COVID-19: WATCHFULNESS PRECEDES PRAYERFULNESS!

Dearly Beloved, COVID-19: WATCHFULNESS PRECEDES PRAYERFULNESS! “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36 NKJV). “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41a NKJV). When the outbreak of COVID-19 initially started in China some months ago, the government's and people of the western world were either complacent or indifferent to the outbreak thinking that the virus cannot penetrate into or wrought any havoc in that part of the world. Some were even making jest of the Chinese people. Unfortunately, before they realized what is happening, the virus has crept into the parts of the world considered to be civilized and developed beyond uncontrolled outbreak of any disease. Today, people are dying in hundreds every day. There was superstition that the virus cannot thrive in the tropical Africa or do any harm to people of Black descent. This has also been proved wrong as the outbreak is now rampant in Africa and there have been reported cases of death as a result of the virus even in Nigeria, the most populous black nation. There have been directives from government and religious authorities to curtain the spread of the virus in Nigeria, but it is disheartened to see many so-called "spiritual" people violated these directives on the ground that they were gathering to worship and pray to God. Jesus Christ did not make a mistake when He placed watchfulness before prayerfulness in His admonitions to His disciples on two occasions. The first time was in Luke 21:36 (quoted above) when He warned His disciples to live as if the end of days was just imminent. The second time was in Matthew 26:41a (also quoted above) during the night before His crucifixion. He was in the garden praying and wanted His disciples to join Him, however, the disciples had fallen asleep. He categorically told the disciples on the two occasions to first watch, then pray so that they would not fall into the snares of the world and the devil. Jesus was not belittling the power of prayer, but He wanted His disciples to put prayer in its right place. It is good to worship God and pray unto Him against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we as Christians need to be watchful that we do not advance the spread by our actions or inactions. We are to “…be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16 NKJV) in obeying established authorities (Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14; Mark 12:17; Hebrews 13:17) especially when it is for our well being. It is like the popular and true saying: Prevention is better than cure. Be watchful and prevent dangers before thinking of praying to cure the dangers. No complacency! No indifference! No blame game! No hyper spirituality or religiousity! Play safe! Stay safe! Encourage social distancing! Prevention is better than cure! Watchfulness precedes prayerfulness! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Lord, help me to be watchful and prayerful as I take necessary precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic.