Words of Hope During COVID-19
Evan Young, a staff member of Discipleship Ministries (an agency of The United Methodist Church), shares three ways he creates daily life with God during the great challenge and distress of COVID-19.
Today’s Reflection
God loves the world; the world is God’s first love. And because God wants to mend the world, we are called into the world to hear its groans. When we listen to the groans, we get a glimpse of what it may mean to follow Jesus more faithfully in the world in which we live.
—Trevor Hudson and Stephen D. Bryant, Companions in Christ: The Way of Transforming Discipleship (Upper Room Books, 2006)
Today’s Question
As you hear the groans of the world, where is Jesus calling you to faithfully follow? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life. God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
—John 3:16-17 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Lord, meet me where I am.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
How do we stay centered in the midst of fears, grief, and stress? Here are some resources to help you keep—or create—spiritual wellness and wholeness in these anxious times.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
6 Comments
Their are tugs at me from many different and varied places, people, and situations. I try as I am given guidance to do what I am enabled to do. Ideas and opportunities come to me, present themselves. Thank You, Lord.
Prayers that your needs are met, that you are safe, getting well if you are sick, being visited in prison, clothed, and cared for knowing that you are loved by God. Thank You, Lord.
At this time, as I am isolated, I believe He is asking me to just be still, that the time will come when I can actively be His hands and feet to others – but now is not that time. I must take care of myself – and that is not a selfish thing. A few nights ago, when I saw that my neighbor’s car was gone – I put some money in a waterproof baggie – and set it on her back stoop, with a rock on top of it so it wouldn’t blow away. This neighbor got divorced about a year ago, and often her kids will visit and feed Roger while I am on vacation. They did this when I was away in February and when I came home – the money to pay them was still lying there in my kitchen. I asked my neighbor why the kids hadn’t taken the money. She said they were busy with school and that she had come over to check on Roger each day. I said – you, too, can take the money. Well – she never did. She is a hair stylist and I know she is out of work and can just imagine the financial hardship she is enduring. I saw she posted on facebook that she had come home and found the money and she was grateful for the surprise, anonymous gift. I will look for more of these types of opportunities.
Julie – I am glad for the relief your medication gave you during the cold wintry months, despite the unpleasant side effects. Ally – we wait anxiously for when David is released to another facility for rehab. You have been a welcome newcomer here, I appreciate your humble attitude and the words your share. May God’s Presence be felt by both you and David in the days ahead.
I believe God wants me to continue to help and support my children and my friends especially those who are alone during this difficult time of isolation. I have had daily contact with a person who lives alone who reached out to me and asked if I would talk to her each day for some human contact. We are deepening our friendship through this process and it is a wonderful thing – she thanks me each day for calling her but no thanks are needed – we are all in this together and God is with us.
Have Mercy on us all – oh Lord.
Prayers of thanksgiving for Ally and David- may he continue his progress so that this couple may be together again.
Prayers for Jill and her students, for Robert and his memories, for Julie and the benefits of her medications, for Andrea and her daughter, for Rick and his work, for Connie and her hymns, for BJ and her knowledge of scripture, for April, Betsy, Sarah, Gail, Rusty, Marcy and many more – God keep your people safe from harm and teach us to truly love one another.
At this time I feel the best any of us can do to help others is to stay home and if we have a governor who takes the advice of his health advisors, to adhere patiently to his instructions. I have also given money to the food bank as the need is staggering with lines of cars stretching miles at each distribution.
Prayers for Robert and all that depend on him, may God support him and keep him safe and healthy.
Prayers for Jill and her family and students and her generous gift to her neighbor. May all be safe and healthy.
Prayers for Lou and her neighbor, may their friendship bring joy to both for many years and may stay safe and healthy.
Prayers for Ally and David, may David continue to recover Prayers that Ally may see him soon while also remaining in touch through social media during his recovery. I would like to welcome Ally to this group of commenters. I have learned so much from you about faith in God, faith in mankind and patience. I have noticed my own faith and understanding expanding due to your influence. My humble thank you. May you remainsafe and healthy.
Prayers for Andrea, BJ, April, and Rick and their families, may they remain safe and healthy.
Prayers and blessings and health and safety dear UR
I wonder if you are referring to Gov Kemp. I have an appt to get my hair cut tomorrow! This is an essential service. My church will observe pre-corona service times no sooner than May 13. The bishop says first do no harm. Thank God for all the various viewpoints.
The world has certainly been groaning during the current crisis I recall Romans 8:26, in which the Lord promises that our Helper, the Holy Spirit will intercede for us with groanings too deep for swords. I have certainly felt that I did not have words during this time of crisis regarding David’s illness, to verbalize what I was feeling. I asked the Holy Spirit to hear my groanings. I felt peace that can only come from God Almighty. God calls us to hear the groanings of the world and ask God how we can help bring peace to the world. It may be through the action of prayer. It may be through prayer and to serve someone who needs us to be Christ. It may to work to facilitate a change. I’m so thankful that God can use me. I’m thankful for the believers who comment in this forum each day. Your insight into God life has been a tremendous encouragement to me. I feel I have learned much from you. Know that your prayers and concerns are important to me and I lift you up to the Lord each day.
David has been cleared to for discharge to a rehab facility and hopefully will go today. His doctor told me this morning that his recovery is nothing short of miraculous. God has done a great work on our hearts. God has healed relationships and given David a new start with his oldest daughter. I’m so thankful for all these good things. Be blessed, all.
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