I must begin by endorsing what Steve Jenkins wrote in the last but one edition of the WWN in lauding those who have signed up to help support the vulnerable in our community during this strange and difficult time - well done everyone!

Wellington is a special place to live and this is no better illustrated than the way our townsfolk are pulling together during this period of enforced lockdown.

In the past few weeks we have heard phrases such as ‘social distancing’, ‘lockdown’ and ‘self-isolating’, which were not in our vocabulary a short time ago. We are all gradually getting used to a ‘new norm’. For how long, we don’t know, but it seems right to continue with this life shift to contain the spread of this ‘invisible enemy’, as Boris Johnson called COVID-19.

I can’t help but wonder whether this shift in our lifestyles will produce very different life choices and priorities on the other side of this period of restricted movement.

In the spiritual realm we also have an ‘invisible enemy’, the Devil, who Jesus said ’comes to rob, kill and destroy’, and we can certainly see his plan at work all over the world as I write.

But, there is the most wonderful news, we have an invisible but very present help in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, working powerfully in our fearful, broken world today. Jesus said to His followers, ”in this world you will have trouble, but fear not for I have overcome the world”.

He didn’t hide the truth but gave them hope that He was the one to save and rescue them through their troubles. Make no mistake, God cannot be locked down or contained, and we are reminded of that as we approach Easter when we celebrate the fact of Jesus rising up from the sealed tomb in resurrection power.

He is alive today and constantly at work in the world, and we can access His comfort, peace, healing and hope at any time. The password is ‘prayer’ – talk to Father God, He longs to hear your voice.

The feedback from the Christian Church network across the UK is that thousands more people admit to praying to God in this crisis, and He hears every cry from the heart. The bible says ’those who call on the name of the Lord (Jesus) will be saved’. Why not call on Him today, you have nothing to lose, but so much to gain.