Adapted from the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Philadelphia PA, An Episcopal church that aspirational values are Community engagement and social justice; Unconditional welcome and inclusion; A community that calls forth the gifts of its entire people; and
Becoming a racism-free and diverse community that reflects the city where we worship
God Our Loving Creator, your will for all people is health and salvation; God the Son, you came that we might have life, and might have it more abundantly; God the Holy Spirit, you make our bodies the temple of your presence; Hear Our Prayer
O Lord of Life.
For the 525,000+ people who have died as a result of COVID-19 in the United States and the one-and-a-half-million people elsewhere in the world who have died in this pandemic. We pray especially for Rev. Pamela Jean Baldwin, a licensed local pastor who served on the Winchester District, who succumbed to COVID 19 in January. We pause now to lift up in our hearts the names of those whom we have lost.
Pause…
Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. Hear Our Prayer
O Lord of Life.
For all who grieve the death of family, friends, neighbors and human siblings near and far; Give them courage and strength to meet the days ahead and the consolation of your love, Hear Our Prayer
O Lord of Life.
For those who have suffered from the lack of care, protection, and access to life-saving intervention because of the racism, greed, and the foolishness of political and institutional leaders. Hear Our Prayer
O Lord of Life.
Pour out your healing grace on all who are sick, injured, lonely, or disabled, and all “long haulers” suffering from lasting effects of COVID, that they may be made whole; Hear Our Prayer,
O Lord of Life.
Grant to all who seek your guidance and to all who are afraid, anxious, or overwhelmed, a knowledge of your will and an awareness of your presence; We pray especially for all family caregivers, all parents educating children at home and all educators teaching in the face of great difficulties. Hear Our Prayer,
O Lord of Life.
Grant the comfort of loving community to all who struggle with faith in the face of such incalculable loss and suffering, that they may be held in their faithful doubt and compassionate pain. Hear Our Prayer,
O Lord of Life.
Restore to wholeness whatever is broken by human sin, in our lives, in our nation, and in the world; We pray this morning for the 8 men and women killed in the Atlanta area as a result of inhumanity, and for all people victimized and traumatized Grant us the moral vision, energy and courage to reform our common life so to protect the vulnerable, honor the caregivers, and promote sacrifice for the common good. Hear our Prayer
O Lord of Life.
Bless physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and suffering; keep them safe and healthy; and grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy, and patience; May their righteous anger at a broken health care system motivate change. Hear our Prayer,
O Lord of Life.
Give wisdom, creativity, and perseverance to all medical professionals, researchers, policy makers, and leaders as they respond to this pandemic and save lives. Hear Our Prayer,
O Lord of Life.
We give thanks for all the technical innovation that provided virtual community during this time of isolation even as we long for in-person community and hugs from friends. Hear Our Prayer,
O Lord of Life.
Open our eyes to see that you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and that we live and die together, Hear Our Prayer,
O Lord of Life.
Open our hearts and hands to assist and care for those who have lost their jobs, their businesses, or have suffered financially due to COVID-19; Hear Our Prayer,
O Lord of Life.
You are the Lord who does wonders: You have declared your power among the peoples. With you, O Lord, is the well of life: And in your light we see light. Let us pray.
*A period of silence follows.*
O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.