Two days ago we came home to China, it was a surreal experience. We boarded a often crowded Thai Air flight, in which each passenger wore a surgical mask. It was a little funny to look around, while we all kept going to try to eat during the flight, considering our new facial accessories.
When we arrived at the Chinese airport, we lined up with other masked travelers and were greeted by loyal airport officials who were taking similar precautions. The seriousness of the situation was confirmed when I saw several employees fully equipped with combinations and equipment for hazardous substances. He wasn’t sure about his role, but they showed an extra dose of sobriety.
Are we back for a few days? Talk to church members and neighbors and, primarily, stay inside.
Having received many questions about our well-being and needs, I thought it might be helpful to share some prayer requests for those behind the coronavirus curtain.
We live in an era of social media in which news agencies are rewarded for clicks and an enthusiastic consumer base is a good thing for these agencies, so our flows (and hearts) are often filled with alarmist reports.
And in the midst of all this, there is now a wave of global concern. Pray for us as we struggle with anxiety and cross the line between faith and wisdom. Pray that we will not lose sight of the fact that God is our help and refuge, and that He Himself is not affected by sickness (Psalm 91). Pray that even if we have the worst result imaginable, that we or someone we love, will be contaminated, for Christ remains our safe and constant anchor. trust in God and let us not hesitate in faith.
Christians in China, both native and foreign, will make their own decisions during this period, but pray that none of us will be moved by fear. May we be filled with faith and divine wisdom.
This is the most obvious demand for most of us
Pray that those with the virus will heal and its spread to slow down and the virus will soon be eradicated.
Pray that government agencies will have the wisdom and capacity to contain the epidemic and for doctors and nurses to participate in their work.
Pray for biomedical scientists and engineers struggling to create a way to cure and immunize this new virus.
Pray that Christians, pastors, foreign missionaries, entrepreneurs, and Chinese educators staying in China will have the doors open to discuss the gospel in light of this crisis.
Ask God to make the compassion and unity of your church adorn the gospel on these dark days.
Pray that The faith and hope of Christians will be the basis for speaking of Christ.
Pray that the missionaries’ determination and sacrifice will pave the way for fruitful ministry.
Missionary organizations discuss how to guide their workers; Church leaders pray about guiding their members; Christians think about how to counsel their friends and loved ones; We all know very well how Christians have made sacrifices during pandemics throughout the history of the Church, but should a church come together to worship the Sabbath at a time like this, or should it stay home?If they decide not to meet, how long will they abstain?Should expats, members of the missionary community and the market return to their home country or stay where they are?
It is hard to imagine all the precarious situations people face when government agencies stop, schools delay the semesters, and businesses suffer significant financial impacts. My church is small, but only in my nearest circle do I know couples who are in the process of being adopted and who risk being separated from their children if they are evacuated or quarantined; New parents who still have a suitable undocumented child; Students who have been told that they will receive a student visa but are no longer provided; and employees who don’t charge and wonder if the promised checks will arrive. It takes a lot of wisdom.
As you can imagine, not all Christians here agree, because difficult decisions are made. To give just one example, one member of the Chinese church may think that one church should not meet on a Saturday during that season, while another may consider it appropriate. The former can maintain their position for the sake of general medical prudence, patriotism, or submission to government. They may think that public panic is exaggerated and that the biblical incentive for Christians to meet on Saturday replaces government directives of not always immediately clear who is right and who is wrong in such cases, but it is clear that Satan would like nothing more than to use these scenarios to sow disunity in christ’s Church.
Pray that religious leaders have confidence, that we make the best motives for our brothers and sisters, and that we can act with clarity as we make unprecedented recent decisions to trust.
And stay, because that’s where we live. This is our home now. And many of our brothers can’t just catch a flight. Not that it’s wrong to go out, but we’ve decided to stay and stay with those here.
We look forward to being hospitable and hopeful. We want to keep the light in the dark, aim for peace in anxiety and introduce people to Christ, the Rock, in uncertain times. Pray for all Christians in China in the same way.