I Prayed have prayed
Lord, give us supernatural faith during these times. Do not let us live in fear, but live in boldness.
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“Show me the verse in Scripture that says God heals everything but coronavirus.”

A sharp-witted respondent typed:

“Matthew 13:58 (ESV): ‘And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.'”

That’s the sobering answer I alluded to. Instead of boldly standing in authoritative opposition to a wicked threat, the common reaction of so many of today’s American Christians seems to be unbelief.

Those who are to be driven by fearless faith are instead shaken by the winds of the world.

An Offensive Message

“Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him” (Matt. 13:56b-57a, MEV).

A lack of faith most certainly results in a lack of mighty works. Matthew 13 makes that clear. The preceding verse reveals the root of their unbelief: offense.

In our current crisis I’m stunned and saddened by the reaction of supposed Christians to the few who are rallying the troops to arise in faith and healing. These cries for the church to confidently confront the spirit of the age and to believe without wavering in the healing power of Jesus are being met with resistance. How can that be?

Where did this man get all these things? That’s the question being asked by doubters when people of great faith proclaim the Word of God. Just who do you think you are? What type of hocus-pocus are you communicating? Don’t you realize how scary this virus is? Your lack of concern is foolish. Your so-called faith is dangerous to our nation’s health. . . .

It would do us well to learn from the test that King Asa failed.

“In the thirty-ninth year of the reign of Asa, he had a sickness in his feet until his sickness became grave. Even in his disease he did not seek after the Lord, but the physicians” (2 Chron. 16:12).

The next verse displays very clearly what this strategy of healing results in:

“And Asa slept with his fathers; he died in the forty-first year of his reign” (2 Chron. 16:13).

If we allow fear to drive us, we will have no choice but to defer to the physicians in our search for health and safety. Fear destroys faith. The only way we can approach God for healing or anything else is by faith.

Unfortunately, it’s obvious that many in the church haven’t learned from King Asa. Calls to stand in confident faith are rejected as a nonsensical threat to their safety. What they don’t realize is a refusal to believe sets them up as easy targets of the enemy.

Are you convicted by this article? Share with your friends!

A Supernatural Church

It truly is shocking that many Christians today don’t live in the supernatural realm that is so obvious in the Word of God.

As believers, we have access to mind-boggling benefits that few take advantage of. In fact, many fully reject these spiritual realities. They become offended when faith-filled Christians challenge them. “Where did you get all these things?” is the question they ask. Where did you get these bizarre beliefs that are contrary to common sense?. . .

“He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses” (Matt. 8:17b).

The truth is that the blood of Jesus is sufficient for coronavirus. If we are afraid and default to human wisdom as we fight against it, we will lose. There will be no protection beyond what science can provide.

If we live as supernatural people and expect miracles and wonders to surround us, we will thrive no matter what plague may befall us. Healing, authority, power, freedom, joy and absolute victory are all ours as believers! Fear, worry and defeat cannot stand against mighty, supernatural faith!

The church should be sounding a universal proclamation that Jesus heals, and fear can’t stand! The world should be amazed and provoked by a joyful, fearless and faith-filled church. Life for Christians is radically, wildly, supernaturally different than those who haven’t surrendered to the Lord. No weapon formed against us can prosper!

Instead, so much of the church is nervous, afraid and campaigning for worldly potions, provision and protection.

Living in a Natural World

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

Wash your hands. Wear a mask if called for. Go to the doctor if needed. Do your due diligence. But don’t put your faith in such things.

Our faith is in the miraculous. It’s in the invisible wonders of a loving, omnipotent God.

Don’t get offended when someone challenges your response to the threat of a virus. Instead, admit your unbelief, repent and determine to live in a realm entirely different than where the world lives.

As Christians, we should be experiencing supernatural power and incredible miracles regularly. The authority we have over the enemy is extreme. The promises of God open up a world of wonder to all of us who walk in the mysterious realm of faith. . . .

It’s time for the supernatural, fearless church to arise!

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6).

(Excerpt from Charisma News. Article by John Burton. Photo from Getty Images.)

What do you think about how Covid-19 has affected the church? Share your comments below. . .

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Carole Murray
August 15, 2020

I said from the start of Covid, “Faith should replace Fear.” There are soo many people that I talk to say, Trust the Science of it all. Like you said in your article, since when does science replace or trump FAITH. In my own church of a 1,000 members we have so many people who are deathly afraid of this virus, and choose not to come back to church even when all the provisions are made available to them, we fill a large church twice on Sunday morning and last week Sunday we had around 200 at each service. A lot of big questions arise from all of this concerning the church. As you said “Faith without works is void or dead.” We are called to walk by Faith not by sight, Thank you for such a God inspired article that speaks truth. Wake up you Christians and put your Faith to the test.

Doug Brown
August 13, 2020

When COVID-19 hit, I made a decision not to fear. My sons works in alternative medicine, and he has educated me on the amazing immune system that God has given us. As best I can tell, I have been in close contact with someone with COVID on two occasions, and I never got sick. I know that some with compromised immune systems need to be very careful, but the rest of us who are healthy have nothing to fear.

I am an elder. Unfortunately, there are some in our church who seem to be in fear of the virus. Some do need to be careful, but others have bought the lies of the media and are frightened. A couple of weeks ago, I felt compelled to put the following message on my rear windshield. “Faith over Fear. God is greater than COVID-19”. I felt a little strange doing this, but I believe this is what God wanted me to do. I’m hoping and praying that this message emboldens others not to fear.

Lord God, you are sovereign, and you have created us “fearfully and wonderfully made”. May we live in confidence and not in fear. You are greater than this virus or any other power in this world. We commit to trusting in you.

