Is COVID-19 Forcing People to Turn to God?

            The Jerusalem Post reported on a recent poll and said that “44% of Americans polled said they see ‘the global coronavirus pandemic and economic meltdown’ as ‘a wake-up call for us to turn back to faith in God,’ as ‘signs of coming judgment,’ or both.” One out of five non-Christians (22%) are “reading the Bible and listen to Bible teachings or Christian sermons online” because of the pandemic. Four in ten (40%) people who identify as Christians are reading the Bible more and listening to Bible teachings or Christian sermons online more often now that they cannot attend religious meetings. Three in ten (29%) Americans polled believe that the coronavirus and economic problems are signs of the last days.


             President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called for a day of worldwide fasting and prayer to be held on Good Friday, April 10, 2020. The message was put on social media and went viral in minutes. I have read posts on Facebook from people of all religious persuasions or no religion at all commit to joining members of the Church of Jesus Christ on Good Friday in fasting and praying for relief from the coronavirus.


            Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy is calling for an Alaska day of prayer and hope on Good Friday. He asks all Alaskans to join at 2:00 on Friday when he will personally lead the state in prayer “to ask for blessings from God. In times of uncertainty, such as this global health pandemic we are fending off, prayer and hope are powerful resources that are immediately accessible to every Alaskan across every faith and religious tradition.”


            America may be turning to God, and this is a good thing. John Adams, Founding Father and third President of the United States, said, “Our Constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” We need God in our government, in our schools, and in our homes. This world-wide day of fasting and prayer will be an invitation for Him to return and bless our lives in every way.