A Life Not Their Own
ACTION WHEN DISRUPTION HITS HOME
Like much of the rest of the world, it seems like everything is canceled: weddings, events, travel, church, school, and most businesses. Christians are no strangers to life issues in the world. Christians have a calling in all seasons. Listed below are three short stories about how Christians are living out their faith around the world during COVID-19.
IN CHINA, PERSECUTED CHURCH BRINGS HOPE AMID CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC1
The Chinese Christian community knows all about persecution. Recently, they’ve experienced a heightened level of oppression, and yet when the coronavirus showed up these Christians were ready to continue putting their faith into action by loving their neighbor. One account records a group of Christians distributing face masks and Gospel pamphlets to passersby on the streets. A pastor from Wuhan, where the virus had its initial outbreak said, “While the real situation is possibly more severe and complicated than what is known, regardless of what circumstances we are in, we should not worry and fear all the disasters, pandemic, and death “because He is the Lord of our lives. If He does not allow [it to happen], we will not even have a single hair fallout from our heads.”
REDISCOVERING THE POWER OF PRAYER IN ITALY2
There is a heavy fine to pay for leaving your home without a valid reason in Italy. This season of exile has helped Italian Christians discover three facets of prayer that they often neglect in times of abundance. One Italian Christian records prayers she’s learning during this time: prayers of lament, prayers of intercession, and prayers of silence. As humanity struggles to contain fear amidst this anxiety-provoking pandemic, lament feels newly relevant to us. It helps us realize that “gain” in this world is not the main focus or point of our lives. Despite denominational differences, Italian Christians are unifying and praying for their nation, citizens, and healthcare workers. They’ve created a common fund to help those in economic need and fasted for their country. “Lord, I’m dumbfounded. I don’t know what to say.” When words fail us, we can be still and know that God is God. Christians in Italy, like everyone else, are hoping things go back to normal sooner than later, but in the meantime are looking for this pandemic to humble their hearts and teach them the prayers of the weak, concerned, and the speechless.
IN UKRAINE, CHRISTIAN GROUPs STEPS IN TO FEED NEEDY JEWS CONFINED BY COVID-193
Already poverty-stricken in Ukraine, Christians for Israel, a Dutch-based organization, is stepping up to provide immediate food aid to elderly Jews confined by the pandemic to their homes. With the banning of large groups, many soup kitchens have had to close, forcing people who want to help to get more creative. The group aims to deliver more than 300,000 meals throughout the country in the coming months. The help is welcomed considering the political climate keeps citizens in the dark about accurate numbers and how the virus will affect people’s livelihoods.
LET’S UNITE WITH OUT BROTHERS AND SISTERS AROUND THE WORLD AND PRAY. ACT ON WHAT GOD IS TELLING YOU TO DO IN THIS SEASON, AND CONSIDER HOW YOU CAN LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS WELL
(1) persecution.org
(2) christianitytoday.com
(3) timesofisrael.com