By John Bills
The Coronavirus has impacted everyone globally including the YWAM family. As the news began to unfold about the severity of the virus, I was compelled to ask God what my part was to be to help those who were suffering. I am not a stranger to suffering from war and disease from our work in Asia, Africa, Brazil and the Middle East. We have been in the thick of it for decades, helping those suffering as result of war and AIDS.
So when COVID-19 came onto the scene, my immediate reaction was how can I be a catalyst to help others. YWAM Coronavirus Prayer Group was created on FaceBook as a means for the YWAM family to report how the virus was affecting their locations. Within two days, we had over 2000 members and it’s growing daily.
We are all impacted by the pandemic either through loss of schools, ministry, finances, contracting the virus or even death of a loved one. As we are exposed to so much suffering, I wanted to see a platform where we could share stories, share our challenges and press into God together.
The stories have been heartbreaking. For example, those within YWAM who have now contracted the virus that are in severe conditions and those who have no means of continued food because of where they are located. One post that came into the group from a YWAMer in India said this:
“Dear prayer warriors please remember us in your prayers, we’re almost out of rice and gas. Will be over by tomorrow or day after and we don’t have money. I am not asking for money, I am asking for prayer.”
YWAM Coronavirus Prayer Group is a place where our hearts can be shared, so that our prayer warriors can stand in the gap for those of us who are hurting and needing a breakthrough. As more and more of the YWAM family join together in our group, the prayer force becomes greater.
We are focused on a cause; to see healing, financial release and salvations come as we continue to share with those around us.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:4
If we are resisting fear, embracing the truth of God’s word, we can then give comfort to those around us, either within our YWAM family or beyond.
My heart is to see the YWAM Coronvirus Prayer Group grow to be a powerful force in prayer. Some have felt lonely as they go through this horrendous experience.
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In the midst of coronavirus containment we must ask , Are the costs of containment worse than the disease.? How many are dieing from fear of contacting coronavirus through healthcare ? Among the many fearful dead are expectant mothers, their unborn children, the dialysis dependent and the diabetic. Many have suggested that fear of healthcare is killing far more than the virus. In nations devoid of social assistance programs death by starvation and malnutrition are consequences of collapsed economies created by lockdown measures. Anxiety and depression fueled suicide are real consequences of lockdown isolation.
I personally have no fear of the disease while I deeply mourn for the millions of victims of containment measures.
Dennis Clark
Dunham Discipleship Training School 1976
Solvang School of Evangelism 1978