Truth really can be stranger than fiction.
First Page - Now launched! All the stories are true, or based on real events. Unlimited reading for $4.99 / month. No downloads. Read on your phone, tablet or computer.
La verdad puede ser más extraña que la ficción.
First Page - ¡Ya está en marcha! Todas las historias son verídicas, o están basadas en hechos reales. Lectura ilimitada por $4.99 / mes. No hay que descargar nada. Lea en su teléfono, tableta u ordenador.
Manna Minutes Podcast: Eye-opening Bible study in less than five minutes! Access all episodes here.
Manna Minutes en español:
Estudio bíblico que nos hace abrir los ojos en menos de cinco minutos! Acceda a todos los episodios aquí.
Manna Minutes Podcast auf Deutsch:
Augenöffnendes Bibelstudium in weniger als fünf Minuten! Alle Episoden finden Sie hier.
Was There A Curse On Helen's Romantic Life?
The Third Man by Angela Sheffield is based on a true story. Read chapter one now!
View Content By Specific Category
¿Qué tiene que ver conmigo? por Teófila Gottfried
Lo que leemos en la Biblia tiene que ver con todos los seres humanos, sean cristianos o judíos, ateos o agnósticos, budistas, musulmanes o adherentes a alguna de las filosofías o nuevas religiones que surgen en el mundo. ¿Por qué? Ver mayor información sobre este interesante libro.
Scripture of The Day - 1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world
Escritura del día - 1 Juan 4,1
Amados, no creáis a todo espíritu, sino probad los espíritus si son de Dios; porque muchos falsos profetas han salido por el mundo.
Bibelstelle des Tages - 1 Johannes 4,1
Geliebte, glaubet nicht jedem Geist, sondern prüfet die Geister, ob sie von Gott sind! Denn es sind viele falsche Propheten hinausgegangen in die Welt.
Prayer Against Corona Virus: What Is Missing From The Message?
Before the pandemic of the Corona virus, the vast majority of people lived their lives without ever giving God a thought. However, now that we are in the pestilence of Corona virus, they want God's attention...His full attention, His deliverance, His protection. While there's nothing wrong with wanting God's attention, protection and deliverance, we must remember that the Lord wants and demands something from us: our attention, worship and obedience. God is not to be forgotten in good times, and called upon only in times of trouble.
Before We Pray Against Covid-19
The general message--at least in the Americas and Europe--is to turn to the God of Israel...the Spirit behind the Scriptures of the Holy Bible. Proof of this is the mention of biblical Scripture when leaders are asking for prayer against Corona virus. One president quoted Psalm 91:3-6 directly from the Bible, which says, "Surely he shall deliver thee from...the pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust. His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for...the pestilence that walketh in darkness..."
Now that we know it is to the God of the Christian Bible that people are being urged to pray, we should know what the God of the Bible has said to us. Because His Word is more than simply Scriptures on which we want to focus when we're in trouble. If we start by looking at the Scripture we just read, we see that we're told, "...His truth shall be thy shield." Many people believe in having their own truth as evidenced by the legalization of such things as abortion and gay marriage. These things are clearly and forcefully condemned in biblical Scripture behind which is the God to whom people are being told to lift prayer against the Corona virus. Do we want God's deliverance from Covid-19, but not His truth? The answer to that question is "yes"...when people are truthful. However, it's not about what we want, but rather about what God demands. And God commands repentance. He demands that we turn from our evil ways. He will then heal the land. Now let us take a look at the biblical Scriptures which tell us all of these things, because we cannot pick and choose which Scriptures we'll cling to, and which ones we'll reject. Consider the following messages that are circulating about prayer against the Corona virus, and the message God has given in His Word.
