Here’s another prayer – featured now in my free e-book For Such a Time as This – that may help you to find words to articulate some of your thoughts and fears when you’re struggling to pray during these dark days of the coronavirus pandemic, reminding you that, however much it may feel like it, you are not alone.
I could dwell on the future, Lord
I could dwell on the future, Lord,
on what might happen to me,
how sick I might become,
the possibility, even, that I might die.
But what would be the point of that?
Would it help me?
Would it change anything?
Would I feel better for it afterwards?
I could brood about how many months I may need to social distance,
lock myself away,
cut myself off even from my loved ones.
But would use would that be?
Will it solve anything?
Will it make the time shorter?
Will I feel happier for it?
I could fret about food,
money,
my job:
whether we’ll be left to go hungry;
whether we’ll find ourselves in debt;
whether I’ll end up with no work.
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But what’s the good of worrying?
Will it help me to cope better,
or will it leave me drained, more troubled,
less able to cope with what might come?
No, I will not brood,
will not worry about what tomorrow might bring;
let each day’s care be sufficient for itself.
Who knows what the future holds,
for good or ill?
Who can say what blessings or trials lie in store?
But I’m alive now,
I’m well now,
I’m here now,
and this, Lord, is the day you have given.
Help me to celebrate it,
to give thanks for it
and to live it to the full.
Amen.