Famed Washington Post columnist, Art Buchwald  wrote, “Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times…..it the only times we’ve got”. An invisible foe has literally shut down your community, your region, our nation and parts of the world.  We all agree these are difficult times!. FUD has impacted our world, fear of the unknown, uncertainty about the future, and doubt as to a cure. COVID-19 impacted our world and it has impacted our ministries as well. So how do we fight this Invisible Foe?

INVISIBLE FORCE

E.M. Bounds wrote “Men and women are needed whose prayers will give to the world the utmost power of God. True prayers are born of present trials and present needs”.

God is bigger than the virus, He is bigger than immediate trials and present needs. He has got this, but we need to commit ourselves to pray. To pray without ceasing. That is the invisible force that will defeat the fear, anxiety, and worry connected with this pandemic. A Salvation Army quote that I love is “We combat natural disasters with acts of God”. Our combat strategy is that we can all initiate today, right now is prayer. 

MINISTRY NEEDS

Yes, pray and stay busy doing what you can do under the existing guidelines.  All forms of communication are open to you and your ministry team and to your donors.  Oh yeah, our ministry partners our donors; those saints that help us with our ministry needs, They help us impact our world with the Gospel. How do we keep them informed, up to date and praying with us?  By the way, how do we keep them engaged and  giving? 

DATE YOUR DONORS

Yes, set a date, a specific time to call them and if possible, pray with them. You can use your cell, text, email, Zoom, Go To Meeting, Google Duo. There are a plethora of ways to contact them. They are probably at home and not on a cruise or touring Italy at the moment. Value-based communication. What if you began with your top 10-next 20 or 30 or 50 or even 100? Everyone in your organization from CEO to MGO, and even some board members could call and say thank you. Perhaps share a ministry update. Ask for prayer requests and pray with them over the phone. Then there is the ultimate of a dating relationship – a personal, hand-written note! Perhaps this “dating your donors” concept will be something you continue to  implement way past this pandemic. “Do you love me or do you not……you told me once but I forgot!) Some love and time via some quality electronic communication will keep you up to date with your key ministry partners. If appropriate, share a specific financial need, invite them to pray, and to give. 

SEASON OF RECOVERY

Yes, this pandemic will end and our world and our lives will begin a season of recovery. People will go back to work, the economy may sputter, but it will recover and our ministries will get back to work impacting peoples lives with the power of the Resurrected Jesus. When will this take place? No one knows, but it will happen. If you invested time with your key donors in some unique way with your donors during this down time, your Season of Recovery will be fast and fruitful. Plan your work and work your plan. Outline now as to how you want your organization to be ready to move when the time comes to move. Cast a vision for some new or renewed program that you want to see implemented in your first 30-60-90 days of recovery.

THE OTHER INVISIBLE FOE

In addition to FUD, there is another invisible foe: anxiety and a few of its synonyms (worry, nervousness, apprehension and concern). Let’s be honest for a moment. We have all been anxious during this crisis. Here are two applicable verses (OT and NT) and two prayers to Jehovah.

Isiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint” (NIV).

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything but in everything with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.  And the peace of God that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. (NIV)

God has got this, He has your back!  Just words until you begin to review hundreds of scripture that speak of renewal, casting cares on Him, comfort and strength.  He really does have all of this.  He never sleeps nor slumbers, God is bigger than COVID-19. 

Pray to Jehovah-Raphe, the God who heals. And Pray to Jehovah-Jireh, the God who provides. Combat these invisible forces with THE GREATEST INVISIBLE FORCE IN THE UNIVERSE, the God who loves us and who sent His son to die for us. 

Have an awesome Holy week. In light, remember wash your hands and say your prayers because Germs and Jesus are everywhere!

A small part of the Invisible Force Prayer Team,

Patrick McLaughlin