Prayer & Social Distancing: 2 Helpful Thoughts

Prayer & Social Distancing: 2 Helpful Thoughts.

    I am no prophet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Oxford Dictionary’s word of the year for 2020 ends up being “social distancing.” Widespread concern about the COVID-19 has forced us to take extreme measures to limit the spread of a disease that has proven deadly for many people around the globe. Professional sports seasons are suspended, social gatherings have ceased, churches and schools are moving on-line and restaurants are closed. If Italy is any indication, it seems that these precautions may be a good idea in order to prevent our medical field from being overwhelmed due to the coronavirus.

    The imperative for social distancing is driving us to spend more time in the home than we are used to. Students are doing e-learning and many professionals are working remotely from home. Without the normal sports, music and other extra-curricular activities for students and many professionals without the normal commute to work, there will be more time around the house. What do we do with our extra time at home? This may prove to be an amazing time of connection for families together, and for individuals to connect with the Lord.

With this in mind, two things are important.

1.) Beware the Temptation: 

    Time is so easy to waste! We are in a culture that is very much addicted to movement. When we slow down, we get bored and we try to get rid of that boredom instead of just be-ing. There are so many distractions-even at home! In fact, I’ve found that in the past couple days, I’m DRAWN to the apps on my phone like a moth to the flame. This weekend, I wasted almost a whole day on my phone messing with apps and social media. That time could have been spent on something far more life-giving.

    This is not to say that technology is, in and of itself, bad. But we need to acknowledge that we may be more addicted to our gadgets than we realize and this can keep us from some surprising opportunities. Specifically, this unique moment in history may give us more time for face-to-face interaction with our family members as well as opportunities to grow our soul through reading, prayer, worship and Bible study. Technology may be helpful in these pursuits as long as we remain careful of the possible pitfalls. It may be difficult to break our addictions to our gadgets – which can keep us from being present to God and those right around us.

2.) Intentionally Engage:

    For those living at home with families, being stuck at home provides the opportunity to intentionally engage with one another in ways we don’t normally experience. Playing board games, watching a movie, having meals together, and taking on a family project are all ways to intentionally engage with one another. This is important, and to be encouraged. But I want to focus on intentionally engaging spiritually. This can take place as a family as well as personally.

    James 4:8 has an awesome statement: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Similarly, in Jeremiah 29:13 we read, “You will seek me and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart.” How incredible to know that the Creator of the universe invites us to be close to him! One of the biggest struggles many of us have in our spiritual lives is finding time for spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible reading. If we are intentional with the time we have right now, we can use the extra time to seek the Lord. But this will only happen if we do it on purpose. Let’s be honest, there is plenty to distract us with YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Netflix and more at our fingertips. Therefore, we must choose to carve out time each day for that which is most important, and not allow these lesser things to cram out valuable time with the Lord. Do we want to see a move of God in our midst? He is giving us time to seek Him. Let’s use it and be devoted to prayer as the early church was in Acts 2:42.

Here are a few ideas to try:

• Read an entire book of the Bible in one sitting. (I recommend the book of Mark.) The book of Acts is also action-packed. 
• Journal prayers to God. Even if you’re not a writer, sometimes writing our prayers opens us up in a new way.
• Listen to a whole worship album and really think about the words or create a worship playlist for yourself.
• Check out some Bible teaching/sermon videos: 
  • Right Now Media is a great resource if you have it. If not try:
  • Vimeo/YouTube sermons/teaching. I recommend the following speakers:
    • Ravi Zacharias
    • Eric Mason
    • Francis Chan
    • Tony Evans
• If you’re a family with kids, try reading a Bible verse or Bible story together and talk about it.
• Also, if you’re a family with kids, pray using simple fill in the blank prayers so that anyone can easily participate. 
  • Lord we praise you for ___________.
  • Lord, we need you because ____________.
  • Lord, I am worried about ____________.
  • Lord, you’re awesome because ___________.
  • Lord, we trust you because _____________.

Whatever you do, be sure to intentionally engage with God.

Got extra time? Use it to pray! 

Feeling bored? Pray!

Don’t just binge watch that Netflix show. Pray!

Chatting with friends on social media? Pray for them or with them. 

God lays someone on your heart? Send a prayer through messenger or chat or text! 

Pull together your family and pray.

Just pray!

Parting Thought:

    I close thinking about the two important things here: being aware of the temptation to waste time and engaging intentionally with the Lord.

As I reflect about these two things, I think about the reality that there have been many times I’ve wasted precious hours on cell phone apps and social media. After the fact, I didn’t feel much better about the world or my place in it. I’ve often regretted wasting time I could never get back. But I’ve never regretted taking time to intentionally engage with God. So as we spend these next days embracing social distance, may it be time we experience the blessing of drawing ever closer to the Lord. That will certainly be time very well spent!