Wesley Church

People Blessing People

Devotional December 16

Dear Church,

Each Wednesday, my church-wide message will include a word of scripture and a “call to prayer,” as we encourage you to share your prayer requests with our pastoral staff and prayer team. In this strange and uncertain season of COVID-tide, may we find ourselves rooted in prayer!

Blessings,
Pastor Candy

The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still confined in the court of the guard: Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it—the LORD is his name… I am going to bring it recovery and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.

Jeremiah 33:1-2, 6 (NRSV)

Here in this passage, Jeremiah speaks of recovery and healing and security in the wake of widespread suffering and destruction. He speaks God’s words of promise to a particular situation, to an overwhelmed and threatened Judah… but in this season of COVID-tide (and in this week in particular), I find them resonating with our current experience. 

I have to tell you, church: I didn’t expect to have an emotional reaction to the sight of a person receiving an injection… and yet, there I was, tearing up as I watched the first US vaccination for COVID-19, administered to an ICU nurse in New York. It looked like the beginning of hope, recovery, and security. While we still have a long fight ahead of us in defeating this virus and reclaiming our way of life, there is real hope on the horizon. 

And so this week, I’m lifting up vaccine-related prayers. I’m lifting up prayers of thanks for every researcher, technician, manufacturer, and administrator involved in the development of these vaccines. (While I’m at it, I’m lifting up the college professors who may have trained them, the high school science teachers who may have inspired them, and the parents who may have bought them their first chemistry sets, too — it takes a village!)

I’m lifting up prayers of gratitude for the brave and selfless individuals who consented to be part of the testing process. 

I’m lifting up prayers of thanks for every government official, logistics coordinator, delivery personnel, and health care provider who has made it possible, and is making it possible, for these vaccines to reach those who are most at risk. 

I’m lifting up prayers for minimal side effects, for safe transport and administration, and for a just and equal sharing of this most precious resource.

And I’m lifting up prayers for my nation — that we may remain vigilant and blunt this newest surge, now that help is on the way. 

What are you praying for today, church? 

Share your prayer requests by:

Together, our Wesley Church Prayer Team will pray for each of your requests. If you would prefer for your prayer request to remain confidential with the pastoral staff, please indicate that in your message.

Blessings,
Pastor Candy

Be people of prayer, friends… and remember:

Our God is bigger than coronavirus. 
Our vision is bigger than coronavirus, too. 
We are people blessing people. 
We are Wesley Church.   

Want to know more?