I haven’t blogged in about four years. I’m not fully clear on the reason for the ‘silence’. Or maybe I’m just ashamed to admit that I have been lazy, fearful and a bit discouraged about writing in general. I even have book sitting there waiting to be published, but I have done nothing about it for at least two years.  Somehow, the two (ie blogging and book) are connected. Anyway, enough about me; but don’t let me off the hook!

The present Covid 19 Crisis is nudging me to write something in response. I wanted to pen something about ‘Praying’.  I’m not quite sure why I used the participle instead of the noun, but I believe it’s about requiring us to do something, not just define it or think about it in the abstract. “Just do it” as the bumper sticker commands us. One thing I have tried to be faithful to in the last few years (well, at least more than writing) is praying. I have seen some amazing answers. One example is my daughter and son. Last year, they both seemed to be living in a kind of young adult stasis; a sort of suspended animation. My wife and I prayed for a breakthrough. Within a few months, my son found employment and became a student at a local bible college. My daughter went to B.C. “in spec”; happened to stumble on an open house for a respected university; got accepted when she applied; and the financing, accomodations etc just all fell into place. Folks, God answers “praying”!

I believe we should get into some serious, earnest “praying” in the face of this crisis.  Covid 19 has exposed, despite all our technological prowess, our naked vulnerability to the seeming random actions of nature. Even the best of human responses to it have appeared to be scattered reactions. We need to be praying, believing that wherever this demonic virus has come from, our God can stop it. Who knows but that the very thing God is waiting for, is the praying? Lets not procrastinate, like a certain lazy, fearful, blogger I know, and rest on our ‘Blessed Assurance’? Let’s be praying!

(Tony Hilling is semi-retired Anglican Priest, an infrequent blogger, and works as a chaplain.)