“Fear Not, But Believe” How to Pray for and Share in the efforts of Christians in China.
by Juan Sarmiento
China is facing a public health challenge of very serious proportions. During the last few weeks, I have been in constant communication with influential pastors who are supporting the relief efforts in the Hubei province. My previous blog post may help give an idea of the impact that the crisis is having on churches there and how they are responding as quickly and generously as possible.
Below, is a significant portion of a letter that a dear pastor penned last week:
In the midst of the current novel Coronavirus epidemic originating from Wuhan, Hubei, we sincerely ask for your prayers. This epidemic is frightening, with a sudden outbreak, fast transmission, and severe damages. The metropolitan Wuhan and the whole Hubei province are in lockdown. Many lives have perished, and more people are panicking. Reading news of casualties and personal stories about Wuhan citizens' tragic suffering and desperate crying for help break our heart. That kind of nightmare could have happened to me and my city.
Our hearts and thoughts go particularly to those suffering patients, heroic medical professionals, and many others there as well as the whole nation and other countries which are affected and threatened by the epidemic.
We in Suzhou are generally secure and stable, although we currently do have about 70 confirmed cases. All the patients are receiving treatment and doing well, and a few have fully recovered while the potential ones plus those who have had close contact with infected patients are under close medical watch. We are urged to stop all kinds of gathering, wear a mask when outdoors and in closed public places, and avoid all unnecessary outdoor activities. Daily life inconveniences and substantial economic losses are happening.
As for our churches, all our gatherings have been suspended indefinitely. However, the word of God says we shall not neglect to meet together, but encourage one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching, so we do worship service online. Last Sunday, I preached the message "fear not, but believe," and this Sunday, it will be "take alert and live in love."
Thank God we are not alone, for he is with us, and we can count on you who are loyal friends. There is a Chinese proverb saying, "Grass is proven strong in a fierce wind, and true fraternity is revealed in times of affliction" or as you say, "a friend in need is a friend indeed." So please lift us in your prayers.
Let's pray to God for the healing and the comfort of the people in pain and panic and those who've lost their beloved ones, for the courage, wisdom, and safety of the medical professionals, for the integrity, transparency, and accountability of those in power, for the prevailing of truth and love and order over lies, indifference, and panic, for the physical and spiritual wellbeing of our church members and the successful online church gathering and preaching so that we can be edified and equipped to become fully armored soldiers of God to pray for our nation and seek the welfare of the city for such a time as this.
The Outreach Foundation has mounted an appeal for churches and individuals in the United States to come alongside in helping provide medical equipment alongside the two largest Christian organizations in the country. Click here to learn more about the appeal.
I hope that you would consider either making a gift, share this information with friends, and bring this appeal to the attention of your pastor and mission committee to consider a church-wide offering in the weeks ahead.
This very difficult situation reminds us how, despite geographical distances and cultural differences, human beings and societies are so interconnected. As Christians, it is also an occasion for you for standing with God’s people in China as they see their greatest test in decades become an occasion for being God’s agents of healing and hope.