Here’s another new coronavirus prayer, to help support and encourage you during the continuing crisis.
I could dwell on the bad, Lord,
on the problems we’re facing,
the dangers,
challenges
and worries,
both as individuals
and as a country.
For there’s no denying how real those are.
I could brood about the continuing risks facing us all:
the danger of loved ones becoming infected,
the frustration of lockdown and self-isolation,
the likely impact of economic meltdown for years to come.
Yet though such thoughts would be justified,
would they be helpful?
I don’t think so.
There’s no point, of course, in burying my head in the sand,
pretending that all is well.
But there’s no point either in fretting about what I cannot change,
for all the worrying in the world won’t make a scrap of difference to them.
So today, despite all the many reasons I have to be troubled,
I’m going to think instead of the good things of life,
the reasons I have to be cheerful:
the love of family and friends,
the beauty of the natural world,
the rich variety of music, books, hobbies and interests,
the standard of living we’re still privileged to enjoy,
the care of doctors and nurses,
of our health service and welfare state –
all this and so much more, which we too easily take for granted.
Not today, Lord.
Not today.
Despite everything –
all the heartache,
trouble,
fear
and uncertainty –
I still want to say one thing:
thank you!
Amen.