Prayers

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O Lord, keep bringing redemptive moments and actions out of this calamity day by day.  Please open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. We ask this in the name of Jesus, your son, our savior.  Amen...by the Rt. Rev. Gordon P. Scruton.

God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to us as we wait in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make us the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring us courage to endure what cannot be avoided.
Open our eyes to recognize your presence and guidance with us always.
Give us grateful hearts for the signs of grace you never fail to send,
For you are God, and we need you. We place our trust in you, our Good Shepherd. Amen.

Adapted from A New Zealand Prayer Book

Creator,

as I prepare to go into the world,

help me to see the sacrament

in the wearing of this cloth –

let it be “an outward sign

of an inward grace” –

a tangible and visible way

of living love for my neighbours,

as I love myself.

Christ,

since my lips will be covered,

uncover my heart,

that people would see my smile

in the crinkles around my eyes.

Since my voice may be muffled,

help me to speak clearly,

not only with my words,

but with my actions.

Holy Spirit,

as the elastic touches my ears,

remind me to listen carefully –

and full of care –

to all those I meet.

May this simple piece of cloth

be shield and banner,

and each breath that it holds,

be filled with your love.

In your Name

and in that love,

I pray.

May it be so.

May it be so.

By Bishop Richard Bott

Moderator of the United Church of Canada

I bid your prayers for the all dioceses,  bishops and their spouses who are on the front lines of responding to  the unrest in our nation. Especially, pray for the Diocese of Washington  and Bishop Mariann and Paul Budde. Pray for all those who are trying to speak truth to power with clarity and in peace. 

 Pray  for all those who, by virtue of the color of their skin, are placed in  jeopardy and live under constant anxiety and pressure in our unjust  society. Pray for law enforcement and for their families. The  vast majority are trying to do their best and be helpful under very  personally threatening circumstances.  

Pray for all our leaders, that they will have the wisdom and courage to lead us into healing. Pray for the Truth and the Light and the Power from on High to shine in us and through us, and to prevail against the storm. 

Let  us stand in solidarity with one another and work always and in all ways  to replace the energy of fear and hate with the power of love. In Christ's Spirit,  

  I put all my trust in you, O God. All my hope is in your mercy. 

Barbara, Chaplain, Priest-in-charge of the Spiritual Covenant Parishes of St. Paul's, Lewiston and St. John's, Youngstown,  Director of The Hope Center  Chaplain of the Community of Spouses/Partners of the House of Bishops Associate Priest - St. Paul's Cathedral.

Adapted from World Vision: https://www.worldvision.org/disaster-relief-news-stories/prayers-people-affected-new-coronavirus

 Jesus, during Your ministry on Earth You showed Your power and caring by healing people of all ages and stations of life from physical, mental, and spiritual ailments. Be present now to people who need Your loving touch because of COVID-19. May they feel Your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses. Take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or under quarantine. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the disease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them. 

 Dear Lord, we lift to You our concern for people who are more likely than others to become severely ill from COVID-19 — the elderly and people with chronic health conditions, those who are poor and homeless, people in refugee camps around the world, those in nursing homes and in prisons. Protect them from harm and be their comfort in this time of uncertainty and, for many, preventive isolation from loved ones.

 God, as more people get sick, healthcare workers and first responders are working longer hours with fewer supplies and with more risk of contracting the new coronavirus themselves. Renew their energy and sustain them on long shifts. Bring Your protection upon them as they work with patients. Multiply their supplies so they have the protective items needed to stay safe on the job. Inspire and invigorate the research doctors developing better tests to diagnose the virus, create vaccines to prevent it, and identify protocols to eliminate the disease’s spread.

Father, we seek Your wisdom daily. Be with people making decisions that affect the lives and futures of our families, communities, countries, and the wider world. We pray that they communicate clearly, truthfully, and calmly — with each other and with the public — and that their messages are received and heeded. May truth and empathy be the touchstones of people setting policies for our protection.

 Holy Spirit, as families adjust to everyone being home as businesses and schools close, we ask that You guide people in their new realities. Give spouses grace for each other. Prompt worn-out parents to speak words of kindness and encouragement to their children. Help children find creative ways to experience the beauty of all You have created and continue learning.

 Jesus, we thank You for Your faithfulness in how you have guided and equipped people in their jobs and have provided in the past. It can be scary and overwhelming not knowing how bills and obligations will be met or to not be able to provide for families. As people feel financial strain during the uncertainty, bring them comfort and peace, reminding them that You are there for them. Provide for them in their times of need.

Lord, we are so grateful for all the people who continue to work each day so that people are able to eat. We ask that You bless and protect them as they serve. Give them grace to handle disgruntled customers during supplies shortages. Keep their bodies healthy as they unload and stock boxes of supplies. Keep their cars and trucks running smoothly as they deliver needed supplies and food people have ordered online. And please protect them all from contracting the new coronavirus.

 Almighty God, we know that everything is in Your sovereign control. We ask that You keep this new coronavirus from continuing to spread. Give government officials the ability to safely handle people arriving from other countries. Help people decide to stay home instead of traveling or going out needlessly. Holy Spirit, remind people to wash their hands properly.  And while it may be heartbreaking, comfort families as they decide to keep their distance from elderly or other high-risk family members. 

Matthew 25:14-30

God’s gift to us: our

Unique life. Our gift to God:

Way we live our life

Know, live, steward now

God’s/your gifts, calls. Let go fear.

Share Life. Don’t hide Light.

Matthew 25:1-13

Do you refill your

Spirit-oil flask often so

You have enough to

Sustain your Christ-Light

Shining through long draining

times?

Be wise, not foolish.

Human energy

Burns out quickly, needs daily

Spirit renewal.

 What if you thought of it as the Jews consider the Sabbath— the most sacred of times?  

Cease from travel. Cease from buying and selling. 

 Give up, just for now, on trying to make the world different than it is. 

Sing. Pray. Touch only those to whom you commit your life.  

Center down.  And when your body has become still, reach out with your heart.  

Know that we are connected in ways that are terrifying and beautiful. (You could hardly deny it now.)  

Know that our lives are in one another’s hands. (Surely, that has come clear.)  

Do not reach out your hands. Reach out your heart. Reach out your words. Reach out all the tendrils of compassion that move, invisibly, where we cannot touch.  

Promise this world your love— for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, so long as we all shall live.  

Used with permission. More of Lynn's poetry and her work at http://www.lynnungar.com

 Many traditions and gatherings won’t happen this year;
The world’s upside down, because COVID is here
It started last Spring when a pneumonia epidemic
Came out of China and caused a global pandemic
World leaders and scientists were scratching their heads
About what could be done to stop the spread
Borders were closed, travel restricted
As we all endured lockdown still the virus persisted
Businesses foundered, some had to close
Jobs were lost and anxiety rose
Depression and loneliness have become commonplace
As we continue to isolate, and cover our face
Though we all social distance, wash our hands, and wear masks
Why does our church have to close? we all ask
They’re keeping us safe, while the cases are spiking
And we all must stay home much to our disliking
For some, 2020 has been lonely and sad
Yet there’s plenty of things for which to be glad
Our homes, indoor plumbing, sunshine, and laughter
Our fine church and its people, and a wonderful pastor
And though we still want to all be together
Let’s take comfort in knowing this won’t last forever
So, I decorated my house and put up a tree,
And listen to Christmas carols, I do it for me
We must care for ourselves and stay healthy and sane
‘Til we all can go out in the world once again.