(prepared by Lilian Schmid)
Our highest calling is to be the temple of the Holy Spirit in the domains of the world:
“And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; …“
(John 1:14 Amplified, Classic Edition)
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.“
(1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV)
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.“
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV)
In order to influence the world with the Gospel, the scattered church (i.e. outside the church building) has to exercise its faith with cutting-edge passion and authenticity as people go about their daily lives.
“As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”
(John 17:18 NIV)
Here are five great areas of Kingdom purpose that Christians are called to bring into the marketplace for the transformation of their everyday world:
- To be co-carers of God’s creation (Genesis 1:28)
- To be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-14)
- To be a good witness and disciple others (Matthew 28:18-20 – like Zacchaeus).
- To bring Kingdom leadership to the world (Matthew 6:10 – like Joseph and Daniel).
- To serve others in Christian love and mercy (Matthew 22:37-40).
Personal Health and Well-being
Good health is a key part of our quality of life. There are many other factors affecting health. The many factors that influence our health are referred to as determinants of health.
One kind of determinant of health is what is in our genes and our biology. Another determinant is our individual behavior, which could include whether or how much we we smoke, exercise, or eat a balanced diet.
Many people assume that their health is a result of their genes, their behaviors, and how often they get sick or go to the doctor, but it’s not just how you live that determines how healthy you are. Social and physical environments have a big impact on our health also, and these are called social determinants of health. Some of these are lifestyle, education, diet, financial support, and health insurance.
Other social determinants include:
- Access to nutritious foods.
- Access to clean water and working utilities (electricity, sanitation, heating, and cooling).
- Early childhood social and physical environments, including childcare.
- Ethnicity and culture.
- Family and other social support.
- Gender.
- Language and other communication capabilities.
- Occupation and job security.
- Sexual identification.
- Social status (how integrated or isolated you are from others).
- Social stressors, such as exposure to violence.
- Socioeconomic status.
- Spiritual/religious values.
Almost all of the above are purely physical determinants, and are considered by their impact on the physical and psychological health of people. There is however also their spiritual health to consider, and the impact of spiritual determinants on their whole beings.
We can and should pray for the physical and psychological health of people, but we must not neglect praying for their spiritual health also: health that can only be full achieved by being restored to a healthy, living relationship which God through Christ Jesus.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul
and with all your strength.”
(Deuteronomy 6:5)
Updates on the Covid-19 Pandemic
Updates on this pandemic around the world from CNN (25 September 2020):
- The US is still in its first Covid-19 wave and should be prepared for the ‘challenge’ of fall and winter, Dr. Anthony Fauci said.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ensemble forecast now projects there will be up to 226,000 coronavirus deaths in the United States by Oct. 17.
- Poland and the Czech Republic saw new record numbers of Covid-19 cases identified as cases throughout Europe continue to spike.
- The World Health Organization warned that more than 80% of cases of Covid-19 in Africa could be asymptomatic.
News about Covid-19 from BBC News (26 September 2020):
Coronavirus is continuing its spread across the world, with 32 million confirmed cases in 188 countries and a death toll fast approaching one million.
The virus is surging in many regions and some countries that had apparent success in suppressing initial outbreaks are also seeing infections rise again.
But the number of confirmed cases during the spring peak is likely to be an underestimate of the true level of infection, as widespread testing was not available in many countries earlier in the year.
Prayer against COVID19
God’s Healing Hand
To our brothers and sisters who have contracted
and are suffering due to the Coronavirus Disease,
we pray that God’s healing hand may rest upon them.
To medical doctors, nurses and the supporting staff
who are in the frontline of the fight against COVID-19,
may the Good Lord sustain you and inspire you
to render your life-saving services with due care, love and compassion.
To all those who have lost their loved ones due to the Coronavirus outbreak,
we convey our deepest sympathies.
We pray that their souls, through God’s mercy, may rest in eternal peace.
We pray that God may grant all bereaved families his consolation and strengthen their faith and hope in Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord.
Amen.
Prayer of a Health Worker
Lord, we pray for those who need ongoing medical treatment who are forced to wait at this time.
God, please watch over their health and help them to stay positive and patient.
We pray that we overcome this global crisis and that after this pandemic, we build a more just and humane world.
Amen.
Health Focus in Australia
Please pray for every sector below asking God to be in every part of these areas. (See health.gov.au for more information.)
The Australian Government has implemented funding into many of the below areas of health. Since the COVID virus hit Australia, the Government implemented the best strategic approach to ensure safety measures, policies and strategies are taken into consideration in all the areas below:
-
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
- Aged care
- Alcohol
- Bladder and bowel
- Cancer
- Chickenpox (varicella)
- Chronic conditions
- Communicable diseases
- Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Dental health
- Diagnostic imaging, scans and X-rays
- Diphtheria
- Drugs
- Ear health
- Emergency health management
- Environmental health
- Exercise and physical activity
- Eye health
- Flu (influenza)
- Food and nutrition
- Health technology
- Health workforce
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
- HPV (Human papillomavirus)
- Immunisation
- Measles
- Medical devices
- Medical research
- Medicare
- Medicines
- Meningococcal disease
- Mental health
- Mumps
- Obesity and overweight
- Organ and tissue donation
- Palliative care
- Pneumococcal disease
- Polio (poliomyelitis)
- Pregnancy, birth and baby
- Preventive health
- Private health insurance
- Reproductive health
- Rotavirus
- Rubella (German measles)
- Sexual health
- Shingles (herpes zoster)
- Smoking and tobacco
- Sport
- Suicide prevention
- Tetanus
- Travel health
- Whooping cough (pertussis)
Reflections of the Heart:
“To array a man’s will against his sickness is the supreme art of medicine.” (Henry Ward Beecher)
Below is a scriptural prayer by Martin H. Fischer, German-American Physician and Author:
Wonderful Father,
thank You for showing us the wonders of Your unfailing love.
