Country needs unity and communal prayer in fight against Covid-19
Editor:
“Knowing their thoughts, He said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.’” (Matt 12:25)
On Memorial Day, as we hold in the highest esteem all who died in the armed forces in service to these our United States of America, and while we pray that their loved ones find peace, the words of Jesus Christ cited above come to mind.
As we do battle with this deadly virus, we must strive for unity in the fight lest we succumb to the enemy. Our fallen military brothers and sisters deserve nothing less. They understood – and we and our families who served but did not pay the ultimate sacrifice understand – the critical role of the principle of war called unity. Lack of unity in warfare is a harbinger for defeat.
One of the unifying American values for which our fallen heroes gave the last full measure of devotion is freedom. This is especially true of our First Amendment freedoms. Therefore, what better way to honor their sacrifice then to safely and prudently allow houses of worship to freely exercise their religion and to fully reopen?
Since the beginning of recorded history, prayer has served as a rallying cry for herculean efforts against seemingly invincible adversaries. The prayers and unified actions of Americans in past wars have always prevailed. So too today.
People of faith have played a major role in this battle. In particular, we’ve obeyed the difficult but necessary guidelines to stay home and flatten the curve. However, that time has passed, and with sensible safety protocols in place, it is time to lift all restrictions on houses of worship and to unleash the power of communal prayer to defeat this enemy.
During the Last Supper as recorded in the Gospel of John’s 17th chapter, Jesus prayed to the Father, “…that they may be one.” May we be allowed to freely pray together again as one in our houses of worship.
May we continue to aspire to fulfill the dreams of our fallen warriors by being one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
May God continue to bless America.
Jim and Paula Simon
Lyndonville
