National Day of Prayer - March 15, 2020

In response to the coronavirus, President Trump has declared March 15, 2020, as a National Day of Prayer.
"It is my great honor to declare Sunday, March 15th as a National Day of Prayer. We are a Country that, throughout our history, has looked to God for protection and strength in times like these...
No matter where you may be, I encourage you to turn towards prayer in an act of faith. Together, we will easily PREVAIL!" President Donald J. Trump 

God has gotten the attention of the whole world through this virus. The whole world is reacting in fear. Stores are being looted at night, shelves are being emptied, people are fighting over toilet paper, people are being quarantined, the world-wide economy is being affected.

Here in our state, a mandate from the Governor has closed schools, colleges, preschools. It has cancelled any events over 250 people. Sporting events have been canceled, tournaments, and extra-curricular school functions have been postponed. Churches are being forced to cancel onsite attendance and only offer church sermons online. The place of refuge - the church - has now been denied to a scared and lost people.

God is calling us to STOP, be still, be quiet, and look up. Last night while I lay in my bed unable to sleep...again...A stop sign kept appearing in my mind. Why has God called us to STOP and be still?
In the book of Revelation, chapter 8, there is silence in heaven for 30 minutes. Heaven stops, is still, and is quiet while an angel, some say Jesus because He is performing priestly duties, "having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand (Revelation 8:3-4 NKJV).

It's as if God says, "Quiet! Shush! My people are praying and I want to hear the prayers of my people! Their prayers are a sweet aroma to Me."

Sometimes, we know as Christians that we are supposed to STOP and be still but there is too much to do. We have work, school, our kid sporting events, vacation plans, concert and movie dates, etc. etc.  As parents, we often see our children, spinning out of control, hyped up, getting cranky and grumpy, and we say, "It's time to take a rest time!"  I think God said, "My children need to take a spiritual rest time."  But, just like cranky toddlers will fight and cry, and moan and groan being forced to their beds, so we as God's children will fight going to rest.

God is a Good Father, a loving parent. This Sunday, He is bringing us back to the book of Acts. In the book of Acts, persecution was happening against Christians and the people of God would meet in small houses to have church. That is what will be happening this Sunday.

Our "church" where we worship the god of professional sports has been cancelled.
Our "church" where we worship the god of musicians and celebrity has been cancelled.
Our "church" where we worship the god of our children's sports has been cancelled.
Our "church" where we worship the god of academia has been cancelled.
Our "church" where we worship the god of money has been threatened.
Our "church" where we worship the god of self has lost control and we are being governed by others.
Even our churches where we can go to find refuge in the security of the church building has been taken away for a time.

Now, it's just us and God and a time to stop, be still, quiet our souls, and find rest in Him alone.

Every time there is a need for national prayer, we quote 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
... 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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Yet, this morning was the first time I saw it quoted with verse 13 which actually makes it a complete sentence and puts it in context.
13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or SEND PESTILENCE AMONG MY PEOPLE, 14 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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Reading the whole sentence stopped me in my tracks this morning!!!! What has been devouring farms in minutes in the Middle East??? LOCUSTS
What has brought the world to a stand still? PESTILENCE!

I think God is speaking loud and clear:
"STOP! Be still! You want the pestilence to stop? Then Christians, "people who are called by My Name" humble yourselves. Pray. Seek my face. Turn from your wicked ways and repent! THEN, I will silence heaven so I can hear your prayers, and I will forgive your sin and heal your land."

God has spoken through HIS Word. He has given us the answer to this world-wide problem.
Our President who has been appointed by God for such a time as this, has responded like Queen Esther calling for her people to stop and pray so that God would move to save her people from utter destruction. The Jews responded to Queen Esther's plea and fasted and prayed and God saved her people. The question today is will we? Will we respond to the "Esther" of our times and our nation and STOP and pray?

Tomorrow, Sunday 15th, let us respond to the Word of God, to the call for prayer. Gather in your homes with fellow Believers. All it takes is 2-3 people to gather in Jesus' Name and Jesus promises to be in your midst (Matthew 18:20). And pray! It does not take fancy words and long prayers. It just takes humility, reverence to God, repentance, sincere hearts, and crying out to God for his mercy and intervention.

We have been called for such a time as this, let's heed God's warning and respond.

God bless,
Yolanda