When there is so much going on, it can be hard to even know what to pray for. We want to lift up the whole world; and we should. We want to lift up the people involved in each story we hear on the news; and we should. We want to lift up the neighbors we see walking past our house or those we haven’t seen come out of their houses since this whole thing started; and we should. We want to lift up ourselves and our own family, our family members that live elsewhere, our church family, and so on and so on; and we should.
Each of these and so many more need our prayers right now; and I encourage you to lift up a prayer for anyone and everyone that pops into your mind as someone who could use a prayer. As you’ve heard Pastor Tim say, this is often the Holy Spirit moving us toward compassion and care for those around us. Who are we to ignore the Holy Spirit’s movement?!
Praying as we go throughout our day can be a good way to offer prayers on behalf of each of these people and groups of people that need prayer; but for those times when it all just seems too overwhelming – when it seems there are too many people to pray for – I offer you this prayer adapted from a post by Nadia Bolz-Weber, Lutheran pastor and prominent public speaker, on her Instagram account (@sarcasticlutheran):
God who made us all,
Our healers are exhausted. Give rest to those who care for the sick, Lord.
Our children are bored. Grant extra creativity to their caregivers, Lord.
Our friends are lonely. Help us to reach out, Lord.
Our pastors are doing the best they can. Help them to know it is enough, Lord.
Our workers are jobless. Grant us the collective will to take care of them, Lord.
Our fellow parents are losing their minds. Bring unexpected play and joy and dance parties to all in need, Lord.
Our grocery workers are absorbing everyone’s anxiety. Protect them from us, Lord.
Our elderly are even more isolated. Comfort them, Lord.
We haven’t done this before and we are scared, Lord.
I don’t even know what else to pray for. Amen.
This is timely. Thank you Sarah and thank you Nadia. Every reminder to pray and help on how to pray bring me comfort as I struggle to bring comfort to others. May we all reach out and give and find help wherever we can. Jan
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