Day 6: "Three Things You Can Do"

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic
A series of daily reflections for people of faith
by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor
FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020
“Three Things You Can Do”

What are you doing during this time of accelerated directives from officials at various levels of government? If you are like a lot of people, you are probably stocking up on supplies at the store, a subtle panic reaction borne of an also subtle fear that there might not be enough the next time we shop. So that takes care of the needs of the body.

What about the needs of the soul – is it possible that some Christians who have a sort of casual approach to faith during peaceful times are engaging in the panic equivalent of spiritually stocking up out of anxiety over what the future might hold? Sort of catching up with God?

Deacon Anna Schibler, prayer chain coordinator for the Congregational Care Committee of Pax Pres, receives and disseminates prayer requests from and to members of our community of faith.  No matter what the requests she sends out, she always signs off with Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” 

So whether your devotional life is consistently strong or has been flagging lately, here are three choices you can make today, and tomorrow, and the next day, choices I say because they all involve action verbs: “Rejoice….be patient….be constant.”

“rejoice” – to be glad, delight in, experience ... ”hope” – expectation, waiting
“be patient” – literally to stand under and endure ... ”tribulation” – affliction, pressure
“be constant” – persevere, be steadfast ... ”prayer” – literally to interact (with the Lord)

Reflective question: Which of these three directives do you find the hardest to embrace? Why do you think this is? Try focusing on this for the next several days.

Reflective scripture: Romans 12:12

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

Reflective hymn: “I Need Thee Every Hour”

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord; no tender voice like Thine, can peace afford.

I need Thee, O I need Thee; every hour I need Thee! O bless me now my Savior I come to Thee.

Reflective prayer: write your own prayer requests here.

PRAYER REQUEST: click here to submit.