Philippians 4: 6-7
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Trust God, and Pray. Move from fear to faith, from panic to peace. Replace worry with prayer. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV).
- Ask God to protect, to heal, and to supply both individual and church needs.
- In time of plague, pray for the salvation and healing of the nation (II Chronicles 7:13-14).
- Pray for the peace of the city (Jeremiah 29:7)
- Pray for civic leaders, that God will grant them wisdom to make good decisions for peace, security, and advancement of the gospel (I Timothy 2:1-4)
- Pray for Pastor Damesworth and church leaders to have wisdom and to receive strength.
- Pray for Christian Life Center to be unified and faithful to prayer, ministry, and giving.
Christ Beside Me,
Christ Before Me,
Christ Behind Me,
Christ Within Me,
Christ Beneath Me,
Christ Above Me.
--Saint Patrick
(Christ must be at the center of everything we do!)
What we know and believe as spirit filled Christians:
We Choose Faith Over Fear:
The God we serve is not just our savior, but our provider and protector as well. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
Trust God:
Viral disease is a fact of biological existence and part of creation. Keeping perspective and not panicking apply here, just as they do for all risks we face as creatures in a finite world. No matter how dire circumstances get, the Lord remains our refuge and strength, “an ever-present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1).
Ps. 91:5-7 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; Nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee.
Ps. 91:10-11 There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways.
Luke 12:25-26 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
What You Should Do:
Pray:
We must pray for the sick and the scared, for public health officials, for doctors and nurses, for researchers, and for caregivers. We know prayer has power, so we choose to respond in faith through prayer, not fear and worry.
Love Each Other:
Even if a virus outbreak eventually prevents us from gathering for services, we still support one another. This can happen through prayer, through verbal encouragement, and through coming alongside others to provide help in need.
Call and check on each other. Check on your neighbors. Love each other and pray for each other. If we know of anyone in need, please let us know by reaching out to pastoral staff or the church office.
Stay abreast of local health updates, but be sure to include encouraging material to keep yourself uplifted like scripture reading, worship songs, and online sermons.