These are difficult times we are living in as a nation. The COVID panic has caused disruption in our lifestyles, our relationships (when lockdowns limited face-to-face interactions) and anxiety as the news media reports new variants on the virus, and the potential for further limitation of personal freedoms.
In the midst of this, there is a source of hope and help that is unshakeable. A source that can free anyone from the fear of what the virus – or any other issues our nation faces –can do. That source is Jesus.
If you have never known Jesus, you can. He loves you, and wants a relationship with you. He loved you so much that even before you knew Him, while you were a sinner (and we all are: All men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23 ), He went to the cross and died for your sins, and to restore you into relationship with a holy God who not only created you, but loves you and wants you to know this (For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish, but have eternal life – John 3:16).
Jesus was the physical manifestation of this love on the earth: He is literally God come to earth in the flesh; He lived a sinless and holy life, and then laid down His life willingly by dying on the cross as a sacrifice for your sins. He paid the price so that our sins could be completely forgiven, and you could enter into a relationship with God the Father cleansed from your sins. Jesus was resurrected from the dead, to bring new life to those who believe.
With the following prayer, you can enter into a relationship with Jesus, and know the comfort, peace and hope that this relationship brings:
Lord, I confess to You that I am a sinner, and I ask You to forgive me of my sins. I believe that You sent Jesus, Your Son, to pay the penalty for my sins. I believe that Jesus lived a sinless life and that He died for me and three days later, rose from the grave. I ask You, Jesus, to be my savior, to come into my heart, to clean my heart from all sin, and be Lord of my life. Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross for me and paying the price for my sins. Thank you for coming into my heart, and giving me new life.
If you prayed this prayer and meant it, you are now born again (If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved…For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved – Romans 10:9, 13). The Holy Spirit came in and you are now a new creation in Christ (Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new -2 Corinthians 5:17). Every sin you ever committed has been completely forgiven.
You can also ask for the infilling of the Holy Spirit to empower you to walk in this new life. Just pray “Jesus, please fill me with Your Holy Spirit” and He has promised to do so.
In order to learn more about this new life, about God and about Jesus, the Bible will provide answers (many Christians read portions of the Bible each day, starting with the New Testament). If possible, try to find a local fellowship of other Christians to learn more about Jesus and to grow in your faith, and receive teaching from others who have a relationship with the Lord and who can mentor you and answer questions you may have. Also, just as you prayed the prayer above, you can pray and know that God hears your prayers. He cares about you, and wants to help you in the situations that you face. Prayer is simply talking with God, letting Him know what is on your heart, and then listening for His answers. This answer may come from the Bible, from something another Christian shares with you, or even a sense in your heart.
May God bless you, and grant you His shalom peace.