Nick Fawcett (devotional and reflective writer)

Here’s a prayer of intercession, taken from my 2017 book Prayers for a Hurting World.

God of love,
we remember today those who struggle with the burden of loneliness.

We think of the elderly and housebound –
those who due to infirmity or ill health are unable to get out as they used to,
to socialise with family and friends
or to be part of society in the way they once were,
sometimes spending days or even weeks without meaningful human contact,
and often feeling themselves to be a burden on those they do see.
Help them to cope with their isolation,
and to know themselves loved.

We think of those who have lost a loved one,
whose marriage or relationship with a partner
has broken down,
who are estranged by family feuds,
whose children have left home –
each yearning for the presence of those
they are separated from.
Help them to cope with their isolation,
and to know themselves loved.

We think of those who struggle to make friends,
who are too shy to build meaningful relationships,
who lack confidence in themselves,
who feel lonely even in a crowd.
Help them to cope with their isolation,
and to know themselves loved.

We think of those who live as refugees or migrants in foreign lands,
who are treated with suspicion and hostility,
who feel their face does not fit and their presence is not welcome.
Help them to cope with their isolation,
and to know themselves loved.

May those who are friendless find friendship,
those who are estranged find reconciliation,
those who doubt their worth find self-assurance,
those who mourn loved ones find comfort,
those who feel alone find companionship.
Help them to cope with their isolation,
and to know themselves loved.
Amen.