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Barbara Kuhls
August 12, 2020

This. Is. What I’ve been asking all along.Many dear ones HAVE BEEN HEALED, but the Lord is seldom given the glory! Mark 16:17 – 18 describes the fruit of obedience to the great commission. Not only do believers lack faith in God’s power to heal, we disobey his marching orders and wonder why He didn’t protect us.

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Darlene Estlow
August 12, 2020

Father may we be faithful to hear and obey your word. Increase our faith in you and give us hearts to follow.

7
Maureen
August 12, 2020

Father God
Let the faithful step out boldly, prais ing you and healing through faith. You are the Great Physician and all things are possible through you for believers. Lord I pray that you will turn this pandemic to good, and that a revival will begin bringing this nation back to its Christian roots.
Lord give us the courage, the wisdom, the discernment and the faith to step out boldly and be your disciples as your precious son, Jesus taught us.

10
Thea Reust
August 12, 2020

I wholeheartedly agree with this article and I’m so glad someone has finally said it! Why was Jesus unafraid to touch and minister to those with leprosy? Aren’t we supposed to do the same? With any contagious disease– we are to be led by the Spirit! I’m grateful that my church is following the laws of our city but at the same time they are not demonstrating fear!

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Mari
August 11, 2020

O, that GOD would move on the pastors of America and cause them to begin again to hold weekly Prayer Meetings, where Believers could call on the Elders of the Church for prayer and anointing that God’s people would be healed for His Glory, In Jesus Name, Amen.

James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick?
Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.
If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

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Mrs D
August 11, 2020

THANK YOU, Mr. Burton, for presenting important TRUTH and exhortation in this article. Part of the reason that cv has remained a current topic and fear has run rampant globally even, sadly, among Christians is because too many in the body of Christ somehow seem to be detached and running contrary to the guidance, authority and power of the body’s HEAD!

Scripture declares that believers have the mind of Christ and that the Word of GOD is LIFE and HEALTH to our flesh. In order to replace/renew the carnal mind with the mind of Christ, we MUST “eat” the Word of GOD as our daily bread — not simply a daily “snack” which some may call “daily ‘devotions.'” ANYTHING that is contrary to the Word of GOD is DECEPTION–be alerted to Proverbs 4:24 below.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of GOD. That scripture is to become ALIVE in us so that the Word becomes FLESH (i.e. BODY). Also, we are to increase our faith by praying in the spirit continually. It is absolutely VITAL for the body of Christ to WALK in the fullness of GOD in Christ — the world (ALL creation) is “anxiously expecting”(apokaradokia-Strong’s G603) the manifestation of the sons of GOD so that GOD’s will is manifested on earth as it is in heaven.

I pray that those who previously might have taken issue with an article such as this one not take offense when faith is insufficient (like the disciples PRIOR to Holy Spirit infilling). May we all simply recognize our deficiency and ACT in accordance with Scripture to build up our faith in order to “work out” our salvation and bring deliverance in ALL arenas to those who are experiencing lack.

Scripture with accompanying footnotes follow:
The Passion Translation states Proverbs 4:20-27:

Healing Words
20 Listen carefully, my dear child, to everything that I teach you,
and pay attention to all that I have to say.
21 Fill your thoughts with my words
until they penetrate deep into your spirit.[a]
22 Then, as you unwrap my words,[b]
THEY WILL IMPART TRUE LIFE AND RADIANT HEALTH [caps added for emphasis]
into the very core of your being.
23 So above all, guard the affections of your heart,[c]
for they affect all that you are.
Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being,
for from there flows the wellspring of life.
24 Avoid dishonest speech and pretentious words.
Be free from using perverse words no matter what!

Footnotes

(a) Proverbs 4:21 See Col. 3:16.
(b) Proverbs 4:22 Or “Discover my words.”
(c) Proverbs 4:23 The Hebrew word levav is the most common word for “heart.” It includes our thoughts, our will, our discernment, and our affections.
(d) Proverbs 4:25 Implied in the text. See also Heb. 12:1-2.

20
    Marian
    August 12, 2020

    Amen! The truth of your word and example, Lord Jesus. Let us come to you in our weakness for faith and boldness to be your body here amid the coronavirus!

    6
Gloria A Robles
August 11, 2020

Absolutely convicting! This is often what I pray about.i have sought the Lord on this seeking his word and he led me to a scripture in Luke 10 where Jesus sends out his disciples and says “heal the sick and tell.them the kingdom of God has come to you.” Luke… the gospel that has the most recorded miracles in all of the gospels. We’ve lost that. We have let fear choke our boldness and faith out. One thing I’m learning by sheer observation is that sitting on the sidelines is not for the place we are now as a nation. We must take our place and do what we are supposed to. I believe if we step out in faith, and use our God given authority in Jesus name that God will back us up. We are already on the winning side. I made that decision that I’m still gonna lay hands on and pray for people, when I have the opportunity. Lord God increase our faith again.

26
    Cheryl
    August 11, 2020

    Standing in agreement with you. Let God arise in us! Send your healing miracles Lord. We will follow what the Word teaches us. Laying hands on the sick and watching them recover.

    18
      Barbara Kuhls
      August 12, 2020

      Laying on hands can not be done from an unsocial distance. We need to defy this nonsense and ACT like we believe what we say we do.

      1
Ruth Matthews
August 11, 2020

I agree that the church needs to move in supernatural faith for the healing and protection against this Covid-19. We had a middle aged lady healed of covid-19 after much prayer from our community; she faced a serious life/death situation but persistent faith in God’s word and united prayer brought her through. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.

21
    Cheryl
    August 11, 2020

    Same here in Ohio. We stood in faith for a brother hospitalized for over 21 days and the Lord brought him out. Thank God for IFA too who held a scrolling prayer for those diagnosed and then their healing. Praise the Lord for His children standing in faith.

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