Seeking the face of God in trying times

On Wednesday, the nation went on its knees to seek the face of God in the affairs of man, especially in the wake of the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

As science and human knowledge, as well as skills, struggle for an antidote to the COVID-19, it is equally right and proper to also seek refuge with the One who heals us all the time.

After all, the Good Book says in Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Quran 2:183-184 onwards also insists on fasting as prescribed before man and as was prescribed for those before us. And that he who seeks any good from Allah should fast.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, many nations, including Ghana, have not been spared its havoc and there seems to be no end in sight, as the virus has gone viral.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, last week Sunday, therefore, declared last Wednesday a national day of fasting and prayer for God to bring to an end this raging global pandemic which is gradually overwhelming the world.

It was a declaration that was generally welcomed and embraced by a cross-section of the public irrespective of their religious, ethnic and political affiliation.

In declaring the national day of fasting and prayer, the President acknowledged the power of the Almighty God and His ability to save the country, and, indeed, the world, from this pandemic.

Ghana has currently confirmed 132 cases, with one recovery, one in critical condition and three deaths. It also has 54 cases on routine surveillance, with 1,030 on mandatory quarantine, out of which 78 have been found to be positive. These are growing numbers by all indications and so the Daily Graphic applauds the President for leading the nation to seek the face of God in these trying times taking cognisance of.

Joel 2:12 to “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning”.

The decision is also a reminder and recognition that the gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to Him (Ezra 8:22). We are also taught in Matthew 7:7-8 to: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

So, together in faith, we seek God’s intervention with sincere and contrite hearts and believe that He, who is all powerful and merciful, will grant us His grace and favour.

We find this posture of fasting and praying by the government and the people commendable.

Learning from this, it is our belief that the institution of a National Day of Fasting and Prayer will not be out of place and should be considered. We may even have it bi-annually, instead of it being a one-off event. If for nothing at all, we have a lot to thank God for.

Separately, the Christian and Muslim communities have dedicated times to observe fasting and prayer, but two dedicated days within the year when all Ghanaians will join hands to go down on our knees with empty stomachs to seek the face of God cannot be too much.

In so doing, we should be honest, forgiving and show love, care and compassion for one another.

As a nation, it seems we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. The church and the Mosque, as a body, cannot escape blame in this whole enterprise of abomination. It is time to do away with injustice.

We believe that together, if we are sincere and show gratitude enough to Him who deserves it (in Luke 17:17, he actually demands it), He will open the Heavens and answer our prayers.

While we contemplate the approaches to instituting the National Day of Fasting and Prayer, let us all keep educating ourselves on the virus and observe social (physical) distancing and hygienic practices, including effective hand-washing and others recommended by our health professionals. AMEN!