Loving God - Creating Hope - Changing Lives
"I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." - Psalm 121
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." - Psalm 121
Prayer was a significant portion of our life during the pandemic.
What follows are some of the pandemic-related prayers that were shared at St. Paul's UMC.
What follows are some of the pandemic-related prayers that were shared at St. Paul's UMC.
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ONE: Holy One, we come to you in this moment of uncertainty and uncharted territory – facing this unprecedented global pandemic. Amid universal fear, panic, confusion and anxiety, please remind us that you are the God that calmed the storm and made the winds to cease. We cry out to you!
MANY: Hear us O God of peace.
ONE: Benevolent Savior, you have called us to be your hands and feet in this world. As we face this crisis together, help us remember to be mindful of how we speak to, live with and treat one another. May we truly seek to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
MANY: Hear us O God of compassion.
ONE: Master Physician, there are millions now in desperate need of your healing touch. Look now upon those who are at highest risk – the immunocompromised, the elderly, those who have existing chronic health conditions, cancer patients, transplant recipients, dialysis patients, those who have been exposed to COVID-19 and are seeking testing or immediate medical attention.
MANY: Hear us O God our healer.
ONE: All seeing God, look upon those who are now living in isolation, those who must be separated from loved ones for safety reasons, those who are single and/or without support systems, the disabled, those who are already living with mental disease, emotional and psychological disorders, those who are poor and already do not have access to health care or social services. Help them know that social distancing does not mean social disconnection. Help us be the community that we seek.
MANY: Hear us O God of mercy.
ONE: Loving God, hear the cries of those who have lost loved ones to this virus or other ailments and cannot postpone their grief, but must refrain from gathering in order to care for the living, even while mourning their beloved who have died.
MANY: Hear us O God of comfort.
ONE: Discerning God, touch now those who are in decision-making positions, in governments, churches, corporations, and the like; help them to realize that their choices directly impact the lives and futures of our families, communities, countries and the wider world. Help them choose people over politics and the health of humanity over the wealth of individuals and profiteers.
MANY: Hear us O God of wisdom
ONE: God of justice, safety and care, we pray for all medical professionals, caregivers, researchers, teachers, first responders, law enforcement, school officials, those making decisions about fighting the new coronavirus. For the small business owner, the hourly wage worker, the uninsured, the undocumented and all those who will feel the economic impact of this pandemic on every level. Inspire those in position to develop better tests to diagnose the virus, vaccines to prevent it, and protocols and communication to eliminate the spread. May empathy be our guide.
MANY: Hear us O God of protection and grace.
ONE: Liberating God, remind us that we are still on the journey with Jesus during this Lenten Season. Restore our hope, renew our joy and give us your strength and remind us that resurrection will surely come.
MANY: Hear us O God of grace.
The Rev. Dionne P. Boissière is chaplain at the Church Center for the United Nations.
MANY: Hear us O God of peace.
ONE: Benevolent Savior, you have called us to be your hands and feet in this world. As we face this crisis together, help us remember to be mindful of how we speak to, live with and treat one another. May we truly seek to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
MANY: Hear us O God of compassion.
ONE: Master Physician, there are millions now in desperate need of your healing touch. Look now upon those who are at highest risk – the immunocompromised, the elderly, those who have existing chronic health conditions, cancer patients, transplant recipients, dialysis patients, those who have been exposed to COVID-19 and are seeking testing or immediate medical attention.
MANY: Hear us O God our healer.
ONE: All seeing God, look upon those who are now living in isolation, those who must be separated from loved ones for safety reasons, those who are single and/or without support systems, the disabled, those who are already living with mental disease, emotional and psychological disorders, those who are poor and already do not have access to health care or social services. Help them know that social distancing does not mean social disconnection. Help us be the community that we seek.
MANY: Hear us O God of mercy.
ONE: Loving God, hear the cries of those who have lost loved ones to this virus or other ailments and cannot postpone their grief, but must refrain from gathering in order to care for the living, even while mourning their beloved who have died.
MANY: Hear us O God of comfort.
ONE: Discerning God, touch now those who are in decision-making positions, in governments, churches, corporations, and the like; help them to realize that their choices directly impact the lives and futures of our families, communities, countries and the wider world. Help them choose people over politics and the health of humanity over the wealth of individuals and profiteers.
