Prayers at the time of Covid19 for those who are caring and for those who are suffering.
God of compassion, be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
In their loneliness, be their consolation; in their anxiety, be their hope;
in their darkness, be their light; through him who suffered alone on the cross, but reigns with you in glory, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For those who are ill
Merciful God, we entrust to your tender care those who are ill or in pain, knowing that whenever danger threatens your everlasting arms are there to hold them safe. Comfort and heal them, and restore them to health and strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For hospital staff and medical researchers
Gracious God, give skill, sympathy and resilience to all who are caring for the sick, and your wisdom to those searching for a cure.
Strengthen them with your Spirit, that through their work many will be restored to health; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From one who is ill or isolated
O God, help me to trust you, help me to know that you are with me,
help me to believe that nothing can separate me from your love revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Barbara Glasson, President of the Methodist Conference
A Prayer for the Frontliners
Heavenly Father, thank You for the frontliners caring for, protecting, and serving our communities, our families, and us. Thank You for these servant leaders, called to this work, trained for such a time as this, daily risking their own health and safety for others.
Please protect them from harm. Give them courage and strength. Draw close, Lord, and let them feel Your presence throughout the long hours they are working. Father, please provide everything they need, both for the people they are serving and for their loved ones. Surround them with people who will help and support them and their families, even as they selflessly care for others.
You said we would face troubles in this world, but also that they would not be more than we could bear. Please work together with our frontliners, Lord, to ultimately bring about the best outcome possible. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Protection Prayer from Lorica (or 'Breastplate') attributed to Patrick, prob. c.8th century amended Vanda Perrett 28/4/2020
I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today from my home, my place of safety
Through God's strength to pilot me:
I don’t know what I shall face, who will need me today
God's might to uphold me,
I need help God, help to be present to those in dire need
God's wisdom to guide me,
I need help Lord God, to make life and death decisions
God's eye to look before me,
As I dress with my protective scrubs
God's ear to hear me,
As I don my mask
God's word to speak to me,
As I put on my plastic gloves,
God's hand to guard me,
As I tie on my apron
God's way to lie before me,
As I step into my workplace with my colleagues
God's shield to protect me,
At the end of my shift, in the tiredness and sadness
God's host to save me.
Thank you, Lord of life, king of kings, Jesus the healer, thank you for being with me today, and your breastplate of protection surrounding me. Keep us all under your protection that we may dwell in your love for ever. Amen.
John Birch’s Prayers for the Covid19 Pandemic
Bless all who work in stressful situations; healthcare, teaching, law enforcement, social services and other occupations where patience, love and perseverance can wear thin, and daily stress levels rise. Keep them safe and keep them well, equipped to follow their vocation
through the most difficult of times. And at the end of their day, grant rest. Amen.
For all whose day starts with anxiety, as they leave the security of home worrying about the risk of infection; particularly those whose health or age classifies them as vulnerable. Loving God, be close, keep them safe, along with all whose tasks today includes the care of frail and elderly. And for all of us, grant wisdom to make sensible choices, not just for ourselves, but for everybody. Amen.
Dear Lord, let us not forget our neighbours at this time. Not just those who live close but in the wider community who are elderly, vulnerable, and very much isolated from the world outside their door. May they know they are loved through our actions and care, and in their loneliness know your presence, healing, and peace. Amen.
Prayer by the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu.
Loving God, We remember all those who have died
and all those who grieve for them.
In the stillness we name them before you.
Bless and sustain those working to heal the sick,
to protect those who are vulnerable.
Bless all who produce and distribute
essential medical and protective supplies.
Bless all who are working with risk or danger
and all who look to protect them.
Lord, hear our prayer and let our cry come to you. Amen.
Prayers at the Time of Death
John 14.1-6
Jesus said to his disciples: 'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.' Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
Our Father, which 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. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever Amen.
Twenty Third Psalm King James Version
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
We can trust and believe in God to be with us in the depths of our grieving, to be our companion in the troubles of our living, and to be our guide in our journey to new life in heaven. Believe in God and we shall never be overcome, or alone.
He did not say: You will not be troubled, you will not be belaboured, you will not be afflicted; but he said: You will not be overcome.
Mother Julian of Norwich
NAME; go forth upon your journey from this world;
In the Name of God the Father Almighty who created you;
In the Name of Jesus Christ who redeemed you;
In the Name of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you.
Your rest be this day in peace,
and your dwelling place in Paradise with God.
Hallow and sanctify this place as the holy space where you, our loving God, met with your child to bring them home to heaven with you. We thank you that you are a loving God who holds all souls in life eternal. Bring your comfort and peace to all who pass this place that they may know your presence and peace. Give courage to those who mourn that they may believe in your promises, trust in your love and live in your peace.
May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow
May the soft winds freshen your spirit
May the sunshine brighten your heart
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you
And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be ever at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rain fall softly on your fields
And until we meet again, May God hold
you in the hollow of his hand
Farewell My Friends Tagore
It was beautiful as long as it lasted, the journey of my life,
I have no regrets whatsoever, save the pain I'll leave behind.
Those dear hearts who love and care,
and the heavy with sleep ever moist eyes,
the smile in spite of a lump in the throat
and the strings pulling at the heart and soul,
The strong arms that held me up
when my own strength let me down,
each morsel that I was fed with was full of love.
At every turning of my life I came across good friends,
friends who stood by me, even when the time raced me by.
Farewell, farewell my friends, I smile and bid you goodbye.
No, shed no tears, for I need them not,
all I need is your smile.
If you feel sad, do think of me, for that's what I'll like,
when you live in the hearts of those you love,
remember then...... you never die.