“Do not be afraid of
the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the
disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.”
Psalm 91:5-6
As of last night, I
felt the need to write this morning: firstly to touch base with my global
family in this time of crises and uncertainty and secondly, to encourage all of
us to pray for the world, our countries, our villages, our neighbours and our
families.
It is easy to get
swept up in the panic and, I admit, I have to do some real wrangling to not let the situation get a hold of me. Thankfully,
I am not home alone because a friend, who was staying with me for a bit, has
elected to stay on longer. If we end up being quarantined, neither of us wants
to be housebound alone during the storm.
Here in Canada, all
the grocery stores have empty shelves. It is surreal in a land of plenty to see
such need. It is surreal in a land of plenty to see such greed.
Please pray that a
heart of generosity and community will rise above all other considerations.
My heart is burdened
in knowing there are people who lack the means to stock up. There are people
who have been laid off their jobs as businesses close their doors according to
government instructions.
There are people who
have no place of sanctuary…this is the greatest burden on my heart. The nights
are cold, the days are cold. We had snow flurries yesterday. With libraries,
restaurants, and even our drop-in closed (this week at least), there is no
place for those in dire need to come in and get warm.
Please pray for those
living in the squalid, unsanitary, crowded conditions of refugee camps
throughout the globe.
Please pray for
those who have lost loved ones to Covid-19.
Please pray for
those who are sick.
Please pray for our governments
and health services: the decision makers, the doctors, nurses and staff who are
on the front lines.
This pandemic is an
opportunity to drive home that we are a global village. What affects one place,
affects everyone. Let this lesson become the birthplace of unprecedented global
peace and partnerships.
Thank you and God be
with you all.
