Praying in the Pandemic
Today is a brutal day here.
In about an hour I will pick up Trey and one of his co-workers and drive them to where they used to work to pick up their last checks.
For Trey it’s the loss of a job that he has proudly held since he was 14, a place where he found purpose, identity, fellowship, and joy that as someone on the autism scale he has found nowhere else.
It was a second family that supported him in ways beyond a paycheck.
We are devastated for him.
For his co-worker, it’s the loss of the job he fed his family with.
I am devastated for him as well.
The owner of the restaurant is a good and kind man, the kind of small business owner that really made America great.
We hurt for him as he does his painful duties.
Trey’s mom is the world’s best nurse and her anxiety is off the charts.
I woke up with a kidney stone and a diverticulitis attack…which usually puts me in the hospital for a few hours to get IV antibiotics and pain relief.
The hospital has no time for such…I’ll have to get through it.
Stories like this are being replicated by the millions as the coronavirus spreads.
Here’s what I want to do.
If you or a loved one is affected by this pandemic, put their name on the prayer list and we’ll commit as a community to lift them before the Lord on a regular basis.
If we need to create a special post just for this we will.
We need to be praying for our medical professionals, our stockers, our clerks, our truckers, and so many more.
We are inadequate to meet this challenge.
God is not.
I have a real need to continue to see my counselor. In addition to the other reasons I see him for I have been having day long panic attacks that I hide behind a smile since my kids are schooling from home. I don’t know if video counseling is going to work out and that adds to the panic on top of the depression and PTSD-C symptoms. (Add to that not know if my husband will continue to have a job and health insurance to pay for counseling.) 2 – 4 months feels like forever to not have that support. Please pray for those of us that have mental illnesses that need that support to function in this insane world. I pray my kids never detect this anxiety and have the care free childhoods they deserve.
Thank you for your prayers. It truly means a lot that someone is even asking.
Kelly,
I see you and we have prayed and will be praying for you.
We just experienced this as well. My sweet husband has Autism and was let go from his job yesterday. For Autistic folks change is doubly difficult. Routines are altered and anxiety increases leading to meltdowns and stress. Finding a good job that understands and can adapt with folks on the spectrum is essential. It is heartbreaking that this is happening….but….GOD IS IN CONTROL. Lord please calm your children’s minds. You know how each and every BEAUTIFUL autistic mind functions. Please pour out your peace which surpasses all understanding. Please give support, understanding and routine back into lives. Thank you for providing those jobs for that season. Guide us and direct us, in Jesus name. Amen
Alissa,
Thank you for that…well said.
We had a hell of a meltdown last night.
Praying for you and your husband, my friend…
my wife and I are fine. I went to immediate care a couple days ago for symptoms and I’m simply sick, not with the virus-that-must-not-be-named. That’s good. We closed our café after trying to keep the doors open and a couple staff employed, but had too little business to justify staying open. Catering–DOA for now–all dates have been cancelled. I’m out of school and the building is shuttered until the end of April. I’m concerned for our students. I’m concerned for my kids whose jobs are teetering on the brink. But we will get through it. I’m keeping busy, being available to anyone who needs a hand. I’m not fussing over my retirement funds–maybe I’ll have to work longer, who knows. I’m peaceful for now and praying for wisdom for myself and those who have difficult decisions to make. I’m praying for peace and comfort for those who have deep stress and anxiety. I’m praying that the Spirit of God will move in his people to mobilize them for good and service in their communities and with their neighbors in the name of Jesus. I’m in a good space, but have been in bad ones before so I understand how transient and unpredictable these things are.
Well said Fil.
We’ll need your thoughts here a lot as we all go through this…
Amen, Fil.
Adding my prayers for the above mentioned requests…
Grace and peace be multiplied to all.
God IS above all this and certainly able to see us through.
I actually have a great deal of hope in this current blender of circumstances.
I’m already seeing a sense of Community arise in our area. It’s quite beautiful.
Local, christian family owned coffee business had to close 5 storefronts, only leaving one drive through open. At the drive through, people who are able are voluntarily paying double and triple or more for their coffee to show support for the owners.
I know of spa service clients paying their practitioner for services they can’t receive.
In some places, crime and wickedness has increased, but on the other hand, the good hearts of good folks is showing up too. It’s rather beautiful to observe.
“Our help is in the Lord, Maker of Heaven and Earth.” Ps 124:8
On the professional side: I’ve been passing on instructions from my diocese, which have been very good, to fellow priests/pastors who lack institutional support. My wife is working with a foundation to set up a $15 million fund to assist our regional frontline hospitality workers (bars, restaurants, hotels, etc.) with current bills. (Nationally, this is hitting 4.6 million people.)
On the personal side: We’ve decided to continue paying service workers (lawn, house, gym, trainers, etc.) as though they are still on the job.
We’ve decided that help has to be practical
Pray for me, an ER nurse in Indianapolis. You are right in what you’ve said about the public generally not knowing what they are dealing with. I am concerned about contracting this stuff in time.
Patrick…we will be praying for you by name…God bless the ones on the front lines…
Pray for me too. I work in aviation/transportation. We are getting hit HARD as many of you know. I am not even confident when I go into work everyday that it will be my last day (layoff or termination). Also struggling alot with anxiety.
