Praying in Hard Times

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About a year ago when I seriously started exploring becoming an elder, I never expected to be involved in the details of doing church during a pandemic.  Trying to reconcile scriptures dealing with submission to authority (Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2) with those scriptures calling for collective and corporate worship (Hebrews 10:24-25) have led to long meetings and even longer email chains.  The elders continue to discuss and pray over these issues in the hopes of reopening the church in a timely and God honoring way.  I would humbly ask that each of you continue to pray for discernment for our Pastors and elders as we work through this issue.
 
As you study and reflect on the verses referenced above and pray for the church leaders, I would ask that you also spend some time with Psalm 91.  In it, the writer describes God’s never-ending sovereign protection of His people from every threat that surrounds humanity.  As believers, this Psalm teaches that nothing can harm a child of God unless the Lord permits it.
 
As you pray about the current situation we find ourselves in, here are some other verses to reflect on during your prayer time.
 
1 Thessalonians 5:17
pray without ceasing
 
Psalm 50:15
Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.
 
Psalm 62:8
Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.
 
Jeremiah 32:27
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?”
 
I leave you today with these verses from 1 Peter 5:7-10.
Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour. Take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. For you know that your believing brothers and sisters around the world are experiencing the same kinds of troubles you endure. And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, he will set you firmly in place and build you up.  (The Passion Translation)
 
Kurt Kowalk

Elder Kurt Kowalk