PRAYING FOR THE PANDEMIC
May we who are merely inconvenienced,
remember those whose lives are at stake. May we who have no risk factors
remember those most vulnerable. May those who have the luxury of working from home
remember those who must choose between
preserving their health or paying their rent. May we who have to cancel a trip
remember those who have no safe place to go. May we who are losing money
in the tumult of the economic market
remember those who have nothing at all. May those who settle for quarantine at home
remember those who have no home. As fear grips us,
let us choose love during this time.
When we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
let us find ways to be the loving embrace to God and our neighbour.
Jesuit Resource - Prayer by Cameron Wiggins Bellm
Mark 4.35-41 On that day, when evening had come,
he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”
And leaving the crowd behind,
they took him with them in the boat, just as he was.
Other boats were with him.
A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat,
so that the boat was already being swamped.
But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion.
They woke him up and said to him,
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
He woke up and rebuked the wind,
and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!”
Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.
He said to them, “Why are you afraid?
Have you still no faith?”
And they were filled with great awe and said to one another,
“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Lord and Holy Protector, like the disciples who were caught in their tiny boat in the midst of a mighty storm,
we come together to seek Your help.
We are fearful as we are surrounded by danger. We feel helpless and small
before the great power of this perilous time, a power which is beyond our control. While everything seems dark and dangerous, we place our trust in You, our Lord and God.
Sheltered here in our home, we are also shielded by Your love
against all that might harm us. We know that You hear all prayers
so we now, filled with confidence, lift up our petitions to You, our God.
O God, you come to us
in the chaos of the storm,
and in the sound of sheer silence.
Quieten our minds,
bring peace to our hearts
and stillness to our bodies;
that we might meet you in that silence.
Help us to listen for your still, small voice.
Give us the courage to go wherever you lead us,
trusting that you will prepare the way.
We pray this in the name of our Companion on the journey,
Jesus the Christ.
Heather A. Moody
A PRAYER FOR STORM SURVIVORS - Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
Jesus, we see you calming storms- storm tossed seas and stormy lives. Extend your power and grace again, especially upon victims of this viral storm.
Speak peace and healing over bodies and spirits
broken by the chaos. Jesus, speak peace. Silence
Speak peace and hope over families, communities and nations
devastated by sudden loss. Jesus, speak peace. Silence
Speak peace and unity over diverse groups of people, to come together for greater provision, just distribution, and effective rebuilding. Jesus, speak peace. Silence
Speak peace and protection over all who care as they reach out to those who are vulnerable
and in need of support. Jesus, speak peace. Silence
PSALM 71 (selected verses)
In you, O Lord, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness
deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me
and save me.
Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
For you, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Upon you I have leaned from my birth;
it was you who took me from my mother’s womb.
My praise is continually of you.
My mouth is filled with your praise,
and with your glory all day long.
Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
do not forsake me when my strength is spent.
O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
I will hope continually,
and will praise you yet more and more.
At the Saviour’s command
and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom,
the power and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
May the mystery of God enfold us, may the wisdom of God uphold us, may the fragrance of God be around us, may the brightness of God surround us, may the wonder of God renew us, may the loving of God flow through us, may the peace of God deeply move us, may the moving of God bring us peace;
and may the blessing of God be with us now.
Joy Cowley