God of comfort and strength, we pray for the perseverance to love one another, not only when it’s easy to do, but especially when we find it the most difficult. Guide our words and our actions to continue to make your church, our homes, and the world a space of welcome for all people.
We pray for all essential workers in New York City and around the country who continue to work and put their own wellbeing on the line to help us face this crisis. We pray for doctors, nurses, first responders, researchers, law enforcement, caregivers, and all working to combat COVID-19. Be with those who work in service and restaurant professions, those keeping stores stocked and making at home deliveries, for teachers both at home and online working tirelessly to give our children an education in the midst of crisis. We pray for those who transport goods to the places that need them, provide them with what they need along the journey. Keep them safe, keep them healthy, and help us to find ways to provide them with the supplies that they need to do their jobs well. We ask that you continue to be with employers and employees who are struggling to figure out how to keep things going during this time.
For those who hunger or thirst, for those who doubt or are terrified, for those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, or don’t have life’s most basic necessities, grant access to whatever they need.
We pray that we may be still and know that God is in charge and instead of complaining. Remind us to look at the miracles that are around us each day and be thankful that we are here to see them.
Sustain all workers and business owners who suffer loss of livelihood due to shut-downs, quarantines, closed borders, and other restrictions protect and guard all those who must travel.
We pray for those who have been diagnosed with the coronavirus or who are awaiting testing. Ease the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation of all who are receiving treatment or are in quarantine. Be with the families and friends of those who are sick, who cannot be with their loved ones.
BLESSING IN THE CHAOS
To all that is chaotic
in you,
let there come silence.
Let there be
a calming
of the clamoring,
a stilling
of the voices that
have laid their claim
on you,
that have made their
home in you,
that go with you
even to the
holy places
but will not
let you rest,
will not let you
hear your life
with wholeness
or feel the grace
that fashioned you.
Let what distracts you
Cease.
Let what divides you
Cease.
Let there come an end
to what diminishes
and demeans,
and let depart
all that keeps you
in its cage.
Let there be
an opening
into the quiet
that lies beneath
the chaos,
where you find
the peace
you did not think
possible
and see what shimmers
within the storm.
—Jan Richardson
from The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief
Used with permission from the author
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Bellerose 