I have been trying to pray for leaders I despise, but I know God knows my heart. So instead I will pray that the God who knows what it’s like to be in a frail human body and be sick and scared and tired and angry; I pray They have mercy on me because I’m finding it so hard to love my enemies. I pray that They send Their spirit to soften my heart so I can feel compassion for all of us frail fucked up scared humans who want mercy for ourselves and judgement for everyone else. Please, God, please help me have your heart for people. Amen.
Don't forget - when we pray for our leaders, we pray that they will be drawn into God's plan of shalom; and that they will act in the best interests of the people. Therefore, whether we are a supporter or not, we can still pray.
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.
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,
Thank you for this prayer. Would you be okay with me reading it to the other members of our local ELCA church family in our weekly prayers/petitions video? I promise to give you credit. :)
For those of us who work in nursing homes, that we may believe we have not failed when the inevitable happens and the virus makes it's way in despite our valiant efforts to keep it out.
Bless you all. You cannot block all potential infection without also blocking the humanity, human touch from their lives. To me, that would be a living hell. Better to be lovingly, with clean hands, cared for while we live! Thank you for your following the need with compassion!
Yes, God. I have been struggling to be present in this work for so many reasons. Beginning my 4th week in this brand new field at the most wild time... grant me greater trust in the deep knowledge that you led me here, patience with myself, loving compassion for my patients and their families, and the ability to listen hard and well through the phone. Thank you for the solidarity found here with Mimi! A needed gift this morning. Amen.
For those who are in ICU’s now, who have no visitors, whose families are worried and also alone. For health care professionals working in situations they have never faced before, help us as a nation to come together and figure out how to protect them. For grocery workers who are now on the front lines. For my sister and others like her, trying to keep a small business serving bread to others and donating the days unsold to those in need, keep them healthy and help their weary bodies and worries. And, for me and those like me, who find this unreal situation sometimes difficult to bear on a beat up and weary heart. Bless us.
For those who are not able to get our hair colored and must work on the front lines while resembling a forest animal (think of one with a wide white line down its lovely back). May we all keep our sense of humor ❤️
Thank you, Lord, for those able to keep their sense of humor during this trial, especially those willing to share it with others! ❤ Thank you, Doe, for the smile! 😊!!
For Nadia Bolz-Weber, Kate Bowler, Glennon Doyle, Brene Brown and Sarah Bessey who are my guides right now, I give You thanks and praise. For a husband who loves to cook and is my own personal Thunder shirt when my anxiety is spiraling, I give you thanks and praise. For my dogs and cats who are always chill and available for cuddling, I give you thanks and praise. For the stash of good dark chocolate I always have in reserve, I give you thanks and praise. For life, in all its madness and uncertainty, and all its breathtaking beauty and wild joy, I give your thanks and praise. In the name of your unrelenting, extravagant and tender love this is my prayer. AMEN.
For all those for whom staying at home is not an act of safe keeping. For all those for whom staying at home is not an emotional or spiritual comfort. For all those for whom staying at home is not possible, for there is not a home. For all those for whom staying at home is not a means of serving others who need our help. For all those for whom staying at home increases depression, anxiety, risk of physical and or emotional harm, the overwhelming sense that the pandemic and our need for correct response will outlive our ability to do so, or our very life itself. G-D have mercy. G-D have compassion. G-D have love unbounded.
For college students who are finishing internships, practicums, student teaching , certification and programs they need to graduate and start the careers they worked so hard to get to.
But now are interrupted and left hanging and uncertain by regulations , rules and the virus crisis over which no one has answers. Protect those who guide and teach them and feel their grief and frustration. Comfort us all as we wait.
For myself - 38 weeks pregnant, living in NYC, married to a physician working with COVID patients. For health, peace and safety - for the remainder of this pregnancy, for my partner, for his team, for those under his care. For my friend who lost her mom to this virus so quickly.
I light a candle in my heart for you, my friend. May you be surrounded with love and support when you welcome your baby to the world, even if it's only with the loving nurse and doctor or midwife. Their hearts break for you.
for hospital staff, gowned and masked (please God, let them have enough of those!) who smile at us with their eyes and still manage to laugh, even when they are carrying so much fear.
I have been trying to pray for leaders I despise, but I know God knows my heart. So instead I will pray that the God who knows what it’s like to be in a frail human body and be sick and scared and tired and angry; I pray They have mercy on me because I’m finding it so hard to love my enemies. I pray that They send Their spirit to soften my heart so I can feel compassion for all of us frail fucked up scared humans who want mercy for ourselves and judgement for everyone else. Please, God, please help me have your heart for people. Amen.
We all know this same feeling, and many have this same desire. Thank you for saying this prayer. God, hear our prayers. (((HUGS))) <3
Thank you for putting into words what I have been too ashamed to confess.
Bless you for putting words to my own feelings. Lord, hear our prayer.
Hear our prayers.
Yes, I understand these feelings. Amen
Don't forget - when we pray for our leaders, we pray that they will be drawn into God's plan of shalom; and that they will act in the best interests of the people. Therefore, whether we are a supporter or not, we can still pray.
Thank you for this prayer - God hear our prayers.
Lord, here our many prayers
yesss, you have said great words. No matter what problem we have, when you pray, all your problems will be resolved
https://viewprayertimes.com/
Lord hear our prayers
Amen
Lord, hear our prayer
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.
Lord, hear our prayer
God be with you momma. We love you
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
PJ,
Thank you for this prayer. Would you be okay with me reading it to the other members of our local ELCA church family in our weekly prayers/petitions video? I promise to give you credit. :)
Of course! Please do.
