‘Help us, O God, that we might help each other’
A prayer to repeat during a pandemic.
In this time of COVID-19, we pray:
When we aren’t sure, God,
……..help us be calm;
when information comes from all sides,
……..correct and not, help us to discern;
when fear makes it hard to breathe,
and anxiety seems to be the order of the day,
……..slow us down, God;
help us to reach out with our hearts,
……..when we can’t touch with our hands;
help us to be socially connected,
……..when we have to practice social distancing
help us to love as perfectly as we can,
knowing that “perfect love casts out all fear.”
For the doctors, we pray,
……..for the nurses, we pray,
……..[add the names of medical workers that you know]
For the technicians and the janitors and the
……..aides and the caregivers, we pray,
for the researchers and theorists,
……..the epidemiologists and investigators.
We pray for those who have no choice but to work:
……..farmers and truckdrivers, and store clerks and more
We pray for those who desperately wish that they could work:
……..For those who had jobs in entertainment or tourism and
……..the airlines . . . and for all those in trickle down jobs at restaurants
……..and gift shops and more. . . [add the names of those who fill these roles if you know of any]
We pray for those who are shaping the choices of governments
……..& schools & churches and more. . .
We pray for those inclined to blame and bitterness, too.
We lift to you those who are sick. . . [add the names of those you know]
……..and for those who are grieving, we pray. . .
for all who are affected, all around the world. . .
we pray ……..for safety,
………………….for health,
………………….for wholeness.
May we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty,
clothe the naked and house those without homes;
may we walk with those who feel they are alone,
and may we do all that we can to heal
the sick – in spite of the epidemic,
……..in spite of the fear.
……..Help us, O God,
……..that we might help each other.
In the love of the Creator,
in the name of the Healer,
in the life of the Holy Spirit
……..that is in all and with all, we pray.
May it be so. Amen
This prayer was adapted by Neil and Virginia Lettinga, based on “A prayer during times of COVID-19” by the Right Rev. Richard Bott, originally posted on Facebook. Moderator Bott encourages the sharing of prayers he posts throughout his term.
