COVID-19 Pandemic: Prayer for Our Mental Heath

To halt the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections citizens globally have been asked to self-quarantine or isolate at home and practice social distancing outdoors. This policy may be keeping us healthy and alive but it is also taking a toll on people’s mental health. Mood swings, panic attacks, depression, stress, anxiety, fear and substance abuse are on the rise, even more so for persons with a previous diagnosis.

Believers, know that your heavenly Father feels your pain. Know also that His divine will for you is the shalom of life: peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility. GOD wants you to be especially renewed in the spirit of your mind (Ephesians 4:20.) To this end, He expects you to use all legitimate resources that will help you to feel better mentally and spiritually, so that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. (1 John 3:2.)

Both paid and free mental health help is available but you have to reach out.  Call your personal health care provider, or local public health service offices, and set up an appointment to discuss your symptoms. You may not have to visit in person as most healthcare and doctors’ offices now offer remote care services via Skype or FaceTime. If none of these are an option seek out trusted public health institutions that offer free online resources. You may do this in addition to contacting a healthcare provider. The ones listed below offer useful, practical, easy-to-understand online resources to print or save on your computer. They also list hotline services** where you can talk with someone if you think your symptoms are becoming extreme:

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Coronavirus “Daily Life And Coping” web page.
• U. S. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also produced an excellent COVID-19 resource guide.  
• U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has links to a variety of Health Topics right on its home page.

Your spiritual health also needs attention now but you may find it hard to focus on praying and meditating on Scripture until you’re healthier emotionally. GOD has you covered here also. Children of GOD are part of the family of GOD – the Church. If you’re unable to pray and read your Bible ask for help. Call a minister, bible study leader, prayer partner, anyone that’s mature enough in the faith that you can trust with your struggle. Share openly about what you’re experiencing and ask that person to pray with you daily. This is critical if you live alone.

Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well… The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:14-15, 16b NLT.

If you don’t feel you can talk to someone and the only words you can get out of your mouth are, JESUS, help me, that will do. You have just appealed to your Great High Priest and Intercessor who will honor your heart-cry and pray to the Father for you. the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans…the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27.

Isolation is unnatural for us. Our Creator did not design humanity to live apart from each other and we are all at odds in our spirits to some extent. But this is what we need to do for the common good, so let’s pray to the One who knows all things to keep us in sound mind for the duration. He alone knows what that's going to be.

Ask GOD to do what He’s promised in His own WORDS! Psalms 3;3, 23:3-4, 34:18, 43-5, 44:5; Isaiah 40:29-31; Matthew 11:28-30; Philippians 4:8

My Father and my GOD, you are my hope during this time of darkness and despair. Abba, my soul is downcast and overwhelmed, my heart is sad and my spirit is weary but I look to your light and your truth to guide me back to joy. I am trusting you, Father, to walk with me through this dark valley and bring me to a place of peace and soul rest. You stay close to the brokenhearted and rescue those whose spirits are crushed; you alone are able to protect me from the enemy of depression, give me new strength and power for my weakness and lift up my head again. I stand on your promises, my GOD and my helper. Father, I want so much to be able to walk again in the joy of your salvation, to praise and glorify your holy name. You have done so much for me. Please revive me again by your power and your love.  I pray in JESUS name, Amen!

**National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Toll-Free (English): 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Toll-Free (español): 1-888-628-9454

TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)

Website (English): http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Website (español): http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/gethelp/spanish.aspx  

COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prayer for Provision

About two months ago governments world-wide declared mandatory stay-at-home and work stoppage to try and halt COVID-19 virus infections and deaths. The strategy may be working but, for many people, not going to work means not getting a paycheck and not having the basic needs for living. Food is running out and bills are overdue, and some even worry they may not have a job when things stabilize.

GOD’s people shouldn’t worry, but we can and do. With the numerous unknowns you’re facing all at once, you may be severely tested in this area, unless you slam on the anxiety breaks, and make a hard turn-around.

So, take a minute, quiet the noise in your head and listen to your heart instead. Your Heavenly Father is speaking to you: Be still and know that I’m (still) GOD!! Instead of worrying come talk to me. Not because I need to be told what I already know, but so that you could be remind yourself that I do know and that I am able to act on your behalf; that you could be at ease within yourself.

