Prayer in these times
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We pray these and other prayers in our heart: Loving God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as so many of us need to stay at home as much as possible, we pray that You will help us with your patience and comfort, while at the same time free us from fear and anxiety. As we think of those not so mobile, help us to find ways to assist the sick and the shut-ins. Help us to open our hearts to the light of hope, your hope, as we pray in Jesus’ Name. Heavenly Father, during this season of Easter, help us to remember that the crucified and resurrected Christ offered to His disciples peace and freedom from fear, promising them -- and us -- that He will remain with us all through all tribulations until the end of time. Help us to increase this confidence in His presence and in the fact that He will not abandon us in our trial. Let us celebrate Easter free of every syndrome of fear and anxiety... O Creator and Enabler, we pray that you will enlighten the researchers to swiftly determine the proper preventive and therapeutic processes. May we all pass this trial with the fewest number of victims. At the same time, we hope and pray that human societies will reexamine their values and priorities because this pandemic creates not only infirmities but also widespread economical consequences that are especially devastating for poorer countries [remembering Albania which also recently suffered from a great earthquake]. Continue to remind us that this pandemic is not local but global, and help leaders and the world to respond by helping one another in global ways, not selfish or nationalistic ways... O Lord, let your Spirit strengthen us and each other with courage, prayer, words, simple acts, silence full of affection; especially towards those who are at greater risk. Continue to remind us that It is not only the coronavirus that is transmittable; help US to each transmit freedom from fear and anxiety based on faith and love as continuously as possible with a joyful disposition. Help us to support all the healthcare professionals who come in contact with the virus daily, and strengthen our gratitude to them through prayer and by following their guidelines... [developed from an outline, World Council of Churches, with permission, April 2020] |
Almighty and merciful God, you are the only source of health and healing; you alone can bring calmness and peace. Grant to all in need, your gifts of health and healing, strength and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen. (EvLW: Pastoral Care, p. 171) Lord Christ, you came into the world as one of us, and suffered as we do. As we go through the trials of life, help us to realize that you are with us at all times and in all things; that we have no secrets from you; and that your living grace enfolds us for eternity. Amen. (EvLW: Pastoral Care, p. 360) Prayer for:We pray:
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