I too, thought of sharing with my pastor..I will give you the credit, PJ
This is beautiful, and so needed. I've copied it over to a document so I can pray it myself each time I'm feeling overcome. Thank you. 💜
I did the same thing!
This is so beautiful and timely! I would LOVE to share this, and of course, will properly credit you!
Of course, Erica, if you're talking about my piece (this note is showing up under someone else's prayer), "All of you who serve all of us."
Share away!
Thank you!
Lord, hear our prayer
For those of us who work in nursing homes, that we may believe we have not failed when the inevitable happens and the virus makes it's way in despite our valiant efforts to keep it out.
HUGS. Lord, hear our prayers for all nursing home workers. <3
Amen
Lord, hear our prayer
Bless you all. You cannot block all potential infection without also blocking the humanity, human touch from their lives. To me, that would be a living hell. Better to be lovingly, with clean hands, cared for while we live! Thank you for your following the need with compassion!
Yes! We wash our hands a thousand times a day and hold those in need of holding. Thanks for your prayers!
I work the front desk of a big retirement community. I also dread the day it gets in despite all our diligence.
Lord, hear our prayer
Lord, hear our prayer
For those in unsafe spaces and in lock down with loved ones who are not loving
Hear our prayers, Lord!
Yes, hear our prayer.
Lord, hear our prayer
Lord, hear our prayet
For all of us medical chaplains who do our best to stiffle our own fears to be present, fully present to those we minister to .
Yes, God. I have been struggling to be present in this work for so many reasons. Beginning my 4th week in this brand new field at the most wild time... grant me greater trust in the deep knowledge that you led me here, patience with myself, loving compassion for my patients and their families, and the ability to listen hard and well through the phone. Thank you for the solidarity found here with Mimi! A needed gift this morning. Amen.
Yes this. So mote it be
Ameen
Lord, hear our prayer
For those who are in ICU’s now, who have no visitors, whose families are worried and also alone. For health care professionals working in situations they have never faced before, help us as a nation to come together and figure out how to protect them. For grocery workers who are now on the front lines. For my sister and others like her, trying to keep a small business serving bread to others and donating the days unsold to those in need, keep them healthy and help their weary bodies and worries. And, for me and those like me, who find this unreal situation sometimes difficult to bear on a beat up and weary heart. Bless us.
Lord, hear our prayers.
Lord, hear our prayers.
Amen
Lord hear our prayer
Lord, hear our prayer
For those who are not able to get our hair colored and must work on the front lines while resembling a forest animal (think of one with a wide white line down its lovely back). May we all keep our sense of humor ❤️
Thank you, Lord, for those able to keep their sense of humor during this trial, especially those willing to share it with others! ❤ Thank you, Doe, for the smile! 😊!!
Lord, hear our prayer
Quoting from Garrison Keillor- “Thank you God for this good life and forgive us when we don’t love it enough.”
Lord hear our prayer
For Nadia Bolz-Weber, Kate Bowler, Glennon Doyle, Brene Brown and Sarah Bessey who are my guides right now, I give You thanks and praise. For a husband who loves to cook and is my own personal Thunder shirt when my anxiety is spiraling, I give you thanks and praise. For my dogs and cats who are always chill and available for cuddling, I give you thanks and praise. For the stash of good dark chocolate I always have in reserve, I give you thanks and praise. For life, in all its madness and uncertainty, and all its breathtaking beauty and wild joy, I give your thanks and praise. In the name of your unrelenting, extravagant and tender love this is my prayer. AMEN.
Lord, hear our prayer
I too could have written this. Lord hear us
I could have written every word of this myself.
For all those for whom staying at home is not an act of safe keeping. For all those for whom staying at home is not an emotional or spiritual comfort. For all those for whom staying at home is not possible, for there is not a home. For all those for whom staying at home is not a means of serving others who need our help. For all those for whom staying at home increases depression, anxiety, risk of physical and or emotional harm, the overwhelming sense that the pandemic and our need for correct response will outlive our ability to do so, or our very life itself. G-D have mercy. G-D have compassion. G-D have love unbounded.
Lord, hear our prayer
G-D have mercy, G-D be with us!
Amen
For college students who are finishing internships, practicums, student teaching , certification and programs they need to graduate and start the careers they worked so hard to get to.
But now are interrupted and left hanging and uncertain by regulations , rules and the virus crisis over which no one has answers. Protect those who guide and teach them and feel their grief and frustration. Comfort us all as we wait.
Lord, hear our prayer
Lord hear our prayer
Lord hear our prayer
Thank you God for the bird song I hear outside my window. I know it's your voice saying : I am here. I am here .
One of the joys I have experienced of working at home! Amen!
Amen!! I have this blessing too!! <3
Amen
For families separated, and unable to travel to comfort each other.
Lord, hear our prayer
For myself - 38 weeks pregnant, living in NYC, married to a physician working with COVID patients. For health, peace and safety - for the remainder of this pregnancy, for my partner, for his team, for those under his care. For my friend who lost her mom to this virus so quickly.
God, protect you.
I pray for all of you. May your baby enter this world in peace. All love and blessings to you, kay
Thank you deeply ❤️
I light a candle in my heart for you, my friend. May you be surrounded with love and support when you welcome your baby to the world, even if it's only with the loving nurse and doctor or midwife. Their hearts break for you.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Lord, hear our prayer
Lord, hear our prayer. ❤️
for hospital staff, gowned and masked (please God, let them have enough of those!) who smile at us with their eyes and still manage to laugh, even when they are carrying so much fear.
Lord hear our prayer