Here’s another new coronavirus prayer, to help support and encourage you in these challenging times.
Lord,
we thank you that the signs are encouraging at the moment.
True, there may be nothing spectacular about them,
no reason to get carried away –
and yes, there are still very real causes for concern –
but there seems to be slow and steady progress nonetheless:
the infection rate falling,
the death rate too,
such that there are genuine grounds for hope,
to believe that the worst of this crisis may be over.
Restrictions are slowly being eased,
shops and businesses beginning to reopen,
friends and family enjoying each other’s company again,
life starting to return to how it used to be –
all something to celebrate.
Save us, though, from one huge danger:
that of complacency;
of assuming that this pandemic is bound soon to end;
that there’s nothing more to worry about
and we can forget now the safeguarding measures we’ve had to follow.
We hope that may prove right …
in time …
but common sense urges caution,
warning us to remain alert,
to stay safe,
to recognise that the threat is still out there.
Help us, Lord, to be optimistic,
but also realistic.
To prepare for the worst
even while anticipating the best.
Give us the patience and wisdom we need to move forward as far as we are able,
yet not to take anything for granted,
else we end up taking steps backward instead.
Amen.