We will add to these resources as we find them - and if you know of something that might help, please let us know.
Prayer and faith advice
A simple prayer resource for families to use when they can’t make it to church
Daily prayer for morning, noon and night from the Church of England
A really helpful story pack to explain the virus to young children, and to allay their fears
Bible chat mat is a new resource for families to use to have fun and explore questions about the bible and God.
Livestream church services from HTB a big church in London
Livestream church services from St Mary’s, Kenton, a more traditional church in London.
Taize, a monastic community in France, known for their beautiful prayerful music, are streaming an evening service every Saturday at 8:30pm and that service remains available online for the following week.
Practical advice
Government advice on coronavirus is available here. It is kept regularly updated, so keep checking it.
Problems with finances or benefits – Citizens Advice, www.citizensadvice.org.uk, provides friendly and expert help, by phone on 03444 111 444, or online chat (see their website) or by appointment at their offices in Tunbridge Wells (01892 600161) and Cranbrook (01580 714936). ACAS (www.acas.org.uk) has good advice on employment rights on its website, or by phone on 0300 123 1100.
Medical advice – see the NHS web page at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus, which gives advice on when to look online for answers to your questions or concerns, and when to ring 111. Don’t automatically ring 111.
Public transport – some train times have been changed, so that trains can be cleaned. This may also apply to other forms of public transport. Check times before you travel.
Feeling stressed or anxious? Please let us know how we can pray for you, or let us know if you’d like a chat in confidence, and we’ll connect you with an experienced member of the church. Just contact Becky at the church office on 01580 211739 or becky.addis@gkchurch.org. The Samaritans are also available 24 hours a day, by phone (116 123), email (jo@samaritans.org) or letter, for confidential listening and support.
Some bigger thoughts….
Is there anything encouraging in this situation?
Yes. There have been many difficult times in history: the Bible records a large number of them. It traces the story of how God has led and guided his people through them all.
God loves us. He has promised never to fail us (Hebrews 13:5). He has promised to answer prayer (Luke 11:9).
God has entered into our world and shared in our suffering, through his son Jesus. He knows everything we’re going through, and lives within us by his Spirit. He helps and strengthens us (Isaiah 41:10).
God welcomes everyone, inviting them to be part of his family (John 1:12-13).
God often brings some good things out of difficult times (Romans 8:28).
In the end, God holds us secure, even when we die. He has promised that if we believe in him we have eternal life, starting now and continuing for ever (John 3:16)
There is lots we can do to help each other, and to keep moving forward.
What can I pray?
We can say anything we want to God. He wants to hear what we really think, the cry of our heart. Look at the Psalms for many examples of the writer crying out to God – and seeing God answer, perhaps not immediately or completely, but keeping hold of us and looking after us through the difficult times.
You may want to pray for:
Safety and protection for yourself, your family and for everyone you know
Healing for those who are sick
Comfort for those who are frightened, or bereaved
Wisdom and skill for the government and for medical decision-makers as they try to find the best way to defeat the virus
Guidance and help for yourself, as you decide how you can best love your neighbours and friends, and family, during this time
Increased love for people. This is something God willingly gives us more of, when we ask him – as well as lots of other ‘fruits of the Spirit’ (Galatians 5:22-23).
Peace, and trust. “You [God] will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
What can I do?
There are the obvious things, like taking good care of yourself, and doing whatever would be most loving towards your family, your friends, your neighbours and anyone else around you.
There may also be non-obvious things – and those will depend on your particular gifts, your opportunities, and what you feel God leading you to do. Take time to ask him to guide you, and then expect him to answer that prayer.
It might include helping out in one of the community initiatives, whether through church or some other organisation. Or it might involve giving financially to a charity that is helping people. Or it might be something unique to you, using your gifts creatively to be a blessing to others.
Why is God not miraculously intervening to protect us?
Although God promises to answer prayer, he answers in his way and in his time. The Bible does not promise that he will answer prayer in the way that we expect.
Often, God works through people. We can be part of the answer to our prayers, or other people’s prayers. Doctors and nurses can help to heal people. We can all love our neighbours and our colleagues, as well as our own families. That is one of the major ways that God helps people.
This does not stop us praying for God to intervene miraculously. He seems to do so often.
Why does God allow suffering?
This is a difficult question and there is no easy answer. But many Christians find that it’s helpful to remember the following:
Some suffering is caused by humans. God allows us free will, including freedom to cause harm to one another. He commands us to love one another but we sometimes disobey.
Some suffering is not caused by humans. Jesus made it clear that there is no automatic link between sin and suffering: sometimes innocent people suffer. So although it is often good to examine our own hearts, we must not make judgements about why we are suffering, or why someone else is suffering.
Some suffering results from the fact that we live in a fallen world. Somehow creation has been affected, has gone wrong, because of human sin generally (Genesis 3:17-19).
God suffers with us, encourages us, and promises to be with us through all our difficult times. Jesus has suffered for us and knows what it’s like. So we’re not alone. We can ask him to help. And he promises to answer prayer (Luke 11:9).
A good booklet on this is “Why does God allow suffering?” by Nicky Gumbel, available through Amazon.