Archbishop of Canterbury message on the Wuhan virus pandemic

1722
Justin Welby 3.jpg

As we continue responding to Coronavirus, a lot of us are wondering how we can walk in faith, resist fear, and support those who are most vulnerable.

The first thing to say is that following the advice of experts – especially about washing our hands regularly and self-isolating if we have cold or flu symptoms – is a really important place to start.

But what else can we do? Well, the thing about having hope, faith and courage is that although they are gifts from God, we can do our bit to nurture them.

We can take some time to sit quietly and pray, letting God know about those things that are on our hearts and minds. When we do that, we make that connection with God that nourishes and sustains us.

We can pray for those who are physically vulnerable. Those who are financially insecure and worried about needing to take time off work. Those who live in countries without public healthcare systems. Those who do not have family or friends and are facing this situation alone.

We can pray for healthcare workers and political leaders who are responding to this crisis and bearing the incredible responsibility of trying to keep us safe.

That brings us to resisting fear. One way to avoid being overwhelmed by fear is turning our attention to helping someone. Is there a person in your life, or your community, that you could call on the phone and see if they’re okay? Maybe it was someone that you prayed for?

Perhaps they can’t get to the shops – could you pick up some groceries for them? Perhaps they are self-isolating and feeling lonely – could you call them on the phone and see how they are?

If you have some spare income, or some spare food, could you donate to your local food bank?

Let’s remember that we are in this together. Let’s look after ourselves and our communities, gain courage from each other, and walk together in hope and faith.

As it says in Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

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8 COMMENTS

  1. I think Justin Welby has spoken well here: no pompous theological speculation or pretence of superior insight into what the future may hold. It’s practical common sense, sensible science, good organisation and calm faith which we Christians need to get from our secular and spiritual leaders – and all with clear, unfussy language!

    • Welby is truly doing his job here. Brevity – Words that stick.
      The cynic in me though, stirs at the mention of heeding experts.

  2. Donald Trump called for a National Day of Prayer – how about it ?

    Book of Common Prayer 1662

    In the time of any common Plague of Sickness.

    O ALMIGHTY God, who in thy wrath didst send a plague upon thine own people in the wilderness, for their obstinate rebellion against Moses and Aaron; and also, in the time of king David, didst slay with the plague of pestilence threescore and ten thousand, and yet remembering thy mercy didst save the rest: Have pity upon us miserable sinners, who now are visited with great sickness and mortality; that like as thou didst then accept of an atonement, and didst command the destroying Angel to cease from punishing, so it may now please thee to withdraw from us this plague and grievous sickness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

  3. Very nice, Archbishop. How about doing your job and calling the nation to repentance and a day of prayer for the nation like Donald Trump has had the courage to do!

  5. Full of pleasantries but abysmally lacking any leadership whatsoever on behalf of the UK. I hear that during WW2 King George VI called for national days of prayer and the public responded overwhelmingly. We can pray at home or in small groups, but as Bishop Michael Mazzir-ali says: along with prayer is the need for repentance on behalf of the nation.

    Moreover this item contrasts with Welby’s call a year ago for a national day of prayer over leaving the EU, albeit unaware of the dozens of prophecies in this regard!!

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