This first group of prayers is from Christian Aid
Love never fails Even in the darkest moments, love gives hope. Love compels us to fight against coronavirus alongside our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Love compels us to stand together in prayer with our neighbours near and far. Love compels us to give and act as one. Now, it is clear that our futures are bound together more tightly than ever before. As we pray in our individual homes – around the nation and around the world – we are united as one family. So, let us pause and find a moment of peace, as we lift up our hearts together in prayer. AMEN
A Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession For the health workers tending the seriously ill for the scientists working on a vaccination for the researchers analysing data and identifying trends for the media outlets working to communicate reality for the supermarket workers, hygiene and sanitation providers for the good news stories of recoveries and effective planning for the singing from balconies by locked-down communities for the recognition that isolation doesn’t need to mean loneliness for the notes through letterboxes offering help and support for the internet and telephones and technology that connects for the awakened appreciation of what is truly important Thanks be to God. For those who are unwell and concerned for loved ones for those who were already very anxious for those immune suppressed or compromised for those vulnerable because of underlying conditions for those in the ‘most at risk to coronavirus’ categories for those watching their entire income stream dry up for those who have no choice but to go out to work for those who are afraid to be at home for those who are more lonely than they've ever been for those who are bereaved and grieving. God be their healer, comfort and protection, be their strength, shield and provision be their security, safety and close companion And raise up your Church to be your well-washed hands and faithful feet to be present to the pain to respond with love in action if even from a safe distance. AMEN
A Prayer for Medical Workers everywhere Restoring and healing God, thank you for medical workers everywhere, embodying sacrificial love in these challenging times putting the welfare of others before their own staying away from their family and loved ones comforting the concerned and bereaved reassuring the anxious and vulnerable working to heal and restore people who are ill. Be their guide, strength, wisdom and hope. We pray for those in authority to do right by them for proper protective equipment to be provided and for their dedication to be met with much gratitude and appreciation when they return home, exhausted. And we pray for medical workers around the world, where resources and protective equipment are always in short supply, not only now but always. May these extraordinary times lead to deep and necessary changes in how our world works, resulting in a genuine effort to address the profound injustice of life expectancy being determined by geography, to awaken us all to the reality of how connected we all are and to work together to create the community and world we all want to be part of. So help us, God. AMEN
A Prayer for a Global Pandemic Loving God, strengthen our innermost being with your love that bears all things even the weight of this global pandemic even the long haul of watching for symptoms of patiently waiting for this to pass watching and waiting, keeping our gaze fixed on you, and looking out for our neighbours near and far. Instil in our shaken souls the belief and hope that all things are possible with your creative love for strangers to become friends for science to source solutions for resources to be generously shared so everyone, everywhere, may have what they need for your perfect love that knows no borders may cast out any fear and selfishness that divides. May your love that never ends be our comfort, strength and guide for the wellbeing of all and the glory of God. AMEN
God of healing and hope, in Jesus you meet us in our places of pain and fear. Look with mercy on those who have contracted the new virus, on any who are vulnerable, and on all who feel in danger. Through this time of global concern, by your Holy Spirit bring out the best not the worst in us. Make us more aware of our interdependence on each other, and of the strength that comes from being one body in you. Through Christ our wounded healer. Amen.
[Revd Sam Wells; St Martins in the Field, London]
Jesus Christ, you travelled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.
Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.
Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbours from helping one another.
Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.
Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.
Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.
Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.
Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.
Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.
Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.
[Kerry Weber]