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.
Times are bad, Lord
Times are bad, Lord,
but remind me they could be worse.
They are hard,
but remind me they could be harder.
They are testing,
but remind me they could be far more challenging still.
They bring trouble,
but remind me many face adversity much more demanding.
It’s not easy,
you’re not asking me to pretend otherwise,
the events of recent months having brought trials and tribulations
such as most of us have never begun to experience before,
yet though much is being asked of us,
we know much more is asked of others,
though the path we tread is difficult,
it is less gruelling than the one many have to travel.
Teach me, Lord, should I feel weary,
shaken,
sorry for myself,
to focus on the good rather than the bad,
the best instead of the worst,
and to recognise that,
however tough things may be,
I still have so many reasons to give thanks.
Amen.