Greetings dear friends. I know this is quite a difficult time for many of us. Just like you, I’ve been talking with family and friends about the different ways the coronavirus is impacting our lives. Some are isolated themselves; some have loved ones in nursing homes who are not only at risk physically, but who suffer emotionally because they are quarantined and can’t be together with their family. Many are frightened by the financial downturn of our economy. And all of us are uncertain of where this is heading and how long it will take us to get there.
For all these reasons and more, I want to offer a word of encouragement. And an opportunity to join me and all of us at Women in the Window International, in a season of prayer.
In early February 2020, I was wonderstruck by a specific Bible verse. It seemed the LORD wanted me to pay attention to the meaning behind the verse and apply it in some way:
“Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, Weep between the porch and the altar;
Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord, and do not give Your heritage to reproach,
That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’” Joel 2:17
I asked the LORD, “Just where is this “place” and why are You asking us to spend time there in fervent prayer, even weeping and prayer, on behalf of others AND on behalf of Your Name and reputation? How do I find my way to this place between the porch and the altar?”
Little did I know that just one month later it would all make perfect sense. The altars in our churches have now been closed due to the coronavirus. We simply cannot go to worship, learn, sing and pray together as a congregation of those who love to call upon the name of the Lord!
Yet now, even now (Joel 2:13-14), God is inviting us, even imploring us, to call out to Him with fervent prayer, even weeping and prayer. Because of Jesus we are not limited to a specific place, not even a specific time. We can fully and freely approach His altar, His throne of Grace!
Hebrews 4:14-16, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
My heart revels at the thought that God, THE God of Creation and Redemption, has invited us to call on His Name, to come to this place of intercessory prayer on behalf of His glory and on behalf of His people in such a time of global need—between the porch and the altar!
For WiW, this place of prayer includes weeping for our Women in the Window International ministry partners who are persecuted for their faith in Christ and have been locked out of their churches in Hindu or Muslim dominated nations. They have not only been forbidden from going to church, they have been forcibly removed and the church doors sealed by the government.
Yes, we stand in the gap for them and for ALL those who are at risk of losing their lives, or who have lost precious loved ones due to COVID-19.
We ALSO stand in prayer for those who are deeply distressed by the financial downturn of the economy, including Women in the Window International as we need both financial and prayer support more than ever before! Our needs continue as our WiW ministry partners will continue to provide much needed ministry for women in their nations.
We cannot fully approach the physical altar of God’s house right now. But we do have a new and living altar that is readily accessible to all who believe—who humble themselves and believe that Jesus is in fact who He said He was—the Savior, the Redeemer, the Lord.
We would LOVE to pray for you and even with you. Please send your prayer requests to us by email or visit our website: https://womeninthewindow-intl.org/pray/ so we can pray for you!
We hope to hear from you and pray for your requests as together we wait, weep, and then finally, one day not too long from now, rejoice together between the porch and AT the altar!
Joyfully Serving and Trusting Him with you,
Kim