Many church leaders are encouraging their congregations to observe a day of prayer and fasting tomorrow, Good Friday.
I'm planning on participating, and I encourage you to as well...
Times of prayer and fasting have a long history, from the Bible onward -- especially during times of great need.
So in response to the coronavirus and all it has affected, a period of prayer and fasting is definitely in order (Neh.1:4).
But even apart from the virus, taking time to fast and pray ought to be normal a practice for God's people (Mt.6:16-18).
The discipline of fasting, in particular, is a perfect way to renew your dependence on the Lord... and redirect your focus toward Him and His purpose for your life.
For every time your stomach growls, it's an occasion to notice how dependent you are on God and turn to Him in prayer... while seeking His grace to be all He calls you to be.
Now, if you've never fasted before, going without food from after dinner tonight until your evening meal tomorrow might be a challenge... and you may need to break your fast early.
Also, if for health reasons you aren't able to abstain from food, it might be best for you to take a break from something else during this time...
... like following the news, being on social media, or some other activity that attracts a lot of your time and attention.
But whatever your situation, do consider participating at some level.
This can be a wonderful way to get better at ruling over your appetites for the Lord's sake...
... and it's also a biblical way to seek God's mercy during the worldwide crisis we're facing together.
Oh, and there's really no better time to fast than the day we commemorate Christ denying Himself and going to the cross on our behalf.