March 16 – “Corona-Prayer”

Some 50 brave souls made their way through coronavirus madness to do some worshipping with the Body at church yesterday.  We even had our usual third Sunday dinner on the grounds.  I know the media is really hyping things up into a fresh new gear.  And I don’t mean to downplay the seriousness of what is going on.  We are still watching the CDC website.  We understand that this morning they are recommending cancelling any gathering over 50 people for eight weeks.  And our Easter activities loom on the horizon.  Maybe we will need to make some adjustments.  Perhaps with the breakfast.  Or the egg hunt.  Or maybe all will be well.  At this point I have no qualms about having services next Sunday.  This famous saying will be our guide: “Don’t be stupid.”  If you are sick, don’t come.  If you come, wash your hands, regularly and thoroughly.  Here is the statement I made as an introduction to worship yesterday.

DIRECTED PRAYER CONCERNING THE CORONAVIRUS:

Before we get started with anything else this morning, I know that heavy on all of our minds is the situation around the world with the coronavirus.  Some have tried to make light of it.  Others have honestly gone off the deep end a little bit.  I really think that most of us are somewhere in between.  We want to be responsible.  We don’t want to put others at risk in any way.  And, after all, who wants to get sick?

Many of you may know someone who has personally been affected by this crazy situation.  Our own Cathy Duncan is self-quarantining as we speak because apparently someone who had been exposed to the virus came into the ophthalmology clinic where she works.

This past week my son Josh, who is a pastor in Waco, was here for Spring Break, but he had no break.  Their church had a missions team in Utah, and he was arranging for them to fly home early.  But on a more pressing note, they also had a missions team in Denia, Spain.  And Spain was on the verge of following in Italy’s footsteps and closing its borders to all international flights, in or out of the country.  They were scrambling at the airport to find a flight back to the U.S., but it was not easy.  To make a very long story shorter, they found a flight to Frankfurt, Germany.  From there they finally boarded a flight to San Francisco.  And this morning at 6 a.m., they touched down in Houston.  Now “all” that remains is renting a few suburbans for the drive to Waco, and then self-quarantining for two weeks. 

           

I’m sure most of us have experienced the panic buying this past week as well, although I am still hard-pressed to understand what hoarding toilet paper has to do with anything!  Schools have “extended” Spring Break for at least another week.  Many businesses are encouraging – or demanding – working from home.  Activities and events are canceling right and left.  Many churches have canceled services for today in favor of online options. 

Sometimes when a situation we face is unexpected and overwhelming and scary, like – oh, I don’t know, a pandemic, for example - it can be hard to know exactly what to pray … even how to pray.   Here are a few ideas.  Kind of a directed prayer experience, if you will …

1.  Pray for the victims, of course – the folks who have actually contracted the disease and their families.

2.  Pray for first responders and medical workers who are swamped with calls and walk-ins, and who are doing their job in spite of the personal risk.

3.  Pray for the decision-makers in government, in education, in industry, and especially in families.

4.  Pray for those affected by travel restrictions and quarantines.  Some have been stranded in an unfamiliar place and have no resources to carry them through.

5.  Pray for our world that has been overwhelmed by fear and its subsequent results – resource hoarding, mistrust, and even panic.

And finally, do what you can do.  If you find yourself at the grocery store facing a fresh shipment of toilet paper, and you know you have plenty at home, pass it by … or better yet, buy a small package and take it to that neighbor you know of who can’t get out easily.  Take a meal to someone in quarantine. 

Sure, it’s a risk.  So is life.  Remember the goofy saying …

Praise the Lord and Wash Your Hands;

Jesus and germs are everywhere.

Our call to worship this morning is this:
Philippians 4:4-9 – Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

            Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.

This morning we are going to do things our usual way.  You don’t have to.  No one will judge you.  Want a hug?  Open your arms.  Prefer a fist bump?  Lead with one. 

We are having dinner on the grounds after worship.  You are all invited to stay.  Don’t feel comfortable with that?  Fine.  We’ll see you next Sunday, if not before. 

I love you, family.

Philippians 4:19-20 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.  To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.  Amen.”

Father, may that be our prayer throughout this crisis … to you be glory forever and ever.  Amen.