Holy Hugs and Kisses

Probably everyone in the world has been affected by the coronavirus scare. Cities, states, and countries have issued varying levels of lockdown. I’m used to hanging out somewhere every day to drink coffee and work online with my laptop. McDonald’s, Panera Bread and Caribou Coffee are still open but currently serve only drive-thru customers. Therefore, I’m mostly having coffee at home.

Churches have also been impacted by the coronavirus. This past Wednesday I planned on going to one’s midweek service but found out they were live-streaming only. Fortunately, I heard of another fellowship that stayed open and went there instead. It felt good to worship the Lord in the presence of other believers. A guest minister advised us not to be critical of pastors who temporarily cancel gatherings out of respect to government guidelines and concern for those fearful of the virus.

Although I’ve mostly stayed at home working on various projects, there have been opportunities to share the gospel. Four days ago, a man came over to fix the clothes dryer. When he took a break, Va prayed to receive Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. The previous Sunday when restaurants still permitted inside dining, the Lord instructed me to go to McDonald’s. There I ministered to the young man who took my order. After Devon prayed to get saved, I witnessed to another employee standing next to him. Khaleed held my hand across the counter and bowed his head while asking Jesus to come into his heart. Just before I left McDonald’s, Khaleed came up to say thanks and twice hugged me. He appeared to have no fear of contracting the virus.

Nevertheless, authorities are advising people to practice what’s called social distancing. That got me thinking about how some individuals are more “touchy-feely” than others. One Facebook friend pointed out quarantines are mentioned in the Bible. However, all of them are in the Old Testament. Scripture encourages physical affection. Three times we are told to greet each other with a holy kiss (Romans 16:16, 2 Corinthians 13:12, and 1 Thessalonians 5:26). The prodigal son’s father fell on his son’s neck and kissed him even though his son probably smelled like pigs. Jesus wasn’t afraid to touch the lepers. Neither should we be afraid to lay hands on those who need a touch from heaven.

At the same time, we should be mindful of those who might feel uncomfortable having someone touch them. While doing street ministry, it’s best to get permission before laying hands on the sick. Otherwise, they might “lay hands” on you and then you will need healing. 

“Do not lay hands on anyone hastily…”

- 1 Timothy 5:22

Unspoken Requests

Occasionally when I get together with other Christians for a prayer meeting, the leader will lift up “unspoken requests.”  While this may sound holy and religious, it is unscriptural.  Philippians 4:6 commands us to “let your requests be made known to God.”

It’s true that our Heavenly Father “knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8)  Sometimes we might get blessed with things we didn’t specifically pray for simply because He loves us.  But notice what Jesus said in Matthew 7:11; “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”  


If you were in line at a McDonald’s drive thru, would you expect to receive an item on the menu that you didn’t order?  Of course, you wouldn’t.  Likewise, we need to be specific in what we want something from God.  Look at what happened in Mark 10:51 after blind Bartimaeus called out for Jesus…

So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”  The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”

Had Bartimaeus replied, “Lord, I have an unspoken request”, he probably would have remained blind.  James 4:2 (KJV) says, “…ye have not, because ye ask not.”

There are times we might perceive a leading to pray for someone or something but don’t know how to put words to it.  That’s when we need to pray in other tongues.  As Romans 8:26 (NLT) says, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for.  But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.”

God has many promises for us in His word.  But they won’t manifest in our lives automatically.  The first step is to ask.

“Ask the LORD for rain.  In the time of the latter rain, the LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone.” - Zechariah 10:1