Displaying items by tag: coronavirus

Anglican health and mission agencies had a global consultation to discuss their response to coronavirus. They have published key learnings and some examples of best practice, and are building up a repository of resources and Bible studies that can be adapted for different contexts. The Alliance identified three key roles the Church can play in such times to promote preparedness and resilience. These are ‘to give hope and combat fear with accurate information and encouragement through our faith; to keep the worshipping and wider community connected, if necessary via messages, phone and online, in case of quarantine and disruption; and to show God’s compassion and care to those affected in our communities, remembering that those already most vulnerable will be most affected’.

The world is shutting down in an unparalleled global response to coronavirus. Pray for God to cause a mighty wind of His Holy Spirit to turn the tide of sickness and fear. The current strategy of shutting down large parts of society is not sustainable in the long term. Pray for countries to agree to an exit strategy that will restrain social and economic damage. Scientists say that the coronavirus is not going to disappear entirely. Let us ask God to convict communities of the need to change permanently behaviour that enables contagion, so that there is a sound global immunity to infection. Vaccines are said to be 12-18 months away. Pray for God to guide the researchers and scientists as they seek to develop them.

As the virus spreads, pray for everyone to listen to the advice from local authorities, and show care and regard for one another - especially the elderly and most vulnerable. If ever there was a time for prayers and supplications, this is such a time. Let us join together in united prayer as we pray for: governments and local authorities who bear large responsibilities in confronting this challenge; WHO and all professionals working to safeguard public health; industry leaders and all taking precautions and making decisions to confront this challenge; and pastors, church leaders, and community leaders, who provide care and guidance for those they lead. As a global family, this is a time to let the light of Christ shine healing rays throughout the world.

A damning report, prepared last year, has been released. It detailed Israel’s lack of preparation for a major epidemic. A pre-coronavirus scenario in the report (based on an influenza epidemic) expected about 2,250,000 infected residents (25% of the population) with an increase in morbidity spread over eight weeks, about 150,000 more hospitalised, 25,000 in intensive care, and 12,500 needing ventilation. The report stated that the health system was greatly burdened all year round, with many departments overcrowded, and there was a shortage of ICUs. Now there is a lack of protective medical gear, and problems with infection testing. Netanyahu said nobody was ready for corona.

Liberty University has 100,000 pupils studying online, with a further 15,000 attending campus in Virginia. It will now allow 5,000 students to return to campus and halls of residence despite the state governor ordering all schools to close until the end of the academic year. An email to students said, ‘All planned international trips have been cancelled, but students should return to campus this week. Liberty University is open and operating normally.’ The majority of lessons will be conducted online, but staff have been instructed to ‘report to work as normal’. According to the university president, on-site pupils have said, ‘Don't send us home to study online; we love it here, we want to stay'. This decision came after President Trump questioned whether public health measures to prevent coronavirus contagion were too strict. Health officials stressed that relaxing them could put more people at risk.

Join with IPC’s global network of networks as we agree and pray this prayer in unity, prepared by our Chairman, John D Robb:

'Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.' (Matt 18:18-20 NIV)

Lord God, the One who has Almighty power, we agree according to your promise in Matthew 18:18-20 that this virus will be stopped in its tracks. That the medical researchers will get a download from Heaven on how to quickly develop a vaccine to counteract COVID-19 and a cure for those who have become infected.

We also agree in prayer, asking that the Body of Christ worldwide will rise up in love and boldness, trusting in your blood to cover and protect us and throwing off fear, so that we can be available to serve, bless, and bear witness to those around us who are terrified and depressed at being infected.

Let us seize this unprecedented opportunity to make you known to those without hope in Christ!

Thank you for your promise that surely, you will be with us "always, even to the very end of the age”  so that we can carry on with the mission you have given us for our world (Matthew 28:20).

'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.' (Matt 28:19-20)

We are in the midst of probably the biggest crisis since WWII. Many people are afraid and looking for hope. Countries have been shut down and public life is on hold.

Now is the time to unite in prayer for God’s intervention, protection, and a new openness to the Gospel.

A fearful world needs a bold and courageous church.

MARCH 22^ND - PRAY FOR THE WORLD

MARCH 23^RD - 28^TH - SHARE CHRIST IN THE CRISIS

MARCH 29^TH - GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER

Watch a personal video from Werner Nachtigal regarding the Corona crisis

GET THE INFORMATION PDF 

#go2020 #hopebeyondfear #praycareshare

We need to stand together as Christians to PRAY for the world, CARE for the people and SHARE the Gospel.

Pray

God's intervention in the Coronavirus crisis.

According to 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV): "If my people who are called by 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 their land."

For a revival, that Christians will use the current time to reach out to fearful people with eternal hope.

According to 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."

Care

It’s time to share the hope and peace that can only be found in Jesus Christ!. Offer your help to people around you and show God's love through good works.

Share

We call every believer to share one-on-one, via social media and phone. Let's do everything legally possible to reach out to the fearful, to those who have no hope with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

If you need training resources or sign up info, visit our webpage: www.go2020.world

Share this with your network, friends and churches and become a multiplier!

A valuable opportunity for us to join a daily global prayer gathering this coming week is through International House of Prayer Kansas City.

On Monday, March 23 at 10:00 am CST, in partnership with GodTV, the International House of Prayer in Kansas City will launch a 30-minute intercession and worship set focused around resisting COVID-19 in the spirit, while also asking God for a great wave of healing and revival to sweep the nations.

As always, we are also focused on intercession for Israel. The program will be hosted by Mike Bickle with rotating IHOPKC leaders as co-hosts"

The 30 minute programme will air LIVE at https://god.tv/live-events 

iHOP Kansas will be praying about the virus pandemic across the globe on their live webstream - Monday 23rd March through to Friday 27th March HERE.

The Constantine Bay Store, near Padstow, wants older people to be able to shop ‘exclusively and with confidence’. Each day between 8 and 8.30 am, the shop will open its doors only to those born before 1950. The owner said he hoped it would ‘give them a little bit of peace of mind’ in the fight against coronavirus. Nationwide, Sainsburys are introducing a similar incentive. C3 Church in Cambridge gave out 3,000 ‘Love Your Neighbour’ flyers to its congregation to post through their neighbours’ doors, offering to collect groceries, speak on the phone, or collect a prescription for those who are in self-isolation. Church members fill in their contact details on the flyer so that people can request help. See Neighbourhood Prayer Network have produced ‘Help Cards For Your Street’, which can be downloaded free here

A Baptist blogger recently wrote that in an atmosphere of fear and vulnerability because of COVID-19, we have an unprecedented opportunity to display the goodness of God. But to do that we need to walk in the opposite spirit of what surrounds us. If our peace is a shallow layer over fear, it isn’t enough. On the other hand, if we wait on God and connect until His confidence fills us, then we can carry His presence with us. Fear blunts our thinking, making us inflexible and unfeeling toward others. In contrast, with a heart at rest, we can receive Him and all we need (James 1:5-7). When we connect with God, He pours His love into our hearts (Romans 5:5). Then, even if we are surrounded by an atmosphere of self-interest, we can walk in the opposite spirit, looking for ways to bless others.