When you’re struggling to pray during these dark days of the coronavirus pandemic (52)

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.

Lord of all, hear our prayer for those wrestling with coronavirus

Lord of all, hear our prayer for those wrestling with coronavirus –
enduring all the fear,
confusion,
tragedy
and loss
associated with that.

Hear our prayer for those in places where the disease is spreading,
the death toll daily rising,
and where measures to quarantine those infected,
and control the epidemic,
seem to be a losing battle.

Hear our prayer for those in hospital receiving treatment,
those with underlying health issues for whom treatment may not be enough,
those already mourning the loss of loved ones,
those virtually imprisoned in their homes or town,
those stuck in a foreign land finding it difficult,
if not impossible,
to get home.

Hear our prayer for those battling against the disease –
doctors, nurses and care staff putting their own lives at risk to do so,
governments searching for the best way to respond,
scientists striving to find vaccines and a cure for the disease.

Lord of all,
give reassurance to those terrified they may have contracted the illness,
strength to those who have done so,
comfort to those it has left bereaved,
support to those in hospitals at the front line in combating it,
and wisdom to those entrusted with not only limiting its worst effects,
but finally, somehow, defeating it.

Reach out, we pray, in love and mercy,
to help and heal,
sustain and deliver.
Amen.