Ebola Has Spread

Nearly 1,500 people have died and more than 3,200 are confirmed to have contracted Ebola in Congo as an outbreak continues to spread at record-breaking pace. The effort to respond is complicated by the remoteness of the region, the absence of vaccines or effective treatments, and ongoing violence in the region. The current outbreak is the third major Ebola incident in the region since 2014, and approximately 15,000 people have died because of those outbreaks.

Analysis and eternal perspective: It has been a relentless decade of disease and violence for the people of Congo. The current outbreak is in the headlines because of its urgency in the moment, but in reality, the people of Congo have had one life-threatening emergency after another. They have been living in a state of emergency for far too long, and our community stands with them in prayer this week.

“God of heaven, turn your eyes on our brothers and sisters in Congo today. Incline your eye to their suffering and stretch out your healing hand to those who are weak and weary. Restore their health, revive their spirits, and heal the division in their land. Do a mighty work that You might be glorified as a result! Amen.”

Finally, we have frequently discussed the promise of the new heaven and the new earth, and one of the associated promises of that day is that “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev. 21:4). We stand on that hope for the people of Congo today, and we ask that God would bring it to reality even now.