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.
They feel so inadequate, our prayers, Lord
They feel so inadequate, our prayers, Lord,
so small a response to so great a crisis.
Even if we could find the words we seek to sum up our concern,
express our fears,
articulate our needs
and entrust into your care the many we know to be at risk,
even then, our efforts would seem lacking.
But we can’t get anywhere near that,
our entreaties to you being muddled,
halting,
confused,
disjointed.
We do not know what to say
or how to say it;
what to pray
or how to pray it,
and we are left feeling we have failed ourselves,
you
and others.
Do not let that deter us, Lord.
Teach us that you heed not only the words of our lips
but also the thoughts of the heart,
prayer not being an exam we must pass
but an opportunity to embrace.
Help us, then, simply to share with you,
as best we can,
what we are feeling,
so committing ourselves,
our loved ones,
and the world beyond,
sincerely into your keeping.
Amen.