Sunday Prayers
add your own, respond to others...
Prayers for Sunday March 29th, 2020
For the layers of comfort and convenience that surrounded our lives and that we never considered a blessing but always just took for granted, forgive us.
For we who must grieve in isolation and not in community, comfort us.
For we who care for the sick, protect us.
For the ability to turn off the fear-mongering and unhelpful commentary and worst-case scenario click bait, strengthen us.
For the times when we are all out of creative ideas for how to get through this with cooped up kids, inspire us.
For we who are now cutting our own bangs at home, guide us.
For the grace to allow ourselves and others to just be less productive, shower us.
For the generosity needed from those of us who have more resources, empower us.
From our own selfish inclinations, deliver us.
For just being your children, none of whom have done a global pandemic before, love us.
For the days ahead, accompany us.
God unbound by time, help us to know that you are already present in the future we are fearing.
AMEN.
-Nadia Bolz-Weber
For what and for whom do the people of God pray?
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For the widowed single parent, worried every sneeze or scratch in her throat might make orphans of her children, or every cough from a child's room that sends waves of worry washing over her; come alongside us. Give us the discernment to separate the true health need from fact-less fear. Reassure us, all, just how not alone we actually are.
God,
Our anxiety consumes us, our worries invade every thought, every throat tickle or cough strikes panic. We are social distanced and isolated. Our finances are strained, our mobility limited, and weaknesses exposed. Our world creaks with the strain.
God of Noah, who sheltered in isolation for 40 days and nights, grant us the same patience and the faith that this wave will also recede.
God of Daniel, who faced the lion and emerged unscathed, help us trust in your deliverance.
God of Job, who suffered in unmerited misery, remind of us of what steadfast faith looks like.
God of Ruth and Naomi, who found comfort and companionship in their trials, help us rekindle, restore and cherish our relationships during this quarantine.
God of Moses, who escaped from the chariots through the parted sea, grant us such an improbable victory over this present plague.
God of the Psalmists, who sang “You are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head”, shield our doctors, nurses, therapists, and pharmacists as they tend to the sick. Cover with grace all those who must continue to work in service of others.
God of Peter, who reminded us to cast all anxiety on you, ease our worries and help us find your stillness in this interruption of our normal busy-ness.
God of Saul and Paul, who was transformed through his trials to a great servant, help us now to be transformed in this trial to the service of others. Help us to recognize desperation, fear, and anxiety in our world going forward and to remember what this dose felt like. Help us develop new empathy for the misery we see. Use this experience for the transformation of your world into a more connected, loving place. Use our distance to draw us closer to each other and to you. In your name we pray,
Amen