PRESIDING BISHOP’S UPDATE ON COVID-19
3/25/20
THE PRESIDING BISHOP AND GENERAL BOARD SUMMON THE SAINTS TO GLOBAL FASTING AND INTERCESSORY PRAYER
Dear Saints of God:
According to The Holy Writ, this present era of human history can only be described as “perilous times” (II Timothy 3:1). The epic global pandemic of the coronavirus has spread to at least 196 nations, with nearly 400,000 medical cases and over 17,000 deaths. In the United States, we’ve witnessed more than 46,000 cases and nearly 600 deaths.
It is our unhappy duty to report that we have now experienced losses of both leaders and laity within our denominational body due to coronavirus or other illnesses. Numerous saints are critically ill and in dire need of spiritual and medical interventions.
Fervent prayer is our biblical response to any and all societal challenges. For this reason, your Presiding Bishop and General Board are calling all saints to observe a day of “GLOBAL FASTING AND INTERCESSORY PRAYER.” This coming Friday, MARCH 27, 2020, we will intercede on behalf of all nations and people for Heaven’s help in mitigating this dreaded disease – and for healing the bodies, minds and spirits of a fallen and fearful humanity. Please observe fasting from midnight, Thursday, March 26th until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27th – and continue in fervent prayer throughout the day.
Ultimately, we trust in the great physician, Jesus Christ.
While doing so, we pray fervently that wise decisions will be made by international, national and state leaders, “for all that are in authority” (I Timothy 2:2), for our president, congress and governors, for the compassionate vanguard of those in harm’s way: doctors, nurses, hospital staff, paramedics, nursing home staff, educators, police officers, childcare workers, grocery store and pharmacy workers, and for the mission-critical manufacturing supply chain of protective medical equipment and ventilators.
Also, we lift up every family that is grappling with the illness or loss of loved ones. We empathize with their profound emotional plight and their inability to be present with family or friends during these most urgent hours of need and pray for their divine comfort.
Finally, we lift up each and every patient who has been stricken with coronavirus, flu or other medical conditions, and we petition our Creator for their total health and healing.
Remember, our God is able “to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20).
Brothers and sisters…let’s pray!
II CHRONICLES 7:14 – IF MY PEOPLE, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and PRAY, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will HEAL THEIR LAND.
In His Name;
Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr.
Presiding Bishop & Chief Apostle
Church of God in Christ, Inc.
Seventh In Succession