Our neighbors:

Suddenly our neighbors are our close community. If we haven’t had a chance to get to know them yet, then we may be slowly learning the people around us and their needs. It seems so strange, just 50 years ago you would have known all those living around you, but with technology and lack of face to face time we barely know those who are just next door. Often we only know when something is wrong when first responders are on the scene.

When we begin to emerge from our isolation, I pray that we take the time to get to know those living around us. While we hope that something like this never happens again, getting to know those directly around us makes the journey easier- in both good and difficult times.

Pray for you neighbors; they are tired, stressed, lonely and afraid. We still have no idea how long this quarantine may take and many of our neighbors don’t know where their next paycheck will come from. Pray for peace in their houses, peace on our streets, and peace in our neighborhoods.

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:30-31 NIV