From Fear to Prayer

Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not worry about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus."

Toni and I returned an hour ago from northern Minnesota where we had been over a couple of days with friends. We've been hearing the national news about so called "swine flu" (actually has very little to do with pigs--you can't get it from pigs or pork). Click the link (the colored words "swine flu" above) for what I think is reliable information.

What do we do when news comes that might make us afraid? First, we remember that God promises to work good through all circumstances--any suffering in this life will seem small when we are given new life in the Kingdom of God. Instead of being fearful, our motivation is always love, and love makes fear disappear (1 John 4:17).

Secondly, we pray. A daughter of one of our church members suggested that this might be an appropriate time to gather people for more intentional prayer. And the scriptures teach us to bring all of our concerns to the Lord, who promises us, in exchange, to give us his peace (Philippians 4:4-7).

Because we are human beings, however, and because we live with one another in a world that makes many of us afraid, and because God command us to pray, we will take a few minutes today at 6:30, during the supper hour here at church, to ask the Lord to protect the weak, to calm the fearful, and to move us to do what is necessary, spiritually and physically, to prevent the spread both of flu and fear.

Come and join us for supper here at church today or on another Wednesday evening--we serve any and all in the church fellowship hall between 5:45 and 6:45. At about 6:30 we'll take a few moments together for prayer.