Of First Importance … For Every Era

First of all, I encourage you to make petitions, prayers, intercessions, and prayers of thanks for all people, ² for rulers, and for everyone who has authority over us. Pray for these people so that we can have a quiet and peaceful life always lived in a godly and reverent way. ³ This is good and pleases God our Savior. ⁴ He wants all people to be saved and to learn the truth. ⁵ There is one God. There is also one mediator between God and humans—a human, Christ Jesus. ⁶ He sacrificed himself for all people to free them from their sins.

This message is valid for every era.

– 1 Timothy 2:1-6

I think we’ll watch one of the old Star Trek movies this weekend. We need a diversion of some sort, and that might fill the bill. Last week it was Hunt for Red October, replete with the Crazy Ivans and some things that “don’t react very well to bullets!” When I think of Star Trek, I think of the Prime Directive – a guiding principle of Starfleet, prohibiting its members from interfering with the internal and natural development of alien civilizations. 

Some think of God in those terms: that he doesn’t interfere in the affairs of man. This was the view of some of the founding fathers of the United States. They were deists. They thought God created the world and everything in it, and then stood back and watched it run – never interfering.

It’s difficult to think of God “interfering” with his own universe! God is not interfering when he acts. But is he aloof? Is he far away? Does he involve himself in the affairs of women and men? If prayer is to be an exercise of something other than futility, then we must believe it: He. Is. Involved. 

For that reason prayer is of first importance for God’s people. It is of first importance for every era. Praying never grows old or out of style. Praying is pleasing to God and edifying to his people. With that in mind, let us pray…

Heavenly Father, we turn, not panic, in response to this pandemic. We praise You as our Almighty Creator and sustainer. You are the Author of our days, our refuge and strength.

For those who are filled with fear and anxiety in the uncertainty of what to do, or in isolation of quarantine, we ask that You be their courage and that they would acknowledge Your presence. Thank You for being our God who will never leave us or forsake us.

Deliver us from this disease, we pray, and let your glory fill the earth as you respond to our prayers. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

– From the National Day of Prayer Committee