if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place-II Chronicles 7:14-15

Reading news about the daily increase in COVID-19 cases, the decline of the stock market, and the growing list of things that are closed quickly leads to discouragement.  It is easy to be overwhelmed by the flood of bad news.  Scriptures like II Chronicles 7:14 remind us that it is God who can heal our land from the virus plague we are living through.  We might begin to feel that we must cry out loudly to God for his deliverance, make great sacrifices of time and money, that we must somehow convince him to listen to our pleas for relief.  Constant, fervent prayer is certainly powerful, but it is not the volume of our cries that moves God.  Verse 15 says God is attentive to our prayer.  He is looking in our direction with his hand cupped around his ear waiting to hear from us.  He is ready to hear and then act to give us victory in this situation.

I find great comfort in the knowledge that God is carefully listening for my prayer to him.  He will do the right thing, always.  And, as he does the right thing, he has me on his mind.  He is working all things for the good of those who love him.  In the midst of struggle, it is enough to know that God is listening and will sustain me.  Take a moment today to share any fear or anxiety about Corona Virus or anything else with your loving Father.