Article: A Plea for Mercy and Healing, It’s time for Prayer | Jobin Sam Varghese
The fear and epidemic associated with COVID-19 is shaking the nations globally – the plague and fear associated is sparing no- one – from the palace to the prison – from the richest to the poor. East Africa is having going through the worst of locust’s invasion –so is it with every continent – people running of peace. It’s fear that has filled in the air- travel ban advisory mail – business losses – supply/ logistic chains are broken, death, etc.. While the world has witnessed several disasters – this probably is scaling out to be the deadliest in our generation.
May the church stand in the gap and pray over the mercy of God over the nations – which is what we are called for – for a such a time as this – being responsible for our cities and nation.
We read this promise “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land “ – 2 Chronicles 7:14.
I am also reminded of the incident when Israelites rebelled against God in the desert – the wrath of God fell upon the people – “the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died ”- Number 21.6.
When the people pleaded to the Lord – The Lord instructed the below.
8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.- Number 21: 8 – 9 Jesus recalls this incident while he spoke with Nicodemus “ Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[f] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” – John 3 – 14 & 15
May Christ the hope and healing hope to the nations be lifted out in this season of time.
The old testament talks about Horns around the altar – that anyone was able to take hold of it- is spared from the punishment – it was a sanctuary people could rush to be saved.
Amid the hopeless situation – May the people find the hope, healing, and peace that only God could provide – through his church. May we have this prayer of Habakkuk- for mercy.
Habakkuk 3.2- Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.
As the blood of the lamb saved Israelites firstborn from the sword of the death angel- May the nation find hope and healing with the blood of Christ – The Cross that speaks of love and hope amidst all the chaos.
A word of encouragement – Psalms 91 : 5 & 6 – You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Psalms 57.1- I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
Prayer – Lord -we ask for forgiveness for the sin that we- the nations have committed against you – Lord have mercy in this wrath – May you heal the land – may the nations find hope and healing only which you could provide – May you visit us in mercy and restore that Land – we pray for protection over us – in Jesus’ name.
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