How are you? We have been praying for you during this unique time of world pandemic. Lives have been turned upside down and disoriented in so many ways. We know that some have lost jobs, others are more vulnerable and live in fear, and others are healing from the virus and hoping they have not infected others. But everyone can relate to the upheaval of life as we were used to, and quarantine defining the new normal.
We’ve struggled to get a handle on a new rhythm this season. It is exhausting to move through the day, constantly making decisions about how to do normal life, in a completely different reality. There are so many unknowns and the situation has changed so rapidly over the past couple of weeks.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…” Psalm 46:1-2a (ESV)
What a comfort to know God is present and totally in control of COVID-19. There are no unknowns to him, and he is our refuge. He cares deeply about each of his children right now, and has given them all the resources needed to navigate this season.
“So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” Colossians 2:10 (NLT)
God has the attention of the world. So, this is also an opportunity. “Lord, what are you doing? How do you want to use me in this season?” are questions we find ourselves asking often. Surely, everything He does is to cause people to seek and depend upon him more and more. So, this is a time to tune into the Lord, and wait for His direction.
Of the many things that will come out of this unique time in history, innovation will be one of them. Sadly, we’ve had to cancel all Cru Summer Mission trips for 2020, but God’s mission is never put on hold.
“…for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” 1 Samuel 14:6b (ESV).
“I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!” 2 Timothy 2:8-9
God has blessed our Cru staff with an abundance of innovators. Below are a few of the new ministry ideas that are being generated by our staff daily, and happening on campuses now. Many of these ideas you could adapt for your context too.
- https://www.hope-rises.com/blog/lockdowngrief – a great article on “Lock-down grief” and how to process through it.
- everystudent.com website and app. Great resources for all spiritual and life questions. In the past month 92 people have indicated decisions to receive Christ through COVID-19 related articles on these sites! Most are from outside the US.
- https://everycampus.com/our-strategy/prayer/virtual-prayer-walking/ – How to virtually prayer walk a campus or another location you can’t go to in person right now.
- https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/help-others-grow/leading-small-groups/tips-leading-virtual-small-group.html – This is a Cru resource on leading virtual small groups or Bible studies.
- GodTools app for iPhone and Android. If you want to share the gospel with your friends or neighbors and don’t know how, this is the tool to help you do so. There has been a 136% increase in new users in the past month!
Please Pray for:
- Those who are more vulnerable to the virus; the elderly, those with pre-existing health conditions compromised immune systems, the disabled, and the homeless. For protection.
- Those who have lost jobs, whose businesses have had to close, or who’s hours have been significantly cut back. For provision.
- Those who are struggling to obtain basic necessities. For provision.
- Those infected by the COVID-19 virus. For healing and prevention of its spread.
- Loneliness of many in isolation, separated from family and friends by government mandates, or just extroverts missing people.
- God’s name to be known and sought far and wide.
- God’s gospel to be proclaimed through new methods to many needy people around the world.
- The family. For wisdom, grace, and peace for families quarantined together. For growth and enjoyment.
- For Cru leaders to gain direction and wisdom from the Lord in posturing our 3,000 campus staff to lead and minister to the students in their scope in creative, new ways.
A prayer adapted from Colossians 4:3-6
“Lord, open to us a door for your word, that we might declare the mystery of Christ, while we are quarantined, that we might make it clear as we ought to speak. Help us to conduct ourselves in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. May our speech be always gracious, seasoned with salt, so that we might know how we ought to answer each person.”
THE SLAMERS 