You have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters.
But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Gal. 5:13-14
Heavenly Father, first and foremost, we are so grateful for the freedoms we have in Jesus. Freedom from condemnation for our sin. Freedom from the Law’s demands. Freedom from guilt and shame. Freedom from the fear of death. Freedom to come boldly to your throne of grace… to name just a few. Hallelujah, and thank you.
But emerging freedoms from pandemic restrictions are a different kind of freedom. Some of us are ready to “break free” from in-home confinement. Some of us are desperate for our next paycheck. Some of us fear the easing of restrictions is too much too soon. Help us, Father. Many of us view these matters quite differently.
As your children, help us know what serving one another in love needs to look like as we move forward in this pandemic. The scenarios, infections, and medical resources vary from place to place. Precisely because we belong to Jesus, we want to be wise, careful, and generous with each other.
We earnestly pray for governors and mayors, business and healthcare leaders. Grant them collaborative wisdom, mutual respect, and providential guidance.
May our faith express itself in love, our fears be arrested by confidence in your sovereignty, and our choices be shaped by the truth and riches of the Gospel. We are so ready for this pandemic to be over; but we are even more zealous to bring you glory in all we do. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.