On January 25, the eve of the first Sunday Service after the nationwide epidemic, a church in Wuhan (Wuhan being the source of the epidemic) issued a prayer initiative and notice on gatherings to advocate for prayers for the safety and health of medical staff (and their family members) fighting on the front-line, and also ourselves and our families.
The pastor said hospitals were in short supply of materials and were asking for assistance from the society as a whole. However, only materials donated by some organizations, and not by individuals, could be delivered into Wuhan.
The prayer initiative and notice on gatherings is as follows:
Greetings to church members, brothers and sisters who are concerned about the epidemic in Wuhan. In the face of the current epidemic, you all and the people of Wuhan are "united and share the same fate". We thank our brothers and sisters at home and abroad for their attention, greetings and prayers.
As the church established by God in this city, not only do we need to protect ourselves and take care of our families, we also need to care for our neighbors with the love of Christ, and do our best to help. Let us live a life of love and hope, and glorify our God!
We call on you to pray together:
First, facing the great epidemic, we should confess our sins and that of the people, may all people repent and return to God. We pray for comfort from God, our heavenly Father, so that the brothers and sisters of various churches will experience God's faithfulness, and truly understand that God is the ruler and the "King above the waters". The plans God has for us are to prosper us and not to harm us, and to give us hope and a future. Jesus Christ is our peace.
Second, we pray for those in power and ask God to help them get wisdom, honesty and love from God when they issue relevant policies and make emergency plans, including timely epidemic reports and related reassuring efforts.
Third, we pray for the safety and health of frontline medical staff and their families; we pray for the supply of medicine and relevant medical equipment; we pray for the health of patients and their families, and we pray that the epidemic would not continue to get worse.
Fourth, disasters make people who do not know God see their own vulnerability. It is time for us to introduce Jesus to those in need, so that they can turn to God. We pray that all the people of the earth may know the name of God and fear him.
Fifth, we pray for ourselves and our families. May the Lord give us courage and strength, so that we can put our trust in him. When people face difficulties and uncertainties, hope and love are the most powerful forces that make them feel strong and calm.
- Translated by Sophia Chen
