Prophecy Today and Issachar Ministries have received many emails and messages telling us about what God has been doing in and through individuals across the nation. Read on for some examples - and do add your own examples beneath to encourage others.
Testimonies
Dear all,
I just wanted to share with you what a blessed day I had yesterday. Around lunchtime my doorbell rang and when I opened the door there was a young couple who live in the village, but who I did not know. They stood about a metre and a half away with a large cardboard box in their hands and said they were delivering similar boxes to all elderly and vulnerable people in the village who are having to self-isolate, and that they would do so again in 7-10 days’ time until the crisis ends.
The box contained two books, a jigsaw, three videos, a seed box kit containing herbs, an adult colouring book, a polly pocket with various puzzles such as Sudoku and crosswords, a craft kit, box of luxury soap, a small packet of tissues and a mug. I was just overwhelmed at the thought that had gone into this goodie box. They also offered help with shopping if I needed it.
God moves in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform. I am convinced that despite the dreadful worldwide situation, there will be new friends made and alternative ways to worship and serve. My minister provided an online Mothering Sunday service which was wonderful.
My love, thoughts and prayers to all for the coming week.
Mary (email)
As my wife and I are both elderly and not well, we have come to rely on the Lord. We were baptised many years ago and do still have some good Christian friends. We pray each day, we repent, we ask God to look after us and take The Lord Prayer literally. We never ceased to be amazed at what he does for us. Unfortunately, we have been 'out of church' for some while. We have also recently changed our prayers to include asking God to have mercy in his shaking of the nations on this nation. We believe God has things in store for the country but that the time is not yet.
Norman (email)
I have been very blessed by the love shown from a group of young women who live in my area. None are Christians but are displaying such love and concern for their neighbours. One young girl approached me and asked could she help me in any way...getting shopping for me...she also asked if I could point out other elderly folk in the area and she proceeded to go to their doors and ask them the same thing. Another group of young people...again not Christians are doing the same things in an area just next to mine. I am overwhelmed by their kindness.
Maureen (Facebook)
God moved us from the London area to a smallholding last year and gave is chickens and pigs. The pigs went to slaughter hours before we came down with the symptoms and so we will have pork for months. He also gave us a cow 8 days before the shops went crazy and she calved 5 days later, we now have an abundance of milk to share with those in need. I say He gave - we never sought out any of these animals, people just asked us if we would like them. We are now so grateful for God's provision. We have 9 children and the shops simply wouldn't let us buy the amount of milk we need. God knew this was coming and prepared His church.
Vicki (Facebook)
Outreach Ideas
Rev John and Pauline Perkins have penned a letter which they sent to all the neighbours in their street, telling them the good news about Jesus:
Dear Neighbours,
We trust you will forgive our forwardness in contacting you in this way, but it is because we care.
As you know, many are now self-isolated due to age and underlying health conditions. Pauline and I are taking care of ourselves and our family are looking after us with provisions etc. and phone calls and Facetiming. So we are fine and very grateful.
However, as you know we are retired Ministers who have spent some 50 years in church life and in teaching and preaching the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We see these awful days in which we are living as God – the Creator- “shouting loudly” to a world and to a nation that has abandoned God, His Church, and His Word (The Bible), in many, many ways, and this could be a “wake up” call for us to consider our life (and for some, obviously and sadly increasingly), death.
The message of the Gospel is that God is a God of love, but also a God of holiness and righteousness who has given the world into our hands as stewards and trustees of His creation. We have failed miserably in our stewardship, hence poverty, lawlessness, break-up of family life resulting in knife-crime, alcoholism and drug related problems, selfish use of resources resulting in worries about climate-change etc etc.
But we believe that God is calling to the world to re-consider its position in the light of what is happening. The world is made up of people, individuals, who must one day stand before God to give account. God says in the Bible that “(He) is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” He made a way for that by sending Jesus Christ to take our sins to the Cross so that for those who repent and believe (have faith in Him) will find forgiveness and life with a new meaning.
Can I invite you to read the small leaflet enclosed and to consider its implications?
Meanwhile, please be assured that we are praying for you our neighbours and for those suffering under this blight of Covid-19 for you to be kept safe and well as you go about your daily life in the light of the restrictions issuing from the Government.
