7 biblical resources during the pandemic and beyond

Jim Farrer April 7, 2020

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In the midst of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, “nonessential” businesses and groups have been mandated to close and cease from gathering. Most Christians have heeded the advice to “shelter” away from others and medical experts have supplied good advice about healthy practices. 

However, politicians in their secular role have apparently no idea of the essential resources of the Christian community. 

Former Chaplain of the US Senate Lloyd Ogilvie reminds us: “An atheist is a man with no invisible means of support.” On the other hand, Christians have “tasted once for all the mighty spiritual resources of God’s new created order” (Hebrews 6:5).

R.R. Reno in the journal First Things (3/17/20) alerts us: “When we worship, we join the Christian rebellion against the false lordship of the principalities and powers that claim to rule our lives, including sickness and death.” 

This is not to say that every sickness is caused by the devil, but according to the Bible, Satan is the enemy (Matthew 13:39), the deceiver of the whole world (Revelation 12:9), the father of lies and a murderer (John 8:44) and one who prowls about seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

1. Prayers

Our first and main prayer might be “Come, Lord Jesus!” Professor Oscar Cullmann in Early Christian Worshipstresses that the Aramaic language expression maranatha is the oldest liturgical prayer of the Christian community (1 Corinthians 16:22, Revelation 22:20).

The words “deliver us” [from evil] in the Lord’s Prayer mean “a strong tearing free or wrenching away,” according to Roman Catholic expert Raymond E. Brown in New Testament Essays (p.253).  

2. Prayers of the elders

Although James 5:13-16 is a familiar New Testament passage, how many Christians follow these commands as their first response or even as a last resort? 

Recognizing the nuances of the verb tenses, here are this text’s commands.

• If suffering, you must continue to pray.

• If sick, you must now call for the elders of the church.

• They must now pray over the person, anointing with oil in the Name of the Lord.

• You must continue to confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may, in fact, be healed.

The passage concludes with the assurance that the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

3. Healing services

Found among many denominational resources are Services for Healing and Wholeness for a congregation or an individual.

4. Holy Communion

While some Christians receive the bread and the cup only once a month and some even more irregularly, partaking of the elements of the Lord’s Supper deepens our relationship with the ascended Lord Jesus. Presbyterian pioneer John Calvin called Holy Communion “medicine for the sick” (Institutes 4.17.42).

5. Silence

In Psalm 46:6 while the nations are in an uproar and the kingdoms totter, the Lord of the armies of heaven is with us/in our midst. In verse eight we must come and behold or grasp the meaning of the works of the Lord. Verse 10 is the familiar: “Be still (be a receiver) and know (learn in depth) that I am God.”

6. Putting on the armor

Some Christians symbolically put into action the movements commanded in Ephesians 6:11-17 thus further integrating mind, body and spirit. We should remember that most of these verbs are imperatives indicating that we must now put on the whole armor of God. 

The word “whole” is translated by New Testament professor Markus Barth as “splendid.” Since the armor provides no protection for one’s back, the image is to be able to stand firm and to move forward against evil. Verse 10 may be translated, “From now on you must keep on being made strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.” 

7. A lift for the blues

Some years ago an Ohio State University professor discovered that depression could be diminished temporarily by lifting one’s arms and hands overhead for a short time. The pose is similar to a football official signaling a touchdown. This posture was also used in early Christian prayer as a reminder of the believer’s new standing connected to Christ. 

Prayers might also incorporate the ancient Hebrew festal shout found in Psalm 89:15. Here the Hebrews may have shouted “The Lord is king,” as described in Psalm 93:1. We might also cheer “Praise the Lord!” or other such biblical phrases.

These and other Christian resources do not result in automatic “success,” but undergirding us are God’s everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27).

While everyone is desperately searching for help in times of crises, Eastern Orthodox Professor Alexander Schmemann writing in For the Life of the World, reminds us: “For Christianity help is not the criterion. Truth is the criterion”(p. 99). 

Photo source: istock 

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Jim Farrer is the founder of Vital Signs Church Consulting and a member of the Society for Church Consulting. A broadly-trained church consultant, Jim is also a veteran of ministry positions in Canada and the U.S., he has trained leaders from 18 denominations and led seminars and coaching sessions nationwide. His articles have been published in the Journal of Evangelism and Missions and the Great Commission Research Journal. You can reach him by e-mailing revup1@yahoo.com or calling 814 629-5211. Learn More »

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