Seek God’s Help in These Challenging Times
COVID-19 targets us as a single vulnerable people. Creed, color and status mean nothing to it.
Whether we're a Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh or none, we’re confronting one enemy.
So, where’s God?
I looked for the answer among my interfaith partners. I wanted to ask them, as believers, how do you seek God’s help in these challenging times?
I found unanimity: No matter who they pray to and how they supplicate, they use the power of prayer to gain strength in this hour of need through the divine connection. I sensed, in forced social disconnecting, there’s a yearning to connect with the creator.
The Rev. Jack Diehl, pastor emeritus of Our Savior Lutheran Church and leader of the interfaith group in Vero Beach, shared his thoughts with me: “As we face this uncharted territory, by the grace of God, may we learn from our strengths and weaknesses.”
Following up on Jack’s words, I polled members of the interfaith clergy group, many of them hospital chaplains, who meet monthly at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital.
I learned: When believers face a national threat, they bank on the universal God as their armor against a foe — giving real meaning to "One nation under God" and "In God we trust."
Rabbi Michael Birnholz of Temple Beth Shalom said he invokes God: “My soul I give to You. My spirit in your care. Draw me near. I shall not fear. Safely in your hand.”
The Rev. Joe LaGuardia, First Baptist Church of Vero Beach, offered his prayer: “Lord, in this time of uncertainty, You are our refuge. As the Earth moves and the oceans roar, You are our hiding place. When we are anxious, You call us to the stable home of your presence. Though mountains quake, we behold your work and give You praise.”
Topics: American Muslims, Coronavirus, Humanity, Interfaith, Pandemic, Worship (Ibadah) Values: Spirituality
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