A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis on April 23, 2020

April 23, 2020


A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis


During these difficult days, Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar and the members of the Extended Cabinet are sharing a daily prayer based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the week.
You are welcome to use these in worship or in your own devotions.

Today’s prayer


​Out of anguish, frustration and anxiety, we plead with you, O Most Holy God, as we turn to you in prayer~~


While flowers are wet with dews,
Dew of our souls, descend;
Ere yet the sun the day renews,
O Lord, Thy spirit send.
 
Our earth, O God, has passed from the cold of winter to the promise of springtime and warmer days. Yet, we are frozen with fear because of a pandemic that has spread sickness and death across all boundaries of the earth. Living apart from those we care for and love, we feel we are living in exile. We plead for your spirit to give us strength to endure these days.
 
Upon the battle-field,
Before the fight begins,
We seek, O Lord, Thy sheltering shield,
To guard us from our sins.
 
We plead for your merciful presence to be with those who are in the front lines of the battle against this heretofore unknown enemy, COVID-19: the doctors and nurses, the emergency personnel and the researchers, and all others risking their lives to save us. Fill them with a sense of how much their care means to those who cannot get close enough to fully express gratitude. Above all, keep them safe.
 
Ere yet our vessel sails
Upon the stream of day,
We plead, O Lord, for heavenly gales
To speed us on our way.
 
As each day passes, we continue to put our trust in you. We are confident in your love and grace and, therefore, filled with hope for a speedy end to the days of deep yearning for relief. May the knowledge that is necessary to see us through this crisis be bestowed upon our spiritual leaders, officials in governments around the globe, medical professionals, and all the laborers who selflessly share their expertise to restore comfort and peace to your creation.  
 
On the lone mountain side,
Before the morning’s light,
The Man of Sorrows wept and cried,
And rose refresh’d with might.
 
Especially in this Eastertide, we are reminded that it was the precious blood of Christ that was shed so that we might have life and have it abundantly. Recalling that amazing act of sacrifice and resurrection, we place our most ardent hope and faith in you, O God.
 
O hear us, then, for we
Are very weak and frail;
We make the Saviour’s name our plea,
And surely must prevail.
 
Trusting in your living and enduring word, O God, we turn to you and pray all our pleas in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
                                                                                                 
By Rene Wilbur, Conference Lay Leader
Based on 1 Peter 1:17-23
Poetry by C.H. Spurgeon; from “Gems of Devotional Poetry,” published by DeWolfe, Fiske & Co., Boston, ca. 1880. to edit.