"Do Not Fear Corona Virus"
While we should not be crippled with fear, it is irresponsible to tell people not to fear Covid-19. Why? Because when we don't fear, we don't do what we should do. To fear something is to respect it's power...it's threat. And that can be a life saver. We should fear electricity, and respect its power, so that we don't do foolish things. We should properly fear the Corona virus enough to do what we should, which is to wear a mask, practice social distancing, stay home, disinfect, etc. Likewise, people should be encouraged to fear the Lord, because when we don't respect His commandments, there are consequences. The Word of the God to whom people are told to pray says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. But fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7) That clearly tells us anyone who doesn't fear God is a fool. People are being told to pray to God against the Corona virus, but they're not being told to fear the Lord...the very One who is able to deliver from Covid-19. And what is everyone who calls on God told to do? Our answer is in 1 Peter 1:17, which reads, "And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons, judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here (on earth) in FEAR." If you call on the Lord, you must fear the Lord. When you stubbornly persist in disobeying His commands, you do not fear Him properly.
Just Pray Against Covid-19...Never mind Repentance
Doesn't the Bible say in Acts 2:21, "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved"? Yes, it does. Let's remember that the Bible is compiled of numerous Scriptures that must be taken as a whole. In the very same Bible we also read, "Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Timothy 2:19). "Iniquity" is sin. People are being encouraged to pray against the Corona virus, but not to repent from iniquity.
And if you pray against the Corona virus, let us remember that the answer to prayers are often conditional. We read that God said to Ezekiel, "Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger...Therefore will I also deal in fury. Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity. And though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them" (Ezekiel 8:17-18).
Yes, there are times the Lord will not hear our prayers. However, unless we have committed the unpardonable sin, there is one prayer He will hear: the prayer of repentance, which should be sincere. We read, "If we CONFESS our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
Christians, now that even political leaders are asking for prayer against the Corona virus, it is a perfect time to remind people that the Bible tells us to "behold therefore the goodness AND severity of God." (Romans 11:22)
Should Christians Call on God Against The Corona Virus?
Prayers that some followers of Jesus are lifting include requests for God to get the attention of people who need to think about their mortality. Who need to repent of their sins. Who need to make quality time for the Lord. Who need to fear God. And they are praying for the Lord's intervention into the pandemic of Covid-19 in any and every way that is according to His will.
So, is Corona virus some type of punishment from God? Is it His judgment on the earth? No one who hasn't heard a specific message directly from the Lord should make such a statement. Believers should simply remember and remind others that there are consequences for persisting in sin and abominations. Many laboratories are conducting experiments that are not pleasing to God. And the people stubbornly persist in their sins, without shame. Therefore, all will not be well all the time. What is more is that we should remember what Christ told us in Matthew 24:7. He said, "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there shall be famines and PESTILENCES, and earthquakes in divers places."
We also know that pandemics are indeed one of the four judgments God sends on earth (Ezekiel 14:21). Therefore, it does not go against the Bible to say that COVID-19 could possibly be judgment.
If we would repent, study God's Word, pray and keep the Lord's commandments, we would be the people of God. And as people of God, we can trust in Psalm 91:1-8...even in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Does that mean Christians don't need to do all the same things non-Christians are doing to help stop the spread of the Corona virus? Sadly, some Christians claim they believe God will just miraculously protect them from getting infected no matter what they do or don't do. Such a belief goes against what biblical Scripture has revealed about disease...infectious disease in particular. See our article: Do Christians Have God's Protection Against the Corona Virus?
Recommended Christian Books and Bible Studies
Double Portion of Elijah's Spirit: Soul Transfer in the Bible?
True Paranormal Stories: Does the Christian Bible Explain the Fifth Dimension?
Spanish English Bilingual Bible Study and Sunday School Lessons
Based on true events, The Third Man by Angela Sheffield, brings the Bible up close and personal as the characters face real issues of life: Betrayal, deceit, romance, bitterness, anger against God, hopelessness, will power, perplexity, triumph, unforgiveness, mental illness, and the "Alcohol made me do it" excuse. Read chapter one FREE now.
Copyright notice: This website and its content is copyright of © Heavenly Manna (HeavenlyManna.net) 2002-2016.
Comments/Comentarios:
Send Comments or a Private Message about One of Our Services / Envíe Comentarios o un Mensaje Privado acerca de nuestros servicios
Once comments reach 10, they close. IF YOU USE PROFANITY, WE WILL REJECT YOUR COMMENT AUTOMATICALLY.
We're a small team, please be patient as we review comments.
Return to content (Regresar a contenidos)
, Wikimedia Commons. Multiple crosses image - Wikimedia Commons -