Sometimes, Lord, the way people talk these days,
you might think the pandemic was the only problem
troubling and messing up our lives
- but that's not the case!
All our pre-pandemic problems still weigh heavy
on our shoulders and in our hearts
- in fact, many feel even more burdened now
as the virus adds to our worries
and drains the energy we need to keep us going...
So at the end of this day, Lord,
I'm praying for all the people who carry a backpack of burdens,
under Corona's cloud...
I'm praying for those who are sick with all manner of ailments
and especially for the chronically or terminally ill
- and I'm praying for those who love them,
who care for them, who attend to their needs
and who feel helpless in the face of illness:
send the anointing of your Spirit, Lord,
to heal us in mind and body, in heart and soul...
And I'm praying for those living in troubled families,
in broken families, in families where parents or children or siblings
are estranged, lost, shunned or forgotten:
send the power of your Spirit, Lord,
to mend what we've broken and torn asunder,
send your Spirit to bring unity
where we've alienated and divided ourselves...
And I'm praying for those who are always unsure of tomorrow,
who live with anxiety and fear, who don't know which way to go,
what choice or decision to make:
send the power of your Spirit, Lord,
to make firm the hearts and strong the will
of those who need to lean on you
for help, support and comfort...
And I'm praying for the poor around the world, Lord,
those in need at home and abroad,
those at greater risk of the virus because they have so little
to protect themselves with health care
and nourish themselves with fresh food and clean water:
send your Spirit, Lord,
to stir in the hearts of us who have so much more than we need
and make us generous, very generous, in reaching out to others...
I'm praying for those who need work,
for the unemployed, the laid off, the furloughed,
for all who are struggling to make ends meet,
to pay the bills, put food on the table
and provide for those who are in their care:
send your Spirit's gentle patience, Lord,
to sustain and comfort those who wait for work
- and those who are overworked and in need of rest...
I pray tonight for those who cry, Lord,
those whose souls weep in tears of prayer
for loved ones lost,
for family and friends in trouble,
for hopes and dreams not met,
for the slow passing of lonely nights and days,
for memories of painful days
and those of joy - but now a long time gone:
send your Spirit, Lord, to wipe away their tears
and fill their hearts with the healing peace and joy
of your presence deep within...
And I'm praying for our nation, Lord,
and for any, on either side of the aisle, who might use the pandemic
for political and selfish pursuit:
send the wisdom of your Spirit, Lord,
to make us a people of principle, integrity and honor,
determined to seek the truth for the benefit of all...
And, Lord, I pray at the end of this day for all those
who seek but have trouble finding you,
who believe but have difficulty in understanding you,
whose faith in you waits for affirmation,
whose hope in you is diminished by disappointment,
whose love for you aches for a sign of your love in return:
send the life-giving breath of your spirit, Lord,
to open our minds to your counsel,
our hearts to your presence,
and our souls to your merciful love,
to the grace and the peace we long for...
At the end of this day, as we lay down our burdens,
send us your Spirit, Lord
and protect us while we're still awake
and watch over us when we fall asleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
Send us your spirit, O Lord.
Evening enfolds us and holds us too near.
Wake the morning light.
Make our living bright.
Shine on our darkness, O Lord
Hold us with mercy, O Lord.
Sorrow has spoken, has broken our hearts.
Clothe us in your care.
Be the life we bear. Feed us and fill us, O Lord.
Teach us your wisdom, O Lord.
Shadows have clouded, have crowded our sight.
Give us hearts that see. Set our loving free.
Hear us and help us, O Lord.
Send us good summer, O Lord.
Winters have chilled us and stilled us too long.
Give us love's own fire. Be our true desire.
Send us your spirit, O Lord.
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