Thanks!
Dan…absolutely.
Keep us posted.
Thank you Michael. I will.
I am not one who panics easily, but I can tell you, this has me all twisted up…not for me, but for my coworkers, my church family and my neighbors…I have been furloughed as of tomorrow, two of my coworkers have no other income other than what we make at work…I am scared for them…my stepson just moved in with us recovering from a horrific auto accident in november…I am scared for him…I am scared for my brother & sisters in my church family who have compromised lungs…I am scare for my pastor who is not physically well at all…I am scared for myself because I am helpless to help them…but I am repeating and repeating “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27…perhaps we should all keep repeating this…
Cathy ,we’ll all be praying that God untwisted this mess.
Praying that the politicians step aside and let compassion and common sense work now…
Praying we all learn that our strength is supernatural, God given and, like Paul, we can still sing praise to our Triune God – i think, perhaps, our soon coming King
Praying with and for all… this is no time for kidney stones or panic attacks… God have mercy on us all now
My daughter works for the city of Honolulu coordinating data storage for the new rail project there. She and her employees are planning on working from home for the next two weeks. She has two employees who don’t have computers at home and she is conflicted about what to do. The two employees both are borderline poverty level and she doesn’t know how to proceed. Public libraries are still open in Oahu but I told her they will probably be closing soon. The cost of living in Oahu is the highest in the country, so this might explain why x me don’t have computers or internet connection at home. She also will be working with a 3 month old baby at home with her since her private daycare center isn’t sure how long they will remain open. Her husband is in the Army and they had to cancel their planned trip to Monterey where she was to be the maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding next month because the military has forbidden military and their families from traveling anywhere more than 50 miles from where they are stationed. This alone is a hardship for many military families because so many are stationed far from home. My daughter called me this morning asking for prayer. I just came home 10 days ago from Hawaii after staying with them for a month after the birth of their son . I am so grateful I went when I did and was able to meet my new grandson. My husband and I were planning to go to the wedding in Monterey and my husband was so excited about meeting him then, but now that the wedding has been cancelled he’s wondering when he ever will be able to hold his new grandson. Our military families are facing even stricter travel prohibitions than the general population and facing higher anxiety than normal.
Bride of Christ, can you reach out to some local churches? They might be willing to allow folks to work from there and might even have computers available. The city’s IT dept might also be able to set folks up. Internet is also being provided for free by some of the local providers during this time with no contracts or fees.
Alissa, Thank you for that advice – I will definitely pass those ideas along to my daughter in Oahu. My other daughter I named Alyssa, same as your lovely name but spelled differently. She is very stressed at her job as well. She works for a 30 year old internationly based financial company( she lived in Hong Kong for 6 months 2 years ago) – her job is to handle crisis control, meet with press, and handle other tricky situations for large companies. She is overwhelmed, exhausted, and severely stressed trying to help her clients who are in full blown panic mode now. She feels helpless right now. Her company handles mergers and acquisitions for large companies, so that might be most of her future work as smaller companies go out of business and are acquired by larger companies. She feels like she has the weight of the world on her shoulders right now. She and her husband, an architect, are both working from home -at least she has her husband with her. I worry about unmarried young people who have been sent home from work and must shelter in place alone. That must be terribly isolating and I fear for their mental well-being. My niece lives alone, but is still going to work at a fabric chain store ( business is booming because people want to stay busy at home sewing and quilting) I hope they can stay open.
Michael, I always pray for you but extra prayers now for you and your family, as well as everyone here. My heart goes out to you. May The LORD comfort each one of you with His Peace, and I pray that HE meets all of your needs as we all lift each other up as we keep our eyes on Him daily, minute by minute.
And that God will give each of us compassion and love to reach out to others and not be thinking of ourselves as we go through these times
Michael I’m sorry to hear about Treys job. My oldest two lost their restaurant jobs this week. It just plain sucks right now for all in the service industry. My heart goes out to you.
I hope you at least have access to meds to get through the pain.
I pray He makes this nightmare go away sooner than later for all who are affected and anxious. Lord have mercy please.
Amen to JoelG, Lord… Please
Question….
Today i was out filling the horses’ water tubs – it takes awhile – so i was singing to myself, enjoying a beautiful afternoon… I looked up and one of the horses was standing beside me with his eyes half closed, BUT his tongue was sticking out
My question is, does that mean he was enjoying my singing or was he saying, “please shut uo?” . 😳
My 7:42 was an attempt at a little humor in the midst of our angst 😁
God keep all safe and strong tonight
Lol Em. Bless your heart.
Praying for all the needs of those who posted here and others who have not posted.
My wife started her second career as a nurse this week on the hospital floor that they treat the Covid patients. She is courageous with her own health but scared of bringing it home and killing one of our family. Pry for peace and courage and health
Chris,
I hear you and we’ll be praying for you and your wife and family…
Lord, hear the prayers of your people–Michael, Trey, Kelly, Alissa, filbertz, Patrik, Dan, Cathy, Bride of Christ, and our military… We ask you to spread your hedge of protection around all these saints and their families, to help us to feel your peace, to give us strength in difficult circumstances, and to send your angels to minister to your people. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Amen Linnea and Lord, we lift up your servant Linnea also
Thank you Linnea!