So, let’s pray! Tell GOD what you need in His own WORDS! (Genesis 22:14, Psalm 23:1-2, Psalm 34:8-10, Psalm 118:17, Jeremiah 29:11, Luke 6:38, Philippians 4:6-7, Philippians 4:19)

My Father and my GOD, you are Jehovah Jireh, my Provider! In faith I am standing upon Your Name and its promise to supply all of my needs according to Your plenteous riches. You are the Good Shepherd and you take care of all your sheep so we lack nothing. Your WORD says that I do not have to worry about anything but I should pray and ask for whatever I need. Father, I need food, shelter and all resources and means to sustain my family today and for our future. Give me also a restful spirit and peace so I can focus on being the body of Christ and reach out to others who also have needs of resources, encouragement and comfort. Father, your desire is that I give out of my own need, and when I do you will ensure that my gift will be returned to me in abundance. I am reminded that you saved me in CHRIST JESUS to fulfill your plan for my life which I can only do because your provision enables me to – spiritually and physically. LORD, I have tasted your goodness and I stand in awe of all that you have already done in my life. Thank you! Forgive me for forgetting that you are always a safe place and a refuge – I will not die but I will live to testify of all that you have done. All glory, dominion, power and glory belong to you, now and forevermore!  Amen!

Resurrection Sunday: JESUS Is Alive and So Are We!

The resurrection of the crucified CHRIST is unique to Christianity.

Although, Resurrection Sunday has become synonymous with the Easter Spring solstice celebration, there is no Biblical connection. The rituals and symbols associated with Easter – bunnies, decorated eggs and egg hunts, etc., have no bearing on the Resurrection whatsoever.

CHRIST raised from the dead is the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy recorded in Scripture, as far back as Genesis 3:15. It’s GOD’s promise of salvation, new life and an eternal home in Heaven for those who believe by faith. (John 3:16-17, Romans 10:9-10)

JESUS, came to earth as GOD incarnate (John 1:1,14), to atone for the sins of mankind. You may have it said that LOVE held JESUS on the cross, not the stakes that Roman executioners drove into his hands and feet. This unique and perfect LOVE restores our broken relationship with the Father and gives you and me a new life that’s different from the rest of the world.

Rejoice! Celebrate your new life purchased for you by CHRIST’s perfect love – His blood that was shed for you, His dying on the cross instead of you, and His glorious resurrection that only He could accomplish for you!

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy GOD, Father and LORD, we lift our hearts in awe, adoration and praise! Thank YOU that YOU for a great LOVE that gave your ONE and only SON so we may have new life as your children for all eternity. Father, help us to live each day in the joy of YOUR righteousness and the grace through which we received it. May our hearts always be filled with gratitude and thanksgiving for YOUR inexpressible love and sacrifice so we live godly lives daily and never grieve YOUR Holy Spirit. Help us to use every opportunity we get to share the good news of JESUS CHRIST and never be ashamed. Father, YOU have done great things for us and we are filled with JOY!!  To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

COVID-19 Pandemic: Praise GOD Anyhow

Genesis 2:7 tells us that GOD breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.

In Acts 17:24-25, the apostle Paul evangelizes a crowd of idolaters telling them to worship only GOD their Creator who gives them breath and everything to live.

The Creator’s breath in your lungs is why you exist (Acts 17:28.) But GOD went a step further and gave you the gift of eternal life through Christ JESUS and He did it so you could praise and glorify Him (Ephesians 1:14)

Most Psalms are songs of praise to GOD. Psalmists who wrote songs of lament ended them with words of praise, and the last Psalm recorded compels GOD’s people to praise Him: Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!” (Ps. 150:6)

Whatever your life situation, good, bad, or indifferent, use the breath GOD gifted to you to praise Him! Put aside fear, sorrow, doubt, anger and other negative emotions that the COVID-19 pandemic raises in all of us and glorify your Creator. You will remember again who GOD truly is, that He is still and forever in control, and you will know sweet peace.

GOD exalts His WORD and His promises as much as He does His Holy Name, and above everything else (Psalm 138:2). So, give back to Him in praise what belongs to Him.

Praise GOD! (Isaiah 25:1, Psalm 103, Psalm 118:28-29)

Heavenly Father, you are my God and I exalt you, with all my soul I worship You. Abba Father, you are perfect in your faithfulness and I stand in awe of all the wonderful things you do. May I never forget your goodness, to me and loved ones. You forgive our sins in JESUS, you keep us healthy and strong and provide all of our needs so we lack nothing; Father, forgive me my discontent. Thank you, LORD, for lifting me up whenever I stumble and fail and for tenderly leading me back to the path of righteousness; for being long-suffering and patient when you have a right to be angry and desert me. GOD, I praise you! Thank you for grace, you are better to me than I deserve, I praise You for Your loving kindness and your mercy that follows me all the days of my life. Great is your love, great is your faithfulness, great is your compassion, great is your mercy, great is the grace and righteousness you bestowed upon me and mine! Great are You GOD and greatly to be praised! With all that is in me, I praise Your Holy Name! With my last breath, LORD, I will praise you! Always you bend down to hear when I cry for help, I praise you! You are my GOD and I will praise You. You are my God, and I will exalt you! All glory, dominion, power and glory belong to you, now and forever!  Amen!

COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prayer for GOD's Peace

Even the most stoic among us have been rattled by the events of this past month; feels like we’re on a roller-coaster ride that’s out-of-control and we can’t get off. The fear is palpable and paralyzing. We are at war with an invisible enemy and we don’t have the wherewithal on our own to fight it.

But if you know the omnipotent and omniscient, the all-mighty and all-knowing LORD of Heavens Armies, you can win this war! Your GOD and Father can and will fight with you, alongside you and for you. Tune out the noise, still your thoughts and begin to pray. Petition GOD for what you need to get through this. Not sure what to say? Use GOD’s own words. Whatever you ask that’s in agreement with His wishes and promises will not just get you through the day, but cause you to thrive in the midst of the chaos.

The apostle Paul reminds us that our GOD will supply all our needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19.) All your needs mean exactly that and include the natural and the spiritual.

More than anything we all want the peace of GOD during hard times. Without it our circumstances will overwhelm us and cause us to make unhealthy and ungodly decisions.

Today we pray for GOD’s lasting peace! Isaiah 26:3-4, John 14:27, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7

Our GOD and Father, thank You for making me Your child and for caring about everything that happens in my life. Today I exchange the burdens I’ve been carrying these past weeks because of this pandemic for your perfect peace. Your peace, Father, may be beyond my ability to understand but it is able to sustain me every day and quiet my heart and my mind; Your peace that causes me to live and thrive in the joy I have in Christ Jesus. My doubts and anxieties I release to You and I fix my mind on You alone. Lord, I do not worry about the future, instead I remember all the wonderful things You have done for me and I am so grateful. Thank You, Father, for always being my GOD and an eternal Rock that I can lean on. I will rest in the Prince of Peace in whose name I pray! Amen.

Don’t Give Up, There’s Good News – Conclusion

GOD loves you and that never changes. Neither the wrong you do, nor the wrong done to you, will diminish GOD’s love for you. (Romans 8:35.) GOD loves the world (John 3:16,) but GOD loves His children (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1-2) with a “perfect, saving, eternal love." (Pastor/Teacher John MacArthur) If you are a child of GOD, He uses whatever happens in your life to move you along the path of that perfect, saving, eternal love and into glory. (Romans 8:28) For you this is good news –

GOD uses your suffering for His divine purpose and your eternal joy.

Trials and sorrows GOD allow into your life are part of His working together of all things for your good (Romans 8:28. Trials are not punishment from GOD; even if yours are consequences for which you’re responsible. Punishment is what JESUS suffered for your sin by His atoning work at the cross. That has been dealt with – “It is finished.” GOD gives correction and discipline, when appropriate, to bring you in line with His will – His “perfect, saving, eternal love" for you.

We all must believe, even in the midst of these painful and despairing times, that GOD has a divine purpose. Don’t be dismayed if you don’t see or understand “the good” in any of it. Don’t lose your joy. Be patient, hold tight and keep on praying (Romans 12:12.) GOD is using any suffering you experience at this time as a pathway to your victory and joy, and He is right beside you. "I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” Psalm 16:8 NLT

Keep reading and meditating on GOD’s WORD, it has everything that you need as you need it. All of Scripture is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the (children) of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 1 Peter 3:16-17. To know the WORD is to know the Father’s love and purpose for you. 

GOD tells you how you ought to view your trials versus how the world does:

Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News…We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by GOD. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed…We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day. These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That’s why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen. 2 Corinthians 4:4, 8-9, 16-18 CEV

One of my favorite Pastor/Teachers, Max Lucado, says it this way, "Choose to trust God’s promises. Choose to believe that God is up to something good even though all you see looks bad. Choose to believe because God is faithful."  

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23 NLT

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 41:2 NLT

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our loving Father, thank YOU for Your perfect, saving and eternal love that heals us and restores us to righteousness for all eternity so that we can have joy in our trials and an abundant life here on earth. Thank You, JESUS, for the gift of peace YOU gave to us so our hearts are not troubled and we are not afraid. We give all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise to the triune GOD, and we pray in JESUS’ Mighty NAME.  Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile