“Through the coronavirus pandemic, God is smashing idols and making space for the working of the Holy Spirit. But there is room for the devil to work too.”
What is the Lord telling you about praying into the crisis and opportunity presented by the coronavirus pandemic? I am continually praying for wisdom and guidance.
Discernment: Space is being created!
Sunday night Steve Aceto called to say that he was getting guidance from the Holy Spirit about what is going on. In a nutshell, the guidance he received is as follows:
Space is being created, and something is going to fill that space and we need to pray that this space is invaded by the Holy Spirit and not evil spirits.
Human governments are seeking to contain the spread of the virus by shutting down air travel, sports gatherings, closing schools and colleges, religious gatherings, calling everyone to maintain social distance, and so forth.
But what is God doing in the midst of all this?
First, we are having many of our modern idols smashed!
Second, it is forcing us to face the spectre of death from a virus that modern science has not yet fully mastered.
Third, this situation is slowing down the hectic pace of modern life and giving us as individuals and as nations, space which may provide a kairos moment of opportunity for the Holy Spirit to work to bring a revival of biblical faith.
At the same time, this very same open space provides Satan with the chance to work out his God-hating plans.
Intercessors need to pray for an outpouring of the manifest presence of God into this space to bring many souls to salvation and to disciple the nations, aligning them with the Kingdom of God.
What follows is the short video that we made presenting this discernment and a concluding prayer.
Suggestions for prayer
- Pray that the space created in people’s lives will be filled by the Holy Spirit.
- Pray that the church would be empowered by the Spirit to be a witness at this time.
- Pray for the healing and repentance needed in the Church so that they are in a position to be a strong witness.
- Pray for love and unity within the Church to be seen.
- Pray that the church would “stretch out her hand to heal and perform sign and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:30)
Constraining the Pandemic
I have been asking for direct guidance from the Lord as to how to pray specifically to constrain this pandemic.
I believe the chart below may give us some guidance as to how to pray.
We must pray that the countermeasures being implemented will be effective and that the curve will be flattened to keep the infection rate within the capacity of the healthcare system. I believe we are called to pray for God’s intervention into this situation, which will, in part, take place through the countermeasures that governments have made, such as limiting travel and testing.
This prayer work is comparable to the way that we pray for healing for a person with cancer, while at the same time, they are undergoing chemotherapy. The Holy Spirit works the healing power of Jesus through both our prayers AND medical science. Medical studies have shown that prayer makes a difference, and we have observed this synergy between prayer and medical intervention. We may pray the same in this case of the pandemic.
Please pass on any discernment that you may receive. This situation is unfolding very rapidly, so we need your discernment as to how to pray.
Praying Daily for God to Fill the Space
We shall be taking time each day to pray at 12:00 noon (Eastern Time) for what is happening with this coronavirus. You can join us as you are led by the Holy Spirit.
Join the Prayer Time via Zoom
Topic: Praying for Shalom in these times of crises
Time: 12:00 pm Eastern Time (adjust for your time zone)
Join Zoom Meeting by computer use: https://zoom.us/j/464198533
Meeting ID: 464 198 533
To Join Zoom with your phone dial:
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
+44 203 481 5240 United Kingdom
+44 131 460 1196 United Kingdom
+44 203 051 2874 United Kingdom
+44 203 481 5237 United Kingdom
Meeting ID: 464 198 533
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aHxhfyAx6
While prayer walking today, I was listening to Hebrews and the last part of chapter 13 stopped me as the Holy Spirit specifically highlighted many facets of this crisis to me.
“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Hebrews 13:15-21 ESV
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
God is on the move. Praise God. God is moving mountains. Praise God. God is tearing down complacencies among believers. Praise God. God is slaying giants. Thank you Lord. God is merciful for He has given us rain in the midst of our drought. God is our provider for He gives us food, groceries and restaurants to be open. God is working. Romans 13:1-2 “….for there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God…….” Thank you Lord for exposing the sinfulness of this world esp the corruption occurring in our government and much more. Thank you Father for You are “I AM”.
Hello Brad, I agree with most of what you say. My original thoughts was firstly about the works of God in 2020 and what He would do for the church and through the church. The second part was that the enemy was coming against the success of God’s plans for man. The enemy seems to be much more powerful in his fight than I expected. The church is being held back by some its leaders, because of the coronavirus, they have decided to close churches throughout the land. Church rarely teaches in any depth the war strategies against the enemy. The need for intercessors is very important and with closed churches or untrained believers we need to be strong and persistent in prayer! It is also so important that we pray the right prayers at the right time, God will respond powerfully if we get that part right. Strategy will bring the enemy down and allow God’s plans to be fruitful throughout 2020! Holy Spirit give us the strategy of our Father in heaven to overcome evil!
Thank you so much for keeping us up to date on what to pray and on what is going on! How blessed we are to have The word of God and the Holy Spirit to instruct us on how to comfort , strengthen and encourage one another . Thanks be to God that He as not given us a spirit of fear but of a sound mind. Thanks be to Jesus for His peace He gives to us! Not as the world gives but as He gives! A peace that passes all understanding! He won’t force it on anyone. But it is there for everyone who will accept it. This peace comes from slowing down and experiencing God’s presence andHis love. This peace brings with it a gift a chance to speak hope, life, light into every person or place that we can reach with the word of prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit!
Thanks so much for your responses to this Discerning the Times. We are in a major global crisis that is spiritual, political and economic so your discernment is so critical at this time. Most helpful
And so too are your prayers. In Christ Brad
Twice now while praying, God has brought to mind the standard that Moses raised in the wilderness when God sent fiery serpents into their midst because of their complaining, and if one looked at the serpent, he didn’t die from a bite. (Numbers 21:1-9). When I asked God how we could participate with Him in stopping the virus, I believe God said to lift Jesus high during this time for all to see, look to Him for healing.