MANY: Hear us O God of wisdom
ONE: God of justice, safety and care, we pray for all medical professionals, caregivers, researchers, teachers, first responders, law enforcement, school officials, those making decisions about fighting the new coronavirus. For the small business owner, the hourly wage worker, the uninsured, the undocumented and all those who will feel the economic impact of this pandemic on every level. Inspire those in position to develop better tests to diagnose the virus, vaccines to prevent it, and protocols and communication to eliminate the spread. May empathy be our guide.
MANY: Hear us O God of protection and grace.
ONE: Liberating God, remind us that we are still on the journey with Jesus during this Lenten Season. Restore our hope, renew our joy and give us your strength and remind us that resurrection will surely come.
MANY: Hear us O God of grace.
The Rev. Dionne P. Boissière is chaplain at the Church Center for the United Nations.
Today, I invite you to join with people of faith in prayer as we seek God's guidance, wisdom, comfort and strength in the face of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
Pray for those who are suffering from the virus; grieving the loss of loved ones, adjusting to an unfamiliar rhythm, anxious and frightened.
Pray for those working on a cure, making supplies to keep our our health care workers safe, and health care workers everywhere.
Pray for those on the front lines of providing us with essential services and supplies, grocery store workers, farmers, factory workers, first responders, and utility providers.
Pray for those who have lost or will lose their jobs and businesses.
Pray for government leaders as they enact bold decisions to keep us safe.
Pray for the Church, that we may rise as the Body of Christ to care for our neighbors in their time of need.
Pray for one another, that the bonds of community we share will be strengthened even as we are separate from one another.
Bishop Karen P. Oliveto,
The Mountain Sky Conference of The United Methodist Church
A Prayer for Putting on a Face Mask
Creator God, as I prepare to go into the world, help me to see the sacramental nature of wearing this cloth. Let it be a tangible and visible way of living love for my neighbors, as I love myself.
Christ Jesus, 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 caringly to all those I meet. May this simple piece of cloth be shield and banner, and may each breath that it holds, be filled with your love. In Your name and in that love, I pray. Amen.
The Rev. Richard Bott, Moderator
Presbyterian Church of Canada
Creator God, as I prepare to go into the world, help me to see the sacramental nature of wearing this cloth. Let it be a tangible and visible way of living love for my neighbors, as I love myself.
Christ Jesus, 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 caringly to all those I meet. May this simple piece of cloth be shield and banner, and may each breath that it holds, be filled with your love. In Your name and in that love, I pray. Amen.
The Rev. Richard Bott, Moderator
Presbyterian Church of Canada
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of good health and peace that we have enjoyed for so many years. As we find ourselves in this time of crisis today, we ask for your divine intervention and mercy to be upon each of us. Come and guide the minds of those working to discover a treatment to the COVID-19 virus. Grant them wisdom, knowledge, and clarity of mind, so that all peoples will be free from the threat of this ailment.
We also pray for the healthcare workers that are standing in the front line of this battle. Father, we thank you for their hearts of service, putting the needs of society before their own, generously responding to the cry of Your people. We ask that You will grant them strength and protection. As they give of themselves in selfless service, may You fill them with your Holy Spirit as they work to be Your healing hands and feet! Father, we also surrender to You all those who have been afflicted with the virus. Grant them Your healing grace, merciful Father, so that they may recover swiftly and continue to be witnesses of Your love in their lives. Mother Mary, we ask for your intercession in this great time of need. Cover each of us with your blue mantle of protection, so that we may be preserved in good health to continue to glorify your son, Jesus Christ. We make this prayer through Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer. Amen. Pope Francis I 
Prayers in view of the coronavirus pandemic from the World Council of Churches. Visit this link to see prayers from some of the member churches. 
Prayer during pandemic illness
(of the new Coronavirus that has fallen upon us) Network of Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care Almighty Master, the help and salvation of the world; the redeemer and Savior of the sick; the physician and aid of the ailing; the healer of the sorrows of mankind’s bodies and souls; who vanquished death: our God. We now beseech, You, cleanse and rid us of every malady of body and soul. Lord be not far from us. Send down upon us Your heavenly power of healing. Cast far from us every lurking illness. Grant us aid in this time of pandemic and deliver us from every evil, grief and sorrow. End this present scourge and now grant us patience, O Lord. Uplift us and be physician to us all. Raise us from our bed of pain and from our bedding of affliction. Accept the entreaties of doctors and nurses and all whose efforts serve and minister to the sick. They offer care and comfort. In Your love of mankind, aid them. By Your power strengthen them. To those who have succumbed to this accursed, illness and are now departed from us, grant them repose in a place of refreshment. They are Your servants and our brothers and sisters. Restore us who hope in You to Your Holy Church, healed and in health, to worship and glorify Your holy name. For it is Yours to show mercy and to save, O Christ our God, and to You, we give the glory: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 
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God of justice, safety and care, we pray for all medical professionals, caregivers, researchers, teachers, first responders, law enforcement, school officials, those making decisions about fighting the new coronavirus. For the small business owner, the hourly wage worker, the uninsured, the undocumented and all those who will feel the economic impact of this pandemic on every level. Inspire those in position to develop better tests to diagnose the virus, vaccines to prevent it, and protocols and communication to eliminate the spread. May empathy be our guide.
Hear us O God of protection and grace. Amen. https://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/news/prayer-and-responsive-reading-for-those-affected-by-coronavirus 
God of all hope we call on You today.
We pray for those who are living in fear: Fear of illness, fear for loved ones, fear of other’s reactions to them. May Your Spirit give us a sense of calmness and peace. We pray for Your church in this time of uncertainty. For those people who are worried about attending worship. For those needing to make decisions in order to care for other. For those who will feel more isolated by not being able to attend. Grant us Your wisdom. Holy God, we remember that You have promised that Nothing will separate us from Your love – demonstrated to us in Jesus Christ. Help us turn our eyes, hearts and minds to You. Amen The Revd Barbara Glasson, President of the Methodist Conference (British Methodist Church) 
A PRAYER IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC
O God, in whom we live and move and have our being, have mercy upon us, and upon all your world, we pray. In these uncertain times of health and well-being, we look to you for our comfort and strength. Abide with all who suffer from the illness of this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who have lost their loved ones. Strengthen those who care for the sick and the lonely. Inspire us to care for others in need and for ourselves. Bring healing to our world, we pray. We humbly ask in Jesus’ name and for his sake. Amen. 
Prayers During the Coronavirus Pandemic from Xavier University
Visit this link for prayers for those with the Coronavirus, those who care for them, and those who are suffering from anxiety during this stressful time. 
Prayers & Poems for A Pandemic Visit this link. From the Sacred Wanderings website. (photo: Norwich Cathedral) |
Intercessory Prayer in the midst of the spread of COVID-19
(from the Lutheran World Federation website)
O God our Healer, show your compassion for the whole human family that is in turmoil and burdened with illness and with fear. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.
Come to our aid as the coronavirus spreads globally, heal those who are sick, support and protect their families and friends from being infected. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.
Grant us your spirit of love and self-discipline so that we may come together, working to control and eliminate the coronavirus. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.
Make us vigilant, attentive, and proactive in the eradication of all diseases, malaria, dengue, HIV & AIDS, and others [may be named out loud or in silence]… that create suffering and often result in death for many people. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.
Heal our self-centeredness and indifference that makes us worry only when the virus threatens us, open ways beyond timidity and fear that too easily ignore our neighbor. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.
Strengthen and encourage those in public health services and in the medical profession: care-givers, nurses, attendants, doctors, all who commit themselves to caring for the sick and their families. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.
Inspire, give insight and hope to all researchers focused on developing a vaccine. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.
Sustain all workers and business owners who suffer loss of livelihood due to shut-downs, quarantines, closed borders, and other restrictions… protect and guard all those who must travel. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.
Guide the leaders of the nations that they speak the truth, halt the spread of misinformation and act with justice so that all your family may know healing. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.
Heal our world, heal our bodies, strengthen our hearts and our minds, and in the midst of turmoil, give us hope and peace.
Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.
Hold in your gentle embrace all who have died and who will die this day. Comfort their loved ones in their despair.
Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.
Remember all your family, the entire human race, and all your creation, in your love. Amen!
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From the United Church of Canada |