Here are a few observations from a National Geographic article by, By Sarah Elizabeth Richards – Published September 21, 2020
“When the COVID-19 pandemic started nine months ago, the current reported death tolls were unthinkable. Yet this week, the fatality count will reach 200,000 people in the United States, and global deaths are approaching one million.”
The article continues… The tally means a U.S. death has happened every 1.5 minutes, on average, since the first official fatality in late February. It’s also the equivalent of wiping out a small city—such as Salt Lake City, Utah or Akron, Ohio—or a quarter of Washington D.C. It means we have lost 1,450 plane loads full of people.
“If you think about it like that, assuming there are 138 seats in a classic 737 (jet plane), that would mean eight planes have crashed on U.S. soil every day,” says David Kessler, Los Angeles-based grief specialist and author of Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief. “Can you even imagine that?”
Ultimately, our biology is working against us. Researchers say our brains aren’t wired to make sense of big numbers. We’re also trying to digest coronavirus death tolls amid a sea of other worries, including economic uncertainty, civil unrest, wildfires and hurricanes, geopolitical strife, election tensions, and unprecedented shifts in how we work, shop, socialize, and educate our children.
“The whole country is depressed,” says Elke Weber, a Princeton University cognitive psychologist. “If you’re already stressed out, the 200,000 statistic becomes just another thing.” More tragedy doesn’t always elicit more empathy; it can counterintuitively bring about apathy. The magnitude of the death toll can cause some people to become less compassionate, says Paul Slovic, a psychologist at the University of Oregon, due to a phenomenon he calls “psychic numbing.”
On ABC, Good MorningAmerica on September 25, there was a report on current trends in the pandemic:
In the U.S. 32 states + District of Columbia report increasing new cases;
There are currently approximately 7 million active cases of COVID-19 in the U.S.;
CDC Forecast projects that the U.S. death toll to pass 225,000 by October 17 – a little over a week from today;
U.S. is just over 4% of world population, yet our country has recorded more than 20% of COVID deaths worldwide; Question, what’s wrong with this picture?
Because some federal government leaders are saying they (not scientists) will decide when vaccines are safe and ready for release, a handful of states have decided that they will independently review vaccine data. This lack of united and steady leadership will probably result in Delays in the distribution of an effective vaccine(s)
More statistics, Young Adults are driving the spread of the virus. According the CDC in June 2020
Increases in positive cases among 20-39 year-olds were occurring 4-15 days Before increases in people older than 60
City of Boulder, CO is now banning indoor and outdoor gatherings for groups of any size by 18-22 year-olds after finding that 80% of new COVID cases were linked to college students at the University of Colorado at Boulder
Europe is now experiencing a second wave. In late September, the UK had its highest single day Case Record since mass testing began, with more than 6,600 cases
The British Prime Minister ordered restaurants and bars to close and workers who can work from home to work from home
In Italy – Naples has now mandated that everyone wear masks outside 24/7
Spain & France both have seen a record increase in cases and an uptick in deaths
Scotland – students can’t go to bars, parties and households are directed not to get together
As we have prayed previously – leadership matters and learning matters. Let’s pray, Lord, this pandemic is causing death, despair and devastation around the world. Repeatedly, the ways of man are coming up short in effectively responding. In Matthew 19:26, Lord Jesus, You told Your Disciples that some things are impossible for humans. But with God everything is possible. So, we declare, according to Provers 3:5-7, that our government and healthcare leaders will not be impressed with their own wisdom. Instead, they will trust in you, Lord, with all their hearts. They will not depend on their own understanding. They will seek your will in all they do and You will show them which path to take. We declare that the leaders and citizens of our country will become emotionally numb to the real, physical and mental health impacts. We will not subconsciously yawn at the economic strain, as Millions of laid-off Americans are trying to survive on less than half of what they had received for the months of April through July, after the $600 federal boost to unemployment benefits expired in early August. Thank You Holy spirit for causing modern day miracles with social service agencies, the Body of Christ, family member and friends stepping in to feed thousands with the equivalent of two fish and five loaves of bread. We confess that our leaders will not walk in apathy, showing no concerns for people who are struggling. Rather, they will walk in empathy and pass a new round of federal stimulus to help our citizens and small businesses until it is safe to resume more normal activities.
