WHY BOTHER PRAY?

Within recent weeks a few heads of state designated specific days for prayer in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whereas many welcomed the move, some thought it was unscientific and superstitious. Both responses invite us to answer the question, why pray?

Persons who pray are acknowledging that there is a source of power beyond our own power. In addition, persons who pray, acknowledge that that power can accomplish much more than anything we can accomplish. Hence, whenever situations appear insurmountable, it seems natural to turn to that source of power for help. And, considering that we face many insurmountable situations in life, including COVID-19, prayer becomes an obvious option.

Persons who acknowledge a superior source of power, tend to live their lives with that perspective in view. In other words, their belief affects their behavior. Hence, persons who pray should be less pompous and more submissive. They ought to live with a greater sense of responsibility and accountability to the source of power they acknowledge.

However, what if there is no superior source of power? In other words, what if prayer is nothing but superstition? Well, intellectually, the praying person would be wrong. Even then, the praying person would not be a loser. The praying person would have pursued a purposeful lifestyle that enabled him to live an exemplary life. His community would have benefited from his spirit of humility and responsible living.

However, what if the unbeliever were wrong? And, what if the superior source of power is not superstitious? The unbeliever would have lived a life devoid of supernatural strength. In addition, the unbeliever would have had no one to whom he could commit matters that were bigger than he could carry, like COVID-19. The unbeliever would not be able to mobilize his community beyond himself, since he is the final arbiter of his destiny. At the end of life’s journey, the unbeliever dies without hope – there was nothing beyond this life to whom he could entrust himself. What a life!

But how does the praying person know that his prayers are not superstitious? Firstly, he has at his disposal, reliable records of answered prayer. Records written over hundreds of years, from different countries, in different languages by a variety of writers, known for their integrity. The records are often referred to as the most reliable source of ancient history. These records are collated and translated in more languages than any other book. Although critiqued more than any other piece of literature, annually, this collated material continues to be a best seller.

Other than the Bible, the praying person has a treasury of non-biblical historical records of answered prayer. For centuries our world has benefited from the stories of conversion, healing, renewal, revivals and various forms of transformation. The praying person believes that if his source of power could answer prayer and has answered prayers, chances are that He will continue to answer prayers today.

Then, for what should the praying person pray in times of crisis, especially this pandemic, COVID-19. Should we ask God to remove viruses? Or, should we ask Him to enable us to cope with and to manage viruses? I trust this acrostic would prove helpful as we seek to know for who and for what we should pray at this time.

P    Persons diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus

      Parents who now manage teaching and working from home

      Plan to live life more purposefully, life is short and fragile

R   Researchers working to find a drug to reverse the impact of the virus

      Remember medical persons who daily risk their lives in service

      Renew commitment to family, it is your most valuable investment

A  Authorities providing leadership in politics and research

     Aged persons now living in fear and relegated to victim-hood

     Attempt to improve nutrition and personal hygiene

Y  Yourself…be determined to become a better person because of crisis

     Youth should commit to utilize their strengths to serve the weak

     Yearn for wisdom to rebuild our communities after COVID-19.

Life should not be the same after COVID-19. Every area of life has been impacted and we should see this pandemic as an opportunity to review why and how we do, what we do.

One last question, what if the praying persons prays, and still dies. Wouldn’t that nullify the faith of the praying person? Certainly not. The faith of the praying person includes the death of the praying person. Interestingly, the Bible describes the death of the praying person as sleep. The use of the word “sleep” implies that death does not mean the end. According to the Apostle Paul, if death were the end of the praying person, he deserves to be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:19). Because death is not the end, one can understand why praying persons can die with courage and fortitude. For me, this is why it makes sense to pray during COVID-19.