“Why is it happening again? Who’s to blame?”
I’m sure these questions are part of many conversations in Australia right now. With the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus dominating the headlines in Australia and the world, it’s easy to add one more accusing finger to the blame game.
Perhaps it’s a natural response to a crisis that evokes memories of the SARS virus in 2003, when the Chinese authorities came under fire for their response to the outbreak that eventually infected more than 8,000 people and killed 800.
With the Wuhan coronavirus having affected more than 10,000 people, with about 210 deaths—numbers that unfortunately will be outdated by the time you read this—these questions will inevitably arise again. In Australia, so far nine people have been diagnosed with the virus and several Chinese New Year Celebrations have been cancelled.
Already, people have started criticising the Chinese authorities for not having done enough, and individual citizens of the country for not behaving responsibly. Worried parents have requested schools and universities delay their start dates for fear of Chinese students returning from China unknowingly carrying the virus. And one airline is contacting thousands of passengers who flew on a plane with two tourists who have since been diagnosed with the virus.
Such fears and concerns are understandable, given the potential effects a virus can have on children, and the greater risk of it spreading in confined spaces.
But then someone asked me: “Have you prayed for the people of Wuhan?”
I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t really thought about the plight of the residents of this city at the epicentre of the crisis. I’ve been far more concerned about the risk to Australia, family and friends. (Read a Chinese resident’s account about What It’s Like Living In A Ghost Town In Fear.)
Perhaps that’s why Paul, when urging Christians to love and care for others, told them: “In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3–4).
Giving equal or higher priority to the interests of other people means caring for them even when we ourselves may be suffering, or even when we may have something to lose from doing so. Difficult as it is, true love and care is self-sacrificing.
A pastor of a church in Wuhan puts this well in a letter that was published this week. Writing to fellow believers, he says: “Christians are not only to suffer with the people of this city, but we have a responsibility to pray for those in this city who are fearful, and to bring to them the peace of Christ.”
What can we do as Christians in this crisis? Perhaps we can help point people to God and show them what He offers to those who trust in Him even as we battle our fears and concerns of being infected by the Wuhan virus. And we can pray for the people of Wuhan, and all those affected by the outbreak, that they will personally experience:
- The presence of God, who “is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
- The protection of God, who “will protect him, for he acknowledges my name” (Psalm 91:14).
- The peace of God, which “transcends all understanding [and] will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
As fellow recipients of God’s presence, protection, and peace, will you join me in praying for the people of Wuhan? —Leslie Koh
Lord, I pray for all those
affected by the outbreak or
worrying about it.
May You reach out to them
and show them Your
presence, protection, and peace.
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