Intercessors, please Pray for wisdom for scientists and doctors working on a vaccine.
Pray for continued effective treatments and God’s healing for those who get the virus.
Pray against apathy among leaders and citizens.
And, pray for our national leaders to pass a new round of stimulus to help our citizens and small businesses.
Next, we want to pray for the DISMANTLING OF SYSTEMIC RACISM
Scripture confirms that God created humanity in his image. In John 10:10 in the bible Jesus says, “The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give humanity a rich and satisfying life” – life more abundantly. The will of God is not reflected in the facts I’m about to share. These facts compiled and presented on Dr. Phil television program on September 25, 2020. The syndicated program is hosted by Dr. Phillip C. McGraw.
Effects of Systemic Racism on Black Americans
White families 90% of wealth, Blacks 2.6%.
Source: U.S. Federal Reserve
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White Families earn $100, Black Families earn $57.30.
Source: Yale University
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Black unemployment rate double of Whites.
Source: Pew Research Center
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Black college grads 2x as likely to be unemployed.
Source: Center for Economic and Policy Research
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Job applicants with “White-sounding” names called back 50% more than “Black-sounding” names.
Source: The National Bureau of Economics
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Black Drivers 30% more likely to be pulled over.
Source: Stanford University
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Blacks infected with COVID-19 3x more than Whites.
Source: University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy
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18% of preschoolers Black; 50% of suspensions Black.
Source: NPR
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Black students 3x more likely to be suspended, even with similar infractions.
Source: U. S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights
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13% of U. S. population is Black; 40% of prison population is Black.
Source: Prison Policy Initiative
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Black home ownership: 42%; White home ownership: 72%.
Source: Chicago Tribune
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Let’s pray. Father God, it is not Your will for African Americans and other people of color to have the most of the worst and the least of the best. Father, in Jesus’s name, we silence the demons of systemic racism that permeate the laws, customs, traditions and mind of people in the U.S., especially those demons operating in the hearts of leaders within the Body of Christ. People who choose only the portion of You word that brings comfort to them and supports their beliefs. By Your Spirit, Lord, change the hearts of the Body of Christ, especially our leaders. Holy Spirit, in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Your Word says “that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the (Your power that could make them godly. You warn us to Stay away from people like that!”
Lord, in Psalm 89:14, Your Word confirms that righteousness and justice and are the foundation of Your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before You as attendants. Lord, we pray that Your church, The Body of Christ will yield to Your word and stand in your love, as an example to this lost and dying world. 2 Chronicles 19:7 Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.”
In James 2:2-8, scripture asks, “My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. Lord, we pray that the Body of Christ will, in accordance with James 4:6-10 humble ourselves James 4:6-10 Lord, “God (You) oppose the proud but (You) give grace to the humble.” So, we declare that the Body of Christ will humble itself before You, God. We will resist the devil, and he will flee from us. Lord, Your church will Come close to You, and You will come close to the Body of Christ. In James 4:8, Lord, Your word directs the church to “wash our hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Lord, You call for the church to Humble yourselves before You Lord, and You will lift the (Body of Christ) up in honor. Lord, establish unity within the Body of Christ, as Your word instructs that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Help us to sit down and reason together. Bring forth forgiveness, reconciliation and revival.
Pray for God’s Righteousness and Justice.
Pray for follow God’s entire word, not just their preferences and to stop denying the power of God to change hearts minds and lives.
Pray for the Body of Christ to submit to God, resist the devil, so that the devil flees from us.
Pray for forgiveness, unity, reconciliation and revival within the Body of Christ.
With everything we’re dealing with including the prayer targets we have covered tonight; I have one final piece the Holy Spirit gave me for this session. In Isaiah 9:3-7, the bible says Lord, will You will enlarge the nation of Israel (people of God – the Body of Christ), and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen. Lord, par. 5, par 6. let it be unto us, according to Your Word, in Jesus’ name!
Pray for the Government to be on His shoulders!