PRAYERS

The following may be helpful as you pray

at this time of global crisis...

A PRAYER FOR TIMES OF ISOLATION

From Christian Aid (other prayers available here)

God of heaven and earth,

in these times of isolation,

apart from loved ones

distant from friends

away from neighbours

thank you that there is nothing

in all of creation,

not even coronavirus,

that is able to separate us from your love.

And may your love that never fails

continue to be shared

through the kindness of strangers

looking out for each other,

for neighbours near and far

all recognising our shared vulnerability,

each of us grateful for every breath,

and willing everyone to know the gift

of a full and healthy life.

Keep us all in your care.

Amen.

A PRAYER FOR WORKING FROM HOME

By Will Sorrell (first part; full prayer available here)

Almighty God, Giver of Work and Rest,

I awake, and I am with you.
My commute is a trudge from bed to desk,
a stepping over toys and garments,
feet that feel like miles.
Ready my body to face unfamiliar tasks in this familiar place.

My eyes are prone to wander alone.
My ears are prone to hear my flesh over your Spirit.
My lips are prone to curse and lash.
My fingers and back are prone to cramp and complain.
My nose is prone to forget that every breath comes from you.

Let my eyes keep watch with you with care.
Let my ears hear the birds raise their carols to you.
Let my lips be patient on conference calls and voicemails.
Let my fingers and back find relaxation under tension.
Let my nose relish the home-brewed tea and remember.

O omnipotent and omnipresent Carpenter,
you who fashioned the lumber of the land,
you who breathed life into us from the dust,
you who are crafting this world anew,
build in me a confidence that I am your temple.

Make my heart believe that you are intersecting
the heavens and the earth in my very being.

A PRAYER BY CHRISTIAN AID

Loving God, strengthen our innermost being

with your love that bears all things

even the weight of this global pandemic

even the long haul of watching for symptoms

of patiently waiting for this to pass

watching and waiting,

keeping our gaze fixed on you,

and looking out for our neighbours near and far.

Instil in our shaken souls

the belief and hope that all things

are possible with your creative love

for strangers to become friends

for science to source solutions

for resources to be generously shared

so everyone, everywhere, may have what they need

for your perfect love that knows no borders

may cast out any fear and selfishness that divides.

May your love that never ends

be our comfort, strength and guide

for the wellbeing of all and the glory of God.

Amen.

A PRAYER FROM '24-7 PRAYER'

By Pete Greig - available here

IOWA CITY 1ST METHODIST CHURCH

Dear Lord, We now live in a ‘Coronavirus world’.

Please remember, we are still the church even though we are not physically gathered, and that when we get together again, we will celebrate.

In the meantime, even though the world seems to have cancelled everything right now, as people of faith let us remember:

Caring will not be cancelled
Love will not be cancelled
Acts of Kindness will not be cancelled
Relationships will not be cancelled
Hope will not be cancelled
Music will not be cancelled
Reading and Study will not be cancelled
Self-care will not be cancelled
Faith will not be cancelled

This is our prayer. Amen

A PRAYER FOR THOSE WORKING IN THE FRONT LINE

Thank you, Lord, for those working in the front line during this crisis,

confronting the challenge of coronavirus head on.

Thank you for hospital staff –

doctors,

nurses,

consultants,

pharmacists,

support workers

and so many others behind the scenes –

caring,

treating,

comforting,

sustaining,

sometimes at real personal risk to themselves.

Thank you for GPs,

district nurses,

helpline staff,

and those working in the community,

offering guidance and support to those in special need.

Thank you for these people:

for their dedication,

professionalism,

compassion,

and giving of themselves above and beyond the call of duty.

Support them in all the pressures they face,

and help them to cope with the extra workload,

the limited resources,

the emotional and physical demands made upon them,

so that, through their work and skills,

you may show your love

and bring your healing.

Amen.

A PRAYER BY THE MODERATORS OF URC GENERAL ASSEMBLY

‘God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.’
Psalm 46:1, NRSV

As so much is re-shaped by Coronavirus Covid 19, let us pray with:

people left unwell, beckoned by death or bereaved;
people providing professional health care and advice, looking after loved ones at home or working to create treatments and cures;
people shaping the response of nations and neighbourhoods, of commerce and industry, of service and voluntary organisations and of communities of faith;
people who are anxious or afraid, alone or isolated.

Living, loving God,
we praise you,
and through times of peril we lean into you,
for in Jesus Christ
you have trodden paths as difficult as ours,
revealing there a love that nothing defeats,
a love that bears us through.

Even as we strive to behave responsibly,
and to care reliably,
so we feel after you
that in these uncertain times we might trust you are with us,
our refuge and strength,
and our faith, hope and love might be renewed,
through Jesus Christ, Amen.

A PRAYER BY ST TERESA OF AVILA

Let nothing disturb you,

Let nothing frighten you,

All things are passing away:

God never changes.

Patience obtains all things

Whoever has God lacks nothing.

God alone suffices. Amen.

Lord, grant that I may always allow myself

To be guided by You, always follow Your plans,

and perfectly accomplish Your Holy Will.

Grant that in all things, great and small,

today and all the days of my life,

I may do whatever You require of me.

Help me respond to the slightest prompting

of Your Grace,

So that I may be Your trustworthy instrument for Your honour.

May Your will be done in time & in eternity by me,

in me, and through me. Amen.

A PRAYER BY REVD BARBARA GLASSON

(President of Methodist Conference)

Loving God,

If we are ill, strengthen us.

If we are tired, fortify our spirits.

If we are anxious, help us to consider the lilies of the field and the birds of the air.

Help us not to stockpile treasures from supermarkets in the barns of our larders.

Don't let fear cause us to overlook the needs of others more vulnerable than ourselves.

Fix our eyes on your story and our hearts on your grace.

Help us always to hold fast to the good,

See the good in others,

And remember there is just one world, one hope,

One everlasting love, with baskets of bread for everyone.

In Jesus we make our prayer,

The one who suffered, died and was raised to new life,

In whom we trust these days and all days,

Amen.