2. The Oct 9, 2014 Christian Science Monitor article called “Ebola: Are US airport screenings more about controlling fearthan disease?” that is featured on the Time4Thinkers Prayer Watch shows very conclusively how fear is having an impact with the Ebola outbreak. How can we be sure that we remain fearless in the midst of the claim of contagious disease and support the general public in overcoming fear, as well?
3. In biblical times, leprosy was considered to be a contagious disease that many people feared. In fact, Leviticus 13 and 14 gives very specific instructions about how leprosy was supposed to be handled, including a diagnosis by a priest and “being shut out from the camp” at least seven days being if an individual was determined to be “unclean.” Individuals diagnosed with Ebola are being quarantined since it is believed to spread through contacts with bodily fluids. What can we do to support people who have been made to separate themselves from society because of contagion? Can we ever truly be cut off from help?
5. There are many records of leprosy being healed such as Moses, Miriam, Naaman and the 10 lepers. Part of Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 10:8 is to “cleanse the lepers.” What does this mean? Are we taking Jesus’ four commands seriously as Christian Scientists and, if so, how are we doing this? What does cleansing looking like and what might need to be “cleansed” in our thought?
4. Many doctors and nurses from around the world have traveled over to African countries to help with the outbreak. What ideas from the Bible and Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures can we use to pray for these selfless individuals?
6. After the wonderful news that Nigeria is now Ebola free and a recent that the first case was diagnosed in New York, how can we be sure that we continue praying about this world issue and be persistent in our prayers?