March 29, 2020

Pastoral Prayer

Rev. Paul Capetz

 

O God, you have been our help in ages past, you are our refuge

from the storm in this present time, and you will always remain

our hope for all the years to come.

Be with us now as we seek your reassurance and guidance.

Calm our fears, give us courage, and increase our love for one

another so that we do not forsake our calling to be Jesus’

disciples even now when we must be physically separated from

each other.

Be with all those who are sick with the coronavirus and be with

all those doctors and nurses who are working to bring them back

to health.

Be with the friends and loved ones of those who have already

died and give comfort them in their hour of grief.

We pray especially for those who are poor, for those who are

uninsured and cannot afford medical care, and for those who are

homeless and thus most vulnerable to disease. May this crisis

lead our nation to take stock of its moral priorities so that we

may learn that a truly humane society is one that does not forget

those most in need.

We pray also for those whose employment and income are

adversely affected by this health crisis. May they have enough

food to eat and enough money to pay their bills until the worst

of this crisis is over.

We ask your blessing upon the members of our church. Be with

each of us as we face being apart from our friends and those we

love. Teach us new ways to be your church so that we may

carry on Christ’s mission and ministry even in the midst of

physical isolation from one another.

May we not forget to pray during these difficult days, so that we

receive the comfort, strength, and hope that only come from

above. Teach us to pray as Jesus taught his disciples saying:

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and

Forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.

Amen.