A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis on April 2, 2020

April 2, 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.

Today’s prayer
This strange country*
 
Into this strange country
the godtree grew,
taking root in ground
we did not trust
finding nurture
in some other 
earth unrecognised by us.
 
God, this strange country we are in,
the trees are unfamiliar with
roots that tighten
tempted to wander
finding nurture
in some other
place
making us unrecognizable.
 
And here,
among us
grew a life
that, by and by,
we recognised as living.
 
And here, God,
among us
is growing a life
that, by and by,
we may come to see as living.
 
It discerned the
seasons in a 
climate not our 
own.
 
It leans into this
new season and
somehow leaves are 
budding.
 
And, strangely,
it has shown us
shelter.
 
God, strangely,
it is showing us
shelter.
 
Its boughs
have made 
our homes. 
 
Its boughs
are making
our homes.


By Rev. Rick McKinley, Director of Congregational Development

*Modified from a poem by Pádraigh Ó Tuama, This strange country, pg. 21, “readings from the book of exile,”  © Pádraig Ó Tuama 2012, Canterbury Press Norwich. The words in italics are his original poem.