us.
In the following verse 6:29, these beautiful and fragrant flowers are markers and signs for us to witness the divine hand of God. “And yet I say to you that even Salomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” The lily of the field, like the bird of the air, and every creature from the depths of the sea to the vast expanse of the heavens, shout out, God is here. His glory is manifested everywhere.
Don’t be tempted to get lost in the valley of darkness when you look at sickness and death. Lift your eyes up and find Him. He left His signs all around you to give us hope.
You need the Light of Christ to see and witness His glory, as mentioned above. It is a gift, and the blind will never see the Light and, therefore, will not see God’s majesty, “And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:5 As we assured that the Light of Christ gives hope and direction when the darkness of uncertainty surrounds us. Remember that the Light comes from the life in Christ as it states,” In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” John 1:4 Jesus Christ gives us life that brings eternal hope, and He is the Light that brings us to the truth that we dearly seek and want to hold on. When the sun rises every morning, think and meditate on the Son of God who gives life.
At the end of this lesson, our heavenly teacher gives us a practical application. How can we control our future? There is no answer to this question from a human perspective. The only solution is based on our faith in Christ and His Word, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:24 The Lord says, take each day as it comes and rely on Him to lead you through each trouble and tribulation. You were created in His image to lean on Him, not your own understanding. Take each day, hour, minute as it comes, the Lord teaches us. Be careful not to get ahead of yourself; you cannot control the future, only our Lord.
LET US PRAY
Let us seek Him out and let us fall on knees in prayer to open our eyes to His Light of hope and joy. God wants us to pray together during this trial. He has permitted this challenge in this time and place. The Coronavirus pandemic brings us feelings of uncertainty and fear for our loved ones and our wellbeing. Please join us in prayer as we take one day at a time for each other and our CSI ministry. We should pray to our Lord with thanksgiving because we know He loves us and knows all our needs. We petition the following,
We ask God to remove any fears we have and to place our trust in Him solely and seeking His Light.
We ask God; please help us by protecting and healing our loved ones, our friends, our associates, and all those in our country and the world from this virus.
We beseech you, almighty God, to defeat this disease with your divine intervention, whether it be directly from your merciful hand or using man, your image-bearer.
We ask you, O heavenly Father, please take care of those who suffer financially and make sure that their needs are abundantly filled.
Please provide for those who minister in your name, your church, and other ministries who extend their hands into our communities be mightily blessed during this period.
O Lord, we ask you to take care of our CSI ministry so that we can continue to serve you without stopping.
In Christ,
Tom DeRosa
Executive Director of CSI
