“Where sin increases, grace abounded all the more” Romans 5:20
2020 is not a year one may look back at as a year to give thanks. Many prayers have been offered this year to change the pattern of darkness, fear and “doom”. None seem to be working, 2020 continues to trudge on, bringing one thing after another. Woe is 2020. Or is it?
The world has been moving to a darker and darker time throughout the years and decades and centuries. The twentieth century was one of the darkest with the most wars and loss of life and the most martyrs. We saw the evil of the Nazis murder millions and continue to witness the bigger Holocaust of abortion. Now we are living under a veil of fear named Covid-19. We watch evil people use this man made virus to tear away freedom and try to tear hearts from God through the use of fear. They use fear as a mighty sword to drive hearts into despair that they may take control.
And, we continue to pray for an end of this – to “exorcise” the “demon of 2020”, to no avail. We cry out, “why Lord can’t we cast it out?” The Lord answers to my heart, “This kind can come out only through prayer and fasting.”
He also reminds me of the Letter to James 1:2-4, “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Change the darkness of 2020 by shining a new light into this darkness, even if only within your heart. Look at the quarantines of 2020 as a fast. We have an incredible opportunity through fasting from the things of the world to return to prayer and then shine with hearts of thanksgiving – even in the trials of 2020.
Advent is a time of preparation. We are preparing our hearts for the coming of Jesus Christ, not just at Christmas in the manger but in His return at the second coming. Take this time to fast and pray. Remove the desire of the worldly things Covid has quarantined and fast from other worldly things (for me it is the lies and anger and division of the media). Then, return to God by deepening your prayer life. Spend more time sitting with Jesus. Spend time resting on His Words as you read your Bible and other spiritual writings. Spend more time resting in prayer and just talking with God (italics intended). Spend time giving thanks to God for all He has giving you. Start with even the littlest thing, don’t lament but give praise. Draw upon His graces and blessings.
These will be greater gifts than any the magi brought to the manger.
Do this, and you will be preparing your heart for His coming. And, when He does come, He will know and recognize you as a good friend and disciple.
“When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “This kind can come out only through prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:28-29