Thank You for hearing our cry for mercy and answering our call for help.
Thank You for the health professionals in our nation.
We thank You for doctors, nurses, researchers, scientists, hospital administrators, therapists, pharmacists, medical assistants, paramedics, and medical technicians.
By Your wisdom, You have strategically equipped and anointed men and women with expertise in medicine, science, nutrition, pharmacy, surgery, rehabilitation, and counselling.
Lord, You made the heavens Your throne;
You rule over everything from there.
Your angels praise You, Lord.
Your mighty ones who carry out Your plans,
listen for each of Your commands.
Lord, everything that You created will praise You;
everything in Your Kingdom!
Let all that we are praise You!
All-Wise Father,
by faith, we decree that just as the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, feared and obeyed You,
the health professionals in our nation will not succumb to the pressure to compromise;
but they will remain committed to their oath to “do no harm.”
As they believe in the promises of Your Word,
and as they ask You,
You will tell them remarkable secrets about things to come in their profession.
They will be pioneers in discovering cures and medical breakthroughs for our generation.
By faith, we decree that they will seek Your wisdom and knowledge
and always pursue excellence in their chosen fields.
They will be dedicated to the proper care and treatment of their patients
and they will remember to show their patients mercy,
just as You have shown mercy to them.
For those health professionals who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior,
we confess that they will receive the Good News of the Gospel and confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord
and believe in their hearts that You raised Him from the dead,
so that they will be saved.
Holy Spirit, remind our health professionals not to trust in human wisdom; but in the power of God.
Please comfort the hearts of those who have recently lost a patient who was under their care.
Keep them guarded against the torment of blame and guilt.
Teach them to take care of themselves physically and mentally,
so that they can keep up with the rigors of their daily responsibilities. Heal the emotional wounds that come along with their jobs.
Give them the boldness they need to stand up for their patients’ rights
and to contribute significantly to the pursuit of healthcare reform in our country.
Remind our Godly health professionals that they represent the Kingdom of God in the healthcare industry,
so their demeanor and behaviour reflects Kingdom principles.
Prayer for Health Workers
We pray for all doctors, nurses and emergency workers.
May they rejoice in the skills you have given them which enable them to bring hope, healing and wholeness to those in their care.
May they also know guidance and support in times of pain and frustration when their skills are not enough to prevent permanent injury, disability or death.
Bless each one of them, that they may be a blessing to others.
Amen.
Please pray for all people in the health industry.
Isaiah 41:10
Heavenly God,
I thank You for placing me in the field of healthcare. Although it can be overwhelming, I will fear not because You are with me.
I won’t be dismayed because You are my God.
Lord I thank You for strengthening me, helping me and upholding me with Your righteous hand.
It is only by Your hand on me that I can and will overcome the pressures I face, Amen.
Isaiah 40:31
Oh Lord,
I wait on You for renewed strength because in You I put my trust.
With You every healthcare worker can mount up with wings like eagles and with You they can run and not be weary.
I pray that in all the areas of their life, including their work, they will walk and not faint.
Lord You are their precious rock that they lean on,
and without You they have nothing, Amen.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Dear Lord,
I give You all the praise!
Because of You I am strong and courageous.
I will not fear or be in dread of the work that I must do or the pressures that people place on me,
for it is You who goes with me.
Your Word declares that You will never leave me or forsake me,
so Father I thank You because I am never alone, Amen.
Exodus 15:2
Righteous God,
I thank You for every healthcare worker
and I declare that You are their strength and song.
You have become their salvation;
You are their God and we will praise You.
Father I pray that You will be the God of the people every healthcare worker cares for.
Lord, despite the trials healthcare workers may face in their career,
the fact still stands that You are their matchless God.
You give internal peace when life pushes them towards anxiety.
There is none like You, Amen.
Ephesians 6:10
Eternal Father,
I will be strong in You and in the strength of Your might despite the struggles I may face in my field of healthcare.
I will not let this stop me from pursuing greater and further levels in my career;
relying on You means that I will always have the strength to do so.
I put my trust in You and I pray that whenever I feel weary,
I remember Your Word, Amen.
Deuteronomy 20:4
Glory to God!
Lord, the scripture says that You are the Lord my God who goes with us to fight against our enemies.
You are with every healthcare worker in their battles and thank You for being our Divine Conqueror!
Father it is also You who gives us the victory,
because it is You who wears the Victor’s Crown.
Therefore, from the assurance of Your word,
we know and are assured that we will never lose or fail, Amen.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Matchless One,
You said that Your grace is sufficient for them,
for Your power is made perfect in weakness.
Father, I believe that my weakness and short comings are perfected only by Your grace – thank You Lord.
As a healthcare worker, I will boast more gladly of my weaknesses,
so that Your power can rest upon me!
I am content with my weaknesses, hardships and trials.
For when I am weak, then I am strong, Amen.
Final Prayer
Divine Father,
how our hearts yearn to express our love for you!
Thank You for Your grace.
Thank You for knowing exactly what we need before we even ask.
Thank You for never abandoning us or leaving our children begging for bread.
Thank You for being our faithful source. We have always been able to depend on your goodness.
We take delight in You, Lord.
We commit everything we do to you because we know we can trust you to help us.
You direct our steps and you delight in every detail of our lives.
Even though we sometimes stumble, we will never fall because you hold us by your hand.
You love us with an unfailing love and your faithfulness endures forever.
We find comfort in knowing that the very hairs on our heads are all numbered.
Therefore, we are not afraid because we know how much you value us.
We praise You Lord, for you have shown us the wonders of your unfailing love!
Glory to You forever!
In Christ’s name, Amen.