With our best regards
(Rev) John & Pauline Perkins
Similarly, Pamela Bird has penned a letter to her friends and family telling them about Jesus' return:
Dear friend,
I wonder if you have ever accepted Jesus into your life. I just wanted to write to you, to share some thoughts.
What is happening in the world with the Coronavirus pandemic seems similar to Bible prophecy regarding the time when the Lord Jesus Christ will return to the world to gather up his followers.
Jesus promised his disciples that he would return to earth, to take believers up to heaven. There is no timescale for this event, but there are many clues in the Bible to prove the truth of Jesus’ promise.
Whether you want to believe this will happen is rather immaterial - it will. Whether you wish to be part of this event is entirely up to you. But I do not want you to be ignorant of these things. The Bible is available through the internet if you do not have a copy yourself.
Before he was crucified Jesus prophesied to his disciples that he will return one day to gather up his followers. At the end of the gospels of both Mark and Luke in the New Testament are accounts of Jesus going up to heaven 40 days after his Resurrection (see also 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11, and Matthew 24 where Jesus tells the disciples about signs of the end of the age).
When Jesus returns from heaven to Jerusalem, all the world will know (which seemed stupid to the Disciples in their day) but today with our technology and internet coverage, we get to hear and see instantly when things happen anywhere in the world or outer space. You might like to read again the song sung by Cliff Richard called ‘I wish we’d all been ready’, reflecting Scripture. It is very thought-provoking and again the words could be found on the internet.
What you do with these things is your free will to choose. However, I would like to know that my family and friends will be with me in heaven one day. I am sending you this because I love you and so does God.
Signed by - - - - - - -
A Prayer
The following prayer was adapted and extended by Kit Eglington, using this prayer from PrayingScriptures.com. It may be useful as you seek the Lord amid the crisis.
Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws (Dan 9:4-5). Thank You that even though we have rebelled against You and have not obeyed You, You are merciful and forgiving (Dan 9:9-10).
We do not make requests of you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy (Dan 9:18) and your promise that if we confess our sins you are faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9). Because we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus (Heb 10:19), Father, we boldly approach Your throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb 4:16).
Heavenly Father, I give thanks for our government and this nation and I pray for all men and women having authority over us in any way (1 Tim 2:1-2).
Pour out Your Spirit upon them and make Your Word known to them (Prov 1:23), in order that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life, in all godliness and holiness (1 Tim 2:2).
Let wisdom enter their hearts, and let knowledge be pleasant to them (Prov 2:10).
Let discretion preserve them and understanding keep them (Prov 2:11), to deliver them from the way of evil and from evil men (Prov 2:12).
Make their hearts and ears be attentive to Godly counsel (Ps 1:1), doing what is right in your sight (2 Chron 20:32). Let the upright dwell in our government (Prov 2:21); let the upright remain but cut off the wicked and let the unfaithful be rooted out (Prov 2:21-22).
Cause there to be a shaking in all areas (Heb 12:27) bringing to light what is hidden in darkness and exposing the secret aims of hearts (1 Cor 4:5).
Let this nation remember from where we have fallen (Rev 2:5), repenting, and returning to doing our first works (Rev 2:5), setting our hearts and souls to seek You Lord (1 Chron 22:19), humbling ourselves, praying, and turning from our wicked ways. Then hear us, O Lord, and forgive our sin and heal our land (2 Chron 7:14).
Open our eyes and turn us from darkness to light (Acts 26:18). Soften hearts that are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Heb 3:13). and deliver us from destruction (Ps 107:20).
Raise up a standard in this nation (Isa 49:22). Cause the rains of Your Spirit to flood this land (Zech 10:1) and revive Your work in the midst of us (Hab 3:2).
Raise up intercessors for this nation (Isa 59:16) to pull down strongholds over this land (2 Cor 10:4). And let the glory of the Lord be revealed! (Isa 40:5)
Father, You have been long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9).
Holy Father, we thank You for blessing our country. Thank You for honouring our prayers, for protecting our borders and extending Your mercy toward us.
All items on this page have been shared with due permission.
